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Local
Radio News Stories - February 2007
(Audio files are in
mp3 format. Click on the file to open it. To save
the file to your computer, highlight the link, right
click, "Save target as.")
Thursday
February 1, 2007 |
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Mortgage Fraud Hits Mississippi |
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Mississippians are being taken for millions of dollars
each year due. Mortgage Fraud is one of the fastest
growing crimes in the country. MPB’s Brian Pace
reports. |
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Listen |
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Civil Right's Museum Location Debate |
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House lawmakers overwhelmingly support the idea of
having a civil rights museum in the state of Mississippi.
But where that museum should be located….is another
matter. MPB's Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Civil Right's Museum Location Debate |
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House lawmakers overwhelmingly support the idea of
having a civil rights museum in the state of Mississippi.
But where that museum should be located….is another
matter. MPB's Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Heated Legislative debate over Jackson |
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Mississippi lawmakers have approved funding for infrastructure
improvements for the capital city of Jackson, but not
before a debate that divided urban and rural lawmakers.
MPB's Scott Philllips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Biloxi Condo Tower Runs Into Opposition |
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As the city of Biloxi tries to rebuild the many citizens
are concerned about the growing number of condominium
projects and what that might do the cities charm and
skyline. MPB’s Gary Michiels has this report.
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Listen |
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Portrait Of Painter Baxter Knowlton |
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Bold portraits of Southern writers and the less celebrated
have brought the work of artist Baxter Knowlton to attention.
MPB News Contributor Ellen Ann Fentress reports. |
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Listen |
| Friday
February 2, 2007 |
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Identity Theft |
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Identity theft has replaced drug trafficking as the
number one crime in America. MPB's Patty Davis has details
on the "Shred It and Forget It" campaign. |
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Listen |
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Teen Summit |
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New findings show Mississippi teens are having unprotected
sex at an alarming rate. MPB’s Brian Pace reports
on how a teen summit is helping to warn adolescents
to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
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Listen |
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Women More Likely To Miss Signs of Heart
Attack |
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You may run into a nurse or medical provider wearing
red today. MPB’s Sandra Knispel explains. |
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Listen |
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National Program Launched In Biloxi |
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Two elementary schools in Biloxi helped launch Black
Family Technology Awareness Week around the world. Yesterday’s
event also introduced a new global program to help build
literacy skills. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports. |
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Listen |
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Reading Program For At-Risk Youth |
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Lawmakers hope a program proven successful in teaching
training school students to read…can improve reading
skills of other at risk children as well. MPB's Scott
Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Mississippi Gourd Artist, Amy Richardson |
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A Mississippi artist and a farmer will never be out
of their gourds. In fact, they are well known among
gourd groupies. MPB News Contributor, Diane Heim has
the story about the popularity of Gourd Art. |
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Listen |
Monday
February 5, 2007 |
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Trouble Still Ahead For State Health Officer
Amy |
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Now that the Mississippi Board of Health has made
it clear they intend to fire Dr. Brian Amy, what's next
for the embattled state health officer? MPB's Scott
Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Choctaw Casino Vote |
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Casinos in Biloxi have seen double-digit revenue increases
since Hurricane Katrina. But some operators are concerned
about a proposed Choctaw Indian casino on the Coast
that could operate outside state regulations. MPB’s
Gary Michiels has the story. |
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Listen |
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Mississippi Students Still Behind National
Standards |
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Mississippi students don't measure up when compared
to other students across the nation. MPB's Patty Davis
reports, new assessment standards and more teacher training
is designed to improve students chances of competing
in this global society. |
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Listen |
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Coyotes Gone Wild In Mississippi |
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Mississippi’s wild coyote population is growing
at an alarming rate. They’re endangering the lives
of many residents, animals, and wildlife. MPB’s
Brian Pace reports how one city is experiencing this
problem. |
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Listen |
| Tuesday
February 6, 2007 |
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State Farm Claim Denial Taped |
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After hearing horror stories about insurance companies
claim denials, one Hurricane Katrina victim “made
sure” she could remember “everything”
she was told. MPB’s Gary Michiels has the report. |
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Listen |
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Deer Baiting Vote |
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The controversial issue of deer baiting is again being
taken up by lawmakers at the state capitol. MPB's Scott
Phillips reports the votes comes as lawmakers face another
major deadline this week. |
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Listen |
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Free Tax Help |
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This year more than 334 thousand Mississippian's have
already filed their federal income tax returns electronically.
And as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports for many of them
it won't cost a dime. |
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Listen |
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Governor Calls on Mississippians to Prepare
for Earthquakes |
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Governor Haley Barbour has declared this week “Earthquake
Awareness Week.” MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports.
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Listen |
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ABC Television Show Comes To Brandon |
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One Mississippi town saw tremendous benefits from
a national TV show’s focus on the city. MPB’s
Brian Pace reports, how one family’s fortune affected
local businesses and neighbors. |
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Listen |
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Mississippi State Center For Veterans |
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Today's Veterans have more services available to them
compared to the Vietnam era. However, the paperwork
and requirements to qualify for benefits can be cumbersome.
MPB news contributor Diane Heim reports on a center
at Mississippi State, that provides hope and help to
the nation's service men and women. |
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Listen |
Wednesday
February 7, 2007 |
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Senate Votes Amy Out |
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The Mississippi Senate has voted to replace the board
of health and State Health Officer Dr. Brian Amy. But
as MPB's Scott Phillips reports, the bill still faces
an uphill battle. |
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Listen |
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Rebuilding Homes On The Coast |
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The most critical issue on the Gulf Coast is rebuilding
the more than seventy thousand homes that were destroyed
by Hurricane Katrina. Now an effort is underway to combine
the work of dozens of rebuilding efforts so the job
can get done faster. MPB’s Gary Michiels has the
report. |
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Listen |
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JSU'S Aids Awareness Testing |
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According to statistics, Aids is becoming an increasingly
serious problem among black communities in poor rural
areas of the south. MPB’s Brian Pace reports on
how the state is reaching out to young black males and
females to curtail this latest epidemic. |
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Listen |
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Between The Lions Grants |
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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Barksdale
Reading Institute yesterday announced a donation of
11 million dollars for the continued production of "Between
the Lions." MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more. |
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Listen |
Thursday
February 8, 2007 |
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Abortion Bill Passes Senate |
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The Senate has passed a bill that bans abortion in
the state of Mississippi. But as MPB's Scott Phillips
reports, the legislation faces an uphill battle to become
law. |
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Listen |
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Voter ID Debate |
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Mississippians would have to show identification at
the polls in order to vote if a bill passed by the Senate
becomes law. MPB's Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Biloxi Bay Bridge Update |
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The bridge that connected Biloxi and Ocean Springs
was destroyed in nine hours by the fury of Hurricane
Katrina. MPB’s Gary Michiels has this update on
the rebuilding of that major traffic artery. |
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Listen |
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Mississippi Vaccine Surplus |
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Mississippi clinics have a surplus of expensive vaccines
that could be thrown away at the end of flu season.
MPB’s Brian Pace reports on the dangers of residents
that don’t get their flu shots. |
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Listen |
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Natchez River Crisis |
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Thousand of barges are pushed along the mighty Mississippi
River everyday carrying everything from corn to crude
oil. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports sometimes they break
loose and can effect towns along the way. |
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Listen |
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Washington County Tourism Blues |
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Washington County is losing the tourism game to other
thriving cities in the Delta. MPB’s Brian Pace
reports on how one town is feeling a drought in both
the job and tourism industry. |
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Listen |
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National All Peril Insurance |
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The insurance industry is getting a closer look from
Congress as a result of the thousands of denied damage
claims from the winds and strong storm surge of Hurricane
Katrina. MPB’s Gary Michiels has this report |
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Listen |
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Lawmakers Hear Public Transportation Supporters |
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Studies show that Americans travel about 40 billion
miles a year on public transportation. Yesterday supporters
of public transportation in Mississippi met in Jackson
to discuss the impact on our state. MPB's Lawayne Childrey
has more. |
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Listen |
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Dixie Nationals |
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The agriculture industry in Mississippi provides 27
percent of the state's workforce and has an economic
impact of 15 point seven billion dollars. But MPB's
Patty Davis reports, this weekend, agriculture is only
part of the focus at the annual Dixie National Rodeo. |
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Listen |
| Monday
February 12, 2007 |
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UM Introduces Lottery For Dorm Room Assignments
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The University of Mississippi is introducing a lottery
for on-campus dorm rooms. MPB’s Sandra Knispel
reports from Oxford. |
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Listen |
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Ohr Museum Reopens |
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The arts community on the Gulf Coast took a devastating
blow when Hurricane Katrina roared ashore and heavily
damaged a multi-million dollar museum project. MPB’s
Gary Michiels reports. |
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Listen |
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Consumer Protection |
| |
Identity theft occurs so frequently that the FBI
cites it as "America's fastest growing crime ".
MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports it stems from many unlikely
sources. |
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Listen |
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ACT Improvement Goal |
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One Mississippi school district is taking drastic
measures to increase ACT scores. MPB's Brian Pace reports. |
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Listen |
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Nora Davis Magnet School Governor's Arts
Award Winners |
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Five outstanding writers, artists and educators will
be honored Friday as winners of the 2007 Governor's
Awards for excellence in the arts. Throughout this week
we will introduce you to each of the five winners. We
begin this morning with MPB news contributor Diane Heim,
who has the story of a Laurel elementary school that's
gaining state and national recognition for its innovative
teaching techniques. |
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Listen |
Tuesday
February 13, 2007 |
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Chairman Considers Tax Swap |
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Half way through the legislative session, it's unclear
if lawmakers will get a chance to vote on a bill that
would raise cigarette taxes and cut grocery taxes. MPB's
Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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President's Cancer Panel |
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More than 15,000 Mississippian's are diagnosed with
cancer every year. Yesterday the President's Cancer
Panel held a public meeting in Jackson to discuss research
and policy on tobacco use. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has
more. |
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Listen |
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Scruggs Class Action Payments |
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After eighteen months of delay, hundreds of Gulf Coast
homeowners are now receiving insurance checks for their
hurricane Katrina damages. And as MPB’s Gary Michiels
reports, it is a multi-million dollar settlement. |
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Listen |
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Delta Blues Drummer Sam Carr to Receive
Governor's Arts Award |
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The 19th annual Governor's Awards for Excellence in
the Arts will be handed out on Friday in Jackson. Among
the recipients this year is legendary delta blues musician
Sam Carr. MPB News Contributor Lida Gibson has the story.
|
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Listen |
Wednesday
February 14, 2007 |
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The State Health Officer Gets His Turn |
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Embattled State Health Officer Dr. Brian Amy vows
that he can still effectively lead the Mississippi Department
of Health in spite of all that's been said about his
leadership. MPB's Scott Phillips reports Dr. Amy testified
before the House Public Health Committee yesterday… |
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Listen |
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USM Discovery |
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Researchers at the University of Southern Mississippi
have discovered a new way to use penicillin that could
prevent the spread of infectious diseases in hospitals.
MPB’s Brian Pace reports on how this classic drug
is breaking new ground in the medical community. |
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Listen |
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No Child Left Behind |
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Yesterday the Commission on No Child Left Behind released
its final recommendations for the reauthorization of
the NCLB Act. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Listen |
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Governor's Award Recipient Sam Gilliam |
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Writers, artists, and educators will be honored Friday
as winners of the 2007 Governors Award for excellence
in the arts. MPB news contributor Diane Heim tells us
the story of painter Sam Gilliam. |
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Listen |
| Thursday
February 15, 2007 |
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State Farm Says No New Policies |
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State Farm Insurance announced yesterday that it
will not be selling any new homeowner policies in
Mississippi. That decision may slow recovery on the
Gulf Coast and curtail growth in the State. MPB's
Gary Michiels reports.
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Listen |
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Mississippi to Store Nation Oil Preserve
|
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The U.S. Secretary of Energy has officially selected
the salt domes near Richton for expansion of America's
strategic petroleum reserve. MPB's Lawayne Childrey
has more.
|
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Listen |
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House Committee on State Health Officer |
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The House Public Health Committee has taken up
a Senate bill that reconstitutes the board of health
and replaces State Health Officer Dr. Brian Amy. MPB's
Scott Phillips has this report.
|
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Listen |
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Students Replace Katrina Damaged Trees |
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The Mississippi Forestry Commission has awarded
a grant to spruce-up Katrina damaged areas. MPB’s
Brian Pace reports on one group of students that are
seeing green again.
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Listen |
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Corporate Art Patron for 2007 |
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Tomorrow, the Governor's Awards for Excellence in
the Arts will recognize the Viking Range Corporation
as the state's Corporate Art Patron for 2007. MPB's
Ellen Ann Fentress reports on what the company is doing
for the Delta arts community.
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Listen |
| Friday
February 16, 2007 |
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State Farm Drops Homeowners Insurance
|
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The reaction on the Gulf Coast to the State Farm Insurance
suspension of new homeowner and commercial policies
in the state, falls in two categories … frustration
and anger. MPB’s Gary Michiels has the story. |
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Listen |
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House Passes Cig-Grocery Tax Bill |
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Frustrated with waiting for a cigarette grocery tax
bill to come out of the Senate, the House has moved
forward with its own proposal. MPB's Scott Phillips
has this report. |
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Listen |
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Child Safety Awareness |
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A three-year old boy riding unrestrained was killed
in a motor vehicle accident in Harrison County Wednesday.
MPB's Lawayne Childrey looks at child passenger safety. |
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Listen |
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K-9 Inmate Training |
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Some Mississippi prison inmates are making a difference
for people with developmental and physical disabilities.
MPB’s Brian Pace reports. |
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Listen |
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Bo Diddley Honored for Lifetime Achievement |
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When the Governor’s Awards for Excellence
in the Arts Ceremony takes place at 10 this morning
at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Jackson, legendary
musician Bo Diddley will receive the 2007 Lifetime
Achievement Award. MPB Contributor Lida Gibson has
the story.
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Listen |
| Monday
February 19, 2007 |
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Attorney General Insurance Demand |
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Attorney General Jim Hood’s plan to force State
Farm Insurance to continue to selling new commercial
and homeowners policies has drawn reactions from around
the state and around the Gulf region. MPB’s Gary
Michiels has this report. |
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Listen |
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Dept of Health Impact |
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As lawmakers and litigants battle over the Mississippi
Department of Health, the situation has health advocates
worried about what the possible impact could mean for
the people of Mississippi. MPB's Scott Phillips reports. |
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Listen |
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Gene Discovery Could Reduce Illnesses
|
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A Mississippi university research team has discovered
a gene that could prevent the spread of disease and
reduce the number of illnesses nationwide. MPB’s
Brian Pace has details. |
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Listen |
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Infant Mortality Rate for Non-White Babies
in Mississippi on the Rise |
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In Mississippi infant mortality is on the rise again,
at least when it comes to African-American babies. MPB’s
Sandra Knispel reports. |
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Listen |
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Dixie National Quarter Horse Show |
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Horses, saddles, tricks and spurs were the order of
the day at The Dixie National Quarter Horse Show in
Jackson. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more. |
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Listen |
| Tuesday
February 20, 2007 |
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Legislators Face Deadlines |
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State lawmakers are facing another major deadline
this week to pass appropriation and revenue bills out
of their respective chambers. MPB's Scott Phillips reports
on what's alive, what's dead and what's on the bubble... |
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Listen |
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Cigarette and Grocery Taxation |
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Economists and researchers for Mississippi State University's
Stennis Institute of Government examined the potential
impact of increasing the cigarette tax from 18 cents
to 1 dollar a pack and cutting the 7 percent grocery
tax in half. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more. |
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Listen |
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Prisoners Get A Second Chance Through
Habitat |
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A Habitat for Humanity program is giving inmates
at a Mississippi prison a second chance. MPB’s
Brian Pace reports |
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Listen |
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No Flood Elevation Level Decision In Biloxi
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Several cities on the Gulf Coast have adopted the
new FEMA flood elevations guidelines.
But, Biloxi is still debating whether to accept or reject
the directives. MPB’s Gary Michiels has this report. |
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Listen |
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Mentally Disabled Opera Singer From Mississippi
Performs Across U.S. |
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She can’t tie her own shoe laces or cross the
street by herself, but she sings in dozens of languages
and has performed at opera house across the country.
MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports. |
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Listen |
| Wednesday
February 21, 2007 |
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Last Chance For The Cigarette/Grocery
Tax Bill |
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It's been said that a bill at the state capitol isn't
really dead until its dead, dead, dead. But a bill that
would raise cigarette taxes and lower grocery taxes
may be dying its last death today...as MPB's Scott Phillips
reports. |
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Listen |
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Spouses Of Servicemen In Iraq |
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Family members of Keesler Airmen took time yesterday
to celebrate Mardi Gras in Biloxi. MPB’s Gary
Michiels reports on how loved ones of deployed soldiers
are coping while their relatives are in harms way. |
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Listen |
| Thursday
February 22, 2007 |
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Nissan Canton Produces One Million Vehicles |
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After | | |