Replacements on way, City official says

Flags have been a hot-topic issue around the country and in Mississippi over the last the week, but the real question is this: have you noticed the flags waving — or attempting to — at Jackson City Hall?

The American and Jackson flags at the top of City Hall’s flagpole have surely seen better days. The tattered American flag is partially ripped, looking as if it was raised after a long battle.

Below the American flag, the City of Jackson’s flag, or what’s left of it, is shredded so much you wouldn’t be able to tell what kind of flag it is. The city’s flag — which is supposed to show a gold star, a blue center, a white cross and a green field — looks as if someone stuffed it through a paper shredder.

Then take a walk just down Pascagoula Street to Thalia Mara Hall. While the American flag appears to be in good condition, the state of Mississippi flag is ripped in half, showing only the red end. The state flag’s white magnolia on a navy background is nowhere to be found. The Jackson flag located at Thalia Mara is slightly frayed.

On Friday, after the Clarion Ledger asked if the city was aware of the conditions of the flags, Jackson Spokesperson Melissa Payne said replacements should take place this year. She attributed the flags’ current beat-up conditions to the weather and couldn’t recall the last time they were replaced.

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“We are in the process of replacing those flags,” Payne said, adding that Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba personally brought up the issue “at the end of last year.”

According to Annin Flagmakers, which bills itself as “the largest and oldest flag manufacturer in the United States,” a nylon American flag can cost between $23 to $10,270, depending on the size. The smallest American flag available is 3-feet in length and 5-feet in width; the biggest American flag available are 50-feet in length and 80-feet in width. A polyester American flag is a bit more expensive, costing between $42 and $13,160.

The old Mississippi flag, which showed a confederate emblem in the left-hand corner, was replaced in 2020, after years of public debate. Gov. Tate Reeves, who refused to take a position on the flag for years, signed a law that mandates the removal of the old state flag and bans future use of the Confederate emblem.

Flags are flying at half-staff this month in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, who at 100 was the nation’s oldest president. The state flag had been flying at half-staff in recent days to honor the two from Mississippi who died in the New Orleans terror attack. Reeves ordered the flags to fly at full height on Monday to honor the second inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Many areas in Mississippi could get snow early next week, paired with days of subfreezing temperatures and some overnight lows in the teens, according to National Weather Service forecasts. Here’s what we know.

A system will bring rain and snow to many parts of the U.S. through the weekend, and it will push a blast of Artic air into the South that’s expected to stay for a few days into the middle of next week.

The NWS is calling for a major Arctic air outbreak that will affect the Great Plains to east of the Appalachian mountains and as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. Areas to the north can expect subzero temps. AccuWeather meteorologists said the air from Siberia will cause some of the coldest lows seen so far this winter.

Current predictions also call for rain Saturday. According to NWS forecasts, several parts of the state have a chance of snow on Monday and/or Tuesday. Some areas can expect the extended cold snap to bring overnight lows in the teens and daytime highs below freezing.

Are you ready for brutal cold in Mississippi? Prep your family, pets, house and vehicle ahead of time to stay warm and safe. AccuWeather warns that strong breezes, paired with the deep chill can cause drafts to get into crawl spaces and elevate the chance of pipes bursting.

When could it snow in Mississippi?

The National Weather Service is showing a chance of snow around the state in the next seven days, as of around 8 a.m. Friday.

• Jackson: A 20% chance Monday night, followed by a 40% chance of snow on Tuesday and a 20% chance of snow Tuesday night.
• Hattiesburg: A 20% chance of snow showers after midnight on Monday, a 50% chance of snow on Tuesday and a 20% chance of snow Tuesday night before midnight.
• Greenwood: A 20% chance of snow showers Tuesday.
• Columbus/West Point/Starkville: A 30% chance of snow after noon on Tuesday.
• Gulfport: A chance of 20% chance of snow after midnight on Monday night, likely snow showers after noon on Tuesday and a chance of snow and freezing rain Tuesday night before midnight.
• Oxford: No snow in current forecast.

What’s the weather forecast in Mississippi?

Most of Mississippi can expect temperatures below normal, leading to subfreezing but not subzero weather overnight in the coming week. Temps will stay lower than average through Jan. 30. Currently, precipitation chances are above average from Jan. 22-30.

In Southaven, AccuWeather forecasts call for a 40% chance of rain Saturday, when the high is expected to be 48, and the low is 27. Highs are expected to stay near or below freezing Sunday through Tuesday. Lows will dip into the teens on Sunday and Tuesday, and the high Monday is 28 degrees. Temps are set to climb into the 40s again, starting Thursday. Lows could stay subfreezing through Jan. 26. (The NWS forecast also does not call for snow at this time.)

According to AccuWeather, as of Jan. 17, the Jackson area can expect:

• Jan. 17: High 61°F, low 52°F.
• Jan. 18: High 65°F, low 31°F, 70% chance of rain in the morning.
• Jan. 19: High 39°F, low 20°F.
• Jan. 20: High 36°F, low 23°F.
• Jan. 21: High 32°F, low 17°F, 30% chance of precipitation, including a bit of snow or flurries.
• Jan. 22: High 41°F, low 23°F.
• Jan. 23: High 45°F, low 31°F, 55% chance of rain in the afternoon.
• Jan. 24: High 44°F, low 26°F, 81% chance of rain in the morning and afternoon.
• Jan. 25: High 51°F, low 32°F, 75% chance of precipitation, including rain and sleet in the morning with rain in the afternoon.
• Jan. 26: High 58°F, low 37°F.
• Jan. 27: High 59°F, low 39°F.
• Jan. 28: High 49°F, low 39°F, 70% chance of precipitation with rain in the afternoon.

Weather Channel forecasts for Jackson also calls for snow Tuesday.

In Hattiesburg, the 10-day AccuWeather forecast shows about a 70% chance of rain Saturday with a high of 73 degrees. For Sunday through Friday, highs will mostly drop into the 40s with a dip to 34 on Tuesday. There a low chance of snow or flurries on Monday. There’s a 35% chance of precipitation with snow and sleet Tuesday. Thursday has a 64% chance of precipitation and could have some icy mix in the rain. Lows will be in the 20s through at least Saturday, Jan. 25, with a possible dip to 19 degrees on Sunday and 17 Tuesday. Highs are expected to climb back in the 50s on Jan. 25; they day also has a 74% chance of rain and sleet. The high Sunday, Jan. 26, in the 60s.

Around Gulfport, AccuWeather forecasts call for about a 94% chance of rain and a thunderstorm with a high of 68 degrees on Saturday. Lows will be in the 20s Sunday through Wednesday. There’s a 35% chance of precipitation including snow, sleet and rain on Tuesday with a high of 36. Saturday, Jan. 25, has a 72% chance of rain, and the high is 55.

Why does it keep getting so cold?

According to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, which manages the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research, polar air comes south sometimes where the polar jet stream wanders.

As they describe it, the polar vortex circles the north pole counterclockwise. the polar jet stream circles at a lower level of the atmosphere, which usually keeps Arctic air corralled in the middle.

When the polar vortex is weak, the jet stream pattern wanders around a bit instead of staying in place “like a toupee that goes askew.”

The scientists that make up UCAR say predicting the pattern is getting harder because the Arctic is warming at a rapid rate.

How can I prepare for extreme cold?

The National Weather Service has tips to protect your family, pets, home and more in extreme cold.

Family

• Know your weather forecasts, be ready in case of power outages.
• Limit time outside in the cold. Early morning is the coldest, and kids might need to wait for the school bus somewhere warmer than usual.
• Dress for winter weather, including layers to keep out the wind and wet. Wear waterproof boots, a hat and gloves.
• Get a kit together for your home and/or vehicle.
• Don’t stay in wet clothes, stay warm and dry.
• Check on elderly relatives, friends and neighbors.

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House

• Insulate pipes.
• Drip water and open cabinet doors to let pipes get warm air circulation.
• Turn off sprinklers, and disconnect hoses. Insulate outside taps and pipes.
• Winterize the home, like checking your chimney, clearing gutters. Insulate windows and attics if possible. If there are gaps around blankets or doors you can’t fill, cover them with blankets or towels.
• Install/check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• If you have a generator or plan to use one, make sure it’s set up to run safely to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t run it in the house or near air intake for the residence.
• Use space heaters safely: don’t leave them unattended and be sure there’s a 3-foot space away from flammable objects like curtains or furniture.
• Close unused rooms to keep from wasting heat.

Car

• Make sure your vehicles have at least half a tank of gas so you can stay warm if stranded.
• Have an emergency kit ready in your car if you have to travel in cold weather.

Pets

• If pets can come into the home or another shelter, bring them in.
• If animals, like livestock, can’t come inside, try to provide shelter and make sure their water isn’t frozen over regularly.

What should I have in my emergency kit?

According to the NWS, people should have the following in emergency kits for their homes and vehicles.

To be ready for emergencies have:

• Flashlights with fresh batteries.
• Spare batteries.
• First aid kit and any medicines or medical supplies you need.
• Backup clothes for winter weather.
• Baby gear.
• Food that’s non-perishable and/or will not have to be cooked if you lose power. If you pack canned good, be sure you have a manual can opener.
• Water (plan 1 gallon per person for 3 days).
• Pet supplies (food and water).
• A basic toolkit, including pliers, a wrench, and a screwdriver.
• A radio.
• Warmers.

Car kits need a lot of the same items and few others, including:

• Jumper cables.
• Cat litter or sand for tire traction.
• Shovel.
• Ice scraper.
• Roadside emergency kit.
• Blankets/sleeping bag.

How low can I set my thermostat?

The World Health Organization recommends a minimum temperature of 68 degrees for children, people with health problems and the elderly. WHO advises a range between 64 and 75 degrees for healthy people.

Thinking of going without heat and powering through with warm winter layers?

According to the CDC, hypothermia, or a dangerously low body temperature, usually happens in extreme cold but can happen in temperatures over 40 degrees if a person gets chilled from rain, sweat or cold water. A person can lose body heat faster than they generate more, leading to confusion and affecting their ability to move.

Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms can get hypothermia, as can elderly adults who don’t have enough food, clothes or heating.

More: What does a La Niña winter mean for Mississippi? See 3-month NOAA forecast at season start

Can I use my oven to heat my house?

No. Ovens aren’t made for space heating, making them inefficient for the job, which leads to increased fire risk.

Electric ovens don’t post a risk for carbon monoxide poisoning, but gas ovens do, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against it.

Can I get help paying my power bill?

Mississippi Power has multiple programs to help people facing economic hardship, the elderly and people with disabilities pay their bills.

Call 228-701-0555 to talk to a Catholic Charities representative to find out if you’re eligible for Project SHARE. Or you can donate to help someone in your community.

Or you can call the Mississippi Power Customer Care Center at 800-532-1502 to find out about bill discounts for households that get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).

The Farmers’ Almanac forecast: When did winter start and what will the weather be in MS?

January average temperatures in Mississippi

These are the average temperatures for the Jackson, Hattiesburg, Tupelo and Gulfport areas for 2020-24, according to data from the National Weather Service.

Jackson

• 2020: 50.9.
• 2021: 48.
• 2022: 45.4.
• 2023: 53.8.
• 2024: 44.5.

Hattiesburg

• 2020: 52.6.
• 2021: 49.7.
• 2022: 47.5.
• 2023: 55.8.
• 2024: 48.2.

Tupelo

• 2020: 48.6.
• 2021: 45.1.
• 2022: 42.
• 2023: 50.6.
• 2024: 39.5.

Gulfport

• 2020: 55.3.
• 2021: 51.7.
• 2022: 49.4.
• 2023: 58.2.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Disability Rights Mississippi is calling for a bill to be passed to crack down on unlawful practices that take advantage of vulnerable people regarding housing.

The group says for far too long, those with disabilities have not been protected under a law when it comes to housing.

Through their investigation, they have gathered evidence of neglect, abuse, and manipulation.

“The longer this is unmitigated, the more vulnerable citizens will suffer and have their safety and well-being threatened,” said Polly Tribble, the Disability Rights Mississippi Director.

Members of Disability Rights Mississippi stood in solidarity on the steps of the State Capitol Thursday voicing their concerns as well as demands.

“We are hopeful that our leaders will take the findings in this report seriously and act with the urgency we believe that this issue requires,” said Tribble.

The agency is funded by the state to provide legal and advocacy services for people with disabilities across the state.

They say over the past decade, DMRS has conducted extensive investigations into unlicensed personal care homes. Those investigations uncovered a crisis of widespread misconduct, unsafe living conditions, and discriminatory practices.

“The conditions outside of the home are often deplorable. The inside is only worse. Inoperable plumbing, improper cooling, and heating. Windows nailed shut and covered with plastic instead of a window,” said Raven LeSure with Disability Rights Mississippi.

The group also provided photos from their findings of homes in harsh conditions.

Some clients were even living in sheds and tents.

Those on hand tell us people with severe mental illness, veterans, and those without family are staying in these facilities.

“It’s a life-or-death issue. We have seen people who have had to go to hospitals because they haven’t been taken care of. So, it’s a big deal. It’s a big deal to us because we want people to be treated with dignity and we want people to be treated humanely,” said Tribble.

Now the organization is demanding that lawmakers establish meaningful penalties for those operating unlawful, unlicensed facilities.

“Close loopholes in occupancy that allow operators to avoid regulation. Next, define personal care homes clearly in our state laws to ensure all facilities fall under regulatory oversight,” said Tribble.

The group has now passed its proposal along to lawmakers in both chambers.

They now hope legislation will get passed on this issue during this year’s legislation.

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