Revamping Mississippi Public Education Funding

Mississippi legislative leaders say they are taking steps to change how the state pays for K-12 education. During a press conference at the Capitol yesterday, Lt. Governor Tate Reeves and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn announced lawmakers entered into a contract with the nonprofit organization Ed Build to recommend changes. Ed Build describes itself on its website as "a nonprofit organization focused on bringing common sense and fairness to the way states fund schools." Currently the state uses the Mississippi Adequate Education Program -- or MAEP -- to distribute public school money. This formula was developed to help make sure poorer school districts have resources on par with wealthier districts. MAEP has only been fully funded twice since 1997. With us this morning to discuss yesterday's announcement and its impact on public education in Mississippi is Paul Boger, our legislative and education reporter. Welcome, Paul.

Health Minute

Dry Weather Spells Trouble For State Cattle Ranchers

The National Weather Service in Jackson says there's no rain in the forecast for the next seven to 10 days. These drought conditions are not only killing the grass, they are hitting Mississippi cattle ranchers in the bank account. Stacy Broadhead in Simpson County, is raising more than 400 mother cows and calves. They've planted grass on the ranch but he says it isn't growing, neither is the native grass -- because of the lack of rain. Broadhead tells MPB's Desare Frazier they'll have to start feeding cattle hay a month sooner, which will impact his bottom line.