Mississippi State News

Campaign Finance Bill Under Debate

Critics say it's time to tighten the laws amid reporting that some officials have used campaign donations to pay for clothing, rent and travel. The Mississippi house has voted to study campaign finance laws rather than change them this year.…

Charter School Bill

A young Mississippi woman plans to plead guilty to a terrorism charge; months after authorities say she and her fiancé tried to go to Syria to join the Islamic state group. Court papers show Jaelyn Young, originally from Vicksburg, will…

Mississippi Woman Pleading Guilty Today

A young Mississippi woman plans to plead guilty to a terrorism charge; months after authorities say she and her fiancé tried to go to Syria to join the Islamic state group. Court papers show Jaelyn Young, originally from Vicksburg, will…

Increasing Fees For Politicians

A bill that would raise the qualifying fees to run for political office is headed to Governor Phil Bryant's desk. If approved, the new law would require independent candidates to start paying qualifying fees and increase the fees party candidates…

Delays In The State Legislature

A handful of Democrats are showing dissatisfaction with the state’s Republican legislative process by conducting filibusters. In both the House and the Senate, Democrats are requesting bills be read aloud as a delay tactic. Why are they doing this? They’re…

Appointed Superintendent Bill Passes

Elected officials will soon be a thing of the past the Mississippi house sends a bill to Governor Bryant’s desk that will require all Mississippi school superintendents be appointed after January 1, 2019. This issue has been debated for more…

Second case of Zika reported in Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Health reports a second confirmed case of Zika.  The report comes from Noxubee County, where the person infected recently traveled to Haiti. In the case reported from Madison County on Thursday, the infected individual also recently travel…

Delays In The State Legislature

The Mississippi Supreme Court is tossing out a temporary restraining order that a circuit judge had issued against the Mississippi house speaker. Hinds County Circuit Judge Winston Kidd issued an order Wednesday telling house speaker Philip Gunn to stop using…

Second Man Pleads Guilty in Oxford

A second man has pleaded guilty in connection to a rope being tied around the neck of the James Meredith statue at the University of Mississippi. Former Ole Miss student Austin Reed Edenfield pleaded guilty to one count of using…

Mississippi Health Officials Reporting First Zika Case

Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports its first case of Zika virus. The case was in a Madison County resident who recently traveled to Haiti. Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that may cause devastating birth defects if…

Millions Headed To Mississippi Community Colleges

The state of Mississippi recently made a move that means big bucks for the state’s community college system. Earlier this week, Governor Phil Bryant signed into law the state workforce bill that will allocate dollars toward workforce training. This first…

Vaccine Exemption Bill Dies in Senate

A bill that would allow medical exemptions of vaccinations died in committee. The bill, which passed the House, would have removed the requirement that the health department approved a doctor’s request for vaccination exemptions. State senators who squashed the bill…

Amtrak Work Session in Biloxi

A series of work sessions along the Gulf Coast to discuss what it will take to bring back Amtrak continues today in Biloxi. The meeting, conducted by the Federal Highway Administration, included about 20 representatives from Amtrak, CSX, the Southern…

Governor Bryant’s Statement on Brussels

Governor Phil Bryant released this statement earlier this morning: “I ask all Mississippians to join Deborah and me in praying for Belgium. We must be ever vigilant here in our own country and state to protect our people. Remember, if…

Charter School Bill Passes House

The Mississippi House Committee passed a bill today that would allow charter schools to enroll students across district lines. Charter schools are operated by nonprofit groups separate from other public schools. Senate Bill 2161 would allow them to enroll students…

Parent Outraged over Lawmaker Reply

“I see that you are not a native of the great state of Mississippi. I appreciate you going to the trouble to share your views with me but, with all due respect, I could care less. I would, however, recommend…

Guns in Church Bill Moving Forward

The Mississippi Legislature is coming closer to passing a law that would allow guns in church. A Senate committee has passed a bill that would allow places of worship to designate people with concealed carry permits as security and make…

Senate Boosts Education Funding In State Budget

JACKSON – Public schools, universities and community colleges could see increased funding under a Fiscal 2017 budget passed by the Senate today, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said. “The Senate budget reflects our priorities with increased funding for education and lower…

Job Creation Bill

Legislation to bolster Mississippi’s workforce is on the way to Governor Phil Bryant’s desk. The House passed a Senate bill today. The bill creates the Mississippi Works Fund to provide highly focused workforce training for new and existing businesses. This…

Flood Waters Devastate North Mississippi

The widespread flooding triggered by last week’s storm system extends all across the state. Coahoma County residents say there's not much they can do now, after staggering 15-inches of rain fell over the area in the past few days. The…