A resolution filed in the Mississippi Senate would restrict press access to the Senate floor and move members of the media to the chamber’s gallery to cover the news.

However, the first person to decide whether the bill lives or dies through the legislative process told the Clarion Ledger he has no intentions of bringing up the legislation.

Sen. Kevin Blackwell, R-Southaven, filed Senate Resolution No. 5 on Friday. If passed into law, it would restrict access of reporters from the Senate floor but allow them to record and report on the chamber from the Senate gallery above.

“No person may be admitted to the floor of the Senate for the purpose of transcribing the debates and proceedings of the Senate,” states Senate Resolution No. 5. “No person except for news media with proper credentials issued by the Rules Committee shall take any photograph or transcribe debates and proceedings of the Senate in the Senate Gallery while the Senate is in session.”

In a written response given after initially declining to comment, Blackwell said the resolution practically changed nothing about the press’ access to the Senate. Blackwell did not respond to questions about why he believes reporters should not have access to the Senate floor.

“You will have access to everything you need,” Blackwell said on Monday. “Take pictures, listen to bill presentation. Just not on the floor with us. Your use of the word restricting access is horse hockey.”

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Because the resolution would actually amend the rules of the Senate, it has been sent to the Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Dean Kirby, R-Pearl, who is second in command of the chamber behind Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann.

Kirby said he has long had good relations with the media and has no intentions of restricting floor access to news outlets. However, a long-standing but rarely enforced rule to allow only one member of a news organization on the floor at one time could be enforced.

“I personally don’t have a problem with allowing the press on the floor,” Kirby said. “Matter of fact, I appreciate the press what they do, as far as keeping their little area up there and not walking out on the floor.”

Kirby said that all news outlets must apply for floor privileges with the Senate Rules Committee before being allowed to cover the news from the floor. Not everyone gets approved.

“Some people are trying to get credentials to be on the floor that really aren’t press,” Kirby said. “They have maybe just a podcast or just whatever. They don’t really report news, and they don’t dig into facts and that kind of stuff. So everyone that applies for credentials does not get approved.”

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How would this impact the public?

The Senate has for decades allowed members of the press to record the happenings of the chamber from the floor and recognized their role in facilitating public information to voters and state residents. By restricting floor access, the Senate would effectively be blocking the public from posing questions and ensuring a transparent and accountable legislative process, said Layne Bruce, Mississippi Press Association executive director.

“We are opposed to any efforts to limit capitol access for the press who act as important conduits of information for the citizens of Mississippi,” Bruce said. “An open legislature is an accountable legislature.”

Has legislation to restrict press access been introduced before?

This is not Blackwell’s first attempt to restrict access of the press in the capitol.

In 2024, he introduced legislation to remove the press from the Mississippi State Capitol press offices on the fourth floor, which have been in place since the 1960s. Those bills also died before ever being considered by the Senate Rules Committee.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – Monday afternoon, Southern Miss signed an agreement with Mississippi College School of Law to help future lawyers get into the workforce a little early.

Through the new partnership, students can attend USM for three years majoring in political science, legal studies, and criminal justice, and then be admitted early into law school.

Students’ first year of law school would become their senior year, and they’re out of law school a full year early.

“So it turns a seven-year process into six for students,” said USM President Dr. Joe Paul. “It saves them an entire year of tuition and cost of living, and gives them one more year in the workplace, early entry to start to earn a living. So it’s a, it’s a great program for students that show up at Southern Miss that are serious about becoming attorneys.”

“Southern Miss serves the state of Mississippi and serves students in Mississippi,” said Mississippi College President Blake Thompson. “We as a law school, the only law school in the state capital, we think of ourselves as serving the state of Mississippi as well. We’re producing the next generation of Mississippi’s attorneys.”

Students participating in the accelerated degree program must pass the LSAT no later than December of their third year of full-time enrollment at Southern Miss.

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Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl opened Monday’s press conference with the latest injury update on Johni Broome.

Broome went down with an ankle injury sidelining him the remainder of last weekend’s 66-63 victory over South Carolina.

The university announced Broome’s injury as a non-surgical ankle sprain. Pearl confirmed Monday that there is no timetable on his return as of now.

“I don’t know that we’re the best team in the country right now. Probably not right now, because we’re obviously not at full strength,” Pearl said. “Johni won’t play [Tuesday] against Mississippi State, but we’re still a really good team. So, we’ll prepare without him.”

When Broome dealt with his shoulder injury against Geogia State earlier this year, Auburn leaned on Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson in the frontcourt.

With four of the Tigers next five opponents ranked in the top-25, transfer wing Jaheim Hudson will play huge role in the rotation.

“I’m just trying to keep a clear head. I feel like I’m prepared. I’ve been working this whole time even though I haven’t been playing a lot,” Hudson said. “I’m just preparing, trying to lock in on defense and just get stops. That’s really my main focus in the game right now when I get my chance.”

Auburn sixth man Johnson was in a familiar situation last year when Jaylin Williams went down for a few games. For Johnson, being back in the starting lineup means being keen on his decision-making.

“I’ll just say being more locked in. When [Jaylin Williams] got hurt and I knew I had to step up big time for Georgia,” Johnson said. “I’d just say being more physical, being more confident and being smarter with a couple decisions I make on the court.”

“I can’t be making stupid fouls and being overly physical. I’ve got to play a lot smarter than I have been.”

Despite not having his Preseason All-American at the moment, Pearl is still confident in the depth of his lineup ahead of Auburn’s next stretch of conference games.

“Getting back to it, I have confidence that all our guys can step up their scoring. Dylan, Chaney, Chad, Denver, Miles, Tahaad, Jahki and Chris,” Pearl said. “I just think, I think everybody has an opportunity. We have enough talent to be able to have everybody do a little bit more, I think that’s the best way to approach his loss.”

Auburn and Mississippi State will tipoff at 6 p.m. Tuesday inside Neville Arena.