Mississippi State News

Lawmakers Propose Spending Cuts for 2017

Top lawmakers are proposing a Mississippi budget that would be three percent smaller for the coming year. House Speaker Philip Gunn says most state agencies should plan to operate on the leanest levels possible during fiscal 2018, which begins July…

"Blue Lives Matter" Bill Mississippi

As police ambushes have become more frequent across the country in the last year, state lawmakers want to ensure our men and women in uniform are better protected. A "Blue Lives Matter" bill will be introduced when the 2017 session…

Pearl Harbor Sailor Laid To Rest Today

A Mississippi sailor, killed at Pearl Harbor, was laid to rest today. Navy Fireman 1st Class Jim H. Johnston, was killed at pearl harbor in the attack on the USS Oklahoma. 429 casualties resulted and most of the dead were…

Pre-Legislative Briefing

The 2017 legislative session begins in one month. This session is one that is sure to be pivotal considering over $100 million in BP settlement funds is up for grabs in the state’s general fund. Coast lawmakers are ready to…

Gov. Bryant Named Chair-Elect Education Commission

Governor Phil Bryant has been named chair-elect of the education commission of the states. The national organization gathers, analyzes and disseminates information about current and emerging issues, trends and innovations in state education policies. Governor Bryant issued a statement saying…

21st Century Cures Act Approved

After many years of debate, federal lawmakers finally approved the 21st century cures act. The act will speed new medicines through the market and will authorize an additional four point eight billion in spending for medical research. Congressman Steven Pallazo…

"Eureka" Act Close To Becoming A Law

With the passing of the 21st century cures act, a proposal surrounding Alzheimer’s disease by US Senator Roger Wicker is closer to becoming a law. The "Ensuring useful research expenditures is key for Alzheimer’s" or eureka act is part of…

No State Flag at Tupelo Police Building

The Mississippi flag will not fly outside the new Tupelo Police Department building at least for a year. The City Council voted to fly a state bicentennial banner rather than the state flag. The City Council objected to the state…

Six Confirmed Tornadoes In Mississippi

Six confirmed tornadoes have been reported throughout the state. New video... Showing extensive damage across Northern Mississippi. This footage was taken last night... Just moments after the first wave of severe weather hit the region. The hardest hit area right…

Final BP Town Hall Meeting Tomorrow

Tomorrow is your last chance to voice how you think state legislators should spend BP oil spill disaster money in a public forum. This will be the third and final town hall meeting hosted by Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves. The…

Statewide Grade-Level Reading Initiative

Mississippi Department of Education officials announce they will launch a statewide campaign for grade-level reading initiative to encourage non-profits, business leaders, and schools to work together to support students reading on grade level by the end of third grade. The…

2017 Mississippi Legislative Preview

The three month 2017 legislative sessions begin January 3rd. This will be the second year of a four year term. Education funding is already front and center of preparation work with Republican leaders of the House and Senate hiring a…

Statewide Reading Initiative

Government education officials released the date for the announcement of the statewide reading initiative. On November 29th, officials will unveil a statewide initiative adding greater emphasis on grade-level reading. This comes in light of Mississippi’s literacy-based promotion act. State law…

Task Force Tackles Literacy in State

A task force on teacher preparation for early literacy instruction released recommendations on how to improve child literacy in the state. The task force was created by Governor Phil Bryant. It was formed in June 2016 and is made up…

Edbuild Contract will be Made Public

Mississippi’s legislative leaders have announced they will post their contract with Edbuild to the Transparency Mississippi website. This comes after state Attorney General Jim Hood wrote a letter to state leaders saying law required them to and after heavy backlash…

Update on Mississippi Voting

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann says only a small percentage of Mississippi voters did not take photo identification to the polls for the presidential election. He said Monday that more than 1.2 million people voted in the state and 560…

Woman Sentenced for Scam in Chambers Death

A Mississippi woman is going to prison after using an internet scam to try to profit off the burning death of a teenager. Attorney General Jim Hood says 41-year-old Janet Lee Posey of Blue Springs pleaded guilty Thursday to one…

Compete To Complete Degree Completion Program

Starting today, Governor Phil Bryant has announced the state of Mississippi is trying to do its part to reach out to former college students and help them complete their degrees. "Compete to Complete" is an initiative meant to encourage Mississippi…

Public Input On School Funding

Today, state lawmakers are set to hear from residents as they work to examine Mississippi's School Funding Formula. The legislature is working with non-profit "Ed-build" to look at Mississippi’s Adequate Education Program. The firm is set to make recommendations as…

Governor Bryant Says he will stay in Mississippi

Governor Phil Bryant is walking back speculation he might consider a job in the Trump administration. While he was in Biloxi Tuesday, Bryant said he plans to serve his full term as governor, a term with three years remaining. Bryant…

Governor Makes Budget Recommendations

Governor Bryant releases his recommendations for the 2018 year budget, beginning July 1st, proposing higher spending for foster care and K-12 education. Bryant says he wants to maintain current spending levels for public safety, military operations, veterans’ services, emergency management,…

School Funding Public Hearing Jackson, MS

For at least one hour Thursday afternoon, people will be able to orally address lawmakers about possible changes to Mississippi’s method of funding public schools. Speaker of the house Philip Gunn and lt. Governor Tate Reeves made the announcement yesterday.…

Governor On Coast Today

Governor Phil Bryant will be on the coast this morning to announce the round of restoration projects for 2016. The announcement will take place at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi at 10:15 this morning. The announcement is a prelude…