March 2009

The FDA is warning consumers to not purchase Mississippi oysters recently harvested from some of the largest reefs off the gulf coast. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports.

A convicted rapist and murderer who was to be released from jail remains behind bars for now. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Lawmakers are scrambling to come up with ways to patch a 500 million dollar budget shortfall brought on by fewer revenue dollars. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports what steps are being considered.

Over 100 Mississippi artists submitted their work to become part of the annual invitational art show. And a famous New York Art Critic will decide who makes the final cut. MPB’s Ron Brown tells us about a different kind of March Madness.

House conference committee members are considering a compromise offered by Senators to increase Mississippi's cigarette tax to 55 cents per pack.

Legislation to ease reporting requirements for non profits is making its way through the Mississippi Capitol. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Members of the Mississippi House and Senate will meet today to continue working to come to a compromise on increasing the state’s cigarette tax. Yesterday healthcare advocacy groups rallied at the capital, urging lawmakers to increase the tax to 1 dollar per pack. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Miss. Lawmakers are facing a midnight deadline tonight to pass appropriations and tax bills. Yesterday Senators debated funding k through 12 education for the next fiscal year. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Money from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has made its way to local communities. But as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports there is still much to learn about the plan and how to use it.