@ISSUE

Mississippi's student population is shrinking. Some districts are struggling both academically and financially. Is school district consolidation the answer? Host Desare Frazier speaks with Rep. Rob Roberson (R-Starkville), chair of the House Select Committee on School Consolidation. We also hear from Nancy Loome, executive director of the Parents' Campaign. Then, analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples discuss the prospects for consolidation during an election year.

The Rural Health Transformation Program will bring more than $200 million to Mississippi in 2026, and as much as $1 billion over five years. But how will this money be used, and who will make the decisions? @ISSUE reports on the joint Senate-House hearing held last week. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Sen. Hob Bryan (D-Amory), chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. Then, analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones join Wilson to discuss the launch of the new federal program.

Jackson Mayor John Horhn sits down with host Wilson Stribling to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Mississippi's capitol city. Mayor Horhn talks about improved relations between city and state, public safety initiatives, infrastructure improvements, the water controversy, control of the airport, and more. Then analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples join Wilson to look at the work Horhn is doing, in a role some call the toughest job in Mississippi.

Congressional, judicial, and legislative redistricting are all on the table, but when? Governor Reeves has cancelled the special legislative session, but still promises to redistrict Congressman Bennie Thompson out of office. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court's recent Callais decision impacts state supreme court redistricting as well as recently redrawn state legislative maps. Analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples join host Wilson Stribling to untangle the latest court decisions and predict political strategies.

In the wake of the Supreme Court's recent decision affecting the Voting Rights Act, Republican-led states across the South are redrawing Congressional districts. Will Mississippi do the same in the upcoming special session? Analysts Brandon Jones and Lucien Smith join host Wilson Stribling for an in-depth discussion.

Last week the United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Louisiana's newly drawn congressional district should not have used race as a factor. Does the 1965 Voting Rights Act remain "substantially intact," as Republican Lucien Smith claims? Or has it been "nullified with the stroke of a pen," as Democrat Brandon Jones laments? Brandon and Lucien join host Wilson Stribling to discuss this momentous decision and its impact on Mississippi.

The Legislature returned to Jackson last week, determined to override several of Governor Tate Reeves' vetoes. And then they didn't. Host Wilson Stribling welcomes analysts Brandon Jones and Lucien Smtih to discuss what was going on behind the scenes, who miscalculated, and what the results may mean for some of Mississippi's political leaders. 

Host Wilson Stribling interviews Drew Hawkins, the Gulf States Newsroom reporter who has closely covered Mississippi’s opioid addiction crisis and the state’s use of its opioid settlement funds. Analysts Brandon Jones and Lucien Smith then discuss the actions of the legislature, attorney general, and the opioid settlement advisory council as they plan how to spend the $400 million Mississippi will receive.