Mississippi State News

Mississippi Governor Speaks

Governor Phil Bryant has joined seven other republican governors in a letter endorsing the GOP plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The letter sent Thursday to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan was also…

Hood Puts $34.4 Million Into General Fund

As budget writers try to stretch Mississippi’s cash to cover needs, State Attorney General Jim Hood chips in 34-point-four million dollars. The Democratic Attorney General says he deposited the winnings from lawsuits into the state's general fund. Hood wants lawmakers…

Buckle up, Mississippi

Buckle up, Mississippi, because it could soon be the law no matter where you sit in a car. Senators sent a bill that would require seat belts for all passengers, front seat or back, to Governor Phil Bryant for approval…

Requiring cursive writing in school

A bill to reinforce requirements that cursive writing be taught in Mississippi’s public schools needs only Governor Phil Bryant’s signature to become law. Senators agreed with changes made by the House to Senate Bill 2273 and sent it to Bryant…

Alligator hunting season changes

Big changes are coming to Mississippi’s alligator hunting season. Mississippi Department of Wildlife introduced changes on how hunters will get a permit from the previous first come, first serve to a lottery style drawing. Those interested in obtaining a permit…

Sanctuary cities in Mississippi

State lawmakers have agreed to a bill to ban immigration sanctuary policies. The Senate agreed Tuesday to changes the House made in Senate Bill 2710. It now heads to Governor Phil Bryant. The bill says cities, state agencies, and public…

Campaign finance reform passes legislature

A campaign finance reform bill passes the Mississippi legislature and sits on Governor Phil Bryant’s desk for signature. Senate Bill 2689 brings more transparency to political expenses and places restrictions on spending to campaign related needs. The bill includes a…

Lawsuit against State Farm moves forward

The Mississippi Supreme Court will not dismiss a state lawsuit against State Farm over Hurricane Katrina claims. That means Attorney General Jim Hood’s lawsuit against the insurance giant can move forward. The lawsuit says State Farm owes Mississippi millions of…

No state lottery for Mississippi

Today might be St. Patrick’s Day, but there’s no luck of the Irish for Mississippians hoping to try their luck in a state lottery. The Mississippi House struck down the last amendment that offered to create a state lottery. The…

Harmonica master James Cotton dies

Mississippi Delta native and Grammy award winning Blues harmonica master James Cotton dies at the age of 81. Cotton died Thursday of pneumonia in Austin, Texas. Cotton has backed Blues legends such as Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and…

House passes Back the Badge Act

With a vote of 94 to 18, the Mississippi House has passed the Back the Badge Act. House Bill 645 would enhance penalties for crimes committed against law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency responders. The bill now heads to Governor…

House halts flag amendment

The Mississippi House has halted a push to require universities to fly the state’s Confederate-themed flag. Republic Representative William Shirley persuaded the House last week to withhold a tax break from universities that don’t fly the flag. At that time,…

Mississippi regulates fantasy sports

Governor Phil Bryant signed legislation to regulate and tax operators of daily fantasy sports contests. House Bill 967 will set an eight percent tax and authorize the Mississippi Gaming Commission to regulate fantasy sports contests online or in casinos. Regulations…

March 29th declared Vietnam Veterans Day in Mississippi

In the state of Mississippi, March 29th each year will now be designated Vietnam Veterans Day after Governor Bryant signs House Bill 976 declaring the date. The Vietnam War was an unpopular war and many of the veterans returning to…

Mississippi attorneys resign

Both Mississippi U.S. attorneys were asked to resign, along with 44 other U.S. state attorneys that were appointed by President Obama. Gregory Davis had been U.S. attorney for southern Mississippi and Felicia Adams had been the U.S. attorney for northern…

Jackson has water again

People in Mississippi’s capital city can once again use tap water without boiling it first. Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber says Monday that boil water notices have been lifted. The notices were issued in parts of the city after workers replaced…

Mississippi Senate proposes education funding

State senators are offering a bill to fund public schools for the 2017-2018 school year, casting doubt if law makers will rewrite Mississippi’s school funding formula this year. The Senate Appropriations Committee amended House Bill 1502, adding back $2.2 billion…

Blocking state flag amendment

A top Mississippi lawmaker is blocking an effort to punish universities that refuse to fly the state flag, a symbol that critics see as racist. The state House passed a bill earlier this week saying public universities could not receive…

Deaton makes his first court appearance in Pratt, Kansas

A fugitive from Mississippi suspected in crimes across three states was in a Kansas court today. Alex Deaton made his first court appearance in Pratt County, Kansas. The judge read Deaton his charges, including one count of attempted first degree…

Cutting tax breaks for state universities

Mississippi universities that refuse to fly the confederate themed state flag could lose proposed tax breaks, the latest twist in a long battle over a symbol critics see as racist. News 25’s Kendra Turley caught up with students at the…

Senate Bill 2710: Prohibiting sanctuary cities

The Mississippi House is advancing a bill to ban immigration sanctuary policies. Senate Bill 2710 says cities, state agencies, and public colleges can’t prevent employees from asking someone’s immigration status. The bill would also authorize all Mississippi law enforcement officers…

Divorce Amendment Passes

The Mississippi house unanimously passes an amendment that adds forms of domestic violence as grounds for divorce. The house previously killed two divorce law reform measures without a vote in Representative Andy Gipson's committee. He worked with an anti-domestic violence…

Replacing statues that represent Mississippi in Washington

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant says he’d be willing to talk about replacing the statues that represent the state in the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Currently, Mississippi is represented by statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Confederate politician J.Z. George.…