Host Adam Ganucheau and the Mississippi Today political team bring you intimate access to the most connected players and observers in Mississippi politics. This podcast is a continuation of the mission that Mississippi Today serves: To present facts, perspectives and appropriate context on all sides of a political debate. With no focus on one side of the aisle or the other, we'll also provide you the other side of a story, giving our award-winning journalists a platform to share their insigh ...
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A look inside Speaker Jason White’s tax cut proposal
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25:03
Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance provide an overview of House Speaker Jason White’s plan to cut the state’s grocery tax and phase out the income tax. They also break down the select committee White formed to study state taxes.By Mississippi Today
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Behind the reporting: Latest on the Rankin County “Goon Squad”
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Investigative journalists Brian Howey and Nate Rosenfield join Adam Ganucheau to discuss their latest report on the Rankin County Sheriff Department’s “Goon Squad.” The reporters discuss shocking new internal police communications they obtained and published, and they discuss the importance of the ongoing reporting.…
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Presumptive Medicaid eligibility promises to improve Mississippi's high infant, maternal mortality rates, save taxpayers' money
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15:17
Community health reporter Sophia Paffenroth discusses with Mississippi Today's Geoff Pender and Bobby Harrison a new law set to take effect July 1 that will provide more timely prenatal care via more easily accessed Medicaid health coverage. A majority of Mississippi births are covered by Medicaid, but delays in getting the coverage approval postpo…
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The controversial day that Robert Kennedy came to the University of Mississippi
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45:26
Retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Edward Ellington talks with Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender about former U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy’s speech at the University of Mississippi less than four years after the riots that occurred after the integration of the school. Ellington, who at the time headed the Ole Miss Speaker’s Bur…
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House Minority Leader reflects on breakdown of Medicaid expansion negotiations
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33:00
Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Natchez, the House minority leader, talks with Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance on how efforts to expand Medicaid broke down during the chaotic final days of the 2024 legislative session. He hopes those efforts are revived in the 2025 session.By Mississippi Today
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How the 2024 Medicaid expansion debate died
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39:45
Mississippi Today’s Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender, and Taylor Vance discuss the breakdown of Medicaid expansion negotiations in the Legislature.By Mississippi Today
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The contentious final days of the 2024 legislative session
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33:55
Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender break down the final negotiations of the 2024 legislative session's three major issues: Medicaid expansion, education funding, and retirement system reform.By Mississippi Today
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Rep. Sam Creekmore says Legislature is making progress on public health, mental health reforms
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36:33
House Public Health Chairman Sam Creekmore, R-New Albany, tells Mississippi Today's Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance he's hopeful he and other negotiators can strike a deal on Medicaid expansion to address dire issues in the unhealthiest state.By Mississippi Today
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Medicaid expansion, other issues could make end of 2024 session chaotic
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28:32
Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance discuss the biggest issues – Medicaid expansion, school funding and PERS – that could spur contentious final days of the 2024 legislative session.By Mississippi Today
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Inside faith leaders' push to expand Medicaid in Mississippi
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33:35
Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau sits down with Rev. Dr. Jason Coker, a Baptist pastor who is helping lead a coalition of faith leaders who are advocating for Medicaid expansion. Coker discusses why his own Mississippi upbringing and his faith have inspired him to be a leader in the push for expansion, and how the policy change could help many Mi…
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Explainer: The Legislature's dueling Medicaid expansion plans
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Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau and Bobby Harrison break down the differences in the House Medicaid expansion plan and the Senate Medicaid expansion plan. They discuss where the legislative debate currently stands, where it's headed, and why some powerful leaders are still against expansion.By Mississippi Today
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In funding Mississippi schools, how important is an objective funding formula?
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30:03
Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance speak with House Education Vice Chair Kent McCarty, R-Hattiesburg, about his proposal to change the way Mississippi’s K-12 public schools are funded and whether his plan is good for education.By Mississippi Today
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Title: Two-thirds majority votes key for Medicaid expansion, restoring initiative
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27:12
Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance discuss a busy week at the Capitol, where legislators work to garner two-thirds majorities to pass Medicaid expansion and to restore the initiative process. As it turns out, it is the Senate thus far having trouble reaching those two-thirds majorities.…
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Attorney Rob McDuff provides update on lawsuit to create more Black-majority legislative districts
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Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance talk with Jackson attorney Rob McDuff about lawsuits involving legislative redistricting and school funding and how newspaper articles led an inquisitive 12-year-old in Hattiesburg to pursue a legal career focusing on civil rights and other social justice issues.…
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Head of initiative advocacy group optimistic for 2024 session
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25:30
Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance talk with Spence Flatgard, chair of Ballot Access Mississippi about legislation pending in 2024 session that would restore the initiative process, giving citizens right to bypass Legislature and place issues on the ballot. He cites positives and negatives from the perspective of his group with ini…
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Inside the Medicaid expansion debate at the Capitol
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32:57
Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Sophia Paffenroth, Geoff Pender, Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance detail the first earnest debate about Medicaid expansion at the Mississippi State Capitol. They discuss what various proposals would do, who is supporting them, who is opposing them, and what might be on the horizon as the debate heats up.…
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MDOT Director Brad White looks down the road at infrastructure funding needs
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38:15
Mississippi Department of Transportation Director Brad White says an influx of “one-time” state and federal money is allowing the agency to again build and widen roads. But he said the agency needs long-term, steady revenue streams to maintain them once they’re built.By Mississippi Today
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Major issues developing during the 2024 session
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31:50
Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, and Taylor Vance discuss several major issues that are being debated during the 2024 legislative session. Medicaid expansion, income tax cut, retirement system changes, and felony suffrage restoration are among the topics covered.By Mississippi Today
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Senate minority leader hopes Medicaid will be expanded in 2024
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31:47
Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, tells Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance that expanding Medicaid, restoring the initiative and helping the Mississippi Delta are topics he hopes will be addressed during the 2024 legislative session.By Mississippi Today
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Senate Finance chairman breaks down recent economic development projects
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40:21
Senate Finance Chair Josh Harkins, R-Flowood, discusses with Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance the passage of the two major projects in consecutive weeks. The key committee chair also says he will consider tax cuts, but reiterated he wants to move cautiously and examine the overall impact of any tax reduction.…
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The ironies of Mississippi's new green energy plant
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42:44
Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, and Taylor Vance break down last week's special session in which lawmakers appropriated at least $350 million to close a deal that will bring a new green energy plant to north Mississippi.By Mississippi Today
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Inauguration, committee assignments mark second week of legislative session
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31:57
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31:57
Mississippi Today political reporters Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance discuss Gov. Tate Reeves’ inauguration and the committee assignments made by House Speaker Jason White and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann.By Mississippi Today
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Will Mississippi Supreme Court stop public funds from going to private schools?
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44:45
Mississippi Today’s Julia James and Bobby Harrison hear from Becky Glover, policy analyst with Parents for Public School, and Will Bardwell, senior counsel with Democracy Forward, about the scheduled Feb. 6 oral arguments before the state Supreme Court in their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of sending public funds to private schools. Ba…
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Preview: What to expect in the 2024 legislative session
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47:52
Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance preview the 2024 legislative session. They discuss major issues to watch for during the 120-day session that begins Jan. 2, and they also discuss some potential surprises.By Mississippi Today
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Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove shares an incredible Super Bowl story
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17:45
Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, during a 2023 interview with Mississippi Today, shared an incredible story from earlier in his life when he got to attend a Super Bowl. Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau and Bobby Harrison talk with Musgrove about the event.By Mississippi Today
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What to watch for during opening days of 2024 legislative session
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26:31
Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance provide a primer of what to expect during the opening days of the pomp and circumstance of the 2024 legislative session. The session is quickly approaching, slated to begin at noon on Jan. 2.By Mississippi Today
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Paul Thorn talks Mississippi, his music, and his career
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48:27
Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender take a break from political world (kind of) to talk with Mississippi singer/songwriter Paul Thorn about his music and his diverse life’s experiences. Thorn grew up in a conservative church before making a mark as a boxer and then a storyteller, writing and singing songs about Americana.…
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Rep. Robert Johnson breaks down 2023 election, discusses his own political future
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29:01
Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance discuss the recent election losses for Mississippi Democrats with Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Natchez, the House minority leader. Johnson also talks about whether he can work with Jason White, the likely new speaker of the Mississippi House, and what his own future political ambitions may be.…
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How will Gov. Tate Reeves get along with legislative leaders?
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26:45
Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance discuss the relationship between Gov. Tate Reeves, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and likely Speaker of the House Jason White. Will tensions in those relationships affect major policy proposals that will be debated during the 2024 legislative session?…
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Key senator says lawmakers will study taxes, health care, other key issues in 2024
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35:41
State Sen. Daniel Sparks, R-Belmont, a key ally of Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann during the recently held statewide elections, discussed a wide range of issues expected to be considered during 2024 legislative session with Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance.By Mississippi Today
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Key takeaways from Tate Reeves' governor's race victory
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35:34
Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance break down Republican Gov. Tate Reeves' election win over Democratic challenger Brandon Presley. They detail what worked for Reeves, what didn't work for Presley, and whether Mississippi Democrats can be competitive again.…
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Chuck Todd, Curtis Wilkie discuss 2023 governor's race
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49:49
Former "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd and longtime Boston Globe journalist Curtis Wilkie join Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau to discuss the Nov. 7, 2023, governor's race between Gov. Tate Reeves and Brandon Presley. They also discuss 2024 presidential politics, the continuing influence of Donald Trump in the Republican Party, and warning sign…
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At long last, Reeves and Presley will debate
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Gov. Tate Reeves and challenger Brandon Presley will debate on Nov. 1 ahead of the Nov. 7 governor's election. Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender break it all down.By Mississippi Today
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Rep. Robert Johnson: Black turnout could be key in upcoming election
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35:37
Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance discuss with state Rep. Robert Johnson, the House minority leader, about how the turnout among Black Mississippians could impact the outcome on Nov. 7.By Mississippi Today
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The wildest week (so far) of the 2023 governor's race
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39:56
Mississippi Today's politics team breaks down several news breaks that went into the busiest week of the 2023 governor's race —from a lawsuit to a threatened lawsuit to a fundraising shock to a debate update.By Mississippi Today
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Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender break down the debate about the gubernatorial debates between Gov. Tate Reeves and challenger Brandon Presley. What's happened to this point, and what can voters expect?By Mississippi Today
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Tate Reeves, Brandon Presley square off on hospital crisis
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30:31
Mississippi Today's political team discusses Gov. Tate Reeves' newly announced plan to help the state's hospitals, and how his Democratic opponent and others have responded to it. The team also discusses Reeves' pastor weighing in on health care expansion — a solution the governor has resisted for years.…
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Did vote to change state flag lose veteran lawmaker his election?
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29:18
Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance talked with outgoing state Rep. Nick Bain, a Republican from Corinth, on his vote to change state flag and how he believes it played major role in his election loss last month. Bain, who was first elected in 2011, says he has no regrets about his vote.…
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Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau and Geoff Pender discuss what voters can expect of Gov. Tate Reeves and challenger Brandon Presley in the final 50 days of the 2023 election cycle.By Mississippi Today
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Likely new speaker renews hope for Medicaid expansion
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30:15
Mississippi Today’s Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance talk all things politics, ranging from House Pro Tem Jason White, expected to be elected new speaker, committing to studying Medicaid expansion. Also discussed this week: communications between Tate Reeves’ brother and Auditor Shad White about Brett Favre.…
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Takeaways from latest poll that has Tate Reeves ahead of Brandon Presley
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18:55
Mississippi Today’s political reporters Geoff Pender, Taylor Vance and Bobby Harrison break down numbers from the most recent Mississippi Today/Siena College poll. Incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has comfortable 11-point lead, but issues favor Democratic challenger Brandon Presley.By Mississippi Today
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Secretary of State Michael Watson pitches campaign finance reform
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26:15
Secretary of State Michael Watson joins Mississippi Today's Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance to discuss his ideas for campaign finance reform.By Mississippi Today
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Federal judge Mike Mills discusses his political and judicial career
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36:54
U.S. District Judge Mike Mills joins Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau and Bobby Harrison to discuss his storied career in politics and the state and federal judiciary. He discusses his time in the Legislature, on the Mississippi Supreme Court, and in the federal court.By Mississippi Today
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Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, and Geoff Pender break down the results of last week's Republican and Democratic primary elections. Among races discussed: the contentious GOP primary for lieutenant governor, key legislative races, and the GOP primary for governor.By Mississippi Today
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McDaniel-Hosemann contest headliner for Tuesday’s party primaries
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20:37
Mississippi Today political reporters Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance break down Tuesday’s election where party nominees will be selected for the Nov. 7 general election. Candidates from the county level to the state level will be on the ballot Tuesday.By Mississippi Today
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Candidates try to get their message out during hot, contentious Neshoba County Fair
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Mississippi Today’s Geoff Pender, Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance break down the candidates’ strategy, presentation of their speeches and the crowd’s reaction to those speeches at the just-completed the Neshoba Couty Fair.By Mississippi Today
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Former Sec. of State Dick Molpus talks Neshoba County Fair
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Neshoba County native Dick Molpus, who served three terms as Secretary of State, discusses the importance of the Neshoba County Fair on Mississippi politics. Molpus, who has attended 70 fairs, shares some of his favorite memories from over the years.By Mississippi Today
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Mississippi's worsening hospital crisis emerges as top governor's race issue
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Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Devna Bose, and Taylor Vance discuss the state's worsening hospital crisis and how it is affecting the 2023 governor's election. Democrat Brandon Presley is making the issue his top focus, while incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has all but avoided it.By Mississippi Today
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Inside the leadership drama of the Mississippi Democratic Party
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38:36
Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, and Taylor Vance break down leadership drama inside the Mississippi Democratic Party, which recently booted its top leader and replaced him in a major election year.By Mississippi Today
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Greta Kemp Martin, candidate for Attorney General
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Greta Kemp Martin, a Democrat challenging incumbent Attorney General Lynn Fitch this year, joins Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau to discuss her campaign and the ideas she has for the job.By Mississippi Today
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