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Mississippi Edition
1/8/21 - Continued Hospital Strain | Rep. Bennie Thompson | State of the State Survey: Part 2
A record high in COVID-19 cases elevates health professionals' concerns over an already stressed hospital system.
Then, the Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee reflects on the storming of the Capitol earlier this week.
Plus, the latest State of the State survey reveals a drop in the Governor's approval rating.
Segment 1:
Mississippi has a new record high in daily coronavirus cases. This comes as the department of health reports 3,255 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, showing signs of a surge that health officials predicted would follow the holiday season. Dr. Mark Horne is President of the Mississippi State Medical Association. Horne tells our Kobee Vance he feels as if residents have grown numb to the high numbers.
Segment 2:
This week, pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. During the insurrection, lawmakers in the House and Senate Chambers were first placed under lock-down, and then evacuated to a number of undisclosed places. Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson was in the House gallery when the events began. Thompson shares his experience with our Michael Guidry and says he is joining in the House's effort to impeach President Donald Trump.
Segment 3:
A new poll suggests Mississippians largely disapprove of the job Governor Tate Reeves has done in his first year in office. The latest State of the State Survey conducted by Millsaps College and Chism Strategies, reveals a 49 percent disapproval rating for Reeves. Nathan Shrader is Chair of the Department of Government and Politics at Millsaps. In part two of his conversation with MPB's Michael Guidry, Shrader breaks down the Governor's approval marks and examines how the state's voters feel about voting expansion.
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10/31/2025: FBI Drug Trafficking Arrests/Legislature Public Education/Black Caucus Maternal Deaths
24:23|The FBI arrests 20 as part of a drug trafficking conspiracy in the Mississippi Delta. Some worked in law enforcement.Leaders in the Mississippi House and Senate disagree on what public education policy they should focus on for the 2026 legislative session. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus hear testimony and recommendations to combat the state's highest in the nation maternal mortality rates.
10/29/2025: Education Issues | Center for Medically Fragile Children | Principal Recognition
24:02|State lawmakers are trying to find solutions to two major education problems: teacher shortages and chronic absenteeism.Then, a new state-of-the-art medical facility opens, focusing on children with complex medical needs.Plus, we speak with a Madison County principal recognized nationally for her work in elementary education.
10/28/2025: Jackson Revitalization | JSU President Search | Breast Cancer Survivor
23:52|State lawmakers weigh in on how the legislature can help revitalize Jackson.Then, members of the Jackson State University community provide comment on the selection of a new school President.Plus, we hear from a breast cancer survivor about how she managed to overcome the devastating disease.
10/27/2025: Food Assistance | Jackson Public Utilities | Breast Cancer Awareness
21:58|How is the federal shutdown affecting food assistance programs? That's ahead.Then, Lawmakers are meeting with Jackson officials to discuss the city's public utility needs.Plus, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
10/23/2025: Asphalt Plant | Jobs Report | Open Enrollment Medicare
22:54|Plans are underway to build a new asphalt plant near Oxford. Some say it'll promote growth while others say they worry about farmers and the environmental risk.Then, Mississippi monthly job reports is delayed because of the government shutdown. You'll hear from the state economist. Plus, it's open enrollment season for Medicare. What Mississippians need to know ahead.
10/22/2025: Electricity Plant Vicksburg | Flood Insurance in Shutdown | Hyundai Expansion
22:08|Entergy Mississippi is expanding electricity production, investing $1.2 billion dollars in a new advanced technology power station in Vicksburg.Then, flood insurance is in limbo. The government shutdown has frozen new policies and renewals. We’ll explain what you need to know.Plus, the immigration raid on a Hyundai battery plant has some Louisiana residents calling for the state to pull support for the carmaker. But Hyundai’s sticking with plans to expand.
10/21/2025: PERS for Emergency Responders | Moral Monday | Auto Maker Speed Dating
23:17|How will changes to the state's troubled public employees' retirement system affect first responders? That's ahead.Then, a coalition of faith leaders in Jackson call for the Trump administration to protect healthcare for thousands of Mississippians.Plus, speed dating isn’t just for singles. It’s also big in the South’s car-making business. We go to a match-making day as car companies search for American suppliers to avoid tariffs.
10/20/2025: No Kings Protest | Government Shutdown | Disaster Planning for Jails
23:14|Hundreds gather in Jackson to protest the Trump administration as part of a national "No Kings" movement.Then, we hear from a veteran about how the federal government shutdown has been affecting his life.Plus, twenty years after Katrina, experts say disaster planning in jails and prisons needs improvement.
10/17/2025: JSU President Search | Ascent to 55% | Safety at Sporting Events
22:05|State officials begin the process of finding a new president for Jackson State University. Now, stakeholders in the school are joining the search.Then, lawmakers and education leaders meet in Jackson to discuss how to better prepare students for an evolving workforce.Plus, gun violence surrounding school sporting events last weekend have spurred new discussions on safety at ball games.