The Jackson-metro area begins its recovery following Tuesday's severe weather.

And, Mardi Grad Indians hold a second line funeral in honor of a local icon.

Then, we examine the factors of learning loss and how a pandemic-altered school year could add more challenges.

Plus, in our Book Club, the people and places changed by America’s mighty waterways in “Holding Back the River.”

Segment 1:

At least 14 tornados have ripped through parts of Mississippi this week damaging hundreds of homes, uprooting trees and leaving thousands without power. Residents in the Capitol city are beginning the recovery process after the most recent wave of storms. The home of North Jackson resident Fred Clark Sr was essentially sliced in half by a tree during Tuesday's tornado. He shares his experience.

Segment 2:

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Orleans was a hotspot for cases and deaths. Many of the events that people across the region regularly attend were put on hold -- Bourbon Street and the French Quarter fell quiet. Jazz Fest and many parades were cancelled. Now, New Orleans is allowing gatherings of up to five hundred people. And a few weeks ago, Mardi Gras Indians held a second line funeral, a parade to honor a local icon: Keelian Boyd otherwise known Big Chief Dump. Dressed in masks and elaborate suits, participants said it signaled a return to some sense of normalcy and joy.

Segment 3:

Learning loss represents a clockwork pattern of concern as Mississippi students take an extended break from academics during the summer months. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, students are also adapting to virtual learning and other changes to educational instruction. In part two of our examination of learning loss, MPB's Desare Frazier speaks with Delta State University Professor Temika Simmons on the persistent challenges and factors facing students, teachers, and families.

Segment 4:

The Mississippi … the Missouri … the Ohio … Three rivers that have sustained Americans for generations, providing drinking water, nourishing crops and transporting goods. Also happening for generations? Diverting water or confining it. Tyler J. Kelley is the author of Holding Back The River: The Struggle Against Nature on America’s Waterways.” He tells the stories of those most impacted by the river’s flow and how the present has changed what rivers used to be.

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For the second time in three days, tornadoes tear through the Magnolia State. We check in with MEMA for the latest assessments.

Then, state health officials present an outlook for more vaccine distribution following reports Pfizer's shot could be soon available to more school-aged residents.

Then, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, addressing learning loss the summer after a pandemic-altered school year.

Segment 1:

From early Tuesday morning through the evening, residents of the Magnolia State were managing another round of severe weather warnings. It was the second time this week systems moving through the state presented threats of strong straight-line winds and tornadoes. At least five tornadoes were confirmed after Sunday's round of severe weather, and more are expected to be confirmed today after reports of power outages, downed trees, and debris in parts of the metro area and beyond. We're joined by Kelly Richardson, Public Information Officer with MEMA.

Segment 2:

State health officers are continuing their vaccination campaign as the threat of the coronaviurs still lingers in the Magnolia State. The seven-day average of COVID-19 cases reached a post-peak low of 199 cases per day on Easter Sunday. Since then it has risen slightly and is hovering around 240. Some leaders in health care have likened the conditions of the pandemic in Mississippi to smoldering coals - a partially contained threat with the potential to still flare up.  The best way they say to reduce the chance of case spikes and further transmission - vaccination.

Segment 3:

Southern Remedy Health Minute

Segment 4:

Researchers find many students have fallen behind academically due to the coronavirus pandemic. With the summer break approaching there's concern the normal learning loss that occurs will be compounded by students who have also struggled to adjust to virtual learning and other changes. In part one of our look at summer learning loss, we speak to Von Gordon, Youth Engagement Leader at the William Winter Institute, on the challenges of finding summer engagement and the ways students can grow through educational opportunities throughout the state. 

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Mississippians begin the road to rebuild and recovery after a flurry of tornadoes damaged some communities Sunday evening.

Then, hospital leadership responds to the latest Executive Order lifting pandemic-related social distancing restrictions.

Plus, state health officials explain the latest in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Segment 1:

Damage assessments are underway across Mississippi following a wave of severe weather that destroyed homes and snapped trees. The National Weather Service in Jackson sent crews out to impacted communities yesterday after suspected tornadoes swept through parts of central Mississippi Sunday evening. The northeastern part of the state - especially the Tupelo area, was also hard hit. Experts have confirmed at least five tornados statewide, and more assessments are underway. In Yazoo County, at least one EF-1 storm has been verified. Meteorologist Felecia Bowser was on the scene eight miles south of Yazoo City yesterday where she shared more about the assessment process with our Kobee Vance.

Segment 2:

With statewide mask mandates and capacity restrictions now a thing of the past, health leaders say it's incumbent upon Mississippi residents to continue exercising caution to protect themselves from the coronavirus. Last week, Governor Tate Reeves rescinded nearly all remaining restrictions on venue capacity and social distancing. Ryan Kelly, executive director of the Mississippi Rural Hospital Association, tells our Desare Frazier people must take responsibility for protecting themselves from COVID 19 and spreading the virus.

Segment 3:

Health officials are continuing the vaccine rollout in Mississippi, despite declining demand. Only about 25 percent of Mississippians have are fully vaccinated, and vaccine appointments through department of health sites are being left unfilled.  Four months into the wider distribution of the vaccine, cases are trending down but transmission is still present. In long-term care facilities, the number of outbreaks have more than doubled - from 15 to 32 - since April 11th. We hear from State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers and State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs.

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Some Mississippi communities are waking to downed trees and damage after a number of tornadoes popped up yesterday evening. We get a preliminary report from MEMA.

Then, a leader from a civil rights organization responds to the Governor’s comments on system racism.

Plus, Mississippi’s colleges and universities prepare for in-person commencement ceremonies.

Segment 1:

Mississippi residents are once again joining the rising sun of the early morning hours to assess damage as multiple tornadoes are suspected to have passed through the state yesterday. Meteorologists declared a "tornado emergency" for Tupelo and surrounding areas. The mayor said in a statement that damage had been reported and emergency crews were assessing. News outlets also reported tornadoes near Yazoo City, Byram and Tchula. Several people posted images of funnel clouds on social media. Kelly Richardson is the Public Information Officer for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. She shares the preliminary report with our Michael Guidry.

Segment 2:

Governor Tate Reeves is receiving criticism for recent comments made on a Fox News program. Last week during a town hall with other Republican governors, Reeves said systemic racism does not exist in United States. The statement came just one night after President Joe Biden urged Congress to address the ongoing and often-deadly problem during a joint session. Alicia Netterville is the Deputy Director of the Mississippi ACLU. In a conversation with our Michael Guidry, she discusses President Biden's call to address systemic racism, Governor Reeves' denial, and the steps toward reconciliation. 

Segment 3:

Graduation ceremonies are returning to Mississippi's college campuses this spring. Last year commencement celebrations were canceled as the coronavirus pandemic spread throughout the country. Now, with some safety provisions, graduates and their families will be experiencing something closer to tradition. Alisa Mosely, Senior Vice-President of Acedemic Affairs at Jackson State University, tells our Kobee Vance preparations have been in the works for months.

At the University of Southern Mississippi, students will be graduating in multiple cermonies throughout the week. Dee Dee Anderson says their events will be held inside - but with safety measures taken.

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Two Mississippi institutions of higher learn team up to study young adults' attitudes and practices regarding the coronavirus.

Then, civil rights advocates call for a change in the jury selection process.

Plus, a nearly $12 million award is aimed at creating conservation jobs on the Gulf Coast as part of the Deepwater Horizon recovery effort.

Segment 1:

Tougaloo College and the University of Southern Mississippi are partnering to conduct research on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on young adults. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is designed to learn how the coronavirus pandemic has shaped and influenced the lives of 18 to 29 year-olds. That demographic accounts for at least 37,000 of the states COVID-19 cases since last March.  Dr. Traci Hayes is with the University of Southern Mississippi, and she shares more about the study's methodology and goals. 

Segment 2:

A coalition of civil rights advocates say Mississippi has a lack of diversity in criminal justice juries. The disparity, they attest, often begins with the selection process. Attorneys in a criminal case can utilize two types of juror strikes during selection - legal cause strikes and peremptory strikes. Will Snowden, the founder of the Juror Project - an organization aiming to educate African Americans on the importance of jury service - says the latter can and has been abused to discriminate against jurors based on race or gender. Snowden says the Supreme Court addressed the practice in the 1986 case Batson v Kentucky, but there argues there are still loopholes. 

Segment 3:

For over a decade, the Gulf Coast has been in a persistent state of recovery following the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in April of 2010. Now, the RESTORE Council - a group created in the aftermath of the spill - is awarding $11.9 million to The Nature Conservancy and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to create more than 400 jobs over four years in efforts to continue the restoration process in and along the Gulf of Mexico. Alex Littlejohn is with the Nature Conservancy. He says the award will help bring in new professionals committed to conserving the state's natural resources.  

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Health officials continue their vaccination campaign as variants of the coronavirus grow more present in the Magnolia State.

Then, federal applications for financial assistance to attend colleges and universities is down compared to last year. We examine the factors with Get 2 College.

Plus, in today's Book Club, meet Mississippi’s new poet Laureate, Catherine Pierce.

Segment 1:

Mississippi's health officials say coronavirus transmission is still a concern as the state's seven-day rolling average rose above where it was earlier this month. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says a more easily transmitted variant is showing up across the state now, causing a steady trend of infections. 

The concern over variants is paired with a slowing vaccination rate. Only one quarter of the state's population is fully vaccinated, and weekly doses have been on the decline since the first week of April. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says the state has addressed access challenges, but recognizes reaching younger adults is the key to increase vaccination rates.  

Segment 2:

Fewer Mississippi high school seniors are filing for federal aid this year compared to last. That's according to data from the U.S. Department of Educations. The completion rate for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid , or FAFSA, is down nearly 9 percent in the Magnolia State - higher than the 6.5 percent decline nationwide. Less than 25 percent of estimated high school graduates from many Delta counties have not yet completed the application. Stephen Brown is with Get 2 College. He explains the contributing factors of the drop with our Michael Guidry.

Segment 3:

Mississippi has a new Poet Laureate and her name is Catherine Pierce. A native of Delaware, Pierce teaches Creative Writing at Mississippi State University and has published four books of poetry. She sat down with us to talk about her love of writing and what she hopes to accomplish during her four year term.

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The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is given the green light to resume, and the CDC revised it’s guidance.

Then, Mississippi was only one of three states to lose population last decade. We examine the socio-political factors that could explain the shift.

Plus, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, restaurants get additional relief through a new grant administered by the Small Business Administration.

Segment 1:

The Mississippi Department of Health is allowing usage of the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine to resume. The single-dose vaccination was paused earlier this month over concerns for blood clots in several women. During a virtual town hall hosted by Jackson State University, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs discussed the vaccine's new green light.

Dobbs and other health leaders insist the vaccines are the most immediate path toward a return to normalcy, but also recognize hesitancy is still a challenge. Dobbs says home remedies like immune boosters cannot replace the efficacy of the vaccine. He warns, eventually it will come down to residents getting one of two things - the vaccine or COVID-19.

Segment 2:

Preliminary data from the Census Bureau reveals a number of population trends that ultimately result in the Magnolia State losing 6,000 people over the last decade. Census numbers released Monday show Mississippi gained nearly 20,000 Black residents, about 16,700 Hispanic residents and another 4,500 Asian residents. The state lost about 48,400 white residents during the decade. Sociologists typically examine an number of factors when studying population shifts - including death rates and birth rates. But John Green of the University of Mississippi says studying migratory trends helps better understand the impact of policy in population changes. 

Preliminary data from the Census Bureau reveals a number of population trends that ultimately result in the Magnolia State losing 6,000 people over the last decade. Census numbers released Monday show Mississippi gained nearly 20,000 Black residents, about 16,700 Hispanic residents and another 4,500 Asian residents. The state lost about 48,400 white residents during the decade. Sociologists typically examine an number of factors when studying population shifts - including death rates and birth rates. But John Green of the University of Mississippi says studying migratory trends helps better understand the impact of policy in population changes.

Segment 3:

Southern Remedy Health Minute

Segment 4:

When the pandemic reached Mississippi last year, restaurants faced some of the most immediate impacts. Dining rooms closed, wait-staffs were let go. For weeks the business model changed. And even as restrictions were slowly lifted, capacity restrictions presented some limitations while public hesitancy added another prolonged layer of challenges. Now, a new federal program administered by the Small Business Administration is launching to help restaurants across the country recover. The Restaurant Relief Fund - a $28.6 billion grant program - will soon have funds available to the state's restaurateurs. Janita Stewart is the SBA's Mississippi Director. She shares more on the program.

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Newly released Census data shows a population decline in the Magnolia State. We examine the the numbers with the State Data Center.

Then, American Rescue Plan is providing new opportunities for uninsured Mississippians to get healthcare coverage.

Segment 1:

The southern region of the Unites States grew in population over the last decade - that's according to recent date released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Every state - with the exception of one - saw population increases since 2010. The outlier? Mississippi. The Magnolia State lost about 0.2 percent of it's overall population - that's roughly 6,000 people. It is one of only three states nationally to experience a population decline.

The drop was not enough, though, to affect the state's Congressional apportionment. Mississippi will retain it's 4 congressional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Other southern states such as Florida and North Carolina will gain a seat, and Texas is gaining two. Mississippi lost a congressional seat following the 2000 census. Jamiko Deleveaux is with the State Data Center of Mississippi. He breaks down the data and the potential impacts of the latest Census with our Kobee Vance.

Segment 2:

The American Rescue Plan is providing new opportunities for uninsured Mississippians to get healthcare coverage. The Office of Medicare and Medicaid Services says a special enrollment period is now open with coverage beginning as soon as May 1st. Dr. LaShawn McIver (McEEVER) says the plan will lower premiums and become available to many of the nearly 400,000 Mississippians who don't have insurance coverage. She shares more on the special enrollment including reduced premiums and financial assistance for those at income levels who do not qualify for other subsidized plans.

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A new signed by the Governor could soon extend parole opportunities to some Mississippi inmates.

Then, Mississippi is joining four other southern states today in observing Confederate Memorial Day. But, civil right advocates are critical of a practice they say glorifies the confederacy.

 Plus, members of the Mississippi legislative Black Caucus seek an investigation into the 2018 death of a Grenada man while in police custody.

Segment 1:

Over the next three years 1,400 offenders in Mississippi prisons may qualify for parole under a law recently signed by the governor. Non-violent offenses, carjackings and armed robberies are among the crimes that may qualify a person to be considered for the possibility of parole, under the new Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act. Chair of the Senate Corrections Committee, Democrat Juan Barnett of Heidelberg tells our Desare Frazier the bill is a step towards resolving Mississippi's prison crisis.

The bill is being largely celebrated by advocacy groups on both sides of the political spectrum. But some still think the bill did not do enough. Sharon Brown of the Poor People's Campaign thinks lawmakers could have done more to pass legislation that could have had a more immediate effect on the crisis.

Segment 2:

Mississippi is joining four other southern states today in observing Confederate Memorial Day. State government offices are closed here and in Alabama. Governor Tate Reeves has also declared April as Confederate Heritage Month. As MPB's Kobee Vance reports, civil rights advocates are asking the governor to rescind his declaration that honors an ideology glorifying the confederacy. 

Segment 3:

Members of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus are calling on the Department of Justice to include the 2018 death of a Grenada man in their review of policing practices. Attorney General Merrick Garland has stated his office will be looking into whether or not police have been following a 1995 DOJ advisory against placing detainees face-down while in police custody. In November of 2018, Robert Loggins was arrested and tased eight times before being brought to the Grenada police station where officers piled on him - face-down - for at least three minutes. Caucus member Senator John Horhn says video surveillance warrants an investigation in the actions of Grenada police officers.

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As vaccinations slow, health and community leaders address access issues.

Then, investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell details the 2018 death of Robert Loggins.

Plus, visual artist Alexis McGrigg describes the composition and style of her work.

Segment 1:

Mississippi's health leaders continue to encourage vaccination as the state experiences a rise in COVID-19 infections and other health care metrics. Confirmed COVID-related hospitalizations are nearly up 33 percent over the last week, and outbreaks in long term care facilities are trending up for the first time in months. During a virtual seminar with Alpha Kappa Alpha yesterday, State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers acknowledged Mississippi is following some nationwide trends.

Mississippi Second District Congressman Bennie Thompson also took part in the virtual seminar. He championed the relief funding the American Rescue Plan is providing the state to continue to push to vaccinate residents. He says doesn’t see hesitancy as a problem in the Black community. He says access is the issue. 

Segment 2:

While the trial of Derek Chauvin - the Minneapolis Police Officer responsible for the death of George Floyd - started to wrap up last week, a new report from the Mississippi Center for Investigative detailed a similar incident in the Magnolia State. Robert Loggins, a Black man taken into custody by police in Grenada on an early November morning in 2018 never made it to a jail cell. He never made it past the station lobby. In a video obtained by the MCIR, Loggins is seen rolling when officers and jailers get on top of him inside the Grenada County Jail, with one officer appearing to kneel on his neck or head. Three and a half minutes later, they got off of him. The 26-year-old never moved again. More than six minutes passed before anyone checked his pulse or his breathing.

Jerry Mitchell, the founder of the MCIR, broke the story and joined us to detail the events of that night, and how Mississippi might have its own George Floyd case.

Segment 3:

For artist Alexis McGrigg, "blackness" is the ability to change its form, content, direction and position, and is something not confined by any finite definition. She asserts that blackness within the black experience must constantly switch between modes of being, having to be one form of blackness and yet exist as multiple forms at once. In the latest installment of the Mississippi Arts Hour, McGrigg talks to Sarah Storey of the Mississippi Arts Commission about her composition, style and the role of "blackness".

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