Mississippi

Will private school vouchers come to Mississippi? House leaders explore possibility

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2024

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Will private school vouchers come to Mississippi? House leaders explore possibility

Mississippi Democrats oppose any attempt to give public funds to private schools

Even as the Mississippi Supreme Court is still considering whether private schools can receive public funds for students, Republican leadership in the House of Representatives is pushing legislation to study its viability.

House Education Chairman Rob Roberson, R-Starkville, originally filed House Bill 1449 on Feb. 19, which would establish a funding program through the State Treasury of Mississippi to create financial accounts for parents to pay for non-public education.

However, after conversations with Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and first year House Speaker Jason White, R-West, Roberson told the Clarion Ledger he introduced a substitute bill to lawmakers Thursday afternoon to create a committee to study whether a voucher program would work in Mississippi.

“(The committee would look at) what the cost would be cost be, who it would help, who was in areas that would maybe need this, where would this need be and what information is out there that would be applicable to what this would like if it was implemented,” Roberson said.

Roberson previously said he did not believe any voucher legislation would pass through his committee or the House this year and simply wanted to start a conversation.

The new bill would establish a committee comprised of about six members appointed by Reeves, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and White, which would complete a study about a voucher program in Mississippi.

If passed, the committee would report back to lawmakers at the beginning of the 2025 legislative session.

“I’m all for getting more information (on this), Roberson said. “I think we all could use whatever information to come and see who could be benefited. The bottom line is just that it is always good to have information to see what would happen, and what it would look like and what the cost would be.”

Reeves and White have both publicly endorsed the idea of a voucher program in Mississippi.

White said during an interview with the SuperTalk radio network earlier this month that he would support a limited school voucher program for students in low-rated schools.

“In D and F districts, we want that child to go anywhere they can find, whether public, private, charter, home school, whatever,” White said.

Reeves also addressed “school choice” during his State of the State address Monday night.

“We must be innovative,” Reeves said. “We must be open to new and different models. We should fund students, not systems. We should trust our parents, not bureaucrats, and we should embrace education freedom.”

Reeve’s annual address: Reeves avoids Medicaid, pushes economic development during state of state address

Supreme Court still undecided on private school funding

Despite Roberson’s attempt to study a private school voucher system in Mississippi, the legality of public funding for private schools is still being determined by the Mississippi Supreme Court.

In 2022, the Legislature appropriated $10 million to fund education in private schools, but it was halted after a lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Democracy Forward, and the Mississippi Center for Justice on behalf of Parents for Public Schools, a Jackson-based nonprofit, claiming the move was unconstitutional.

According to the state’s constitution, public funds shall not go to any school “not conducted as a free public school.”

The state has countered that claim by stating the appropriation is constitutional because the Legislature appropriated the money to the Department of Finance and Administration, which could disperse it to the private schools.

Earlier this month, the court heard oral arguments from both sides, but the case is not expected to be decided on until after the 2024 legislative session, which ends in early May.

Court’s latest hearing on funding: MS Supreme Court listens to arguments over federal funding in private schools. See details

Democrats oppose voucher program

Even still, the bill already faced opposition from five House Democrats who voted against the bill Thursday, Roberson said.

One of the representatives on the Education Committee, Justis Gibbs, D-Madison County, told the Clarion Ledger he would not support any voucher program in the state.

“Our priorities should be on public education,” Gibbs said.

Jackson legislators Rep. Chris Bell and Sen. David Blount both also voiced concerns about a voucher program.

“At the end of the day, those vouchers are taking away from our public schools, and I’m fully supporting our public schools,” Bell said. “For Individuals to prop up vouchers, it only hurts our public schools, and it hurts our communities.”

“I am opposed to vouchers and using tax money for private schools,” Blount said. “Public money is for public schools.”

Senate Education Committee Chairman Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, told the Clarion Ledger he has not read Roberson’s original bill, but he believes a private school voucher program would only add financial burden to the state.

“We have approximately 50,000 Kids in private schools, and if you allocate that using our current (school funding) formula of $7,500 per student, you’re looking at roughly $350 to $400 million of new money needed for those students. I don’t believe at this point the state can afford something like that.”

Nancy Loome, executive director of The Parent’s Campaign, an education advocacy group, said in a press release Thursday night the bill is an “affront” to the public school system and those who work to sustain it.

“HB 1449 is an affront to public schools and the hard work of Mississippi teachers,” Loome wrote. “It calls for a study committee to evaluate the feasibility of universal vouchers in Mississippi — vouchers that would be available to all K-12 students in the state, including students already attending private schools. We don’t need a study committee — we can see clearly the disastrous consequences to state budgets, voucher students, and public schools in the states that have allowed universal voucher programs.”

Even though Roberson passed the bill through his committee, it will still need approval from the House Appropriations Committee, which will have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday to either send it to the House floor for a vote or let it die in committee.

If it passes that committee, the bill will go to the House floor, where Republicans hold a majority in the 122-member chamber.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

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Mississippi

Ben Crump seeks independent autopsy in Nolan Wells death

Published

10 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Ben Crump seeks independent autopsy in Nolan Wells death

Attorney Ben Crump says Nolan Xavier Wells’ family is pursuing an independent autopsy. Investigators continue working to determine what happened to the 18-year-old after his body was found on Horn Island this week.

Wells, 18, went missing on Saturday, July 4, after taking a boat to the island with friends. A body was found Monday, ending a two-day search.

Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd told the Sun Herald on Tuesday that the body was identified as Wells. The State Medical Examiner’s Office used dental records to confirm his identity. Officials did not release his cause of death.

In an exclusive interview with Don Lemon on Wednesday, Crump said the body was being flown to Washington, D.C., for a medical examiner to study.

Wells’ disappearance led to an outpouring of prayers, volunteer efforts and community support. By Wednesday morning, a GoFundMe to help the family had raised more than $237,000.

There are still many questions about why Wells was on the island after the boat with his high school friends left. What happened before his death remains unclear.

On Tuesday, his family hired nationally known civil rights attorney Crump and his team to help them find answers in the case.

What was Nolan Wells’ cause of death?

Crump said the second autopsy will find out “if he had any physical injuries to his body beyond drowning.” He was unaware of the physical condition of the body at the time of the interview.

The remains were being flown to Washington on Wednesday. Crump said his team expects the results on Friday.

Crump said investigators in Mississippi have not given them information about the state’s autopsy.

Crump says family is living in a nightmare

Crump told Lemon the family is living in a nightmare, and they still have many questions about the young man’s death.

He was clear, however, that his investigation is still in very early stages and they are not sure yet if they will find signs of foul play. If they do, he said, they will work with local law enforcement and the state if there’s anyone who should face criminal charges.

According to the attorney, the sheriff’s office has not shared information with the family about what happened and whether the sheriff’s office suspects criminal behavior.

“There’s no information that we have right now that would lead us to believe that a crime has occurred,” Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter told ABC News earlier this week.

He said the family has concerns about “inconsistencies” including texts deleted from Wells’ phone. They don’t want Wells’ death to be called an accident and swept under the rug if it wasn’t.

Crump said Wells had a tryout to play Division I football on Monday. The teen was reportedly avoiding substances that could affect his performance. His family said he was an extraordinary athlete and strong swimmer.

There was allegedly an argument on the island, Crump said. Now, Wells’ family isn’t accepting that his death could be a coincidence.

Lemon asked if they knew what the argument was and if Wells and his group were involved. Crump said they have an investigator talking to Wells’ friends. He plans to share the information when the issue becomes clear.

Crump said investigation, not speculation, is the goal.

Questions remain after Horn Island death

Ledbetter said the county’s investigation is still active.

According to reporting from TMZ, the sheriff’s office was investigating a video shared on social media that appears to show people arguing on Horn Island on the holiday. It’s unclear if the footage, which shows a crowded beach, is related to the case.

Crump and his legal team are planning their independent review. They have committed to urging “the timely release of all records, witness accounts, and autopsy findings.”

What investigators know so far

Wells was reported missing over the holiday weekend after traveling to Horn Island with friends on July 4. The barrier island is part of Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Wells, who also went by Nono, was last seen on the northwest tip of Horn Island on the afternoon of Saturday, July 4. He did not come back to the mainland with his group, and his mom reported him missing that night.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office led a search on land and water Sunday and Monday. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, National Park Service employees and the U.S. Coast Guard helped with the search. The United Cajun Navy and other volunteers also worked to find Wells.

His mother, Christine Wonsley, said during the search that she and his father had received Wells’ phone. Location tracking wasn’t an option while they looked for him.

A park ranger found the body Monday morning. The identification was confirmed Tuesday following an autopsy.

Investigators are still trying to determine why he didn’t leave the island and who he was with. They’re limiting the information released at this time as deputies work to find witnesses and collect evidence.

Authorities seek witnesses, photos and video

Ledbetter issued a statement saying rumors, commentary and unchecked information spreading on social media have been a challenge in the investigation.

Deputies need to speak to people who were at Horn Island. They’re also looking for original photos, video or sound recordings.

They are asking anyone who saw or heard an “argument, disturbance or other unusual activity” on the island to come forward.

Call 228-769-3065 during regular business hours or 228-769-3063 after hours if you have firsthand information about the case.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@usatodayco.com.

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Mississippi

Mississippi’s first Dutch Bros now open in Pearl

Published

20 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi’s first Dutch Bros now open in Pearl

PEARL, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi’s first Dutch Bros is now open in Pearl!

The coffee shop had its grand opening on Wednesday, July 8, around 5 a.m. It is located at 200 Bass Pro Dr.

To celebrate the grand opening, customers can enjoy $3 medium drinks on Wednesday.

Store hours are Sun-Thurs: 5 a.m.- 10 p.m., Fri-Sat: 5 a.m.- 11 p.m.

Dutch Bros now has stores in 26 states.

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See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.

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Mississippi

Police investigating video of Nolan Wells’ alleged argument on Horn Island before Mississippi teen went missing

Published

1 day ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Police investigating video of Nolan Wells’ alleged argument on Horn Island before Mississippi teen went missing

MIAMI – Police are said to be investigating a video that allegedly shows a heated argument before Mississippi teen Nolan Xavier Wells went missing and was later found dead – as his grandfather said: “There’s nothing right about this.”

The 18-year-old star football player vanished during a Fourth of July boat trip with friends Saturday and a body which authorities said matched his description was found Monday morning.

Wells was last seen around 3 p.m. Saturday “talking to a girl” at the north end of Horn Island, a popular barrier island about 10 miles off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Cajun Navy Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said.

Law enforcement have been looking into a viral clip circulated online which appears to show several people having an “intense” argument near the shoreline, TMZ reported.

It sparked speculation that the tense moment could be connected to Wells’ disappearance.

However, authorities have not confirmed that the footage is authentic or whether the people seen in it have any connection to the college student.

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said that Wells’ friends had left the island and gone back without him, ABC News reported.

“From what we understand, he chose to stay there,” Ledbetter added.

Ledbetter said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon that officers want to speak with anyone who “observed or heard an argument, disturbance, or other unusual activity while on the island that day.”

Meanwhile, the family of the teen – who played as a wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College – said they were seeking answers.

“Too many unanswered questions — how can a Island that was searched yesterday produce my grandsons body this morning,” his grandfather Christopher Wells Sr. wrote on Facebook on Monday.

“There’s nothing right about this, Nolan Xavier Wells deserved the same things that people he knew and associated with will enjoy in life.”

Wells Sr. later said Wells’ mom Christine and dad Elmore had “prayed for a positive outcome but they also had to prepare themselves for the worst”, adding that “it’s time for answers.”

Photos of the 6-foot-1, 180-pound teen showed him shirtless while sporting blue swim trunks, sunglasses and grinning alongside friends on a boat before he went missing.

The United Cajun Navy non-profit disaster relief organization launched aerial reconnaissance during the search to scour the waters between Horn Island and Ship Island, stretching south to the Chandelier Islands.

The United States Coast Guard, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department also reportedly assisted in the frantic search.

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