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The Squeeze: A First Look at Upcoming Budget Cuts
Budget cuts are coming, and lawmakers are beginning to discuss the finagling of state dollars for the fiscal year that starts in July.
JPS Board Delays New Superintendent Search
The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees halted plans to find a firm to conduct a national search for a new superintendent on Tuesday night. Instead, the board voted to delay the search to would begin in the 2018-2019 school year, involve the community in the process and keep Dr. Freddrick Murray as the interim superintendent for the upcoming school year.
'Racially Discriminatory' State Flag Lawsuit Appeal Goes to 5th Circuit
The lawsuit to change the Mississippi state flag because it is "racially discriminatory" is still alive. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear Grenada-based attorney Carlos Moore's appeal on March 7.
Mississippi Worst State for Women, Study Finds
Mississippi as the worst state for women based on several factors from life expectancy to unemployment figures, a new WalletHub study found.
Mental-health Courts Could Supplement Jails If Bill Stays Alive
Replacing jail with mental-health courts in some instances is still possible statewide, after the House Judiciary B and Appropriations Committees passed their version of legislation to the House for a full vote this morning.
EdBuild: New Formula in Hands of Few
Mississippi's new education funding formula is in the hands of a few lawmakers and the statehouse leadership—and what it will look like or how much money will go into the formula are still a mystery to the public and the press.
MPB Bridges Education As Cuts Loom
Ronnie Agnew watched PBS shows like "Sesame Street" when he was growing up in Saltillo in rural Mississippi. Now the executive director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Agnew tells the story of a friend who lived to be 103 years old, illiterate most of his long life until he discovered public broadcasting.
UPDATED: DACA Immigrant Detained in Jackson After Speaking Out, ICE Responds
Minutes after leaving a press conference, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Daniela Vargas, a 22-year-old undocumented immigrant in the process of applying for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status for the third time.
From Welfare to Divorce: What's Dead, What's Alive in the Legislature
Criminal-justice and welfare reform are alive to see another day, but adding abuse as grounds for divorce and election reform were dead on arrival.
Hostility to Immigrants Breeds 'Constant State of Fear,' Advocates Say
Business owners, pastors and lawyers gathered outside Jackson City Hall Wednesday to voice concerns for the hostility shown toward immigrants in the wake of President Donald Trump's executive orders and recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Jackson.
UPDATED: Feds Close Over 100 Mississippi Bridges, Senator Says
"Over 100 (posted) bridges have been closed." The Mississippi Senate did not take up any legislation today, but before it adjourned, Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, stood up to give that announcement.
Abusers Get Another Divorce Pass from #MSLeg, But Senator Pushes Back
Sen. Sally Doty, R-Brookhaven, is not giving up on making domestic abuse grounds for divorce in Mississippi. Rep. Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, killed Doby's bill on Feb. 28, in committee, not even letting members vote on it.
Jackson Water Outage Scheduled for This Weekend
Jacksonians in some parts of the city can expect water outages or low water pressure this weekend, starting on Friday at 3 p.m. until about the same time on Sunday, March 12.
Workers, Advocates and Politicians March for Unionization at Nissan
Auto industry workers, advocates and politicians marched on the Nissan Plant in Canton on Saturday to show support for a union and to urge workers there to unionize.
Petitions, Vigil Demand Feds to #FreeDany from ICE Detention Center
As Daniela Vargas sits in an immigrant detention center in Jena, La., 166 miles from her Jackson home, concerned citizens, advocates and pastors gathered here in the courtyard of Fondren Presbyterian Church to hold a vigil for the 22-year-old undocumented immigrant.
Dyslexia Voucher Expansion Bill Passes Senate
House Bill 1046 expands vouchers or scholarships, depending on whom you ask in the statehouse. Either way, the legislation advanced late on Wednesday night after more than two hours of debate.
State Flag Debate Back in the Spotlight
Rep. William Shirley, R-Quitman, is on a mission to make universities fly the state flag. The state flag debate flared up yesterday in the House of Representatives when Rep. Shirley introduced an amendment requiring all institutions of higher learning to fly the state flag if they want to continue to receive state funding.
ICE Releases Daniela Vargas Under Order of Supervision
Daniela Vargas, the 22-year-old undocumented immigrant who grew up in Mississippi and was detained after speaking out at a press conference in Jackson, is free from federal custody as of today.
Infrastructure Funding Alive in Mississippi House
Repairing the state's roads and bridges may still be a priority of the Mississippi House of Representatives, with members voting to increase funding for infrastructure by about $150 million starting in July. The House approved the amendments to Senate Bill 2939 Thursday.
Understanding Trauma Key to Fixing State's Foster Care System
Like Michigan, Mississippi is under a consent decree to fix its foster-care system—and the State must fulfill several promises by year's end.