Case and death numbers grow as the Governor’s clash with the legislature continues.

And, how salons and barber shops are coping with the Safer at Home order.

Then, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, preparing for hurricane season.

Segment 1:

COVID-19 cases and death totals continue to grow as Governor Tate Reeves loosens restrictions on Mississippi businesses. Since announcing the revisions to his Safer at Home Order on Monday, the state health department has reported 657 new cases of the disease. During his daily press briefing yesterday, Reeves addressed the ongoing threat of the coronavirus. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says the latest case numbers indicate community transmission is still prevalent in some parts of the state.

As the Governor and medical officials navigate health concerns, a battle over CARES Act spending power continues. Governor Reeves continues to express frustration with lawmakers over a bill pass last week that gives appropriation of $1.25 billion in federal funds to the state legislature. Reeves suggests the move jeopardizes the money, and implies the results of the November election could put a target on Mississippi.

Segment 2:

Restaurants and bars are set to reopen tomorrow following revisions to the Governor's Safer at Home Order. But salons and barber shops remain closed. Lindsay Cash, with Vamp the Salon in Jackson, says she wants to work with state leaders to develop a plan to reopen salons soon, while also keeping customers safe. She tells our Kobee Vance selling product is not enough. Ridgeland barber Armundo Robinson chose to close his shop, before it was mandated. He said keeping his customers safe is a top priority, but there are still bills to pay and it’s been difficult.

Segment 3:

Southern Remedy Health Minute

Segment 4:

It's Hurricane Preparedness Week and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is asking residents to begin considering plans for the looming storm season. With the added challenges of COVID-19, MEMA Director Greg Michel says the agency is addressing necessary considerations for response operations, sheltering and evacuation plans. 

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The Governor pushes back in the battle over CARES Act spending power.

Then, more on the coronavirus pandemic in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama from the Gulf States Newsroom round-table.

Plus, a yearly audit reveals $94 million in questionable use of TANF funds.

Segment 1:

Governor Tate Reeves is laying out the next steps of a strategic plan to open more Mississippi business and allow for more recreational activities. The new Executive Order amends his Safer At Home order, which he signed over a week ago and remains in effect until Monday, May 11. The revisions allow for restaurants to reopen with certain health restrictions like masks for servers and limiting dining areas to half capacity. Reeves also says it provides an opportunity to resume outdoor youth athletics.

During his daily press briefing, Reeves expressed regret over not being able to loosen restrictions on salons and barber shops. He did, however, pledge CARES Act funds to assist those businesses. Reeves' power to distribute those funds is at the heart of a constitutional clash between the Governor and state lawmakers. Last week the legislature passed Senate Bill 2772, securing the spending power of CARES Act funds. Reeves is openly critical of the move.

Segment 2:

The gulf states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are experiencing shared concerns as their local governments respond to the coronavirus pandemic. But, unlike other parts of the country, the states aren’t taking a coordinated regional approach to reopening their economies. In part two of this Gulf States Newsroom round-table, we join our own Kobee Vance, along with WBHM’s Janae Pierre and Paul Braun of WRKF in Baton Rouge and WWNO in New Orleans to discuss some notable moments and the role of state legislatures.

Segment 3:

The office of the State Auditor is revealing $94 million in questionable use of TANF funds by the Department of Human Services and two of its sub-grantees. The audit of DHS showed massive sums were funneled to two non-profits - the Mississippi Community Education Center and the Family Resource Center of North Mississippi - with little to no proof those funds benefited the needy as required by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. As State Auditor Shad White tells our Michael Guidry, former Director John Davis created a culture of impropriety at DHS.

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The legislature moves to strip CARES Act appropriation power from the Governor

And, a Gulf States Newsroom round-table compares the local responses of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana

Then, UMMC’s top executive shares her thoughts on Mississippi’s COVID-19 crisis.

Segment 1:

Mississippi’s governor may consider vetoing a bill passed by lawmakers in what could be a constitutional crisis over who has the authority to spend federal coronavirus relief funds. Legislators and Governor Tate Reeves both argue they have the right to spend $1.25 billion in federal monies for coronavirus relief.  Lawmakers returned to Jackson Friday to pass an amendment to Senate Bill 2772. Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann those funds are designated to the people of Mississippi, not the Governor. Reeves responded to legislative leaders during his daily press briefing, saying control of the funds is essential to his emergency response.

Segment 2:

The gulf states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are experiencing shared concerns as their local governments respond to the coronavirus pandemic. But, unlike other parts of the country, the states aren’t taking a coordinated regional approach to reopening their economies. Mississippi Edition host Karen Brown joins MPB's Kobee Vance, along with WBHM’s Janae Pierre and Paul Braun of WRKF in Baton Rouge and WWNO in New Orleans in a special Gulf States Newsroom round-table.

Segment 3:

From coordinating with the department of health on one-day testing sites to developing clinical trials on a variety of treatments for COVID-19, the University of Mississippi Medical Center has played a principal role in the state's response to the coronavirus crisis. Dr. Louann Woodward is UMMC's top executive. She shares her thoughts on the pandemic in Mississippi with our Michael Guidry.

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The Governor and legislative leaders clash over CARES Act appropriation

And, as meat processing plants across the country close down, we examine Mississippi’s billion dollar poultry industry.

Then, a closer look at Mississippi’s growing unemployment claims.

Plus, state universities begin weighing how to safely open in the fall.

Segment 1:

The Mississippi Legislature will restart it’s session earlier than expected, as lawmakers and Governor Tate Reeves clash over who has power to appropriate $1.25 billion dollars in federal CARES Act money. Republican leaders of the House and Senate say the Mississippi Constitution assigns spending authority to the legislature, and have instructed the department of finance and administration to hold the federal dollars until they figure out a plan to distribute them.  Governor Reeves, who unveiled his plans for the funds earlier this week, expressed frustration with the legislatures efforts during his daily press briefing.

With multiple meat processing plants around the country experiencing outbreaks, the spotlight is on the state's largest agricultural industry. Mississippi’s $2.6 billion poultry industry employs thousands of workers who are on the job despite the coronavirus. Advocates say companies have been slow to provide protective equipment and educate workers about risks. But businesses say there are taking steps to keep employees safe. MPB’s Desare Frazier reports.

Segment 2:

Mississippi, like the rest of the nation, is experiencing record unemployment as a result of the worldwide pandemic. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security has been inundated with calls over the last six weeks, reporting an additional 35,000 unemployment claims from the week ending April 25. Anna Wolfe is an investigative reporter with Mississippi Today. She examines Mississippi's unemployment crisis with our Michael Guidry.

Segment 3:

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr. are establishing the Safe Start Task Force for the university system. Comprised of two members from each institution, the task force is charged with crafting a system-level plan for starting and completing the fall 2020 semester in the safest and most effective way. Dr. David Shaw, Provost of Mississippi State University, is chair of Safe Start. He discusses how the group will address the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Mississippi’s Senators address residents regarding the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.

And, we examine the role of the state’s banks in the Paycheck Protection Program.

Then, in today’s Book Club, a Mississippi poet who has just been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship.

Segment 1:

Governor Tate Reeves is praising the federal response to coronavirus. This comes as the nation reaches over one million cases and a death toll of around 61,000. The Republican invited both Mississippi Senators to his daily press briefing yesterday, and applauded the efforts of the Trump Administration.  

Both Senators say they are proud of their roles in congress passing the CARES Act, a national relief fund in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. While he’s confident in what the legislation is doing, Senior Senator Roger Wicker says the act is not perfect, and some issues need to be addressed. He says he is also prepared to protect defense appropriations as the Senate reconvenes next week. One thing that Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith says she’s concerned about -- rural hospitals across Mississippi. She says the US Department of Health and Human Services has set aside 10 billion dollars to help rural healthcare providers.

Segment 2:

The second round of funding for the Paycheck Protection Program is underway. President Donald Trump signed the bill last week, injecting an additional $484 billion dollars in financial aid. Mississippi's banks will be managing the distribution of funds allocated to the state. Gordon Fellows, President and CEO of the Mississippi Bankers Association, explains the role local banks play in getting the aid to business owners.

Segment 3:

A Guggenheim Fellowship is a prestigious honor whose recipients demonstrate exceptional creative ability in the arts. This year, one Mississippian has been so honored. She is the first from the University of Mississippi in 70 years and the first ever Asian American to receive the fellowship. Poet and Ole Miss English Professor, Aimee Nezhukumatathil…

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The Governor lays out his priorities for Mississippi’s CARES Act relief funds.

And, how the pandemic is affecting local dairy distribution.

Then, after a southern remedy health minute, how hospitals are considering the mental and emotional well being of its front line workers.

Segment 1:

Mississippi will soon receive more than one billion dollars from the federal CARES Act to help the state recover from the coronavirus pandemic. During his daily press briefing yesterday, Governor Tate Reeves outlined his priorities. While the governor steers the state towards re-opening, data from the department of health presents some concerns for State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs.

Segment 2:

While fears of a national meat shortage are on the rise due to a number of processing plants shutting down around the country, dairy farmers in Mississippi are experiencing a different set of obstacles. With schools closed for the semester and restaurants still limited to carryout, the dairy distribution chain has been disrupted. Michael Ferguson owns and operates a dairy farm near Senatobia. He tells our Kobee Vance how the pandemic, and the early panic buying, has changed the dairy landscape.

Segment 3:

Southern Remedy Health Minute

Segment 4:

The death of Dr. Lorna Breen, a top emergency room doctor at a heavily impacted Manhattan hospital, has made wide-reaching ripples across the country. Breen, who died by suicide last weekend, was on the front-lines of the COVID-19 crisis in America's largest hotspot. In the days before her death, she had described the scene to her father - recounting stories of victims who died before ever leaving the ambulances. Her story sheds light on the mental and emotional toll the crisis is having on primary care workers, and the need for health systems to provide for their well being. Dr. John Sawyer is a Neuropsychologist and the Medical Director for Professional Staff Experience for Ochsner Health in New Orleans. He shares how hospital administrations can care for their care takers with our Michael Guidry. 

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Mississippi businesses reopen after three weeks of shelter in place. The Governor hopes this step can begin to boost the state’s economy.

And legislative leaders set a date for the session to resume.

Plus, what the science community has learned about COVID treatments and antibodies.

Segment 1:

Many Mississippi businesses are reopening to the public as the state begins the long transition back to normalcy. The Safer at Home Order went into effect yesterday, and Governor Tate Reeves says this reopening phase is the first step in shifting responsibility for public health from the state to the individual. Mississippi's businesses resume operations at a time when the state's revenue stream is experiencing a steep decline, largely due to the pandemic-induced shutdown. Herb Frierson is the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue. He says the shortfall is in the tens of millions, and tells us how the pandemic could affect the state's rainy day fund.

Segment 2:

After an unplanned nine-week recess, the Mississippi legislature is set to resume next month. Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann and Speaker Phillip Gunn announced yesterday the legislative bodies will reconvene on May 18th, and are working on protocols to prioritize the health and safety of those in the building. During Monday's Stennis Capital Press Forum, Hosemann shared is thoughts on PPE, education, the state's budget, and voting.

Segment 3:

Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial commonly used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, shot to the front of the nation's consciousness last month, thanks in part to President Trump's promotion of the drug. Now, after an initial reflective study done by the VA, more is known about its effectiveness in treating COVID-19. Dr. Vikas Majithia is a rheumatologist with the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He discusses the results of the study, and the latest scientific findings with our Michael Guidry.

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The Governor loosens restrictions in his latest "Safer at Home" order. And, why some Mississippi residents say it isn’t enough.

Then, the Attorney General says China should be held legally responsible for damages to Mississippi.

Plus, navigating business insurance claims during a pandemic.

Segment 1:

Some Mississippi businesses will begin to reopen this week as the state continues to relax restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Tate Reeves' "Safer at Home Order" starts today and will allow certain businesses the opportunity to open their doors for the first time in weeks. At his daily briefing on Friday, Reeves laid out the vision for his new executive order. During the pandemic, Governor Reeves has stated his decisions would be guided by data and science. He has often pointed to the state's record unemployment as one metric that informs his actions. He says this decision was weighed carefully by examining health metrics county by county. Dr. Thomas Dobbs says the data shows new hospitalizations are steady or declining, indicating the state is headed in the right direction.

Some Mississippians have joined the national movement to protest state-level business restrictions. ReOpen Mississippi, an action group demanding the governor fully open the state, paraded in cars around the Governor’s mansion Saturday. MPB's Ashley Norwood was at the scene. Protester Don Hartness of Ellisville told her his restaurant and food business has lost thousands of dollars during the state lockdown.

Segment 2:

 Attorney General Lynn Fitch is preparing to file a lawsuit against China to hold the Communist nation accountable for deaths, health injuries, and serious economic loss caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Fitch’s case will seek damages under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, and is similar to a case filed last week by the State of Missouri. Attorney General Fitch shares why she is prioritizing this legal action.

Segment 3:

The pandemic and related economic shutdown is causing financial damage to businesses unseen since the Great Depression. With the outbreak of the coronavirus, some business owners may be wondering whether their insurance policies cover losses resulting from a business shut down or other losses related to the coronavirus. Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney has the answers. 

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The Governor applauds local business for their efforts in fighting the pandemic

And, with its tourism economy halted, the Delta goes digital.

Then, local farmers are dumping product due to low demand.

Plus, how has the pandemic affected Mississippi voters’ attitudes about the November election.

Segment 1:

Governor Tate Reeves says Mississippi businesses are stepping up to join the fight during the coronavirus pandemic. Joined by a parade of statewide business leaders during his daily press briefing yesterday, Reeves celebrated the collaboration between the public and private sectors in finding solutions to the state's needs. The Governor is also looking forward as his extended shelter-in-place order is set to expire Monday. Reeves has largely stayed on message this week regarding the need to get Mississippians back to work while considering public health concerns. He says the state needs to take a gradual approach.

With concerts canceled and musicians gig-less, music rich tourist destinations like Clarksdale are adapting. Bubba O'Keefe is the Director of Visit Clarksdale. He tells MPB's Alexandra Watts, once the tourists stopped coming, the city had to find other ways to get their hottest commodity in front of people.

Segment 2:

The demand for nearly every agricultural product has fallen flat during the Coronavirus pandemic, causing farmers across the gulf states to lose essential income. As MPB’s Kobee Vance reports, some products are being thrown out because of decreased demand.

Segment 3:

The latest Millsaps-Chism Strategies poll reveals Mississippians are feeling the impact of the pandemic. 73% believe the coronavirus outbreak will lead to an economic recession. Nearly 70% say they are considerably or slightly more concerned with affording medical coverage. Nathan Shrader is the Chair of the Department of Government and Politics at Millsaps College. In part two of our conversation, he explains how those concerns are shaping attitudes toward the the November general election.

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Governor Reeves says Mississippi is performing better than projected.

And, how do voters grade the state’s response to the pandemic? We breakdown the latest Millsaps-Chism poll.

Then, cardiac hospital visits are down. We look at the impact COVID-19 is having on heart health.

Plus, in today’s Book Club: a shack in the Mississippi Delta is the setting for a mystery of blocked memories from thirty years earlier.

Segment 1:

Governor Tate Reeves says he expects to take steps next week to gradually reopen the state's economy during the coronavirus pandemic. He's not yet revealing what those steps will be, but says he's taking advice from public health experts. During his daily press briefing yesterday, Reeves applauded the efforts of Mississippians in performing better than projections indicated. Reeves asserts the state is not facing a wide-spread outbreak, but is instead fighting smaller, localized battles. State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs says the department of health is adding staff to continue the aggressive isolate and contain strategy. 

A recent poll from Millsaps College and Chism Strategies reveals Missisippians are widely concerned about the health and economic effects of the pandemic. Nathan Shrader is chair of the Millsaps College Department of Government and Politics. In part one of our conversation, he shares what the poll reveals about how voters view the pandemic, and the government's response to it.

Segment 2:

With health officials across America focused on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the nation's hospitals, some people with unrelated yet urgent health problems are avoiding emergency rooms. But doctors say they shouldn't - especially if they are experiencing heart related problems. Dr. William Crowder is a cardiologist with the Jackson Heart Clinic. He shares the impact of the pandemic on heart health with our Michael Guidry.

Segment 3:

Last July, our Book Club selection featured “The Gone Dead” by Chanelle Benz. Soon after, the book was named a NY Times Book Review Editor’s Choice as well as named best new book of the summer by O, The Oprah Magazine, Time and Southern Living. We re-visit our conversation with Benz who told us her writing career began after her efforts of becoming an actor failed.

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