july 2023 |
ALL TEXT BY ZOREK RICHARDS
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July 27, 2023: My Northwest: Former Mississippi governor sues news site over welfare fraud comments
Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is suing a local news organization, claiming it defamed him in public comments on the misspending of $77 million of federal welfare funds intended to help some of the poorest people in the U.S.
July 21, 2023:
Chris Brown and Tanner Newman are running in the August 8, 2023, Republican primary for the Mississippi Public Service Commission Northern District. The filing deadline was February 1, 2023. The general election is on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Brandon Presley (D), in office since 2008, is running for governor of Mississippi. Winner of Aug. 8 Republican primary will be the next Mississippi Public Service Commissioner for the Northern District. No Democrat is running. Unemployment hits record low for fourth consecutive month. Mississippi's unemployment rate eclipsed a record low for a fourth consecutive month with a rate of 3.1%, and the state's labor force participation rate still lags behind the national average. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Magnolia State was among only 11 states with a drop in its unemployment rate in June. July 21, 2023: Black Enterprise: AMAZON ANNOUNCES CONSTRUCTION OF WIND FARM IN MISSISSIPPI CASINO COUNTY
The retail and technology giant Amazon has announced a renewable energy project in Tunica County, MS, providing clean, affordable electricity to homes and businesses. Action News 5 reported the Delta Wind Farm project will create hundreds of jobs, spur economic development, and power Amazon’s fulfillment center, delivery stations, and a Whole Foods Market. Amazon has been working on several renewable energy projects in Mississippi, including five solar farms. According to Action News, once the Delta Wind Farm in Tunica County is fully operational, the six projects in Mississippi are expected to generate more than 1,850 gigawatt-hours (GWH) of clean energy, equal to the amount of electricity needed to power 174,600 U.S. homes, yearly.  David McRae
It was about four years ago that I made a few promises at the Neshoba County Fair. I promised to maintain Mississippi’s strong credit rating, be fiscally responsible with your taxpayer dollars, modernize the state government, and be a true conservative as your State Treasurer. As I return to this year’s Neshoba County Fair, I am proud to say these were promises made – promises kept. Today, three years into serving as your State Treasurer, Mississippi’s credit rating has not only been maintained, but strengthened.
--David McCrae; State Treasurer; 7.21.23
July 20, 2023: DeSoto County News: Rochelle Hicks named new head of Visit Mississippi
Gov. Tate Reeves has announced the appointment of tourism industry veteran Rochelle Hicks to lead Visit Mississippi. She begins the new role on August 14th. “I am excited to welcome Rochelle Hicks as the new director of Visit Mississippi,” Gov. Reeves said. “The tourism industry is strong in Mississippi. I’m confident that her decades of experience will be an incredible asset as we continue to grow our tourism industry and promote our state as a top destination for visitors.”
July 12, 2023:
State Auditor Shad White spent Wednesday on Capitol Hill testifying about Mississippi’s massive misappropriation of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. White emphasized to lawmakers the need for stronger safeguards to prevent this kind of fraud in the future. He said “My hope in testifying today is that the story of what happened in my home state will help ensure that it never happens again elsewhere,” White said. I am hoping it comes full circle as there is a possibility that Gov Tate Reeves, former Gov Phil Bryant and Brett Favre will be held accountable if it is proven they were involved. On a national level more than $76 billion in pandemic unemployment aid may have been paid to fraudsters, according to the latest semi-annual report from the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Inspector General. In a 152-page report, the Office of the Inspector General said more than $888 billion dollars in federal and state unemployment insurance was paid during the pandemic period. Per the report, at least $191 billion of that “could have been improper payments.” 
Mississippi Democrat Governor candidate Brandon Presley's donations outpaced the previous Democratic nominee for governor, Jim Hood. (For the June reporting period). Clarion Ledger reported that in 2019, Hood came within about 5% of Reeves. Hood raised about $200,000 less than Presley in the month of June and sat on about $400,000 less in cash on hand, at the same point in that race.
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Matthew Barton
Nicole Boyd
Gary Brumfield
Robert Cole
Ricky Caldwell
Andre Deberry
Randy Denton
David Grady Hardigree
Walter Hopper
Greta Kemp Martin
Michael McLendon
Chad McMahan
Robert Mitchell
David Olds
Andy Rishton
Alan Sibley
Lauren Smith
Joseph Thomas
Neil Whaley
Bart Williams
Dr John Witcher
Shuwaski Young
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July 12, 2023: News Herald: Mississippi prosecutors call attorney general's request to overturn a conviction 'unprecedented'
The prosecutor’s office in Mississippi’s largest county says state Attorney General Lynn Fitch made a politically motivated decision to ask a state appeals court to overturn the conviction of a former police officer in the 2019 beating death of a man who died after being subdued during a traffic stop
The prosecutor’s office in Mississippi’s largest county says state Attorney General Lynn Fitch made a politically motivated decision to ask a state appeals court to overturn the conviction of a former police officer in the 2019 beating death of a man who died after being subdued during a traffic stop
July 12, 2023: KION46: Mississippi discriminates against Black residents with appointed judges, Justice Department says
he Justice Department says a new Mississippi law discriminates against residents of the majority-Black capital city of Jackson. The law requires the appointment of some judges in a state where most judges are elected. The department filed court papers Wednesday seeking to join a lawsuit that the NAACP filed against the state shortly after Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed the law in April. Kristen Clarke, the department’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, says Mississippi lawmakers created “a crude scheme that singles out and discriminates against Black residents” in Jackson and Hinds County, where the city is located.
he Justice Department says a new Mississippi law discriminates against residents of the majority-Black capital city of Jackson. The law requires the appointment of some judges in a state where most judges are elected. The department filed court papers Wednesday seeking to join a lawsuit that the NAACP filed against the state shortly after Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed the law in April. Kristen Clarke, the department’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, says Mississippi lawmakers created “a crude scheme that singles out and discriminates against Black residents” in Jackson and Hinds County, where the city is located.
| July 7, 2023 |
July 7, 2023: WLBT: Judge denies city’s request for more ‘transparency’ regarding water
Jackson leaders went before a federal judge Friday to say they’re tired of being kept in the dark by the city’s third-party water manager.
Instead, Judge Henry Wingate turned those claims back on the city, questioning Jackson’s own record on transparency.
Jackson leaders went before a federal judge Friday to say they’re tired of being kept in the dark by the city’s third-party water manager.
Instead, Judge Henry Wingate turned those claims back on the city, questioning Jackson’s own record on transparency.
Cheikh Taylor Files
“A new day, and also a new attitude towards what we can do in the state. You know, of course, there are detractors saying that, you know, being a Democrat is a little convoluted these days. But the messaging has been very clear. We stand on the side of progress for the state of Mississippi......I’ve actually been on the phone this morning, making sure that we talk to candidates and ask them very, very sincerely, what have been the issues in the past? And how can we come together to make sure we don’t have those complications moving forward.” -Rep Cheikh Taylor; WLBT; 7.7.23
July 7, 2023: WLBT: Rep. Cheikh Taylor appointed as new chairman of Mississippi Democratic Party
It was November of 2022 when we reported a Democratic candidate’s concerns with the leadership at the Mississippi Democratic Party. Chairman Tyree Irving refused to speak with us about his plans for the party moving forward. But now, it’s out with the old and in with the new — chairman, that is.
”What happened is an emergency meeting was called under the Constitution of the Mississippi Democratic Party,” explained Mississippi Democratic Party executive committee member and former chairman Jamie Franks. “We had a majority of the membership on that committee call. And as a result of the meeting, a majority of the 80 members voted to remove Tyree Irving as chair and appoint Representative Taylor as the new chair.”
It was November of 2022 when we reported a Democratic candidate’s concerns with the leadership at the Mississippi Democratic Party. Chairman Tyree Irving refused to speak with us about his plans for the party moving forward. But now, it’s out with the old and in with the new — chairman, that is.
”What happened is an emergency meeting was called under the Constitution of the Mississippi Democratic Party,” explained Mississippi Democratic Party executive committee member and former chairman Jamie Franks. “We had a majority of the membership on that committee call. And as a result of the meeting, a majority of the 80 members voted to remove Tyree Irving as chair and appoint Representative Taylor as the new chair.”
| July 3, 2023 |
Several new laws went into effect today in the state of Mississippi:
👉Senate Bill 2346 prevents those under the age of 18 from viewing sexually explicit content by implementing “reasonable age verification methods.”
For those who are 18, Senate Bill 2073 permits submitting loan applications and entering into legally binding contracts, meaning one can pay off a mortgage or lease property as young as 18.
👉In the wake of a fentanyl crisis, House Bill 231 legalizes fentanyl testing strips and devices.
👉Senate Bill 2358 was passed to make ballot harvesting, which is gathering and submitting absentee votes from a third party, illegal. There are exceptions to this bill for election officials, postal service workers, family members, and caregivers. The Southern Property Law Center filed a lawsuit saying that this bill negatively impacts disabled Mississippians.
👉Senate Bill 2346 prevents those under the age of 18 from viewing sexually explicit content by implementing “reasonable age verification methods.”
For those who are 18, Senate Bill 2073 permits submitting loan applications and entering into legally binding contracts, meaning one can pay off a mortgage or lease property as young as 18.
👉In the wake of a fentanyl crisis, House Bill 231 legalizes fentanyl testing strips and devices.
👉Senate Bill 2358 was passed to make ballot harvesting, which is gathering and submitting absentee votes from a third party, illegal. There are exceptions to this bill for election officials, postal service workers, family members, and caregivers. The Southern Property Law Center filed a lawsuit saying that this bill negatively impacts disabled Mississippians.