Mornings with Richard Cross

7:35 a.m. - Mike Ezell - Congressman, MS 4th Congressional District

Topic: Update from D.C., legislation that he is working on right now, committees that he is a part of, thoughts on the presidential election and the upcoming Democratic National Convention starting next week.

8:05 a.m. - Roy Turner - Executive Director, Elvis Presley Birthplace

Topic: The life of Elvis Presley and the anniversary of his passing. Have they had many visitors this year during Elvis week?

8:35 a.m. - Dixon Williams - SuperTalk MS Sports Director

Topic: Preview of weekend sports, biggest sports news of the week, etc.

7:20 a.m. - Keri Abernathy - 4th Vice President and Director, Region 9, National Federation of Republican Women

Penny Payne - President, Mississippi Federation of Republican Women

Topic: Thoughts on the Presidential election and an overview of the work statewide from MFRW as an organization. Is more help needed in state or out of state?

If so, how MS members can volunteer.

8:05 a.m. - Joey Fillingane - Senator, MS District 41 (Chairman, Judiciary B & Vice-Chair, Medicaid)

Topic: Legislative matters that he is focusing on during the “off season” along with any hearings in which he is taking part.

7:20 a.m. – Rebekah Staples – Fellow on Work, Empower Mississippi

Topic: Empower and their most report studying Mississippi's labor force participation rate.

MS is consistently ranked as having one of the lowest labor force participation rates in the country.

The goal of this research is to help determine why more Mississippians aren't in the workforce so we can pave a better path forward.

8:35 a.m. – Houston Battle – MS Catfish Farmer of the Year

Bio - Houston is part owner of Battle Fish Farm and Pride of the Pond processing plant in Tunica, Mississippi.

He grew up on the family fish farm, diligently working his way up to now operate the farm alongside his father, Bill Battle, and brother, Cooper Battle.

Houston’s analytical skills have driven key renovations on the farm to optimize the family business.

Houston earned his degree in business administration at Mississippi State University. In 2019, he married his beautiful wife, Hannah, in Snowmass, Colorado. Houston currently serves on the Catfish Farmers of America board and participates in the Young Farmers Leadership Program.

Topic: August is catfish month and Houston is the 2024 Catfish Farmer of the Year here in MS.

Houston has a family history in the catfish industry

7:35am- Chris Brown - Northern District Public Service Commissioner

Topic: Update from the Northern District’s PSC and the investigation into the Holly Springs Utility Department. https://www.supertalk.fm/consulting-firm-selected-to-investigate-holly-springs-utility-department-over-routine-power-outages/

8:05am- Trent Lott - Former U.S. Senator & Senate Majority/Minority Leader 1996-2003

Topic: His analysis on the current state of affairs in DC, his thoughts on the presidential election, overview and assessment of the wars in Israel/Iran, and Ukraine/Russia along with the U.S.’s involvement in them both.

7:05 a.m. - Sean Tindell - Commissioner, Department of Public Safety

Topic: The officer involved shooting in summit last week. Impact on the law enforcement community, etc.

7:35am- Jeremy England - MS Senator, District 51 (Chair, Elections Cmte. & Vice-Chair, Ports & Marine Resources Cmte.)

Topic: His recent trip to West Virginia and a legislative conference that he took part in. Thoughts on any bills that he plans to put forth in the next session, etc.

8:35am- J.T. Mitchell - News Director, SuperTalk MS News

Topic: The week in the news and some of the biggest headlines of the week.

7:20 a.m. - Mike Hurst - Former U.S. Attorney & MS GOP Chairman

Topic: The Presidential election and Harris’ VP pick.

8:35 a.m. - Dixon Williams - SuperTalk MS Sports Director

Topic: Preview of weekend sports, biggest sports news of the week, etc.

7:05 a.m. - Daniel Sparks -?Senator, MS Dist. 5 (Itawamba, Prentiss, and Tishomingo)

Chair, Economic & Workforce Development Committee & Vice-Chair, Judiciary B Committee

Topic: Recent bills becoming law, thoughts on Neshoba speeches, thoughts on the presidential election, etc.

8:35 a.m. - Lars Larson - Nationally syndicated talk host

Topic: The Harris campaign VP announcement and presidential election discussion.

7:20 a.m. - Glenn Antizzo - Professor of Political Science, Mississippi College

Topic: World News

8:05 a.m. - Scott Waller - President, MS Economic Council; Michael Watson - MS Secretary of State; Kim Dillon - President and CEO, SuperTalk MS Media

7:05 a.m. - Karla Tye - Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi

7:35 a.m. - Rachel Lahasky - BSW Coordinator Instructor, USM School of Social Work

8:05 a.m. - Dr. Trent Gould - Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi

8:20 a.m. - Toby Barker - Mayor, Hattiesburg

8:50 a.m. - Didi Ellis - Executive Director, Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center

7:20 a.m. - Andy Gipson – Commissioner, MS Department Agriculture & Commerce

Topic: The Department of Revenue has updated the tax assessment, and it includes an increase in assessments for poultry houses.

Assessments triple from $2/sq ft to $6 or $7/sq ft. This comes at a time when input costs for growers are already high.

This is an example of the tax increases that Andy was referencing during his recent Neshoba speech.

8:35 a.m. - J.T. Mitchell – News Director, SuperTalk MS News

Topic: The week in the news and some of the biggest headlines of the week.