Mississippi

State auditor testifies before Congress about Mississippi welfare scandal

Published

1 year ago

July 13, 2023

State auditor testifies before Congress about Mississippi welfare scandal

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WLOX) – State Auditor Shad White spent Wednesday on Capitol Hill testifying about Mississippi’s massive misappropriation of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds.

White emphasized to lawmakers the need for stronger safeguards to prevent this kind of fraud in the future.

“My hope in testifying today is that the story of what happened in my home state will help ensure that it never happens again elsewhere,” White said.

Mississippi’s welfare scandal came to light in 2019 when the State Auditor’s office received a tip regarding a potential kickback scheme involving the Department of Human Services (DHS). The Office of the State Auditor’s investigation then revealed tens of millions of dollars had been misspent between 2016 and 2019.

Six people have pleaded guilty in the case so far, including John Davis, the former Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

During the hearing, White proposed reforms to strengthen oversight and accountability. He recommended the federal Department of Health and Human Services:

Require state agency heads to sign statements under penalty of perjury about the number of people served by welfare,
Punish state agencies that fail to properly monitor nonprofits receiving welfare grants,
Report improper spending to Congress,
Implement stricter eligibility criteria for TANF funds so that only the truly needy are eligible.

The MDHS welfare scandal is the largest public fraud case in Mississippi history.

I’m proud of the work my team did stopping this fraud. Prosecutors decide who will face charges now, and my hope is they will make their final determinations soon.
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— Shad White (@shadwhite) July 12, 2023

Now is the time for action from the federal government to take what we found and bring the case to a resolution. My team has done its job exceptionally well. Others must step up and do the same.
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— Shad White (@shadwhite) July 12, 2023

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Mississippi

Mississippi College set to undergo name change, discontinuation of football program

Published

6 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi College set to undergo name change, discontinuation of football program

CLINTON, Miss. (WLOX) – After reviewing and preparing for the college’s 2026 bicentennial, the Mississippi College Board of Trustees approved a name change for Mississippi College.

Starting in 2026, the college will be known as Mississippi Christian University. The decision underscores MC’s status as a comprehensive university and allows the college to retain its logo and identity.

Officials with the college say the name change is a strategic decision that reiterates leadership’s commitment to fulfilling the private university’s vision statement – to be known as a university recognized for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ.

Along with the decision to approve the name change, the college also announced the discontinuation of the football program, which will allow the school to “further its commitment to excellence in Division II play across its remaining 17 sports and pursue needed facility upgrades”.

“Discontinuing our football program is a difficult decision. We acknowledge the program’s legacy and the deep connection to the many student-athletes, alumni, and supporters of the football program. I want to emphasize that we will always consider them as part of our MC Family,” Athletic Director Kenny Bizot said.

“We will support our current student-athletes as they seek to continue their education at MC as well as those who wish to transfer,” Bizot added.

The changes were based on recommendations from a task force of university trustees, which were developed in consultation with university leadership and approved by the Board of Trustees.

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Mississippi

The Final Horn: State 78, Utah 73 – Mississippi State

Published

14 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

The Final Horn: State 78, Utah 73 – Mississippi State

THE BOTTOM LINE: Mississippi State is off to a perfect 4-0 start this season courtesy of a determined second-half surge that carried MSU past Utah 78-73 at the Landers Center in Southaven on Sunday. The Bulldogs trailed 39-28 after the first 20 minutes of play but used a 22-5 run out of halftime to gain a six-point edge before fending off the Utes down the stretch. Utah tied the game at 71-all with only 1:40 remaining, however State locked down defensively and scored seven of the game’s final nine points to secure victory.

KEY NUMBERS: Individually, Josh Hubbard scored 20 of his team-high 23 points in the second half to lead State’s surge, while KeShawn Murphy did a little of everything for the Bulldogs with 18 points, 14 rebounds, a couple of blocks and an assist. Riley Kugel and Cameron Matthews also reached double figures in scoring for State as each tallied 12 points. Matthews also collected a pair of steals, surpassing the 200-mark for his career. Collectively though, the biggest difference in the game was State’s second-half offensive resurgence. After shooting just 22.9 percent from the field as a team in the opening period, including only making one of 13 shots from three-point range, MSU shot 50 percent as a group the rest of the way and made five of its final 12 tries from deep.

SOCIAL MEDIA SCENES:

.@the_shawnjr5 ☝️#HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaN0plb (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/3w38DhYEnv
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024
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Hustle play three and the Landers Center comes alive! #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/jYxj2aDrdv
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024

JOSH HUBBARD X2!
State opens up the second half on a 15-5 run and force the Utes to take a timeout!
𝗗𝗔𝗪𝗚𝗦 » 43
Utes » 44 #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/xXOJoMewDG
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024

11 Points in the second half so far for @jhubb_3! #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/3tJdvNG6EC
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024
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FIRE US UP, @MelendezRamses!!
RK TO RJ and the Dawgs lead by 3! #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/JAZJQ9hjYa
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024

Comeback Complete.
𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐆𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍!!#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/fxqsemRSRh
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024

NEXT UP FOR THE DAWGS: Mississippi State faces a true road test as MSU battles SMU at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 22. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed via ACC Network Extra.

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Mississippi

Mississippi State defeats Utah 78-73 in Southaven

Published

21 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi State defeats Utah 78-73 in Southaven

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — Mississippi State is off to a perfect 4-0 start this season courtesy of a determined second-half surge that carried MSU past Utah 78-73 at the Landers Center in Southaven on Sunday. The Bulldogs trailed 39-28 after the first 20 minutes of play but used a 22-5 run out of halftime to gain […]

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