Mississippi
First day of ‘Point-in-Time Count’ gets started in Central Mississippi
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – On Wednesday, the first “Point-in-Time Count” took place in Central Mississippi. This is an annual survey conducted by the Central MS Continuum of Care that takes a count of the homeless population in specific regions which could impact funding for homelessness resources.
So, what is a “Point-in-Time Count” and why does it matter? Melvin Stamps, the Planning Director at Central MS Continuum of Care, explains.
“It is a tool used throughout the United States to be able to address homelessness. It gives us a snapshot of our homeless population on one specific night. It plays a critical role as it relates to public policy, advocacy efforts, and also, resource distribution throughout the state of Mississippi,” Melvin Stamps said.
Volunteers conduct a count and interview people who are homeless. This information is then used to request more funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide services for the homeless.
“The data is developed and put into what is called a hall report. That report is generated to Congress and Congress looks at that data. They use that information to make decisions as it relates to how much funding is needed in order to meet the needs of our homeless population,” Stamps said.
For many who did the survey, they hope it can bring more funding to help them back on their feet.
“It feels great to really have somebody to help you. I’ve been homeless for a while, it feels great,” James Starks said.
“The more people they can get to fill out the surveys, it’s money that comes to the city to help with everything within the city with homelessness and fixing things. So that’s a good thing. It don’t just help us, it helps everybody,” said Patrica Aaron.
These counts will take place through January 31st.
You can click here to find out when and where the next “Point-in-Time Count” will take place and more information on donation and volunteer opportunities with the Central MS Continuum of Care.
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Mississippi
Mississippi lawmakers face pressure to counter looming federal cuts to health care after punting this session
Wicker: Mississippi powered Artemis II
Published 4:00 pm Monday, April 20, 2026
For nine days this month, space travel captivated the world. Families gathered around their screens as four astronauts strapped into the Integrity spacecraft docked at the Kennedy Space Center. As the launch countdown ended, four Mississippi-tested RS-45 engines ignited, and the ground shook. Seven seconds later, the Integrity had liftoff. For six intense minutes, the RS-45 engines rocketed the crew into high Earth orbit, sending them on their historic lunar flyby mission.
Mississippi should take a bow. The four RS-45 engines were tested at our very own Stennis Space Center, where Mississippians have been ensuring the quality of rocket engines since the Apollo program. For eight years, engineers, safety managers, and logistics specialists from the state have tested the engines that powered the Integrity and will power future Artemis launches. Their work paid off, and the launch was a marvel of engineering. NASA leadership made special mention of the rocket engine burn, calling it “flawless.”
One Mississippian in particular helped make the mission a success. Hernando native Matthew Ramsey handled a great deal of responsibility as the mission manager for Artemis II. The Mississippi State University graduate helped set the focus for the mission and equip the astronauts and staff for the job. Matthew also served as the deputy of the Mission Management Team, the group of NASA staff that comes together just days before a launch. The team assumes the risks of the mission ahead, and they make tough calls during flight if challenges arise.
As the Artemis II journey progressed, the world could not stop watching. Our social media feeds were full of photos and videos beamed down from the heavens. They captured humorous situations, such as the astronauts adjusting to life without gravity or testing their plumbing skills.
We also witnessed moments of majesty. On the fifth day, the Integrity began using the Moon’s gravity to slingshot our astronauts back home. That trajectory led the crew around the Moon, farther from Earth than any humans have ever gone. As the explorers looked upon outer space, they captured stunning images. Among the most remarkable is Earthset, in which Commander Reid Wiseman photographed Earth as it appeared to fall below the horizon of the moon.
When their spacecraft returned to Earth’s atmosphere, the crew was traveling nearly 35 times faster than the speed of sound. Ten minutes later, a series of parachutes began opening. Eventually, the spacecraft’s speed fell to 20 miles per hour, and the crew splashed down into the Pacific Ocean.
Mississippi was once again there to assist. The astronauts were greeted by the USS John P. Murtha, a U.S. military vessel built in the Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula. The ship’s amphibious design was suited to welcome the space travelers home—equipped with a helicopter pad, medical facilities, and the communications system needed to locate and recover the astronauts safely. Crucially, the USS Murtha was built with a well deck, a sea-based garage that stored the Integrity on the journey to shore.
Artemis II was a resounding success, paving the way for planned future flights. When the Artemis program returns humans to the moon, Mississippi will be there every step of the way.
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