Mississippi Edition

As health officials manage a potential outbreak at the Capitol, the Governor assigns blame for the rising cases to protests in early June.

Then, he’s been selected to lead the reform in Mississippi’s prison system. A conversation with the new Commissioner of Corrections.

Plus, meet Jenn White, the new voice of 1A.

Segment 1:

Coronavirus cases in Mississippi are rising at an unprecedented pace for the state, cueing more words of caution and concern from state officials. This comes as multiple members of the Mississippi House of Representatives have tested positive for the disease, including House Speaker Philip Gunn. Gunn, who attended a signing ceremony for the flab bill at the Governor's mansion last week, says he is now isolating for the recommended 14 days. This visit to the mansion has also prompted Governor Tate Reeves to quarantine while he and his family await test results. In a Facebook Live video yesterday, Reeves says the scare at the capitol is a reminder of how contagious the virus can be. 

Reeves also used part of the nearly 15 minute video to reiterate his message that protests in early June are, at least, partly to blame for the recent rise in cases. Reeves initially made the suggestion in a Twitter post Sunday. Yesterday he continued to push the narrative. Reeves' position on the matter runs contrary to that of the State's Health Officer. During their last joint press conference last week, Dr. Thomas Dobbs responded to questions about a potential link between high cases and protests by saying the data doesn't support it.

Segment 2:

In late May, Tate Reeves nominated former Angola State Prison Warden Burl Cain for the position of Commissioner of Corrections. Cain, who has fought against past allegations of impropriety, was confirmed by the Senate last month. In part one of our two part conversation, the new MDOC Commissioner joins our Desare Frazier to discuss those allegations and his vision for reform.

Segment 3:

If you listen to MPB Think Radio in the evenings, you might have noticed a new voice on the WAMU produced 1A yesterday. That voice belongs to Jenn White and she is taking over full-time hosting duties following Joshua Johnson's move to cable news. So, who is Jenn White? We learn more about the new host in a conversation with our Michael Guidry.