Mississippi Edition

11/17/2020

11/17/20 - Mask Mandate Includes New Counties | Homeland Security Chairman | Emma Walton Hamilton

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.

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2/25/2021

2/25/21 - Pink Tax Elimination Bill | Medicaid for Parolees | Story State | Book Club: Bill Ferris

Lawmakers in the House introduce legislation to eliminate the Pink tax.And, one leader from the hospital association weighs in on the debate on expanding Medicaid.Then, Mississippi State University recognizes the power of storytellers.Plus, in our Book Club: “I AM A MAN: Civil Rights Photographs in the American South, 1960–1970.”Segment 1:House Bill 1238 wouldexempt baby formula, diapers, feminine care and contraceptive products from the state’s 7 percent sales tax. Democratic Representative John Hines of Greenville authored the bill.He says a woman brought the issue to his attention, saying the products are a growing expense for low-income families.He tells our Desare Frazier his personal experience growing up with his mom and sisters helps inform his advocacy on this issue.----------------------------------------------A bill out of the Senate Medicaid committee is making its way to the House after passing the the chamber earlier this month.Senate Bill 2252, passed by the Senate on February 3rd, expands Medicaid for parolees and authorizes the construction of a special care facility for paroled inmates. Richard Roberson is the General Counsel for the Mississippi Hospital Association.He shares more about the potential legislation, and how it fits with the greater debate to expand Medicaid in Mississippi.Segment 2:The Communications Department at Mississippi State University is celebrating a new era of storytelling in the state."Story State: Fostering Innovative Storytelling" will feature more than a dozen storytellers - working in different genres - sharing their tips, experiences, and stories virtually today.Josh Foreman, chairman of the 2021 Story State planning committee, says everyone knows about Faulkner, Welty, Elvis and Robert Johnson.But as he shares with us, there are a whole lot of other great storytellers in Mississippi.Segment 3:William R. Ferris is a Mississippi native, author and scholar and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.He was commissioned to curate an exhibit and write the catalog for a collection of photos covering the civil rights movement from 1960 to 1970. The exhibit called, “I Am a Man,” recently opened at the two Mississippi Museums in Jackson after a record attending show in France.The catalog takes form in a hardbound book featuring the images of twelve photographers. We close out Black History Month with this book, about which Ferris says … “The photographs capture the quiet determination of elders and the angry commitment of the young, and they also remind us how far we have to go.”

2/24/2021

2/24/21 - MS Tax Freedom Act | Vaccines for Teachers & First Responders | Southern Remedy Health Minute | Racial Reconciliation: Part 2

The House passes a reformative tax bill that could eliminate the personal income tax while raising other use taxesThen, the Governor announces expanded coronavirus vaccine eligibility to teachers and first responders.Plus, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, the Winter Institute uses an art contest to engage the state's youth in the racial reconciliation movement.Segment 1:Mississippians could see their income tax eliminated if a bill that’s making its way through the legislature is passed by the Senate.Yesterday the House passed the Mississippi Tax Freedom Act - a plan to phase out the state income tax - with bi-partisan support.Prior to the vote Republican Speaker of the House Philip Gunn called it a historic day for policy in Mississippi.Segment 2:Teachers, school employees, and first responders can now schedule a coronavirus vaccine appointment in Mississippi reguardless of age or health condition.Governer Tate Reeves announced the expanded vaccine eligibility requirements yesterday.Reeves commended teachers for returning to the classroom in August and keeping schools opened.Segment 3:Southern Remedy Health MinuteSegment 4:When former Governor William Winter passed away late last year, he was remembered and revered by many of his colleagues for his endless pursuit of racial reconciliation in a state with a complex and often harrowing history of race relations.His namesake organization, the Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation is conducting an art contest to engage youth in the reconciliation movement.In part two of our conversation with Von Gordon, he discusses the pandemic's role in recognizing the need for change and the mission of the art contest.

2/23/2021

2/23/21 - Ant-hazing Bill Goes to Senate | Power Restoration | Racial Reconciliation: Part 1

Lawmakers draft legislation to clarify the definition of hazing and stipulate penalties for institutions failing to report violations.Then, restoration of power across the state is nearly complete following last-week's generational winter storm.We hear from Entergy Mississippi on the storm's impact and the recovery process.Plus, the William Winter Institute continues its pursuit for racial reconciliation.Segment 1:Legislators in the Mississippi House of Representatives are tackling the issue of hazing.Two bills on the matter, drafted and approved by members of the House, are now headed to the Senate.House Bill 6 requires the Mississippi College Board create a uniform hazing policy for all universities. The bill defines hazing as any reckless act that causes physical or emotional harm directed against another person. Another bill heading to the Senate, House Bill 5, stipulates an organization failing to report know violations would be assessed a $10,000 fine and lose any public funds it receives.House Democrat Gregory Holloway of Hazlehurst serves on the universities and colleges committee.He shares more with our Desare Frazier.Segment 2:Restoration of electrical services is nearly complete statewide following last week's severe winter storm.Plunging temperatures and heavy accumulations of ice caused downed lines and strains on the grid, resulting in widespread outages.Mara Hartmann, spokesperson with Entergy Mississippi, says crews have been working 16-hour shifts for several days to repair damaged power lines, broken poles, and transformers.She recaps the recovery effort with our Kobee Vance.Segment 3:When former Governor William Winter passed away late last year, he was remembered and revered by many of his colleagues for his endless pursuit of racial reconciliation in a state with a complex and often harrowing history of race relations.His namesake organization, the Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation is continuing that calling through commitment to youth and community.Von Gordon is the Youth Engagement Manager for the Winter Institute.In part one of our conversation, he discusses the importance of empowering youth in search for reconciliation.