Mississippi Edition

**This episode was produced during Fall Drive and is shorter to provide time on air for drive. Participate in our Fall Drive by visiting mpbonline.org**

A federal ruling allows Mississippi voters to correct rejected absentee ballots.

Then, at the urging of vendors, the commissioner of agriculture extends the state fair.

Plus, since 1950 more strong tornados have occurred in November than any other month except May. We examine what causes Mississippi’s severe fall weather.

Segment 1:

A federal judge's ruling is instructing the Mississippi Secretary of State's office to allow voters the chance to correct rejected absentee ballots. The provision, which is a result of a federal lawsuit brought by voting rights organizations to expand absentee voting in the state, says ballots rejected due to signature problems will be eligible for correction. Christy Wheeler is with the League of Women Voters of Mississippi, one of the plaintiffs in the suit. She tells our Desare Frazier this ruling doesn't account for the missed opportunities to expand absentee voting.

Segment 2:

The Mississippi State Fair was scheduled to end Sunday. But after conversations with fair vendors, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson is extending the event. The fair's first weekend was significantly affected by Hurricane Delta - shortening operating hours and driving attendance down. The coronavirus pandemic also presented challenges with capacity limits and social distance monitoring. Gipson tells our Kobee Vance he hopes the combination of favorable weather and eager vendors will make for a successful extended weekend.

Segment 3:

The forecast calls for sunny skies, but residents across the state will be hearing the sounds of tornado sirens this morning. The alarm is part of a statewide tornado drill happening in observance of Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Since 1950, November has experienced more strong tornadoes than any other month besides May. Meteorologist John Moore is with the National Weather Service in Jackson. He says severe weather occurs when cooler air from the north overtakes warmer air masses in the south.