May 2009
Swine Flu Confirmed in MS
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Health officials are continuing increased monitoring and education about swine flu, following Mississippi’s first 3 confirmed cases. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports
Drinking and Driving Equals Disaster
Friday, May 15, 2009
About 1000 people died from accidents on Mississippi roadways last year, nearly half were alcohol related. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how the mix of drinking and driving is a brew for disaster.
Chrysler Bankruptcy Forcing Six Mississippi Dealerships to Close
Friday, May 15, 2009
Chrysler is shutting down a quarter of its dealerships across the country. MPB’s Cari Gervin takes a look at what that means in Mississippi.
Latin Lovers Emerging in the Delta
Friday, May 15, 2009
Hollandale, Mississippi is a small town in the Mississippi Delta. But as MPB's Ron Brown reports, now it's on the map as one of the best places in the nation to learn Latin.
Tons of Trash Removed From South Mississippi Waterways
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Volunteers are spread out across the southern portion of the state this week cleaning up Mississippi waterways. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports.
Cigarette tax increase starts today
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Mississippi State Tax Commission has spent the past several days telling distributors and stores how to handle paperwork for the new 68 cent per pack cigarette tax that starts today. But as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports the new tax is leaving a bad taste in the mouths of some some retailers and smokers.
Budget Negotiations Stall
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Budget negotiations in the Mississippi House and Senate have seemingly sputtered to a stop, and there isn’t much time to get the process restarted. MPB’s Stephen Koranda has more.
New Multi Million Dollar Home Repair Grant Awarded
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A new grant program using hurricane recovery money is helping Gulf Coast residents make final repairs so that they can get back into their houses. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports.
Getting a full count in 2010 US Census
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Governor’s office is recruiting state and community leaders from Horn Lake to Biloxi to serve on a Complete Count Committee to ensure every Mississippian is counted in the 2010 US Census. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.
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.
New Graduates Face Tough Market
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
It’s the middle of May, and that means thousands of new college graduates are facing one tough question: “Do you have a job lined up?”
“It’s in the works. I’m waiting for responses from several jobs right now.”
“I’m off to law school.”
“I currently work at Star Package liquor store here in Oxford. But I haven’t lined up another one, outside of that.”
That was Arlin Pearson, Dominique Mayfield, and Matt Rutherford, just minutes after receiving their diplomas from the University of Mississippi last Saturday. With unemployment continuing to rise, trying to find that first job in the real world is harder than ever. MPB’S Cari Gervin has a look at what one recent graduate is experiencing.
Wet Weather Hurting Crops ... and Economy
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Weeks of rain aren’t just hampering seasonal fun. They’re also taking a toll on the state economy. MPB’s Cari Gervin takes a look.
Pendergest-Holt Indicted for Obstruction and Conspiracy
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A Mississippian has been indicted on obstruction and conspiracy charges related to an $8.5 billion fraud. MPB’s Cari Gervin reports.
Statewide Hurricane Exercise Tests Emergency Officials Preparedness
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A fictional hurricane passed through the state yesterday so that officials could make sure the emergency response system is ready to go for the start of hurricane season. MPB’s Phoebe Judge has more.
Forty Years Later, Cleveland School District Still Facing Integration Issues
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Forty years later, the Cleveland School District is still not integrated enough – at least, according to the Department of Justice. MPB’s Cari Gervin has more.
Green Building Methods Save Homeowners Thousands
Monday, May 11, 2009
Green building initiatives are benefiting the environment and the consumer's bottom-line. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports.
Budget Cuts Could Affect Mental Health Services
Monday, May 11, 2009
Cuts of anywhere from 6 percent to more than 10 percent could be looming ahead for state agencies. MPB's Stephen Koranda has more on what that could mean for mental health services in Mississippi.
Middle East Country Spends 100 Million to Help Rebuild Gulf Coast
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Almost five years after Katrina hit, the Gulf Coast is still being helped by a generous donation from an oil rich country thousands of miles away. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports.
Lawmakers Take Break to Work On Budget
Sunday, May 10, 2009
In less than 2 months the state will enter a new fiscal year, but lawmakers still haven’t agreed on how to pay for state government when the new year rolls around. As MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports, legislators took a break until the 26th, to finalize some details.
Mississippi's Primary Safety Belt Law Saves Lives
Friday, May 08, 2009
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, last year nearly 800 people died on Mississippi roads The majority of those were not wearing a seatbelt. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports what impact if any the states seatbelt law has on driver safety.