Just three years after Hurricane Katrina Ravaged the Mississippi Gulf Coast, residents are once again preparing for what could be another major storm. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Mississippi Delegates Entranced by Barack Obama

Mississippi delegates were entranced by Barack Obama on the Democratic National Convention floor. Jodi Breisler (Brice-lur) spoke with one delegate who had goose bumps throughout the speech.

Locals React to Obama Speech

Healthcare Inequities Most Glaring in Mississippi

Healthcare disparities have many causes, among them access, education, genetics, income and social behavior. But it’s time to fight some of these inequalities says Dr. Daniel Jones, past president of the American Heart Association, who spoke at the University of Mississippi yesterday. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports from Oxford.

Blind Boys Blues Marker

Another stop gets added to Mississippi’s Historic Blues Trail this morning. MPB Arts Reporter, Ron Brown tells us – the new marker pays tribute to some of the world’s most inspiring and influential music of the 40’s and 50’s. They originated at the Piney Woods School for the Blind.

The Governor's proposal to use hospital assessments to help fill a 90 million dollar deficit in the Medicaid program is one step closer to being put into action. Yesterday a judge decided not to block the proposal, saying no action can be taken until the plan goes into effect. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Rural Road Safety

Crashes and traffic deaths on rural roads in Mississippi exceed the national average. But as MPB's Patty Davis reports, a new initiative coupled with two point three million dollars in federal funds should reduce those numbers and save lives.

VP Nominee Speaks at DNC

Higher Electric Bills for Northeastern Mississippi

Utility bills will be going up for thousands of households in Northeastern Mississippi.MPB’s Jordan Witt has this story.

Sickle Cell, the Cure

A McComb Teenager has been cured of Sickle Cell disease. In today's health news, MPB's Lawayne Childrey has his story.

A group of around 50 hospitals is challenging the Governor’s plan to use hospital fees to help make up a 90 million dollar deficit in the Medicaid Program. The hospitals will argue their case in a court appearance today. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

ICE Raid on Howard Industries

Hundreds of Howard Industries employees have been detained in the largest illegal worker raid in US history.  MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Qualified Nursing Faculty Shortage

Hillary ar DNC

It was bittersweet for Mississippi’s Clinton delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Jodi Brice-lur spoke with one right after Hillary Clinton addressed the nation last night.

The presidential campaign is entering the final stages. With the first African-American candidate on the ballot, MPB's Stephen Koranda reports how race could affect the outcome.

Mississippi Delegates at the Convention

Mississippi delegates to the Democratic National Convention are having issue oriented breakfasts, soaking up the energy on the Convention floor, and trying to find their place in the Democratic Party. Jodi Breisler reports from Denver.

Access to Justice Puts New Focus on Foreclosures

Sickle Cell

At least ten thousand Mississippians are living with the genetic blood disease called Sickle Cell. In today’s Health News, MPB's Lawayne Childrey examines the affect  on victims.

Mississippi Delegates Head to Denver

Mississippi's 3 dozen or so delegates will play key roles at this year's Democratic Convention in Denver. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Ole Miss Students Attend National Convention

Today thousands of Democrats are coming together in Denver for their party’s national convention. MPB’s Jordan Witt has this story on two Mississippi students who are a part of this political process.

Jackson's controversial mayor Frank Melton, acknowledged his mistakes during the state of the city address Thursday. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Crime Lab/Medical Examiner Task Force

The State Crime lab is understaffed and operating in cramped quarters. Solving the problem is the focus of Attorney General Jim Hood's Crime Lab/Medical Examiner Task Force. MPB's Patty Davis has more.

Oxford Plans for Public Transit System

Capital City Roller Girls

This weekend one of the newest sports teams in Mississippi will try to hit and skate their way to victory in Texas. Jackson’s Capital City Roller Girls face the Dirt City Dames of Lubbock on the skating rink. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports on Jackson’s all-female roller derby team.

Mississippi gulf coast community leaders are mulling over strategies to improve the hurricane rebuilding process, after discussing the problems with President George W Bush yesterday. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

IHL Five Year Funding Plan

A five year funding plan for state Universities is in the final stages of development. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Mothers of Mississippi Fallen Soldiers Find Support in National Organization

Governor Haley Barbour’s tax study commission is close to making its final recommendations for altering Mississippi’s tax code. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Long Lines at DPS and Teen Drivers

The House Transportation Committee is taking a hard look at the efficiency of drivers license services and the safety of teen drivers. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Lower Legal Drinking Age

The public service commission is hearing testimony this week about statewide electric generation needs. As MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports, commissioners are looking to utility companies for more long term planning.

Random Drug Testing at Oxford High School

The Oxford School District is implementing its first drug testing policy. MPB’s Jordan Witt was at an informational meeting and has this report.

Hyperbaric Medicine

It's a form of medicine that's been around since the 1600's and best known for its ability to treat "the bends" in deep sea divers.  In today's Health News, MPB’s Karen Brown speaks with  Dr. Harriet Jones, about the latest uses for Hyperbaric Medicine.

*Dr. Harriet Jones is the Medical Director of The Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center at River Oaks.

Southaven Switches to Four Day Week

Southaven City employees are currently working four day weeks.  As MPB’s Jordan Witt reports, the new schedule change is not about saving money.

MSU Research Key to Future Biofuel Production

Mississippi State University could play an important role in meeting a federal requirement to use 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022. In the second part of MPB’s biofuels series, Stephen Koranda tells us how researchers are looking at everything from grass to shrimp.

House Ways and Means Committee members are hearing proposals for changes in the state tax structure. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

ACT Scores Improving

Mississippi Students are performing better on the standardized ACT. The class of 2008 continued a five year trend of improvement in the English section of the exam. MPB’s Jordan Witt has this story on what educators are doing to build upon their success.

Challenges Could Slow Biofuels

Building on the Arts

A new documentary airing this weekend on MPB television takes us behind the scenes of an arts organization.  MPB's Ron Brown has the story

The ever-changing status of a 90 million dollar Medicaid shortfall is creating headaches for some Mississippi hospitals. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Missing and Exploited Children

Recent reports show that about 17-hundred Mississippi children went missing last year. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how the quest to find our most vulnerable citizens is changing.

Peak Season for Mosquitoes to Bring New WNV Cases

Students and Volunteers Start Emmett Till Memorial Park

Students, staff and volunteers are working on an Emmett Till Memorial Park in Glendora not far from where his body was thrown into the river. Fifty-three years ago, the black teenager from Chicago came to visit his uncle in the Delta. A few days later he was dead, brutally murdered. MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports.

The Department of Public Safety is cracking down on impaired driving and beefing up patrols thru the Labor Day week end. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Teen Suicide

Around 40 Mississippians age 10-24 commit suicide every year. MPB'S Stephen Koranda reports on how schools are getting involved to try and prevent the third leading cause of death for adolescents.

Tupelo Teachers Establish Connections at Home

Elementary teachers in Tupelo are visiting students’ homes. The visits are a part of the district’s larger initiative to improve students’ connection with school. MPB’s Jordan Witt files this report on what the visits mean for teachers and parents.

Child Support collections in Mississippi topped 264 million dollars in fiscal year 2008. But, as MPB's Patty Davis reports, the Dept of Human Services Child Support Enforcement Division is doing more than collecting funds, to help custodial parents and their children.

USDA Lawsuit

Lawyers and Members of the National Black Farmers Association are touring the country, trying to get African-American farmers involved in a lawsuit that alleges discrimination by the USDA. Yesterday they held a meeting in Jackson. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Mississippi University for Women Name Change

One of Mississippi’s eight public universities is planning to change its name. Mississippi University for Women president Claudia Limbert announced yesterday. MPB’s Jordan Witt has this report on what’s in a name for MUW.

Candidates Ronnie Musgrove and Roger Wicker have been on the campaign trail in Northern Mississippi. U.S. Senator Wicker was in Senatobia last Friday. MPB’s Jordan Witt has this report on Wicker’s energy outlook for the country.

Simple Steps Can Stop Fraud

There are some simple steps Mississippians can take to try and protect themselves from the number one crime in America ...fraud.  MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Former governor and Democratic Senate candidate Ronnie Musgrove is on the campaign trail in Northeast Mississippi. MPB’s Jordan Witt was at the Lee County Courthouse when Musgrove arrived to meet and greet the people of Tupelo.

Privatizing Social Security

More than 550,000 Mississippians receive monthly payments through Socials Security. With serious funding issues facing the program it’s uncertain whether future generations will get the same benefits. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports on how local officials view one proposal to, privatize some, or all, of the program.

Mississippi’s American Masters

Mississippi is getting ready to begin an 18-month long celebration of four noted Mississippi artists. As MPB's Ron Brown tells us, a new traveling exhibition is unveiled today in Laurel to honor our American Masters.

With only three months until the presidential election, civil rights groups throughout the state are registering and educating new voters. 43 years ago this week the Voting Rights Act helped eliminate many barriers keeping African-Americans from going to the polls. But as MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports, civil rights groups would like to see more changes. 

Selling Stolen Metal

A new Mississippi law will make selling stolen copper and scrap metal more difficult. MPB’s Jordan Witt has more. 

Immunizations.  How Many, How Often

In part two of our look at immunizations, MPB’s Karen Brown asks Internist and Pediatrician, Dr. Jason Hicks, when the cycle of vaccinations is complete.

Mississippi is looking for a full-time medical examiner. The state, which has been without an examiner since 1995, previously utilized designated pathologists to perform its autopsies. MPB’s Jordan Witt has this report on what a new medical examiner means for Mississippi.

Agri-Bio Lab

Officials in Mississippi are hoping to convince the federal government to locate a 500-million dollar animal disease lab in the city of Flora. Yesterday Governor Haley Barbour and others talked with officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the USDA. MBP’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Hospitals throughout the state are preparing for a new Medicaid funding plan proposed by governor Haley Barbour, that could take effect as soon as September 1st. This follows the special session ending yesterday without an agreement on funding a 90 million dollar deficit in the Medicaid program. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Getting the Mail Out

The U.S. postal service will spend more than 2 billion dollars on fuel costs this year, an expense that’s affecting the way they do business.  MPB’s Jordan Witt reports, while neither snow nor rain stops the postal service, neither do high fuel costs.

Immunizations

In today's Health News, MPB’s Karen Brown asks, is there a connection between immunizations and autism?  She is joined by Dr. Jason Hicks, an internist and pediatrician practicing in Ridgeland.

Today legislators will be back at the capital to continue efforts to fund a 90 million dollar deficit facing the Medicaid program. Friday Governor Haley Barbour unveiled a proposal approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services that would increase hospital taxes to cover the shortfall. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Healthy Students

Mississippi K thru 12 students return to school this week, and they'll have new requirements for health and physical education. As MPB's Patty Davis reports, hundreds of school nurses met Friday in Jackson to gather resources and prepare for the year ahead.

Dick Scruggs Reports to Federal Prison

Disgraced Mississippi tort lawyer Dick Scruggs and his law partner Sidney Backstrom have to report to prison today for their role in the conspiracy to bribe a Mississippi Circuit Court judge. MPB’s Jordan Witt has more from Oxford.

Governor Barbour is expected to announce a new plan for cuts to the Medicaid program that will have less impact on the program and it's 600,000 recipients. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

School Districts Prepare for Challenging Year

School starts next week for many Mississippi students. But flat achievement scores, high drop out rates and critical funding issues are finding some educators searching for solutions. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Bass Great Jerry Jemmott

Jerry Jemmott was born in New York, but now resides in Mississippi. He spent decades making some of the most memorable records in history. In today's Arts Report, MPB's Ron Brown tells us, now, he wants to be remembered for something more.