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Jackblog

U.S. District Judge Dismisses ACLU HB1523 Lawsuit

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves dismissed the ACLU's lawsuit that tried to dismantle House Bill 1523 before it becomes law next week. In his order, Reeves wrote that the ACLU's complaint did not satisfy the criteria for him to issue a preliminary injunction to block HB1523 from becoming law. Reeves …

Jackblog

U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Texas' Anti-Abortion Laws; Mississippi Leaders Respond

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Texas’ admitting privileges and surgical-center requirement anti-abortion laws by a vote of 5-3 today. The court found both laws unconstitutional because they do place “undue burden” on women seeking abortion access in the state. "The record contains sufficient evidence that the admitting-privileges requirement led …

Jackblog

State Health Department Announces 3 More Travel-Related Zika Cases

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported three new cases of Zika virus in the state today, which brings the state's total cases to eight. The department said all three cases were travel related for residents from Chickasaw, Hinds and Rankin counties who recently traveled to St. Thomas, Nicaragua and …

Jackblog

DOJ Charges Two More People in Epps Case

The Department of Justice charged two more people involved in the former Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Christopher B. Epps' case today. Both press releases from the DOJ are reproduced verbatim below: Texas Man Charged with Conspiracy to Bribe Former Corrections Commissioner Mark Longoria, 53, of Houston, Texas has been …

Jackblog

U.S. District Judge 'Passes Baton' on HB 1523 Case, Denies Stay Motion

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves has denied Gov. Phil Bryant and executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services John Davis' motion to stay the preliminary injunction Reeves initially issued, which blocked House Bill 1523 from becoming law. In his 6-page order, Reeves says that the state did not …

Jackblog

AG Hood Responds to DOJ Olmstead Lawsuit

Attorney General Jim Hood issued a statement in response to the DOJ Olmstead lawsuit, filed today in federal court. That statement is reproduced in full below. JACKSON— A lawsuit filed today by the U.S. Department of Justice against the state of Mississippi provides the most meaningful opportunity yet for leaders …

Jackblog

5th Circuit Denies Gov. Bryant's Motion for Stay in HB1523 Case

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied Gov. Phil Bryant and MDHS Executive Director John Davis' motions to stay the injunction that blocked House Bill 1523 from becoming law. Bryant and Davis asked the court to expedite their appeal, and that application was also denied. The 5th Circuit …

Jackblog

Donald J. Trump Set to Come to Jackson for Private Fundraiser

Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump is scheduled to be in Jackson next Wednesday, August 24, for a fundraising event supporting his campaign, a MS GOP press release states. Tickets for the event are being sold at an affordable $1,000 per ticket. The event begins at 6:00 PM, but the …

Jackblog

Secretary Hosemann Reaches $4.7 Million Settlement with Morgan Stanley

The Secretary of State reached a $4.7 million settlement with Morgan Stanley, after a years-long investigation into the Ridgeland branch office following complaints from customers who had investment accounts with financial representatives there. Morgan Stanley did not admit or deny the Secretary of State's allegations but has agreed to pay …

Jackblog

MAE Endorses Green for District 72 Special Election

The Mississippi Association of Educators has endorsed Synarus Green in the District 72 House of Representatives special election. "For generations, the Mississippi Association of Educators has worked to build opportunities for the people and communities they serve," Green said in a press statement. "I'm honored to have the support of …

Jackblog

Gibbs, Green Head to Run-Off in District 72 Special Election

The House District 72 special election will head to a run-off between Debra Gibbs and Synarus Green on Sep. 13. Election results from a Hinds County Election Commission spokeswoman are as follows: Synarus Green-642 Debra Gibbs-641 Theresa Kennedy-169 Shae Buchanon-Williams-138 Either Gibbs or Green will replace attorney Kimberly Campbell and …

Jackblog

Why Did Trump Come to Mississippi, Anyway?

It's convenient to presume that Mississippi will bleed red on Election Day, but if that's true, then a fair question follows. Why would Donald Trump waste time and resources stopping in Jackson, Miss., this evening for a $1,000 per ticket fundraiser and rally? Polling done in Mississippi this presidential year …

Jackblog

Speaker Gunn Appoints New Appropriations Chairman

Speaker Philip Gunn has appointed Rep. John Read, R-Gautier, as the new Chairman of Appropriations in the House of Representatives. “John has more experience and knowledge of the appropriations process than anyone in the House of Representatives,” Speaker Philip Gunn said in a press release. “He has 25 years of …

Jackblog

Mississippi GOP Endorses 3 Judicial Candidates

The Mississippi Republican Party endorsed three candidates running for judicial offices in the Mississippi Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. Supreme Court Candidates: Kenny Griffis, District 1, Place 3 Dawn Beam, District 2, Place 2 Court of Appeals Candidate: Jack Wilson, District 3, Place 1 Judge Kenny Griffis currently …

Jackblog

Magnolia Health to Offer Statewide Obamacare Coverage in 2017

The Mississippi Department of Insurance announced today that Ambetter from Magnolia Health has been cleared to offer individual health insurance plans through the federal health marketplace. Magnolia serves 50 counties in the state currently, but will extend its coverage to all 82 counties beginning in January 1, 2017. Insurance Commissioner …

Jackblog

Jackson Councilwoman Barrett-Simon Endorses Synarus Green

Jackson Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon has endorsed Synarus Green in the District 72 special election run-off, which will be held on September 13. Barrett-Simon has served on the city council for over 30 years and credited Green for helping the city of Jackson get $16.5 million from the Mississippi Department of …

Jackblog

Poll: Mississippi a 'Tossup State' for Presidential Election

A new poll paints Mississippi purple, calculating Trump's lead over Hillary Clinton in the state to be only three points, in a four-candidate race. The online-only survey had over 800 respondents from Mississippi, who are registered voters, and over 74,000 voters in the country. The results put Mississippi in the "tossup" category—not a red state.

Jackblog

U.S. Reps Introduce Bi-Partisan Juvenile Justice Bill in House

On Thursday, Republican and Democratic U.S. representatives introduced the "Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act," in the U.S. House of Representatives. House Bill 5963 would update the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, adding new language to encourage states, cities and reservations to utilize evidence-based programs that …

Jackblog

Attorney Appeals State Flag Lawsuit to 5th Circuit

Grenada-based attorney Carlos Moore, who sued Gov. Phil Bryant alleging that the Mississippi state flag is not constitutional, has appealed his case to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Last week U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves dismissed Moore's lawsuit but left the door open to potential legal action in the …

Jackblog

Debra Gibbs Wins District 72 Runoff Election, Will Take Seat in January

Jackson-based attorney Debra Gibbs will replace former Rep. Kimberly Campbell in the Mississippi House of Representatives in January. Gibbs won the run-off in the special election on Sept. 13 for the District 72 House seat. She defeated Synarus Green by a vote of 921-897. Green is the current director of …