Stephen Koranda

  • Senate Finance Committee Hears Proposed Reduction in Sales Tax Exemptions

    Friday, October 24, 2008
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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.

  • Energy Summit

    Thursday, October 23, 2008
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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.

  • Superintendent of Ed on Impact of Budget Cuts on Schools

    Tuesday, October 21, 2008
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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.

  • Impact of Economic Downturn on Mississippi's Buying Power

    Monday, October 20, 2008
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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.

  • Mississippi Tax Code

    Friday, October 17, 2008
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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.

  • Uninsured Mississippians

    Thursday, October 16, 2008
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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.

  • State Agencies Face Budget Cuts

    Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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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.

  • Safe Schools

    Monday, October 13, 2008
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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.

  • Panel Hears Election Fraud Concerns

    Friday, October 10, 2008
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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.

  • Public Employee Retirement Funds Plunge

    Thursday, October 09, 2008
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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.

  • Mississippians React to Presidential Debate

    Wednesday, October 08, 2008
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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.

  • Annex Case Goes to MS Supreme Court

    Tuesday, October 07, 2008
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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.

  • Senate Debate

    Monday, October 06, 2008
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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.

  • Pay-Or-Play Trauma Care

    Thursday, October 02, 2008
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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.

  • Wall Street and the Magnolia State

    Tuesday, September 30, 2008
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    The financial problems on Wall Street have people all over the country concerned how they could be affected. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports the effects could touch many aspects of Mississippi's economy.

  • MS Democratic Freedom Party

    Thursday, September 25, 2008
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    The effects of 1964's Freedom Democrats are still being felt today, more than 40 years later. A panel discussion yesterday explored the group's impact on Mississippi and this year's presidential rate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama MPB's Steven Koranda reports.

  • Breaking the Educational Mold For African American Males

    Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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    Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning is adopting a program to battle some of the issues that keep African-American males out of college. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

  • Youth Vote

    Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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    The students who will be the leaders of tomorrow might not be having their opinions heard by politicians today. MPB's Steven Koranda reports from Oxford.

  • Student Debate

    Tuesday, September 23, 2008
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    In just three days, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama will bring their campaigns to Oxford for the first Presidential debate. But the Candidates aren't the only ones tackling the hard issues. Last night, Ole Miss students debated foreign Policy. MPB's Steven Koranda reports.

  • Health Department Looking for Funding Increase

    Friday, September 19, 2008
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    Officials at the Mississippi Department of Health are pushing for an increase in state funding of almost 10 million dollars. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.