Sandra Knispel
Public Alcohol Hearing in Oxford: To Sell or Not to Sell (on Sundays)?
Friday, September 03, 2010
The Oxford alcohol committee wants to know how city residents feel about alcohol sales on Sunday. After soliciting opinions online for several weeks, the committee held a public hearing yesterday evening.
Nettleton School District is Creating Diversity Committee to Evaluate Race Regulations
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
National media attention prompted the Nettleton School District to abandon its 30-year-old race rule governing student elections. Now the district says it’ll take a hard look at all of its race rules and procedures.
Five Years Beyond Katrina: One Family Decides Not to Return to the Coast
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Many families who evacuated before Katrina slammed into the coastline did not return. Now, five years beyond the hurricane, MPB’s Sandra Knispel speaks with one family who started over in Oxford...
Toyota Resumes Construction at Blue Springs, Starts Hiring
Monday, August 23, 2010
Intro: After delays and two model changes, Toyota is now finally ready to start hiring for its plant in Blue Springs. MPB’s Sandra Knispel was at the official announcement in Belden yesterday.
Oxford is Mulling Idea of Sunday Alcohol Sales
Monday, August 23, 2010
To serve or not to serve – that is alcohol on Sundays – is the question before the City of Oxford. MPB’s Sandra Knispel has more.
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.