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Rep. Thompson, NAACP call for federal racial equity investigation at call center

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Rep. Thompson, NAACP call for federal racial equity investigation at call center


Mississippi name heart staff and the NAACP are calling on the Biden administration to research fairness and racial disparities at one of many nation’s main federal contractors, Maximus, which employs practically 800 folks in Hattiesburg.

The majority of these frontline workers in Mississippi are Black girls who deal with customer support calls about Medicaid, Medicare and the Reasonably priced Care Act.

The heads of the NAACP (Nationwide Affiliation for the Development of Coloured Folks) and union Communication Employees of America (CWA) delivered a letter Thursday on behalf of staff to the federal workplace charged with investigating discriminatory practices at federally contracted corporations.

NAACP Director Derrick Johnson and CWA President Chris Shelton, who signed the letter, wrote that ladies of coloration on the firm face obstacles to maneuver past the corporate’s lowest rungs, based on a replica obtained by Mississippi As we speak. The letter, addressed to Workplace of Federal Contract Compliance Applications Director Jenny R. Yang, says Maximus has didn’t “handle systematic racial disparities inside its workforce.”

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The letter alleges the corporate could also be in violation of laws that require federal contractors to “establish drawback areas the place impediments to equal employment alternative could exist” and create applications to appropriate these issues. 



“I do know that I’m an awesome worker,” Daija Arrington, who has labored on the Hattiesburg name heart for 3 years, stated throughout a Thursday digital press convention hosted by the NAACP and CWA. “I’m somebody who’s prepared to go above and past for my employer and in my job. However at Maximus, there’s simply not a chance for me.”

Arrington stated she, too, needs to see Maximus investigated by the feds. 

A report, written by NAACP and CWA, references Maximus-released workforce information that exhibits whereas 48% of its name heart workers are Black and Latina girls, they symbolize simply 5% of executives. The report surveyed practically 300 name heart workers and located that greater than 60% utilized for larger positions. Of that quantity, 75% stated they have been turned down or by no means heard again. 

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In response to the report and letter, Maximus stated in a press release it’s “dedicated to variety, fairness and inclusion.”

“We proceed to make important progress with our long-term dedication to construct a robust and numerous workforce,” the assertion stated. “We take robust concern with undocumented and uncorroborated claims and defective analysis promoted on this report.”

CWA’s report comes after its ongoing efforts in each Mississippi and Louisiana to arrange Maximus name heart staff, who final held a strike in November. Attendees to such occasions are persistently girls of coloration calling for a rise in wages. 

Maximus stated its firm is frequently audited by the federal government for its hiring and promotional practices, in addition to for the range of its employees by location. 

“Maximus has handed each audit carried out throughout our areas,” the assertion stated. “We maintain ourselves accountable, from the chief degree to these working daily serving tens of millions of Individuals looking for info and connecting with important advantages.”

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Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson, who attended Thursday’s digital press convention, stated he’s met with girls who work at Maximus workplace in Hattiesburg. 

He, too, referred to as on the Biden administration to research Maximus, including “if this contractor is in violation of the supposed spirit of this entire concern round fairness and inclusion, to carry them accountable. Both repair it, or discover us one other contractor who will.”

A spokesperson with the Division of Labor stated ought to federal contractors be discovered violating compliance laws they might be topic to contract termination and disbarment for future federal contracts. 

Arrington, who has nearly a decade of expertise working at name facilities, is in class. She stated she is a couple of year-and-a-half away from ending her bachelor’s diploma and has held supervisors roles at different name facilities. She enjoys her job at Maximus however doesn’t really feel like there’s a transparent pathway, or assist, to land a promotion.  

“If I may get Maximus to respect me and consider in me, like I consider in them, then we are able to go locations collectively,” she stated. “However that takes accountability and actions on each side. And if I’m attempting to fulfill them midway, however they’re not prepared to take action, then that is a matter.” 

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Possible overdose at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, according to officials

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Possible overdose at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, according to officials


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.

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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 State Football Depth Chart for ASU: Kelly Akharaiyi Status Uncertain

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Mississippi State Football Depth Chart for ASU: Kelly Akharaiyi Status Uncertain


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?

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Or is Lebby playing a game of cat-and-mouse with Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham? We’ll found out soon enough.

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen looks to pass against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen looks to pass against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

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.

Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) runs the ball against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) runs the ball against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

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.

Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jordan Mosley runs the ball while defended by Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jordan Mosley runs the ball while defended by Eastern Kentucky Colonels defensive back Sam Robertson during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

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.

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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.

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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.

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Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones (22) reacts after a play against Eastern Kentucky.

Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones (22) reacts after a play against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

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.

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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.

Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman (3) runs the ball against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman (3) runs the ball against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

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.

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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.

Mississippi State at Arizona State: How to Watch Bulldogs Football vs the Sun Devils

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Mississippi State vs. Arizona State: Top 5 Sun Devils to Watch

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Arizona State eyes first win against an SEC opponent vs. Mississippi State

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Arizona State eyes first win against an SEC opponent vs. Mississippi State


Mississippi State at Arizona State, Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Arizona State by 6 1/2.

Series record: First meeting.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Arizona State and Mississippi State both had dominant wins in the season-opening weekend and now have a tougher challenge when they face each other on Saturday night. The Sun Devils are trying to build off an impressive 48-7 win over Wyoming and prove they might be a factor in the Big 12 race. Arizona State has never beaten an SEC opponent. Mississippi State plays its second game under new coach Jeff Lebby. The Bulldogs beat Eastern Kentucky 56-7 in their season opener..

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KEY MATCHUP

Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen vs. the Arizona State defense. The Sun Devils scored a touchdown on the second play of their opener when Zyrus Fiaseu picked off a pass and returned it to the end zone. It was one of two interceptions on the day for Arizona State. Shapen had a great debut against Eastern Kentucky but will face a much tougher defense on Saturday.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mississippi State: Shapen had a terrific first game with the Bulldogs, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns while also running for 44 yards and a TD against Eastern Kentucky. The 6-foot-1 senior played the previous three college seasons at Baylor with mixed success. Shapen has thrown a TD pass in 12 consecutive games dating to this time at Baylor in 2022.

Arizona State: RB Cam Skattebo led a balanced rushing attack against Wyoming, gaining 49 yards and scoring a touchdown. Skattebo was a do-it-all player for Arizona State last year, spending time at quarterback, running back and receiver. The Sun Devils might not need him to be as versatile this season, but he’s still a threat from just about anywhere on the field.

FACTS & FIGURES

Mississippi State had six different players score touchdowns against Eastern Kentucky. … The Bulldogs’ 93.7 passing grade in the opener was the second-best mark in all of the FBS, trailing only Purdue, according to Pro Football Focus. … Mississippi State’s Kevin Coleman Jr. returned five punts for 117 yards last week. … Arizona State was credited with just two missed tackles on defense in the opener, tied for the third-lowest tally among FBS schools. … Skattebo is 270 rushing yards away from reaching 3,000 in his career. He is 342 all-purpose yards away from reaching 4,000 and 202 receiving yards away from reaching 1,000.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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