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Mississippi Edition

6/25/20 - Health Officials Concerns | Business Leaders on Flag | Book Club: Uncomfortable

With more than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 in two days, health professionals express growing concern over community transmission and the stress on the health care system.

Then, the economic pressure to change the flag builds as two top state organizations call on lawmakers to take direct action.

Plus, in today’s Book Club, the Mississippi Book Festival kicks off a new podcast series about racism, antiracism and creating positive change.

Segment 1:

Mississippi's health experts are expressing growing concern that the state's healthcare system could become overwhelmed as hospitalizations and coronavirus cases have reached record numbers this week. The state has also passed 1,000 COVID-19-related deaths. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs tells our Michael Guidry the rising numbers are due to widespread community transmission that could severely strain hospitals.

Segment 2:

Following an initial wave of social backlash over the state flag, Mississippi's business community is joining in the call for lawmakers to vote for change. This week the Mississippi Economic Council ran a print ad signed by at least 500 of the state's most prominent business and industry leaders. President and CEO Scott Waller tells our Ashley Norwood the current flag is a hindrance when it comes to attracting business to the state.

The Mississippi Bankers Association stood behind changing the state flag in 2001 when voters

decided to keep the 1894 flag containing the confederate emblem. Gordon Fellows, president of the association, says they’re reaffirming their position.

Segment 3:

The Mississippi Book Festival is recommending a reading list of more than fifty books called “Affirm Black Life.” It’s the basis for a series of conversations on racism, anti-racism and creating positive change. Kicking off the series called “Uncomfortable” Holly Lange, executive director of the Book Festival, talks about the first podcast: a conversation with first lady of Jackson, Dr. Ebony Lumumba.


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