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Jackson’s Confederate-Named Schools May Change After JPS Board Vote
With the potential for a state takeover of the Jackson Public School District looming, its board of trustees voted to allow the local PTAs to rename three elementary schools in …
'Our JPS' Coalition Activates Against State Takeover
The pending takeover of Jackson Public Schools drew dozens of citizens to Friday Forum at the former Koinonia Coffeehouse this morning to learn about what it means for capital-city families.
Gutting State Government? The Move to Free Up State Agencies
The majority of state employees could lose access to their employee appeals board and other human resources for the next three years if a bill to move most state agencies …
Lawmakers Take on Capitol Complexity, ‘Amazon’ Sales Tax and Craft Breweries
The City of Jackson could receive financial support for its infrastructure this year, but how that will work varies on both ends of the statehouse. The Senate and House versions …
Senate Jumps on Campaign Finance Reform Train
The Senate unanimously passed campaign-finance reform Wednesday that would prohibit the personal use of campaign-finance funds on items including residential or household items, mortgages, funeral expenses, clothing or automobiles, tuition …
Black Lawmaker Details Racial Profiling Incident, But 'Back the Badge' Act Passes
Rep. Christopher Bell, D-Jackson, was 25 when a police officer pulled him over when he was driving east of Jackson for no apparent reason.
Ed Formula Bills Dead ... For Now at #MSLeg
Both dummy bills that Mississippi legislators could have used to change the state's education funding formula died in the House and the Senate on Feb. 9, but attempts to implement …
Senate Attempts to Put Governor in Charge of Mental Health
Legislation to move the Department of Mental Health under the policy direction of the governor passed the Senate by one vote on Feb. 9, after a contentious debate and bi-partisan …
Potential Hate Crimes, Racist Graffiti, Fire in Jackson Under Investigation
Stanley Wesley, the founding president of Respect our Black Dollars, found graffiti on his home when he got back from a banquet for his nonprofit.
Governor Could Take Authority from Legislature if Bills Pass Today
Gov. Phil Bryant would get authority over the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and supervise the state's occupational licensing boards if legislation makes it out of the Mississippi Senate and …
Governor Name-checks Jackson in HB 1523 Brief, Dismisses LGBT Worries as 'Parade of Horribles'
Anti-discrimination attempts by the City of Jackson figure prominently in Gov. Phil Bryant's latest attempt to convince the courts to allow House Bill 1523 to take effect, despite its potential …
In the Statehouse and the Courtroom, Mental Health is Embattled
Research in the psychology and psychiatry fields show little to no evidence that hospitals and residential treatment centers are effective in helping a person with mental-health needs.
Tort Reform, Sexual Assault Prevention and Fantasy Sports Bills Move Forward
"Tort reform" rose from the past at the state Capitol last week as lawyers in the House of Representatives battled it out over a short, seemingly inconsequential bill, House Bill …
MAEP Not Funded, But Education Formula Re-Write Must Happen by July 1
The Mississippi Adequate Education Program was not funded in a Department of Education appropriations bill the Mississippi House of Representatives passed Wednesday, signaling that the formula re-write has to happen …
State Revenues 'Have Disappointed,' Trump Effect on Mississippi Uncertain
The U.S. economy may be growing, but Mississippi's revenue is lagging, and the state faces uncertainty over the effect of the Trump administration's policies, especially on trade.
Fixing (Some) Roads and Bridges Still Possible in 2017 Session
While the Mississippi Legislature has not proposed—let alone approved—a comprehensive plan to fix the state's crumbling infrastructure, the Legislature could take some steps this year to ensure that some additional …
Two More Districts Approved to Innovate
The Mississippi State Board of Education approved plans for two new school districts to become "Districts of Innovation" on Feb. 16.
Treasurer Fitch Pushes Gender Pay, Financial Literacy Despite Bills Dying
State Treasurer Lynn Fitch is disappointed that legislation addressing the state's gender-pay gap and requiring financial literacy education for students did not see the light of day in the Mississippi …
After ICE Raid, Immigration Limbo in Mississippi for a Jackson Family
Daniela Vargas was asleep early on Feb. 15 when she felt her father kiss her goodbye, as he did every morning. It was around 6:30 or 7 a.m., a seemingly …
Lawmakers Use Templates to Target Welfare Fraud, Focus on Recipients, Not Providers
Lawmakers seem serious about addressing welfare reform this year, potentially making it both harder to get benefits and then to stay on the rolls once a recipient has a job. …