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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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07/11/2025: Tax Free Weekend | Naloxone Vending Machine | Black Women's Equal Pay Day
23:59|It's the tax-free weekend in Mississippi. What that means for families trying to save while making back to school purchases.Then, the first Naloxone vending machine in Mississippi is now open. Health officials say it will be a positive tool in curbing overdose deaths.Plus, community organizers say Black Women in Mississippi still get paid a fraction of their white male counterparts.
07/10/2025: Health Cuts | Opioid Settlement Council | SANE Nurses
24:05|Mississippi’s top health expert says federal funding cuts won’t be allowed to affect critical health programs in the state.Then, lawmakers are searching for ways to curb the opioid epidemic in Mississippi using millions of dollars from a national legal settlement.Plus, how a shortage of specially trained nurses could be slowing the justice process for sexual assault cases.
07/07/2025: Big Beautiful Bill Passes | Airport Grants | Drug Abuse Policing
21:42|Congress has passed a version of Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" what that means for Mississippi, ahead.Then, Airports around Mississippi received over $21 million dollars in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. Plus, the U.S. continues to treat drug use largely as a criminal issue. But police in other countries, like the Netherlands, have taken a different approach.
7/3/2025: Road Safety | Jackson Mayor | Stacey Abrams
24:08|Mississippi Highway Patrol cautions major holidays like the 4th of July can be deadly when drivers don't follow the rules of the road. Then, the new mayor of the capital city talks about his vision to revitalize Jackson and hopes to build better relationships with federal, state and county, officials.Plus, we talk with political activist Stacey Abrams about the life and legacy of civil rights icon Medgar Wylie Evers.
07/02/2025: Gas Tax | Medgar Evers at 100
21:37|A variety of new state laws are now in effect. One of the biggest changes folks will see in their daily lives is a higher gas tax.Then, today marks what would have been Medgar Wiley Evers' 100th birthday. We hear from a journalist attending a celebration for the Evers' birthday, as well as Evers' daughter.
07/01/2025: School Choice | Kerry Kennedy | Joy Ann Reid
29:21|Mississippi House Speaker Jason White says he's planning a major push next year making it easier for families to change where their kids go to school.Then, the daughter of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, shares her experience growing up during the civil rights movement.Plus, a conversation with former MSNBC Host Joy Ann Reid on her work preserving and promoting the life and legacy of Medgar Wylie Evers.
06/30/2025: Select House Committees | Testing Requirements | Medgar Evers at 100
23:54|Mississippi lawmakers named to select four committees will soon begin holding hearings on issues like the revitalization of the Capital city.Then, Louisiana’s new third-grade reading test is now required by law. Just like in Alabama and Mississippi, if students don’t pass, they may have to repeat the grade.Plus, Medgar Evers would have turned 100 this week. His work in the civil rights movement is being celebrated in Jackson.
06/27/2025: "Daddy Daughters" Panel | Gas Tax Increase | MSDH Medical Director
23:52|Daughters of three civil rights leaders share how their parents shaped their lives while also fighting for racial equality.Then, a new gas tax goes into effect next week. An official with MDOT shares what that means for drivers.Plus, we talk with the new Medical Director for the Mississippi Department of Health.
06/26/2025: Richard Jordan Execution | US History Assessment | Dusti Bongé Exhibit
24:13|Mississippi executes the state's oldest and longest-serving death row inmate Wednesday evening at Parchman Penitentiary.Then, High school seniors in Mississippi no longer have to pass a U.S. History assessment exam to graduate. Plus, a new art exhibit opens today in Ocean Springs. It features influential modernist painter and native Mississippian Dusti Bongé.