December 2012 Archive

The Mississippi Salvation Army's Red Kettle program are coming up short this holiday season by about 10 to 15 percent. MPB's Daniel Cherry reports, time is running out for the charity to meet this year's goal for their most important fundraiser. 

"20 of our babies went to school last Friday and never came home at all, But left their blood instead upon those academic walls."

The Mississippi Department of Education sex ed committee made mistakes while reviewing programs. If scoring had been accurate, four programs that were approved for Mississippi schools would not have made the cut.

A recent court ruling means Mississippi Power Company's 2 point 8 billion dollar Kemper County power plant is one step closer to having legal approval. MPB's Daniel Cherry reports, a south Mississippi judge has denied a challenge of the project.

The Mississippi Department of Education sex ed committee made mistakes while reviewing programs. If scoring had been accurate, four programs that were approved for Mississippi schools would not have made the cut.

Dr. Lynn House lays out the MDE's plans for school reform in Mississippi.

75% of districts are teaching programs without a proven track record. Critics say authorities are handicapping sex education efforts. 

Mississippi clergy in Jackson are praying for schools in the state and across the country. MPB's Daniel Cherry reports, the pastors want to help residents cope with the recent Connecticut shooting.

"We regularly conduct drills and training exercises and all of our faculty have undergone online training and crisis management through FEMA. We have a number of  measures are planned to take place this next year as part of a grant for crisis management."

Some in Mississippi are calling for an end to the electoral college.

After coming up short of full funding repeatedly, some lawmakers are calling for a second look at the Mississippi Adequate Education Progam.

"It’s much harder for industry to locate in an area which doesn't meet the standard. And the reason is they have to a higher control and they have to offset the emissions from within the industry before they can locate in a county."

Mississippi's junior senator says the fiscal cliff could badly hurt the state's economy.

Republican heavyweights may be calling the shots on a new statewide school grading system.

State Senator Alice Harden,  the first black woman elected to the Mississippi Senate will be laid to rest today.