News

Second Mississippi county agrees to trim voter rolls after lawsuit by conservative group

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — A second county in south Mississippi has agreed to clean up its inflated voter rolls after being sued by a conservative group that said the county failed to purge the names of people who had died, moved away or been convicted of disenfranchising felonies.

In a consent decree filed this past Friday in federal court, Jefferson Davis County said that by Jan. 31, it will identify people on the rolls who are no longer eligible to vote.

An Oct. 10 document from the secretary of state’s office shows the county has almost as many registered voters as it has residents of voting age… […]

News

$100 the max Mississippi can charge for concealed gun permit; $6 photo fee dropped

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — The Mississippi Department of Public Safety on Monday dropped the $6 photo fee it tacked onto the charge for a concealed-carry gun permit starting July 1, and it’s working to refund the money to anyone who has already paid it, spokesman Warren Strain said.

Strain told The Associated Press that the photo fee was dropped in response to an attorney general’s legal opinion that says state law sets the price of a concealed-carry permit at $100, plus an amount to be paid by the applicant for a fingerprint and background check. DPS has set the fingerprint and background check fee at $32… […]

News

Corinth trio arrested in plot to steal from cemeteries and open florist shop

CORINTH, Mississippi (AP) — Three people who authorities say planned to open a florist shop with items stolen from a local cemeteries have been arrested by Alcorn County deputies.

Sheriff’s department Investigator Reggie Anderson tells the Daily Corinthian that the three were arrested after a tip from the public. Each was charged this past week with destroying public property. The three are being held pending an initial court appearance… […]

Health

2nd nurse pleads guilty in cancer clinic fraud case

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — A second nurse has pleaded guilty to failing to report a crime at a south Mississippi cancer clinic that was shut down over unsafe practices and accused of a multimillion-dollar fraud.

Brittany Davis Powell pleaded guilty Oct. 21 to misprision of a felony during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Jackson… […]

News

$36,000 in marijuana seized at Natchez post office

NATCHEZ, Mississippi (AP) — A 28-year-old Natchez man has been arrested on charge he tried to have approximately $36,000 worth of marijuana shipped to him.

Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said Monday his office was alerted by federal postal inspectors of a suspicious package addressed to an unoccupied home… […]

Education

Mississippi mulling alternative paths to graduation for students who fail exit exams

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — Mississippi education officials are considering as many as seven alternate paths to a high school diploma for students who fail one or more high school exit exams.

The state Board of Education agreed Oct. 18 to seek public comments. The plan has drawn questions because it could allow students to graduate without showing much proficiency in science or U.S. history… […]

News

Judge in USM child porn case says suspect a risk

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi (AP) — A federal judge has ordered that a University of Southern Mississippi student under investigation for allegations of child pornography be held without bond pending trial.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mike T. Parker wrote in his detention order Monday that 24-year-old Miles Justin McNairy was a risk to others and the community… […]

Health

Federal judge blocks Gov. Phil Bryant’s executive order in insurance dispute

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — A federal judge Monday blocked Gov. Phil Bryant from compelling Mississippi’s largest health insurer to resume paying its in-network rate to a chain of 10 hospitals.

U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate read a temporary restraining order from the bench saying Bryant didn’t provide enough proof to justify an executive order he issued last week… […]

Education

3 indicted by grand jury in USM altercation involving former QB Anthony Alford

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi (AP) — Three people involved in an on-campus fight at the University of Southern Mississippi last November involving a handgun and former Southern Miss quarterback Anthony Alford have been indicted by a Forrest County grand jury on felony charges.

USM campus police arrested six, including Alford, following the Nov. 28, 2012, fight near the school’s Walker Science Building. No one was hurt. Police say no shots were fired although a gun was found at the scene.

The indictments were handed down in September and made public this last week. Those indicted were:.. […]

News

Arnold Walker’s 25-yard TD run lifts Alcorn State over Southern in OT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Arnold Walker scored on a 25-yard run in overtime to lift Alcorn State to a wild 44-38 Southwest Athletic Conference win over Southern Saturday night.

Alcorn State (7-2, 5-1) almost scored on Southern’s opening possession in OT when Jestin Williams returned an interception 88 yards but he was tackled on the 4-yard line… […]