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Mississippi Edition
1/12/21 - Gov. Signature Makes New Flag Official | Lagging Vaccine Rollout in LTC | Col. Greg Michel
Months after an overwhelming vote, the new Mississippi state flag is finalized by Governor Reeves and raised above the state capitol.
Then, vaccination roll-out in Mississippi is lagging behind - especially in long term care settings. Health officials and representatives from major pharmacies explain the delays during a hearing with lawmakers.
Plus, the state's Emergency Management Director shares his battle with and recovery from COVID-19.
Segment 1:
It's official - Mississippi has a new state banner. Government leaders gathered yesterday to witness Governor Tate Reeves sign final certification of the November vote that made the new design featuring a white magnolia official.
Last summer, as protests over racial injustice amplified the call for change, lawmakers took the first steps toward change by retiring the 1894 flag emblazoned with the confederate battle emblem. Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Gov. Tate Reeves, Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and Rep. Zakiya Summers comment.
Segment 2:
The coronavirus vaccine rollout in the Magnolia State is lagging. Mississippi currently trails neighboring states for vaccinations in long term care settings, and lawmakers are searching for ways to speed up this process to protect vulnerable Mississippians. During a hearing with legislators yesterday, Dr. Thomas Dobbs explained some of the reasons for delays with the initial allocations of the vaccine.
Segment 3:
As the man on the right flank of Governor Tate Reeves during dozens of press conferences throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Colonel Greg Michel was immersed the state's mitigation efforts. The Director of the state's Emergency Management Agency, Michel coordinated the delivery of PPE to hospitals facilities and county health leaders, and managed preparations for emergency overflow hospitals in places like Camp Shelby. But during the pandemic's largest surge, not even Michel was spared from the virus. Now, he shares his personal COVID-19 story.
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09/15/2025: Infant Mortality Conference | Tourism Education | Delta Festival 2025
24:13|Healthcare professionals from across Mississippi gather to discuss possible solutions to fighting the state's soaring infant mortality.Then, an award-winning educator is helping students think critically about how to draw more tourism to the state.Plus, a Delta Festival focused on developing a 10-year plan to bring economic prosperity to the region and the rest of the South.
09/12/2025: Jackson Water Funding | Election Policy | Former Mayor Talks Redemption
24:10|Federal dollars were supposed to go to Jackson to assist with the city's water crisis. Civil Rights Attorneys are now arguing that those funds were wrongfully withheld by the state.Then, state lawmakers are considering policy changes that restore the right to vote for some convicted felons and fix the ballot initiative process.Plus, a former Mississippi mayor who was charged with conspiracy shares his new book about working in municipal government and finding redemption.
09/11/2025: JSU President Search | Homeland Security | Mississippi Book Festival
24:12|Alumni and supporters of Jackson State University are calling for a fair and transparent national search for the university's next leader. Then, 24 years later, how has security in the homeland changed since 9/11?Plus, Books, books and more books! The 11th annual Mississippi Book Festival is coming to town, and we'll tell you what you need to know.
09/10/2025: Water Systems | Row Crops | Prison Book Clubs
24:16|On today's show:Mississippi legislators are hearing testimony about failing water systems across the state.What can be done to provide safe drinking water and proper oversight? Then, one of Mississippi’s top row crops continues to experience challenges. Heavy rains in the spring have resulted in lower yields of Cotton.Plus, how a book club in prisons can help inmates turn their lives around.
09/09/2025: Chronic Absentee Conference | Post-Katrina Flooding | Prostate Cancer Awareness
23:50|Educators say too many students are chronically absent from school. They're meeting to talk about methods to combat the problem.We return to North Gulfport, where some residents say they're still dealing with flooding 20 years after Hurricane Katrina, despite ongoing development.Plus, September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. A doctor is urging men not to wait for screenings because being proactive saves lives.
09/08/2025: Holly Springs Power | Job Growth Slows | Minority Communitys post-Katrina
23:55|State regulators move to end local control of the Holly Springs Utility Department due to years of neglect, causing frequent, lengthy outages.Then, in one year job growth is down 75 percent across the nation. But an economist says Mississippi remains relatively flat.Plus, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina required a fast response to rebuild. But some minority communities say they were left out of important safety and environmental protections.
09/05/2025: Vaccines | Infant and Maternal Mortality | Katrina Devastation
59:59|On today's show:Federal regulators are changing their stance on vaccines. Other states are removing their requirements on vaccines for children.Then, infant and matrnal mortality rates are extremely high, ranking Mississippi at the top of the list, especially for black birthing people and their families.Plus, emergency managers on the Gulf Coast reflect on facing the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina.
09/04/2025: FARM Council | Infant Mortality | Bike Wrecks
24:55|The Mississippi agriculture commissioner meets with farmers who say they're facing a crisis. They talk about what the state can do to help shore up the industry.Then, infant mortality in Mississippi is alarmingly high. An expert in the field of maternal mortality says the problem is worse for Black mothers and their babies.Plus, concerned citizens are responding to recent bicycle deaths in New Orleans, and how the risks can be mitigated.
09/03/2025: Cannabis Industry | Overdoses and Mental Health | Amtrak Service Returns
23:44|The cannabis industry in Mississippi is experiencing low demand, and steep competition. Lawmakers are considering how to address the issue.Then, the recent Overdose Awareness Day draws attention to the importance of mental health care in treating addiction. A closer look ahead.Plus, Hurricane Katrina dealt a blow to Amtrak service on the coast, ending it for 20 years. Now, Amtrak is back with the Mardi Gras route. We'll take a ride.