YP – Gov. Reeves announces schools will remain closed for the rest of the semester
Governor Reeves provided updates on what the state plans to do in regards to schools for the remainder of the year.
He announced that school buildings would remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.
“Thank you to all teachers, parents, and students for making an exceptional effort to learn in the midst of all these tragic circumstances. We want our kids to get an education and keep their families safe,” said Reeves in a Facebook post.
YP – Governor Reeves Partners with Private Sector to Study Economic Recovery
Governor Tate Reeves announced that he has asked leaders of Mississippi’s business community to chart a course for economic recovery and re-opening Mississippi’s economy.
During this COVID-19 pandemic, Mississippi has seen a nearly 9,000% increase in unemployment claims. Small businesses and their employees are struggling to stay afloat. The Governor’s Commission for Economic Recovery will look at the impact on every industry, geographical region, and community and help the Governor transform our state’s economy under these new conditions through tailored solutions.
MSDH: Coronavirus cases at 3087 with 111 deaths
This morning MSDH is reporting 145 new cases of COVID-19 in Mississippi, with 13 new deaths. The total of #coronavirus cases since March 11 is now 3,087, with 111 deaths. See more case details and important preventive steps at https://t.co/QP8mlJ41AN pic.twitter.com/R4ChJvl9Ug
— Mississippi State Department of Health (@msdh) April 14, 2020
YP – Across the board Mail-in Voting in Mississippi unlikely for November election
Governor Tate Reeves has stated on multiple occasions in his now daily press conferences that he does not see the need to address potential General Election changes at this juncture, meaning in-person voting will still be the primary method for Mississippians to cast their ballots in November unless they qualify for an absentee ballot.
Mississippi Republican Party chairman Lucien Smith agrees.
“The primary focus now is public health and safety, and rightfully so,” Smith told Y’all Politics. “Now isn’t the time to discuss major changes to our electoral system for an election more than six months away. As always, I support ensuring that Mississippi voters be able to safely cast their ballots and have them accurately counted.”
WDAM – Sen. Hyde-Smith, Rep. Guest speak about impact of Sunday’s tornadoes
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and U.S. Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi’s third Congressional District were among the dignitaries who joined Gov. Tate Reeves on a tour of tornado-ravaged areas of Mississippi Tuesday.
Reeves flew over several areas affected by the deadly Easter Sunday storms, including parts of Jefferson Davis, Jones and Covington counties.
Reeves, Sen. Hyde-Smith and Rep. Guest spoke to the media in Soso and Bassfield.
WDAM – Lt. Gov. Hosemann, Sen. Fillingane view Bassfield tornado damage
Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann and State Sen. Joey Fillingane came to Bassfield Tuesday to see damage from Sunday’s tornadoes up close.
Hosemann, Fillingane and county officials drove through tornado-ravaged areas around Graves-Keys Road.
YP – DOJ intervenes in lawsuit filed by church against City of Greenville
FoxNews is reporting that the U.S. Department of Justice has intervened in the lawsuit filed by Temple Baptist Church in Greenville after the city’s police department ticketed drive-in church members in their cars in the parking lot of the church last week. Members who refused to leave the service were issued a $500 citation.
“In the statement of interest obtained exclusively by Fox News on Tuesday, the Justice Department said the U.S. regularly files statements of interest on ‘important issues of religious liberty in courts at every level, from trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States,’” Fox reports. “It noted that Attorney General Bill Barr has ‘issued comprehensive guidance interpreting religious-liberty protections’ under the Constitution.”
YP – AG Fitch thanks Sherwin Williams for Mask Donations
Attorney General @LynnFitch Thanks Sherwin Williams for N95 Mask Donations for First Responders #coronavirus #msleg READ MORE>> https://t.co/aaQZJBOY5Y
— Magnolia Tribune (@magnoliatribune) April 14, 2020
YP – Wicker, Senators Urge Trump to Keep Pro-Life Protections for Coronavirus Research
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today wrote President Donald J. Trump to ask the Administration to maintain pro-life protections during the search for treatments and cures for COVID-19. Wicker’s letter, which was signed by 35 senators, refutes a request by 15 pro-abortion state attorneys general requesting waivers to prohibitions on the use of fetal tissue for coronavirus research.
“These attempts to exploit the current crisis faced by our nation undermine your leadership and the promising research that is already underway,” the senators wrote. “In reality, holding the line ethically gives us the ability to put resources toward better science that is already showing promise against the coronavirus. Therefore, we urge you to stand strong in rejecting these appeals for taxpayer dollars to be used for the practice of using aborted babies in experiments.”
YP – Wicker, Hyde-Smith announce $34.9M Coronavirus Response Grants for MS Airports
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today announced the award of $34,855,031 in grants to 73 Mississippi airfields experiencing severe economic disruption because of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awards, made available directly from the U.S. Treasury, were funded in the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“Mississippi’s airports provide an essential service to our state that has been dramatically impacted by the coronavirus outbreak,” said Wicker, who as chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee was responsible for negotiating many of the transportation-related provisions in the CARES Act legislation, including support for airports and air carriers. “This emergency funding will help our airports mitigate the worst effects of the coronavirus on their operations so they can continue to support air travel after this crisis has ended.”
YP – PSC approves Sunflower County solar project
Mississippi PSC Approves Sunflower County Solar Project
Entergy Mississippi and solar-developer, Recurrent Energy, are partnering to bring the largest utility-owned solar farm in the state by the end of 2022.https://t.co/tkL9Ew6SxE
— Magnolia Tribune (@magnoliatribune) April 14, 2020
NEWSMS – Taxes, revenue, and liquor: Frierson provides an update
Herb Frierson, the commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Revenue, joined The Gallo Show on Tuesday morning to provide an update on the state’s current revenue situation.
According to Frierson, the state was in a pretty good situation prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, but his department is expecting a major drop in revenue due to the recently enacted stay-at-home order.
“On March 31, we were running about 190 million [dollars] above last year’s collection,” Frierson said. “We’re anticipating a substantial drop in revenue—way below estimate for the next three months—due to the shelter-in-place [order] and the shutting down of the economy.”
Tax Day Reminder in Mississippi
Reminder: Income tax due dates, including estimated payments, have been extended to Friday, May 15th, 2020. pic.twitter.com/0r6FH06NNc
— Mississippi Department of Revenue (@MSDeptofRevenue) April 14, 2020
YP – Auditor White discusses fraud schemes in COVID-19
Fraud Schemes Widespread During COVID-19 Emergency #msleg #coronavirus READ MORE>> https://t.co/SLlcAlDv7D
— Magnolia Tribune (@magnoliatribune) April 14, 2020
WLOX – Ex-Fair Commission director appears in court after prostitution arrest
Steve Hutton, the former Mississippi Fair Commission Director, appeared in court in Madison County after his arrest for promoting prostitution.
According to an affidavit, Hutton appeared before a judge on April 8.
He’s accused of promoting prostitution by enticing, compelling or persuading a person to become a prostitute.
