Sandra Knispel
Ole Miss Chancellor Khayat’s Farewell Interview
Friday, June 26, 2009
The walls have a new lick of paint, and his office is already cleared out. Retiring Chancellor Robert Khayat will officially leave the helm at the University of Mississippi on Tuesday, after 14 years on the job. MPB’s Sandra Knispel sat down with him for a final interview in Oxford.
New Law Lets Parents of Twins Decide: Together or Apart in the Classroom?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
A new Mississippi law -- that takes effect July first -- allows parents to decide whether or not to separate their twins in the classroom. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports.
Overcoming Mississippi's Chronic Teacher Shortage
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Over the last few weeks our in-depth series “Mississippi’s critical teacher shortage” looked at why Mississippi has too few qualified teachers. In our final installment, MPB's Sandra Knispel examines possible solutions.
Petals for Patriots Remember Mississippi's War Dead
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Once a year, a vintage aircraft drops gallons of rose petals from the sky to remind the living that their dead soldiers aren’t forgotten. MPB’s Sandra Knispel files this report from Pontotoc’s Petals for Patriots.
Could Consolidation Help Solve Mississippi’s Critical Teacher Shortage?
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
In our ongoing series "Mississippi’s Critical Teacher Shortage" MPB ’s Sandra Knispel looks at possible ways to increase the number of good teachers in the state. One part of the solution is school consolidation.
Preferred Candidate for Ole Miss Chancellorship
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Months of speculation over who will succeed retiring Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat have come to an end: Dr. Dan Jones, vice chancellor for health affairs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, is the College Board’s preferred candidate to take the helm in Oxford. MPB’s Sandra Knispel has more.
Congressman Childers Discusses Health Care Reform Bill
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
With Congress getting ready to delve into health care reform legislation, Mississippi's Democratic Congressman Travis Childers is touring his district to discuss the upcoming reform. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.
Mississippi’s Critical Teacher Shortage
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
At a time when other industries are cutting jobs, many school districts in the Magnolia state are searching for highly qualified personnel. In a new series “Mississippi’s critical teacher shortage” we look at why the state cannot attract and retain enough qualified teachers. MPB’s Sandra Knispel takes us first to the small Delta school district of Shaw.
Federal Grand Jury Hears Testimony in Judicial Bribery Case
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A federal grand jury in Oxford will continue hearing testimony today in the ongoing judicial bribery scandal involving Dick Scruggs and others. Scruggs -- after his second guilty plea last month -- is now cooperating with prosecutors. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.
Investigation in Judicial Bribery Scandal Continues
Monday, February 16, 2009
After the indictment of Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter on Thusday and the sentencing of former State Auditor Steven Patterson and disbarred New Albany lawyer Timothy Balducci on Friday – the question is what’s next in the state’s ongoing judicial bribery scandal. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.
Scruggs I: Balducci and Patterson Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison
Friday, February 13, 2009
Former State Auditor Steven Patterson and disbarred New Albany lawyer Timothy Balducci were both sentenced to 24 months in prison today for their role in the first Scruggs judicial bribery case. MPB’s Sandra Knispel has more from the federal courthouse in Oxford.
Scruggs I: Balducci and Patterson To Be Sentenced Today
Friday, February 13, 2009
In legal terms, it’s been all but a dull week for Mississippi. Apart from Jackson Mayor Frank Melton, Scruggs and Co continue to keep the courts busy. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.
Hinds County Judge DeLaughter Pleads Not Guilty To Corruption Charges
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter pleaded not guilty in federal court in Oxford this morning. He’s been charged with having been influenced to rule in favor of Mississippi’s fallen king of torts, Dick Scruggs, mail fraud and obstruction of justice. MPB’s Sandra Knispel has more.
Scruggs Pleads Guilty Again, More Indictments to Follow
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
MPB’s Sandra Knispel was in federal court in Aberdeen yesterday where the fallen "king of torts" – Dick Scruggs -- pleaded guilty a second time. But that’s not the end of the judicial bribery scandal.
Balducci and Patterson's Pre-sentencing Letters: A Selection
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
With disgraced former tort lawyer Dick Scruggs due to plead guilty later today in a second bribery scheme, his last two co-defendants from the first trial are waiting to hear their sentence on Friday. MPB’s Sandra Knispel takes a look at the pre-sentencing letters written to the judge on behalf of former state auditor Steven Patterson and former New Albany lawyer Timothy Balducci.
Scruggs to Plead Guilty Again, Patterson And Balducci to be Sentenced
Monday, February 09, 2009
While the first trial against the disgraced king of torts is drawing to a close, Dick Scruggs is back in Oxford – at the Lafayette County Detention Center -- for the second case against him. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports on a busy legal week ahead.
War Memorial for Mississippi’s Soldiers Who Died in Iraq and Afghanistan
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Hundreds came to the Bolivar County’s Expo Center to see Mississippi’s first memorial for its soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. MPB’s Sandra Knispel was in Cleveland at the unveiling ceremony on Saturday.
Graduating Students Face Uncertain Future
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Finishing college during a recession means limited choices. MPB’s Sandra Knispel takes a look at what may lie ahead for many graduating seniors at the University of Mississippi.
Economic Outlook for Mississippi
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Mississippi’s economic turnaround could come later this year.
MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from the annual Northeast Mississippi Economic Forecast Conference in Tupelo yesterday, which was hosted by the Community Development Foundation.Mississippians Report From Inauguration
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Yesterday we brought you the story of a group of University of Mississippi students who traveled to Washington, D.C. with the director of the William Winter Institute. But although they had tickets to the inauguration, things didn’t quite go as planned as MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports.