Mississippi
Elected officials discussing paid maternity leave for Mississippi's state employees
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) -Mississippi state employees do not have paid maternity leave. They’re able to take up to 12 weeks off under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act known as FMLA. But that’s unpaid. However, there are discussions about the possibility of changing that.
A Senate study group has a laser focus on what can be done to improve the lives of women, children, and families. The maternity leave issue is the latest topic.
“The legislature governs the state workers, and they’re competing against the private sector,” noted study group member Sen. Brice Wiggins. “And so we, we want good workers for the state. So, I think that would be, we need to be looking at that. But it’s always a balancing about is that a benefit that outweighs the cost?”
Senator Nicole Boyd believes it would have numerous benefits.
“We know that paid maternity leave leads to these higher employer retention rates,” said Boyd. “Women are much more likely to return to their job. There’s reduced turnover, and therefore the cost associated this are dramatically less. You see enhanced employee morale, which is really important. And then we see increased productivity. After women have had sufficient time to be off work, to rest, to get their health back in shape. They come back to work, ready to work.”
Attorney General Lynn Fitch was asked about the issue at the conclusion of her testimony to the group. She told lawmakers that it would simply put us in line with most other Southern states and says they should take it up in the 2025 session.
“I just want to tell you that Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Virginia have all passed these laws, and so I would encourage you to take a hard look at this,” explained Fitch.
Meanwhile, Sen. Rod Hickman thinks it the right move but doesn’t want it to be too narrowly focused.
“The one thing I would say that I’m hopeful of that if we are able to pass legislation for state employees to have paid maternity leave, that it looks like a family leave model, whereas a father has opportunity to take advantage of that,” he said. “Adopting parents have the opportunity to take advantage of this.”
There are more hearings scheduled for November that will drill down more specifically on this issue. Boyd says she would only be interested in a state employee benefit, no mandates on private businesses in the state.
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Mississippi
14-year-old girl arrested for shooting 8-year-old in Mississippi
WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Deputies in Warren County, Mississippi, arrested a 14-year-old girl for allegedly shooting an 8-year-old.
Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said the shooting happened on Abraham Drive just before 4:00 p.m. on April 13, 2026.
According to the sheriff, the female victim was transported to a Jackson hospital for treatment. He said deputies recovered a handgun at the scene.
There’s no motive for the shooting, and the investigation is ongoing.
Mississippi
A potential opportunity to lower car tag costs across Mississippi
A follow-up on high car tag costs in Mississippi shows major differences in what drivers pay depending on where they live, even across the street, according to new data from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office.The data highlights large price gaps across the metro area, with some residents paying hundreds of dollars more based solely on location and county lines.The State Auditor’s Office data shows that at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, a car tag costs $571.64. At Trails at Northpointe Apartments directly across the street, the same tag rises to $1,490.48.The highest cost in the region is $1,676.30 at Yazoo Estates, while the lowest is $343.30 in the Oakfield neighborhood.Resident Keith Bush said he has experienced the difference firsthand.“When I lived in Hinds County, my car tag started at $1,500,” Bush said. Now living at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, Bush said his cost is significantly lower.Bush said, “I don’t want to tell you the exact price, but it is under $200.”State Rep. Ronnie Crudup Jr. of District 71 says the high costs in Hinds County are an ongoing issue tied to local financial obligations, including school infrastructure.Crudup said, “We all know that we got the highest tags. I think even in Hans County, and uh, you know, a lot of that is due to, I guess, our, our, our population in, in our school building.”He added that part of the cost comes from maintaining unused school buildings in the Jackson Public Schools system.Crudup said, “You know, some of the schools are closed. The schools are still on their books right now, because they’re still responsible for the buildings and the maintenance and all that type of thing. I think as they come off their books. I think there’s a chance then that we’ll be able to reduce the price of the car tags.”Bush said, “That would be great. I think a lot of people will have some ideas of where they want to move.”Lawmakers are considering House Bill 1395, which has already passed both chambers. The bill would speed up the sale of unused school buildings, which supporters say could reduce costs, limit delays, and open the door for redevelopment.In a statement, Jackson Public Schools said, “Jackson Public Schools is committed to the strategic repurposing of surplus properties to strengthen communities and improve the district’s financial position, guided by thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on long-term impact for our scholars and families.We are also grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, and especially the Hinds County Delegation, for their advocacy and support of this legislative change, which provides school districts with greater flexibility to better serve our scholars and community.”Officials said if the bill is signed into law, it could help reduce long-term costs. For now, the data shows that where you live still plays a major role in how much you pay for a car tag.
A follow-up on high car tag costs in Mississippi shows major differences in what drivers pay depending on where they live, even across the street, according to new data from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office.
The data highlights large price gaps across the metro area, with some residents paying hundreds of dollars more based solely on location and county lines.
The State Auditor’s Office data shows that at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, a car tag costs $571.64. At Trails at Northpointe Apartments directly across the street, the same tag rises to $1,490.48.
The highest cost in the region is $1,676.30 at Yazoo Estates, while the lowest is $343.30 in the Oakfield neighborhood.
Resident Keith Bush said he has experienced the difference firsthand.
“When I lived in Hinds County, my car tag started at $1,500,” Bush said.
Now living at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, Bush said his cost is significantly lower.
Bush said, “I don’t want to tell you the exact price, but it is under $200.”
State Rep. Ronnie Crudup Jr. of District 71 says the high costs in Hinds County are an ongoing issue tied to local financial obligations, including school infrastructure.
Crudup said, “We all know that we got the highest tags. I think even in Hans County, and uh, you know, a lot of that is due to, I guess, our, our, our population in, in our school building.”
He added that part of the cost comes from maintaining unused school buildings in the Jackson Public Schools system.
Crudup said, “You know, some of the schools are closed. The schools are still on their books right now, because they’re still responsible for the buildings and the maintenance and all that type of thing. I think as they come off their books. I think there’s a chance then that we’ll be able to reduce the price of the car tags.”
Bush said, “That would be great. I think a lot of people will have some ideas of where they want to move.”
Lawmakers are considering House Bill 1395, which has already passed both chambers. The bill would speed up the sale of unused school buildings, which supporters say could reduce costs, limit delays, and open the door for redevelopment.
In a statement, Jackson Public Schools said, “Jackson Public Schools is committed to the strategic repurposing of surplus properties to strengthen communities and improve the district’s financial position, guided by thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on long-term impact for our scholars and families.
We are also grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, and especially the Hinds County Delegation, for their advocacy and support of this legislative change, which provides school districts with greater flexibility to better serve our scholars and community.”
Officials said if the bill is signed into law, it could help reduce long-term costs. For now, the data shows that where you live still plays a major role in how much you pay for a car tag.
Mississippi
IRS owes Mississippi residents $9.9 million. Are you missing free money?
2026 tax filing dates, forms to use and more tips this tax season
A comprehensive guide to the 2026 tax season, featuring filing deadlines, tax document checklists, and new deduction rules.
Are you missing out on free money? The IRS estimates that 1.3 million Americans are missing out on their 2022 income tax refunds because they haven’t filed their taxes. That totals about $1.2 billion in unclaimed money.
Many taxpayers are missing out on income tax returns because they haven’t filed. Some are years late.
The final deadline to be eligible is April 15. If people miss it, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.
How many people in Mississippi could get a check?
According to the IRS, Mississippi taxpayers are owed about $9.9 million.
Approximately 11,800 people who haven’t filed their 2022 taxes could get a refund. The median amount is $635, so half of refunds could be more than that.
What if I didn’t file my 2022 taxes? When is the deadline?
You have until April 15, 2026, to file back-year returns.
The IRS said you might still be eligible for the check, but only people who have filed their taxes will get one.
If you owe money or haven’t filed for 2023 or 2024 tax years, your check could be held. The money could also be garnished for unpaid child support or federal student loans.
People also have to file their 2025 taxes to get any refunds that might be owed.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY NETWORK. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
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