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Senate Education Committee sets sights on increasing math skills, financial literacy

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Tue, 01/27/2026 - 10:48 AM

The committee also passed measures to explore future school district consolidations, restrict the use of cellphones in schools, and have civics taught in the classroom, among other bills.

Several bills passed out of the Mississippi Senate Education Committee late last week, including one that could lead to the consolidation of some school districts within the state. Other bills seek to set cellphone use policies in schools, improve math outcomes, provide financial literacy, and ensure funding for gifted education reaches students.

Schools

Almost half of Mississippi public school districts are closing Monday due to weather

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Mon, 01/26/2026 - 12:38 PM

Many colleges and universities across the state are slated to operate virtually.

The winter storm that contributed to downed power lines, gnarled trees and hazardous roadways across the state is also spurring school closures.

Tougaloo College in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, July 19, 2023. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Tougaloo College names finalists for president

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Fri, 01/23/2026 - 10:26 AM

The college is expected to name its next leader in March. Current President Donzell Lee will complete his term in June.

Tougaloo College has named three finalists in its search for a new president. Donzell Lee, the current president, will complete his term in June.

The finalists are:

Politics

Proposal filed to consolidate 6 Mississippi community colleges. See which ones are under consideration

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Fri, 01/23/2026 - 10:22 AM

HB 1284 would reduce the current 15 community and junior college districts down to 12 by July 2027.

State Rep. Trey Lamar (R), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in Mississippi, has filed legislation that would consolidate a number of community colleges, reducing the current 15 community and junior college districts down to 12.

Lamar’s legislation, HB 1284, would consolidate the following community colleges:

Opinion

Latino: Quit the hysteria, Mississippi already allows students to transfer between public schools

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Fri, 01/23/2026 - 10:10 AM

Below is an opinion column by Russ Latino:

Public-to-public transfers, sometimes called open enrollment or portability, are not robustly used. The policy is not a panacea. It can be a lifeline for hardship, though.

Forty-six (46) states, plus the District of Columbia, allow a student to transfer from the public school they are assigned to into another public school. Mississippi is among them.

State Sports

NIL coming to Mississippi high schools?

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Thu, 01/22/2026 - 07:14 PM

The vast majority of states across the U.S. now allow some form of high school NIL. Mississippi is among the four that have thus far prohibited the practice.

Mississippi is currently not among the growing number of states that allow high school student-athletes to accept Name, Image and Likeness, or NIL, money or benefits. That could change if legislation filed by State Rep. Jeffery Harness (D) is signed into law.

Politics

Parents’ push for direct voice behind bill to make all Mississippi public school boards elected

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Thu, 01/22/2026 - 07:10 PM

It is not the first time such legislation has been filed in the Legislature. Similar bills have been proposed and allowed to die for well over a decade.

State Rep. Jansen Owen (R) says the Mississippi Department of Education reports that nearly half of the school boards across the Magnolia State are either fully or partially appointed by city councils or county supervisors. He has filed legislation to make all public school board members elected.

Schools

Tebow talks need for individualized education, school choice at EmpowerMS Solutions Summit

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Thu, 01/22/2026 - 06:46 PM

“Why is school choice so important? Because we’re not all created the same,” the Heisman Trophy winner said.

Attendees at Empower Mississippi’s fifth annual Solutions Summit heard from Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow on Wednesday in Jackson. The former college football national champion turned analyst and author spoke about the importance of providing individualized education support to children.

Tebow’s message was clear – parents, children and families thrive when they find love, care and an educational experience that meets their needs.

Schools

Two former Mississippi school superintendents plead guilty to embezzlement

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Wed, 01/21/2026 - 02:18 PM

The superintendents worked in the Clarksdale, Leake County and Hollandale school districts.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that Earl Joe Nelson of Biloxi, Mississippi and Monekea Smith-Taylor of St. Louis, Missouri appeared in Federal Court before District Judge Sharion Aycock in Aberdeen and pled guilty to conspiracy to commit embezzlement.

According to the DOJ, on a previous court date in October 2025, Mario Willis of Southaven, Mississippi also pled guilty to the same conspiracy.

Schools

State Board of Education tightens financial standards for school districts after growing number fall behind on annual audits

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Wed, 01/21/2026 - 02:02 PM

At its recent meeting, the Mississippi State Board of Education also heard an update on how early education programs are faring in the state.

In response to the growing number of districts falling behind on their annual audits, the Mississippi State Board of Education approved a request for a temporary ruling under the Administrative Procedures Act to amend school district financial standards during last Thursday’s meeting.

Opinion

Latino: Quit the hysteria, Mississippi already allows students to transfer between public schools

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Wed, 01/21/2026 - 09:42 AM

Below is a political opinion column by Russ Latino:

Public-to-public transfers, sometimes called open enrollment or portability, are not robustly used. The policy is not a panacea. It can be a lifeline for hardship, though.

Forty-six (46) states, plus the District of Columbia, allow a student to transfer from the public school they are assigned to into another public school. Mississippi is among them.

Chief Jason Busby and Assistant Chief Anthony Morrow presented the awards. Fireman of the Year is Billy Bridges.

Braxton Firefighters honor members

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Tue, 01/20/2026 - 01:35 PM

The Braxton Fire Department held its annual Family Night last Saturday evening, bringing firefighters and their families together for a night of fellowship and recognition.
During the event, Chief Jason Busby and Assistant Chief Anthony Morrow presented several awards honoring outstanding service and dedication within the department over the past year.

Girl Scout Troop 5116 spreads holiday cheer, prepares for cookie sale

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Tue, 01/20/2026 - 01:31 PM

Girl Scout Troop 5116 was quite busy during 2025 holiday season. They were excited about keeping their promise in honoring the Girl Scout Law to be “… friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, …. And to make the world a better place.” They helped people by donating more than 25 coats/jackets to Magee Middle School Beta Club to help protect the less fortunate with winter wear so that they can stay warm during the cold weather.

Schools

Tim Tebow to keynote EmpowerMS Solutions Summit

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Tue, 01/20/2026 - 11:18 AM

More than 30 states have passed “Tim Tebow” laws, allowing homeschool students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. It is up for consideration in Mississippi again this legislative session.

Empower Mississippi will be hosting sports icon and education freedom supporter Tim Tebow during its annual summit this week in the capital city.

Grant Callen, CEO and Founder of Empower Mississippi, said this year’s Empower Solutions Summit will be held on January 21 at the Westin in Jackson from 7:30 a.m. until noon.

Opinion

Latino: The Legislature’s added billions in new education funding, their opponents still accuse them of ‘underfunding’

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Tue, 01/20/2026 - 11:06 AM

Below is a political opinion column by Russ Latino:

If the Mississippi Legislature is attempting to “defund” or “pillage” Mississippi’s public schools, they really suck at it. Per pupil spending, via state appropriations, has increased by a whopping 73 percent in a decade.

Schools

Governor opts Mississippi into Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program

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Mon, 01/19/2026 - 11:16 AM

“Mississippi believes that parents – not government – know what’s best for their children’s education,” said Governor Tate Reeves.

Governor Tate Reeves (R) announced Monday that he has opted Mississippi into the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program to promote school choice in the state.

Schools

House passes Mississippi Education Freedom Act out of committee

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Thu, 01/15/2026 - 12:08 PM

While the Republican-backed bill does include a universal school choice component, it also addresses a number of aspects within Mississippi’s education system, from student transfers and state employee retirement to standardized testing and the establishment of charter schools.

The Mississippi Education Freedom Act passed out of the House Education Committee on Wednesday by a roll call vote of 14-11 down party lines.

Schools

Mississippi Dept. of Education launches AI pilot program in 15 school districts

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Thu, 01/15/2026 - 11:06 AM

Forty-three teachers are using AI tools in a pilot program aimed at making instruction more engaging while helping students struggling in certain subjects.

A pilot program gauging the effectiveness of AI use by teachers to help develop effective lesson plans is underway in Mississippi.

The Mississippi State Board of Education was updated on the program during last week’s meeting. Members were told how the new program is being used to develop more compelling instruction time in the classroom.

Schools

Treasurer’s office wants to help families save for college

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Thu, 01/15/2026 - 10:48 AM

State Treasurer David McRae has also made successful moves to ensure the solvency of legacy programs under his purview.

Parents who are interested in ensuring their child will have their higher education covered before they even graduate high school have options through the State Treasurer’s office.

Currently, the state treasury offers two types of savings accounts, the MACS program and the MPACT prepaid program.

Politics

Barbour, Bryant, Duff headline broad coalition of business leaders in support of universal school choice

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Wed, 01/14/2026 - 11:30 PM

The business leaders reminded lawmakers that Mississippi now finds itself surrounded by states that have embraced robust school choice programs.

Legislators in the Mississippi House of Representatives arrived at the Capitol Wednesday to find a letter from 101 business leaders from across the Magnolia State urging them to take bold action this session and seize the moment to expand education freedom for every child.