GOP Leaders Renew Push to Block Lawsuit Over Election Spat
Mississippi House Republican leaders will appeal a court ruling in a dispute over an election that tied, went to a drawing of straws and was later flipped.
Moonshine Bandits: Outlaws & Originators
For some music fans, country music is the quintessential “southern” sound, and yet, many of its biggest stars hail from elsewhere. That includes Bird and Tex of country-rap duo Moonshine Bandits, a band that served as one of the earliest voices in the hybrid genre. While Bird is originally from Tishomingo, Miss., he only dabbled in music before his family moved to central California in 1990. He and Tex, who was one grade ahead, met in high school, and the two began making music together, though they didn’t take it seriously at the time.
Two More Districts Approved to Innovate
The Mississippi State Board of Education approved plans for two new school districts to become "Districts of Innovation" on Feb. 16.
Fixing (Some) Roads and Bridges Still Possible in 2017 Session
While the Mississippi Legislature has not proposed—let alone approved—a comprehensive plan to fix the state's crumbling infrastructure, the Legislature could take some steps this year to ensure that some additional funds go to road and bridge repair.
Katherine Dieckmann
Movie fans may know Katherine Dieckmann as the writer and director of 2000's "A Good Baby" and 2009's "Motherhood," and the director of 2006's "Diggers." However, it wasn't so long ago that her career path was pointed in an entirely different direction.
Trump Weighs Mobilizing Nat Guard for Immigration Roundups
The Trump administration is considering a proposal to mobilize as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to round up unauthorized immigrants, including millions living nowhere near the Mexico border, according to a draft memo obtained by The Associated Press.
Grenada, Baldwyn and Booneville Schools Win Innovation Nods
The Mississippi Board of Education is approving plans for more districts to establish innovative educational programs.
State Revenues 'Have Disappointed,' Trump Effect on Mississippi Uncertain
The U.S. economy may be growing, but Mississippi's revenue is lagging, and the state faces uncertainty over the effect of the Trump administration's policies, especially on trade.
MAEP Not Funded, But Education Formula Re-Write Must Happen by July 1
The Mississippi Adequate Education Program was not funded in a Department of Education appropriations bill the Mississippi House of Representatives passed Wednesday, signaling that the formula re-write has to happen before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, 2017.
Luvvie Ajayi
Blogger, humorist and author Luvvie Ajayi is coming to Jackson tonight, Feb. 16, for "Awesomely Luvvie Live!", the first event in the Greater Jackson Arts Council's Creative Empowerment series.
GOP Lawmakers Grope for Consensus on Remaking Health Law
Leading Republicans described some of their plans for remaking the nation's health care system to rank-and-file House members Thursday. Participants said conflict remained, and the details and timing of how the GOP will deliver on its long-promised replacement of President Barack Obama's law went unanswered.
Lawmakers Plan Money to Fill Deficits, but Maybe Not Enough
Mississippi lawmakers are pushing forward early drafts of budget bills that are likely to change before a final deadline.
Jackson Inks New 10-Year Deal for Wastewater Plant Operations
The City of Jackson, Mississippi has signed a 10-year operations and management agreement with Veolia Water North America-South, LLC, to operate three wastewater-treatment plants.
Puzder Withdraws Nomination to be Trump's Labor Secretary
President Donald Trump's nominee for labor secretary abruptly withdrew his nomination Wednesday after Senate Republicans balked at supporting him, in part over taxes he belatedly paid on a former housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States.
The Slate
February is running out quickly, which means college basketball is about to take center stage in March, with conference tournaments and the madness of the season.
Solutions: How to Prevent Gun Violence
Here is a sampling of evidence-based solutions for preventing and interrupting gun violence. See jfp.ms/stopviolence for links to learn more.
From Council Schools to Today’s Fight for Public Ed
Yearbooks and classmates prove that Gov. Phil Bryant is the product of white flight and segregationist education, which may explain his efforts, along with others in his party, to undermine public education in this state.
Stop the Mental Health Politicking
Lawmakers should and could have addressed mental health-care reform in previous sessions as well as this session. It turns out that addressing the problem with secrecy and an assumption of a Republican supermajority won't always work.
No Longer About Party
While we debate politics for fun, the whims of administrations are not meant to be visited upon entire populations. This is no longer about party. This is about how we will allow ourselves to be governed.
Tort Reform, Sexual Assault Prevention and Fantasy Sports Bills Move Forward
"Tort reform" rose from the past at the state Capitol last week as lawyers in the House of Representatives battled it out over a short, seemingly inconsequential bill, House Bill 481, which would affect personal-injury litigation in the state.