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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
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Gov. Haley Barbour will give his annual State of the State address tonight. Credit: File Photo

Gov. Haley Barbour has rescheduled the annual state-of-the-state speech, originally scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 12, for Monday, Jan. 18. The governor postponed the speech last Monday for tonight due to the capital city’s water situation, making this the second postponement. Mississippi Public Broadcasting will air the speech live on TV and radio.

Mississippi lawmakers will meet briefly this morning to adjourn for the week. Although Jackson’s water is coming back on line, service to the capitol building is not at 100 percent, yet, and lawmakers, staff and visitors are using portable event-type toilets set up outside the building. Legislators will resume the session Monday.

Ronni Mott, award-winning writer, talented artist and peace-loving yogi, whose beautiful soul left us on February 2. She was 64.