Mississippi Edition

More school-aged cases of COVID-19 are forcing districts to shift to virtual instruction.

And the Governor’s proposed budget comes up short on a campaign promise to teachers.

Then, the legalization of medical marijuana could serve as a gateway for some Mississippians to return home.

Plus, in today's Book Club - it's not about reading but listening ... to a new podcast that tackles questions of climate change.

Segment 1:

The number of students testing positive for the coronavirus in Mississippi is on the rise - doubling over the past week - and the number of students in quarantine increased by more than 5000. Health officials say there have been recent cases of transmission in classrooms, but the majority of outbreaks are associated with out of school activities. Dr. Jennifer Bryan chairs the board of the Mississippi State Medical Association. She tells our Kobee Vance the elevated transmission in the communities make school outbreaks a question of "when", not "if"

Many of Mississippi's teachers are taking on a more burdensome work load to accommodate the shifts in instruction due the pandemic. And now some are expressing their dissatisfaction with the governor’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year which doesn’t include a teacher pay raise. Governor Tate Reeves ran for office in 2019 promising increased pay for teachers. But his proposed budget released earlier this week, falls short on that promise. Kelly Riley with Mississippi Professional Educators tells our Desare Frazier members are calling and contacting her through social media because they’re disappointed.

Segment 2:

The development of a comprehensive medical marijuana program is underway in Mississippi. Earlier this month, residents voted overwhelmingly to legalize its use for the treatment of 22 debilitating conditions. MPB's Ashley Norwood talks to two Mississippians who've left the state, but are excited about the opportunity to come back home now that medical marijuana is legal.

Segment 3:

If you pay attention to news about climate change, there are likely a lot of questions on your mind: Is this the new normal for hurricane season? Will it ever get too hot to live here? Have I eaten my last good oyster? 

A new podcast is setting out to answer questions just like this and relieve some of the stress that comes along with all of it. It’s called Life Raft. Travis Lux is a reporter for New Orleans Public Radio and he’s one of the hosts of the podcast. He starts by laying out the many issues Gulf states like Mississippi face as a result of climate change.