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[
"-- Cartoon Marshall Ramsey"
] | 2021-01-27T23:28:50 | null | null | null |
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmarshall-ramsey-sekou-smith-1.json
|
en
| null |
Marshall Ramsey: Sekou Smith
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
I’ve done dozens obituary cartoons over the years but I can’t remember doing one that hurt this much to draw. The late NBA analyst Sekou Smith once worked at the Clarion Ledger and when he did, he sat a few desks away from me. It was fairly early in his career but it was very obvious that he had he the chops and personality to go to the very top — which he did. You knew when Sekou entered the room — there’d be laughter (he had a great laugh and smile) and jokes. He just filled the room. What you saw on television was who he was — he was a good friend, father, husband and son.
He was just a good guy. And with this drawing, I tried to capture how he lit up a room.
I kept in touch with Sekou through the magic of Facebook. He lived in the Atlanta area, near where my family lives. Earlier last year, we had planned on having lunch the next time I was in town. I wanted my son, who loves NBA basketball and broadcasting to meet Sekou. Unfortunately, the pandemic delayed and now has permanently ended those plans. One of the last conversations we had was about another former coworker who had died young because of cancer. He was stunned.
Just as I am by his passing.
COVID-19 took a bright star from us. And I’ll admit, his passing hit me kind of hard. Yes, we haven’t worked together for a long time and I haven’t seen him except on TV in a while. But in this time when we need more people like Sekou Smith, it just hurts to lose one of the very few that we have.
My prayers go out to his family. I know they are devastated like so many families are during this Godawful pandemic. The best I can offer for us to be a little more like Sekou. Laugh. Smile. Do your job well. Love. Care. And change the world.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/marshall-ramsey-sekou-smith-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/386f80916a3865df05b364e2f1fe27fd0f38ef9737aa8dff3f24ef0c0ee9b623.json
|
[
"I’ve done dozens obituary cartoons over the years but I can’t remember doing one that hurt this much to draw. The late NBA analyst Sekou Smith once worked at the Clarion Ledger and when he did, he sat a few desks away from me. It was fairly early in his career but it was very obvious that he had he the chops and personality to go to the very top — which he did. You knew when Sekou entered the room — there’d be laughter (he had a great laugh and smile) and jokes. He just filled the room. What you saw on television was who he was — he was a good friend, father, husband and son.\nHe was just a good guy. And with this drawing, I tried to capture how he lit up a room.\nI kept in touch with Sekou through the magic of Facebook. He lived in the Atlanta area, near where my family lives. Earlier last year, we had planned on having lunch the next time I was in town. I wanted my son, who loves NBA basketball and broadcasting to meet Sekou. Unfortunately, the pandemic delayed and now has permanently ended those plans. One of the last conversations we had was about another former coworker who had died young because of cancer. He was stunned.\nJust as I am by his passing.\nCOVID-19 took a bright star from us. And I’ll admit, his passing hit me kind of hard. Yes, we haven’t worked together for a long time and I haven’t seen him except on TV in a while. But in this time when we need more people like Sekou Smith, it just hurts to lose one of the very few that we have.\nMy prayers go out to his family. I know they are devastated like so many families are during this Godawful pandemic. The best I can offer for us to be a little more like Sekou. Laugh. Smile. Do your job well. Love. Care. And change the world.",
"Marshall Ramsey: Sekou Smith"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-01T11:31:42 | null | null |
2020 has been a rough year. We’ve all experienced loss, shut downs, a virus that has taken a toll on not only the nation as a whole but the city, towns and communities of Montgomery County. Here’s a look back at our top 10 stories we’ve written throughout the year.
#1 COVID-19
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Ffront-page-slideshow-news%2Fcovid-19-pandemic-leads-top-stories-2020.json
|
en
| null |
COVID-19 pandemic leads top stories of 2020
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
2020 has been a rough year. We’ve all experienced loss, shut downs, a virus that has taken a toll on not only the nation as a whole but the city, towns and communities of Montgomery County. Here’s a look back at our top 10 stories we’ve written throughout the year.
#1 COVID-19
The number one story of the year is the story that is still continuing to make headlines is COVID-19. On March 26, it was reported that the first four cases had been confirmed in Montgomery County. Almost nine months later, the county has over 900 cases and counting and 30 deaths with a pending outbreak in the county. The virus led to many mask mandate with the City of Winona and Town of Duck Hill both implementing orders. Montgomery County has been placed under several mask mandates by Gov. Tate Reeves with the most recent mandate expiring Jan. 15, 2021. We’ve seen schools close and reopen in a much different way, graduations pushed back and held in unconventional ways, and have seen many people step up to help those who were and are still in need. Life as many know it has become unconventional and it’s certainly safe to call 2020 an unconventional year altogether. Vaccinations are now being distributed in hopes that it would help people build an immunity up to the virus, containing it. Here’s to hoping 2021 brings with it a little bit of normalcy.
#2 Mississippi flag comes down, marijuana comes to state
Mississippi Flag Comes Down, Medical Marijuana comes to the state: One of this year’s biggest stories not only in our area, but across the entire state was the changing of the Mississippi State flag. The push to change the flag has been a battle for many for at least a decade or two. However, on Nov. 3, voters not only in Montgomery and Carroll Counties but all over Mississippi voted overwhelmingly to not only vote to change the flag but to pass an amendment allowing medical marijuana in the state.
#3 Curtis Flowers case
dismissed
In January, District Attorney Doug Evans recused himself from any future prosecutions of Curtis Flowers. Flowers has been tried six times for the murders of four people at Tardy Furniture Store on July 16, 1996. Flowers’ 2010 conviction for the 1996 murders of Bertha Tardy, 59; Carmen Rigby, 45; Robert Golden, 42, and Derrick “Bobo” Stewart, 16, was overturned this past June by the U.S. Supreme Court. The 2010 trial was Flowers’ six trial for the murders, with the first three convictions overturned by the Mississippi Supreme Court and trials four and five ending in mistrials when the jury could not come to a unanimous verdict on guilt or innocence. “I have personally prosecuted the defendant in all six of his prior trials,” Evans stated in his recusal to the court. “While I remain confident in both the investigation and jury verdicts in this matter, I have come to the conclusion that my continued involvement will prevent the families from obtaining justice and from the defendant being held responsible for his actions. It is for these reasons that I voluntarily recuse my office from further involvement in the prosecution in the above styled matter.” In September, Circuit Judge Joseph Loper, Jr., signed a petition submitted by Attorney General Lynn Fitch in the case with prejudice not seeking a seventh trial in the matter. The motion to dismiss stated that there were no key witnesses alive that would incriminate Flowers in the case and those that were alive, had conflicting statements and one was convicted on multiple counts of federal income tax fraud.
#4 Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District
Since its consolidation, the WMCSD has had three appointed members from the old Winona Separate School District and two elected from the Montgomery County School District, but only from District 1, which covers the Kilmichael area and District 2, which covers the Duck Hill area representing the old Kilmichael High and Duck Hill High before its consolidation. However, all that changed this year when the legislature voted on a bill authored by Senator Lydia Chassaniol making the board members elected from all five districts. Three new board members and two re-elected board members were elected in November, during the general election. Chase DeNoon, Jill White, Brandye Brannon, Katherine Ward-Hughes and Nora Dunn will begin serving on the board in January. Elected board members serve six years and are staggered.
#5 Easter storms
The Easter Storms of 2020 caused damage in Montgomery County as well as Carroll County, with more damage being seen in Carroll. A Carroll County woman died as a result of the storms after a tree fell on her home. “On Sunday [Easter Sunday] there were several calls that came into the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center of trees down following high winds. We had been working on the cleanup from the storm Easter Sunday and began preparing for a significant weather event for this past Sunday that could have been a lot worse.” said Carroll County Emergency Management/ Civil Defense Director Ken Strachan during a Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting.
#6 God’s House of Hope
God’s House of Hope of Kilmichael a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center opened its doors in February welcoming the public to tour and began taking residents on Feb. 24. Founders Amy and Nick Coyle and Jennifer Sprayberry purchased the former Montgomery County Elementary School taking it from a school with yellow walls depicting murals of the solar system, reading and math helps to a farmhouse, rustic style center where many will call home as they work to get their lives back on track. During the center’s grand opening ceremony, Coyle said there were times she didn’t think they would get to the point of opening its doors. Assistant Executive Director Rebecca Johnson said when they first arrived at the school, it looked like “At 3:30, the bell rang and they never came back. There were books, files, chairs, desk, everywhere. It was a mess,” Johnson said. “And Amy’s right, we thought we’d never get to this spot. People come and ask, ‘How’d you get all of this done?’ It was Jesus,” she said.
#7 Businesses coming, flourish
Even in the pandemic, there were several businesses that opened, took the opportunity to remodel. Stribling trucking opened its doors on…. According to Montgomery County Board President Ron Wood, the county is giving $604,660 to the Montgomery County Economic Development District to purchase the land from Margie Johnson to use for future industrial development. “We’ve got prospects now,” Wood said. The property is located on Sawyer Road, approximately a quarter mile north of the Crossroads Industrial Park, and it abuts the railroad. He said 100 acres is the minimum of what industrial prospects require for development.
#8 Schools closing, reopening
In March, when many students and teachers thought they were getting a week off to enjoy their Spring break, however; Gov. Tate Reeves announced before students and teachers were set to go back to finish up the last quarter of the year, that schools would be closed for the 2019-2020 school year.
#9 Summer standoff
This summer, the Winona Police Department along with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, the Starkville Police Department SWAT team arrested William Lee Barry, 47, of Winona after he surrendered to authorities after an hours-long standoff at a residence on Sterling Street in Winona. Barry was found hiding in the attic of the home. Assistant District Attorney Brandon Langford said Barry was wanted in Grenada County after he failed to appear for trial in February 2020. He is facing an indictment of burglary of a dwelling, attempted rape, and aggravated assault in connection with an incident that occurred in the City of Grenada on September 15, 2018. Barry’s wife, Jena Hoover of Winona was arrested and charged with “aiding and concealing” her husband, William Lee Barry, to evade arrest, which is a felony charge. Hoover’s case has been bound over to the action of the Montgomery County Grand Jury.
#10 Food distribution
During this pandemic, we’ve seen a lot of people step up and help their neighbors the best way they can. At the end of May, Blessings for all, Empowered by Faith held a food distribution were boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables were given out to residents in Carroll, Montgomery and Grenada counties along with the towns of Eupora and French Camp. The program that was only supposed to run a few weeks in June, ran for six months distributing fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products to those who were eligible. But, Blessings for All isn’t the only organization that gave. Winona Church of God and Mission Hope both gave food boxes to those who were in need. “To be able to assist and for God to direct me onto this path is mindblowing to me,” Woods said. Those who picked up were also able to ask for prayer. Blessings for all, the biggest food distribution program of the three, gave out over 20,000 boxes to families in need.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/front-page-slideshow-news/covid-19-pandemic-leads-top-stories-2020
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/e1b06bd70aeead7948954ac4baef9fb99d7538dd1aed700e583c8856168fe13d.json
|
[
"2020 has been a rough year. We’ve all experienced loss, shut downs, a virus that has taken a toll on not only the nation as a whole but the city, towns and communities of Montgomery County. Here’s a look back at our top 10 stories we’ve written throughout the year.\n#1 COVID-19\nThe number one story of the year is the story that is still continuing to make headlines is COVID-19. On March 26, it was reported that the first four cases had been confirmed in Montgomery County. Almost nine months later, the county has over 900 cases and counting and 30 deaths with a pending outbreak in the county. The virus led to many mask mandate with the City of Winona and Town of Duck Hill both implementing orders. Montgomery County has been placed under several mask mandates by Gov. Tate Reeves with the most recent mandate expiring Jan. 15, 2021. We’ve seen schools close and reopen in a much different way, graduations pushed back and held in unconventional ways, and have seen many people step up to help those who were and are still in need. Life as many know it has become unconventional and it’s certainly safe to call 2020 an unconventional year altogether. Vaccinations are now being distributed in hopes that it would help people build an immunity up to the virus, containing it. Here’s to hoping 2021 brings with it a little bit of normalcy.\n#2 Mississippi flag comes down, marijuana comes to state\nMississippi Flag Comes Down, Medical Marijuana comes to the state: One of this year’s biggest stories not only in our area, but across the entire state was the changing of the Mississippi State flag. The push to change the flag has been a battle for many for at least a decade or two. However, on Nov. 3, voters not only in Montgomery and Carroll Counties but all over Mississippi voted overwhelmingly to not only vote to change the flag but to pass an amendment allowing medical marijuana in the state.\n#3 Curtis Flowers case\ndismissed\nIn January, District Attorney Doug Evans recused himself from any future prosecutions of Curtis Flowers. Flowers has been tried six times for the murders of four people at Tardy Furniture Store on July 16, 1996. Flowers’ 2010 conviction for the 1996 murders of Bertha Tardy, 59; Carmen Rigby, 45; Robert Golden, 42, and Derrick “Bobo” Stewart, 16, was overturned this past June by the U.S. Supreme Court. The 2010 trial was Flowers’ six trial for the murders, with the first three convictions overturned by the Mississippi Supreme Court and trials four and five ending in mistrials when the jury could not come to a unanimous verdict on guilt or innocence. “I have personally prosecuted the defendant in all six of his prior trials,” Evans stated in his recusal to the court. “While I remain confident in both the investigation and jury verdicts in this matter, I have come to the conclusion that my continued involvement will prevent the families from obtaining justice and from the defendant being held responsible for his actions. It is for these reasons that I voluntarily recuse my office from further involvement in the prosecution in the above styled matter.” In September, Circuit Judge Joseph Loper, Jr., signed a petition submitted by Attorney General Lynn Fitch in the case with prejudice not seeking a seventh trial in the matter. The motion to dismiss stated that there were no key witnesses alive that would incriminate Flowers in the case and those that were alive, had conflicting statements and one was convicted on multiple counts of federal income tax fraud.\n#4 Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District\nSince its consolidation, the WMCSD has had three appointed members from the old Winona Separate School District and two elected from the Montgomery County School District, but only from District 1, which covers the Kilmichael area and District 2, which covers the Duck Hill area representing the old Kilmichael High and Duck Hill High before its consolidation. However, all that changed this year when the legislature voted on a bill authored by Senator Lydia Chassaniol making the board members elected from all five districts. Three new board members and two re-elected board members were elected in November, during the general election. Chase DeNoon, Jill White, Brandye Brannon, Katherine Ward-Hughes and Nora Dunn will begin serving on the board in January. Elected board members serve six years and are staggered.\n#5 Easter storms\nThe Easter Storms of 2020 caused damage in Montgomery County as well as Carroll County, with more damage being seen in Carroll. A Carroll County woman died as a result of the storms after a tree fell on her home. “On Sunday [Easter Sunday] there were several calls that came into the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center of trees down following high winds. We had been working on the cleanup from the storm Easter Sunday and began preparing for a significant weather event for this past Sunday that could have been a lot worse.” said Carroll County Emergency Management/ Civil Defense Director Ken Strachan during a Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting.\n#6 God’s House of Hope\nGod’s House of Hope of Kilmichael a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center opened its doors in February welcoming the public to tour and began taking residents on Feb. 24. Founders Amy and Nick Coyle and Jennifer Sprayberry purchased the former Montgomery County Elementary School taking it from a school with yellow walls depicting murals of the solar system, reading and math helps to a farmhouse, rustic style center where many will call home as they work to get their lives back on track. During the center’s grand opening ceremony, Coyle said there were times she didn’t think they would get to the point of opening its doors. Assistant Executive Director Rebecca Johnson said when they first arrived at the school, it looked like “At 3:30, the bell rang and they never came back. There were books, files, chairs, desk, everywhere. It was a mess,” Johnson said. “And Amy’s right, we thought we’d never get to this spot. People come and ask, ‘How’d you get all of this done?’ It was Jesus,” she said.\n#7 Businesses coming, flourish\nEven in the pandemic, there were several businesses that opened, took the opportunity to remodel. Stribling trucking opened its doors on…. According to Montgomery County Board President Ron Wood, the county is giving $604,660 to the Montgomery County Economic Development District to purchase the land from Margie Johnson to use for future industrial development. “We’ve got prospects now,” Wood said. The property is located on Sawyer Road, approximately a quarter mile north of the Crossroads Industrial Park, and it abuts the railroad. He said 100 acres is the minimum of what industrial prospects require for development.\n#8 Schools closing, reopening\nIn March, when many students and teachers thought they were getting a week off to enjoy their Spring break, however; Gov. Tate Reeves announced before students and teachers were set to go back to finish up the last quarter of the year, that schools would be closed for the 2019-2020 school year.\n#9 Summer standoff\nThis summer, the Winona Police Department along with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, the Starkville Police Department SWAT team arrested William Lee Barry, 47, of Winona after he surrendered to authorities after an hours-long standoff at a residence on Sterling Street in Winona. Barry was found hiding in the attic of the home. Assistant District Attorney Brandon Langford said Barry was wanted in Grenada County after he failed to appear for trial in February 2020. He is facing an indictment of burglary of a dwelling, attempted rape, and aggravated assault in connection with an incident that occurred in the City of Grenada on September 15, 2018. Barry’s wife, Jena Hoover of Winona was arrested and charged with “aiding and concealing” her husband, William Lee Barry, to evade arrest, which is a felony charge. Hoover’s case has been bound over to the action of the Montgomery County Grand Jury.\n#10 Food distribution\nDuring this pandemic, we’ve seen a lot of people step up and help their neighbors the best way they can. At the end of May, Blessings for all, Empowered by Faith held a food distribution were boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables were given out to residents in Carroll, Montgomery and Grenada counties along with the towns of Eupora and French Camp. The program that was only supposed to run a few weeks in June, ran for six months distributing fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products to those who were eligible. But, Blessings for All isn’t the only organization that gave. Winona Church of God and Mission Hope both gave food boxes to those who were in need. “To be able to assist and for God to direct me onto this path is mindblowing to me,” Woods said. Those who picked up were also able to ask for prayer. Blessings for all, the biggest food distribution program of the three, gave out over 20,000 boxes to families in need.",
"COVID-19 pandemic leads top stories of 2020",
"2020 has been a rough year. We’ve all experienced loss, shut downs, a virus that has taken a toll on not only the nation as a whole but the city, towns and communities of Montgomery County. Here’s a look back at our top 10 stories we’ve written throughout the year.\n#1 COVID-19"
] |
|
[
"-- Cartoon Marshall Ramsey"
] | 2021-01-11T22:51:16 | null | null |
The Final Days.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcartoons%2Fmarshall-ramsey-final-days-1.json
|
en
| null |
Marshall Ramsey: The Final Days
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
His name is Carson, he lives in Raymond, and he will officiate the national championship
When Hinds County resident Fulton Carson takes the field Monday night for college football’s… READ MORE
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/cartoons/marshall-ramsey-final-days-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/8788becf76551eb30758d19364e7115a0a2ec620a0df779805f9b3904150bccf.json
|
[
"His name is Carson, he lives in Raymond, and he will officiate the national championship\nWhen Hinds County resident Fulton Carson takes the field Monday night for college football’s… READ MORE",
"Marshall Ramsey: The Final Days",
"The Final Days."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T23:29:01 | null | null |
Editor’s note: Gov. Tate Reeves delivered his annual State of the State address on Jan. 26, 2021.
Afterwards, Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville provided the Mississippi Democratic legislative response.
Below is a transcript of his speech:
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fstate-state-mississippi-democratic-legislative-response-1.json
|
en
| null |
State of the State: Mississippi Democratic legislative response
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Editor’s note: Gov. Tate Reeves delivered his annual State of the State address on Jan. 26, 2021.
Afterwards, Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville provided the Mississippi Democratic legislative response.
Below is a transcript of his speech:
Good afternoon. My name is Derrick T. Simmons. It is my great honor to represent the Mississippi Delta in the Mississippi Senate and I am delighted to speak to you tonight.
The last twelve months have been a time of significant change in Mississippi and the world. It was this time last year that Americans first learned of a virus that was perplexing doctors and scientists in Asia. Little did we know that COVID-19 would come to effect every aspect of life the world over.
As we talk tonight, nearly 6,000 Mississippians have died because of COVID-19 and more than a quarter million Mississippians have contracted the virus in the past year. This human loss has reverberated through every corner of our society. We have lost beloved family members, community leaders, pastors, teachers, health care workers, and colleagues. If you are mourning the loss of an irreplaceable friend or praying for the recovery of one of the hundreds of Mississippians receiving treatment in our hospitals right now, you are not alone.
To our healthcare workers— those doctors, nurses, and staff who have applied every ounce of your creativity and determination in treating us, we thank you. With your work spaces filled to capacity and at a great personal risk, you have come in to work every day. We will never forget your commitment to our communities.
With vaccines making their way to Mississippi, there is light at the end of the tunnel. When Mississippians are vaccinated, we will turn the corner. Of course, demand is high and after a year of keeping our guards up, patience is running thin. But we’ve come too far to give up now. New vaccine appointments are opening up each week. To see if you are eligible to receive a vaccine and to schedule your appointment, check with the Mississippi Department of Health by calling 1-866-458-4948 or visiting msdh.ms.gov. The pandemic has also had a devastating impact on our work force, small businesses, and local governments. Tens of thousands of Mississippians have been laid off during the pandemic. These historic job losses have drained our state’s unemployment trust fund and left families struggling to buy groceries and other basic necessities. We must provide support to individuals who have found themselves out of work through no fault of their own.
We must also make sure that the hundreds of millions of dollars appropriated to small business relief finds its way to Mississippi’s main streets. If we are being honest, COVID small business dollars have moved too slowly and the Back to Business grant program has been embarrassingly inefficient. People struggling to keep their businesses open and take care of their employees need help now. Democrats in the legislature know that this economic crisis is real and stand ready to fight for additional aid.
Despite these enormous challenges, Mississippians have already begun to turn their eyes toward a brighter future. On Nov. 3, nearly 3 out of 4 Mississippians voted to adopt a new state flag that represents all Mississippians. This has been a dream of Democrats in the legislature since Civil Rights hero and former state representative Aaron Henry filed the first bill to change the state flag in 1988. Since that time, Democrats have filed hundreds of bills to give Mississippi a more unifying state symbol. Until 2020, none of those bills made it out of a legislative committee.
While there is plenty of credit to go around to Republicans, Democrats, business leaders, and national athletic associations, Mississippi Democrats know that this change would never have happened if Mississippi’s young people had not stood up to demand change. We are in debt to the teenagers and college students who organized for a new state flag. You have shown us that Mississippi is capable of doing hard and historic things and your creativity and courage in the face of enormous difficulty has inspired us all.
Mississippi’s young people know that while a new state flag is a powerful and necessary step toward the future, it is only a step. Mississippi must live into the promises it has made to provide a great education to all of its students and a competitive salary for all of its teachers. We are not there yet.
In the words of Mississippi’s “Education Governor” William Winter, “the road out of the poor house, runs past the school house.” We lost Governor Winter late last year but we remain committed to his work. Governor, Mississippi has still not completed construction of the road out of the poor house but Mississippi Democrats have their hard hats on and we’re going to keep following your road map.
If we are going to be a state worthy of our young people, we must also figure out a way to provide health coverage for our citizens. While the modern world has embraced healthcare innovations, Mississippi remains at the bottom in both health insurance coverage and health outcomes. The shortsighted politics of Mississippi Republicans have cost Mississippi billions of dollars and left our hospitals hanging on by a thread. If Governor Reeves will not expand Medicaid, it is past time for him and Republican leaders to come up with an alternative. Identity politics do not pay the hospital bills.
As we inch toward a more hopeful future, we must continue to look out for each other. This means being honest about our successes and our failures. Our politics have become corrosive. This is primarily the cause of politicians who would rather tell you what you want to hear than deal with harsh realities. As legislative Democrats we are recommitting ourselves to the truth. That means we will be honest when we get it wrong and we will make sure to show gratitude when Republicans get it right as they did on the flag vote this summer and the teacher pay raise last week. Because it is really not about us versus them. It is about all of us working together to find solutions to our biggest challenges.
Those of you listening tonight have a part to play as well. We can all look out for each other by continuing to wear a mask and looking for ways to help our most vulnerable neighbors. We can also seek out opportunities to develop relationships with people who are different than us. We have to break out of our information silos to ensure that we’re not simply surrounding ourselves with the information we like. If we commit ourselves to being better neighbors and commit ourselves to the truth, we will force our politicians to be better.
Thank you for listening and thank you for all you are doing to take care of your community. I pray for a better year for you, the people you love, and for this state we love.
-- Article credit to the staff of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/state-state-mississippi-democratic-legislative-response-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/438e04467f24b7a34e15185527875d187adf3166f8d9b2c67df00a66561f72a3.json
|
[
"Editor’s note: Gov. Tate Reeves delivered his annual State of the State address on Jan. 26, 2021.\nAfterwards, Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville provided the Mississippi Democratic legislative response.\nBelow is a transcript of his speech:\nGood afternoon. My name is Derrick T. Simmons. It is my great honor to represent the Mississippi Delta in the Mississippi Senate and I am delighted to speak to you tonight.\nThe last twelve months have been a time of significant change in Mississippi and the world. It was this time last year that Americans first learned of a virus that was perplexing doctors and scientists in Asia. Little did we know that COVID-19 would come to effect every aspect of life the world over.\nAs we talk tonight, nearly 6,000 Mississippians have died because of COVID-19 and more than a quarter million Mississippians have contracted the virus in the past year. This human loss has reverberated through every corner of our society. We have lost beloved family members, community leaders, pastors, teachers, health care workers, and colleagues. If you are mourning the loss of an irreplaceable friend or praying for the recovery of one of the hundreds of Mississippians receiving treatment in our hospitals right now, you are not alone.\nTo our healthcare workers— those doctors, nurses, and staff who have applied every ounce of your creativity and determination in treating us, we thank you. With your work spaces filled to capacity and at a great personal risk, you have come in to work every day. We will never forget your commitment to our communities.\nWith vaccines making their way to Mississippi, there is light at the end of the tunnel. When Mississippians are vaccinated, we will turn the corner. Of course, demand is high and after a year of keeping our guards up, patience is running thin. But we’ve come too far to give up now. New vaccine appointments are opening up each week. To see if you are eligible to receive a vaccine and to schedule your appointment, check with the Mississippi Department of Health by calling 1-866-458-4948 or visiting msdh.ms.gov. The pandemic has also had a devastating impact on our work force, small businesses, and local governments. Tens of thousands of Mississippians have been laid off during the pandemic. These historic job losses have drained our state’s unemployment trust fund and left families struggling to buy groceries and other basic necessities. We must provide support to individuals who have found themselves out of work through no fault of their own.\nWe must also make sure that the hundreds of millions of dollars appropriated to small business relief finds its way to Mississippi’s main streets. If we are being honest, COVID small business dollars have moved too slowly and the Back to Business grant program has been embarrassingly inefficient. People struggling to keep their businesses open and take care of their employees need help now. Democrats in the legislature know that this economic crisis is real and stand ready to fight for additional aid.\nDespite these enormous challenges, Mississippians have already begun to turn their eyes toward a brighter future. On Nov. 3, nearly 3 out of 4 Mississippians voted to adopt a new state flag that represents all Mississippians. This has been a dream of Democrats in the legislature since Civil Rights hero and former state representative Aaron Henry filed the first bill to change the state flag in 1988. Since that time, Democrats have filed hundreds of bills to give Mississippi a more unifying state symbol. Until 2020, none of those bills made it out of a legislative committee.\nWhile there is plenty of credit to go around to Republicans, Democrats, business leaders, and national athletic associations, Mississippi Democrats know that this change would never have happened if Mississippi’s young people had not stood up to demand change. We are in debt to the teenagers and college students who organized for a new state flag. You have shown us that Mississippi is capable of doing hard and historic things and your creativity and courage in the face of enormous difficulty has inspired us all.\nMississippi’s young people know that while a new state flag is a powerful and necessary step toward the future, it is only a step. Mississippi must live into the promises it has made to provide a great education to all of its students and a competitive salary for all of its teachers. We are not there yet.\nIn the words of Mississippi’s “Education Governor” William Winter, “the road out of the poor house, runs past the school house.” We lost Governor Winter late last year but we remain committed to his work. Governor, Mississippi has still not completed construction of the road out of the poor house but Mississippi Democrats have their hard hats on and we’re going to keep following your road map.\nIf we are going to be a state worthy of our young people, we must also figure out a way to provide health coverage for our citizens. While the modern world has embraced healthcare innovations, Mississippi remains at the bottom in both health insurance coverage and health outcomes. The shortsighted politics of Mississippi Republicans have cost Mississippi billions of dollars and left our hospitals hanging on by a thread. If Governor Reeves will not expand Medicaid, it is past time for him and Republican leaders to come up with an alternative. Identity politics do not pay the hospital bills.\nAs we inch toward a more hopeful future, we must continue to look out for each other. This means being honest about our successes and our failures. Our politics have become corrosive. This is primarily the cause of politicians who would rather tell you what you want to hear than deal with harsh realities. As legislative Democrats we are recommitting ourselves to the truth. That means we will be honest when we get it wrong and we will make sure to show gratitude when Republicans get it right as they did on the flag vote this summer and the teacher pay raise last week. Because it is really not about us versus them. It is about all of us working together to find solutions to our biggest challenges.\nThose of you listening tonight have a part to play as well. We can all look out for each other by continuing to wear a mask and looking for ways to help our most vulnerable neighbors. We can also seek out opportunities to develop relationships with people who are different than us. We have to break out of our information silos to ensure that we’re not simply surrounding ourselves with the information we like. If we commit ourselves to being better neighbors and commit ourselves to the truth, we will force our politicians to be better.\nThank you for listening and thank you for all you are doing to take care of your community. I pray for a better year for you, the people you love, and for this state we love.\n-- Article credit to the staff of Mississippi Today --",
"State of the State: Mississippi Democratic legislative response",
"Editor’s note: Gov. Tate Reeves delivered his annual State of the State address on Jan. 26, 2021.\nAfterwards, Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville provided the Mississippi Democratic legislative response.\nBelow is a transcript of his speech:"
] |
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[] | 2021-01-27T23:28:39 | null | null |
The sad specter of the COVID-19 pandemic hung over Tuesday’s State of the State speech from Gov. Tate Reeves.
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Fact check: Gov. Tate Reeves’ 2021 State of the State address
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www.winonatimes.com
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The sad specter of the COVID-19 pandemic hung over Tuesday’s State of the State speech from Gov. Tate Reeves.
The speech was held outside the Mississippi State Capitol before a limited crowd, including legislators and a few others. The event is normally held inside the House of Representatives chamber, where legislators and other state elected officials crowd elbow-to-elbow to hear the annual address.
Typically, governors use the State of the State address to announce ranging new policy initiatives. Reeves on Tuesday delivered a relatively short speech and avoided any new policy specifics.
The theme of Reeves’ speech was the state’s resiliency and the need to recover strongly.
“We have taken every hit that can be thrown,” Reeves said. “We’ve been tested by every force of nature, disease and human frailty. It is already a miracle that our state is still standing, but we are not simply standing. We are marching forward.”
Mississippi Today reporters listened to Reeves’ speech and fact-checked and contextualized key points the governor made.
EDUCATION
Reeves: “I support a teacher pay raise. I know the Senate has already passed the Lieutenant Governor’s plan, and I know that the Speaker and the House have always been supportive of raises for teachers. I’ll be eager to sign any raise that the legislature can send me. Our teachers have earned it. It’s the right way to invest.”
Fact check: Reeves has said before he would sign a pay raise bill if it crossed his desk. Though he campaigned in 2019 on a promise to provide Mississippi teachers with a $4,300 pay raise over four years, he did not advocate for or mention a raise in the budget recommendation he sent lawmakers in November 2020.
Senate Bill 2001 recently passed out of the Senate and now awaits action in the House. It would provide a $1,000 raise for most public school teachers, and a $1,110 raise for teachers with zero to three years experience with a bachelor’s degree, bringing their starting pay to $37,000. This is still below the Southeastern regional average of $38,420 and national average of $40,154. A study by the National Education Association of starting teacher salaries for 2018-2019 ranked Mississippi’s pay 46th among states. If it passes, the raise would cost taxpayers about $51 million a year.
Reeves: “That mission really begins years sooner, with a solid education. Mississippi has made incredible strides — number one in the nation in improvements.”
Fact check: It’s unclear what specific improvements the governor is referencing here. In 2019, Mississippi received high praise for being the only state in the country to improve reading scores on a nationally administered exam, but the coronavirus pandemic caused state testing to be cancelled in spring 2020, meaning last year there was no way for schools and districts to receive new accountability ratings which measure student performance.
COVID-19
Reeves: “Last weekend, we celebrated 100,000 vaccines delivered. That took us about six weeks. We’ve done another 100,000 vaccinations since then, and as we speak we are likely delivering our 200,000th vaccine! That’s because we refused to accept a slow pace – we went from the worst state in the country at the beginning of the process to operating at peak capacity.”
Fact check: As of Jan. 26, at least 175,417 Mississippians — about 6% of the state’s population – have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health’s database. On the same day, 18,012 Mississippians had received the second dose.
Officials have said more Mississippians have likely received the vaccine than is reflected in the database because of reporting lags. It is possible that Mississippi delivered its 200,000 dose on Tuesday, but it’s unlikely a 200,000th Mississippian received a first dose on Tuesday.
Reeves: “We have to defeat (COVID-19) because Mississippians are done. We’re done burying loved ones who were lost to this virus. We’re done with stressed hospitals. We’re done with the fearful talk of lockdowns and shutdowns.”
Fact check: Mississippi is on pace to set a record death total from COVID-19 in the month of January. As of Jan. 26, at least 948 Mississippians have died after contracting the virus in the month of January alone — by far the highest monthly death total since the pandemic began. The state’s total number of COVID-related deaths is 5,852.
On the day Reeves delivered the speech, the state reported 75 deaths — one of the highest single day totals on record.
ECONOMY AND JOBS
Reeves: “Despite the once in a century pandemic, Mississippi’s economy actually grew year over year. Think about that.”
Fact check: The governor apparently was referencing the fact that there was more capital investment in the state from businesses in 2020 than in 2019. Still, it is doubtful the state’s gross domestic product grew year over year. Final numbers for the state’s gross domestic product (total value of goods produced and services provided) have not been released by federal or state officials.
Projections from the state’s University Research Center was for the GDP to contract 4.3% year over year. But based on the numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Mississippi’s third quarter GDP growth was the 10th best in the nation at 39.5% — but still 2.6% below state’s GDP for the fourth quarter of 2019. Overall, though, the GDP bounced back strong nationally and in the state after a dismal second quarter when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit. In the second quarter, the nation’s economy contracted at a 31.7% rate compared to 20.9% for the state. For the most part, the more populous states had greater economic declines and greater jobs loss.
Mississippi lost a smaller percentage of its jobs during the year than did the nation as a whole.
But in the past four years, including 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state’s GDP has grown 0.4% compared to the national growth rate of 0.8%, and the state has actually lost a greater percentage of jobs than the nation as a whole.
Reeves: “We were the third-best state in the country for job recovery (in 2020).”
Fact check: The governor was citing an Empower Mississippi report, analyzing Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers for non-farm jobs from February through November of 2020.
Mississippi did appear to fare better than most in terms of jobs lost during this period of the pandemic, with the Magnolia State losing a little more than 28,000 jobs. According to a University of New Hampshire Carsey School of Public Policy analysis of BLS statistics for the period, Mississippi was tied with Alabama for third in terms of lowest percentage of loss of jobs for the period, at -2.4%. It also noted that Mississippi from October to November added 3,800 jobs. Alabama, which had lost nearly 50,000 jobs for the period, added 6,600 jobs from October to November.
According to a Mississippi Today analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Mississippi ranked third for the smallest percentage of jobs lost, just 1.4 percent, between December 2019 and December 2020. The state lost 16,400 jobs over the year.
Reeves: “Mississippi… had more tourism spending return than any other state in the country – we were number one!”
Fact check: Reeves’ office said he was citing a December report from the U.S. Travel Association. It shows that year-over-year, Mississippi’s percentage loss of weekly travel spending was in the teens — lower than other states – equaling about $30 million less a week spent by tourists here compared to last year.
But Mississippi’s tourism industry did take a hit in the pandemic. Fiscal year 2020, which began in July, saw about 20 million visitors spending $5.5 billion, compared to fiscal 2019 with nearly 25 million visitors spending $6.6 billion. From February through August, Mississippi saw a decline of 6.4% in leisure and hospitality jobs. But other states were hit far worse, including Hawaii, at nearly 53% and Louisiana at 20%.
Reeves: “… Mississippians don’t want welfare. They want to work.”
Fact check: Granted, Mississippians do want to work. But the state also is one of the poorest in the nation and one of the nation’s most dependent on federal spending and on “welfare programs.”
Mississippi is the fourth most dependent on total federal spending, according to the Tax Foundation, with 43.3% of its state revenue provided by the federal government. In addition, Mississippi has the fourth-highest number (14,825 per 100,000 population) of its residents on welfare programs such as Temporary Aid For Dependent Children, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs and others.
-- Article credit to the staff of Mississippi Today --
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https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/fact-check-gov-tate-reeves-2021-state-state-address-1
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en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/4ef23782d9514ce8931890629af4f1d51118c2b5112972498ac58362e3bc0245.json
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[
"The sad specter of the COVID-19 pandemic hung over Tuesday’s State of the State speech from Gov. Tate Reeves.\nThe speech was held outside the Mississippi State Capitol before a limited crowd, including legislators and a few others. The event is normally held inside the House of Representatives chamber, where legislators and other state elected officials crowd elbow-to-elbow to hear the annual address.\nTypically, governors use the State of the State address to announce ranging new policy initiatives. Reeves on Tuesday delivered a relatively short speech and avoided any new policy specifics.\nThe theme of Reeves’ speech was the state’s resiliency and the need to recover strongly.\n“We have taken every hit that can be thrown,” Reeves said. “We’ve been tested by every force of nature, disease and human frailty. It is already a miracle that our state is still standing, but we are not simply standing. We are marching forward.”\nMississippi Today reporters listened to Reeves’ speech and fact-checked and contextualized key points the governor made.\nEDUCATION\nReeves: “I support a teacher pay raise. I know the Senate has already passed the Lieutenant Governor’s plan, and I know that the Speaker and the House have always been supportive of raises for teachers. I’ll be eager to sign any raise that the legislature can send me. Our teachers have earned it. It’s the right way to invest.”\nFact check: Reeves has said before he would sign a pay raise bill if it crossed his desk. Though he campaigned in 2019 on a promise to provide Mississippi teachers with a $4,300 pay raise over four years, he did not advocate for or mention a raise in the budget recommendation he sent lawmakers in November 2020.\nSenate Bill 2001 recently passed out of the Senate and now awaits action in the House. It would provide a $1,000 raise for most public school teachers, and a $1,110 raise for teachers with zero to three years experience with a bachelor’s degree, bringing their starting pay to $37,000. This is still below the Southeastern regional average of $38,420 and national average of $40,154. A study by the National Education Association of starting teacher salaries for 2018-2019 ranked Mississippi’s pay 46th among states. If it passes, the raise would cost taxpayers about $51 million a year.\nReeves: “That mission really begins years sooner, with a solid education. Mississippi has made incredible strides — number one in the nation in improvements.”\nFact check: It’s unclear what specific improvements the governor is referencing here. In 2019, Mississippi received high praise for being the only state in the country to improve reading scores on a nationally administered exam, but the coronavirus pandemic caused state testing to be cancelled in spring 2020, meaning last year there was no way for schools and districts to receive new accountability ratings which measure student performance.\nCOVID-19\nReeves: “Last weekend, we celebrated 100,000 vaccines delivered. That took us about six weeks. We’ve done another 100,000 vaccinations since then, and as we speak we are likely delivering our 200,000th vaccine! That’s because we refused to accept a slow pace – we went from the worst state in the country at the beginning of the process to operating at peak capacity.”\nFact check: As of Jan. 26, at least 175,417 Mississippians — about 6% of the state’s population – have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health’s database. On the same day, 18,012 Mississippians had received the second dose.\nOfficials have said more Mississippians have likely received the vaccine than is reflected in the database because of reporting lags. It is possible that Mississippi delivered its 200,000 dose on Tuesday, but it’s unlikely a 200,000th Mississippian received a first dose on Tuesday.\nReeves: “We have to defeat (COVID-19) because Mississippians are done. We’re done burying loved ones who were lost to this virus. We’re done with stressed hospitals. We’re done with the fearful talk of lockdowns and shutdowns.”\nFact check: Mississippi is on pace to set a record death total from COVID-19 in the month of January. As of Jan. 26, at least 948 Mississippians have died after contracting the virus in the month of January alone — by far the highest monthly death total since the pandemic began. The state’s total number of COVID-related deaths is 5,852.\nOn the day Reeves delivered the speech, the state reported 75 deaths — one of the highest single day totals on record.\nECONOMY AND JOBS\nReeves: “Despite the once in a century pandemic, Mississippi’s economy actually grew year over year. Think about that.”\nFact check: The governor apparently was referencing the fact that there was more capital investment in the state from businesses in 2020 than in 2019. Still, it is doubtful the state’s gross domestic product grew year over year. Final numbers for the state’s gross domestic product (total value of goods produced and services provided) have not been released by federal or state officials.\nProjections from the state’s University Research Center was for the GDP to contract 4.3% year over year. But based on the numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Mississippi’s third quarter GDP growth was the 10th best in the nation at 39.5% — but still 2.6% below state’s GDP for the fourth quarter of 2019. Overall, though, the GDP bounced back strong nationally and in the state after a dismal second quarter when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit. In the second quarter, the nation’s economy contracted at a 31.7% rate compared to 20.9% for the state. For the most part, the more populous states had greater economic declines and greater jobs loss.\nMississippi lost a smaller percentage of its jobs during the year than did the nation as a whole.\nBut in the past four years, including 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state’s GDP has grown 0.4% compared to the national growth rate of 0.8%, and the state has actually lost a greater percentage of jobs than the nation as a whole.\nReeves: “We were the third-best state in the country for job recovery (in 2020).”\nFact check: The governor was citing an Empower Mississippi report, analyzing Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers for non-farm jobs from February through November of 2020.\nMississippi did appear to fare better than most in terms of jobs lost during this period of the pandemic, with the Magnolia State losing a little more than 28,000 jobs. According to a University of New Hampshire Carsey School of Public Policy analysis of BLS statistics for the period, Mississippi was tied with Alabama for third in terms of lowest percentage of loss of jobs for the period, at -2.4%. It also noted that Mississippi from October to November added 3,800 jobs. Alabama, which had lost nearly 50,000 jobs for the period, added 6,600 jobs from October to November.\nAccording to a Mississippi Today analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Mississippi ranked third for the smallest percentage of jobs lost, just 1.4 percent, between December 2019 and December 2020. The state lost 16,400 jobs over the year.\nReeves: “Mississippi… had more tourism spending return than any other state in the country – we were number one!”\nFact check: Reeves’ office said he was citing a December report from the U.S. Travel Association. It shows that year-over-year, Mississippi’s percentage loss of weekly travel spending was in the teens — lower than other states – equaling about $30 million less a week spent by tourists here compared to last year.\nBut Mississippi’s tourism industry did take a hit in the pandemic. Fiscal year 2020, which began in July, saw about 20 million visitors spending $5.5 billion, compared to fiscal 2019 with nearly 25 million visitors spending $6.6 billion. From February through August, Mississippi saw a decline of 6.4% in leisure and hospitality jobs. But other states were hit far worse, including Hawaii, at nearly 53% and Louisiana at 20%.\nReeves: “… Mississippians don’t want welfare. They want to work.”\nFact check: Granted, Mississippians do want to work. But the state also is one of the poorest in the nation and one of the nation’s most dependent on federal spending and on “welfare programs.”\nMississippi is the fourth most dependent on total federal spending, according to the Tax Foundation, with 43.3% of its state revenue provided by the federal government. In addition, Mississippi has the fourth-highest number (14,825 per 100,000 population) of its residents on welfare programs such as Temporary Aid For Dependent Children, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs and others.\n-- Article credit to the staff of Mississippi Today --",
"Fact check: Gov. Tate Reeves’ 2021 State of the State address",
"The sad specter of the COVID-19 pandemic hung over Tuesday’s State of the State speech from Gov. Tate Reeves."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-14T23:47:55 | null | null |
Mr. James L. Shirley, 80, of Winona passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020, at Vaiden Community Living Center in Vaiden. He was born on July 18, 1940, to John and Susie Parker Shirley.
A graveside service was held on Monday, December 28, at 3:00 pm at the Winona Garden of Memory cemetery with Rev. Chad Bowen officiating.
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James L. Shirley
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Mr. James L. Shirley, 80, of Winona passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020, at Vaiden Community Living Center in Vaiden. He was born on July 18, 1940, to John and Susie Parker Shirley.
A graveside service was held on Monday, December 28, at 3:00 pm at the Winona Garden of Memory cemetery with Rev. Chad Bowen officiating.
Mr. Shirley was retired from Screw Conveyor Corporation, where he worked as the Production Control Planner. He was a member of Moore Memorial United Methodist Church in Winona. He was also a member of the M. L. Branch Sunday school class and he served as the Chairman of Administrative Board for Friends of Immanuel Church for several years.
Mr. Shirley is survived by one brother, Otis "Buster" Shirley of Vidor, TX. He was preceded in death by is wife Dorothy
Jeanette Pullen Shirley; his parents; and his brothers, Howard Shirley, Hoyt Shirley, Ocie "Peter" Shirley, and Gene Shirley.
Serving as pallbearers were Jeff Wilson, Barry Eskridge, Jerry Shirley, Jim Manuel, Jon Eskirdge, and Andrew Wilson.
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona (www.ofhwinona.com) handled the arrangements.
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https://www.winonatimes.com/obituaries/james-l-shirley
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| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/de7adfe3f75717d0d0c41be597bf5b607029e882c070b8cdc3b12f5aa864ecaf.json
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[
"Mr. James L. Shirley, 80, of Winona passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020, at Vaiden Community Living Center in Vaiden. He was born on July 18, 1940, to John and Susie Parker Shirley.\nA graveside service was held on Monday, December 28, at 3:00 pm at the Winona Garden of Memory cemetery with Rev. Chad Bowen officiating.\nMr. Shirley was retired from Screw Conveyor Corporation, where he worked as the Production Control Planner. He was a member of Moore Memorial United Methodist Church in Winona. He was also a member of the M. L. Branch Sunday school class and he served as the Chairman of Administrative Board for Friends of Immanuel Church for several years.\nMr. Shirley is survived by one brother, Otis \"Buster\" Shirley of Vidor, TX. He was preceded in death by is wife Dorothy\nJeanette Pullen Shirley; his parents; and his brothers, Howard Shirley, Hoyt Shirley, Ocie \"Peter\" Shirley, and Gene Shirley.\nServing as pallbearers were Jeff Wilson, Barry Eskridge, Jerry Shirley, Jim Manuel, Jon Eskirdge, and Andrew Wilson.\nOliver Funeral Home of Winona (www.ofhwinona.com) handled the arrangements.",
"James L. Shirley",
"Mr. James L. Shirley, 80, of Winona passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020, at Vaiden Community Living Center in Vaiden. He was born on July 18, 1940, to John and Susie Parker Shirley.\nA graveside service was held on Monday, December 28, at 3:00 pm at the Winona Garden of Memory cemetery with Rev. Chad Bowen officiating."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-26T13:05:24 | null | null |
As Mississippi legislators grapple with how much and whether they can afford to provide a pay raise to teachers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, what occurred in 2000 might be of interest.
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Lawmakers could take lessons from the historic teacher pay raise of 2000
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As Mississippi legislators grapple with how much and whether they can afford to provide a pay raise to teachers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, what occurred in 2000 might be of interest.
Lawmakers that year passed the state’s largest teacher pay increase: a $337 million proposal that was enacted over a six-year period. That pay raise is equivalent to $523.9 million in today’s dollars.
There are some similarities between what happened then and what is going on now.
In the 1999 gubernatorial election, then-Lt. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove campaigned on moving the pay for Mississippi teachers to the Southeastern average. During the 2019 gubernatorial election, both candidates — Democrat Jim Hood and Republican Tate Reeves — promised large pay raises for teachers.
About a month before the November 2019 general election, Reeves, the eventual winner, proposed raising teacher pay $4,300 over a four-year period, costing, he said at the time, a total of $225 million — far less than the 2000 plan, but still a lofty goal.
In 2000, like now, there were events beyond the control of Mississippi’s politicians making it difficult for them to commit to spending such a large amount of money.
Currently, of course, that event is the COVID-19 pandemic. The pay raise that was planned for the year after the 2019 election was scrapped at the onset of the pandemic because of fears over how the coronavirus would impact the Mississippi economy and revenue collections for state government. Legislators are considering a pay raise again this session.
But there also were economic headwinds in 2000. Granted, there was no event nearly as significant or deadly as the pandemic, but there was a sizable recession that might have impacted Mississippi more than any other state. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the exodus of low paying jobs from America to other countries reached a crescendo. Mississippi had more of those jobs per capita than any state in the nation.
The Mississippi economy tanked. Fiscal year 2001 was the first in the state’s modern history where revenue collections were less for that year than the previous year.
At least in part because of the bad economy, legislative leaders in 2000 said the state could not afford a teacher pay raise — especially such a large one. Despite that headwind, Musgrove continued to lobby for the pay raise, though it looked that with both House Speaker Tim Ford and Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck being in opposition, his primary campaign promise would go unfulfilled.
But then some good, old-fashioned legislative distrust raised its head helping to build momentum. When asked about the pay raise one day, then influential House Ways and Means Chair Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, said, “To quote Snuffy Smith, time’s a wastin’.” McCoy’s comments were printed over that weekend as being supportive of passing the raise that session.
On that Monday, Senate leaders, knowing McCoy was one of Ford’s key allies, feared that their House counterparts were poised to announce a plan for a pay raise. The Senate leaders, not wanting to be viewed as the only obstacle to the pay raise, called a hastily organized news conference to announce a pay raise plan of their own.
That plan, proposed by Lt. Gov. Tuck, was the one that finally passed. But the numbers were similar enough to what Musgrove had proposed that everyone could claim victory.
As a sidenote, the Senate plan had language saying the salary increase would not go into effect any year where revenue collections did not grow by at least 5%.
While Musgrove opposed the revenue trigger, he feared that fighting it might result in the death of the legislation. Instead, he signed the legislation and later that summer called a special session where he was successful in convincing legislators to remove the trigger.
Musgrove, though, was not serving as governor when most of the pay raise went into effect. Because of the state’s dire economic situation, the pay raise was backloaded with the bulk of it going into effect in the last years of the multi-year commitment.
By that time, Musgrove had lost re-election to Haley Barbour. While revenue collections continued to be tepid when Barbour took office, he never tried to pass legislation that would allow the state to back out of the commitment to teachers, though the pay raise placed a tremendous strain on the state budget.
The point is that there were politicians of both parties at the time who believed it was a commitment worth keeping.
But by the time the pay raise was fully enacted, other states had also increased the salaries for teachers, meaning that Southeastern average still was not reached. Still, the record pay raise put Mississippi teachers closer to that elusive Southeastern average.
-- Article credit to Bobby Harrison of Mississippi Today --
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| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
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[
"As Mississippi legislators grapple with how much and whether they can afford to provide a pay raise to teachers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, what occurred in 2000 might be of interest.\nLawmakers that year passed the state’s largest teacher pay increase: a $337 million proposal that was enacted over a six-year period. That pay raise is equivalent to $523.9 million in today’s dollars.\nThere are some similarities between what happened then and what is going on now.\nIn the 1999 gubernatorial election, then-Lt. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove campaigned on moving the pay for Mississippi teachers to the Southeastern average. During the 2019 gubernatorial election, both candidates — Democrat Jim Hood and Republican Tate Reeves — promised large pay raises for teachers.\nAbout a month before the November 2019 general election, Reeves, the eventual winner, proposed raising teacher pay $4,300 over a four-year period, costing, he said at the time, a total of $225 million — far less than the 2000 plan, but still a lofty goal.\nIn 2000, like now, there were events beyond the control of Mississippi’s politicians making it difficult for them to commit to spending such a large amount of money.\nCurrently, of course, that event is the COVID-19 pandemic. The pay raise that was planned for the year after the 2019 election was scrapped at the onset of the pandemic because of fears over how the coronavirus would impact the Mississippi economy and revenue collections for state government. Legislators are considering a pay raise again this session.\nBut there also were economic headwinds in 2000. Granted, there was no event nearly as significant or deadly as the pandemic, but there was a sizable recession that might have impacted Mississippi more than any other state. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the exodus of low paying jobs from America to other countries reached a crescendo. Mississippi had more of those jobs per capita than any state in the nation.\nThe Mississippi economy tanked. Fiscal year 2001 was the first in the state’s modern history where revenue collections were less for that year than the previous year.\nAt least in part because of the bad economy, legislative leaders in 2000 said the state could not afford a teacher pay raise — especially such a large one. Despite that headwind, Musgrove continued to lobby for the pay raise, though it looked that with both House Speaker Tim Ford and Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck being in opposition, his primary campaign promise would go unfulfilled.\nBut then some good, old-fashioned legislative distrust raised its head helping to build momentum. When asked about the pay raise one day, then influential House Ways and Means Chair Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, said, “To quote Snuffy Smith, time’s a wastin’.” McCoy’s comments were printed over that weekend as being supportive of passing the raise that session.\nOn that Monday, Senate leaders, knowing McCoy was one of Ford’s key allies, feared that their House counterparts were poised to announce a plan for a pay raise. The Senate leaders, not wanting to be viewed as the only obstacle to the pay raise, called a hastily organized news conference to announce a pay raise plan of their own.\nThat plan, proposed by Lt. Gov. Tuck, was the one that finally passed. But the numbers were similar enough to what Musgrove had proposed that everyone could claim victory.\nAs a sidenote, the Senate plan had language saying the salary increase would not go into effect any year where revenue collections did not grow by at least 5%.\nWhile Musgrove opposed the revenue trigger, he feared that fighting it might result in the death of the legislation. Instead, he signed the legislation and later that summer called a special session where he was successful in convincing legislators to remove the trigger.\nMusgrove, though, was not serving as governor when most of the pay raise went into effect. Because of the state’s dire economic situation, the pay raise was backloaded with the bulk of it going into effect in the last years of the multi-year commitment.\nBy that time, Musgrove had lost re-election to Haley Barbour. While revenue collections continued to be tepid when Barbour took office, he never tried to pass legislation that would allow the state to back out of the commitment to teachers, though the pay raise placed a tremendous strain on the state budget.\nThe point is that there were politicians of both parties at the time who believed it was a commitment worth keeping.\nBut by the time the pay raise was fully enacted, other states had also increased the salaries for teachers, meaning that Southeastern average still was not reached. Still, the record pay raise put Mississippi teachers closer to that elusive Southeastern average.\n-- Article credit to Bobby Harrison of Mississippi Today --",
"Lawmakers could take lessons from the historic teacher pay raise of 2000",
"As Mississippi legislators grapple with how much and whether they can afford to provide a pay raise to teachers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, what occurred in 2000 might be of interest."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-08T03:45:34 | null | null |
Happy New Year!!
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcarrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow-front-page-slideshow-news%2Fcold-weather-cause-comfort.json
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en
| null |
Cold weather cause for comfort
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Happy New Year!!
With the cold weather, I thought I'd share some easy supper recipes. Warm, delicious comfort food. I remember when we were children, my Momma cooked a good supper every night. We would talk about our days, and enjoy being together. Looking back, those memories are a cherished part of my childhood.
I hope you enjoy these recipes.
Have a wonderful week.
Easy Sloppy Joes
1 pound lean ground beef
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
¾ cup ketchup
3 teaspoons brown sugar
Salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste
In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, and green pepper; drain off liquids.
Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar; mix thoroughly. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
1 pound of Ground Beef
28 ounce spaghetti sauce
8 ounce of Cream Cheese
1/4 cup of Sour Cream
1/2 pound of Cottage Cheese
Whole Stick of Butter
1 pound pasta such as elbow noodles
Bag of shredded cheese (I use pizza blend)
Optional: sliced mushrooms, diced bell pepper, diced onion
Preheat oven to 350. Boil the noodles. Mix together the cream cheese, sour cream and cottage cheese in a mixer to thoroughly mixed together. Set aside. If you have chosen to use the bell pepper or onion sauté them for 3 minutes then toss in the hamburger meat. Brown hamburger meat in a skillet and drain. Add spaghetti sauce and mix together. Put a few slices of butter in bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish. Then layer half of the noodles in the bottom of the dish. Spread the cheese mixture over this layer. Then add the rest of the noodles on top of this with a few pats of butter.
Now pour the red sauce and meat on top and spread.
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and spread cheese on top and return to oven for another 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
3 large white onions, sliced
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
64 ounces Beef Broth (I use reduced sodium)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/3 cup dry sherry
4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried Thyme)
1 Bay Leaf
8 slices dry French bread
1/4 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
6 T. fresh parmesan cheese
In a large non-stick pan, cook onions, butter and brown sugar over medium low heat until golden and caramelized. (About 20 minutes).
Once golden, add to the slow cooker along with remaining ingredients except bread and cheeses.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Remove and discard bay leaf and ladle the soup into bowls. Top with dry bread slices and cheeses. Broil 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/carrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow-front-page-slideshow-news/cold-weather-cause-comfort
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/1fd637e03f267cbe1148a425b8545ab7ae3532ea86ca156e751d9e6baaf26662.json
|
[
"Happy New Year!!\nWith the cold weather, I thought I'd share some easy supper recipes. Warm, delicious comfort food. I remember when we were children, my Momma cooked a good supper every night. We would talk about our days, and enjoy being together. Looking back, those memories are a cherished part of my childhood.\nI hope you enjoy these recipes.\nHave a wonderful week.\nEasy Sloppy Joes\n1 pound lean ground beef\n¼ cup chopped onion\n¼ cup chopped green bell pepper\n½ teaspoon garlic powder\n1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard\n¾ cup ketchup\n3 teaspoons brown sugar\nSalt to taste\nGround black pepper to taste\nIn a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, and green pepper; drain off liquids.\nStir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar; mix thoroughly. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.\nMillion Dollar Spaghetti Casserole\n1 pound of Ground Beef\n28 ounce spaghetti sauce\n8 ounce of Cream Cheese\n1/4 cup of Sour Cream\n1/2 pound of Cottage Cheese\nWhole Stick of Butter\n1 pound pasta such as elbow noodles\nBag of shredded cheese (I use pizza blend)\nOptional: sliced mushrooms, diced bell pepper, diced onion\nPreheat oven to 350. Boil the noodles. Mix together the cream cheese, sour cream and cottage cheese in a mixer to thoroughly mixed together. Set aside. If you have chosen to use the bell pepper or onion sauté them for 3 minutes then toss in the hamburger meat. Brown hamburger meat in a skillet and drain. Add spaghetti sauce and mix together. Put a few slices of butter in bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish. Then layer half of the noodles in the bottom of the dish. Spread the cheese mixture over this layer. Then add the rest of the noodles on top of this with a few pats of butter.\nNow pour the red sauce and meat on top and spread.\nBake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and spread cheese on top and return to oven for another 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.\nSlow Cooker French Onion Soup\n3 large white onions, sliced\n3 tablespoons butter\n2 tablespoons brown sugar\n64 ounces Beef Broth (I use reduced sodium)\n1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce\n1 clove garlic, minced\n1/3 cup dry sherry\n4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried Thyme)\n1 Bay Leaf\n8 slices dry French bread\n1/4 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded\n1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded\n6 T. fresh parmesan cheese\nIn a large non-stick pan, cook onions, butter and brown sugar over medium low heat until golden and caramelized. (About 20 minutes).\nOnce golden, add to the slow cooker along with remaining ingredients except bread and cheeses.\nCook on low for 6-8 hours.\nRemove and discard bay leaf and ladle the soup into bowls. Top with dry bread slices and cheeses. Broil 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned.",
"Cold weather cause for comfort",
"Happy New Year!!"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-29T06:58:18 | null | null |
A Winona man will face a Montgomery County Grand Jury for a second felony charge.
Deshun Anderson is now facing charges of domestic aggravated assault and was bound over to the grand jury by Judge Alan D. Lancaster on Thursday morning in Winona City Court.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Ffront-page-slideshow-news-carrollton-slideshow-carrollton-news%2Fman-facing-grand-jury-assault.json
|
en
| null |
Man facing grand jury for assault
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
---
The content you're trying to view is available for Premium Content Subscribers only. Online subscription options are available and are complimentary to all existing print subscribers of The WINONA TIMES and The CONSERVATIVE.
If you're an existing subscriber (print or digital) and already have your Username and Password, click here: https://winonatimes.com/user/login
If you're an existing print subscriber and need to activate your online account, click here: https://winonatimes.com/existing-subscribers-0
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/front-page-slideshow-news-carrollton-slideshow-carrollton-news/man-facing-grand-jury-assault
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/e2e11d34966044e7c4886fee176d54b71206d6edd9460a44c2a9b9b81446ceb2.json
|
[
"---\nThe content you're trying to view is available for Premium Content Subscribers only. Online subscription options are available and are complimentary to all existing print subscribers of The WINONA TIMES and The CONSERVATIVE.\nIf you're an existing subscriber (print or digital) and already have your Username and Password, click here: https://winonatimes.com/user/login\nIf you're an existing print subscriber and need to activate your online account, click here: https://winonatimes.com/existing-subscribers-0",
"Man facing grand jury for assault",
"A Winona man will face a Montgomery County Grand Jury for a second felony charge.\nDeshun Anderson is now facing charges of domestic aggravated assault and was bound over to the grand jury by Judge Alan D. Lancaster on Thursday morning in Winona City Court."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-14T23:47:50 | null | null |
Alberta Miller, 76, of Kilmichael, died Sunday, January 3, 2021, at Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital in Winona.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fobituaries%2Falberta-miller.json
|
en
| null |
The Winona Times
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Alberta Miller, 76, of Kilmichael, died Sunday, January 3, 2021, at Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital in Winona.
Limited visitation was held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home. Graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8 in Lindsay Springs Cemetery in Kilmichael. Minister Erma Anderson officiated the services.
Mrs. Miller was a lab tech for MIT and a member of Pleasant springs Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her seven sisters, Ella Miller and Verma McIntyre, both of Kilmichael, Erma Anderson and Dorothy Anderson both of French Camp, Shirley Miller of Columbus, and Marcell Gardner and Pearl Adqdunrin, both of Chicago, Ill.; and two brothers, Robert Miller of Winona and Wade Miller of Dallas, Ga.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/obituaries/alberta-miller
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/f87607d6190e8316d043ee62d2b71e1ee7ad5bf292ec33afd550a4216da570cb.json
|
[
"Alberta Miller, 76, of Kilmichael, died Sunday, January 3, 2021, at Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital in Winona.\nLimited visitation was held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home. Graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8 in Lindsay Springs Cemetery in Kilmichael. Minister Erma Anderson officiated the services.\nMrs. Miller was a lab tech for MIT and a member of Pleasant springs Missionary Baptist Church.\nShe is survived by her seven sisters, Ella Miller and Verma McIntyre, both of Kilmichael, Erma Anderson and Dorothy Anderson both of French Camp, Shirley Miller of Columbus, and Marcell Gardner and Pearl Adqdunrin, both of Chicago, Ill.; and two brothers, Robert Miller of Winona and Wade Miller of Dallas, Ga.",
"The Winona Times",
"Alberta Miller, 76, of Kilmichael, died Sunday, January 3, 2021, at Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital in Winona."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T08:01:17 | null | null |
Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the state’s health officer, cautioned Mississippians that receiving COVID-19 vaccines will “take a little bit of time.”
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Funpredictable-and-limited-dobbs-urges-patience-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-0.json
|
en
| null |
‘Unpredictable and limited’: Dobbs urges patience with COVID-19 vaccine distribution
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the state’s health officer, cautioned Mississippians that receiving COVID-19 vaccines will “take a little bit of time.”
“It’s unpredictable and limited,” Dobbs said of the vaccine supply in a Jan. 22 video interview with LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “We have a sense that we will probably get a steady trickle of vaccine. It’s probably like .1% of the population every week right now at the current pace. “We just found out yesterday what we’ll get for next week,” Dobbs continued. “All these clinics we have scheduled, we schedule them based on anticipated inventory. But we never know for sure.”
As of Jan. 26, at least 175,417 Mississippians – about 6% of the state’s population – have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health’s database. On the same day, 18,012 Mississippians had received the second dose. Officials have said more Mississippians have likely received the vaccine than is reflected in the database because of reporting lags.
The state’s number of vaccines administered has increased every week since the first vaccine shipments arrived in Mississippi in mid-December. Last week, 62,000 vaccine doses were administered.
Many Mississippians have expressed frustration in recent weeks with slow vaccine rollout. Some have reported having to drive more than three hours to receive a vaccine in one of the state’s drive-thru sites. Others say they are eligible to receive the vaccine but cannot secure an appointment quickly enough before they are booked.
But the state’s health officials say their hands are largely tied as they await vaccine shipments from the federal government.
“It’s not that anybody isn’t doing their part, it’s just that we don’t know what’s coming from week to week until very long into it. It’s hard to plan,” Woodward said.
The federal government – the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – oversees a centralized system to order, distribute and track COVID-19 vaccines. All vaccines are ordered through the CDC.
The Mississippi State Department of Health, which Dobbs oversees, works directly with the CDC to manage the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, sending vaccine to private providers and hospitals throughout the state. The CDC typically gives less than a week’s notice when informing the state how many doses they’ll receive for the next week.
“It’s super challenging for the clinics,” Dobbs said. “I’ve spent hours on the phone with frustrated folks because they need to say, ‘I want to schedule these, how much can I get?’ That’s a perfectly legitimate question, and I understand their frustration better than anyone… I think it’s going to get better going forward.”
Dobbs said that infighting between the HHS and the CDC has affected vaccine rollout.
“I really hope as we go forward that the federal government can cooperate internally,” Dobbs said. “We’ve seen constant struggle between HHS and CDC. It’s like having two parents bickering. We need unity, stability, a good strategic vision. That’s the foundational thing.”
Dobbs has highlighted racial and geographic disparities in vaccine rollout in Mississippi. As of Jan. 26, just 16% of vaccines administered in Mississippi were given to Black Mississippians, who make up 38% of the state’s population.
“Health equity and (the racial disparities) are at the top of our list as we’re going through our next phases of this vaccine plan,” Dobbs said. “We have to remember health equity.”
-- Article credit to Adam Ganucheau of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/unpredictable-and-limited-dobbs-urges-patience-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-0
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/a7c8651ad635a98615df0281d58cb1bd39c1f07e59acc42f2d3db6af71504125.json
|
[
"Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the state’s health officer, cautioned Mississippians that receiving COVID-19 vaccines will “take a little bit of time.”\n“It’s unpredictable and limited,” Dobbs said of the vaccine supply in a Jan. 22 video interview with LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “We have a sense that we will probably get a steady trickle of vaccine. It’s probably like .1% of the population every week right now at the current pace. “We just found out yesterday what we’ll get for next week,” Dobbs continued. “All these clinics we have scheduled, we schedule them based on anticipated inventory. But we never know for sure.”\nAs of Jan. 26, at least 175,417 Mississippians – about 6% of the state’s population – have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health’s database. On the same day, 18,012 Mississippians had received the second dose. Officials have said more Mississippians have likely received the vaccine than is reflected in the database because of reporting lags.\nThe state’s number of vaccines administered has increased every week since the first vaccine shipments arrived in Mississippi in mid-December. Last week, 62,000 vaccine doses were administered.\nMany Mississippians have expressed frustration in recent weeks with slow vaccine rollout. Some have reported having to drive more than three hours to receive a vaccine in one of the state’s drive-thru sites. Others say they are eligible to receive the vaccine but cannot secure an appointment quickly enough before they are booked.\nBut the state’s health officials say their hands are largely tied as they await vaccine shipments from the federal government.\n“It’s not that anybody isn’t doing their part, it’s just that we don’t know what’s coming from week to week until very long into it. It’s hard to plan,” Woodward said.\nThe federal government – the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – oversees a centralized system to order, distribute and track COVID-19 vaccines. All vaccines are ordered through the CDC.\nThe Mississippi State Department of Health, which Dobbs oversees, works directly with the CDC to manage the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, sending vaccine to private providers and hospitals throughout the state. The CDC typically gives less than a week’s notice when informing the state how many doses they’ll receive for the next week.\n“It’s super challenging for the clinics,” Dobbs said. “I’ve spent hours on the phone with frustrated folks because they need to say, ‘I want to schedule these, how much can I get?’ That’s a perfectly legitimate question, and I understand their frustration better than anyone… I think it’s going to get better going forward.”\nDobbs said that infighting between the HHS and the CDC has affected vaccine rollout.\n“I really hope as we go forward that the federal government can cooperate internally,” Dobbs said. “We’ve seen constant struggle between HHS and CDC. It’s like having two parents bickering. We need unity, stability, a good strategic vision. That’s the foundational thing.”\nDobbs has highlighted racial and geographic disparities in vaccine rollout in Mississippi. As of Jan. 26, just 16% of vaccines administered in Mississippi were given to Black Mississippians, who make up 38% of the state’s population.\n“Health equity and (the racial disparities) are at the top of our list as we’re going through our next phases of this vaccine plan,” Dobbs said. “We have to remember health equity.”\n-- Article credit to Adam Ganucheau of Mississippi Today --",
"‘Unpredictable and limited’: Dobbs urges patience with COVID-19 vaccine distribution",
"Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the state’s health officer, cautioned Mississippians that receiving COVID-19 vaccines will “take a little bit of time.”"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-06T14:31:23 | null | null |
The Mississippi Public Service Commission is ordering one of the state’s two investor-owned utilities, Mississippi Power, to reduce its surplus generation capacity by 2027.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippi-regulators-want-mississippi-power-reduce-its-surplus-generation-capacity-1.json
|
en
| null |
Mississippi regulators want Mississippi Power to reduce its surplus generation capacity by 2027
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The Mississippi Public Service Commission is ordering one of the state’s two investor-owned utilities, Mississippi Power, to reduce its surplus generation capacity by 2027.
The PSC issued the order on December 17 that instructs Mississippi Power to retire 950 megawatts of generation capacity or explain to the commission with evidence why it needs to continue to operate some of this excess capacity.
The order says the economic evidence available to the commission makes a compelling case for the early retirement of some portion of the utility’s fossil-fueled generation fleet.
The order sets a deadline of April for the company to reach a plan on how it intends to meet the requirements of the order.
One of the conditions of the settlement reached between the PSC and the utility over the controversial Kemper Project power plant in February 2018 was there would be a comprehensive examination of Mississippi Power’s generation capacity and whether there was any surplus that could be retired, saving customers from paying for added operation and maintenance costs for unneeded plants.
The biggest question is how the company will proceed when it evaluates its generation capacity. The Public Utilities Staff (which is a separate yet complimentary entity to the elected PSC) hired Bates White to analyze the utility’s reserve margin plan filed in August 2018 and its report was included in the order.
The report says that, in the absence of changes to Mississippi Power’s portfolio, that the company’s reserve generation margin would be greater than 40 percent through 2028, compared to a targeted reserve margin of less than 15 percent. The report also says that from 2021 to 2023, the utility exceeds its summer capacity need by more than 1,000 megawatts.
Bates White concluded that the increased demand that Mississippi Power predicted when it asked the PSC for permission to build Kemper in 2010 hasn’t and won’t materialize. Bates White said that the projections are for a decreased need for generation capacity for the next decade, followed by minimal growth in the longer term.
Mississippi Power has six generation plants in its portfolio, with the three biggest cogs being Plant Daniel located near Moss Point and Plant Watson in Gulfport and Plant Ratcliffe in Kemper County (also known as the Kemper County Energy Facility).
Mississippi Power operates a power plant exclusively for Chevron’s Pascagoula oil refinery and receives electricity from a plant in Greene County, Alabama that was converted from coal to natural gas.
There is also Plant Sweatt in Meridian, which is the utility’s smallest and oldest generation facility with only 3.94 megawatts of generation capacity from one gas-fired turbine.
Another facility, Plant Eaton that was located near Hattiesburg, was retired in 2012.
Plant Daniel has two gas-fired combined cycle units (1.07 gigawatts generation capacity) along with two coal-fired units (500 megawatts capacity) and is the state’s largest power plant in terms of capacity.
According to the Bates White report, analyses performed by Mississippi Power and updated since 2018 show that the best course of action would be for the utility to retire one of its units at Plant Watson and the two units in Greene County, Alabama.
That would leave 500 megawatts of excess capacity, which could take the form of the retirement of another of Watson’s units and the retirement of two units at Plant Daniel, which generates electricity for Gulf Power, which was a former Southern Company subsidiary in Northwest Florida that was sold to NextEra Energy in 2019. The purchase agreement for electricity from the two units at Plant Daniel expire in 2024.
Plant Ratcliffe (7.69 megawatts of capacity) was originally designed to be fueled by synthesis gas produced from a form of low-grade coal known as lignite using an expensive and complex chemical process.
The $7.5 billion plant (ratepayers will end up paying $1 billion for it while the company will pick up the remaining $3 billion) in Kemper County was also meant to have an elaborate component that removed 65 percent of the carbon emissions and other byproducts from the gas stream for sale to industrial customers. Running the plant on syngas would’ve reduced its capacity to 582 megawatts through parasitic loads from running the processes required to transform lignite into syngas and remove the pollutants.
The plant was supposed to cost $2.4 billion, but the cost ballooned by 212.5 percent to $7.5 billion.
Since Mississippi Power could never get the plant working on a reliable basis and costs continued to escalate, the Mississippi Public Service Commission, the utility and intervenors reached a settlement in 2017 that ended all attempts to get the gasifer units (which converted lignite to syngas) operational. Dismantling of the gasifer units and remediation of the lignite mine are scheduled for completion by 2024.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippi-regulators-want-mississippi-power-reduce-its-surplus-generation-capacity-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/1ac8de540da351be2a2b6a2c1861a2b961d7438761047750ec5aef1116f8ce84.json
|
[
"The Mississippi Public Service Commission is ordering one of the state’s two investor-owned utilities, Mississippi Power, to reduce its surplus generation capacity by 2027.\nThe PSC issued the order on December 17 that instructs Mississippi Power to retire 950 megawatts of generation capacity or explain to the commission with evidence why it needs to continue to operate some of this excess capacity.\nThe order says the economic evidence available to the commission makes a compelling case for the early retirement of some portion of the utility’s fossil-fueled generation fleet.\nThe order sets a deadline of April for the company to reach a plan on how it intends to meet the requirements of the order.\nOne of the conditions of the settlement reached between the PSC and the utility over the controversial Kemper Project power plant in February 2018 was there would be a comprehensive examination of Mississippi Power’s generation capacity and whether there was any surplus that could be retired, saving customers from paying for added operation and maintenance costs for unneeded plants.\nThe biggest question is how the company will proceed when it evaluates its generation capacity. The Public Utilities Staff (which is a separate yet complimentary entity to the elected PSC) hired Bates White to analyze the utility’s reserve margin plan filed in August 2018 and its report was included in the order.\nThe report says that, in the absence of changes to Mississippi Power’s portfolio, that the company’s reserve generation margin would be greater than 40 percent through 2028, compared to a targeted reserve margin of less than 15 percent. The report also says that from 2021 to 2023, the utility exceeds its summer capacity need by more than 1,000 megawatts.\nBates White concluded that the increased demand that Mississippi Power predicted when it asked the PSC for permission to build Kemper in 2010 hasn’t and won’t materialize. Bates White said that the projections are for a decreased need for generation capacity for the next decade, followed by minimal growth in the longer term.\nMississippi Power has six generation plants in its portfolio, with the three biggest cogs being Plant Daniel located near Moss Point and Plant Watson in Gulfport and Plant Ratcliffe in Kemper County (also known as the Kemper County Energy Facility).\nMississippi Power operates a power plant exclusively for Chevron’s Pascagoula oil refinery and receives electricity from a plant in Greene County, Alabama that was converted from coal to natural gas.\nThere is also Plant Sweatt in Meridian, which is the utility’s smallest and oldest generation facility with only 3.94 megawatts of generation capacity from one gas-fired turbine.\nAnother facility, Plant Eaton that was located near Hattiesburg, was retired in 2012.\nPlant Daniel has two gas-fired combined cycle units (1.07 gigawatts generation capacity) along with two coal-fired units (500 megawatts capacity) and is the state’s largest power plant in terms of capacity.\nAccording to the Bates White report, analyses performed by Mississippi Power and updated since 2018 show that the best course of action would be for the utility to retire one of its units at Plant Watson and the two units in Greene County, Alabama.\nThat would leave 500 megawatts of excess capacity, which could take the form of the retirement of another of Watson’s units and the retirement of two units at Plant Daniel, which generates electricity for Gulf Power, which was a former Southern Company subsidiary in Northwest Florida that was sold to NextEra Energy in 2019. The purchase agreement for electricity from the two units at Plant Daniel expire in 2024.\nPlant Ratcliffe (7.69 megawatts of capacity) was originally designed to be fueled by synthesis gas produced from a form of low-grade coal known as lignite using an expensive and complex chemical process.\nThe $7.5 billion plant (ratepayers will end up paying $1 billion for it while the company will pick up the remaining $3 billion) in Kemper County was also meant to have an elaborate component that removed 65 percent of the carbon emissions and other byproducts from the gas stream for sale to industrial customers. Running the plant on syngas would’ve reduced its capacity to 582 megawatts through parasitic loads from running the processes required to transform lignite into syngas and remove the pollutants.\nThe plant was supposed to cost $2.4 billion, but the cost ballooned by 212.5 percent to $7.5 billion.\nSince Mississippi Power could never get the plant working on a reliable basis and costs continued to escalate, the Mississippi Public Service Commission, the utility and intervenors reached a settlement in 2017 that ended all attempts to get the gasifer units (which converted lignite to syngas) operational. Dismantling of the gasifer units and remediation of the lignite mine are scheduled for completion by 2024.",
"Mississippi regulators want Mississippi Power to reduce its surplus generation capacity by 2027",
"The Mississippi Public Service Commission is ordering one of the state’s two investor-owned utilities, Mississippi Power, to reduce its surplus generation capacity by 2027."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-11T22:51:27 | null | null |
A brief filed last week with the state Supreme Court by attorneys for the city of Madison in a case that could kill the state’s medical marijuana program before it even starts reiterates that the ballot initia
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fcity-madison-files-another-brief-lawsuit-could-overturn-states-medical-marijuana-1.json
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City of Madison files another brief in lawsuit that could overturn state's medical marijuana program before it begins
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www.winonatimes.com
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A brief filed last week with the state Supreme Court by attorneys for the city of Madison in a case that could kill the state’s medical marijuana program before it even starts reiterates that the ballot initiative process is flawed since it is predicated on five congressional districts rather than the four that exist now.
The brief also refutes the argument made by Secretary of State Michael Watson’s office that the lawsuit could’ve been filed when then-Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann submitted it to the Legislature in January 2020. It says that the 10 months between that filing and the lawsuit filed by the city don’t constitute an inexcusable delay.
Attorneys for the city of Madison say that the city has standing (the ability of a party to demonstrate to the court that it is both connected and harmed by a law or action) to bring the case since passage of Initiative 65 would limit the city’s zoning rights. The text of Initiative 65 restricts the rights of municipalities to prevent marijuana dispensaries, saying that they should be no more restrictive than those for a retail pharmacy.
On January 5, attorneys for the city of Madison also filed a brief that asks the court to deny the motion filed by Ashley Durval (who filed the original paperwork to get Initiative 65 on the ballot) to have her attorneys participate in the upcoming oral arguments in the case.
They said in their brief that her participation is unnecessary and unhelpful, but they also don’t object to her amicus (friend of the court) brief filed in support in Initiative 65.
In addition to Durval, a group of doctors filed an amicus brief disputing the case against Initiative 65 in response to briefs filed by the state medical association and the Mississippi Association of Sheriffs.
Also filing a brief in support of the initiative was the conservative group Americans for Prosperity.
Other groups filing briefs in support of the city of Madison’s lawsuit included the state Department of Health and the Mississippi Municipal League, which is the advocacy group for municipalities statewide.
The original lawsuit, which was filed on October 26 just days before the election, is asking the state Supreme Court to throw out Initiative 65, which would create a medical marijuana program in the state and was approved by 73 percent of voters in the November 3 election.
In a brief filed December 8, attorneys for the city of Madison reiterated their argument on the ballot initiative law. This law, passed in 1992, requires at least 17,237 certified signatures from each of the five old congressional districts — as they existed in 2000 — for a total of 86,185 for a ballot initiative to make it onto the ballot.
The lawsuit and briefs from both the original plaintiffs and those in support of killing Initiative 65 say that it is unconstitutional since there are four congressional districts and the number of signatures submitted from at least one of the four districts exceeds the one-fifth of the total number required.
The petition says that the state Constitution prohibits the secretary of state from considering any signatures exceeding one-fifth of the total number of signatures required and state law prohibits the secretary of state from putting an initiative on the ballot that doesn’t meet the standard.
Seven times the Legislature has proposed concurrent resolutions to change the law since 2003 and all of them have failed. The secretary of state’s office replaced the language of “any congressional district” to “from each of the five congressional districts as they existed in the year 2000” in 2009.
The change was endorsed by an opinion from the state attorney general at the time, Jim Hood, but these opinions fail to carry the weight of law.
In a reply submitted by the secretary of state’s office last month, the attorneys argue that if the court rules in favor of the city of Madison’s interpretation of the ballot initiative law, existing constitutional amendments passed through the process besides Initiative 65 such as voter identification and protections against eminent domain could also be challenged and overturned using the same argument.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/city-madison-files-another-brief-lawsuit-could-overturn-states-medical-marijuana-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/ff40338c5fd7edb40d6f6f200d8dca717afa121d1b1566e4063b475c8e55397c.json
|
[
"A brief filed last week with the state Supreme Court by attorneys for the city of Madison in a case that could kill the state’s medical marijuana program before it even starts reiterates that the ballot initiative process is flawed since it is predicated on five congressional districts rather than the four that exist now.\nThe brief also refutes the argument made by Secretary of State Michael Watson’s office that the lawsuit could’ve been filed when then-Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann submitted it to the Legislature in January 2020. It says that the 10 months between that filing and the lawsuit filed by the city don’t constitute an inexcusable delay.\nAttorneys for the city of Madison say that the city has standing (the ability of a party to demonstrate to the court that it is both connected and harmed by a law or action) to bring the case since passage of Initiative 65 would limit the city’s zoning rights. The text of Initiative 65 restricts the rights of municipalities to prevent marijuana dispensaries, saying that they should be no more restrictive than those for a retail pharmacy.\nOn January 5, attorneys for the city of Madison also filed a brief that asks the court to deny the motion filed by Ashley Durval (who filed the original paperwork to get Initiative 65 on the ballot) to have her attorneys participate in the upcoming oral arguments in the case.\nThey said in their brief that her participation is unnecessary and unhelpful, but they also don’t object to her amicus (friend of the court) brief filed in support in Initiative 65.\nIn addition to Durval, a group of doctors filed an amicus brief disputing the case against Initiative 65 in response to briefs filed by the state medical association and the Mississippi Association of Sheriffs.\nAlso filing a brief in support of the initiative was the conservative group Americans for Prosperity.\nOther groups filing briefs in support of the city of Madison’s lawsuit included the state Department of Health and the Mississippi Municipal League, which is the advocacy group for municipalities statewide.\nThe original lawsuit, which was filed on October 26 just days before the election, is asking the state Supreme Court to throw out Initiative 65, which would create a medical marijuana program in the state and was approved by 73 percent of voters in the November 3 election.\nIn a brief filed December 8, attorneys for the city of Madison reiterated their argument on the ballot initiative law. This law, passed in 1992, requires at least 17,237 certified signatures from each of the five old congressional districts — as they existed in 2000 — for a total of 86,185 for a ballot initiative to make it onto the ballot.\nThe lawsuit and briefs from both the original plaintiffs and those in support of killing Initiative 65 say that it is unconstitutional since there are four congressional districts and the number of signatures submitted from at least one of the four districts exceeds the one-fifth of the total number required.\nThe petition says that the state Constitution prohibits the secretary of state from considering any signatures exceeding one-fifth of the total number of signatures required and state law prohibits the secretary of state from putting an initiative on the ballot that doesn’t meet the standard.\nSeven times the Legislature has proposed concurrent resolutions to change the law since 2003 and all of them have failed. The secretary of state’s office replaced the language of “any congressional district” to “from each of the five congressional districts as they existed in the year 2000” in 2009.\nThe change was endorsed by an opinion from the state attorney general at the time, Jim Hood, but these opinions fail to carry the weight of law.\nIn a reply submitted by the secretary of state’s office last month, the attorneys argue that if the court rules in favor of the city of Madison’s interpretation of the ballot initiative law, existing constitutional amendments passed through the process besides Initiative 65 such as voter identification and protections against eminent domain could also be challenged and overturned using the same argument.",
"City of Madison files another brief in lawsuit that could overturn state's medical marijuana program before it begins",
"A brief filed last week with the state Supreme Court by attorneys for the city of Madison in a case that could kill the state’s medical marijuana program before it even starts reiterates that the ballot initia"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-14T04:21:31 | null | null |
In 2019, people who had touched the criminal justice system in Mississippi held $507 million in debt as a result — more than double the $243 million they owed in 2009, according to a
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippians-saddled-507-million-criminal-justice-debts-preventing-future-1.json
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en
| null |
Mississippians saddled with $507 million in criminal justice debts, preventing future opportunity
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
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In 2019, people who had touched the criminal justice system in Mississippi held $507 million in debt as a result — more than double the $243 million they owed in 2009, according to a new report by the Hope Policy Institute.
While court-ordered financial burdens grow, the minimum wage hasn’t budged and overall inflation-adjusted wages in Mississippi actually dropped in that same timeframe, according to a Mississippi Today analysis.
Even many who finish their sentences — often coined their “debt to society” — are saddled with very literal debts that prevent them from the opportunities they need to thrive outside of prison. The consequences are highly concentrated in the Deep South, the report found, where people are both incarcerated and living in poverty at higher rates. On top of this burden, people exiting jails and prisons are often shut out of financial institutions — in some cases simply as a result of a lack of identification — making it virtually impossible to build wealth for the future.
The researchers found that these people face a domino effect: Because of a lack of identification, they struggle to access traditional banking and loans, leading them to utilize high-cost loans that prevent them from building good credit, which makes it more difficult for them to get a job.
Then, in some cases, their struggle to afford payments towards their court-ordered debts results in further punishment, even re-incarceration.
“In fact, in Mississippi, there are four restitution centers across the state serving as debtor’s prisons as formerly incarcerated individuals work to earn money to pay off court-ordered debts,” the report reads, referencing a Mississippi Today and The Marshall Project investigation.
The setbacks caused by the criminal justice system also overlap with other areas of government and social services, such as the child support system, Mississippi Today also investigated. One man Hope Policy Institute researchers interviewed worked to pay off all of his criminal fines so he could get his driver’s license back, only for it to be suspended three months later because he had gotten behind on child support.
“Basically, I was behind on child support for being in prison for 2 years,” he said.
When he was on parole, he said, “They put pressure on you and try to scare you and say they’ll hold you in violation. But the thing is, I’m on good behavior and I pay my supervision fee of $55 a month for parole… I just found out that I can’t get life insurance because I’m on parole.”
The institute recommends governments and private partners address consequences of this mounting debt by waiving fines and fees within the justice system, creating a small business loan program for the formerly incarcerated and adopting programs that assist people in securing proper identification.
“It is imperative that policy makers prioritize the easing of debt collection practices and prevent the accumulation of debt during incarceration – the costs of which are disproportionately borne by people with low-incomes,” Calandra Davis, policy analyst and author of the report. “Upon re-entry, access to financial services is critical for placing people on a path towards economic security and opportunity.”
Hope Credit Union is working to remove financial barriers for folks exiting the criminal justice system by allowing family members to open accounts on behalf of inmates before their release, accepting alternative identification and non-traditional credit to open accounts and issue loans and offering financial education classes.
-- Article credit to Anna Wolfe of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippians-saddled-507-million-criminal-justice-debts-preventing-future-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/603a97d1d20e6aef6cbb7ddb281e7a2043f786bde5966b0f4d331d23d0785aa9.json
|
[
"In 2019, people who had touched the criminal justice system in Mississippi held $507 million in debt as a result — more than double the $243 million they owed in 2009, according to a new report by the Hope Policy Institute.\nWhile court-ordered financial burdens grow, the minimum wage hasn’t budged and overall inflation-adjusted wages in Mississippi actually dropped in that same timeframe, according to a Mississippi Today analysis.\nEven many who finish their sentences — often coined their “debt to society” — are saddled with very literal debts that prevent them from the opportunities they need to thrive outside of prison. The consequences are highly concentrated in the Deep South, the report found, where people are both incarcerated and living in poverty at higher rates. On top of this burden, people exiting jails and prisons are often shut out of financial institutions — in some cases simply as a result of a lack of identification — making it virtually impossible to build wealth for the future.\nThe researchers found that these people face a domino effect: Because of a lack of identification, they struggle to access traditional banking and loans, leading them to utilize high-cost loans that prevent them from building good credit, which makes it more difficult for them to get a job.\nThen, in some cases, their struggle to afford payments towards their court-ordered debts results in further punishment, even re-incarceration.\n“In fact, in Mississippi, there are four restitution centers across the state serving as debtor’s prisons as formerly incarcerated individuals work to earn money to pay off court-ordered debts,” the report reads, referencing a Mississippi Today and The Marshall Project investigation.\nThe setbacks caused by the criminal justice system also overlap with other areas of government and social services, such as the child support system, Mississippi Today also investigated. One man Hope Policy Institute researchers interviewed worked to pay off all of his criminal fines so he could get his driver’s license back, only for it to be suspended three months later because he had gotten behind on child support.\n“Basically, I was behind on child support for being in prison for 2 years,” he said.\nWhen he was on parole, he said, “They put pressure on you and try to scare you and say they’ll hold you in violation. But the thing is, I’m on good behavior and I pay my supervision fee of $55 a month for parole… I just found out that I can’t get life insurance because I’m on parole.”\nThe institute recommends governments and private partners address consequences of this mounting debt by waiving fines and fees within the justice system, creating a small business loan program for the formerly incarcerated and adopting programs that assist people in securing proper identification.\n“It is imperative that policy makers prioritize the easing of debt collection practices and prevent the accumulation of debt during incarceration – the costs of which are disproportionately borne by people with low-incomes,” Calandra Davis, policy analyst and author of the report. “Upon re-entry, access to financial services is critical for placing people on a path towards economic security and opportunity.”\nHope Credit Union is working to remove financial barriers for folks exiting the criminal justice system by allowing family members to open accounts on behalf of inmates before their release, accepting alternative identification and non-traditional credit to open accounts and issue loans and offering financial education classes.\n-- Article credit to Anna Wolfe of Mississippi Today --",
"Mississippians saddled with $507 million in criminal justice debts, preventing future opportunity",
"In 2019, people who had touched the criminal justice system in Mississippi held $507 million in debt as a result — more than double the $243 million they owed in 2009, according to a"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-13T04:26:20 | null | null |
Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced those who are 65 years and older or if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are now eligible to make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fgovernor-tate-reeves-announces-new-covid-19-measures-1.json
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en
| null |
Governor Tate Reeves Announces New COVID-19 Measures
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
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Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced those who are 65 years and older or if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are now eligible to make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Individuals can schedule an appointment by dialing the call center: 1-877-978-6453. You can also go to the website: covidvaccine.umc.edu.
"My main priority is not to try and fight this pandemic with stricter and stricter orders," Governor Reeves said. "It's to get better and better at distributing the vaccine, and that's what our focus is now."
For a link to today's press conference and additional details, click here.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/governor-tate-reeves-announces-new-covid-19-measures-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/207d6f31f4cbb2056642ef6df9a29370c851aeacda18a002f17f48ba09d0555c.json
|
[
"Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced those who are 65 years and older or if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are now eligible to make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.\nIndividuals can schedule an appointment by dialing the call center: 1-877-978-6453. You can also go to the website: covidvaccine.umc.edu.\n\"My main priority is not to try and fight this pandemic with stricter and stricter orders,\" Governor Reeves said. \"It's to get better and better at distributing the vaccine, and that's what our focus is now.\"\nFor a link to today's press conference and additional details, click here.",
"Governor Tate Reeves Announces New COVID-19 Measures",
"Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced those who are 65 years and older or if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are now eligible to make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-21T01:50:13 | null | null |
The Mississippi Ethics Commission says charter school board members are subject to state ethics laws, which prohibit conflicts of interest that could lead to the misspending of public dollars.
But several operators and advocates of Mississippi charter schools, which receive taxpayer funding, say they should be exempt from those laws.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fcharter-schools-receive-taxpayer-dollars-should-their-board-members-follow-state-1.json
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en
| null |
Charter schools receive taxpayer dollars. Should their board members follow state ethics laws?
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The Mississippi Ethics Commission says charter school board members are subject to state ethics laws, which prohibit conflicts of interest that could lead to the misspending of public dollars.
But several operators and advocates of Mississippi charter schools, which receive taxpayer funding, say they should be exempt from those laws.
The conflict was brought to light by Ethics Commission opinions filed in 2020 after two charter schools were discovered to be spending their public funding with board members’ employers.
The revelations highlight long-standing tension between charter school and traditional public school advocates, who say charter schools need to be held to the same standards as other public governing bodies.
“The state ethics laws are not overly burdensome; they simply say that members of state agency governing boards cannot profit off of state funds by directing contracts to their own businesses or employer,” said Nancy Loome, executive director of the public education advocacy group The Parents’ Campaign. “All public school board members must abide by those rules, and charter school board members should, as well.”
Charter schools are, by law, public schools funded by local and state tax dollars. They do not charge students tuition and are held to the same academic and accountability standards as traditional public schools. These schools are often the subject of scrutiny because they are allowed more flexibility than public schools in how they operate.
Mississippi’s charter school law, adopted by lawmakers in 2013, is the only one in the nation that does not have a specific conflict of interest provision in it, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
Charters are required by state law to operate as nonprofit organizations and must adhere to IRS regulations that require conflict of interest disclosures. However, those nonprofit regulations are much less strict than several key ethics laws that public schools are subject to, including the banning all business between the organizations and board members’ companies.
Traditional public schools, meanwhile, are subject to the more stringent state ethics laws, including that school boards cannot do business with individual board members’ companies.
“All we’re saying is members of public charter school boards have to live by the same rules as members of every other type of school board,” Tom Hood, the executive director of the Ethics Commission, told Mississippi Today. “They’re not getting treated any worse or any better.”
The ethics questions arose after Ambition Prep, a K-8 charter school in Jackson, used federal funding in 2018 to contract with an insurance company owned by one of the school’s board members. Ambition Prep officials told Mississippi Today they followed their own conflict of interest laws and were not aware they had to adhere to the state ethics laws.
“Nobody knew or stated (at that time) that charter schools had to follow the ethics laws,” said DeArchie Scott, the school’s founder and executive director.
A separate charter school also attempted to enter into a contract with a board member’s professional development company but stopped at the request of the Mississippi Charter Authorizer Board, the board that oversees charter schools in the state.
The Ethics Commission responded in a 2020 ruling that all of the state’s charter school governing board members are subject to all the restrictions of the state ethics law, just as traditional public school board members, lawmakers and other public officials are.
The commission reasoned that because charter schools receive public dollars and their boards are subject to other laws such as those that require open meetings and the Public Records Act, “members of charter school governing boards are ‘public servants’ as defined (in the law), and are subject to all the applicable provisions of the Ethics in Government Law.”
Several charter school operators disagreed with both Ethics Commission rulings.
On Dec. 14, 2020, a lawyer for Ambition Prep wrote a letter to the commission, asking it to reconsider whether charter school board members are subject to state ethics laws. The commission declined.
Members of the charter school community argue the Ethics Commission’s take on their role goes against the intention of the charter school law that was passed in 2013, and that the law does not explicitly state board members are subject to ethics laws.
Some also say there may be unintended consequences as a result of the opinions.
Rachel Canter, executive director of Mississippi First Credit: Mississippi First
Rachel Canter, executive director of the nonprofit education group Mississippi First, was involved in the creation of the charter school law prior to its passage in 2013.
“It’s a big legal shift from the understanding that everybody had about charter schools for the seven years prior to (the Ethics Commission opinions), which was that charter schools are overseen and held accountable, according to the charter school law, in their contract by the authorizer board and not by any other government agency or entity,” Canter said.
She said charter schools have already operated under nonprofit rules — the looser IRS regulations — that aim to prevent conflicts of interest.
“We in the nonprofit world have something called arm’s length negotiation, which says if you’re a board member and something comes before the board in which you have a financial interest, you have to recuse yourself and leave the room,” Canter said. “But if it’s in the best interest of the organization, the decision can still be made (to approve the arrangement).”
Canter also noted that charter schools’ finances are audited annually by the Charter School Authorizer Board. She said the effect of the opinions is essentially stating to charter schools that they now must operate under a different set of rules.
“Charter schools are saying you’re trying to make us governmental organizations and we are not government organizations,” she said.
Jon Rybka, the CEO of RePublic Schools, a Nashville-based charter operator with three schools in Jackson, said charter schools are unique and face different challenges than other governmental entities. Rybka pointed out that in Mississippi, charter schools are “both governmental entities and nonprofits” and believes that they should be governed by regulations that are tailored to their unique situations.
“If I had to guess, every mission-driven school, church or nonprofit has board members that are involved because they care about the mission, so they’re probably involved in the mission in other areas as well,” Rybka said. “I just don’t want to see this ruling getting in the way of good people bringing their resources to the mission.”
Amanda Johnson, Executive Director of Clarksdale Collegiate Charter School. Credit: Staci Lewis
Amanda Johnson, executive director of Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School in Clarksdale, said she is concerned about the opinions’ impact on charter schools’ flexibility and autonomy.
“When I think about why I do this work and why I believe in charters, part of it is because they are set up to be different and be provided with some additional flexibility, appropriate flexibility, that allows the schools to operate in a different way than a traditional district,” Johnson said. “It’s not that we are above ethics laws or behaving ethically, but we should not be under the same rules and regulations that a governmental agency would be under.”
Johnson, along with others, also says that restrictions like these are part of the reason charter schools have not expanded in Mississippi as they have in other areas. Since 2013, when the charter school law was passed, only eight charter schools have opened in the state, six of which are in Jackson.
“There are charter schools, CMOs (charter management organizations), that operate in other states that the Authorizer Board has tried to attract, legislators have tried to attract (to Mississippi) and haven’t been able to,” said Johnson. “Making this work more restrictive is going against what charter schools were designed to be. It makes it less attractive (to CMOs) and more difficult (for schools) to recruit board members as well.”
But others disagree with the sentiments of the state’s charter operators and say it’s important for charter schools to be held to the same standards as traditional public schools.
“There have been many unfortunate stories from other states of charter school laws leading to scandals involving misuse of taxpayer funds,” Loome, with The Parents’ Campaign, said. “Thankfully, Mississippi law protects children and taxpayers from that sort of unscrupulous activity.”
-- Article credit to Kate Royals of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/charter-schools-receive-taxpayer-dollars-should-their-board-members-follow-state-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/43051d50efd046bb8119e46fe2a7bdec35a0e6ad7a1f133e908693671c38f8d3.json
|
[
"The Mississippi Ethics Commission says charter school board members are subject to state ethics laws, which prohibit conflicts of interest that could lead to the misspending of public dollars.\nBut several operators and advocates of Mississippi charter schools, which receive taxpayer funding, say they should be exempt from those laws.\nThe conflict was brought to light by Ethics Commission opinions filed in 2020 after two charter schools were discovered to be spending their public funding with board members’ employers.\nThe revelations highlight long-standing tension between charter school and traditional public school advocates, who say charter schools need to be held to the same standards as other public governing bodies.\n“The state ethics laws are not overly burdensome; they simply say that members of state agency governing boards cannot profit off of state funds by directing contracts to their own businesses or employer,” said Nancy Loome, executive director of the public education advocacy group The Parents’ Campaign. “All public school board members must abide by those rules, and charter school board members should, as well.”\nCharter schools are, by law, public schools funded by local and state tax dollars. They do not charge students tuition and are held to the same academic and accountability standards as traditional public schools. These schools are often the subject of scrutiny because they are allowed more flexibility than public schools in how they operate.\nMississippi’s charter school law, adopted by lawmakers in 2013, is the only one in the nation that does not have a specific conflict of interest provision in it, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.\nCharters are required by state law to operate as nonprofit organizations and must adhere to IRS regulations that require conflict of interest disclosures. However, those nonprofit regulations are much less strict than several key ethics laws that public schools are subject to, including the banning all business between the organizations and board members’ companies.\nTraditional public schools, meanwhile, are subject to the more stringent state ethics laws, including that school boards cannot do business with individual board members’ companies.\n“All we’re saying is members of public charter school boards have to live by the same rules as members of every other type of school board,” Tom Hood, the executive director of the Ethics Commission, told Mississippi Today. “They’re not getting treated any worse or any better.”\nThe ethics questions arose after Ambition Prep, a K-8 charter school in Jackson, used federal funding in 2018 to contract with an insurance company owned by one of the school’s board members. Ambition Prep officials told Mississippi Today they followed their own conflict of interest laws and were not aware they had to adhere to the state ethics laws.\n“Nobody knew or stated (at that time) that charter schools had to follow the ethics laws,” said DeArchie Scott, the school’s founder and executive director.\nA separate charter school also attempted to enter into a contract with a board member’s professional development company but stopped at the request of the Mississippi Charter Authorizer Board, the board that oversees charter schools in the state.\nThe Ethics Commission responded in a 2020 ruling that all of the state’s charter school governing board members are subject to all the restrictions of the state ethics law, just as traditional public school board members, lawmakers and other public officials are.\nThe commission reasoned that because charter schools receive public dollars and their boards are subject to other laws such as those that require open meetings and the Public Records Act, “members of charter school governing boards are ‘public servants’ as defined (in the law), and are subject to all the applicable provisions of the Ethics in Government Law.”\nSeveral charter school operators disagreed with both Ethics Commission rulings.\nOn Dec. 14, 2020, a lawyer for Ambition Prep wrote a letter to the commission, asking it to reconsider whether charter school board members are subject to state ethics laws. The commission declined.\nMembers of the charter school community argue the Ethics Commission’s take on their role goes against the intention of the charter school law that was passed in 2013, and that the law does not explicitly state board members are subject to ethics laws.\nSome also say there may be unintended consequences as a result of the opinions.\nRachel Canter, executive director of Mississippi First Credit: Mississippi First\nRachel Canter, executive director of the nonprofit education group Mississippi First, was involved in the creation of the charter school law prior to its passage in 2013.\n“It’s a big legal shift from the understanding that everybody had about charter schools for the seven years prior to (the Ethics Commission opinions), which was that charter schools are overseen and held accountable, according to the charter school law, in their contract by the authorizer board and not by any other government agency or entity,” Canter said.\nShe said charter schools have already operated under nonprofit rules — the looser IRS regulations — that aim to prevent conflicts of interest.\n“We in the nonprofit world have something called arm’s length negotiation, which says if you’re a board member and something comes before the board in which you have a financial interest, you have to recuse yourself and leave the room,” Canter said. “But if it’s in the best interest of the organization, the decision can still be made (to approve the arrangement).”\nCanter also noted that charter schools’ finances are audited annually by the Charter School Authorizer Board. She said the effect of the opinions is essentially stating to charter schools that they now must operate under a different set of rules.\n“Charter schools are saying you’re trying to make us governmental organizations and we are not government organizations,” she said.\nJon Rybka, the CEO of RePublic Schools, a Nashville-based charter operator with three schools in Jackson, said charter schools are unique and face different challenges than other governmental entities. Rybka pointed out that in Mississippi, charter schools are “both governmental entities and nonprofits” and believes that they should be governed by regulations that are tailored to their unique situations.\n“If I had to guess, every mission-driven school, church or nonprofit has board members that are involved because they care about the mission, so they’re probably involved in the mission in other areas as well,” Rybka said. “I just don’t want to see this ruling getting in the way of good people bringing their resources to the mission.”\nAmanda Johnson, Executive Director of Clarksdale Collegiate Charter School. Credit: Staci Lewis\nAmanda Johnson, executive director of Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School in Clarksdale, said she is concerned about the opinions’ impact on charter schools’ flexibility and autonomy.\n“When I think about why I do this work and why I believe in charters, part of it is because they are set up to be different and be provided with some additional flexibility, appropriate flexibility, that allows the schools to operate in a different way than a traditional district,” Johnson said. “It’s not that we are above ethics laws or behaving ethically, but we should not be under the same rules and regulations that a governmental agency would be under.”\nJohnson, along with others, also says that restrictions like these are part of the reason charter schools have not expanded in Mississippi as they have in other areas. Since 2013, when the charter school law was passed, only eight charter schools have opened in the state, six of which are in Jackson.\n“There are charter schools, CMOs (charter management organizations), that operate in other states that the Authorizer Board has tried to attract, legislators have tried to attract (to Mississippi) and haven’t been able to,” said Johnson. “Making this work more restrictive is going against what charter schools were designed to be. It makes it less attractive (to CMOs) and more difficult (for schools) to recruit board members as well.”\nBut others disagree with the sentiments of the state’s charter operators and say it’s important for charter schools to be held to the same standards as traditional public schools.\n“There have been many unfortunate stories from other states of charter school laws leading to scandals involving misuse of taxpayer funds,” Loome, with The Parents’ Campaign, said. “Thankfully, Mississippi law protects children and taxpayers from that sort of unscrupulous activity.”\n-- Article credit to Kate Royals of Mississippi Today --",
"Charter schools receive taxpayer dollars. Should their board members follow state ethics laws?",
"The Mississippi Ethics Commission says charter school board members are subject to state ethics laws, which prohibit conflicts of interest that could lead to the misspending of public dollars.\nBut several operators and advocates of Mississippi charter schools, which receive taxpayer funding, say they should be exempt from those laws."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-19T15:06:33 | null | null |
Governor Tate Reeves is currently giving a briefing on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi.
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Governor Tate Reeves provides updates on COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi in Video Live-stream
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www.winonatimes.com
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Governor Tate Reeves is currently giving a briefing on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi.
"We spent last week and all weekend surging capacity for the vaccine appointment website and call center. More appointments are being loaded constantly, and we are now giving out vaccines as quickly as we get them. Update on access, locations, and more in today’s briefing."
It is currently being hosted on his Facebook page (and will remain there following the briefing).
You can view the live-stream video here.
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https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/governor-tate-reeves-provides-updates-covid-19-pandemic-mississippi-video-live-stream-1
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en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/3d541ff84b9ee050ce04494122137fe98c9fd6d4d8d87fb1400f6ba4f19f963e.json
|
[
"Governor Tate Reeves is currently giving a briefing on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi.\n\"We spent last week and all weekend surging capacity for the vaccine appointment website and call center. More appointments are being loaded constantly, and we are now giving out vaccines as quickly as we get them. Update on access, locations, and more in today’s briefing.\"\nIt is currently being hosted on his Facebook page (and will remain there following the briefing).\nYou can view the live-stream video here.",
"Governor Tate Reeves provides updates on COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi in Video Live-stream",
"Governor Tate Reeves is currently giving a briefing on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-21T01:50:07 | null | null |
OPINION column by: Sid Salter
At noon today with the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, Democrats will control the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives and narrowly the U.S. Senate.
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SALTER: With Democrat trifecta in Washington, Republicans stand at an uneasy crossroads
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www.winonatimes.com
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OPINION column by: Sid Salter
At noon today with the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, Democrats will control the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives and narrowly the U.S. Senate.
That reality ends the embattled tenure of outgoing GOP President Donald Trump, the conclusion at least for now of a meteoric if not unlikely rise to power by a flamboyant billionaire New York City real estate developer who captivated rural voters in the South and the Midwest.
Mississippi is a prime example of the fierce political loyalty Trump engendered in his supporters. In a state with a 38 percent Black population, state voters gave Trump 57.8 percent of the state’s 2016 vote for president and 57.6 percent in the 2020 presidential election.
The 2020 election cycle saw Trump lose the White House and preside over the loss of a GOP Senate majority. But those losses came in an election that saw Trump get over 72 million votes – the second-largest vote total in U.S. history. The largest presidential vote total in history was cast in the same election as 78 million voters showed up to vote Biden in and Trump out of office.
Some 60 post-election legal challenges – including one to the U.S. Supreme Court to which Trump appointed one-third of the justices – failed. But still claims of a “stolen” election persist and are fomented almost hourly by President Trump.
Not even the violent, disgraceful insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on the day the nation’s electoral vote was certified quelled that narrative. Democrats in the House predictably impeached Trump and Republican leaders in the Senate refused to take the impeachment matter up until well after Trump is no longer in office.
With President Biden inaugurated at noon today, the nation looks to move forward in the face of a growing global pandemic and the economic uncertainties it has wrought. The Democratic Party has their own issues, with Biden perceived as “not progressive enough” by the far left in his own party. Governing will be a challenge for Biden both from GOP opposition and Democratic purity politics.
But the Republican Party is at a broader crossroads. What will be the path forward be for the party of Lincoln? Shortly after the election, the Republican National Committee met and made no substantial changes in their party’s leadership.
Will the GOP maintain its loyalty to Trump and Trumpism, or will new leaders and new thinking emerge? Will Trump continue to be a force of nature in Republican politics, granting thumbs up or down in contested GOP primaries?
Or will the GOP seek to redefine itself based on more bedrock party principles of a smaller central government, less taxes, free markets, and a strong national defense strategy with less isolationism. Will the party pivot from xenophobia in national immigration policy?
What about the evangelical wing of the GOP, a group that seemed to grant Trump a pass for most of his time on the presidential stage?
And what of “conservative” fiscal policy? The Trump White House tenure has seen a $7.8 trillion increase in the national debt. To be sure, President Barack Obama grew the national debt by over $9 trillion, but the Trump record is substantial for a Republican.
Trump endured a global pandemic while Obama endured a global economic recession.
In Mississippi, Republicans remain firmly in power facing a state Democratic Party with little demonstrable state-level organization or resources. Two-time Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Mike Espy attracted huge campaign war chests against Sen. Cindy Hyde=Smith and still was defeated soundly in 2018 and again by a wider margin in 2020.
In 2019, Republican Tate Reeves turned back the challenge of one of the state’s most formidable Democrats in Jim Hood. Reeves won by about 5 percent of the vote. All eight statewide Mississippi officials are Republicans, as are both houses of the Mississippi Legislature.
Nationally, Republicans face a growing identity crisis. In the post-Trump era, they must redefine who the are, what they believe, and who is to be the national face of the party while in “loyal opposition” to the Democrats in power.
Against that backdrop, the Trump shadow over the GOP’s future has yet to be accurately measured.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/columns/salter-democrat-trifecta-washington-republicans-stand-uneasy-crossroads-1
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en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/015416a797477235e2fb74bc26cc214a470920e19bbaa5076e98355d29e57e46.json
|
[
"OPINION column by: Sid Salter\nAt noon today with the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, Democrats will control the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives and narrowly the U.S. Senate.\nThat reality ends the embattled tenure of outgoing GOP President Donald Trump, the conclusion at least for now of a meteoric if not unlikely rise to power by a flamboyant billionaire New York City real estate developer who captivated rural voters in the South and the Midwest.\nMississippi is a prime example of the fierce political loyalty Trump engendered in his supporters. In a state with a 38 percent Black population, state voters gave Trump 57.8 percent of the state’s 2016 vote for president and 57.6 percent in the 2020 presidential election.\nThe 2020 election cycle saw Trump lose the White House and preside over the loss of a GOP Senate majority. But those losses came in an election that saw Trump get over 72 million votes – the second-largest vote total in U.S. history. The largest presidential vote total in history was cast in the same election as 78 million voters showed up to vote Biden in and Trump out of office.\nSome 60 post-election legal challenges – including one to the U.S. Supreme Court to which Trump appointed one-third of the justices – failed. But still claims of a “stolen” election persist and are fomented almost hourly by President Trump.\nNot even the violent, disgraceful insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on the day the nation’s electoral vote was certified quelled that narrative. Democrats in the House predictably impeached Trump and Republican leaders in the Senate refused to take the impeachment matter up until well after Trump is no longer in office.\nWith President Biden inaugurated at noon today, the nation looks to move forward in the face of a growing global pandemic and the economic uncertainties it has wrought. The Democratic Party has their own issues, with Biden perceived as “not progressive enough” by the far left in his own party. Governing will be a challenge for Biden both from GOP opposition and Democratic purity politics.\nBut the Republican Party is at a broader crossroads. What will be the path forward be for the party of Lincoln? Shortly after the election, the Republican National Committee met and made no substantial changes in their party’s leadership.\nWill the GOP maintain its loyalty to Trump and Trumpism, or will new leaders and new thinking emerge? Will Trump continue to be a force of nature in Republican politics, granting thumbs up or down in contested GOP primaries?\nOr will the GOP seek to redefine itself based on more bedrock party principles of a smaller central government, less taxes, free markets, and a strong national defense strategy with less isolationism. Will the party pivot from xenophobia in national immigration policy?\nWhat about the evangelical wing of the GOP, a group that seemed to grant Trump a pass for most of his time on the presidential stage?\nAnd what of “conservative” fiscal policy? The Trump White House tenure has seen a $7.8 trillion increase in the national debt. To be sure, President Barack Obama grew the national debt by over $9 trillion, but the Trump record is substantial for a Republican.\nTrump endured a global pandemic while Obama endured a global economic recession.\nIn Mississippi, Republicans remain firmly in power facing a state Democratic Party with little demonstrable state-level organization or resources. Two-time Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Mike Espy attracted huge campaign war chests against Sen. Cindy Hyde=Smith and still was defeated soundly in 2018 and again by a wider margin in 2020.\nIn 2019, Republican Tate Reeves turned back the challenge of one of the state’s most formidable Democrats in Jim Hood. Reeves won by about 5 percent of the vote. All eight statewide Mississippi officials are Republicans, as are both houses of the Mississippi Legislature.\nNationally, Republicans face a growing identity crisis. In the post-Trump era, they must redefine who the are, what they believe, and who is to be the national face of the party while in “loyal opposition” to the Democrats in power.\nAgainst that backdrop, the Trump shadow over the GOP’s future has yet to be accurately measured.",
"SALTER: With Democrat trifecta in Washington, Republicans stand at an uneasy crossroads",
"OPINION column by: Sid Salter\nAt noon today with the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, Democrats will control the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives and narrowly the U.S. Senate."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-09T09:53:23 | null | null |
Mississippi Republican Party chairman Frank Bordeaux and party Executive Director Tate Lewis were in Florida over the last few days for the Republican National Committee’s winter meeting.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmsgop-chairman-bordeaux-recaps-rnc-meeting-says-republicans-optimistic-about-2022-1.json
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en
| null |
MSGOP chairman Bordeaux recaps RNC meeting, says Republicans optimistic about 2022
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
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Mississippi Republican Party chairman Frank Bordeaux and party Executive Director Tate Lewis were in Florida over the last few days for the Republican National Committee’s winter meeting.
Bordeaux spoke with Y’all Politics on Friday afternoon following the election of the national executive committee telling us that RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel ran unopposed for a third-term and won unanimously. Also, co-chair Tommy Hicks won re-election on the first slate.
“There’s no change in the executive committee,” Bordeaux said. “Everybody was very optimistic about our opportunities in 2022 and wanted to continue to build out the party from a grassroots apparatus that started two years ago, and that was obviously successful in a number of states.”
McDaniel said the party has much work to do to take back the Senate and the House in 2022, but she says, “I am mad and I’m not going to let socialism rule this country.”
“So Democrats,” she said, “get ready, buckle your seatbelts because we’re coming.”
From a Mississippi perspective, Bordeaux said both McDaniel and Hicks are excited to see what is happening in the Magnolia State.
“They will be making trips to visit with us and work with us on data and grassroots and outreach to minority communities,” the MSGOP chair said.
Bordeaux said he is leaving the meeting excited about the future as well.
The events of this week, however, did cloud part of the gathering, having lost both Georgia U.S. Senate seats on Tuesday and then watching the events at the U.S. Capitol transpire on Wednesday.
“Everyone was very upset with outcome in Georgia but I think that we learned a lot from Georgia,” Bordeaux said. “The main mantra coming out of the election cycle was ballot security and ballot integrity. The RNC is going to put together a complete apparatus just to focus on ballot integrity, and I think that’s the biggest charge the leadership got out of the members was to put that together.”
Bordeaux said the riot at the Capitol was condemned by all RNC members, with all expressing that those involved should be charged to the fullest extent under the law.
-- Article credit to Frank Corder of Y'all Politics. --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/msgop-chairman-bordeaux-recaps-rnc-meeting-says-republicans-optimistic-about-2022-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/47692cc5f18984839680e5a18b46f681494b828510824747770a4bde4546d1e6.json
|
[
"Mississippi Republican Party chairman Frank Bordeaux and party Executive Director Tate Lewis were in Florida over the last few days for the Republican National Committee’s winter meeting.\nBordeaux spoke with Y’all Politics on Friday afternoon following the election of the national executive committee telling us that RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel ran unopposed for a third-term and won unanimously. Also, co-chair Tommy Hicks won re-election on the first slate.\n“There’s no change in the executive committee,” Bordeaux said. “Everybody was very optimistic about our opportunities in 2022 and wanted to continue to build out the party from a grassroots apparatus that started two years ago, and that was obviously successful in a number of states.”\nMcDaniel said the party has much work to do to take back the Senate and the House in 2022, but she says, “I am mad and I’m not going to let socialism rule this country.”\n“So Democrats,” she said, “get ready, buckle your seatbelts because we’re coming.”\nFrom a Mississippi perspective, Bordeaux said both McDaniel and Hicks are excited to see what is happening in the Magnolia State.\n“They will be making trips to visit with us and work with us on data and grassroots and outreach to minority communities,” the MSGOP chair said.\nBordeaux said he is leaving the meeting excited about the future as well.\nThe events of this week, however, did cloud part of the gathering, having lost both Georgia U.S. Senate seats on Tuesday and then watching the events at the U.S. Capitol transpire on Wednesday.\n“Everyone was very upset with outcome in Georgia but I think that we learned a lot from Georgia,” Bordeaux said. “The main mantra coming out of the election cycle was ballot security and ballot integrity. The RNC is going to put together a complete apparatus just to focus on ballot integrity, and I think that’s the biggest charge the leadership got out of the members was to put that together.”\nBordeaux said the riot at the Capitol was condemned by all RNC members, with all expressing that those involved should be charged to the fullest extent under the law.\n-- Article credit to Frank Corder of Y'all Politics. --",
"MSGOP chairman Bordeaux recaps RNC meeting, says Republicans optimistic about 2022",
"Mississippi Republican Party chairman Frank Bordeaux and party Executive Director Tate Lewis were in Florida over the last few days for the Republican National Committee’s winter meeting."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T23:29:06 | null | null |
Last month, bus driver and sixth grade special education teacher Chris Nichols received a bonus for helping his school improve a letter grade. The $1,320 stipend came from the School Recognition Program, which provides a financial reward for teachers and staff.
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Will the School Recognition Program see more accountability this year? ‘Everything’s on the the table.’
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www.winonatimes.com
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Last month, bus driver and sixth grade special education teacher Chris Nichols received a bonus for helping his school improve a letter grade. The $1,320 stipend came from the School Recognition Program, which provides a financial reward for teachers and staff.
For Nichols, who teaches in the Itawamba County School District, this extra cash also caused some guilt. Though he was happy to have it, his colleagues who are teacher aides and assistants weren’t eligible for the funds even though they “work just as hard” as teachers, he said. The program’s guidelines allow only “certified staff” to receive an award.
“These people are even more underpaid than our teachers, barely making over $1,000 a month and they’re working 40 hours a week,” Nichols said. “So seeing those test results (rise), I feel like those workers should get credit when it comes time to get that money. It goes beyond what (students) receive from the teacher in the classroom.”
Nichols’ concerns echo criticism from school officials, teachers, education advocates and lawmakers about the controversial program, which provides financial rewards for educators in school districts with an A rating or districts that move up a letter grade year over year. The question of equity in the program is compounded by a new complication caused by the coronavirus: Is it fair to reward districts based on letter grades that are not up to date?
When schools closed in March 2020, the Mississippi State Board of Education canceled state testing. This meant that there were no test results to base that year’s accountability ratings. The state board allowed districts to retain their rating from the previous year (2018-19), which creates a problem for lawmakers as they determine how to handle the School Recognition Program without new accountability ratings.
This is not going to change any time soon. This month, the state board voted to allow schools and districts to suspend the assignment of letter grades, which measure school and district performance, for the 2020-21 year. A December 2020 report conducted by the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) committee warned lawmakers that they do not have up-to-date information to make funding decisions. The committee’s recommendations included that the Legislature should require the Mississippi Department of Education to enforce the program’s rules and clarify who exactly is eligible to receive these monies, among other things.
While the 2021 legislative session is currently underway, legislators are unsure if they’re going to make any changes or continue to fund the merit-pay program.
Senate Education Chair Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, said “a placeholder” bill was filed in case legislators opted to make any changes to the law “especially in light of the PEER committee report.” He said that bill could be used to enact a plan to award good teachers in bad districts, though he gave no details. He did seem aware of the language in the law saying a plan should be developed.
When asked if the Legislature might decide not to fund the program in light of no new accountability data, he said, “Everything is on the table.”
House Education Chair Richard Bennett said he and the committee are looking at PEER recommendations, and they are trying to figure out how to deal with the accountability and COVID-19 issue. He said he knows there’s a problem with fairness with accountability being grandfathered.
“We are trying to work with the governor’s office, trying to come up with a way to do it this year. We don’t want it to go away, but because we don’t have the accountability – we’re trying to figure out what to do,” said Bennett, a Republican from Long Beach. “We want to do something, and we definitely want to save the program. It might be possible we give everybody a one-time bonus, if the money’s there. We don’t know yet.”
Bennett said because of COVID-19, the House leadership is trying to limit legislation and its time at the Capitol. This might make it difficult to do an overhaul of the program this year, he said, in part because lawmakers are limited in time on the floor.
“I don’t want to take up something too controversial because it wouldn’t be fair not to give everyone a chance to debate the issues,” Bennett said. “We’re going to do the least amount of things we can with legislation this year so we can get out of here.”
DeBar, Bennett and two other Republican lawmakers each filed bills this year to bring the program forward for possible amendments.
A spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Education said the department will follow the direction of the Legislature.
Accountability ratings aside, educators and advocates have other issues with the program.
Erica Jones, president of the Mississippi Association of Educators, said she is not a “big fan” of the program and feels it’s flawed. She said it doesn’t help with teacher retention. She proposed using the money set aside for the program instead be used to give an “adequate pay raise” to educators to help attract and retain teachers.
“Some of our educators would never receive (the stipend) based on specialty and region,” Jones said. “Before COVID, we were facing a teacher shortage, now with COVID, it’s even harder for us to locate educators in the state.”
In July 2020, Mississippi Today published a story outlining issues with the merit pay program. While many teachers Mississippi Today spoke with said they were grateful for the money, critics say it causes confusion and in some cases actually decreases morale for educators.
The program’s intent to incentivize teachers based on accountability ratings has caused problems, including infighting at the district level about how the money is distributed and who is eligible to receive the funds. Last year the Mississippi Department of Education started to require that schools give this money out equally, though Mississippi Today’s analysis found not all schools seem to be doing this.
It isn’t uncommon for eligible staff to give some of their money to colleagues who did not receive anything. Wanda Quon, principal of Pecan Park Elementary, an A-rated school in the Jackson Public School District, said teachers did this in her school.
Other teachers say the students are doing the work, so they should be rewarded, too. Since there are no rules in the law about how teachers should spend the money once they receive it, North Forrest High School U.S. History teacher Laura Holifield and several colleagues took the merit pay they received and created a scholarship for seniors to help with college expenses.
“If it weren’t for the kids, we wouldn’t have gotten (the money) in the first place,” she said.
Additionally, the coronavirus pandemic has altered the way teachers deliver education to students, making it difficult to measure and reward teachers for student performance. Some teachers still struggle to reach and teach kids, said Nichols, the teacher and bus driver in Itawamba County. This makes it harder to measure accountability and determine how much money schools should get from the program, he said.
“You still had teachers that were working hours and hours and hours to try to get instruction out there virtually any way they could,” Nichols said. “Teachers are really trying to make a difference in trying to reach their kids. They don’t need a letter rating hung over their heads. The teachers are more worried about what I can do to really help my kids today.”
It takes more than certified staff to “coordinate that school improvement effort,” said Harrison Michael, principal of Callaway High School. It takes building trust and relationships “inside and outside those four walls” with community, parents, and school staff. His school improved from a D to C.
So, how do you choose what teachers should or shouldn’t be rewarded?
Cathryn Warren, an elementary school teacher in Lamar County School District, said it’s challenging because of a number of factors at play in meeting standards like student population and resources.
“A lot of the time on these high stakes tests, it isn’t necessarily the content of the test. It more so has to do with the student’s ability to take a test, which is even more frustrating,” she said. I know great, phenomenal teachers. (For) districts that may be lower income, or (if) the population is completely different … I don’t think you should disqualify them for their efforts.”
School administrators and teachers said this stems from not giving “specific guidance” on who’s included and who’s not. Jackson Public Schools Chief of Finance Sharolyn Miller said it becomes cumbersome when schools divvy money to their discretion. For example, certain schools may include nurses in eligible staff whereas another school doesn’t, she said.
“We just need to know for sure, what is a certified person? There are a lot of people who hold a license. They will call me and say,’I have to have a license for my job … so does that mean I’m a certified person?’,” Miller said. “I think the MDE heard the cries of staff and school school districts that said define it, but the law needs to be changed to reflect that.”
Geoff Pender and Bobby Harrison contributed to this report.
-- Article credit to Aallyah Wright of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/will-school-recognition-program-see-more-accountability-year-everythings-table-1
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en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/6029842a2be487cb427e17b4ca9265064fda6f19c4b6ca36a4b3612be1a76524.json
|
[
"Last month, bus driver and sixth grade special education teacher Chris Nichols received a bonus for helping his school improve a letter grade. The $1,320 stipend came from the School Recognition Program, which provides a financial reward for teachers and staff.\nFor Nichols, who teaches in the Itawamba County School District, this extra cash also caused some guilt. Though he was happy to have it, his colleagues who are teacher aides and assistants weren’t eligible for the funds even though they “work just as hard” as teachers, he said. The program’s guidelines allow only “certified staff” to receive an award.\n“These people are even more underpaid than our teachers, barely making over $1,000 a month and they’re working 40 hours a week,” Nichols said. “So seeing those test results (rise), I feel like those workers should get credit when it comes time to get that money. It goes beyond what (students) receive from the teacher in the classroom.”\nNichols’ concerns echo criticism from school officials, teachers, education advocates and lawmakers about the controversial program, which provides financial rewards for educators in school districts with an A rating or districts that move up a letter grade year over year. The question of equity in the program is compounded by a new complication caused by the coronavirus: Is it fair to reward districts based on letter grades that are not up to date?\nWhen schools closed in March 2020, the Mississippi State Board of Education canceled state testing. This meant that there were no test results to base that year’s accountability ratings. The state board allowed districts to retain their rating from the previous year (2018-19), which creates a problem for lawmakers as they determine how to handle the School Recognition Program without new accountability ratings.\nThis is not going to change any time soon. This month, the state board voted to allow schools and districts to suspend the assignment of letter grades, which measure school and district performance, for the 2020-21 year. A December 2020 report conducted by the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) committee warned lawmakers that they do not have up-to-date information to make funding decisions. The committee’s recommendations included that the Legislature should require the Mississippi Department of Education to enforce the program’s rules and clarify who exactly is eligible to receive these monies, among other things.\nWhile the 2021 legislative session is currently underway, legislators are unsure if they’re going to make any changes or continue to fund the merit-pay program.\nSenate Education Chair Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, said “a placeholder” bill was filed in case legislators opted to make any changes to the law “especially in light of the PEER committee report.” He said that bill could be used to enact a plan to award good teachers in bad districts, though he gave no details. He did seem aware of the language in the law saying a plan should be developed.\nWhen asked if the Legislature might decide not to fund the program in light of no new accountability data, he said, “Everything is on the table.”\nHouse Education Chair Richard Bennett said he and the committee are looking at PEER recommendations, and they are trying to figure out how to deal with the accountability and COVID-19 issue. He said he knows there’s a problem with fairness with accountability being grandfathered.\n“We are trying to work with the governor’s office, trying to come up with a way to do it this year. We don’t want it to go away, but because we don’t have the accountability – we’re trying to figure out what to do,” said Bennett, a Republican from Long Beach. “We want to do something, and we definitely want to save the program. It might be possible we give everybody a one-time bonus, if the money’s there. We don’t know yet.”\nBennett said because of COVID-19, the House leadership is trying to limit legislation and its time at the Capitol. This might make it difficult to do an overhaul of the program this year, he said, in part because lawmakers are limited in time on the floor.\n“I don’t want to take up something too controversial because it wouldn’t be fair not to give everyone a chance to debate the issues,” Bennett said. “We’re going to do the least amount of things we can with legislation this year so we can get out of here.”\nDeBar, Bennett and two other Republican lawmakers each filed bills this year to bring the program forward for possible amendments.\nA spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Education said the department will follow the direction of the Legislature.\nAccountability ratings aside, educators and advocates have other issues with the program.\nErica Jones, president of the Mississippi Association of Educators, said she is not a “big fan” of the program and feels it’s flawed. She said it doesn’t help with teacher retention. She proposed using the money set aside for the program instead be used to give an “adequate pay raise” to educators to help attract and retain teachers.\n“Some of our educators would never receive (the stipend) based on specialty and region,” Jones said. “Before COVID, we were facing a teacher shortage, now with COVID, it’s even harder for us to locate educators in the state.”\nIn July 2020, Mississippi Today published a story outlining issues with the merit pay program. While many teachers Mississippi Today spoke with said they were grateful for the money, critics say it causes confusion and in some cases actually decreases morale for educators.\nThe program’s intent to incentivize teachers based on accountability ratings has caused problems, including infighting at the district level about how the money is distributed and who is eligible to receive the funds. Last year the Mississippi Department of Education started to require that schools give this money out equally, though Mississippi Today’s analysis found not all schools seem to be doing this.\nIt isn’t uncommon for eligible staff to give some of their money to colleagues who did not receive anything. Wanda Quon, principal of Pecan Park Elementary, an A-rated school in the Jackson Public School District, said teachers did this in her school.\nOther teachers say the students are doing the work, so they should be rewarded, too. Since there are no rules in the law about how teachers should spend the money once they receive it, North Forrest High School U.S. History teacher Laura Holifield and several colleagues took the merit pay they received and created a scholarship for seniors to help with college expenses.\n“If it weren’t for the kids, we wouldn’t have gotten (the money) in the first place,” she said.\nAdditionally, the coronavirus pandemic has altered the way teachers deliver education to students, making it difficult to measure and reward teachers for student performance. Some teachers still struggle to reach and teach kids, said Nichols, the teacher and bus driver in Itawamba County. This makes it harder to measure accountability and determine how much money schools should get from the program, he said.\n“You still had teachers that were working hours and hours and hours to try to get instruction out there virtually any way they could,” Nichols said. “Teachers are really trying to make a difference in trying to reach their kids. They don’t need a letter rating hung over their heads. The teachers are more worried about what I can do to really help my kids today.”\nIt takes more than certified staff to “coordinate that school improvement effort,” said Harrison Michael, principal of Callaway High School. It takes building trust and relationships “inside and outside those four walls” with community, parents, and school staff. His school improved from a D to C.\nSo, how do you choose what teachers should or shouldn’t be rewarded?\nCathryn Warren, an elementary school teacher in Lamar County School District, said it’s challenging because of a number of factors at play in meeting standards like student population and resources.\n“A lot of the time on these high stakes tests, it isn’t necessarily the content of the test. It more so has to do with the student’s ability to take a test, which is even more frustrating,” she said. I know great, phenomenal teachers. (For) districts that may be lower income, or (if) the population is completely different … I don’t think you should disqualify them for their efforts.”\nSchool administrators and teachers said this stems from not giving “specific guidance” on who’s included and who’s not. Jackson Public Schools Chief of Finance Sharolyn Miller said it becomes cumbersome when schools divvy money to their discretion. For example, certain schools may include nurses in eligible staff whereas another school doesn’t, she said.\n“We just need to know for sure, what is a certified person? There are a lot of people who hold a license. They will call me and say,’I have to have a license for my job … so does that mean I’m a certified person?’,” Miller said. “I think the MDE heard the cries of staff and school school districts that said define it, but the law needs to be changed to reflect that.”\nGeoff Pender and Bobby Harrison contributed to this report.\n-- Article credit to Aallyah Wright of Mississippi Today --",
"Will the School Recognition Program see more accountability this year? ‘Everything’s on the the table.’",
"Last month, bus driver and sixth grade special education teacher Chris Nichols received a bonus for helping his school improve a letter grade. The $1,320 stipend came from the School Recognition Program, which provides a financial reward for teachers and staff."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-27T08:00:50 | null | null |
Today, Governor Tate Reeves gave the 2021 State of the State Address.
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Gov. Tate Reeves’ issues second State of the State Address - Full 2021 Address
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www.winonatimes.com
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Today, Governor Tate Reeves gave the 2021 State of the State Address.
Below is the full transcript:
“Thank you, Lieutenant Governor Hosemann and Speaker Gunn.
To members of the legislature and other public servants who would normally be here, I wish that we could be together today. We all know that normal has not been in the cards in 2020 or 2021 so far. But I know that you will be able to thoughtfully carry out your work even despite the challenges before us. I’m grateful for your service and I’m even more grateful for your friendship.
I’m very proud to be joined by my beautiful wife, who has been the steady hand I’ve needed during this tumultuous year. Elee, thank you for being a friend, a great Mom to our daughters, and a true partner in this work.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am here to say that our state is unconquerable. We have taken every hit that can be thrown. We’ve been tested by every force of nature, disease, and human frailty. It is already a miracle that our state is still standing, but we are not simply standing. We are marching forward.
In this year of crisis and confusion, there has been a solid foundation. It is the Mississippi spirit that binds all of us together. This is not a state of people who have cowered in the face of adversity.
We’ve got grit, and pride, and faith. We know how to overcome our differences and work together. We know how to do hard things. We know how to treat one another.
As we saw on Easter Sunday, this is a state of people who won’t let a tornado leave the ground before arriving with chainsaws to clear their neighbors’ land. As we saw after Zeta, it is a state of people who won’t let the waves of a hurricane rush back to the sea before ensuring their neighbor has food and warmth. We are a state of people who step up, time and again, and have exceeded all expectations this year.
Tennessee Williams was a world-renowned playwright, and a son of Lowndes County, Mississippi. He once wrote that “The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks.” What he meant was that decency, kindness, empathy, and goodness always win, even when facing hardened opposition. That has happened here, in our state, in our time. We’ve seen courage and compassion beat the forces of chaos and destruction in Mississippi. The victory isn’t final, but we can see it here every day.
That victory is visible in the long hours of nurses, teachers, and first responders. It is visible in the lives saved by ordinary heroes administering care--physical, emotional, and spiritual--on a daily basis in our state.
It is because of those people that Mississippi was able to move forward when the rest of the world came to a halt. In Mississippi, we never stopped working. We never shut down our farms and we never shut down our factories. What we did slow down for safety, we opened up as quickly and as widely as we possibly could.
We’ve been cautious, never panicked. We’ve been safe, but not stubborn. Life cannot be lived in perpetual idleness and isolation. We realized that, and we’ve adapted our plans throughout the year--responding swiftly when the spread was most severe and opening up whenever it is possible.
And that has made a tremendous difference. Despite the once in a century pandemic, Mississippi’s economy actually grew year over year. Think about that. We were the third-best state in the country for job recovery. We had more tourism spending return than any other state in the country--we were number one!
That’s not just because of an open economy. It’s because Mississippians don’t want welfare, they want to work. They recognize the pride and dignity that comes with it, and they’ve been eager to return when given the opportunity.
It is also why, as we look forward, we cannot be content with where we are. We can never simply say “that’s good enough.”
I don’t want to compete with the Mississippi of the last fifty years. I don’t want to compete with Mississippi of the last decade. I don’t want to compete with Mississippi of last year. I want to compete with the best--Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas. Because I know we can compete, and I know we can win.
We can get in the ring with anybody, and we can leave with more jobs and higher wages. Mississippians can bring more skill and dedication to any project than anyone else, anywhere in the world. We work harder than anyone. Why shouldn’t we get the best jobs, the best expansions, and best headquarters? I believe we can. And as Mississippi’s own, the great Dizzy Dean, once said: “If you can do it, it ain’t braggin’.”
This is a time of global upheaval, uncertainty, and chaos. And it is in those times that fortunes are made. We need to make Mississippi’s fortune today--this is the moment in our history to do it. We’ve chosen a new banner, we’ve improved our education, and we’ve shown the world that we’re open for business. Now we need to go out and win high-paying jobs for the people of our state.
I believe that in order to fully capture the potential of this historic moment, we must think big. We need a bold move. This is the time for an action that will turn heads all across the country and get money and people flowing in. And I believe that move is the elimination of the income tax. It is a reward for our hard workers, and an incentive for others to invest here, to grow here, and to live here.
We can transform our economy. We can do it in a smart way, recognizing that it will take a few years to phase in. But we can change a generation of lives here, by attracting the jobs and wages we deserve. I am ready to work with legislators on this, and I know that there is an appetite for this type of boldness.
There are still many who say that we can’t lower taxes because it puts new government spending at risk. And I understand that it is often good politics to act like something from the government is a gift. The far left has played that tune for generations.
But we have to be clear: the government does not have anything that it does not first take from a taxpayer. And the people of this state understand that. We have to respect the workers of Mississippi enough to recognize when we can show restraint and stop taking from them. Allow you to spend your money that you make, and it will grow our economy beyond belief.
I also believe we need to sharpen one particular tool to get our economy rolling--our state’s workforce development. We don’t need Mississippians to be stuck in low-paying jobs. We want them to embark on careers with good pay and freedom. The best way to accomplish that is to help lift young Mississippians up--give them access to training that puts them in a position to succeed.
The legislature made great progress in this effort last legislative session. I’m very grateful for their work. Now, I’m calling on the legislature to continue their wise investments in this mission. It is essential. It is how we will succeed. It is how we will lift people out of poverty and into proud work. I know they share that goal.
That mission really begins years sooner, with a solid education. Mississippi has made incredible strides--number one in the nation in improvements. Now we need to, once again, set our sights even higher. This is not good enough, we can be better.
This year, in spite of tremendous pressure, we recognized that education is essential. It cannot be accomplished at scale without the incredible efforts of in-person educators. It seems obvious in hindsight, but there were tremendous headwinds. I know that we made the right decision to open our schools and allow our children and parents access to a true education.
We need to keep working. We need to keep fighting for every child to have access to the education that they deserve. We need to ensure that parents have the choice to save their child from a district that lets them down. And we need to reward our teachers for the exceptional, life-changing work that they do.
I support a teacher pay raise. I know the Senate has already passed the Lieutenant Governor’s plan, and I know that the Speaker and the House have always been supportive of raises for teachers. I’ll be eager to sign any raise that the legislature can send me. Our teachers have earned it. It’s the right way to invest.
There’s a lot more policy and politics to be hashed out in the coming year. Some of it is even important. But I know the people of Mississippi have heard a lot from me over the last year, so I want to keep this address on point. I want the people of Mississippi to know my focus for the weeks, months, and year ahead:
First, we need to crush this virus and get back to our way of life. The virus is still here, and it cannot be solved by ignoring it. We have to defeat it, because Mississippians are done. We’re done burying loved ones who were lost to this virus. We’re done with stressed hospitals. We’re done with the fearful talk of lockdowns and shutdowns. We’re ready for community again.
We all want schools to flourish with children learning and playing carefree. We want businesses thriving, with crowds of customers joined together. We want to let down the constant guard, and be joyful together. We want to be unafraid of fellowship with our friends and our neighbors.
It is one thing to eliminate government restrictions. Most of those went away last summer. It is another to be truly free from fear, and to have no more anxiety when we come together.
It will be a great day when we can gather in stadiums, churches, restaurants and bars--shoulder to shoulder--without the quiet fear of COVID. When you can celebrate with strangers after a touchdown, sing loudly at a concert not muffled by a mask, and just live life without fear. True comradery. That day is coming. It’s coming sooner than we think. There is one more hurdle to that: the rapid distribution of the Coronavirus vaccine.
I reject the false narrative that is being pushed by some which says this is our new normal. That even after vaccination, we need to continue to hide away and live in perpetual isolation and fear. That’s just wrong.
This is it. This is our moment. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and Mississippi is sprinting towards it. Last weekend, we celebrated 100,000 vaccines delivered. That took us about six weeks. We’ve done another 100,000 vaccinations since then, and as we speak we are likely delivering our 200,000th vaccine! That’s because we refused to accept a slow pace--we went from the worst state in the country at the beginning of the process to operating at peak capacity.
I promise that we will smash every roadblock. We will get this done as safely and quickly as we possibly can, and allow people to protect themselves from the virus. It is my most immediate priority, and I assure you it has my full attention.
I also have a personal goal. It’s one that I know I will fall short of, but I’m still aiming at it daily. It is to cultivate more empathy. It’s been in short supply in this world for some time now. That’s been on display across our nation too. And too often that leads us to see one another as enemies. It leads to corrosion in trust. We as a people cannot allow cruelty to win. We must rise above. We must love our neighbors as ourselves.
We’ll always have spirited debate and disagreement. You can fight for what you believe in, while honoring the man or woman on the other side. Above all we have to understand that every Mississippian--every American--is on the same team. We all want to be treated with grace. And we’re all made in the image of a perfect God. So, my goal is to act like it.
For me, that means looking out for those who need extra help. It means being honest with people--admitting what I don’t know and working to be better. It means diligently working to make Mississippi an even more welcoming, prosperous state.
I’m incredibly lucky that I’m not in it alone. None of us are. We’re surrounded by a legion of fellow Mississippians. People who care about you. People who want you to succeed, because they know we will all rise together. If we can just harness that, we can accomplish anything.
I know that our state has what it takes to be exceptional. And I know that with God’s continued providence and our unconquerable spirit, together, we can get there.
May God bless you, and may God bless Mississippi.”
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/gov-tate-reeves-issues-second-state-state-address-full-2021-address-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/f6e7bb24778e8dc4d59bbe689bb2ae3eff417f2cfad893e4985acb7c77a1232a.json
|
[
"Today, Governor Tate Reeves gave the 2021 State of the State Address.\nBelow is the full transcript:\n“Thank you, Lieutenant Governor Hosemann and Speaker Gunn.\nTo members of the legislature and other public servants who would normally be here, I wish that we could be together today. We all know that normal has not been in the cards in 2020 or 2021 so far. But I know that you will be able to thoughtfully carry out your work even despite the challenges before us. I’m grateful for your service and I’m even more grateful for your friendship.\nI’m very proud to be joined by my beautiful wife, who has been the steady hand I’ve needed during this tumultuous year. Elee, thank you for being a friend, a great Mom to our daughters, and a true partner in this work.\nLadies and gentlemen, I am here to say that our state is unconquerable. We have taken every hit that can be thrown. We’ve been tested by every force of nature, disease, and human frailty. It is already a miracle that our state is still standing, but we are not simply standing. We are marching forward.\nIn this year of crisis and confusion, there has been a solid foundation. It is the Mississippi spirit that binds all of us together. This is not a state of people who have cowered in the face of adversity.\nWe’ve got grit, and pride, and faith. We know how to overcome our differences and work together. We know how to do hard things. We know how to treat one another.\nAs we saw on Easter Sunday, this is a state of people who won’t let a tornado leave the ground before arriving with chainsaws to clear their neighbors’ land. As we saw after Zeta, it is a state of people who won’t let the waves of a hurricane rush back to the sea before ensuring their neighbor has food and warmth. We are a state of people who step up, time and again, and have exceeded all expectations this year.\nTennessee Williams was a world-renowned playwright, and a son of Lowndes County, Mississippi. He once wrote that “The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks.” What he meant was that decency, kindness, empathy, and goodness always win, even when facing hardened opposition. That has happened here, in our state, in our time. We’ve seen courage and compassion beat the forces of chaos and destruction in Mississippi. The victory isn’t final, but we can see it here every day.\nThat victory is visible in the long hours of nurses, teachers, and first responders. It is visible in the lives saved by ordinary heroes administering care--physical, emotional, and spiritual--on a daily basis in our state.\nIt is because of those people that Mississippi was able to move forward when the rest of the world came to a halt. In Mississippi, we never stopped working. We never shut down our farms and we never shut down our factories. What we did slow down for safety, we opened up as quickly and as widely as we possibly could.\nWe’ve been cautious, never panicked. We’ve been safe, but not stubborn. Life cannot be lived in perpetual idleness and isolation. We realized that, and we’ve adapted our plans throughout the year--responding swiftly when the spread was most severe and opening up whenever it is possible.\nAnd that has made a tremendous difference. Despite the once in a century pandemic, Mississippi’s economy actually grew year over year. Think about that. We were the third-best state in the country for job recovery. We had more tourism spending return than any other state in the country--we were number one!\nThat’s not just because of an open economy. It’s because Mississippians don’t want welfare, they want to work. They recognize the pride and dignity that comes with it, and they’ve been eager to return when given the opportunity.\nIt is also why, as we look forward, we cannot be content with where we are. We can never simply say “that’s good enough.”\nI don’t want to compete with the Mississippi of the last fifty years. I don’t want to compete with Mississippi of the last decade. I don’t want to compete with Mississippi of last year. I want to compete with the best--Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas. Because I know we can compete, and I know we can win.\nWe can get in the ring with anybody, and we can leave with more jobs and higher wages. Mississippians can bring more skill and dedication to any project than anyone else, anywhere in the world. We work harder than anyone. Why shouldn’t we get the best jobs, the best expansions, and best headquarters? I believe we can. And as Mississippi’s own, the great Dizzy Dean, once said: “If you can do it, it ain’t braggin’.”\nThis is a time of global upheaval, uncertainty, and chaos. And it is in those times that fortunes are made. We need to make Mississippi’s fortune today--this is the moment in our history to do it. We’ve chosen a new banner, we’ve improved our education, and we’ve shown the world that we’re open for business. Now we need to go out and win high-paying jobs for the people of our state.\nI believe that in order to fully capture the potential of this historic moment, we must think big. We need a bold move. This is the time for an action that will turn heads all across the country and get money and people flowing in. And I believe that move is the elimination of the income tax. It is a reward for our hard workers, and an incentive for others to invest here, to grow here, and to live here.\nWe can transform our economy. We can do it in a smart way, recognizing that it will take a few years to phase in. But we can change a generation of lives here, by attracting the jobs and wages we deserve. I am ready to work with legislators on this, and I know that there is an appetite for this type of boldness.\nThere are still many who say that we can’t lower taxes because it puts new government spending at risk. And I understand that it is often good politics to act like something from the government is a gift. The far left has played that tune for generations.\nBut we have to be clear: the government does not have anything that it does not first take from a taxpayer. And the people of this state understand that. We have to respect the workers of Mississippi enough to recognize when we can show restraint and stop taking from them. Allow you to spend your money that you make, and it will grow our economy beyond belief.\nI also believe we need to sharpen one particular tool to get our economy rolling--our state’s workforce development. We don’t need Mississippians to be stuck in low-paying jobs. We want them to embark on careers with good pay and freedom. The best way to accomplish that is to help lift young Mississippians up--give them access to training that puts them in a position to succeed.\nThe legislature made great progress in this effort last legislative session. I’m very grateful for their work. Now, I’m calling on the legislature to continue their wise investments in this mission. It is essential. It is how we will succeed. It is how we will lift people out of poverty and into proud work. I know they share that goal.\nThat mission really begins years sooner, with a solid education. Mississippi has made incredible strides--number one in the nation in improvements. Now we need to, once again, set our sights even higher. This is not good enough, we can be better.\nThis year, in spite of tremendous pressure, we recognized that education is essential. It cannot be accomplished at scale without the incredible efforts of in-person educators. It seems obvious in hindsight, but there were tremendous headwinds. I know that we made the right decision to open our schools and allow our children and parents access to a true education.\nWe need to keep working. We need to keep fighting for every child to have access to the education that they deserve. We need to ensure that parents have the choice to save their child from a district that lets them down. And we need to reward our teachers for the exceptional, life-changing work that they do.\nI support a teacher pay raise. I know the Senate has already passed the Lieutenant Governor’s plan, and I know that the Speaker and the House have always been supportive of raises for teachers. I’ll be eager to sign any raise that the legislature can send me. Our teachers have earned it. It’s the right way to invest.\nThere’s a lot more policy and politics to be hashed out in the coming year. Some of it is even important. But I know the people of Mississippi have heard a lot from me over the last year, so I want to keep this address on point. I want the people of Mississippi to know my focus for the weeks, months, and year ahead:\nFirst, we need to crush this virus and get back to our way of life. The virus is still here, and it cannot be solved by ignoring it. We have to defeat it, because Mississippians are done. We’re done burying loved ones who were lost to this virus. We’re done with stressed hospitals. We’re done with the fearful talk of lockdowns and shutdowns. We’re ready for community again.\nWe all want schools to flourish with children learning and playing carefree. We want businesses thriving, with crowds of customers joined together. We want to let down the constant guard, and be joyful together. We want to be unafraid of fellowship with our friends and our neighbors.\nIt is one thing to eliminate government restrictions. Most of those went away last summer. It is another to be truly free from fear, and to have no more anxiety when we come together.\nIt will be a great day when we can gather in stadiums, churches, restaurants and bars--shoulder to shoulder--without the quiet fear of COVID. When you can celebrate with strangers after a touchdown, sing loudly at a concert not muffled by a mask, and just live life without fear. True comradery. That day is coming. It’s coming sooner than we think. There is one more hurdle to that: the rapid distribution of the Coronavirus vaccine.\nI reject the false narrative that is being pushed by some which says this is our new normal. That even after vaccination, we need to continue to hide away and live in perpetual isolation and fear. That’s just wrong.\nThis is it. This is our moment. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and Mississippi is sprinting towards it. Last weekend, we celebrated 100,000 vaccines delivered. That took us about six weeks. We’ve done another 100,000 vaccinations since then, and as we speak we are likely delivering our 200,000th vaccine! That’s because we refused to accept a slow pace--we went from the worst state in the country at the beginning of the process to operating at peak capacity.\nI promise that we will smash every roadblock. We will get this done as safely and quickly as we possibly can, and allow people to protect themselves from the virus. It is my most immediate priority, and I assure you it has my full attention.\nI also have a personal goal. It’s one that I know I will fall short of, but I’m still aiming at it daily. It is to cultivate more empathy. It’s been in short supply in this world for some time now. That’s been on display across our nation too. And too often that leads us to see one another as enemies. It leads to corrosion in trust. We as a people cannot allow cruelty to win. We must rise above. We must love our neighbors as ourselves.\nWe’ll always have spirited debate and disagreement. You can fight for what you believe in, while honoring the man or woman on the other side. Above all we have to understand that every Mississippian--every American--is on the same team. We all want to be treated with grace. And we’re all made in the image of a perfect God. So, my goal is to act like it.\nFor me, that means looking out for those who need extra help. It means being honest with people--admitting what I don’t know and working to be better. It means diligently working to make Mississippi an even more welcoming, prosperous state.\nI’m incredibly lucky that I’m not in it alone. None of us are. We’re surrounded by a legion of fellow Mississippians. People who care about you. People who want you to succeed, because they know we will all rise together. If we can just harness that, we can accomplish anything.\nI know that our state has what it takes to be exceptional. And I know that with God’s continued providence and our unconquerable spirit, together, we can get there.\nMay God bless you, and may God bless Mississippi.”",
"Gov. Tate Reeves’ issues second State of the State Address - Full 2021 Address",
"Today, Governor Tate Reeves gave the 2021 State of the State Address."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-14T04:21:26 | null | null |
The Mississippi Humanities Council will be co-hosting a program on Thursday, January 14th.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippi-humanities-council-co-host-online-event-msma-insideout-lessons-freedom-1.json
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en
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Mississippi Humanities Council to co-host online event - MS+MA "Inside/Out: Lessons of Freedom Summer"
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www.winonatimes.com
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The Mississippi Humanities Council will be co-hosting a program on Thursday, January 14th. MS + MA is a joint project of the Mississippi Humanities Council and Mass Humanities. They will be bringing together people from their respective states for six interactive, online programs to facilitate conversation and connection. By reflecting on their states’ histories in relationship to each other, this series aims to build understanding and offer new perspectives. At a time when the pandemic has created a greater sense of isolation, they hope to forge connections. "Inside/Out: Lessons of Freedom Summer" will explore the Civil Rights Movement from the perspectives of Mississippi organizers and Massachusetts volunteers who took part in the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project. These civil rights veterans will reflect on their experiences working for racial justice and the crucial relationship between local Mississippians and outside activists.
The program will also explore the legacy of this alliance and its lessons for activists today. MS + MA attendees will have the opportunity to take part in small group discussions about how the lessons of Freedom Summer and the Civil Rights Movement help us understand the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
Event Date: January 14, 2021: 6pm-7:30pm Central Time
Speakers will include Freedom Summer participants, Roy DeBerry, Elaine DeLott Baker, and Charles Cobb, as well as Albert Sykes, Executive Director of IDEA (Institute for Democratic Education in America).
The program will be moderated by Dr. Daphne Chamberlain, Associate Professor of History, Tougaloo College.
Following the January 14 program, four additional programs will take place throughout Winter and Spring 2021.
Participation in the program series is free, but space is limited. Click here to register, and contact Molly McMillan for additional questions.
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https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippi-humanities-council-co-host-online-event-msma-insideout-lessons-freedom-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/4ca9ef16573a9e3e40b723e0ce2aac26aa07a6c21e6ccfc2d0d9e59b5d97ba32.json
|
[
"The Mississippi Humanities Council will be co-hosting a program on Thursday, January 14th. MS + MA is a joint project of the Mississippi Humanities Council and Mass Humanities. They will be bringing together people from their respective states for six interactive, online programs to facilitate conversation and connection. By reflecting on their states’ histories in relationship to each other, this series aims to build understanding and offer new perspectives. At a time when the pandemic has created a greater sense of isolation, they hope to forge connections. \"Inside/Out: Lessons of Freedom Summer\" will explore the Civil Rights Movement from the perspectives of Mississippi organizers and Massachusetts volunteers who took part in the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project. These civil rights veterans will reflect on their experiences working for racial justice and the crucial relationship between local Mississippians and outside activists.\nThe program will also explore the legacy of this alliance and its lessons for activists today. MS + MA attendees will have the opportunity to take part in small group discussions about how the lessons of Freedom Summer and the Civil Rights Movement help us understand the ongoing struggle for racial justice.\nEvent Date: January 14, 2021: 6pm-7:30pm Central Time\nSpeakers will include Freedom Summer participants, Roy DeBerry, Elaine DeLott Baker, and Charles Cobb, as well as Albert Sykes, Executive Director of IDEA (Institute for Democratic Education in America).\nThe program will be moderated by Dr. Daphne Chamberlain, Associate Professor of History, Tougaloo College.\nFollowing the January 14 program, four additional programs will take place throughout Winter and Spring 2021.\nParticipation in the program series is free, but space is limited. Click here to register, and contact Molly McMillan for additional questions.",
"Mississippi Humanities Council to co-host online event - MS+MA \"Inside/Out: Lessons of Freedom Summer\"",
"The Mississippi Humanities Council will be co-hosting a program on Thursday, January 14th."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-29T06:58:47 | null | null |
Adrienne Leshun Coker, a 33-year-old mother of two girls, was killed during a Wednesday afternoon shooting at the 225 South Wells St. home she reportedly shared with her alleged killer. Police Chief Herbert Dew characterized the shooting as an act of domestic violence.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent-front-page-slideshow-news-crime%2Fvictim-suspect-named-wednesday-afternoon-kosciusko.json
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en
| null |
Victim, suspect named in Wednesday afternoon Kosciusko murder
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
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Adrienne Leshun Coker, a 33-year-old mother of two girls, was killed during a Wednesday afternoon shooting at the 225 South Wells St. home she reportedly shared with her alleged killer. Police Chief Herbert Dew characterized the shooting as an act of domestic violence.
Ray Dennison Parker, Jr., 45, the father of Coker’s one-year-old daughter, is being held in Leake County jail on a $1 million bond for murder, a $100,000 bond for aggravated assault related to the child, and a $50,000 bond on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Dew said the suspect has an extensive rap sheet, but “we can’t yet tell how much of it he has been convicted of.”
Kosciusko Police received calls from area residents reporting a flurry of gun shots — more than 20 rounds in total according to Dew — around 2:48 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
As police headed to the scene, another call came in indicating “a female subject down, laying on the ground. We found Adrienne face down in the driveway and she was deceased.”
The Chief said shell casings found at the scene suggest Parker allegedly began shooting at Coker — who was getting into a 2005 brown Chevy Tahoe parked in the driveway — from inside the home. As their one-year-old child sat in the vehicle, Parker reportedly continued firing at Coker as he exited the home.
“She got out (of the vehicle) and he continued to fire as he came outside the house,” said Dew, who described the shooting as “brutal.”
“It was brutal, probably one of the worst I’ve seen in my time here,” said Dew, who along with Investigator Greg Collins, was first to arrive at the scene. “She was shot in the torso, her arms and in the head.”
Witnesses told police Parker fled the scene at a high rate of speed in the Tahoe containing the couple’s one-year-old child and headed toward Hwy. 43 South. Coker’s other child, a nine-year-old daughter, was reportedly not present at the time of the incident.
After receiving reports that the vehicle was headed back toward Kosciusko on Hwy. 43, police blocked the road and Parker was apprehended without incident around 3:22 p.m.
Parker reportedly held up the child as police pointed their guns at him and Parker relinquished the child to an officer and was taken into custody.
The child was checked out by medical personnel for cuts that probably occurred as glass in the vehicle shattered during the shooting. The child is now in the custody of Coker’s family.
Dew said his department had been called to the house on numerous occasions for domestic disturbances in the past, as far back as May 2020, but that all information collected thus far indicates the couple had been happy in recent days.
“Information that we received is that he had actually asked her to marry him on Sunday and both appeared to be happy,” said the chief. “So we don’t really have a motive.”
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https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent-front-page-slideshow-news-crime/victim-suspect-named-wednesday-afternoon-kosciusko
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/547c9d0afdfa09c4f8790e235db3eb090c5dc68f44775e283b392b71d13ea714.json
|
[
"Adrienne Leshun Coker, a 33-year-old mother of two girls, was killed during a Wednesday afternoon shooting at the 225 South Wells St. home she reportedly shared with her alleged killer. Police Chief Herbert Dew characterized the shooting as an act of domestic violence.\nRay Dennison Parker, Jr., 45, the father of Coker’s one-year-old daughter, is being held in Leake County jail on a $1 million bond for murder, a $100,000 bond for aggravated assault related to the child, and a $50,000 bond on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Dew said the suspect has an extensive rap sheet, but “we can’t yet tell how much of it he has been convicted of.”\nKosciusko Police received calls from area residents reporting a flurry of gun shots — more than 20 rounds in total according to Dew — around 2:48 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.\nAs police headed to the scene, another call came in indicating “a female subject down, laying on the ground. We found Adrienne face down in the driveway and she was deceased.”\nThe Chief said shell casings found at the scene suggest Parker allegedly began shooting at Coker — who was getting into a 2005 brown Chevy Tahoe parked in the driveway — from inside the home. As their one-year-old child sat in the vehicle, Parker reportedly continued firing at Coker as he exited the home.\n“She got out (of the vehicle) and he continued to fire as he came outside the house,” said Dew, who described the shooting as “brutal.”\n“It was brutal, probably one of the worst I’ve seen in my time here,” said Dew, who along with Investigator Greg Collins, was first to arrive at the scene. “She was shot in the torso, her arms and in the head.”\nWitnesses told police Parker fled the scene at a high rate of speed in the Tahoe containing the couple’s one-year-old child and headed toward Hwy. 43 South. Coker’s other child, a nine-year-old daughter, was reportedly not present at the time of the incident.\nAfter receiving reports that the vehicle was headed back toward Kosciusko on Hwy. 43, police blocked the road and Parker was apprehended without incident around 3:22 p.m.\nParker reportedly held up the child as police pointed their guns at him and Parker relinquished the child to an officer and was taken into custody.\nThe child was checked out by medical personnel for cuts that probably occurred as glass in the vehicle shattered during the shooting. The child is now in the custody of Coker’s family.\nDew said his department had been called to the house on numerous occasions for domestic disturbances in the past, as far back as May 2020, but that all information collected thus far indicates the couple had been happy in recent days.\n“Information that we received is that he had actually asked her to marry him on Sunday and both appeared to be happy,” said the chief. “So we don’t really have a motive.”",
"Victim, suspect named in Wednesday afternoon Kosciusko murder",
"Adrienne Leshun Coker, a 33-year-old mother of two girls, was killed during a Wednesday afternoon shooting at the 225 South Wells St. home she reportedly shared with her alleged killer. Police Chief Herbert Dew characterized the shooting as an act of domestic violence."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-26T13:05:29 | null | null |
The Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police announced it will begin posting report cards for state lawmakers on how supportive they are of law enforcement issues backed by the group that represents 330 departments statewide.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fpolice-give-mississippi-lawmakers-report-cards-they-tackle-criminal-justice-reform-1.json
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en
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Police to give Mississippi lawmakers report cards as they tackle criminal justice reform, prison crisis
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
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The Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police announced it will begin posting report cards for state lawmakers on how supportive they are of law enforcement issues backed by the group that represents 330 departments statewide.
The “10-8” report is named for the police radio code meaning an officer is in-service, on duty. The association’s report cards after a legislative session will give lawmakers a letter grade of A-F.
The move is a political muscle-flex likely to have a major impact on criminal justice reform and other legislation at the Capitol. Initially, the association has listed three measures it supports and will grade lawmakers on this session: state money to help small departments provide bullet proof vests, $1,220 a year in supplemental pay for officers at accredited departments and revamping the state Board of Standards and Training to give city chiefs a voice equal to county sheriffs and state troopers.
“Come election time, the first thing (politicians) do up on the podium is talk about supporting first responders — law enforcement, fire and others,” said John Neal, Ridgeland Police chief and president of MACP. “This isn’t meant to bring shame to any of the legislators, but we want the people of Mississippi to be able to look at this, and when they say they support law enforcement, they can see whether or not they’re supporting us on issues we feel are important.”
Neal said the association will add other bills or issues to its list it will use for lawmaker grades as they come up, and that lawmakers will be well-informed upfront that they’ll be graded on those measures.
As lawmakers grapple again this year with criminal justice reform — trying to find ways to address Mississippi’s prison crisis of overcrowding, violence and inhumane conditions — MACP and other law enforcement interests are expected to have a large say in what’s proposed and passed. Lawmakers passed sweeping reform last year, including loosened parole eligibility and sentencing, but Gov. Tate Reeves vetoed it largely because of opposition and concern from law enforcement leaders that it was too “criminal-friendly.” But the state faces multiple lawsuits and threats of federal action — and a potential mandated hit to taxpayers — if it doesn’t address its prison crisis.
“We know that corrections is stretched thin,” Neal said. “But the minimum sentence times of 25% for nonviolent, 50% for violent offenses — we supported the language in the governor’s veto that it went too far. We know things need to be done differently … I know you can’t just lock people up and throw away the key forever, but truth in sentencing needs to hold firm. There’s no sense in sentencing someone to 30 years when they are going to really do four-and-a-half years. It needs to be looked at from different angles. Do we have the answer to it? No. But figuring it out needs to be a group discussion.”
Former lawmaker Jarvis Dortch is director of the ACLU of Mississippi, one of numerous groups pushing for reform to reduce the state’s third-highest in the nation prison population. He some lawmakers were shocked last year at 11th-hour opposition from law enforcement to reforms. He said law enforcement has been involved in reform legislation, and he hopes the report cards don’t become “an instrument to block cooperation and create inflexibility.”
“There’s always that possibility, especially with this being a very conservative Legislature with Republican supermajorities, depending on what they use to grade them,” Dortch said. “… Our office used to do a scorecard, but that’s something we’ve pushed back from, to make sure we’re not putting people in a corner. “We have definitely got to do something with our prison population, or we’ll end up in a situation like Alabama,” Dortch said.
After numerous lawsuits and a Department of Justice investigation, Alabama taxpayers are having to spend an estimated $1 billion on that state’s prison crisis. Mississippi leaders have warned that if the Magnolia State doesn’t start addressing overcrowding and other issues, it could face similar mandates.
Neal said MACP’s report cards will be nonpartisan, and based on policy, not politics.
The 10-8 report is likely to get lawmakers’ attention as a grassroots proxy for hundreds of police chiefs and thousands of police officers.
“I have three police chiefs in my district,” Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson said. “I certainly listen to them and respect their opinion.”
Blount said he supports all three measures in MACP’s initial legislative agenda this year.
MACP is asking lawmakers to provide an initial $250,000 in state reimbursement funds to smaller police departments that can’t afford to provide bullet proof vests — which run about $800 each — to officers. A federal program would cover half the costs, and cities would be reimbursed by the new fund if they front the other half.
Neal said many officers in small departments in Mississippi do without bullet-proof vests, share them between multiple officers or wear worn, out-of-warranty vests that are hand-me-downs from other agencies.
“Those vests have a warranty period of five years for a reason,” Neal said. “Will a seven- or eight-year-old vest stop a bullet? Probably, but who wants to take that chance … Some agencies will have three vests, all expired, but like eight officers sharing them.”
Neal said the proposal would require cities to apply for federal funds for vests, then pay the other half match, and apply for reimbursement from the state. He said larger agencies and cities can typically afford to outfit officers with vests.
The supplemental pay proposal, Neal said, would provide $1,200 a year to officers serving in accredited departments and cost the state about $4 million a year. He said there are 29 agencies that have gone through state or national training accreditation, and that the pay stipend would help encourage more to do so.
Neal said Mississippi police are generally low-paid. He said some larger agencies start officers pay as high as $40,000 to $45,000 a year, but many pay far less and “we’ve got some smaller agencies out there — God bless them — paying about $9 an hour.” Neal said Louisiana in recent years started a supplemental state pay program of $2,400 a year.
Neal said MACP is also pushing to change the makeup of the state Board of Standards and Training for law enforcement to allow MACP to have a seat. He said sheriffs, highway patrol, campus police and other associations have representatives on the board, but not the president of MACP, although he said his association represents the largest number of law enforcement officers in the state by far.
-- Article credit to Geoff Pender of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/police-give-mississippi-lawmakers-report-cards-they-tackle-criminal-justice-reform-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/d4ef5c49ef5bf12dcb4c7dccc77bffeb22527b2c6e466b7fc7e13358f0ae15e1.json
|
[
"The Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police announced it will begin posting report cards for state lawmakers on how supportive they are of law enforcement issues backed by the group that represents 330 departments statewide.\nThe “10-8” report is named for the police radio code meaning an officer is in-service, on duty. The association’s report cards after a legislative session will give lawmakers a letter grade of A-F.\nThe move is a political muscle-flex likely to have a major impact on criminal justice reform and other legislation at the Capitol. Initially, the association has listed three measures it supports and will grade lawmakers on this session: state money to help small departments provide bullet proof vests, $1,220 a year in supplemental pay for officers at accredited departments and revamping the state Board of Standards and Training to give city chiefs a voice equal to county sheriffs and state troopers.\n“Come election time, the first thing (politicians) do up on the podium is talk about supporting first responders — law enforcement, fire and others,” said John Neal, Ridgeland Police chief and president of MACP. “This isn’t meant to bring shame to any of the legislators, but we want the people of Mississippi to be able to look at this, and when they say they support law enforcement, they can see whether or not they’re supporting us on issues we feel are important.”\nNeal said the association will add other bills or issues to its list it will use for lawmaker grades as they come up, and that lawmakers will be well-informed upfront that they’ll be graded on those measures.\nAs lawmakers grapple again this year with criminal justice reform — trying to find ways to address Mississippi’s prison crisis of overcrowding, violence and inhumane conditions — MACP and other law enforcement interests are expected to have a large say in what’s proposed and passed. Lawmakers passed sweeping reform last year, including loosened parole eligibility and sentencing, but Gov. Tate Reeves vetoed it largely because of opposition and concern from law enforcement leaders that it was too “criminal-friendly.” But the state faces multiple lawsuits and threats of federal action — and a potential mandated hit to taxpayers — if it doesn’t address its prison crisis.\n“We know that corrections is stretched thin,” Neal said. “But the minimum sentence times of 25% for nonviolent, 50% for violent offenses — we supported the language in the governor’s veto that it went too far. We know things need to be done differently … I know you can’t just lock people up and throw away the key forever, but truth in sentencing needs to hold firm. There’s no sense in sentencing someone to 30 years when they are going to really do four-and-a-half years. It needs to be looked at from different angles. Do we have the answer to it? No. But figuring it out needs to be a group discussion.”\nFormer lawmaker Jarvis Dortch is director of the ACLU of Mississippi, one of numerous groups pushing for reform to reduce the state’s third-highest in the nation prison population. He some lawmakers were shocked last year at 11th-hour opposition from law enforcement to reforms. He said law enforcement has been involved in reform legislation, and he hopes the report cards don’t become “an instrument to block cooperation and create inflexibility.”\n“There’s always that possibility, especially with this being a very conservative Legislature with Republican supermajorities, depending on what they use to grade them,” Dortch said. “… Our office used to do a scorecard, but that’s something we’ve pushed back from, to make sure we’re not putting people in a corner. “We have definitely got to do something with our prison population, or we’ll end up in a situation like Alabama,” Dortch said.\nAfter numerous lawsuits and a Department of Justice investigation, Alabama taxpayers are having to spend an estimated $1 billion on that state’s prison crisis. Mississippi leaders have warned that if the Magnolia State doesn’t start addressing overcrowding and other issues, it could face similar mandates.\nNeal said MACP’s report cards will be nonpartisan, and based on policy, not politics.\nThe 10-8 report is likely to get lawmakers’ attention as a grassroots proxy for hundreds of police chiefs and thousands of police officers.\n“I have three police chiefs in my district,” Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson said. “I certainly listen to them and respect their opinion.”\nBlount said he supports all three measures in MACP’s initial legislative agenda this year.\nMACP is asking lawmakers to provide an initial $250,000 in state reimbursement funds to smaller police departments that can’t afford to provide bullet proof vests — which run about $800 each — to officers. A federal program would cover half the costs, and cities would be reimbursed by the new fund if they front the other half.\nNeal said many officers in small departments in Mississippi do without bullet-proof vests, share them between multiple officers or wear worn, out-of-warranty vests that are hand-me-downs from other agencies.\n“Those vests have a warranty period of five years for a reason,” Neal said. “Will a seven- or eight-year-old vest stop a bullet? Probably, but who wants to take that chance … Some agencies will have three vests, all expired, but like eight officers sharing them.”\nNeal said the proposal would require cities to apply for federal funds for vests, then pay the other half match, and apply for reimbursement from the state. He said larger agencies and cities can typically afford to outfit officers with vests.\nThe supplemental pay proposal, Neal said, would provide $1,200 a year to officers serving in accredited departments and cost the state about $4 million a year. He said there are 29 agencies that have gone through state or national training accreditation, and that the pay stipend would help encourage more to do so.\nNeal said Mississippi police are generally low-paid. He said some larger agencies start officers pay as high as $40,000 to $45,000 a year, but many pay far less and “we’ve got some smaller agencies out there — God bless them — paying about $9 an hour.” Neal said Louisiana in recent years started a supplemental state pay program of $2,400 a year.\nNeal said MACP is also pushing to change the makeup of the state Board of Standards and Training for law enforcement to allow MACP to have a seat. He said sheriffs, highway patrol, campus police and other associations have representatives on the board, but not the president of MACP, although he said his association represents the largest number of law enforcement officers in the state by far.\n-- Article credit to Geoff Pender of Mississippi Today --",
"Police to give Mississippi lawmakers report cards as they tackle criminal justice reform, prison crisis",
"The Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police announced it will begin posting report cards for state lawmakers on how supportive they are of law enforcement issues backed by the group that represents 330 departments statewide."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-06T14:31:12 | null | null |
Chief Justice Mike Randolph, Presiding Justice Leslie D. King and Justice Josiah Dennis Coleman took the oath of office on Monday, Jan. 4, to begin their new terms.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fchief-justice-randolph-presiding-justice-king-and-justice-coleman-sworn-new-terms-1.json
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en
| null |
Chief Justice Randolph, Presiding Justice King and Justice Coleman sworn in to new terms
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
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Chief Justice Mike Randolph, Presiding Justice Leslie D. King and Justice Josiah Dennis Coleman took the oath of office on Monday, Jan. 4, to begin their new terms.
Chief Justice Randolph, the leader of the Mississippi judicial branch of government, has almost 17 years of service on the Supreme Court. He became Chief Justice on February 1, 2019. He has homes in Hattiesburg and Ocean Springs.
Presiding Justice King, of Greenville, has served on the Supreme Court for 10 years, and has 26 years of appellate experience. He previously served for16 years on the Mississippi Court of Appeals, including almost seven years as Chief Judge.
Justice Coleman, of Fentress in Choctaw County, has served on the Supreme Court for eight years.
Justices are elected to eight-year terms.
Justice T. Kenneth Griffis of Ridgeland, who won re-election in November 2020, will begin his new term in January 2022. The position to which he was elected has a 14-month delay between election and the commencement of the new term.
Chief Justice Randolph is the longest currently serving member of the Supreme Court. He was appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour on April 23, 2004. He was first elected in November 2004, and re-elected in November 2012 and November 2020.
He was decorated for heroism in Vietnam, where he served with the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One. He was honorably discharged in 1967. During law school, he received an appointment as a Reserve officer in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General Corps. He is a graduate of the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. He was honorably discharged in 1975.
He graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., with a B.S. degree in business administration in 1972. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1974, where he served as president of the Law School Student Body.
He began practicing law in 1975 in Biloxi with the firm of Ross, King and Randolph. He then practiced with the firm of Bryan, Nelson, Allen and Schroeder on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He opened a Hattiesburg office for Bryan, Nelson, Allen and Schroeder in 1976. He later formed the firm of Bryan Nelson Randolph, PA., serving as President and CEO until his appointment to the Supreme Court.
Presiding Justice King was among the original members of the Court of Appeals, having been elected in 1994 after the intermediate appellate court was created. He served as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals from April 30, 2004, through March 1, 2011, when Gov. Haley Barbour appointed him to the Supreme Court. He was elected to the Supreme Court in November 2012 and re-elected in November 2020.
He served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1980 through 1994. He was vice-chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and vice-chairman of the Conservation and Water Resources Committee. He also served on the Judiciary, Insurance, Environmental Protection Council, Housing Finance Oversight, and Universities and Colleges committees. He was chairman of the Mississippi Black Legislative Caucus in 1988. He previously served as Youth Court Counselor for Washington County, Public Defender, Youth Court Prosecutor, and Municipal Court Judge for the Town of Metcalfe.
He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1970, and from the Texas Southern University School of Law in 1973. He began practicing law in Greenville in 1973.
Justice Coleman was elected to the Supreme Court in November 2012, and re-elected in November 2020. He is the second member of his family to serve on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Both his grandfather and his father were appellate court judges. He is the grandson of the late J.P. Coleman, who served as Mississippi Governor and on the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. J.P. Coleman also served briefly as a justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, resigning to accept appointment as state attorney general. Thomas Coleman, the younger Justice Coleman’s father, was one of the original members of the Mississippi Court of Appeals.
Justice Coleman grew up in Choctaw County. He graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and philosophy in 1995. He earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1999, and a Master of Laws from Duke University in 2020. He served for almost two years as a law clerk for U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Allan Alexander in Oxford. He practiced law for 12 years, first in Tupelo, then in Oxford.
He served as a volunteer firefighter on the Toccopola Volunteer Fire Department while he and his family lived in Pontotoc County. He and his family now live in Fentress in Choctaw County on a farm that has been worked by seven generations of the Coleman family.
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https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/chief-justice-randolph-presiding-justice-king-and-justice-coleman-sworn-new-terms-1
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en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/ff9fb1c13540d2bf114998e4a2616c19477aa395ba2fd5f1b768780e0873b651.json
|
[
"Chief Justice Mike Randolph, Presiding Justice Leslie D. King and Justice Josiah Dennis Coleman took the oath of office on Monday, Jan. 4, to begin their new terms.\nChief Justice Randolph, the leader of the Mississippi judicial branch of government, has almost 17 years of service on the Supreme Court. He became Chief Justice on February 1, 2019. He has homes in Hattiesburg and Ocean Springs.\nPresiding Justice King, of Greenville, has served on the Supreme Court for 10 years, and has 26 years of appellate experience. He previously served for16 years on the Mississippi Court of Appeals, including almost seven years as Chief Judge.\nJustice Coleman, of Fentress in Choctaw County, has served on the Supreme Court for eight years.\nJustices are elected to eight-year terms.\nJustice T. Kenneth Griffis of Ridgeland, who won re-election in November 2020, will begin his new term in January 2022. The position to which he was elected has a 14-month delay between election and the commencement of the new term.\nChief Justice Randolph is the longest currently serving member of the Supreme Court. He was appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour on April 23, 2004. He was first elected in November 2004, and re-elected in November 2012 and November 2020.\nHe was decorated for heroism in Vietnam, where he served with the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One. He was honorably discharged in 1967. During law school, he received an appointment as a Reserve officer in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General Corps. He is a graduate of the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. He was honorably discharged in 1975.\nHe graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., with a B.S. degree in business administration in 1972. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1974, where he served as president of the Law School Student Body.\nHe began practicing law in 1975 in Biloxi with the firm of Ross, King and Randolph. He then practiced with the firm of Bryan, Nelson, Allen and Schroeder on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He opened a Hattiesburg office for Bryan, Nelson, Allen and Schroeder in 1976. He later formed the firm of Bryan Nelson Randolph, PA., serving as President and CEO until his appointment to the Supreme Court.\nPresiding Justice King was among the original members of the Court of Appeals, having been elected in 1994 after the intermediate appellate court was created. He served as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals from April 30, 2004, through March 1, 2011, when Gov. Haley Barbour appointed him to the Supreme Court. He was elected to the Supreme Court in November 2012 and re-elected in November 2020.\nHe served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1980 through 1994. He was vice-chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and vice-chairman of the Conservation and Water Resources Committee. He also served on the Judiciary, Insurance, Environmental Protection Council, Housing Finance Oversight, and Universities and Colleges committees. He was chairman of the Mississippi Black Legislative Caucus in 1988. He previously served as Youth Court Counselor for Washington County, Public Defender, Youth Court Prosecutor, and Municipal Court Judge for the Town of Metcalfe.\nHe graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1970, and from the Texas Southern University School of Law in 1973. He began practicing law in Greenville in 1973.\nJustice Coleman was elected to the Supreme Court in November 2012, and re-elected in November 2020. He is the second member of his family to serve on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Both his grandfather and his father were appellate court judges. He is the grandson of the late J.P. Coleman, who served as Mississippi Governor and on the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. J.P. Coleman also served briefly as a justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, resigning to accept appointment as state attorney general. Thomas Coleman, the younger Justice Coleman’s father, was one of the original members of the Mississippi Court of Appeals.\nJustice Coleman grew up in Choctaw County. He graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and philosophy in 1995. He earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1999, and a Master of Laws from Duke University in 2020. He served for almost two years as a law clerk for U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Allan Alexander in Oxford. He practiced law for 12 years, first in Tupelo, then in Oxford.\nHe served as a volunteer firefighter on the Toccopola Volunteer Fire Department while he and his family lived in Pontotoc County. He and his family now live in Fentress in Choctaw County on a farm that has been worked by seven generations of the Coleman family.",
"Chief Justice Randolph, Presiding Justice King and Justice Coleman sworn in to new terms",
"Chief Justice Mike Randolph, Presiding Justice Leslie D. King and Justice Josiah Dennis Coleman took the oath of office on Monday, Jan. 4, to begin their new terms."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-26T13:05:13 | null | null |
On Tuesday, January 26th, Governor Tate Reeves will deliver his State of the State address. The Governor will address the challenges of the past year, and give a vision for the year ahead, a release from his office stated.
Due to the pandemic, the address will occur outdoors on the steps of the Capitol without an audience.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fgovernor-tate-reeves-deliver-state-state-address-tuesday-january-26th-1.json
|
en
| null |
Governor Tate Reeves to deliver State of State Address on Tuesday, January 26th
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
On Tuesday, January 26th, Governor Tate Reeves will deliver his State of the State address. The Governor will address the challenges of the past year, and give a vision for the year ahead, a release from his office stated.
Due to the pandemic, the address will occur outdoors on the steps of the Capitol without an audience.
The address will be live-streamed through a feed provided by Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
The feed can be viewed on the Mississippi Public Broadcasting YouTube channel.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/governor-tate-reeves-deliver-state-state-address-tuesday-january-26th-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/ec1008324075312b8c239c2982c3cab1cd3dc77e488d12e7af396f116f2f8ed0.json
|
[
"On Tuesday, January 26th, Governor Tate Reeves will deliver his State of the State address. The Governor will address the challenges of the past year, and give a vision for the year ahead, a release from his office stated.\nDue to the pandemic, the address will occur outdoors on the steps of the Capitol without an audience.\nThe address will be live-streamed through a feed provided by Mississippi Public Broadcasting.\nThe feed can be viewed on the Mississippi Public Broadcasting YouTube channel.",
"Governor Tate Reeves to deliver State of State Address on Tuesday, January 26th",
"On Tuesday, January 26th, Governor Tate Reeves will deliver his State of the State address. The Governor will address the challenges of the past year, and give a vision for the year ahead, a release from his office stated.\nDue to the pandemic, the address will occur outdoors on the steps of the Capitol without an audience."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-14T04:21:09 | null | null |
On January 8, the Department of Public Safety in coordination with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation released a Most Wanted List with 10 individuals who were of high priority to be detained in Mississippi.
Since releasing the list, five of those individuals have already been apprehended.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fdps-most-wanted-list-proves-successful-multiple-captures-under-week-1.json
|
en
| null |
DPS Most Wanted list proves successful with multiple captures in under a week
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
On January 8, the Department of Public Safety in coordination with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation released a Most Wanted List with 10 individuals who were of high priority to be detained in Mississippi.
Since releasing the list, five of those individuals have already been apprehended.
Commissioner of DPS Sean Tindell said it has been over 25 years since Mississippi has done a most wanted list.
“Back when it was done, of course, we didn’t have social media and it was a much different landscape,” said Tindell. “In looking at other states and knowing the power of social media we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring it back so that we could get this list of violent criminals and get their names out because they were either wanted by local law enforcement or they had absconded parole and were bad people that needed to be back in prison.”
Tindell said he joined forces with MBI’s Colonel Lee Morrison, Mississippi Highway Patrol and Colonel Randy Ginn to compile the list. They reached out to local enforcement and other state agencies and asked if they had any individuals they were looking for that might fit the lists’ criteria.
The main piece of criteria for an individual’s name to make it onto the Most Wanted List is to be listed on the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). They also have to be some sort of violent criminal or sex offender. Tindell said if there is a major drug trafficking offender they will be considered for the list.
Since releasing the list, Tindell said the response from the public has been incredible.
“We released it on January 8 and almost immediately we started getting tips,” said Tindell. “If you went to our Facebook page you could see at least on a couple folks saying ‘oh yeah, that’s the guy. We recognize him, we’ve seen him.’” He said those individuals then began calling the Crime Stoppers hotline with information about these individuals.
The list’s number one offender, Allan Henderson, was apprehended after individuals recognized his photo on the list because he was working as a preacher.
Henderson was convicted of choking his girlfriend to death in Pearl and leaving her body and their nine-month-old outside of the daycare. He served time for manslaughter. He was released on parole after serving most of his sentence but shortly stopped showing up for parole and absconded.
“God might have forgiven him, but he still owes a debt to the state of Mississippi,” said Tindell. MBI began searching for Henderson and he eventually turned himself in.
Another individual was Kevin Cope, a former coach who was charged with a sex offense against one of his students but failed to appear in court bringing forth warrants for his arrest. It just so happened that a Clinton Police Officer had written him a ticket the week before and recognized his face and name from the list. He then went to his superiors and they put a team together and arrested him.
“I really want to thank local law enforcement and state law enforcement. I want to thank the men and women of the state who take the time to look at the list and go ahead and make the report and make the tips,” said Tindell.
When looking at the list, if you think you see someone you recognize or have any information on someone listed, you can contact the local law enforcement agency that is looking for that individual or you can call Crime Stoppers.
Tindell said they have begun reaching back out to local law enforcement for more individuals that can be added to the list. He said he plans for it to be an ongoing thing that they will continue adding to. He said he expects to keep the list around 10 people at any given time, closely following the model that the FBI goes by.
-- Article credit to Sarah Ulmer of Y'all Politics --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/dps-most-wanted-list-proves-successful-multiple-captures-under-week-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/6576a188852139a274302d7c6dfae7a4818c815fa334ffb379a9300ecbd7aa60.json
|
[
"On January 8, the Department of Public Safety in coordination with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation released a Most Wanted List with 10 individuals who were of high priority to be detained in Mississippi.\nSince releasing the list, five of those individuals have already been apprehended.\nCommissioner of DPS Sean Tindell said it has been over 25 years since Mississippi has done a most wanted list.\n“Back when it was done, of course, we didn’t have social media and it was a much different landscape,” said Tindell. “In looking at other states and knowing the power of social media we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring it back so that we could get this list of violent criminals and get their names out because they were either wanted by local law enforcement or they had absconded parole and were bad people that needed to be back in prison.”\nTindell said he joined forces with MBI’s Colonel Lee Morrison, Mississippi Highway Patrol and Colonel Randy Ginn to compile the list. They reached out to local enforcement and other state agencies and asked if they had any individuals they were looking for that might fit the lists’ criteria.\nThe main piece of criteria for an individual’s name to make it onto the Most Wanted List is to be listed on the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). They also have to be some sort of violent criminal or sex offender. Tindell said if there is a major drug trafficking offender they will be considered for the list.\nSince releasing the list, Tindell said the response from the public has been incredible.\n“We released it on January 8 and almost immediately we started getting tips,” said Tindell. “If you went to our Facebook page you could see at least on a couple folks saying ‘oh yeah, that’s the guy. We recognize him, we’ve seen him.’” He said those individuals then began calling the Crime Stoppers hotline with information about these individuals.\nThe list’s number one offender, Allan Henderson, was apprehended after individuals recognized his photo on the list because he was working as a preacher.\nHenderson was convicted of choking his girlfriend to death in Pearl and leaving her body and their nine-month-old outside of the daycare. He served time for manslaughter. He was released on parole after serving most of his sentence but shortly stopped showing up for parole and absconded.\n“God might have forgiven him, but he still owes a debt to the state of Mississippi,” said Tindell. MBI began searching for Henderson and he eventually turned himself in.\nAnother individual was Kevin Cope, a former coach who was charged with a sex offense against one of his students but failed to appear in court bringing forth warrants for his arrest. It just so happened that a Clinton Police Officer had written him a ticket the week before and recognized his face and name from the list. He then went to his superiors and they put a team together and arrested him.\n“I really want to thank local law enforcement and state law enforcement. I want to thank the men and women of the state who take the time to look at the list and go ahead and make the report and make the tips,” said Tindell.\nWhen looking at the list, if you think you see someone you recognize or have any information on someone listed, you can contact the local law enforcement agency that is looking for that individual or you can call Crime Stoppers.\nTindell said they have begun reaching back out to local law enforcement for more individuals that can be added to the list. He said he plans for it to be an ongoing thing that they will continue adding to. He said he expects to keep the list around 10 people at any given time, closely following the model that the FBI goes by.\n-- Article credit to Sarah Ulmer of Y'all Politics --",
"DPS Most Wanted list proves successful with multiple captures in under a week",
"On January 8, the Department of Public Safety in coordination with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation released a Most Wanted List with 10 individuals who were of high priority to be detained in Mississippi.\nSince releasing the list, five of those individuals have already been apprehended."
] |
|
[
"-- Cartoon Marshall Ramsey"
] | 2021-01-16T15:26:36 | null | null |
Demand is greater than supply.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcartoons%2Fmarshall-ramsey-fire-1.json
|
en
| null |
Marshall Ramsey: Fire!
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Recipe even better the next day
I found this great recipe on social media, and I made it last week. It was delicious the day I made… READ MORE
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/cartoons/marshall-ramsey-fire-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/d64973c17cac1798475f59582bb40507a2560be3026af0c68f7950d1172c3bff.json
|
[
"Recipe even better the next day\nI found this great recipe on social media, and I made it last week. It was delicious the day I made… READ MORE",
"Marshall Ramsey: Fire!",
"Demand is greater than supply."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-01T11:31:47 | null | null |
New Year’s Day we always eat the traditional meal, pork, black eyed peas, corn bread and slaw. I thought I'd share some recipes for New Year’s Day and a couple for New Year’s Eve. This Hoppin' John recipe is the one I got out of the Commercial Appeal years ago. It's so easy, and delicious. I hope you enjoy it.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Ffront-page-slideshow-news%2Ftry-these-new-years-eve-treats.json
|
en
| null |
Try these New Year’s Eve treats
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
New Year’s Day we always eat the traditional meal, pork, black eyed peas, corn bread and slaw. I thought I'd share some recipes for New Year’s Day and a couple for New Year’s Eve. This Hoppin' John recipe is the one I got out of the Commercial Appeal years ago. It's so easy, and delicious. I hope you enjoy it. I hope the new year brings us all blessings and happiness.
Pork Roast
3 to 5 pound pork shoulder or butt roast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
2 large white onions cut into 2 inch chunks
1 pound baby carrots
1 1/2 pounds baby red potatoes
2 cups apple juice
1 sprig fresh rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Rub oil onto pork roast. In a small bowl, stir together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Sprinkle seasoning mixture onto pork roast. Place fatty side up in a roasting pan or large cast iron dutch oven.
Roast, uncovered, in the 450 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue cooking an additional 1 hour.
Remove roast from oven and place the onion chunks, carrots, and potatoes around the meat. Pour apple juice on vegetables. Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Place rosemary sprig on top.
Cook an additional 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until vegetables are tender and meat shreds easily with a fork. Season vegetables with additional salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.
Slow cooker instructions: Season the roast as directed in step 2 of the recipe. Place the meat directly into a slow cooker. Add in all remaining ingredients and cook on low 8 hours.
Instant pot electric pressure cooker instructions: Follow this recipe as directed, but instead of searing and roasting the roast in a large pot, you'll do all of this in your pressure cooker. Sear the roast using the sear setting on your electric pressure cooker. Deglaze the pan with liquids, and add in vegetables. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes, followed by a 15 minute natural release. Then, switch the release valve to the venting position. Remove lid once steam has stopped coming out.
Hoppin' John
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 15oz cans blackeyed peas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, minced
cooked rice
shredded white cheddar
hot sauce, optional
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, red pepper, and garlic. Saute' until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in blackeyed peas, broth, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cook 10 more minutes. Stir in green onions and parsley.
Serve on top of cooked rice and garnish with cheese. Add hot sauce if desired.
Stuffed celery
4 - 5 stalks celery - washed and dried
1 8 oz cream cheese - softened
1/4 cup bacon - chopped
1/2 cup cheddar cheese - grated
1 tablespoon fresh parsley - chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chives - chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
3 dashes hot sauce
Instructions
Cut celery stalks in half and set aside. Using a food processor or hand held mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth. Add in bacon, cheese, parsley, chives, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Pulse or blend until all ingredients are combined.
Using a small spoon, fill the celery "boat" with cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with addition chives and bacon if desired. Serve immediately!
Peach Bellini
2 medium sized peaches, peeled and diced
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Pinch of sugar
1 bottle Prosecco, champagne or dry sparkling wine
Puree peaches, water, lemon juice and sugar in a blender until smooth.
Fill a champagne flute a quarter full of the puree and then top off with Prosecco, champagne or sparkling wine.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/front-page-slideshow-news/try-these-new-years-eve-treats
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/459700581cd0acca986438bd2b00af4ffccd7b4839bf1a1761ff7ec32d1fa6b5.json
|
[
"New Year’s Day we always eat the traditional meal, pork, black eyed peas, corn bread and slaw. I thought I'd share some recipes for New Year’s Day and a couple for New Year’s Eve. This Hoppin' John recipe is the one I got out of the Commercial Appeal years ago. It's so easy, and delicious. I hope you enjoy it. I hope the new year brings us all blessings and happiness.\nPork Roast\n3 to 5 pound pork shoulder or butt roast\n2 tablespoons vegetable oil\n2 teaspoons salt\n2 teaspoons black pepper\n1 teaspoon garlic powder\n1 teaspoon onion powder\n1 teaspoon paprika\n2 large white onions cut into 2 inch chunks\n1 pound baby carrots\n1 1/2 pounds baby red potatoes\n2 cups apple juice\n1 sprig fresh rosemary\nsalt and pepper to taste\nPreheat oven to 450 degrees.\nRub oil onto pork roast. In a small bowl, stir together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Sprinkle seasoning mixture onto pork roast. Place fatty side up in a roasting pan or large cast iron dutch oven.\nRoast, uncovered, in the 450 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue cooking an additional 1 hour.\nRemove roast from oven and place the onion chunks, carrots, and potatoes around the meat. Pour apple juice on vegetables. Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Place rosemary sprig on top.\nCook an additional 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until vegetables are tender and meat shreds easily with a fork. Season vegetables with additional salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.\nSlow cooker instructions: Season the roast as directed in step 2 of the recipe. Place the meat directly into a slow cooker. Add in all remaining ingredients and cook on low 8 hours.\nInstant pot electric pressure cooker instructions: Follow this recipe as directed, but instead of searing and roasting the roast in a large pot, you'll do all of this in your pressure cooker. Sear the roast using the sear setting on your electric pressure cooker. Deglaze the pan with liquids, and add in vegetables. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes, followed by a 15 minute natural release. Then, switch the release valve to the venting position. Remove lid once steam has stopped coming out.\nHoppin' John\n1 Tbsp olive oil\n1 medium onion, diced\n1 red bell pepper, diced\n2 cloves garlic, minced\n2 15oz cans blackeyed peas, rinsed and drained\n1/4 cup vegetable broth\n1 tsp salt\n1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper\n2 green onions, thinly sliced\n1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, minced\ncooked rice\nshredded white cheddar\nhot sauce, optional\nHeat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, red pepper, and garlic. Saute' until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.\nStir in blackeyed peas, broth, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cook 10 more minutes. Stir in green onions and parsley.\nServe on top of cooked rice and garnish with cheese. Add hot sauce if desired.\nStuffed celery\n4 - 5 stalks celery - washed and dried\n1 8 oz cream cheese - softened\n1/4 cup bacon - chopped\n1/2 cup cheddar cheese - grated\n1 tablespoon fresh parsley - chopped\n1 tablespoon fresh chives - chopped\n1/4 teaspoon salt\n1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper\n3 dashes hot sauce\nInstructions\nCut celery stalks in half and set aside. Using a food processor or hand held mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth. Add in bacon, cheese, parsley, chives, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Pulse or blend until all ingredients are combined.\nUsing a small spoon, fill the celery \"boat\" with cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with addition chives and bacon if desired. Serve immediately!\nPeach Bellini\n2 medium sized peaches, peeled and diced\n1/2 cup water\n1 teaspoon lemon juice\nPinch of sugar\n1 bottle Prosecco, champagne or dry sparkling wine\nPuree peaches, water, lemon juice and sugar in a blender until smooth.\nFill a champagne flute a quarter full of the puree and then top off with Prosecco, champagne or sparkling wine.",
"Try these New Year’s Eve treats",
"New Year’s Day we always eat the traditional meal, pork, black eyed peas, corn bread and slaw. I thought I'd share some recipes for New Year’s Day and a couple for New Year’s Eve. This Hoppin' John recipe is the one I got out of the Commercial Appeal years ago. It's so easy, and delicious. I hope you enjoy it."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-20T10:17:03 | null | null |
Down judge Sarah Thomas will become the first woman ever to officiate in a Super Bowl.
Thomas was hired as the first full-time female official in NFL history in 2015.
She is the first woman to officiate a major college football game, the first to officiate a bowl game, and the first to officiate in a Big Ten stadium.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fsarah-thomas-pascagoula-native-be-first-female-officiate-super-bowl-1.json
|
en
| null |
Sarah Thomas, a Pascagoula native, to be first female to officiate in a Super Bowl
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Down judge Sarah Thomas will become the first woman ever to officiate in a Super Bowl.
Thomas was hired as the first full-time female official in NFL history in 2015.
She is the first woman to officiate a major college football game, the first to officiate a bowl game, and the first to officiate in a Big Ten stadium.
“Sarah Thomas has made history again as the first female Super Bowl official,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Troy Vincent, Sr. “Her elite performance and commitment to excellence has earned her the right to officiate the Super Bowl. Congratulations to Sarah on this well-deserved honor.”
James Coleman is officiating in his first Super Bowl as well, while Carl Cheffers (LI), Fred Bryan (LIII), Rusty Baynes (50), Eugene Hall (LIII), and Dino Paganelli (XLVII) will be working in their second.
Collectively, the Super Bowl LV on-field officiating crew has 88 years of NFL officiating experience and 77 combined playoff game assignments (including past Super Bowls).
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/sarah-thomas-pascagoula-native-be-first-female-officiate-super-bowl-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/f7915d37e5e53c3fbb7580eed7d3a7359fc9dc509c632557edc12f575a61885a.json
|
[
"Down judge Sarah Thomas will become the first woman ever to officiate in a Super Bowl.\nThomas was hired as the first full-time female official in NFL history in 2015.\nShe is the first woman to officiate a major college football game, the first to officiate a bowl game, and the first to officiate in a Big Ten stadium.\n“Sarah Thomas has made history again as the first female Super Bowl official,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Troy Vincent, Sr. “Her elite performance and commitment to excellence has earned her the right to officiate the Super Bowl. Congratulations to Sarah on this well-deserved honor.”\nJames Coleman is officiating in his first Super Bowl as well, while Carl Cheffers (LI), Fred Bryan (LIII), Rusty Baynes (50), Eugene Hall (LIII), and Dino Paganelli (XLVII) will be working in their second.\nCollectively, the Super Bowl LV on-field officiating crew has 88 years of NFL officiating experience and 77 combined playoff game assignments (including past Super Bowls).",
"Sarah Thomas, a Pascagoula native, to be first female to officiate in a Super Bowl",
"Down judge Sarah Thomas will become the first woman ever to officiate in a Super Bowl.\nThomas was hired as the first full-time female official in NFL history in 2015.\nShe is the first woman to officiate a major college football game, the first to officiate a bowl game, and the first to officiate in a Big Ten stadium."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-16T15:27:14 | null | null |
Final Record of Decision Allows Long-Delayed Flood Control Project to Advance
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fwicker-praises-army-corps-decision-yazoo-backwater-pumps-project-1.json
|
en
| null |
Wicker Praises Army Corps Decision on Yazoo Backwater Pumps Project
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Final Record of Decision Allows Long-Delayed Flood Control Project to Advance
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today praised the release of a Record of Decision from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on the Yazoo Backwater Pumps Project. This decision marks the final step of the environmental review process for the revised pump project, allowing the project to proceed.
“Today is a monumental day for the South Delta. For too long, residents have suffered losses and damages from preventable backwater flooding. The Yazoo Backwater Pumps will bring much-needed relief and certainty,” Wicker said. “I commend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA for listening to the voices of so many Delta residents and moving this project forward.”
The Record of Decision signifies that the federal environmental review process required by the National Environmental Policy Act is complete. Upon receiving funding, the USACE can start construction.
Wicker has been a staunch supporter of the Yazoo Backwater Pumps project. The senator has worked with members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance a flood control solution.
The Yazoo Backwater Pumps will provide protection for homes, agricultural land, businesses, infrastructure, the environment, and wildlife by reducing flooding in the area.
To read the full Record of Decision, click here.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/wicker-praises-army-corps-decision-yazoo-backwater-pumps-project-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/ded259366ab768c29352f23d39bfff5fbf8cd59bb72aba82dec48eb21fb9b6ef.json
|
[
"Final Record of Decision Allows Long-Delayed Flood Control Project to Advance\nU.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today praised the release of a Record of Decision from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on the Yazoo Backwater Pumps Project. This decision marks the final step of the environmental review process for the revised pump project, allowing the project to proceed.\n“Today is a monumental day for the South Delta. For too long, residents have suffered losses and damages from preventable backwater flooding. The Yazoo Backwater Pumps will bring much-needed relief and certainty,” Wicker said. “I commend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA for listening to the voices of so many Delta residents and moving this project forward.”\nThe Record of Decision signifies that the federal environmental review process required by the National Environmental Policy Act is complete. Upon receiving funding, the USACE can start construction.\nWicker has been a staunch supporter of the Yazoo Backwater Pumps project. The senator has worked with members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance a flood control solution.\nThe Yazoo Backwater Pumps will provide protection for homes, agricultural land, businesses, infrastructure, the environment, and wildlife by reducing flooding in the area.\nTo read the full Record of Decision, click here.",
"Wicker Praises Army Corps Decision on Yazoo Backwater Pumps Project",
"Final Record of Decision Allows Long-Delayed Flood Control Project to Advance"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T08:01:12 | null | null |
Gov. Tate Reeves told lawmakers in his second State of the State speech that his goal is for the state’s economy to compete with the best-performing states such as Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.
Reeves spoke at the state Capitol Tuesday and said he plans to sign any pay increase for teachers that lawmakers send him.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Freeves-outlines-vision-eliminating-state-income-tax-and-increasing-teacher-pay-state-1.json
|
en
| null |
Reeves outlines vision for eliminating state income tax and increasing teacher pay in State of the State speech
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Gov. Tate Reeves told lawmakers in his second State of the State speech that his goal is for the state’s economy to compete with the best-performing states such as Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.
Reeves spoke at the state Capitol Tuesday and said he plans to sign any pay increase for teachers that lawmakers send him.
Two ways that Reeves said the state’s economy can compete with the aforementioned states is by eliminating the state’s income tax and by spending more on workforce development.
“I believe that in order to fully capture the potential of this historic moment, we must think big. We need a bold move,” Reeves said. “This is the time for an action that will turn heads all across the country and get money and people flowing in. And I believe that move is the elimination of the income tax.
“It is a reward for our hard workers, and an incentive for others to invest here, to grow here, and to live here.”
The phaseout, which would under the governor's plan would begin in 2022, would eliminate the 4 percent rate on taxable income over five years and eliminate the 5 percent rate on all taxable income exceeding $10,000 by 2030.
The reason for the phaseout starting in 2022 under the governor’s plan is that is when the 3 percent bracket — which was addressed by the $400 million Taxpayer Pay Raise Act of 2016 — will be struck from the books.
Florida, Tennessee and Texas do not levy a state income tax on their citizens. According to the annual Rich States Poor States study by the right-leaning American Legislative Exchange Council that measures economic competitiveness among the states, Mississippi’s economic outlook ranked 20th best in 2020, bettering Alabama (23rd), Arkansas (22nd) and Louisiana (30th), but worse than Tennessee (eighth best), Texas (15th best) and Florida (seventh best).
The same study says Mississippi still has progress to make to catch up to those states, with the second-worst performing economy in the 2020 report. Texas had the nation’s best-performing economy, with Florida (sixth best) Georgia (10th best) and Tennessee (ninth best).
Eliminating the state’s income tax would cost the state about $2 billion in tax revenue, which represented 35.23 percent of the state’s general fund budget in fiscal 2021.
“There are still many who say that we can’t lower taxes because it puts new government spending at risk,” Reeves said. “And I understand that it is often good politics to act like something from the government is a gift. The far left has played that tune for generations.
“But we have to be clear: The government does not have anything that it does not first take from a taxpayer.”
Reeves also said that he supports school choice and that he made the right decision to reopen Mississippi’s public schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also said the state has gone from worst in the country with delivery of the COVID vaccine to operating at peak capacity with 200,000 vaccines delivered.
Video of the speech can be found here.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/reeves-outlines-vision-eliminating-state-income-tax-and-increasing-teacher-pay-state-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/ee7f6998c47b22f1d7b2ecbdb85b8fa677f084cfb938ffb8947156190da1977c.json
|
[
"Gov. Tate Reeves told lawmakers in his second State of the State speech that his goal is for the state’s economy to compete with the best-performing states such as Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.\nReeves spoke at the state Capitol Tuesday and said he plans to sign any pay increase for teachers that lawmakers send him.\nTwo ways that Reeves said the state’s economy can compete with the aforementioned states is by eliminating the state’s income tax and by spending more on workforce development.\n“I believe that in order to fully capture the potential of this historic moment, we must think big. We need a bold move,” Reeves said. “This is the time for an action that will turn heads all across the country and get money and people flowing in. And I believe that move is the elimination of the income tax.\n“It is a reward for our hard workers, and an incentive for others to invest here, to grow here, and to live here.”\nThe phaseout, which would under the governor's plan would begin in 2022, would eliminate the 4 percent rate on taxable income over five years and eliminate the 5 percent rate on all taxable income exceeding $10,000 by 2030.\nThe reason for the phaseout starting in 2022 under the governor’s plan is that is when the 3 percent bracket — which was addressed by the $400 million Taxpayer Pay Raise Act of 2016 — will be struck from the books.\nFlorida, Tennessee and Texas do not levy a state income tax on their citizens. According to the annual Rich States Poor States study by the right-leaning American Legislative Exchange Council that measures economic competitiveness among the states, Mississippi’s economic outlook ranked 20th best in 2020, bettering Alabama (23rd), Arkansas (22nd) and Louisiana (30th), but worse than Tennessee (eighth best), Texas (15th best) and Florida (seventh best).\nThe same study says Mississippi still has progress to make to catch up to those states, with the second-worst performing economy in the 2020 report. Texas had the nation’s best-performing economy, with Florida (sixth best) Georgia (10th best) and Tennessee (ninth best).\nEliminating the state’s income tax would cost the state about $2 billion in tax revenue, which represented 35.23 percent of the state’s general fund budget in fiscal 2021.\n“There are still many who say that we can’t lower taxes because it puts new government spending at risk,” Reeves said. “And I understand that it is often good politics to act like something from the government is a gift. The far left has played that tune for generations.\n“But we have to be clear: The government does not have anything that it does not first take from a taxpayer.”\nReeves also said that he supports school choice and that he made the right decision to reopen Mississippi’s public schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.\nHe also said the state has gone from worst in the country with delivery of the COVID vaccine to operating at peak capacity with 200,000 vaccines delivered.\nVideo of the speech can be found here.",
"Reeves outlines vision for eliminating state income tax and increasing teacher pay in State of the State speech",
"Gov. Tate Reeves told lawmakers in his second State of the State speech that his goal is for the state’s economy to compete with the best-performing states such as Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.\nReeves spoke at the state Capitol Tuesday and said he plans to sign any pay increase for teachers that lawmakers send him."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-02T12:52:14 | null | null |
This time last year we were experiencing the longest bull stock market in history, eleven years, from 2009 until early 2020.
“I wonder what will end it,” I thought to myself. After all, all good things come to an end. Something has to give. What will be the precipitating event?
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fopinion-good-chance-2021-will-be-better-2020-1.json
|
en
| null |
Opinion: Good chance 2021 will be better than 2020
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
This time last year we were experiencing the longest bull stock market in history, eleven years, from 2009 until early 2020.
“I wonder what will end it,” I thought to myself. After all, all good things come to an end. Something has to give. What will be the precipitating event?
I must admit, I hadn’t considered a worldwide plague. We’ve now all been there, done that. May 2020 rest in peace. We won’t think fondly of this year.
The old Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times.” 2020 was certainly an interesting year. I can mark “endure plague” off my list of life experiences.
My best life experience comparison was the Swine Flu of 2009. The CDC estimates over 12,000 people died then. Not even close to Covid-19.
The Spanish Flu is our best comparison, which is estimated to have killed 675,000 people in the United States. That was one out of every 154 people. The average age of death was 28 years old.
So far, Covid-19 has killed 336,642 or one out of every 980 people. The average age of death was 80.
In terms of life years, the Spanish Flu was probably 30 times worse than Covid-19. It could have been a lot, lot worse. Every dark cloud has a silver lining.
No doubt there are more Covid-19 deaths to come, but some powerful vaccines are on the way. In addition, the CDC estimates almost a third of the U. S. population has already been infected. Herd immunity is within sight. There is an end to this dark, dark tunnel.
I was born an optimist. That’s just the way I am. I feel like we faced one of the great fears of mankind and survived. That gives me confidence about the future.
There have been many horror movies about some rapid-spreading virus wiping out humanity. Well, it didn’t wipe out humanity, not even close. And now we have some powerful new vaccine weapons in our arsenal.
For a virus to do this much damage, it had to be in the sweet spot of viruses. Not too deadly to be contained, yet deadly enough to wreak havoc. Covid-19 was in that sweet spot.
Remember Ebola? Far more deadly, but it was so deadly it was containable. Other corona viruses spread rapidly. Indeed, 30 percent of common colds are caused by the five common cold corona viruses. We ignore them because they don’t kill.
How do you contain a virus that causes no symptoms in half the people it infects? There’s no way, despite our best efforts.
We tried the locking down. It was supposed to be two weeks, but turned into two months. I was impressed at how well our society did its best to contain this plague. Lots of good citizenry.
But when we came back out, it was still there. Our economy was in shambles. Disruption in our lives was causing one shut down death for every two Covid deaths. Suicide and overdose deaths skyrocketed. People were afraid to get treatment at hospitals for cancer and heart conditions. The shut downs were a mess.
So we went back to work and did our best, masks and all.
The vaccines are coming just as the virus has mutated and become even more contagious, even as its fatality rate drops to a fifth of what it was in the beginning.
Our hospitals were pushed to their limits, but they stood the test, powered by tens of thousands of brave doctors, nurses and hospital staff. What a heroic feat.
Our nation, indeed the world, faced one of the greatest apocalyptically horrible scenarios imaginable and we survived. Many of our elderly loved ones were denied some of the last years of their lives. And some of our younger citizens died as well, but our society and economy are still strong.
Befitting a free nation, there was a vigorous debate about the deadliness of the virus and how we should respond as a society. Some wanted to shut down permanently until a vaccine came. Others believed the shut downs were causing more harm than the virus itself.
In the end, there was legitimacy to both sides of the debate. As a whole, the nation muddled through as best we could, trying to contain the virus through social action while still preserving our economy. It was a work in progress.
It will take years of study and retrospect to properly understand what happened and how we should have best responded. Governing is never easy and it’s extremely difficult during a unique crisis with no real road map. We did the best we could.
God works in mysterious ways. The new mRNA vaccines that we have now developed may end up saving far more lives in the near future than were lost during this past year. We may be on the cusp of winning our eons-old war with the viral hordes.
There are other cataclysmic bugaboos still out there threatening us: Global warming, a huge meteor colliding with Earth, destruction of the ozone layer, nuclear war, a computer virus global attack. The list is long and fear is plentiful.
As a believer, my fear is tempered by faith in God. He is in control. The Earth will end when he decides to end it.
Which doesn’t mean humans should give up trying to solve the world’s problem. God has given us the responsibility to be good stewards of the planet. God doesn’t want to do it all himself. He wants a relationship with his creation. Working with God, in prayerful devotion, love, fear and respect, there is nothing humanity can’t overcome.
This doesn’t mean I am without fear. There is one thing I do fear. God’s retribution if we turn away from him. The consequences of that will indeed be cataclysmic.
This new year we should renew our faith and obedience to God while being grateful that we have been given yet another chance.
Here’s to a Happy New Year, with Covid-19 soon in the rearview mirror! Let’s get our old lives back. Let the weddings, concerts and parties soon begin again.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/opinion-good-chance-2021-will-be-better-2020-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/414cb192a7495552e1bf0d474c5d1afdbcd737859b88c885813e803c90f750ef.json
|
[
"This time last year we were experiencing the longest bull stock market in history, eleven years, from 2009 until early 2020.\n“I wonder what will end it,” I thought to myself. After all, all good things come to an end. Something has to give. What will be the precipitating event?\nI must admit, I hadn’t considered a worldwide plague. We’ve now all been there, done that. May 2020 rest in peace. We won’t think fondly of this year.\nThe old Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times.” 2020 was certainly an interesting year. I can mark “endure plague” off my list of life experiences.\nMy best life experience comparison was the Swine Flu of 2009. The CDC estimates over 12,000 people died then. Not even close to Covid-19.\nThe Spanish Flu is our best comparison, which is estimated to have killed 675,000 people in the United States. That was one out of every 154 people. The average age of death was 28 years old.\nSo far, Covid-19 has killed 336,642 or one out of every 980 people. The average age of death was 80.\nIn terms of life years, the Spanish Flu was probably 30 times worse than Covid-19. It could have been a lot, lot worse. Every dark cloud has a silver lining.\nNo doubt there are more Covid-19 deaths to come, but some powerful vaccines are on the way. In addition, the CDC estimates almost a third of the U. S. population has already been infected. Herd immunity is within sight. There is an end to this dark, dark tunnel.\nI was born an optimist. That’s just the way I am. I feel like we faced one of the great fears of mankind and survived. That gives me confidence about the future.\nThere have been many horror movies about some rapid-spreading virus wiping out humanity. Well, it didn’t wipe out humanity, not even close. And now we have some powerful new vaccine weapons in our arsenal.\nFor a virus to do this much damage, it had to be in the sweet spot of viruses. Not too deadly to be contained, yet deadly enough to wreak havoc. Covid-19 was in that sweet spot.\nRemember Ebola? Far more deadly, but it was so deadly it was containable. Other corona viruses spread rapidly. Indeed, 30 percent of common colds are caused by the five common cold corona viruses. We ignore them because they don’t kill.\nHow do you contain a virus that causes no symptoms in half the people it infects? There’s no way, despite our best efforts.\nWe tried the locking down. It was supposed to be two weeks, but turned into two months. I was impressed at how well our society did its best to contain this plague. Lots of good citizenry.\nBut when we came back out, it was still there. Our economy was in shambles. Disruption in our lives was causing one shut down death for every two Covid deaths. Suicide and overdose deaths skyrocketed. People were afraid to get treatment at hospitals for cancer and heart conditions. The shut downs were a mess.\nSo we went back to work and did our best, masks and all.\nThe vaccines are coming just as the virus has mutated and become even more contagious, even as its fatality rate drops to a fifth of what it was in the beginning.\nOur hospitals were pushed to their limits, but they stood the test, powered by tens of thousands of brave doctors, nurses and hospital staff. What a heroic feat.\nOur nation, indeed the world, faced one of the greatest apocalyptically horrible scenarios imaginable and we survived. Many of our elderly loved ones were denied some of the last years of their lives. And some of our younger citizens died as well, but our society and economy are still strong.\nBefitting a free nation, there was a vigorous debate about the deadliness of the virus and how we should respond as a society. Some wanted to shut down permanently until a vaccine came. Others believed the shut downs were causing more harm than the virus itself.\nIn the end, there was legitimacy to both sides of the debate. As a whole, the nation muddled through as best we could, trying to contain the virus through social action while still preserving our economy. It was a work in progress.\nIt will take years of study and retrospect to properly understand what happened and how we should have best responded. Governing is never easy and it’s extremely difficult during a unique crisis with no real road map. We did the best we could.\nGod works in mysterious ways. The new mRNA vaccines that we have now developed may end up saving far more lives in the near future than were lost during this past year. We may be on the cusp of winning our eons-old war with the viral hordes.\nThere are other cataclysmic bugaboos still out there threatening us: Global warming, a huge meteor colliding with Earth, destruction of the ozone layer, nuclear war, a computer virus global attack. The list is long and fear is plentiful.\nAs a believer, my fear is tempered by faith in God. He is in control. The Earth will end when he decides to end it.\nWhich doesn’t mean humans should give up trying to solve the world’s problem. God has given us the responsibility to be good stewards of the planet. God doesn’t want to do it all himself. He wants a relationship with his creation. Working with God, in prayerful devotion, love, fear and respect, there is nothing humanity can’t overcome.\nThis doesn’t mean I am without fear. There is one thing I do fear. God’s retribution if we turn away from him. The consequences of that will indeed be cataclysmic.\nThis new year we should renew our faith and obedience to God while being grateful that we have been given yet another chance.\nHere’s to a Happy New Year, with Covid-19 soon in the rearview mirror! Let’s get our old lives back. Let the weddings, concerts and parties soon begin again.",
"Opinion: Good chance 2021 will be better than 2020",
"This time last year we were experiencing the longest bull stock market in history, eleven years, from 2009 until early 2020.\n“I wonder what will end it,” I thought to myself. After all, all good things come to an end. Something has to give. What will be the precipitating event?"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T08:01:06 | null | null |
Officials from the Mississippi Department of Corrections told the Senate Appropriations Committee Monday about their new salary plan for corrections officers and another to provide vocational training to inmates near release.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippi-department-corrections-wants-more-money-pay-increases-and-provide-1.json
|
en
| null |
Mississippi Department of Corrections wants more money for pay increases and to provide vocational training to inmates
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Officials from the Mississippi Department of Corrections told the Senate Appropriations Committee Monday about their new salary plan for corrections officers and another to provide vocational training to inmates near release.
The department wants a large deficit appropriation ($30 million) to cover the rest of this fiscal year due to increased medical expenses for inmates and costs with a private prison contractor.
The department’s funding request is for $367 million for fiscal 2022, which begins July 1. That represents a $16.8 million increase from last year’s appropriation.
DOC officials also want tobacco products to be allowed to be sold in prisons, with the revenue used to offset costs of some new programs designed to reduce the rate at which inmates re-offend when released after the conclusion of their sentences.
“We’ve identified every problem we have with the Justice Department,” Corrections Commissioner Nathan “Burl” Cain told the appropriations subcommittee. Some of those problems are already being solved, including $170,000 for new laundry equipment and $600,000 for new air conditioning at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, which has been wracked with unrest in the past few years and a spate of inmate deaths and lockdowns.
His plans on doing that include a new pay plan for corrections officers and using $3 million in authority given to DOC to buy equipment for vocation training. This training for inmates provided by other inmates with those skills is designed to reduce recidivism and give them a chance to have a career once they’re released from DOC custody.
One of those vocational programs is to help inmates due for release the ability to earn their Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, which requires two years of qualified work. Cain said there will be 1,500 slots for this training program annually. He also said the DOC will give inmates aptitude tests to find out what career best suits them and steer them toward training in that field.
His ambitious goal is to ensure that every inmate released from DOC custody has a certification in a vocation or trade.
“If you don’t have this certification, you’re going to get a job sweeping the floor,” Cain said. “If you have this certification, no matter what, you’ve got a job waiting on you. That’s how you slow down recidivism by having real successful re-entry program.
Cain also said the DOC is setting up a mental health dormitory at Parchman for inmates having mental health issues. Inmates who have been through a 12-step program will assist those struggling with mental issues and the program will be managed “from a distance” by the state Department of Mental Health.
To respond to issues at the prisons, Cain told the subcommittee that his department has set up three 20-man tactical teams of probation and parole agents, transported by used school buses bought by the DOC, and able to respond to any kind of uprising quickly. One team is in the northern part of the state, with other two located in the central and southern parts of the state.
Corrections officers’ starting pay under Cain’s plan would increase from $27,194 per year to $30,971. Once they served six months, the new corrections officers’ pay would increase to $31,971.
Deputy Commissioner Karei McDonald, who runs the Administration and Finance division with DOC, told the subcommittee that “we want to mitigate this DOJ thing and keep the Department of Justice from coming in here and spending our money for us.”
He said they can do that by filling the DOC’s vacant positions, which he said will happen if the money for the pay hike is appropriated.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippi-department-corrections-wants-more-money-pay-increases-and-provide-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/955f0323de37c28c5bb391720719455b81c07ff847ff0b522650b72c1b9a6b23.json
|
[
"Officials from the Mississippi Department of Corrections told the Senate Appropriations Committee Monday about their new salary plan for corrections officers and another to provide vocational training to inmates near release.\nThe department wants a large deficit appropriation ($30 million) to cover the rest of this fiscal year due to increased medical expenses for inmates and costs with a private prison contractor.\nThe department’s funding request is for $367 million for fiscal 2022, which begins July 1. That represents a $16.8 million increase from last year’s appropriation.\nDOC officials also want tobacco products to be allowed to be sold in prisons, with the revenue used to offset costs of some new programs designed to reduce the rate at which inmates re-offend when released after the conclusion of their sentences.\n“We’ve identified every problem we have with the Justice Department,” Corrections Commissioner Nathan “Burl” Cain told the appropriations subcommittee. Some of those problems are already being solved, including $170,000 for new laundry equipment and $600,000 for new air conditioning at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, which has been wracked with unrest in the past few years and a spate of inmate deaths and lockdowns.\nHis plans on doing that include a new pay plan for corrections officers and using $3 million in authority given to DOC to buy equipment for vocation training. This training for inmates provided by other inmates with those skills is designed to reduce recidivism and give them a chance to have a career once they’re released from DOC custody.\nOne of those vocational programs is to help inmates due for release the ability to earn their Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, which requires two years of qualified work. Cain said there will be 1,500 slots for this training program annually. He also said the DOC will give inmates aptitude tests to find out what career best suits them and steer them toward training in that field.\nHis ambitious goal is to ensure that every inmate released from DOC custody has a certification in a vocation or trade.\n“If you don’t have this certification, you’re going to get a job sweeping the floor,” Cain said. “If you have this certification, no matter what, you’ve got a job waiting on you. That’s how you slow down recidivism by having real successful re-entry program.\nCain also said the DOC is setting up a mental health dormitory at Parchman for inmates having mental health issues. Inmates who have been through a 12-step program will assist those struggling with mental issues and the program will be managed “from a distance” by the state Department of Mental Health.\nTo respond to issues at the prisons, Cain told the subcommittee that his department has set up three 20-man tactical teams of probation and parole agents, transported by used school buses bought by the DOC, and able to respond to any kind of uprising quickly. One team is in the northern part of the state, with other two located in the central and southern parts of the state.\nCorrections officers’ starting pay under Cain’s plan would increase from $27,194 per year to $30,971. Once they served six months, the new corrections officers’ pay would increase to $31,971.\nDeputy Commissioner Karei McDonald, who runs the Administration and Finance division with DOC, told the subcommittee that “we want to mitigate this DOJ thing and keep the Department of Justice from coming in here and spending our money for us.”\nHe said they can do that by filling the DOC’s vacant positions, which he said will happen if the money for the pay hike is appropriated.",
"Mississippi Department of Corrections wants more money for pay increases and to provide vocational training to inmates",
"Officials from the Mississippi Department of Corrections told the Senate Appropriations Committee Monday about their new salary plan for corrections officers and another to provide vocational training to inmates near release."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-19T15:06:44 | null | null | null |
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Frental-assistance-suspended-due-eviction-moratorium-which-isnt-always-honored-1.json
|
en
| null |
Rental assistance suspended due to eviction moratorium, which isn’t always honored
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Mississippi Home Corporation director and chair of the National Council of State Housing Agencies Scott Spivey
Now, the nonprofits running the Rental Assistance for Mississippians Program (RAMP) have shut off the program altogether until the moratorium lifts. Scott Spivey, Mississippi Home Corporation director and chair of the National Council of State Housing Agencies, said the state’s local housing partners have stopped offering rental assistance with their federal Emergency Solutions Grant, through which the state received $18 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the pandemic, because of guidance from the federal agency.
HUD did not respond to questions in several phone messages and emails.
But the moratorium never guaranteed that evictions would cease to occur during the pandemic because renters had to first be aware of the federal order, meet several requirements to qualify and provide a declaration to their landlord before potentially going to court. Even then, a judge might not honor it.
Meanwhile, housing hangs in the balance for hundreds of thousands of Mississippians as rent debts continue to pile up. Officials estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 families in renter households across the state were at risk of eviction and that past due rent could reach as high as $225 million in January, according to a September report global advisory firm Stout conducted for the National Council of State Housing Agencies.
There are two other pots of money Mississippi can still use for rental assistance, but programs to administer those funds have not begun. These funds would not have the same restrictions as the Emergency Solutions Grant and could be used during the moratorium, Spivey said.
Only about $13 million in pandemic relief has been used to alleviate this burden on renters in Mississippi so far, though $276 million has been allocated or made available for this use.
A new relief bill Congress passed last month extended the moratorium, which was set to expire at the end of December, to Jan. 31. President-elect Joe Biden has announced plans to request another extension. Because many tenants haven’t been able to secure rental assistance — such as the roughly 6,700 people RAMP has turned away — their debt will be waiting for them when the ban lifts. When it does, state law permits landlords to begin kicking out delinquent tenants immediately.
Mississippi Center for Justice is helping provide resources to renters who have gotten behind on rent, such as whether the moratorium applies to them, how to invoke it and where to apply for assistance through a hotline that may be reached at 228-702-9983.
Here is the status of each program designed to help renters during the pandemic:
Rental Assistance for Mississippians Program (RAMP) – $3 million/$18 million
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/rental-assistance-suspended-due-eviction-moratorium-which-isnt-always-honored-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/dfadc1632e6dbdaf936318662ad1a693d1f2d16fc2b1a12cb7e46c619c7614b7.json
|
[
"Mississippi Home Corporation director and chair of the National Council of State Housing Agencies Scott Spivey\nNow, the nonprofits running the Rental Assistance for Mississippians Program (RAMP) have shut off the program altogether until the moratorium lifts. Scott Spivey, Mississippi Home Corporation director and chair of the National Council of State Housing Agencies, said the state’s local housing partners have stopped offering rental assistance with their federal Emergency Solutions Grant, through which the state received $18 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the pandemic, because of guidance from the federal agency.\nHUD did not respond to questions in several phone messages and emails.\nBut the moratorium never guaranteed that evictions would cease to occur during the pandemic because renters had to first be aware of the federal order, meet several requirements to qualify and provide a declaration to their landlord before potentially going to court. Even then, a judge might not honor it.\nMeanwhile, housing hangs in the balance for hundreds of thousands of Mississippians as rent debts continue to pile up. Officials estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 families in renter households across the state were at risk of eviction and that past due rent could reach as high as $225 million in January, according to a September report global advisory firm Stout conducted for the National Council of State Housing Agencies.\nThere are two other pots of money Mississippi can still use for rental assistance, but programs to administer those funds have not begun. These funds would not have the same restrictions as the Emergency Solutions Grant and could be used during the moratorium, Spivey said.\nOnly about $13 million in pandemic relief has been used to alleviate this burden on renters in Mississippi so far, though $276 million has been allocated or made available for this use.\nA new relief bill Congress passed last month extended the moratorium, which was set to expire at the end of December, to Jan. 31. President-elect Joe Biden has announced plans to request another extension. Because many tenants haven’t been able to secure rental assistance — such as the roughly 6,700 people RAMP has turned away — their debt will be waiting for them when the ban lifts. When it does, state law permits landlords to begin kicking out delinquent tenants immediately.\nMississippi Center for Justice is helping provide resources to renters who have gotten behind on rent, such as whether the moratorium applies to them, how to invoke it and where to apply for assistance through a hotline that may be reached at 228-702-9983.\nHere is the status of each program designed to help renters during the pandemic:\nRental Assistance for Mississippians Program (RAMP) – $3 million/$18 million",
"Rental assistance suspended due to eviction moratorium, which isn’t always honored"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-22T09:37:59 | null | null |
Some members of the Mississippi Senate are expected to receive a quarantine notice from the Mississippi State Department of Health, notifying them not to return to the state Capitol until they receive a negative test for COVID-19.
|
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|
en
| null |
COVID-19 spreads at the Capitol, quarantine orders expected for some senators
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Some members of the Mississippi Senate are expected to receive a quarantine notice from the Mississippi State Department of Health, notifying them not to return to the state Capitol until they receive a negative test for COVID-19.
On Thursday morning, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who presides over the Senate, abruptly adjourned the upper chamber until Monday. After gaveling out, Hosemann told Mississippi Today that one senator had received the quarantine notice. He anticipated others would, though he did not have a number.
Members who receive the notice would be those who had close contact with the two senators — perhaps more — who have contracted COVID-19 the past few days. As of midday Thursday, a third senator was displaying symptoms but had yet to test positive.
At least one House member also has received a positive test, officials told Mississippi Today earlier this week.
The coronavirus is spreading at the Capitol after lawmakers have been in the building since Jan. 5. Though legislative leaders adopted safety guidelines this session, many lawmakers at the Capitol have been regularly seen without masks, and others have held maskless meetings in small spaces. Visitors to the Capitol have also been seen wearing masks improperly or not at all.
Hosemann proposed postponing the 2021 session until later in the year, but that proposal was rejected by House leadership, including Speaker Philip Gunn.
In announcing that proposal in late December, Hosemann cited fears that another outbreak would occur at the Capitol. In June 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak at the Capitol infected at least 49 lawmakers, including Hosemann and Gunn, and was responsible for the death of at least one Mississippian.
Before the Senate adjourned for the weekend on Thursday, the Senate Rules Committee announced that when senators return to Jackson on Monday, safety precautions will be strengthened.
Sen. Walter Michel, R-Ridgeland, who is the vice chair of the Rules Committee, said the goal is to post committee agendas online the day before any called meeting. The meetings will be confined to two larger rooms, and the proceedings will be streamed online that can be accessed from the legislative website. In addition, senators can participate in the committee meetings online via Zoom if they choose.
But Michel stressed that in order to establish a quorum for the meetings, enough senators would have to show up in person. They could then leave the room and participate via Zoom. The committee chairs will have the discretion of limiting in-person attendance at the meeting for members of the public if the meeting is being streamed online.
As Michel outlined the new procedures, many senators expressed interest in recessing for a period of time until more vaccinations are administered.
The House will convene in session at 2 p.m. on Thursday, when that chamber is expected to receive an update on the coronavirus.
-- Article credit to Bobby Harrison of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/covid-19-spreads-capitol-quarantine-orders-expected-some-senators-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/daa9bbad4fdcf4d70eb972b465ef04deaf245bb67efa941a30ac4b6b06ecccfd.json
|
[
"Some members of the Mississippi Senate are expected to receive a quarantine notice from the Mississippi State Department of Health, notifying them not to return to the state Capitol until they receive a negative test for COVID-19.\nOn Thursday morning, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who presides over the Senate, abruptly adjourned the upper chamber until Monday. After gaveling out, Hosemann told Mississippi Today that one senator had received the quarantine notice. He anticipated others would, though he did not have a number.\nMembers who receive the notice would be those who had close contact with the two senators — perhaps more — who have contracted COVID-19 the past few days. As of midday Thursday, a third senator was displaying symptoms but had yet to test positive.\nAt least one House member also has received a positive test, officials told Mississippi Today earlier this week.\nThe coronavirus is spreading at the Capitol after lawmakers have been in the building since Jan. 5. Though legislative leaders adopted safety guidelines this session, many lawmakers at the Capitol have been regularly seen without masks, and others have held maskless meetings in small spaces. Visitors to the Capitol have also been seen wearing masks improperly or not at all.\nHosemann proposed postponing the 2021 session until later in the year, but that proposal was rejected by House leadership, including Speaker Philip Gunn.\nIn announcing that proposal in late December, Hosemann cited fears that another outbreak would occur at the Capitol. In June 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak at the Capitol infected at least 49 lawmakers, including Hosemann and Gunn, and was responsible for the death of at least one Mississippian.\nBefore the Senate adjourned for the weekend on Thursday, the Senate Rules Committee announced that when senators return to Jackson on Monday, safety precautions will be strengthened.\nSen. Walter Michel, R-Ridgeland, who is the vice chair of the Rules Committee, said the goal is to post committee agendas online the day before any called meeting. The meetings will be confined to two larger rooms, and the proceedings will be streamed online that can be accessed from the legislative website. In addition, senators can participate in the committee meetings online via Zoom if they choose.\nBut Michel stressed that in order to establish a quorum for the meetings, enough senators would have to show up in person. They could then leave the room and participate via Zoom. The committee chairs will have the discretion of limiting in-person attendance at the meeting for members of the public if the meeting is being streamed online.\nAs Michel outlined the new procedures, many senators expressed interest in recessing for a period of time until more vaccinations are administered.\nThe House will convene in session at 2 p.m. on Thursday, when that chamber is expected to receive an update on the coronavirus.\n-- Article credit to Bobby Harrison of Mississippi Today --",
"COVID-19 spreads at the Capitol, quarantine orders expected for some senators",
"Some members of the Mississippi Senate are expected to receive a quarantine notice from the Mississippi State Department of Health, notifying them not to return to the state Capitol until they receive a negative test for COVID-19."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T08:01:33 | null | null |
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today helped introduce a Senate resolution designating Jan. 24-30, 2021, as National School Choice Week.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fwicker-hyde-smith-promote-national-school-choice-week-1.json
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en
| null |
WICKER, HYDE-SMITH PROMOTE NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today helped introduce a Senate resolution designating Jan. 24-30, 2021, as National School Choice Week.
The resolution marking the 11th annual National School Choice Week acknowledges the importance of school choice and the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on education.
“Education decisions should be in the hands of those who know best – parents and families,” Wicker said. “I am glad to join Senator Tim Scott to show support for school choice and acknowledge the important work of educators, administrators, and parents in supporting quality education for all students, no matter where they live.” “Parents in Mississippi appreciate options to choose educational settings that best suit their children. National School Choice Week highlights the benefits of school choice and the need to strengthen these policies across the nation,” said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over federal education programs.
While COVID-19 affected educational options for many families, parents across the country continue to recognize the importance of school choice. According to a new American Federation for Children survey, 72 percent of K-12 parents who work full-time support school choice.
The 2021 resolution cites the benefits of increased public awareness of parental choice in education and their power to choose the most effective education environments for their children, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and home schooling.
U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the resolution with additional cosponsors: Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).
A copy of the 2021 National School Choice Week Resolution is available here.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/wicker-hyde-smith-promote-national-school-choice-week-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/be277e3c19ffa2aff0c510ad2e43162d18a1c0d29c272340e154070666cc7c46.json
|
[
"U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today helped introduce a Senate resolution designating Jan. 24-30, 2021, as National School Choice Week.\nThe resolution marking the 11th annual National School Choice Week acknowledges the importance of school choice and the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on education.\n“Education decisions should be in the hands of those who know best – parents and families,” Wicker said. “I am glad to join Senator Tim Scott to show support for school choice and acknowledge the important work of educators, administrators, and parents in supporting quality education for all students, no matter where they live.” “Parents in Mississippi appreciate options to choose educational settings that best suit their children. National School Choice Week highlights the benefits of school choice and the need to strengthen these policies across the nation,” said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over federal education programs.\nWhile COVID-19 affected educational options for many families, parents across the country continue to recognize the importance of school choice. According to a new American Federation for Children survey, 72 percent of K-12 parents who work full-time support school choice.\nThe 2021 resolution cites the benefits of increased public awareness of parental choice in education and their power to choose the most effective education environments for their children, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and home schooling.\nU.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the resolution with additional cosponsors: Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\nA copy of the 2021 National School Choice Week Resolution is available here.",
"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH PROMOTE NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK",
"U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today helped introduce a Senate resolution designating Jan. 24-30, 2021, as National School Choice Week."
] |
|
[
"-- Cartoon Marshall Ramsey"
] | 2021-01-26T13:04:57 | null | null |
Lawmakers will work via internet as COVID-19 spreads at the Capitol.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcartoons%2Fmarshall-ramsey-virtual-1.json
|
en
| null |
Marshall Ramsey: Virtual
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Longtime family favorite recipe
One of our favorite recipes when we were growing up was Momma's chicken spaghetti. Momma took it… READ MORE
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/cartoons/marshall-ramsey-virtual-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/e68ef9a496efef0580c325755a4b735c7989bab2c2c40b635b4635a8cf0d5ce9.json
|
[
"Longtime family favorite recipe\nOne of our favorite recipes when we were growing up was Momma's chicken spaghetti. Momma took it… READ MORE",
"Marshall Ramsey: Virtual",
"Lawmakers will work via internet as COVID-19 spreads at the Capitol."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-16T15:26:41 | null | null |
OPINION column - Senator Roger Wicker
Wave of Censorship Confirms Need to Confront Tech Monopolies
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcolumns%2Fwicker-big-tech-has-crossed-red-line-1.json
|
en
| null |
Wicker: Big Tech Has Crossed a Red Line
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
OPINION column - Senator Roger Wicker
Wave of Censorship Confirms Need to Confront Tech Monopolies
This month, powerful tech companies took unprecedented steps to censor free speech. In the days after the deadly Capitol Hill riot, Facebook suspended President Trump’s account, saying it posed a “risk of further violence.” Twitter went a step further and permanently banned the President’s account, along with 70,000 others they described as a security risk. Snapchat also closed the President’s account while platforms like Reddit and Twitch began limiting Trump-related content. In addition, Parler, a platform popular among conservatives, was forced offline after Apple, Google, and Amazon removed the platform from their app stores and withdrew support services.
This tidal wave of censorship crosses a serious threshold. Conservatives have long complained about censorship on social media, but these companies have never gone this far. Their actions drew sharp criticism from our European allies, the President of Mexico, and even the liberal ACLU, who recognize this could lead to further suppression of speech. I am concerned these acts of censorship will set a dangerous trend that could threaten free speech and divide our nation further.
The Internet Is the Public Square
In the internet’s early days, most online discussions were confined to chatrooms and blogs. These forums made up a very small part of the “public square,” which had been dominated by local newspapers, television, and our personal interactions. If censorship ever occurred online, it did not affect most of our lives.
More than 20 years later, the situation has changed dramatically. The internet is now a major center for public discourse, and the public square now includes the vast terrain of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other platforms. Because so much of our discourse now takes place online, platforms have an obligation to promote and protect our tradition of free speech. Tech companies are increasingly failing at this, and their recent actions against the President and thousands of users represent a new low.
Tech Monopolies Must Be Challenged
These acts of censorship would not be so consequential if tech giants had real competition. Unfortunately, they do not. An elite handful of giant tech companies now dominates the marketplace beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. Their footprint in our society is so massive and their resources so vast that they can snuff out any small competitor, like Parler, that threatens their hold on the market. This monopolistic behavior, coupled with the worsening restrictions on free speech, calls for congressional action.
Last year, I convened the heads of three major tech companies – Facebook, Twitter, and Google – for a hearing that addressed online bias and censorship. Senators had the opportunity to grill these CEOs and discuss potential changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects online platforms from being sued over content posted by users. I have drafted legislation that would modify Section 230 to give platforms strong incentives to protect free speech. I will introduce this legislation soon as the lead Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee.
Congress should go further and take a serious look at anti-trust issues surrounding these tech firms. I am encouraged that the House and Senate Judiciary Committees have already begun doing this. Tech companies who take collective action against competitors, like Parler, need to know that they are playing with fire and positioning themselves for trust-busting. We must fight to promote competition in the technology sector so that our nation can benefit from the best ideas new innovators have to offer.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/columns/wicker-big-tech-has-crossed-red-line-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/0ad546bfe88255532376ce5d0c8492e905b5bb7a4b45d79a774ca8b69d8035e9.json
|
[
"OPINION column - Senator Roger Wicker\nWave of Censorship Confirms Need to Confront Tech Monopolies\nThis month, powerful tech companies took unprecedented steps to censor free speech. In the days after the deadly Capitol Hill riot, Facebook suspended President Trump’s account, saying it posed a “risk of further violence.” Twitter went a step further and permanently banned the President’s account, along with 70,000 others they described as a security risk. Snapchat also closed the President’s account while platforms like Reddit and Twitch began limiting Trump-related content. In addition, Parler, a platform popular among conservatives, was forced offline after Apple, Google, and Amazon removed the platform from their app stores and withdrew support services.\nThis tidal wave of censorship crosses a serious threshold. Conservatives have long complained about censorship on social media, but these companies have never gone this far. Their actions drew sharp criticism from our European allies, the President of Mexico, and even the liberal ACLU, who recognize this could lead to further suppression of speech. I am concerned these acts of censorship will set a dangerous trend that could threaten free speech and divide our nation further.\nThe Internet Is the Public Square\nIn the internet’s early days, most online discussions were confined to chatrooms and blogs. These forums made up a very small part of the “public square,” which had been dominated by local newspapers, television, and our personal interactions. If censorship ever occurred online, it did not affect most of our lives.\nMore than 20 years later, the situation has changed dramatically. The internet is now a major center for public discourse, and the public square now includes the vast terrain of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other platforms. Because so much of our discourse now takes place online, platforms have an obligation to promote and protect our tradition of free speech. Tech companies are increasingly failing at this, and their recent actions against the President and thousands of users represent a new low.\nTech Monopolies Must Be Challenged\nThese acts of censorship would not be so consequential if tech giants had real competition. Unfortunately, they do not. An elite handful of giant tech companies now dominates the marketplace beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. Their footprint in our society is so massive and their resources so vast that they can snuff out any small competitor, like Parler, that threatens their hold on the market. This monopolistic behavior, coupled with the worsening restrictions on free speech, calls for congressional action.\nLast year, I convened the heads of three major tech companies – Facebook, Twitter, and Google – for a hearing that addressed online bias and censorship. Senators had the opportunity to grill these CEOs and discuss potential changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects online platforms from being sued over content posted by users. I have drafted legislation that would modify Section 230 to give platforms strong incentives to protect free speech. I will introduce this legislation soon as the lead Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee.\nCongress should go further and take a serious look at anti-trust issues surrounding these tech firms. I am encouraged that the House and Senate Judiciary Committees have already begun doing this. Tech companies who take collective action against competitors, like Parler, need to know that they are playing with fire and positioning themselves for trust-busting. We must fight to promote competition in the technology sector so that our nation can benefit from the best ideas new innovators have to offer.",
"Wicker: Big Tech Has Crossed a Red Line",
"OPINION column - Senator Roger Wicker\nWave of Censorship Confirms Need to Confront Tech Monopolies"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-19T15:06:39 | null | null |
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven Mississippians to drink.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippians-are-drinking-record-pace-during-pandemic-1.json
|
en
| null |
Mississippians are drinking at a record pace during the pandemic
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven Mississippians to drink.
“When COVID hit, apparently everybody started buying toilet paper, liquor, fitness equipment and they started renovating their homes,” said Chris Graham, commissioner of the Department of Revenue. “Just overnight, our numbers (liquor sales) went through the roof. In March our numbers went way up and continued through December.”
Such is the dichotomy that is Mississippi: the heart of the conservative Bible Belt, where liquor was not made legal until 1966 and where until this day four counties remain dry for liquor and beer sales. Heck, in some counties before the law was changed in 2020, it was illegal to even possess liquor.
Former Gov. William Winter, who passed away recently, used to tell stories of collecting a liquor tax for the state in the 1950s during his tenure as tax collector even though the entire state was dry.
For much of the time since the pandemic hit in full force in March, socially conservative Mississippi has led the nation in terms of growth of liquor sales, Graham recently told a legislative committee.
The Alcohol Beverage Control, which is a division of the state Department of Revenue, regulates liquor sales in the state and also is the supplier of liquor and wine to the state’s 1,600 restaurants and catering services and more than 600 liquor stores. Graham said in a normal year, ABC delivers about 3.5 million cases of liquor and wine, but delivered about 4 million during 2020.
For the first six months of the current fiscal year, which started on July 1, the state has collected $53.1 million in taxes on liquor and wine – an increase of 30% over the previous year. And for the previous fiscal year, liquor and wine taxes were up 9% thanks primarily to the strong sales that occurred late in the fiscal year that ended June 30 as the coronavirus ramped up in the state.
In fairness to Mississippians, though, they are not just sitting around drinking. Graham pointed out, based on his personal observations, that the sales of toilet tissue, exercise equipment and home building supplies also were up.
Indeed, state revenue reports compiled by legislative staffers reveal that people are shopping more. Sales tax collections to the state — generated from the 7% tax levied on most retail items — are up 4.6% to a little more than $1 billion. People especially are shopping online. Use tax collections from the 7% tax on items purchased online are up 40.3% to $204.5 million. Use tax collections continue to be one of the fastest — if not the fastest — growing revenue streams for the state.
Overall, revenue collections are up $236.1 million or 8.4%.
When the pandemic hit and many businesses were impacted by a slowdown, the fear was that revenue collections would take a dramatic nosedive, forcing a reduction in vital state services in such areas as education, health care and law enforcement. But that revenue nosedive did not occur.
Former State Economist Darrin Webb, who retired last year, earlier said that collections were buoyed in part by the extra $600 per week in unemployment benefits and stimulus payments provided by federal legislation. In a poor state like Mississippi, with a large segment of its populace working in low paying jobs, the federal funds were a major boost.
In addition, Mississippi — to the dismay of many — has the highest state-imposed sales tax on food. With people staying home more, they most likely were purchasing more food helping to increase sales tax revenues.
And apparently if Mississippians were eating at home, they wanted some liquor or wine to go with their meals.
The result is that instead of legislators having to cut budgets as was feared this past summer, they now are making plans to provide a $1,000 per year pay raise to teachers, costing about $51 million annually.
The rosy state revenue report belies the fact that many Mississippians are hurting economically, especially since the federal stimulus funds have been cut or are beginning to be exhausted. Some believe the situation will get much worse not only for Mississippians but for state revenue collections if additional federal stimulus is not provided in the coming weeks. And, of course, if revenue collections decline that could lead to a cut in those vital services.
But based on what has happened thus far, legislators are hopeful they are not facing the specter of those budget cuts and are even planning a major investment in education in terms of teacher pay.
After all, many sources of state revenue collections — liquor and others — are on the rise. And many believe with the Legislature in session, at least the sale of liquor will continue to rise.
-- Article credit to Bobby Harrison of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippians-are-drinking-record-pace-during-pandemic-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/ad9d5fbcfc36e8dc55b03072ce605d575a7c48423c74d481eed569d8f725b051.json
|
[
"The COVID-19 pandemic has driven Mississippians to drink.\n“When COVID hit, apparently everybody started buying toilet paper, liquor, fitness equipment and they started renovating their homes,” said Chris Graham, commissioner of the Department of Revenue. “Just overnight, our numbers (liquor sales) went through the roof. In March our numbers went way up and continued through December.”\nSuch is the dichotomy that is Mississippi: the heart of the conservative Bible Belt, where liquor was not made legal until 1966 and where until this day four counties remain dry for liquor and beer sales. Heck, in some counties before the law was changed in 2020, it was illegal to even possess liquor.\nFormer Gov. William Winter, who passed away recently, used to tell stories of collecting a liquor tax for the state in the 1950s during his tenure as tax collector even though the entire state was dry.\nFor much of the time since the pandemic hit in full force in March, socially conservative Mississippi has led the nation in terms of growth of liquor sales, Graham recently told a legislative committee.\nThe Alcohol Beverage Control, which is a division of the state Department of Revenue, regulates liquor sales in the state and also is the supplier of liquor and wine to the state’s 1,600 restaurants and catering services and more than 600 liquor stores. Graham said in a normal year, ABC delivers about 3.5 million cases of liquor and wine, but delivered about 4 million during 2020.\nFor the first six months of the current fiscal year, which started on July 1, the state has collected $53.1 million in taxes on liquor and wine – an increase of 30% over the previous year. And for the previous fiscal year, liquor and wine taxes were up 9% thanks primarily to the strong sales that occurred late in the fiscal year that ended June 30 as the coronavirus ramped up in the state.\nIn fairness to Mississippians, though, they are not just sitting around drinking. Graham pointed out, based on his personal observations, that the sales of toilet tissue, exercise equipment and home building supplies also were up.\nIndeed, state revenue reports compiled by legislative staffers reveal that people are shopping more. Sales tax collections to the state — generated from the 7% tax levied on most retail items — are up 4.6% to a little more than $1 billion. People especially are shopping online. Use tax collections from the 7% tax on items purchased online are up 40.3% to $204.5 million. Use tax collections continue to be one of the fastest — if not the fastest — growing revenue streams for the state.\nOverall, revenue collections are up $236.1 million or 8.4%.\nWhen the pandemic hit and many businesses were impacted by a slowdown, the fear was that revenue collections would take a dramatic nosedive, forcing a reduction in vital state services in such areas as education, health care and law enforcement. But that revenue nosedive did not occur.\nFormer State Economist Darrin Webb, who retired last year, earlier said that collections were buoyed in part by the extra $600 per week in unemployment benefits and stimulus payments provided by federal legislation. In a poor state like Mississippi, with a large segment of its populace working in low paying jobs, the federal funds were a major boost.\nIn addition, Mississippi — to the dismay of many — has the highest state-imposed sales tax on food. With people staying home more, they most likely were purchasing more food helping to increase sales tax revenues.\nAnd apparently if Mississippians were eating at home, they wanted some liquor or wine to go with their meals.\nThe result is that instead of legislators having to cut budgets as was feared this past summer, they now are making plans to provide a $1,000 per year pay raise to teachers, costing about $51 million annually.\nThe rosy state revenue report belies the fact that many Mississippians are hurting economically, especially since the federal stimulus funds have been cut or are beginning to be exhausted. Some believe the situation will get much worse not only for Mississippians but for state revenue collections if additional federal stimulus is not provided in the coming weeks. And, of course, if revenue collections decline that could lead to a cut in those vital services.\nBut based on what has happened thus far, legislators are hopeful they are not facing the specter of those budget cuts and are even planning a major investment in education in terms of teacher pay.\nAfter all, many sources of state revenue collections — liquor and others — are on the rise. And many believe with the Legislature in session, at least the sale of liquor will continue to rise.\n-- Article credit to Bobby Harrison of Mississippi Today --",
"Mississippians are drinking at a record pace during the pandemic",
"The COVID-19 pandemic has driven Mississippians to drink."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-11T22:51:43 | null | null |
When Hinds County resident Fulton Carson takes the field Monday night for college football’s national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, it is quite possible that no participant will have come further.
We’re not talking miles here.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fsports%2Fhis-name-carson-he-lives-raymond-and-he-will-officiate-national-championship-1.json
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en
| null |
His name is Carson, he lives in Raymond, and he will officiate the national championship
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
When Hinds County resident Fulton Carson takes the field Monday night for college football’s national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, it is quite possible that no participant will have come further.
We’re not talking miles here.
Carson, born in Vicksburg and raised on a farm in Utica, will serve as the side judge on the Big 12 Conference crew that will officiate the Alabama-Ohio State game that will be watched by millions.
Nervous, Carson was asked?
“Well, I’ve got nervous energy,” he replied from his home in Raymond. “Anybody who tells you they aren’t nervous for something like this is probably in the wrong business — that or they aren’t telling the truth. Obviously, it is an intense moment. But nervous energy is good. Once the game gets underway and you start focusing on the rules and the game, the nerves go away.”
Carson, a 55-year-old computer scientist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will fly to Miami Saturday morning. That’s a relatively short trip, but the road to the national championship game has been a long and curvy one. He was one of 10 children born to farming parents. “My three brothers and I call ourselves the last of the farmers,” he said chuckling. “We grew up working on the family farm.”
When he wasn’t doing farm chores, young Carson played ball: baseball, basketball, football, you name it.
Baseball was his best sport, which led to a scholarship to play for Mississippi Valley State, where he was a slick-fielding shortstop and an excellent student in industrial technology. Carson graduated in 1988 but did not immediately begin to officiate.
“I did a lot of volunteering, working with kids in my community,” he said. “That included both coaching and officiating. Some of my friends started officiating junior high and high school games. I thought to myself, ‘Hey, I can do that,’ and so I did.”
Carson began by doing junior high and high school junior varsity games. Then he moved up to varsity games, both officiating football and umpiring baseball.
He says it wasn’t so much for the money as it was for staying involved.
“To me, officiating is a lot like community service,” Carson said. “You really are serving your community. Without officials you can’t have the games. I don’t care whether you’re officiating a Texas game at Oklahoma or a high school game in Sebastopol. That game is important to those players, those coaches and those fans. You owe them the same energy, the same focus. You want to get it right.”
From high school games, Carson moved to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), where he called games with fellow MVSU graduate and former SEC official Hubert Owens.
“He was excellent, just excellent,” Owens said of Carson. “He hd a quiet demeanor. He was knowledgeable and professional and eager to learn all he could. He was like a sponge.”
Owens said he lobbied long and hard for the SEC to hire Carson. That never happened, but Carson did hear from the Mountain West Conference in 2010. And after working MWC games for two seasons, he was hired by the Big 12 in 2012.
He has moved up the officiating ladder in the Big 12, drawing more and more of the most high-profile games, including this past season’s Big 12 Championship Game. He has done many bowl games in the past. He has done national championship games at the lesser Division I level. Clearly, he has done well. After all, you don’t get assigned to a national championship game if you haven’t graded well during the regular season.
“I am honored and I am grateful, and I thank God for it,” Carson said. “I owe a lot to the older guys who were officiating high school games when I got started. There were a lot of those guys who could have done what I am doing now. They just never got the chance.”
-- Article credit to Rick Cleveland of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/sports/his-name-carson-he-lives-raymond-and-he-will-officiate-national-championship-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/978c622a013b2293caa4d42ccc416136774c7b4bd7cd263900a69d44f47c5a7e.json
|
[
"When Hinds County resident Fulton Carson takes the field Monday night for college football’s national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, it is quite possible that no participant will have come further.\nWe’re not talking miles here.\nCarson, born in Vicksburg and raised on a farm in Utica, will serve as the side judge on the Big 12 Conference crew that will officiate the Alabama-Ohio State game that will be watched by millions.\nNervous, Carson was asked?\n“Well, I’ve got nervous energy,” he replied from his home in Raymond. “Anybody who tells you they aren’t nervous for something like this is probably in the wrong business — that or they aren’t telling the truth. Obviously, it is an intense moment. But nervous energy is good. Once the game gets underway and you start focusing on the rules and the game, the nerves go away.”\nCarson, a 55-year-old computer scientist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will fly to Miami Saturday morning. That’s a relatively short trip, but the road to the national championship game has been a long and curvy one. He was one of 10 children born to farming parents. “My three brothers and I call ourselves the last of the farmers,” he said chuckling. “We grew up working on the family farm.”\nWhen he wasn’t doing farm chores, young Carson played ball: baseball, basketball, football, you name it.\nBaseball was his best sport, which led to a scholarship to play for Mississippi Valley State, where he was a slick-fielding shortstop and an excellent student in industrial technology. Carson graduated in 1988 but did not immediately begin to officiate.\n“I did a lot of volunteering, working with kids in my community,” he said. “That included both coaching and officiating. Some of my friends started officiating junior high and high school games. I thought to myself, ‘Hey, I can do that,’ and so I did.”\nCarson began by doing junior high and high school junior varsity games. Then he moved up to varsity games, both officiating football and umpiring baseball.\nHe says it wasn’t so much for the money as it was for staying involved.\n“To me, officiating is a lot like community service,” Carson said. “You really are serving your community. Without officials you can’t have the games. I don’t care whether you’re officiating a Texas game at Oklahoma or a high school game in Sebastopol. That game is important to those players, those coaches and those fans. You owe them the same energy, the same focus. You want to get it right.”\nFrom high school games, Carson moved to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), where he called games with fellow MVSU graduate and former SEC official Hubert Owens.\n“He was excellent, just excellent,” Owens said of Carson. “He hd a quiet demeanor. He was knowledgeable and professional and eager to learn all he could. He was like a sponge.”\nOwens said he lobbied long and hard for the SEC to hire Carson. That never happened, but Carson did hear from the Mountain West Conference in 2010. And after working MWC games for two seasons, he was hired by the Big 12 in 2012.\nHe has moved up the officiating ladder in the Big 12, drawing more and more of the most high-profile games, including this past season’s Big 12 Championship Game. He has done many bowl games in the past. He has done national championship games at the lesser Division I level. Clearly, he has done well. After all, you don’t get assigned to a national championship game if you haven’t graded well during the regular season.\n“I am honored and I am grateful, and I thank God for it,” Carson said. “I owe a lot to the older guys who were officiating high school games when I got started. There were a lot of those guys who could have done what I am doing now. They just never got the chance.”\n-- Article credit to Rick Cleveland of Mississippi Today --",
"His name is Carson, he lives in Raymond, and he will officiate the national championship",
"When Hinds County resident Fulton Carson takes the field Monday night for college football’s national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, it is quite possible that no participant will have come further.\nWe’re not talking miles here."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-18T15:42:40 | null | null |
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippi-covid-19-update-january-18th-2021-1.json
|
en
| null |
Mississippi Covid-19 Update : January 18th, 2021
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
New cases of COVID-19:
1,457
Positive test results reported to MSDH as of 6 p.m. yesterday. Tests may have been made during the past week, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Repeated tests for the same individual are counted only once.
New COVID-19 related deaths:
3
COVID-19 related deaths reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners as of 6 p.m. yesterday.
Three deaths occurred between January 16 and January 17.
Long-Term Care Facilities
Active outbreaks: 209
An outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility.
Hospitalizations
Explore local hospital capacity and bed use with the MSDH interactive map of hospitals
Look for the most recent COVID-19 hospitalizations chart on the website HealthyMS.com/covid-19.
State Totals and Trend
Totals of all Mississippi COVID-19 cases and deaths for 2020 and 2021.
- Total COVID-19 cases: 253,932
- Total COVID-19 related deaths: 5,524
Cases by Date of Illness
This chart tracks COVID-19 cases according to the date the person first became ill, rather than the date of test results. It's the standard way of following the course of a disease in a population. The black average line helps identify upward or downward trending. (In the few cases where date of illness has not yet been determined, testing date is used.) Since we are still receiving reports of illnesses that began up to two weeks ago, expect the more recent dates on this chart to change.
What You Can Do
- Keep groups sizes small and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors. Many cases are now being spread through gatherings in homes without safety precautions.
- Social distancing is still critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and others.
- Wearing a mask or face covering can sharply reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to others. Wearing a mask is strong recommended whenever you are in public places with others around you.
- Most people spreading COVID-19 do not know they are infected.
- Remind others that precautions remain essential, and set an example by your actions.
- Be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed. See our guide to local testing providers and free testing at http://HealthyMS.com/ covid19test
More Data and Information
- COVID-19 cases, data and statistics
- Guidance and preventive measures
- Find COVID-19 testing near you
- General COVID-19 information
- Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippi-covid-19-update-january-18th-2021-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/0d9cffef7f5d7cef0ed30aec66f7b75fb369c9e908cf192454000994a953e126.json
|
[
"Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.\nNew cases of COVID-19:\n1,457\nPositive test results reported to MSDH as of 6 p.m. yesterday. Tests may have been made during the past week, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Repeated tests for the same individual are counted only once.\nNew COVID-19 related deaths:\n3\nCOVID-19 related deaths reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners as of 6 p.m. yesterday.\nThree deaths occurred between January 16 and January 17.\nLong-Term Care Facilities\nActive outbreaks: 209\nAn outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility.\nHospitalizations\nExplore local hospital capacity and bed use with the MSDH interactive map of hospitals\nLook for the most recent COVID-19 hospitalizations chart on the website HealthyMS.com/covid-19.\nState Totals and Trend\nTotals of all Mississippi COVID-19 cases and deaths for 2020 and 2021.\n- Total COVID-19 cases: 253,932\n- Total COVID-19 related deaths: 5,524\nCases by Date of Illness\nThis chart tracks COVID-19 cases according to the date the person first became ill, rather than the date of test results. It's the standard way of following the course of a disease in a population. The black average line helps identify upward or downward trending. (In the few cases where date of illness has not yet been determined, testing date is used.) Since we are still receiving reports of illnesses that began up to two weeks ago, expect the more recent dates on this chart to change.\nWhat You Can Do\n- Keep groups sizes small and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors. Many cases are now being spread through gatherings in homes without safety precautions.\n- Social distancing is still critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and others.\n- Wearing a mask or face covering can sharply reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to others. Wearing a mask is strong recommended whenever you are in public places with others around you.\n- Most people spreading COVID-19 do not know they are infected.\n- Remind others that precautions remain essential, and set an example by your actions.\n- Be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed. See our guide to local testing providers and free testing at http://HealthyMS.com/ covid19test\nMore Data and Information\n- COVID-19 cases, data and statistics\n- Guidance and preventive measures\n- Find COVID-19 testing near you\n- General COVID-19 information\n- Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453\n7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week",
"Mississippi Covid-19 Update : January 18th, 2021",
"Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-14T23:48:06 | null | null |
Judith Christine "Judy" Hooks McClain of North Carrollton,79, passed away at Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
A graveside service was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton, with Rev. Lanny Haley officiating.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fobituaries%2Fjudith-christine-judy-hooks-mcclain.json
|
en
| null |
Judith Christine "Judy" Hooks McClain
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Judith Christine "Judy" Hooks McClain of North Carrollton,79, passed away at Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
A graveside service was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton, with Rev. Lanny Haley officiating.
A visitation was held on Saturday at the cemetery, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Mrs. McClain was born on July 29, 1941, and was years old. She graduated from Greenwood High School in Greenwood in 1960, and married James Sidney McClain on December 23, 1960. She was a retired employee of the ASCS Office in Carrollton and a member of North Carrollton Baptist Church in North Carrollton. Mrs. McClain was a huge animal lover and also ran a dog kennel. She was very artistic and enjoyed crafting and gardening.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Sidney "Jimmy" McClain; her parents, Clyde Henry and Elizabeth Lucile Holland Hooks; and her brother, Maurice Hooks.
Mrs. McClain is survived by her daughter, Winnie Elizabeth "Beth" McClain McLendon of Carrollton; her son, James Timothy "Tim" McClain (Daphne) of McCarley; her sister, Brenda Lucille Hooks Myers (David) of Williamsburg,
Kentucky; seven grandchildren, Nikki Newsom (Jeff), Zackary McClain, Trevor McClain, Ann Marie Edwards (Clint), Chase Marlow, Shay Marlow, and Caylon Marlow; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Zack McClain, Trevor McClain, Chase Marlow, Logan Beckwith, Clint Edwards, and Brandon Hooks. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Animal Sanctuary, 52 CR 241, Grenada, MS 38901; or to St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona (www.ofhwinona.com) handled arrangements.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/obituaries/judith-christine-judy-hooks-mcclain
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/2acde1143acb3bb2e0c2dacac9844a1ec3c66b5488675615c2133dfffee2bb93.json
|
[
"Judith Christine \"Judy\" Hooks McClain of North Carrollton,79, passed away at Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.\nA graveside service was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton, with Rev. Lanny Haley officiating.\nA visitation was held on Saturday at the cemetery, beginning at 2:00 p.m.\nMrs. McClain was born on July 29, 1941, and was years old. She graduated from Greenwood High School in Greenwood in 1960, and married James Sidney McClain on December 23, 1960. She was a retired employee of the ASCS Office in Carrollton and a member of North Carrollton Baptist Church in North Carrollton. Mrs. McClain was a huge animal lover and also ran a dog kennel. She was very artistic and enjoyed crafting and gardening.\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, James Sidney \"Jimmy\" McClain; her parents, Clyde Henry and Elizabeth Lucile Holland Hooks; and her brother, Maurice Hooks.\nMrs. McClain is survived by her daughter, Winnie Elizabeth \"Beth\" McClain McLendon of Carrollton; her son, James Timothy \"Tim\" McClain (Daphne) of McCarley; her sister, Brenda Lucille Hooks Myers (David) of Williamsburg,\nKentucky; seven grandchildren, Nikki Newsom (Jeff), Zackary McClain, Trevor McClain, Ann Marie Edwards (Clint), Chase Marlow, Shay Marlow, and Caylon Marlow; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.\nPallbearers were Zack McClain, Trevor McClain, Chase Marlow, Logan Beckwith, Clint Edwards, and Brandon Hooks. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Animal Sanctuary, 52 CR 241, Grenada, MS 38901; or to St. Jude\nChildren's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.\nOliver Funeral Home of Winona (www.ofhwinona.com) handled arrangements.",
"Judith Christine \"Judy\" Hooks McClain",
"Judith Christine \"Judy\" Hooks McClain of North Carrollton,79, passed away at Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. \nA graveside service was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton, with Rev. Lanny Haley officiating."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-14T23:48:28 | null | null |
Tannie Dixon, Jr., 53, of Morgan City, Miss., died Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Greenwood-Leflore Hospital.
Limited visitation was from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8 at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 at the Mt. Harmon Church Cemetery in Morgan City.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fobituaries%2Ftannie-dixon-jr.json
|
en
| null |
Tannie Dixon, Jr.
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Tannie Dixon, Jr., 53, of Morgan City, Miss., died Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Greenwood-Leflore Hospital.
Limited visitation was from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8 at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 at the Mt. Harmon Church Cemetery in Morgan City.
Mr. Dixon was a farmer and a member of Mt. Harmon Missionary Baptist Church. He is survived by his son, Nicholas Love of Southaven; four sisters, Annie Dixon and Mary Dixon Brock both of Morgan City, Deloris Binion of St. Louis, MO, and Callie Bledsoe of Itta Bena; and a brother, William Thompson of Greenwood.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/obituaries/tannie-dixon-jr
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/a22b236652559f580f2377a03f2faa8352d8d24c1a596973de05ef4df11b7708.json
|
[
"Tannie Dixon, Jr., 53, of Morgan City, Miss., died Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Greenwood-Leflore Hospital.\nLimited visitation was from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8 at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 at the Mt. Harmon Church Cemetery in Morgan City.\nMr. Dixon was a farmer and a member of Mt. Harmon Missionary Baptist Church. He is survived by his son, Nicholas Love of Southaven; four sisters, Annie Dixon and Mary Dixon Brock both of Morgan City, Deloris Binion of St. Louis, MO, and Callie Bledsoe of Itta Bena; and a brother, William Thompson of Greenwood.",
"Tannie Dixon, Jr.",
"Tannie Dixon, Jr., 53, of Morgan City, Miss., died Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Greenwood-Leflore Hospital. \nLimited visitation was from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8 at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 at the Mt. Harmon Church Cemetery in Morgan City."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T08:00:55 | null | null |
Gov. Tate Reeves has proclaimed January 24-30, 2021 as “School Choice Week” in the state of Mississippi. He joins other governors and mayors and county leaders nationwide in issuing proclamations.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fgovernor-reeves-declares-jan-24-30-school-choice-week-4.json
|
en
| null |
Governor Reeves declares Jan. 24-30 School Choice Week
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Gov. Tate Reeves has proclaimed January 24-30, 2021 as “School Choice Week” in the state of Mississippi. He joins other governors and mayors and county leaders nationwide in issuing proclamations.
More than 40,000 events have been independently organized across the country for National School Choice Week. This year’s National School Choice Week will be America’s largest-ever celebration of opportunity in education.
While the celebration at the State Capitol will not be taking place due to COVID-19, Empower Mississippi will host a week long celebration on its Facebook page. The highlight of the week will be a virtual Coffee and Conversation featuring National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella and Empower Mississippi CEO Grant Callen on Tuesday, January 26 at 6 p.m. National School Choice Week is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical effort seeking to raise awareness about the school choice options parents have, or want to have, for their children.
Held each January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through thousands of independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.
The full proclamation is below:
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/governor-reeves-declares-jan-24-30-school-choice-week-4
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/5b731ac10d50cd45ddeafec58dd7057b1d2156568f0083bfdd568731db13cbad.json
|
[
"Gov. Tate Reeves has proclaimed January 24-30, 2021 as “School Choice Week” in the state of Mississippi. He joins other governors and mayors and county leaders nationwide in issuing proclamations.\nMore than 40,000 events have been independently organized across the country for National School Choice Week. This year’s National School Choice Week will be America’s largest-ever celebration of opportunity in education.\nWhile the celebration at the State Capitol will not be taking place due to COVID-19, Empower Mississippi will host a week long celebration on its Facebook page. The highlight of the week will be a virtual Coffee and Conversation featuring National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella and Empower Mississippi CEO Grant Callen on Tuesday, January 26 at 6 p.m. National School Choice Week is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical effort seeking to raise awareness about the school choice options parents have, or want to have, for their children.\nHeld each January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through thousands of independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.\nThe full proclamation is below:",
"Governor Reeves declares Jan. 24-30 School Choice Week",
"Gov. Tate Reeves has proclaimed January 24-30, 2021 as “School Choice Week” in the state of Mississippi. He joins other governors and mayors and county leaders nationwide in issuing proclamations."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-06T14:31:07 | null | null |
Douglas Carswell, the Co-Founder of Vote Leave, the official campaign that won the Brexit referendum in Britain, has been appointed President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fbrexit-leader-former-british-parliament-douglas-carswell-appointed-mcpp-president-ceo-1.json
|
en
| null |
Brexit Leader, former British Parliament Douglas Carswell appointed MCPP President & CEO
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Douglas Carswell, the Co-Founder of Vote Leave, the official campaign that won the Brexit referendum in Britain, has been appointed President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy.
Carswell was a Member of Parliament in Britain for 12 years. He was re-elected every time he stood for a vote, and in 2014 he achieved one of the largest swings in any election in British history.
He co-founded Vote Leave, the official campaign that won the Brexit referendum. He was instrumental in helping to ensure that a Brexit vote was held and then won. He switched parties and forced a by-election to help put the issue at the top of the political agenda.
Carswell has also served as an advisor to the United Kingdom government on trade as a non-executive director at the Department of International Trade. He believes that free trade helps drive human progress.
He was personally inspired by Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and Milton Friedman when growing up, and Carswell is knowledgeable and passionate about free-markets and individual liberty. He is the author of four books, as well as numerous papers and articles for leading free market think tanks.
A Fellow at the John Locke Institute, Carswell sits on the Advisory Council of one of Britain’s leading think tanks, the Institute of Economic Affairs, which has published works by no less than twelve Nobel Prize laureates.
Carswell received a degree in history at the University of East Anglia, before reading for his Masters’ degree at King’s College, University of London.
Regarding his desire to move to America, Carswell noted, “I believe in American exceptionalism. Americans flourish when they are free. The US is the greatest republic the world has ever known because she is the most successful experiment in freedom that there has ever been.
It is because I was not born American that I appreciate what sets this great country apart. America has been sustained by a set of ideals enshrined in the Constitution; liberty, respect for private property, the rule of law, and equality before the law.”
During the press conference, Interim CEO Lesley Davis stated that, “[t]he appointment of Douglas as the new CEO is an incredible win not only for the Center, but for Mississippi as a whole. Douglas is an international leader in the fight for freedom and a generational talent with a tremendous vision for both our organization and the state.”
In his announcement, Carswell noted the importance of MCPP and Mississippi’s leadership on public policy issues, “[t]he best way to win the fight for freedom again is to take the initiative here in states like Mississippi, not to look to what is happening in Washington DC.
The great genius of the American system that the Founding Fathers created is that it is decentralized, with different states free to trial various policy approaches. Good ideas come from where ordinary Americans are, not inside the Washington ‘beltway’ where politicians happen to congregate.
By advancing the ideas of liberty at the state level, led in our state by the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, we can win this fight for freedom.”
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/brexit-leader-former-british-parliament-douglas-carswell-appointed-mcpp-president-ceo-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/a8b659bf31dd9b7f36c8b93f983b5be9e8ac5339deff490ac8719b79c8ebb2f1.json
|
[
"Douglas Carswell, the Co-Founder of Vote Leave, the official campaign that won the Brexit referendum in Britain, has been appointed President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy.\nCarswell was a Member of Parliament in Britain for 12 years. He was re-elected every time he stood for a vote, and in 2014 he achieved one of the largest swings in any election in British history.\nHe co-founded Vote Leave, the official campaign that won the Brexit referendum. He was instrumental in helping to ensure that a Brexit vote was held and then won. He switched parties and forced a by-election to help put the issue at the top of the political agenda.\nCarswell has also served as an advisor to the United Kingdom government on trade as a non-executive director at the Department of International Trade. He believes that free trade helps drive human progress.\nHe was personally inspired by Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and Milton Friedman when growing up, and Carswell is knowledgeable and passionate about free-markets and individual liberty. He is the author of four books, as well as numerous papers and articles for leading free market think tanks.\nA Fellow at the John Locke Institute, Carswell sits on the Advisory Council of one of Britain’s leading think tanks, the Institute of Economic Affairs, which has published works by no less than twelve Nobel Prize laureates.\nCarswell received a degree in history at the University of East Anglia, before reading for his Masters’ degree at King’s College, University of London.\nRegarding his desire to move to America, Carswell noted, “I believe in American exceptionalism. Americans flourish when they are free. The US is the greatest republic the world has ever known because she is the most successful experiment in freedom that there has ever been.\nIt is because I was not born American that I appreciate what sets this great country apart. America has been sustained by a set of ideals enshrined in the Constitution; liberty, respect for private property, the rule of law, and equality before the law.”\nDuring the press conference, Interim CEO Lesley Davis stated that, “[t]he appointment of Douglas as the new CEO is an incredible win not only for the Center, but for Mississippi as a whole. Douglas is an international leader in the fight for freedom and a generational talent with a tremendous vision for both our organization and the state.”\nIn his announcement, Carswell noted the importance of MCPP and Mississippi’s leadership on public policy issues, “[t]he best way to win the fight for freedom again is to take the initiative here in states like Mississippi, not to look to what is happening in Washington DC.\nThe great genius of the American system that the Founding Fathers created is that it is decentralized, with different states free to trial various policy approaches. Good ideas come from where ordinary Americans are, not inside the Washington ‘beltway’ where politicians happen to congregate.\nBy advancing the ideas of liberty at the state level, led in our state by the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, we can win this fight for freedom.”",
"Brexit Leader, former British Parliament Douglas Carswell appointed MCPP President & CEO",
"Douglas Carswell, the Co-Founder of Vote Leave, the official campaign that won the Brexit referendum in Britain, has been appointed President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy."
] |
|
[
"Geoff Pender",
"Bobharrison Of"
] | 2021-01-13T04:26:37 | null | null |
Mississippi officials said they’re aware of FBI warnings of possible armed protests at state capitols across the country and that security here is ready — although they won’t go into many details.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fwe-will-be-prepared-mississippi-officials-discuss-capitol-security-ahead-possible-1.json
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en
| null |
‘We will be prepared’: Mississippi officials discuss Capitol security ahead of possible armed protests
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Mississippi officials said they’re aware of FBI warnings of possible armed protests at state capitols across the country and that security here is ready — although they won’t go into many details.
“Whether you see us or not, we are there and we are going to protect the integrity of our public buildings here in Mississippi,” Gov. Tate Reeves said Tuesday. “… In Mississippi we are prepared and we will be prepared.”
Reeves said he has been meeting with law enforcement, military and emergency management leaders, and state security is prepared, but, “I will not go into operational details.”
“The Office of Capitol Police is aware of the possibility of protests,” the Department of Finance and Administration, which oversees Capitol Police, said in a statement on Tuesday. “Neither the (DFA) nor the Office of Capitol Police is able to discuss specific, confidential protocols or security measures.”
Capitol Police Director Don Byington, a veteran Mississippi law officer, called last week’s attack of the U.S. Capitol “appalling.” On Tuesday, he deferred all questions about Mississippi Capitol security to DFA.
The FBI has warned of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitols and Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
When asked if additional steps were being taken to ensure safety in the Mississippi Capitol, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who presides over the Senate, said, “Yes, but I do not want to go into that. You should anticipate we are having regular meetings with (Department of Public Safety) Commissioner Sean Tindell and the Capitol Police.”
Mississippi’s Capitol Police, with about 114 officer positions funded, provides protection and law enforcement at state facilities and grounds including the Capitol. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety and its Highway Patrol force often help provide security around the Capitol for big events.
Capitol Police also have mutual agreements with other county and metro-area law enforcement agencies for help in times of emergency.
Honor guard members of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol prepare to raise the new state flag during a flag raising ceremony at the State Capitol Monday. Credit: Vickie King, Mississippi Today
Law enforcement, primarily members of the Capitol Police Department and Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers, had a heavy presence on the Capitol grounds Monday for the ceremony raising the new state flag.
The new state flag was approved overwhelmingly by voters in November to replace the old state flag that displayed the Confederate battle emblem prominently in its design. The Confederate flag and even the old state flag were carried by some of President Donald Trump’s supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol last week aiming to prevent Democrat Joe Biden from being sworn in as the nation’s next president.
The pro-Trump rioters on Jan. 6 — incited earlier that day by the president’s oldest son and other close allies of the president — assaulted U.S. Capitol Police officers, smashed windows and tore down security barricades on their way into the building, prompting officials to lock down both legislative chambers of the building and nearby congressional office buildings.
Several high-profile members of Congress were evacuated, and others were told to shelter in place during the lockdown. The electoral vote counting process was halted.
The mob — many of whom were visibly armed and carrying pro-Trump and Confederate flags — breached the Senate chamber, and others tried to break into the House chamber. Inside the House chamber, police officers drew guns to deter them from entering.
Five people, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer, died in the riot.
Before the 2021 legislative session began, cameras were placed in strategic locations in the Mississippi State Capitol, and machines were recently installed to scan bags at the two main entrances to the Capitol. Currently, Capitol Police officers screen and check people as they enter the building.
Before the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Centers in New York and on the Pentagon, people had unfettered access to the Mississippi Capitol, not only through the two main entrances on the north and south sides of the building, but also through multiple side doors. After those attacks, those sides doors were closed and Capitol police were stationed at the only two entrances that remained open to the public.
-- Article credit to
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/we-will-be-prepared-mississippi-officials-discuss-capitol-security-ahead-possible-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/7707b3d362bbd9a349ce826c7cbcca72cc4238dae0cf395618324e84abc31407.json
|
[
"Mississippi officials said they’re aware of FBI warnings of possible armed protests at state capitols across the country and that security here is ready — although they won’t go into many details.\n“Whether you see us or not, we are there and we are going to protect the integrity of our public buildings here in Mississippi,” Gov. Tate Reeves said Tuesday. “… In Mississippi we are prepared and we will be prepared.”\nReeves said he has been meeting with law enforcement, military and emergency management leaders, and state security is prepared, but, “I will not go into operational details.”\n“The Office of Capitol Police is aware of the possibility of protests,” the Department of Finance and Administration, which oversees Capitol Police, said in a statement on Tuesday. “Neither the (DFA) nor the Office of Capitol Police is able to discuss specific, confidential protocols or security measures.”\nCapitol Police Director Don Byington, a veteran Mississippi law officer, called last week’s attack of the U.S. Capitol “appalling.” On Tuesday, he deferred all questions about Mississippi Capitol security to DFA.\nThe FBI has warned of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitols and Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20.\nWhen asked if additional steps were being taken to ensure safety in the Mississippi Capitol, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who presides over the Senate, said, “Yes, but I do not want to go into that. You should anticipate we are having regular meetings with (Department of Public Safety) Commissioner Sean Tindell and the Capitol Police.”\nMississippi’s Capitol Police, with about 114 officer positions funded, provides protection and law enforcement at state facilities and grounds including the Capitol. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety and its Highway Patrol force often help provide security around the Capitol for big events.\nCapitol Police also have mutual agreements with other county and metro-area law enforcement agencies for help in times of emergency.\nHonor guard members of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol prepare to raise the new state flag during a flag raising ceremony at the State Capitol Monday. Credit: Vickie King, Mississippi Today\nLaw enforcement, primarily members of the Capitol Police Department and Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers, had a heavy presence on the Capitol grounds Monday for the ceremony raising the new state flag.\nThe new state flag was approved overwhelmingly by voters in November to replace the old state flag that displayed the Confederate battle emblem prominently in its design. The Confederate flag and even the old state flag were carried by some of President Donald Trump’s supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol last week aiming to prevent Democrat Joe Biden from being sworn in as the nation’s next president.\nThe pro-Trump rioters on Jan. 6 — incited earlier that day by the president’s oldest son and other close allies of the president — assaulted U.S. Capitol Police officers, smashed windows and tore down security barricades on their way into the building, prompting officials to lock down both legislative chambers of the building and nearby congressional office buildings.\nSeveral high-profile members of Congress were evacuated, and others were told to shelter in place during the lockdown. The electoral vote counting process was halted.\nThe mob — many of whom were visibly armed and carrying pro-Trump and Confederate flags — breached the Senate chamber, and others tried to break into the House chamber. Inside the House chamber, police officers drew guns to deter them from entering.\nFive people, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer, died in the riot.\nBefore the 2021 legislative session began, cameras were placed in strategic locations in the Mississippi State Capitol, and machines were recently installed to scan bags at the two main entrances to the Capitol. Currently, Capitol Police officers screen and check people as they enter the building.\nBefore the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Centers in New York and on the Pentagon, people had unfettered access to the Mississippi Capitol, not only through the two main entrances on the north and south sides of the building, but also through multiple side doors. After those attacks, those sides doors were closed and Capitol police were stationed at the only two entrances that remained open to the public.\n-- Article credit to",
"‘We will be prepared’: Mississippi officials discuss Capitol security ahead of possible armed protests",
"Mississippi officials said they’re aware of FBI warnings of possible armed protests at state capitols across the country and that security here is ready — although they won’t go into many details."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-23T01:11:35 | null | null |
Mississippi lawmakers filed nearly 2,000 bills as of this week’s deadline for drafting general legislation, slightly lower than the nearly 2,500 that had been filed this time last year.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fabortion-teacher-pay-and-tax-cuts-bills-watch-legislative-session-1.json
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en
| null |
Abortion, teacher pay and tax cuts: Bills to watch this legislative session
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Mississippi lawmakers filed nearly 2,000 bills as of this week’s deadline for drafting general legislation, slightly lower than the nearly 2,500 that had been filed this time last year.
With the COVID-19 pandemic — and at least three cases reported among lawmakers — the legislative leadership has urged members to limit the number of bills they file this year so the session can be wrapped up quickly and the 174-member Legislature can leave the Capitol. Committee chairmen said leaders also urged them to drastically limit the number of bills they take up and move forward out of committees this session.
More bills will be filed later — taxing, spending and other bills face later deadlines for drafting and filing. Last year, more than 2,800 total bills were filed. In a typical session, about 600 or so general bills will be passed into law.
Here are some key bills we are watching in the Mississippi Legislature this session.
EDUCATION
SB 2001: Teacher pay raise. This would give all teachers and assistants a $1,000 annual pay raise. For starting teachers through three years with a bachelor’s degree, it would be $1,110, raising the starting salary to $37,000. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann is pushing for a raise, a major campaign promise.
SB 2142: Corporal punishment. Would establish the right of public school parents or guardians to choose to include or not include a student in the district’s corporal punishment police.
SB 2267: Teacher license reciprocity. Aimed at helping combat teacher shortages, this would allow teachers licensed in other states to more easily obtain a standard five-year license to teach in Mississippi.
SB 2314/HB 316: Compulsory kindergarten attendance. One of several such measures proposed again this year, it would apply the state’s compulsory school attendance law to 5-year-olds.
SB 2305: Would repeal the multiple teacher loan programs that have not been funded for six years and replace with the William F. Winter and Jack Reed Sr. Teacher Loan Repayment Program. The bill aims to pay a portion of a teacher’s college loan each year for three years after first graduating from college and accepting a teaching position in the state.
HB 314: Allows the Mississippi State Board of Education to receive donations and gifts. Authored by Chairman Bennett.
SB 2536: Mississippi Fairness Act. Would require K-12 and higher education schools to designate teams based on biological sex and prevent students from playing on teams that align with their gender identity. Students who don’t make a team could sue schools that violate this section; they could also sue if they encounter a student of the opposite sex in bathrooms or locker rooms.
HB 802: Voting precincts on college campuses. Would require voting precincts on public and private four-year colleges.
SB 2313/ HB 1030: Would allow student athletes to be paid for their name, image, likeness, and endorsements.
HEALTH CARE
HB 156: Medicaid managed care. Would require managed care companies to provide detailed, signed explanation for denial of coverage for a procedure, signed by the person who denied the coverage.
HB 207: Would expand Medicaid as is allowed under federal law to provide coverage to primarily the working poor. Numerous bills have been filed this year to expand Medicaid.
Various efforts have been under way for multiple years to expand Medicaid with the federal government paying most of the costs.
HB 338: Would make all abortion illegal in Mississippi. Prior to this bill, the most restrictive ban passed by the Legislature banned abortions after six weeks, though it was later struck down in court. The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly delayed a decision on whether to take up Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, which was also struck down in a lower court. The state’s sole clinic which provides abortions will not perform them after 16 weeks.
SB 2171: The Transgender 21 Act, introduced by Sen. Angela Hill, R-Picayune, would prohibit medical professionals from performing certain gender confirming procedures on minors under 21-years-old.
SB 2160: Repeal the state’s Health Care Certificate of Need Law, which requires that health care facilities show that new services are needed before they are permitted to expand or purchase certain equipment.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
HB 525: The “omnibus” criminal justice reform bill. As with a mirror bill in the Senate, this measure includes numerous state codes and is a vehicle for major criminal justice reform many lawmakers are hoping to enact to address the state’s prison crisis. The measure will include increased parole and probation eligibility for some inmates.
SB 2091: Protection of pets in domestic abuse protection order. This would allow a judge to include protection of pets in orders in cases of domestic abuse. Anti-domestic violence advocates have said pet abuse as a way to threaten or control an abuse victim is common. Similar measures have failed in the past.
HB 24: Allow a municipality to give tax-forfeited land or buildings to any police officer employed in the municipality as part of the officer’s compensation.
HB 84: Allow local sheriffs to use radar. Several bills have been filed and are routinely filed each session without any success.
HB 1041: Would prohibit federal law from stopping a manufacturer within the state from making certain types of firearms and ammunition, such as limiting the size of a magazine in a gun.
HB 465: Compassionate Parole Eligibility Act. Would allow inmates who were not convicted of sex offense, capital murder or sentenced to death to be eligible for parole if they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of a year or less or are completely disabled.
COVID-19
HB 719: Would prohibit an employer from requiring an employee to take a COVID-19 vaccination as condition of employment.
ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS
HB 976/SB 2759: Increase the monthly amount of cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, known as “welfare.” The benefit is currently capped at $170-a-month for a family of three and Mississippi Department of Human Services Director Bob Anderson previously told Mississippi Today he would like to see the amount increased. TANF is the program officials allegedly targeted in a massive embezzlement scheme that the state auditor uncovered last year.
HB 49: Introduced by Rep. John Hines, D-Greenville, would terminate the state’s contract with a private company to run child support enforcement, bringing the program back in-house. Hines has filed similar unsuccessful bills in previous years. Read Mississippi Today’s coverage of the program and its privatization here.
SB 2079: Would increase minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024. The Legislature traditionally refuses to address bills raising the state minimum wage.
HB 17: Develop a Working Families Study Committee to develop recommendations to ensure that all working families have access to affordable child care so they can participate in the workforce.
HB 987: Use unspent TANF funds, or welfare, to pay the expenses of people enrolled in nursing school.
HB 65: Remove the requirement that separated parents comply with child support enforcement in order to qualify for the federal Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) child care voucher.
HB 890: Require teenage recipients of either TANF, often referred to as welfare, or Medicaid to participate in birth control, abstinence and parenting programs.
ELECTIONS
SC 508: Would amend the state Constitution to allow felons to vote after serving their sentence and meeting certain conditions. Several similar proposals have been filed.
SB 2368: Allow no excuse early voting up to 10 days before the election.
SB 2102: Would create an agreement among states to elect the president via popular vote rather than the Electoral College. In theory the bill would render the Electoral College useless by enough states agreeing to designate their electors to the candidate who won the popular vote.
TAXES
SB 2182: Tax vaping devices. Would apply the 15% excise tax on tobacco products other than cigarettes to electronic smoking or vaping devices.
SB 2822: M-Flex economic development incentives. This measure, pushed by Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, seeks to reform and streamline Mississippi’s hodgepodge of economic development incentives including tax breaks offered to businesses looking to relocate or expand in Mississippi. The measure would eliminate or consolidate some measures, and require more “transparency” on whether a company is living up to its promises of jobs and salaries when it receives state incentives.
Note: Several tax bills, including proposals to eliminate the state’s income tax, will be filed later this session.
MISCELLANEOUS
SB 2196: Require governor or lieutenant governor to make appointments to fill vacant offices within 90 days. If a governor fails to make an appointment within 90 days, the appointment authority would shift to the lieutenant governor, and vice versa. The bill would not apply to constitutionally chartered positions, such as the state Board of Education or IHL.
HB 16: Pay raise for troopers. Would increase salaries of Highway Patrol troopers and other Department of Public Safety officers. Would create a new scale with officers starting at $49,140, with pay for highest ranking colonels with decades of experience capped at $125,360.
HB 89: Allow for the issuance of bonds to incur long-term debt for improvements to be made at state parks.
-- Article credit to Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/abortion-teacher-pay-and-tax-cuts-bills-watch-legislative-session-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/a381e240fd8e3929247979e63dbf9aee11ca545e22296f03a3d8db43151555a4.json
|
[
"Mississippi lawmakers filed nearly 2,000 bills as of this week’s deadline for drafting general legislation, slightly lower than the nearly 2,500 that had been filed this time last year.\nWith the COVID-19 pandemic — and at least three cases reported among lawmakers — the legislative leadership has urged members to limit the number of bills they file this year so the session can be wrapped up quickly and the 174-member Legislature can leave the Capitol. Committee chairmen said leaders also urged them to drastically limit the number of bills they take up and move forward out of committees this session.\nMore bills will be filed later — taxing, spending and other bills face later deadlines for drafting and filing. Last year, more than 2,800 total bills were filed. In a typical session, about 600 or so general bills will be passed into law.\nHere are some key bills we are watching in the Mississippi Legislature this session.\nEDUCATION\nSB 2001: Teacher pay raise. This would give all teachers and assistants a $1,000 annual pay raise. For starting teachers through three years with a bachelor’s degree, it would be $1,110, raising the starting salary to $37,000. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann is pushing for a raise, a major campaign promise.\nSB 2142: Corporal punishment. Would establish the right of public school parents or guardians to choose to include or not include a student in the district’s corporal punishment police.\nSB 2267: Teacher license reciprocity. Aimed at helping combat teacher shortages, this would allow teachers licensed in other states to more easily obtain a standard five-year license to teach in Mississippi.\nSB 2314/HB 316: Compulsory kindergarten attendance. One of several such measures proposed again this year, it would apply the state’s compulsory school attendance law to 5-year-olds.\nSB 2305: Would repeal the multiple teacher loan programs that have not been funded for six years and replace with the William F. Winter and Jack Reed Sr. Teacher Loan Repayment Program. The bill aims to pay a portion of a teacher’s college loan each year for three years after first graduating from college and accepting a teaching position in the state.\nHB 314: Allows the Mississippi State Board of Education to receive donations and gifts. Authored by Chairman Bennett.\nSB 2536: Mississippi Fairness Act. Would require K-12 and higher education schools to designate teams based on biological sex and prevent students from playing on teams that align with their gender identity. Students who don’t make a team could sue schools that violate this section; they could also sue if they encounter a student of the opposite sex in bathrooms or locker rooms.\nHB 802: Voting precincts on college campuses. Would require voting precincts on public and private four-year colleges.\nSB 2313/ HB 1030: Would allow student athletes to be paid for their name, image, likeness, and endorsements.\nHEALTH CARE\nHB 156: Medicaid managed care. Would require managed care companies to provide detailed, signed explanation for denial of coverage for a procedure, signed by the person who denied the coverage.\nHB 207: Would expand Medicaid as is allowed under federal law to provide coverage to primarily the working poor. Numerous bills have been filed this year to expand Medicaid.\nVarious efforts have been under way for multiple years to expand Medicaid with the federal government paying most of the costs.\nHB 338: Would make all abortion illegal in Mississippi. Prior to this bill, the most restrictive ban passed by the Legislature banned abortions after six weeks, though it was later struck down in court. The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly delayed a decision on whether to take up Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, which was also struck down in a lower court. The state’s sole clinic which provides abortions will not perform them after 16 weeks.\nSB 2171: The Transgender 21 Act, introduced by Sen. Angela Hill, R-Picayune, would prohibit medical professionals from performing certain gender confirming procedures on minors under 21-years-old.\nSB 2160: Repeal the state’s Health Care Certificate of Need Law, which requires that health care facilities show that new services are needed before they are permitted to expand or purchase certain equipment.\nCRIMINAL JUSTICE\nHB 525: The “omnibus” criminal justice reform bill. As with a mirror bill in the Senate, this measure includes numerous state codes and is a vehicle for major criminal justice reform many lawmakers are hoping to enact to address the state’s prison crisis. The measure will include increased parole and probation eligibility for some inmates.\nSB 2091: Protection of pets in domestic abuse protection order. This would allow a judge to include protection of pets in orders in cases of domestic abuse. Anti-domestic violence advocates have said pet abuse as a way to threaten or control an abuse victim is common. Similar measures have failed in the past.\nHB 24: Allow a municipality to give tax-forfeited land or buildings to any police officer employed in the municipality as part of the officer’s compensation.\nHB 84: Allow local sheriffs to use radar. Several bills have been filed and are routinely filed each session without any success.\nHB 1041: Would prohibit federal law from stopping a manufacturer within the state from making certain types of firearms and ammunition, such as limiting the size of a magazine in a gun.\nHB 465: Compassionate Parole Eligibility Act. Would allow inmates who were not convicted of sex offense, capital murder or sentenced to death to be eligible for parole if they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of a year or less or are completely disabled.\nCOVID-19\nHB 719: Would prohibit an employer from requiring an employee to take a COVID-19 vaccination as condition of employment.\nANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS\nHB 976/SB 2759: Increase the monthly amount of cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, known as “welfare.” The benefit is currently capped at $170-a-month for a family of three and Mississippi Department of Human Services Director Bob Anderson previously told Mississippi Today he would like to see the amount increased. TANF is the program officials allegedly targeted in a massive embezzlement scheme that the state auditor uncovered last year.\nHB 49: Introduced by Rep. John Hines, D-Greenville, would terminate the state’s contract with a private company to run child support enforcement, bringing the program back in-house. Hines has filed similar unsuccessful bills in previous years. Read Mississippi Today’s coverage of the program and its privatization here.\nSB 2079: Would increase minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024. The Legislature traditionally refuses to address bills raising the state minimum wage.\nHB 17: Develop a Working Families Study Committee to develop recommendations to ensure that all working families have access to affordable child care so they can participate in the workforce.\nHB 987: Use unspent TANF funds, or welfare, to pay the expenses of people enrolled in nursing school.\nHB 65: Remove the requirement that separated parents comply with child support enforcement in order to qualify for the federal Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) child care voucher.\nHB 890: Require teenage recipients of either TANF, often referred to as welfare, or Medicaid to participate in birth control, abstinence and parenting programs.\nELECTIONS\nSC 508: Would amend the state Constitution to allow felons to vote after serving their sentence and meeting certain conditions. Several similar proposals have been filed.\nSB 2368: Allow no excuse early voting up to 10 days before the election.\nSB 2102: Would create an agreement among states to elect the president via popular vote rather than the Electoral College. In theory the bill would render the Electoral College useless by enough states agreeing to designate their electors to the candidate who won the popular vote.\nTAXES\nSB 2182: Tax vaping devices. Would apply the 15% excise tax on tobacco products other than cigarettes to electronic smoking or vaping devices.\nSB 2822: M-Flex economic development incentives. This measure, pushed by Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, seeks to reform and streamline Mississippi’s hodgepodge of economic development incentives including tax breaks offered to businesses looking to relocate or expand in Mississippi. The measure would eliminate or consolidate some measures, and require more “transparency” on whether a company is living up to its promises of jobs and salaries when it receives state incentives.\nNote: Several tax bills, including proposals to eliminate the state’s income tax, will be filed later this session.\nMISCELLANEOUS\nSB 2196: Require governor or lieutenant governor to make appointments to fill vacant offices within 90 days. If a governor fails to make an appointment within 90 days, the appointment authority would shift to the lieutenant governor, and vice versa. The bill would not apply to constitutionally chartered positions, such as the state Board of Education or IHL.\nHB 16: Pay raise for troopers. Would increase salaries of Highway Patrol troopers and other Department of Public Safety officers. Would create a new scale with officers starting at $49,140, with pay for highest ranking colonels with decades of experience capped at $125,360.\nHB 89: Allow for the issuance of bonds to incur long-term debt for improvements to be made at state parks.\n-- Article credit to Mississippi Today --",
"Abortion, teacher pay and tax cuts: Bills to watch this legislative session",
"Mississippi lawmakers filed nearly 2,000 bills as of this week’s deadline for drafting general legislation, slightly lower than the nearly 2,500 that had been filed this time last year."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-09T09:53:28 | null | null |
Small business job growth continued in December, but the gains remain uneven as certain sectors of the economy are slowing due to state-mandated business closures and consumer resistance to spend, according to
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fsmall-business-job-growth-continues-december-over-half-small-business-employers-1.json
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en
| null |
Small Business Job Growth Continues in December - Over half of small business employers reported hiring or trying to hire
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
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Small business job growth continued in December, but the gains remain uneven as certain sectors of the economy are slowing due to state-mandated business closures and consumer resistance to spend, according to NFIB’s monthly jobs report.
“Small businesses continued to prove that they are the engine of the economy as we closed a chapter on a challenging year,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Owners continue to manage various obstacles related to the COVID-19 pandemic but are doing their best to remain open and continue hiring employees.”
State-specific data is unavailable, but NFIB State Director Dawn Starns said, “One thing that would help encourage job growth in Mississippi in the coming year would be for lawmakers to approve a plan to eliminate the state income tax,” Starns said. Small businesses are typically organized as pass-through entities, meaning they pay income taxes at the individual rate rather than the higher corporate rate, she said.
“Reducing the tax burden on small business owners would make it easier for them to reinvest in their businesses and hire more people,” Starns said.
Small businesses increased employment by 0.3 workers per firm on average over the past few months, an increase of 0.14 workers per firm compared to November’s reading.
Owners are still looking to hire as they reported a historically high level of job openings in December. Thirty-two percent (seasonally adjusted) of owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, down 2 points from November. Twenty-seven percent have openings for skilled workers and 11% have openings for unskilled labor.
Small business employers plan to fill their open positions with a net 17% (seasonally adjusted) reporting they are planning to create new jobs in the next three months, a historically strong reading. Overall, 54% reported hiring or trying to hire in December.
However, many owners are having trouble finding qualified employees for their open positions. Eighty-nine percent of those hiring or trying to hire reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill in December. Down one point from November, 26% of owners reported few qualified applicants for their open positions and 22% reported none (up two points).
Forty-seven percent of the job openings in the construction industry are for skilled workers. Fifty-nine percent of construction firms reported few or no qualified applicants and 33% cited the shortage of qualified labor as their top business problem.
A net 21% (seasonally adjusted) reported raising compensation and a net 14% plan to do so in the coming months. Six percent of owners cited labor costs as their top business problem and 21% said that labor quality was their top business problem.
Click here to view the full jobs report.
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https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/small-business-job-growth-continues-december-over-half-small-business-employers-1
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en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/6d4b7abe5c49de1d756d70d54e831a0c0672f6b8d286a005d0c3221276c02f61.json
|
[
"Small business job growth continued in December, but the gains remain uneven as certain sectors of the economy are slowing due to state-mandated business closures and consumer resistance to spend, according to NFIB’s monthly jobs report.\n“Small businesses continued to prove that they are the engine of the economy as we closed a chapter on a challenging year,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Owners continue to manage various obstacles related to the COVID-19 pandemic but are doing their best to remain open and continue hiring employees.”\nState-specific data is unavailable, but NFIB State Director Dawn Starns said, “One thing that would help encourage job growth in Mississippi in the coming year would be for lawmakers to approve a plan to eliminate the state income tax,” Starns said. Small businesses are typically organized as pass-through entities, meaning they pay income taxes at the individual rate rather than the higher corporate rate, she said.\n“Reducing the tax burden on small business owners would make it easier for them to reinvest in their businesses and hire more people,” Starns said.\nSmall businesses increased employment by 0.3 workers per firm on average over the past few months, an increase of 0.14 workers per firm compared to November’s reading.\nOwners are still looking to hire as they reported a historically high level of job openings in December. Thirty-two percent (seasonally adjusted) of owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, down 2 points from November. Twenty-seven percent have openings for skilled workers and 11% have openings for unskilled labor.\nSmall business employers plan to fill their open positions with a net 17% (seasonally adjusted) reporting they are planning to create new jobs in the next three months, a historically strong reading. Overall, 54% reported hiring or trying to hire in December.\nHowever, many owners are having trouble finding qualified employees for their open positions. Eighty-nine percent of those hiring or trying to hire reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill in December. Down one point from November, 26% of owners reported few qualified applicants for their open positions and 22% reported none (up two points).\nForty-seven percent of the job openings in the construction industry are for skilled workers. Fifty-nine percent of construction firms reported few or no qualified applicants and 33% cited the shortage of qualified labor as their top business problem.\nA net 21% (seasonally adjusted) reported raising compensation and a net 14% plan to do so in the coming months. Six percent of owners cited labor costs as their top business problem and 21% said that labor quality was their top business problem.\nClick here to view the full jobs report.",
"Small Business Job Growth Continues in December - Over half of small business employers reported hiring or trying to hire",
"Small business job growth continued in December, but the gains remain uneven as certain sectors of the economy are slowing due to state-mandated business closures and consumer resistance to spend, according to"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-29T06:58:12 | null | null |
Superintendent Jim Ray told board members and those in attendance that the district has a few more things to check off before they are released from probation.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcarrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow-news-most-recent%2Fboard-updated-accreditation-audit-status.json
|
en
| null |
Board updated on accreditation, audit status
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Superintendent Jim Ray told board members and those in attendance that the district has a few more things to check off before they are released from probation.
During the meeting, he gave an update on the status of the audit and the status of the accreditation. In the summer of 2019, the district was placed on probation by the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Accreditation.
A 41-page audit hand delivered to Board President Kenny DeLoach and former Superintendent Billy Joe Ferguson outlined several violations by the district as a whole, board members and administration. Throughout 2020, the district has worked diligently correcting the things outlined in the audit.
They purchased a PA system, moved all meetings to a central location – the J.Z. George Band Hall, set up a board policy website, made sure that both schools had someone accredited that could take over if the principal was out, set a pay scale, made a district plan, a corrective action plan, just several of the things the district has worked to do.
And slowly, their checklist of things to correct is getting smaller. At the meeting Thursday, board members approved an updated Professional Learning Plan for 2020-2021 and a Corrective Action Plan for 2020-2021.
Ray said MDE sent back the two plans with corrections that were needed. He said those corrections have been made and the revisions will be sent back to MDE. He said some of the things needed for the district to check off, have to be done in person.
“Because of COVID, they’re not sending anyone out. So, I’m not sure when they’ll be able to come and see them,” he said.
But, he’s optimistic they will cleared and the district’s accreditation will be restored.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/carrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow-news-most-recent/board-updated-accreditation-audit-status
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/4229bc559296eef147709b1b7f3591de16ebaf375351fe7c47e019b24b3ec5d8.json
|
[
"Superintendent Jim Ray told board members and those in attendance that the district has a few more things to check off before they are released from probation.\nDuring the meeting, he gave an update on the status of the audit and the status of the accreditation. In the summer of 2019, the district was placed on probation by the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Accreditation.\nA 41-page audit hand delivered to Board President Kenny DeLoach and former Superintendent Billy Joe Ferguson outlined several violations by the district as a whole, board members and administration. Throughout 2020, the district has worked diligently correcting the things outlined in the audit.\nThey purchased a PA system, moved all meetings to a central location – the J.Z. George Band Hall, set up a board policy website, made sure that both schools had someone accredited that could take over if the principal was out, set a pay scale, made a district plan, a corrective action plan, just several of the things the district has worked to do.\nAnd slowly, their checklist of things to correct is getting smaller. At the meeting Thursday, board members approved an updated Professional Learning Plan for 2020-2021 and a Corrective Action Plan for 2020-2021.\nRay said MDE sent back the two plans with corrections that were needed. He said those corrections have been made and the revisions will be sent back to MDE. He said some of the things needed for the district to check off, have to be done in person.\n“Because of COVID, they’re not sending anyone out. So, I’m not sure when they’ll be able to come and see them,” he said.\nBut, he’s optimistic they will cleared and the district’s accreditation will be restored.",
"Board updated on accreditation, audit status",
"Superintendent Jim Ray told board members and those in attendance that the district has a few more things to check off before they are released from probation."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-16T15:27:08 | null | null |
U.S.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fwicker-hails-2377-million-award-ummc-connected-care-pilot-program-1.json
|
en
| null |
Wicker Hails $2.377 Million Award for UMMC Connected Care Pilot Program
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today cheered the award of $2,377,875 from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) for a Connected Care Pilot Program, which will provide support for telehealth services for low-income Americans who live in rural areas or are veterans.
“The University of Mississippi Medical Center has been on the leading edge of providing telehealth services to rural areas,” Wicker said. “This award from the FCC’s Connected Care Pilot Program will be a major boost to our state’s efforts to provide quality care to residents who lack easy access to in-person care. I appreciate the work of FCC Commissioner Carr to help make this program a reality.”
Joining Wicker in the announcement is FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who first announced the FCC’s Connected Care Pilot Program on the campus of UMMC in 2018.
“Senator Wicker’s leadership is accelerating the delivery of telehealth services in Mississippi, and across the country. The idea for this program sprang from events that Sen. Wicker held in Mississippi at UMMC. I’m pleased that the health care heroes at UMMC will benefit from this initiative,” Carr said.
UMMC’s project would provide broadband Internet access service to patients, enabling remote patient monitoring technologies and ambulatory telehealth visits to low-income patients suffering from chronic conditions or illnesses requiring long-term care.
UMMC estimates the project would impact up to 237,120 patients across Mississippi and serve up to 6,000 patients directly. Of these patients, UMMC estimates 52 percent would be low-income.
For more information on the FCC Connected Care Pilot Program, click here.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/wicker-hails-2377-million-award-ummc-connected-care-pilot-program-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/8c11e398803f948a41a556e5c42e94abd871939eb0df591a92af799dff5d865b.json
|
[
"U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today cheered the award of $2,377,875 from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) for a Connected Care Pilot Program, which will provide support for telehealth services for low-income Americans who live in rural areas or are veterans.\n“The University of Mississippi Medical Center has been on the leading edge of providing telehealth services to rural areas,” Wicker said. “This award from the FCC’s Connected Care Pilot Program will be a major boost to our state’s efforts to provide quality care to residents who lack easy access to in-person care. I appreciate the work of FCC Commissioner Carr to help make this program a reality.”\nJoining Wicker in the announcement is FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who first announced the FCC’s Connected Care Pilot Program on the campus of UMMC in 2018.\n“Senator Wicker’s leadership is accelerating the delivery of telehealth services in Mississippi, and across the country. The idea for this program sprang from events that Sen. Wicker held in Mississippi at UMMC. I’m pleased that the health care heroes at UMMC will benefit from this initiative,” Carr said.\nUMMC’s project would provide broadband Internet access service to patients, enabling remote patient monitoring technologies and ambulatory telehealth visits to low-income patients suffering from chronic conditions or illnesses requiring long-term care.\nUMMC estimates the project would impact up to 237,120 patients across Mississippi and serve up to 6,000 patients directly. Of these patients, UMMC estimates 52 percent would be low-income.\nFor more information on the FCC Connected Care Pilot Program, click here.",
"Wicker Hails $2.377 Million Award for UMMC Connected Care Pilot Program",
"U.S."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-22T09:38:20 | null | null |
The Carroll County School District, like many districts are seeing a shortage in bus drivers. Right now, the district’s transportation director Dewitt Cobbins is substituting as a driver.
Superintendent Jim Ray said the district advertised for bus drivers and two were selected. However, neither of them worked out.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fnews%2Fccsd-has-bus-driver-shortage.json
|
en
| null |
CCSD has bus driver shortage
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The Carroll County School District, like many districts are seeing a shortage in bus drivers. Right now, the district’s transportation director Dewitt Cobbins is substituting as a driver.
Superintendent Jim Ray said the district advertised for bus drivers and two were selected. However, neither of them worked out.
“Neither worked out?” Board member John Phillips said. Ray said no, but he didn’t go into detail as to why.
The discussion came up after one driver submitted her resignation.
Ray said Cobbins was able to convince her to keep driving at least until the end of the year.
“I don’t know what he did, he may have gotten on his knees and begged but he convinced her to stay,” he said. “I’m sure you all know what all Dewitt does, but I’m learning. He’s a big help for the district and he makes a lot of sacrifices for us. We’re lucky to have him.”
The board, and many in the room, agreed with Ray.
Cobbins said right now, the district has no substitute bus drivers.
He said he and another worker at the bus shop have to drive buses, and there’s no one at the shop if something were to happen.
“I’m on call right now, too,” Ray said. He said coaches in the district are also helping to drive buses as well.
He said it wasn’t just the district having this problem, it was a problem in every district.
“I saw in the paper that Winona was advertising for bus drivers, too,” Board member Bill Downs said.
“So, what’s the problem? Are we not paying them enough?” Phillips asked.
Ray said the district’s rates were some of the most competitive. He said the district pays their drivers more than some of the districts in the area.
“I’m not sure about the big schools, but we do pay well,” he said. “So, I don’t think that’s the problem. I think it’s the hours.”
Board president Donnie Wiltshire said when he lived in DeSoto County, he drove buses. He said districts like DeSoto may pay more, but the bus routes are much shorter. Carroll County’s routes can take up to two hours.
The county lines stretch to Winona, Greenwood, Holcomb, West, and near Lexington and the routes are longer.
Ray said the problem is bus drivers work two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. They would only make 20 hours a week. He said for a retiree, it would be fine, but for a younger person trying to make it or raise their family, it could be a problem.
“Maybe we can find them some work for them to do at the bus shop for a few hours,” Wiltshire said, suggesting the added hours may help the district find more drivers.
Ray said that it was something the district could look into doing.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/news/ccsd-has-bus-driver-shortage
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/9c3d10a3263ebb9e06f6ed88fdb9efd144862d87249e93aa01f9fec1fb71aac4.json
|
[
"The Carroll County School District, like many districts are seeing a shortage in bus drivers. Right now, the district’s transportation director Dewitt Cobbins is substituting as a driver.\nSuperintendent Jim Ray said the district advertised for bus drivers and two were selected. However, neither of them worked out.\n“Neither worked out?” Board member John Phillips said. Ray said no, but he didn’t go into detail as to why.\nThe discussion came up after one driver submitted her resignation.\nRay said Cobbins was able to convince her to keep driving at least until the end of the year.\n“I don’t know what he did, he may have gotten on his knees and begged but he convinced her to stay,” he said. “I’m sure you all know what all Dewitt does, but I’m learning. He’s a big help for the district and he makes a lot of sacrifices for us. We’re lucky to have him.”\nThe board, and many in the room, agreed with Ray.\nCobbins said right now, the district has no substitute bus drivers.\nHe said he and another worker at the bus shop have to drive buses, and there’s no one at the shop if something were to happen.\n“I’m on call right now, too,” Ray said. He said coaches in the district are also helping to drive buses as well.\nHe said it wasn’t just the district having this problem, it was a problem in every district.\n“I saw in the paper that Winona was advertising for bus drivers, too,” Board member Bill Downs said.\n“So, what’s the problem? Are we not paying them enough?” Phillips asked.\nRay said the district’s rates were some of the most competitive. He said the district pays their drivers more than some of the districts in the area.\n“I’m not sure about the big schools, but we do pay well,” he said. “So, I don’t think that’s the problem. I think it’s the hours.”\nBoard president Donnie Wiltshire said when he lived in DeSoto County, he drove buses. He said districts like DeSoto may pay more, but the bus routes are much shorter. Carroll County’s routes can take up to two hours.\nThe county lines stretch to Winona, Greenwood, Holcomb, West, and near Lexington and the routes are longer.\nRay said the problem is bus drivers work two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. They would only make 20 hours a week. He said for a retiree, it would be fine, but for a younger person trying to make it or raise their family, it could be a problem.\n“Maybe we can find them some work for them to do at the bus shop for a few hours,” Wiltshire said, suggesting the added hours may help the district find more drivers.\nRay said that it was something the district could look into doing.",
"CCSD has bus driver shortage",
"The Carroll County School District, like many districts are seeing a shortage in bus drivers. Right now, the district’s transportation director Dewitt Cobbins is substituting as a driver.\nSuperintendent Jim Ray said the district advertised for bus drivers and two were selected. However, neither of them worked out."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-26T13:05:02 | null | null |
The Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History awarded at its Jan. 22 meeting nearly $3 million on behalf of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program to 18 preservation and restoration projects from across the state.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fcommunity-heritage-preservation-grants-awarded-18-projects-across-state-1.json
|
en
| null |
Community Heritage Preservation Grants Awarded to 18 Projects Across the State
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History awarded at its Jan. 22 meeting nearly $3 million on behalf of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program to 18 preservation and restoration projects from across the state. The Community Heritage Preservation Grant program, authorized and funded by the Mississippi Legislature, helps preserve and restore historic courthouses and schools in Certified Local Government communities and other historic properties.
"The Legislature has saved hundreds of significant Mississippi properties through this program," said MDAH director Katie Blount. "The Department of Archives and History is grateful for the Legislature's support and pleased to be able to help preserve these local treasures."
The grant awards are as follows:
House on Ellicott’s Hill, Natchez, Adams County—$210,400
For restoration of the front gallery of the building.
Natchez City Hall, Natchez, Adams County—$157,056
For replacement of the roof.
Corinth Coliseum Theater, Corinth, Alcorn County—$236,234
For replacement of the roof and ADA upgrades.
Chickasaw County Courthouse, Houston, Chickasaw County—$226,677
For repairs to the roof and other interior repairs.
G.L. Hawkins Elementary, Hattiesburg, Forrest County—$35,200
For roof repairs.
Franklin County Courthouse, Meadville, Franklin County—$144,388
For window and masonry restoration, and reroofing of the jail.
Wechsler School, Meridian, Lauderdale County—$277,154
For interior and exterior rehabilitation.
(Old) Monticello Elementary, Monticello, Lawrence County—$40,000
For structural repairs and asbestos report and abatement.
Stephen D. Lee House, Columbus, Lowndes County—$25,600
For front porch roof replacement.
Tennessee Williams House, Columbus, Lowndes County—$35,000
For rebuilding of the front porch.
Old Madison County Jail, Canton, Madison County—$250,250
For rear wall repair and roofing.
Marion County Courthouse, Columbia, Marion County—$225,940
For window restoration.
Isaac Chapel (Rosenwald School), Byhalia, Marshall County—$268,744
For interior and exterior restoration.
Noxubee County Library, Macon, Noxubee County—$200,044
For clay tile roof replacement and exterior restoration.
Pontotoc County Courthouse, Pontotoc, Pontotoc County—$239,753
For window and masonry restoration.
Quitman County Courthouse, Marks, Quitman County—$184,792
For exterior and interior rehabilitation.
(Old) Vicksburg Library, Vicksburg, Warren County—$103,370
For electrical upgrades, window and door restoration, and boiler removal.
Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, Vicksburg, Warren County—$89,056
For repair to the auditorium’s south wall.
Grant awards are paid on a reimbursable basis upon the successful completion of the entire project or at the time of the completion of pre-established phases of the project. Prior to application, all buildings must have been designated Mississippi Landmarks. Only county or municipal governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations granted Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service may submit applications.
To become a Certified Local Government, a community must adopt a preservation ordinance establishing a preservation commission in accordance with federal and state guidelines. Once the commission has been established, application for CLG status may be made to the National Park Service through the Department of Archives and History. MDAH works closely with local government officials and citizens to help them create and manage a workable local historic preservation program.
To learn more about the CLG program, contact Meredith Massey in the Historic Preservation Division of MDAH, at 601-576-6538.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/community-heritage-preservation-grants-awarded-18-projects-across-state-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/67890611e34ffb0fb83b1802d105604f4ef10a18ce0d41aa7f1158f7a23b88de.json
|
[
"The Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History awarded at its Jan. 22 meeting nearly $3 million on behalf of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program to 18 preservation and restoration projects from across the state. The Community Heritage Preservation Grant program, authorized and funded by the Mississippi Legislature, helps preserve and restore historic courthouses and schools in Certified Local Government communities and other historic properties.\n\"The Legislature has saved hundreds of significant Mississippi properties through this program,\" said MDAH director Katie Blount. \"The Department of Archives and History is grateful for the Legislature's support and pleased to be able to help preserve these local treasures.\"\nThe grant awards are as follows:\nHouse on Ellicott’s Hill, Natchez, Adams County—$210,400\nFor restoration of the front gallery of the building.\nNatchez City Hall, Natchez, Adams County—$157,056\nFor replacement of the roof.\nCorinth Coliseum Theater, Corinth, Alcorn County—$236,234\nFor replacement of the roof and ADA upgrades.\nChickasaw County Courthouse, Houston, Chickasaw County—$226,677\nFor repairs to the roof and other interior repairs.\nG.L. Hawkins Elementary, Hattiesburg, Forrest County—$35,200\nFor roof repairs.\nFranklin County Courthouse, Meadville, Franklin County—$144,388\nFor window and masonry restoration, and reroofing of the jail.\nWechsler School, Meridian, Lauderdale County—$277,154\nFor interior and exterior rehabilitation.\n(Old) Monticello Elementary, Monticello, Lawrence County—$40,000\nFor structural repairs and asbestos report and abatement.\nStephen D. Lee House, Columbus, Lowndes County—$25,600\nFor front porch roof replacement.\nTennessee Williams House, Columbus, Lowndes County—$35,000\nFor rebuilding of the front porch.\nOld Madison County Jail, Canton, Madison County—$250,250\nFor rear wall repair and roofing.\nMarion County Courthouse, Columbia, Marion County—$225,940\nFor window restoration.\nIsaac Chapel (Rosenwald School), Byhalia, Marshall County—$268,744\nFor interior and exterior restoration.\nNoxubee County Library, Macon, Noxubee County—$200,044\nFor clay tile roof replacement and exterior restoration.\nPontotoc County Courthouse, Pontotoc, Pontotoc County—$239,753\nFor window and masonry restoration.\nQuitman County Courthouse, Marks, Quitman County—$184,792\nFor exterior and interior rehabilitation.\n(Old) Vicksburg Library, Vicksburg, Warren County—$103,370\nFor electrical upgrades, window and door restoration, and boiler removal.\nSouthern Cultural Heritage Foundation, Vicksburg, Warren County—$89,056\nFor repair to the auditorium’s south wall.\nGrant awards are paid on a reimbursable basis upon the successful completion of the entire project or at the time of the completion of pre-established phases of the project. Prior to application, all buildings must have been designated Mississippi Landmarks. Only county or municipal governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations granted Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service may submit applications.\nTo become a Certified Local Government, a community must adopt a preservation ordinance establishing a preservation commission in accordance with federal and state guidelines. Once the commission has been established, application for CLG status may be made to the National Park Service through the Department of Archives and History. MDAH works closely with local government officials and citizens to help them create and manage a workable local historic preservation program.\nTo learn more about the CLG program, contact Meredith Massey in the Historic Preservation Division of MDAH, at 601-576-6538.",
"Community Heritage Preservation Grants Awarded to 18 Projects Across the State",
"The Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History awarded at its Jan. 22 meeting nearly $3 million on behalf of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program to 18 preservation and restoration projects from across the state."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-26T13:05:08 | null | null |
Today, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) announced his selection to serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) for the 117th Congress.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fcongressman-guest-announces-new-committee-assignment-1.json
|
en
| null |
Congressman Guest Announces New Committee Assignment
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Today, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) announced his selection to serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) for the 117th Congress.
“I believe the 116th Congress has prepared me for the opportunities the 117th Congress will bring. I plan to work with my colleagues to bring legislation to the floor that will benefit the people of our state and our nation, and my role on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will offer new and unique paths to serve the great people of Mississippi,” Congressman Guest said about his selection to the committee.
Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Sam Graves welcomed Congressman Guest’s selection to the committee. “Congressman Guest is a proven and effective legislator with an outstanding track record for pushing legislation through the House,” Ranking Member Graves said. “As a conservative voice for responsible and effective policies, he will bring an important perspective to the Committee as we seek to tackle critical issues and improve America’s infrastructure in the 117th Congress.”
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure boasts a broad portfolio that includes many agencies important to the continued success of Mississippi, including the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Coast Guard, Amtrak, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the General Services Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, and others.
Furthermore, Mississippi is unique in its position to benefit from representation on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Because the Magnolia State is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River, the Tennessee River/Tombigbee Waterway, and has countless other rivers and streams; has three major interstates crossing it; and terminates multiple large rail lines; Mississippi falls directly under much of the oversight functions of the T&I Committee. Through his service on this committee, Congressman Guest will be positioned to help advance the expansion of infrastructure across the state, including the development of broadband, roads, bridges, airports, and ports. Additionally, Congressman Guest has supported the transportation needs of the agriculture and forestry sector—our state’s largest industry—during his first term and will continue to prioritize these issues through his position on the T&I Committee.
During the 116th Congress, Congressman Guest proved himself a successful legislator while serving on the Committee on Homeland Security and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Through his work on the Committee on Homeland Security, Congressman Guest became the first Republican Freshman Member of the 116th Congress to pass a piece of legislation through the House of Representatives with H.R. 1590, the Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act of 2019.
Congressman Guest further demonstrated his effectiveness as a legislator through his success on pieces of legislation such as:
- H.R. 1590 – The Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act of 2019 was signed into law on October 9th, 2019. This legislation promotes the identification and determent of terrorist travel and enhances the United States government’s ability to respond to terrorism by instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and conduct a preparedness exercise related to the detection and prevention of terrorist and foreign fighter travel.
- H.R. 3990 – The Operation Stonegarden Authorization Act would provide statutory authorization for a grant program within the Department of Homeland Security for law enforcement agencies in states bordering Mexico or Canada or a maritime border. This legislation was included in the Republican Department of Homeland Security authorization bill introduced in September 2020. Operation Stonegarden would help reduce the flow of illegal drugs across our borders by providing necessary resources to agencies tasked with protecting the borders of the United States.
- H.R.2246 – This legislation designated the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 West Cherokee Street in Brookhaven, Mississippi, as the “Deputy Donald William Durr, Corporal Zach Moak, and Patrolman James White Memorial Post Office Building.” It was signed into law December 21st, 2020.
During the 116th Congress, Congressman Guest developed a strong understanding of infrastructure policy through his cosponsorship of numerous pieces of legislation, including:
- H.R. 5175 – Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2019
- H.R. 6431 – Made in America Emergency Preparedness Act
- H.R. 7456 – To establish a grant program for domestic maritime workforce training and education, and for other purposes
- H.R. 4283 – Broadband Interagency Coordination Act of 2019
- H.R. 487 – Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act
- H.R. 1374 – Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) – Safe Act
- H.R. 1673 – Agricultural Trucking Relief Act of 2019
- H.R. 4919 – Responsible and Efficient Agriculture Destination Act
- H.R. 2220 – I-14 Expansion and Improvement Act of 2019
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/congressman-guest-announces-new-committee-assignment-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/fda12f4fb20b6dfb7798728ad5284769f0621ca7034747bfd1d7abb297c529e9.json
|
[
"Today, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) announced his selection to serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) for the 117th Congress.\n“I believe the 116th Congress has prepared me for the opportunities the 117th Congress will bring. I plan to work with my colleagues to bring legislation to the floor that will benefit the people of our state and our nation, and my role on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will offer new and unique paths to serve the great people of Mississippi,” Congressman Guest said about his selection to the committee.\nRanking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Sam Graves welcomed Congressman Guest’s selection to the committee. “Congressman Guest is a proven and effective legislator with an outstanding track record for pushing legislation through the House,” Ranking Member Graves said. “As a conservative voice for responsible and effective policies, he will bring an important perspective to the Committee as we seek to tackle critical issues and improve America’s infrastructure in the 117th Congress.”\nThe Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure boasts a broad portfolio that includes many agencies important to the continued success of Mississippi, including the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Coast Guard, Amtrak, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the General Services Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, and others.\nFurthermore, Mississippi is unique in its position to benefit from representation on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Because the Magnolia State is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River, the Tennessee River/Tombigbee Waterway, and has countless other rivers and streams; has three major interstates crossing it; and terminates multiple large rail lines; Mississippi falls directly under much of the oversight functions of the T&I Committee. Through his service on this committee, Congressman Guest will be positioned to help advance the expansion of infrastructure across the state, including the development of broadband, roads, bridges, airports, and ports. Additionally, Congressman Guest has supported the transportation needs of the agriculture and forestry sector—our state’s largest industry—during his first term and will continue to prioritize these issues through his position on the T&I Committee.\nDuring the 116th Congress, Congressman Guest proved himself a successful legislator while serving on the Committee on Homeland Security and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Through his work on the Committee on Homeland Security, Congressman Guest became the first Republican Freshman Member of the 116th Congress to pass a piece of legislation through the House of Representatives with H.R. 1590, the Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act of 2019.\nCongressman Guest further demonstrated his effectiveness as a legislator through his success on pieces of legislation such as:\n- H.R. 1590 – The Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act of 2019 was signed into law on October 9th, 2019. This legislation promotes the identification and determent of terrorist travel and enhances the United States government’s ability to respond to terrorism by instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and conduct a preparedness exercise related to the detection and prevention of terrorist and foreign fighter travel.\n- H.R. 3990 – The Operation Stonegarden Authorization Act would provide statutory authorization for a grant program within the Department of Homeland Security for law enforcement agencies in states bordering Mexico or Canada or a maritime border. This legislation was included in the Republican Department of Homeland Security authorization bill introduced in September 2020. Operation Stonegarden would help reduce the flow of illegal drugs across our borders by providing necessary resources to agencies tasked with protecting the borders of the United States.\n- H.R.2246 – This legislation designated the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 West Cherokee Street in Brookhaven, Mississippi, as the “Deputy Donald William Durr, Corporal Zach Moak, and Patrolman James White Memorial Post Office Building.” It was signed into law December 21st, 2020.\nDuring the 116th Congress, Congressman Guest developed a strong understanding of infrastructure policy through his cosponsorship of numerous pieces of legislation, including:\n- H.R. 5175 – Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2019\n- H.R. 6431 – Made in America Emergency Preparedness Act\n- H.R. 7456 – To establish a grant program for domestic maritime workforce training and education, and for other purposes\n- H.R. 4283 – Broadband Interagency Coordination Act of 2019\n- H.R. 487 – Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act\n- H.R. 1374 – Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) – Safe Act\n- H.R. 1673 – Agricultural Trucking Relief Act of 2019\n- H.R. 4919 – Responsible and Efficient Agriculture Destination Act\n- H.R. 2220 – I-14 Expansion and Improvement Act of 2019",
"Congressman Guest Announces New Committee Assignment",
"Today, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) announced his selection to serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) for the 117th Congress."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T08:01:01 | null | null |
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today reported that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a $21.2 million contract to begin production of Mississippi-built Light Enforcement Helicopters (LEH).
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fhyde-smith-cpb-issues-212-million-contract-border-security-helicopters-build-1.json
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en
| null |
Hyde-Smith: CPB issues $21.2 million contract for border security helicopters build in Mississippi
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today reported that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a $21.2 million contract to begin production of Mississippi-built Light Enforcement Helicopters (LEH).
The CBP contract, which has a $65.9 million potential value, is for the delivery of up to nine LEHs. The aircraft are manufactured at the Airbus plant in Columbus.
“Light Enforcement Helicopters play an effective role in curtailing illegal activities on our borders. This contract represents our continued work to provide CBP with new aircraft to replace old and less-effective aircraft. I’m pleased aircraft manufacturers in the Golden Triangle Region will continue to contribute to this goal,” Hyde-Smith said.
The contract is funded through FY2020 appropriations and represents Hyde-Smith’s continued work to secure funding for new aircraft to strengthen the CBP helicopter fleet, which has been diminished by aging airframes and accidents. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 provides $28.4 million to continue recapitalization of the LEH fleet.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security deploys the multi-mission LEHs for border surveillance and law enforcement missions, including the transport and insertion of CBP agents responding to illegal border incursions, search and arrest warrants missions, and high-risk area patrols.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/hyde-smith-cpb-issues-212-million-contract-border-security-helicopters-build-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/6d6648e7a11358cae273b5cdadb0bd784a99ec71b327ffbd1553bda18e6a675e.json
|
[
"U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today reported that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a $21.2 million contract to begin production of Mississippi-built Light Enforcement Helicopters (LEH).\nThe CBP contract, which has a $65.9 million potential value, is for the delivery of up to nine LEHs. The aircraft are manufactured at the Airbus plant in Columbus.\n“Light Enforcement Helicopters play an effective role in curtailing illegal activities on our borders. This contract represents our continued work to provide CBP with new aircraft to replace old and less-effective aircraft. I’m pleased aircraft manufacturers in the Golden Triangle Region will continue to contribute to this goal,” Hyde-Smith said.\nThe contract is funded through FY2020 appropriations and represents Hyde-Smith’s continued work to secure funding for new aircraft to strengthen the CBP helicopter fleet, which has been diminished by aging airframes and accidents. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 provides $28.4 million to continue recapitalization of the LEH fleet.\nThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security deploys the multi-mission LEHs for border surveillance and law enforcement missions, including the transport and insertion of CBP agents responding to illegal border incursions, search and arrest warrants missions, and high-risk area patrols.",
"Hyde-Smith: CPB issues $21.2 million contract for border security helicopters build in Mississippi",
"U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today reported that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a $21.2 million contract to begin production of Mississippi-built Light Enforcement Helicopters (LEH)."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-16T15:26:52 | null | null |
The state health department announced Friday that it received additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which will go towards already booked appointments next week.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fhealth-department-clarifies-vaccine-supply-new-appointments-available-jan-25-1.json
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en
| null |
Health department clarifies vaccine supply, new appointments available Jan. 25
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The state health department announced Friday that it received additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which will go towards already booked appointments next week. The press release adds that the Mississippi Department of Health anticipates new appointments will be available the week of Jan. 25.
The news comes two days after MSDH said it ran out of doses for new appointments. The department later clarified that those seeking a second dose and those who already booked appointments would not be affected.
The earlier release also said MSDH hoped to receive a large shipment of vaccine in February, causing some to think that the state would be out of new doses until then.
“The anticipated arrival of significantly more vaccine in February is in addition to the steady, modest supply that we are currently receiving weekly,” Friday’s press release clarified.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center, which manages the state’s booking system for vaccine appointments, said it was unprepared for this week’s expansion of eligibility to those 65 and over and to those with pre-existing conditions. Mississippians on social media shared frustrations over long wait times and confusion with the state’s phone line and online booking system.
“There are more people with pre-existing conditions or 65+ than there are doses of the vaccine today,” Gov. Tate Reeves tweeted Wednesday. “So not everyone will have the ability to get a dose immediately or at their preferred site.”
“If you’ve gotten your first dose, or have an appointment for it, you’ll get your second dose,” he added. “We have plenty of appointments and the ability to logistically handle everyone. Just need more first doses.”
Now in the fifth week of administering doses, MSDH reported over 38,000 vaccinations this week alone, a huge surge compared to the 56,000 total vaccinations in the first four weeks combined.
Friday’s announcement also said the new allotment will include a “modest amount” for community partners.
“The additional vaccine will be distributed to community partners in a manner that seeks to address both geographic and racial disparities,” MSDH said.
-- Article credit to Alex Rozier of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/health-department-clarifies-vaccine-supply-new-appointments-available-jan-25-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/958b36a493094be0e764442a67bb10c6e848c4dbde26d00e3eabfd25f2d5b395.json
|
[
"The state health department announced Friday that it received additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which will go towards already booked appointments next week. The press release adds that the Mississippi Department of Health anticipates new appointments will be available the week of Jan. 25.\nThe news comes two days after MSDH said it ran out of doses for new appointments. The department later clarified that those seeking a second dose and those who already booked appointments would not be affected.\nThe earlier release also said MSDH hoped to receive a large shipment of vaccine in February, causing some to think that the state would be out of new doses until then.\n“The anticipated arrival of significantly more vaccine in February is in addition to the steady, modest supply that we are currently receiving weekly,” Friday’s press release clarified.\nThe University of Mississippi Medical Center, which manages the state’s booking system for vaccine appointments, said it was unprepared for this week’s expansion of eligibility to those 65 and over and to those with pre-existing conditions. Mississippians on social media shared frustrations over long wait times and confusion with the state’s phone line and online booking system.\n“There are more people with pre-existing conditions or 65+ than there are doses of the vaccine today,” Gov. Tate Reeves tweeted Wednesday. “So not everyone will have the ability to get a dose immediately or at their preferred site.”\n“If you’ve gotten your first dose, or have an appointment for it, you’ll get your second dose,” he added. “We have plenty of appointments and the ability to logistically handle everyone. Just need more first doses.”\nNow in the fifth week of administering doses, MSDH reported over 38,000 vaccinations this week alone, a huge surge compared to the 56,000 total vaccinations in the first four weeks combined.\nFriday’s announcement also said the new allotment will include a “modest amount” for community partners.\n“The additional vaccine will be distributed to community partners in a manner that seeks to address both geographic and racial disparities,” MSDH said.\n-- Article credit to Alex Rozier of Mississippi Today --",
"Health department clarifies vaccine supply, new appointments available Jan. 25",
"The state health department announced Friday that it received additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which will go towards already booked appointments next week."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-16T15:27:03 | null | null |
Justin Moore has been announced as the new entertainment for the Tuesday, February 16, 2021, performance of the Dixie National Rodeo.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fjustin-moore-announced-entertainment-february-16-dixie-national-rodeo-performance-2.json
|
en
| null |
Justin Moore Announced as Entertainment for February 16 Dixie National Rodeo Performance
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Justin Moore has been announced as the new entertainment for the Tuesday, February 16, 2021, performance of the Dixie National Rodeo. Moore replaces Gary Allan, who is postponing his performance until the 2022 Dixie National Rodeo. Ticket holders to the February 16 performance of the Dixie National Rodeo may request a refund or exchange their tickets.
Additional performers at the 2021 Dixie National Rodeo include The Oak Ridge Boys, Parker McCollum, Moe Bandy, John Conlee, Sawyer Brown, and Riley Green. Tickets are limited due to public health guidance so the public is encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. The Mississippi State Fairgrounds is implementing precautionary measures to ensure the safety of rodeo participants and attendees. Sanitization stations and safe practices signage will be posted throughout the facility. Applicable public health guidance will be observed regarding social distancing and masks.
To purchase tickets to the Dixie National Rodeo, visit www.ticketmaster.com/dixie-national-rodeo-tickets/artist/848320 or the Coliseum Box Office.
For more information on the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, visit www.DixieNational.org or call 601-961-4000.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/justin-moore-announced-entertainment-february-16-dixie-national-rodeo-performance-2
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/ecc0c5075b272934b078efbd15e8e9fab32bacb76e1f09841f3a00640e83c440.json
|
[
"Justin Moore has been announced as the new entertainment for the Tuesday, February 16, 2021, performance of the Dixie National Rodeo. Moore replaces Gary Allan, who is postponing his performance until the 2022 Dixie National Rodeo. Ticket holders to the February 16 performance of the Dixie National Rodeo may request a refund or exchange their tickets.\nAdditional performers at the 2021 Dixie National Rodeo include The Oak Ridge Boys, Parker McCollum, Moe Bandy, John Conlee, Sawyer Brown, and Riley Green. Tickets are limited due to public health guidance so the public is encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. The Mississippi State Fairgrounds is implementing precautionary measures to ensure the safety of rodeo participants and attendees. Sanitization stations and safe practices signage will be posted throughout the facility. Applicable public health guidance will be observed regarding social distancing and masks.\nTo purchase tickets to the Dixie National Rodeo, visit www.ticketmaster.com/dixie-national-rodeo-tickets/artist/848320 or the Coliseum Box Office.\nFor more information on the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, visit www.DixieNational.org or call 601-961-4000.",
"Justin Moore Announced as Entertainment for February 16 Dixie National Rodeo Performance",
"Justin Moore has been announced as the new entertainment for the Tuesday, February 16, 2021, performance of the Dixie National Rodeo."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T08:01:28 | null | null |
Below is a statement from the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus:
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fweekly-newsletter-mississippi-legislative-black-caucus-2.json
|
en
| null |
Weekly Newsletter - From the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Below is a statement from the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus:
Welcome
We are almost a full week into the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Immediately, we saw our new president implement much-needed policy changes to set our nation on a path forward.
Of note, Congress is at work to finalize the next round of relief funding to help American families and businesses. We're excited about this because we know African American families and businesses across the state of Mississippi have struggled over the last nine months to make ends meet.
As we await the new funding, we are currently in the process of preparing a series of virtual town hall meetings to let our constituents know they can take advantage of federal resources. Specifically, we'll discuss the latest Paycheck Protection Program rollout and unemployment assistance. It's important to us that you are properly positioned to receive the help that you need.
In the past week, we've come to face new challenges related to COVID-19. In an effort to lower the risk of transmission, both the Senate and House are opting to meet virtually. Though this is new for us, trust that we are still hard at work for you as we navigate this legislative session and adapt to the changes in the legislative process.
Please be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for up-to-date information on legislation and other decisions happening at your state Capitol.
Angela Turner Ford, MS Senator (D-16) Chair of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus
Senate Review
On a unanimous vote, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2001 to give $1,000 raises to teachers and increase starting pay to $37,000.
- Teacher's assistants would also receive a $1,000 increase to make their minimum salaries $15,000. The increase would climb to $1,110 for teachers who have less than three years' experience.
- The bill must now get House approval.
The Senate passed House Bill 69 to enable the Veterans Affairs Board to increase salaries for needed healthcare services workers.
Committee meetings continue, and a safety procedure to lessen the chance of COVID-19 exposure or infections was approved by senate leadership.
- Instead of physically attending committee meetings, senators can view those held in rooms 216 and 409 live-streamed over the Web. As part of the committee debate process, when necessary, Senators may respond by Zoom video conferencing, which is now in place.
House Review
Speaker Philip Gunn announced new chairmanships of several House Committees:
- Insurance Chairman: Hank Zuber (R-Ocean Springs)
- Banking and Financial Services Chairman: Jerry Turner (R-Baldwyn)
- Drug Policy Chairman: Lee Yancey (R-Brandon)
- Rules Chairman: Rob Roberson (R-Starkville)
- Medicaid Vice-Chairman: Clay Deweese (R-Oxford)
The Speaker also announced new safety protocols that will be implemented starting next week.
All committee meetings and sessions will happen via teleconference, available to the public on the Legislature website.
The House is scheduled to return to in-person sessions on Wednesday, February 3, after the deadline to pass bills out of committee.
House Resolution 12, which was introduced on Friday morning, creates a temporary House rule determining quorum on meetings happening remotely.
The resolution passed unanimously by a voice vote and made it possible for the House to conduct business by teleconference.
Media
The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus releases its 2021 Legislative Priorities
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/weekly-newsletter-mississippi-legislative-black-caucus-2
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/08bc57a0e11da759a9531aefe560a9953345330e45323f12da90601a84e89f90.json
|
[
"Below is a statement from the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus:\nWelcome\nWe are almost a full week into the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Immediately, we saw our new president implement much-needed policy changes to set our nation on a path forward.\nOf note, Congress is at work to finalize the next round of relief funding to help American families and businesses. We're excited about this because we know African American families and businesses across the state of Mississippi have struggled over the last nine months to make ends meet.\nAs we await the new funding, we are currently in the process of preparing a series of virtual town hall meetings to let our constituents know they can take advantage of federal resources. Specifically, we'll discuss the latest Paycheck Protection Program rollout and unemployment assistance. It's important to us that you are properly positioned to receive the help that you need.\nIn the past week, we've come to face new challenges related to COVID-19. In an effort to lower the risk of transmission, both the Senate and House are opting to meet virtually. Though this is new for us, trust that we are still hard at work for you as we navigate this legislative session and adapt to the changes in the legislative process.\nPlease be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for up-to-date information on legislation and other decisions happening at your state Capitol.\nAngela Turner Ford, MS Senator (D-16) Chair of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus\nSenate Review\nOn a unanimous vote, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2001 to give $1,000 raises to teachers and increase starting pay to $37,000.\n- Teacher's assistants would also receive a $1,000 increase to make their minimum salaries $15,000. The increase would climb to $1,110 for teachers who have less than three years' experience.\n- The bill must now get House approval.\nThe Senate passed House Bill 69 to enable the Veterans Affairs Board to increase salaries for needed healthcare services workers.\nCommittee meetings continue, and a safety procedure to lessen the chance of COVID-19 exposure or infections was approved by senate leadership.\n- Instead of physically attending committee meetings, senators can view those held in rooms 216 and 409 live-streamed over the Web. As part of the committee debate process, when necessary, Senators may respond by Zoom video conferencing, which is now in place.\nHouse Review\nSpeaker Philip Gunn announced new chairmanships of several House Committees:\n- Insurance Chairman: Hank Zuber (R-Ocean Springs)\n- Banking and Financial Services Chairman: Jerry Turner (R-Baldwyn)\n- Drug Policy Chairman: Lee Yancey (R-Brandon)\n- Rules Chairman: Rob Roberson (R-Starkville)\n- Medicaid Vice-Chairman: Clay Deweese (R-Oxford)\nThe Speaker also announced new safety protocols that will be implemented starting next week.\nAll committee meetings and sessions will happen via teleconference, available to the public on the Legislature website.\nThe House is scheduled to return to in-person sessions on Wednesday, February 3, after the deadline to pass bills out of committee.\nHouse Resolution 12, which was introduced on Friday morning, creates a temporary House rule determining quorum on meetings happening remotely.\nThe resolution passed unanimously by a voice vote and made it possible for the House to conduct business by teleconference.\nMedia\nThe Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus releases its 2021 Legislative Priorities",
"Weekly Newsletter - From the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus",
"Below is a statement from the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus:"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-23T01:11:45 | null | null |
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippi-covid-19-update-january-22nd-2021-1.json
|
en
| null |
Mississippi Covid-19 Update : January 22nd, 2021
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
New cases of COVID-19:
2,050
Positive test results reported to MSDH as of 6 p.m. yesterday. Tests may have been made during the past week, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Repeated tests for the same individual are counted only once.
New COVID-19 related deaths:
45
COVID-19 related deaths reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners as of 6 p.m. yesterday.
Twenty-seven deaths occurred between January 16 and January 21, 2021.
Long-Term Care Facilities
Active outbreaks: 201
An outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility.
Hospitalizations
Explore local hospital capacity and bed use with the MSDH interactive map of hospitals
Look for the most recent COVID-19 hospitalizations chart on the website HealthyMS.com/covid-19.
State Totals and Trend
Totals of all Mississippi COVID-19 cases and deaths for 2020 and 2021.
- Total COVID-19 cases: 261,167
- Total COVID-19 related deaths: 5,713
Cases by Date of Illness
This chart tracks COVID-19 cases according to the date the person first became ill, rather than the date of test results. It's the standard way of following the course of a disease in a population. The black average line helps identify upward or downward trending. (In the few cases where date of illness has not yet been determined, testing date is used.) Since we are still receiving reports of illnesses that began up to two weeks ago, expect the more recent dates on this chart to change.
What You Can Do
- Keep groups sizes small and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors. Many cases are now being spread through gatherings in homes without safety precautions.
- Social distancing is still critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and others.
- Wearing a mask or face covering can sharply reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to others. Wearing a mask is strong recommended whenever you are in public places with others around you.
- Most people spreading COVID-19 do not know they are infected.
- Remind others that precautions remain essential, and set an example by your actions.
- Be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed. See our guide to local testing providers and free testing at http://HealthyMS.com/ covid19test
More Data and Information
- COVID-19 cases, data and statistics
- Guidance and preventive measures
- Find COVID-19 testing near you
- General COVID-19 information
- Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippi-covid-19-update-january-22nd-2021-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/3716d2643870be7b77f3bb6fde7fa7a7fcb481b37bf22454e772f981bf9053c1.json
|
[
"Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.\nNew cases of COVID-19:\n2,050\nPositive test results reported to MSDH as of 6 p.m. yesterday. Tests may have been made during the past week, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Repeated tests for the same individual are counted only once.\nNew COVID-19 related deaths:\n45\nCOVID-19 related deaths reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners as of 6 p.m. yesterday.\nTwenty-seven deaths occurred between January 16 and January 21, 2021.\nLong-Term Care Facilities\nActive outbreaks: 201\nAn outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility.\nHospitalizations\nExplore local hospital capacity and bed use with the MSDH interactive map of hospitals\nLook for the most recent COVID-19 hospitalizations chart on the website HealthyMS.com/covid-19.\nState Totals and Trend\nTotals of all Mississippi COVID-19 cases and deaths for 2020 and 2021.\n- Total COVID-19 cases: 261,167\n- Total COVID-19 related deaths: 5,713\nCases by Date of Illness\nThis chart tracks COVID-19 cases according to the date the person first became ill, rather than the date of test results. It's the standard way of following the course of a disease in a population. The black average line helps identify upward or downward trending. (In the few cases where date of illness has not yet been determined, testing date is used.) Since we are still receiving reports of illnesses that began up to two weeks ago, expect the more recent dates on this chart to change.\nWhat You Can Do\n- Keep groups sizes small and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors. Many cases are now being spread through gatherings in homes without safety precautions.\n- Social distancing is still critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and others.\n- Wearing a mask or face covering can sharply reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to others. Wearing a mask is strong recommended whenever you are in public places with others around you.\n- Most people spreading COVID-19 do not know they are infected.\n- Remind others that precautions remain essential, and set an example by your actions.\n- Be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed. See our guide to local testing providers and free testing at http://HealthyMS.com/ covid19test\nMore Data and Information\n- COVID-19 cases, data and statistics\n- Guidance and preventive measures\n- Find COVID-19 testing near you\n- General COVID-19 information\n- Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453\n7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week",
"Mississippi Covid-19 Update : January 22nd, 2021",
"Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-22T09:37:48 | null | null |
Teachers at Winona Elementary School held a “Disney Day” for two of their students to give them an experience they will never forget after an incident made their family abruptly cancel their vacation plans.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Ffront-page-slideshow-news%2Fday-jasper.json
|
en
| null |
A day for Jasper
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Teachers at Winona Elementary School held a “Disney Day” for two of their students to give them an experience they will never forget after an incident made their family abruptly cancel their vacation plans.
Jasper and Jaron Welch were surprised with their very own magical celebration, along with all of the students at Winona Elementary. Parents Kyle Welch and Lorayne Boyce took their boys on a family vacation and were asked to leave when Jasper, who is autistic, wouldn’t put on his mask.
Welch said once Jasper’s teachers in Winona learned of the incident, they quickly began planning a way to make Jasper and Jaron feel special.
“We found out the same night it happened,” Welch said.
He said Jasper’s teacher, Iva Faulk, helped to put on Disney Day with the help of other teachers and staff at the school. The Disney Day was completed with princesses, Mickey and Minnie, and decorations.
Welch said they weren’t able to be there in person, but he and Boyce have seen the videos and photos and could tell Jasper and his brother Jaron were excited about the special day planned for them.
“We know that he adores his teacher, so from the pictures it looks like Jasper had fun. I know Jaron had fun,” Welch said.
He said they’re still learning as to where Jasper is on the autism spectrum, but he’s non-verbal. Things that seem small to most people, like a trip to the store, require a routine for Jasper.
“He’s getting better at communicating, it’s a hard one,” Welch said. “He doesn’t like going into crowded stores, so when we’re in the store and he’s pulling and throwing a tantrum, people stare at us. They think it’s a parenting problem. Like if we’re in Walmart and sees the door, he’s going to start pulling because he wants to leave.”
Welch said the problem is many people don’t understand autism and don’t understand how to effectively communicate with someone who has autism.
“Some days are better than others,” Welch said.
He said they’re thankful to be in Winona. The family, who is originally from Oregon, said when they lived there Jasper didn’t go to school; he went to a place for his speech. However, with Winona Elementary, the administration, staff and teachers have made Jasper and Jaron feel welcome.
Welch said his son Jaron’s teacher also has a son on the autism spectrum as well as their neighbors. He said the administration, teachers, and even Jasper’s bus driver has taken the time to learn what he likes, doesn’t like, and assured them that Jasper would be okay.
He said through this experience, they’ve developed relationships with some of the teachers there and others have reached out to them.
They said here in Winona, they’ve met families who understand the journey they’re on with learning about Jasper’s autism and how to help him understand it, which ultimately will help him in the long run. They said they hope that more education is put out about autism and more is taught about how people can effectively interact with autistic children and adults.
“Even my family back in Oregon, they didn’t really understand,” Welch said. “But, the teachers at Winona Elementary have made him welcomed and they let us know that they care about him. We’re thankful for that.”
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/front-page-slideshow-news/day-jasper
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/7fc53b5db539c0cf0b82c111b57cffc555229c945ccdfaa4acc39aa573607068.json
|
[
"Teachers at Winona Elementary School held a “Disney Day” for two of their students to give them an experience they will never forget after an incident made their family abruptly cancel their vacation plans.\nJasper and Jaron Welch were surprised with their very own magical celebration, along with all of the students at Winona Elementary. Parents Kyle Welch and Lorayne Boyce took their boys on a family vacation and were asked to leave when Jasper, who is autistic, wouldn’t put on his mask.\nWelch said once Jasper’s teachers in Winona learned of the incident, they quickly began planning a way to make Jasper and Jaron feel special.\n“We found out the same night it happened,” Welch said.\nHe said Jasper’s teacher, Iva Faulk, helped to put on Disney Day with the help of other teachers and staff at the school. The Disney Day was completed with princesses, Mickey and Minnie, and decorations.\nWelch said they weren’t able to be there in person, but he and Boyce have seen the videos and photos and could tell Jasper and his brother Jaron were excited about the special day planned for them.\n“We know that he adores his teacher, so from the pictures it looks like Jasper had fun. I know Jaron had fun,” Welch said.\nHe said they’re still learning as to where Jasper is on the autism spectrum, but he’s non-verbal. Things that seem small to most people, like a trip to the store, require a routine for Jasper.\n“He’s getting better at communicating, it’s a hard one,” Welch said. “He doesn’t like going into crowded stores, so when we’re in the store and he’s pulling and throwing a tantrum, people stare at us. They think it’s a parenting problem. Like if we’re in Walmart and sees the door, he’s going to start pulling because he wants to leave.”\nWelch said the problem is many people don’t understand autism and don’t understand how to effectively communicate with someone who has autism.\n“Some days are better than others,” Welch said.\nHe said they’re thankful to be in Winona. The family, who is originally from Oregon, said when they lived there Jasper didn’t go to school; he went to a place for his speech. However, with Winona Elementary, the administration, staff and teachers have made Jasper and Jaron feel welcome.\nWelch said his son Jaron’s teacher also has a son on the autism spectrum as well as their neighbors. He said the administration, teachers, and even Jasper’s bus driver has taken the time to learn what he likes, doesn’t like, and assured them that Jasper would be okay.\nHe said through this experience, they’ve developed relationships with some of the teachers there and others have reached out to them.\nThey said here in Winona, they’ve met families who understand the journey they’re on with learning about Jasper’s autism and how to help him understand it, which ultimately will help him in the long run. They said they hope that more education is put out about autism and more is taught about how people can effectively interact with autistic children and adults.\n“Even my family back in Oregon, they didn’t really understand,” Welch said. “But, the teachers at Winona Elementary have made him welcomed and they let us know that they care about him. We’re thankful for that.”",
"A day for Jasper",
"Teachers at Winona Elementary School held a “Disney Day” for two of their students to give them an experience they will never forget after an incident made their family abruptly cancel their vacation plans."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-21T01:50:35 | null | null |
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced on Jan. 19 that it has approved approximately 60,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan applications submitted by nearly 3,000 lenders, for over $5 billion, between the program’s re-opening on Jan. 11, at 9 a.m. ET through Jan. 17.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fsba-announces-approval-about-60000-ppp-loan-applications-1.json
|
en
| null |
SBA Announces Approval of About 60,000 PPP Loan Applications
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced on Jan. 19 that it has approved approximately 60,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan applications submitted by nearly 3,000 lenders, for over $5 billion, between the program’s re-opening on Jan. 11, at 9 a.m. ET through Jan. 17.
Last week, the PPP provided dedicated access to community financial institutions that specialize in serving underserved communities, including minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses from Monday through Thursday, joined Friday by smaller lenders.
As Jan. 19, the Paycheck Protection Program is open to all participating lenders.
“The SBA continues to help small businesses across the nation access vital funds through the Paycheck Protection Program. Data from our first week, which first allowed hundreds of community financial institutions to submit applications, then opened wider to small banks, demonstrate that we have helped tens of thousands of businesses,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “The PPP is off to another great start helping our nation’s economy. With PPP re-opening today for all First and Second Draw loan applications, the SBA remains committed to keeping small business workers on payroll and their doors open during this challenging time. Moreover, the SBA over-performed operationally, issuing guidance and rules in advance and in alignment with the new law’s requirements,” Carranza added.
First Draw PPP loans are for those borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. The first two PPP rounds open between March and August 2020 were a historic success helping 5.2 million small businesses keep 51 million American workers employed.
Second Draw PPP loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less and that previously received a First Draw PPP loan. These borrowers will have to use or had used the full amount of their First Draw loan only for authorized uses and demonstrate at least a 25 percent reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million.
The Paycheck Protection Program remains open for First and Second Draw PPP loans until March 31 as set forth in the Economic Aid Act, or until Congressionally-appropriated funding is exhausted.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/sba-announces-approval-about-60000-ppp-loan-applications-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/0246ff137816e28285b04c548deac3f20980211169507083b27fe80fcf143765.json
|
[
"The U.S. Small Business Administration announced on Jan. 19 that it has approved approximately 60,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan applications submitted by nearly 3,000 lenders, for over $5 billion, between the program’s re-opening on Jan. 11, at 9 a.m. ET through Jan. 17.\nLast week, the PPP provided dedicated access to community financial institutions that specialize in serving underserved communities, including minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses from Monday through Thursday, joined Friday by smaller lenders.\nAs Jan. 19, the Paycheck Protection Program is open to all participating lenders.\n“The SBA continues to help small businesses across the nation access vital funds through the Paycheck Protection Program. Data from our first week, which first allowed hundreds of community financial institutions to submit applications, then opened wider to small banks, demonstrate that we have helped tens of thousands of businesses,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “The PPP is off to another great start helping our nation’s economy. With PPP re-opening today for all First and Second Draw loan applications, the SBA remains committed to keeping small business workers on payroll and their doors open during this challenging time. Moreover, the SBA over-performed operationally, issuing guidance and rules in advance and in alignment with the new law’s requirements,” Carranza added.\nFirst Draw PPP loans are for those borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. The first two PPP rounds open between March and August 2020 were a historic success helping 5.2 million small businesses keep 51 million American workers employed.\nSecond Draw PPP loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less and that previously received a First Draw PPP loan. These borrowers will have to use or had used the full amount of their First Draw loan only for authorized uses and demonstrate at least a 25 percent reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million.\nThe Paycheck Protection Program remains open for First and Second Draw PPP loans until March 31 as set forth in the Economic Aid Act, or until Congressionally-appropriated funding is exhausted.",
"SBA Announces Approval of About 60,000 PPP Loan Applications",
"The U.S. Small Business Administration announced on Jan. 19 that it has approved approximately 60,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan applications submitted by nearly 3,000 lenders, for over $5 billion, between the program’s re-opening on Jan. 11, at 9 a.m. ET through Jan. 17."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-14T23:48:17 | null | null |
Lora Ann McCuiston, 56, of Duck Hill, died Monday, January 4, 2021 at her sister’s home in Greenwood.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fobituaries%2Flora-ann-mccuiston.json
|
en
| null |
Lora Ann McCuiston
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Lora Ann McCuiston, 56, of Duck Hill, died Monday, January 4, 2021 at her sister’s home in Greenwood.
A limited visitation were held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8 at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home in Winona. Graveside services were held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 in the Springhill Church Cemetery in Lodi. Pastor Franklin McKinney officiated services.
Mrs. McCuiston was a CNA and a member of Springhill Missionary Baptist Church. She is survived by her spouse, Joe Henry Thompson of Duck Hill; two daughters, Najalah Cage of Grenada and Evelyn McCuiston of Duck Hill and a son, Deundra McCuiston of Duck Hill. Her mother, Garnett Harris of Tchula; three sisters, Joyce Perez of Belzoni, Sarah Harris of Tchula and Erica West of Greenwood; and three brothers, Sammie Cage and Israel Harris both of Tchula, and Ben Harris, Jr., of Lexington.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/obituaries/lora-ann-mccuiston
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/41d645690680047046df6e0d0a530cb7ce39abdb77cdcb467e79d62acfcfa181.json
|
[
"Lora Ann McCuiston, 56, of Duck Hill, died Monday, January 4, 2021 at her sister’s home in Greenwood.\nA limited visitation were held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8 at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home in Winona. Graveside services were held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 in the Springhill Church Cemetery in Lodi. Pastor Franklin McKinney officiated services.\nMrs. McCuiston was a CNA and a member of Springhill Missionary Baptist Church. She is survived by her spouse, Joe Henry Thompson of Duck Hill; two daughters, Najalah Cage of Grenada and Evelyn McCuiston of Duck Hill and a son, Deundra McCuiston of Duck Hill. Her mother, Garnett Harris of Tchula; three sisters, Joyce Perez of Belzoni, Sarah Harris of Tchula and Erica West of Greenwood; and three brothers, Sammie Cage and Israel Harris both of Tchula, and Ben Harris, Jr., of Lexington.",
"Lora Ann McCuiston",
"Lora Ann McCuiston, 56, of Duck Hill, died Monday, January 4, 2021 at her sister’s home in Greenwood."
] |
|
[
"-- Cartoon Marshall Ramsey"
] | 2021-01-21T01:50:02 | null | null |
Two legislators tested positive for COVID-19.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcartoons%2Fmarshall-ramsey-under-threat-1.json
|
en
| null |
Marshall Ramsey: Under Threat
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Recipe even better the next day
I found this great recipe on social media, and I made it last week. It was delicious the day I made… READ MORE
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/cartoons/marshall-ramsey-under-threat-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/f022b68be8dac124b9804ef9d3096b0f14d0d163937694bcc7a354a4802f9c1a.json
|
[
"Recipe even better the next day\nI found this great recipe on social media, and I made it last week. It was delicious the day I made… READ MORE",
"Marshall Ramsey: Under Threat",
"Two legislators tested positive for COVID-19."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-23T01:11:40 | null | null |
House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, said Thursday that the House will start meeting online as COVID-19 spreads at the Capitol, but he expressed no interest in recessing the legislative session as a safety precaution.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Flawmakers-will-work-internet-covid-19-spreads-capitol-1.json
|
en
| null |
Lawmakers will work via internet as COVID-19 spreads at the Capitol
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, said Thursday that the House will start meeting online as COVID-19 spreads at the Capitol, but he expressed no interest in recessing the legislative session as a safety precaution.
By Thursday afternoon, at least two senators and possibly more have contracted the coronavirus since lawmakers began the 2021 session on Jan. 5. One House member had tested positive.
Though legislative leaders adopted safety guidelines this session, many lawmakers at the Capitol have been regularly seen without masks, and others have held maskless meetings in small spaces. Visitors to the Capitol have also been seen wearing masks improperly or not at all.
Gunn said the one member in his chamber who tested positive had the coronavirus last week. He said based on that test, an unspecified number of House members were quarantined. That quarantine is slated to end Friday. Gunn said the House leadership was following the recommendations of State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs.
Senate leadership on Thursday announced that they, too, would allow senators to attend committee meetings online starting next Monday. Several senators are expected to receive quarantine orders after being exposed to at least two COVID-19 positive colleagues. A third senator on Thursday was displaying symptoms but had yet to test positive.
Gunn said House members can fully participate and vote online. Senate Rules Vice Chair Walter Michel, R-Ridgeland, said the Senate needs to have enough members attend committee meetings in person at the beginning to establish a quorum. The members can then leave the committee room and participate via Zoom.
In both chambers, the plan is to have a link on the legislative web page to allow the public to access the meetings via the internet.
Before the session began, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who presides over the Senate, proposed recessing the session until later this year. He cited fears that another outbreak would occur at the Capitol. In June 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak at the Capitol infected at least 49 lawmakers, including Hosemann and Gunn, and was responsible for the death of at least one Mississippian.
Before the Senate adjourned for the weekend on Thursday, calls for the session to be recessed intensified amongst some members of the Senate.
Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, said he agreed with Hosemann that the “best course in light of what we are dealing with is to suspend the session… A lot of members have said it was not a matter of if we would have an outbreak, but a matter of when.”
The Senate is unable to recess for a long period of time without the consent of the House. At this point with no agreement from the House, the plan is for both chambers to conduct more business online.
“We have a plan to allow us to work and to work in a safe manner,” Gunn said Thursday. He said he “would like to see a vote” from senators to see if a two-thirds majority, which is required to recess the session, actually supports the idea of postponing.
The Legislature is at the point in the session where most of the work is done in committee meetings instead of in the chamber before the full membership. Gunn said in the coming days as the committee work continues, both the committee meetings and the full sessions, which will be brief each day, will be conducted online.
-- Article credit to Bobby Harrison of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/lawmakers-will-work-internet-covid-19-spreads-capitol-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/7a4f18b021725a53839049e24933635fe240372385c115fd9e29a6e3578bc4c8.json
|
[
"House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, said Thursday that the House will start meeting online as COVID-19 spreads at the Capitol, but he expressed no interest in recessing the legislative session as a safety precaution.\nBy Thursday afternoon, at least two senators and possibly more have contracted the coronavirus since lawmakers began the 2021 session on Jan. 5. One House member had tested positive.\nThough legislative leaders adopted safety guidelines this session, many lawmakers at the Capitol have been regularly seen without masks, and others have held maskless meetings in small spaces. Visitors to the Capitol have also been seen wearing masks improperly or not at all.\nGunn said the one member in his chamber who tested positive had the coronavirus last week. He said based on that test, an unspecified number of House members were quarantined. That quarantine is slated to end Friday. Gunn said the House leadership was following the recommendations of State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs.\nSenate leadership on Thursday announced that they, too, would allow senators to attend committee meetings online starting next Monday. Several senators are expected to receive quarantine orders after being exposed to at least two COVID-19 positive colleagues. A third senator on Thursday was displaying symptoms but had yet to test positive.\nGunn said House members can fully participate and vote online. Senate Rules Vice Chair Walter Michel, R-Ridgeland, said the Senate needs to have enough members attend committee meetings in person at the beginning to establish a quorum. The members can then leave the committee room and participate via Zoom.\nIn both chambers, the plan is to have a link on the legislative web page to allow the public to access the meetings via the internet.\nBefore the session began, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who presides over the Senate, proposed recessing the session until later this year. He cited fears that another outbreak would occur at the Capitol. In June 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak at the Capitol infected at least 49 lawmakers, including Hosemann and Gunn, and was responsible for the death of at least one Mississippian.\nBefore the Senate adjourned for the weekend on Thursday, calls for the session to be recessed intensified amongst some members of the Senate.\nSen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, said he agreed with Hosemann that the “best course in light of what we are dealing with is to suspend the session… A lot of members have said it was not a matter of if we would have an outbreak, but a matter of when.”\nThe Senate is unable to recess for a long period of time without the consent of the House. At this point with no agreement from the House, the plan is for both chambers to conduct more business online.\n“We have a plan to allow us to work and to work in a safe manner,” Gunn said Thursday. He said he “would like to see a vote” from senators to see if a two-thirds majority, which is required to recess the session, actually supports the idea of postponing.\nThe Legislature is at the point in the session where most of the work is done in committee meetings instead of in the chamber before the full membership. Gunn said in the coming days as the committee work continues, both the committee meetings and the full sessions, which will be brief each day, will be conducted online.\n-- Article credit to Bobby Harrison of Mississippi Today --",
"Lawmakers will work via internet as COVID-19 spreads at the Capitol",
"House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, said Thursday that the House will start meeting online as COVID-19 spreads at the Capitol, but he expressed no interest in recessing the legislative session as a safety precaution."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-14T23:48:12 | null | null |
Lester Bell, Jr., 72. of Lexington, died Sunday, January 3, 2021 at his home.
Limited visitation was held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home in Winona. Graveside service was held at 1 p.m.on Sunday, Jan. 10 at Bethel Christian Cemetery in Coila. Pastor J.C. Stokes officiated services.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fobituaries%2Flester-bell-jr.json
|
en
| null |
Lester Bell, Jr.
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Lester Bell, Jr., 72. of Lexington, died Sunday, January 3, 2021 at his home.
Limited visitation was held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home in Winona. Graveside service was held at 1 p.m.on Sunday, Jan. 10 at Bethel Christian Cemetery in Coila. Pastor J.C. Stokes officiated services.
Mr. Bell was a farmer and a member of Bethel Christian Church in Coila.
He is surivived by his wife, Curlie West Bell; two daughters, Alesha Wash of Lexington and Chekedia Rias of Anchorage, AK.; four sons, Derrick West of Doughlasville, Ga., Lester Bell, III of Union City, Ga., Carlos Lewis of Yazoo City and Rodney Bell of Cruger; two sisters, Ella O’Bryant of Greenwood and Mary A. Brooks of Greenville; four brothers, Willie Bell, Nathaniel Donley, Charlie Bell and William E. Cole all of Greenwood.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/obituaries/lester-bell-jr
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/14bfe6d4b86836eb4fa306b5d64075747ed4b078b8bc720b8ef5ff7a6544aea1.json
|
[
"Lester Bell, Jr., 72. of Lexington, died Sunday, January 3, 2021 at his home.\nLimited visitation was held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home in Winona. Graveside service was held at 1 p.m.on Sunday, Jan. 10 at Bethel Christian Cemetery in Coila. Pastor J.C. Stokes officiated services.\nMr. Bell was a farmer and a member of Bethel Christian Church in Coila.\nHe is surivived by his wife, Curlie West Bell; two daughters, Alesha Wash of Lexington and Chekedia Rias of Anchorage, AK.; four sons, Derrick West of Doughlasville, Ga., Lester Bell, III of Union City, Ga., Carlos Lewis of Yazoo City and Rodney Bell of Cruger; two sisters, Ella O’Bryant of Greenwood and Mary A. Brooks of Greenville; four brothers, Willie Bell, Nathaniel Donley, Charlie Bell and William E. Cole all of Greenwood.",
"Lester Bell, Jr.",
"Lester Bell, Jr., 72. of Lexington, died Sunday, January 3, 2021 at his home. \nLimited visitation was held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home in Winona. Graveside service was held at 1 p.m.on Sunday, Jan. 10 at Bethel Christian Cemetery in Coila. Pastor J.C. Stokes officiated services."
] |
|
[
"-- Cartoon Marshall Ramsey"
] | 2021-01-27T23:28:28 | null | null |
Governor Tate Reeves recently gave his State of the State speech.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcartoons%2Fmarshall-ramsey-guv-1.json
|
en
| null |
Marshall Ramsey: The Guv
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Longtime family favorite recipe
One of our favorite recipes when we were growing up was Momma's chicken spaghetti. Momma took it… READ MORE
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/cartoons/marshall-ramsey-guv-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/55c06704aabc7fe493d88671ef6f49966a20c7603229d92130921e116517e3a8.json
|
[
"Longtime family favorite recipe\nOne of our favorite recipes when we were growing up was Momma's chicken spaghetti. Momma took it… READ MORE",
"Marshall Ramsey: The Guv",
"Governor Tate Reeves recently gave his State of the State speech."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T08:01:22 | null | null |
Bellow is a statement from the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus:
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fweekly-newsletter-mississippi-legislative-black-caucus-1.json
|
en
| null |
Weekly Newsletter - From the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Bellow is a statement from the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus:
Welcome
We are almost a full week into the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Immediately, we saw our new president implement much-needed policy changes to set our nation on a path forward.
Of note, Congress is at work to finalize the next round of relief funding to help American families and businesses. We're excited about this because we know African American families and businesses across the state of Mississippi have struggled over the last nine months to make ends meet.
As we await the new funding, we are currently in the process of preparing a series of virtual town hall meetings to let our constituents know they can take advantage of federal resources. Specifically, we'll discuss the latest Paycheck Protection Program rollout and unemployment assistance. It's important to us that you are properly positioned to receive the help that you need.
In the past week, we've come to face new challenges related to COVID-19. In an effort to lower the risk of transmission, both the Senate and House are opting to meet virtually. Though this is new for us, trust that we are still hard at work for you as we navigate this legislative session and adapt to the changes in the legislative process.
Please be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for up-to-date information on legislation and other decisions happening at your state Capitol.
Angela Turner Ford, MS Senator (D-16) Chair of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus
Senate Review
On a unanimous vote, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2001 to give $1,000 raises to teachers and increase starting pay to $37,000.
- Teacher's assistants would also receive a $1,000 increase to make their minimum salaries $15,000. The increase would climb to $1,110 for teachers who have less than three years' experience.
- The bill must now get House approval.
The Senate passed House Bill 69 to enable the Veterans Affairs Board to increase salaries for needed healthcare services workers.
Committee meetings continue, and a safety procedure to lessen the chance of COVID-19 exposure or infections was approved by senate leadership.
- Instead of physically attending committee meetings, senators can view those held in rooms 216 and 409 live-streamed over the Web. As part of the committee debate process, when necessary, Senators may respond by Zoom video conferencing, which is now in place.
House Review
Speaker Philip Gunn announced new chairmanships of several House Committees:
- Insurance Chairman: Hank Zuber (R-Ocean Springs)
- Banking and Financial Services Chairman: Jerry Turner (R-Baldwyn)
- Drug Policy Chairman: Lee Yancey (R-Brandon)
- Rules Chairman: Rob Roberson (R-Starkville)
- Medicaid Vice-Chairman: Clay Deweese (R-Oxford)
The Speaker also announced new safety protocols that will be implemented starting next week.
All committee meetings and sessions will happen via teleconference, available to the public on the Legislature website.
The House is scheduled to return to in-person sessions on Wednesday, February 3, after the deadline to pass bills out of committee.
House Resolution 12, which was introduced on Friday morning, creates a temporary House rule determining quorum on meetings happening remotely.
The resolution passed unanimously by a voice vote and made it possible for the House to conduct business by teleconference.
Media
The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus releases its 2021 Legislative Priorities
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/weekly-newsletter-mississippi-legislative-black-caucus-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/5df04bb6e750d8cf95523bba4cb413895b4eba86438ddb99a4e11ecfc8d99e15.json
|
[
"Bellow is a statement from the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus:\nWelcome\nWe are almost a full week into the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Immediately, we saw our new president implement much-needed policy changes to set our nation on a path forward.\nOf note, Congress is at work to finalize the next round of relief funding to help American families and businesses. We're excited about this because we know African American families and businesses across the state of Mississippi have struggled over the last nine months to make ends meet.\nAs we await the new funding, we are currently in the process of preparing a series of virtual town hall meetings to let our constituents know they can take advantage of federal resources. Specifically, we'll discuss the latest Paycheck Protection Program rollout and unemployment assistance. It's important to us that you are properly positioned to receive the help that you need.\nIn the past week, we've come to face new challenges related to COVID-19. In an effort to lower the risk of transmission, both the Senate and House are opting to meet virtually. Though this is new for us, trust that we are still hard at work for you as we navigate this legislative session and adapt to the changes in the legislative process.\nPlease be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for up-to-date information on legislation and other decisions happening at your state Capitol.\nAngela Turner Ford, MS Senator (D-16) Chair of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus\nSenate Review\nOn a unanimous vote, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2001 to give $1,000 raises to teachers and increase starting pay to $37,000.\n- Teacher's assistants would also receive a $1,000 increase to make their minimum salaries $15,000. The increase would climb to $1,110 for teachers who have less than three years' experience.\n- The bill must now get House approval.\nThe Senate passed House Bill 69 to enable the Veterans Affairs Board to increase salaries for needed healthcare services workers.\nCommittee meetings continue, and a safety procedure to lessen the chance of COVID-19 exposure or infections was approved by senate leadership.\n- Instead of physically attending committee meetings, senators can view those held in rooms 216 and 409 live-streamed over the Web. As part of the committee debate process, when necessary, Senators may respond by Zoom video conferencing, which is now in place.\nHouse Review\nSpeaker Philip Gunn announced new chairmanships of several House Committees:\n- Insurance Chairman: Hank Zuber (R-Ocean Springs)\n- Banking and Financial Services Chairman: Jerry Turner (R-Baldwyn)\n- Drug Policy Chairman: Lee Yancey (R-Brandon)\n- Rules Chairman: Rob Roberson (R-Starkville)\n- Medicaid Vice-Chairman: Clay Deweese (R-Oxford)\nThe Speaker also announced new safety protocols that will be implemented starting next week.\nAll committee meetings and sessions will happen via teleconference, available to the public on the Legislature website.\nThe House is scheduled to return to in-person sessions on Wednesday, February 3, after the deadline to pass bills out of committee.\nHouse Resolution 12, which was introduced on Friday morning, creates a temporary House rule determining quorum on meetings happening remotely.\nThe resolution passed unanimously by a voice vote and made it possible for the House to conduct business by teleconference.\nMedia\nThe Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus releases its 2021 Legislative Priorities",
"Weekly Newsletter - From the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus",
"Bellow is a statement from the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus:"
] |
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[] | 2021-01-27T23:28:55 | null | null |
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippi-covid-19-update-january-27th-2021-1.json
|
en
| null |
Mississippi Covid-19 Update : January 27th, 2021
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
New cases of COVID-19:
2,074
Positive test results reported to MSDH as of 6 p.m. yesterday. Tests may have been made during the past week, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Repeated tests for the same individual are counted only once.
New COVID-19 related deaths:
65
COVID-19 related deaths reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners as of 6 p.m. yesterday.
Twenty-nine deaths occurred between January 9 and January 26, 2021.
Long-Term Care Facilities
Active outbreaks: 195
An outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility.
Hospitalizations
Explore local hospital capacity and bed use with the MSDH interactive map of hospitals
Look for the most recent COVID-19 hospitalizations chart on the website HealthyMS.com/covid-19.
State Totals and Trend
Totals of all Mississippi COVID-19 cases and deaths for 2020 and 2021.
- Total COVID-19 cases: 268,672
- Total COVID-19 related deaths: 5,917
Cases by Date of Illness
This chart tracks COVID-19 cases according to the date the person first became ill, rather than the date of test results. It's the standard way of following the course of a disease in a population. The black average line helps identify upward or downward trending. (In the few cases where date of illness has not yet been determined, testing date is used.) Since we are still receiving reports of illnesses that began up to two weeks ago, expect the more recent dates on this chart to change.
What You Can Do
- Keep groups sizes small and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors. Many cases are now being spread through gatherings in homes without safety precautions.
- Social distancing is still critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and others.
- Wearing a mask or face covering can sharply reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to others. Wearing a mask is strong recommended whenever you are in public places with others around you.
- Most people spreading COVID-19 do not know they are infected.
- Remind others that precautions remain essential, and set an example by your actions.
- Be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed. See our guide to local testing providers and free testing at http://HealthyMS.com/ covid19test
More Data and Information
- COVID-19 cases, data and statistics
- Guidance and preventive measures
- Find COVID-19 testing near you
- General COVID-19 information
- Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippi-covid-19-update-january-27th-2021-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/5c0592c5bbb70af11eb9bb3dc75a17c6064605b88846d2aa661f62c66ccb38c5.json
|
[
"Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.\nNew cases of COVID-19:\n2,074\nPositive test results reported to MSDH as of 6 p.m. yesterday. Tests may have been made during the past week, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Repeated tests for the same individual are counted only once.\nNew COVID-19 related deaths:\n65\nCOVID-19 related deaths reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners as of 6 p.m. yesterday.\nTwenty-nine deaths occurred between January 9 and January 26, 2021.\nLong-Term Care Facilities\nActive outbreaks: 195\nAn outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility.\nHospitalizations\nExplore local hospital capacity and bed use with the MSDH interactive map of hospitals\nLook for the most recent COVID-19 hospitalizations chart on the website HealthyMS.com/covid-19.\nState Totals and Trend\nTotals of all Mississippi COVID-19 cases and deaths for 2020 and 2021.\n- Total COVID-19 cases: 268,672\n- Total COVID-19 related deaths: 5,917\nCases by Date of Illness\nThis chart tracks COVID-19 cases according to the date the person first became ill, rather than the date of test results. It's the standard way of following the course of a disease in a population. The black average line helps identify upward or downward trending. (In the few cases where date of illness has not yet been determined, testing date is used.) Since we are still receiving reports of illnesses that began up to two weeks ago, expect the more recent dates on this chart to change.\nWhat You Can Do\n- Keep groups sizes small and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors. Many cases are now being spread through gatherings in homes without safety precautions.\n- Social distancing is still critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and others.\n- Wearing a mask or face covering can sharply reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to others. Wearing a mask is strong recommended whenever you are in public places with others around you.\n- Most people spreading COVID-19 do not know they are infected.\n- Remind others that precautions remain essential, and set an example by your actions.\n- Be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed. See our guide to local testing providers and free testing at http://HealthyMS.com/ covid19test\nMore Data and Information\n- COVID-19 cases, data and statistics\n- Guidance and preventive measures\n- Find COVID-19 testing near you\n- General COVID-19 information\n- Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453\n7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week",
"Mississippi Covid-19 Update : January 27th, 2021",
"Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-27T23:28:45 | null | null |
They call Bruce Arians, head coach of the Super Bowl Tampa Bay Bucs, the “quarterback whisperer” because of his influence on the careers of such superstars as Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer, among many others.
Not to mention, Arians now coaches a guy named Tom Brady.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Flegend-nfls-qb-whisperer-bruce-arians-began-mississippi-state-1.json
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| null |
The legend of NFL’s QB whisperer Bruce Arians began at Mississippi State
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
They call Bruce Arians, head coach of the Super Bowl Tampa Bay Bucs, the “quarterback whisperer” because of his influence on the careers of such superstars as Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer, among many others.
Not to mention, Arians now coaches a guy named Tom Brady.
Turns out, Arians may have done his best whispering to a quarterback named Dave Marler at Mississippi State way back in 1978.
Marler, from Forest, transferred to Mississippi State from Mississippi College after his sophomore season. He walked on, made the team as a placekicker and earned a scholarship as State’s kicker for the 1977 season under head coach Bob Tyler.
“The only passes I threw were on the sidelines, when I wasn’t practicing kicking,” Marler said Tuesday by phone from his home in Hamilton, Ontario. “I was a kicker, period.”
Turns out, Marler’s holder was Breck Tyler, the coach’s son, who was Marler’s receiver on the sidelines. “Breck was telling his dad that the best passer on the team was over on the sidelines.”
Bruce Arians at Mississippi State in 1980 when he still had a head full of hair.
Tyler hired Arians, a former Virginia Tech quarterback, in the off-season for Arians’ first full-time college coaching job. Breck Tyler lobbied Arians on Marler’s behalf, again telling the new quarterbacks coach that Marler could really, really throw the football. At the time, Marler was listed No. 7 of seven State quarterbacks.
Arians was intrigued. He called Marler onto the practice field during a big spring scrimmage. “Let’s see what you got,” he said. Marler led the second team offense on two long touchdown drives against the No. 1 defense. So, Arians took Marler and ran with him. Actually, he passed with him.
State football hero Rockey Felker was on that State coaching staff. “Bruce had a gift,” Felker said Tuesday. “He was one of the best coaches I have ever been around. His knowledge of the passing game back then was way ahead of the time. Plus, he really knew how to motivate people. He knew when to cuss you out and he would, but he knew when to put his arm around you. He had a real knack for all that. Clearly, he still does.” Dave Marler led Mississippi State to a 34-21 victory over Tennessee in 1978 at Liberty Bowl Stadium in Memphis.
Long story made short: Marler broke State and SEC passing records and became first team All-Southeastern Conference in his only season as a Division I quarterback. Marler still marvels at memories from 1978.
“What’s amazing to me thinking back on it was that Bruce and I were nearly the same age,” Marler said. “He was just three years older than I was. He had been a quarterback, he thought like a quarterback. He understood what a quarterback goes through. He tries to take all the stress and clutter out of a quarterback’s mind. And that’s what he does. If you look back at his career and the quarterbacks he’s coached, most of them had some of the best years of their careers when they played for him.”
A glance at Arians’ career indicates just that. It also indicates that it takes more than a glance to even begin to comprehend the odyssey that has been Arians’ career. He has had two stops at State, two more at Alabama. His first head coaching job was at Temple. In the NFL, he has had stops in Kansas City, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis again, Arizona and Tampa Bay.
He worked for Tyler and Emory Bellard in his first stop at State. He was part of the coaching staff on the 1980 team that beat No. 1 Alabama and Bear Bryant 6-3. The following off-season, he left State for Bama and Bryant. I covered that State team as a beat, and I remember asking him why he left. “I could not tell that man, ‘No,’” he said, not needing to say what man he was talking about.
Perhaps Marler’s best memory of his one year with Arians came against Alabama and that man. As was so often the case then and now, that Alabama team would go on to win a national championship. It featured Jeff Rutledge at quarterback, Tony Nathan at running back, Marty Lyons in the defensive line, Barry Krauss at linebacker.
State coaches, including Arians, were worried about protecting Marler against Bama’s fierce pass rush. Arians had an idea: Put Marler in the shotgun, a full eight yards behind the line of scrimmage to buy him more time. That strategy became even more important when Marler pulled a thigh muscle kicking in pre-game warmups.
“I couldn’t move more than two or three yards without excruciating pain,” Marler said. “I was basically a stationary quarterback.”
Arians, with Bob Tyler’s blessing, scrapped the playbook and just put Marler in the shotgun.
“They couldn’t get to me before I had time to throw it,” said Marler, who passed for 429 yards, at that time the most Alabama had ever allowed in a single game. Bama won but the reputations of both Marler and Arians skyrocketed that day. “We had three running plays out of that formation, about 25 passing plays, plus we just drew some up as it went,” Marler said. “Bruce was amazing. He was up in the press box sending the plays down. We didn’t win, but we sure gave them a game.”
John Bond remembers Bruce Arians fondly. Credit: Rick Cleveland
Marler, who played for five seasons in the Canadian Football League, would go on to pass for twice as many yards as any other SEC quarterback that season. The very next season, Arians would coach the wishbone offense under Bellard. A year after that, Arians helped groom freshman quarterback John Bond into a record-breaking running quarterback.
“Just a great coach,” Bond, now the head coach at St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison, said of Arians. “He was just so passionate about teaching, so confident in his own knowledge of the game. He didn’t hold back, either. He let you know what he thought when you did well and when you didn’t. I still use much of what I learned from him in coaching my guys today.”
Arians would return to State for three seasons (1993-95) as offensive coordinator under Jackie Sherrill. They parted ways in 1995.
Said Felker, “The thing about Bruce, you look over his career, and he’s left some jobs on his own and others maybe he didn’t have a choice in the matter. But no matter what, he always landed in a great position.”
And he has usually landed with a great quarterback. Either that, or he has created one.
-- Article credit to Rick Cleveland of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/legend-nfls-qb-whisperer-bruce-arians-began-mississippi-state-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/cd981672f5443d7abe993539534e6e3287334bd6dd47ec0e411cb54e1c313207.json
|
[
"They call Bruce Arians, head coach of the Super Bowl Tampa Bay Bucs, the “quarterback whisperer” because of his influence on the careers of such superstars as Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer, among many others.\nNot to mention, Arians now coaches a guy named Tom Brady.\nTurns out, Arians may have done his best whispering to a quarterback named Dave Marler at Mississippi State way back in 1978.\nMarler, from Forest, transferred to Mississippi State from Mississippi College after his sophomore season. He walked on, made the team as a placekicker and earned a scholarship as State’s kicker for the 1977 season under head coach Bob Tyler.\n“The only passes I threw were on the sidelines, when I wasn’t practicing kicking,” Marler said Tuesday by phone from his home in Hamilton, Ontario. “I was a kicker, period.”\nTurns out, Marler’s holder was Breck Tyler, the coach’s son, who was Marler’s receiver on the sidelines. “Breck was telling his dad that the best passer on the team was over on the sidelines.”\nBruce Arians at Mississippi State in 1980 when he still had a head full of hair.\nTyler hired Arians, a former Virginia Tech quarterback, in the off-season for Arians’ first full-time college coaching job. Breck Tyler lobbied Arians on Marler’s behalf, again telling the new quarterbacks coach that Marler could really, really throw the football. At the time, Marler was listed No. 7 of seven State quarterbacks.\nArians was intrigued. He called Marler onto the practice field during a big spring scrimmage. “Let’s see what you got,” he said. Marler led the second team offense on two long touchdown drives against the No. 1 defense. So, Arians took Marler and ran with him. Actually, he passed with him.\nState football hero Rockey Felker was on that State coaching staff. “Bruce had a gift,” Felker said Tuesday. “He was one of the best coaches I have ever been around. His knowledge of the passing game back then was way ahead of the time. Plus, he really knew how to motivate people. He knew when to cuss you out and he would, but he knew when to put his arm around you. He had a real knack for all that. Clearly, he still does.” Dave Marler led Mississippi State to a 34-21 victory over Tennessee in 1978 at Liberty Bowl Stadium in Memphis.\nLong story made short: Marler broke State and SEC passing records and became first team All-Southeastern Conference in his only season as a Division I quarterback. Marler still marvels at memories from 1978.\n“What’s amazing to me thinking back on it was that Bruce and I were nearly the same age,” Marler said. “He was just three years older than I was. He had been a quarterback, he thought like a quarterback. He understood what a quarterback goes through. He tries to take all the stress and clutter out of a quarterback’s mind. And that’s what he does. If you look back at his career and the quarterbacks he’s coached, most of them had some of the best years of their careers when they played for him.”\nA glance at Arians’ career indicates just that. It also indicates that it takes more than a glance to even begin to comprehend the odyssey that has been Arians’ career. He has had two stops at State, two more at Alabama. His first head coaching job was at Temple. In the NFL, he has had stops in Kansas City, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis again, Arizona and Tampa Bay.\nHe worked for Tyler and Emory Bellard in his first stop at State. He was part of the coaching staff on the 1980 team that beat No. 1 Alabama and Bear Bryant 6-3. The following off-season, he left State for Bama and Bryant. I covered that State team as a beat, and I remember asking him why he left. “I could not tell that man, ‘No,’” he said, not needing to say what man he was talking about.\nPerhaps Marler’s best memory of his one year with Arians came against Alabama and that man. As was so often the case then and now, that Alabama team would go on to win a national championship. It featured Jeff Rutledge at quarterback, Tony Nathan at running back, Marty Lyons in the defensive line, Barry Krauss at linebacker.\nState coaches, including Arians, were worried about protecting Marler against Bama’s fierce pass rush. Arians had an idea: Put Marler in the shotgun, a full eight yards behind the line of scrimmage to buy him more time. That strategy became even more important when Marler pulled a thigh muscle kicking in pre-game warmups.\n“I couldn’t move more than two or three yards without excruciating pain,” Marler said. “I was basically a stationary quarterback.”\nArians, with Bob Tyler’s blessing, scrapped the playbook and just put Marler in the shotgun.\n“They couldn’t get to me before I had time to throw it,” said Marler, who passed for 429 yards, at that time the most Alabama had ever allowed in a single game. Bama won but the reputations of both Marler and Arians skyrocketed that day. “We had three running plays out of that formation, about 25 passing plays, plus we just drew some up as it went,” Marler said. “Bruce was amazing. He was up in the press box sending the plays down. We didn’t win, but we sure gave them a game.”\nJohn Bond remembers Bruce Arians fondly. Credit: Rick Cleveland\nMarler, who played for five seasons in the Canadian Football League, would go on to pass for twice as many yards as any other SEC quarterback that season. The very next season, Arians would coach the wishbone offense under Bellard. A year after that, Arians helped groom freshman quarterback John Bond into a record-breaking running quarterback.\n“Just a great coach,” Bond, now the head coach at St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison, said of Arians. “He was just so passionate about teaching, so confident in his own knowledge of the game. He didn’t hold back, either. He let you know what he thought when you did well and when you didn’t. I still use much of what I learned from him in coaching my guys today.”\nArians would return to State for three seasons (1993-95) as offensive coordinator under Jackie Sherrill. They parted ways in 1995.\nSaid Felker, “The thing about Bruce, you look over his career, and he’s left some jobs on his own and others maybe he didn’t have a choice in the matter. But no matter what, he always landed in a great position.”\nAnd he has usually landed with a great quarterback. Either that, or he has created one.\n-- Article credit to Rick Cleveland of Mississippi Today --",
"The legend of NFL’s QB whisperer Bruce Arians began at Mississippi State",
"They call Bruce Arians, head coach of the Super Bowl Tampa Bay Bucs, the “quarterback whisperer” because of his influence on the careers of such superstars as Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer, among many others.\nNot to mention, Arians now coaches a guy named Tom Brady."
] |
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[] | 2021-01-21T01:50:18 | null | null |
Gov. Tate Reeves on Tuesday appointed John Rounsaville as permanent Mississippi Development Authority director after Rounsaville served as interim since May.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fgov-reeves-names-permanent-head-states-economic-development-agency-1.json
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Gov. Reeves names permanent head of state’s economic development agency
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Gov. Tate Reeves on Tuesday appointed John Rounsaville as permanent Mississippi Development Authority director after Rounsaville served as interim since May.
Rounsaville joked that he first thought Reeves named him interim director of the state’s economic development agency during the COVID-19 pandemic so he could blame Rounsaville if the state economy “flopped.”
“2020 was not a flop,” Rounsaville said. “We had $1.6 billion in new capital investment, 30% above 2019’s capital investment … and more than 5,000 new jobs were committed to Mississippi … We are definitely moving the needle forward despite the challenges.”
MDA is the state’s lead economic and community development agency, and employs about 300 people. It works to recruit new businesses to the state and retain and expand existing industry and manages the state’s energy programs. MDA also promotes Mississippi as a tourism destination.
Rounsaville replaces Glenn McCullough Jr., who served as MDA director under former Gov. Phil Bryant from 2015 through January of last year.
“(Rounsaville) has done an excellent job in his interim capacity,” Reeves said Tuesday. “He’s earned the respect of Mississippi business leaders across the state.”
Rounsaville most recently served as state director for USDA Rural Development for the President Trump administration, a post he also held from 2006 to 2008 under President George W. Bush. Rounsaville served as deputy chief of staff and other roles for former U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering and as policy adviser to former Gov. Haley Barbour.
Rounsaville is a decorated military veteran and currently serves as a JAG and major at the 186th in the Mississippi Air Force National Guard. He is a master’s graduate of Mississippi State University and received a law degree from the University of Mississippi. Rounsavilee and his wife, Laura, live in Madison with their two sons.
Reeves and Rounsaville said Mississippi has economically fared better than most states amid the pandemic, and the governor noted that the state ranks third-best in the nation for job recovery from the pandemic.
“We opened up our economy more quickly and more fully than most other states,” Reeves said.
-- Article credit to Geoff Pender of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/gov-reeves-names-permanent-head-states-economic-development-agency-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/1fba4786635d98f2b4411f8a515701e1f14cf527175f9adaeb21ef54b02cd56a.json
|
[
"Gov. Tate Reeves on Tuesday appointed John Rounsaville as permanent Mississippi Development Authority director after Rounsaville served as interim since May.\nRounsaville joked that he first thought Reeves named him interim director of the state’s economic development agency during the COVID-19 pandemic so he could blame Rounsaville if the state economy “flopped.”\n“2020 was not a flop,” Rounsaville said. “We had $1.6 billion in new capital investment, 30% above 2019’s capital investment … and more than 5,000 new jobs were committed to Mississippi … We are definitely moving the needle forward despite the challenges.”\nMDA is the state’s lead economic and community development agency, and employs about 300 people. It works to recruit new businesses to the state and retain and expand existing industry and manages the state’s energy programs. MDA also promotes Mississippi as a tourism destination.\nRounsaville replaces Glenn McCullough Jr., who served as MDA director under former Gov. Phil Bryant from 2015 through January of last year.\n“(Rounsaville) has done an excellent job in his interim capacity,” Reeves said Tuesday. “He’s earned the respect of Mississippi business leaders across the state.”\nRounsaville most recently served as state director for USDA Rural Development for the President Trump administration, a post he also held from 2006 to 2008 under President George W. Bush. Rounsaville served as deputy chief of staff and other roles for former U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering and as policy adviser to former Gov. Haley Barbour.\nRounsaville is a decorated military veteran and currently serves as a JAG and major at the 186th in the Mississippi Air Force National Guard. He is a master’s graduate of Mississippi State University and received a law degree from the University of Mississippi. Rounsavilee and his wife, Laura, live in Madison with their two sons.\nReeves and Rounsaville said Mississippi has economically fared better than most states amid the pandemic, and the governor noted that the state ranks third-best in the nation for job recovery from the pandemic.\n“We opened up our economy more quickly and more fully than most other states,” Reeves said.\n-- Article credit to Geoff Pender of Mississippi Today --",
"Gov. Reeves names permanent head of state’s economic development agency",
"Gov. Tate Reeves on Tuesday appointed John Rounsaville as permanent Mississippi Development Authority director after Rounsaville served as interim since May."
] |
|
[
"Adam Ganucheau"
] | 2021-01-09T09:53:07 | null | null |
A group called the “Patriot Party of Mississippi” traveled to Washington to participate in a Wednesday rally that later grew into a violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol — an effort to protest and overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s election over Republican President Donald Trump.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fcongressmen-kelly-guest-met-mississippi-patriot-group-capitol-riot-1.json
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| null |
Congressmen Kelly, Guest met with Mississippi ‘patriot’ group before Capitol riot
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
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A group called the “Patriot Party of Mississippi” traveled to Washington to participate in a Wednesday rally that later grew into a violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol — an effort to protest and overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s election over Republican President Donald Trump.
Before the pro-Trump violence broke out, the small Mississippi group was greeted by two of Mississippi’s most powerful politicians: Republican U.S. Reps. Trent Kelly, the highest ranking military officer in Congress, and Michael Guest, who represents the state’s 3rd congressional district.
A photo of the group with the congressmen was published in the Greenwood Commonwealth newspaper and is circulating on social media. Mississippi Today reached out to staffers for Kelly and Guest to ask about the meeting.
Kelly’s staff organized the Wednesday morning meeting and invited Guest to meet with the group at a park adjacent to the Cannon congressional office building, a staffer for Guest told Mississippi Today.
“It wasn’t anywhere close to where the president was speaking or where any active protest was going on,” said Rob Pillow, Guest’s communications director who attended the meeting. “(The congressmen) weren’t out at a protest participating in any of the rallying cries that were going on. It was pretty early morning and was still what appeared to be a normal day.”
Pillow continued: “At that time, (Guest) was still weighing his decision about how he was going to vote in the (electoral college) certification process. The conversation was mainly about procedure, and it probably lasted about 5-10 minutes. They took a photo, and we walked back into the Cannon House office building. That was the extent of it.”
Kelly’s office did not return a request for comment. Later that day, both Kelly and Guest voted not to certify the electoral college votes of Arizona and Pennsylvania — states that elected Democrat Joe Biden over President Donald Trump in November.
The “Patriot Party of Mississippi” is one of several similar groups that was formed on Facebook in the last week of December 2020. The group used tags from high-profile conspiracy theorists on right-wing and white nationalist websites and social media pages, and the Mississippi group’s posts invited supporters to “Operation Occupy the Capitol” on Jan. 6, when they vowed to “take back our country from corrupt politicians.”
In the photo with the congressmen, one person held a sign that showed the group’s name. Others wore Trump apparel.
Pillow said that Guest in no way condoned the violence that occurred on Wednesday and highlighted the congressman’s public statements about the matter.
“Like most Americans, he (Guest) is just distraught over what happened on Wednesday,” Pillow said.
After meeting with Kelly and Guest, several members of the Mississippi group later joined the thousands of Trump supporters on the National Mall, one of the group’s members told a newspaper. Hundreds of those Trump supporters later stormed the Capitol.
Many pro-Trump rioters on Wednesday assaulted Capitol Police officers and tore down security barricades on their way into the Capitol. The rioters — many of whom were visibly armed and carrying pro-Trump and Confederate flags — broke windows and pushed through security doors to get inside. They ransacked dozens of congressional offices, trashed the building and breached national security by stealing documents and computers.
During the riot, police locked down both legislative chambers of the building and nearby congressional office buildings. Both Kelly and Guest along with other House members had to shelter in place, and their staffers were in lockdown inside their office buildings. Several high-profile members of Congress were evacuated.
At least five people, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer, had died as a result of the riot as of Friday morning. The moment marked the first time that the Capitol was sieged by a large, violent group since the War of 1812.
It is unclear whether any of the Mississippi group’s members who met with Kelly and Guest entered the Capitol building or broke any laws. Efforts to contact several of the group’s members have been unsuccessful.
One of the Mississippi “patriot” group’s members Susan Spiller, who is the secretary-treasurer of the Leflore County Republican Party Executive Committee, said in an interview with the Greenwood Commonwealth this week that the Mississippi group, made up of people who have “had it” with the Republican Party, was in Washington to show politicians they would not accept the results of the 2020 presidential election.
“They won’t listen to the people, and they’re spending our money, and they’re doing all this type of stuff,” Spiller said. “We own that Capitol building. We are the boss of the people of Congress. We the U.S. citizens pay their salaries, and we’re being taxed for all that but no representation for all that.”
Spiller, who said she did not personally enter the Capitol building on Wednesday, falsely claimed the greater mob wasn’t violent.
When asked her thoughts about the action of the rioters, Spiller paused and told the newspaper, “That’s kind of hard to say… They probably shouldn’t have done that, gone that far, but I really think they wanted to send a message.”
As the rioters sieged the building on Wednesday, Congress was meeting in joint session to certify the electoral votes from the states. Biden received 306 of the 538 elector votes from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Though the certification of the electoral votes from the states is normally a formality, the law allows Congress to reject them and theoretically select the new president.
Reps. Kelly, Guest and Steven Palazzo — all ardent supporters of Trump — backed a failed effort of lawmakers who aimed to overturn Biden’s victory by pushing disproven theories and inaccuracies about Arizona and Pennsylvania botching the election process.
Republicans did not have nearly enough votes in the House or Senate to reject the Biden election, and constitutional scholars questioned whether Congress could overturn the results in the first place.
By the time police cleared the Capitol and lawmakers returned to finish the certification process on Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, several of the Republicans in both the House and Senate who had earlier planned to object to elector certification reversed their positions. Many Republicans even called Trump out specifically for inciting the violence.
But Kelly, Guest and Palazzo, along with Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, rejected certification of Arizona and Pennsylvania, the two states that were challenged. Republican Sen. Roger Wicker and Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson voted to certify the election results in all 50 states.
--Article credit to of Mississippi Today. --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/congressmen-kelly-guest-met-mississippi-patriot-group-capitol-riot-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/93e07fe91750ce30cc5407cc1ff4ac26635c9a7792e64d2fcc16a3f328d05f52.json
|
[
"A group called the “Patriot Party of Mississippi” traveled to Washington to participate in a Wednesday rally that later grew into a violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol — an effort to protest and overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s election over Republican President Donald Trump.\nBefore the pro-Trump violence broke out, the small Mississippi group was greeted by two of Mississippi’s most powerful politicians: Republican U.S. Reps. Trent Kelly, the highest ranking military officer in Congress, and Michael Guest, who represents the state’s 3rd congressional district.\nA photo of the group with the congressmen was published in the Greenwood Commonwealth newspaper and is circulating on social media. Mississippi Today reached out to staffers for Kelly and Guest to ask about the meeting.\nKelly’s staff organized the Wednesday morning meeting and invited Guest to meet with the group at a park adjacent to the Cannon congressional office building, a staffer for Guest told Mississippi Today.\n“It wasn’t anywhere close to where the president was speaking or where any active protest was going on,” said Rob Pillow, Guest’s communications director who attended the meeting. “(The congressmen) weren’t out at a protest participating in any of the rallying cries that were going on. It was pretty early morning and was still what appeared to be a normal day.”\nPillow continued: “At that time, (Guest) was still weighing his decision about how he was going to vote in the (electoral college) certification process. The conversation was mainly about procedure, and it probably lasted about 5-10 minutes. They took a photo, and we walked back into the Cannon House office building. That was the extent of it.”\nKelly’s office did not return a request for comment. Later that day, both Kelly and Guest voted not to certify the electoral college votes of Arizona and Pennsylvania — states that elected Democrat Joe Biden over President Donald Trump in November.\nThe “Patriot Party of Mississippi” is one of several similar groups that was formed on Facebook in the last week of December 2020. The group used tags from high-profile conspiracy theorists on right-wing and white nationalist websites and social media pages, and the Mississippi group’s posts invited supporters to “Operation Occupy the Capitol” on Jan. 6, when they vowed to “take back our country from corrupt politicians.”\nIn the photo with the congressmen, one person held a sign that showed the group’s name. Others wore Trump apparel.\nPillow said that Guest in no way condoned the violence that occurred on Wednesday and highlighted the congressman’s public statements about the matter.\n“Like most Americans, he (Guest) is just distraught over what happened on Wednesday,” Pillow said.\nAfter meeting with Kelly and Guest, several members of the Mississippi group later joined the thousands of Trump supporters on the National Mall, one of the group’s members told a newspaper. Hundreds of those Trump supporters later stormed the Capitol.\nMany pro-Trump rioters on Wednesday assaulted Capitol Police officers and tore down security barricades on their way into the Capitol. The rioters — many of whom were visibly armed and carrying pro-Trump and Confederate flags — broke windows and pushed through security doors to get inside. They ransacked dozens of congressional offices, trashed the building and breached national security by stealing documents and computers.\nDuring the riot, police locked down both legislative chambers of the building and nearby congressional office buildings. Both Kelly and Guest along with other House members had to shelter in place, and their staffers were in lockdown inside their office buildings. Several high-profile members of Congress were evacuated.\nAt least five people, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer, had died as a result of the riot as of Friday morning. The moment marked the first time that the Capitol was sieged by a large, violent group since the War of 1812.\nIt is unclear whether any of the Mississippi group’s members who met with Kelly and Guest entered the Capitol building or broke any laws. Efforts to contact several of the group’s members have been unsuccessful.\nOne of the Mississippi “patriot” group’s members Susan Spiller, who is the secretary-treasurer of the Leflore County Republican Party Executive Committee, said in an interview with the Greenwood Commonwealth this week that the Mississippi group, made up of people who have “had it” with the Republican Party, was in Washington to show politicians they would not accept the results of the 2020 presidential election.\n“They won’t listen to the people, and they’re spending our money, and they’re doing all this type of stuff,” Spiller said. “We own that Capitol building. We are the boss of the people of Congress. We the U.S. citizens pay their salaries, and we’re being taxed for all that but no representation for all that.”\nSpiller, who said she did not personally enter the Capitol building on Wednesday, falsely claimed the greater mob wasn’t violent.\nWhen asked her thoughts about the action of the rioters, Spiller paused and told the newspaper, “That’s kind of hard to say… They probably shouldn’t have done that, gone that far, but I really think they wanted to send a message.”\nAs the rioters sieged the building on Wednesday, Congress was meeting in joint session to certify the electoral votes from the states. Biden received 306 of the 538 elector votes from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Though the certification of the electoral votes from the states is normally a formality, the law allows Congress to reject them and theoretically select the new president.\nReps. Kelly, Guest and Steven Palazzo — all ardent supporters of Trump — backed a failed effort of lawmakers who aimed to overturn Biden’s victory by pushing disproven theories and inaccuracies about Arizona and Pennsylvania botching the election process.\nRepublicans did not have nearly enough votes in the House or Senate to reject the Biden election, and constitutional scholars questioned whether Congress could overturn the results in the first place.\nBy the time police cleared the Capitol and lawmakers returned to finish the certification process on Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, several of the Republicans in both the House and Senate who had earlier planned to object to elector certification reversed their positions. Many Republicans even called Trump out specifically for inciting the violence.\nBut Kelly, Guest and Palazzo, along with Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, rejected certification of Arizona and Pennsylvania, the two states that were challenged. Republican Sen. Roger Wicker and Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson voted to certify the election results in all 50 states.\n--Article credit to of Mississippi Today. --",
"Congressmen Kelly, Guest met with Mississippi ‘patriot’ group before Capitol riot",
"A group called the “Patriot Party of Mississippi” traveled to Washington to participate in a Wednesday rally that later grew into a violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol — an effort to protest and overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s election over Republican President Donald Trump."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-23T01:11:56 | null | null |
An award-winning scholar, and superb teacher, Mississippi College professor Christian Pinnen co-authored a new book spotlighting the Colonial era prior to the Magnolia State’s birth.
Titled “Colonial Mississippi: A Borrowed Land,” the book is co-authored by Pinnen and Charles Weeks.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fprofessor-christian-pinnen-writes-new-book-colonial-history-1.json
|
en
| null |
Professor Christian Pinnen Writes New Book on Colonial History
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
An award-winning scholar, and superb teacher, Mississippi College professor Christian Pinnen co-authored a new book spotlighting the Colonial era prior to the Magnolia State’s birth.
Titled “Colonial Mississippi: A Borrowed Land,” the book is co-authored by Pinnen and Charles Weeks.
The writers reveal compelling stories spanning over 300 years. They feature a diverse collection of people from America, Europe, and Africa. The book offers the first composite of histories from the entire colonial period in the land now called Mississippi.
The 18th Century is showcased in a good portion of their work.
The authors dwell on the trials and tribulations of Mississippi as a colony. The writers touch on regions of the land stretching from the Gulf Coast to the Natchez area. Mississippi became a state in 1817, and two years later, neighboring Alabama joined the United States.
Taking readers on a fascinating journey, the book explores key pieces of history, such as establishing a French post on Biloxi Bay at the end of the 17th Century. These exchanges continued through the 18th Century with the arrival of the British, followed by the Spanish until the creation of the territory of Mississippi in 1798.
The Jackson-based University Press of Mississippi published the 246-page book due to be released in the early part of 2021.
The recipient of the 2020 Humanities Teacher Award from the Mississippi Humanities Council on the Clinton campus, Dr. Pinnen is well-regarded in his field.
Leaders of the Department of History and Political Science are delighted to call Dr. Pinnen one of their own.
Said department chair Patrick Connelly: “Dr. Pinnen is both a rigorous scholar and a committed teacher and mentor of students.”
The Mississippi College educator is “an up and coming scholar who is an expert both on Colonial America and slavery,” says political science professor Glenn Antizzo. “He brings a rigor and depth to his scholarship that are in the best traditions of the academy.”
Pinnen began teaching history at Mississippi College in 2012. The associate professor teaches two U.S. surveys and the African American history survey. His upper-level classes include Colonial U.S. history, the history of the American Revolution, and the Old South. He teaches Latin American history as well.
Christian Pinnen penned “Complexion of Empire in Natchez: Race and Slavery in the Mississippi Borderlands.” The book will be published in 2021 by the University of Georgia Press.
Christian earned his doctorate at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2012 and master’s in history at USM in 2008. A native of Bonn, the MC professor received his undergraduate degree at the University of Cologne in Germany.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/professor-christian-pinnen-writes-new-book-colonial-history-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/fdd2e8673af0f58d65fd76949832d8c0b18b3d7a16889949f7074326648b45c5.json
|
[
"An award-winning scholar, and superb teacher, Mississippi College professor Christian Pinnen co-authored a new book spotlighting the Colonial era prior to the Magnolia State’s birth.\nTitled “Colonial Mississippi: A Borrowed Land,” the book is co-authored by Pinnen and Charles Weeks.\nThe writers reveal compelling stories spanning over 300 years. They feature a diverse collection of people from America, Europe, and Africa. The book offers the first composite of histories from the entire colonial period in the land now called Mississippi.\nThe 18th Century is showcased in a good portion of their work.\nThe authors dwell on the trials and tribulations of Mississippi as a colony. The writers touch on regions of the land stretching from the Gulf Coast to the Natchez area. Mississippi became a state in 1817, and two years later, neighboring Alabama joined the United States.\nTaking readers on a fascinating journey, the book explores key pieces of history, such as establishing a French post on Biloxi Bay at the end of the 17th Century. These exchanges continued through the 18th Century with the arrival of the British, followed by the Spanish until the creation of the territory of Mississippi in 1798.\nThe Jackson-based University Press of Mississippi published the 246-page book due to be released in the early part of 2021.\nThe recipient of the 2020 Humanities Teacher Award from the Mississippi Humanities Council on the Clinton campus, Dr. Pinnen is well-regarded in his field.\nLeaders of the Department of History and Political Science are delighted to call Dr. Pinnen one of their own.\nSaid department chair Patrick Connelly: “Dr. Pinnen is both a rigorous scholar and a committed teacher and mentor of students.”\nThe Mississippi College educator is “an up and coming scholar who is an expert both on Colonial America and slavery,” says political science professor Glenn Antizzo. “He brings a rigor and depth to his scholarship that are in the best traditions of the academy.”\nPinnen began teaching history at Mississippi College in 2012. The associate professor teaches two U.S. surveys and the African American history survey. His upper-level classes include Colonial U.S. history, the history of the American Revolution, and the Old South. He teaches Latin American history as well.\nChristian Pinnen penned “Complexion of Empire in Natchez: Race and Slavery in the Mississippi Borderlands.” The book will be published in 2021 by the University of Georgia Press.\nChristian earned his doctorate at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2012 and master’s in history at USM in 2008. A native of Bonn, the MC professor received his undergraduate degree at the University of Cologne in Germany.",
"Professor Christian Pinnen Writes New Book on Colonial History",
"An award-winning scholar, and superb teacher, Mississippi College professor Christian Pinnen co-authored a new book spotlighting the Colonial era prior to the Magnolia State’s birth.\nTitled “Colonial Mississippi: A Borrowed Land,” the book is co-authored by Pinnen and Charles Weeks."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-01T11:31:58 | null | null |
by Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann
Last year, the Legislature provided computers to every Mississippi student, increased connectivity to unserved areas, provided additional ICU bed capacity, and contributed to the cost of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, cities and counties, and much more.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fhosemann-our-2021-goal-investing-mississippis-greatest-asset-our-citizens-1.json
|
en
| null |
HOSEMANN: Our 2021 Goal: Investing in Mississippi’s Greatest Asset, Our Citizens
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
by Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann
Last year, the Legislature provided computers to every Mississippi student, increased connectivity to unserved areas, provided additional ICU bed capacity, and contributed to the cost of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, cities and counties, and much more.
The New Year is a time for setting new resolutions and paving a path to accomplishing them. Our 2021 goals in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office center around investing in Mississippi’s greatest asset: our people.
Equipping our citizens with the skills and resources they need to obtain a quality education, secure a meaningful career, and engage in their communities is the single-best way to assure our State’s future success. When the number of people employed increases, our health outcomes improve, our State becomes more attractive for developers and investors, and we have more money circulating through our economy for our schools, roads and bridges, and other critical services and infrastructure.
In terms of the driving creators of jobs, our bench is deep in Mississippi. We have worked with our local economic developers to bring forward an incentive for small-to-medium businesses which is competitive with neighboring states, easy to calculate and understand, and transparent with taxpayer money. The plan, tentatively called “MFLEX,” allows flexibility while requiring reporting and accountability. If the business seeking the incentive does not meet their stated goals, they do not receive the incentive. We look forward to introducing this innovative proposal, and to eliminating tax incentives which are seldom used or have generated a negative return.
On education, research shows the number of people who are employed is directly correlated with educational attainment levels. This starts with supporting our citizens who are most closely connected with growing the next generation of Mississippi leaders: our K-12 teachers. This Session, we will push legislation to raise teachers’ salaries and attract more licensed professionals to our K-12 classrooms. We are also interested in increasing dual enrollment and dual credit programs for 11th and 12th graders. Providing these opportunities for secondary students increases the likelihood that they will be career or college ready by graduation day.
Finally, thousands of people who were previously incarcerated are released every year and reenter our working-age population. Neglecting to provide these individuals with the tools they need to succeed, like a driver’s license or workforce training, only ensures recidivism. We are working now with our Sheriffs, District Attorneys, and citizen advocates on a bill to address some of these issues and to safely expand parole eligibility.
There are other initiatives including tax reform, the continued streamlining of government, and access to healthcare, to name a few, which will also be critical as we move forward.
From a flood covering our Capital City, horrific tornadoes and hurricanes, a corrections crisis, and a worldwide pandemic which continues to threaten our citizens’ safety and ravage our economy, 2020 has been one of the most challenging in modern history. By keeping our eye on the prize — helping more Mississippians find a meaningful job — our State is certainly headed for brighter days.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/hosemann-our-2021-goal-investing-mississippis-greatest-asset-our-citizens-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/09c6bb9603b03001cb3cb720c240ba5f4be98cac7fe26bfb3d29cbc7c82d40c6.json
|
[
"by Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann\nLast year, the Legislature provided computers to every Mississippi student, increased connectivity to unserved areas, provided additional ICU bed capacity, and contributed to the cost of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, cities and counties, and much more.\nThe New Year is a time for setting new resolutions and paving a path to accomplishing them. Our 2021 goals in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office center around investing in Mississippi’s greatest asset: our people.\nEquipping our citizens with the skills and resources they need to obtain a quality education, secure a meaningful career, and engage in their communities is the single-best way to assure our State’s future success. When the number of people employed increases, our health outcomes improve, our State becomes more attractive for developers and investors, and we have more money circulating through our economy for our schools, roads and bridges, and other critical services and infrastructure.\nIn terms of the driving creators of jobs, our bench is deep in Mississippi. We have worked with our local economic developers to bring forward an incentive for small-to-medium businesses which is competitive with neighboring states, easy to calculate and understand, and transparent with taxpayer money. The plan, tentatively called “MFLEX,” allows flexibility while requiring reporting and accountability. If the business seeking the incentive does not meet their stated goals, they do not receive the incentive. We look forward to introducing this innovative proposal, and to eliminating tax incentives which are seldom used or have generated a negative return.\nOn education, research shows the number of people who are employed is directly correlated with educational attainment levels. This starts with supporting our citizens who are most closely connected with growing the next generation of Mississippi leaders: our K-12 teachers. This Session, we will push legislation to raise teachers’ salaries and attract more licensed professionals to our K-12 classrooms. We are also interested in increasing dual enrollment and dual credit programs for 11th and 12th graders. Providing these opportunities for secondary students increases the likelihood that they will be career or college ready by graduation day.\nFinally, thousands of people who were previously incarcerated are released every year and reenter our working-age population. Neglecting to provide these individuals with the tools they need to succeed, like a driver’s license or workforce training, only ensures recidivism. We are working now with our Sheriffs, District Attorneys, and citizen advocates on a bill to address some of these issues and to safely expand parole eligibility.\nThere are other initiatives including tax reform, the continued streamlining of government, and access to healthcare, to name a few, which will also be critical as we move forward.\nFrom a flood covering our Capital City, horrific tornadoes and hurricanes, a corrections crisis, and a worldwide pandemic which continues to threaten our citizens’ safety and ravage our economy, 2020 has been one of the most challenging in modern history. By keeping our eye on the prize — helping more Mississippians find a meaningful job — our State is certainly headed for brighter days.",
"HOSEMANN: Our 2021 Goal: Investing in Mississippi’s Greatest Asset, Our Citizens",
"by Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann\nLast year, the Legislature provided computers to every Mississippi student, increased connectivity to unserved areas, provided additional ICU bed capacity, and contributed to the cost of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, cities and counties, and much more."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-29T06:58:39 | null | null |
The Carroll County Board of Supervisors has received its second installment of internet use tax money. The payment in total is $290,000 and will be split between all five Supervisors giving them, $52,000 apiece. The money can be used to fix roads and bridges and only for that purpose.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent-carrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow-news%2Ffunds-will-go-repair-county-roads.json
|
en
| null |
Funds will go to repair county roads
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The Carroll County Board of Supervisors has received its second installment of internet use tax money. The payment in total is $290,000 and will be split between all five Supervisors giving them, $52,000 apiece. The money can be used to fix roads and bridges and only for that purpose. “That’s gone be good for our county, real good,” Board President Jim Neill said, who was attending t...
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent-carrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow-news/funds-will-go-repair-county-roads
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/49bdaa64d1f6cff136567fb02e2304e2684ae8bc1c9099e9c6724545a8555d4a.json
|
[
"The Carroll County Board of Supervisors has received its second installment of internet use tax money. The payment in total is $290,000 and will be split between all five Supervisors giving them, $52,000 apiece. The money can be used to fix roads and bridges and only for that purpose. “That’s gone be good for our county, real good,” Board President Jim Neill said, who was attending t...",
"Funds will go to repair county roads",
"The Carroll County Board of Supervisors has received its second installment of internet use tax money. The payment in total is $290,000 and will be split between all five Supervisors giving them, $52,000 apiece. The money can be used to fix roads and bridges and only for that purpose."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-01T11:32:04 | null | null |
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmississippi-covid-19-update-december-31st-2020-1.json
|
en
| null |
Mississippi Covid-19 Update : December 31st, 2020
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
New cases of COVID-19:
2,756
Positive test results reported to MSDH as of 6 p.m. yesterday. Tests may have been made during the past week, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Repeated tests for the same individual are counted only once.
New COVID-19 related deaths:
40
COVID-19 related deaths reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners as of 6 p.m. yesterday.
Thirty-eight deaths occurred between December 7 and December 30.
Long-Term Care Facilities
Active outbreaks: 236
An outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility.
Hospitalizations
Explore local hospital capacity and bed use with the MSDH interactive map of hospitals
Look for the most recent COVID-19 hospitalizations chart on the website HealthyMS.com/covid-19.
State Totals and Trend
Totals of all Mississippi COVID-19 cases and deaths for 2020.
- Total COVID-19 cases: 215,811
- Total COVID-19 related deaths: 4,787
Cases by Date of Illness
This chart tracks COVID-19 cases according to the date the person first became ill, rather than the date of test results. It's the standard way of following the course of a disease in a population. The black average line helps identify upward or downward trending. (In the few cases where date of illness has not yet been determined, testing date is used.) Since we are still receiving reports of illnesses that began up to two weeks ago, expect the more recent dates on this chart to change.
What You Can Do
- Keep groups sizes small and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors. Many cases are now being spread through gatherings in homes without safety precautions.
- Social distancing is still critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and others.
- Wearing a mask or face covering can sharply reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to others. Wearing a mask is strong recommended whenever you are in public places with others around you.
- Most people spreading COVID-19 do not know they are infected.
- Remind others that precautions remain essential, and set an example by your actions.
- Be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed. See our guide to local testing providers and free testing at http://HealthyMS.com/ covid19test
More Data and Information
- COVID-19 cases, data and statistics
- Guidance and preventive measures
- Find COVID-19 testing near you
- General COVID-19 information
- Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/mississippi-covid-19-update-december-31st-2020-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/2cdb90318968622260b1c719f414f289ca91c5483517a3b92e8081219db1fe06.json
|
[
"Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.\nNew cases of COVID-19:\n2,756\nPositive test results reported to MSDH as of 6 p.m. yesterday. Tests may have been made during the past week, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Repeated tests for the same individual are counted only once.\nNew COVID-19 related deaths:\n40\nCOVID-19 related deaths reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners as of 6 p.m. yesterday.\nThirty-eight deaths occurred between December 7 and December 30.\nLong-Term Care Facilities\nActive outbreaks: 236\nAn outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility.\nHospitalizations\nExplore local hospital capacity and bed use with the MSDH interactive map of hospitals\nLook for the most recent COVID-19 hospitalizations chart on the website HealthyMS.com/covid-19.\nState Totals and Trend\nTotals of all Mississippi COVID-19 cases and deaths for 2020.\n- Total COVID-19 cases: 215,811\n- Total COVID-19 related deaths: 4,787\nCases by Date of Illness\nThis chart tracks COVID-19 cases according to the date the person first became ill, rather than the date of test results. It's the standard way of following the course of a disease in a population. The black average line helps identify upward or downward trending. (In the few cases where date of illness has not yet been determined, testing date is used.) Since we are still receiving reports of illnesses that began up to two weeks ago, expect the more recent dates on this chart to change.\nWhat You Can Do\n- Keep groups sizes small and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors. Many cases are now being spread through gatherings in homes without safety precautions.\n- Social distancing is still critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and others.\n- Wearing a mask or face covering can sharply reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to others. Wearing a mask is strong recommended whenever you are in public places with others around you.\n- Most people spreading COVID-19 do not know they are infected.\n- Remind others that precautions remain essential, and set an example by your actions.\n- Be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed. See our guide to local testing providers and free testing at http://HealthyMS.com/ covid19test\nMore Data and Information\n- COVID-19 cases, data and statistics\n- Guidance and preventive measures\n- Find COVID-19 testing near you\n- General COVID-19 information\n- Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453\n7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week",
"Mississippi Covid-19 Update : December 31st, 2020",
"Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-20T10:17:25 | null | null |
You’ve probably heard this said many different ways by many different football players, coaches and announcers. To me, Archie Manning said it best long ago after he won NFC Offensive Player of the Year and he told me, “Just remember, the quarterback always gets too much credit and too much blame.”
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fsports%2Fsports-column-drew-brees-leaves-unforgettable-saints-legacy-story-started-jackson-1.json
|
en
| null |
Sports Column: Drew Brees leaves an unforgettable Saints legacy. The story started in Jackson.
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
You’ve probably heard this said many different ways by many different football players, coaches and announcers. To me, Archie Manning said it best long ago after he won NFC Offensive Player of the Year and he told me, “Just remember, the quarterback always gets too much credit and too much blame.”
If it’s not written in stone somewhere, it should be.
Those words kept coming back to me Sunday night as we watched what is surely the final chapter of the compelling story that has been Drew Brees’ 15-year run with the New Orleans Saints and his 20-year NFL career.
Brees was pedestrian, at best, in the 30-20 defeat to the Tampa Bay Bucs. His numbers were telling: 19 for 34, 134 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The interceptions were all converted into Tampa Bay scores. Still, Manning’s words rang true. There was plenty blame to go around. Brees’ receivers created very little space between themselves and Bucs defenders. Brees’ protection often broke down. The Saints running game sputtered. Key players were hurt. The Bucs won the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. They were the better team.
But here’s the deal: In similar situations over the past 15 years, we have seen Brees find a way. We have seen him zip passes into the smallest of windows to lift the Saints to unlikely victories. We have seen him somehow maneuver away from a daunting pass rush and throw a dart between defenders to a well-covered receiver at the most bleak of moments. Indeed, we have seen it so many times that it almost seems inconceivable these days when Brees’ passes arrive a nanosecond too late or miss the mark. That happened time after time Sunday night. Even a couple of his completed passes seemed to stay in the air forever.
Afterward, Brees said he had not decided whether or not to retire from the field to the NBC broadcast booth. He has already signed a post-retirement offer with the network.
Now surely is the time. His 42-year-old muscles and bones, many of the latter still mending, have pretty much made the decision for him.
But, oh, what memories he leaves us. He is a first-ballot, should-be-unanimous Hall of Famer. He would retire as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yardage.
Let’s think back to 2006 when the Saints signed him. Remember? Hurricane Katrina had devastated New Orleans and much of the Gulf South region. The Saints had finished 3-13 the year before, playing home games in Baton Rouge and San Antonio because of Katrina.
Furthermore, the Saints had achieved only five winning seasons in their previous 39. The Saints came to Jackson and Millsaps College to train that summer of 2006. Sean Payton was the brand new coach, coming over from the Dallas Cowboys. Brees was on the mend from a terrible injury to his throwing shoulder suffered the season before in San Diego. Many experts – among them, Nick Saban – believed the injury career-threatening.
There was every reason to expect abject failure from Brees and the Saints. The Saints offensive line was a patched-together group. Deuce McAllister was at the end of his marvelous career. The Saints defense, so porous the year before, was being overhauled, piece by piece.
And here came Brees to Millsaps, at first throwing passes that lacked zip, fluttered and often missed their target. Nevertheless, Brees kept telling us his shoulder was 90 percent back to normal and that training camp would provide the final 10 percent.
And it did. Those 2006 Saints finished 10 and 6. Brees was spectacular. He has been consistently spectacular since. He is the best player in New Orleans Saints franchise history: Saint Drew.
But again, we must remember the quarterback always gets too much blame, but also too much credit.
Payton deserves so much of the credit for the Saints’ success of the past 15 years. He could not have done it without Brees, but it’s also highly doubtful Brees could have done it without him. They have been a terrific team, and Payton has surrounded Brees for most of that time with a remarkable supporting cast.
The Saints will retain the nucleus of a playoff-calibre team if Payton can find or develop a quarterback to replace the legend. Make no mistake, that’s a must. The quarterback always gets too much blame or too much credit, but you cannot succeed in the NFL without a really, really good one. Saint Drew was one of the best of all.
-- Article credit to Rick Cleveland of Mississippi Today --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/sports/sports-column-drew-brees-leaves-unforgettable-saints-legacy-story-started-jackson-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/a92bfba3ec0124dd3198ee89920dc7801bd0b6be20343ba9d4c6538224a8fab6.json
|
[
"You’ve probably heard this said many different ways by many different football players, coaches and announcers. To me, Archie Manning said it best long ago after he won NFC Offensive Player of the Year and he told me, “Just remember, the quarterback always gets too much credit and too much blame.”\nIf it’s not written in stone somewhere, it should be.\nThose words kept coming back to me Sunday night as we watched what is surely the final chapter of the compelling story that has been Drew Brees’ 15-year run with the New Orleans Saints and his 20-year NFL career.\nBrees was pedestrian, at best, in the 30-20 defeat to the Tampa Bay Bucs. His numbers were telling: 19 for 34, 134 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The interceptions were all converted into Tampa Bay scores. Still, Manning’s words rang true. There was plenty blame to go around. Brees’ receivers created very little space between themselves and Bucs defenders. Brees’ protection often broke down. The Saints running game sputtered. Key players were hurt. The Bucs won the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. They were the better team.\nBut here’s the deal: In similar situations over the past 15 years, we have seen Brees find a way. We have seen him zip passes into the smallest of windows to lift the Saints to unlikely victories. We have seen him somehow maneuver away from a daunting pass rush and throw a dart between defenders to a well-covered receiver at the most bleak of moments. Indeed, we have seen it so many times that it almost seems inconceivable these days when Brees’ passes arrive a nanosecond too late or miss the mark. That happened time after time Sunday night. Even a couple of his completed passes seemed to stay in the air forever.\nAfterward, Brees said he had not decided whether or not to retire from the field to the NBC broadcast booth. He has already signed a post-retirement offer with the network.\nNow surely is the time. His 42-year-old muscles and bones, many of the latter still mending, have pretty much made the decision for him.\nBut, oh, what memories he leaves us. He is a first-ballot, should-be-unanimous Hall of Famer. He would retire as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yardage.\nLet’s think back to 2006 when the Saints signed him. Remember? Hurricane Katrina had devastated New Orleans and much of the Gulf South region. The Saints had finished 3-13 the year before, playing home games in Baton Rouge and San Antonio because of Katrina.\nFurthermore, the Saints had achieved only five winning seasons in their previous 39. The Saints came to Jackson and Millsaps College to train that summer of 2006. Sean Payton was the brand new coach, coming over from the Dallas Cowboys. Brees was on the mend from a terrible injury to his throwing shoulder suffered the season before in San Diego. Many experts – among them, Nick Saban – believed the injury career-threatening.\nThere was every reason to expect abject failure from Brees and the Saints. The Saints offensive line was a patched-together group. Deuce McAllister was at the end of his marvelous career. The Saints defense, so porous the year before, was being overhauled, piece by piece.\nAnd here came Brees to Millsaps, at first throwing passes that lacked zip, fluttered and often missed their target. Nevertheless, Brees kept telling us his shoulder was 90 percent back to normal and that training camp would provide the final 10 percent.\nAnd it did. Those 2006 Saints finished 10 and 6. Brees was spectacular. He has been consistently spectacular since. He is the best player in New Orleans Saints franchise history: Saint Drew.\nBut again, we must remember the quarterback always gets too much blame, but also too much credit.\nPayton deserves so much of the credit for the Saints’ success of the past 15 years. He could not have done it without Brees, but it’s also highly doubtful Brees could have done it without him. They have been a terrific team, and Payton has surrounded Brees for most of that time with a remarkable supporting cast.\nThe Saints will retain the nucleus of a playoff-calibre team if Payton can find or develop a quarterback to replace the legend. Make no mistake, that’s a must. The quarterback always gets too much blame or too much credit, but you cannot succeed in the NFL without a really, really good one. Saint Drew was one of the best of all.\n-- Article credit to Rick Cleveland of Mississippi Today --",
"Sports Column: Drew Brees leaves an unforgettable Saints legacy. The story started in Jackson.",
"You’ve probably heard this said many different ways by many different football players, coaches and announcers. To me, Archie Manning said it best long ago after he won NFC Offensive Player of the Year and he told me, “Just remember, the quarterback always gets too much credit and too much blame.”"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-08T03:45:50 | null | null |
Former Carroll County Justice Court Judge and Circuit Clerk Charles Ellis died Monday, Jan. 4, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fcommunity-mourns-longtime-carroll-clerk.json
|
en
| null |
Community mourns longtime Carroll clerk
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Former Carroll County Justice Court Judge and Circuit Clerk Charles Ellis died Monday, Jan. 4, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
According to his obituary, Ellis served eight years as Carroll County Justice Court Judge and 24 years as Circuit Clerk, retiring in 2003. While serving as Circuit Clerk, he had the honor of serving as Secretary, Vice President, and then President of the Mississippi Circuit Clerk's Association.
Former Chancery Clerk Sugar Mullins remembers Ellis as a true friend who was supportive of him and had a deep love for Carroll County.
“When I first ran, he supported me, he guided me, he was a true friend. He loved Carroll County and he was very helpful to anyone,” Mullins said. “He was always smiling. He was a good man, a very good man.”
Mullins said Ellis was well-respected not only in Carroll County but throughout the Mississippi Circuit Clerk’s Association, as well.
He said he and Ellis kept in touch — speaking several times a month — even after Ellis and his wife, Sallie, moved to Oxford to be closer to children and grandchildren.
Mullins said Ellis was the best politician that Carroll County has ever had. Ellis, he said, had a way of getting people to divulge who they were supporting.
“Whoever he was supporting, they usually won,” he said.
Mullins said people loved and respected Ellis.
“He was a great friend and a good guy,” Ellis said. “I can’t believe he’s passed away. He was a true, true friend. He will be missed.”
Ellis is survived by his wife 50 years, Sallie Nelms Ellis of Oxford; two sons, Michael C. Ellis of Oxford and Jason C. Ellis of Richmond, Ky.; and six grandchildren.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/community-mourns-longtime-carroll-clerk
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/1b8da5fd9e2389887a1f185c41b58e1126bb485f0bcb43555c55a14726c50e1f.json
|
[
"Former Carroll County Justice Court Judge and Circuit Clerk Charles Ellis died Monday, Jan. 4, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.\nAccording to his obituary, Ellis served eight years as Carroll County Justice Court Judge and 24 years as Circuit Clerk, retiring in 2003. While serving as Circuit Clerk, he had the honor of serving as Secretary, Vice President, and then President of the Mississippi Circuit Clerk's Association.\nFormer Chancery Clerk Sugar Mullins remembers Ellis as a true friend who was supportive of him and had a deep love for Carroll County.\n“When I first ran, he supported me, he guided me, he was a true friend. He loved Carroll County and he was very helpful to anyone,” Mullins said. “He was always smiling. He was a good man, a very good man.”\nMullins said Ellis was well-respected not only in Carroll County but throughout the Mississippi Circuit Clerk’s Association, as well.\nHe said he and Ellis kept in touch — speaking several times a month — even after Ellis and his wife, Sallie, moved to Oxford to be closer to children and grandchildren.\nMullins said Ellis was the best politician that Carroll County has ever had. Ellis, he said, had a way of getting people to divulge who they were supporting.\n“Whoever he was supporting, they usually won,” he said.\nMullins said people loved and respected Ellis.\n“He was a great friend and a good guy,” Ellis said. “I can’t believe he’s passed away. He was a true, true friend. He will be missed.”\nEllis is survived by his wife 50 years, Sallie Nelms Ellis of Oxford; two sons, Michael C. Ellis of Oxford and Jason C. Ellis of Richmond, Ky.; and six grandchildren.",
"Community mourns longtime Carroll clerk",
"Former Carroll County Justice Court Judge and Circuit Clerk Charles Ellis died Monday, Jan. 4, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-23T01:11:51 | null | null |
At a special meeting on January 22, the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History awarded nearly $3 million on behalf of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program to eighteen preservation and restoration projects from across the state.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippi-department-archives-and-history-nearly-3m-preservation-grants-awarded-1.json
|
en
| null |
Mississippi Department of Archives and History - Nearly $3M in Preservation Grants Awarded
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
At a special meeting on January 22, the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History awarded nearly $3 million on behalf of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program to eighteen preservation and restoration projects from across the state. The Community Heritage Preservation Grant program, authorized and funded by the Mississippi Legislature, helps preserve and restore historic courthouses and schools in Certified Local Government communities and other historic properties.
"The Legislature has saved hundreds of significant Mississippi properties through this program," said MDAH director Katie Blount. "The Department of Archives and History is grateful for the Legislature's support and pleased to be able to help preserve these local treasures."
The grant awards are as follows:
House on Ellicott’s Hill, Natchez, Adams County—$210,400
For restoration of the front gallery of the building.
Natchez City Hall, Natchez, Adams County—$157,056
For replacement of the roof.
Corinth Coliseum Theater, Corinth, Alcorn County—$236,234
For replacement of the roof and ADA upgrades.
Chickasaw County Courthouse, Houston, Chickasaw County—$226,677
For repairs to the roof and other interior repairs.
G.L. Hawkins Elementary, Hattiesburg, Forrest County—$35,200
For roof repairs.
Franklin County Courthouse, Meadville, Franklin County—$144,388
For window and masonry restoration, and reroofing of the jail.
Wechsler School, Meridian, Lauderdale County—$277,154
For interior and exterior rehabilitation.
(Old) Monticello Elementary, Monticello, Lawrence County—$40,000
For structural repairs and asbestos report and abatement.
Stephen D. Lee House, Columbus, Lowndes County—$25,600
For front porch roof replacement.
Tennessee Williams House, Columbus, Lowndes County—$35,000
For rebuilding of the front porch.
Old Madison County Jail, Canton, Madison County—$250,250
For rear wall repair and roofing.
Marion County Courthouse, Columbia, Marion County—$225,940
For window restoration.
Isaac Chapel (Rosenwald School), Byhalia, Marshall County—$268,744
For interior and exterior restoration.
Noxubee County Library, Macon, Noxubee County—$200,044
For clay tile roof replacement and exterior restoration.
Pontotoc County Courthouse, Pontotoc, Pontotoc County—$239,753
For window and masonry restoration.
Quitman County Courthouse, Marks, Quitman County—$184,792
For exterior and interior rehabilitation.
(Old) Vicksburg Library, Vicksburg, Warren County—$103,370
For electrical upgrades, window and door restoration, and boiler removal.
Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, Vicksburg, Warren County—$89,056
For repair to the auditorium’s south wall.
Grant awards are paid on a reimbursable basis upon the successful completion of the entire project or at the time of the completion of pre-established phases of the project. Prior to application, all buildings must have been designated Mississippi Landmarks. Only county or municipal governments, school districts, and nonprofit organizations granted Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service may submit applications.
To become a Certified Local Government, a community must adopt a preservation ordinance establishing a preservation commission in accordance with federal and state guidelines. Once the commission has been established, application for CLG status may be made to the National Park Service through the Department of Archives and History. MDAH works closely with local government officials and citizens to help them create and manage a workable local historic preservation program.
To learn more about the CLG program, contact Meredith Massey in the Historic Preservation Division of MDAH, at 601-576-6538.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippi-department-archives-and-history-nearly-3m-preservation-grants-awarded-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/32a3357687cf837f862a0aab856a3631e9bd1413ac7d0641ccc4b65e1c9e0ca9.json
|
[
"At a special meeting on January 22, the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History awarded nearly $3 million on behalf of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program to eighteen preservation and restoration projects from across the state. The Community Heritage Preservation Grant program, authorized and funded by the Mississippi Legislature, helps preserve and restore historic courthouses and schools in Certified Local Government communities and other historic properties.\n\"The Legislature has saved hundreds of significant Mississippi properties through this program,\" said MDAH director Katie Blount. \"The Department of Archives and History is grateful for the Legislature's support and pleased to be able to help preserve these local treasures.\"\nThe grant awards are as follows:\nHouse on Ellicott’s Hill, Natchez, Adams County—$210,400\nFor restoration of the front gallery of the building.\nNatchez City Hall, Natchez, Adams County—$157,056\nFor replacement of the roof.\nCorinth Coliseum Theater, Corinth, Alcorn County—$236,234\nFor replacement of the roof and ADA upgrades.\nChickasaw County Courthouse, Houston, Chickasaw County—$226,677\nFor repairs to the roof and other interior repairs.\nG.L. Hawkins Elementary, Hattiesburg, Forrest County—$35,200\nFor roof repairs.\nFranklin County Courthouse, Meadville, Franklin County—$144,388\nFor window and masonry restoration, and reroofing of the jail.\nWechsler School, Meridian, Lauderdale County—$277,154\nFor interior and exterior rehabilitation.\n(Old) Monticello Elementary, Monticello, Lawrence County—$40,000\nFor structural repairs and asbestos report and abatement.\nStephen D. Lee House, Columbus, Lowndes County—$25,600\nFor front porch roof replacement.\nTennessee Williams House, Columbus, Lowndes County—$35,000\nFor rebuilding of the front porch.\nOld Madison County Jail, Canton, Madison County—$250,250\nFor rear wall repair and roofing.\nMarion County Courthouse, Columbia, Marion County—$225,940\nFor window restoration.\nIsaac Chapel (Rosenwald School), Byhalia, Marshall County—$268,744\nFor interior and exterior restoration.\nNoxubee County Library, Macon, Noxubee County—$200,044\nFor clay tile roof replacement and exterior restoration.\nPontotoc County Courthouse, Pontotoc, Pontotoc County—$239,753\nFor window and masonry restoration.\nQuitman County Courthouse, Marks, Quitman County—$184,792\nFor exterior and interior rehabilitation.\n(Old) Vicksburg Library, Vicksburg, Warren County—$103,370\nFor electrical upgrades, window and door restoration, and boiler removal.\nSouthern Cultural Heritage Foundation, Vicksburg, Warren County—$89,056\nFor repair to the auditorium’s south wall.\nGrant awards are paid on a reimbursable basis upon the successful completion of the entire project or at the time of the completion of pre-established phases of the project. Prior to application, all buildings must have been designated Mississippi Landmarks. Only county or municipal governments, school districts, and nonprofit organizations granted Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service may submit applications.\nTo become a Certified Local Government, a community must adopt a preservation ordinance establishing a preservation commission in accordance with federal and state guidelines. Once the commission has been established, application for CLG status may be made to the National Park Service through the Department of Archives and History. MDAH works closely with local government officials and citizens to help them create and manage a workable local historic preservation program.\nTo learn more about the CLG program, contact Meredith Massey in the Historic Preservation Division of MDAH, at 601-576-6538.",
"Mississippi Department of Archives and History - Nearly $3M in Preservation Grants Awarded",
"At a special meeting on January 22, the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History awarded nearly $3 million on behalf of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program to eighteen preservation and restoration projects from across the state."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-29T06:58:23 | null | null |
Two men have been charged in connection with a shooting that occurred last week in Winona.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Ffront-page-slideshow-news-carrollton-slideshow-carrollton-news%2Ftwo-charged-shooting.json
|
en
| null |
Two charged in shooting
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
---
The content you're trying to view is available for Premium Content Subscribers only. Online subscription options are available and are complimentary to all existing print subscribers of The WINONA TIMES and The CONSERVATIVE.
If you're an existing subscriber (print or digital) and already have your Username and Password, click here: https://winonatimes.com/user/login
If you're an existing print subscriber and need to activate your online account, click here: https://winonatimes.com/existing-subscribers-0
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/front-page-slideshow-news-carrollton-slideshow-carrollton-news/two-charged-shooting
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/4b9b71e0cc29642caeb352a09778f2845417b948af88aa5682cbf2b5ebc69436.json
|
[
"---\nThe content you're trying to view is available for Premium Content Subscribers only. Online subscription options are available and are complimentary to all existing print subscribers of The WINONA TIMES and The CONSERVATIVE.\nIf you're an existing subscriber (print or digital) and already have your Username and Password, click here: https://winonatimes.com/user/login\nIf you're an existing print subscriber and need to activate your online account, click here: https://winonatimes.com/existing-subscribers-0",
"Two charged in shooting",
"Two men have been charged in connection with a shooting that occurred last week in Winona."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-23T01:11:29 | null | null |
OPINION column by Senator Roger Wicker
Impeachment and Far-Left Proposals Will Not Heal Divisions
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcolumns%2Fwicker-encourages-biden-unify-america-1.json
|
en
| null |
Wicker Encourages Biden to Unify America
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
OPINION column by Senator Roger Wicker
Impeachment and Far-Left Proposals Will Not Heal Divisions
On January 20, my wife Gayle and I joined dozens of other lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol to observe the orderly transfer of power. I had attended multiple inaugurations before, but this year’s occasion was unlike any I had ever seen. The National Mall, which is normally packed with visitors from across America, was closed because of health restrictions. At the same time, more than 25,000 National Guard troops, including several hundred of our Mississippi Guardsmen, were on site to ensure peace and order.
Upon taking the oath of office, Joe Biden became our 46th President. I did not support him as a candidate, but I am praying for him as he leads our country through a difficult period. I appreciated his call for national healing and reconciliation. We should all work to lower the temperature and move forward as one unified nation.
Impeachment Is a Mistake
Unfortunately, the effort to remove a President who is no longer in office raises serious constitutional questions and threatens to delay national healing. This article of impeachment was rushed through the House of Representatives shortly after the Capitol riot without hearings or any careful consideration of evidence against President Trump. As President-elect, Mr. Biden could have used his influence to stop the impeachment process from going forward. Such a gesture could have gone a long way toward unifying the country.
A second impeachment trial is sure to inflame partisan tensions and could poison the cooperative spirit we need in a 50-50 Senate. I fear it will also bring more reproach on Congress’s solemn impeachment power, which should be used sparingly and with sober deliberation. Impeachment could also interrupt President Biden’s Cabinet confirmations for weeks while the Senate holds a trial as required by the Constitution. The Senate has important business to do and should not be held up by a pointless and divisive delay.
Biden’s First Actions Raise Alarm
On his first day in office, President Biden signed multiple executive orders that reveal his administration’s priorities. I am deeply concerned about the impact these decisions will have on our country.
One of President Biden’s first steps was to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, a vital energy project that President Trump had approved. Cancellation of this pipeline will needlessly limit our oil supply and cost as many as 11,000 jobs, representing $1.6 billion in lost wages. This reversal is also an insult to Canada, which was depending on the pipeline to move oil to America. President Biden has spoken of “repairing” our alliances, but this is a big step backward.
President Biden also reversed Trump’s policy of strict immigration enforcement and imposed a 100-day pause on deportations. This sends a terrible signal to those trying to enter our country illegally, like the caravans that are currently advancing toward our border. As a Senator in 2006, Mr. Biden supported the Secure Fence Act, which authorized funds for border control barriers. He served as Vice President in the Obama Administration, which engaged in a sensible deportation policy for illegal immigrants. His change of heart sends a troubling signal of radical policies to come.
Biden Should Lead With Bipartisanship
President Biden has pledged to represent all Americans and help unify our nation. I hope he fulfills this pledge by focusing on ideas that enjoy bipartisan support. The Senate Commerce Committee, which I chaired for the last two years, has made great progress on expanding broadband to rural America, building infrastructure, and supporting our transportation sector. I stand ready to work with President Biden on these and other unifying priorities.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/columns/wicker-encourages-biden-unify-america-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/d0a2320f6f9d49db046924fb5dde0e406b51f12ad83269509ed69af85aae86ae.json
|
[
"OPINION column by Senator Roger Wicker\nImpeachment and Far-Left Proposals Will Not Heal Divisions\nOn January 20, my wife Gayle and I joined dozens of other lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol to observe the orderly transfer of power. I had attended multiple inaugurations before, but this year’s occasion was unlike any I had ever seen. The National Mall, which is normally packed with visitors from across America, was closed because of health restrictions. At the same time, more than 25,000 National Guard troops, including several hundred of our Mississippi Guardsmen, were on site to ensure peace and order.\nUpon taking the oath of office, Joe Biden became our 46th President. I did not support him as a candidate, but I am praying for him as he leads our country through a difficult period. I appreciated his call for national healing and reconciliation. We should all work to lower the temperature and move forward as one unified nation.\nImpeachment Is a Mistake\nUnfortunately, the effort to remove a President who is no longer in office raises serious constitutional questions and threatens to delay national healing. This article of impeachment was rushed through the House of Representatives shortly after the Capitol riot without hearings or any careful consideration of evidence against President Trump. As President-elect, Mr. Biden could have used his influence to stop the impeachment process from going forward. Such a gesture could have gone a long way toward unifying the country.\nA second impeachment trial is sure to inflame partisan tensions and could poison the cooperative spirit we need in a 50-50 Senate. I fear it will also bring more reproach on Congress’s solemn impeachment power, which should be used sparingly and with sober deliberation. Impeachment could also interrupt President Biden’s Cabinet confirmations for weeks while the Senate holds a trial as required by the Constitution. The Senate has important business to do and should not be held up by a pointless and divisive delay.\nBiden’s First Actions Raise Alarm\nOn his first day in office, President Biden signed multiple executive orders that reveal his administration’s priorities. I am deeply concerned about the impact these decisions will have on our country.\nOne of President Biden’s first steps was to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, a vital energy project that President Trump had approved. Cancellation of this pipeline will needlessly limit our oil supply and cost as many as 11,000 jobs, representing $1.6 billion in lost wages. This reversal is also an insult to Canada, which was depending on the pipeline to move oil to America. President Biden has spoken of “repairing” our alliances, but this is a big step backward.\nPresident Biden also reversed Trump’s policy of strict immigration enforcement and imposed a 100-day pause on deportations. This sends a terrible signal to those trying to enter our country illegally, like the caravans that are currently advancing toward our border. As a Senator in 2006, Mr. Biden supported the Secure Fence Act, which authorized funds for border control barriers. He served as Vice President in the Obama Administration, which engaged in a sensible deportation policy for illegal immigrants. His change of heart sends a troubling signal of radical policies to come.\nBiden Should Lead With Bipartisanship\nPresident Biden has pledged to represent all Americans and help unify our nation. I hope he fulfills this pledge by focusing on ideas that enjoy bipartisan support. The Senate Commerce Committee, which I chaired for the last two years, has made great progress on expanding broadband to rural America, building infrastructure, and supporting our transportation sector. I stand ready to work with President Biden on these and other unifying priorities.",
"Wicker Encourages Biden to Unify America",
"OPINION column by Senator Roger Wicker\nImpeachment and Far-Left Proposals Will Not Heal Divisions"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-13T04:26:26 | null | null |
The newly released Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) 2019-20 Superintendent’s Annual Report tells the story how students, educators and schools persisted in their pursuit of higher academic achievement while dealing with the challenge of the COVID-
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmde-superintendents-annual-report-shows-students-educators-schools-persisted-through-1.json
|
en
| null |
MDE: Superintendent’s Annual Report Shows That Students, Educators & Schools Persisted through Pandemic
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The newly released Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) 2019-20 Superintendent’s Annual Report tells the story how students, educators and schools persisted in their pursuit of higher academic achievement while dealing with the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
View the report online at mdek12.org/superintendent2020.
Report highlights:
- Facts and figures about student enrollment and the educator workforce
- 2019-20 achievements
- Immediate response to school building closures
- Long-term response to pandemic, including Mississippi Connects digital learning initiative
No new achievement data were produced for the 2019-20 school year because state and national assessments were not administered. However, Mississippi’s record of significant, sustained improvement through the end of the previous year has been historic:
- 4th graders had achieved the No. 1 spot in the nation for gains on NAEP in reading and math, with 4th graders scoring higher than the nation’s public-school average in math and tying the nation in reading.
- 8th graders had outpaced the nation for growth in math and held steady in reading; nationally, scores for most NAEP subjects dropped or remained flat.
- Black, white and Hispanic students from low-income homes in Mississippi had achieved higher scores than their counterparts nationally in all four NAEP subjects.
- 85.6% of students met the most challenging standard ever required under the Literacy-Based Promotion Act.
- Students in every grade had made significant, annual gains on statewide English Language Arts and mathematics assessments. When the tests were first administered in 2016, one-third of students scored on or above grade level in English Language Arts and Math. In 2019, closer to half reached those levels.
- The graduation rate hit an all-time high of 85%, on par with the national average.
“I am incredibly proud of our students, teachers and leaders and the resilience they showed during incredibly challenging circumstances,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “I am optimistic about the future of education in Mississippi because we have already proven what can happen when there is a singular focus on supporting students and improving academic achievement. When we put students first, Mississippi succeeds.”
The Mississippi State Board of Education’s and MDE’s priorities for 2021 and beyond include maintaining a focus on literacy and high academic standards to prepare all students for college and careers, strengthening the state’s early childhood education infrastructure, continuing to help make teachers and school leaders more effective, making data-driven decisions to raise student achievement and close achievement gaps, and improving low-performing schools.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mde-superintendents-annual-report-shows-students-educators-schools-persisted-through-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/f63f909f77eb943e74c7bb6a421b44066417207911e9437dc815ec12d57d32b0.json
|
[
"The newly released Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) 2019-20 Superintendent’s Annual Report tells the story how students, educators and schools persisted in their pursuit of higher academic achievement while dealing with the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.\nView the report online at mdek12.org/superintendent2020.\nReport highlights:\n- Facts and figures about student enrollment and the educator workforce\n- 2019-20 achievements\n- Immediate response to school building closures\n- Long-term response to pandemic, including Mississippi Connects digital learning initiative\nNo new achievement data were produced for the 2019-20 school year because state and national assessments were not administered. However, Mississippi’s record of significant, sustained improvement through the end of the previous year has been historic:\n- 4th graders had achieved the No. 1 spot in the nation for gains on NAEP in reading and math, with 4th graders scoring higher than the nation’s public-school average in math and tying the nation in reading.\n- 8th graders had outpaced the nation for growth in math and held steady in reading; nationally, scores for most NAEP subjects dropped or remained flat.\n- Black, white and Hispanic students from low-income homes in Mississippi had achieved higher scores than their counterparts nationally in all four NAEP subjects.\n- 85.6% of students met the most challenging standard ever required under the Literacy-Based Promotion Act.\n- Students in every grade had made significant, annual gains on statewide English Language Arts and mathematics assessments. When the tests were first administered in 2016, one-third of students scored on or above grade level in English Language Arts and Math. In 2019, closer to half reached those levels.\n- The graduation rate hit an all-time high of 85%, on par with the national average.\n“I am incredibly proud of our students, teachers and leaders and the resilience they showed during incredibly challenging circumstances,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “I am optimistic about the future of education in Mississippi because we have already proven what can happen when there is a singular focus on supporting students and improving academic achievement. When we put students first, Mississippi succeeds.”\nThe Mississippi State Board of Education’s and MDE’s priorities for 2021 and beyond include maintaining a focus on literacy and high academic standards to prepare all students for college and careers, strengthening the state’s early childhood education infrastructure, continuing to help make teachers and school leaders more effective, making data-driven decisions to raise student achievement and close achievement gaps, and improving low-performing schools.",
"MDE: Superintendent’s Annual Report Shows That Students, Educators & Schools Persisted through Pandemic",
"The newly released Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) 2019-20 Superintendent’s Annual Report tells the story how students, educators and schools persisted in their pursuit of higher academic achievement while dealing with the challenge of the COVID-"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-29T06:58:07 | null | null |
Sheriff Clint Walker and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department was awarded the second place award for “Green Team Award.” The award was in recognition of Carroll County’s was presented after the sheriff’s department removed a total of 5,799 bags of litter from Mississippi highways from July 2019 to June 2020.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcarrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow-front-page-slideshow-news%2Fcaldwell-commends-department.json
|
en
| null |
Caldwell commends department
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Sheriff Clint Walker and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department was awarded the second place award for “Green Team Award.” The award was in recognition of Carroll County’s was presented after the sheriff’s department removed a total of 5,799 bags of litter from Mississippi highways from July 2019 to June 2020.
Walker was presented the award by Transportation Commissioner John Caldwell during the Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting in Carrollton.
“We are honored to Sheriff Walker for the support given to MDOT,” Caldwell said.
He said it helps to have the help of the prisoners and volunteers that work to keep Carroll County litter free. He said with the extra help, MDOT can lend its attention to fixing potholes, shoulders and any work needed they have may not been able to get to without the support.
“It makes a difference,” he said.
Caldwell covers the Northern District of the county, and said MDOT doesn’t have the manpower to make it to every country and help clear clutter from every road. However, sheriffs like Walker help to alleviate that load for them. And, with Carroll County, with its many miles of roadways, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department’s help is needed.
He said it shows how much pride Walker takes in Carroll County.
For Walker, it’s not the sheriff’s department that should be honored. It’s the many volunteers around the county who also help to pick up litter and do their part in keeping Carroll County clean.
Caldwell said they’re working on a few projects in the county, one being the mudslide that happened on Highway 17 during a torrential rain in the earlier part of 2020. He said his men are able to work on projects like that because of help like Walker provided.
This year, the county received second place, but Walker said the county has also previously received first place for the same reward.
Caldwell said if there’s anything his office can do, please feel free to let him know.
“We’re here to help,” Caldwell said. “I know people don’t believe when the government says its here to help, but we’re here to help.”
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/carrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow-front-page-slideshow-news/caldwell-commends-department
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/aff7669bc3c321bd1ad7c57f5bf565b186adb2e5c724a3b38c0d339fbe674b45.json
|
[
"Sheriff Clint Walker and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department was awarded the second place award for “Green Team Award.” The award was in recognition of Carroll County’s was presented after the sheriff’s department removed a total of 5,799 bags of litter from Mississippi highways from July 2019 to June 2020.\nWalker was presented the award by Transportation Commissioner John Caldwell during the Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting in Carrollton.\n“We are honored to Sheriff Walker for the support given to MDOT,” Caldwell said.\nHe said it helps to have the help of the prisoners and volunteers that work to keep Carroll County litter free. He said with the extra help, MDOT can lend its attention to fixing potholes, shoulders and any work needed they have may not been able to get to without the support.\n“It makes a difference,” he said.\nCaldwell covers the Northern District of the county, and said MDOT doesn’t have the manpower to make it to every country and help clear clutter from every road. However, sheriffs like Walker help to alleviate that load for them. And, with Carroll County, with its many miles of roadways, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department’s help is needed.\nHe said it shows how much pride Walker takes in Carroll County.\nFor Walker, it’s not the sheriff’s department that should be honored. It’s the many volunteers around the county who also help to pick up litter and do their part in keeping Carroll County clean.\nCaldwell said they’re working on a few projects in the county, one being the mudslide that happened on Highway 17 during a torrential rain in the earlier part of 2020. He said his men are able to work on projects like that because of help like Walker provided.\nThis year, the county received second place, but Walker said the county has also previously received first place for the same reward.\nCaldwell said if there’s anything his office can do, please feel free to let him know.\n“We’re here to help,” Caldwell said. “I know people don’t believe when the government says its here to help, but we’re here to help.”",
"Caldwell commends department",
"Sheriff Clint Walker and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department was awarded the second place award for “Green Team Award.” The award was in recognition of Carroll County’s was presented after the sheriff’s department removed a total of 5,799 bags of litter from Mississippi highways from July 2019 to June 2020."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-06T14:31:18 | null | null |
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippi-covid-19-update-january-05th-2020-1.json
|
en
| null |
Mississippi Covid-19 Update : January 05th, 2020
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
New cases of COVID-19:
1,767
Positive test results reported to MSDH as of 6 p.m. yesterday. Tests may have been made during the past week, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Repeated tests for the same individual are counted only once.
New COVID-19 related deaths:
91
COVID-19 related deaths reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners as of 6 p.m. yesterday.
Seventy-six deaths occurred between December 30, 2020 and January 4, 2021.
Long-Term Care Facilities
Active outbreaks: 227
An outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility.
Hospitalizations
Explore local hospital capacity and bed use with the MSDH interactive map of hospitals
Look for the most recent COVID-19 hospitalizations chart on the website HealthyMS.com/covid-19.
State Totals and Trend
Totals of all Mississippi COVID-19 cases and deaths for 2020.
- Total COVID-19 cases: 225,444
- Total COVID-19 related deaths: 4,975
Cases by Date of Illness
This chart tracks COVID-19 cases according to the date the person first became ill, rather than the date of test results. It's the standard way of following the course of a disease in a population. The black average line helps identify upward or downward trending. (In the few cases where date of illness has not yet been determined, testing date is used.) Since we are still receiving reports of illnesses that began up to two weeks ago, expect the more recent dates on this chart to change.
What You Can Do
- Keep groups sizes small and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors. Many cases are now being spread through gatherings in homes without safety precautions.
- Social distancing is still critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and others.
- Wearing a mask or face covering can sharply reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to others. Wearing a mask is strong recommended whenever you are in public places with others around you.
- Most people spreading COVID-19 do not know they are infected.
- Remind others that precautions remain essential, and set an example by your actions.
- Be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed. See our guide to local testing providers and free testing at http://HealthyMS.com/ covid19test
More Data and Information
- COVID-19 cases, data and statistics
- Guidance and preventive measures
- Find COVID-19 testing near you
- General COVID-19 information
- Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippi-covid-19-update-january-05th-2020-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/e338dfa9110652356eafdcb0c0c76473fd4d759b0e329747e7bde1eb3f3b09e8.json
|
[
"Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.\nNew cases of COVID-19:\n1,767\nPositive test results reported to MSDH as of 6 p.m. yesterday. Tests may have been made during the past week, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Repeated tests for the same individual are counted only once.\nNew COVID-19 related deaths:\n91\nCOVID-19 related deaths reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners as of 6 p.m. yesterday.\nSeventy-six deaths occurred between December 30, 2020 and January 4, 2021.\nLong-Term Care Facilities\nActive outbreaks: 227\nAn outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility.\nHospitalizations\nExplore local hospital capacity and bed use with the MSDH interactive map of hospitals\nLook for the most recent COVID-19 hospitalizations chart on the website HealthyMS.com/covid-19.\nState Totals and Trend\nTotals of all Mississippi COVID-19 cases and deaths for 2020.\n- Total COVID-19 cases: 225,444\n- Total COVID-19 related deaths: 4,975\nCases by Date of Illness\nThis chart tracks COVID-19 cases according to the date the person first became ill, rather than the date of test results. It's the standard way of following the course of a disease in a population. The black average line helps identify upward or downward trending. (In the few cases where date of illness has not yet been determined, testing date is used.) Since we are still receiving reports of illnesses that began up to two weeks ago, expect the more recent dates on this chart to change.\nWhat You Can Do\n- Keep groups sizes small and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors. Many cases are now being spread through gatherings in homes without safety precautions.\n- Social distancing is still critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and others.\n- Wearing a mask or face covering can sharply reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to others. Wearing a mask is strong recommended whenever you are in public places with others around you.\n- Most people spreading COVID-19 do not know they are infected.\n- Remind others that precautions remain essential, and set an example by your actions.\n- Be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed. See our guide to local testing providers and free testing at http://HealthyMS.com/ covid19test\nMore Data and Information\n- COVID-19 cases, data and statistics\n- Guidance and preventive measures\n- Find COVID-19 testing near you\n- General COVID-19 information\n- Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453\n7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week",
"Mississippi Covid-19 Update : January 05th, 2020",
"Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-22T09:38:10 | null | null |
The state Senate passed a bill Thursday that would give Mississippi teachers a $1,000 pay increase.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fteacher-pay-raise-bill-passes-mississippi-senate-1.json
|
en
| null |
Teacher pay raise bill passes Mississippi Senate
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The state Senate passed a bill Thursday that would give Mississippi teachers a $1,000 pay increase.
Senate Bill 2001 is authored by state Sen. Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, who is the chairman of the Senate Education. If the measure is signed into law by Gov. Tate Reeves, first-year teacher that meets the lowest certification standard will receive a $1,100 pay hike from $35,980 to $37,000. Teachers in the lowest certification standard would see their pay increase from $36,800 to $37,880 with four years of experience. Other pay brackets will receive $1,000.
Using the last teacher pay hike as a guide (a $1,500 pay hike would cost taxpayers $76.9 million), the annual cost for this pay hike would be $51.3 million annually.
“Our public educators are on the front lines of this pandemic, continuing to make sure Mississippi children receive first-rate instruction," Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said in a statement. "Today, the Senate showed their gratitude by unanimously sending a pay increase to the House.”
The bill is on its way to the House of Representatives.
Mississippi teachers are paid according to both their certification level and their experience. Districts can and often pay teachers more than the base pay rate. Salaries also increase both with experience and with new certification levels.
If the measure is signed into law by the governor, it will be the fourth pay raise Mississippi teachers have received in addition to annual step increases.
In 2000, a $337 million plan was enacted over a six-year span.
In 2014, a two-year, $100 million plan passed by the legislature increased teacher pay $1,500 in the first year and $1,000 in second. A 2019 pay increase added up to $1,500, which will cost taxpayers $76.9 million per year.
The House of Representatives passed House Bill 199 Thursday, which provides additional appropriations for fiscal year 2021, which ends June 30.
Among the appropriations in the bill are:
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/teacher-pay-raise-bill-passes-mississippi-senate-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/09d681714a584006346eb23f4595c2ebe6e75af3dafb9ce4669f91f816e9e6b3.json
|
[
"The state Senate passed a bill Thursday that would give Mississippi teachers a $1,000 pay increase.\nSenate Bill 2001 is authored by state Sen. Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, who is the chairman of the Senate Education. If the measure is signed into law by Gov. Tate Reeves, first-year teacher that meets the lowest certification standard will receive a $1,100 pay hike from $35,980 to $37,000. Teachers in the lowest certification standard would see their pay increase from $36,800 to $37,880 with four years of experience. Other pay brackets will receive $1,000.\nUsing the last teacher pay hike as a guide (a $1,500 pay hike would cost taxpayers $76.9 million), the annual cost for this pay hike would be $51.3 million annually.\n“Our public educators are on the front lines of this pandemic, continuing to make sure Mississippi children receive first-rate instruction,\" Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said in a statement. \"Today, the Senate showed their gratitude by unanimously sending a pay increase to the House.”\nThe bill is on its way to the House of Representatives.\nMississippi teachers are paid according to both their certification level and their experience. Districts can and often pay teachers more than the base pay rate. Salaries also increase both with experience and with new certification levels.\nIf the measure is signed into law by the governor, it will be the fourth pay raise Mississippi teachers have received in addition to annual step increases.\nIn 2000, a $337 million plan was enacted over a six-year span.\nIn 2014, a two-year, $100 million plan passed by the legislature increased teacher pay $1,500 in the first year and $1,000 in second. A 2019 pay increase added up to $1,500, which will cost taxpayers $76.9 million per year.\nThe House of Representatives passed House Bill 199 Thursday, which provides additional appropriations for fiscal year 2021, which ends June 30.\nAmong the appropriations in the bill are:",
"Teacher pay raise bill passes Mississippi Senate",
"The state Senate passed a bill Thursday that would give Mississippi teachers a $1,000 pay increase."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-08T03:45:55 | null | null |
Only one of the Carroll County Board of Supervisors’ leadership positions will change this year. Supervisor Jim Neill will take over as board president from Supervisor Rickie Corley.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fnews%2Fneill-elected-board-supervisors-president.json
|
en
| null |
Neill elected Board of Supervisors president
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
---
The content you're trying to view is available for Premium Content Subscribers only. Online subscription options are available and are complimentary to all existing print subscribers of The WINONA TIMES and The CONSERVATIVE.
If you're an existing subscriber (print or digital) and already have your Username and Password, click here: https://winonatimes.com/user/login
If you're an existing print subscriber and need to activate your online account, click here: https://winonatimes.com/existing-subscribers-0
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/news/neill-elected-board-supervisors-president
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/4952ad122742c52f2c411313b6867366d18b76b2a51a913a6d849b3080652978.json
|
[
"---\nThe content you're trying to view is available for Premium Content Subscribers only. Online subscription options are available and are complimentary to all existing print subscribers of The WINONA TIMES and The CONSERVATIVE.\nIf you're an existing subscriber (print or digital) and already have your Username and Password, click here: https://winonatimes.com/user/login\nIf you're an existing print subscriber and need to activate your online account, click here: https://winonatimes.com/existing-subscribers-0",
"Neill elected Board of Supervisors president",
"Only one of the Carroll County Board of Supervisors’ leadership positions will change this year. Supervisor Jim Neill will take over as board president from Supervisor Rickie Corley."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-14T04:21:37 | null | null |
Senate Bill 2001, a teacher pay raise bill, passed unanimously in the Senate Education Committee this afternoon. It must now pass the Appropriations Committee before going to the floor of the full Senate for a vote. The bill gives certified teachers with three or more years’ experience a $1,000 pay increase.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fteacher-pay-raise-ada-hold-harmless-licensure-bills-pass-senate-ed-committee-1.json
|
en
| null |
Teacher Pay Raise, ADA Hold Harmless, Licensure Bills Pass Senate Ed Committee
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Senate Bill 2001, a teacher pay raise bill, passed unanimously in the Senate Education Committee this afternoon. It must now pass the Appropriations Committee before going to the floor of the full Senate for a vote. The bill gives certified teachers with three or more years’ experience a $1,000 pay increase. Teachers with two years of experience and less will get a slightly larger pay bump of $1,110 to bring them to an even $37,000 starting salary. Assistant teachers will receive a $1,000 pay increase. All increases are effective July 1, 2021.
Chairman DeBar made it clear that this salary increase, while smaller than he would like, is just the beginning of efforts to improve teacher pay and address the teacher shortage crisis. The chairman thanked committee members for taking up the teacher pay raise bill so early in the session, stressing that it is important to let teachers know how much legislators appreciate them during these trying times.
The committee also passed Senate Bills 2149 and 2267. SB 2149 allows school districts to be held harmless for average daily attendance (ADA) for purposes of the MAEP calculation this year, due to the extraordinary number of absences related to the pandemic. The bill will fend off dramatic budget cuts for school districts by using 2019-2020 ADA in the FY2022 MAEP calculation. SB 2267 provides automatic reciprocity for teachers who hold licenses in other states and pass a background check, a move to help alleviate our teacher shortage that will become effective upon passage.
Feel free to view the complete Senate Bill 2001 here.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/teacher-pay-raise-ada-hold-harmless-licensure-bills-pass-senate-ed-committee-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/c641bd04440272571d993a582212fad09e2fbc4e61218da9a7207f898831b0fe.json
|
[
"Senate Bill 2001, a teacher pay raise bill, passed unanimously in the Senate Education Committee this afternoon. It must now pass the Appropriations Committee before going to the floor of the full Senate for a vote. The bill gives certified teachers with three or more years’ experience a $1,000 pay increase. Teachers with two years of experience and less will get a slightly larger pay bump of $1,110 to bring them to an even $37,000 starting salary. Assistant teachers will receive a $1,000 pay increase. All increases are effective July 1, 2021.\nChairman DeBar made it clear that this salary increase, while smaller than he would like, is just the beginning of efforts to improve teacher pay and address the teacher shortage crisis. The chairman thanked committee members for taking up the teacher pay raise bill so early in the session, stressing that it is important to let teachers know how much legislators appreciate them during these trying times.\nThe committee also passed Senate Bills 2149 and 2267. SB 2149 allows school districts to be held harmless for average daily attendance (ADA) for purposes of the MAEP calculation this year, due to the extraordinary number of absences related to the pandemic. The bill will fend off dramatic budget cuts for school districts by using 2019-2020 ADA in the FY2022 MAEP calculation. SB 2267 provides automatic reciprocity for teachers who hold licenses in other states and pass a background check, a move to help alleviate our teacher shortage that will become effective upon passage.\nFeel free to view the complete Senate Bill 2001 here.",
"Teacher Pay Raise, ADA Hold Harmless, Licensure Bills Pass Senate Ed Committee",
"Senate Bill 2001, a teacher pay raise bill, passed unanimously in the Senate Education Committee this afternoon. It must now pass the Appropriations Committee before going to the floor of the full Senate for a vote. The bill gives certified teachers with three or more years’ experience a $1,000 pay increase."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-14T04:21:15 | null | null |
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) kicked off the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie season nationally, during a challenging time when many Girl Scouts are selling in creative, socially distant, and contact-free ways to keep themselves and their customers safe.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fgirl-scout-cookie-season-kicks-nationally-bringing-joy-during-challenging-times-1.json
|
en
| null |
Girl Scout Cookie Season Kicks Off Nationally, Bringing Joy During Challenging Times
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) kicked off the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie season nationally, during a challenging time when many Girl Scouts are selling in creative, socially distant, and contact-free ways to keep themselves and their customers safe. Even in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, girls are adapting their sales methods to share the joy of Girl Scout Cookies through the largest girl-led entrepreneurship program—including taking contact-free pickup and delivery orders through a new national collaboration with Grubhub. Additionally, GSUSA is making online cookie ordering available nationwide on February 1 so consumers who don’t know a Girl Scout can still purchase cookies from a local troop for direct shipment to their homes or donation to local organizations.
Innovative Girl-led Sales Methods
The Girl Scout Cookie Program has long taught girls how to run a business via in-person booths, door-to-door activity, and the Digital Cookie® platform online, which GSUSA launched in 2014. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the middle of the 2020 season and girls were faced with the same challenges as other small businesses, they quickly pivoted their sales methods. From running virtual cookie booths on social media to setting up drive-through locations to facilitating orders that ship directly to customers’ doors, girls as young as five years old are continuing to embrace their entrepreneurial spirits, stay connected to their communities, and have fun by participating in the cookie program. And, the proceeds from each and every purchase stay local with the troop and its council to power Girl Scouts’ essential leadership programming.
“We’re proud of the resourceful ways Girl Scouts are running their cookie businesses safely and using their earnings to make the world a better place,” said GSGMS CEO Becky Traweek. “This season, our girls will continue to exemplify what the cookie program taught them—how to think like entrepreneurs, use innovative sales tactics, and pivot to new ways of doing business when things don’t go according to plan. The cookie program is what keeps Girl Scouts thriving in communities across the country and is proven to build girls’ leadership skills and help them become successful in life.”
Ordering Now Available Through Delivery Platform Grubhub
This season, GSUSA is collaborating with food ordering and delivery platform Grubhub so girls have another way to facilitate contact-free cookie orders. In select markets, with additional markets added throughout cookie season, consumers can order Girl Scout Cookies for pickup or delivery on Grubhub.com or the Grubhub app. A hands-on experience in managing e-commerce, local Girl Scouts will track and fulfill orders, manage inventory, and more, all using Grubhub’s back-end technology. As always, the proceeds benefit the troop and council while providing another innovative way to safely run the cookie program virtually. GSUSA is grateful to Grubhub for waiving all fees for the organization to make this new delivery option feasible for sales without reducing troops’ and councils’ proceeds. To kick off the collaboration, Grubhub is offering free delivery on Girl Scout Cookie orders through February 14 with a minimum purchase of $15*.
Online Ordering Available Nationwide February 1
GSUSA is making it possible for all consumers nationwide who don’t already know a Girl Scout to purchase Girl Scout Cookies online for shipment to their doors. Beginning February 1, customers can enter their zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder to find a local troop to purchase from through the Digital Cookie platform for direct shipment or donation to local organizations. This additional contact-free method supports local girls while keeping their safety and skill building top of mind.
“Like other people running small businesses, Girl Scouts are growing their cookie sale online to connect to consumers who may be harder to reach during the pandemic, all while staying resilient and learning skills such as money management, goal setting, and customer service,” said Traweek. “We are excited to open virtual cookie booths beginning February 1 to customers who don’t know a Girl Scout so they can still support girls during this challenging time for all of us.”
And though social distancing measures may keep families and friends apart, cookie customers can share joy and stay connected this season through a gift-box option that ships directly to others via the Digital Cookie platform.
How to Safely Purchase Girl Scout Cookies This Season
Girl Scout Cookie season is recognized nationally from January through April, but local timing and product availability varies, so contact your local council for more information. Consumers can support Girl Scouts by purchasing cookies in a few different ways:
If you know a registered Girl Scout, reach out to her to find out how she’s selling cookies in ways that meet local and state safety protocols.
Visit www.grubhub.com/food/girl_scouts to find out if and when contact-free delivery from Grubhub is available in your area.
GSUSA is also grateful to GNC for opening space outside their retail locations for Girl Scouts to sell cookies in a safe and socially distant manner, when allowed by local COVID-19 guidelines.
Beginning February 1, enter your zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder at www.gsgms.org to purchase from a local Girl Scout troop online for shipment to your door or to donate cookies to first responders and local causes.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/girl-scout-cookie-season-kicks-nationally-bringing-joy-during-challenging-times-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/b0be84e1fe1983ec4ada1bc1c14d503d1a828fba6c9389eb05091eb3a3ad1f13.json
|
[
"Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) kicked off the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie season nationally, during a challenging time when many Girl Scouts are selling in creative, socially distant, and contact-free ways to keep themselves and their customers safe. Even in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, girls are adapting their sales methods to share the joy of Girl Scout Cookies through the largest girl-led entrepreneurship program—including taking contact-free pickup and delivery orders through a new national collaboration with Grubhub. Additionally, GSUSA is making online cookie ordering available nationwide on February 1 so consumers who don’t know a Girl Scout can still purchase cookies from a local troop for direct shipment to their homes or donation to local organizations.\nInnovative Girl-led Sales Methods\nThe Girl Scout Cookie Program has long taught girls how to run a business via in-person booths, door-to-door activity, and the Digital Cookie® platform online, which GSUSA launched in 2014. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the middle of the 2020 season and girls were faced with the same challenges as other small businesses, they quickly pivoted their sales methods. From running virtual cookie booths on social media to setting up drive-through locations to facilitating orders that ship directly to customers’ doors, girls as young as five years old are continuing to embrace their entrepreneurial spirits, stay connected to their communities, and have fun by participating in the cookie program. And, the proceeds from each and every purchase stay local with the troop and its council to power Girl Scouts’ essential leadership programming.\n“We’re proud of the resourceful ways Girl Scouts are running their cookie businesses safely and using their earnings to make the world a better place,” said GSGMS CEO Becky Traweek. “This season, our girls will continue to exemplify what the cookie program taught them—how to think like entrepreneurs, use innovative sales tactics, and pivot to new ways of doing business when things don’t go according to plan. The cookie program is what keeps Girl Scouts thriving in communities across the country and is proven to build girls’ leadership skills and help them become successful in life.”\nOrdering Now Available Through Delivery Platform Grubhub\nThis season, GSUSA is collaborating with food ordering and delivery platform Grubhub so girls have another way to facilitate contact-free cookie orders. In select markets, with additional markets added throughout cookie season, consumers can order Girl Scout Cookies for pickup or delivery on Grubhub.com or the Grubhub app. A hands-on experience in managing e-commerce, local Girl Scouts will track and fulfill orders, manage inventory, and more, all using Grubhub’s back-end technology. As always, the proceeds benefit the troop and council while providing another innovative way to safely run the cookie program virtually. GSUSA is grateful to Grubhub for waiving all fees for the organization to make this new delivery option feasible for sales without reducing troops’ and councils’ proceeds. To kick off the collaboration, Grubhub is offering free delivery on Girl Scout Cookie orders through February 14 with a minimum purchase of $15*.\nOnline Ordering Available Nationwide February 1\nGSUSA is making it possible for all consumers nationwide who don’t already know a Girl Scout to purchase Girl Scout Cookies online for shipment to their doors. Beginning February 1, customers can enter their zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder to find a local troop to purchase from through the Digital Cookie platform for direct shipment or donation to local organizations. This additional contact-free method supports local girls while keeping their safety and skill building top of mind.\n“Like other people running small businesses, Girl Scouts are growing their cookie sale online to connect to consumers who may be harder to reach during the pandemic, all while staying resilient and learning skills such as money management, goal setting, and customer service,” said Traweek. “We are excited to open virtual cookie booths beginning February 1 to customers who don’t know a Girl Scout so they can still support girls during this challenging time for all of us.”\nAnd though social distancing measures may keep families and friends apart, cookie customers can share joy and stay connected this season through a gift-box option that ships directly to others via the Digital Cookie platform.\nHow to Safely Purchase Girl Scout Cookies This Season\nGirl Scout Cookie season is recognized nationally from January through April, but local timing and product availability varies, so contact your local council for more information. Consumers can support Girl Scouts by purchasing cookies in a few different ways:\nIf you know a registered Girl Scout, reach out to her to find out how she’s selling cookies in ways that meet local and state safety protocols.\nVisit www.grubhub.com/food/girl_scouts to find out if and when contact-free delivery from Grubhub is available in your area.\nGSUSA is also grateful to GNC for opening space outside their retail locations for Girl Scouts to sell cookies in a safe and socially distant manner, when allowed by local COVID-19 guidelines.\nBeginning February 1, enter your zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder at www.gsgms.org to purchase from a local Girl Scout troop online for shipment to your door or to donate cookies to first responders and local causes.",
"Girl Scout Cookie Season Kicks Off Nationally, Bringing Joy During Challenging Times",
"Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) kicked off the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie season nationally, during a challenging time when many Girl Scouts are selling in creative, socially distant, and contact-free ways to keep themselves and their customers safe."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-01T11:32:14 | null | null |
The Federal Communications Commission announced today it has appointed Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fpresley-confirmed-fcc-federal-state-joint-board-billions-broadbandtelecom-programs-1.json
|
en
| null |
Presley Confirmed by FCC for Federal-State Joint Board on Billions in Broadband/Telecom Programs
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The Federal Communications Commission announced today it has appointed Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. Presley will become one of four state commissioners from around the nation to serve on the board, which makes recommendations regarding billions in spending from the Universal Service Fund.
“I am honored to have been selected to serve on the FCC’s Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service,” said Commissioner Presley. “As a state, Mississippi has benefitted tremendously from the funds administered by this board, including the nearly half a billion dollars awarded earlier in December. As our state is working toward a broadband boom for its citizens, I look forward to working with my federal and state counterparts on this vital issue for our nation. I especially appreciate the bipartisan support for my nomination. Broadband expansion is vital to America’s interest and we must all work hard to connect every home in this nation to world-class telecommunications services.”
The Joint Board, made up of Federal Communications Commission members, State utility regulators, and consumer advocates, oversees and makes recommendations on the universal provisions of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The basic aim of Universal Service is to promote quality telecommunications services at just, reasonable, and affordable rates. It also aims to broaden the deployment of high-tech telecommunications services throughout the country, particularly in low-income, rural, and high-cost regions of the country.
Most recently, Mississippi benefitted $495 million from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) for broadband expansion. RDOF is one of the many programs funded by the Universal Fund.
For more information regarding the appointment, please see the following order from the FCC located here.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/presley-confirmed-fcc-federal-state-joint-board-billions-broadbandtelecom-programs-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/ed6bbae0514206b14c5b8c5eecadd02410c00d0cdc562f287384e40c5fca19e3.json
|
[
"The Federal Communications Commission announced today it has appointed Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. Presley will become one of four state commissioners from around the nation to serve on the board, which makes recommendations regarding billions in spending from the Universal Service Fund.\n“I am honored to have been selected to serve on the FCC’s Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service,” said Commissioner Presley. “As a state, Mississippi has benefitted tremendously from the funds administered by this board, including the nearly half a billion dollars awarded earlier in December. As our state is working toward a broadband boom for its citizens, I look forward to working with my federal and state counterparts on this vital issue for our nation. I especially appreciate the bipartisan support for my nomination. Broadband expansion is vital to America’s interest and we must all work hard to connect every home in this nation to world-class telecommunications services.”\nThe Joint Board, made up of Federal Communications Commission members, State utility regulators, and consumer advocates, oversees and makes recommendations on the universal provisions of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The basic aim of Universal Service is to promote quality telecommunications services at just, reasonable, and affordable rates. It also aims to broaden the deployment of high-tech telecommunications services throughout the country, particularly in low-income, rural, and high-cost regions of the country.\nMost recently, Mississippi benefitted $495 million from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) for broadband expansion. RDOF is one of the many programs funded by the Universal Fund.\nFor more information regarding the appointment, please see the following order from the FCC located here.",
"Presley Confirmed by FCC for Federal-State Joint Board on Billions in Broadband/Telecom Programs",
"The Federal Communications Commission announced today it has appointed Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-20T10:17:09 | null | null |
The Mississippi Senate is moving forward on a promised piece of legislation from Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann – the teacher pay raise bill.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fteacher-pay-raise-bill-moves-forward-mississippi-senate-1.json
|
en
| null |
Teacher pay raise bill moves forward in Mississippi Senate
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The Mississippi Senate is moving forward on a promised piece of legislation from Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann – the teacher pay raise bill.
SB 2001, which is essentially the same bill presented last year, would raise teacher and teacher assistant pay by $1,000. However, it did not go into law last year because of budgetary issues brought on by COVID-19.
The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate Education Committee last week and was double referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee which took it up Tuesday afternoon. It passed there unanimously as well.
“Hopefully this is one of the few more such raises over the next couple of years,” said Senator DeBar.
In Appropriations Senator Angela Turner-Ford attempted to offer an amendment to add language stating that it was the Legislature’s intent to increase the teacher pay to that of the Southeastern Average within the next year. However, Chairman Hopson found the language vague and Senator DeBar said that while he agrees with the intent, he was concerned about the cost of the move. The amendment was then withdrawn.
The bill allows for new teachers who have up to three years of experience and a bachelor’s degree to see a $1,110 increase, bringing the base pay to $37,000. The current Southeastern average pay is $38,420. Hosemann has been a long-standing proponent of bringing Mississippi’s teacher pay at least up to that regional average.
“I recognize this is still below the SREB average, but it is a start and it’s what I think we can afford at this point in time,” said Senator Dennis DeBar (R). This is an additional $51 million cost to the state’s budget.
Passing a budget bill this early in session could be considered unusual. Senator DeBar, who Chairs the Education Committee, said that in this particular matter, this bill was being drafted as far back as October 2020. He said two others have been in the works as well, SB 2267 which would be a licensing change and SB 2149 dealing with average daily attendance and funding from MAEP based on that number.
“We really wanted to get these out, we think they’re good bills just to show how important our school districts and those who work in our districts, from teachers, superintendents and parents, how much we appreciate them,” said DeBar.
The current average pay for a teacher is $46,843 annually.
SB 2267, which deals with license reciprocity, addresses one of the major issues the state has in a teacher shortage and extra steps given to those who want to come in from other states. What this bill will do is recognize a valid teaching license from another state. As long as an individual can pass a criminal background check, the teacher can receive a standard five-year teaching license in the state.
Currently, out-of-state teachers are only permitted a two-year license initially and are then required to meet certain terms and conditions to obtain a state license. Senator DeBar said this will help with Mississippi’s critical teacher shortage.
Senator Angela Hill (R) also expressed concerns about a lag in licenses being issued by the Mississippi Department of Education. She said she has received many complaints of this process taking far too long and offered a suggestion to add in a timeline that MDE would be required to follow in getting them issued in a faster manner.
“That’s the number one complaint I get from all teachers is how slow it is to process their paperwork and they’re missing pay during that time,” said Hill. DeBar said her suggestion has some merit and recommended she submit an amendment before the bill got to the floor.
Senator Chad McMahan (R) offered an amendment on the same issue, giving MDE up to 30 days to issue the licenses, from the date that the application was completed. The amendment was passed by the committee. Another motion to make the amendment effective upon passage passed.
The bill unanimously passed out of the committee.
The committee also took up SB 2149 which allows the Department of Education to receive funding from MAEP based on the 2019-2020 Average Daily Attendance and not the ADA of 2020-21 school year.
This decision came given that since September 2020 roughly 20,000 students were unaccounted for, according to MDE’s reporting. Since then, that number has decreased as many have started returning to school for the first time since the pandemic began. However, because they were not counted when the ADA was calculated in the fall, schools could lose significant funding.
In the past, there have been discussions to use average daily membership for funding, but no changes have been made by the Legislature yet.
SB 2149 also passed the committee and heads to the Senate floor for consideration.
-- Article credit to Sarah Ulmer of Y'all Politics --
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/teacher-pay-raise-bill-moves-forward-mississippi-senate-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/9aefd8f524b33c382861a258eb1a4c42571f3f063319b1fb7fb900fafd503a1d.json
|
[
"The Mississippi Senate is moving forward on a promised piece of legislation from Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann – the teacher pay raise bill.\nSB 2001, which is essentially the same bill presented last year, would raise teacher and teacher assistant pay by $1,000. However, it did not go into law last year because of budgetary issues brought on by COVID-19.\nThe bill was passed unanimously by the Senate Education Committee last week and was double referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee which took it up Tuesday afternoon. It passed there unanimously as well.\n“Hopefully this is one of the few more such raises over the next couple of years,” said Senator DeBar.\nIn Appropriations Senator Angela Turner-Ford attempted to offer an amendment to add language stating that it was the Legislature’s intent to increase the teacher pay to that of the Southeastern Average within the next year. However, Chairman Hopson found the language vague and Senator DeBar said that while he agrees with the intent, he was concerned about the cost of the move. The amendment was then withdrawn.\nThe bill allows for new teachers who have up to three years of experience and a bachelor’s degree to see a $1,110 increase, bringing the base pay to $37,000. The current Southeastern average pay is $38,420. Hosemann has been a long-standing proponent of bringing Mississippi’s teacher pay at least up to that regional average.\n“I recognize this is still below the SREB average, but it is a start and it’s what I think we can afford at this point in time,” said Senator Dennis DeBar (R). This is an additional $51 million cost to the state’s budget.\nPassing a budget bill this early in session could be considered unusual. Senator DeBar, who Chairs the Education Committee, said that in this particular matter, this bill was being drafted as far back as October 2020. He said two others have been in the works as well, SB 2267 which would be a licensing change and SB 2149 dealing with average daily attendance and funding from MAEP based on that number.\n“We really wanted to get these out, we think they’re good bills just to show how important our school districts and those who work in our districts, from teachers, superintendents and parents, how much we appreciate them,” said DeBar.\nThe current average pay for a teacher is $46,843 annually.\nSB 2267, which deals with license reciprocity, addresses one of the major issues the state has in a teacher shortage and extra steps given to those who want to come in from other states. What this bill will do is recognize a valid teaching license from another state. As long as an individual can pass a criminal background check, the teacher can receive a standard five-year teaching license in the state.\nCurrently, out-of-state teachers are only permitted a two-year license initially and are then required to meet certain terms and conditions to obtain a state license. Senator DeBar said this will help with Mississippi’s critical teacher shortage.\nSenator Angela Hill (R) also expressed concerns about a lag in licenses being issued by the Mississippi Department of Education. She said she has received many complaints of this process taking far too long and offered a suggestion to add in a timeline that MDE would be required to follow in getting them issued in a faster manner.\n“That’s the number one complaint I get from all teachers is how slow it is to process their paperwork and they’re missing pay during that time,” said Hill. DeBar said her suggestion has some merit and recommended she submit an amendment before the bill got to the floor.\nSenator Chad McMahan (R) offered an amendment on the same issue, giving MDE up to 30 days to issue the licenses, from the date that the application was completed. The amendment was passed by the committee. Another motion to make the amendment effective upon passage passed.\nThe bill unanimously passed out of the committee.\nThe committee also took up SB 2149 which allows the Department of Education to receive funding from MAEP based on the 2019-2020 Average Daily Attendance and not the ADA of 2020-21 school year.\nThis decision came given that since September 2020 roughly 20,000 students were unaccounted for, according to MDE’s reporting. Since then, that number has decreased as many have started returning to school for the first time since the pandemic began. However, because they were not counted when the ADA was calculated in the fall, schools could lose significant funding.\nIn the past, there have been discussions to use average daily membership for funding, but no changes have been made by the Legislature yet.\nSB 2149 also passed the committee and heads to the Senate floor for consideration.\n-- Article credit to Sarah Ulmer of Y'all Politics --",
"Teacher pay raise bill moves forward in Mississippi Senate",
"The Mississippi Senate is moving forward on a promised piece of legislation from Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann – the teacher pay raise bill."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-02T12:52:04 | null | null |
The biggest question about the coronavirus vaccines that are in the early stage of distribution is whether they will work as advertised.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Feditorial-polio-and-covid-1.json
|
en
| null |
Editorial: Polio and Covid
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The biggest question about the coronavirus vaccines that are in the early stage of distribution is whether they will work as advertised.
The nation’s scientists, supported by billions of dollars in funding from the government, defied all odds to produce and test vaccines in just nine months. Two have been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration, and Vice President Mike Pence has been among those photographed receiving the vaccine.
We should know within a few weeks whether the vaccine is preventing recipients from developing signs of infection such as a fever, shortness of breath and the loss of taste or smell. The public also should be told what percentage of recipients develop an adverse reaction to the vaccine.
Which leads to the second most important question: How many Americans will decide to get the vaccine? Medical specialists say that if too many choose not to — and plenty of people say they plan to decline — it will slow the nation’s ability to get the virus under control.
It would help to have some images of celebrities getting vaccinated, with the goal of convincing people that they should do it, too.
This is not a new idea. The Washington Post website included a feature last weekend about the strategies experts used in the 1950s to convince young people to get vaccinated against the crippling, lethal polio virus.
“In 1956, a huge number of teenagers were refusing or neglecting to get the polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk,” the Post reported. “So the March of Dimes recruited Elvis Presley, then 21 years old, to help. He agreed, smiling as he received an injection during a photo shoot just before he played ‘Hound Dog’ on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ ”
Afterward, when some teenagers got their vaccine, they received a photo of Elvis getting his shot. Maybe the same sort of plan would be useful today — have celebrities who command a lot of attention encourage people to get vaccinated.
This, of course, leads to entertaining speculation about just who might convince vaccine skeptics to reconsider. Actors, singers and athletes come to mind immediately — people like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have plenty of fans and social media followers. And a certain president who has millions of followers on Twitter also might make a difference.
Going back to Elvis, a historian who studied his impact on polio shots reported that it was marginal. What made a bigger difference was when the March of Dimes asked teens why they weren’t getting the vaccine. It turned out some were scared of needles and others saw themselves as able to ward off any illness.
So the March of Dimes turned teens into vaccine advocates. Popular students got their shot in front of classmates, and dances were staged for those who had been vaccinated.
The PR efforts worked. By the end of the decade, polio cases were down by 90 percent. The country needs a similar effort today to put this virus behind us once and for all.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/editorial-polio-and-covid-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/1867c049c3de7513fcacf178158c3f06e20b9515b71ecdf2c5996ecaa91f75a0.json
|
[
"The biggest question about the coronavirus vaccines that are in the early stage of distribution is whether they will work as advertised.\nThe nation’s scientists, supported by billions of dollars in funding from the government, defied all odds to produce and test vaccines in just nine months. Two have been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration, and Vice President Mike Pence has been among those photographed receiving the vaccine.\nWe should know within a few weeks whether the vaccine is preventing recipients from developing signs of infection such as a fever, shortness of breath and the loss of taste or smell. The public also should be told what percentage of recipients develop an adverse reaction to the vaccine.\nWhich leads to the second most important question: How many Americans will decide to get the vaccine? Medical specialists say that if too many choose not to — and plenty of people say they plan to decline — it will slow the nation’s ability to get the virus under control.\nIt would help to have some images of celebrities getting vaccinated, with the goal of convincing people that they should do it, too.\nThis is not a new idea. The Washington Post website included a feature last weekend about the strategies experts used in the 1950s to convince young people to get vaccinated against the crippling, lethal polio virus.\n“In 1956, a huge number of teenagers were refusing or neglecting to get the polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk,” the Post reported. “So the March of Dimes recruited Elvis Presley, then 21 years old, to help. He agreed, smiling as he received an injection during a photo shoot just before he played ‘Hound Dog’ on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ ”\nAfterward, when some teenagers got their vaccine, they received a photo of Elvis getting his shot. Maybe the same sort of plan would be useful today — have celebrities who command a lot of attention encourage people to get vaccinated.\nThis, of course, leads to entertaining speculation about just who might convince vaccine skeptics to reconsider. Actors, singers and athletes come to mind immediately — people like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have plenty of fans and social media followers. And a certain president who has millions of followers on Twitter also might make a difference.\nGoing back to Elvis, a historian who studied his impact on polio shots reported that it was marginal. What made a bigger difference was when the March of Dimes asked teens why they weren’t getting the vaccine. It turned out some were scared of needles and others saw themselves as able to ward off any illness.\nSo the March of Dimes turned teens into vaccine advocates. Popular students got their shot in front of classmates, and dances were staged for those who had been vaccinated.\nThe PR efforts worked. By the end of the decade, polio cases were down by 90 percent. The country needs a similar effort today to put this virus behind us once and for all.",
"Editorial: Polio and Covid",
"The biggest question about the coronavirus vaccines that are in the early stage of distribution is whether they will work as advertised."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-13T04:26:32 | null | null | null |
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fmississippi-economic-councils-virtual-capital-day-2021-draws-over-500-leaders-1.json
|
en
| null |
Mississippi Economic Council's Virtual Capital Day 2021 Draws Over 500 Leaders on Livestream
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Over 500 leaders participated in MEC's first-ever Virtual Capital Day on Thursday, January 7, 2021. Capital Day is MEC's LARGEST legislative event.
State leaders shared their priorities for the upcoming legislative session and how they will address issues that impact Mississippi’s economic competitiveness. Topics included continued recovery from COVID-19, the new state flag, and ongoing workforce development efforts.
In addition to those topics, our "Retiring the Flag" panel, made up of leaders from across Mississippi, came together to discuss the process of how the flag got changed, and what it means for our state.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/mississippi-economic-councils-virtual-capital-day-2021-draws-over-500-leaders-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/d608dee8cbde1e36bc3e58521201abdc1abcea03f4cf4515fe6ffcb1a7ef92bc.json
|
[
"Over 500 leaders participated in MEC's first-ever Virtual Capital Day on Thursday, January 7, 2021. Capital Day is MEC's LARGEST legislative event.\nState leaders shared their priorities for the upcoming legislative session and how they will address issues that impact Mississippi’s economic competitiveness. Topics included continued recovery from COVID-19, the new state flag, and ongoing workforce development efforts.\nIn addition to those topics, our \"Retiring the Flag\" panel, made up of leaders from across Mississippi, came together to discuss the process of how the flag got changed, and what it means for our state.",
"Mississippi Economic Council's Virtual Capital Day 2021 Draws Over 500 Leaders on Livestream"
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-09T09:53:34 | null | null |
Statement submitted by Senator Roger Wicker.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fwicker-looks-ahead-new-congress-1.json
|
en
| null |
Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Statement submitted by Senator Roger Wicker.
The recent elections in Georgia have produced a major power shift in the U.S. Senate. Both Republican senators lost narrowly to their Democratic challengers, bringing the Senate to an even 50-50 split. As presiding officer, Vice President Kamala Harris will be able to break any tie, allowing Democrats to control the agenda and name committee chairs. This means Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., will become chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and I will be the Ranking Republican.
It has been 20 years since the Senate last had a 50-50 split. During that time, my predecessor, Trent Lott, was Majority Leader, and Vice President Dick Cheney was the presiding officer. Although Republicans were technically in control of the chamber, strong cooperation across party lines was essential. I hope Americans will see the same level of cooperation that existed then.
Senate Remains Bulwark Against Liberal Agenda
The close margin in the Senate means it will be difficult to pass legislation without bipartisan support. This should discourage lawmakers from pushing far-left proposals that do not enjoy broad consensus. My Republican colleagues and I will stand strong against any proposals that could lead our country toward socialism.
Congress will continue to exercise constitutional oversight of the executive branch, ensuring that federal agencies follow the law. Republicans also recognize the need to restore the American people’s confidence in our election system. My colleagues and I will make a strong push for measures to improve election integrity and transparency.
In the weeks ahead, the Senate will resume its unique role of vetting and confirming presidential nominees. I take this “advice and consent” role very seriously. I have opposed nominations in the past, and I will support only those nominees who I believe are qualified for the job.
Continued Work on Commerce Committee
As the lead Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, I will continue to shape legislation on a broad range of issues affecting our economy. One of my top priorities continues to be expanding broadband to rural communities. Lawmakers from both parties understand the importance of delivering high-speed internet to every community in America, and I will lead efforts in Congress to expedite making that vision a reality. I also plan to introduce legislation that would attract private investment to rural communities and improve STEM education in rural schools.
The Commerce Committee oversees our nation’s transportation networks, which are vital to our economy and our vaccine distribution efforts. This Congress, I hope to help negotiate a multi-year surface transportation bill to continue improving safety and provide funding for critical transportation programs, including highway, freight, motor vehicle, and rail programs, such as Gulf Coast Rail.
States across the country are advancing legislation to allow college athletes to earn money through the use of their “name, image, and likeness” in merchandise. To avoid a confusing patchwork of state laws on this issue, I will help draft legislation to create a national standard. I will also help write legislation to authorize funding for NASA, including Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, and I will keep advocating for data privacy legislation that protects consumers’ personal information. The committee will continue to support the Coast Guard’s polar icebreakers being built by Mississippi shipbuilders in Pascagoula. I will continue working on legislation to promote aquaculture and support Gulf Coast fisheries. And I will keep pushing the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the long-delayed Yazoo backwater pumps and the Pearl River flood control project. There is no shortage of work to be done, and I look forward to producing more results for Mississippi and the American people.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/wicker-looks-ahead-new-congress-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/24409e3b208b65550274474322059bf372931fea25167a42dea2341699474fab.json
|
[
"Statement submitted by Senator Roger Wicker.\nThe recent elections in Georgia have produced a major power shift in the U.S. Senate. Both Republican senators lost narrowly to their Democratic challengers, bringing the Senate to an even 50-50 split. As presiding officer, Vice President Kamala Harris will be able to break any tie, allowing Democrats to control the agenda and name committee chairs. This means Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., will become chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and I will be the Ranking Republican.\nIt has been 20 years since the Senate last had a 50-50 split. During that time, my predecessor, Trent Lott, was Majority Leader, and Vice President Dick Cheney was the presiding officer. Although Republicans were technically in control of the chamber, strong cooperation across party lines was essential. I hope Americans will see the same level of cooperation that existed then.\nSenate Remains Bulwark Against Liberal Agenda\nThe close margin in the Senate means it will be difficult to pass legislation without bipartisan support. This should discourage lawmakers from pushing far-left proposals that do not enjoy broad consensus. My Republican colleagues and I will stand strong against any proposals that could lead our country toward socialism.\nCongress will continue to exercise constitutional oversight of the executive branch, ensuring that federal agencies follow the law. Republicans also recognize the need to restore the American people’s confidence in our election system. My colleagues and I will make a strong push for measures to improve election integrity and transparency.\nIn the weeks ahead, the Senate will resume its unique role of vetting and confirming presidential nominees. I take this “advice and consent” role very seriously. I have opposed nominations in the past, and I will support only those nominees who I believe are qualified for the job.\nContinued Work on Commerce Committee\nAs the lead Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, I will continue to shape legislation on a broad range of issues affecting our economy. One of my top priorities continues to be expanding broadband to rural communities. Lawmakers from both parties understand the importance of delivering high-speed internet to every community in America, and I will lead efforts in Congress to expedite making that vision a reality. I also plan to introduce legislation that would attract private investment to rural communities and improve STEM education in rural schools.\nThe Commerce Committee oversees our nation’s transportation networks, which are vital to our economy and our vaccine distribution efforts. This Congress, I hope to help negotiate a multi-year surface transportation bill to continue improving safety and provide funding for critical transportation programs, including highway, freight, motor vehicle, and rail programs, such as Gulf Coast Rail.\nStates across the country are advancing legislation to allow college athletes to earn money through the use of their “name, image, and likeness” in merchandise. To avoid a confusing patchwork of state laws on this issue, I will help draft legislation to create a national standard. I will also help write legislation to authorize funding for NASA, including Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, and I will keep advocating for data privacy legislation that protects consumers’ personal information. The committee will continue to support the Coast Guard’s polar icebreakers being built by Mississippi shipbuilders in Pascagoula. I will continue working on legislation to promote aquaculture and support Gulf Coast fisheries. And I will keep pushing the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the long-delayed Yazoo backwater pumps and the Pearl River flood control project. There is no shortage of work to be done, and I look forward to producing more results for Mississippi and the American people.",
"Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress",
"Statement submitted by Senator Roger Wicker."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-20T10:16:52 | null | null |
I’m Douglas Carswell, and this week I join the Mississippi Center for Public Policy as the new President & CEO.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Ffreedom-today-under-attack-1.json
|
en
| null |
Freedom today is under attack
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
I’m Douglas Carswell, and this week I join the Mississippi Center for Public Policy as the new President & CEO.
After twelve years as a Member of the British Parliament, and co-founder of Vote Leave, the official campaign that won the Brexit referendum, I am so thrilled to be here in Mississippi, helping make the case for freedom.
Why have I made this move?
I believe in American exceptionalism. Americans flourish when they are free. The U.S. is the greatest republic the world has ever known because she is the most successful experiment in freedom that there has ever been.
It is because I was not born American that I appreciate what sets this great country apart. America has been sustained by a set of ideals enshrined in the Constitution: liberty, respect for private property, the rule of law, and equality before the law.
These are precisely the Constitutional ideals of liberty that the Mississippi Center for Public Policy has spent the past 30 years advancing.
To be sure, these ideals have at times been imperfectly applied. But that is no reason to reject these ideals. It is a reason to strive to apply them all the more.
Three hundred and ninety years ago, John Winthrop spoke of America as being like a ‘city on a hill.’ That was Winthrop’s way of saying that those outside the new American settlements might one day be able to peer in and see a shining example to the world.
America today is still that ‘city on a hill.’ This country sets for the whole world a standard – not just a standard of living – but a standard of how life itself might yet be lived.
Having lived outside the United States, I know that American exceptionalism is a great force for good around the world. But you know what most amazes me about American exceptionalism?
The fact that so many of America’s so-called ‘elite’ can’t see it. They insist that the United States’ story is all about exploitation rather than the ever better application of liberty. Too many young Americans are taught to despise the inspiring story of their own country.
“Freedom,” said Ronald Reagan, “is never more than one generation away from extinction.” He was right.
The ideas of liberty – which are the essence of American exceptionalism – need defending, or – as the 40th President went on to say – “one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
Freedom today is under attack like never before. Across America a radical New Left is advancing. They not only deny American exceptionalism; if they get their way, they would destroy the liberties that set America apart in the first place.
If liberty is extinguished, the United States would become just another over-regulated, over-taxed, debt-ridden country, presided over by remote officials. That would be a catastrophe for the whole world.
The battle to defend freedom, which many had assumed was won a generation ago when Ronald Reagan was in the White House, needs to be fought and won again.
The best way to win the fight for freedom again is to take the initiative here in states like Mississippi, not to look to what is happening in Washington D.C.
The great genius of the American system that the Founding Fathers created is that it is decentralized, with different states free to trial various policy approaches. Good ideas come from where ordinary Americans are, not inside the Washington ‘beltway’ where politicians happen to congregate.
By advancing the ideas of liberty and sound policy at the state level, led in our state by the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, we can win this fight.
That is why I am so excited about helping make the case for less government and more freedom, economic or otherwise, here in Mississippi. There’s no part of America my wife Clementine and I would rather make our home than right here in the Magnolia state.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/freedom-today-under-attack-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/52b78d1b617e964530706eaf42792a2585a127682a0fbd8433a8710b7d9d117f.json
|
[
"I’m Douglas Carswell, and this week I join the Mississippi Center for Public Policy as the new President & CEO.\nAfter twelve years as a Member of the British Parliament, and co-founder of Vote Leave, the official campaign that won the Brexit referendum, I am so thrilled to be here in Mississippi, helping make the case for freedom.\nWhy have I made this move?\nI believe in American exceptionalism. Americans flourish when they are free. The U.S. is the greatest republic the world has ever known because she is the most successful experiment in freedom that there has ever been.\nIt is because I was not born American that I appreciate what sets this great country apart. America has been sustained by a set of ideals enshrined in the Constitution: liberty, respect for private property, the rule of law, and equality before the law.\nThese are precisely the Constitutional ideals of liberty that the Mississippi Center for Public Policy has spent the past 30 years advancing.\nTo be sure, these ideals have at times been imperfectly applied. But that is no reason to reject these ideals. It is a reason to strive to apply them all the more.\nThree hundred and ninety years ago, John Winthrop spoke of America as being like a ‘city on a hill.’ That was Winthrop’s way of saying that those outside the new American settlements might one day be able to peer in and see a shining example to the world.\nAmerica today is still that ‘city on a hill.’ This country sets for the whole world a standard – not just a standard of living – but a standard of how life itself might yet be lived.\nHaving lived outside the United States, I know that American exceptionalism is a great force for good around the world. But you know what most amazes me about American exceptionalism?\nThe fact that so many of America’s so-called ‘elite’ can’t see it. They insist that the United States’ story is all about exploitation rather than the ever better application of liberty. Too many young Americans are taught to despise the inspiring story of their own country.\n“Freedom,” said Ronald Reagan, “is never more than one generation away from extinction.” He was right.\nThe ideas of liberty – which are the essence of American exceptionalism – need defending, or – as the 40th President went on to say – “one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”\nFreedom today is under attack like never before. Across America a radical New Left is advancing. They not only deny American exceptionalism; if they get their way, they would destroy the liberties that set America apart in the first place.\nIf liberty is extinguished, the United States would become just another over-regulated, over-taxed, debt-ridden country, presided over by remote officials. That would be a catastrophe for the whole world.\nThe battle to defend freedom, which many had assumed was won a generation ago when Ronald Reagan was in the White House, needs to be fought and won again.\nThe best way to win the fight for freedom again is to take the initiative here in states like Mississippi, not to look to what is happening in Washington D.C.\nThe great genius of the American system that the Founding Fathers created is that it is decentralized, with different states free to trial various policy approaches. Good ideas come from where ordinary Americans are, not inside the Washington ‘beltway’ where politicians happen to congregate.\nBy advancing the ideas of liberty and sound policy at the state level, led in our state by the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, we can win this fight.\nThat is why I am so excited about helping make the case for less government and more freedom, economic or otherwise, here in Mississippi. There’s no part of America my wife Clementine and I would rather make our home than right here in the Magnolia state.",
"Freedom today is under attack",
"I’m Douglas Carswell, and this week I join the Mississippi Center for Public Policy as the new President & CEO."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-29T06:58:45 | null | null |
WINONA -- The Winona Business and Professional Association and the City of Winona will host a drive-in movie night at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 5 in the parking lot of the Montgomery County Coliseum.
Disney’s “Frozen” will be featured on the big screen.
This event is free to the public.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent-front-page-slideshow-news-carrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow%2Fdrive-movie-night-set.json
|
en
| null |
Drive-in movie night set for February 5
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
WINONA -- The Winona Business and Professional Association and the City of Winona will host a drive-in movie night at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 5 in the parking lot of the Montgomery County Coliseum.
Disney’s “Frozen” will be featured on the big screen.
This event is free to the public.
“The first drive-in movie night held in December was a huge success,” said Amanda Sexton Ferguson, president of the Winona Business and professional Association. “Over 100 vehicles drove in for the first drive-in movie night. The members of the Winona Business and Professional Association are working to provide the community with additional wholesome activities for families to enjoy, especially with the pandemic limiting activities.”
Winona Mayor Jerry Flowers said he is proud of the turnout of the first drive-in movie night. He said no one dreamed it would draw over 100 cars and trucks. The public feedback was extremely positive, Flowers added.
“We had a few first-time hiccups, but we plan to make them better,” Flowers said.
Flowers and Winona Business and Professional Association committee member Matt Bennett set up the screen and oversaw projection of the first event. For the February 5 event, the two have decided to raise the screen to improve the visibility for the many in attendance.
Concessions will be available, but guests may also bring their own snacks.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent-front-page-slideshow-news-carrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow/drive-movie-night-set
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/70561a54a0c220ad1a614fabcdb04bfd13d9b411aa61ae176d4bab91cf70898d.json
|
[
"WINONA -- The Winona Business and Professional Association and the City of Winona will host a drive-in movie night at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 5 in the parking lot of the Montgomery County Coliseum.\nDisney’s “Frozen” will be featured on the big screen.\nThis event is free to the public.\n“The first drive-in movie night held in December was a huge success,” said Amanda Sexton Ferguson, president of the Winona Business and professional Association. “Over 100 vehicles drove in for the first drive-in movie night. The members of the Winona Business and Professional Association are working to provide the community with additional wholesome activities for families to enjoy, especially with the pandemic limiting activities.”\nWinona Mayor Jerry Flowers said he is proud of the turnout of the first drive-in movie night. He said no one dreamed it would draw over 100 cars and trucks. The public feedback was extremely positive, Flowers added.\n“We had a few first-time hiccups, but we plan to make them better,” Flowers said.\nFlowers and Winona Business and Professional Association committee member Matt Bennett set up the screen and oversaw projection of the first event. For the February 5 event, the two have decided to raise the screen to improve the visibility for the many in attendance.\nConcessions will be available, but guests may also bring their own snacks.",
"Drive-in movie night set for February 5",
"WINONA -- The Winona Business and Professional Association and the City of Winona will host a drive-in movie night at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 5 in the parking lot of the Montgomery County Coliseum.\nDisney’s “Frozen” will be featured on the big screen.\nThis event is free to the public."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-14T04:21:20 | null | null |
Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson has a sea of admirers in Mississippi’s legal family. The evidence is clear that her many years of splendid service is much appreciated in the Magnolia State.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Flegal-community-lauds-retiring-magistrate-judge-linda-anderson-1.json
|
en
| null |
Legal Community Lauds Retiring Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson has a sea of admirers in Mississippi’s legal family. The evidence is clear that her many years of splendid service is much appreciated in the Magnolia State.
Her fan base is strong, from members of the Mississippi Supreme Court to leaders at the Mississippi College Law School. Anderson was honored at a retirement reception in early January. And the accolades keep coming for this accomplished federal judge in the new year.
“If Judge Anderson has shortcomings as a member of the legal profession, as a judge, or as a human being, I’m unaware of them,” says Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice Jim Kitchens. “It has been my privilege to know her and to observe her exemplary work for many years.”
In particular, Kitchens thanked Anderson for the attention and guidance she gave one of his sons during an internship at the U.S. Attorney’s office in Jackson. “From her tutelage and her example, he learned a lot about fairness and ethical conduct. My son is one of the legions of people who benefited from their positive interactions with Judge Linda Anderson.”
His remarks are among many positive testimonials for the beloved 1985 MC Law School graduate.
MC Law Dean Patricia Bennett salutes Judge Anderson as “an incredible person,” one who generously gives of her time to share her insights with students. “She is a reliable mentor to young people in our community,” whether they are law students, attorneys, or people outside the legal community.
“Judge Anderson is a model of professional and collegial behavior,” Bennett said. “I am grateful for her support of MC Law.”
Earning her degree at MC Law was a wonderful experience, Anderson said. It “changed the trajectory of my career and my life,” she said. “I am eternally grateful for the opportunities and blessings that I received as a result of MC.”
Anderson “is the embodiment of the American Dream,” says MC Law Dean Emeritus Jim Rosenblatt. She rose from humble beginnings in rural Holmes County to become a talented attorney and well-respected federal judge.
“Judge Anderson is a model judge and a gracious and wonderful citizen,” Rosenblatt said. “We will miss her on the federal bench.”
Over the years, Judge Anderson graciously hosted MC Law students in the Federal Courthouse in Mississippi’s capital city. She’s taken part in numerous programs with professional associations. As a role model and mentor, there are none better. Linda has proven to be “an inspiration to scores of law students and attorneys who know of her story and her life,” Rosenblatt said.
Members of the Mississippi Bar join other supporters wishing Linda Anderson the very best during her retirement years.
A native of Holmes County, Anderson taught music education to children in the Jackson Public Schools before entering MC Law School. The Mississippian worked as a full-time teacher raising two young sons while attending law school in Jackson. At the same time, her husband was a student at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. Both graduated in 1985. Linda also holds two degrees in music education from Jackson State University.
Following her MC Law graduation, Anderson worked as a law clerk with the Mississippi Supreme Court. She left to become an assistant district attorney for the Seventh Judicial Court District of Hinds and Yazoo counties. Linda worked with the first committee to lay the groundwork for creating a drug court in Hinds County.
In 1999, Anderson became an assistant U.S. Attorney for Mississippi’s Southern District. Her job performance was good enough for her to receive the Robert E. Hauberg Award for Distinguished Public Service in 2003. She prosecuted federal felony cases in the criminal division and represented the United States in the civil division.
Linda Anderson blazed a trail three years later. In 2006, Anderson was appointed as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for Mississippi’s Southern District. In that role, she performs duties with civil and criminal cases.
Anderson became the first federal judge appointed in the district. In addition, she was the first African American magistrate judge in either Mississippi district. Judge Anderson was elected president of the national Federal Magistrate Judges Association in July 2017.
Among her many honors, Judge Anderson received MC Law School’s Judicial Recognition Award in 2011. A graduate of Holmes Community College in Goodman, Linda was the recipient of the Mississippi Women Lawyers’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Anderson stays active in a plethora of legal organizations and civic groups to benefit her native Mississippi.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/legal-community-lauds-retiring-magistrate-judge-linda-anderson-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/0599b4bc1f1994fc3bff84dd01cd916e30f77ca14062941d8cb504c8247614ff.json
|
[
"Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson has a sea of admirers in Mississippi’s legal family. The evidence is clear that her many years of splendid service is much appreciated in the Magnolia State.\nHer fan base is strong, from members of the Mississippi Supreme Court to leaders at the Mississippi College Law School. Anderson was honored at a retirement reception in early January. And the accolades keep coming for this accomplished federal judge in the new year.\n“If Judge Anderson has shortcomings as a member of the legal profession, as a judge, or as a human being, I’m unaware of them,” says Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice Jim Kitchens. “It has been my privilege to know her and to observe her exemplary work for many years.”\nIn particular, Kitchens thanked Anderson for the attention and guidance she gave one of his sons during an internship at the U.S. Attorney’s office in Jackson. “From her tutelage and her example, he learned a lot about fairness and ethical conduct. My son is one of the legions of people who benefited from their positive interactions with Judge Linda Anderson.”\nHis remarks are among many positive testimonials for the beloved 1985 MC Law School graduate.\nMC Law Dean Patricia Bennett salutes Judge Anderson as “an incredible person,” one who generously gives of her time to share her insights with students. “She is a reliable mentor to young people in our community,” whether they are law students, attorneys, or people outside the legal community.\n“Judge Anderson is a model of professional and collegial behavior,” Bennett said. “I am grateful for her support of MC Law.”\nEarning her degree at MC Law was a wonderful experience, Anderson said. It “changed the trajectory of my career and my life,” she said. “I am eternally grateful for the opportunities and blessings that I received as a result of MC.”\nAnderson “is the embodiment of the American Dream,” says MC Law Dean Emeritus Jim Rosenblatt. She rose from humble beginnings in rural Holmes County to become a talented attorney and well-respected federal judge.\n“Judge Anderson is a model judge and a gracious and wonderful citizen,” Rosenblatt said. “We will miss her on the federal bench.”\nOver the years, Judge Anderson graciously hosted MC Law students in the Federal Courthouse in Mississippi’s capital city. She’s taken part in numerous programs with professional associations. As a role model and mentor, there are none better. Linda has proven to be “an inspiration to scores of law students and attorneys who know of her story and her life,” Rosenblatt said.\nMembers of the Mississippi Bar join other supporters wishing Linda Anderson the very best during her retirement years.\nA native of Holmes County, Anderson taught music education to children in the Jackson Public Schools before entering MC Law School. The Mississippian worked as a full-time teacher raising two young sons while attending law school in Jackson. At the same time, her husband was a student at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. Both graduated in 1985. Linda also holds two degrees in music education from Jackson State University.\nFollowing her MC Law graduation, Anderson worked as a law clerk with the Mississippi Supreme Court. She left to become an assistant district attorney for the Seventh Judicial Court District of Hinds and Yazoo counties. Linda worked with the first committee to lay the groundwork for creating a drug court in Hinds County.\nIn 1999, Anderson became an assistant U.S. Attorney for Mississippi’s Southern District. Her job performance was good enough for her to receive the Robert E. Hauberg Award for Distinguished Public Service in 2003. She prosecuted federal felony cases in the criminal division and represented the United States in the civil division.\nLinda Anderson blazed a trail three years later. In 2006, Anderson was appointed as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for Mississippi’s Southern District. In that role, she performs duties with civil and criminal cases.\nAnderson became the first federal judge appointed in the district. In addition, she was the first African American magistrate judge in either Mississippi district. Judge Anderson was elected president of the national Federal Magistrate Judges Association in July 2017.\nAmong her many honors, Judge Anderson received MC Law School’s Judicial Recognition Award in 2011. A graduate of Holmes Community College in Goodman, Linda was the recipient of the Mississippi Women Lawyers’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.\nAnderson stays active in a plethora of legal organizations and civic groups to benefit her native Mississippi.",
"Legal Community Lauds Retiring Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson",
"Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson has a sea of admirers in Mississippi’s legal family. The evidence is clear that her many years of splendid service is much appreciated in the Magnolia State."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-29T06:58:34 | null | null |
Years ago, I made a Corn Chowder recipe that was delicious. These cold days had me thinking about making that recipe again.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent-carrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow-front-page-slideshow-news%2Fchowder-makes-great-meal.json
|
en
| null |
Chowder makes a great meal
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Years ago, I made a Corn Chowder recipe that was delicious. These cold days had me thinking about making that recipe again.
The closest one I found, I am sharing with you. It is fantastic. I served it with a frozen grocery store French bread, but you can make your own. I added a recipe, if you chose to do that. You can get the frozen ones on sale, and I try and keep one in the freezer in case I need it. This is a very hearty, warm meal.
I hope you enjoy it.
Corn Chowder
12 ounces bacon
1 red pepper, diced
1 large onion, diced
¼ c. all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
4 cup chicken broth
4 cup fresh sweet corn
3 cup russet potatoes, cubed
1 cup heavy cream
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook bacon 10-15 minutes, until cooked through but not crispy.
Remove from oven and chop (reserve 2 tablespoons bacon drippings).
In large soup pot on medium heat, add bacon drippings, onion, and red pepper. Saute until onion is tender.
Reduce heat to low. Add flour, salt, and pepper and cook for 4 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add chicken broth slowly, whisking constantly.
Add potatoes, corn, and cooked bacon. Bring mixture to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in heavy cream
Season with additional salt and pepper.
Garnish with shredded cheese and chopped green onion.
Easy Crusty Bread
French or Italian bread
Salted butter
Olive oil
Fresh of granulated garlic
Salt and pepper
Shredded mozzarella
Shredded Parmesan
Fresh parsley
In a mixing bowl, stir together butter, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
Spread mixture over both bread halves, then wrap foil over bread and bake 10 minutes.
Remove bread from oven and sprinkle with cheese.
Bake until bubbly.
Blueberry Pound Cake
2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
11/2 cups white sugar plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups fresh blueberries
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grease your pan and sprinkle the 3 tablespoons sugar on top of the oil, shaking and tapping the pan to move the sugar all around.
Mix together 2 3/4 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Gradually beat in the flour mixture.
Wash the blueberries, then take 2 tablespoons of the flour mixture and toss it with the blueberries in a bowl. The flour will lightly coat the blueberries.
Gradually beat the remaining flour mixture into the cake batter.
Gently fold the blueberries into the batter, then pour it into the prepared pan. Dot the top of the cake with the remaining 1/3 cup of blueberries.
Bake in the preheated oven for 70 to 80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent-carrollton-news-carrollton-slideshow-front-page-slideshow-news/chowder-makes-great-meal
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/257b93d8cc392f3be1bfab7ec8111aa02623ffa084b4c1efe2488f6fe2312a31.json
|
[
"Years ago, I made a Corn Chowder recipe that was delicious. These cold days had me thinking about making that recipe again.\nThe closest one I found, I am sharing with you. It is fantastic. I served it with a frozen grocery store French bread, but you can make your own. I added a recipe, if you chose to do that. You can get the frozen ones on sale, and I try and keep one in the freezer in case I need it. This is a very hearty, warm meal.\nI hope you enjoy it.\nCorn Chowder\n12 ounces bacon\n1 red pepper, diced\n1 large onion, diced\n¼ c. all-purpose flour\n1 teaspoon salt\n½ teaspoon pepper\n4 cup chicken broth\n4 cup fresh sweet corn\n3 cup russet potatoes, cubed\n1 cup heavy cream\n¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper\nHeat oven to 375 degrees. Cook bacon 10-15 minutes, until cooked through but not crispy.\nRemove from oven and chop (reserve 2 tablespoons bacon drippings).\nIn large soup pot on medium heat, add bacon drippings, onion, and red pepper. Saute until onion is tender.\nReduce heat to low. Add flour, salt, and pepper and cook for 4 minutes, stirring constantly.\nAdd chicken broth slowly, whisking constantly.\nAdd potatoes, corn, and cooked bacon. Bring mixture to a boil.\nReduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.\nStir in heavy cream\nSeason with additional salt and pepper.\nGarnish with shredded cheese and chopped green onion.\nEasy Crusty Bread\nFrench or Italian bread\nSalted butter\nOlive oil\nFresh of granulated garlic\nSalt and pepper\nShredded mozzarella\nShredded Parmesan\nFresh parsley\nIn a mixing bowl, stir together butter, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.\nSpread mixture over both bread halves, then wrap foil over bread and bake 10 minutes.\nRemove bread from oven and sprinkle with cheese.\nBake until bubbly.\nBlueberry Pound Cake\n2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour\n1 teaspoon baking powder\n1/2 teaspoon salt\n1 cup butter, softened\n11/2 cups white sugar plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided\n4 eggs\n1 teaspoon vanilla extract\n2 cups fresh blueberries\nPreheat oven to 325 degrees.\nGrease your pan and sprinkle the 3 tablespoons sugar on top of the oil, shaking and tapping the pan to move the sugar all around.\nMix together 2 3/4 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.\nIn a large bowl, cream together 1 cup butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Gradually beat in the flour mixture.\nWash the blueberries, then take 2 tablespoons of the flour mixture and toss it with the blueberries in a bowl. The flour will lightly coat the blueberries.\nGradually beat the remaining flour mixture into the cake batter.\nGently fold the blueberries into the batter, then pour it into the prepared pan. Dot the top of the cake with the remaining 1/3 cup of blueberries.\nBake in the preheated oven for 70 to 80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar.",
"Chowder makes a great meal",
"Years ago, I made a Corn Chowder recipe that was delicious. These cold days had me thinking about making that recipe again."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-22T09:37:53 | null | null |
The Mississippi Transportation Commission recently announced $3 million in funding for multimodal transportation projects throughout the Central District.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fcentral-district-multimodal-grants-announced-1.json
|
en
| null |
Central District multimodal grants announced
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
The Mississippi Transportation Commission recently announced $3 million in funding for multimodal transportation projects throughout the Central District.
The commission approved the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to award grants to regional and municipal airports, ports, railroads and public transit systems throughout central Mississippi.
“In keeping with the heart of MDOT’s mission, I am committed to continuing the support of our strategic multimodal investments in the diverse resources that are essential for the safe, effective and efficient intermodal transportation network in our rural and urban communities,” said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District.
Funding for these multimodal grants comes from the Multimodal Transportation Improvement Fund. Money from this fund is allocated specifically to support multimodal grants each year. Grant applications, which include project details and funds requested, are reviewed and approved by a multimodal committee specific to each separate mode of transportation.
Two ports received funding.
- Port of Rosedale, $450,000 – high-water modifications/improvements to infrastructure.
- Port of Greenville, $400,000 – port connector road improvements.
Six airports received funding.
- Copiah County Board of Supervisors, $135,800
- City of Greenville, $368,663
- Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, $158,466
- City of Madison, $100,980
- Meridian Airport Authority, $250,000
- Hinds Community College, $342,285
Ten public transits received funding.
- Bolivar County Council on Aging, Inc., $101,913
- City of Jackson (JATRAN), $480,000
- Claiborne County Human Resource Agency, $36,537
- Copiah County Human Resource Agency, $18,200
- Hinds County Human Resource Agency, $19,913
- Madison County Citizens Services Agency, $22,057
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Transit, $31,358
- Noxubee County Human Resource Agency, $21,913
- NRoute Transit Commission, $31,913
- South Central Community Action Agency, $27,248
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/central-district-multimodal-grants-announced-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/e20e09f15ef694e1dc849fea7d458155e63c69eca22b41ce8eb56dd0f293e7c1.json
|
[
"The Mississippi Transportation Commission recently announced $3 million in funding for multimodal transportation projects throughout the Central District.\nThe commission approved the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to award grants to regional and municipal airports, ports, railroads and public transit systems throughout central Mississippi.\n“In keeping with the heart of MDOT’s mission, I am committed to continuing the support of our strategic multimodal investments in the diverse resources that are essential for the safe, effective and efficient intermodal transportation network in our rural and urban communities,” said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District.\nFunding for these multimodal grants comes from the Multimodal Transportation Improvement Fund. Money from this fund is allocated specifically to support multimodal grants each year. Grant applications, which include project details and funds requested, are reviewed and approved by a multimodal committee specific to each separate mode of transportation.\nTwo ports received funding.\n- Port of Rosedale, $450,000 – high-water modifications/improvements to infrastructure.\n- Port of Greenville, $400,000 – port connector road improvements.\nSix airports received funding.\n- Copiah County Board of Supervisors, $135,800\n- City of Greenville, $368,663\n- Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, $158,466\n- City of Madison, $100,980\n- Meridian Airport Authority, $250,000\n- Hinds Community College, $342,285\nTen public transits received funding.\n- Bolivar County Council on Aging, Inc., $101,913\n- City of Jackson (JATRAN), $480,000\n- Claiborne County Human Resource Agency, $36,537\n- Copiah County Human Resource Agency, $18,200\n- Hinds County Human Resource Agency, $19,913\n- Madison County Citizens Services Agency, $22,057\n- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Transit, $31,358\n- Noxubee County Human Resource Agency, $21,913\n- NRoute Transit Commission, $31,913\n- South Central Community Action Agency, $27,248",
"Central District multimodal grants announced",
"The Mississippi Transportation Commission recently announced $3 million in funding for multimodal transportation projects throughout the Central District."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-20T10:16:47 | null | null |
Despite a large drop in enrollment (23,000 fewer students compared to last year), the Mississippi Department of Education is seeking only a fractionally smaller appropriation from lawmakers that it requested this year.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fdespite-large-decrease-enrollment-education-department-seeks-only-slight-decrease-k-1.json
|
en
| null |
Despite large decrease in enrollment, Education Department seeks only slight decrease in K-12 funds from lawmakers
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Despite a large drop in enrollment (23,000 fewer students compared to last year), the Mississippi Department of Education is seeking only a fractionally smaller appropriation from lawmakers that it requested this year.
MDE’s general fund budget request of $2.549 billion for the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (which provides most of the funding for school districts statewide) is calculated using the MAEP formula. The formula is designed to increase nearly every year, if enrollment remains constant.
The MAEP amount only slightly decreased (0.22 percent from $2.554 billion) despite the state’s public schools losing 5.26 percent of student compared to last year’s enrollment numbers.
State Superintendent Carey Wright told the state Senate Appropriations subcommittee that she believes that most of these children (35,000 of them are now in a home school program) will return once the risk of COVID-19 recedes.
Enrollment in Mississippi public schools reached a peak in 2005, when there were more than 494,000 students enrolled. Enrollment has decreased every year since 2014, when there were more than 492,000 enrolled. Now more than 442,000 are enrolled after more than 465,000 were in public schools the year before.
The difference between what the Legislature appropriates and what the MAEP calls for is considerable.
Both budget outlines by Gov. Tate Reeves and Legislature would appropriate several hundred million less than that. The Legislature would appropriate $2.226 billion in general fund dollars for MAEP, while the governor’s budget recommendation is $2.266 billion or a $40 million difference.
The difference between the MAEP and actual appropriations in fiscal 2021, which ends June 30, is about $328 million. The MAEP formula has only been funded twice and likely won’t be fully funded again now that legal arguments over the formula have been conclusively settled by the state’s highest court.
According to the state Supreme Court decision issued in 2017, the court unanimously ruled that the Legislature wasn’t bound by the MAEP formula.
The MAEP formula consists of average daily attendance times base student cost, plus at-risk component minus local contribution plus 8-percent guarantee. Then, only after add-on programs — transportation, special education, gifted education, vocational and alternative education — are added to the formula allocation is the final MAEP funding request calculated.
MAEP is only one part of what the state's K-12 schools receive. The Educational Enhancement Fund, which is funded by sales tax transfers, is one of several special funds that will add up to more than $504 million this fiscal year. Federal funds (more than $832 million) and other uncategorized funds ($65 million) complete the $3.631 billion that will be spent for K-12 education this year.
In addition to MAEP funds, the MDE is asking for $8.9 million to modernize the Mississippi Student Information System, an increase of $5.5 million over what was spent in fiscal 2021, which ends June 30.
“I’m very concerned with our information system, which is well over 20 years old, is not able to do the kinds of things you wanted it to do,” Wright said. “We need greater access in our information system and I’m asking that you give serious thought to this. This is critical for our needs.”
The MDE also wants an extra $10.8 million for pre-Kindergarten collaboratives.
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/despite-large-decrease-enrollment-education-department-seeks-only-slight-decrease-k-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/aba406af8926e7e1e0968681fe646c46896b6709f25dcad24f68fafca245f371.json
|
[
"Despite a large drop in enrollment (23,000 fewer students compared to last year), the Mississippi Department of Education is seeking only a fractionally smaller appropriation from lawmakers that it requested this year.\nMDE’s general fund budget request of $2.549 billion for the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (which provides most of the funding for school districts statewide) is calculated using the MAEP formula. The formula is designed to increase nearly every year, if enrollment remains constant.\nThe MAEP amount only slightly decreased (0.22 percent from $2.554 billion) despite the state’s public schools losing 5.26 percent of student compared to last year’s enrollment numbers.\nState Superintendent Carey Wright told the state Senate Appropriations subcommittee that she believes that most of these children (35,000 of them are now in a home school program) will return once the risk of COVID-19 recedes.\nEnrollment in Mississippi public schools reached a peak in 2005, when there were more than 494,000 students enrolled. Enrollment has decreased every year since 2014, when there were more than 492,000 enrolled. Now more than 442,000 are enrolled after more than 465,000 were in public schools the year before.\nThe difference between what the Legislature appropriates and what the MAEP calls for is considerable.\nBoth budget outlines by Gov. Tate Reeves and Legislature would appropriate several hundred million less than that. The Legislature would appropriate $2.226 billion in general fund dollars for MAEP, while the governor’s budget recommendation is $2.266 billion or a $40 million difference.\nThe difference between the MAEP and actual appropriations in fiscal 2021, which ends June 30, is about $328 million. The MAEP formula has only been funded twice and likely won’t be fully funded again now that legal arguments over the formula have been conclusively settled by the state’s highest court.\nAccording to the state Supreme Court decision issued in 2017, the court unanimously ruled that the Legislature wasn’t bound by the MAEP formula.\nThe MAEP formula consists of average daily attendance times base student cost, plus at-risk component minus local contribution plus 8-percent guarantee. Then, only after add-on programs — transportation, special education, gifted education, vocational and alternative education — are added to the formula allocation is the final MAEP funding request calculated.\nMAEP is only one part of what the state's K-12 schools receive. The Educational Enhancement Fund, which is funded by sales tax transfers, is one of several special funds that will add up to more than $504 million this fiscal year. Federal funds (more than $832 million) and other uncategorized funds ($65 million) complete the $3.631 billion that will be spent for K-12 education this year.\nIn addition to MAEP funds, the MDE is asking for $8.9 million to modernize the Mississippi Student Information System, an increase of $5.5 million over what was spent in fiscal 2021, which ends June 30.\n“I’m very concerned with our information system, which is well over 20 years old, is not able to do the kinds of things you wanted it to do,” Wright said. “We need greater access in our information system and I’m asking that you give serious thought to this. This is critical for our needs.”\nThe MDE also wants an extra $10.8 million for pre-Kindergarten collaboratives.",
"Despite large decrease in enrollment, Education Department seeks only slight decrease in K-12 funds from lawmakers",
"Despite a large drop in enrollment (23,000 fewer students compared to last year), the Mississippi Department of Education is seeking only a fractionally smaller appropriation from lawmakers that it requested this year."
] |
|
[] | 2021-01-01T11:32:09 | null | null |
2020 has been a rough year. We’ve all experienced loss, shutdowns, a virus that has taken a toll on not only the nation as a whole but the city, towns, and communities of Carroll County. Here’s a look back at our top 10 stories we’ve written throughout the year.
#1 COVID-19
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fmost-recent%2Fcovid-19-pandemic-leads-top-stories-2020.json
|
en
| null |
COVID-19 pandemic leads top stories of 2020
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
2020 has been a rough year. We’ve all experienced loss, shutdowns, a virus that has taken a toll on not only the nation as a whole but the city, towns, and communities of Carroll County. Here’s a look back at our top 10 stories we’ve written throughout the year.
#1 COVID-19
The number one story of the year is the story that is still continuing to make headlines. On March 26, it was reported that the first four cases had been confirmed in Montgomery County. In April, Carroll began seeing its first cases of the virus. Almost nine months later, the county has over 900 cases and counting and 18 deaths. The virus led to many mask mandate with the City of Winona and Town of Duck Hill both implementing orders. Carroll County has been placed under several mask mandates by Gov. Tate Reeves with the most recent mandate expiring Jan. 15, 2021. We’ve seen schools close and reopen in a much different way, graduations pushed back and held in unconventional ways, and have seen many people step up to help those who were and are still in need. Life as many know it has become unconventional and it’s certainly safe to call 2020 an unconventional year altogether. Vaccinations are now being distributed in hopes that it would help people build an immunity up to the virus, containing it. Here’s to hoping 2021 brings with it a little bit of normalcy.
#2 Delta’s Edge
Solar Farm
In the middle of an interesting year, the Carroll County Supervisors received some exciting news that will benefit the county for many years to come once it’s online. Supervisors learned that the county had been chosen as a site for a 100 acre solar farm at the foot of Valley Hill just east of the Leflore County line. The projected solar farm is set to be built in Valley Hill near the Greenwood-Leflore County Airport. The project assessed at $110 million will be the largest solar farm in the state. Tax Assessor Wilton Neal said the land right now is used as farm land but will be relisted for commercial use. Sean Stocker with RES said the property will house solar panels that will power 17,000 homes. He said the company is working with Entergy and Cooperative Energy, the 11 member co-op that includes Delta Electric and the power produced by the solar farm will be “harvested” and distributed to customers through a purchase-power agreement. The construction on the project is set to begin in 2021 and the project is set to go online in 2022. Cubico-Buffalo Holdings, LLC. purchased the project from Renewable Energy Solutions and will take over the construction of the project. After the solar farm has been constructed, Cooperative Energy, which owns Delta Electric, will harvest the energy making it usable for 20,000 homes that are powered by the electric co-op.
#3 Curtis Flowers
case dismissed
In January, District Attorney Doug Evans recused himself from any future prosections of Curtis Flowers. Flowers has been tried six times for the murders of four people at Tardy Furniture Store on July 16, 1996. Flowers’ 2010 conviction for the 1996 murders of Bertha Tardy, 59; Carmen Rigby, 45; Robert Golden, 42, and Derrick “Bobo” Stewart, 16, was overturned this past June by the U.S. Supreme Court. The 2010 trial was Flowers’ six trial for the murders, with the first three convictions overturned by the Mississippi Supreme Court and trials four and five ending in mistrials when the jury could not come to a unanimous verdict on guilt or innocence. “I have personally prosecuted the defendant in all six of his prior trials,” Evans stated in his recusal to the court. “While I remain confident in both the investigation and jury verdicts in this matter, I have come to the conclusion that my continued involvement will prevent the families from obtaining justice and from the defendant being held responsible for his actions. It is for these reasons that I voluntarily recuse my office from further involvement in the prosecution in the above-styled matter.” In September, Circuit Judge Joseph Loper, Jr., signed a petition submitted by Attorney General Lynn Fitch in the case with prejudice not seeking a seventh trial in the matter. The motion to dismiss stated that there were no key witnesses alive that would incriminate Flowers in the case and those that were alive, had conflicting statements and one was convicted on multiple counts of federal income tax fraud.
#4 Easter Storms
The Easter Storms of 2020 caused damage in Montgomery County as well as Carroll County, with more damage being seen in Carroll. A Carroll County woman died as a result of the storms after a tree fell on her home. “On Sunday [Easter Sunday] there were several calls that came into the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center of trees down following high winds. We had been working on the cleanup from the storm Easter Sunday and began preparing for a significant weather event for this past Sunday that could have been a lot worse.” said Carroll County Emergency Management/ Civil Defense Director Ken Strachan during a Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting.
#5 Delta Lightspeed Broadband
Although COVID has caused a lot of issues, there’s been some good that has come out of COVID. For many, many years, people in Carroll County have struggled with obtaining adequate cell service and adequate internet service. For some in Carroll County, they are about to receive broadband at a much faster speed and for children who are now split between learning at home and traditional work, as well as those who are now working from home, the new addition will be well needed. David O’Bryan unveiled Delta Lightspeed during a Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting in Vaiden.
#6 Schools Close/Reopen
In March, when many students and teachers thought they were getting a week off to enjoy their Spring break, however; Gov. Tate Reeves announced before students and teachers were set to go back to finish up the last quarter of the year, that schools would be closed for the 2019-2020 school year. Many students in Carroll County went to Zoom learning but for those that didn’t have adequate access to the internet at Marshall Elementary, J.Z. George High or Carroll Academy learning packets were sent. Students were given 100s for their last semester and were not required to take their end of the year state test. When schools resumed, students saw school a different way, equipped with masks, face shields and either learning at home or traditionally. Students, teachers and administration of Carroll County School District and Carroll Academy navigated and is still navigating through this time, the best way they can. But, it hasn’t all been bad with both J.Z. George and Carroll Academy seeing successful football programs with JZG advancing to the second round of the playoffs and Carroll Academy making a run for state and with a historic 9-0, and one forfeit, season.
#7 Capital murder and stabbing
At the beginning of Summer, Carroll County had two murders that occurred in the county. LaJarvis C. Jenkins, 21, of Carrollton was arrested by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and charged with capital murder in connection to the shooting death of Cornelius G. Lacy, 31, of North Carrollton. According to Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker, on Saturday, August 29 at around 6:45 p.m., deputies responded to reports of a shooting on 5th Street in North Carrollton. Upon arrival, deputies found Lacy lying in the street after being shot. Walker said deputies began life-saving measures until paramedics arrived, however, Lacy succumbed to his wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene by Carroll County Coroner Mark Stiles. According to Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker, 30-year-old Roy “Tripp” Maddox III died from injuries sustained during an altercation with Michael Wier, 55, of Money late Saturday evening at Maddox’s home located on County Road 301. Walker said Maddox suffered from multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Mark Stiles. “We have followed the evidence in this case, and at this point, it appears to be self-defense,” Walker said.
#8 Summer standoff
This summer, the Winona Police Department along with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, the Starkville Police Department SWAT team arrested William Lee Barry, 47, of Winona after he surrendered to authorities after an hours-long standoff at a residence on Sterling Street in Winona. Barry was found hiding in the attic of the home. Assistant District Attorney Brandon Langford said Barry was wanted in Grenada County after he failed to appear for trial in February 2020. He is facing an indictment of burglary of a dwelling, attempted rape, and aggravated assault in connection with an incident that occurred in the City of Grenada on September 15, 2018. Barry’s wife, Jena Hoover of Winona was arrested and charged with “aiding and concealing” her husband, William Lee Barry, to evade arrest, which is a felony charge. Hoover’s case has been bound over to the action of the Montgomery County Grand Jury. Barry has ties to Carroll County as well.
#9 Food Distribution
During this pandemic, we’ve seen a lot of people step up and help their neighbors the best way they can. At the end of May, Blesings for all, Empowered by Faith held a food distribution were boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables were given out to residents in Carroll, Montgomery and Grenada counties along with the towns of Eupora and French Camp. The program that was only supposed to run a few weeks in June, ran for six months distributing fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products to those who were eligible. But, Blessings for All isn’t the only organization that gave. Winona Church of God and Mission Hope both gave food boxes to those who were in need. “To be able to assist and for God to direct me onto this path is mindblowing to me,” Woods said. Those who picked up were also able to ask for prayer. Blessings for all, the biggest food distribution program of the three, gave out over 20,000 boxes to families in need.
#10 Carrollton Loses Bolt and Will
For those familiar with Carrollton, the town had two “town dogs” Bolt and Will. Bolt, a black and white Jack Russell Terrier, was the town’s best friend. He visited local businesses and government offices daily in search of treats, and while he wasn’t visiting his many friends, he was likely dozing in his designated chair inside Carrollton Town Hall. Bolt passed away. “His heart just gave out,” said Linda McGregor, Bolt’s co-caretaker. “He was 10 years old.” Bolt, who’s original owners here Patty and Danny Beck, also took to Carrollton’s longtime city clerk Linda McGregor. Will died Thanksgiving night after being struck by a vehicle on the southwest corner of the square. According to the story, The Labrador-Great White Pyrenees mix was a regular visitor around the historic Carrollton Square and much beloved in the Carrollton community. Will was loved by everyone, especially his human companion, Tricia Peel. “He was an all-around Southern gentleman,” said Peel. “He was more like a person that touched a lot of lives.”
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/most-recent/covid-19-pandemic-leads-top-stories-2020
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/d733dffe5619ae8cf1238b93a9d4d30bdfa24c077da32891c9d958f45457a3ce.json
|
[
"2020 has been a rough year. We’ve all experienced loss, shutdowns, a virus that has taken a toll on not only the nation as a whole but the city, towns, and communities of Carroll County. Here’s a look back at our top 10 stories we’ve written throughout the year.\n#1 COVID-19\nThe number one story of the year is the story that is still continuing to make headlines. On March 26, it was reported that the first four cases had been confirmed in Montgomery County. In April, Carroll began seeing its first cases of the virus. Almost nine months later, the county has over 900 cases and counting and 18 deaths. The virus led to many mask mandate with the City of Winona and Town of Duck Hill both implementing orders. Carroll County has been placed under several mask mandates by Gov. Tate Reeves with the most recent mandate expiring Jan. 15, 2021. We’ve seen schools close and reopen in a much different way, graduations pushed back and held in unconventional ways, and have seen many people step up to help those who were and are still in need. Life as many know it has become unconventional and it’s certainly safe to call 2020 an unconventional year altogether. Vaccinations are now being distributed in hopes that it would help people build an immunity up to the virus, containing it. Here’s to hoping 2021 brings with it a little bit of normalcy.\n#2 Delta’s Edge\nSolar Farm\nIn the middle of an interesting year, the Carroll County Supervisors received some exciting news that will benefit the county for many years to come once it’s online. Supervisors learned that the county had been chosen as a site for a 100 acre solar farm at the foot of Valley Hill just east of the Leflore County line. The projected solar farm is set to be built in Valley Hill near the Greenwood-Leflore County Airport. The project assessed at $110 million will be the largest solar farm in the state. Tax Assessor Wilton Neal said the land right now is used as farm land but will be relisted for commercial use. Sean Stocker with RES said the property will house solar panels that will power 17,000 homes. He said the company is working with Entergy and Cooperative Energy, the 11 member co-op that includes Delta Electric and the power produced by the solar farm will be “harvested” and distributed to customers through a purchase-power agreement. The construction on the project is set to begin in 2021 and the project is set to go online in 2022. Cubico-Buffalo Holdings, LLC. purchased the project from Renewable Energy Solutions and will take over the construction of the project. After the solar farm has been constructed, Cooperative Energy, which owns Delta Electric, will harvest the energy making it usable for 20,000 homes that are powered by the electric co-op.\n#3 Curtis Flowers\ncase dismissed\nIn January, District Attorney Doug Evans recused himself from any future prosections of Curtis Flowers. Flowers has been tried six times for the murders of four people at Tardy Furniture Store on July 16, 1996. Flowers’ 2010 conviction for the 1996 murders of Bertha Tardy, 59; Carmen Rigby, 45; Robert Golden, 42, and Derrick “Bobo” Stewart, 16, was overturned this past June by the U.S. Supreme Court. The 2010 trial was Flowers’ six trial for the murders, with the first three convictions overturned by the Mississippi Supreme Court and trials four and five ending in mistrials when the jury could not come to a unanimous verdict on guilt or innocence. “I have personally prosecuted the defendant in all six of his prior trials,” Evans stated in his recusal to the court. “While I remain confident in both the investigation and jury verdicts in this matter, I have come to the conclusion that my continued involvement will prevent the families from obtaining justice and from the defendant being held responsible for his actions. It is for these reasons that I voluntarily recuse my office from further involvement in the prosecution in the above-styled matter.” In September, Circuit Judge Joseph Loper, Jr., signed a petition submitted by Attorney General Lynn Fitch in the case with prejudice not seeking a seventh trial in the matter. The motion to dismiss stated that there were no key witnesses alive that would incriminate Flowers in the case and those that were alive, had conflicting statements and one was convicted on multiple counts of federal income tax fraud.\n#4 Easter Storms\nThe Easter Storms of 2020 caused damage in Montgomery County as well as Carroll County, with more damage being seen in Carroll. A Carroll County woman died as a result of the storms after a tree fell on her home. “On Sunday [Easter Sunday] there were several calls that came into the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center of trees down following high winds. We had been working on the cleanup from the storm Easter Sunday and began preparing for a significant weather event for this past Sunday that could have been a lot worse.” said Carroll County Emergency Management/ Civil Defense Director Ken Strachan during a Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting.\n#5 Delta Lightspeed Broadband\nAlthough COVID has caused a lot of issues, there’s been some good that has come out of COVID. For many, many years, people in Carroll County have struggled with obtaining adequate cell service and adequate internet service. For some in Carroll County, they are about to receive broadband at a much faster speed and for children who are now split between learning at home and traditional work, as well as those who are now working from home, the new addition will be well needed. David O’Bryan unveiled Delta Lightspeed during a Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting in Vaiden.\n#6 Schools Close/Reopen\nIn March, when many students and teachers thought they were getting a week off to enjoy their Spring break, however; Gov. Tate Reeves announced before students and teachers were set to go back to finish up the last quarter of the year, that schools would be closed for the 2019-2020 school year. Many students in Carroll County went to Zoom learning but for those that didn’t have adequate access to the internet at Marshall Elementary, J.Z. George High or Carroll Academy learning packets were sent. Students were given 100s for their last semester and were not required to take their end of the year state test. When schools resumed, students saw school a different way, equipped with masks, face shields and either learning at home or traditionally. Students, teachers and administration of Carroll County School District and Carroll Academy navigated and is still navigating through this time, the best way they can. But, it hasn’t all been bad with both J.Z. George and Carroll Academy seeing successful football programs with JZG advancing to the second round of the playoffs and Carroll Academy making a run for state and with a historic 9-0, and one forfeit, season.\n#7 Capital murder and stabbing\nAt the beginning of Summer, Carroll County had two murders that occurred in the county. LaJarvis C. Jenkins, 21, of Carrollton was arrested by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and charged with capital murder in connection to the shooting death of Cornelius G. Lacy, 31, of North Carrollton. According to Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker, on Saturday, August 29 at around 6:45 p.m., deputies responded to reports of a shooting on 5th Street in North Carrollton. Upon arrival, deputies found Lacy lying in the street after being shot. Walker said deputies began life-saving measures until paramedics arrived, however, Lacy succumbed to his wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene by Carroll County Coroner Mark Stiles. According to Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker, 30-year-old Roy “Tripp” Maddox III died from injuries sustained during an altercation with Michael Wier, 55, of Money late Saturday evening at Maddox’s home located on County Road 301. Walker said Maddox suffered from multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Mark Stiles. “We have followed the evidence in this case, and at this point, it appears to be self-defense,” Walker said.\n#8 Summer standoff\nThis summer, the Winona Police Department along with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, the Starkville Police Department SWAT team arrested William Lee Barry, 47, of Winona after he surrendered to authorities after an hours-long standoff at a residence on Sterling Street in Winona. Barry was found hiding in the attic of the home. Assistant District Attorney Brandon Langford said Barry was wanted in Grenada County after he failed to appear for trial in February 2020. He is facing an indictment of burglary of a dwelling, attempted rape, and aggravated assault in connection with an incident that occurred in the City of Grenada on September 15, 2018. Barry’s wife, Jena Hoover of Winona was arrested and charged with “aiding and concealing” her husband, William Lee Barry, to evade arrest, which is a felony charge. Hoover’s case has been bound over to the action of the Montgomery County Grand Jury. Barry has ties to Carroll County as well.\n#9 Food Distribution\nDuring this pandemic, we’ve seen a lot of people step up and help their neighbors the best way they can. At the end of May, Blesings for all, Empowered by Faith held a food distribution were boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables were given out to residents in Carroll, Montgomery and Grenada counties along with the towns of Eupora and French Camp. The program that was only supposed to run a few weeks in June, ran for six months distributing fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products to those who were eligible. But, Blessings for All isn’t the only organization that gave. Winona Church of God and Mission Hope both gave food boxes to those who were in need. “To be able to assist and for God to direct me onto this path is mindblowing to me,” Woods said. Those who picked up were also able to ask for prayer. Blessings for all, the biggest food distribution program of the three, gave out over 20,000 boxes to families in need.\n#10 Carrollton Loses Bolt and Will\nFor those familiar with Carrollton, the town had two “town dogs” Bolt and Will. Bolt, a black and white Jack Russell Terrier, was the town’s best friend. He visited local businesses and government offices daily in search of treats, and while he wasn’t visiting his many friends, he was likely dozing in his designated chair inside Carrollton Town Hall. Bolt passed away. “His heart just gave out,” said Linda McGregor, Bolt’s co-caretaker. “He was 10 years old.” Bolt, who’s original owners here Patty and Danny Beck, also took to Carrollton’s longtime city clerk Linda McGregor. Will died Thanksgiving night after being struck by a vehicle on the southwest corner of the square. According to the story, The Labrador-Great White Pyrenees mix was a regular visitor around the historic Carrollton Square and much beloved in the Carrollton community. Will was loved by everyone, especially his human companion, Tricia Peel. “He was an all-around Southern gentleman,” said Peel. “He was more like a person that touched a lot of lives.”",
"COVID-19 pandemic leads top stories of 2020",
"2020 has been a rough year. We’ve all experienced loss, shutdowns, a virus that has taken a toll on not only the nation as a whole but the city, towns, and communities of Carroll County. Here’s a look back at our top 10 stories we’ve written throughout the year.\n#1 COVID-19"
] |
|
[
"-- Cartoon Marshall Ramsey"
] | 2021-01-23T01:11:24 | null | null |
The senate has bills.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.winonatimes.com%2Fcartoons%2Fmarshall-ramsey-teacher-raise-1.json
|
en
| null |
Marshall Ramsey: Teacher Raise
| null | null |
www.winonatimes.com
|
Longtime family favorite recipe
One of our favorite recipes when we were growing up was Momma's chicken spaghetti. Momma took it… READ MORE
|
https://www.winonatimes.com/cartoons/marshall-ramsey-teacher-raise-1
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.winonatimes.com/e6bf4751e1292805c31a694815bd3d035891cc3de124760042608d1f802503e1.json
|
[
"Longtime family favorite recipe\nOne of our favorite recipes when we were growing up was Momma's chicken spaghetti. Momma took it… READ MORE",
"Marshall Ramsey: Teacher Raise",
"The senate has bills."
] |
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