Happy Labor Day 2020!
Labor Day, a federal holiday since 1894, recognizes the contributions and achievements of American workers, and there is none better than Mississippi’s workforce!
Have a safe and peaceful day off, Mississippi… You deserve it!
Governor Reeves: MS has lowest rate of COVID-19 reproduction in country
On Sunday, Governor Tate Reeves wrote on Twitter: “Today, Mississippi has the lowest rate of Coronavirus reproduction in the country. It is because of your hard work and dedication. Thank you for what you are doing.”
Today, Mississippi has the lowest rate of Coronavirus reproduction in the country. It is because of your hard work and dedication. Thank you for what you are doing. pic.twitter.com/7gVLCehJgz
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) September 6, 2020
MSDH: Cases near 87k
Today MSDH is reporting 410 more cases of COVID-19 in Mississippi, 16 deaths, and 150 active outbreaks in long-term care facilities. The total of #covid19 cases for the year is now 86,888, with 2,584 deaths. Case details and prevention guidance at https://t.co/QP8mlJ41AN pic.twitter.com/vmh0KK1Ln5
— Mississippi State Department of Health (@msdh) September 6, 2020
YP – Kanye West files to run for President in Mississippi
Kanye West has filed to be on the ballot in Mississippi as he continues to press toward a Presidential run.
According to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office, West filed paperwork to qualify as an Independent Candidate for President, paying the $2,500 fee.
West needed 1,000 signatures to qualify. The West campaign submitted 1,219 signatures as verified by the local county Circuit Clerk’s Offices in the counties where the signatures were collected.
YP Special Elections Series: Jason Barrett for MS Senate District 39
The Senate seat for District 39 is currently vacant after former incumbent Sally Doty was appointed to the Public Utilities Staff by Governor Tate Reeves. One candidate for the seat is Jason Barrett.
YP – PSC Chairman Maxwell announces George County Fiber Ring project
On Friday, September 4, Mississippi Public Service Commission Chairman Dane Maxwell announced a major fiber project to be constructed in George County.
The project will consist of eight miles of fiber constructed by Mississippi Power tying in to existing fiber infrastructure currently owned by C-Spire to complete a fiber ring. The fiber ring will bring broadband access to 6,500 locations in the Lucedale, MS area…
…The George County project is estimated to increase broadband access by 6,500 premises within 5 miles of the fiber ring.
WTVA – Analysis: GOP keeps control amid special legislative races
The Mississippi Legislature is already seeing some turnover just a few months into this four-year term, but it’s not enough to tilt control away from Republicans.
The term started in January, and two freshmen Republicans in the House stepped down just a few weeks later because of a dispute over whether they could collect their state government pensions while also serving at the Capitol.
One Republican representative and one Republican senator resigned mid-year because of health concerns. And one Democratic representative and one Republican senator stepped down after taking other jobs. Serving in the Mississippi Legislature is a part-time job.
MBJ – BILL CRAWFORD: When will Mississippi’s economy recover?
The state unemployment rate zoomed upward to 11.5% in July from 6.3% a year ago and 5.1% in February. Forty-six of 82 counties had unemployment rates higher than the state rate with the highest being Jefferson at 25.7% and Holmes at 21.7%.
Through July, the pandemic had cost Mississippi thousands of jobs. The employment number was 105,800 lower than the previous July. It was 90,800 less than the February 2020 number…
…Surprisingly, retail trade numbers in July were back level as were those for real estate, rental, and leasing.
Mississippi’s 48th ranked workforce participation rate also fell year over year, from 56.6% to 54.6%.
As pandemic numbers ebb and escalate in Mississippi and additional federal stimulus funding stalls, what lies ahead for the state’s economy? CNBC reported economists are giving 1 in 4 odds for another recession.
Gov. Reeves is right to be concerned.
