Mississippi would hire a contractor to audit Medicaid, welfare, and food stamp recipients to make sure they’re not cheating the programs under a bill passing legislature. House Bill 1090 was held for more debate after passing the Senate Wednesday, but…
Today the Mississippi legislature ended its 2017 regular session, but will have to return later to pass budgets for the attorney general’s office and the Department of Transportation. Governor Phil Bryant will decide the starting date for a special session…
A bill is on its way to the governor to allow firing squads as an option to carry out executions. House Bill 638 still has lethal injection, which is now used, as the first option, but if the state’s lethal…
State lawmakers give Governor Phil Bryant permission to withdraw another $50 million from the rainy day fund to cover deficits in the budget year that ends June 30th. This after Bryant made another round of cuts on Friday, bringing the…
A gang bill dies for the second time at the state capitol. The bill seemed to pass the legislature Tuesday, but two representatives stalled it on a point order, one of those representatives was the bill’s author. The bill aimed…
This morning Governor Phil Bryant signed Senate Bill 2710 into law, banning sanctuary policies. The new law says cities, state agencies, and public colleges cannot prevent employees from asking someone’s immigration status. These public agencies also cannot give legal status…
Work continues at the state capitol after the Mississippi legislature did not make much progress on ironing out a budget Sunday after a contentious process the day before. Most major bills are being hammered out in conference. The bills are…
Governor Phil Bryant is again cutting this year’s Mississippi state budget, even as officials try to figure out how much money the state will have next year. Bryant announced Friday afternoon that he was cutting $20 million from the state’s…
Beginning July 1st, people in Mississippi who commit crimes against law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency workers will face doubled penalties. Governor Phil Bryant signed House Bill 645, the Back the Badge Act, meant as a response to killings of…
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…
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, 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Two volunteer firefighters were killed and a third injured in a hit and run accident in Lamar County Wednesday night. Authorities say the victims were helping control traffic following a different accident when they were struck by a vehicle. The…
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,…
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…
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…