This text was produced by the Solar Herald, which was a companion within the Native Reporting Community in 2022. Join Dispatches to get tales like this one as quickly as they’re revealed.
Mississippi
New Law Aims to Save Oysters on the Mississippi Coast
![New Law Aims to Save Oysters on the Mississippi Coast New Law Aims to Save Oysters on the Mississippi Coast](https://img.assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/20230420-Oyster-Legislation-OG.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=630&imgixProfile=propublicaAssets&q=90&w=1200&s=25e11bca36cdb5311f45d98a0569ff0e)
Mississippi has pumped thousands and thousands of {dollars} into its declining oyster business, hoping to revive what was as soon as a dominant commerce. However in a nod to actuality, the state is about to maneuver in a decidedly completely different route: scaling again authorities efforts and leasing to personal business water bottoms the place oysters develop.
The Mississippi Division of Marine Sources at the moment manages and maintains most of these water bottoms, opening them to the general public solely when sufficient oysters can be found for harvest. However there was no such harvest on public reefs since 2018 as a result of oysters are too scarce. Beneath a brand new legislation not too long ago signed by Gov. Tate Reeves, Marine Sources will keep solely about 20% of permitted reef acreage for potential public harvest. The remaining will probably be out there for personal lease.
The shift comes after a sequence of pure disasters, starting with Hurricane Katrina in 2005, decimated Mississippi Sound reefs the place oysters settle and develop to maturity. The reefs are ecologically essential to the Mississippi Sound and likewise as soon as contributed thousands and thousands of {dollars} a 12 months in gross sales to the state’s economic system.A latest investigation by
ProPublica and the Solar Herald, nonetheless, confirmed that the state’s efforts to handle the disaster have fallen brief. It discovered that Mississippi has spent greater than $55 million to rebuild reefs since 2005, however did so in ways in which didn’t reply to altering circumstances.
The Division of Marine Sources, which regulates and oversees the state’s oysters and has advocated for extra personal leasing of reefs, has stated it doesn’t have the cash or staffing to keep up greater than 8,112 acres of public reefs in at this time’s local weather.
State Sen. Mike Thompson, of Move Christian, who authored the invoice, stated he hopes personal business is ready to replenish reefs in a commercially viable means, whereas additionally enhancing the general well being of the Mississippi Sound. “My hope is that water high quality and habitat points within the Sound will begin getting proper,” he stated.
Thompson stated he used the state of Louisiana’s extra intensive personal leasing program as a mannequin for the Mississippi laws. In Louisiana, personal oyster grounds have rebounded from disasters as a result of leaseholders can act shortly to revive injury and spend extra time sustaining their investments.
Mississippi beforehand had a personal leasing program for oyster farming, however many of the leased water bottoms weren’t being maintained. The accredited laws mandates that farmers work their leases or threat shedding them. But it surely additionally offers oyster farmers extra time to construct up reefs, with 15-year leases versus the present five-year lease phrases. Leaseholders additionally can have first proper of renewal on their water bottoms.
Thompson stated Marine Sources has already mapped out lease areas the place it would hold management and keep established reefs. And it’ll put the income it receives from the leases towards oyster restoration tasks. The legislation additionally units out a course of for Marine Sources to enter into and implement the leases.
Joe Spraggins, govt director of Marine Sources, hopes the lease program will probably be in place by August. The company will promote for lease proposals and consider them with names of candidates eliminated, so the method will probably be honest, he stated.
The state has historically used contemporary shell or limestone to replenish the reefs created by oysters. However farmers put extra effort into their reefs, planting shell or rock and raking or turning the fabric at intervals in order that oyster larvae have clear surfaces to choose.
Ryan Bradley of the nonprofit group Mississippi Business Fisheries United expects curiosity in leasing to be excessive. He stated he hopes Marine Sources will probably be clear in organising the lease program by notifying the general public that it’s out there and posting data on its web site.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Mississippi
One of the largest ever alligators is caught in Mississippi with hunters planning to EAT 800lbs monster
![One of the largest ever alligators is caught in Mississippi with hunters planning to EAT 800lbs monster One of the largest ever alligators is caught in Mississippi with hunters planning to EAT 800lbs monster](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/06/14/89330871-13813995-The_group_reeled_in_the_alligator_last_week_in_the_dead_of_night-a-20_1725628014495.jpg)
Mississippi’s 2024 alligator hunting season got off to a whopping start when a team of six hunters reeled in one of the largest monsters ever caught in the state.
The 14-foot-long, 802-pound alligator was caught in the Yazoo River, which stretches over 2,000 miles through Mississippi and Louisiana.
The group stood proudly with their catch for photographs, and all six were needed to hold up the lifeless creature.
The yearly hunt kicked off last month and is set to run until September 9, allowing participants to take home their prize for ‘wallets, belts and eating,’ according to state rules.
The group reeled in the alligator last week in the dead of night. Officials determine the creature measured 14 feet long and weighed over 800 pounds
There are more than 3,700 people participating in the 2024 hunt, with an average of five to six people on each team.
The rules state that permit holders may harvest up to two alligators over four feet long, but only one can be longer than seven feet.
The largest a alligator ever recorded was 19 feet, two inches long and weighed more than 2,300 pounds when it was caught in in Louisiana in 1890.
However, the most recent monster was captured in Arkansas by Mike Cottingham in 2021.
Cottingham claimed the beast was 13 feet, three inches long and weighed 1,380 pounds.
The largest in Mississippi, killed in 2023, was about three inches longer than the one captured this year.
The team, which included Megan Sasser, braved torrential rains to capture the 60-year-old beast.
In a social media post, Sasser said she and her team are ‘still over the moon’ after reeling in the reptile last Friday.
‘We sat through a monsoon for over 3 hours… crunched 2 poles, survived the death roll a few times, displaced everything in the boat, and still managed to bring this monster home,’ she continued.
Brandi Robinson, also part of the winning team, explained that the giant alligator was spotted 250 yards away from the boat.
![Mississippi holds the hunt each year, allowing participants to capture no more than two alligators](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/06/14/89356767-13813995-Mississippi_holds_the_hunt_each_year_allowing_participants_to_ca-a-21_1725628015401.jpg)
Mississippi holds the hunt each year, allowing participants to capture no more than two alligators
![Brandi Robinson (pictured), also part of the winning team, explained that the giant alligator was spotted 250 yards away from the boat](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/06/14/89356765-13813995-Brandi_Robinson_pictured_also_part_of_the_winning_team_explained-a-22_1725628015403.jpg)
Brandi Robinson (pictured), also part of the winning team, explained that the giant alligator was spotted 250 yards away from the boat
‘Everyone’s binoculars were immediately glued! It was a big one and we all knew that,’ she said, as reported by The State.
The boat slowly made its way toward the giant creature and the team waited for about 45 minutes for it to come back to the surface before wrestling with for about an hour.
It is not clear what tools were used to capture the alligator, but hunters can use everything from snatch hooks to harpoons and even firearms.
The six-person team loaded their catch into the boat and brought it to a local meat processing company, Red Antler.
![After taking pictures with the prized gator, the team took it to a local meat processing facility](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/06/14/89356759-13813995-After_taking_pictures_with_the_prized_gator_the_team_took_it_to_-a-23_1725628015403.jpg)
After taking pictures with the prized gator, the team took it to a local meat processing facility
‘In the last five years, we here at Red Antler have processed probably about 3,000 alligators, and we have only got two that were over the 14-foot in length measurement,’ Shane Smith, owner of Red Antler Processing, told McClatchy News.
The team took most of the meat home and donated the rest to Hunter Harvest, a nonprofit organization that gives hunted and harvested meat to families in need.
Sasser also shared a picture of her and the alligator on Facebook where friends called it a ‘monster.’
However, not everyone was thrilled to see the giant catch.
One Facebook user commented: ‘That gator had to be at least 50 years old to have gotten that big. Such a shame. He’s a beautiful animal.’
Mississippi
Possible overdose at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, according to officials
![Possible overdose at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, according to officials Possible overdose at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, according to officials](https://gray-wlbt-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BL2R5CTTFNHMPITNMPY2VVEURU.png?auth=4e3155f664bdfdaee5d550dadf81c0cb70b3ae2b0eee5e8971b0e241898d7c85&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
RANKIN Co., Miss. (WLBT) – The Rankin County Sheriff’s Department reports that they have been called to the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility for an alleged overdose.
The Rankin County Coronor, David Ruth, confirmed to WLBT staff that he was called to the scene to recover a body. He said he was unable to comment on the cause or manner of death until he performs an autopsy.
The Department of Health also says they have been called by the facility for a hazmat situation.
More law enforcement vehicles were seen by WLBT crews entering the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility as authorities continue to investigate a death at the prison.
Details are currently limited. WLBT has reached out to the Mississippi Department of Corrections for a statement on the situation but have yet to hear back.
WLBT 3 on your side will update with information as it is made available.
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Mississippi
Mississippi State Football Depth Chart for ASU: Kelly Akharaiyi Status Uncertain
![Mississippi State Football Depth Chart for ASU: Kelly Akharaiyi Status Uncertain Mississippi State Football Depth Chart for ASU: Kelly Akharaiyi Status Uncertain](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2324,h_1307,x_1132,y_166/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/cowbell_corner/01j71naqx3152y3ng1ah.jpg)
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State debuted 41 new players against Eastern Kentucky, including 23 transfers. But one of the biggest transfer portal additions wasn’t on the field and may not be again this week.
Senior receiver Kelly Akharaiyi was left off Mississippi State’s depth chart that was released and coach Jeff Lebby didn’t provide much clarity on the situation either.
“He’s getting closer and closer,” Lebby said at Tuesday morning press conference. “We need to be patient with him. We hope he has a good week and can create some confidence for himself more than anything. But I’m not ready to say he’s going to be available.”
Akharaiyi was one of the transfers most were looking forward to seeing in Lebby’s fast-paced, passing offense. But he was held out of season-opener for what was thought to be a minor injury. However, his uncertain status might be a sign of a more serious injury?
Or is Lebby playing a game of cat-and-mouse with Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham? We’ll found out soon enough.
QB1 – 2 Blake Shapen, 6-1, 210 lbs., Sr.
QB2 – 16 Chris Parson, 6-1, 215 lbs., Rs Fr.
or – 0 Michael Van Buren Jr., 6-1, 200 lbs., Fr.
RB1 – 24 Keyvone Lee, 6-0, 225 lbs., Sr.
-or- 21 Davon Booth, 5-10, 205 lbs., Sr.
RB2 – 20 Johnnie Daniels, 5-10, 200 lbs., Jr.
SLWR1 – 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr.
SLWR2 – 8 Creed Whittemore, 5-11, 185 lbs., So.
SLWR 3 – 80 Kade Kolka, 5-11, 190 lbs., Sr.
WR1 – 6 Jordan Mosley, 6-0, 195 lbs., Jr.
WR2 – 5 Stonka Burnside, 6-0, 200 lbs., Fr.
WR3 – 13 Sanfrisco Magee, 6-2, 200 lbs., Fr.
WR1 – 14 Trent Hudson 6-3 180 Jr.
WR2 – 7 Mario Craver 5-10 170 Fr.
WR3 – 11 Jaden Walley 6-0 190 Sr.
TE1 – 18 Seydou Traore, 6-4, 235 lbs., R-Jr.
– or – 84 Justin Ball, 6-6, 250 lbs., Sr.
TE2 – 86 Nick Lauderdale, 6-3, 225 lbs., Sr.
or – 10 Cameron Ball, 6-6, 250 lbs., So.
LT1 – 66 Makylan Pounders, 6-5, 310 lbs., Jr.
LT2 – 51 Luke Work, 6-6, 305 lbs., Fr.
– or – 74 Jimothy Lewis Jr., 6-6, 310 lbs., Fr.
LG1 – 75 Jacoby Jackson, 6-6, 320 lbs., Jr.
LG2 – 53 Malik Ellis, 6-5, 285 lbs., So.
C1 – 67 Ethan Miner, 6-2, 305 lbs., Sr.
C2 – 72 Canon Boone, 6-4, 315 lbs., Jr.
RG1 – 77 Marlon Martinez, 6-5, 320 lbs., Sr.
RG2 – 52 Grant Jackson, 6-6, 325 lbs., Sr.
RT1 – 76 Albert Reese IV, 6-7, 330 lbs., Jr.
RT2 – 55 Leon Bell, 6-8, 325 lbs., R-Jr.
RT3 – 78 Amari Smith, 6-7, 325 lbs., R-Fr.
DT1 – 22 Kedrick Bingley-Jones, 6-4, 310 lbs., Jr.
– or – 23 Trevion Williams, 6-4, 295 lbs., R-Fr.
DT2 – 98 Ashun Shepphard, 6-3, 280 lbs., Jr.
DT1 – 35 Kalvin Dinkins, 6-2, 315 lbs., So.
– or – 8 Sulaiman Kpaka, 6-3, 300 lbs., Sr.
DT2 – 92 Eric Taylor, 6-4, 310 lbs., Jr.
– or – 90 Kai McClendon, 6-2, 305 lbs., Fr.
DE1 – 9 De’Monte Russell, 6-4, 285 lbs., Sr.
DE2 – 91 Deonte Anderson, 6-3, 270 lbs., Jr.
– or – 46 Joseph Head Jr., 6-4, 240 lbs., R-Fr.
JLB1 – 11 Ty Cooper, 6-4, 245 lbs., Jr.
– or – 44 Branden Jennings, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr.
JLB2 – 36 Donterry Russell, 6-4, 225 lbs., So.
MLB1 – 7 Stone Blanton, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr.
MLB2 – 26 JP Purvis, 6-1, 245 lbs., Sr.
DLB1 – 40 Nic Mitchell, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr.
– or – 5 John Lewis, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr.
DLB2 – 16 Zakari Tillman, 6-2, 225 lbs., So.
FS1 – 2 Isaac Smith, 6-0, 205 lbs., So.
FS2 – 12 Tyler Woodard, 6-2, 200 lbs., Jr.
SS1 – 21 Hunter Washington, 5-11, 190 lbs., Jr.
SS2 – 27 Chris Keys Jr., 6-0, 190 lbs., Jr.
– or – 17 Jordan Morant, 6-0, 210 lbs., Sr.
CB1 – 1 Kelley Jones, 6-4, 195 lbs., R-Fr.
– or – 6 Traveon Wright, 6-0, 180 lbs., R-Fr.
CB2 – 13 Raydarious Jones, 6-2, 180 lbs., Sr.
– or – 18 Khamauri Rogers, 6-0, 180 lbs., So.
CB1 – 14 Brice Pollock, 6-1, 190 lbs., So.
CB2 – 4 DeAgo Brumfield, 6-0, 190 lbs., Sr.
K1 – 80 Kyle Ferrie, 6-1, 205 lbs., So.
K2 – 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr.
K3 – 49 Marlon Hauck, 6-3, 195 lbs., So.
P1 – 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr.
P2 – 83 Zach Haynes, 6-1, 195 lbs., Sr.
P3 – 88 Ethan Pulliam, 6-1, 190 lbs., R-Fr.
KO1 – 49 Marlon Hauck, 6-3, 195 lbs., So.
KO2 – 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr.
PR1 – 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr.
PR2 – 8 Creed Whittemore, 5-11, 185 lbs., So.
KR1 – 21 Davon Booth, 5-10, 205 lbs., Sr.
– or – 20 Johnnie Daniels, 5-10, 200 lbs., Jr.
– or – 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr.
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