2013 – Page 81 – The Mississippi Link

Chaney says gov. hands control to feds

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is handing control of a state health insurance exchange over to the federal government by trying to block creation of a state-run exchange, Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney told the governor in a letter.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter, and in it, Chaney tells Bryant, a fellow Republican, that the federal government will run an exchange in Mississippi if the state does not create its own.

“Phil, there is simply no legitimate reason to impede the development of a state-based exchange in this point in time,” Chaney wrote. […]

MDA names Malcolm White as tourism director

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Malcolm White has been named director of the Mississippi Development Authority’s (MDA) Tourism Division. White, who brings to MDA more than 40 years of experience in the economic development and tourism industries, began his new position on Jan.14.

Previously, White served for seven years as the executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). There, he was responsible for overseeing the agency’s staff and operations and driving its mission of supporting and celebrating the arts in Mississippi and the state’s creative culture. […]

Thompson named as Vice-Chair of Congressional Gun Violence Task Force

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U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) made a statement this week regarding the need for gun control legislation.

Thompson was recently asked by his colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus to serve as Vice-Chairman of the task force focused on reducing and preventing gun violence. […]

Miss. man injured, family killed in Minnesota crash

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A Mississippi man was critically injured and his family killed when he lost control of his vehicle on an icy highway in northern Minnesota.

The accident occurred around 5:40 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12. Minnesota authorities said 28-year-old Jeremiah Statham of Foxworth was traveling eastbound on Highway 2, about nine miles east of Cass Lake, when his vehicle slid on the icy highway, left the road, hit some trees and a stump and rolled over. […]

Two dead, one hospitalized following traffic accident

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Two people were killed and another remains hospitalized in critical condition following a Friday night traffic accident in Water Valley.

Police Chief Mike King says Hailey Marmino, 18, of Batesville and Geneva Hervey, 47, of Water Valley died in the wreck on Blackmur Drive at the South Street intersection around 7 p.m.

King says Goldie Hervey, 46, of Water Valley was taken to the MED in Memphis where he remains in critical condition. […]

Danny Glover backs union protest against Canton Nissan

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Actor Danny Glover has joined supporters of unionization for workers at the Nissan Canton demonstrating outside the North American International Auto Show.

The Mississippi Alliance for Fairness at Nissan protested Monday next to Detroit’s Cobo Center, the Associated Press reported. The group says workers who show interest in organizing the Japanese carmaker’s plant in Canton, are intimidated by management hints the plant would close if they unionize.

Nissan Vice President David Reuter tells The Detroit News the allegations are false. He says workers who wear anti-union T-shirts do so freely “as a show of support for the company.” The shirts say: “Want a union? Move to Detroit.” […]

Port Gibson bicyclist killed when hit by truck

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A Port Gibson bicyclist died in the predawn hours Friday after being struck by a truck in Claiborne County.

County Coroner J.W. Mallet tells the Vicksburg Post that 53-year-old Delecta Collins was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheriff Marvin Lucas says the accident occurred about 2:40 a.m. as Collins rode his bike on Mississippi Highway 18 in the area of the Natchez Trace Parkway. […]

USM to honor ’87 NIT title team

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In 1987, the Cold War was still festering, music was on cassette and cellphones were huge and for only the very rich.

And Southern Miss basketball was king of the National Invitational Tournament.

That year, the Golden Eagles won five games, four of them on the road, to take the NIT championship at the Madison Square Garden for the school’s lone national title in basketball. […]

Winter weather alert issued throughout the state

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The National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have issued winter weather alerts for numerous counties across the state.

An ice storm warning is in effect for the upper Delta until 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14.

A freezing rain advisory has been issued for Elliot, Gore Springs, Grenada and Holcomb until 6 p.m., Jan. 14.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Abbeville and Algoma until 12 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15. […]

State Rep. David Gibbs dies at 76

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State Rep. David Gibbs, recalled by colleagues as a common-sense lawmaker who preferred to keep a low profile and make things happen behind the scenes, died Sunday. He was 76.

Gibbs, who had cancer, died about 5 a.m. Sunday, said Rep. Kenny Wayne Jones, D-Canton, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. He had been hospitalized at Northeast Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Hospital spokeswoman Deborah Pugh confirmed his death. […]