Mississippi Edition

With winter weather advisories expected across the state this weekend, we check in with the national weather service about the chances for rain, ice, and snow.

Then, a bill to allow collegiate athletes to profit off their likeness turns into a debate over gender identity.

Plus, Facebook is rolling out $120 million dollars in an effort to localize vaccine information.

Segment 1:

Ten days ago, Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog emerged and saw his shadow - predicting six more weeks of winter. Punxsutawney Phil's clairvoyance is coming into fruition this weekend as winter weather advisories are expected throughout the state, with some ice and snow in the forecast for early Monday morning. For more on what to expect the next few days, we are joined by Greg Garrett of the National Weather Service in Jackson.

Segment 2:

Yesterday, the Mississippi House of Representatives took up HB 1030 - a bill that would allow student athletes to receive compensation for use of their name or image. Republican C. Scott Bounds presented the bill and explained its origins. But, during action on the bill, an amendment was presented by Representative Becky Currie - a Republican from Brookhaven. The amendment, turned a question of college athlete compensation into a debate on gender identity and inclusion. 

Segment 3:

Social media giant Facebook is announcing $120 million in advertising credits to health agencies around the world to help reach residents with the latest, localized vaccine information. Each state is eligible to use these ad credits, and Mississippi is already one of five states to use credits to share vital information with its residents. The effort is joined by a nearly year-long study of user comments and posts regarding the coronavirus pandemic with Carnegie Melon University. Laura McGorman, Policy Manager at Facebook, shares more on the study and the site's vaccine education efforts.