The Other Side: Mississippi Today's Political Podcast

Mississippi Today's politics team gives a rundown on a monumental week in the Magnolia State that saw thousands of people marching and rallying in Jackson over voting rights and the gerrymandering battle embroiling much of the nation.

House Democratic Leader Robert Johnson of Natchez says that as states across the nation become embroiled over racial and partisan gerrymandering of voting districts, he believes now they'll know "what it's like to be in Mississippi" with its long struggles with voting rights and drawing district lines. What other states see as unprecedented political battle, Johnson said, "We call Tuesday."

Attorney Ty Pinkins is an independent candidate for U.S. Senate this year, facing incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democratic candidate Scott Colom. Pinkins says partisan politics and big-money influence are causing government to fail Mississippians and the system has become 'a self-licking ice cream.'

Scott Colom, district attorney and former judge, is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Mississippi's upcoming midterm election. He says incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith has put politics ahead of what's good for Mississippians and that he will be more accessible to constituents and support policies that help them.

Longtime Sen. Hob Bryan, chairman of the Senate Public Health Committee, discusses the recent failed attempt by lawmakers to override the governor's veto of a bill aimed at oversight and transparency in spending of hundreds of millions of federal funds for rural health care in Mississippi.

Philip Gunn, who in 2012 became the first Republican since Reconstruction to serve as speaker of the Mississippi House, says the state accomplished much during his 12 years leading the House and that record should set him apart in the 2027 race for governor. Gunn last week became the second person to announce a gubernatorial run, but many expect a crowded field, especially in the Republican primary, with an open seat in 2027.

West Jackson neighbors Valerie Clark and Heather Logan recently formed a nonprofit called Revive and Restore to prove a hypothesis that might surprise you: Their neighborhood has more good homes than blighted homes. JXN Reporter Molly Minta talks to Clark and Logan about their work mapping all 7,000+ parcels in their neighborhood.

Mississippi Today health reporters Gwen Dilworth and Sophia Paffenroth review what the Legislature did (or didn't) accomplish with PBMs, Medicaid, abortion drugs and other health policy issues this session.

Mississippi Today reporters recap the legislative session just ended, at least for now. The '26 session will be known more for what was killed — due to infighting between House and Senate GOP leaders — than what was passed.

Jarvis Dortch, executive director of the ACLU of Mississippi and a former state lawmaker, warns of a pending Supreme Court decision from a Louisiana case and efforts in Congress that would undermine the Voting Rights Act and potentially turn back the clock on voting rights and redistricting in Mississippi and elsewhere.