All results / Stories / Arielle Dreher
Politics
UPDATED: School Choice Bills Die, Sanctuary Cities Bills Still Alive
Never mind changing the state's education-funding formula; both the House and Senate education committees have passed several bills that would affect student funding, school-board autonomy and a school's responsibility to …
Politics
Proposed Budgets Slashed Even Without 42’s Passage
Currently proposed budget cuts are even greater than those that Rep. Herb Frierson, a key Republican budget writer from Poplarville, warned would be necessary if the school-funding amendment Initiative 42 …
Education
Special Ed Groups on the Fence about Initiative 42
Initiative 42, the citizen-supported ballot measure to fully fund Mississippi's public-school system, boasts of having a broad coalition of support. However, a vocal and influential bloc aren't fully convinced that …
City & County
UPDATED: JPS Audit Will Take Time; Board Votes for National Supe Search
The way out of an investigative audit and into compliance for Jackson Public Schools will not be easy—or quick.
Politics
Surprise! House Targets Attorney General Jim Hood Again
Rep. Mark Baker, R-Brandon, is consistent at least. His annual trip to the podium to limit Attorney General Jim Hood—the only Democrat in a statewide elected office—went well for him …
Education
UPDATED: Senate Takes Up New Ed Funding Formula Proposal Today
The push to re-write the State's education-funding formula, the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, is in the Senate waiting on a full vote.
Crime
Not 'Soft on Crime': Clergy Want Prison Reforms to Become Law
The Mississippi Legislature could approve two re-entry and criminal-justice reform measures this session, which are still alive.
Politics
Special Session to Fund Roads, Bridges May Depend on U.S. Supreme Court
Gov. Phil Bryant alluded to the possibility of a special session for infrastructure funding, if the U.S. Supreme Court allows states to start collecting use tax from online retailers.
LGBT
HB 1523 Becomes Law Amid Outcry, U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Appeal
The "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination" Act is state law in Mississippi, after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request of plaintiffs in the Barber …
City & County
JPS Faces Big Week as Governor's Takeover Decision Looms
As Jackson Public Schools officials and administrators work to meet deadlines set in their 2016 corrective action plan, Gov. Phil Bryant could decide to take away local control of the …
Crime
As DA's Trial Begins, Key Player Sentenced 30 Years for Pot Found in MBN Raid
As the second trial against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith begins today, Christopher Butler, 40, is headed to prison for 30 years without parole after a Hinds County …
City & County
Mayor, Police Chief Address Poverty-Crime Connection, Solutions Going Forward
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and Jackson Police Department Chief Lee Vance are working to increase the number of JPD police officers as well as implementing additional solutions to crime in …
City & County
Gov. Bryant on JPS Takeover: 'Not Going to Rush Judgment'
After meeting with Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba this morning, Gov. Phil Bryant said today that he does not plan to "rush judgment" on the Mississippi Board of Education's proposal to …
City & County
'Our JPS' Coalition Activates Against State Takeover
The pending takeover of Jackson Public Schools drew dozens of citizens to Friday Forum at the former Koinonia Coffeehouse this morning to learn about what it means for capital-city families.
Civil Rights
Black Lawmaker Details Racial Profiling Incident, But 'Back the Badge' Act Passes
Rep. Christopher Bell, D-Jackson, was 25 when a police officer pulled him over when he was driving east of Jackson for no apparent reason.
Civil Rights
'Back the Badge' Bill Heads to Governor's Desk
Police officers will become a protected class for hate crimes against them if Gov. Phil Bryant signs the "Back the Badge Act of 2017," which is headed to Gov. Phil …
Politics
Compromising on Vouchers, Criminal Justice as ‘Back the Badge’ Bill Goes to Governor
The fate of dyslexia scholarship-voucher expansion efforts, how criminal-justice reforms are implemented and occupational licensing-board oversight are in the hands of a few this week as Mississippi lawmakers conference and …
State
Walnut Grove Prison is Officially Closed
The Walnut Grove Correctional Facility in Leake County closed today after years of allegations of sexual abuse, illicit drugs and physical abuse of inmates by correctional officers, which eventually led …
Civil Rights
JSU Research: Confederate Symbols Could Disrupt Heart Rates, Physiology
A federal judge last week struck down a lawsuit a Mississippi man brought against the Confederate emblem in the Mississippi state flag, saying plaintiff Carlos Moore did not prove that …
Civil Rights
Governor Owes Apology for 'Racial Reconciliation Month,' Protesters Say
Gov. Phil Bryant should apologize for declaring October "Racial Reconciliation Celebration Month" without acknowledging the dark past of racism in Mississippi or how the state flag plays into that history, …
