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Mississippi Edition
4/9/21 - Conversation with State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs | Migrant Works Pleas for Protection
Overall coronavirus cases are trending down. Vaccine rollout is now in its fifth month. We talk to the State Health Officer about how Mississippi is faring in its year long fight against COVID-19.
Plus, migrant workers profoundly affected by the ICE raid of 2019, are calling on action from the Biden Administration.
Segment 1:
Vaccines for COVID-19 have been available to all Mississippi residents 18 and over for more than three weeks now, but the effort to educate and encourage vaccination has been a five month endeavor for the Department of Health. Still, despite being one of only a few states to offer widen availability, the rate of Mississippians receiving at least one dose is below the national average. About one in every four Mississippi residents have gotten one shot - a rate that falls eight points below the national average of 33 percent.
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says hesitancy and access have been the two most significant challenges in getting the state to the roughly 80 percent rate needed to reach a level of herb immunity. In part one of our conversation, we discuss vaccine hesitancy, access, the question of booster shots.
Segment 2:
During the winter wave of coronavirus cases and deaths, residents in long term care facilities were especially hard-hit. The number of outbreaks in those facilities reached their highest points in January, right when vaccine distribution began in the state. Now, three months later, outbreaks and deaths within that group has declined significantly. We pick up our conversation with State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs discussing the vaccine effort in long term care facilities, and how a recent health grant from the CDC can help Mississippi continue it's fight against COVID-19.
Segment 3:
Advocates for immigrant workers in Mississippi are calling on the Biden administration to overturn policies that target undocumented immigrant communities. They say the President can start by protecting those affected by the 2019 ICE raids. Yesterday, those advocates gathered outside the Department of Labor's capital city office to deliver a letter to the Wage and Hour Division, urging the Biden administration to create protections for immigrant workers
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04/25/2024: Business Leaders for Medicaid Expansion | Organ Donor Month | "Outliving the White Lie" author
21:31Mississippi business leaders are calling for Medicaid expansion, but lawmakers remain deadlocked.Then, how registering to be an organ donor can save lives.Plus, Mississippi's dark history often gets a cleaner slate than it should. A new book seeks to clear the air.
04/24/2024: Medicaid Meeting | Air Pollution | History is Lunch
23:46Mississippi legislators are trying to reach an agreement over Medicaid expansion as the session nears an end. Then, Nearly four in ten people, in the U.S. live in counties that have unhealthy levels of air pollution. How do counties in Mississippi stack up?Plus, A former Mississippi politician is sharing stories of his experience in the state legislature through a short film.
04/23/2024: Disenfranchisement Bills | Gang Crack-down in Jackson | Crop Prices
23:53Almost 3 dozen people convicted of felony crimes in Mississippi could soon have their voting rights restored. Then, Law enforcement officials in Jackson say a federal program meant to address gangs and other violent crimes in the capital city -is set to begin soon. Plus, fluctuating crop prices have caused major shifts in what's being planted this year.
04/19/2024: Healthcare Disparities Report | Forestry Aid | Record Store Day
23:53A newly released report shows racial and ethnic health disparities are persistent across the U.S., especially in the deep south. Mississippi Tree farmers who lost forest land during last year's extreme drought are now eligible to receive federal assistance for their losses. Plus, tomorrow is National Record Store Day. Audiophiles and vinyl collectors will be in search of that one-of-a-kind item.
04/18/2024: Felony Disenfranchisement | Medicaid Rally | Award Winning Author
23:36Civil rights advocates are seeking a way to restore voting rights to people who have served their time for convictions on certain felonies. Then, for the second day in a row, a coalition of activists rally at the state Capitol for full Medicaid expansion in Mississippi. Plus, a Native American author is honored for her contributions in children's literature.
04/17/2024: Medicaid Rally | Federal Marijuana Regulations | Petition to oust Rankin County Sheriff
19:08A coalition of religious and nonprofit groups is rallying for full Medicaid expansion in Mississippi, calling it a moral imperative. Then from the Gulf States Newsroom: a former New Orleans police chief is pushing for changes to federal marijuana rules.Plus, civil rights activists are gathering signatures to oust the Sheriff of Rankin County for his lack of oversight over the 'Goon Squad.'
04/16/2024: Lawsuit against School | Micro-preemies | "Exvangelicals" Book
24:02Attorneys claim a 15 year old student from Canton was physically assaulted by her school's resource officer.Then, healthcare experts say getting pregnancy health screenings can greatly increase the survivability of very premature births.Plus, a new book shares the experience of an NPR journalist who left the evangelical church.
04/15/2024: State Insurance Exchange | Crawfish Prices | Tax Deadline Day
24:01Some Mississippi lawmakers want to replace the federal health insurance exchange with a state-based one.From the Gulf States Newsroom, crawfish prices skyrocketed this season. Farmers and fishermen are struggling as they try to sell the little crawfish they’ve been able to catch.Plus, the deadline to file taxes is midnight on Monday, April 15th.
04/12/2024: INSPIRE Act Revived | Jackson Water Billing | Plastics Manufacturing
23:55The Mississippi House is reviving their education funding bill, despite Senate efforts to block it.From the Gulf States Newsroom: Jackson has struggled to keep drinking water safe and affordable. Now, the city's taking a new approach through one of the nation's oldest safety nets.Plus, billions of taxpayer dollars are being used to fund plastics manufacturers that pollute. That's according to a new report from the Environmental Integrity Project.