One Call Changes Could Save Lives, Money and Property

Changes under a new law are aimed at improving Mississippi’s One Call Network. The program allows consumers to dial 811 and have underground utilities marked to prevent damage during digging or construction. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Digital TV Conversion

The way Mississippians watch television is set to change next year. MPB's Lawayne Childrey takes a look at what it all means and how you need to prepare for it.

Living and Recovering in Pearlington

The small community of Pearlington, Mississippi was established in the late eighteen hundreds on the banks of the Pearl River along the Mississippi-Louisiana state line. Most of the nine hundred homes there were either destroyed or heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports on one resident’s determination to return.

Flood Insurance Sales are Booming

Hurricane season officially begins June first. And if you want to have national flood insurance coverage in place by that date, you need to get the policy now. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Rail Safety Blitz

The State Department of Transportation along with railway companies that operate in Mississippi are conducting safety blitzes at rail crossings throughout the state. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Health News: Colon Cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates that around 600 Mississippians die every year from colon cancer, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in the state. In today's health news, MPB's Stephen Koranda explains how a routine medical procedure could help save many of those lives

Teacher of the Year

Almost 100 of Mississippi's k-12 teachers were not in class Friday.  But, as MPB's Patty Davis reports, each have a full proof excuse. They were in Jackson to be honored as the best in their field.

Sports Security

Officials at Mississippi's Seven Universities are adding another tool to the sports security arsenal. Now staff members like ushers and ticket takers will become the first responders of the game. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Give Awards

Tennessee is officially known as the volunteer state, but the slogan also fits in Mississippi. As MPB's Ron Brown reports, that's never more apparent than when the Governor's office hands out the annual GIVE awards to the state's outstanding volunteers.

Soaring Food Prices

From markets, to food banks, to the family dinner table, everyone is feeling the pinch of soaring food prices.  MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

 ACLU Investigates Madison County Allegations

The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi is holding a series of public meetings throughout Madison County, to collect information about alleged racial profiling there. Yesterday the first meeting was held in Flora. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Journalistic Objectivity - Myth or Reality

When should a journalist relinquish the claim to objectivity and what exactly is an alternative newspaper? MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from the University of Mississippi’s journalism week.

Mississippi Born Blues

Sonny Boy Williamson the second is one of Mississippi's enduring blues legends. And as MPB's Ron Brown reports, more than a few people are determined to keep his legacy alive.

Biloxi Strip

A popular Biloxi tourist area for families that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina may soon come to life again. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Donate Life

Everyday in Mississippi, hundreds of people save a life by donating blood. Unfortunately, others will die waiting for an organ or tissue donation. MPB's Patty Davis reports, the rules for organ donations in Mississippi may soon change.

Eating Disorders

It is estimated that nearly twenty percent of all college students have an eating disorder. In today’s health news, MPB's Lawayne Childrey takes a look at a problem that crosses all ethnic and cultural groups.

Service Agencies on Coast See Increased Need

Higher prices for gas and groceries are having an emotional and financial affect on hurricane survivors. And as MPB’s Gary Michiels reports, Coast residents are seeking help from community service agencies.

Concerns Over Vaccine Safety

The Mississippi Department of health is offering free vaccinations this week for children and teenagers. As MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports, some officials hope recent concerns over the safety of vaccines won’t stop parents from taking part.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency began the process yesterday of surveying flood damage in the Vicksburg area, to determine what kind of assistance will be available. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Slow Down for the Cones

Eighty-five percent of people hurt in highway work zones are motorists and their passengers. As MPB 's Patty Davis reports, Work Zone Safety is the focus of a statewide awareness campaign this month.

Health Report on Victims of Sexual Abuse

Last year, Mississippi authorities received more than 18-thousand reports of alleged child abuse. 13 children in this state died as a result.  In today’s Health News, MPB’s Sandra Knispel takes a look at child abuse in Mississippi.

Earth Day

Today is the 38th anniversary of Earth Day. Children and adults in Jackson County have been celebrating all week at the Pascagoula River Nature Festival. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports, the river’s threatened ecosystem was highlighted at every turn.

Expanded Role of The Letter Carrier

Congressman Bennie Thompson is calling for a plan that would make the nations letter carriers an integral part of homeland security. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Access to Justice

If you are poor and living in Mississippi, your opportunity to get your day in court may never come. MPB’s Gary Michel reports on the growing crisis facing more than a half a million Mississippians living in poverty.

A compromised Medicaid funding bill is on its way to the governor, following its passage in the House yesterday. But as MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports, the program’s future is still uncertain.

Congressional Candidates Childers and Davis Debate Troop Withdrawal

The Democratic and Republican Congressional candidates, vying to fill the unexpired term of former Congressman Roger Wicker, faced off at the Overby Center at the University of Mississippi yesterday. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports.

Nissan Dropout Prevention Plan

Nissan makes dropout prevention in 10 central Mississippi public school districts one of the core lesson plans for the upcoming school year. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Fuel Price Threatens Shrimp Seasons

The annual Gulf shrimp season in Mississippi traditionally opens the first week of June. But as MPB’s Gary Michiels reports, the increased cost of fuel may keep many boats tied up at the docks.

The Endangered Pearl

The Pearl River has been placed on the 10 most endangered American rivers list. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Natchez Bluff Blues Festival

The 13th annual Natchez Bluff Blues Festival gets underway this weekend. And has MPB’s Ron Brown reports, it begins with a nod to an historic tragedy that blues artists have been singing about for the past 68-years.

Challenge to House Leadership Diffused

A challenge to the leadership of the Mississippi House of Representatives was diffused yesterday, when an agreement was reached on the reintroduction of an anti-abortion bill. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

16th Section Online Service

A new online service gives residents an inside look at how school districts manage 16th section land funds. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Crime Victim Panel

As a part of the National Crime Victims Rights week, victims of criminal assaults took their message of pain, fear and survival into a south Mississippi prison yesterday. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Autism Part 3

Autism is the topic of today's Health News, In Part 3 of my conversation with Dr. Susan Buttross, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, I asked her about funding what can be very expensive therapy in treating autism. 

Rate Increases Could Be Used to Fund New Power Plants

A bill that passed the Senate yesterday could result in higher utility rates for thousands of Mississippians. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Displaced by Flooding

The rising Mississippi River at Vicksburg is causing chaos for hundreds of residents. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Mississippi Cottage: the Solution?

Affordable housing continues to be a major hold up in the recovery on the Gulf Coast. Some residents believe the Mississippi Cottage is the solution. But as MPB’s Gary Michiels reports not everyone agrees. 

Educators Could Suspend Ratings

Educators want to give schools the chance to adjust to more rigorous state testing by dropping the school rating system for one year. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Trauma Legislation Passes

Legislation passed in the House and Senate yesterday aimed at increasing the availability of trauma care in Mississippi. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

The Costs of Flooding to Crops and Livestock

Thousands of acres of crops that had already been planted along the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers are under water, and will remain saturated for weeks after the flood waters recede.  MPB's Patty Davis reports. 080415-patty-flood-crops-livestock

National Internet Technology Conference

Highway Transportation Directors from around the country are meeting on the Gulf Coast this week. They came to Mississippi to learn more about Internet Technology being used to build highways and bridges. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Autism Part 2

In today's health news the topic is autism- part two of my conversation with Dr. Susan Buttross, a pediatrician and chair of Mississippi's autism task force.

Because of tight finances the budget for fiscal year 2009 proposes small increases in education funding. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

New Public Safety Commissioner to Study Challenges

From highway patrol to crime prevention, public safety officials in Mississippi are ready to tackle some tough issues. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Children and Meth

Children and Meth is a deadly mix. That is a message that is being emphasized by emergency responders across the state. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Fire Academy Graduates Class Number 108

Mississippi boasts one of the best State Fire Academies in the nation. MPB's Patty Davis was there Friday, for the graduation ceremony of firefighter class number one hundred eight.

Salt Dome Town Hall Meeting

An overflow crowd turned out at the Jackson County Civic Center in Pascagoula last night for the final of a series of Department of Energy public meetings. They came to listen, and have their say about a controversial pipe line that would run though south Mississippi. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

HER2 Cancer

A protein known as "HER 2" can promote the growth of cancer cells. MPB's Lawayne Childrey looks at how an excess of the rare protein can lead to many types of cancer.

UMC Marks 1000th Kidney Transplant

The Kidney Transplant program at The University of Mississippi medical Center in Jackson performed just 10 transplants in 2006. But, as MPB's Patty Davis reports, this year they average about 2 every week.

Medicaid Funding in Mississippi is approaching a crisis. Lawmakers must find millions of dollars to fund the program for the remainder of 2007. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Insurance Rates Key to Coast Recovery

Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney traveled to Bay St. Louis yesterday to speak with community business leaders about ways to resolve the insurance crisis in their city. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Veto of Toy Safety Bill Sustained

Governor Haley Barbour’s veto of a bill aimed at unsafe toys was sustained yesterday, when the House of Representatives failed to garner the votes needed to override the veto. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Home Repair Fraud Concerns

Attorney general Jim Hood is warning residents that the damage caused by the recent storms is likely to result in an increase in home repair fraud in Central Mississippi. MPB's Patty Davis sat down with General Hood Tuesday for more details.

Wind Pool Rates to Fall

Homeowners who have wind insurance through the state wind pool will soon be getting a break on their rates. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

The Uninsured are Sicker and Die Sooner  

A new report shows Uninsured adults are sicker and die sooner than their insured counterparts. MPB's Patty Davis has more.   

YouthBuild is Rebuilding Lives in Gulfport

A youth building program on the Gulf Coast is converting high school drop outs and troubled youth into building trades workers. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

More than 10,000 Mississippians remain without power following Friday’s storms. As MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports, Governor Haley Barbour declared a state of emergency yesterday for 12 counties. It is one of the first steps in securing federal assistance.

Disaster Assistance

Monday, Governor Haley Barbour declared a State of Emergency for 12 Mississippi counties in Central Mississippi, including the Jackson Metro area. Homeowners affected by Friday's storm could be eligible for federal grants or low interest loans. MPB's Patty Davis has more.

Central Mississippi Residents Begin Recovery Process   

Many Mississippians are now working to rebuild after storms battered the central part of the state Friday. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports on the some of the efforts in Jackson.

Keesler Airmen in Green Zone

The Green Zone in Iraq is coming under frequent rocket attacks. And Airmen from the Gulf Coast are among the soldiers who go to work there everyday. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

With only two weeks left in the session, legislators will be working hard this week. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports on some of the issues they’ll be tackling.

ACLU on Juvenile Justice

The ACLU hosted a Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Conference in Jackson this weekend. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Emmett Till Exhibit

Many believe the Civil Rights movement in America began in the small town of Sumner Mississippi in 1955 when a fourteen year old Negro boy was accused of whistling at a white woman. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.