As the world watches America’s next moves, Senator Roger Wicker stands ready to play a pivotal role. As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Republican from Mississippi brings a wealth of experience and a steady hand to a moment of significant global uncertainty. With President Donal
Despite successfully administering the 2024 Presidential Election just a few months ago, Mississippi has shifted full steam ahead into the 2025 municipal elections. While the presidential election routinely garners tremendous attention, our local municipal elections are often drastically overlooked
In my role with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, I’ve seen firsthand the unique challenges facing students and the critical role public charter schools play in addressing many of them. I have gained insight into different charter school sectors across the country and have witnessed
One of my friends on Facebook suggested I need to read sources like the NYT or BBC, insinuating I spend too much time on Fox. I actually pull from a range of sources to stay informed—Fox is just one piece of the puzzle. I don’t allow myself to get trapped in a single echo chamber, though we all have
Trying to solve problems is a large part of the job of being the Mississippi Legislature. Sometimes we overthink it and the product we produce isn’t what is needed or at least reasonable people can disagree if the choice is the best path forward.I serve as a public defender in Tishomingo County and
As a former conservative newspaper CEO and publisher (I was center-right, but there weren’t many of us), I was slow to come back on board with President Donald Trump this time for a host of valid reasons.In the lead-up to the 2016 election, I actually wrote a piece about why I believed Trump would g
After a series of bad news headlines about the seafood served at restaurants in Coastal Mississippi, the push for seafood labeling has never been more critical. The House has spoken, overwhelmingly passing a seafood labeling bill. The Senate now stands as the gatekeeper of this vital legislation. It
On January 16, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a sweeping tax reform bill. House Bill 1, the “Build Up Mississippi Act,” includes numerous adjustments to the overall tax structure in our state, including phasing out the individual income tax.Below is a run-down of what exactly HB1 wo
I absolutely love this place. I’ve dedicated my heart and soul to Coastal Mississippi for most of my life, and I’m proud of what we have accomplished, especially since Hurricane Katrina. Yet, as we stand on the brink of a new chapter, I feel a growing sense of urgency about our future. I wish I coul
As a state whose roots run deep in the soil, Mississippi’s agriculture isn’t just an industry here – it is the foundation of our state’s economy, producing over $7 billion annually and accounting for 18.6% of our state’s economy. Our farmers are facing challenges which threaten their livelihoods, re
When I first told my extended family I was moving to Japan, my sister was excited for me, but my stuck-in-her-ways mother exclaimed, “But they eat raw fish over there.” I said, “Yes Mom, they call it sashimi and I am told it is delicious and so fresh that it doesn’t taste too fishy at all.”As I have
I have spent almost 30 years on the proverbial couches of licensed therapists and in the offices of various pastors, as well as a week at an emotional healing retreat called Onsite, outside Nashville, where I received intensive therapy. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, here are 10 things I
In 2011, as your Secretary of State, when I proposed a new policy to protect your vote — and the integrity of our elections — I was told repeatedly that Mississippi’s newly enacted Voter ID law would not pass constitutional muster. The U.S. Department of Justice will single out Mississippi, they sai
The view from my desk is inspirational. I’ve been in the same office for 27 years. There are no windows, but I have surrounded myself with things that inspire me and things that I love.There are a lot of photos of family all over the room. There are also a lot of photos of the Beatles. There are odd
For many young professionals, the question of “Where do you see yourself in five years?” can be daunting.For me, it was especially challenging to answer after moving to a new state, jumping into an unfamiliar job market, and learning to call the Mississippi Gulf Coast home all in the early stages of
My advice to upcoming graduates: You are a few years away from beginning your professional life, but you are only weeks away from planning for it. The decision you make about your professional life should be the easiest decision you ever make — your career should be about one thing: passion.It’s not
It’s true that there’s no place like home, and I deeply and dearly love my hometown of Hattiesburg and my home state of Mississippi. I could live other places, but I never will. My roots are in South Mississippi. I am a seventh generation citizen of the Pine Belt and I am Mississippi to the core. Te
In the wake of the Alabama Supreme Court’s controversial ruling that frozen embryos could be legally considered children under state law, IVF families across the nation are grappling with uncertainty and fear about the implications of such a decision. This groundbreaking ruling has sent shockwaves t
There are many emotions associated with parenthood. Joy and amusement come to mind immediately. The early responsibilities of parenting can bring worry and guilt. There can be irritation and disappointment as well. The unique thing about being a parent is that sometimes one can feel several of those
Efforts have been underway for the past few years that would significantly reverse Mississippi’s quality white-tailed deer management efforts. We are already seeing the widespread movement in the state of the always deadly Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and efforts to allow the sale and/or transporta
No matter how hard I tried, sleep remained an elusive companion last night.It wasn’t just the usual restlessness that kept me awake; it felt like the weight of the world’s troubles was pressing heavily on my mind. My brain was stuck in the muck of the daily grind and the relentless, troubling newsfe
One of the top complaints I receive as Commissioner of Insurance is regarding the rate increases policyholders are seeing in this difficult market. I am certainly sympathetic to this, as I have seen rate increases on my own property as well. Inflation and supply chain issues have affected the cost o
In the world of Mississippi’s outdoors, a quote by John Audubon serves as a clarion call: “A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers but borrowed from his children.” This sentiment underscores the significance of protecting and preserving our natural resour
In the late 1990s, I was asked by my local newspaper to write a weekly food column. I politely declined citing an overloaded schedule and lack of any known writing skills. They were persistent and kept asking until one day, after the fourth or fifth ask, I gave in and agreed. Once that first column
