Mississippi News

New rules are now in place to help speed up the claims process for thousands of Mississippians affected by the Gulf oil spill. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports the man in charge of the BP oil spill fund made the changes after numerous complaints.

The Choctaw have come a long way from abject poverty to tribal economic independence, but not all that glitters is gold. MPB’s Sandra Knispel continues our series on the journey of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians.

Students and faculty members from Mississippi's 15 community colleges are urging state lawmakers to increase funding for their schools. But as MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports, an early vote in the Senate keeps funding level from the current fiscal year.

To this day, the idea of a Native American medicine man conjures up vivid, exciting images in most of us. But to some Choctaw in Mississippi, combining Western medicine with a traditional approach is nothing unusual. MPB’s Sandra Knispel concludes our series on the journey of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians.

Segregation seems to fly in the face of every lesson learnt from Mississippi’s past. Still, for the Choctaw separate schooling has been key to maintaining tribal identity. MPB’s Sandra Knispel continues her series on the Mississippi Choctaw Journey.

Downtown Jackson could be the new home of a Mississippi Civil Right Museum. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports on the first of many votes about the future of the museum.

Mississippi lawmakers are questioning the process by which businesses are brought to the state.
MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that some are concerned that certain areas of the state are being excluded from development.

Legal and religious scholars debate the approach Mississippi should take to deal with the issue of illegal immigration. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports on recent panel discussion about ethics and immigration at the Mississippi College of Law in Jackson.

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus introduces a new initiative for this legislative session. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that the proposed program is intended to help students Mississippi's worst performing schools.

Since pre-historic times, Choctaws and other Native Americans have lived in what is now Mississippi. Once on the brink of extinction, Choctaw Indians are now once again thriving in the Magnolia state. What it took to get there is the focus of a four-part series that starts today. MPB’s Sandra Knispel takes us on the journey of the Mississippi Choctaws.

Egyptians living in Mississippi are still celebrating the resignation of Hosni Mubarak...and wondering if the revolution will spread to the rest of the region. MPB's Jeffrey Hess talks with Mississippi Muslims about revolution and the future of the Middle East.

The town of Ackerman in north Mississippi is still coming to grips with Tuesday’s deadly school bus accident that claimed three lives. MPB’s Sandra Knispel files this report from a town in mourning.

The Mississippi Senate has approved a bill extending a one-cent local sales tax for the city of Jackson until 2032, if city voters approve it. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that the money is intended to fix the capitol city's crumbling infrastructure.

Workers in the business of constructing roads and bridges across Mississippi warn that state budget cuts could mean fewer jobs in their industry. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that initial budget recommendations call for a 100-million dollar cut in transportation spending.

50 years ago, a group of civil rights activists were harassed, attacked, and throw into the jail for trying to desegregate the public bus system. Today, one of those freedom riders is sharing his harrowing story. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports.