| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

More than $4 billion in PPP loans have now made its way to Mississippi after Congress approved another round of federal support this year. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today

PPP list: Who received federal loans in Mississippi?

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Fri, 04/30/2021 - 12:13 PM

More than $4 billion in loans have now made its way to Mississippi after Congress approved another round of federal support for businesses earlier this year.

As was the case after the first round of the Paycheck Protection Program last summer, the state’s top recipients so far include restaurants, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, legal practices, construction companies, car dealers, hotels and religious organizations.

Despite federal law, many domestic abusers keep their guns in Mississippi

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Fri, 03/26/2021 - 09:41 AM

This article is the third in a series about how the criminal justice system fails domestic violence victims in Mississippi.

Last year, 23-year-old Phoenicia Ratliff of Canton was kidnapped and shot by her ex-boyfriend before he turned the gun on himself. Just a week earlier, he had been arrested on domestic violence and stalking charges.

Mississippi schools will soon be required to teach computer science

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Fri, 03/26/2021 - 09:31 AM

Beginning in the 2024 school year, all Mississippi elementary, middle and high schools will be required to offer computer science courses.

This week, Gov. Tate Reeves signed into law “The Mississippi Computer Science and Cyber Education Equality Act,” which sets out a timeline for schools to incorporate the curriculum.

‘It’s depressing’: More Mississippi students are in virtual classrooms without teachers during pandemic

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Mon, 03/22/2021 - 12:49 PM

Even before the pandemic, Treasure Cosie was already on a path to not have a geometry teacher her junior year at Leland High School.

Her school district isn’t technically designated as a Critical Teacher Shortage area by the Mississippi Department of Education, but there aren’t enough teachers to teach even core subjects like math.

“You’re expecting to have a teacher teach you something you didn’t know before, but you don’t get that because you don’t have a teacher in the class,” Cosie said about her geometry course.

MDE: All Statewide Assessments to be Administered this School Year

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Mon, 03/15/2021 - 12:45 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

All required federal and statewide assessments will be administered to public-school students this school year, including the 3rd Grade Reading Assessment and high school assessments for Algebra I, English II, Biology and U.S. History.

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has provided districts with pandemic-related flexibilities to make it easier to administer the assessments and to schedule in-person testing for virtual learners.

Last Monday and Tuesday, between 13-20 bus drivers for the Greenville Public School District skipped work to protest reduced pay and what they called poor work conditions. Credit: Kayleigh Skinner, Mississippi Today

Greenville bus strike could transform public education in Mississippi

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Fri, 05/07/2021 - 02:27 PM

A political time bomb is ticking in Greenville, and the explosion could transform the state’s public education environment for decades to come.

Last Monday and Tuesday, between 13-20 bus drivers for the Greenville Public School District — some of the lowest paid employees in one of the most under-resourced school districts in one of the most under-resourced regions of America — skipped work to protest reduced pay and what they called poor work conditions.

School board goes into executive session to discuss building plans

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Thu, 05/06/2021 - 06:16 PM

Simpson County School Broad called a special meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss capital improvements.

Stating that the district no longer needed to pass a bond issue because of $12.1 million in federal funds.

The board approved going into executive session to discuss three pieces of property they plan to negotiate on. They did not reveal what property or the plan.

Members of the public were asked to leave the meeting. Outside the board was criticized for not letting the community know what was going.

Gov. Tate Reeves walks out of the Governor's Mansion in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, March 26, 2020, as he prepares to speak to media about the coronavirus during a press conference. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America

College board, unable to work without Reeves appointments, calls emergency meeting

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Thu, 05/06/2021 - 10:07 AM

The board of trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning is scrambling to hold a special emergency meeting this Friday to consider several university agenda items — a meeting that wouldn’t be necessary had Gov. Tate Reeves made four new college board appointments on time.

State investigates Holmes County school district, appoints financial adviser previously accused of fraud

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Wed, 05/05/2021 - 12:27 PM

Following a string of alarming events in the Holmes County Consolidated School District, the Mississippi Department of Education is conducting an investigation and has appointed a financial adviser to oversee the district.

But the appointment of the financial adviser has already stirred up controversy in the district, which has been rated as failing every year since 2016.

State investigates Holmes County school district, appoints financial adviser previously accused of fraud

165

Wed, 05/05/2021 - 12:27 PM

Following a string of alarming events in the Holmes County Consolidated School District, the Mississippi Department of Education is conducting an investigation and has appointed a financial adviser to oversee the district.

But the appointment of the financial adviser has already stirred up controversy in the district, which has been rated as failing every year since 2016.

Tate Reeves prepares to vote during Election Day at Liberty Baptist Church in Flowood, Miss., Tuesday Nov. 5, 2019. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America

Reeves still hasn’t made key appointments to college board, board of education

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Mon, 05/03/2021 - 12:31 PM

Two key state education boards may not have enough members to carry out their duties, and Gov. Tate Reeves, who is responsible for filling most of the vacancies, still hasn’t said when he might make the necessary appointments.

Tate Reeves prepares to vote during Election Day at Liberty Baptist Church in Flowood, Miss., Tuesday Nov. 5, 2019. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America

Reeves still hasn’t made key appointments to college board, board of education

1,770

Mon, 05/03/2021 - 12:31 PM

Two key state education boards may not have enough members to carry out their duties, and Gov. Tate Reeves, who is responsible for filling most of the vacancies, still hasn’t said when he might make the necessary appointments.

Gov. Reeves ends previous COVID-19 restrictions, keeps school mask mandate

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Mon, 05/03/2021 - 11:49 AM

More than 14 months after COVID-19 reached Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves has rolled back all COVID-related restrictions except one.

Reeves’ new executive order, issued Friday, essentially returns the state to the way things were before the pandemic. The only remaining statewide order that remains in place is the requirement that masks be worn inside school buildings through the end of the 2020-2021 academic school year.

TIM ISBELL/SUN HERALD The Amtrak Inspection Train arrives in Gulfport, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016. The train ride began in New Orleans, making stops at Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi Pascagoula before heading to Alabama and Florida. New funding is available that could bring back passenger service to South Mississippi.

The fate of Amtrak’s Gulf Coast return rests with a federal board

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Fri, 04/30/2021 - 11:55 AM

The Mississippi Gulf Coast hasn’t been closer to getting Amtrak access back in the last 15 years than it is now.

But even with $77 million in awarded funds and a 2022 proposed start date, the return of the passenger rail line — which some prominent officials believe would be an economic boon to the state and help complete years of recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina — still isn’t a sure thing.

Here’s why Greenville school bus drivers went on strike

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Thu, 04/29/2021 - 01:35 PM

On Monday, around 20 bus drivers in Greenville Public School District went on strike to protest reduced hours, low pay and what they say is poor treatment by the district.

The move left school children standing on corners with no transportation Monday and Tuesday morning, and the district’s board of trustees and superintendent scrambled to fix the issue at a board meeting Tuesday night. By Wednesday morning, the bus drivers were back at work after their concerns were addressed.

Mississippi Becomes 4th State to Allow Access to Federal Financial Aid for Career Pathway Programs

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Tue, 04/27/2021 - 03:27 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Community College Board:

Students have the opportunity to earn a high school equivalency and other postsecondary credential in less time.

In an effort to get students back on campus after COVID interruptions, several Mississippi community colleges are making summer classes free. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America

Some Mississippi community colleges are making their summer classes free

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Mon, 04/26/2021 - 11:31 AM

When COVID-19 hit Mississippi last spring, students at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville flooded Michelle Baragona’s office to withdraw from their classes.

They cited similar reasons, said Baragona, the college’s vice president of instruction. Their parents were laid off, so they needed to work. They no longer felt safe attending class in-person.

Mike Kinnison’s No. 15 jersey will be retired at Delta State Saturday. Kinnison, a former DSU All American, won 75.6 percent of his games as the school’s head coach. He won a national championship in 2004 and six NCAA Regional titles as head coach.

Delta State retires Kinnison’s jersey; they’ll never retire his remarkable story

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Mon, 04/26/2021 - 10:35 AM

Author’s note: Delta State University will retire former head baseball coach Mike Kinnison No. 15 jersey in a ceremony Saturday at Harvey Stadium-Ferriss Field prior to the 2 p.m. doubleheader against the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

Kinnison guided the Statesmen to the 2004 NCAA Division II national championship, six College World Series appearances and 15 NCAA South Regional appearances. His Delta State teams won 981 games, while losing only 313 for a 75.6 win percentage. He averaged 42.5 victories per season.

Mississippi to Receive $10.7 million from U.S. Dept. of Education to Address Homeless Youth

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Fri, 04/23/2021 - 04:29 PM

Below is a press release from the U.S. Department of Education:

First round of funds to be received next week.

Audit Shows Opportunity to Eliminate Outside-the-Classroom Spending at Columbus Municipal School District

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Thu, 04/22/2021 - 10:53 AM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor:

Auditor partners with school district, data analytics firm to show how district could spend more inside the classroom