State Senator Jenifer Branning and State Representative Scott Bounds joined The Extra Mile podcast on location at the Neshoba County Fair. Senator Branning and Representative Bounds shared stories about the fair, discussed transportation-related topics and much more.

• Show intro - 00:27
• State Representative Scott Bounds on his new role as President of the Neshoba County Fair - 01:24
• Rep. Bounds gives history and synopsis of the Neshoba County Fair - 03:14
• Rep. Bounds on the political element of the Neshoba County Fair - 06:05
• Rep. Bounds on the logistics of the fair - 07:02
• Rep. Bounds on the attendance of the Neshoba County Fair - 08:56
• Rep. Bounds on the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund - 11:00
• Rep. Bounds favorite place meal at the Neshoba County Fair - 12:12
• Wrapping things up with Rep. Bounds - 13:26
• Commercial break: MDOT Central District Commissioner Willie Simmons soundbite from Neshoba County Fair speech - 13:54
• Introducing State Senator Jenifer Branning - 14:58
• Sen. Branning on how she's enjoying the fair - 15:38
• Sen. Branning highlighting the past legislative session for MDOT - 16:02
• Sen. Branning on preparations being made for the next legislative session - 17:30
• Sen. Branning on her favorite memories from the Neshoba County Fair - 18:11
• Sen. Branning on projects in her area she's keeping an eye on, Hwy 19 in Neshoba County - 20:38
• Sen. Branning on the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund - 21:42
• Sen. Branning on how she works with Rep. Bounds to advance the best interests of the district - 22:49
• Sen. Branning on her favorite food at the Neshoba County Fair - 24:13
• Show outro - 25:44

Former Governor Ronnie Musgrove joined the show to talk about his personal connection to MDOT, his most memorable accomplishments as governor, what he’s up to these days and more.

• Show intro - 00:29
• Information on Former Governor Ronnie Musgrove, background on why he ran for governor - 1:01
• Governor Musgrove's connection to the old Mississippi Highway Department, now MDOT - 03:06
• How Governor Musgrove worked with MDOT to advance transportation interests - 05:54
• Story about vetoing initial contraflow legislation and reworking the pact between Mississippi and Louisiana - 07:53
• PSA: Former MDOT Central District Commissioner Dick Hall on work zone safety - 11:19
• Governor Musgrove's greatest accomplishment as governor - 12:02
• What's the key to running an entire state? - 16:49
• What is Governor Musgrove up to these day? - 19:31
• Favorite place to grab a bite to eat when traveling around Mississippi - 22:12
• Show outro - 23:50

Nuria Fernandez, Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, joined The Extra Mile podcast to talk about a $650,000 rural transportation grant for Claiborne County, give an overview of the FTA, talk about the importance of public transportation and more.

• Show intro - 00:29
• More on $650,000 rural transportation grant (Areas of Persistent Poverty Program) for Claiborne County - 01:04 
• Why Claiborne County for this grant? - 02:00
• Background information on Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration Nuria Fernandez -02:33
• Administrator Fernandez on the emotional testimonial of a public transit user in Claiborne County - 04:55
• Overview of the Federal Transportation Administration from Administrator Fernandez - 05:45
• On Administrator Fernandez's first trip to Mississippi - 07:42
• On Administrator Fernandez and her staff getting boots on the ground to work in communities - 08:17
• Where did Administrator Fernandez get a bite to eat the night before the grant presentation? - 09:18
• Any last message from the Federal Transit Administration to Mississippians - 10:17
• Show outro - 11:19

The Extra Mile team took the show on the road to talk to Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker in city hall. He discussed his path to being elected mayor, working with MDOT to accomplish transportation infrastructure goals, the explosion of growth in the Hub City and more.

• Show intro - 00:28
• Background and how Mayor Barker made it to Hattiesburg - 01:33
• What led him to run for Mayor of Hattiesburg after 10 years in the Mississippi House or Representatives - 02:34
• How does the City of Hattiesburg work with MDOT to accomplish transportation infrastructure goals - 04:05
• Fun story of how Mayor Barker met MDOT Southern District Transportation Commissioner Tom King - 04:37
• Transportation projects going on in the City of Hattiesburg - 06:50
• Unique considerations to be made when planning transportation with two university in the city (Southern Miss and William Carey) - 11:46
• What does Mayor Hattiesburg attribute the explosion of growth in the city to? - 13:24
• Impact of Longleaf Trace on the Hattiesburg economy - 15:19
• Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker's favorite place to eat when out traveling on Mississippi highways - 17:36
• Star-Spangled Celebration on the River, Fourth of July collaboration between Hattiesburg and Petal - 18:50
• Show outro - 20:33

The Extra Mile podcast was on location at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney joined the show to discuss his background, hurricane preparedness, the various responsibilities of MEMA and more.

• Show intro - 00:30
• Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Stephen McCraney on his background and experience - 01:30
• Overview of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency - 03:21
• On MDOT's role during hurricane season - 08:26
• MEMA's Radiation Preparedness Program - 09:32
• How can the public stay in the loop during emergencies? - 10:11
• On MEMA's emergency response vehicles - 11:38
• On how contraflow works - 12:47
• What should Mississippians do to prepare for disasters? - 15:00
• More on "The First 72 Hours Are On You" - 17:19
• What not to do during a disaster? - 19:11
• On avoiding downed power lines - 21:15
• Favorite place to grab a bite to eat when traveling on Mississippi highways? - 21:05
• Show outro - 23:59

Mississippi Today Editor-at-Large Marshall Ramsey joined the show to discuss his career as an editorial cartoonist, give his thoughts on covering MDOT, talk about his favorite places to grab a bite to eat while traveling Mississippi highways and more.

• Show intro - 00:29
• Introducing Mississippi Today Editor-at-Large Marshall Ramsey - 00:52
• Background, why did Marshall Ramsey decide to be an editorial cartoonist? - 01:40M
• Marshall Ramsey on his creative process - 03:33
• Marshall Ramsey on overcoming creative block - 05:19
• On the balance between fact-based journalism and humor - 06:40
• On covering MDOT and any memories from covering the agency - 08:10
• Hwy 49 cartoon and Marshall Ramsey's thoughts on the project - 09:36
• Favorite cartoons over the years - 11:20
• On Marshall Ramsey's radio show on Mississippi Public Radio, interview series for Mississippi Today - 15:06
• Interview tips for The Extra Mile podcast crew - 16:05
• On the importance of having a safe, efficient transportation network in Mississippi - 19:07
• Favorite place for Marshall Ramsey to get a bite to eat when out traveling on Mississippi highways - 23:00
• Show outro - 25:35

Former Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall joined the show to recap his time in public service, give his thoughts on the 2022 legislative session for MDOT and opine on what needs to happen going forward to advance transportation infrastructure in Mississippi.

• Show intro - 00:27
• Introducing former MDOT Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall - 01:14
• Background on former MDOT Commissioner Dick Hall - 01:25
• Commissioner Dick Hall on being a part of the legislature vs. being transportation commissioner - 01:58
• On when Commissioner Dick first met MDOT Executive Director Brad White - 03:17
• Important projects that stick out in the mind of Commissioner Dick Hall - 04:53
• Commissioner Hall's take on the 2022 legislative session for MDOT - 08:51
• Long-term funding conversation for transportation infrastructure in Mississippi - 10:22
• On the legislature allowing for salary increases for MDOT employees - 13:49
• On Commissioner Dick Hall being honored for his years of service to MDOT - 16:32
• Story about planting of tree and metaphor for building transportation infrastructure - 17:54
• First car/favorite car for Commissioner Dick Hall - 20:02
• What was MDOT Executive Director Brad White like back in the day? - 22:32
• On working with Commissioner Tom King as a transportation commissioner and working with Commissioner Willie Simmons in the legislature - 24:41
• Talking about the good, hard-working people that have worked for Commissioner Dick Hall - 25:57
• Favorite place to grab a bite to eat when traveling the state on Mississippi highways - 26:35
• What is Commissioner Dick Hall up to these days? - 27:52
• Funny story with Commissioner Dick Hall and the late Senator Thad Cochran getting confused for each other - 28:59
• Thanking Commissioner Dick Hall for appearing on the show - 30:52
• Show outro - 31:20 

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined the show to recap the 2022 legislative session, talk about former MDOT Commissioner Dick Hall, send out thanks for a successful session and more.

• Show intro - 00:16 
• MDOT Executive Director Brad White breaks down the legislative session for the agency - 01:26
• The new expectations that come with additional funding and salary increase at MDOT - 04:36
• Additional money to help speed up projects, help with inflation - 05:54
• Recap of MDOT's Fallen Worker Memorial Ceremony - 06:40
• Increase in roadway fatalities, what motorists can do to help with this - 08:43
• Refresher on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - 10:11
• Brad on the agency honoring former MDOT Commissioner Dick Hall - 12:24
• Special thanks from Brad for a successful legislative session - 15:08
• Things Brad has learned over his nearly a year at MDOT - 16:34
• Favorite place to get a bite to eat while traveling Mississippi highways - 18:27
• Paul and Will's favorite places to eat in Mississippi while traveling - 19:26
• News on show going forward, Extra Mile Podcast going to twice a month - 20:39
• Show outro - 21:18

Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann joined the show to talk his path into politics, additional money headed to MDOT from the legislature, his thoughts on brain drain and more.

• Show intro, introducing Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann - 00:15
• Lieutenant Governor Hosemann as an avid marathoner - 00:56  
• What drove Lt. Governor Hosemann to get into politics - 01:41
• On his decision to go from Secretary of State to Lt. Governor - 05:27
• Breakdown of the additional money being sent to MDOT from the Mississippi legislature - 06:15
• Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann on former MDOT Commissioner Dick Hall - 10:50
• Money for ports  - 13:45
• Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive (MFlex) - 15:24
• Other legislation left on table including ARPA money, education, tracking progress of legislature's investments - 16:55
• Lt. Governor Hosemann's thoughts on the brain drain and how to keep young people in the state - 20:08
• Favorite places to grab a bite to eat while out traveling Mississippi highways - 22:52
• On our state parks and our need to improve them - 23:39
• Best way for Mississippians to contact Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann - 25:36
• The Extra Mile Podcast receives Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Association of Mississippi - 26:16
• Show outro - 26:37

As the 2022 legislative session wraps up, co-host Will Craft broke down legislation affecting the agency. MDOT Chief Engineer/Deputy Executive Director Brian Ratliff also joined the show to explain the upcoming I-20 WB/I-55 SB closure in Jackson.

• Show intro, previewing legislation talk with Will Craft and I-20 closure with Brian Ratliff - 00:16
• MDOT's Will Craft, Government and Constituent Affairs, provides updates on legislation affecting the agency - 00:53
• Update on the next iteration of the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund - 05:16
• Gas tax holiday update - 06:36
• Introducing MDOT Deputy Executive Director/Chief Engineer Brian Ratliff - 07:42
• Closure on I-20 westbound, I-55 southbound in Jackson to repair dip in roadway, what caused it? - 07:54
• Walkthrough of what the work will look like - 09:00
• What would happen if these repairs were not made? - 09:40
• Explanation of detour routes - 10:27
• Reiteration of the corridors that will be affected - 10:48
• Does all the recent rain play a factor in the repair? - 11:36
• How will the public be updated on the closure? - 12:35
• People need to give themselves more time when navigating the closure - 13:12 
• SEC Squared, Mississippi State Personnel Board initiative - 13:38
• MDOT employee salaries top priority of Executive Director Brad White - 14:27
• Favorite place to stop and eat out when traveling on Mississippi highways - 15:38
• MDOT's The Extra Mile Podcast finalist for Government Social Media Conference podcast of the year - 17:26
• Will Craft shouts out MDOT's legislative team - 18:01
• Show outro - 18:49