Mississippi Edition

New polling from the Southern Poverty Law Center shows lower approval ratings for Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. That could mean a more difficult election cycle for her next year. Then, more school districts in Mississippi are adopting "no cell phone" policies.Plus, a funeral service is being held today for "Mama" Mosie Burks, the lead singer for the Mississippi Mass Choir. She died last week at the age of 92.

Religious leaders led a faith-based demonstration outside the Jackson offices of Mississippi’s two U.S. senators.Then, after nearly two decades of planning and implementation, Mississippi’s court system is now fully online.Plus, healthcare stakeholders offer warnings about how hospitals and patients in Mississippi could be harmed by looming federal funding cuts.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.