May 2013 Archive

Mississippi is one of several sites to take part in the largest long-term study of children's health ever conducted in the United States. It kicked off yesterday in Hinds County and MPB's Daniel Cherry reports on how the program is going to be conducted. 

A group of educators from South Africa is in the Jackson metro area as part of an international project aimed at teaching economics. MPB’s Daniel Cherry takes a look at how they plan to use their lessons back home. 

A new senate redistricting map could see a vote on the floor of the Senate as soon as Wednesday. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that the new legislative redistricting map quickly passed a joint committee yesterday. 

Now that the Mississippi House has passed a redistricting plan, the redistricting focus moves to the Senate. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that plans from both chambers are now in the Senate. 

It’s been Fifty years since hundreds of people both black and white risked their lives to break down the barriers of segregation in interstate travel. When their bus arrived in Mississippi they were arrested and sent to Parchman prison. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how these brave "Freedom Riders" helped change the course of a state and nation. 

The Mississippi House could vote today on a newly redrawn district map based on 2010 census data. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that the new district map reflects population shifts over the last ten years.... 

Mississippi has some of the highest teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease rates in the nation. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how a new sex education bill making its way through the state legislature could impact the lives of thousands of teens throughout the state. 

Higher education could be seeing a new model for how it's funded in Mississippi. The legislature is deciding whether to allow an education committee to review different ways to allocate money among universities. MPB's Daniel Cherry reports on how the bill could make a big difference in the state. 

Democrats in Mississippi will not contest Republicans in elections for three statewide offices, and now the deadline to field candidates is passed. MPB's Daniel Cherry takes a look at what Democrats are facing in election season. 

Mississippi’s fishing and coastal tourist industries aren’t the only ones feeling the economic pinch of last year’s Oil Disaster. As money stops flowing into the businesses most directly impacted by the spill, economic hardship filters into some unexpected places. Eve Abrams reports. 

Studies show that only 22% of Mississippi 4th graders are reading at grade level or above. In response, the State Department of Education has set a goal to have all 3rd graders reading at grade level by 2012. MPB's Lawayne Childrey examines how one Jackson school is meeting the challenge and what it could mean for the future of our state 

Mississippi's economic and legislative leaders are expressing growing optimism about the future of the state's economy. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports the addition of new, high tech industries are driving the positive trend... 

Governor Haley Barbour was in Washington calling on the federal government to rethink its plans for Medicaid. Elizabeth Wynne Johnson explains. 

Oil from last year’s BP spill didn't actually stain Mississippi's mainland shores, but nearly a year later, the perception of it covering the state's beaches and animals is still impacting businesses along the Mississippi coast. Following a season of cancelled vacations and diminishing reservations, coastal businesses are still fighting a battle to change would-be tourists' perceptions. Eve Abrams reports. 

Political unrest in the Middle East continues to escalate as people in the area seek their own freedoms and democracy, but for some here in Mississippi it's a topic of conversation and concern. MPB's Daniel Cherry tells us more about what the revolutions overseas could mean for us at home