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Friday October 31, 2008 |
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Circuit Clerks Busy Prepping Voter Rolls |
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Mississippi voter rolls have soared near the two million mark. Now Circuit Clerks around the state are preparing to make the process as stress free as possible on election Tuesday. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Immigration Discussion at Ole Miss |
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Mississippi is not usually thought of as a major destination for illegal immigrants. Still, the arrest of nearly 600 suspected undocumented workers just two months ago in Laurel may have altered that perception. At the University of Mississippi's School of Law, a renowned author made his case against immigration Wednesday night. MPB's Sandra Knispel reports. |
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Mississippi Mass Choir |
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One of Mississippi’s most successful recording groups is celebrating their 20th anniversary. As MPB’s Ron Brown tells us, with 150 singers in the group, it was not a quiet occasion. |
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Thursday October 30, 2008 |
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Officials Acknowledge Problems with Mississippi Elections |
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With record turnout expected for Tuesday's Presidential election officials are discussing ways to curb fraud and ensure integrity. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Senate Housing Committee Traveling the State for Public Hearings |
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The newly formed housing committee is traveling the state holding public hearings to address concerns. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports, their first stop was in Gulfport. |
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Ronnie Musgrove on the Campaign Trail |
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In this second part of our series on the Senate race to replace Trent Lott, we're looking into the campaign of Democratic Former Governor Ronnie Musgrove. He's challenging Republican Roger Wicker, who was appointed to fill the senate seat after Lott resigned late last year. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports. |
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Wednesday October 29, 2008 |
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Older Voters Speak Out |
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With less than a week left until the election, candidates come together in Hattiesburg to address a specific type of voter, seniors. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Employers to See Small Increase in Contributions to PERS |
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The amount of money state employers pay into their employee retirement system will increase slightly starting July 1st of 09. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Roger Wicker on Campaign Trail |
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In the first of a two part series profiling the candidates running to fill Trent Lott’s remaining term in the Senate. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports on Republican Senator Roger Wicker’s attempt to hold on to that seat after nearly a year in that position. |
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Tuesday October 28, 2008 |
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AG Goes to Court For Entergy Records |
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The fight over 30 years of Entergy documents is in the hands of a Hinds County Chancery Judge. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Monday October 27, 2008 |
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Jobless Rates Up and Down |
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Mississippi's jobless rate has been up and down this year. It's a trend that has been mirrored in many other states. As MPB's Patty Davis reports, the numbers reflect the length of the lines at Job Centers across the state. |
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Port of Gulfport to Begin Major Expansion |
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A ceremony on the Coast announces the continuing relationship between the port of Gulfport and Chiquita, and the approval of the new 570 million dollar port expansion plan. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Knowledge to Get to College |
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The pathway to higher education for Mississippi students just got brighter through a new college preparation web site. MPB's lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Negative Ads in Senate Race |
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The race for one of Mississippi’s US Senate seats is dominated by negative ads. MPB contributor, Sara Sciammacco (sha-MAH-ko) has more on the tone of this race and how the ads are playing out. |
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Friday October 24, 2008 |
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Incumbent Republican Senatorial Candidate Cochran Discusses Economy |
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Incumbent Republican Senator Thad Cochran and his Democratic challenger, Erik Fleming, separately visited the University of Mississippi's Overby Center this week. On Wednesday, Cochran was the first to field questions from Clarion-Ledger columnist Sid Salter. MPB's Sandra Knispel has more. |
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Democratic Senatorial Candidate Fleming Discusses Economy |
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Incumbent Republican Senator Thad Cochran and his Democratic challenger, Erik Fleming, separately visited the University of Mississippi's Overby Center this week. Yesterday, Fleming answered questions from Clarion-Ledger columnist Sid Salter. MPB's Sandra Knispel reports. |
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Senate Finance Committee Hears Proposed Reduction in Sales Tax Exemptions |
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Lower sales taxes could be in the future for some Mississippi tax payers. That’s one of the recommendations from the governor’s tax study commission. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports. |
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Health Literacy |
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Studies show that nearly half the country's population has difficulty understanding and using health information. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports on a new program aimed at bringing clarity to the issue. |
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Thursday October 23, 2008 |
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Absentee Balloting |
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Absentee balloting and new voter questions have Circuit Clerks working overtime. MPB's Patty Davis reports. |
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Senate Housing Committee Visits Coast |
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Members of the newly created senate housing committee are holding public meetings throughout the state to discuss affordable housing. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Energy Summit |
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Falling gas prices may have taken energy costs off the minds of some Mississippians, but it’s still at the forefront for the state government. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports on how the legislature could push for more energy production and efficiency in the future. |
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West Nile and Other Mosquito Borne Illnesses Still a Threat |
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Despite cooler temperatures health officials remain concerned about the risks of mosquito borne diseases. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Wednesday October 22, 2008 |
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Biloxi Tries to Hold off Increased Flood Insurance Rates |
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National Flood Insurance Rates are going up across the country, and Biloxi is trying to delay those increases for as long as possible. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports. |
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One Man’s Trash is an ID Thief’s Treasure |
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Tossing a credit card offer, or putting your bills in your mailbox may all seem like ordinary tasks, but to an identity thief, these are opportunities to steal your good name. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports on the growing problem of identity theft. |
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Tuesday October 21, 2008 |
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MSU Interim President Resigns |
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The head of Mississippi State University has resigned and will retire at the end of the month after more than four decades of service. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Superintendent of Ed on Impact of Budget Cuts on Schools |
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Because of falling tax receipts in Mississippi, state agencies could be facing budget cuts this fiscal year. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports on how officials at the Department of Education are looking to reduce costs. |
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Mississippi's Casino Industry Losing Fast During Economic Slowdown |
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The slowdown in the national economy is catching up with casinos across the country, and Mississippi is no exception. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Monday October 20, 2008 |
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Impact of Economic Downturn on Mississippi’s Buying Power |
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The slumping economy and falling stock market may not affect Mississippi as much as some other states. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports. |
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Biloxi Gamming Revenue Down |
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Biloxi’s gaming revenue drops nearly 24 percent---what’s the impact on the city? The economic crisis is taking its toll on industries across the board, and casinos on the gulf coast are taking an especially hard hit. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Community Colleges Feel the Crunch of Economic Hard Times |
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In the wake of economic downturn, enrollment in Mississippi community and junior colleges is up more than eight percent compared to this time last year. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Friday October 17, 2008 |
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State Auditor Demands Repayment of State Funds |
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The interim president of Mississippi State University has complied with a civil demand to repay the state for the inappropriate use of state resources. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Financial Forecast for Workers and Business |
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What happens on wall street directly impacts what happens on Mississippi streets. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports what financial experts are advising and forecasting for this state. |
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Mississippi Tax Code |
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With state tax revenues falling, how the state collects taxes is more important than ever. To try to improve the system, lawmakers are looking at ways to update Mississippi’s tax code. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports. |
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Democratic Meet and Greet |
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Many Mississippians probably remember the statement, "its the economy stupid," and MPB's Jordan Witt has this story on how the political mantra is alive and well for Mississippi Democrats. |
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Thursday October 16, 2008 |
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Candidates Childers and Davis Meet to Discuss Issues |
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1st district congressional candidates met for a joint appearance at the Overby Center on the campus of The University of Mississippi to tackle the issues. MPB's Jordan Witt reports. |
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Uninsured Mississippians |
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Around 20 percent of Mississippians are without health insurance coverage, compared to 15 percent of people nationally. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports on how the high rates of uninsured hurts healthcare in rural areas of the state and ways to improve coverage. |
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Gulf LNG Terminal Under Construction at Port of Pascagoula |
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Construction has begun at a new billion dollar Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal on the Gulf Coast, putting Mississippi on the map as one of the nations energy leaders. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Wednesday October 15, 2008 |
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State Agencies Face Budget Cuts |
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Mississippi’s tight budget could be getting tighter for state agencies. Governor Haley Barbour is asking department heads to prepare for 2 percent funding cuts in the current fiscal year. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports. |
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Absentee Voting |
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With the general election just a few weeks away, circuit clerks in North Mississippi are once again dealing with the frustrations of invalid absentee ballots. MPB's Jordan Witt has the story. |
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HS Students Learning From Wall Street Woes |
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In a world of economic uncertainty, school districts across the state are focusing on financial literacy. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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SNAP Program Increases Food Stamp Efficiency |
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Mississippi’s Food Stamp Program has a new name, as well as some of the lowest error rates in the country. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Tuesday October 14, 2008 |
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Election Reform Review Panel Hears Voter Concerns |
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Mississippi could see the highest voter turnout in history next month, and officials are reviewing state voting laws and procedures, to ensure the democratic process is efficient and that it remains honest. MPB's Jordan Witt has this report. |
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Central Supreme Court Candidates |
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Three weeks before the election, Ethics takes center stage with Mississippi's Central District Supreme Court Candidates. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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First New Coast School Opens Since Katrina |
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It’s been three years exactly since school started back up after Katrina in Hancock County. Students from two schools, destroyed by that storm, now have a new place to learn. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Monday October 13, 2008 |
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Gulf Coast Casinos Feeling Financial Crisis |
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It’s been a hard couple of months for 11 casinos operating along the Gulf Coast. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Financial Crisis Reaches Middle Class Families |
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With global financial markets in turmoil, and many lenders in dire straights, families across America are feeling the trickle-down effect. MPB’s Sandra Knispel spoke to a middle-class family in Oxford that's suddenly fighting for economic survival. |
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Safe Schools |
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Members of the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition are hoping some simple steps could help make schools more accepting for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans gender students. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports. |
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Strobesity |
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Strobesity is a term that is currently being used by health care professionals to describe the correlation between stroke and obesity in Mississippi. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Friday October 10, 2008 |
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Panel Hears Election Fraud Concerns |
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A Judge overturned a primary election in Wilkinson County earlier this year due to a high chance of fraud. A panel of state officials are reviewing Mississippi’s election law with the hope that some reforms could prevent problems like this in the future. As MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports, panel members heard from voters last night in Natchez. |
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Economic Educators Discuss Economic Literacy |
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At a most opportune time economic educators are gathering on the Gulf Coast to discuss the importance of being economically literate. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Laptops Expand Learning in Holly Springs |
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Imagine a high school classroom where every student has a laptop and assignments are emailed. MPB?s Jordan Witt reports, on one North Mississippi school, where it's a reality. |
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M For Mississippi |
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A new documentary film about the delta blues is making it's debut in Clarksdale this weekend. As MPB's Arts reporter Ron Brown tells us, it's not a typical blues documentary, because it's not about the history of the blues, it's about the present. |
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Thursday October 9, 2008 |
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Public Employee Retirement Funds Plunge |
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With the stock market plummeting, retirement plans throughout the nation are taking a significant hit. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports on how the economy is affecting a retirement plan for hundreds of thousands of Mississippians. |
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Obesity Drops in Mississippi Students |
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Walking to school and eating healthy snacks are helping Mississippi school children beat the battle of the bulge. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Fire Deaths in Tate County |
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For years now Mississippi has ranked near the top in fire related deaths. Just this week three people died in Tate County in a mobile home fire, and MPB's Jordan Witt has this story on what educators and emergency management teams are doing to turn things around. |
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Harrison County Dealing With Overcrowded Jail |
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The Harrison County Jail is trying to figure out a way to deal with its overcrowded inmate population. So that state inmate work programs in that county can have finally have a chance to get underway. MPB's phoebe judge reports. |
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Wednesday October 8, 2008 |
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Mississippians React to Presidential Debate |
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Like others throughout the country, many Mississippians are mulling over the second presidential debate. Two MPB reporters talked with some local Democrats and Republicans to get their reaction. MPB’s Jordan Witt reports from Oxford and Stephen Koranda reports from Jackson. |
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PSC to Hold Utility Interest Hearing |
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Regulators say two of Mississippi's major electric utilities are charging excessive interest rates to customers. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Pascagoula Files Suit Over Oil Refinery Tax Revenue |
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The Pascagoula school district is filing suit against the state of Mississippi over the constitutionality of a law that requires it to share proceeds from a local Chevron oil refinery. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Flu Season |
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Flu season can peak as early as December and last through March. That's why the Mississippi State Department of Health is encouraging citizens to get get their flu shots now. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Tuesday October 7, 2008 |
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Supreme Court Southern Challengers |
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Experience and special interest advertising are on the minds of the southern district supreme court candidates. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Annex Case Goes to MS Supreme Court |
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A case before the Mississippi Supreme Court could eliminate a way to block cities from trying to annex land. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports. |
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Hancock County to Receive $200M Through Ground Zero Project |
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It’s hard to attract new residents when your city services are operating out of temporary trailers. One coastal county could see that change very soon. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Monday October 6, 2008 |
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Senate Debate |
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A hotly contested race to fill one of Mississippi's US Senate seats brought the candidates face to face for a debate in Jackson. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports. |
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Hancock County Hospital in Recovery Relationship with Indiana Hospital |
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A hospital in Hancock County is getting help from volunteers from another Hancock County, this one in Indiana. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports. |
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State Fair Tradition |
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The Mississippi State Fair has a 149 year old tradition of livestock competition . And as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports it continues to be one of the highlights. |
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Hunting Season Opens to Fewer Hunters |
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Bow hunting season is in full swing. MPB's Jordan Witt has this story on what hunters and state wildlife agencies are doing to keep the Mississippi past time going strong. |
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Six Hours, 500 Volunteers, One Beautiful Playground |
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It takes a village to build a playground in one day, and that's what happened in one North Gulfport community. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Friday October 3, 2008 |
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Gulf Coast residents react to the Vice-Presidential Debate |
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The verdict is in on the Vice-Presidential Debate. Gulf Coast residents give their assessments on how the candidates did. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports. |
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House Ready for Bail Out Bill #2? |
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Mississippi Democrat Gene Taylor opposed the House economic rescue bill, and says he will now cast a no vote on a new rescue bill headed to the chamber this morning. Sara Sciammacco reports from Washington. |
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Tuition Program Makes College Affordable for HS Seniors |
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The price of a college education just got cheaper for high school seniors in Chickasaw County. MPB's Jordan Witt has the story. |
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Voter Registration Push |
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From the classroom to the battlefield, students and soldiers are registering to vote and making sure it counts. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Blind Sculptor Remembers Blues Legends |
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In today's arts report, MPB's Ron Brown introduces us to a Como, Mississippi sculptor who is carving out her own unique artistic vision. |
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Thursday October 2, 2008 |
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Economic Recovery Passes Senate Without Mississippi Support |
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A massive economic recovery package sailed through the Senate last night with strong bipartisan support. But Mississippi’s Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran were not on board. Tanya Snyder reports from Washington. |
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Pay-Or-Play Trauma Care |
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Officials at the Mississippi Department of health are hoping a new system called pay-or-play will increase the availability of trauma care in the state and help save lives. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports. |
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Disaster Centers Open in Three Mississippi Counties |
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Disaster Recovery Centers have opened in three Mississippi counties hard hit by recent hurricanes. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports. |
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Privatized Student Housing |
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Housing officials from the states eight universities are getting ready to implement public private partnerships to build student housing. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Wednesday October 1, 2008 |
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Economic Uncertainty for Many Mississippians |
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With no bailout plan on the way yet, many Mississippians are wondering how Wall street will affect their Main Street. MPB’s Jordan Witt has this story.
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Is Your Money Safe |
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State legislators are looking into the health of Mississippi Banks. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports. |
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Gulf Coast Residents Sound Off on Insurance Issues |
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Last night Gulf Coast residents came together in Biloxi to let state officials hear their thoughts about the insurance situation on the coast. MPB's Phoebe Judge reports. |
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