June 2008

It's only one day until the start of the new fiscal year, a fiscal year where Medicaid in Mississippi will face a 90 million dollar deficit. Lawmakers still haven't come to a solution to fund the shortfall, which means Governor Haley Barbour may make cuts to the program. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, the House of Representatives has passed a bill to try and stop any cuts to Medicaid.

For thousands of years there has been a sure fire way to entertain kids, with no strings attached. MPB's Ron Brown tells us why children's puppet shows have survived.

A ruling by Lt. Governor Phil Bryant may make it impossible for the Senate to consider a cigarette tax increase during the special session. Some lawmakers have wanted to increase tobacco taxes to pay for a 90 million dollar deficit facing Medicaid. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Mississippi reports the 2nd highest number of domestic violence incidents in the nation. A statewide commission has now been formed at the request of the Attorney General, to study the laws and procedures related to domestic abuse. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Five reporters and one blogger filed court motions to gain access to the pre-sentencing letters written on behalf of defendants Dick and Zach Scruggs and their former law partner Sidney Backstrom in their judicial bribery case. MPB's Sandra Knispel was one of those six who spent the day sifting through nearly 450 letters at the federal courthouse in Oxford.

Insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea. What's keeping you up nights? In today's Health News, MPB's Karen Brown talks with Pulmonologist, Dr. Maria Rappai, about what can be done to get a good night's rest.

Rising gas and oil prices are putting the brakes on some state and county road projects. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Tens of thousands of Mississippians over the age of 65 rely on Medicaid for some or all of their healthcare services. With the possibility of more than 375 million dollars in cuts to the program, many of them are worried about the effects. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Hurricanes that affect Mississippi most often occur in July, August and September. One Gulf Coast city is using the month of June to intensify its preparedness training programs. MPB's Gary Michiels reports.