Legislative Update

Committees are meeting. Bills are moving forward -- or dying. Tax dollars are being spent. All of this means the Legislature is still in session in Jackson. And with us this morning to talk about what is happening  -- and what is ahead -- is MPB Capital reporter Paul Boger. Welcome, Paul.

Environmental Justice In Mississippi

Environmental leaders from across the country are in Gulfport this week for a meeting of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy spoke to the council about a range of environmental justice issues, including the situation in Flint, Michigan. The EPA's latest estimate showed, nationally, $384 billion dollars in drinking water infrastructure improvements are needed through 2030. Heather McTeer Toney is the Regional Administrator for EPA’s Region Four, which includes Mississippi. McTeer Toney -- a native and former mayor of Greenville -- says the agency is trying to jump start conversations about infrastructure challenges, especially in communities that don’t have the tax base to pay for the necessary improvements. She spoke with MPB's Evelina Burnett.

Mississippi's County Heath Rankings

Mississippians deal with a range of health issues in greater numbers than the rest of the country. From diabetes to obesity to heart disease, Mississippi leads the nation in many negative health indicators. But even within the state there are disparities from region to region. This is covered in the recently released County Health Rankings, a nationwide survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin. We spoke with Jan O'Neill of the university about the rankings in Mississippi.