Mississippi Edition

Long-term care facilities face outbreak risks as state battles the worst period of community transmission.

Then, additional unemployment benefits made possible through the CARES Act have expired. We examine what it means for Mississippi’s recipients.

Plus, education professionals continue to navigate the ever-changing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Segment 1:

Health experts say there have been astounding outbreaks of the Coronavirus in Mississippi's long term care facilities. LTCs, which include nursing homes, care for Mississippians who are the most at risk for COVID-19. In May, the health department tested every resident and worker in these facilities. The early results were promising - with the number of outbreaks shrinking below 75. But now, the virus is once again threatening the state's most at-risk population. Mississippi has over 170 facilities with outbreaks of the virus - after reaching a record high of 203 outbreaks last week. Tony Hamrick, President of the Mississippi Healthcare Association, shares more on the recent rise of outbreaks with our Kobee Vance.

Segment 2:

Mississippians collecting unemployment benefits will have to begin providing work searches

according to the state department of employment security. More than 430,000 Mississippians have filed for unemployment benefits over the past three months.Executive Director Jackie Turner says the governor’s executive order, which waived job searches because of the coronavirus pandemic is about to expire. Eddie McCurdy of Ridgeland wants to work. He says he was laid off in March at a theatre,

brought back to work last month and then laid off again. The 26-year old tells our Desare Frazier the federal supplement has helped during difficult times.

Segment 3:

When the calendar turns to August, it usually means students and teachers are priming for the return to school. But, in the environment of a lingering pandemic, the questions of how and if students go to school is ever-changing. Governor Tate Reeves, who has been advocating for in-person learning, acknowledges school leaders are in a tough spot. So far, one school district has returned to on-campus learning. In Corinth, teachers and students returned to the classroom last Tuesday. By Friday, the district was reporting it's first positive case of COVID-19. Erica Jones is with the Mississippi Association of Educators. She tells our Ashley Norwood education professionals are facing a number of challenges during this pandemic