MFP Contributor

Author: Nick Judin

In-Depth

With No Burn Center Left In Mississippi, UMMC Faces Questions About Past Efforts

Merit announced in September 2022 that the Joseph M. Still Burn Center would share the same fate as Mississippi’s last dedicated burn center in 2005. It closed in October 2022, and now its predecessor in Georgia is receiving many of the most serious cases that would have otherwise found stellar treatment in their home state. No other facility like JMS exists in Mississippi. 

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In-Depth

‘Canary in the Coal Mine’: Ted Henifin on the Jackson Water Crisis

Ted Henifin’s years of public utilities expertise made him the U.S. DOJ’s pick for leadership as Jackson’s new “interim third party manager,” a role with unique autonomy from both the City of Jackson and the State of Mississippi. He spoke to the Mississippi Free Press just ahead of a windfall of federal funds-and a dangerous winter storm.

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Rep. Bennie Thompson close up, looking straight forward while adjusting his glasses with his thumb and index finger
News

Congress Includes $600 Million For Jackson Water System In Omnibus Bill

The City of Jackson is on the cusp of receiving an unprecedented $600 million in federal funds to alleviate the water crisis and rebuild significant portions of the drinking water system. U.S. House Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., andU.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., announced that the congressional year-end funding omnibus bill will include the enormous grant exclusively for the City of Jackson.

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Closeup of Rob McDuff at the mic in a courtroom
News

MFP to Appeal Determination That Legislature Is Not A ‘Public Body’

The Mississippi Free Press will appeal the Mississippi Ethics Commission’s determination that the State Legislature is not a public body under the Open Meetings Act. That decision, which the commission finalized today, allows the House Republican Caucus to gather a full quorum of the Mississippi House of Representatives and deliberate on legislation in secret. 

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Black woman holding a tissue to her face sneezing
News

Historic Flu Season Growing In Mississippi, But Prevention Possible

The Centers for Disease Control is warning of the worst flu season in over a decade, with more than 78,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths across the nation this year alone. Mississippi’s health system, already struggling with the damage from years of COVID-19, is feeling the consequences of the surge as well.

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