Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi Department of Insurance announced today that Ambetter from Magnolia Health has been cleared to offer individual health insurance plans through the federal health marketplace. Magnolia serves 50 counties in the state currently, but will extend its coverage to all 82 counties beginning in January 1, 2017.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney announced the news today in a press release.

"Commissioner Chaney says there will be more consumer options and price competition for counties in the Delta, as well as in Coastal counties. The decision by Chaney concerning the adequacy of AmBetter's provider network will also give consumers more choices for health care providers," the press release states. "Providers are the doctors, clinics and hospitals consumers choose to use when seeking care under a health plan."

Read about the current Obamacare coverage in Mississippi here.

With the injury to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, former Mississippi State University star Dak Prescott is taking the reins as the team’s starting quarterback. Sports media sources have already discussed in great detail how well Prescott has played in the preseason.

He is putting up numbers that have been rarely, if ever, seen from a rookie quarterback in the preseason. Prescott has earned the right to be the starter with his play, and if he stays hot, he should keep the position of starter even when Romo returns.

But the Cowboys are also looking to add depth with second-year player Jameill Showers as the only backup quarterback. Now that teams have trimmed their rosters to 75 players, there are several quarterbacks now looking for new jobs.

Dallas plans to workout former University of Southern Mississippi quarterback Austin Davis today, Wednesday, Aug. 31. Davis signed with the Los Angeles Rams when they were still in St. Louis after he went undrafted in 2012.

He spent the first two years of his career as a backup and didn’t see any playing time. Davis finally got a chance to get on the field in 2014 when he played in 10 games and made eight starts for the Rams.

Last season, Davis signed with the Cleveland Browns and saw action in three games with two starts. This week, though, the quarterback-heavy Browns cut him from their roster, making him a free agent.

In limited playing time, he has thrown for 2,548 yards with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has fumbled seven times and lost five of those fumbles, and has a career quarterback rating of 80.4 for his career.

To be fair to Davis, he has played on some really bad teams and has never been a full-time starter. He would provide depth for the Cowboys, acting as an alternative if Prescott gets injured or struggles, and he is entering his fifth year in the league.

There are other quarterbacks that the Cowboys could look at, as well, with the recent round of roster cuts. Dallas will have to act quickly with the season-ending knee injury to Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Two names that stand out after the cuts to 75 players on Tuesday, Aug. 30, are Sean Renfree, who the Atlanta Falcons cut, and Zach Mettenberger, who the San Diego Chargers cut.

The Falcons drafted Renfree out of Duke University in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He has seen action in just two games as he enters his fourth year in the NFL. At Duke, Renfree played for former University of Mississippi head coach and quarterback guru David Cutcliffe. Eli Manning still gets advice from his former coach, as did Peyton Manning before he retired. Renfree could be worth a look if Davis doesn’t impress in his workout.

The Tennessee Titans drafted Mettenberger out of Louisiana State University in the sixth …