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Local
Radio News Stories - March 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
March 1, 2007 |
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Fire Dr. Amy Or Not |
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The Mississippi Board of Health has begun proceedings
to decide whether to fire State Health Officer Dr. Brian
Amy. But as MPB's Scott Phillips reports...it may be
too little too late as far as lawmakers are concerned. |
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Listen |
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State Farm Class Action Settlement |
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Attorneys for State Farm and the Scruggs law firm
were back in Federal Court yesterday to work out the
details of a class action suit that could settle more
than thirty thousand unpaid insurance claims. MPB’s
Gary Michiels has the report. |
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Listen |
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Toyota's Economic Impact On State |
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When Toyota begins to build it's one-point-three billion
dollar assembly plant in North Mississippi this fall,
it will signal the beginning of an economic boom. MPB's
Lawayne Childrey drives home the impact it will have
on the state. |
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Club Ebony Looks For New Owner |
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The owner of historic "Club Ebony" in Indianola,
is calling it quits. MPB's Brian Pace reports. |
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Friday
March 2, 2007 |
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Legislators Sweeten The Toyota Deal |
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Lawmakers are expected to vote on an incentive package
this morning that will finalize the deal bringing a
1.3 billion dollar Toyota plant to north Mississippi.
MPB's Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Bush’s 14th Visit |
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President Bush made his fourteenth visit to the Gulf
Coast yesterday to review the recovery effort from Hurricane
Katrina. During his visit he talked about progress and
problems. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports. |
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Listen |
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Smoking and Birth Defects |
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In an average week, one hundred forty seven babies
in Mississippi are born prematurely, and 8 will die
before reaching their first birthday. MPB's Lawayne
Childrey reports on a growing problem. |
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Listen |
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Soda Can Artist Sid Delaney |
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Recycling takes on a whole new meaning when an 80-year-old
Natchez artist gets involved. Find out how he transforms
trash into treasure and creates unique souvenirs for
tourists to enjoy. MPB contributor Lida Gibson has the
story. |
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Listen |
Monday
March 5, 2007 |
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Minority Opportunities at Toyota |
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The news of Toyota's decision to locate an auto manufacturer
in northeast Mississippi was welcomed by all at the
state capitol last week. But as MPB's Scott Phillips
reports, some expressed concern that minorities may
not get their fair share of the benefit. |
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Listen |
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Web Based Emergency Alert System |
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One Mississippi county has developed the state's
first web driven emergency alert system. MPB's Brain
Pace has details in this report. |
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Listen |
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Hospital Tobacco Policies |
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Smoking causes more deaths than auto accidents, AIDS
and homicide combined. MPB's Lawayne Childrey examines
how hospital campuses across Mississippi have joined
together to become tobacco free. |
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Listen |
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Teen Suicide |
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For every teen suicide reported, there are four other
teens who have tried. MPB's Patty Davis looks at this
growing problem. |
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Tuesday
March 6, 2007 |
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Capitol City Leaders Look for Business
as Usual |
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The City of Jackson’s leadership is mixed on
Mayor Frank Melton's ability to lead the city. MPB’s
Brian Pace reports on how the Capital city plans to
go on with business as usual. |
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Listen |
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Walter Reed Hearings |
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Poor living conditions and bureaucratic problems
at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington were the
focus of congressional hearings Monday. MPB's Lawayne
Childrey has more. |
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Listen |
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Funding Putting Dialysis Patients at Risk |
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Dialysis patients who rely on the state to get to
treatment are worried about the program now that the
funding has run out. MPB's Scott Phillips reports lawmakers
are feeling the pressure to get the program back up
and running. |
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Listen |
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Eddie Spencer’s Story |
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United Methodist minister Eddie Spencer was known
as Parchman Penitentiary inmate number 4-6-8-7-5. Now
he spends much of his time talking with young people
around the state. MPB’s Gary Michiels has the
story. |
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Listen |
Wednesday
March 7, 2007 |
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State Farm to Reopen Slab Claims |
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There's good news for State Farm policyholders left
with nothing but a slab after Hurricane Katrina. The
insurance company is reopening hundreds of slab cases
as MPB's Scott Phillips reports. |
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Listen |
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Military Health Care in MS |
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Mississippi has sent more soldiers to Iraq per capita
than any other state in the nation. MPB's Lawayne Childrey
examines military healthcare in the Magnolia State. |
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Listen |
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Capitol City Focus on Crime |
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While Jackson Mayor Frank Melton is still recovering
from heart complications, city council is addressing
crucial issues. MPB’s Brian Pace reports. |
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Listen |
Thursday
March 8, 2007 |
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Insurance Claim Review |
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Slab owners along the Gulf Coast shoreline are not
jumping with joy about the news that State Farm Insurance
will be re-evaluating its Hurricane Katrina damage claims.
And, as Gary Michiels reports, some believe the Insurance
Commissioner's action was all about politics.
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Doing Business With Japan |
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Will the new Blue Springs Toyota plant bring other
Japanese corporations to the Magnolia State? MPB’s
Brian Pace reports Mississippi economic development
leaders are gearing up to compete for more industry
and jobs. |
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Listen |
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Legislature Debates Undocumented Immigrant
Bill |
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Estimates place the number of undocumented immigrants
in Mississippi somewhere in the thousands. But as MPB's
Scott Phillips reports, a bill working its way through
the legislature would criminalize hiring illegal aliens. |
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Helping Disabled Citizens To Succeed |
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People with developmental disabilities sometimes struggle
with language, mobility, learning and self help skills.
MPB's Lawayne Childrey examines how advocates and educators
are looking for every opportunity for the disabled to
succeed. |
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Listen |
Friday
March 9, 2007 |
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Lawmakers Send Governor Abortion Bill
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A bill that could eventually outlaw abortions
in Mississippi is on its way to Governor Haley Barbour
for approval. MPB's Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Enterprise Aid from the Gulf Coast |
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Thousands of volunteers and millions of dollars in
emergency aid has been sent to Hurricane devastated
areas along the Gulf Coast. Now the citizens of these
communities are responding to help the tornado victims
of Enterprise, Alabama. MPB's Gary Michiels reports. |
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Listen |
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School Management Crisis |
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A one point eight million dollar mismanagement crisis
by the Jefferson Davis School Board and Superintendent
has caused one organization to ask the state board of
education to take control. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.
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Listen |
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Young People and Politics |
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2008 could be the year of 'a new generation of voters'.
MPB's Patty Davis reports. |
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Listen |
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Alvin Ailey Dance |
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Aspiring young dancers from the metro area participated
in an innovative modern dance program this week at Power
APAC and Chastain Middle School. MPB contributor Lida
Gibson has the story. Aspiring young dancers from the
metro area participated in an innovative modern dance
program this week at Power APAC and Chastain Middle
School. MPB contributor Lida Gibson has the story. |
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Listen |
Monday
March 12, 2007 |
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Labor Dispute-Northrop Grumman Workers
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More than eight thousand union members at Northrop
Grumman Shipbuilding in Pascagoula are beginning the
fifth day of their walk-out with a march through the
streets of downtown Pascagoula. The unions have broad
community support. But , MPB's Gary Michiels reports,
there is concern that a prolonged strike will affect
the fragile post-Katrina economy of the area. |
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Listen |
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Immigrant Workers |
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Immigrant rights activists rushed to a gulf coast
industrial site during the weekend to investigate claims
of cruel and inhumane treatment of hundreds of workers
from India. MPB's Gary Michiels has more.
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Listen |
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Brewer Donates Money to Curb Alcohol Abuse
at UM |
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While the University of MIssissippi has not yet decided
on whether to have a wet or dry campus-- it recently
received money from the world's largest brewer to curb
irresponsible drinking among its students. MPB's Sandra
Knispel reports.
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Listen |
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Melton's New Judge |
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The State Supreme Court could decide soon who will
hear Mayor Frank Melton’s probation violation
case. MPB’s Brian Pace takes a look at the implications
of the Mayor’s case. |
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Listen |
Tuesday
March 13, 2007 |
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One More Day for Cig-Groc Tax |
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Today is the last chance for lawmakers to consider
a grocery-cigarette tax swap for the '07 legislative
session. But as MPB's Scott Phillips reports, one key
lawmaker still stands in the way of letting the bill
come up for a vote. |
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Listen |
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Toyota Jobs Can't Come too Quickly |
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Yesterday morning, lumber clearing got underway
at the future site of Toyota’s automotive plant
just outside of Blue Springs. MPB’s Sandra Knispel
visited the small town.
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AHEAD Marks Twenty Years of Highways Improvements |
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The final phase of a monumental highway program is
coming to a close. MPB’s Brian Pace reports. |
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Listen |
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Jail Overcrowding |
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Hundreds of inmates at the Harrison County jail may
be released back into the community in order to resolve
the overcrowding conditions at the facility. The county
has until May first to act or possibly face thousands
of dollars in fines every day. MPB’s Gary Michiels
has the report. |
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Listen |
Wednesday
March 14, 2007 |
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State Budget Numbers Grow |
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With less than three weeks to go in the legislative
session, lawmakers are now beginning work on crafting
a budget for the next fiscal year. And as MPB's Scott
Phillips reports, they now know how much money they'll
have to work with. |
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Listen |
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State Cigarette-Grocery Tax Dies |
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For the second year in a row supporters of the cigarette-grocery
tax bill have come up short. But MPB's Lawayne Childrey
reports it didn't die without a fight. |
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Listen |
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Scruggs Withdraws |
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The proposed damage claim settlement between State
Farm Insurance and more than thirty five thousand policy
holders has been withdrawn from U.S. District court
in Gulfport. At best this could mean only a delay, but
it could also mean starting the struggle all over. MPB’s
Gary Michiels explains. |
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Listen |
Thursday
March 15, 2007 |
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Lawmakers to Conference on Health Dept.
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Mississippi lawmakers have set the stage for final
negotiations on what the future board and department
of health will look like. MPB's Scott Phillips reports
that differences remain between House and Senate positions.
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Listen |
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Deadline Nears for Jeff Davis School Officials
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The ongoing legal troubles in the Jefferson Davis
School District are expected to be on the Mississippi
Department of Education's meeting agenda this morning.
The state auditor has accused the school board of misappropriating
one point eight million dollars. But information from
the bonding company sheds new light on the situation.
MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more. |
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Listen |
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Alcohol Bill For State’s Colleges
and Universities |
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After passing the state Senate yesterday, the
amended Senate bill 23-70 is now headed to the Governor
for signature. Of particular interest to university
administrations statewide is section three, which
deals with alcohol on public campuses. MPB’s
Sandra Knispel reports. |
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Listen |
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Battlefield Park |
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The Battlefield Park area in South Jackson was once
a safe middle class neighborhood with a thriving business
community. But over the years it has succumbed to the
vices of drugs and prostitution. MPB’s Brian Pace
reports on how residents are taking measures to make
their streets safer. |
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Listen |
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Mississippi March Madness Hits This Weekend
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March Madness has begun, and some Mississippi Universities
are gearing up for their big games. MPB's Brian Pace
reports. |
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Listen |
Friday
March 16, 2007 |
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Wind Pool Insurance Legislation |
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Mississippi lawmakers have sent the Governor a bill
they hope will make insurance more available and affordable
on the Mississippi gulf coast. MPB's Scott Phillips
has this report. |
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Listen |
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Gemmill vs State Farm |
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Another Katrina insurance trial wrapped up yesterday
in a Gulf Coast Federal Courtroom. The verdict was in
favor of another homeowner. MPB’s Gary Michiels
reports. |
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Listen |
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State School Board on Jefferson Davis
County |
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Will the Jefferson Davis County School Board and Superintendent
repay one point eight million dollars? And will the
State Department of Education take over the ailing school
district? MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Listen |
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LEAP for Safer Shoes |
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The Mississippi Department of Health is getting a
thousand diabetes patients back on their feet. MPB's
Patty Davis has more. |
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Listen |
Monday
March 19, 2007 |
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Guard Unit prepares for Iraq Duty |
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A Mississippi guard unit is on stand by for their
second tour of duty in Iraq. Do they have the equipment
they need? And do the families left behind, have what
they need? MPB’s Gary Michiels reports. |
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Listen |
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Veteran's "Stand Down" Day |
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"Stand Down", refers to soldiers who are
allowed to retreat from combat to a safe area for rest
and security. Last Friday veterans in Hattiesburg got
the chance to experience just that. MPB's Lawayne Childrey
has more. |
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Listen |
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Democrats Shun Dale |
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The Mississippi Democratic Executive Committee met
over the weekend to certify candidates running in the
general election this year. But not among the certified
is longtime Insurance Commissioner George Dale. MPB's
Scott Phillips was there and has this report. |
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Listen |
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Global Volunteers Vacation In Mississippi
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Volunteers don’t just come to Mississippi to
work on the Gulf Coast. MPB’s Brian Pace introduces
us to Global Volunteers working in the Delta. |
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Tuesday
March 20, 2007 |
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Insurance Claims Payout Plan |
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Another State Farm insurance damage claim lawsuit
was settled yesterday before it came before the federal
court in Gulfport. And thousands of other settlements
may be on the way. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports. |
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Listen |
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Cig-Groc Tax Again |
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With less than 2 weeks to go in the legislative session,
the Mississippi Senate is making a last ditch effort
to pass a cigarette grocery tax proposal for 2007. MPB's
Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Community Remembers Iraq Soldiers |
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Residents in one Mississippi town remember the lives
of fallen soldiers from the Iraq War. MPB’s Brian
Pace reports. |
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Governor's Homeland Security Conference
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The attacks of nine eleven killed thousands of Americans
and catapulted the U.S. into the war on terrorism. Today
as the nation commemorates the fourth anniversary of
the Iraq War, Mississippi emergency management officials
seek ways to keep our state safe. MPB's Lawayne Childrey
has more. |
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Listen |
Wednesday
March 21, 2007 |
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Senate Says No Again to Cig-Groc Tax Bill |
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A last ditch effort to raise cigarette taxes and lower
grocery taxes died on the floor of the Mississippi Senate
yesterday, likely killing the issue for the 2007 legislative
session. MPB's Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Arts Funding |
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The Mississippi Arts Commission is requesting an $850,000
in additional funding this year to support initiatives
like individual artists grants, arts in education programs,
cultural tourism promotion. MPB contributor Lida Gibson
has the story. |
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Listen |
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State Spelling Bee |
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Yesterday, dozens of Mississippi students tested
their spelling skills for a chance to represent the
state in the National Spelling Bee. MPB's Patty Davis
reports. |
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Listen |
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Park Project |
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Keep America Beautiful is continuing its efforts to
help Gulf Coast residents recover from the damages of
Hurricane Katrina. A new project has begun to rebuild
a major community area of Gulfport. MPB’s Gary
Michiels reports. |
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Listen |
Thursday
March 22, 2007 |
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Northrop Grumman Strike |
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Union leaders and Northrop Grumman officials met
yesterday for the first time since the strike began
fifteen days ago. But no agreement was reached. This
morning striking members of the ship yard unions are
continuing their protest outside of the Northrop gates.
MPB’s Gary Michiels reports. |
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Listen |
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Sexual Predator Law |
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A bill signed into law this week by Governor Haley
Barbour is designed to make things even tougher on child
predators. MPB's Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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FAA Seeks Improvement For A New Bill |
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A new reorganization plan by the FAA could have dramatic
affects on Mississippi airports. MPB’s Brian Pace
reports. |
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Listen |
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Junk Or Treasure |
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One man's junk is often times another man's treasure.
But some neighbors in one Forrest County Town want this
man's treasure hauled away. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has
more. |
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Listen |
Friday
March 23, 2007 |
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Seale Trial May Be Delayed |
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The April 2nd trial date for 71 year old James Ford
Seale is appearing less realistic. Seale is the reputed
Ku Klux Klansman facing trial on kidnapping charges
in the 1964 slayings of Henry Dee and Charles Moore.
MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Listen |
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USM Political Forum |
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The leaders of the states democratic and republican
party faced off last night on the Gulf Coast in an issues
and answers series presented by the University of Southern
Mississippi. They tackled tough issues with straight
talk. MPB’s Gary Michiels has the report. |
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Dale Sues Democratic Party |
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Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale says
he's preparing to fight back after the state democratic
party refused to certify him for this year's election.
MPB's Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Conversation On Energy Hits Mississippi
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A town hall meeting last night addressed Mississippi’s
future on conserving energy and the importance of creating
alternative fuels. MPB’s Brian Pace reports on
how one corporation is using a grass roots approach
to hear the needs and concerns of everyday Mississippians.
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Firefighters Rally at Capitol |
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Fifteen fire trucks circled the capitol yesterday
morning to urge lawmakers to move on legislation establishing
a burn center at the University of Mississippi Medical
Center. MPB's Scott Phillips has this report. |
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Listen |
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Biloxi Casino’s Booming |
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Some parts of the Gulf Coast tourism industry have
not only recovered from Hurricane Katrina, but they
are thriving. And revived annual events are luring even
larger numbers of tourists to the area. MPB’s
Gary Michiels has the story. |
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Listen |
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Child Safe Program |
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The threat of sexual exploitation crimes committed
against children through the internet is a growing concern.
MPB's Lawayne Childrey examines how Mississippi is taking
action. |
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