Mississippi Edition

Severe weather is anticipated across the Magnolia State this weekend. We have the details about what to expect. Then, new state officers are sworn in, and the house passes its first bill of the session.

And, the 2020 senate race is set. We hear from the candidates.

Plus, more on prison reform.

Segment 1:

An outbreak of severe weather is expected Saturday morning as an intense line of severe thunderstorms moves through the area. We welcome the National Weather Service in Jackson to tell us more.

Seven of Mississippi's eight statewide office holders have been officially sworn-in. Among them, Lynn Fitch, the first woman to serve as Attorney General. Secretary of State Michael Watson and Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann were also among the seven Republicans beginning their terms in state office yesterday.

The Mississippi House has voted to pay the full cost for this year's teacher pay raise.  The $1,500-per-person raise was approved during the 2019 session. But, officials later discovered a bureaucratic error that resulted in too few teachers being counted as the state budget was written. The error meant that too little money was initially set aside for the budget year that started July 1. Rep. Richard Bennett from Harrison County led the floor debate. House Bill 1 will cover the shortfall of more than $18 million. The measure now moves to the Senate where it is expected to pass. 

Segment 2:

When Mississippians head to to polls in November, they will see some familiar names on the ballot. Republican Cindy Hyde Smith will once again face Democrat challenger Mike Espy for a place in the U.S. Senate. Hyde Smith filed for re-election last week. During her filing ceremony, she touted the appointment of conservative judges among the list of accomplishments she is most proud of during her abbreviated term. When asked about impeachment, the Republican told MPB's Desare Frazier that fairness is what is needed most.

Attorney Mike Espy filed his election papers this week. He tells our MPB's Kobee Vance that his campaign learned a lot from the last race and that his team is ready to narrow the gap.

Segment 3:

Mississippi's prison system is transferring 375 inmates to a private prison after recent eruptions of violence. The state corrections commissioner says the prison system doesn't have enough guards to safely keep the inmate in state custody. The state signed a contract with private prison operator CoreCivic of Nashville. The inmates are being shifted for at least 90 days from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, where three people died and others were injured in violence last week. J. Robertson is with Empower Mississippi. He tells our Michael Guidry that the first step to reforming the system is addressing sentencing.