Mississippi Edition

The founder of a Jackson private school and her son plead not guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

Then, a number of spring deadlines approach for students seeking opportunities in higher education.

Plus, actor and comedian Jay Jurden shares what it’s like to be black, queer, and Southern in NYC.

Segment 1:

Two defendants from last year's shocking Department of Human Services scandal are facing new federal charges including wire fraud and falsifying claims to the state Department of Education. Nancy New and her son Zachary operated the private New Summit School in Jackson. Yesterday the pair appeared in federal court and pled not guilty to a 17-count indictment that also included aggravated identify theft. Matt Steffey is a professor at the Mississippi College School of Law. He breaks down the charges and the next steps with our Desare Frazier. 

Segment 2:

For many high school upperclassman, the school year and the preparation for post-secondary education has been altered due to the year-long coronavirus pandemic. But the process to qualify for colleges and universities is still underway as spring deadlines approach. Stephen Brown is with Get 2 College. He shares more on the many opportunities available for students seeking higher education. 

Segment 3:

Jay Jurden may be based out of New York City, but the actor and comedian credits his career trajectory to growing up in Mississippi. Jurden, who has appeared on The Tonight Show, The Late Show, Comedy Central, and HBO, developed his love for comedy and performing as a student in the APAC program in Jackson Public Schools. In this week's installment of the Mississippi Arts Hour, he tells the Mississippi Arts Commission's Leslie Barker how his experience informs his material.