Mississippi State News

MDOC Commissioner Sentencing Delayed

The sentencing for former Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps has been delayed. Epps was scheduled to be sentenced this morning. The former prisons chief pleaded guilty in February of 2015 to money laundering and filing false tax returns related to…

Another City Bans Travel To Mississippi

Add Dayton Ohio to the list of cities banning government travel to Mississippi. A memo from Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley forbids city dollars paying for non-essential travel to the states. New laws conflict with the city's values and anti-discrimination ordinances…

Peaceful Protest to the Religious Accommodation Act

As controversy continues to swirl around Governor Phil Bryant’s swift action to sign the Religious Accommodations Act into law, Coast residents are taking a stand against the law they say is discriminating against the LGBT community. A peaceful rally at…

Charter School Expansion Passes

A bill to expand public charter schools in the state is sitting on Governor Bryant’s desk for final approval. If approved, students from Mississippi school districts with academic ratings of C, D, or F will be able to cross district…

Filmmakers against Religious Law

It’s only been one day since Governor Phil Bryant signed off on the Religious Accommodations Act and the law is already affecting businesses all throughout the state. News 25’s Kendra Turley shows us how the new law is impacting our…

Filmmakers against Religious Bill

It’s only been one day since Governor Phil Bryant signed off on the Religious Accommodations Act and the law is already affecting businesses throughout the state. News 25’s Kendra Turley joins us live with more on how the new law…

New Taxi Regulations Become Law

A new law signed by the governor will regulate UBER, LYFT and other ride-sharing services on a statewide basis. The state insurance department is now in charge of overseeing the services. Previously individual cities have traditionally regulated taxi services in…

Abortion Bill Headed To Governor

Bill on the governor's desk would ban a commonly used dismemberment abortion. The measure would outlaw a procedure called dilation and evacuation unless an abortion is required to prevent a mother's irreversible physical impairment. It would prohibit abortions extracting a…

Guns In Church Bill Heads To Governor

A bill to allow some members of church congregations to carry guns inside is sitting on Governor Bryant's desk for final approval. If approved, the new law would allow places of worship to designate members to undergo firearms training and…

Online Petitions To Secede From State

In response to the new law, a number of Natchez residents have taken to an online petition that calls for the city to secede from the state of Mississippi and join Louisiana nearly 700 people have signed it. While unlikely…

Religious Accommodations Act Is Now Law

Mississippi is garnering national attention after Governor Phil Bryant signs the religious accommodations Act into law. This came a day after heavy protests at the state capitol. Taking to twitter, Bryant said he did so to "Protect sincerely held religious…

States Ban Mississippi Travel

The states of Vermont, New York and Washington are banning travel to Mississippi because of the state’s passage of a law that allows religious groups and some private businesses to refuse service to gay couples. In a message to top…

Biloxi Mayor on Religious Freedom Bill

Biloxi Mayor FoFo Gilich responded to the Religious Freedom Bill, saying we do not discriminate. In a full statement, Gilich says: “The City of Biloxi is widely known for its cultural diversity and hospitality to all people and welcomes all…

Religious Freedom Bill Signed Into law

Mississippi’s governor has signed the state’s Religious Freedom Bill into law. Governor Phil Bryant announced today via Twitter that he had signed House Bill 1523. He says he did so to “protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictism of”…

Interracial Couple Evicted in Tupelo

A Northeast Mississippi woman claims she was evicted from a local RV park because her husband is African American. WCBI’s Allie Martin talked with the woman making the claims and a Civil Rights group, which is launching a full investigation.…

Governor Bryant Signs Religious Bill

Governor Phil Bryant has signed the Religious Accommodations Act into law. The law allows government employees and private business people to cite religious beliefs as a reason to refuse services to members of the LGBT community and prevents the state…

Chamber Opposes Religious Objections Bill

The Mississippi State Chamber of Commerce is opposing a religious objections bill heading to Governor Phil Bryant’s desk, saying House Bill 1523 conflicts with the organization’s non-discrimination policy. Businesses including Nissan North America, Toyota, Chevron, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Entergy…

Judge Approves $20 Billion BP Settlement

Today, a federal judge in New Orleans has granted final approval to an estimated $20 billion settlement, resolving years of litigation over the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier’s final order on…

Road Improvement Funding Stalled

A plan to increase funding for road improvements in the state by raising taxes has died in the state Legislature. House leaders were unable to attract enough support from lawmakers. Many representatives instead demanded money saving efforts at the Mississippi…

Protest Against Religious Rights Bill

Noise at the state Capitol today as protesters are expected to rally outside of the governor’s mansion. The Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU of Mississippi, and LGBT equality advocates are urging Governor Phil Bryant to veto a bill that would…

Tornado Touchdown In Delta

A tornado touched down in the Delta yesterday afternoon and it was all caught on camera. Cell phone video captures the funnel cloud near new hope. No word of any injuries. Heavy rains caused widespread flooding and prompted some evacuations…

Storm Damage In Lamar County

Officials are stating that another possible tornado touched down just north of us in Lamar County yesterday morning. A home and an elementary school were damaged from fallen trees, while several power and trees lines are also down. The storm…

Same-Sex Couple Adoption Ban Overturned by Federal Judge

A federal judge has overturned Mississippi’s ban on allowing same-sex couples to adopt. U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan, in a preliminary injunction issued today, ruled for four couples who had sued, saying the ban is unconstitutional. The lawsuit came after…