YP – Governor Tate Reeves announces nationwide search for new MDOC Commissioner
Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced a group of diverse, experienced Mississippians to help in the mission of finding a new leader for the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). Holding a press conference in the Governor’s press briefing room, Governor Reeves was joined by the group, led by Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, Jr., that will assist in a nationwide search to provide a recommendation for the MDOC Commissioner.
“We cannot rush the critical job of finding a new Commissioner for the Department of Corrections. We must get this right for the people of Mississippi. I am turning to my fellow Mississippians to help me in this mission,” said Governor Tate Reeves.
WTVA – Governor appoints interim MDOC Commissioner
Gov. Tate Reeves has named the interim commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC).
Reeves announced the appointment of Tommy Taylor, who is closing out his duties as Boyle’s mayor to begin serving as interim commissioner right away.
YP – Speaker Gunn comments on legislative pay and PERS retirees
Speaker @PhilipGunnMS says he will remain firm on the issue…. “The statutes were obviously put in place to prevent legislators from drawing double pay from the citizens while serving in the legislature. We do not intend to change that policy.” – Gunn #msleg
— Yall Politics (@MSyallpolitics) January 16, 2020
YP – Mississippi’s graduation rate exceeds national average
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released today the high school graduation rates for the 2018-19 school year, which show the state’s graduation rate has hit an all-time high of 85%, higher than the most recent national graduation rate. The 2019 national graduation rate is expected to be released later this month.
The graduation rate for students with disabilities nearly doubled from 23.2% in 2014 to 42.2% this year.
Senators applaud passage of USMCA
After over a year of House Democrats delaying #USMCA, the Senate made up for lost time by passing it in a little over a month. This pro-growth trade pact puts Mississippi and American workers first, delivering trade certainty and creating jobs. #USMCAwin pic.twitter.com/y5IegwElq5
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) January 16, 2020
See my full statement on Senate passage of USMCA here https://t.co/LrF9YNFO4V
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) January 16, 2020
Espy calls on Hyde-Smith to be impartial juror in Impeachment Trial of Trump
Now that Cindy Hyde-Smith and the rest of the Senate have taken their oath to be impartial jurors, it’s time for them to show it. pic.twitter.com/7ZXjWmSlZ1
— Mike Espy (@MikeEspyMS) January 16, 2020
YP – Who Mississippians will see on their ballot running for President
Mississippi 2020 Presidential Primary Candidates are set for the March 10th election. #mselex
President @realDonaldTrump is the clear favorite for @MSGOP voters.
It’s a little less clear for @msdemocrats voters with 10 names to choose from.https://t.co/tbBQuWKrdU
— Yall Politics (@MSyallpolitics) January 16, 2020
WDAM – MS Board of Education votes to keep U.S. History exam after considering elimination
The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) voted unanimously to keep the U.S. History end-of-course assessment.
The SBE’s final decision on the end-of-course assessment comes after a public comment period and review of an Accountability Task Force (ATF) recommendation. In November, the SBE asked for information from the ATF on how the possible elimination of the U.S. History assessment would impact the Mississippi Statewide Accountability System.
Hosemann commemorates first bill out of the MS Senate in 2020
Sending House Bill 1, fully funding 2019 teacher pay raises, to the Governor this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/QTPCv4TKFd
— Delbert Hosemann (@DelbertHosemann) January 16, 2020
WLOX – IHL delays vote on request to relocate Confederate statue at Ole Miss
The Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees on Thursday decided to delay voting on the request to relocate the Confederate monuments on the University of Mississippi’s campus.
The statue is expected to move from a central spot on the Oxford campus to a Confederate cemetery, which is also on campus.
WLBT – MDWFP issues hunting season closures due to flooding
Heavy rains and rising Mississippi River levels have hunters yet again looking down the barrel of hunting season closures. As a result of these high-water levels, all hunting except for waterfowl, will close based on these parameters (projected date of closure levels listed for each zone)
