Jan. 18: Well-Being of MS Children

The Foundation for Child Development has developed a "Child Well-Being Index" to study each state individually. The study uses 25 indicators -- ranging from healthcare coverage to weekly religious activity -- to measure the quality of life for children across the United States. Ruby Takanishi, the foundation's president, explains that states that invest in children's health and education have the highest rankings. While Mississippi ranks last in terms of teen birthrate and childhoof obesity, the state measures up relatively well in numbers of young cigarette smokers and binge drinkers.

Most are aware of the risks of heart diease or diabetes, but are you aware of the dangers of thyroid disease? It is more common than you think. Dr. Christian Koch is the director of endocrinology at the University of Mississippi, and he speaks more about the gland's role and the risks and symptoms of thyroid disease.

One in five Mississippians use food stamps as a way to purchase their weekly groceries. The stamps are now officially called SNAP food benefits, and Daniel Cherry looks into who is using them and why.

Also, Thomas Broadus contributes clarification of today's website shutdown. Wikipedia, reddit.com, and other information sites are blacked out today in protest of SOPA and PIPA, pending legislation in the House and Senate.