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Mississippi Edition
3/20/20 - School Closures | Rep. Bennie Thompson | COVID-19 & the Incarcerated
The Governor extends school closings into April. What it means for teachers, students, and testing.
Then, a conversation with Congressman Bennie Thompson about the federal response to the coronavirus.
Plus, a coalition of civil rights groups is demanding Republican Governor Tate Reeves do more to protect incarcerated men and women from exposure to the coronavirus.
Segment 1:
Public schools will remain closed in Mississippi until April 17th to curb the spread of the Coronavirus. Governor Tate Reeves announced the closures at a State Board of Education meeting on Thursday, and recommended the board waive requirements regarding attendance and state testing. The State Board of Education has voted to suspend state testing for this school year, and has requested a waiver from the federal government to exempt those requirements. State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright State explains.
Segment 2:
The federal government is ramping up its response to assist vulnerable Americans as the economy slows during the period of social distancing required to flatten the curved of coronavirus transmission. Earlier this month, Congress passed a supplemental budget request to provide more funding to federal response agencies. This week, they passed the Familes First Coronavirus Response Act. Democrat Congressman Bennie Thompson joins our Michael Guidry to discuss the legislation and how the federal government is handling the threat.
Segment 3:
As the coronavirus continues to spread, a coalition of civil rights groups are demanding the Governors of Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi do more to protect incarcerated men and women from exposure. MPB's Ashley Norwood reports.
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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.
10/16/2025: Execution of Charles Crawford | Voting Rights Act | Cybersecurity Audit
21:46|The State of Mississippi carries out the execution of Charles Ray Crawford. The 59-year-old was convicted of the 1993 kidnapping, rape and murder of a college student in Tippah County. Then, the U.S. Supreme Court hears a Louisiana case that will determine if race can be used in drawing legislative maps. We take a look at what the ruling could mean for Mississippi. Plus, Mississippi's auditor finds some state agencies aren't in compliance with cybersecurity laws.
10/15/2025: Drax Hearing | Education Benchmarks | Thurgood Marshall Documentary
24:19|Residents of Gloster say a wood pellet plant operating in their community is the cause of many health issues.They're asking the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to continue denying the company's request to scale up production.Then, Mississippi adopts a new benchmark program to gauge the success of public schools.Plus, we talk with the producer of a documentary exploring the life and legacy of the nation’s first African American Supreme Court justice.
10/14/2025: Health Insurance Assistance | Breast Cancer | Bail Bond Scams
24:02|Thousands of Mississippians are at risk of losing their health insurance if lawmakers in Washington don't act soon.Then, October is breast cancer awareness month. And Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. But Mississippi has one of the lowest breast cancer screening rates in the nation for older women. Plus, Law enforcement in Mississippi are warning residents about a scam involving false claims of a loved one being in prison needing bail.
10/13/2025: Weekend Shootings | Chronic Absenteeism | Prisons after Katrina
23:57|Homecoming celebrations across Mississippi turn deadly this weekend as 8 people are killed in separate shootings. Then: Tackling the state's chronic absenteeism rate will be a top priority for Mississippi legislators in the upcoming session. Plus: Corrections officials in New Orleans reflect on the legacy of Katrina and how it changed their thinking about caring for people in lockups during storms.
10/10/2025: Cancer Screenings | COVID Vaccine Guidance | AI Training
23:54|Mississippi lawmakers are hearing why genetic testing for cancer patients could give them better access to more effective treatment.Then: New guidelines released this week from the CDC now determine who can get and give the COVID vaccine. Plus: how college students are being prepared to work alongside artificial intelligence.
10/09/2025: State Health Officer | Supreme Court Case | Death Row Protest
23:00|Mississippi's top health official says the state is at risk of running out of funds for its food and nutrition program if the Federal Government shutdown continues. Then: The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a Mississippi voting rights case that could affect how voters fight discrimination at the ballot box.Plus: Opponents of the death penalty rally outside the state Supreme Court protesting the scheduled execution of a man convicted of murder and rape of a college student.
10/08/2025: Gloster Air | Election Candidate | Fall Severe Weather Prep.
24:01|Residents of the rural Gloster community are speaking out against a company they say is polluting the air.Then, State and national Democrats see a chance to gain ground in Mississippi as Trump’s economic policies take hold.Plus, it's Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Mississippi. How to protect your family during storms ahead.
10/07/2025: Hinds County Detention Center | Vicksburg National Military Park | Caregiving for Family
23:58|The troubled detention center for Hinds County is now under federal control.Then, the government shutdown has many federally owned locations throughout the state closed. But the Military Park in Vicksburg remains open through donations. More on that ahead.Plus, providing care for loved ones can often be a family affair. We speak with a couple who have taken on that job more than a dozen times.