Mississippi Edition

The Governor extends mask requirements and social gathering restrictions to seven new counties while administrators at the state's only Tier I trauma facility express concern over resources.

 Then, the Trump administration is stonewalling the Biden transition team's ability to receive vital intelligence briefings. We hear from the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

 Plus, the University of Southern Miss presents the 2020 Kay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival.

Segment 1:

Community transmission of the coronavirus continues to rise in Mississippi. Since Friday, the department of health has reported nearly 3,000 new cases of COVID 19. The weeks-long trend is also adversely affecting hospital capacity as COVID-related hospitalizations and ICU occupancy are also trending up. Yesterday, Governor Tate Reeves cited the rising numbers as he announced the extension of his executive order to seven new counties.

Administrators of Mississippi's only Tier I trauma facility are also expressing concern over the rising numbers. LouAnn Woodward is Vice Chancellor of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She says hospitals are starting to see the second-degree effects of the recent surge in cases. Dr. Alan Jones, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs at UMMC, says the fall and winter season is always a challenge for hospitals in the greater Jackson area.

Segment 2:

The 2020 general election was two weeks ago, and former Vice President Joe Biden has projected the winner. Traditionally, the President-elect's transition team would begin working with the outgoing administration to ensure a smooth and peaceful transfer of power. But President Donald Trump is refusing to concede - claiming the election was fraudulent without any substantial evidence - and the White House has been stonewalling the Biden transition team's access to key intelligence briefings. Democrat Bennie Thompson represents Mississippi's second Congressional district and chairs the House Homeland Security Committee. He examines the security of the recent election and explains the procedures needed to protect the homeland during this period of transition. 

Segment 3:

Emma Walton Hamilton is a best-selling and award-winning author, editor, stage and television writer/producer, performer and arts educator. Together with her mother, Julie Andrews, she has co-authored over thirty books for children and adults, nine of which have been on the New York Times best-seller list. This week, she is serving as a speaker at the Kay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival, hosted by the University of Southern Mississippi. She shares how her childhood household shaped her own creativity.