We are thrilled to announce that veteran journalist Emily Wagster Pettus has joined Mississippi Today as our senior editor.

Emily brings more than three decades of experience covering Mississippi. She joins the newsroom’s leadership team to help guide our editorial strategy, mentor young reporters and grow our relationship with newsroom leaders across the state and region.

The dean of the Mississippi Capitol Press Corps, Emily served as The Associated Press’s Mississippi Capitol correspondent from 2001 until January 2025. She previously reported for The Clarion-Ledger, The Vicksburg Evening Post and The Oxford Eagle. She is a graduate of the University of Mississippi.

“Emily is, in so many ways, a trailblazer for Mississippi journalists,” said Adam Ganucheau, Mississippi Today’s editor-in-chief. “Her steadfast, tough-but-fair reporting has inspired many journalists — myself included — to serve Mississippians in similar ways. I can’t overstate how excited we are to have her join our newsroom, where her insight and perspective will be invaluable to us and will help shape our future. And, of course, everyone is thrilled about the return of Emily’s byline after a few months of well-deserved rest.”

Emily’s reporting has been widely praised for its fairness, accuracy and depth. In March 2025, the Mississippi Legislature honored her with a resolution recognizing her contributions to journalism and public understanding. She is also a past recipient of the University of Mississippi’s prestigious Silver Em Award.

“I’m looking forward to working with smart, energetic journalists at Mississippi Today, many of whom are friends and former colleagues,” Emily said. “It’s important to report with depth and historical perspective on the complex issues of this state and to demand accountability from public officials, elected and appointed.”

Emily can be reached at epettus@mississippitoday.org.