Malcolm White talks with Mississippi's Poet Laureate Beth Ann Fennelly about her newly released book, "Heating & Cooling," a collection of 52 micro-memoirs

On today's show:

Are changes in state taxes helping or hurting the economy? Then, does your local hospital make the grade? Find out which of the state's health centers are not passing a new safety report card. And, it's a celebration of the state's bicentennial history. Two museums and events honoring Mississippi and it's residents in an MPB At Issue preview.

On today's show:

Advocates for equal pay are seeking support ahead of next year's legislative session. Then, hear the story of the state’s veterans as Mississippians gear up for a special Vietnam memorial dedication. And in our book club segment, it's author Morgan Bapst with the story of a New Orleans family as Hurricane Katrina turned the city into a floating world.

On today's show:

The next move in the legal match over the state flag is in the hands of the US Supreme Court. Then, what does the future hold for Mississippi’s homeless veterans? Find out how one organization plans to put a roof over the heads of the state’s former soldiers. And, Mississippians are honoring Vietnam veterans with special events marking 50 years since the war.

Turry Flucker talks with Dr. Roger Parrott . Dr. Parrott is the President of Belhaven University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in Higher Education Administration. Dr. Parrott is a third-generation College president, and was one of America's youngest college presidents first elected at age 34. Belhaven University has the national distinction as one of only thirty-six schools earning national accreditation in all four of the primary arts—theatre, music, visual art, and dance. Additional arts majors were added as well, including Creative Writing, Graphic Design, Arts Administration, and Film Production. The MFA in Dance began in 2013.

Larry Morrisey talks with Mississippi Gulf Coast-based writer Jesmyn Ward. Ward won the National Book Award in 2011 for her second novel, Salvage the Bones. They talk about her latest book, Sing, Unburied, Sing, which has received extensive praise and garnered Ward another National Book Award nomination

Malcolm White talks to Ward Emling, longtime director of the Mississippi Film Office. The two talk movies, acting, and the power of art to change lives in Mississippi

Turry Flucker talks with Robin Whitfield and Cheryl Thornhill. Cheryl is the executive director of the Museum of the Mississippi Delta in Greenwood and Robin is a visual artist and naturalist, who works in Grenada. Cheryl and Robin speak about the 120-foot outdoor mural entitled “Spirit of the Yazoo” created by Robin and the museum‘s program, collections and exhibitions. The Museum of the Mississippi Delta, founded in 1969, is at the crossroads of Delta history and art. The extensive collection includes artifacts related to agriculture, Native America, regional military history and one of the Delta's most extensive collections of regional art.

Larry Morrisey has put together a show of audio clips from sessions at this year’s Mississippi Book Festival. These include the sessions on photography, Eudora Welty, the “Write for Mississippi” program, Larry Brown, and a conversation with Richard Ford.

Malcolm White talks to Jene Ray Barranco, author of "Good Night, I Love You," a widow's awakening memoir from pain to purpose and a love story to her late husband Michael Barranco, architect, musician, and humanitarian.