The Other Side: Mississippi Today's Political Podcast

Mississippi Department of Transportation Director Brad White says an influx of "one-time" state and federal money is allowing the agency to again build and widen roads. But he said the agency needs long-term, steady revenue streams to maintain them once they're built.

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, and Taylor Vance discuss several major issues that are being debated during the 2024 legislative session. Medicaid expansion, income tax cut, retirement system changes, and felony suffrage restoration are among the topics covered.

Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, tells Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance that expanding Medicaid, restoring the initiative and helping the Mississippi Delta are topics he hopes will be addressed during the 2024 legislative session.

Senate Finance Chair Josh Harkins, R-Flowood, discusses with Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance the passage of the two major projects in consecutive weeks. The key committee chair also says he will consider tax cuts, but reiterated he wants to move cautiously and examine the overall impact of any tax reduction.

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, and Taylor Vance break down last week's special session in which lawmakers appropriated at least $350 million to close a deal that will bring a new green energy plant to north Mississippi.

Mississippi Today political reporters Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance discuss Gov. Tate Reeves' inauguration and the committee assignments made by House Speaker Jason White and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann.

Mississippi Today's Julia James and Bobby Harrison hear from Becky Glover, policy analyst with Parents for Public School, and Will Bardwell, senior counsel with Democracy Forward, about the scheduled Feb. 6 oral arguments before the state Supreme Court in their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of sending public funds to private schools. Bardwell and Glover point out that Section 208 of Mi...

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance preview the 2024 legislative session. They discuss major issues to watch for during the 120-day session that begins Jan. 2, and they also discuss some potential surprises.

Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, during a 2023 interview with Mississippi Today, shared an incredible story from earlier in his life when he got to attend a Super Bowl. Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau and Bobby Harrison talk with Musgrove about the event. 

Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance provide a primer of what to expect during the opening days of the pomp and circumstance of the 2024 legislative session. The session is quickly approaching, slated to begin at noon on Jan. 2.

Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender take a break from political world (kind of) to talk with Mississippi singer/songwriter Paul Thorn about his music and his diverse life's experiences. Thorn grew up in a conservative church before making a mark as a boxer and then a storyteller, writing and singing songs about Americana. 

Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance discuss the recent election losses for Mississippi Democrats with Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Natchez, the House minority leader. Johnson also talks about whether he can work with Jason White, the likely new speaker of the Mississippi House, and what his own future political ambitions may be.

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance discuss the relationship between Gov. Tate Reeves, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and likely Speaker of the House Jason White. Will tensions in those relationships affect major policy proposals that will be debated during the 2024 legislative session?

State Sen. Daniel Sparks, R-Belmont, a key ally of Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann during the recently held statewide elections, discussed a wide range of issues expected to be considered during 2024 legislative session with Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance.

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance break down Republican Gov. Tate Reeves' election win over Democratic challenger Brandon Presley. They detail what worked for Reeves, what didn't work for Presley, and whether Mississippi Democrats can be competitive again.

Former "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd and longtime Boston Globe journalist Curtis Wilkie join Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau to discuss the Nov. 7, 2023, governor's race between Gov. Tate Reeves and Brandon Presley. They also discuss 2024 presidential politics, the continuing influence of Donald Trump in the Republican Party, and warning signs for President Joe Biden.

Gov. Tate Reeves and challenger Brandon Presley will debate on Nov. 1 ahead of the Nov. 7 governor's election. Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender break it all down. 

Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance discuss with state Rep. Robert Johnson, the House minority leader, about how the turnout among Black Mississippians could impact the outcome on Nov. 7.

Mississippi Today's politics team breaks down several news breaks that went into the busiest week of the 2023 governor's race —from a lawsuit to a threatened lawsuit to a fundraising shock to a debate update.

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender break down the debate about the gubernatorial debates between Gov. Tate Reeves and challenger Brandon Presley. What's happened to this point, and what can voters expect?

Mississippi Today's political team discusses Gov. Tate Reeves' newly announced plan to help the state's hospitals, and how his Democratic opponent and others have responded to it. The team also discusses Reeves' pastor weighing in on health care expansion — a solution the governor has resisted for years. 

Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance talked with outgoing state Rep. Nick Bain, a Republican from Corinth, on his vote to change state flag and how he believes it played major role in his election loss last month. Bain, who was first elected in 2011, says he has no regrets about his vote.

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau and Geoff Pender discuss what voters can expect of Gov. Tate Reeves and challenger Brandon Presley in the final 50 days of the 2023 election cycle.

Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance talk all things politics, ranging from House Pro Tem Jason White, expected to be elected new speaker, committing to studying Medicaid expansion. Also discussed this week: communications between Tate Reeves' brother and Auditor Shad White about Brett Favre.

Mississippi Today's political reporters Geoff Pender, Taylor Vance and Bobby Harrison break down numbers from the most recent Mississippi Today/Siena College poll. Incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has comfortable 11-point lead, but issues favor Democratic challenger Brandon Presley.