Kermit – Page 48 – The Mississippi Link

The Inauguration of President Barack H. Obama

“Faith in America’s Future.”

That was the theme of the 57th annual Presidential Inauguration Monday, with President Barack H. Obama being the 17th president to win a second term.

For more than 200 years, America’s citizens have witnessed the inauguration ceremonies of the President and Vice President of the United States. From the first inauguration of George Washington, in New York City, in 1789, till today, the swearing-in ceremonies represents both national renewal and a continuity of leadership. […]

Ole Miss starts writing fines for smoking ban

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Smokers on the University of Mississippi campus have received their last warning.

After several years of limiting smoking to designated outdoor areas, Ole Miss officials last August banned all smoking on university property. The smoke-free policy was introduced during the fall semester with warning-only citations, but fines have now begun, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports. […]

Transcript: President Barack Obama’s 2013 inaugural address

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Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional – what makes us American – is our allegiance to an idea, articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” […]

Mississippi State hires 2 defensive assistants

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Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen has hired two defensive assistant coaches.

The school announced that David Turner will be in charge of the defensive line while two-time Super Bowl winner Deshea Townsend will lead the cornerbacks.

Turner returns to Mississippi State, where he coached the defensive line from 2007-09. He has spent the past three seasons as an assistant at Kentucky and has more 13 years of experience in the Southeastern Conference. […]

9 enter senate race to succeed Harden

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Nine candidates are running for a state Senate seat in part of Hinds County. They’re competing to succeed Democrat Alice Harden, who died in December.

The special election is Feb. 5, with a runoff Feb. 26.

The candidates are Cindy Ayers-Elliot, Tamarra Grace Butler, Marshand Crisler, Sollie B. Norwood, Antonio Porter, James “Jimmy” Stewart, Kathy L. Sykes, Tommy L. Wallace II and Cassandra Welchlin. […]

Inmate to plead guilty in deadly prison riot

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An inmate plans to plead guilty to participating in a deadly prison riot in Mississippi, federal court records say.

One guard was killed and 20 people were injured in the May 20 riot at the privately-run Adams County Correctional Facility in Natchez, which holds illegal immigrants convicted of crimes in the U.S.

A filing Friday in U.S. District Court in Natchez says Yoany Oriel Serrano-Bejarano plans to change his plea to guilty. […]

Winter weather storm issued

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The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a Winter Storm Watch for much of Central Mississippi with expected snow flurries starting as early as Wednesday night and carrying over into Thursday.

The warning is effective until 9 a.m., Jan. 17.

Isolated locations could receive 2″ – 4″ of snow by Thursday morning. […]

Chaney says gov. hands control to feds

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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. […]