@ISSUE

Host Wilson Stribling welcomes Republican analyst Lucien Smith and Democratic analyst Brandon Jones to discuss last week’s elections. With the Senate race between Scott Colom and incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith still too close to call, what can we expect over the next few days? And will the results be challenged in court? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Speaker of the House Jason White contracted a major polling firm to capture opinions from Mississippi voters. We share the data and look at where Mississippians stand on issues like inflation, crime & public safety, healthcare, taxes, education, data centers, and more. Then in our roundtable segment, Republican Lucien Smith and Democrat Brandon Jones join host Wilson Stribling to look at how p...

Secretary of State Michael Watson speaks with host Wilson Stribling about next week’s elections and election law in Mississippi. Then Republican Lucien Smith and Democrat Brandon Jones discuss voting in Mississippi, incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s battle with challenger Scott Colom, and what’s at stake for Mississippi and the nation on November 3. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee is reviewing budget requests for all state agencies for Fiscal Year 2028. Some are asking for substantial increases, like the Division of Medicaid (a $179 million increase), and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (almost doubling its request from last year). We interview Senator Briggs Hopson (R-Vicksburg), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Commi...

The eighth, and final, public hearing on redistricting took place Thursday night at the State Capitol. Hear from speakers at the anti-redistricting rally that took place outside the Capitol, and from proponents and opponents of redistricting at the hearing. Then host Wilson Stribling welcomes Republican Lucien Smith and Democrat Brandon Jones to get their takes on the hearings and their prediction...

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a group of Jackson plaintiffs do not have a right to uncontaminated drinking water, nor to honest information about it from public officials. If that strikes you as strange, you’re not alone. On this episode, host Wilson Stribling interviews Jade Craig, assistant professor at the University of Mississippi School of Law. They discuss common misunderstandi...

Pharmacy Benefit Managers --the “middlemen” between insurance companies, drug manufacturers, and pharmacies— ultimately determine what you pay for prescription drugs. Critics have called for greater regulation and transparency, but the Mississippi legislature has failed to send legislation to the Governor during recent sessions. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Indianola pharmacist Guy Phillips ab...

Mississippi’s mail-in voting law was upheld this summer by the U.S. Supreme Court, voting 5-4 to maintain the 5-day window for counting mail-in ballots after Election Day. Meanwhile, President Trump has issued an executive order requiring the Dept. of Homeland Security to compile lists of eligible voters in each state, and calling on the U.S. Postal Service not to deliver ballots cast by people no...

Mississippi’s cattle producers, like cattle producers nationwide, were caught off-guard by President Trump’s plan to import 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef at below-market prices. Host Wilson Stribling interviews State Senator Andy Berry (R-District 35), who is also executive vice president of the Mississippi Beef Council. Then analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples share bi-partisan conce...

The Joint Legislative Committee on Redistricting and Reapportionment has begun its series of eight public meetings across the state, getting comments from citizens before redrawing districts. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Representative Noah Sanford (R-Collins), vice chairman of the Joint Committee. Then analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples discuss the process and agree that public partic...

The artificial intelligence boom is here, with hyperscale data centers in operation and many more under construction across Mississippi. Construction jobs and tax revenues are bringing money into the state, but how are communities dealing with concerns about noise, air pollution, water depletion, and other impacts? Host Wilson Stribling welcomes guest Neil Strebing, a reporter for the Memphis Comm...

Could performance-based funding have unintended consequences for Mississippi’s universities? Host Wilson Stribling looks back at last week’s interview with Senate Universities & Colleges Committee chair Sen. Nicole Boyd (R-Oxford). Then Wilson welcomes Rep. Zakiya Summers (D-Jackson) to discuss how new proposals might affect HBCU’s, as well as predominantly white institutions. Analysts Rebekah...

How can Mississippi’s universities and community colleges better prepare students for tomorrow’s workplace? Legislators are advocating new performance measures not only to gauge educational outcomes, but also to determine institutional funding. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Sen. Nicole Boyd (R-Oxford), chair of the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee. Then analysts Rebekah Stapes and Bra...

Last week the legislature met in special session to pass sweeping youth court system reforms. Host Wilson Stribling welcomes Jamie McBride, longtime adjunct professor at MC School of Law, to discuss key elements of the new legislation. Then analysts Brandon Jones and Clifton Carroll join Wilson to offer their viewpoints not only on the new reforms, but also on how the special session was conducted...

Mississippi’s Youth Courts were thrown into crisis on July 1 when key legislation expired. Now two hotly contested lawsuits are underway, and a special session may be the only solution. Madison County Youth Court prosecutor Lindsey Herr joins host Wilson Stribling to discuss what’s transpired. Then, roundtable analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples break down what this means for Mississippi’s...

New laws passed during the spring legislative session went into effect on July 1. Host Wilson Stribling speaks with Clarion-Ledger legislative reporter Bea Anhuci and analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones, discussing how these new laws will affect you and what they say about Mississippi's priorities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Neshoba County Fair brought together political candidates, elected officials, and hundreds of fairgoers last week for one of Mississippi's great traditions. On this week's @ISSUE, host Wilson Stribling brings you highlights from the speeches, followed by expert analysis from Republican Rebekah Staples and Democrat Brandon Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mississippi's student population is shrinking. Some districts are struggling both academically and financially. Is school district consolidation the answer? Host Desare Frazier speaks with Rep. Rob Roberson (R-Starkville), chair of the House Select Committee on School Consolidation. We also hear from Nancy Loome, executive director of the Parents' Campaign. Then, analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah...

The Rural Health Transformation Program will bring more than $200 million to Mississippi in 2026, and as much as $1 billion over five years. But how will this money be used, and who will make the decisions? @ISSUE reports on the joint Senate-House hearing held last week. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Sen. Hob Bryan (D-Amory), chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. Then, ana...

Jackson Mayor John Horhn sits down with host Wilson Stribling to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Mississippi's capitol city. Mayor Horhn talks about improved relations between city and state, public safety initiatives, infrastructure improvements, the water controversy, control of the airport, and more. Then analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples join Wilson to look at the work...

Congressional, judicial, and legislative redistricting are all on the table, but when? Governor Reeves has cancelled the special legislative session, but still promises to redistrict Congressman Bennie Thompson out of office. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court's recent Callais decision impacts state supreme court redistricting as well as recently redrawn state legislative maps. Analysts Brandon Jon...

In the wake of the Supreme Court's recent decision affecting the Voting Rights Act, Republican-led states across the South are redrawing Congressional districts. Will Mississippi do the same in the upcoming special session? Analysts Brandon Jones and Lucien Smith join host Wilson Stribling for an in-depth discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week the United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Louisiana's newly drawn congressional district should not have used race as a factor. Does the 1965 Voting Rights Act remain "substantially intact," as Republican Lucien Smith claims? Or has it been "nullified with the stroke of a pen," as Democrat Brandon Jones laments? Brandon and Lucien join host Wilson Stribling to discuss this mome...

Will the new Shield Act prevent non-citizens from voting in Mississippi elections? Or will it disenfranchise legal voters? Host Wilson Stribling interviews Senate Elections Committee chairman Jeremy England (R-Van Cleave) and University of Mississippi professor Marvin King for contrasting perspectives. Then Wilson welcomes Republican Lucien Smith and Democrat Brandon Jones for a spirited roundtabl...

The Legislature returned to Jackson last week, determined to override several of Governor Tate Reeves' vetoes. And then they didn't. Host Wilson Stribling welcomes analysts Brandon Jones and Lucien Smtih to discuss what was going on behind the scenes, who miscalculated, and what the results may mean for some of Mississippi's political leaders.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...