Business
On May Day, Honoring Workers Who Die on the Job, and a Call for Reform
Advocates for workers' rights, including the Mississippi Workers Center for Human Rights and the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, gathered at the Mississippi Capitol on Friday, April 28, to honor those …
State
Gambling in Mississippi: State in Top 5 for Addiction, First for Related Arrests
Mississippi sees the most gambling-related arrests and is in the top five states in the country for gambling addiction, a recent study from WalletHub found.
Development
Where the Pearl River Flows
Environmental groups and downstream communities in Louisiana and Mississippi are keeping a sharp eye on any proposed levee or lake project in Jackson, such as the current "One Lake" strategy, …
Business
Shifting the Power to Regulate Nurses, Barbers, More
Melony Armstrong did not want to cut hair; she wanted to braid hair in her own shop. She believed that the time and money spent on beauty school would be …
City & County
Jackson Primary Voter Turnout May Be 'Disappointing,' Secretary of State Says
Jacksonians will go to the polls in a week to vote in the primary mayoral and city council elections, and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said he's "disappointed" so far …
Health Care
Sexually Transmitted Infection Rates High in Mississippi, Despite Declines
Despite declines in recent years, Mississippi still has some of the highest STI rates in the country, data from the Centers for Disease Control show.
Politics
'Spoiled' Criminal Justice Reform Bill Dies After Governor's Veto
Individuals would not be locked up for being financially unable to pay fines, and nonviolent offenders could get parole sooner under a bipartisan bill both the House and the Senate …
Immigration
Deportations Devastating to Children of Immigrants, Stoking Fear and Altering Daily Life
The 6-year-old's father was facing deportation, so the little boy took the stand to defend his daddy in an immigration court in Louisiana.
Development
Much Ado About Flooding: How 'One Lake' Could Change the Pearl River
People like to settle near rivers due to their need for water, good soil and potential food sources a river can provide, not to mention recreation. Still, it is important …
City & County
Jackson Plans to Pursue New Orleans Pelicans NBA Team
The City of Jackson will submit a formal letter of intent to the National Basketball Association to pursue a development-league affiliate for the New Orleans Pelicans today.
Politics
Seatbelts Now Required for All in Cars, Bryant Signs Trooper School Funding
Starting in July if you're riding in a car in Mississippi, seatbelts are required for everyone in the vehicle. But previously, state law only required those passengers in the front …
National
U.S. Sen. Wicker Says 1,500 Syrians Died from Chemical Attacks During War, More from Barrel Bombs
Mississippi's junior U.S. senator, Roger Wicker, says President Donald Trump acted in accordance with the Constitution when he ordered missile air strikes on a Syrian air base last Thursday—but that …
Education
State’s College Students Face Financial Aid Crunch
Allen Coon will lose one of his state scholarships, thanks to the Mississippi Legislature cutting over $1 million from state financial aid during the session that ended last month.
City & County
Welty Library Opens New Tech Lab, Will Offer Free Classes
Local job seekers may benefit from several upgrades to the Eudora Welty Library in downtown Jackson, including a new technology learning lab, 44 new computers and a freshly painted autism …
Education
JSU President Search Advances, Interviews to Begin Soon
The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning board has narrowed its pool of candidates for the future president of Jackson State University.
Politics
Six Mississippians Get Voting Rights Back
Six Mississippians await the governor's signature in order to get their right to vote in the state restored.
LGBT
Fifth Circuit to Decide if HB 1523 Is 'State-sponsored Discrimination'
The rights of LGBT Mississippians were in the balance Monday as attorneys from Mississippi and beyond faced off in Texas over whether House Bill 1523, the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience …
Health Care
Mother, Leaders Call for Autism Therapy Expansion
Chelsea McKinley knows what it's like to deal with the challenges of autism, namely accessing services and support she needs. She has three sons, all of whom have been diagnosed …
Politics
Special Session Ahead for Unfinished Business
A bi-partisan attempt to fund road and bridge repair, as well as Mississippi's top attorney's legal budget, stalled in a last-hour fight between the two houses in the Capitol last …
City & County
The 2017 Legislature’s Lasting Effects on Mississippians
The raucous legislative session ended a few days early on March 29 with several successful bills headed to Gov. Phil Bryant for signature, but without budgets in place for the …
Education
Charter School Funding Case Before Hinds County Judge
A group of parents with children in Jackson Public Schools challenged Mississippi's funding mechanism in the state's charter-school law in summer 2016, and this morning Hinds County Chancery Court Judge …
Crime
'Operation Zero Tolerance' Nets Staggering Amount of Contraband in Prison
Pelicia Hall, the recently confirmed commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, is cracking down on contraband in public and private prisons in the state.
City & County
Legislature Passes Cap Complex Bill, Funds Will Kick in by 2018
The Legislature passed the much-debated and anticipated Capitol Complex bill on the last day of their 2017 session, Wednesday, March 29. Both the House and the Senate passed the bill, …
Immigration
UPDATED: Gov. Bryant Joins States Supporting Trump's Travel Ban
Twelve states filed a brief in support of President Donald Trump's executive order titled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States," which is his second attempt …
Politics
A Bi-Partisan Mutiny Over Roads and Bridges
Lightning flashed outside as storms gathered inside the Mississippi Capitol late the night of Monday, March 27, a pivotal deadline day for budget legislation.
Education
MAEP, Mental Health Among #MSLeg Cuts
Public schools should prepare for more budget cuts, as the Mississippi Adequate Education Program took a hit in the budget lawmakers passed late Monday, March 27.
Politics
Midnight Meltdown Over Roads, Bridges: Three Budgets Die after House-Senate Showdown
Lawmakers staged a showdown in the Capitol last night over money for roads and bridges, as the Mississippi Senate and the House of Representatives stayed in session until midnight on …
Politics
Legislature Scorches State Services After Governor Cuts Budget Four Times
If the U.S. Civil War is a metaphor for Mississippi's supermajority's approach to state services, Gov. Phil Bryant and the Mississippi Legislature are leading a Sherman-esque march to the sea …
Health Care
Legislature Cutting Millions of Dollars from Human Services, Mental Health and Rehab Services
The Mississippi Legislature is cutting millions of dollars from state health-care services, and Democrats are not happy about it, especially with lawsuits looming.
Crime
Gov. Bryant Signs 'Back the Badge,' Increased Penalties Bills
Surrounded by law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and first responders, Gov. Phil Bryant signed the "Back the Badge Act," which adds law-enforcement officials, firefighters and emergency personnel as protected classes …
Politics
Veteran Democratic Lawmaker Diagnosed with Dementia, Plans to Retire
House Speaker Philip Gunn directed all members to their seats this morning, as Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, took the podium for a point of personal privilege.
Civil Rights
'Big, Black or Boy' Preschoolers Face Higher Expulsions and Suspensions
Implicit bias starts early in education—really early. New research shows that boys, black children and especially black boys are more likely to be expelled or suspended from early education program …
Art
18 Artists Inducted into Mississippi Arts and Experience Hall of Fame
Mississippi's top political leaders announced the induction of 18 artists into the inaugural Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame class at the Capitol this morning.
Cover
Cruel & Unusual? The Death Penalty’s Trials in Mississippi
The State of Mississippi is litigating legal challenges to the state's lethal-injection law directly. Mississippi last executed a prisoner in June 2012, Mississippi Department of Corrections records posted online show.
Politics
Compromising on Vouchers, Criminal Justice as ‘Back the Badge’ Bill Goes to Governor
The fate of dyslexia scholarship-voucher expansion efforts, how criminal-justice reforms are implemented and occupational licensing-board oversight are in the hands of a few this week as Mississippi lawmakers conference and …
Education
Bracing for Budget Cuts, Sparing Ed Funds
Impending and deep budget cuts have tainted many-a-committee comment and shadowed several debates this legislative session. With less than two weeks left until lawmakers leave Jackson, they must sign off …
State
'Transform Your Hustle': 'Shark Tank'-Style Re-Entry Program Coming to State
Mississippians in the state's custody could soon have access to a new re-entry program focused on entrepreneurship, rehabilitation and getting a job upon release.
Health Care
GOP Health Plan Would Affect Older Mississippians, Many Rural Whites
Despite the Affordable Care Act's uncertain future, more than 88,000 Mississippians, many elderly and white, re-enrolled in health insurance-marketplace plans by the Jan. 31 deadline, data from the Centers for …
Civil Rights
'Back the Badge' Bill Heads to Governor's Desk
Police officers will become a protected class for hate crimes against them if Gov. Phil Bryant signs the "Back the Badge Act of 2017," which is headed to Gov. Phil …
Civil Rights
Slain Teen's Mother Sues Business Owner Charged with His Murder
Yvette Mason-Sherman filed a civil lawsuit against Wayne Parish, the man indicted in the killing of her 17-year-old son, Charles McDonald Jr., at Performance Oil Equipment in Jackson last fall, …
Business
Advocates, Lawmakers: Women's Rights Legislation Will Be Back
Women make 75 cents to every dollar a man makes in Mississippi, data from the Mississippi State Treasurer's office says.
Education
Students, Parents, Business Leaders Rally for "Seat at the Table" in Ed-Formula Re-Write
Students, parents and advocates gathered at the Mississippi State Capitol on Thursday, March 16, calling on lawmakers to slow down the process of rewriting Mississippi's education funding formula and hold …
Education
JPS Shrinks as Charters Pull Students, Money
In Dr. Freddrick Murray's view, Jackson Public Schools has to be proactive to get in front of the myriad problems the district faces, from decreasing enrollment and funding at most …
Civil Rights
The Mississippi Flag Case Against Gov. Phil Bryant: A First
The case against Gov. Phil Bryant for continuing to fly the current Mississippi flag could be the first in which judges consider an Equal Protection Clause claim based on government …
State
Understanding Trauma Key to Fixing State's Foster Care System
Like Michigan, Mississippi is under a consent decree to fix its foster-care system—and the State must fulfill several promises by year's end.
Development
Infrastructure Funding Alive in Mississippi House
Repairing the state's roads and bridges may still be a priority of the Mississippi House of Representatives, with members voting to increase funding for infrastructure by about $150 million starting …
Immigration
ICE Releases Daniela Vargas Under Order of Supervision
Daniela Vargas, the 22-year-old undocumented immigrant who grew up in Mississippi and was detained after speaking out at a press conference in Jackson, is free from federal custody as of …
Civil Rights
State Flag Debate Back in the Spotlight
Rep. William Shirley, R-Quitman, is on a mission to make universities fly the state flag. The state flag debate flared up yesterday in the House of Representatives when Rep. Shirley …
Education
Dyslexia Voucher Expansion Bill Passes Senate
House Bill 1046 expands vouchers or scholarships, depending on whom you ask in the statehouse. Either way, the legislation advanced late on Wednesday night after more than two hours of …
Civil Rights
Petitions, Vigil Demand Feds to #FreeDany from ICE Detention Center
As Daniela Vargas sits in an immigrant detention center in Jena, La., 166 miles from her Jackson home, concerned citizens, advocates and pastors gathered here in the courtyard of Fondren …
