Walmart pharmacies will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines in Mississippi through the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program on Feb 12, 2021. Eligible customers can schedule a vaccine appointment via the Walmart website once appointments are available, making it convenient to get vaccinated while allocation lasts. Vaccines will be available to those who meet the current phase of vaccine eligibility in Mississippi which can be found at the Mississippi State Department of Health website. More than 1,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in 22 states are receiving federal vaccine allocations this week, with an emphasis on locations that reach customers in underserved communities with limited access to healthcare. While initial vaccine supply is limited, Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacists and technicians stand ready to help expand vaccine access across the country. In consultation with Center for Disease Control (CDC) and states, we took into account the population density, customer demographics, infection rates and availability of local healthcare resources among other factors to identify many of the participating locations, including pharmacies located in a Medically Underserved Areas, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration. “Ninety percent of the country lives within ten miles of a Walmart. We’re committed to helping people live better – and healthier lives – in Mississippi and we take that role very seriously,” said Dr. Cheryl Pegus, Executive Vice President, Health & Wellness. “We want to help the country re-open, but we can only achieve that through widespread COVID-19 vaccination. We’re proud to work together with the federal government, states, communities, customers and associates to expand access to the vaccine and reach that goal.” Walmart is partnering with the CDC and states to move as quickly as possible to help administer vaccines to eligible populations in participating states. For a list of stores in each state administering the vaccine under the federal agreement, visit www.corporate.walmart.com/covid-vaccine. In addition to the 22 states where Walmart will support the vaccination efforts as part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, the retailer is also currently administering vaccinations under the jurisdiction allocation in 11 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Vaccine supply and eligibility will vary based on state and local guidelines. In addition to appointments, the scheduler will provide a digital reminder when it is time to return for the second vaccine, which is why customers are asked to create a profile, helping to ensure customers receive the second dose of the vaccine in the timeframe required. Appointments are available seven days a week, but exact timing will vary based on local availability of the vaccine. Walmart pharmacies will continue to support states and the federal government to help increase the accessibility and availability of COVID-19 vaccines. To stay up to date on how Walmart is supporting the vaccine rollout, visit https://corporate.walmart.com/covid-vaccine.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that provides protection from deportation, a work permit and educational opportunities to young people brought to the United States as children without immigration status. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is now accepting first-time applicants and renewal requests. Applicants need to have been born after June 15, 1981 and have been living in the United States since June 15, 2007. They cannot have been convicted of a serious crime and need photo ID. Applicants also must have graduated from high school or be enrolled in an educational program. The Mississippi Center for Justice and our pro bono partner, Akin Gump, are providing free application support to those Mississippians applying for DACA. If you’re interested, please scan our QR code and fill out the survey. We will get in touch with you to see if you can apply for DACA and, if so, place you with an attorney. The Mississippi Center for Justice is located in Jackson, Biloxi, and Indianola, and Max Meyers is the staff attorney working on this project. For more information please contact the Mississippi Center for Justice at 601.709.2141 or visit www.mscenterforjustice.org.

The Mississippi Transportation Commission recently announced $6.1 million in federal Transportation Alternatives (TA) projects for the Central Transportation District, with $873,594.72 awarded to the Wesson Campus of Copiah Lincoln Community College for the construction of sidewalks and speed tables on campus in high traffic areas. TA funds are federal transportation dollars that are for non-roadway types of improvements such as sidewalks, multiuse paths, pedestrian lighting and traffic calming. The funds flow through the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) Local Public Agency (LPA). LPA programs leverage local investments with federal funds for infrastructure improvements to enhance the quality of life for residents throughout Mississippi. “This year, I am honored to provide these much needed grants to our colleges, universities and small towns,” said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District. “During these challenging times, safety is a concern that we must address, and these funds will assist them in this effort.” MDOT serves as a conduit for local governments to access federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act funds. MDOT provides project guidance and oversight, but does not receive any portion of the funding. “Congressional money is vital to city and county governments,” Simmons said. “We greatly appreciate Mississippi’s senators and congressional delegation for their continued support.” Copiah Lincoln Community College can provide additional information regarding timelines and impacts to traffic prior to the start of construction. Work zones present new traffic patterns and configurations that may be unfamiliar to some motorists. For information about how to navigate highway work zones safely, visit GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms. For more information about these or other MDOT maintenance and construction projects, visit MDOTtraffic.com, download the free MDOT Traffic mobile app or like and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and Twitter.

Katherine Westbrook of Wesson, MS was among the more than 7,400 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa named to the dean's list for the 2020 fall semester. Westbrook is a student in the Iowa's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is majoring in English and Creative Writing. Guidelines for inclusion on the list are: Courses offered on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) or pass/non-pass (P/N) basis do not count toward graded credit for inclusion on the dean's list. Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Engineering, the Tippie College of Business, and University College who achieve a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher on nine semester hours (spring 2020) or more of UI graded coursework during a given semester or summer session and who have no semester hours of "I" (incomplete) or "O" (no grade reported) during the same semester are recognized by inclusion on the dean's list for that semester. Undergraduate students in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine with fewer than nine semester hours (spring 2020) of graded credit, if deemed appropriate by the college. College of Nursing students participating in clinical courses who have a total of nine semester hours of earned credit (spring 2020), with eight semester hours of graded credit with a GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Merit Health is hosting a virtual nursing career fair Friday, February 12 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm through Google Meet. Attendees will have an opportunity to speak first-hand about nurse openings at our Jackson area and Vicksburg hospitals with nursing leadership and the nurse recruiter. If interested: Join with Google Meet Meet.google.com/iag-seif-czh For more information, contact Mark Beason, 601-573-4254.

Despite the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, cardiovascular disease remains the leading killer of women in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association’s newly released 2021 Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics. Heart disease kills one woman approximately every 80 seconds, taking more lives than all forms of cancer combined, and cardiac events are on the rise in young women in their 20s. At the same time, recent market research has indicated that the youngest, most diverse groups of women are the least aware that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat. The American Heart Association, the leading global volunteer organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, is calling on women to spread awareness on National Wear Red Day®, February 5, 2021, that 1 in 3 women are dying from cardiovascular disease. Women (and men) are encouraged to “wear red and give” as part of the American Heart Association’s signature movement, Go Red for Women®, nationally sponsored by CVS Health and supported by Big Lots. “We’re now seeing cardiovascular disease affecting younger women, and women from Black and Hispanic communities are disproportionally impacted by heart disease and stroke,” said Mitch Elkind, M.D., M.S., FAHA, FAAN, president of the American Heart Association and professor of neurology and epidemiology at Columbia University in New York City. “Now, more than ever, we need to ensure all women have access to education about heart attack and stroke warning signs, as well as proper diagnoses and treatment when they present with symptoms – regardless of their age or background. Losing even one woman to heart disease or stroke is a tragedy.” The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement encourages people to take action through the month of February by: Wearing red on National Wear Red Day, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. The iconic Red Dress pin and other apparel are available at ShopHeart.org. Making a donation to support the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association at WearRedDay.org. Big Lots Foundation will match online donations on National Wear Red Day, up to $333,333. Visiting CVS Health and making a donation at the register until March 6. Donations can also be made online at www.CVSHealth.com/GoRed. Signing up to participate in the lifesaving Research Goes Red initiative, a joint collaboration between the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement and Verily’s Project Baseline. Joining the conversation by using #GoRedJXN on social media. Learn more at GoRedforWomen.org.

Following a year filled with doubt, uncertainty, and loss, Opera Mississippi offers hope for the new year and its new season. Featuring Maryann Kyle, soprano, and pianist, Michael Bunchman, Reminiscence will debut virtually on February 14, 2021 on the Opera Mississippi website and YouTube channel. This powerful program features music to remember, reflect, and to dwell on the past with a program to provide the audience a voyage through pain, memories, loss, love, and the faith that sustains us all. Though the concert is free, donations of at least $1 are encouraged to view the stream. With 2020 having been such a difficult year for everyone, both Kyle and Bunchman understand the need for this type of concert right now. “Over the past year, we have seen so much uncertainty and unknowing in our country and around the world. We have all lost something over the last year, and it is because of this why this concert was conceived,” said Kyle. “We must remember that while we may be in dark times now, that was not and will not always be the case. We must reminisce on the times where we smiled, we hugged, we laughed, and we loved and know that we will be there once again.” Reminiscence is dedicated to a treasured member of the arts community and dear friend of Kyle, Mr. William Russell, who has recently overcome cancer. “William is the true embodiment of why this concert is so important,” said Jay Dean, Artistic Director of Opera Mississippi. “We at Opera Mississippi are proud to have the opportunity to dedicate this performance to him and to share this with the many people who experience difficulty and make it through.” Featuring music of Mahler, Gershwin, Luigi Zaninelli, and Stephen Sondheim, Reminiscence promises to bring back memories when music filled the air and audiences packed concert halls. For more information on this concert and the rest of the Opera Mississippi season, visit operams.org or call 601.960.2300

Many Mississippians have already received a second round of stimulus checks. Those in long-term care facilities should know that this money does not go to the facility and does not affect your Medicaid benefits. “Stimulus money belongs to the recipient and should not go to the nursing home or other facility where they are staying,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. “While my office has not received complaints about this, there have been complaints in other states. Mississippians should know stimulus checks do not count as income and should not be given to facilities to pay for services.” Long-term care residents should decide for themselves, or with a trusted family member, how to spend their stimulus money. The money also does not change what Medical Assistance a person may receive based on income. Additionally, the Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) is warning against COVID-19 vaccine fraud. The following are signs of potential scams, according to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud: 1. You are asked to pay out of pocket to get the vaccine. 2. You are asked to pay to put your name on a list to receive the vaccine or asked to pay to get early access to the vaccine. 3. You receive unsolicited emails, phone calls and text messages. Scammers may pretend to be vaccine centers or insurance companies to steal your information. 4. You are asked to visit a fake vaccine website. Scammers uses phony sites to steal your information and money. 5. When in doubt about anything vaccine-related, call your state or local health department. If you have a COVID-19 or insurance-related question or complaint, call the MID Consumer Services division at 601-359-2453 or email consumer@mid.ms.gov

Whether you tune in for the game, the half-time show or the commercials, the National Football League’s Super Bowl LV on February 7 is one of America’s favorite annual celebrations. If you are hosting a virtual watch party, attending a socially-distanced gathering or heading to a restaurant or bar, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) wants you to celebrate responsibly. “While Mississippians are following health officials by quarantining and practicing social distancing, we know festivities will still occur,” said Melinda McGrath, P.E., MDOT Executive Director. “If your celebration involves alcohol, plan for a sober ride home. Remind your friends and family: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.” In 2019, 10,142 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year since 2014. These fatalities are preventable, and drivers must remember that driving impaired by any substance — alcohol or other drugs — is illegal and potentially deadly behavior. The consequences of impaired driving can also be expensive. Impaired drivers face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates and many other unanticipated expenses, including attorney’s fees, court costs, and lost wages due to time off from work. The average DUI costs approximately $10,000. Take a page from MDOT’s playbook to help you arrive at your destination safely: · No false starts. Buckle up: Every seat, every time. · Avoid interference. Put down phones and other distractions so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. · Have a game plan. If you intend to consume alcohol or other substances, make sure you have a designated driver or a taxi to take you home. · Be an MVP. Choose to be a designated driver and keep your team safe. · Call an audible, if necessary. If your plans change, call a taxi or sober driver to get you home. · Stay focused. Be alert for other drivers and don’t assume everyone is driving as safely as you are. · Throw a flag. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call the police when it is safe to do so. “Traveling on Mississippi highways takes teamwork and cooperation,” McGrath said. “We can all be on the winning team by celebrating responsibly and never driving impaired.” For real-time travel and traffic information, visit MDOTTraffic.com, download the free MDOT Traffic app or like and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and Twitter.

Children need to know that they matter and that they are worthy, says a psychologist whose hope-centered training could change the thinking of those responsible for safeguarding the well-being of children. “If you want to nurture hope in a child, focus on communicating to that child that they matter,” Dr. Chan Hellman told a virtual training audience of more than 150 people on Jan. 26. Hellman spent Jan. 26 and 27 in Jackson training people from more than 40 agencies and entities to be “hope navigators” to begin work toward building a culture of hope. Participants included judges and staff, social workers, educators, health and mental health practitioners, advocates for children and members of the faith-based community. “We should speak hope,” said Justice Dawn Beam of Sumrall, co-chair of the Commission on Children’s Justice. Speak encouraging words, not negatives. For example: “ ‘I am working towards my best self.’ ” So what is hope? Hellman says, “ Hope is the belief that your future will be better than today, and you have the power to make it so.” It’s not sprinkles, rainbows and unicorns. Six principles are at work here: • Hope is a way of thinking. Hope-centered thinking involves setting goals, finding pathways around obstacles, and finding the willpower to pursue the goals. • Imagination is the instrument of hope. Imagining oneself pursuing a goal, such as attending college, moves one toward attaining the goal. Touring a college campus strengthens one’s ability to imagine what it would be like to be a student there. • Hope is not wishful thinking. Again, hope takes the idea beyond wishing by setting goals, finding pathways and maintaining willpower. • Hope begets hope. It’s a velcro approach. When hope rises, it pulls other positive changes along with it. • Hope is a social gift. Mentoring programs nurture hope. • Hope can be taught. “How do we build a culture of hope within a courtroom? How do we build a culture of hope within a classroom?” Hellman asked training participants. Participants spent time in small group discussions to make plans. Programs of Hope is not just another good idea. It has to be an ongoing effort. “There is a real thirst for how we can make systemic changes in our state,” Justice Beam said. Andrea Sanders recently became the leader of the Department of Child Protection Services, the lead agency tasked to safeguard the well-being of children. “The time is right and the players are in place” to make changes toward a culture of hope, Sanders said. “It has to be the new culture in our agency.” She is thinking of ways to put hope into practice throughout, from agency leadership practices all the way down to how social workers talk to children. Chancellor Rhea Sheldon of Hattiesburg, co-chair of the Commission on Children’s Justice, said all members of her court staff will be trained to utilize the power of hope. “I really want there to be an atmosphere of hope in the courtroom,” she said. “I think it’s going to be beneficial to all the families” who come into court. Resident Jurist John N. Hudson of Natchez said, “We want everything that touches this court to be hope-centered.” Educators have an opportunity to make a difference in children’s futures. Hope needs to permeate everything in education, said Mississippi Judicial College Director Randy Pierce. “If we are not careful, well intentioned people can stifle hope and not even know it.” Pierce as a high school student was told that college wasn’t in his future. He’s a certified public accountant, lawyer, former legislator, former Justice of the Supreme Court and author of four novels. Hellman said, “The ultimate goal is always well-being. We are nurturing hope so that children and families can live well.” Hellman, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a Ph.D. professor of social work at the University of Oklahoma and Director of The Hope Research Center. His research is focused on hope as a psychological strength helping children and adults overcome trauma and adversity. He is the co-author of the book Hope Rising: How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life.

Governor Tate Reeves appoints Stephen McCraney as the new Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. McCraney started his new duties as executive director following the governor’s announcement on January 28, 2021. “Stephen McCraney has done exceptional work with MEMA since 2016 and I am proud to elevate him to this new role. His work ethic is second to none. He has a command of Mississippi’s emergency infrastructure, and there is no steadier hand in a crisis,” says Governor Tate Reeves. Before assuming the role as Executive Director, Mr. McCraney served as the Deputy Director and the Chief of Staff of MEMA since February of 2016. During his tenure, McCraney has worked on 15 federally declared disasters, six emergency measures declarations and numerous state emergencies. “I’m deeply honored to take the helm of MEMA. This agency has shown tremendous strength within the last year. I will strive to keep Mississippi and her citizens ready to handle any manmade or natural disaster that comes our way; and forge an even greater relationship with our county EMA directors to ensure the needs of all Mississippians are met during a disaster. As we remain in the fight against COVID-19 and processing the other 17 open federally declared disasters, MEMA stands ready to respond to whatever emergency happens next,” says Executive Director McCraney. Mr. McCraney has extensive experience in responding to disasters in Mississippi. While serving for 28 years as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard, McCraney responded to Hurricane Katrina, the Smithville Tornado, Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and the Mississippi River Flooding of 2011. He has been married to Sandra Kaye Champion for 34 years and they have two children.

NASA is set to begin a new round of tests for development of RS-25 engines that will help power the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on future missions to the Moon and, eventually, Mars. The first test of the new series is set for Jan. 28 on the A-1 Test Stand at Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The test will be streamed live on NASA TV. The seven-test series will use RS-25 developmental engine No. 0528 and will provide valuable data for Aerojet Rocketdyne, prime contractor for the SLS engines, as it begins production of new RS-25 engines for use after the first four SLS flights. Operators will focus on evaluating new engine components and reducing risk in engine operation. They also will fire the engine through a range of operating conditions to demonstrate and verify its capabilities. The upcoming test series will provide data to enhance production of new RS-25 engines and several engine components that are being manufactured with cutting-edge and cost-saving technologies. Operators also will demonstrate engine gimbaling capabilities, using a newly installed A-1 Test Stand thrust vector control system. “Gimbaling” refers to how the engine must move on a tight circular axis in order to ensure proper flight trajectory. “We’re going to evaluate these newly designed parts that were made using advanced manufacturing techniques,” said Johnny Heflin, SLS liquid engines manager at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, where the SLS Program is based. “This test series will prove that the RS-25 production restart engines can be built with the same high performance but with more affordability. This is a big milestone that will greatly contribute to the future sustainability of SLS.” Resumption of RS-25 single-engine testing on the A-1 Test Stand follows completion of major maintenance work on the facility originally built for Apollo Program testing more than 50 years ago. Projects designed to ensure the facility continues functioning at a high level included upgrading piping and the test stand flame deflector, painting the 40,000-gallon liquid oxygen 100,000-gallon liquid hydrogen tanks, remodeling the Test Control Center, and upgrading the data acquisition system, facility cameras, and facility control systems. The new NASA-designed-and-manufactured thrust vector control system also was finalized and installed during this time. “It is exciting to return to hot fire testing at the A-1 Test Stand,” Stennis RS-25 Project Manager Chip Ellis said. “We have worked hard the last 20 or so months to complete needed test stand maintenance projects. Now, the team is ready to get back to the business of testing for future deep space missions.” The engine will be fired seven times for a total of 3,650 seconds during the first half of 2021. The schedule calls for six full-duration tests of about eight and a half minutes (500 seconds) and one hot fire of just under 11 minutes (650 seconds). A full duration test refers to the time the engine must fire during an actual launch in order to power SLS towards orbit. Longer duration hot fires are conducted to test the limits of engine performance. For about half of the firing time, the engines will operate at 111 of the power level at which the original space shuttle main engines were designed to perform. Operators will also demonstrate operation at the 113 percent power level for an extended period, as was initially demonstrated in a Feb. 2018 hot fire. The previous round of RS-25 testing concluded April 4, 2019 and focused primarily on validating new operating parameters for the initial RS-25 engines, which are modified heritage space shuttle main engines, and included acceptance testing of 16 former space shuttle main engines that will help launch the first four SLS missions. This new RS-25 test series begins as a separate test series, called Green Run, is in its final phase. The Green Run is a comprehensive series of tests of the core stage of the SLS rocket, which includes four RS-25 engines, and culminates with a final test to fire all four together for about eight minutes. The Green Run team recently fired all four RS-25 engines together for the first time and is currently evaluating if a second hot fire test is required.