Thursday, Dec. 15 PERS Study

A commission is recommending a three-year freeze on the 3 percent cost-of-living adjustments paid to Mississippi government retirees.
It is also asking lawmakers to consider a long-term change in the pension rules for new hires of state and local government. The group suggests adding a defined-contribution component to the Mississippi Public Employee Retirement System. New employees would either manage part of their own investments for retirement or hire someone to manage the investments for them.
The suggestions are part of a report released Wednesday by a commission appointed by Republican Governor Haley Barbour.
Hear from Gov. Barbour and Commission Chairman, Gulfport Mayor George Schloegel.

Then, Scott Wallace is a reporter and photo-journalist whose work has placed him in some of the most dangerous environments in the world. In his new book, "The Unconquered," Wallace talks about trying to reach one of the last un-contacted peoples of the Amazon, and about being in the field now after such a long career.

Also, Several places along the Mississippi River experienced record floods this spring – floods worse than even those of 1927 and 1937. Vicksburg and Natchez were among the sites where record flood levels were recorded this year.
 
The Nature Conservancy is now working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other partners to study flood risk management along the Mississippi River. The organizations hope that the study will lead to better ways to protect citizens and the ecosystem in the event of another flood. Todd Stroll of the Nature Conservancy and Bret Walters of the Army Corps of Engineers were in Jackson yesterday, receiving a major corporate contribution that will cover much of the cost of the initial study. Stroll tells us why the Conservancy got involved.