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Tease photo Education

Public-school Tests Glitch Across State

Twelve thousand Mississippi students spent nearly 20 minutes unable to take their Mississippi Assessment Program tests yesterday morning.

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Mayor: New 'Pothole Blitz' Benefits Ward 7 First, Not Yarber's Street

Mayor Tony Yarber announced on the night of April 26 the beginning of what he described as a "pothole blitz" across the city, addressing and fixing potholes on select streets …

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State

Rep. Kimberly Campbell Resigning to Run Mississippi AARP Group

A state representative is leaving the Legislature to lead the Mississippi chapter of the AARP.

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Taveze Calhoun

The bulk of the picks in the draft have to wait until Saturday to hear their names called during rounds four through seven. It could be then before former Mississippi …

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April 28, 2016

Rep. Kimberly Campbell to Leave House of Representatives

By adreher

Rep. Kimberly Campbell, D-Jackson, will leave the Mississippi House of Representatives by the end of May. She broke the news on her Facebook page last night, announcing that she had accepted the role of state director of AARP in Mississippi.

Campbell represents District 72, which includes parts of northwest Jackson, and she served in the House for almost nine years. In her Facebook post, Campbell said she was leaving on he own terms. Parts of Campbell's Facebook post is reproduced below:

"Having held Vice-Chairman roles under both Democratic and Republican leadership in the House, I have been committed to working across partisan lines to better all of the citizens of MS. However, there are seasons we all find ourselves. This is my season for change. My work at the State House is complete. It's time to release the reins for someone else to have an opportunity to serve and lead District 72. I will ALWAYS love the citizens of House District 72. But when God says, 'move'... You must heed his call! There are some offers, you just CANNOT refuse! I'll be resigning from the House of Representatives by the close of May."

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National

Reports: Prescription Drugs Found with Prince at Death Scene

Several news organizations are reporting that prescription drugs were discovered with Prince when he was found dead in his Paisley Park home.

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World

South Korea: Suspected Midrange North Korean Missiles Fail

Two suspected powerful intermediate-range North Korean missiles failed to launch Thursday, South Korean defense officials said, bringing the total to three apparent failures in recent weeks.

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Education

Maureen Ryan Named Dean at USM's College of Arts and Letters

The University of Southern Mississippi has appointed Dr. Maureen Ryan as dean of the College of Arts and Letters.

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April 27, 2016

Are the Saints and Brees Playing Chicken Before the Draft?

By bryanflynn

Some interesting things have come out of New Orleans over the past few days. Both the Saints and quarterback Drew Brees seem to be trying to position themselves for some possible post-draft fallout.

By now, nearly every Saints fan knows that Brees currently has a $30 million salary number cap for this upcoming season. This is also the final year of his current contract with New Orleans.

The next few stories are why this is so interesting.

When the Carolina Panthers suddenly rescinded their franchise tag on cornerback Josh Norman, making him an unrestricted free agent, it quickly became apparent that Washington and New Orleans were his top destination options.

Norman signed with Washington instead of New Orleans, but after Norman was off the market, ESPN reported that Brees was willing to rework his deal so the Saints could sign the star cornerback.

Neither side has said it had a contract deal in place after Norman signed with Washington. But could Brees have worked out a deal in a few short hours to give the Saints room to sign Norman?

Then, there was this: Just this week, Ian Rapoport said the Saints were looking to move up to the number-one pick before a trade was made between the Los Angeles Rams and the Tennessee Titans.

Brees said in an interview on “The Rich Eisen Show” that he doubts the Saints tried to make a move for the top pick. New Orleans General Manager Mickey Loomis also said the report was false during a recent press conference.

Rapoport, in the same story, reported that the Saints were also interested in possibly moving up from the 12th pick to inside the top 10 to draft former University of Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch.

If you don’t remember, the Saints spent a third-round draft choice on Garrett Grayson last year. Grayson just rode the pine after the preseason, mainly as the Saints’ third-string quarterback.

The theory that New Orleans might want to draft a quarterback in the first round raises some questions.

Would the Saints want to sign Brees to a contract of three or fewer years if they draft a quarterback in the first round?

Will the Saints let Brees play out this season and then move on from the future Hall of Fame signal caller?

Will New Orleans rework Brees’ deal so they can trade him once his salary is more trade-friendly?

Even if the Saints rework Brees’ deal and draft a quarterback, is the club saying the Super Bowl window is closed with Brees?

Do the Saints want to rework Brees’ deal and make a couple of final runs at a Super Bowl?

Is this all really a pre-draft smokescreen that the Saints are using to work a better deal with Brees?

Let’s take a look at each question.

If the Saints take a quarterback in the first round, they …

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JFP

The Wrong Side of History

Even though (HB 1523) may secure your position with religious conservatives, you, sir, will someday realize that you are on the wrong side of history.

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Business

Are We Free?

Are we really free when state government can take control of our citizen's property?

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Tease photo City & County

No Lead in Jackson’s Tanks

For the first time since January, the levels of lead in water sampled from the City of Jackson distribution system have tested below the EPA-mandated amount.

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