Mississippi
House looks to bring Mississippi’s alcohol policy into the 21st Century
- The chamber passed alcohol-related bills Tuesday that would allow direct shipping of distilled spirits and Sunday sales. Another measure would remove the prohibition of alcohol from state law.
State Rep. Hank Zuber (R), the Chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, stepped to the well of the House Tuesday and said, “It’s a great day to talk about alcohol policy and bringing Mississippi into the 21st Century.”
Members then considered a number of alcohol-related measures, ranging from direct shipping to Sunday sales. All of the measures passed and could be considered by the Senate in the weeks ahead.
Direct Shipping of Distilled Spirits
Similar to the direct shipping of wine that was passed in the 2025 session, HB 669 allows for the direct shipping of distilled spirits to Mississippi residents’ homes if the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control warehouse does not carry the product.
“If ABC carries it, you cannot direct ship it. It is only for stuff ABC does not carry in their warehouse,” State Rep. Brent Powell (R), the bill’s author, explained.
READ MORE: New direct wine shipping law goes into effect in Mississippi
Powell said the same rules and permitting would apply to the distilled spirit shipping as that of the wine shipping.
He conceded that local package stores “generally don’t like” direct shipping bills but said the legislation “protects them,” noting that the retailers can also have the product shipped directly to their stores.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 75 to 32.
Additional Retailer Permit
The second alcohol-related bill considered by the House Tuesday was HB 670, which would allow a package retailer to have a second permit.
HB 670 states that a person owning a package retailer’s permit may own one additional package retailer’s permit, for a total of two permits, if the additional permit is issued for a premises located in a municipality that has a population of 35,000 or more. The second location is to be 75 miles or more from the retailer’s first permitted location.
“It just gives the opportunity for one more package store, one more permit,” Rep. Powell told the House.
During the debate on the bill, State Rep. Becky Currie (R) asked about allowing liquor stores in the counties, not just in municipalities. Powell responded that he was not opposed to and would consider bringing such a measure forward at a later date.
HB 670 passed by a vote of 70 to 38.
Removing Prohibition of Alcohol
State Rep. Powell also presented HB 671 which seeks to remove the prohibition of alcohol from state law.
“From and after January 1, 2027, the policy of this state is declared to be a renunciation of prohibition in favor of the legal manufacture, sale, distribution, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in this state, except in such counties that vote to institute prohibition after holding an election on the matter,” the legislation outlines.
Powell said the “state is getting out of it,” noting that counties could call for a vote “if they want to stay dry.” The measure would default to every county being “wet,” or allowing alcohol sales in their areas.
The bill passed by a vote of 75 to 33.
Sunday Sales
The House also passed HB 672 on Tuesday, allowing Sunday sales of alcohol at package retailers.
Local governing authorities at the county and municipal level would be required to pass an ordinance allowing the Sunday sales. Hours for Sunday sales would be restricted from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day sales would still be prohibited.
State Rep. Shanda Yates (I) told the House that 45 states already allow Sunday sales.
HB 672 passed by a vote of 62-47, to which Speaker Jason White (R) remarked, “I don’t know if anybody will protest another bill leaving here with only 62 votes. We’ll see how that goes.”
Mississippi
It’s 2,350 miles long, spans 31 US states and is home to a 100kg animal with a tongue that looks like a worm | Discover Wildlife
The Mississippi River flows for around 2,350 miles through the heart of the US. It drains an area of 1.2 million square miles – that’s roughly 40% of the country – and at certain points is 11 miles wide. It is North America’s second longest river, behind the Missouri River.
Rising from Lake Itasca in Minnesota, the Mississippi winds southwards through a range of environments, draining water from 31 US states before reaching its delta at the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana.
The sheer size of the river and the diversity of habitats it passes through make it a refuge for a huge range of animal species, including more than 260 fish, 326 birds, 50 mammals and at least 145 amphibians and reptiles, according to the National Park Service.
There are many weird and wonderful animals living within the Mississippi’s vast waters, but surely one of the strangest is the alligator snapping turtle.
This prehistoric-looking reptile is massive. It can weigh up to 100kg and males can grow well over half a metre long, making it the largest freshwater turtle in North America.
And as if its size wasn’t enough, the alligator snapper has a host of other characteristics that make it one of the Mississippi’s most striking creatures, including a dark, spiky shell (known as carapace), a brick-like head and a sharp, hooked beak. With such a formidable appearance, it’s easy to see how the turtle got its ‘alligator’ name.
But perhaps the turtle’s most curious feature is a worm-like appendage found on its tongue, which it uses as a lure to catch prey, such as fish, amphibians and invertebrates. Alligator snappers are also quite happy scavenging for food.
More amazing wildlife stories from around the world
NIL money comes with a price. More specifically, a tax bill.
The Mississippi legislature is trying to reduce that burden for college athletes who play there.
Via Bea Anhuci of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, the Mississippi House of Representatives has passed a bill that would exempt NIL earnings from state income tax.
It’s a recruiting tool for Ole Miss and Mississippi State, one that would put the Mississippi schools on equal footing with other states that host SEC universities. Florida, Tennessee, and Texas have no state income tax, and Arkansas carved out NIL earnings from the state’s income tax burden in 2025.
Mississippi currently charges a four-percent tax on anyone making more than $10,000 per year.
NIL earnings remain subject to federal income tax.
The bill will have to also pass the Mississippi Senate, and the governor would then be required to sign it into law.
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