2 months ago
Senate Education Committee Chairman Dennis DeBar says he will allow his committee to vote on the House’s school choice measure, but he’s still convinced the proposal to spend public money on private schooling will not pass in the Senate. Why are senators opposed to this? He explains.
By Geoff Pender and Devna Bose - Mississippi Today on
2 months ago
In some areas of Mississippi, such as Oxford and Lafayette County, schools will remain closed for the rest of the week.
Areas of Mississippi were still reeling on Monday from the aftermath of the weekend winter storm — including local elementary and secondary schools and colleges.
Many will remain closed on Tuesday. See a list of school closures below.
By Mississippi Today Staff on
2 months ago
Mississippi Republicans and Democrats will choose their party nominees in the Primary Elections, with the winners advancing to the November 3 General Election.
Midterm Primary Elections are quickly approaching in Mississippi.
The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office announced Monday that in-person and mail-in absentee ballots are now available in Circuit Clerk’s Offices across the state ahead of the March 10 Midterm Primary Election for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months ago
If enacted, a bill would create the “Mississippi Health and Welfare Efficiency Task Force” to examine the state’s delivery of social services.
The creation of a task force to study how social services agencies can streamline government and regulatory services passed the Senate Government Structure Committee last week. The goal is to make state government more efficient.
By Daniel Tyson - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months ago
The governor noted that weather hazards, debris, and road conditions are making it difficult to restore power to the over 150,000 without power as of Monday morning. He urged Mississippians to continue to check on friends, family, and neighbors and to stay off the roads.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed Monday morning that two deaths have been reported due to the winter storm that swept through the state leaving thousands without power and numerous roadways impassable due to downed trees and utility lines.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months ago
Below is a press release from Entergy Mississippi:
Restoration is expected to take multiple days for some areas
Entergy Mississippi crews are making progress assessing damage and restoring power to customers who were left without power after severe winter weather, including freezing rain and ice, entered the service area over the weekend.
By Press Release - Entergy on
2 months ago
The committee also passed measures to explore future school district consolidations, restrict the use of cellphones in schools, and have civics taught in the classroom, among other bills.
Several bills passed out of the Mississippi Senate Education Committee late last week, including one that could lead to the consolidation of some school districts within the state. Other bills seek to set cellphone use policies in schools, improve math outcomes, provide financial literacy, and ensure funding for gifted education reaches students.
By Jeremy Pittari - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months ago
JACKSON, Miss. – Due to ongoing hazardous conditions caused by the ice storm, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is closing county health departments and offices in the following counties for Tuesday, January 27:
Published on
2 months 1 week ago
Snow and ice left widespread damage across northern Mississippi as a massive storm moved across large parts of the U.S., creating dangerous travel conditions. Trees split open and dropped heavy branches, and power lines crashed down in some areas.
Though the worst damage was in the northern part of the state, areas as far south as Natchez saw icy conditions.
By Emily Wagster Pettus, Leonardo Bevilacqua and Rick Cleveland - Mississippi Today on
2 months 1 week ago
The winter storm that pushed through the state Saturday and Sunday temporarily knocked out power at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman and Delta Correctional Facility in Greenwood, even as temperatures plunged below freezing.
“At Parchman, we had a limb fall on a line,” Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain told Mississippi Today on Sunday afternoon. “The power is coming back on.”
By Leonardo Bevilacqua, Jerry Mitchell and Michael Goldberg - Mississippi Today on
2 months 1 week ago
Many colleges and universities across the state are slated to operate virtually.
The winter storm that contributed to downed power lines, gnarled trees and hazardous roadways across the state is also spurring school closures.
By Mississippi Today Staff on
2 months 1 week ago
The Mississippi Department of Corrections quietly entered into an agreement with a powerful law firm last summer to monitor its private medical contractor after Mississippi Today reports of alleged denial of health care in state prisons.
By Michael Goldberg and Gwen Dilworth - Mississippi Today on
2 months 1 week ago
Robert St. John says 43 years ago, he was racing toward oblivion with his headlights off. Today, he can see the road.
There was a kid from my hometown who had it all figured out at twenty-one. Charm, dreams, a family who loved him. He was also speeding down 4th Street at 90 miles per hour with his headlights off and three police cars in pursuit.
That was May 25, 1983.
By Robert St. John on
2 months 1 week ago
State Senator Tyler McCaughn said of the “The People’s Access Act” that “it’s only right to open the doors to public meetings.”
The Senate Government Structure committee moved a bill forward late last week to improve transparency in Mississippi state and local governments. However, the legislation is expected to meet stiff opposition in the House.
By Daniel Tyson - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 1 week ago
Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion
By Magnolia Tribune Staff on
2 months 1 week ago
JACKSON, Miss. – Due to hazardous conditions caused by the ice storm, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is adjusting operations for county health departments across the state. The safety of our staff and the public remains our top priority. We continue to closely monitor weather and roadway conditions, and operational decisions may change as conditions evolve.
Please note: This is an ongoing situation, and information is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, continue to monitor the MSDH website and official social media channels.
Published on
2 months 1 week ago
The Mississippi Department of Human Services is expected to explore a funding model advocates for months have proposed as a solution to the state’s child care crisis, agency director Bob Anderson announced during a Senate Public Health Committee meeting Wednesday.
By Sophia Paffenroth - Mississippi Today on
2 months 1 week ago
Tougaloo College in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, July 19, 2023. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
The college is expected to name its next leader in March. Current President Donzell Lee will complete his term in June.
Tougaloo College has named three finalists in its search for a new president. Donzell Lee, the current president, will complete his term in June.
The finalists are:
By Candice Wilder - Mississippi Today on
2 months 1 week ago
HB 1284 would reduce the current 15 community and junior college districts down to 12 by July 2027.
State Rep. Trey Lamar (R), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in Mississippi, has filed legislation that would consolidate a number of community colleges, reducing the current 15 community and junior college districts down to 12.
Lamar’s legislation, HB 1284, would consolidate the following community colleges:
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 1 week ago
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, who has also been endorsed by President Donald Trump, is facing newcomer Sarah Adlakha in the March 10 Republican Primary.
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith picked up a slew of endorsements this week from fellow Republicans across Mississippi supporting her re-election bid.
Hyde-Smith campaign manager Jake Monssen said the vast support shown for the Senator “is a strong demonstration of the trust our elected leaders have in her effectiveness in Washington.”
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
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1 hour 35 minutes ago
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