Share
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
More episodes
View all episodes
10/31/2025: FBI Drug Trafficking Arrests/Legislature Public Education/Black Caucus Maternal Deaths
24:23|The FBI arrests 20 as part of a drug trafficking conspiracy in the Mississippi Delta. Some worked in law enforcement.Leaders in the Mississippi House and Senate disagree on what public education policy they should focus on for the 2026 legislative session. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus hear testimony and recommendations to combat the state's highest in the nation maternal mortality rates.
10/29/2025: Education Issues | Center for Medically Fragile Children | Principal Recognition
24:02|State lawmakers are trying to find solutions to two major education problems: teacher shortages and chronic absenteeism.Then, a new state-of-the-art medical facility opens, focusing on children with complex medical needs.Plus, we speak with a Madison County principal recognized nationally for her work in elementary education.
10/28/2025: Jackson Revitalization | JSU President Search | Breast Cancer Survivor
23:52|State lawmakers weigh in on how the legislature can help revitalize Jackson.Then, members of the Jackson State University community provide comment on the selection of a new school President.Plus, we hear from a breast cancer survivor about how she managed to overcome the devastating disease.
10/27/2025: Food Assistance | Jackson Public Utilities | Breast Cancer Awareness
21:58|How is the federal shutdown affecting food assistance programs? That's ahead.Then, Lawmakers are meeting with Jackson officials to discuss the city's public utility needs.Plus, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
10/23/2025: Asphalt Plant | Jobs Report | Open Enrollment Medicare
22:54|Plans are underway to build a new asphalt plant near Oxford. Some say it'll promote growth while others say they worry about farmers and the environmental risk.Then, Mississippi monthly job reports is delayed because of the government shutdown. You'll hear from the state economist. Plus, it's open enrollment season for Medicare. What Mississippians need to know ahead.
10/22/2025: Electricity Plant Vicksburg | Flood Insurance in Shutdown | Hyundai Expansion
22:08|Entergy Mississippi is expanding electricity production, investing $1.2 billion dollars in a new advanced technology power station in Vicksburg.Then, flood insurance is in limbo. The government shutdown has frozen new policies and renewals. We’ll explain what you need to know.Plus, the immigration raid on a Hyundai battery plant has some Louisiana residents calling for the state to pull support for the carmaker. But Hyundai’s sticking with plans to expand.
10/21/2025: PERS for Emergency Responders | Moral Monday | Auto Maker Speed Dating
23:17|How will changes to the state's troubled public employees' retirement system affect first responders? That's ahead.Then, a coalition of faith leaders in Jackson call for the Trump administration to protect healthcare for thousands of Mississippians.Plus, speed dating isn’t just for singles. It’s also big in the South’s car-making business. We go to a match-making day as car companies search for American suppliers to avoid tariffs.
10/20/2025: No Kings Protest | Government Shutdown | Disaster Planning for Jails
23:14|Hundreds gather in Jackson to protest the Trump administration as part of a national "No Kings" movement.Then, we hear from a veteran about how the federal government shutdown has been affecting his life.Plus, twenty years after Katrina, experts say disaster planning in jails and prisons needs improvement.
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.