Mississippi has given COVID-19 shots to thousands of state prisoners in its ongoing mass vaccination effort behind bars, state officials said. The Mississippi Department of Corrections began the effort with the state’s most populated prison — Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Pearl. By Friday, officials said they had completed vaccinating nearly all 3,017 inmates there. … Read more
Mississippi is sharing in a $188.6 million multistate settlement with Boston Scientific Corporation to resolve allegations of deceptive marketing of its surgical mesh products for women. Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced Tuesday that Mississippi will get $2.19 million, multiple news agencies reported. Surgical mesh is a synthetic woven fabric that is implanted in the pelvic … Read more
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Tuesday that he is nominating a regulator with almost 20 years of experience to be the state commissioner of banking and consumer finance. Rhoshunda Kelly of Madison will need to be confirmed by the state Senate. She has been interim commissioner at the state Department of Banking and Consumer Finance … Read more
Gov. Bill Lee has announced that Tennessee will soon allow all residents 16 and older to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Tennessee had been distributing the vaccine to health care workers, first responders, senior citizens and people 16 and older who have high-risk health conditions — including cancer, hypertension, obesity and pregnancy — as well as … Read more
Tennessee’s GOP-led Statehouse has given final passage to a bill that would ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. Tennessee House lawmakers voted 71-16 Monday in for the measure and sent it to Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s desk. Critics warn that the measure would likely result in costly legal challenges if it is signed … Read more
Tennessee health officials are expected to expand eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Department of Health spokesperson Bill Christian said the agency will hold a media briefing on Monday to discuss the next steps of the state’s vaccination plan. Tennessee is currently distributing the vaccine to health care workers, first responders, senior citizens and people … Read more
Tennessee State University’s forensics team has been named overall national champions and top historically Black colleges and universities speech and debate team for a second straight year. The HBCU National Speech and Debate Championship was held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. Tennessee State says the school also picked up 10 national championship titles and … Read more
One of Mississippi legislators’ most important jobs is to keep Medicaid alive beyond June 30, the end of the current state budget year. Medicaid is a health insurance program for the needy, aged, blind and disabled. It is paid by federal and state money. Because Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the nation, … Read more
A Memphis man has been charged with intentionally setting a fire that killed a man in a rooming house. The Shelby County district attorney’s office says 57-year-old Jerry Lee Sanders has been indicted on charges including first-degree murder and aggravated arson in the death of 54-year-old Gregory Fowler. Prosecutors say Sanders and Fowler got into … Read more
The Tennessee Senate has advanced legislation that would allow most adults 21 and older to carry firearms — concealed or openly — without a license that now requires a background check and training. The proposal must now pass the House, which is likely in the GOP-dominant chamber. GOP Gov. Bill Lee has backed the bill … Read more