Statewide News – Page 19 – The Mississippi Link

Miss. voter ID law expected to be used by 2014

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Mississippi voters could have to start showing photo identification at the polls by the June 2014 federal primaries, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said last week after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that certain state and local governments no longer need federal approval to change their own election laws or procedures.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has required Mississippi and other areas with a history of racial discrimination, mainly in the South, to get clearance for changes as large as implementing a voter ID law to as small as relocating a precinct.

In a 5-4 ruling, justices blocked enforcement of a provision in the 1965 Voting Rights Act that requires Mississippi and several other state and local governments to get federal approval before making any changes to voting laws or procedures. Preclearance has been required in areas with a history of racial discrimination, mainly in the South. […]

Lumumba sworn in Monday as Jackson mayor

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Chokwe Lumumba was sworn in Monday as the mayor of Jackson, Mississippi’s capital and the largest city in the state.

Lumumba is an attorney who served the past four years on the Jackson City Council. A civil rights activist, he was active in a black nationalist group decades ago, but ran as a mainstream candidate who would represent all city voters.

The Clarion-Ledger reports that the first true test for Lumumba will come quickly – a Sept. 15 budget deadline, which he’ll face with a new City Council. […]

Heroin, thousands in cash seized in Laurel bust

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Laurel police chief Tyrone Stewart said three people have been arrested in a drug bust that also resulted in the confiscation of a large amount of heroin and several thousand dollars in cash.

Stewart told WDAM that two suspects were caught at the scene of an alleged Friday, June 21 drug deal in south Laurel. Another suspect was arrested a short time later after a high speed chase. No injuries were reported. The suspects were awaiting a weekend court appearance. […]

Judge blocks Mississippi open-carry gun law

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A state judge blocked Mississippi’s open-carry gun law from taking effect next week, writing in a Friday ruling that the law was vague and that an injunction was needed to prevent irreparable harm.

Hinds County Circuit Judge Winston Kidd scheduled a hearing July 8 to consider more arguments about whether to extend the injunction.

Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith requested that the law be blocked, and Kidd granted the temporary injunction during an emergency hearing.

House Bill 2 clarifies that people in Mississippi don’t need any kind of state-issued permit to carry a gun that’s not concealed. […]

A glance at some new laws in Mississippi

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Here’s a glance at some new Mississippi laws that take effect Monday:

CHARTER SCHOOLS – The governor, lieutenant governor and state superintendent of education have until Sept. 1 to nominate people to serve on a board that will oversee development of charter schools, which are public schools that agree to meet certain standards in exchange for freedom from regulations. (House Bill 369) […]

‘Duck Dynasty’ stars headed to Alcorn fair

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A&E’s cable network “Duck Dynasty” stars Willie Robertson and John Luke Robertson will participate in the Alcorn County Fair and Crossroads Arena’s “Kids and Family Day” on Sept. 21.

The Robertsons became stars after their reality television series began airing on A&E in March 2012. […]

Rebels’ Henderson reprimanded by NCAA

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The NCAA has issued an official reprimand to University of Mississippi basketball player Marshall Henderson for his conduct following the Rebels’ third-round NCAA tournament game.

After Ole Miss’ season-ending 76-74 loss to La Salle in Kansas City on March 24, Henderson reportedly extended both middle fingers to the crowd as he left the court. Henderson later apologized in a letter posted on Ole Miss’ website.

The NCAA issued the reprimand Wednesday, June 26, saying Henderson’s actions failed to represent the “highest standards of sportsmanship.” The reprimand letter came from Ron Wellman, chairman of the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee and athletic director at Wake Forest. […]

Southern Miss Quintet Chosen for National Festival

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The Southern Quintet, composed of students from The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music, has been accepted to attend the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival held at The Julliard School in New York City July 28 – Aug. 8.

The 11-day festival hosts advanced and professional musicians, ensembles and composers from all across the country and abroad to perform and be mentored by Imani Winds, a Grammy Award-nominated wind quintet known for their legacy of innovative music. The Southern Quintet is the first student chamber group from Southern Miss to be accepted to the festival.

“This is an exceptional honor and wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Michael Miles, director of the School of Music at Southern Miss. […]

Petal woman arrested for exploiting elderly woman

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A Petal woman has been arrested for allegedly making herself the power of attorney for an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s and taking her money illegally.

Deloris Gordon, 70, also known as Deloris Gatlin, was arrested Tuesday, June 26, by the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office and charged with one count of a vulnerable adult.

Attorney General Jim Hood said investigators the Vulnerable Adult Unit presented the case to the Grand Jury alleging that Gordan signed papers naming herself to have Power of Attorney over the affairs of an elderly woman who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and subsequently took money that was intended for the victim. […]

Bryant: Medicaid special session starts Thursday

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Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant said Monday that he’s calling lawmakers into special session at 10 a.m. Thursday to keep the state’s Medicaid program alive and funded once the new state fiscal year begins July 1.

The Republican is not asking lawmakers to expand Medicaid, which is an option under the federal health care law that President Barack Obama signed in 2010.

Many Democrats have been pushing to expand Medicaid or to allow low-income working people to use federal subsidies to buy insurance on the private market.
However, Republican leaders say the state can’t afford to add another 300,000 people to Medicaid, and they don’t want to increase people’s dependence on government programs. […]