Mississippi / Public News Service

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, Mississippi has the highest rates of food insecurity in the nation. (Katerina Holmes/Pexels)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

MS families face hardship as state rejects federal summer food aid again

Mississippi families struggling with food insecurity are bracing for another difficult summer after state officials declined millions in federal fundi…

In 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the U.S. Constitution generally permits states to strip people convicted of felonies of their right to vote. (Pexels)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

MS advocates fight on after Supreme Court upholds voting ban

Mississippi voting rights advocates said their fight is not over, even after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging the state's …

Provider organizations in the state, including the Mississippi State Medical Association and Mississippi Hospital Association, have been supporters of Medicaid expansion. (Pixabay)

Path to Medicaid expansion in MS remains uncertain

As Mississippi lawmakers move forward with a potential Medicaid expansion, advocates said the state cannot afford further delays while thousands …

The 2023 Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act (H.R. 4999/S. 2619), sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, was a revised version of the 2021 bill, which also failed to pass. (Pixabay)

EATS Act's future uncertain; advocates warn of continued threat to MS ag

The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act would have prevented states from enforcing their own agricultural regulations, but has failed to …

The Women's Foundation of the South focuses on tackling policies and programs that marginalize women of color and create barriers to opportunity. It provides multiyear general operating support and leadership development grants to empower organizations working toward equity. (Pixabay)

Southern nonprofit supports Mississippi organizations led by women of color

As many nonprofit organizations see a decrease in funding and donations, one charity is stepping up to ensure organizations run by women of color do …

The Victims of Crime Act of 1984 is a federal law helping people who have survived crime, through compensation and other services. (Pixabay)

MS gets $7M grant for supports to help crime victims heal

For crime survivors in Mississippi, the healing journey often begins with finding resources that can feel out of reach. A $7 million grant from the …

Jackson, Mississippi, was listed as America's murder capital two years running. (Pixabay)

Jackson’s office of violence prevention aims to revive communities, reduce crime

In Mississippi's capital, once dubbed "America's Deadliest City," a new initiative in Jackson seeks to turn the tide on violence through …

One-fifth of people in the United States live in areas that are classified as non-urban, according to Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. (Pixabay)

Medicaid cuts could devastate rural MS, where nearly half rely on coverage

Mississippi's rural communities, home to nearly half the state's population, depend heavily on Medicaid to ensure access to health care and maintain …

Gov. Tate Reeves's executive order requires artificial intelligence technologies to be carefully deployed in Mississippi, to mitigate potential risks and harms. (Adobe Stock)

AI leader praises MS governor’s push for responsible tech

Mississippi is embracing the future of artificial intelligence with Gov. Tate Reeves' executive order establishing a framework for its responsible …

A recent report from the U.S. Department of Justice reveals Mississippi has the highest incarceration rate in the US. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MS faces alarming racial disparities in life sentences

In Mississippi, where thousands of people are serving life sentences, the impact of long-term imprisonment falls disproportionately on Black …

Congress recently passed a one-year extension of the Farm Bill, allocating $20 billion for federal farm programs and an additional $10 billion in direct economic relief aimed at helping farmers. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Small farmers in Mississippi seek greater support amid rising costs

Small farmers across Mississippi are calling for more government support to help navigate rising costs and industry challenges. Robbie Pollard…

FBI crime statistics show Jackson has the highest rate of violent crime in Mississippi. (Adobe Stock)

Operation Good: Community-first approach to curbing violence in Jackson

In Jackson, where violent crime rates have historically been high, a local organization called Operation Good is taking a proactive, community-driven …

Mississippi Blood Services provides donated blood and blood products to Mississippians through donations of whole blood, platelets, plasma and other life-saving products. (Adobe Stock)

Mississippians urged to donate blood amid critical shortage

Holidays are traditionally a slow time for blood donations, but recent events have made the need for people to give blood and plasma in the Magnolia …

The U.S. Secret Service warns consumers never to respond

USPS warns Mississippians of 'smishing' scams targeting package recipients

Many Mississippians are still expecting holiday packages this week and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing…

Earlier this month, President Biden granted clemency to around 1,500 Americans, the largest single-day action in U.S. history, including sentence commutations for those successfully reintegrated after home confinement during COVID-19. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe)

Biden urged to take more immediate bold action on clemency

This week, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 people with federal death row convictions to life sentences without parole. Groups …

The Continuum of Care Rapid Re-Housing program offers temporary financial support for housing and case management to eligible unhoused Mississippians and families known as the Mississippi Balance of State.<br />(Tom Nast/Adobe Stock)

Mississippi group working in 71 counties to end homelessness in Mississippi

Cities and states, including Mississippi, are grappling with rising homelessness. In Mississippi, 982 people experience homelessness daily…

The piping plover nests in open, sandy areas near water and winters on coastal tidal flats and beaches<br />(Brian Lasenby/Adobe Stock)

Join the flock: Mississippi's Christmas Bird Count takes flight

Bird enthusiasts across Mississippi are actively participating in a long-standing science project. The Audubon Society is conducting its 125th …

The orange bag inside the Safe Haven Baby Boxes includes information on trafficking and Safe Haven registry resources. The mothers also have the option to send back identity, ethnicity and medical information for the child if they wish. (Save Haven Baby Boxes)

Expansion of Safe Haven Baby Boxes across Mississippi counties underway

Advocates said Mississippi is taking a big step toward infant safety with the expansion of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the state. Nationwide, more than …

More than 80% of jurisdictions impose conditions related to employment or vocational training, with 27 requiring it without exceptions. Many on probation face high unemployment rates and struggle to balance job expectations with mandatory meetings and programs. (rh2010/Adobe)

Standard probation conditions set Mississippians up for failure

A new report offers a detailed look at "standard" conditions for probation in Mississippi and nationwide, affecting nearly 3 million people. The …

Conventional farming methods often involve the use of herbicides and fungicides to suppress weeds and fungi. Tilling the soil, a common practice, disrupts vital fungal networks, creating a cycle of dependence on chemical inputs. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

Fungi help MS farmers unlock 'secrets' of healthy soil

By Grey Moran for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Mississippi News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public…

AARP Mississippi helped pass The Caregiver Act, making it one of the first states to implement such legislation, in 2015. (Malambo/peopleimages/Adobe Stock)

Mississippi group provides support, resources to family caregivers

The holidays can be both joyful and bittersweet for family members caring for loved ones. AARP Mississippi said it is working to help meet the …

Anita Krecic, 65, has been in prison since 1987 for the killing of a Mississippi highway patrolman by her then-boyfriend. Despite her exemplary record, parole boards have repeatedly denied her release, most recently in 2022, with another review set for 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Five Mississippi women serving 175 Years, with 47 parole denials

By Christopher Blackwell and Loretta Pierre for The Appeal.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Mississippi News Connection reporting for The Appea…

Mississippi Food Network distributes over 1.5 million pounds of food each month, reaching more than 150,000 people monthly, or about 1.8 million individuals annually. (ivlianna/Adobe Stock)

USDA funding boosts MS Food Network’s fresh produce distribution

Supported by federal funding, a nonprofit network is working to ensure Mississippi families have access to the food they will need this winter…

Diabetes significantly raises medical expenses for Americans, costing about 2.6 times more for those affected. (Studio Romantic/Adobe Stock)

Mississippians encouraged to prevent diabetes with healthier habits

November is National Diabetes Month and experts say with healthier habits, more Mississippians can reverse prediabetes and prevent Type 2 diabetes …

A University of California Berkeley report revealed early educators working only with infants and toddlers are paid about $8,000 less per year than those working exclusively with children age 3-5, not yet in kindergarten. (Mangpor2004/Adobe Stock)

Mississippi child care workers struggle with poverty wages

A new report showed child care workers across the nation, including in Mississippi, are struggling with poverty-level wages. The report revealed the …

In Mississippi, mail-in absentee ballots must have a Nov. 5 postmark and reach county circuit clerk's offices by Nov. 13. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

What Mississippi voters can expect on Election Day

A majority of Mississippians and across the nation said they are anxious about this year's presidential election, according to a recent poll…

Teacher, educator and administrator vacancies saw notable increases with 182 more teacher openings, nine additional K-12 licensed educator positions and 25 more administrative roles across Mississippi. (Rawpixel/Adobe)

Grow Your Own recruiting Gen Z to alleviate teacher shortage in Mississippi

As teacher shortages grip Mississippi classrooms, a nonprofit is recruiting Generation Z educators to teach, tutor, and lead schools. A survey by …

Many people who rely on 'Part D' coverage for essential medications like those used to treat diabetes, heart failure and cancer will likely pay less out-of-pocket for these drugs, starting in 2025. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Medicare open enrollment in MS requires some homework

Medicare open enrollment is underway and older adults in Mississippi are being encouraged to weigh their coverage options. More than 625,000 people …

In 15 states, 5% or more of the African American adult population is banned from voting because of a felony conviction. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Report: More than 68,000 Mississippians can’t vote due to felony convictions

In Mississippi, thousands of people will not be able to vote in the general elections due to a past felony conviction. Research by The Sentencing …

Experts said children from low-income households will likely face serious problems in achieving both in school and in life. (Adobe Stock)

Childhood poverty high in Mississippi, but experts know how to fix it

By Marianne Dhenin for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Mississippi News Connection reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News …

About 21% of Mississippi residents are Medicare beneficiaries, or about 625,000 people. That's higher than the national average of 19%. ((JLco/Julia Amaral/Adobe Stock)

Report: MS seniors to benefit from Medicare drug price cap

Mississippians on Medicare could see big savings next year, as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. More than 19,000 Mississippi residents will …

As of Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, Mississippi's Statewide Election Management System reported more than 38,000 absentee ballots requested for the November General Election. (Adobe Stock)

Experts analyze key issues uniting Mississippi's rural and urban voters

During this contentious election season, people may think rural and urban Mississippi voters are hopelessly divided but experts said it is largely a …

A report from the Brennan Center for Justice urges policymakers to invest in alternatives to cash bail and provide support for pretrial services, such as supervision programs, as well as increased access to mental health and substance abuse treatment. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Report makes case for eliminating cash bail system

A new report outlines how eliminating cash bail could affect people in Mississippi and beyond. The ACLU of Mississippi said 14 of 25 people in jail …

Health care professionals warn that untreated bouts of postpartum depression can lead to serious health consequences, both for the new parent and their child. (Adobe Stock)

Groups provide new treatment options for postpartum depression

More new babies are born in the fall than any other time of year, which also means some new mothers may be heading into winter with what is sometimes …

During the holiday seasons of Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022, the U.S. Postal Service handled record mail volumes with improved average delivery times, dropping from 2.7 to 2.5 days despite high volume. (Robert Latawiec/Adobe Stock)

MS part of National Day of Action to save the Postal Service

This is a National Day of Action for workers at the U.S. Postal Service. Mississippi postal workers are among those rallying to demand that Postal …

According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, 59% of small business owners said they would face negative consequences if the 20% Qualified Business Income deduction expires. (DimaBerlin/Adobe Stock)

MS small businesses look to Congress to keep tax break alive

Just as inflation starts to ease, Mississippi small businesses face another looming threat: the potential expiration of the small business deduction…

In 2022, about 70 million people received financial assistance from Social Security programs.<br />(Jetcityimage/Adobe Stock)

Stay vigilant: Mississippians urged to protect Social Security numbers

In Mississippi, the demand for Social Security cards is soaring, with thousands of Mississippians requesting appointments for new cards. While a …

At least 25 state prison systems and federal prisons offer copay waivers for chronic conditions and 13 states provide copay exemptions for pregnancy-related care. (photogeek/Adobe Stock)

Medical copays reduce health care access in MS prisons

Researchers have found that higher copays for health care obstruct access to receiving care behind bars, even as prison populations in Mississippi …

Operation Good works to improve life in Mississippi and recently held a community block party, inviting single moms and their kids to help to curb violence in Jackson. (Photo courtesy of Operation Good)

'Operation Good' collaborates with single moms to fight crime

A new initiative for single mothers and their sons is helping to combat crime and empower vulnerable community members in Jackson. The nonprofit …

Many Latinos consider the Mississippi River a vital part of their cultural identity. More than half of Latinos live within 10 miles of the river and a significant portion frequently visit nearby parks and trails for recreational activities. (EWY Media/Adobe Stock)

MS Latinos call for cleaner environment along Mississippi River

The latest survey of Latino voters in Mississippi and nine other states reveals overwhelming support for environmental initiatives, with 87% favoring …

In Mississippi, on a typical day 56 out of 100,000 youth nationwide are held in juvenile facilities, pre- and post-adjudication, with rates varying widely among other states. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MS youth incarceration snapshot reveals hope amid disparities

A new report shows the rate of juvenile crime continues to fall, but disparities remain in Mississippi and nationwide. The Sentencing Project report …

The Sentencing Project found Mississippi is one in four states where more than 10% of people serving life or virtual life sentences with a chance of parole were under 18 when they were convicted. (MemoryMan/Adobe)

Report: Mississippi has not made progress in youth sentencing reforms

Efforts to reform juvenile sentencing in the U.S. have made significant strides but a new report showed Mississippi is lagging behind. A study by …

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, low-income households participating in the Solar for All program can expect to save an average of around $400 a year on their electricity bills. (SpeedShutter/Adobe Stock)

Mississippi economy to benefit from $7 billion solar initiative

Mississippi is among 49 states to receive funding from the $7 billion Solar for All program. Part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the program aims …

The recipients of the USDA's Discrimination Financial Assistance Program include more than 23,000 individuals who have operated farms or ranches, receiving assistance up to $500,000. (JackF/Adobe Stock)<br />

Mississippi minority farmers to receive USDA discrimination payments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing direct payments to Mississippi minority farmers and ranchers who faced past discrimination and there …

A survey found half the residents at the Cherokee Forest Subdivision reported they consider themselves

MS Cherokee group: Industrial pollution threatens families

A rural Mississippi community is fighting to protect the health of some Cherokee residents threatened by industrial pollution. Barbara Weckesser…

By analyzing DNA from shark-bitten fish caught by charter boats, scientists determined that sandbar and bull sharks are the primary culprits behind these attacks. (Adobe)

MS anglers demand action as shark depredation challenges rise

Along the Gulf Coast, Mississippi anglers are concerned about sharks stealing their catch, or what's known as shark depredation. The resurgence of …

The Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable recently wrapped up its fourth

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Aiming to boost Black women's voter engagement in MS

As the November general election approaches, Mississippi groups are ramping up efforts to boost Black voter participation. The Magnolia State has a …

Pastor Wesley Bridges, CEO of Clergy for Prison Reform, with participants at a

MS conference to focus on redemption, 'second chances'

Formerly incarcerated Mississippians will share their stories about rebuilding their lives at the "Redemption Over Retribution" fall conference next m…

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