Mississippi

Mississippi’s agricultural leaders call for continuing resolution to be passed by Congress – SuperTalk Mississippi

Published

1 year ago

December 18, 2024

Mississippi’s agricultural leaders call for continuing resolution to be passed by Congress – SuperTalk Mississippi

The clock is ticking for congressional leaders to pass a stopgap measure, avoiding a government shutdown, and one sector of Mississippi’s population is loudly urging lawmakers to go ahead and get legislation passed before Friday’s deadline.

Although a bipartisan measure was released Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump rejected the plan Wednesday and told House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans to essentially renegotiate. As lawmakers work to get home for the holidays, a deal must be reached, or federal funding will run out and the government will shut down until a new funding bill is approved.

As part of the package that Trump rejected, farmers would have received $21 billion in disaster relief and $10 billion in economic assistance, along with a one-year extension of an agricultural funding bill called the F.A.R.M. Act. The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, a general farm organization that often serves as a liaison between the agriculture sector and Washington politicians, issued a press release calling for Congress to act during a “dire situation” for Mississippi farmers.

“Our state’s number one industry is in a dire situation,” Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President Mike McCormick said. “We are seeing a crisis in farm country for farmers of our major crops. Producers are facing this perfect storm of record-level production costs, low commodity markets, and an outdated farm safety net.

“The funding in this bill could mean the difference between planting a crop next year and giving up for many farms in the state. We appreciate our members of Congress who rolled up their sleeves to ensure farmers can continue to deliver the safest, most affordable, and abundant food supply in the world.”

While McCormick showed gratitude for the chunk of funding granted to farmers in the continuing resolution agreed on earlier in the week, he wants to see it remain in what lawmakers come up with between now and Friday night, assuming they pass a measure to avert a shutdown.

McCormick specifically hopes Mississippi’s delegation consisting of Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith along with Reps. Trent Kelly, Bennie Thompson, Michael Guest, and Mike Ezell will join forces to pass a continuing resolution that also includes agricultural aid.

“We urge our Mississippi congressional delegation to pass this legislation and then return in January ready to tackle the challenges facing agriculture,” he continued. “Another one-year extension of the farm bill addresses immediate needs, but only a new, modernized farm bill will bring certainty for America’s families, farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.”

Any bill reached would need to fund the government at current levels to prevent everything from the mail service halting to military members not being paid. However, as is often the case in Washington, heaps of add-ons are added to funding bills to please all with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar.

Some examples of add-ons included in Tuesday’s 1,500-page measure were transferring RFK Memorial Stadium from the federal government to Washington, D.C., providing money to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, and giving members of Congress a pay raise for cost-of-living increases. To that, Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson joined forces with the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation but asked for an end to the “frivolous spending measures” in whatever a new package might look like.

“It is extremely unfortunate that the Continuing Resolution that contains a Farm Bill extension and farm relief that also contained a host of frivolous spending measures,” Gipson wrote on X. “There is still time for Congress to pass a clean bill with farm relief. Put politics aside for our farmers.”

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Mississippi

14-year-old girl arrested for shooting 8-year-old in Mississippi

Published

10 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

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.

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Mississippi

A potential opportunity to lower car tag costs across Mississippi

Published

22 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

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.

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.

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Mississippi

IRS owes Mississippi residents $9.9 million. Are you missing free money?

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

IRS owes Mississippi residents .9 million. Are you missing free money?

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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