Mississippi
This week in MS politics: Retirement board seeks special session OK of recurring funds
USDA letter on SNAP benefits likely not to impact Mississippi
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After a recent volley of requests from local leaders across the state to establish annual state funding for the Public Employment Retirement System of Mississippi, the PERS Board of Trustees is reiterating that concern to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.
On Wednesday, April 23, the board voted to direct PERS Executive Director Ray Higgins to send Reeves a letter pleading with him to in the upcoming special session include a proposal to establish recurring funding for the state retirement system, which currently had $26.5 billion in unfunded liabilities. The letter was supposed to be written and mailed by end of business on Friday.
PERS funding and reforms became one of several political sticking points during the 2025 Legislative Session between House and Senate leadership. At the midpoint of the session, it seemed PERS was, as a negotiation tactic by Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, wedged into another debate over whether to establish a path toward full income tax elimination or phase it down.
The House had earlier proposed taking nearly $100 million in lottery tax revenue currently going to the Mississippi Department of Transportation and giving it to PERS to address the retirement system’s unfunded liabilities. The proposal was early in the session placed into a huge House tax restructure bill that sought to eliminate the income tax, restructure sales tax revenues to cities and raise the gas tax.
The Senate didn’t take to it and proposed its own tax cut bill without a PERS funding element, opting instead to restructure public employee benefits via other legislation. The House later killed those proposals as well.
As a result, Hosemann said he would not cut taxes without those retirement benefit reforms. The Senate later released and passed a new “measured” income tax elimination bill that also included controversial PERS benefit reforms. What Senate leadership didn’t know was that the bill included several typos that sped up the rate of income tax elimination faster than intended.
The House, realizing what happened, took it and passed it anyway, hoping to use it as leverage for several other legislative items the Senate had previously killed. Reeves later signed the bill into law.
One of those legislative items, House Speaker Jason White, R-West, said during the session was annual PERS funding.
As a result of the political drama that ensued and bled into state budget talks, leadership on both sides left PERS funding, as well as the $7 billion state budget, on the cutting room floor.
This leaves it up to Reeves to call a special session to pass a budget before June 30, when the state’s current fiscal year ends, but also an opening to discuss other political items he may want lawmakers to address.
Reeves in an interview with reporters in early April did not disclose what he was specifically looking to tack onto the special session, but he did not rule out anything out.
MS SNAP program likely to remain unimpacted by USDA letter
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a letter to state agencies overseeing SNAP benefit programs, stating it would review those states that do not require certain beneficiaries of the program to work.
A spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Human Services, which oversees Mississippi’s SNAP program, said the state would likely remain unaffected by a federal government review or the letter.
On April 17, the USDA issued a letter reminding states that did not have an active work requirement that abled bodied adults without dependents, or ABAWDs, should be working or taking steps toward employment.
“Many states have abused the system by requesting work requirement waivers,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in the letter. “Today marks the start of a new era for SNAP — prioritizing work, career and technical education, and volunteering rather than idleness, excess spending, and misapplication of the law.”
MDHS spokesperson Mark Jones told the Clarion Ledger that the state’s SNAP program would likely remain unimpacted due to an already active work requirement imposed by the state on AWADs.
SNAP benefits, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, are benefits issued to help low-income individuals and families purchase food. The benefits, supplied electronically, can be used like cash at approved stores buy food items.
Of all the beneficiaries of Mississippi’s program as of March, 22% of those receiving SNAP assistance are AWADs, Jones said. The work requirement generally requires beneficiaries to work 80 hours per month to maintain eligibility, unless they become exempt from it. Those receiving benefits can also participate in a work program called SNAP E&T to satisfy the work requirement.
USDA already annually reviews state’s SNAP programs. In addition, the federal agency also provides approvals of waivers to forego the work requirement in special circumstances.
Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 12, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
12-14-17-25-27
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
Midday: 0-1-2, FB: 3
Evening: 4-2-3, FB: 6
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
Midday: 2-7-9-1, FB: 3
Evening: 7-3-4-5, FB: 6
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
Midday: 12
Evening: 04
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Many of the future stars of college football will be competing in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic on Saturday afternoon on the campus of the University of Southern Miss in Hattiesburg.
Alabama Crimson Tide signees are expected to be among the headliners, with six total players (four for Alabama, two for Mississippi) competing in the game. Auburn’s representation was greatly reduced by injuries. The Tigers are left with one player representing Alabama after Saraland receiver DeShawn Spencer, Wadley linebacker Jaquez Wilkes and Petal defensive lineman Corey Wells were late scratches from the game.
Best in Bama Top 50
Players from the game are headed to four of the 12 teams in the College Football Playoffs, including Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Alabama.
The game will kick off at noon on Saturday and will be broadcast across the state on Alabama Public Television.
Here are seven players to be on the lookout for during the matchup.
ALABAMA
CD Morgan, wide receiver, Benjamin Russell (jersey No. 1)
There likely will not be a player on the field who looks more SEC-ready than the 6-foot-4, 220-pound wide receiver. Are the comparisons to former Foley, Alabama and NFL star Julio Jones fair? This will be the biggest stage so far for Morgan to begin justifying the lofty and unfair comparisons.
DJ Broughton, tight end, Mary G. Montgomery, (No. 15)
Broughton was one of the catalysts for a remarkable turnaround for Class 7A Mary G. Montgomery, along with all-star teammate and Mississippi State signee Kaleb Morris (No. 0).
After being a longtime commit to South Florida, Broughton will forever be remembered as the first Auburn commit of the Alex Golesh era.
EJ Crowell, running back, Jackson, (No. 13)
The hype could not be any higher for Crowell, who is the most celebrated back to sign with the Crimson Tide since Derrick Henry. Like Henry, Crowell will have to learn the nuances of the position before becoming a major contributor in college. But the talent when Crowell has the ball in his hands is undeniable.
Brock Bradley, quarterback, Spain Park, (No. 7)
The Alabama squad should be in good shape with two pocket-passer quarterbacks who are athletic enough to make plays on the run. Bradley is a longtime pledge to the Clemson Tigers. He will share the position with his future in-state rival Landon Duckworth (No. 3), who will play for South Carolina after leading Jackson to back-to-back state championships.
Mhari Johnson, defensive lineman, Muscle Shoals, (No. 9)
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive lineman was a catalyst for one of the stiffest defenses in the state at Muscle Shoals. He could be a strong candidate for early playing time with the Crimson Tide.
While Johnson is expected to be one of the top playmakers on the defensive line, look for Central-Phenix City linebacker and Jacksonville State signee Tristan Lyle (No. 19) and Gadsden City defensive back and Alabama signee Zyan Gibson (No. 5) to also be defensive leaders.
MISSISSIPPI
JJ Hill, running back, Tupelo (No. 0)
Hill is the younger brother of Alabama’s Daniel Hill. Both are bruising backs. The younger Hill is 25 pounds lighter than his brother, but he’s still listed at 6-feet, 220 pounds. Hill will share the backfield with Gulfport’s Cooper Crosby (No. 6). Crosby was likely headed for Auburn before the Tigers made a coaching change. He will now play for Mississippi State. Tupelo and Gulfport squared off in a wild state championship game a week ago, with Gulfport scoring on a Hail Mary pass and extra point at the end of the game to win. Now the two backs who starred in that game will be all-star teammates before playing together at Mississippi State.
Bryson Cooley, offensive lineman, West Jones (jersey No. 63)
Securing Cooley late in the recruiting process was a huge win for Alabama. He is one of two future Tide players on the Mississippi roster, joining defensive lineman Nolan Smith (No. 34) of Picayune Memorial.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 11, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 11 drawing
01-10-12-20-28
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 11 drawing
Midday: 4-5-1, FB: 4
Evening: 2-5-4, FB: 4
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 11 drawing
Midday: 9-0-0-7, FB: 4
Evening: 1-7-0-0, FB: 4
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 11 drawing
Midday: 08
Evening: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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