Navy Seals on the Pearl River

Stennis Space Center in Hancock County is best known for its contributions to space exploration. But, MPB’s Gary Michiels reports, there’s a new addition to the Center is training naval personnel for river patrols in countries around the world.

Mississippi’s Mystery Musician

He’s an art teacher by day and a piano pumping Wildman by night.

MPB's Ron Brown tells us about the McComb, Mississippi musician whose outrageous alter-ego is gaining national attention.

After losing the first district congressional seat on Tuesday Republicans in Washington are looking for ways to regain it in November. Matt Laslo reports from Washington.

MDES Needs Authorization

Workforce training and unemployment payments for thousands of Mississippians could stop if the legislature does not reauthorize the Mississippi Department of Employment Security before July 1st. As MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports, house lawmakers met yesterday to discuss the fate of the agency.

Navy Boat Ops in Pass Christian

A new Navy Boat Operations Branch at the Pass Christian Harbor has a major role in national defense and international shipping. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Bringing the Environment Into the Classroom

Educators from across the US, Japan and Mexico are in Mississippi this week learning how to bring the environment INSIDE the classroom. MPB's Patty Davis has more on Mississippi Project Learning Tree.

Alzheimer’s

It's a disease that's on the rise simply because people are living longer.  In today's health news MPB’s Karen Brown talks about Alzheimer’s, with UMC Geriatrician, Dr. Rick DeShayzo.

According to the Mississippi Attorney General's Office the number of people reporting acts of domestic violence is on the increase. And as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports, law enforcement officials and advocates working in the field of domestic violence are learning how to effectively respond to those complaints.

Meetings Gauge Public Opinion on Health Insurance

About 20 percent of Mississippians don’t have health insurance, one of the highest rates in the country. One group is hoping information from a series of dialogs with citizens can help influence officials to reduce that number. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Officials Fight Cheating at the Pumps

Soaring gas prices are putting a squeeze on U.S. consumers.  And with no end in sight to the high prices, MPB News Contributor Randy Bell takes a look at what Mississippi officials are doing to keep you from being cheated at the pumps.

President Jimmy Carter Addresses Gulf Coast Housing Needs

Habitat for Humanity volunteers are working furiously to build more than two hundred and thirty homes on the Gulf Coast by the end of the year. But as MPB’s Gary Michiels reports more than ten times as many homes are needed.

Ethics Law Signed

Public records will soon be more accessible for many Mississippians. A new law that increases the openness of government was signed yesterday by Governor Haley Barbour. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Health News on Speech and Hearing

May is "Better Hearing and Speech Month." In today's Health News, MPB’s Karen Brown speaks with Dr. Brett Kemker, Chair of the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi. He says, it's what you're hearing now that may determine what you won't be hearing later.

The Mississippi river has receded below flood stage in most areas of the state, which leaves victims cleaning up and trying to return to their lives. With last weeks federal disaster declaration in four counties, many of these people are hoping the federal government will be able to help them. But as MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, there may be stumbling blocks for some people.

President Carter’s Habitat for Humanity Project

A former US President and thousands of volunteers from around the world are working with hammers and saws on the Mississippi Gulf Coast this week. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports on the twenty-fifth Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter work project.

Ole Miss Journalism School Faces Controversy

Secrecy can be an essential part of business transactions. But in the case of the yet-to-be-formed  School of Journalism at the University of Mississippi -- that very secrecy threatened to undermine the plans for the school before it even got started. MPB's Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.

Facebook Joins Other Social Networking Sites, in Online Safety Efforts

Thousands of Mississippi teens have registered with Facebook. Soon parents will have a safety tool to monitor what their children are doing on the social networking web site. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

To the Moon and Beyond

Stennis Space Center in South Mississippi was instrumental in developing rocket engines that put man on the Moon. The center is now testing engines that will take exploration back to the moon and on to Mars. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Discovering Skin Cancer

Doctors believe at least 116 thousand new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed next year. MPB's Lawayne Childrey examines one of the most common forms called melanoma.

Mississippi Delta Hosts Blues Awards

The blues were born in the Mississippi Delta, but the music didn't become world famous until the greatest blues artists had moved on.  MPB’s Ron Brown reports, the same highway that took the blues out of state years ago brought the music back last night.

Teens Rally for Abstinence

Mississippi has one of the highest percentages of births to teens in the nation. To help curb the problem the Mississippi Department of Human Services hosted an abstinence rally on the steps of the capitol yesterday. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Gamming Summit

Competition from Native American casinos is one of the topics of discussion today among hundreds of casino operators from around the county at a gaming summit on the Gulf Coast. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.   

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

In our health news this morning, MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports on the crippling effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Mississippi's soldiers returning from war.

As the beginning of the 2008 hurricane season approaches, Red Cross volunteers on the Gulf Coast are updating and expanding their disaster response skills. One of the most critical positions being examined is the Emergency Shelter Manager. MPB’s Gary Michiels has this report.

Bank Robberies Spike

A recent spike in bank robberies throughout Mississippi has police and bank officials fighting back. At least 10 banks have been robbed in the last month. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Fighting Mosquitoes

The mosquitoes are biting again and two Mississippi counties are gearing up for the battle. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Officials have started investigating an explosion at the International Paper mill in Warren County, that left one man dead and 17 others injured. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Night Time Road Construction

Night time Road construction will be increasing as the Summer months approach. And as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports Mississippi Department of Transportation Officials are urging motorists to take extra precaution.

Preventative Medicine Worth a Pound of Cure

You've heard the expression "prevention is worth a pound of cure," but how many of us know how to effectively prevent illness. For tips about herbal remedies, supplements and other measures of prevention, MPB’s Karen Brown spoke with Dr. Chad Rhoden, a Preventative Medicine Specialist with Baptist Health Systems. She starts today's Health News with a question about multivitamins for every age.

Drinking and Driving Does Not Mix

Mississippi leads the nation in the number of persons killed because of drunk drivers. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Blood Donations: More Important Than Ever

Mississippians are known for their generosity, and that stands true with giving blood. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

No Smoking in Gulfport

Another Mississippi City has clamped down on smokers. A new ordinance, now in effect in Gulfport, bans smoking in almost every public and commercial building. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

National Day of Prayer

City parks, town halls, school yards and churches were filled with prayer Thursday in recognition of this year's National Day of Prayer. MPB's Patty Davis attended a gathering on the South steps of the State capitol, and has this report.

Southern Miss Opera Students Bound for Italy

Great talents have emerged from the University of Southern Mississippi. And this summer a few more are eyeing fame. But, as MPB’s Ron Brown reports, they will need a little help.

What should college campuses be doing to effectively warn students and faculty in the event of an emergency? MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Qatar Leader Visits Coast

The people of Qatar have pledged sixty million dollars to help with the long term recovery of the Gulf Coast. The leader of that country visited Gulfport yesterday to see what his country’s contribution is providing. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Delta Health Forum

The Mississippi Delta is one of the deadliest places in the nation. In this mostly rural area, life expectancy is significantly lower than most of the country -- while infant mortality rates rival that of developing nations. In today’s Health News, MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports on an initiative that is trying to change that.