Business

In the 50 years since the freedom rides, Black Mississippians have gone from being banned from the state capitol to leading the nation in in the number of black legislators. Now the Mississippi Senate is honoring one of the first Freedom riders. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports on how the state has changed over the past 50 years. 

Japanese Americans living in Mississippi are closely watching the devastation unfold from Japans killer earthquake and tsunami. MPB's Lawayne Childrey spoke with two of those families and has this report. 

Mississippi could be coming out of the Recession more quickly than first thought. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that state budget writers have revised the state's spending plans slightly upward for this year and next. 

The rising cost of gasoline is taking a toll on Mississippi drivers. But as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports there are some things you can do to squeeze out some extra miles to the gallon. 

Law enforcement officers from around Mississippi are being honored for their work in helping to save lives on the states roadways. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports they credit their success to better seatbelt education and enforcement. 

Mississippi lawmakers are in the final few weeks of the 2011 legislative session and the question of how to appropriate the state's 5 billion dollar budget still remains unanswered. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports one of the main sticking points is expected to be the Mississippi Adequate Education Program which is the equity funding plan for K-12 schools. 

A group of educators from South Africa is in the Jackson metro area as part of an international project aimed at teaching economics. MPB’s Daniel Cherry takes a look at how they plan to use their lessons back home. 

Now that the Mississippi House has passed a redistricting plan, the redistricting focus moves to the Senate. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that plans from both chambers are now in the Senate. 

Mississippi’s fishing and coastal tourist industries aren’t the only ones feeling the economic pinch of last year’s Oil Disaster. As money stops flowing into the businesses most directly impacted by the spill, economic hardship filters into some unexpected places. Eve Abrams reports. 

Studies show that only 22% of Mississippi 4th graders are reading at grade level or above. In response, the State Department of Education has set a goal to have all 3rd graders reading at grade level by 2012. MPB's Lawayne Childrey examines how one Jackson school is meeting the challenge and what it could mean for the future of our state 

Mississippi's economic and legislative leaders are expressing growing optimism about the future of the state's economy. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports the addition of new, high tech industries are driving the positive trend... 

Governor Haley Barbour was in Washington calling on the federal government to rethink its plans for Medicaid. Elizabeth Wynne Johnson explains. 

Oil from last year’s BP spill didn't actually stain Mississippi's mainland shores, but nearly a year later, the perception of it covering the state's beaches and animals is still impacting businesses along the Mississippi coast. Following a season of cancelled vacations and diminishing reservations, coastal businesses are still fighting a battle to change would-be tourists' perceptions. Eve Abrams reports. 

Political unrest in the Middle East continues to escalate as people in the area seek their own freedoms and democracy, but for some here in Mississippi it's a topic of conversation and concern. MPB's Daniel Cherry tells us more about what the revolutions overseas could mean for us at home 

A group of Mississippi Christian leaders is asking the legislature not to approve and Arizona-style immigration law. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that Mississippi law makers could see an updated bill as soon as this week.