Mississippi Edition

The House passes a reformative tax bill that could eliminate the personal income tax while raising other use taxes Then, the Governor announces expanded coronavirus vaccine eligibility to teachers and first responders. Plus, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, the Winter Institute uses an art contest to engage the state's youth in the racial reconciliation movement. Segment 1: Mississippians co...

Lawmakers draft legislation to clarify the definition of hazing and stipulate penalties for institutions failing to report violations.   Then, restoration of power across the state is nearly complete following last-week's generational winter storm. We hear from Entergy Mississippi on the storm's impact and the recovery process. Plus, the William Winter Institute continues its pursui...

The mayor of the Capital city assesses the city’s infrastructure and water challenges following a week-long winter storm. Then, vaccine hesitancy continues to be prominent within the Black community - including health care workers. Plus, the Society of Archivists responds to a bill designed to restructure of the board of Archives and History. Segment 1: Parts of Mississippi are still under a boil...

A week of snow, ice and frigid temperatures made commuting hazardous. We check in with MDOT for the latest on how Mississippi’s roadways are faring.  Then, Wednesday night’s wave of winter precipitation resulted in power outages across the state. We hear from the public service commission on the effort to restore electricity.   Plus, Mississippi Congressman Bennie Tho...

A second wave of ice and snow swept through the central and northern parts of the yesterday. We visit with the National Weather Service on the outlook for the days ahead.  Then, a Mississippi Congressman uses legislation from 1871 as grounds to sue former President Trump.  Plus, in our Book Club, "Eudora Welty: Photographs."  Segment 1: A second wave of wint...

Some of this week’s ice and snow have begun to slowly melt away, but more freezing temperatures and precipitation could be on the way. We hear from the national weather service.  Then, Mississippi’s roadways have been hazardous as a result of the generational winter storm. We talk to the highway patrol.  Plus, with frigid temperatures expecting to remain throughout the week, Mi...

The sleet and snow have moved out, but the frigid air remains. We check in with the National Weather Service on how long it will stay and if more wintery precipitation is on the way.  Then, this week’s winter storm has left Mississippi’s roads icy and has created other hazardous conditions. We hear from MEMA on the state’s response.  Plus, the Small Business Administration...

A winter storm brings ice and snow to the Magnolia State. We look at the forecast and the conditions on Mississippi's roads  Then, Dr. Fauci joins Mississippi health officials and Tougaloo College to discuss vaccine access in the state's Black communities. Plus, the Human Rights Campaign responds to recent legislation. Segment 1: Much of the state is experiencing sub-freezing temperature...

With winter weather advisories expected across the state this weekend, we check in with the national weather service about the chances for rain, ice, and snow. Then, a bill to allow collegiate athletes to profit off their likeness turns into a debate over gender identity. Plus, Facebook is rolling out $120 million dollars in an effort to localize vaccine information. Segment 1: Ten days ago, Penns...

Tensions rise on the Senate floor as the chamber passes a voter purge bill. Then, we examine the roll community health centers are playing in bringing vaccines to the state’s under-served. Plus, in our Book Club, being black in Mississippi in “I Don’t Like the Blues: Race, Place and the Backbeat of Black Life.” Segment 1: Mississippians who vote occasionally might find their names removed from the...

The state’s largest historically black university teams up with a top health official to address community concerns about the coronavirus vaccine. Then, a “Ban the Box” criminal justice reform bill falls short in the Senate. Plus, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, HUD awards Mississippi nearly six million dollars to address homelessness. Segment 1: Mississippi's Black residents are getting va...

Health officials update residents on the vaccine rollout. Then, second draw loans though the Paycheck Protection Program became available last month. We check in with the Bankers Association. Plus, ahead of a virtual panel examining and celebrating the history of the black church, we talk to Mississippi gospel icon. Segment 1: Mississippi residents 65 and older are getting vaccinated in growing nu...

After topping a quarter-million first doses, state health officials say the expect new vaccines will be available within a month. Then, a recent report reveals inmates with disabilities face dire circumstances in Mississippi prisons. Plus, the debate over how to rehabilitate Mississippi’s state parks intensifies in the senate. Segment 1: Mississippi is crossing new thresholds in vaccination distri...

Mississippi’s vaccine rollout is drawing attention from neighboring states as outside residents cross state lines to get shots. And the mayor of the capital city institutes a curfew in an attempt to curb crime. Then, we examine how Mississippi’s Hispanic communities have withstood the coronavirus pandemic. Plus, the Senate passes a teacher loan repayment program. Segment 1: State health officials...

The State Board of Health meets to begin outlining the state's new medical marijuana program. Then, 2020 was a record year for organ transplants in Mississippi. We examine how MORA was successful in a year complicated by the coronavirus pandemic. Plus, in our Book Club, a military Veteran and Professor Emeritus at West Point challenges the myths of the Confederate legacy in “Robert E. Lee and...

The Governor outlines more vaccine programs as state health officials monitory variant strains of the coronavirus. Then, with Initiative 65 scheduled for hearings at Mississippi’s highest court, lawmakers draft a potential substitute. Plus, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, a former President of the state medical association laments Mississippi’s reluctance to expand Medicaid. Segment 1: Miss...

Faith leaders from Mississippi's Black communities come together in a mass vaccination event to promote hope and healing  Then, communities of color have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll look at how pre-existing gaps in health care access across the region are also impacting the vaccine rollout.  Plus, lawmakers explore different ways to improve Missi...

The health department opens up new sites as the state continues its coronavirus vaccine rollout. Then, Mississippi scores poorly in a new study assessing tobacco control. Plus, a Jackson hospital is the first in the state to offer a new breast cancer treatment. Segment 1: The Mississippi Department of Health is opening new coronavirus vaccination sites in an effort to expand vaccine access in the...

The Governor sets a goal for weekly vaccinations. And, a new "Use it or Lose it" bill could affect voter rolls. Then, how the Crown Act attempts to rectify racially discriminate dress codes for hair. Plus, the insurance commissioner encourages companies to remove financial barriers to the vaccine. Segment 1: Governor Tate Reeves says he wants Mississippi to reach 100 thousand coronavirus shots a w...

Human trafficking presents new challenges during the pandemic as Mississippi’s rate surpasses the National average by 175 percent. Then, members of the state's legal profession outline how the new medical marijuana program could affect employers and the workplace. Plus, in today’s Book Club: What actions and words are protected by the First Amendment? Author Ian Rosenberg tells us in “The Fig...

Following the State of the State address, our analysts break down the Governor's outlook on job creation, taxes, and teacher raises. Then, we examine a Democratic Response that paints a different economic picture and addresses two policy matters absent from the Governor's speech. Plus, Mississippi's school choice organizations take their advocacy virtual. Segment 1: 2020 marked Governor Tate Reeve...

Lawmakers look ahead to the Governor's State of the State Address. We get perspectives on both side of the aisle on COVID response, vaccine roll-out and other issues. Then, the federal partnership with corporate pharmacies to vaccine the state's most vulnerable is lagging. We hear from the AARP on the state's progress getting Mississippi's oldest residents protected.  Plus, a new re...

As Mississippians fill vaccination appointments throughout the state, we examine the health department’s drive through vaccine experience. Then, Mississippi’s lone Congressional Democrat shares his thoughts on the inauguration of the 46th President. Plus, in our Book Club, The Mississippi Historical Society’s “Best State History Book of the Year,” “Steeped in the Blood of Racism.” Segment 1:...

The coronavirus pandemic is revealing more about the financial security of Mississippi's rural hospitals. We examine efforts to expand Medicaid in the state. Then, state lawmakers encourage eligible Mississippians to get vaccinated. Plus, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, a Mississippi teen is recognized as a top science scholar. Segment 1: Mississippi's rural hospitals were facing chall...

As COVID-19 deaths climb following the holiday surge, state officials continue their push to make more coronavirus vaccines available to eligible residents. Then, with the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden approaching, state capitals are under heightened security. We hear from state lawmakers on the insurrection in Washington and the challenge of working in an charged political climat...