U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will purchase up to $20 million in farm-raised catfish, which will likely benefit Mississippi catfish producers.The USDA’s purchase will largely be used for distribution through food banks, charities, and
Lumberton city leaders have finalized regulations for liquor sales, and local entrepreneurs are already moving forward with plans to open new restaurants and bars.During the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers designated Lumberton as a qualified resort area, effective July 1. The bill was sponsored
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith has been appointed to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, filling a vacancy created by the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, died July 11 after suffering a tear in the inner wall of his aorta, according to a prelimin
Former Mississippi Sen. John Polk has passed away at the age of 77, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann announced Monday afternoon.“The Senate and I have lost a close friend, confidant, and outstanding person in former Sen. John Polk of Hattiesburg,” Hosemann wrote on social media. “We will always remember hi
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has signed into law a sweeping youth court reform package.The legislation was passed during a two-day special session earlier this week and entailed three bills aimed at installing full-time judges to handle youth court cases, adding capacity to the state’s youth correct
Hinds County’s district attorney is calling on the state to audit the office he recently took over.Brad McCullouch, who was appointed to the full-time post by Gov. Tate Reeves on July 10 after previously holding it in the interim, has asked State Auditor Shad White’s team to conduct a review of his
After fierce debate among Mississippi lawmakers during a two-day special session, a proposal to reform the state’s youth court system has been sent to Gov. Tate Reeves.In a late Wednesday night vote, the Senate sent the youth court overhaul bill to the House of Representatives. The House Judiciary B
Former Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens has surrendered his license to practice law in Mississippi as he awaits sentencing in a federal bribery scandal.Owens executed a notice of irrevocable resignation with the Mississippi Bar on Thursday, meaning he is willfully giving up his law practice
Mississippi lawmakers concluded the first day of a special session aimed at addressing potential reforms to the state’s youth court system. On Wednesday, a late-night vote by the Senate moved the state one step closer to reforming a system that has been the subject of criticism for quite some time.G
Former state Sen. John Polk is receiving hospice care, one of his former colleagues announced Wednesday as lawmakers returned to the state capitol for a special session.Polk, 77, served in the Senate as a Republican for 14 years and represented areas in Lamar and Pearl River counties. He first took
WASHINGTON (AP) — There will be no turning back the clock if the House has its way.The House passed a bill Tuesday that would make daylight saving time permanent. Proponents, including the White House, argued the change would provide more daylight during the times that Americans are most active. The
Gov. Tate Reeves has abruptly called a special session regarding Mississippi’s youth court laws.The Republican governor announced Tuesday afternoon that lawmakers will return to the state capitol in Jackson at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The special session, per Reeves, is “necessitated” by a recent expiri
Gov. Tate Reeves has ordered flags to fly half-staff across Mississippi in honor of late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.Flags were ordered Monday morning to fly half-staff until Saturday, July 18. Reeves said on social media that the move comes at the direction of President Donald Trump, adding, “Mississi
Hinds County now has a new district attorney following the resignation and guilty plea of Jody Owens in connection with a federal bribery scandal.Gov. Tate Reeves announced Friday that he has lifted the interim title from Brad McCullouch, giving him the full-time DA role. McCullouch was announced as
The National Federation of Independent Business has launched a new campaign urging Congress to repeal a mandate requiring small businesses to disclose personal information.The federal Beneficial Ownership Information mandate, or BOI, which was passed in January 2021, calls for businesses of 20 emplo
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann is not a fan of mobile sports betting — and he made that stance quite clear this week.Hosemann took to social media on Tuesday to outline exactly why he’s opposed to the concept of Mississippians placing wagers from their personal devices outside of the four wal
A new Mississippi law allows the death penalty for those convicted of certain child sex crimes.Senate Bill 2821 went into effect on July 1 after passing overwhelmingly in both chambers of the state legislature and being signed by Gov. Tate Reeves during the 2026 session.The legislation, authored by
The Mississippi Bar is looking to prohibit embattled former Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens from practicing law within the state.In a complaint sent to the Mississippi Supreme Court, the Mississippi Bar cited Owens’ indictment on federal bribery charges and recent guilty plea as justificat
The Jackson bribery scandal has taken a wild turn one week before trial was set to begin, with former mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and councilman Aaron Banks reaching plea agreements.Both Lumumba and Banks were indicted in 2024 and initially pleaded not guilty in connection with the scandal where they
Hinds County has an interim district attorney following the resignation of Jody Owens.Owens, who reached a plea agreement on Monday connected to the Jackson bribery scandal, officially stepped down from his elected post on Wednesday. Hinds County Judge Winston Kidd then appointed First Assistant Dis
More than $51 million is coming to Mississippi for major infrastructure projects.U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced Wednesday that the funding is heading to Rankin, Hancock, and Harrison counties for various road and parking improvements. The money is coming from the U.S. Department of T
July has arrived, and with it comes a new slate of laws now in effect across Mississippi.While some viewed the 2026 session as busy but underwhelming, lawmakers still saw 372 of 4,006 bills filed became law, according to Mississippi Statewatch. That’s compared to 354 of the 3,707 filed bills during
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson did not necessarily love a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing states to count late-arriving ballots after election day, but he appreciated that the decision upheld a principle of federalism.The 5-4 SCOTUS ruling happened Monday and stemmed from a lawsuit
Mississippi will soon allow low- and moderate-income college students use federal aid on workforce education programs.Gov. Tate Reeves announced Tuesday that the State Workforce Investment Board approved a policy framework that allows Pell Grant recipients to use federal subsidies for approved short
