Stephen Koranda

  • Digital Television Transition Will Be Complete This Week

    Wednesday, June 10, 2009
    listen

    The final transition to digital television will happen tomorrow. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

  • EPA to Test Air at Mississippi School

    Tuesday, June 09, 2009
    listen

    The Environmental Protection Agency and the Mississippi Department of Environmental quality will soon be teaming up to test for air pollution at a school in Enterprise, Mississippi. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Board of Education Kicks Off Search for New Superintendent

    Monday, June 08, 2009
    listen

    Mississippi Superintendent of Education Hank Bounds will likely soon be overseeing the state’s universities as the next Commissioner of Higher Education. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports This week the state school board is beginning the process of looking for his replacement.

  • Sun-N-Sand Hotel Could Go Under the Wrecking Ball

    Sunday, June 07, 2009
    listen

    Lawmakers continue to be unable to compromise and reach a solution on some of the big issues facing the state, including next year’s budget. Years ago, these types of negotiations could have taken place at a hotel near the capital: the Sun-N-Sand. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Federal Agency Finds Merit in Discrimination Claim

    Thursday, June 04, 2009
    listen

    A federal agency is requesting some changes at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, to combat allegations of racial discrimination in areas like hiring, testing and promotion. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Former Governor Gives Advice for Budget

    Tuesday, June 02, 2009
    listen

    The current recession isn’t the first time Mississippi lawmakers have faced tough economic times. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports on how state officials tackled another budget downturn in Mississippi’s history.

  • DPS Trying to Cut Costs, Keep Troopers on the Roads

    Monday, June 01, 2009
    listen

    State troopers are a common fixture on Mississippi's highways, and the Department of Public Safety is trying to find ways to keep it that way, even with declining state funds. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Budget Wrangling Costs Taxpayers

    Sunday, May 31, 2009
    listen

    Lawmakers work at the capital last week cost taxpayers around 100 thousand dollars, and there still isn’t an agreement on next fiscal year’s budget. MPB’s Stephen Koranda breaks down the costs of the political wrangling.

  • Budget Uncertainty Affects State Agencies

    Thursday, May 28, 2009
    listen

    Rocky budget negotiations at the Mississippi Capital leave State Agencies' funding in question, with only a month until the new fiscal year begins. MPB’s Stephen Koranda has more.

  • Budget Makes Slow Progress

    Wednesday, May 27, 2009
    listen

    Lawmakers have made some progress towards completing a budget, but not enough wrap up the session. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Lawmakers Accomplish Little as Session Resumes

    Tuesday, May 26, 2009
    listen

    After a two-week break, lawmakers returned to the Capital this week with the hopes of finalizing a budget in only a few days. After the first day back it looks like that’s a long shot. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Lawmakers Return to Capital Today

    Monday, May 25, 2009
    listen

    Mississippi lawmakers return to Jackson today to resume the legislative session... but it could be a short stay at the capital because of disagreements on the state budget. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Budget Talks Breakdown

    Sunday, May 24, 2009
    listen

    The state budget for next fiscal year is still in limbo, following a breakdown in negotiations. MPB’s Stephen Koranda has more.

  • Attracting Renewable Energy Jobs to MS

    Thursday, May 21, 2009
    listen

    Mississippi is looking to be on the cutting edge of the renewable energy industry. At a conference this week, industry insiders, lawmakers and others worked to find ways to bring renewable energy development to the state. MPB’s Stephen Koranda

  • Governor, Hospital Association At Odds Over Hospital Tax

    Thursday, May 21, 2009
    listen

    A 90 million dollar deficit in the Mississippi Medicaid program has some elected officials and the Mississippi Hospital Association butting heads over filling the hole. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Mississippi Could Play Big Role in Biomass Industry

    Wednesday, May 20, 2009
    listen

    The greening of the US economy and a new focus on renewable energy could have a big impact on Mississippi. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

  • State Troopers Hoping to Dodge Budget Cuts

    Tuesday, May 19, 2009
    listen

    A tight budget leaves legislators making some tough decisions about funding state agencies. One of those decisions could reduce the number of state troopers on Mississippi's highways. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Legislative Budget Stalemate Leaves Medicaid Future Uncertain

    Monday, May 18, 2009
    listen

    A budget stalemate at the Mississippi Capital means uncertainty over what could happen to the division of Medicaid. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Swine Flu Confirmed in MS

    Sunday, May 17, 2009
    listen

    Health officials are continuing increased monitoring and education about swine flu, following Mississippi’s first 3 confirmed cases. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports

  • Budget Negotiations Stall

    Thursday, May 14, 2009
    listen

    Budget negotiations in the Mississippi House and Senate have seemingly sputtered to a stop, and there isn’t much time to get the process restarted. MPB’s Stephen Koranda has more.