Governor Haley Barbour has named first district Congressman Roger Wicker as his appointee to the US Senate to replace Senator Trent Lott.  MPB's Scott Phillips has this report.

With the appointment of Senator Roger Wicker only one day old, there are already questions about who will run for the 1st district seat. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Senator Roger Wicker headed straight to the Gulf Coast after the announcement of his appointment to fill the term of Pascagoula native Trent Lott.  MPB’s Gary Michiels found the reaction of Coast residents, courteous, but cautious.

The lunch crowd in downtown Pontotoc was a buzz Monday with talk about "a local boy.done good!"  MPB's Stephen Koranda visited Roger Wicker's hometown and got reaction from its residents about the Congressman's move to the Senate.

Monday's appointment by Governor Haley Barbour means Roger Wicker is only guaranteed Trent Lott's  Senate seat until a permanent replacement is elected. And, controversy still looms over when a special election should be held.  MPB’s Scott Phillips reports on what the underlying political fight might be about.

Mississippi's representation in the U.S. House will also see changes. MPB's Stephen Koranda has details in this report.

The New Years holiday is good news-bad news for Gulf Coast hospitality workers. It means working the holidays and longer hours; but it also means a larger pay check. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Attorney General Jim Hood has followed through on his promise to take Governor Haley Barbour to court over the special election date to replace former Senator Trent Lott.  MPB’s Scott Phillips has this report.

Senator Roger Wicker is moving quickly to meet with citizens and political leaders in his new role as U.S. Senator. He flew to four communities in the state yesterday. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Workers at a factory in Clay County, has celebrated a milestone. As MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports, the West Point manufacturing company that builds Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, delivered it’s 1000th  M-RAP to the military yesterday.

The 2008 legislative session doesn't get underway until Tuesday but it's not stopping Lieutenant Governor-elect Phil Bryant from getting a jumpstart on the work ahead.  He's hosting a summit for the Mississippi Senate to discuss what the priorities need to be as MPB's Scott Phillips reports.

Another milestone of recovery on the Gulf Coast is expected today. If the weather cooperates the final section of the Bay St. Louis Bridge will open for four lanes of traffic. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

The city of Oxford will receive a federal grant for more than 300-thousand dollars to expand a University of Mississippi alcohol treatment program into the community. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

The Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame has six new members. Some of them are famous, and some are not so well known. But all are significant. MPB's Ron Brown introduces us to a few of the latest Hall of Fame inductees.

The 2008 legislative session gets underway tomorrow.  MPB's Scott Phillips reports the focus of this year's session will be money, money, money.

Even with the help of thousands of volunteers, housing on the Gulf Coast remains the most critical issue. And as FEMA moves to close its remaining trailer parks the housing crisis has many Katrina survivors worried about a place to live. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

The Mississippi Home Corporation is providing more than 200-thousand dollars in grants to local housing agencies. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports one of the goals of this program is to reduce home foreclosures though education.

Mississippi Blues Marathon

Many people know Mississippi as the birthplace of the blues. MPB's Ron Brown reports, this weekend's inaugural Mississippi Blues Marathon offered a chance to market the state with Blues as the focus.

Who will lead the House as Speaker? Mississippians will find out today after the session gets underway. MPB's Scott Phillips takes a look at the race.

Former Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove launched his U.S. Senate campaign yesterday with several stops throughout the state. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

He may have just recently been appointed, but Senator Roger Wicker has already started his election campaign for a full term. MPB's Stephen Koranda, reports on the first day of a week-long statewide Wicker tour.

A new initiative announced Monday by Governor Haley Barbour, will focus state and local law enforcement efforts on the Capitol City. As MPB's Patty Davis reports, the initiative targets the "worst of the worst" felony drug and violent gun offenders in Hinds County and the City of Jackson.

The 123rd session of the Mississippi Legislature got underway at the state capitol yesterday.  MPB's Scott Phillips reports a familiar face will be leading the House of Representatives.

Water, Natural Gas, Electricity, Sewer and Telecommunications are all regulated by the public service commission. Yesterday in Jackson,MPB's Lawayne Childrey was there as the three member panel was sworn into office.

A 100-thousand dollar reduction has been made in federal funding that helps educate homeless children. As MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports that reduction is requiring some Mississippi school districts to make up the difference.

Many people along the Gulf Coast have complained about breathing problems since Hurricane Katrina came ashore more than two years ago. Local residents of the area have dubbed the condition, the Katrina Cough. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Thirty two state legislators got their first taste of public service on Tuesday as the 2008 legislative session began.  MPB’s Scott Phillips reports ‘the freshman experience’ has rookie lawmakers searching for their niche.

Senator Roger Wicker made his second visit in ten days to the Gulf Coast, yesterday. As MPB’s Gary Michiels reports he traveled from one end of the Coast to the other to meet with community leaders and elected officials in three cities.

A disease found mainly in cockatiels, parrots, and other birds is ruffling the feathers of some major pet stores. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports sales of birds from one Florida supplier have been halted in at least 44 states over health concerns.

Thursday's severe weather left damages from the Tennessee line to the beachfront in Biloxi. MPB's Patty Davis has more.

Seven statewide elected officials took the oath of office in the House of Representatives' chamber Thursday.  MPB's Scott Phillips has the story.

MEC Capital Day

More than a thousand members of the Mississippi Economic Council rallied lawmakers at the capital yesterday.  MPB's Lawayne Childrey was there.

The Mississippi Development Authority is taking their Homeowners Grant program office into the neighborhoods of one Gulf Coast City. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

A Tupelo man hopes to reduce global warming through local changes, by getting the city to join a nationwide campaign that promotes efficiency and reduced pollution. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Governor Haley Barbour will be sworn in for his second term tomorrow on the south steps of the state capitol.  MPB’s Scott Phillips reports on what the governor may have planned for his second term, and what challenges he may face.

Friday was the deadline for candidates to qualify for Mississippi congressional races. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports on candidates running for the first district seat vacated by Roger Wicker.

Voters in Mississippi's third congressional district will have a lot of choices when the states primaries take place March 11th. Ten candidates qualified for the race. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

It's been widely reported that Mississippi is the most obese State in the Union. MPB's Patty Davis reports on one city's efforts to shed the designation and the pounds.

A team of more than thirty students from New York University is studying the progress of recovery from Hurricane Katrina, and concentrating their efforts on a predominantly black area of Gulfport. MPB’s Gary Michiels report.

A special election to choose Senator Trent Lott's successor may be coming sooner than expected.  A Hinds County circuit judge has ruled against Governor Haley Barbour's decision to hold the election in November. MPB's Scott Phillips reports.

A Mississippi judicial bribery case widened yesterday when two key figures agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in a case against Oxford Attorney Dick Scruggs. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

A plan to convert the Richton salt dome into a fuel storage reserve dominated most of the discussion at Fourth District Congressman Gene Taylor’s Town Hall meeting in Ocean Springs last night. MPB’s Gary Michiels was there.

It's a deadly disease that affects More than 20 million adults and children in the United States. In fact the problem is so bad in Mississippi that this past weekend hundreds of stakeholders gathered at a diabetes conference in Jackson to discuss problems and solutions as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Governor Haley Barbour was sworn in for a second term yesterday.  MPB's Scott Phillips reports the Governor is promising continued prosperity for the Magnolia State.

While a third player in the widening Mississippi judicial bribery scandal changed his plea to guilty in federal court in Oxford, a special circuit court judge issued an opinion in the Scruggs civil case. MPB’s Sandra Knispel has more.

Former State Auditor Steve Patterson pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring with Oxford Attorney Dick Scruggs and others to bribe a state court judge. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

The economic growth on the Gulf Coast this year is predicted to out-pace the national economy. As MPB’s Gary Michiels reports that’s the result of a recent study from one of the country’s leading financial research organizations.

One out of every four Mississippi students drop out of school each year. Yesterday the State Department of Education launched a new media campaign called, "On The Bus" at a statewide teen summit in Jackson. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports it's designed to persuade children stay in school.

Dick Scruggs’s defense lawyer accused investigators in federal court in Oxford yesterday of having quote "recklessly and deliberately misrepresented evidence to the court in order to be allowed to wiretap the defendants without probable cause". MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports.

*In another motion, Judge Biggers sided with the defense's request for more time to prepare and moved the start of the trial from originally February 25th to March 31st.

The Dick Scruggs judicial bribery case involves several lawyers known for large contributions to democrats, as well as a democratic former state auditor. Stephen Koranda reports on how this could affect the party in Mississippi.

The Senate Public Health Committee held their first meeting of the legislative session yesterday.  MPB’s Scott Phillips reports on the myriad of issues the committee faces, in this session and the rest of the term.

A representative of the UN toured North Gulfport to meet with local residents of the economically depressed area damaged by Hurricane Katrina. MPB’s Gulf Coast reporter Gary Michiels has the story.

Of the more than 28 thousand Mississippian's  who die every year experts say more than half of them could have been saved with early medical detection. That's why a coalition of doctors, nurses, educators and other community outreach groups are joining forces today to offer free health screenings to every Mississippian. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Judicial bribery convictions involving former judges and prominent attorneys, and the alleged misconduct by Mississippi's most famous attorney Dick Scruggs, has everyone talking about corruption in the state's legal system. MPB's Patty Davis reports, one group is trying to turn the tide of public perception.

Mississippi is experiencing an economic calm before the storm according to fiscal experts who briefed lawmakers at the capitol yesterday. MPB’s Scott Phillips was there.

The state’s new insurance commissioner is wasting no time in tackling the insurance crisis on the Gulf Coast. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.      

Health Fair Reaches Most at Risk .

Lanier High School Clinic in Jackson was one of 16 statewide locations where free health screenings were offered as part of Mississippi Health Awareness Day. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more

A new education center under construction in tupelo will aim to improve the health of Mississippi's children with educational activities. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports on the facility, know as HealthWorks!

Tonight Governor Haley Barbour will deliver his fifth state of the state address since being elected in 2003. Mississippi lawmakers are anxious to hear what he will say. MPB's Scott Phillips has this report.

*The state of the state address will air tonight live at 6 on MPB radio and television.

The Mississippi Conference of Black Mayors is celebrating its 30th anniversary. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, around 50 mayors attended the group's annual conference Friday in Greenwood.

Today Mississippi joins the nation in celebrating the legacy of national civil rights icon; MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Jackson.

As energy prices continue to rise,  Mississippi's untapped resources are more important than ever.  MPB's Patty Davis reports. 

One Mississippi Casino gaming market reported its largest revenue year since legalized gambling began fifteen years ago. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports how the taxes on those funds are used.

Governor Haley Barbour delivered his 5th state of the state address from the Mississippi capitol last night.  MPB's Scott Phillips reports the theme of this year's speech was fiscal caution.

A shift in United States tactics in Iraq is resulting in fewer American casualties and a reduced number of militant strongholds, according to one of Mississippi’s Congressmen. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Work on the Farm Bill will continue soon when congress reconvenes on the 22nd. At an agriculture conference yesterday in Tunica, Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln spoke about potential changes in the bill, and how they could affect cotton farmers. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Dozens of community members gathered at Jackson's Freedom Corner to lay wreaths in honor of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. yesterday. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Celebrations took place all over the state yesterday in remembrance of Martin Luther King jr. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports on one event in Oxford.

In our health segment today ... two risks that face, not only children, but adults as well - over the counter cold medicines and whooping cough.  Karen Brown spoke with Dr. William Sorey a Pediatrician with the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

President Bush has proposed a tax credit to spur consumer spending, and Governor Barbour told legislators this week, that state spending will be limited to the most critical needs. MPB's Patty Davis reports, the individual tax payer is left in the middle.

Governor Haley Barbour pointed out the lack of adequate workforce housing on the Gulf Coast in his State of the State address Monday evening. And a day later he did something about the problem. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Mississippi officially has a new Senator in Washington after a brief swearing-in ceremony at the US Capitol.  MPB's Scott Phillips reports Senator Roger Wicker plans to hit the ground running on Capitol Hill.

Yesterday Activists on both sides of the abortion debate marked the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade decision. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

The creator of an Emmett Till exhibit spoke yesterday in Booneville about the impact of the 1955 murder. 14-year old Till was killed for allegedly whistling at a white woman. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

Language is the basis for all communication. But What language do you use if you are deaf? MPB's Patty Davis looks at two schools of thought on deaf education in Mississippi.

Legislative leaders responsible for determining how much you pay in taxes are mulling plans for the 2008 legislative session.  MPB's Scott Phillips reports the state's business community got a chance to hear from them yesterday.

After more than two decades of planning, construction has been completed on phase one of the new Carroll Gartin Justice Building in downtown Jackson. MPB's Patty Davis reports, the State Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and the entire support staff will begin moving in, early next month.

One Gulf Coast City is now providing free health care for more than six hundred and fifty employees and their dependents. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.       

More than nine million American adults are considered morbidly obese. In today's health segment, MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports, obesity affects more Mississippian's than any other state in the nation.

Wednesday afternoon the Alabama-based ambulance service Emergystat informed 23 counties in Mississippi that it would cease operating at midnight. MPB’s Sandra Knispel takes a look at two of the affected counties -- Panola and Tallahatchie.

A group of eight counties in northeast Mississippi is urging the state legislature to study the way emergency 911 service is funded. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, counties are often stuck making up shortfalls.

Governor Haley Barbour delivered his state budget recommendation to lawmakers yesterday.  MPB’s Scott Phillips reports he’s asking state agencies to make do with what they have.

Congregations for Children, is an ecumenical effort by the Episcopal, Roman Catholic and United Methodist churches in Mississippi. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports, the  advocates for children took their concerns to the capital.

On February 8th, Governor Barbour will hand out the Awards for Excellence in the Arts. MPB's Ron Brown introduces us to Lallah Miles Perry, one of this year's honorees.

Gulf Coast students are being nationally recognized this morning by First Lady Laura Bush in the East Room of the White House. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Mississippians will be anxiously checking their mailboxes this summer for rebate checks.  Congressional leaders agreed on an economic stimulus package last week.  MPB’s Scott Phillips reports on what impact it could have on Mississippi.

Mississippi's teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease rates are alarmingly high. A workshop in Jackson this weekend gave parents the tips they need to open the lines of communications to help their children make better life choices. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more.

Roger Wicker has moved up from Congressman to Senator, but he’s continuing to back the policies set out by President Bush at last night’s State of the Union address. From Capitol News Connection, Eric Niiler has more.

Nearly one in five Mississippians is living at or below the poverty level.  Fighting poverty where it lives is the focus of a new committee at the state capitol this year as MPB's Scott Phillips reports.

State Insurance Department Branch Opens on Coast

Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney promised voters that he would open a branch office of the Insurance Commission on the Gulf Coast. And as MPB’s Gary Michiels reports, the Commissioner kept his promise.

In today's Health Segment, flu Season is just getting going in Mississippi. And while there haven't been an abundance of confirmed cases reported, State Health Officer, Dr. Ed Thompson says it's   too early to tell what kind of influenza season this year is shaping up to be. 

*For more information on flu or to locate a county health department clinic in your area visit the Mississippi State Department of Health website at www-dot-healthy M-S-dot com.

Officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Emergency Management agency are working together to speed up rebuilding on the Gulf Coast. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

Mississippi's nursing shortage affects universities, hospitals and patient care. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

More than 600 thousand Mississippians are enrolled in the Medicaid program, but a recent survey of the system found that face-to face re certification requirements are too restrictive.  MPB's Patty Davis reports.

DNA evidence may soon exonerate a Mississippi man jailed after a rape conviction. As MPB's Stephen Koranda reports, the Innocence Project has been working on his behalf.

Small businesses and entrepreneurs across the state have a new tool to help them succeed.  MPB's Patty Davis has more.

House and Senate Appropriations Chairmen spoke to business leaders from around the state yesterday.  MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Air quality samples have been collected form FEMA trailers on the Gulf Coast to determine the level of formaldehyde gas. But a congressional committee says the testing may not be accurate. MPB’s Gary Michiels reports.

A group in central Mississippi is working on a proposal to convert a 90-mile stretch of railroad track from Greenwood to West Point into a recreational trail. MPB's Stephen Koranda reports.

January is cervical cancer awareness month.  In today's health segment, Dr. Rodney Meeks, Professor and Director for the Division of Gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, talks about who is more likely to get cervical cancer, how they get it and how it's treated.