Mississippi

Lawmakers signal K-12 teachers will get $2,000 raise, first pay increase since 2022 – SuperTalk Mississippi

Published

3 months ago

March 29, 2026

Lawmakers signal K-12 teachers will get ,000 raise, first pay increase since 2022 – SuperTalk Mississippi

A back-and-forth affair over teacher pay raises inside the Mississippi capitol – a debate that technically died before being revived – is expected to end with K-12 educators statewide receiving a $2,000 bump to their salaries.

The Senate on Sunday unanimously voted to fund the pay increase for teachers in the state’s public school system while conversations in the House affirmed the chamber will follow suit. Special education teachers, assistant teachers, speech therapists, and school psychologists will receive the same pay increase.

Notably, lawmakers are also working to budget for a $5,000 raise for school attendance officers and funding to hire nine more. The plan would ensure one attendance officer for every 4,000 students statewide. Attendance officers are responsible for investigating unexcused absences, making home visits, and coordinating with families and courts to improve dropout rates.

The anticipated investment comes as Mississippi continues to grapple with chronic absenteeism. According to an October report from the Mississippi Department of Education, more than a quarter of public-school students missed over 10% of the 2024-25 school year.

The raises will be immediate if a conference report approved by both chambers goes into law. It is expected to be passed by both chambers as early as Monday with Republican Speaker Jason White telling the House he expects the session to end “no later than Thursday.”

The deal to give teachers a $2,000 raise follows months of different numbers bouncing around the capitol. The Senate initially proposed a $2,000 immediate raise, while the House pushed for a $5,000 immediate raise. After missing a key deadline earlier this month, both chambers found alternative routes to revive the measures. The House maintained its $5,000 proposal, while the Senate advanced a plan to phase in a $6,000 raise over three years.

Despite recent academic gains that have drawn national praise – including a No. 16 national ranking after decades at the bottom – Mississippi teachers remain among the lowest paid in the country. A 2025 report from the National Education Association found the state’s starting salary of $41,500 ranks near the bottom nationwide, even when accounting for cost of living.

Sunday’s budgeting work is part of a broader education appropriation expected to round out at approximately $3.3 billion. If the numbers stand, it will make way for the first teacher pay raise since 2022.

Sen. Dennis DeBar, a Republican from Leakesville and chair of the Senate Education Committee, said lawmakers settled on the $2,000 figure due to competing budget demands, including Medicaid and the Public Employees’ Retirement System. The state’s total budget for Fiscal Year 2027 is expected to be around $7.4 billion.

“There’s nothing that says we can’t do a (teacher) pay raise again next year,” DeBar said. “However, we didn’t want to lock ourselves in somewhere we couldn’t pay.”

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Mississippi

Political speeches happening at Neshoba County Fair. Here’s the schedule – SuperTalk Mississippi

Published

8 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Press Room

Political speeches happening at Neshoba County Fair. Here’s the schedule – SuperTalk Mississippi

Mississippi’s most prominent political stage will once again be filled with elected officials and candidates looking to make their case to voters during the 137th annual Neshoba County Fair.

The podium, situated beneath a wooden pavilion in Founder’s Square, gained national attention when Ronald Reagan delivered a speech there during the 1980 presidential campaign. In the decades since, the venue has become a proving ground for candidates seeking office at every level of government, often serving as a launching pad – or stumbling block – for political ambitions.

With the 2026 election cycle featuring congressional midterms, this year’s fair offers challengers a chance to connect with voters while incumbents remain in Washington as Congress conducts business. The event also provides an early look into the 2027 statewide election cycle, giving fairgoers an opportunity to hear from current officeholders who may be considering bids for higher office.

Political speaking is scheduled for the mornings of Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25. Invitations are extended to Mississippi’s statewide elected officials, candidates seeking statewide office, and elected officials and candidates who districts include Neshoba County.

Wednesday, June 24

9:30 a.m. — Lane Taylor (R), state senator, District 18
9:40 a.m. — Michael Chiaradino (D), candidate for U.S. House, Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District
9:50 a.m. — Ty Pinkins (Ind.), candidate for U.S. Senate
10 a.m. — Scott Colom (D), candidate for U.S. Senate
10:10 a.m. — Break
10:20 a.m. — David McRae (R), state treasurer
10:30 a.m. — Lynn Fitch (R), attorney general
10:40 a.m. — Delbert Hosemann (R), lieutenant governor

Thursday, June 25

9 a.m. — Scott Bounds (R), state representative, District 44
9:10 a.m. — DeKeither Stamps (D), public service commissioner, Central District
9:20 a.m. — Willie Simmons (D), transportation commissioner, Central District
9:30 a.m. — Jenifer Branning, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, Place 3
9:40 a.m. — Kenny Griffis, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, Place 1
9:50 a.m. — Break
10 a.m. — Andy Gipson (R), commissioner of agriculture and commerce
10:10 a.m. — Michael Watson (R), secretary of state
10:20 a.m. — Jason White (R), speaker of the Mississippi House
10:30 a.m. — Tate Reeves (R), governor

Republican State Auditor Shad White will not attend the fair due to military obligations. White serves as an officer in the Mississippi National Guard.

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and U.S. Rep. Michael Guest, both Republicans seeking reelection in 2026, will remain in Washington and not participate in political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair.

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Mississippi

Mississippi non-farm employment reaches record high for May

Published

19 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi non-farm employment reaches record high for May

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Gov. Tate Reeves said Mississippi’s total nonfarm employment reached a new all-time high in May, topping 1.19 million jobs.

The state said the number shows its economic development strategy is working. Workforce leaders said the job market includes opportunities for people who are unemployed or looking for better-paying work.

Workforce leaders point to training options

Blaise King, director of strategy and alignment for Accelerate Mississippi, said job seekers should not let timelines or a lack of skills keep them from pursuing work.

“Not everything has to be a degree. It can be short-term training that can get you into work quickly and making good money,” King said.

King said Mississippi is seeing strong demand for construction jobs, driven in part by new data centers coming to the state. He said those jobs can lead to long-term careers.

“Someone could very easily have a career in the construction trades and move up beyond manual labor to the project manager and things like that to really have a high quality of life for them, for their family, and contribute back to society,” King said.

Advanced manufacturing is also a high-priority occupational sector.

Employers looking for skills and commitment

John McKay, president and CEO of the Mississippi Business Alliance, said opportunities exist across job sectors.

“There’s really no sector where there’s no opportunity,” McKay said.

McKay said companies are willing to invest in workers who show commitment.

“They’re willing to put that money on the line because they are really there. There’s a deep need for skilled people who can come in and kind of be ready on day one, and they’re willing to invest that capital in that,” McKay said.

McKay said soft skills can help job seekers get started.

“I will say that employers are most excited about an individual that has the drive and determination to show up to work every day and put in the effort. And so if your problem is you think you have a lack of skill or education, do not let that be a barrier,” McKay said.

While opportunities exist statewide, unemployment rates show an uneven distribution of economic success. The rates range from a low of 2.5% in Rankin County to a high of 8.8% in Issaquena County.

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Mississippi

11 indicted in $12.3 million Mississippi Medicaid fraud scheme, AG says

Published

1 day ago

June 23, 2026

Press Room

11 indicted in .3 million Mississippi Medicaid fraud scheme, AG says

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Eleven people have been indicted in connection with an alleged Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $12.3 million.

This according to Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who said the indictments involve allegations of fraudulent billing, wire fraud, and/or false documentation seeking to defraud the government.

All 11 charged include:

Isluv Robertson, 36, of Jackson
Shawncee Vassar-Cunningham, 51, of Olive Branch
Katricia Smith, 47, of Olive Branch
Sheila Boney Collins, 53, of Hollandale
Ahyana Nicole Crosby, 34, of Laurel
Angela Nannette Crosby, 51, of Laurel
Yolanda Evette Blackman, 54, of Hattiesburg
Linda Jenkins, 46, of Hermanville
Deja Almore, 30, of Yazoo City
Curtis Moore, 51, of Gulfport
Taylor Christian Rushing, 34, of Gautier

Officials said the defendants are accused of participating in health care fraud schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in intended loss.

“These indictments are just the latest efforts we are taking to fight waste, fraud, and corruption,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “I am proud to partner with President Trump to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure that money meant to help those in need is not stolen from safety net programs. I will remain laser-focused on rooting out fraud, recovering money wrongfully stolen from hard-working taxpayers, and holding fraudsters accountable.”

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