For the second time in as many weeks, the Magnolia State faces the threat of severe storms and tornadoes. We talk to the National Weather Service.

Then, for years, Alabama and Mississippi have refused to expand Medicaid. But advocates hope a new federal incentive could change things.

Plus, premiering at the Oxford Film Festival this weekend, “Look Away, Look Away”.

Segment 1:

For the second consecutive week, most of the Magnolia State is facing an enhanced to high risk of severe weather as another storm capable of producing strong winds, tornadoes, and hail passes through Mississippi today. David Cox of the National Weather Service in Jackson breaks down the threat with our Michael Guidry.

Segment 2:

It’s an offer that’s too good to refuse. That’s what many advocates and politicians are saying about a new incentive to expand Medicaid. The Biden Administration is promising hundreds of millions of dollars to states like Alabama and Mississippi. For years, the conservative states have refused to open up eligibility to more low-income adults. Will they take the deal now? From our partner station W-B-H-M in Birmingham, Mary Scott Hodgin reports.

Segment 3:

Premiering at the Oxford Film Festival this weekend is a comprehensive look at the use and prominence of the Confederate Battle Emblem from the Charleston shooting of 2015 to the retiring of the Mississippi flag last summer. Patrick O'Conner is the director of "Look Away, Look Away."

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As vaccination numbers continue to climb, we look at the role the VA is playing in distribution.

Then, with the legislative session winding down, we examine the Medicaid landscape with the insurance commissioner.

Plus, what the latest State of the State poll reveals about Mississippians’ attitude toward the coronavirus vaccine.

Segment 1:

Veterans in Mississippi are showing up at the G. V. Sonny Montgomery Veterans Medical Center in Jackson to get the coronavirus vaccine. The hospital receives vaccine supplies through a federal vaccination partnership, and this week, veterans do not need an appointment to get the shot. Dr. Susan Roberts is Chief of Staff. She shares more with our Kobee Vance.

Segment 2:

The federal pandemic relief bill contains a big incentive for states that haven't expanded Medicaid. Mississippi is one of 12 states holding out on the expansion. State Insurance Commissioner, Mike Chaney, says currently the federal government pays about 80 cents on the dollar for Medicaid coverage. If Mississippi were to expand, that amount would increase to 95 cents. Chaney says Medicaid expansion could provide health care coverage options for those who do not currently qualify under the Affordable Care Act.

Segment 3:

Mississippian's confidence in the coronavirus vaccine is growing since the beginning of the year - that's according to the latest State of the State Survey from Millsaps College and Chism Strategies. Nathan Shrader, Professor of Government and Politics at Millsaps says fewer voters are indicating they would reject the shot outright - a trend he attributes to a number of factors.

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Mississippi surpasses one millions doses of coronavirus vaccine.

Then, we examine the targeted strategies officials are using reach work communities that suffered outbreaks at the start of the pandemic.

Plus, FEMA offers funeral assistance for families managing COVID-19 related deaths.

Segment 1:

The Magnolia State's vaccine rollout is hitting new benchmarks as the state tops one million doses of coronavirus vaccine. More than 350 thousand people have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus in Mississippi, and around 700 thousand have gotten at least one shot. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says it is a testament to the system the state has put in place. Governor Tate Reeves says the one million shot milestone is significant. But, he recognizes there will be hurdles along the way to two million.

Segment 2:

Coronavirus outbreaks at food processing facilities were common at the beginning of the pandemic, impacting a lot of low-income people of color. Louisiana is startingto get vaccine supply to workers in these types of high-risk industries. From the Gulf States Newsroom, Shalina Chatlani looks at Louisiana’s strategy and lessons for the region.

Segment 3:

Beginning in April, Mississippians may apply for funeral assistance through FEMA for deaths caused by COVID 19. Among the requirements--the death certificate must list COVID 19 as the cause of the death, receipts and expenses must have been incurred after January 20, 2020. Eric Steele with the Mississippi Funeral Directors and Mortician Association tells our Desare Frazier the reimbursements will help families struggling financially due to the deaths of loved ones.

Former state representative Steve Holland operates funeral homes in the Tupelo area. He says he's seen the toll of the pandemic - the loss of life and the financial hardships - up close.

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Health officials confirm a second coronavirus variant in Mississippi.

Then, Jackson State University steps up to promote vaccination.

Plus, indigenous remains are repatriated to the Chickasaw nation.

Segment 1:

Mississippi health officials are reporting the first identified case of the South African strain of coronavirus in Harrison County. State Health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says the South African strain or B.1.3.5.1 is more easily spread. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers is urging people to get vaccinated. He says even though some of the vaccines may not prevent infection, they will still reduce hospitalizations and deaths.

Segment 2:

Mississippi's expanded coronavirus vaccine eligibility means college students are now able to get their shots - and colleges and universities in the state are hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics to make access easier. This weekend, Jackson State University attracted nearly 300 students, faculty and community members. JSU President Thomas Hudson tells MPB's Kobee Vance vaccination is the best path toward normalcy.

Segment 3:

The Chickasaw Nation is receiving the remains of 403 Native Americans along with 83 lots of burial objects from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The return marks the largest repatriation of human remains in Mississippi History, and the first for the state agency. Meg Cook is the Director of Archeology Collections.

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The founder of a Jackson private school and her son plead not guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

Then, a number of spring deadlines approach for students seeking opportunities in higher education.

Plus, actor and comedian Jay Jurden shares what it’s like to be black, queer, and Southern in NYC.

Segment 1:

Two defendants from last year's shocking Department of Human Services scandal are facing new federal charges including wire fraud and falsifying claims to the state Department of Education. Nancy New and her son Zachary operated the private New Summit School in Jackson. Yesterday the pair appeared in federal court and pled not guilty to a 17-count indictment that also included aggravated identify theft. Matt Steffey is a professor at the Mississippi College School of Law. He breaks down the charges and the next steps with our Desare Frazier. 

Segment 2:

For many high school upperclassman, the school year and the preparation for post-secondary education has been altered due to the year-long coronavirus pandemic. But the process to qualify for colleges and universities is still underway as spring deadlines approach. Stephen Brown is with Get 2 College. He shares more on the many opportunities available for students seeking higher education. 

Segment 3:

Jay Jurden may be based out of New York City, but the actor and comedian credits his career trajectory to growing up in Mississippi. Jurden, who has appeared on The Tonight Show, The Late Show, Comedy Central, and HBO, developed his love for comedy and performing as a student in the APAC program in Jackson Public Schools. In this week's installment of the Mississippi Arts Hour, he tells the Mississippi Arts Commission's Leslie Barker how his experience informs his material.

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Mississippi was largely spared the severity of yesterday’s storm. We assess the effects with MEMA.

Then, what the American Rescue Plan could do for the state of child care in Mississippi - especially that of single mothers.

Plus, in today’s Book Club, a literary look at the Magnolia state’s vast landscapes in Ralph Eubanks’ book, “A Place Like Mississippi.”

Segment 1:

Mississippians are waking up to cooler temperatures following a severe weather system that swept its way through the state yesterday. The wave of storms that brought with it heavy rains, strong winds, and multiple tornadoes - left behind property damage in nearly all corners of the state. County emergency managers across the state are reporting the effects of the storm to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Malary White is Director of External Affairs with MEMA. She tells our Michael Guidry thorough assessments of the affected areas will begin today.  

Segment 2:

Included in the sweeping COVID-19 relief plan championed by national Democrats and the Biden Administration are mechanisms to address the challenges of child care. In Mississippi, the average cost of child care is $6,0000 a year - that's according Carol Burnett, Executive Director of the Mississippi Low-Income Child Care Initiative. She shares how funding through the American Rescue Plan could expand access to affordable childcare for low-wage earners - especially single moms.

Segment 3:

A writer, journalist, public speaker, professor and Mississippian, Ralph Eubanks has also served as the Director of Publishing of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and is currently a visiting scholar of English and Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi. Eubanks has written a new book that paints the landscapes of Mississippi through the pens of Mississippi’s greatest writers. “It’s called “A Place Like Mississippi” and as Eubanks tells us, the book wasn’t his idea. The Publisher came to him.

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One month after a severe winter weather event, Mississippi prepares for it's first wave of spring storms.

Then, while Amazon workers attempting to unionize in Alabama attract national support, veteran labor organizers in the South say the workers face an expensive uphill battle.

Plus, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, the Senate kills the Freedom Tax Act, but House leadership makes moves to keep the elimination of the income tax alive.

Segment 1:

A wave of severe storms capable of extreme winds and hail is approaching the Magnolia State. The incoming weather also presents moderate to high risk of tornadoes in many parts of the state. Effects could begin as early as the afternoon and continue into the late evening. With more on what to expect and how to prepare, we are joined by Heather Stanley of the National Weather Service in Jackson.

Segment 2:

The push to unionize the Amazon facility in Bessemer, Alabama has labor rights activists hoping they’ll finally get a big win in the South. But previous efforts that drew national headlines did not lead to actual union victories. Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom looked at past organizing in the region for clues to what might happen with the Amazon vote. 

Segment 3:

Southern Remedy Health Minute

Segment 4:

Legislators in the Mississippi House and Senate are wrangling over a bill to phase out the state income tax over ten years. Yesterday, the Senate let the original Mississippi Tax Freedom Act - championed by House Speaker Philip Gunn - die in committee. Following the vote, Gunn expressed his disappointment, but again took up the mantle of the bill's principle objective - eliminating the personal income tax.

The Mississippi Tax Freedom Act was presented by House leadership with gusto, despite being introduced somewhat surprisingly and without substantial review from outside analysts. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Josh Harkins the Senate was not comfortable moving the plan forward without further meaningful scrutiny.

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With a goal of "getting back to normal", the Governor expands vaccine eligibility to all Mississippians. We examine the impact increased access could have in the state.

Then, with stimulus payments from the American Rescue Plan on the way, we explore how the infusion of cash could help families in the Magnolia State.

Plus, the Institute for the Humanities at MSU analyzes contesting narratives of American history in the political sphere.

Segment 1:

All Mississippians age 16 and older now qualify for a coronavirus vaccination - making the Magnolia State the second in the nation to expand access to such a degree. Governor Tate Reeves announced the expansion yesterday on Twitter with the stated goal of "getting back to normal." Dr. Jennifer Bryan Chairs the Board of the Mississippi State Medical Association. She tells our Kobee Vance demand thus far has been strong and expects that to continue through the expanded eligibility. 

Segment 2:

Nearly 1.4 million Mississippi households are expected to receive stimulus payments as part of the American Rescue Plan. Singles who earn up to $75,000 will get $1,400. Couples making under $150,000 per year will receive $2,800, and parents who meet the income guidelines will receive $1,400 for each child. The money, says Oleta Fitzgerald of the Children’s Defense Fund, will provide families much needed relief. She shares more with our Desare Frazier.

Segment 3:

The subject of American History - what it means; how it's framed - is at the center of re-ignited clash. Since the debut of the 1619 Project, politicians, citizens, educators and historians have newly engaged in a timeworn debate over the meaning and mission of America's historical narrative. Today, in a virtual event hosted by the Mississippi State University Institute for the Humanities, two professors and a high school history teacher will explore these tensions, and discuss how the subject is taught and why it matters. Julia Osman is the Director of the Institute. She tells our Michael Guidry she can't help but notice how contested American History is in today's political climate.

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Health leaders in the Magnolia State discuss vaccine expansion.

Then, a new study analyzes the obstacles Mississippians with felony convictions face as they try to re-enter the community.

Then, a Mississippi casino offers employees an incentive for getting vaccinated.

Segment 1:

After a steady declining slope in coronavirus cases, Mississippi is experiencing a slight leveling-off as residents resume activity without statewide mitigation strategies in place. State Heath Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs and State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers say even though vaccine eligibility is ever-expanding and restrictions are lifted, the virus still poses a threat. 

Vaccines are helping reduce the spread of the virus, but cases and deaths still mount one year after the pandemic began. As the state nears 7,000 COVIV-19 related deaths, Dr. Byers and Dr. Mark Horne of the State Medical Association say it's important to remember the death count is more than a number.

Segment 2:

Nearly 11% of Mississippi's population is ineligible to vote - a result of the state's disenfranchising statutes. The data, from 2018, is part of a report analyzing the barriers residents with felony convictions face as they attempt to re-enter the community. Organizers, like Nsombi Lambright hope to use the "Our Voices, Our Vote" report to bring change to the Mississippi criminal legal system and restore voting rights for all incarcerated citizens who have served their prison term. She shares more with our Becca Schimmel.

Segment 3:

A casino along Mississippi's Gulf Coast is offering employees a financial incentive for each COVID-19 vaccine shot they receive. Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D'Iberville says they will give associates $150 per shot in their effort to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. The casino has also partnered with a hospital to have vaccines administered at its clinic. LuAnn Pappas is CEO of the Scarlet Pearl. She says the campaign is aimed at mitigating the impact COVID-19 is having on the hospitality industry and the coast community.

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Mississippi becomes the first state this year to pass a law banning transgender athletes from competing on girls or women's sports teams. The bill's author claims the measure protects women, while LGBT advocates say it's a solution in search of a problem.

Then, a recent study reveals the toll of the pandemic on Mississippi's most under-served children.

Plus, the House rejects a controversial medical cannabis bill proposed by the Senate. 

Segment 1:

Governor Tate Reeves signs a bill banning transgender athletes in Mississippi from competing on girls or women's sports. It is the first of its kind in the nation to become law this year, following a similar law in Idaho that is currently being contested. Reeves says Senate Bill 2536 - titled the Mississippi Fairness Act - protects women and girls, and combats the White House's executive order on the issue.

Republican Senator Angela Hill authored the law which is being met with criticism by LGBTQ advocates who say the Fairness Act is akin to opening the door to bully trans teens. Jarvis Dortch is Executive Director of the ACLU of Mississippi. He says this new law addresses a problem that does not exist in the state, and unfairly targets kids.

Segment 2:

The now year-long pandemic is disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic families in Mississippi. The latest Save the Children report reveals these families are twice as likely as white families to lack enough food, twice as likely to be struggling with housing costs, and are about 1.5 times as likely to have difficulty paying bills and to lack the tools needed for remote learning. Yolanda Minor is Deputy Director of Mississippi Programs for Save the Children. She shares more with us.

The now year-long pandemic is disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic families in Mississippi. The latest Save the Children report reveals these families are twice as likely as white families to lack enough food, twice as likely to be struggling with housing costs, and are about 1.5 times as likely to have difficulty paying bills and to lack the tools needed for remote learning. Yolanda Minor is Deputy Director of Mississippi Programs for Save the Children. She shares more with us.

Segment 3:

The Mississippi House is rejecting a controversial Medical Cannabis bill proposed by the Senate. After a heated exchange over Senate Bill 2765 on the House floor this week, the issue was allowed to die. The measure was written to replace Initiative 65, a medical marijuana law passed by voters last November-- that goes before the state supreme court next month. Representative Robert Johnson, a Democrat from Natchez, tells our Desare Frazier why the House voted against it.

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