Every two hours, three Mississippi students drop out of school. But as MPB's Patty Davis reports, more than 2000 educators, business leaders, and elected officials gathered Thursday ... TO GET ON THE BUS.

Colleges Lobby Lawmakers

Community Colleges want lawmakers to continue their three year commitment for 60 million dollars in funding. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Gridlock Possible for Biloxi

City streets and public utilities in Biloxi that were covered with Hurricane Katrina’s surge of water are getting a make over. The project is expected to cost more than three hundred and fifty million dollars. MPB’s Gary Michiels report.

Black Press Impact

At the University of Mississippi yesterday, experts on the black press discussed how African American papers have impacted the media, and where they're headed in the future. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Reading Wright Across Mississippi

2008 will be the year of Richard Wright in Mississippi. As the 100th anniversary of his birth begins, Wright’s daughter Julia recently sat down with MPB’s Ron Brown to discuss why her father’s writings will be read in classrooms and libraries all over the state.

According to an FBI memo in the Scruggs judicial bribery case, a lawyer says he was promised half a million dollars by Dick Scruggs to convince the Mississippi Attorney General not to indict State Farm Insurance on criminal charges. MPB’s Sandra Knispel spoke with Jim Hood about the allegations.

Debate Preparation

Members of the Commission on Presidential Debates are visiting the University of Mississippi this week. It is the site of the first presidential debate to be held in oxford in September. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, both the University and the city are getting ready.

School Board Members Gather to Talk Issues

A dropout prevention summit will take place in Jackson today. And as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports School Officials from around the state are already weighing in on the subject.

Keesler Economic Impact One Billion

Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi has been one of the major training centers for the U.S. Air Force since nineteen forty-one. The military base is also a significant contributor to the economy of the Gulf Coast. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Severe Weather Awareness Week

April is the most active month for tornadoes in Mississippi, second only to November. MPB's Patty Davis reports on efforts by Emergency responders this week, to keep residents prepared.

U.S. Circuit Court Judge Neal Biggers ruled yesterday to deny the remaining four pre-trial motions in the judicial bribery case against Mississippi lawyer Dick Scruggs, his son Zach and law partner Sidney Backstrom. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.

Domestic Violence Response Training

Every year, thousands of disturbance calls that involve domestic violence go unreported because the victim is afraid to press charges. But the laws are changing. as MPB's Patty Davis reports, Law Enforcement personnel  have been brushing up on changes in domestic violence laws.

Ocean Springs Survey on All Perils Insurance Bill

The cost of insurance on the Gulf Coast is skyrocketing. Some relief may come from a government backed policy that would cover all forms of damages at lower rates. But while an all-perils policy is being debated in Congress, increasing insurance rates continue to take a toll on Coast residents. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Eminent Domain at Jackson State

Members of one Jackson neighborhood are upset about a proposed quick-take bill that would allow Jackson State University to seize their property. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Abstinence. Does the Message Work

Abstinence is the message most teenagers in Mississippi hear when it comes to sex. At the same time the poorest state in the nation continues to struggle with the highest teen pregnancy rates. As MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports, social and religious interests clash when it comes to preventing teenage pregnancies here in the Bible belt.

A man was released from prison yesterday because of DNA evidence. He had already served 15 years. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, the evidence shows he did not commit the rape he was convicted of in 1993.

Formaldehyde Trailers Being Replaced

Recent tests conducted on a sample of FEMA trailers along the Gulf Coast revealed the level of formaldehyde gas to be five times higher than found in most modern homes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is now offering those living in these trailers other types of emergency housing. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Obama Safety Concerns Some Supporters

The Barack Obama Presidential Campaign has a staff of five at its new headquarters in downtown Jackson, and plans for more offices around the state. With such a tight race for the Democratic Nomination, Obama supporters are trying to sway undecided voters and settle fears of political history repeating itself. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

*Senator Hillary Clinton's web site doesn't indicate that she has a campaign office in Mississippi.

The National Civil Rights Museum, Where Will It Be?

A proposed site for a National Civil rights Museum in Mississippi is stirring debate among supporters. Lawayne Childrey has our report.

Elder Care

One of the most difficult decisions an adult child of an aging parent needs to consider is that parent's care when signs of dementia present themselves.  MPB’s Karen Brown talks with Dr. Rick DeShayzo, an Internist and Geriatrician at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

The Mississippi Democratic Party began the process on Saturday of electing delegates that will represent the state at the Democratic National convention in Denver. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Latino Student Numbers Swell

Thousands of Latin American families who came to perform recovery work on the Gulf Coast have now become permanent residents. And that is putting a strain on many local school budgets. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Arts and Literacy

Educators are exploring art and music as innovative ways to teach children in the classroom. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Yesterday was the second and last day of pre-trial motions in the criminal case against Dick Scruggs, his son Zach and law partner Sidney Backstrom who stand accused of trying to bribe Circuit Judge Henry Lackey. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.

Not Enough School Nurses

In Mississippi K thru 12 schools, there is one school nurse for every eleven hundred-seventy-four students. And many schools have no nurse at all. MPB's Patty Davis reports, an effort is underway to change those numbers.

War On Drugs

The debate over how to fight the so called war on drugs heated up on the campus of Jackson State University yesterday. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Cats Running Wild in Meridian

Bands of wild cats, sometimes as many as 30 in one group, have been roaming free around the Jackson Metro area. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Richard Wright Remembered

2008 marks one hundred years since Mississippi born author Richard Wright's birth.  MPB's Ron Brown reports on celebrations underway.

Yesterday marked the first day of hearings of pre-trial motions in the judicial bribery case against Mississippi lawyer Dick Scruggs, his son Zach and associate Sidney Backstrom before the U.S. District Court in Oxford. MPB’s Sandra Knispel has more.

State leaders say every part of the state has potential for economic development. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Affordable housing remains one of the major roadblocks to recovery on the Gulf Coast. Governor Haley Barbour announced that sixteen projects have now been selected that will provide thousands of low to moderate income housing units for the Coast area. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

It's made from corn, sugar cane and switch grass, and it's the cleanest burning fuel available. MPB's Patty Davis reports, E-85 fuel is now available at a retail outlet off interstate 20.

You're coughing. You're sneezing.  You ache all over. You feel sick to your stomach. Is it the flu or is it something else? In today's Health News, Dr. Rick DeShayzo, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at University of Mississippi Medical Center tells us, that doctors across Mississippi are treating more than the flu right now.

Shootings at campuses in Illinois and Louisiana in the last month have left nine students dead. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, a professor at the University of Mississippi believes simple steps may help prevent violence like this.

Voter Reform Moves Thru Senate

Low participation numbers and widespread fraud have prompted Mississippi's Secretary of State to push for passage of an election reform bill. MPB's Patty Davis has more.

*The Election Reform Bill will face full Senate Debate this week.

Congressional Delegation on FEMA Trailer Tests

Three members of Mississippi’s Congressional delegation were on the Gulf Coast yesterday. During their visit they commented on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s handling of the presence of formaldehyde in FEMA trailers. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Social Workers Rally Capitol

Social workers from across Mississippi took their concerns to the state capitol yesterday. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Oren-Dunn Museum

February is Black History month and communities all across Mississippi are doing something special. In Tupelo, MPB's Ron Brown reports, with a few short steps at the Oren-Dunn Museum, visitors can take a trip covering centuries.

The nation's largest beef recall may affect Mississippi schools. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, the more than 140-million pounds of recalled meat come from a plant in California.

Lieutenant Governor on Pending Legislation

Lt. Governor Phil Bryant talked to members of the Stennis Institute of Government and the Capitol Press Corps in Jackson yesterday. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

New Richton Salt Dome Plan

Salt domes near Richton, Mississippi have been chosen by the US Department of Energy to become an oil storage reserve for national emergencies such as terrorist attacks or hurricanes. The original plan to use water from the Pascagoula River to remove the salt was heavily criticized. A revised removal method is also getting a thumb’s down from some Gulf Coast fisherman. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Glaucoma

In today's health news, Karen Brown looks at a disease that affects millions of Americans, Glaucoma. Joining her is Dr. John Ford, a specialist with Jackson Eye Associates.

Mississippi made history last week by exonerating a wrongfully convicted man. He was the first person in the state to be cleared of charges because of DNA evidence. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, the Innocence Project is working to prevent this type of wrongful conviction in the future.

Gulfport Mayor’s Grant to be Investigated

Gulfport City officials are expected to be questioned by a federal grand jury this week about a homeowner grant the City’s Mayor received from the Mississippi Development Authority. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Booster Seats Fill the Gap in Auto Passenger Safety

Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for children in Mississippi. But as MPB's Patty Davis reports, the State Legislature is trying to reduce those numbers.

The Centers for Disease Control announced the results of its testing of FEMA trailers on the Gulf Coast for formaldehyde gases. And the information proves there is a serious problem. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Ethics Bill Passes Senate

The Mississippi Senate has passed a bill designed to tighten public officials' ethics rules and provide more openness in government. MPB's Patty Davis has more.

No Child Left Behind

U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings met with education, business and community leaders in Jackson yesterday about ways to improve No Child Left Behind.  MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

UM Signs Agreement with Jordan

The University of Mississippi has signed a new agreement with a university in the Middle-Eastern country of Jordan. MPBs Stephen Koranda reports.

Starkville Film Festival

Mississippi's oldest film festival is currently underway in Starkville. MPB's Erika Celeste reports.

DNA Sets Two Men Free

A hearing today in Noxubee County exonerated the first person in Mississippi because of DNA evidence. A second man was also released from prison after serving more than 16 years. MPBs Stephen Koranda reports.

College educators and administrators from across the state gathered for a strategic initiative summit Wednesday.   MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Transportation and Commerce

House and Senate Transportation Committee Chairmen addressed members of the Mississippi Economic Council yesterday. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Heart Health for Women

On Tuesday we spoke with Dr. Daniel Jones about heart health.  This is American Heart Month and in addition to being Vice Chancellor of Health Affairs at Mississippi University Medical Center, Dr. Jones is the National President of the American Heart Association. In today's Health News, Dr. Jones addresses women and heart disease.

Thousands of state employees could be affected by a senate bill passed yesterday that would allow state officials to hire and fire at will. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Town Hall Meeting on Domestic Violence Prevention

A town hall meeting on domestic violence went overtime at Jackson State University last night. MPB's Patty Davis has this report.

Katrina Cottages Could Stay

People living in FEMA trailers and MEMA Cottages in Jackson County have been told by the Board of Supervisors they must find permanent housing by March 2009. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports, that decision is now being re-evaluated.

Earthquake Conference

While storms battered Mississippi yesterday, officials were planning for a different kind of disaster. A three-day conference in Tunica is helping state and local officials plan for the response in Mississippi to an earthquake. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Scruggs Trial

In the Dick Scruggs criminal case in which he, his son Zach, and law partner Sidney Backstrom are accused of trying to bribe a judge, the defense filed seven pre-trial motions Monday.  MPB's Sandra Knispel spoke to Don Mason, associate director of the National Center for Justice and the Rule of Law at the University of Mississippi, about the motion to dismiss the case.

Some damage estimates in Mississippi from last week's storms go as high as 50-million dollars. Federal help may be available for people whose property was damaged. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports the Small Business Administration can provide low-interest loans.

Gulfport's New Eye on Crime

Gulfport police responded to more than five hundred calls last year that involved the discharge of fire arms. The City is now purchasing surveillance cameras and microphones to monitor gun fire incidents. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Timber Industry Declines

Mississippi's forest industry has been in a decline since 2005. MPB's Patty Davis reports, a number of factors are to blame.

Dick Scruggs’s Defense Seeks To Suppress Wiretap Evidence

The defense teams for Mississippi lawyer Dick Scruggs, and two others filed six pre-trial motions yesterday with U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers. Scruggs, his son Zach and law partner Sid Backstrom have pleaded not guilty to trying to bribe a judge in connection with a multi-million-dollar dispute over legal fees. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.

Flu Spreading

The Mississippi department of health is expected to release its latest report on influenza today. MPB’s Lawayne Childrey reports, Many health officials believe the state is already experiencing a flu epidemic.

February is American Heart Month  

In today’s health news, Dr. Daniel Jones, Dean of the School of Medicine at University Medical Center advocates for heart health awareness. Dr. Daniel Jones is the current  President of the American Heart Association.

Mississippi has a shortage of social workers to help guide some of our states most vulnerable citizens. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

DNA May Lead to Exoneration

For the first time in Mississippi someone may be exonerated in a criminal case based on DNA evidence. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, the evidence may prove innocent two men convicted of murder.

Identity Theft

Identity theft has surpassed drug crimes to become the number one crime in America. MPB's Patty Davis reports, as technology changes, criminals are changing with it.

Keesler Unit Plays Key Role in Getting Injured Soldiers to Care

American soldiers wounded in combat often make their way home in stages. The most critical are evacuated to Germany, where they are stabilized before their flight home to the U.S. Then 2 other bases serve as hub terminals for the trip home. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports on a Mississippi Air Force Reserve unit that plays a major role in transporting the wounded soldiers.

The State farm law suit against Attorney General Jim Hood was officially dismissed in US District Court Thursday. But as MPB's Patty Davis reports, the state's efforts to see thousands of Katrina claims settled fairly, continues.

School District Sued by Insurance Company

The Bay St. Louis-Waveland School system is being sued by its insurance company over denied damage claims from Hurricane Katrina. The unusual legal maneuver may mean that elementary students will continue having classes in temporary trailers. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Marriage Rally

Marriage was the focus of a rally at the State Capitol yesterday. The Mississippi Department of Human Services wants to increase awareness to what they call, the need to strengthen marriages. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Charley Pride

Today is a special day in Mississippi, as some of the state’s greatest artists will be honored with a Governors award for excellence in the arts. This year’s lifetime achievement award winner is country music star, Charley Pride. MPB's Ron Brown reports.

Hood Fights State Farm Allegations in US District Court

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood was in U.S. district court in Natchez Wednesday to testify in a lawsuit brought by State Fire & Casualty Co. MPB's Patty Davis was there and has this report.

Leaders Discuss Mississippi Workforce Needs

Lawmakers and business leaders discussed the state's workforce at yesterdays Mississippi Economic Council's weekly meeting. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

New Toyota Supplier Breaks Ground

A supplier for the Blue Springs Toyota factory broke ground yesterday for a new plant outside Tupelo. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Mississippi Earthquake Awareness Week

State officials are hoping Mississippians will try to prepare themselves for a natural disaster they may not be used to hearing about: earthquakes. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Autism Services

Autism has become the fastest-growing developmental disorder in this country. Yet in Mississippi private insurance carriers often deny coverage to autistic children, leaving most without access to expensive but necessary therapy. MPB’s Sandra Knispel has more in today’s health news.

Mississippi ranks sixth in the nation for uninsured residents. But a new health plan aimed at small businesses could make a dramatic difference. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Redesign Education Plan Moves One Step Closer

K-12 Superintendent, Dr. Hank Bounds would like to run the Department of Education more like a business.  MPB's Patty Davis reports, under a bill ok' d by the Senate Education Committee Tuesday, Bounds could gain more freedom to hire or fire employees.

Poet to Receive Excellence in the Arts Award

Mississippi has a grand tradition of celebrated writers. But Gulfport native Natasha Tretheway is the first Mississippi born writer to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. As MPB's Ron Brown tells us, Tretheway will return home to Mississippi this week to accept yet another honor for her inspiring book of poetry;