The articles of impeachment move from the House to the Senate. We take a closer look at how both parties might handle the upcoming Senate trial. And we hear from voters about their response to President Trump's impeachment.

Then, a special report on how small businesses in the Delta are utilizing online shopping options.

And, staying safe on the road during the holidays.

Segment 1:

President Donald Trump became the third president in American history to be impeached by the House of Representatives. He now awaits a trial in the Senate to determine whether or not he will be removed from office. Matt Steffey is a professor at the Mississippi College School of Law. He joined our Michael Guidry to discuss the House vote and the political maneuverings expected from both parties as the process moves forward.

More than 58 percent of Mississippians voted for Donald Trump for President in 2016. MPB's Kobee Vance took to the streets to hear from voters about the impeachment. Jan Petersen, a Flowood resident, thinks the impeachment is wrong and baseless. Eddie from Flowood didn't support Donald Trump in 2016, and he disagrees with the President's conduct. But, he also doesn't see the impeachment changing anything. Abdul and Jeff travel between New Orleans and Jackson routinely for business. Abdul thinks the impeachment will energize the President's base, while Jeff believes the accountability of impeachment was necessary.

Segment 2:

With online shopping becoming more and more popular, brick and mortar stores have felt the brunt. But in the Mississippi Delta, some small business owners are not fighting against the internet, but using it to reach more customers. MPB’s Alexandra Watts travels around the Delta and reports on how shopping online is impacting rural areas.

Segment 3:

Walt Brinker has spent nearly 40 years helping stranded motorists on the America's highways. He tells our Karen Brown how he got started and what drivers can do to avoid needing his help.

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The House votes to impeach President Trump. We hear from the Mississippi House delegation.

Then, Guntown was one of the many Mississippi towns profoundly affected by the latest severe weather. We talk to the mayor.

And, a recent Legislative PEER Committee report reveals increased wait times at driver service offices.

Plus, Book Club with Smitty Harris.

Segment 1:

The House of Representatives has impeached President Donald Trump. On Wednesday night, the House voted in favor of two articles of impeachment against the President: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Congressman Steven Palazzo was one of the three Mississippi Republicans who voted against the articles. He tells MPB's Michael Guidry why. Congressman Michael Guest made his case on the House floor during the allocated debate time. Representative Bennie Thompson, Mississippi's lone Democrat in Congress, rose to state why he supported impeachment. 

The articles will now go before the Senate for a trial. Senator Roger Wicker will be one of 100 Senators serving as a juror in the decision of whether or not to remove the President from office. He released a statement in response to the House's vote. As a part of the trial proceedings in the Senate, all Senators will be required to take an oath affirming that they will "do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws".

Segment 2:

MEMA reports that 15 tornados were confirmed in Mississippi during Monday's severe weather. One of those tornados was an F2 that affected parts of Lee County. Bud Herring is the Mayor of Guntown in Lee County. He speaks with MPB's Kobee Vance about the storm's immediate impact.

Segment 3:

The wait time for driver services at DMV offices in Mississippi has tripled between 2017 and 2019. That's according to a report from the Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review or PEER. James Barber is with the Mississippi Legislative PEER Committee. He tells our Ashley Norwood that the committee has identified a number of factors that explain the increased wait times.

Segment 4:

In 1965, Air Force pilot Captain Carlyle "Smitty" Harris was shot down over Vietnam. Harris spent the next eight years as a POW: subjected to torture, interrogation, isolation and other abuses. One of the only things that gave the prisoners hope was a form of non-verbal communication that wasn’t detected by their captors. Colonel Harris introduced POWs to the tap code who taught it to others and a network of connection was born. Harris tells our Karen Brown about his capture and what followed.

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The Fifth Circuit Court rules the Mississippi abortion bill unconstitutional. The governor plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. We hear from both sides of the argument.

And, after over twenty years in custody, Curtis Flowers is released.

Plus, the Department of Housing and Urban Development awards the Choctaw Housing Authority a five million dollar grant.

Segment 1:

The Fifth Circuit court has upheld a lower court ruling on Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban. Governor Phil Bryant has stated that he intends on challenging the ruling in the U.S. Supreme Court. Joey Fillingane is a Senate Republican from Sumrall. He tells MPB's Kobee Vance that he supports the governor's plan to appeal.  Diane Derzis owns the Jackson Women's Health Organization, the only abortion clinic in the state. She tells our Kobee Vance that the law was intentionally designed to bring the issue before a conservative leaning U.S. Supreme Court.

Segment 2:

For the first time in over two decades, Curtis Flowers is out of prison. Circuit Court Judge Joseph Loper granted Flowers bond on Monday. He also stated that the state has raised its burden in trying the case for a seventh time. MPB's Ashley Norwood was in Winona when the judge presented his ruling.Flowers' attorney, Robert McDuff echoed the Judge Loper's call to the state. Crystal Ghosten is Flowers' daughter. She tells our Ashley Norwood that she is eager to make memories with her father now that he has been released.

Segment 3:

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the Choctaw Housing Authority a $5 million grant. We speak with CHA Executive Director Eric Willis and Choctaw Band of Indians Chief Cyrus Ben about the grant process.

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The Joint Legislative Budget Committee begins plans for the 2020 session.

Then, Entergy announces a new sub-station in Madison County.

And, after a Byte Size Tech, it's Red Kettle Season. Find out how your donations help the Salvation Army during the holidays and all year long.

Segment 1:

Members of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee have presented budget recommendations for the 2020 session. Salaries increases for teachers are a possibility. But, as House Speaker Philip Gunn tells our Desare Frazier, it's too soon to pin anything down. Outgoing Senator Willie Simmons is pleased that the recommendations include unallocated funds for the new legislature to work with.

Segment 2:

Entergy Mississippi is investing 57 million dollars in a project to attract economic development and improve reliability. Entergy's Ed Gardner Jr. tells our Michael Guidry that the company is excited about the new substation and the opportunities it can attract.

Segment 3:

Byte Size Tech

Segment 4:

As you may have noticed, its Red Kettle Season. The Salvation Army uses this holiday donation drive to fund all of its programming during the year. But, as Michelle Hartfield tells MPB's Kobee Vance, they have only reached 37 percent of their 2019 goal.

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With just a few weeks left until 2020, we take a look at what Mississippians can expect from the upcoming Census. 

Then, the enrollment deadline for coverage under the Affordable Care Act is Sunday, December 15th. We revisit our conversation with Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney.

And, after StoryCorps, a ceremonial groundbreaking for Mississippi's First Lady.

Segment 1:

Every ten-years the United States government conducts a constitutionally-mandated census. John Green is the Director of the State Data Center of Mississippi. He talks with MPB's Ashley Norwood about the importance of the Census and how the data is used.

Segment 2:

Enrollment for coverage though the Affordable Care Act closes on December 15th. MPB's Desare Frazier talks with Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney about how Mississippians can access the exchange.

Segment 3:

StoryCorps

Segment 4:

Mississippi is welcoming its first pediatric skilled nursing facility. Designed for the state's most medically fragile children, the center hopes to be a reprieve for those families dealing with medical complexities. First Lady Deborah Bryant has been a long-time advocate of this care option for Mississippi families.  Dr. Christian Paine is the Division Chief of Pediatric Palliative Medicine for UMMC. MBP's Ashley Norwood talks to both about the goals for the facility.

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The State Economist's office projects higher than expected revenues for 2019. What does this mean for the 2020 budget?

Also, the House has formally drafted articles of impeachment against President Trump. We look at the significance of this momentous act.

And, after a Southern Remedy Health Minute, we talk with the University of Mississippi's first female African-American Rhodes Scholar.

Segment 1:

Mississippi's state economist estimates lawmakers will have more money to allocate during the upcoming 2020 legislative session than originally thought. Darrin Webb says tax revenue grew by about a half a percent. He explains that growth with MPB's Desare Frazier.

State House Democrat Earle Banks of Jackson is pleased with the revenue projection, but says Mississippi is missing out by refusing to expand Medicaid.

State Senate Republican Dean Kirby of Pearl says lawmakers must be cautious in their appropriation of these surplus funds.

Segment 2:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced that the House will pursue a formal impeachment against President Donald Trump. Two articles of impeachment were presented by the Speaker and the chairs of the various committees involved in the impeachment inquiry on Tuesday. Matt Steffey is a professor at the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson. He speaks with MPB's Michael Guidry about the significance of this historic action.

Segment 3:

Southern Remedy Health Minute

Segment 4:

From the plains of the Mississippi Delta to the halls of Oxford University - that's the story of Arielle Hudson, the University of Mississippi's first female African-American Rhodes Scholar. She talks with us about the process of becoming a Rhodes Scholar and how she plans to use her scholarship experience to give back to her home state.

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The University of Mississippi is one step closer to relocating a Confederate monument. We talk to the Associated Student Body President.

Plus, a special feature on the immigrant communities affected by the August ICE raids.

And, Mississippi fourth graders have shown the greatest reading gains in the country according to the National Assessment of Education Progress. We take a close look at some of the practices that may explain this rise.

Segment 1:

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has approved a motion from the University of Mississippi's Associated Student Body to relocate a Confederate monument. The statue currently resides in a prominent location outside of the school's administrative buildings. The approved motion would move the statue to the Confederate cemetery on campus. As President of the ASB Barron Mayfield tells our Michael Guidry, the relocation is a sign the University community is progress-minded.

Former students are also weighing in on the relocation. Je'Monda Roy is a University of Mississippi alumna. She tells MBP's Ashley Norwood that the statue's presence makes members of her community feel unwelcome.

Segment 2:

Mississippi communities are pooling resources to help undocumented immigrants cope with the fallout from the ICE raids earlier this year. MPB's Desare Frazier visits one community to see how their managing relief efforts. 

Segment 3:

Fourth grade students in Mississippi have outgained their national peers in reading according to the latest National Assessment of Education Progress. Emily Hanford is an education reporter for American Public Media who has looked closely at the science of reading, and how that science is being implemented in classrooms across the country. She talks with us about how Mississippi is utilizing this research and how it may account for those gains in reading.

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A civil rights leader is honored.

And the Mississippi Department of Education considers adjusting its accountability model.

Plus, the high school football season comes to a close with Championship Weekend.

Segment 1:

Vernon Dahmer was a voting rights activist in the Hattiesburg area during the Civil Rights movement. His life was taken following a firebombing on his home by White Knights of the Ku Kux Klan in January of 1966. Now, his legacy is being honored outside the the Forest County Courthouse through efforts made by David Hogan and the Forest County Board of Supervisors. MPB's Michael Guidry speaks with Dennis Dahmer, son of the fallen civil rights leader, about his father and the new monument to his memory.

Segment 2:

The Accountability Task Force met Thursday at the Mississippi Department of Education to discuss the accountability model that measures student achievement. At the heart of the conversation was the United States History exam. The State Board of Education is currently considering eliminating the test from its accountability model. MPB's Ashley Norwood talks to Dr. Tim Martin (Superintendent of Clinton Public Schools) about the task force's objectives.

Dr. Eddie Peasant (Superintendent of Starkville-Oktibbeha Public Schools) agrees that the US History course helps in developing critical skills. But as he tell's MPB's Ashley Norwood, he doesn't think the exam is essential to ensuring the course is taught to a high standard.

Segment 3:

Six high school football champions will be crowned this weekend at M. M. Roberts Stadium on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. Don Hinton of the Mississippi High School Activities Association says he is excited about the upcoming games in Hattiesburg as he discusses with MPB's Michael Guidry.

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Impeachment hearings continue in the House Judiciary Committee. We hear from Mississippi delegates on both sides of the aisle

Also, a federal appeals court is deciding whether felons in Mississippi should have the right to vote.

Plus a new Book Club.

Segment 1:

The impeachment proceeding are moving closer to Senate action as the House Judiciary Committee considers Articles of Impeachment. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith is part of the congressional body that will be responsible for voting on the President's removal from office if articles are presented. Representative Bennie Thompson is Mississippi's lone Democrat in Congress. He has also been following the impeachment hearings closely. Both lawmakers give their take on the impeachment.

Segment 2:

A group of six felons is pushing to have their right to vote in Mississippi restored. A federal appeals court will decide whether it is constitutional for Mississippi to limit voting rights of felons after their sentence is complete. These limits disproportionately affect communities of color.  MPB's Kobee Vance speaks with Dr. Corey Wiggins, Executive Director of the Mississippi NAACP and Paloma Wu, an attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Center,

Segment 3:

Mississippi writer, Larry Brown, had great fans in John Grisham, Pat Conroy, Barry Hannah and Willie Morris … Yet, Larry Brown doesn’t share in the notoriety of the other authors. Perhaps it’s because he died 15 years ago and his writing career was cut short. But now, thanks to Jonathan Miles, the complete stories of Larry Brown have been compiled in the book “Tiny Love.” Miles talked with us about his friend.

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Political discord in the workplace is growing nationwide. How can your job be affected by your political beliefs and affiliation?

Also, part two of our special report on HIV challenges in the Delta.

Plus, a Southern Remedy Health Minute.

And, the enrollment period for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is drawing near. We talk to Insurance Commissioner Mike Cheney on how to get coverage.

Segment 1:

As the impeachment proceedings move to the House Judiciary Committee, the nation's attention once again turns to Capital Hill. And new survey from the Society for Human Resource Management suggests highly politicized topics like the impeachment are creating discord in the work place. We discuss the findings with Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., CEO and President of SHRM.

Segment 2: 

More than half of people diagnosed with H-I-V in the south are African American. The Mississippi Delta is home to some of the highest infection rates in the state and the country. There's still a lot of stigma around having H-I-V and AIDS here, but as MPB’s Alexandra Watts reports some people are finding support in what may seem -- at first -- like a surprising location.

Segment 3:

Southern Remedy Health Minute

Segment 4:

Enrollment for coverage though the Affordable Care Act closes on December 15th. MPB's Desare Frazier talks with Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney about how Mississippians can access the exchange.

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