McCain Tour

Arizona Senator and Republican Presidential hopeful John McCain spoke yesterday in Meridian, to kick-off his "Service to America Tour." As MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports, the trip is aimed at reintroducing McCain to the public and will feature stops at locations important in his life.

Democrats Rally For Change

About 50 members of the Mississippi Democratic Party rallied in support of their presidential candidates yesterday in Jackson's Smith Park. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

ADHD Cases Ranks MS in Top Ten

In today's Health News: Mississippi ranks tenth nationwide in the number of people diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But as MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports, experts don’t know why.

A group that worked to reopen a 40-year-old case of three slain Civil Rights workers in Neshoba County is calling for more action. The call on Saturday coincided with a congressional visit to Philadelphia, where the murders took place. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

New UM School of Law Counts on Scruggs Donation

The University of Mississippi will have a new 50-million-dollar law school in the fall of 2010. The groundbreaking ceremony was Saturday. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports on what’s going to happen to the millions pledged by the Scruggs family.

Beth Israel Tour Highlights Decades Old Crime

Several members of congress came to Jackson this weekend to view a crime scene. But as MPB's Ron Brown reports, the crime was 40-years-old.

Red Cross Door to Door

Over the weekend Red Cross volunteers walked the streets of Biloxi in the neighborhoods most heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Their door to door visits were to encourage residents to have a hurricane preparedness plan in place before the upcoming storm season. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Family and friends of Army National Guard Sgt. Lerando Brown gathered this week in Poplarville to remember the 27 year old who was killed in Iraq this month. But with thousands of soldiers losing their lives in battle MPB's Lawayne Childrey ask is it time to bring the troops home?

Civil Rights Conference

Mississippi’s history of racism and segregation made it one of the centers of the civil rights movement. A conference at Jackson State University is aimed at helping youth learn from the experiences of those who worked through those turbulent times. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Apartments Up and Condos Down

Rebuilding on the Gulf Coast has areas that are doing well and others that are running into trouble. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports that apartments in Biloxi are nearing pre- Hurricane Katrina numbers while Condominium projects in the city are slowing down.

Saggy Bottoms

Capitol City Councilmen are trying to tighten the belts on saggy pants. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Ragtime Festival

Ragtime music has been called the happiest music ever created. And if that's true, MPB's Ron Brown tells us that the happiest place on earth this weekend will be Starkville.

Yesterday State Employees rallied at the capital in protest of a proposal to remove them from the protections of the State Personnel Board. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

School Superintendents Debate

The debate over elected or appointed school superintendents heated up at yesterdays Mississippi Economic Councils early morning meeting. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Discounts on Prescription Medicine

Jackson County residents can now get lower prices on their prescription drugs. The Board of Supervisors has adopted a program that will cut the citizen’s pharmacy costs up to twenty percent. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Allergy Season

In MPB Health News, we just discussed allergy season last week, but because so many people continue to suffer with its symptoms, MPB's Karen Brown asked Dr. Rick DeShayzo of the University Of Mississippi Medical Center to recommend specific products and procedures to help allergy sufferers feel better.

The Mississippi River will continue to rise today, with water levels reaching flood stage in some communities.  As MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports, the river may not crest until late next week.

Train Crossing Fatalities

In 2006 there were thirteen train crossing fatalities in Mississippi. That number was reduced to three the following year after an aggressive safety railroad crossing campaign began. MPB’s Gary Michiels Reports.

Infant Mortality

According to the March Of Dimes, infant mortality rates for Mississippi have always been among the highest in the nation, but after years of decline they have made a dramatic increase. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

State Spelling Bee

A Waynesboro Middle School student will represent Mississippi in May at the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. MPB's Patty Davis reports, the eighth-grader won with a Japanese battle cry.

Tax Study Commission Gets Underway

A group of about 30 business leaders, state and local officials and financial professionals make up the Governor's Tax Study Commission.  MPB's Patty Davis reports,  that Commission met for the first time Monday.

State of Mental Health Recovery on Gulf Coast

The long, slow pace of recovery from Hurricane Katrina is taking its toll on many Gulf Coast residents who have not been able to return to their homes or jobs. MPB’s Gary Michel reports on counseling organizations and their psychological first aid kits.

Fighting Tuberculosis

There have been 39 known cases of Tuberculosis in Mississippi so far this year. But health officials say that number is way too high.  MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

DVT Awareness Month 

In today's MPB's Health News, Dr. Stewart Horsley, a cardiovascular surgeon with Baptist Hospital, discusses the measures taken to prevent deep vein thrombosis particularly in hospital patients.

When thousands of Mississippi National Guard members are deployed to Iraq next year, leaders say they will be ready both abroad and at home. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

North Panola Take Over

The North Panola School District in northwest Mississippi is likely to be taken over by the state. A conservator, usually a former school administrator, will be sent to improve the dismal academic performance. MPB’s Sandra Knispel filed this report from Sardis.

Barrier Islands Repair and Recreation

Mississippi’s barrier islands battered by Hurricane Katrina have still not been repaired. The State’s congressional delegation is urging Congress to fund the restoration projects soon. MPB’s Gary Michiels has more.

Governor Haley Barbour, Senator Roger Wicker and Congressman Gene Taylor traveled to Bay St Louis yesterday to announce an effort to get additional funding for recovery projects. And as MPB’s Gary Michel reports they also shared their concerns about other state and national issues.

IHL Search to Begin

Dr. Vance Watson has been named Interim President at Mississippi State University.  Watson is MSU's vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine. He will take over for Robert "Doc" Foglesong, who announced earlier this month that he is leaving June 30. As MPB's Patty Davis reports, the search for two permanent University Presidents will begin soon, despite recent criticism of the procedures.

Forced Labor Charges by Foreign Workers

Global Resources was hired by a coast company to bring in foreign workers. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports the company is now suing Global and the workers are protesting their treatment.

Music Makes First Team at Rust College

Most American colleges show their school pride by supporting their school's teams. But as MPB's Ron Brown reports, at Rust College in Northwest Mississippi, it's not the athletes getting the most cheers.

Since 9-11 about 10,000 troops from the Mississippi National Guard, including soldiers and airmen, have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Mortgage Company Sued in Mississippi Federal Court.

Hundreds of Gulf Coast homeowners have sued their insurance companies over the past two years. Now, a class action lawsuit has been filed by homeowners against their mortgage company.

University Presidential Search Process

The state college board will soon appoint an interim president for Mississippi State University, until a replacement is found for Robert Doc Foglesong. But yesterday at the capitol a hearing was held on the presidential selection process. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Seasonal Health News

Are you sniffling, sneezing, and coughing?  Do you have burning eyes and an itchy throat?  This time of year, seasonal allergies are probably to blame. In Today's Health News Dr. Todd Adkins with the Mississippi Asthma and Allergy Clinic says, you're not suffering alone.

Opponents of a new immigration law say the state could suffer economically from the effects. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Biloxi Schools Save Money With Employee Health Service

Employees of the Biloxi School system saved more than one million dollars in medical expenses last year when they were provided with free medical services and free prescription medicine. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

According to court papers filed in Oxford yesterday, Zach Scruggs, son of Dick Scruggs, has added four more attorneys to his defense team. As MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford -- former Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore is one of them.

Scruggs Political Contributions Go to Charity

The state Republican Party is donating more than 27,000 dollars to Charity. MPB's Patty Davis reports, the funds were donated to the Party from Attorney Dick Scruggs.

Senate Bill Calls for Appointed School Superintendents

Under senate bill 2149 a school superintendent in a district that is low performing for two consecutive years will be removed from office. MPB's Lawayne Childrey.

Alternative Spring Break

Hundreds of college students visiting the Gulf Coast for spring break are bringing their work clothes rather than their swim suits. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports on a Katrina recovery team from Utah.

Trauma Care

In today's MPB Health News we talk about traumatic injuries. Vehicle crashes, firearm injuries and other types of accidents kill more than 1800 Mississippians every year. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, the medical system designed to help trauma victims, faces some serious problems.

*The next step for the legislation is to negotiate differences between the House and Senate versions in conference committee.

Superintendent Debate

Thousands of public school children could be impacted by a bill that allows superintendents to be appointed. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Air in Three Counties: Not Fit To Breath

New air quality samples have identified three counties in Mississippi where air pollution is a serious problem. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports on the possible causes of the deterioration and the ongoing efforts to make the air cleaner in those counties.

Homeowner Grant Program Registration Deadline

Residents on the Gulf Coast whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Katrina’s surge waters have two days left to apply for homeowners grants. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports advocates want that deadline extended

Insurance Exchange Proposal to help Small Business

A new exchange could make health insurance affordable for more than 134 thousand Mississippians who work for small businesses. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Georgia Burn Center Clinic Opens in Brandon

An outpatient burn clinic has opened in Central Mississippi. MPB's Patty Davis reports,  it doesn't replace the need for an acute care burn center, but it helps patients from a three state area.

Divvying the Delegates

When Mississippi sends 33 regular delegates, and 7 Super Delegates, to the Democratic National Convention this summer, how many will vote for Senator Barack Obama? MPB's Lawayne Childrey explains more about the process.

Proposed Bridge Repairs

A bill that passed the Mississippi House of Representatives Tuesday proposes providing 100-million dollars to replace or refurbish around 100 bridges in the state. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Gulf Coast Economic Summit

The economic recovery of the Gulf Coast is showing improvement, but regaining a robust economy is still several years away. That was the message at the forty-first annual Hancock Bank Economic Summit held in Biloxi yesterday. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Today's Health News

Tackling the fear of going to the dentist?  Dr. Francis Serio, with the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, talks about what's new,  that should alleviate some of your fears.

Keep America Beautiful

More than a thousand Keep America Beautiful Volunteers are on the Gulf Coast to do their part in the Great American Clean-Up Campaign. One group of college students took on a project to clean up grounds at the Long Beach Harbor small craft Harbor. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

When Barack Obama's "Change We Can Believe In" rally invaded the campus of Jackson State University last night, MPB's Lawayne Childrey was there.

Chelsea Clinton Tells Audience at Ole Miss to Vote For Her Mom

With the Democratic primary race still hotly contested, Hillary Clinton’s daughter Chelsea embarked on a last-minute tour of the Magnolia state yesterday. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.

Prince Charles Foundation to Expand Training in Construction Trades

The most pressing need on the Gulf Coast continues to be the lack of affordable housing. Now with some “royal” rebuilding assistance from England, the recovery process may be able to move faster. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Today's Health News

The Chairman of the Department of Periodontics and Preventive sciences at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry is Dr. Francis Serio.  I talked to Professor Serio about how dental health relates to general health.

*Thursday, Dr. Serio returns to reveal why there's no need to be afraid of the dentist.

Presidential politicking in Mississippi heated over the weekend when former President Bill Clinton hit the campaign trail. He visited several Gulf Coast cities to round up votes for his wife. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Congressional Primary

Tomorrow's primary begins the process of replacing two of Mississippi's congressmen, Roger Wicker in the first district and Chip Pickering in the third district. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports on the effects this will have.

Immigration Debate

Polls show immigration is one of the nation's most pressing issues. During a recent conference at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippians weighed in on the subject.  MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Ethics Commission Discusses Its Role, Upcoming Legislation

With the upcoming Scruggs judicial bribery trial and known incidents of influence peddling among public servants in the state, the public’s confidence has been somewhat shaken. MPB’s Sandra Knispel spoke with members of the Mississippi Ethics Commission on Friday in Oxford.

Poetry on the page is a powerful art form. But fewer and fewer students are discovering the beauty of Dickinson, Whitman and Poe. The national "Poetry Out Loud" contest is trying to change that. MPB’s Ron Brown attended the "Poetry Out Loud" state finals in Jackson.

Fresh off a trio of primary victories, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is seeking to sway voters in the magnolia state before Tuesdays Primary election. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Panel Discussion Seeks To Help Undecided With Voting Decision 2008

With both Clintons currently campaigning in the Magnolia state, the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics at the University of Mississippi hosted a panel discussion yesterday with three stand-in speakers representing Senators John McCain, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.

Former President Clinton Visits

Campaign appearances continue today in the state for the Clinton family. As MPB?s Stephen Koranda reports, Former President Bill Clinton will campaign for his wife, at a fish fry today in Tupelo.

Indian Workers Walk

More than eighty guest workers from India are accusing a Pascagoula shipbuilding company of human rights violations. Yesterday they walked off their jobs in protest over wages and living conditions. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports

Art With Picture and Sound

The story of Hurricane Katrina has been told many times and in many ways. Now, a new art exhibit in Jackson attempts to tell the story in a new way. MPB's Ron Brown reports

With just five days left before Mississippi's Republican and Democratic presidential primaries, the spotlight has finally turned on the magnolia state. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Trailer Test Scores

Officials from the Centers for Disease Control are on the Gulf Coast this week. They are meeting with residents who are concerned about formaldehyde fumes in their FEMA trailers. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Budget in Works

Committee meetings have been scheduled back to back at the state capitol as lawmakers get closer to crafting the budget for fiscal year 2009.  MPB's Patty Davis has more.

Mind Over Body

On Tuesday, Dr. Maxie Gordon, a psychiatrist and Assistant Professor in the department of psychiatry and human behavior at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, spoke about the relationship between the mind and body.  This morning in MPB's Health News, we continue our conversation about the mind's relationship to illnesses in the body.