The US Supreme Court will decide next year if lethal injection is a cruel and unusual method of administering an execution.  But what impact, if any, will it have on how Mississippi administers justice?  MPB's Scott Phillips has this report.

Ethics Misconduct Charges              

The new Biloxi Bay Bridge will open later today with two lanes of traffic re-connecting Ocean Springs and Biloxi. And that is expected to be an economic boost for businesses in Ocean Springs. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Barbour Close Up

In the final candidate interview for this election season, MPB talks to incumbent Republican Governor Haley Barbour.

*We heard from Governor Barbour's challenger, Democrat, John Eaves, on Tuesday.  That interview and other candidate close ups are archived at mpbonline.org. 

Automobile traffic is now rolling across two lanes of the new Biloxi Bay Bridge. It’s the first traffic to cross the Biloxi Bay on Highway 90, in twenty-six months. MPB’s Coast reporter, Gary Michiels reports.

Hobnob 2007 / Gov and Lt Gov

Candidates for statewide office spent yesterday lobbying for the vote of the business community at a hobnob event in Jackson.  MPB’s Scott Phillips reports the intensity of the campaigning continues to heat up as Election Day approaches.

Hobnob 2007 / SOS and Ins. Comm.

With only four days left before Election Day, statewide candidates are turning up the heat in their respective campaigns.  MPB's Scott Phillips reports the candidates spent yesterday lobbying for the vote of the business community at a hobnob event in Jackson.

Jena 6 Attorneys speak at MVS

When racial tensions came to a boil at a Jena Louisiana High School Last year, it sparked a national debate on race relations. Last night the discussion made its way to Mississippi Valley State University. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

New Coast Bridges to Include Pieces of the Past

The first two lanes of the new Biloxi Bay Bridge opened to traffic yesterday amid celebration and fanfare. MPB's Ron Brown reports on a few important finishing touches for this bridge, as well as the Bay St. Louis Bridge.

Registered voters will start casting ballots at 7am Tuesday, but thousands of Mississippi's K through 12 students made their choices known at the end of October. MPB's Patty Davis has details on this year's 'Promote the Vote'.

Campus Date Rape Rises in Direct Correlation to Alcohol Abuse

Statistically speaking, one in four women on any given U.S. university campus is raped, most often by someone she knows. MPB’s Oxford Reporter Sandra Knispel has more.

Tobacco Use Rises in Youth

The number of young Americans who smoke has been going down since the late 1990's. Health Officials now say an increase in tobacco advertising is threatening to reverse that trend. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Grisham Close Up

Some 200 convicts have been exonerated through DNA evidence since 1989 in this country. Best selling author, John Grisham's first non-fiction book, "The Innocent Man" served as a pre-cursor to his involvement with the Innocence Project, now in place at the University of Mississippi.  This nation-wide effort is dedicated to overturning miscarriages of justice by seeking release of prisoners wrongly incarcerated.  While in Jackson for an Innocence Project fundraiser, Grisham spoke with MPB.

Hotly contested races typically increase voter turnout. But MPB's Patty Davis reports, the way high profile candidates campaign, could keep some voters away.

Election Analysis

Voter turnout isn't expected to be as high as it was in 2003, but the stakes couldn't be higher for Mississippi Democrats and Republicans seeking control of the state capitol.  MPB's Scott Phillips has this report.

Finish the Job Campaign

The Coast continues to struggle with rebuilding homes for low to moderate income families. One Gulf Coast recovery organization has come up with a simple idea to help speed up pace of rebuilding. MPB’s Gulf Coast Reporter Gary Michiels has more.

Challenge X

The U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors designed Challenge X to be the toughest automotive engineering challenge college students had ever seen. Out of the 17 engineering school powerhouses that entered the competition, one newcomer by the name of Mississippi State University, became the unexpected winner. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour won election to a second term yesterday.  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report.             

Lieutenant Governor

After weeks in a spirited race Republican Phil Bryant beat out Democrat Jamie Franks to win the states second highest office. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

State Insurance Commissioner

Since 1975, one man has led Mississippi's Department of Insurance. In fact, he was the longest serving Insurance Commissioner in the country. But as MPB's Patty Davis reports, there's now a new man in charge.

Over the last four years Governor Haley Barbour has promised to bring prosperity to Mississippi without raising anybody’s taxes.  Now headed into a second term, Barbour wants to see if taxes can be lowered.  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report.  

Is Race a Player in Mississippi Politics

When the more experienced African American candidate Gary Anderson, lost his bid for State Treasurer in 2003, it signaled to some that race was a key issue in Mississippi politics. Four years later, race is still being discussed. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

FEMA Trailer Parks Closing

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is moving quickly to close FEMA operated trailer parks. Seven parks are expected to be dismantled by the end of January. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports from the coast.

Economics in the Classroom

Hundreds of educators and business leaders gathered in Jackson Wednesday to talk about economics in the classroom. MPB's Patty Davis has more.

Mississippi has reached settlement with the New York based Children’s Rights organization and has agreed to make improvements to the state’s foster care system.  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report.

Plans for Bay St. Louis  

The Old town section of Bay St. Louis on Main Street was lined with art galleries and specialty shops housed in turn of the century buildings. That was before Hurricane Katrina devastated the city’s cultural center. MPB’s Coast Reporter Gary Michiels on the latest efforts to rebuild the city’s historic areas.

Gulf Coast Mayors On Katrina Recovery

High-rise luxury condos and big payout casinos are helping to rebuild the coast's economy. But two gulf coast mayors have concerns for the residents. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Highway Patrol Beefs Up for the Holidays

Law enforcement are NOT talking turkey this Thanksgiving. MPB's Patty Davis explains.

La Boheme Opens in Jackson

Mississippi is getting ready for a new season of the Sopranos... and the Tenors... and the Baritones. The Mississippi Opera Association begins its sixty-third season Saturday night. As MPB's Ron Brown reports, opening night has about as many plot twists as the opera itself.

It’s Veterans Day, and America has begun to see the emergence of a new group of veterans as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan go on.  Getting adequate services for these veterans is a new challenge for the department of veterans’ affairs as MPB’s Scott Phillips reports.

Stored Trailers, Off Limits to FEMA Workers

“Don’t go into the FEMA trailers being held in storage.” That was the word from Federal Emergency Management Officials Friday to their employees. The order was given because of concerns of exposure to elevated levels of a carcinogen in the units that have been sealed without ventilation. MPB’s Gulf Coast reporter, Gary Michiels has the story.

Alliance for Truth and Racial Reconciliation

Healing the race divide can only come after true justice has been served. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford on a conference of the regional Alliance for Truth and Racial Reconciliation.

Safe at Home

Fires at home kill more people in Mississippi than in any other state.  MPB's Patty Davis reports on how the National Fire Protection Association is getting involved.

What began as a student project in California may become a national effort that will speed the recovery of the Coast. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports from the Gulf Coast.       

Journalist Decries Anti-Immigrant Sentiments

As the editorial page editor for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, it’s her job to be opinionated. During a recent visit to the University of Mississippi, Cynthia Tucker spoke candidly about rising anti-immigrant sentiment. MPB’s Oxford reporter Sandra Knispel introduces us.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Cynthia Tucker On National and Southern Politics

She’s not shy about her political opinions and was ready to share them during a recent visit to the University of Mississippi. MPB’s Oxford reporter Sandra Knispel has the story about an outspoken editorial writer.

New Media Institute   

Full length video streams, audio pod cast and other online programming are all tools used by new media film makers. This week Members of the "National Black Programming Consortium's 2007 New Media Institute" are turning their lens on the Mississippi Delta Region. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how they are looking to preserve a key piece of American History.

The twenty-six miles of highway ninety along the Mississippi coastline is getting a much needed makeover. Work has begun to rebuild and repave the scenic drive significantly damaged by Hurricane Katrina. MPB’s Gary Michiels has this report from the coast.

Advocates Call for Expanded Breast Cancer Screenings

With the third highest breast cancer mortality rate in the country, advocates are looking for ways to help Mississippi in its fight against the deadly disease.  Improving screening accessibility was the focus of a forum yesterday in Jackson as MPB's Scott Phillips reports.

Mississippi lawmakers are expecting modest growth in tax collections next year.  So how will that affect state services?  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report. 

School Violence

A conference being held in Jackson this week focuses on violence prevention in schools, colleges and universities. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Diabetes: A World Health Threat

Three quarters of a Million Mississippians are at risk of developing Diabetes. MPB's Patty Davis reports on one of the world's fastest growing health threats.

William Cary Moving Up as it Moves North

William Carey University on the Gulf Coast will be moving to an emerging new Coastal community. The new facility will replace the former beach front campus that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. MPB’s Coast reporter Gary Michiels has more.

Earthquakes in Mississippi

If you think you’re safe from earthquakes in Mississippi, think again. The Magnolia state is just south of the largest fault line east of the Rockies. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports.

With the election now past them, members of the Mississippi House of Representatives are focusing on a new campaign:  The election of the Speaker of the House.  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report.

National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month and on the Gulf Coast there was a very special ceremony to mark the occasion. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Public Health Clinic at Lanier  

Health, social and environmental factors can affect a child's ability to learn. But as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports a new community based clinic in one capitol city school is helping to heal some of the ills of an entire neighborhood.

Jimmie Rodgers Legacy

Most country music fans don't realize it, but an important anniversary is fast approaching. Eighty years ago a frail, former railroad worker from Meridian recorded the first country hit record. As MPB's Ron Brown tells us, that's the day the county music industry was born.

College administrators are hoping to inspire more Mississippi students to enter the field of teaching.  MPB’s Scott Phillips reports the efforts come as Mississippi faces a continuing teacher shortage.

Holiday Hunger

According to a U.S. Agriculture report, some of the hungriest people in America live right here in Mississippi. As MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports the holidays can be especially challenging.

Home Grown Holiday Trees

We often hear, "Shop at Home" in local holiday advertising. MPB's Patty Davis reports, that also applies to the center piece of home holiday decorations. The Christmas tree.     

The University of Mississippi has been chosen to host a presidential debate next year. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford on what lies in store for this small college town

New Coast Flood Maps

One of the major obstacles to rebuilding homes on the Gulf Coast may now be resolved. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has released new maps that show how high the structures in flood zones must be elevated. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports from the Coast.

Academic Enrichment for Children and Adults

Statistics show, most juvenile crime and at-risk behavior occur in the hours between three and six in the afternoon. MPB's Patty Davis looks at one Jackson Area church that, together with the Dept of Education, is trying to arm young people with a strong productive future.

Holiday Air Travel

More than 4000 people a day are expected to bombard the Jackson Evers International airport during this holiday season. MPB's Lawayne Childrey explores how you can prepare for the long ride.

Fred Thompson Campaigns in Mississippi

Republican Presidential candidate Fred Thompson was in Mississippi last night for a GOP fundraiser honoring Mississippi party chairman Jim Herring.  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report from the state Capitol.

Close to a hundred participants gathered at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry museum in Jackson last night to give praise and give thanks at a multiracial, multi-denominational service.  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report.

Spirit Of The Purple Heart

A Mississippi Air National Guard c-17, now holds the dubious distinction of being the only U-S military aircraft to receive the Spirit of the Purple Heart award. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports on yesterdays ceremony.

Amber Alert Conference

A group of state law enforcement officials spent last week at the National AMBER Alert Conference in Denver. And they came home to Mississippi with some new ideas. More from MPB News contributor Randy Bell.

South Mississippi High School Principle Recognized in Washington

The U-S Department of Education presented a Gulf Coast school principal the Terrell H. Bell Award of Excellence for her disaster recovery work in the days immediately following Hurricane Katrina. The importance of this effort has been felt throughout the community. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports from the Coast.

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends. But when your loved one is deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, holidays can take on a whole new meaning. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Talking Turkey

It's time to talk turkey ... with Jan Allen of the Butterball Turkey Talk  Line.  Jan is one of 55 degreed dieticians or home economists answering the phones today  and throughout the rest of November and December.  Their goal:  to make sure your turkey turns out tip top this Thanksgiving.

Missing JSU Student

While families are gathering for Thanksgiving today, a Greenville family continues to seek help in finding their missing loved one.-  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report.

Hunger in Mississippi

Hunger never takes a holiday. Today along the Gulf Coast Thanksgiving day meals are being provided to the homeless and the new working poor. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Challenging economic conditions including a bleak housing market could cause many consumers to be more conservative with their holiday spending. MPB's Lawayne Childrey explores ways to keep holiday debt to a minimum.

Black Friday

It's 'Black Friday,' and retail stores across the state opened their doors as early as 4am this morning to begin the holiday shopping season.  But sales are expected to be lackluster this year.  MPB's Scott Phillips reports on what impact that could have on sales tax collections...and the state budget.

Trumpet Records and the Blues

It began as a furniture store, evolved into a record shop, and finally, a ground-breaking blues record label. Today, as MPB's Ron Brown tells us, Trumpet Records is the latest stop on the Mississippi Blues trail.

A U.S. Supreme Court decision dating back to 1903 is still creating legal problems for Indian tribes across the country, including here in Mississippi. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.

Vietnamese Community Continues to Rebuild

The Vietnamese community on the Gulf Coast is centered in East Biloxi. It is an area that was literally washed away by Hurricane Katrina and is struggling to recover. MPB’s Gary Michiels has the report.

Persimmons the Other Holiday Fruit

Around the world they are known as Kaki and rate as one of the most popular fruits sold on earth.  Here in the United States we know them as persimmons.  Most typically grown in California and Florida, now Mississippi is entering the persimmon produce scene.  MPB’s Erika Celeste has the story from Sessums.

The Senator’s long political career began in Pascagoula with a run for Congress more than thirty-five years ago. Yesterday he chose the same city to announce his resignation after the current Congressional session. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports on Lott’s political career and what might lie ahead.

The State Sans Lott

Senator Lott’s decision to resign is likely to have far reaching implications on Mississippi’s political landscape.  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol Cadet Class 59 graduated Tuesday with pomp and circumstance. MPB's Patty Davis has more.

 Youth Court Problems

Excessive caseloads, lack of zealous advocacy and overflow of school referrals are clogging dockets and filling youth detention centers. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Foreclosure

Foreclosure rates continued to rise in the third quarter in most of the 100 largest metropolitan areas of the country. While certain cities in California and Florida top the foreclosure list, Mississippi's capital city still continues to struggle with one of the highest numbers of high-cost refinance lending to African Americans. MPB'S Sandra Knispel reports.

Lott's Replacement

When Senator Trent Lott leaves Congress next month he'll be taking 35 years of experience with him.  What that kind of influence gone, what kind of impact will that have on Mississippi's influence in Washington?  MPB's Scott Phillips reports.

Hundreds of students gathered on the campus of Jackson State University last night to hold a candlelight prayer vigil for missing student Latasha Norman.  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report.

No Second Shot for Chicken Pox

Mississippi children were required to have two doses of the Varicella or chickenpox vaccine this school year. But a nationwide shortage has prompted health officials to waive the requirement until next fall. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

The Business of College Football: Ole Miss’s New Coach Earns $7.4 million

While Southern Miss and Alcorn State are still looking for new football coaches, yesterday Ole Miss introduced its newest acquisition to the media and fans. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford on the business of college football.

High-profile lawyer Dickie Scruggs and his four co-defendants have pled not guilty to federal charges of trying to influence a judge. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.

Hinds County Nursing Facility Marked as One of Worst  

A Mississippi nursing home has been listed as one of the worst in the country.  MPB’s Scott Phillips has more on a newly released report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. 

End of 2007 Hurricane Season

Today is the last day of the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane season. And for the second year in a row, the Mississippi Gulf Coast was spared. But as MPB’s Gary Michiels reports first responders along the Coast and in the state are still on the job.

Ohr-O’Keefe Pods Have Arrived

The avant-garde and the abstract are meeting this weekend in Biloxi. After years of planning and preparation, the dance begins at the new George Ohr Gallery Pavilion. Just look among the oaks at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum site on Highway 90. MPB's Ron Brown reports.