Ellington

Yesterday, Gov. Haley Barbour signed Senate Bill 2978 into law. Mississippi's Attorney General Jim Hood advocated for the bill, which adds $1 to the fines for some misdemeanors and felonies. That dollar will go to fund Hood's cybercrime unit.

The unit, which deals with child pornography in Mississippi, among other cyber crimes, recently lost its grant funding, and the new assessment will replace those funds, Hood said in a statement.

"This legislation is where the rubber meets the road," Hood said. "We had the vehicle, we just needed some gas. That's what this law now gives us. Our lawmakers and Governor can be applauded for taking action that most assuredly will save many children from predators."