JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced his decision on reopening of schools.“None of this is simple,” Reeves said.He explained that school districts across the state have guidelines in place as precautions against COVID-19, including not using cafeterias, sanitizing the buildings, and staggering in-person schedules to limit the amount of children in schools.Reeves is issuing an executive order to delay in-person learning for students in 7-12th grade in schools in hot spots. That includes: Bolivar, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Hinds, Panola, Sunflower, and Washington...…JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced his decision on reopening of schools.“None of this is simple,” Reeves said.He explained that school districts across the state have guidelines in place as precautions against COVID-19, including not using cafeterias, sanitizing the buildings, and staggering in-person schedules to limit the amount of children in schools.Reeves is issuing an executive order to delay in-person learning for students in 7-12th grade in schools in hot spots. That includes: Bolivar, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Hinds, Panola, Sunflower, and Washington...WW…

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Forrest County voters will decide the fate of a Confederate monument that sits outside the county courthouse in downtown Hattiesburg.A divided Forrest County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Monday to put the issue of relocating the statue on the ballot in November.Supervisors Sharon Thompson, Rod Woullard and David Hogan voted in favor of adding the issue to the ballot. Supervisors Burkett Ross and Chris Bowen voted against the measure.Several citizens addressed the board during Monday’s meeting to voice their opinions on the issue.Some argued the monument should...…HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Forrest County voters will decide the fate of a Confederate monument that sits outside the county courthouse in downtown Hattiesburg.A divided Forrest County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Monday to put the issue of relocating the statue on the ballot in November.Supervisors Sharon Thompson, Rod Woullard and David Hogan voted in favor of adding the issue to the ballot. Supervisors Burkett Ross and Chris Bowen voted against the measure.Several citizens addressed the board during Monday’s meeting to voice their opinions on the issue.Some argued the monument should...WW…

(WLOX) - On Tuesday, Gulfport made news when the to take down the state flag from city offices. Over the last few years, that same decision has been made – and reversed – by other Coast cities.Here is a look at which cities in South Mississippi still fly the state flag and which ones choose not to.Bay St. Louis – DOES NOT fly the state flagBay St. Louis became the second city on the Gulf Coast this week to stop flying the state flag. In a quiet vote on June 16, 2020, the city council discussed the state flag and decided to stop flying it.Biloxi – DOES NOT fly the state flagOn April 24,...…(WLOX) - On Tuesday, Gulfport made news when the to take down the state flag from city offices. Over the last few years, that same decision has been made – and reversed – by other Coast cities.Here is a look at which cities in South Mississippi still fly the state flag and which ones choose not to.Bay St. Louis – DOES NOT fly the state flagBay St. Louis became the second city on the Gulf Coast this week to stop flying the state flag. In a quiet vote on June 16, 2020, the city council discussed the state flag and decided to stop flying it.Biloxi – DOES NOT fly the state flagOn April 24,...WW…

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Public school students in Mississippi could be in the classroom all year long.The Senate Education Committee is holding a hearing Monday to discuss the idea.Mississippi’s Department of Education and the superintendent at Corinth High School will be presenting information to lawmakers.The Corinth School District has used the year-round calendar in the past.It’s also something the Gulfport School District plans to implement in 2021.The year-round calendar is adjusted to include longer, more frequent breaks throughout the year with a slightly shorter summer break than...…JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Public school students in Mississippi could be in the classroom all year long.The Senate Education Committee is holding a hearing Monday to discuss the idea.Mississippi’s Department of Education and the superintendent at Corinth High School will be presenting information to lawmakers.The Corinth School District has used the year-round calendar in the past.It’s also something the Gulfport School District plans to implement in 2021.The year-round calendar is adjusted to include longer, more frequent breaks throughout the year with a slightly shorter summer break than...WW…

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - The Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library at Beauvoir is losing its designation as a Literary Landmark.Friday, June 12, the Executive Committee of United for Libraries voted unanimously to rescind the status previously given to the library, which sits on the grounds of the historic last home of Confederate president Jefferson Davis.The program recognizes sites of literary significance, and the designations are awarded to sites as opposed to authors.The United for Libraries Executive Board released a statement saying, “United for Libraries has rescinded this...…BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - The Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library at Beauvoir is losing its designation as a Literary Landmark.Friday, June 12, the Executive Committee of United for Libraries voted unanimously to rescind the status previously given to the library, which sits on the grounds of the historic last home of Confederate president Jefferson Davis.The program recognizes sites of literary significance, and the designations are awarded to sites as opposed to authors.The United for Libraries Executive Board released a statement saying, “United for Libraries has rescinded this...WW…

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The Mississippi House and Senate both voted on Saturday to suspend rules, allowing for a vote to take place to change the current state flag.The vote on House Concurrent 79 was approved by the House on a vote of 84-35.The State Senate approved HC 79 by a vote of 36-14.HC 79 also includes the creation of a flag committee. The HCR says the new flag cannot contain the Confederate battle emblem and says the flag must include “In God We Trust.”The goal is to get the new flag design on ballots in November. If the commission’s design doesn’t get majority approval in...…JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The Mississippi House and Senate both voted on Saturday to suspend rules, allowing for a vote to take place to change the current state flag.The vote on House Concurrent 79 was approved by the House on a vote of 84-35.The State Senate approved HC 79 by a vote of 36-14.HC 79 also includes the creation of a flag committee. The HCR says the new flag cannot contain the Confederate battle emblem and says the flag must include “In God We Trust.”The goal is to get the new flag design on ballots in November. If the commission’s design doesn’t get majority approval in...WW…

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Jefferson Davis campus will now go by a new name. The decision made last week by the college board of trustees brings the Jefferson Davis Campus in line with the mission, vision, and values of the school.Students from all walks of life have furthered their education at the MGCCC Jefferson Davis Campus. Now those students enrolled in classes on the Gulf Coast campus will graduate or transfer from school with a new name: The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Harrison County Campus.There are only a few remaining signs...…GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Jefferson Davis campus will now go by a new name. The decision made last week by the college board of trustees brings the Jefferson Davis Campus in line with the mission, vision, and values of the school.Students from all walks of life have furthered their education at the MGCCC Jefferson Davis Campus. Now those students enrolled in classes on the Gulf Coast campus will graduate or transfer from school with a new name: The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Harrison County Campus.There are only a few remaining signs...WW…

HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) - Pearl River Community College is receiving a $6.67 million RESTORE Act grant to support the school’s workforce training in Hancock County. Governor Tate Reeves announced the grant Monday.The funds will be used for the construction of the , located adjacent to Stennis International Airport and Hancock County High School.“This is a great day for Pearl River Community College and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “We’re grateful for President Trump and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin’s ongoing support of Mississippi’s mission to expand our...…HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) - Pearl River Community College is receiving a $6.67 million RESTORE Act grant to support the school’s workforce training in Hancock County. Governor Tate Reeves announced the grant Monday.The funds will be used for the construction of the , located adjacent to Stennis International Airport and Hancock County High School.“This is a great day for Pearl River Community College and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “We’re grateful for President Trump and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin’s ongoing support of Mississippi’s mission to expand our...WW…

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi is another step closer to a new state flag design to go on November’s ballot. The commission has been working with a designer to make some tweaks to many of the originally submitted designs.Friday, they narrowed it down to the top nine. You can view the flags and vote for your favorite at The commission is charged with finding a flag with strong symbolism while being simplistic enough that a child can recreate it.“This is something we need to recognize,” said commission member J. Mack Varner. “When people see our flag, they recognize immediately that it’s...…JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi is another step closer to a new state flag design to go on November’s ballot. The commission has been working with a designer to make some tweaks to many of the originally submitted designs.Friday, they narrowed it down to the top nine. You can view the flags and vote for your favorite at The commission is charged with finding a flag with strong symbolism while being simplistic enough that a child can recreate it.“This is something we need to recognize,” said commission member J. Mack Varner. “When people see our flag, they recognize immediately that it’s...WW…

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Gov. Reeves does not support the idea of having two state flags.“Over the weekend there has been a proposal floating amongst some in the legislature to create a second Mississippi flag,” Gov. Reeves said Monday morning. “Let’s call it the ‘Separate but Equal’ flag option.”Reeves said that while well-intentioned, “it does not meet the threshold.”Over the weekend there has been a proposal floating amongst some in the legislature to create a second Mississippi flag. Let’s call it the “Separate but Equal” flag option. While well-intentioned I’m sure, it does not meet the...…JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Gov. Reeves does not support the idea of having two state flags.“Over the weekend there has been a proposal floating amongst some in the legislature to create a second Mississippi flag,” Gov. Reeves said Monday morning. “Let’s call it the ‘Separate but Equal’ flag option.”Reeves said that while well-intentioned, “it does not meet the threshold.”Over the weekend there has been a proposal floating amongst some in the legislature to create a second Mississippi flag. Let’s call it the “Separate but Equal” flag option. While well-intentioned I’m sure, it does not meet the...WW…