Mississippi Edition Shows

When Governor Haley Barbour first suggested his idea to merge some of the state's public universities he created a virtual firestorm of controversy. He might have a surprising new ally...Jackson State University's Dr. Ronald Mason. Dr. Mason joins us to talk about stepping into the fray. Because Mississippi is a rural state, it often means access to health care presents more challenges to our more rural living residents. Today we focus on the importance of community health centers in helping the medically underserved and indigent.

What do prescription drugs like Xanax, Oxycontin, and Vicoden have in common with cocaine, crystal meth and heroin? They are all being abused by drug users. We’ll find out about new tactics to combat prescription drug abuse … and putting your best foot forward to stand out in a tight job market.

The cost of a higher education in Mississippi is likely to go higher. We'll speak with Dr. Hank Bounds, Commissioner of Higher Education about the money crunch. And today's Mississippi Edition movie review is a little different...we'll actually hear about this weekends Jewish Film Festival.

Kids Count is a state-by-state effort to track the status of children in this country. Today we talk about the status of children right here in Mississippi and brace yourselves, it’s not a pretty picture. MSU’s Riley Center has been chosen by the Kennedy Center for the Arts as the Mississippi location for “Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative.” Kennedy Center President, Michael Kaiser, will be in Meridian tomorrow. He talks with us today. And, we'll hear from one
Mississippian who has a role in the upcoming Olympics.

Haiti is in dire straits and in desperate need of help. Mississippi is stepping up. We’ll find out how and the Red Cross is just one organization responding. So can you. Today we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. We’ll find out about an organization working towards grassroots leadership in the African American community.

The water issues that have been plaguing Jackson all week have extended to other parts of the state. We'll get an update on the situation from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. This Monday we honor the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.. we'll speak with another civil rights leader...Ambassador Andrew Young about just how far we have come from the dark days of our past. And we'll find out about Mississippi Music-N-Motion...an organization
working to bring music education to the state's disadvantaged youth.

Women’s legal issues are top of the agenda…in fact, they’re the entire agenda in a seminar today sponsored by the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women. We’ll discuss. And it’s not only a new year, it’s a new decade. If you’d like to have a new you this year we’ll find out how to be healthier through better nutrition.

Mississippi has been the focal point of a reporter from Public Radio International of late...we speak with PRI's Jason Margolis about his findings on our business climate. Tupelo is the home of the Tupelo Automobile Museum...we'll find out about some of their rather unique offerings. And we'll wrap it up with a look at the new Morgan Freeman flick "Invictus".

You don’t need me to tell you it’s cold outside but you might appreciate some information on how to best protect yourself during these frigid days in Mississippi. Jim Pollard with American Medical Response will be our guest. We’ll find out about the work of the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s MIND center and its research into Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. And, a Jackson organization that works to meet the needs adults with disabilities.