Mississippi Edition

Governor Tate Reeves condemns a church fire that's being investigated as an arson.

And Some Mississippi churches are reopening their doors this Sunday, but with some changes.

Then, a profile on Burl Cain—former Warden of Louisiana’s Angola State Prison and nominee for Mississippi’s Corrections Commissioner.

Segment 1:

Governor Tate Reeves says he is heartbroken” and “furious” after a church in Holly Springs was burned down from a suspected arson fire. First Pentecostal Church burned on Wednesday, about a month after it filed a lawsuit challenging city restrictions on gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.  Reeves offered support to the church and says investigators are working to figure who’s responsible.

Many Houses of Worship across the state have been conducting drive thru services for the past two months. Some---even in their homes through online services or other methods. Now- this Sunday--some churches in Mississippi are ready to reopen their doors for regular service using the new guidelines Governor Tate Reeves outlined earlier this week in an eight page document. Suggested changes include---contactless offerings, reduced seating and smaller choirs or soloist.  

Carlous Smith is Pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in Braxton. He tells our Kobee Vance that his church reopened this past Sunday using existing guidance from the CDC and State Health Department.

At New Horizons Church in Jackson, Bishop Ronnie Crudup (Crew-dup)says it's been an adjustment not having Sunday service, but understands the need to keep his congregation safe. 

Segment 2:

After a months-long national search, Governor Tate Reeves is tapping former Angola State Prison Warden Burl Cain to lead the reform efforts within the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The first-term Governor inherited a prison crisis that came to a fever pitch late last year as violence spread throughout the system. Reeves says he chose Cain based on his record of reform at the Louisiana prison. Cain left his position at Angola prison in 2015 amid accusations of side business dealings, misspent funds and wrongful use of inmate labor. In introducing Burl Cain, his nominee for Commissioner of Corrections, Reeves says he has every confidence in his appointee to change the culture in Mississippi prisons. Maya Lau and Gordon Russell were investigative reporters with The Advocate during Cain's later years at Angola. 

Burl Cain's nomination as Commissioner of Corrections was the result of a months-long national search that began soon after Tate Reeve assumes the governorship. He picked self-proclaimed friend and Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs to lead the search. Flaggs shares how Burl Cain rose to the top of the candidate list despite the allegations with our Desare Fraser.