Mississippi
Navigating food deserts in Mississippi
![Navigating food deserts in Mississippi Navigating food deserts in Mississippi](https://thedmonline.com/wp-content/uploads/the-dm-news-cover-photo.jpg)
“Meals desert” is a time period used to explain areas the place entry to wholesome and reasonably priced meals is proscribed. Rural and minority communities are disproportionately impacted by meals deserts, and that’s definitely the case in Mississippi.
Mississippi is the poorest state, with a poverty fee of 20.3%, and 50 out of the 82 counties are thought-about to be in persistent poverty. Nevertheless it’s additionally the hungriest state with 1 in 5 youngsters going hungry.
In Mississippi, 15.3% of households are meals insecure. These charges are a lot increased in Mississippi’s rural areas than they’re in city areas because of the lack of assets to realize meals. Feminine-headed households are additionally disproportionately impacted by meals deserts.
The Supplemental Diet Help Program advantages assist present some assist to people experiencing meals insecurity. Within the state, greater than 73% of SNAP profit recipients have youngsters.
There are totally different phrases that can be utilized to explain communities who’ve restricted entry to wholesome and reasonably priced meals, and in recent times, there was a push by activists to make use of “meals apartheid” as a substitute of “meals desert” to spotlight how systemic racism and oppression led to restricted entry to wholesome meals.
Anne Cafer, director of the Middle for Inhabitants Research, assistant professor of sociology and co-director of UM Neighborhood First Analysis Middle for Wellbeing and Artistic Achievement, doesn’t agree with this swap.
“I feel the time period apartheid has a really particular public connotation—talking very clearly of racial divides and particularly Black and white divides. I’d fear that using apartheid would negate the nuances of race and racial disparities in meals entry and subsequently well being entry; it isn’t only a Black and white difficulty,” Cafer mentioned. “(It additionally) negates the essential variations in how poor meals setting is skilled by of us from different forms of demographic teams, rural versus city for instance or female-headed households. Nevertheless I readily admit I don’t have a greater phrase.”
In line with the College of Mississippi Medical Middle, 70% of households eligible for SNAP advantages journey greater than 30 miles to achieve a grocery store. Touring such distances may be costly for low-income households who’re already dealing with monetary struggles.
The Oxford Neighborhood Market is a non-profit group dedicated to supporting native farmers and constructing a neighborhood meals system that helps deal with meals insecurity by making wholesome, native meals accessible to the group.
Market director Betsy Chapman emphasised the significance of making a group.
“Our objective is to construct a farmers market group the place everyone feels welcome. We wish our distributors and clients and volunteers and the whole lot we do to mirror the demographics of our group at giant,” Chapman mentioned.
The Oxford Neighborhood Market has a number of applications, which embrace accepting SNAP advantages, which they match as much as $20, and collaborating in a Particular Supplemental Diet Program for Ladies, Infants and Youngsters.
The Oxford Neighborhood Market additionally sends contemporary produce to the Oxford Meals Pantry.
“All of our outreach work is centered round offering providers for people who find themselves most definitely liable to meals insecurity and making an attempt to achieve their dietary wants,” Chapman mentioned.
The market goes into communities dealing with meals insecurity and helps make wholesome, native meals accessible.
On Nov. 14, the Middle for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement hosted their “Are You Prepared?” dialogue sequence about “Meals Insecurity in Our Metropolis.” It was a roundtable dialogue on meals insecurity and the way it impacts the group. Restricted entry to meals can result in poor well being situations.
“Loads of the meals that we now have entry to that’s cheap are the unhealthy meals,” Victoria Zigmont, assistant professor of public well being and well being sciences, mentioned. “Vegetables and fruit are sometimes costlier than the unhealthy meals, so individuals which are experiencing meals insecurity have a neater time getting these unhealthy meals, and over time should you maintain consuming unhealthy meals you’re extra more likely to develop totally different persistent ailments.”
The persistent ailments that may develop from meals insecurity embrace weight problems and hypertension. If somebody is already experiencing meals insecurity, they could not have entry to preventive screenings that may stop coronary heart assaults.
There are a number of methods to fight meals insecurity.
“There are numerous coverage and sensible approaches,” Cafer mentioned. “For instance, subsidizing the manufacturing of horticultural merchandise in the identical approach we do commodity crops. Creating strong rural transportation networks to get of us to grocery shops or supporting native grocers. A majority of these challenges require a number of stakeholders, a number of disciplines and many nuance.”
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Mississippi
Ex-official in Mississippi is treated for gambling addiction amid embezzlement charge, lawyer says
![2 Phoenix officers shot with 1 listed in critical condition, police say 2 Phoenix officers shot with 1 listed in critical condition, police say](https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/dcac1a4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/700x394+0+28/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F90%2F29%2F4e3c1cc7446089a9101a7bdff4c8%2Fdefaultshareimage-copy.png)
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A former tax assessor and collector in north Mississippi checked into a residential treatment center for a gambling addiction after he called the state auditor’s office and confessed to misusing more than $300,000 in public money, his attorney said Tuesday.
Shannon Wilburn, 49, resigned in April from the elected office he had held in Benton County since 2016, and he began the 12-week addiction treatment in late July, his attorney Tony Farese told The Associated Press.
“I’ve known Shannon all of his life,” Farese said. “We are shocked that he finds himself in this situation.”
Mississippi Auditor Shad White announced Tuesday that Wilburn has been charged with one count of embezzlement. The announcement came days after Wilburn was indicted. Farese said Wilburn turned himself in to the sheriff’s office Friday, then posted bond and returned to the treatment program.
Wilburn is accused of taking $327,055 paid to the Benton County Tax Collector’s office and using the money for personal expenses, Farese said. He said Wilburn confessed to the auditor’s office before hiring legal representation and has continued to cooperate with investigators.
“He apologizes for disappointing the citizens of Benton County and the state of Mississippi,” Farese said.
If convicted, Wilburn would face up to $5,000 in fines and 20 years in prison.
White said Wilburn’s employment as a Benton County elected official was covered by $200,000 in surety bonds to protect taxpayers from losses from corruption. The county also has an insurance policy that covers theft.
“The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s Office will continue to work closely with prosecutors to get record results, one case at a time,” White said in a statement.
Mississippi
Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame – The Vicksburg Post
![Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame – The Vicksburg Post Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame – The Vicksburg Post](https://www.vicksburgpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2024/09/090424-Disc-Golf-Elledge-14-WEB.jpg)
Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame
Published 4:30 pm Tuesday, September 3, 2024
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During two decades of playing disc golf, Raymond Elledge has only won one big tournament.
“I don’t even remember what year it was,” he said.
Nonetheless, Elledge is a legend in the sport in Mississippi. He’s worked tirelessly to maintain courses, been a member of several local and state players associations, and taught people young and old the joys of it. That level of dedication led to Elledge’s recent election to the Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame. He’ll officially be inducted Oct. 12 in Starkville.
“When he first told me last year I was nominated, I told him, ‘Man, you’re making my heart hurt.’ You don’t realize the emotions you can get. Stuff can just tear you up, and it did because I was just so excited,” the 62-year-old Vicksburg resident said. “You go years and years, and you’re out here busting your butt trying to maintain the course and showing everybody what you can.”
Disc golf is played the same as traditional golf, except with plastic discs that resemble frisbees. Players take aim at a steel basket several hundred yards away, with the goal of getting it in there in as few throws as possible.
Elledge first played disc golf in 2002, on a private course built in the backyard of Vicksburg resident Herman Cochran. One of the people playing with Elledge made a hole-in-one, and the excitement over the feat hooked him instantly.
“I seen this little old fella, he was 21 or 22 but he looked like he was 12, and he made an ace. I was hooked. I’ve got to do it,” Elledge said. “I don’t go anywhere on vacation without taking my disc golf bag. I just love the game.”
Elledge added that the simplicity of the sport is something he enjoys. A starter kit of three discs — a driver, mid-range disc and putter, all of which have different densities and flight characteristics — can be purchased for about $25.
The courses are easily found at many parks in Mississippi. There is an 18-hole course at Halls Ferry Park. Players of all ages and shapes can play it as long as they can walk the course. Elledge had quadruple bypass heart surgery eight years ago and playing disc golf helps him stay in shape.
“It’s something anybody can do,” he said. “I’ve trained kids from 5 to 50, and the oldest one I’ve helped train to play this game is 71 years old now. He still comes out and plays. This is a sport that any age can play.“
With his passion for disc golf comes a sense of responsibility. He’s helped clear brush around parts of the Halls Ferry Park course to keep it playable, and done the same while working with associations like the Vicksburg Disc Golf Association and Jackson Union of Disc Golf Enthusiasts.
He’s also eager to teach the game to newcomers.
“I’ve never quit teaching how to play the game,” he said. “They used to have something called the World’s Biggest Disc Golf Weekend and I won it three years in a row. What it is, is whoever takes the most players out to a certain disc golf course gets the T-shirt and a disc.”
His service to the sport led to a nomination for the Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame in 2023, but he didn’t make the final cut. This year he did, and he said it was better than winning any tournament.
“You play a lot of tournaments. You do a whole lot for the sport itself, such as numerous work days working on the course to maintain it. Teaching the kids and when we have tournaments helping move baskets around to new spots,” Elledge said. “Then somebody will nominate you and there’s a lot of votes from the clubs. If you get enough votes from everybody you’re in. You find out how much you’re appreciated by everybody for all that you’ve done.”
Mississippi
Arizona State vs Mississippi State picks, odds: Who wins Week 2 college football game?
Arizona State forces 3 turnovers in win over Wyoming to start 2024
All offseason, coach Kenny Dillingham preached getting turnovers. Forty seconds into the season’s first game, the defense produced its first one.
The Arizona State Sun Devils host the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a Week 2 non-conference college football game on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
Which team will win the game?
Check out these picks and predictions for the game, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. MST and can be seen on ESPN (stream with this free trial from FUBO).
Arizona State is coming off a 48-7 win against Wyoming. Mississippi State beat Eastern Kentucky in its season opener, 56-7.
ASU football is a 6.5-point favorite over Mississippi State in the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Sun Devils are -250 on the moneyline. The Bulldogs are +200.
The over/under for the game is set at 56.5 points.
This is the first meeting between the two college football programs.
Dimers.com: Arizona State 30, Mississippi State 24
It writes: “According to our analysis, Arizona State is more likely to beat Mississippi State in CFB action at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday.”
Sports Chat Place: Bet ASU football to cover vs Mississippi State
It writes: “I’m going with Arizona State. This should be a fun matchup though, and you could make a case either way. The Sun Devils posted 499 total yards (241 rushing), 7.0 yards per play, 27 first downs and no turnovers in their blowout win Saturday. Defensively they were great as well with 118 yards allowed (78 passing), eight first downs, three turnovers and a 3-of-13 rate on third downs.”
Arizona State football predictions: Game-by-game picks for Sun Devils in 2024 season
Picks and Parlays: Arizona State 35, Mississippi State 21
Cameron Ross writes: “Both teams come in a week two undefeated as each will look to continue to roll. Arizona State will have the edge however as they are on their home field and have a top tier defense. Look for the Sun Devils to keep it rolling as they pick up a win and cover at home against the SEC opponent.”
Clarion Ledger: Arizona State 27, Mississippi State 26
Sam Sklar writes: “This game kicks off at 9:30 p.m. CT against an Arizona State team that should be improved under second-year coach Kenny Dillingham. The Sun Devils offense averaged just 17.7 points per game in part due to injuries at quarterback and offensive line. Redshirt freshman transfer Sam Leavitt is ASU’s new quarterback.”
ASU football schedule: Dates, times, TV channels for Sun Devils’ 2024 season
ESPN: Sun Devils have a 56.5% chance to defeat Bulldogs in Week 2
The site’s matchup predictor gives Mississippi State a 43.5% chance to beat Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Saturday.
STREAM THE GAME: Watch ASU football vs Mississippi State live with FUBO (free trial)
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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