Mississippi Edition

House lawmakers suspend the legislative session.

And, food pantries and schools are stepping up to help those in need.

Then, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, Get 2 College continues to help students as deadlines approach.

Segment 1:

The House also approved a measure authorizing local governments and school districts to provide leave with pay to employees. Democrat Minority Leader, Robert Johnson of Natchez, offered an amendment to provide unemployment benefits to service workers and others who don't have paid leave. Democrat John Hines of Greenville voiced his support of the amendment on the floor. House Management Chair Jason White defended the resolution without amendment saying the House was not in the business of rushing through policy. The amendment failed and resolution passed as written 82-38. The bill to suspend the session will go to the Senate today where Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann says it will pass. The legislators are expected to return April 1st.

Segment 2:

As schools remain closed this week, and supermarkets find it increasingly difficult to keep stock of staple goods, food pantries and school districts are stepping up to help those in need. Cathy Pope is the president and CEO of Midsouth Food Bank, which serves the Mississippi Delta. As she tells MPB's Alexandra Watts, requests are increasing due to circumstances related to coronvirus concerns.

At Richland Upper Elementary in the Jackson metro area, administrators from Rankin County School District are handing out meals to families. The meals cover breakfast and lunch, and are free to kids under 18. Lindsay Starbuck is the Principal at Richland Upper Elementary. She tells our Kobee Vance the effort is to help provide a sense of normalcy for those families that depend on school meals.

Segment 3:

Southern Remedy Health Minute

Segment 4:

Even with schools closed, deadlines for financial assistance for current and incoming college students remain in place. Get 2 College, a division of Woodward Hinds, is continuing to assist students and families in meeting those deadlines. Stephen Brown joins us.