Mississippi Edition

The Pearl River is falling, but the effects of the flooding still remain.We check with local officials on how to stay safe in the aftermath.And, Entergy Mississippi shares steps on restoring power in flood-affected areas.Then, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, a look at how the Department of Human Services shielded information in years leading up the alleged embezzlement scheme.Segment 1:The Pearl River in Jackson has fallen below major flood levels, but waters from the weekend flooding remain in some areas.Health officials are advising Mississippians to take caution when negotiating flood waters, and the dangers hidden within.Dr. Thomas Dobbs is the state health officer.He tells us the waters can be dangerous and can make you vulnerable to infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and injuries. Another ancillary effect of the recent flooding is the temporary displacement of wildlife that inhabit areas along the river.Russ Walsh is the Mississippi Wildlife Bureau Chief of Staff.He says white tail deer fleeing the affected areas might present a hazard, but the flooding should not have any long-term effects on the health of local wildlife.Segment 2:Roughly one thousand customers in the flood-worn neighborhoods along the Pearl River are without power.Entergy Mississippi strategically cut off power in affected areas as the waters posed a threat.Now, as residents begin to re-enter those neighborhoods, Entergy is working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.Entergy's Mara Hartmann tells our Michael Guidry how customers can begins requesting service re-connections.Segment 3:Southern Remedy Health MinuteSegment 4:Seven embezzlement indictments tied to the Department of Human Services and a Mississippi non-profit this month drew national attention.The state auditor suspects an excess of four million dollars were stolen during the alleged scheme.But Mississippi Today Poverty Reporter Anna Wolfe says that DHS has been shielding information regarding Temporary Assistance for Need Family or TANF funds since as early as 2017.She shares more with our Michael Guidry.

As the waters of the Pearl River recede, we talk to MEMA Director Greg Michel.Then, what home owners need to know aboutfiling flood insurance claims.And, we hear from those impacted by the flooding.Segment 1:The Pearl River is slowly falling after reaching it's third highest level on record, and highest since 1983.Homes and business along the river in Hinds and Rankin counties were greatly affected by the flood waters associated with the swollen river.The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is still working to monitor the continued threat of flooding in the area.We are joined by Greg Michel, Executive Director of MEMA.Segment 2:When the waters recede and flood-worn residents return to their homes, the next difficult step to normalcy is the clean up and repairs associated with flood damage. Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney says that reporting damage and filing insurance claims can be tedious, but affected home-owners should document any damage as soon as safely possible.He tells our Michael Guidry his department is available to assist.Segment 3:Shaunta Durr is a resident of Rollingwood in northeast Jackson.She and her family were forced out of their home late last week as the waters began to rise.When the river crested Monday, the water was as high as the door knob on her front door. Durr tells MPB's Ashley Norwood they could see the waters quickly rising over the weekend.Morton McKeigney of Riverwood considers himself fortunate - his home, which flooded in 1979, was spared this time.But he tells our Kobee Vance, despite experiencing his third flood warning, he still gets anxious.

The latest on the Pearl River flood threat with MEMA Director Greg Michel.And a lawsuit blocking a city buffer zone ordinance gets sent back to state court.Then, a Clergy group advocates for prison reform.Plus, the Forks of the Road in Natchez gets closer to national park status.Segment 1:Heavier-than-expected rainfalls this are causing a major flood threat for northeast and downtown Jackson, as well as western Rankin County. The Pearl River is projected to rise and crest near 38.0 feet early Sunday morning - the highest levels since 1983.We are joined by Greg Michel, Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.Segment 2:A lawsuit challenging a City of Jackson ordinance that places a buffer between protestors and the state's only abortion clinic will now be heard in state court. A lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Justice Institute challenges the ordinance, saying it violates their right to free speech under Mississippi's Constitution. We talk to Aaron Rice, Director of the Mississippi Justice Institute and Diane Derzis, owner of the Jackson Women's Health Organization.Segment 3:Members of the Clergy from across the state and from different denominations are rallying for prison reform at the State Capitol. Members of Clergy for Prison Reform say it is time for state legislators to give ex-prisoners a new chance at life. Wesley Bridges is CEO of Clergy for Prison Reform and Pastor at Unity Worship Ministry in Monticello. He says the organization's policy is based on the biblical teachings of Jesus.Segment 4:In 1995, Clifford M. Boxley was set to leave his hometown of Natchez for the African continent - where he planned to live out the rest of his life. But the history of his hometown called on him to stay, preserve, and reinterpret that complex history.Twenty-five years later, Mr. Boxley is leading the charge to have the historic Forks of the Road attain national park status. He tells us more about his mission.