Mississippi
Paid parental leave passes Mississippi House. Read details
Bill sees widespread support in Legislature
MS Governor calls to eliminate income tax in State of the State address
Gov. Tate Reeves gives his State of the State address at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
Mississippi’s government employees are one step closer to having eight weeks of paid parental leave, which is currently not offered.
On Thursday afternoon, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed House Bill 1063 with 114 votes.
The bill would give state employees who have worked for the government for at least one year eight full weeks of paid parental leave once their child is born. It also offers leave for parents adopting someone under the age of 18. Parents who are considered secondary caregivers would receive two weeks of paid leave.
The bill would not specifically apply to schoolteachers but would allow school districts to adopt their own similar policy.
House Speaker Jason White, R-West, later called the bill a win for Mississippi.
“As a pro-life state, Mississippi is in a critical position to meet the needs for healthier outcomes for parents and children and to support families in our state’s workplace,” White said in a press release issued Thursday after the vote. “With our fellow southern states offering some form of parental leave, and Mississippi currently offering no paid parental leave to their state employees, we too can reflect our commitment to the wellbeing of families, as well as utilize this benefit as an employee recruitment and retention tool.”
White in his statement also said the bill, if it were to pass, sets a health example for the state’s private sector to offer similar benefits to their employees.
The legislation was authored by Rep. Kevin Felsher, R-Biloxi, who among a large bi-partisan contingent of lawmakers in both the Senate and House have been calling for the idea.
In 2024, Attorney General Lynn Fitch asked lawmakers to pass parental leave to keep the state competitive in hiring practices and made the idea one of her legislative priorities for 2025. There was also a hearing to discuss the benefits of paid parental leave.
Others such as Sen. Nicole Boyd, R-Oxford, have also said it’s time to offer state employees a parental leave option, and Sen. Jeremy England, R-Ocean Springs, has filed a bill to give state employees parental leave in the Senate.
“As a parent myself, I understand that those first several weeks after giving birth, they’re very joyful weeks, but they’re also very trying weeks, and you have to learn how to do a lot of things, especially with your first child, and I think that it’s a good idea for us to offer that,” England said.
Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.
Mississippi
Mississippi Highway Patrol deployed to Goodman after viral gun video, leaders explain goals
GOODMAN, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has deployed state troopers to the Town of Goodman indefinitely following a viral video showing people waving guns and mocking the absence of police in the town.
DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell and other department leaders flew into Goodman on Thursday to meet with town officials. Tindell said the video drew the attention of both himself and Gov. Tate Reeves.
“We felt like there needed to be a presence of law enforcement in Goodman to send a message,” Tindell said. “That it’s not a town or any town in Mississippi that we’re going to allow lawlessness to prevail.”
Troopers conducting stops, working alongside sheriff’s office
Since Wednesday, troopers have been stopping drivers in downtown Goodman and in neighborhoods. Tindell said the Mississippi Highway Patrol is working alongside the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office as part of the investigation.
“It’s more regular law enforcement duties at this point,” Tindell said. “You know, we’re looking at individuals in the video to ask who they were and go from there.”
Tindell said MHP deployments to towns across the state are not uncommon, and include safety checkpoints, driver’s license verifications and insurance verifications.
“So that’s not unusual anywhere on any given day,” Tindell said. “We just happen to be in Goodman because they needed additional help at that time.”
Mayor supports presence; some residents question it
Mayor Michael Howard said he supports MHP’s increased presence in the town. However, resident Keni El questioned whether the deployment was necessary.
“It really doesn’t change anything because if the people they’ve seen on the video are who they came for then that’s who they need to be looking for,” El said. “Because in a way, it’s kind of harassing the people for stupidity of some younglings.”
El said leaders should instead focus on providing resources to mentor young people.
“The youth need to be taught the right knowledge, right wisdom, right understanding,” El said. “But I’m not going to be afraid of no child.”
Tindell said he is unsure how long state troopers will remain in Goodman but will stay in contact with town officials until a departure date is determined.
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball could have its first position player picked in the first round of the MLB draft since 2020.
That’s where star third baseman Ace Reese is ranked ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft. He has two years of eligibility remaining but is not expected back with the Bulldogs because of his high draft ranking.
There are other draft outcomes that can impact MSU’s 2027 roster for coach Brian O’Connor’s second season. The draft begins July 11 (noon, NBC/Peacock) with Rounds 1-4 and continues July 12 with Rounds 5-20.
Here’s a look at where Mississippi State players are ranked for the draft, including high school signees.
MLB draft rankings for Ace Reese, other Mississippi State players
MLB.com’s list of the top 250 prospects has Reese at No. 18. He’s the highest-ranked third baseman. USA Today’s mock draft predicts the Miami Marlins to select Reese with the No. 14 pick, which has a slot value of nearly $5.5 million.
If Reese is picked in the top 10, he’d be Mississippi State’s first top 10 pick since Paul Maholm in 2003.
The only other Mississippi State player in MLB.com’s top 250 is relief pitcher Ben Davis at No. 232. Davis does not have any college eligibility remaining.
That does not mean there won’t be more MSU players drafted. MSU has two starters in particular, catcher Kevin Milewski and outfielder Aidan Teel, who are draft eligible. If they are drafted, they’ll have to decide whether to sign with the pro team or return to Mississippi State. Relief pitcher Maddox Webb is in the same situation.
None of Mississippi State’s incoming transfers are ranked as top 250 draft prospects.
Mississippi State baseball signees rankings for MLB draft
Mississippi State has the No. 6 recruiting class, according to Perfect Game, and there are many players who are draft risks.
Eight of the signees are ranked inside MLB.com’s top 250 with four in the top 100.
Catcher Will Brick is the top signee at No. 46 after reclassifying to the 2026 class. Shortstop Rocco Maniscalco is just behind him at No. 49, followed by pitchers Landon Brown (No. 77) and Denton Lord (No. 80).
Other signees in the top 250 are pitcher Wilson Andersen (No. 111), outfielder Martin Shelar (No. 175), pitcher Jake Carbaugh (No. 203) and shortstop Noah Danza (No. 239).
Last summer, Mississippi State got signees Jack Bauer and Jacob Parker to turn down the MLB draft and play for the Bulldogs. Bauer was ranked as the No. 44 prospect and Parker, who turned into a freshman All-American, was No. 109.
The deadline for draftees to sign contracts with pro teams is July 27 at 4 p.m. CT.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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