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Mississippi Lawmakers Pass a Slim Budget, Substantial Tax Cut, Slash Social Services
Late into Monday night, Mississippi lawmakers managed to pass a strained budget, a $415 million tax cut and $250 million in bonds before midnight to meet today's deadline for budget and revenue bills.
Mississippi Clerks Issuing Same-Sex Licenses with AG Hood's Approval
Some Mississippi county clerks started issuing marriage licenses to all couples on Monday morning, after Attorney General Jim Hood wrote them promising no "adverse action" in response this morning.
Empowering Low-Income Parents
Rankin County is one of four counties that run a pilot program for parent representation. Mississippi is the only state in the U.S. that does not statutorily provide attorneys for indigent parents in youth-court proceedings.
Elation, Vows for State’s Same-Sex Couples
The party room in Julep restaurant in northeast Jackson was filled with relief Monday night as a group of about 30 people, new and old friends, gathered to celebrate four same-sex couples who were finally issued marriage licenses that morning.
Mississippi's Marriage Equality Fight is Over—Or is it?
"It's over." That was the message from Roberta Kaplan, the attorney who represented lesbian couples in a case to strike down Mississippi's same-sex marriage ban, to an Associated Press reporter on Wednesday evening.
SCOTUS Ruled on Marriage—Not Discrimination
While the U.S. Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling was monumental in American legal history and a cause for celebration by LGBT citizens, the reality is that the court ruled on same-sex marriage and nothing more, legal experts say.
Mississippi’s Only Abortion Clinic Safe for Now
Mississippi's last abortion clinic, which has been fighting a state admitting-privileges law for three years, is open—for now.
Engineering Victory: Joce Pritchett Wants to be State Auditor
Mississippi pride runs deep for Jocelyn Pepper Pritchett, who goes by Joce (JO-see). The only time she has lived out of state was when she was away at graduate school, and she has been back ever since.
School Advocates Blast GOP 'Scare Tactics' on Initiative 42
Public-education advocates are taking a top Republican budget writer to task for using what they call scare tactics to defeat an upcoming statewide ballot referendum on school funding.
Budget Cuts or Scare Tactics?
Representatives for state workers are decrying proposed budget cuts to state agencies that House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Herb Frierson, R-Poplarville, asked for last week.
‘You’ll Be Safe Here’
Domestic abuse is not always obvious, and someone can be completely in control of her life on paper but not at home.
'Biblical Marriage' Rally Draws Supporters to Jackson
About 100 supporters of "biblical marriage" gathered at the Capitol steps Monday morning for a rally and prayer vigil that the Christian Action Commission organized.
Mississippi Ranks 50th for Child Well-Being
Mississippi ranks 50th overall in child well-being, according to the 2015 Kids Count Data Book the Annie E. Casey Foundation released today.
Rankin Schools Paying for Religion Violation
Magdalene Bedi, a junior at Northwest Rankin High School in 2013, didn't subscribe to an institutional religion, but considered herself spiritual—and not an atheist.
Special Ed Vouchers Falling Short
Ian Buckhalter will start first grade in a few weeks. His father, Josh Buckhalter, had him tested and diagnosed earlier this year: Ian has high-functioning autism.
‘Hand-in-hand’: Poverty + Education Keep State in Last Place
The problem with Mississippi coming in last place in the Kids Count child well-being survey is largely that perception has a big impact on the children experiencing poverty or a family without stable income.
Overdue Foster Care Reform Coming Soon
Mississippi's foster-care system has long left children without medical care and living in limbo without a proper home, but state officials have largely ignored a seven-year court order to overhaul the state's foster-care system.
Where Are We Now? Education A Prime Issue for the Primary Election
Education is a major focus for candidates in the upcoming primary elections, especially due to this year's political back-and-forth on fully funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program.
Neshoba Roundup
Ahead of the primary elections on Tuesday, candidates for state-elected positions gave their annual speeches at the Neshoba County Fair this week.
Young 'Gives a Darn'
Incumbent candidates usually have an edge, and in the Republican primary race for governor this year, Phil Bryant is an obvious favorite. That’s not deterring Mitch Young from running however, appealing to the common Mississippi-native and self-funding his campaign.