Mississippi / Public News Service

Mississippi rose from last to 21st in national reading scores since 2013, while serving one of America's highest-poverty student populations, marking the nation's fastest improvement on NAEP assessments. (Yan Krukau/Pexels)

Monday, April 21, 2025

MS literacy gains offer blueprint for education reform, experts say

Mississippi's decade-long focus on early literacy has transformed the state. According to the Mississippi Department of Education, the state's …

Technical violations accounted for nearly two-thirds of Mississippi's probation/parole revocations in 2023, according to a 2024 Mississippi Department of Corrections task force report. (Pixabay)

MS parole, probation system called 'booby trap' fueling reincarceration

Criminal-justice experts say Mississippi's parole and probation systems, designed as alternatives to incarceration, are instead functioning as …

With 22 million Americans lacking broadband access, according to the Federal Communications Commission, the Social Security Administration's reversal maintains a critical lifeline for seniors, particularly in states such as Mississippi, where 40% of rural households lack high-speed internet service. (Pixabay)

MS residents' outcry prompts Social Security Admin to reverse course on phone service cuts

The Social Security Administration has reversed its controversial plan to eliminate phone services for benefit claims, a move that would have forced …

Bumblebee colonies have annual life cycles, according to the ZYWang Lab at the University of Washington, where researchers study natural social behavior changes in aging bees. Current research examines how isolation affects these patterns, with implications for understanding solitary confinement's effects. (Pixabay/iira116)

New research exposes devastating effects of solitary confinement

Imagine being locked in a cell for 23 hours a day, under constant artificial light, with no human contact for months or even years. It is the reality …

In 2025, Mississippi's incarceration rate remains high, with more than 19,000 people incarcerated; a significant portion of them are Black, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. (Pixabay)

Mississippi urged to invest in jobs, not jails, to cut prison costs

As Mississippi grapples with one of the nation's highest incarceration rates, a new national campaign highlights the economic and social toll of …

Nearly one in eight Mississippi residents relies on the food assistance program, which faces $230 billion in proposed federal cuts. (Pixabay)

Proposed SNAP cuts would hit Mississippi especially hard

For nearly one in eight Mississippians, monthly SNAP benefits provide a critical lifeline, one now at risk as congressional Republicans propose $230 …

Mississippi's three-year recidivism rate reached 40% in 2023, according to state task force data - among the highest in the United States. (Pixabay)

MS aims to expand Fresh Start Act to cut recidivism

For thousands of Mississippians leaving prison each year, a single question looms large: Who will hire me? State lawmakers could remove some of the …

Mississippi wholesale eggs at $1.98 per dozen in March were 90% more expensive than in 2020, according to the USDA. (RENATOK/Pixabay)

MS egg prices stay high amid industry consolidation

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Mississippi News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, established by the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, provides free, confidential support to individuals in mental health crises. (Pixabay)

MS urged to reform mental health system to reduce jail overcrowding

As Mississippi grapples with a growing mental health crisis, state and local leaders are being urged to prioritize diversion programs and crisis care …

The U.S. Postal Service is a self-funded independent agency, delivering mail to nearly every address in the nation. (Adobe Stock) The U.S. Postal Service is a self-funded independent agency that delivers mail to nearly every address in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

MS postal workers set to rally against privatization on national day of action

Postal workers and supporters across Mississippi are preparing to join a National Day of Action on Thursday to oppose what they see as the growing thr…

Almost one-half million Americans are jailed each year while awaiting trial. Many are there because they cannot post a cash bond to guarantee their appearance in court. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Report: Incarceration rates rise in MS, U.S. despite efforts at reform

The incarceration rate for Americans is rising, according to a new report, and at the same time, the U.S. crime rate is falling to historic lows…

Farmers unions and other ag-related advocacy groups are urging Congress to get the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release all frozen funds immediately. (Adobe Stock)

Mid-South farmers grapple with uncertainty of USDA funding freeze, layoffs

Mississippi farmers face mounting uncertainty as a federal funding freeze and layoffs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have disrupted some of …

The Mississippi Legislature, where Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers, has been allowed to keep caucus meetings closed under a recent court ruling. Critics argued the decision undermines transparency in policymaking. (Adobe Stock)

Court rules MS Legislature not a 'public body,' allows closed-door meetings

A Mississippi judge has ruled the State Legislature is not a "public body" under the state's Open Meetings Act, a decision allowing lawmakers to hold …

MS groups fight to curb corporate control in agriculture

Advocates for family farms in Mississippi are sounding alarms about the increasing dominance of large corporations in the state's agricultural sector…

A 2023 study by the Pew Charitable Trusts found states with retirement savings programs for private-sector workers saw increased participation rates and higher savings balances among low- and moderate-income workers. (Adobe Stock)

MS workers face retirement gap as state considers savings plan

For many Mississippians, saving for retirement feels out of reach. Nearly 48% of private-sector workers in the state lack access to employer-…

In 2024, the Justice Department found conditions at three Mississippi Department of Corrections facilities - Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, South Mississippi Correctional Institution, and Wilkinson County Correctional Facility - violated the 8th and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. (Adobe Stock)

Faith leaders call out inhumane heat conditions in U.S. prisons

As spring approaches, faith leaders and advocates are raising alarms about inhumane heat conditions in U.S. prisons, especially in southern states …

President Joe Biden used the authority granted by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to withdraw specific offshore areas from oil and gas leasing. (wasi1370/Pixabay)

Trump administration sued over offshore drilling policy

A coalition has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration after it revoked protections for 625 million acres of federal waters…

Mississippi's prison system has been under federal investigation for unsafe conditions. A 2024 U.S. Department of Justice report found that

New research offers solutions to address violence in Mississippi prisons

As Mississippi grapples with chronic violence and unconstitutional conditions in its prisons, new research provides a roadmap for reducing harm and …

The USDA has a long history of refusing to process loans from Black farmers, and approving smaller loans compared to white farmers. (Brittany Bell Surratt)

Small MS family farms battle inequities, climate change

For generations, small family farms have worked to feed Mississippi communities but small-scale operations, particularly those run by Black farmers…

The Trump administration has halted all pending environmental litigation in the U.S. Department of Justice. (Pixabay)

Closure of EPA branch predicted to affect MS environment

The Trump administration has begun to dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency's office dealing with reducing environmental harms to minority and…

Experts say a lack of sunlight - a natural Vitamin D source and key to regulating sleep cycles - is a major culprit behind the winter blues. (Adobe Stock)

Chasing away the winter blues: MS experts offer mental health boosters

As winter lingers, many Mississippians struggle with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression linked to shorter days and reduced …

According to Save the Children, poverty in rural America impacts more than one in five children. In 39 states, rural children are more likely to grow up in poverty than non-rural kids.(masterstudio/Pixabay)

Mississippi communities find local solutions to rural education challenges

In rural Mississippi, where education disparities run deep, community leaders are stepping up to fill the gaps left by limited resources and …

Avian influenza is caused by the same type of virus that causes seasonal influenza in humans. <br />(Pexels)

MS farmers question federal poultry subsidies amid avian flu

By Grey Moran for Sentient.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Mississippi News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

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)

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)

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 …

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