WLOX – Voter registration deadline approaching
The deadline to register to vote for the General Election is Monday, October 7, 2019.
The General Election is Tuesday, November 5.
Mississippi residents can register to vote in-person or by mail at the Circuit Clerk or Municipal Clerk’s Office.
Vicksburg Mayor Flaggs on Reeves: When I needed him the most, he was there
— Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. (@MayorFlaggs) October 3, 2019
HATTIESBURG AMERICAN – Jim Hood has an ambitious education plan for public education in Mississippi – but can he fund it?
Attorney General Jim Hood has big plans for education in Mississippi. He wants universal pre-K, teacher pay raises, and to fully fund the state’s education funding formula — which has only happened twice since it was created in the 1990s.
Public education is a cornerstone of Hood’s campaign for governor, and a teachers group recently endorsed him over Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, the Republican candidate for governor.
Hood said he has a plan to pay for his education promises, which the Associated Press calculated to cost more than $500 million — or nearly a tenth of the state’s annual budget.
In a sit-down interview with the Clarion Ledger last month, Hood said the money will come from cutting waste in state government and closing tax breaks that he says primarily benefit out-of-state companies.
WDAM – US appeals court to hear Mississippi 15-hour abortion ban
Federal appeals court judges will hear arguments over a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed the law in 2018, and the state’s only abortion clinic immediately sued.
U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves blocked the law, writing that it “unequivocally” violates women’s constitutional rights because it bans abortion weeks before viability.
In arguments Monday, Mississippi will ask the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Reeves’ ruling and let the law take effect.
MS House Democrats to hold hearing on Medicaid expansion
Over 15K deaths would have been averted if every state expanded Medicaid. uninsured Mississippians are dying because they cannot afford prescriptions or a doctor visit. https://t.co/tlylgTuUIq pic.twitter.com/sTF7m7bIwQ
— Jarvis Dortch (@jarvisdortch) October 4, 2019
Trump Victory team announced
Delighted again to chair President @realdonaldtrump campaign in Mississippi. He has always been there when we need him. Let’s get ready for the biggest victory in history. pic.twitter.com/UviLE042is
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) October 5, 2019
Congressman Palazzo signs on to condemn and censure House Intelligence Chairman Schiff
I have signed on to @RepAndyBiggsAZ resolution to condemn and censure House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff.
Chairman Schiff is intentionally misleading the American people by cherry picking information to support his narrative.
This has to end. https://t.co/NeaDyOtN5w
— Cong. Steven Palazzo (@CongPalazzo) October 4, 2019
Congressman Guest on Impeachment: It’s time to stop this stunt
For Democrats, impeachment is only about political games. It’s time to stop this stunt and get back to work. https://t.co/kfr4Hz886R
— Congressman Michael Guest (@RepMichaelGuest) October 3, 2019
WHITE HOUSE – President Trump announces intent to nominate and appoint individuals to key Administration posts
Laurie Todd-Smith of Mississippi, to be the Director of the Women’s Bureau, Department of Labor.
Laurie Todd-Smith is the former Executive Director of the State Workforce Investment Board and Senior Education Policy Advisor to Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant. Dr. Smith led numerous legislative efforts to help improve public education in Mississippi. She formerly served as the Executive Director of the State Early Childhood Advisory Council (SECAC) and has led the council in developing the Family Based Unified and Integrated State Plan. Dr. Smith helped to implement the Mississippi Works award winning technology, connecting job seekers with real-time employment opportunities. She is a former elementary classroom teacher, and was also an adjunct faculty member and a researcher at Mississippi State University. Dr. Smith has a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University, M.Ed. from Western New Mexico University, and B.A. from the University of Arizona.
WLBT – State Auditor report reveals weaknesses in state government’s cyber security
Cyber security is a hot topic nationally, but what about right here in the state?
“Whether you like it or not, your personal information probably lives on a state computer somewhere,” said State Auditor Shad White.
State Auditor White’s office sent a cyber security survey to 125 state government offices.
“Of those 125, only 71 replied,” White explained. “That leaves 54 that did not reply at all to the survey. So, we have absolutely no idea whether those 54 are compliant on cyber security laws and we have no idea if they’re protecting the data.”
NEWSMS – Christopher Freeze: Mississippi Department of Human Services: “State of crisis to state of self-sufficiency”
Our strategy focuses on our ability to demonstrate leadership, strengthen partnerships, and exhibit sound stewardship. Each of our divisions – Aging and Adult Services; Early Childhood Care and Development; Community Services; Economic Assistance; Child Support; Workforce Development; and Youth Services – utilize these three principles in stabilizing a family in crisis.
MDHS often helps families when poverty becomes overwhelming. To achieve stabilization and long-term success, we are building a framework centered around an intensive case management system that assesses each family’s needs, assists the family in acquiring the necessary resources, and creates a consolidated custom approach to alleviating those needs.
