Segment 1:

The University of Mississippi Medical Center will cut nearly 200 jobs and will not fill 85 vacancies. This as part of its financial action plan to address revenue reductions totaling $32.7 million. Medical Center staff laid out a $24 million dollar savings plan that also included reduced spending, increased fees, and some faculty pay cuts. All of the changes will be initiated by the end of the fiscal year with the job cuts effective immediately. LouAnn Woodward is the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at UMMC. She says the decisions had to be made this fiscal year. 

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Segment 2:

Hundreds of Mississippians are demanding lawmakers fully fund public education. Educators, parents, students, clergy and legislators showed up at the capitol Thursday hoping to have their voices heard. They rallied saying they want a seat at the table as these decisions are being made. Representative Jay Hughes, an Oxford Democrat, tells our Desare Frazier that he can understand the public's concern about the process.

Desare Frazier also caught up with Senator Chad McMahan, a Republican from Guntown. He says funding education is a key investment that should exceed funding prisoners.

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Segment 3:

Qualified homeowners could see lower tax bills by applying for a homestead exemption at their primary residence. Property taxes play a vital role in Mississippi communities by funding education, fire protection, law enforcement, recreation, and infrastructure. Jason Camp is an instructor with the Mississippi State University Extension Service Center for Government and Community Development. He says ownership benefits both the community and the homeowner when it comes to taxes.