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The University of Mississippi recently announced students named to the Spring 2020 Honor Roll lists, including Chancellor's Honor Roll. The following students from your area made the list: Kathryn Elizabeth Legg, of Wesson, MS. Elizabeth Nell Shirley, of Wesson, MS. "Our Chancellor's Honor Roll students set the bar for academic excellence at the University of Mississippi, and I congratulate them on their outstanding achievement," said Chancellor Glenn F. Boyce. "Their success is the result of an incredible amount of hard work and dedication and truly showcases their commitment to the pursuit of academic and personal greatness." In order to be eligible for honor roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester.

Jackson, Miss. — Senators will receive a full briefing on the economic outlook in Mississippi and revenue projections when the 2020 Legislative Session reconvenes next week. State Economist Dr. Darrin Webb and Department of Revenue Commissioner Herb Frierson will present to the Appropriations Committee at 10:30 a.m. in Senate Room 216 on Tuesday, May 26.  The Senate gavels in at 10 a.m.  The economic briefing will be webcast (link available at www.legislature.ms.gov) with the help of Mississippi Public Broadcasting.  Citizens are encouraged to watch online rather than attend in-person. “Mississippi’s economy severely slowed for two months, with some businesses closing altogether.  We need to understand the economic consequences of the shut down and COVID-19 as best we can before crafting a new budget,” Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann said. In March, Hosemann, Speaker of the House Philip Gunn, Senate Appropriations Chairman Briggs Hopson, and House Appropriations Chairman John Read sent a letter to all state agencies, boards, and commissions which receive an appropriation asking them to implement cost-saving measures in anticipation of the economic halt. “Our ultimate goals will be to prioritize education, healthcare, and the safety of citizens,” Hosemann said. The Legislature initially recessed its 125-day Session temporarily on March 18, following the Governor’s issuance of a State of Emergency related to COVID-19. The House and Senate briefly reconvened twice in early and mid-May to begin appropriating the $1.25 billion provided from the CARES Act for COVID-19 relief in Mississippi.   The first appropriation set aside $300 million for a direct payment and grant program to small businesses meeting certain qualifications, and $50 million to the Governor for any emergency needs.  The Governor signed Senate Bill 2772 on May 20. For more information on Lieutenant Governor Hosemann, visit www.ltgovhosemann.ms.gov.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning passed a resolution at its meeting today stating the Board’s intention that the campuses of all eight public universities make plans to resume traditional operations on their campuses in the Fall of 2020. “Providing a safe environment for all students and employees is paramount,” said Dr. Ford Dye, President of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. “We urge the universities to take prudent precautions in planning for resuming traditional operations and make adjustments as needed, based on recommendations from health experts.” The resolution includes direction to the universities to plan to offer as many in-person classes as possible, while taking into consideration guidance from the Federal Government and the Mississippi Department of Health and complying with any Executive Order from the Governor then in effect. The Safe Start Task Force, established last month by Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., Commissioner of Higher Education, is developing a system-level plan for starting and completing the fall 2020 semester in the safest and most effective way. “The Safe Start Task Force is working diligently to develop guidelines to help the campuses resume traditional operations in a safe manner,” said Dr. Rankins. “While this is a fluid situation and there are many unknowns at this point, our goal is to provide the best academic experience in the safest manner possible.” The resolution recognizes that plans being made may need to be modified to align with changes in recommendations from health experts.

JACKSON— Today, Governor Tate Reeves released social distancing and sanitation guidelines for in-person worship services to safely resume across Mississippi. Consulting with Dr. Thomas Dobbs and our state health officials, Governor Reeves developed guidelines for worship leaders and their congregations to join together to practice their faiths while continuing to help protect public health and flatten the curve. "I’ll just say this as a personal point. My family is likely going to continue worshiping from home for a while. The church is not a building. We can honor our Lord and keep our neighbors safe. You don’t need to rush back. We do want to provide a playbook for how to do it safely, when pastors determine the time is right," said Governor Tate Reeves. The guidelines include steps to prepare houses of worship, plan for logistics and worship programming, and direct staff and worship leadership on social distancing protocols. You can view the full guidelines for in-person worship serviceshere. Governor Reeves made the announcement at today's press briefing, which you can view on our Facebook pagehere. Churches and places of worship were deemed anessential business or operationand were never instructed to close, though they were encouraged to offer services online and remotely to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is seeking public input to help the state prioritize the use of funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act provides one-time relief funds to respond to the impact of school closures due to COVID-19 and to assist schools with their restart and recovery plans. There are many layers of considerations that go into how and when school buildings will reopen. The MDE is working to create guidance for local districts on the following topics: Summer transition Instructional materials Diagnostic assessments Support to at-risk students and other vulnerable populations Building cleaning and infrastructure School meals, wraparound supports, conditions for learning Communication and family engagement The MDE is collecting public input through the MDE CARES Act Public Survey through June 1, 2020. The survey questions will help the state prioritize the use of federal CARES Act funds. The MDE will prioritize local needs as well as potential investments and supports that could be offered to local school districts. That includes gaining insight and input from all stakeholders to draft a strong plan for restart and recovery initiatives. The MDE’s goal is to help schools and districts continue instruction and critical services that all students deserve. “I ask everyone invested in our schools to participate in the feedback process and let us know what your priorities are and what challenges you foresee,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we can’t predict what the next few months will bring, but we are committed to doing what's best for our students, teachers and school staff. Above all, student and staff health and safety will continue to be our number one priority, and our agency will rely on health experts to inform any decision that is made.” MDE CARES Act Public Survey: https://cspr.mde.k12.ms.us/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=92K0l632

Tuesday, Governor Tate Reeves released social distancing and sanitation guidelines for in-person worship services to safely resume across Mississippi. Consulting with Dr. Thomas Dobbs and our state health officials, Governor Reeves developed guidelines for worship leaders and their congregations to join together to practice their faiths while continuing to help protect public health and flatten the curve. "I’ll just say this as a personal point. My family is likely going to continue worshiping from home for a while. The church is not a building. We can honor our Lord and keep our neighbors safe. You don’t need to rush back. We do want to provide a playbook for how to do it safely, when pastors determine the time is right," said Governor Tate Reeves. The guidelines include steps to prepare houses of worship, plan for logistics and worship programming, and direct staff and worship leadership on social distancing protocols. You can view the full guidelines for in-person worship services here. Governor Reeves made the announcement at today's press briefing, which you can view on our Facebook page here. Churches and places of worship were deemed an essential business or operation and were never instructed to close, though they were encouraged to offer services online and remotely to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is seeking public input to help the state prioritize the use of funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act provides one-time relief funds to respond to the impact of school closures due to COVID-19 and to assist schools with their restart and recovery plans. There are many layers of considerations that go into how and when school buildings will reopen. The MDE is working to create guidance for local districts on the following topics: Summer transition Instructional materials Diagnostic assessments Support to at-risk students and other vulnerable populations Building cleaning and infrastructure School meals, wraparound supports, conditions for learning Communication and family engagement The MDE is collecting public input through the MDE CARES Act Public Survey through June 1, 2020. The survey questions will help the state prioritize the use of federal CARES Act funds. The MDE will prioritize local needs as well as potential investments and supports that could be offered to local school districts. That includes gaining insight and input from all stakeholders to draft a strong plan for restart and recovery initiatives. The MDE’s goal is to help schools and districts continue instruction and critical services that all students deserve. “I ask everyone invested in our schools to participate in the feedback process and let us know what your priorities are and what challenges you foresee,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we can’t predict what the next few months will bring, but we are committed to doing what's best for our students, teachers and school staff. Above all, student and staff health and safety will continue to be our number one priority, and our agency will rely on health experts to inform any decision that is made.” MDE CARES Act Public Survey: https://cspr.mde.k12.ms.us/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=92K0l632

Now, y’all know that this gun debate isn’t going to end any day soon, right? But let’s just hope that they do find an amicable way to sort it out. Because over the past few decades, the barrel has taken just too many of our beloved children, wives have been widowed, and husbands left mourning. Mississippi is among the states that you’ll not be required to have a gun permit, especially when buying a gun from private individuals, and in addition to this, there are no background checks done to individuals buying handguns. While the laws of the land protect you from the vices in the society, there are measures that you can take to protect yourself. But this shouldn’t be at the expense of others. The world is a dangerous place with random acts of violence lurking everywhere. Mississippi is perhaps one of the states that understand the importance of vigilance and it’s only in Mississippi, where most people have shot a gun before they even drove their first car. Owning a gun is among the various ways you can protect your family from the aforementioned evils. But then again, you just don’t want to compromise your family’s safety with the same tool that provides them with security. In this article, we’ll be looking at various gun safety measures in your home. 1. Consider Investing in a Gun Safe If you ask any baby boomer out there, it’s most likely that they rode bikes without helmets and drove cars without wearing seat belts. Life was good back then. Most households with guns back then had a “don’t touch” policy that worked magic! Today, this may not work for you. Kids today are inquisitive, nosy, and curious. You’ll need to do more than just yell “honey, don’t touch that gun! It’s dangerous for you”. Gun safes are a secure storage option for every gun owner. It will help to restrict unauthorized access to your firearm/s. With so many gun safe options to choose from, the ones that are made in America have more features, are durable, and come in different sizes that are ideal to accommodate long gun capacities; this is according to consumer ratings. When choosing a gun safe, consider options that provide top-notch security and durable construction. 2. Gun Safety Training There are so many courses out there that cover the basic instructions on gun handling, but only a few will address crucial issues such as suicide prevention, preventing gun theft, and domestic violence. Ideally, it’s important that you involve your family in a course that covers these critical aspects. This way, they’ll be aware of both the benefits and the risks involved in owning a firearm. The idea is to prevent injuries and household deaths as a result of improper gun handling. Below are firearm safety tips for your home: Treat all firearms as if they are loaded Unload the firearm when not in use Store your firearms in a locked cabinet and the ammunition in a separate compartment Educate your family about firearms safety Like medicine, store guns away from children’s reach – and strangers too! 3. Identify the Risk Factors Owning a gun will automatically increase the risks of injuries and ultimately, death. But they are a necessity that you cannot live without especially if you’re a Jackson resident! Nonetheless, various factors might double the risks of owning a firearm. These include: Depression Alcohol/drug abuse Bullying Family violence ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder If any of the above factors are identified in your home, you must take stringent measures about gun safety such as counseling. The idea behind it is to save lives in any family set up and prevent injuries. 4. Kids and Gun Safety As earlier mentioned, kids today are curious, inquisitive, and nosy. Sadly, guns claim at least a child’s life every other day. This is according to recent studies. This is a worrying trend, but one that puts great emphasis on the importance of gun discipline if you have kids in your home. Kids should never go snooping for guns whether at your home or your friends’ houses. In addition to this, they should never be allowed to touch a firearm, let alone see one hanging around unless it’s when watching a movie. Most firearm accidents can be prevented when simple precautionary and safety measures are carried out in households. Every homeowner needs to respect their firearm in ensuring that it’s secure when not in use to prevent firearm misuse and accidents.

During these unprecedented times, I am grateful for all of the essential workers and volunteers who are providing access to food, healthcare, and supplies. The COVID-19 global pandemic has forced us to provide vital services and take care of those in need using very limited resources. As expected, Mississippians have risen to the challenge. While we hope to have this in our rearview mirror before the upcoming elections, I realize we must act now. Your right to vote should not be among the pandemic’s victims. Here at the Secretary of State’s Office, we do not believe voters should have to choose between casting a ballot and risking their own health. Therefore, we have put together a plan to safeguard the integrity and legitimacy of our elections while protecting our citizens. Crises often provoke extreme reactions, and as your Chief Elections Officer, I assure you that while facing these issues with an open mind, we will not let this pandemic be used as an open door for expanded government control or fraud. Our team is consulting with Election Commissioners and Circuit Clerks across the state as we continue to develop a plan that maintains the integrity of our elections, focuses on the well-being of our citizens, and upholds Mississippi’s steadfast conservative values. Prior to Election Day, we will implement additional poll worker training regarding proper sanitation and social distancing, and we will work to offer the full training course online. Due to the expected need for more poll workers, we are asking Election Commissioners to fully utilize the current student internship program, and we are looking into potential partnerships with colleges and universities to incentivize students to work on Election Day. A key component of our plan is urging the legislature to adopt an additional absentee excuse to allow Mississippians to absentee vote in person when they are subject to a state of emergency declared by the Governor or President. Authorizing voters to vote in-person absentee when under a state of emergency will lead to our office partnering even closer with Circuit Clerks to possibly expand curbside absentee voting to help limit the spread of COVID-19 on Election Day. Additionally, counties will be able to hire temporary staff to meet the increased demand by using funds from the CARES Act. The supplemental federal funding supports state and local election officials by offsetting some of the increased costs of administering elections during the pandemic. I want Mississippians to understand this is not a ploy to implement early voting, but a temporary way to permit those who are most at risk of contracting COVID-19 a safe opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Election Day itself will look a little different than usual, but I assure you the security of your vote and your wellness are our top priorities. We may consider temporary outdoor facilities if traditional polling locations are not available. By voting in an open-air environment, vulnerable populations would be safer, and it would ensure compliance with proper social distancing measures. Some of these measures include safe capacity limits, “one-in, one-out” lines, cleaning machines between each use, disposable marking devices for touch screens, and providing readily available sanitizing stations. We also plan to make sure all poll workers have the necessary personal protective equipment and are in communication with our universities and private businesses about partnering to provide these resources. While the state may be tightening its belt on many non-essential operations, enforcement of election law is not one of them. We realize the greatest vulnerability to our electoral system would be adopting policies such as universal vote by mail (VBM) and no-excuse early voting, which could leave us vulnerable to instances of voter fraud such as forgery and ballot harvesting. With the plan we have put forth, the safeguards in place to protect against fraud will remain intact. The Attorney General has confirmed any instance of voter fraud, no matter how big or how small, will be prosecuted to the maximum extent allowed by law. As Mississippians, we hold ourselves to the solemn truth that life is precious and worth protecting. This virus threatens us all, but our office is going the extra mile to ensure you can cast your vote without harm. Due to the vast amount of misinformation, we will be sending out detailed postcards highlighting changes made due to COVID-19, such as how and where to vote. As we approach the November election, I encourage all Mississippians to study the candidates, stay in tune with information from our office, and, most importantly, stay healthy.

Widespread recommendations to stay home amid the public health emergency have many Americans anxious about balancing unforeseen energy expenses with the desire for a comfortable home. As the country continues to navigate these uncertain times, Atmos Energy reminds customers struggling to pay their monthly natural gas bill that payment options and financial assistance are available. “To help those experiencing financial hardship, we have temporarily suspended natural gas disconnections for non-payment and offer payment installment plans. In addition, financial help is available through local assistance agencies,” said Jeff Martinez, Atmos Energy vice president of customer service. “We encourage customers who are struggling to contact us. Making a partial payment will help you avoid building up a large balance that will be harder to pay off later.” Additional federal assistance funds have been released due to COVID-19 through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), in addition to Atmos Energy’s Sharing the Warmth funds. Sharing the Warmth is a program that leverages the generosity of customer donations with additional contributions by Atmos Energy to amplify the amount of assistance offered. Atmos Energy then partners with local agencies to offer program funds to eligible customers. Atmos Energy also offers installment plans that spread out payments of the total balance over time. During this time, there are no added charges or fees. To set up an installment plan, visit www.atmosenergy.com, log into the Atmos Energy Account Center and select the Payment Assistance tab, or call the Atmos Energy customer service team at 888.286.6700 Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. central daylight time. Financial assistance is available on a first come, first served basis to eligible residential customers through a local energy assistance agency. To locate an agency, visit atmosenergy.com/assistance or call 211. Customers needing solutions to keep up with their monthly natural gas expenses are encouraged to contact Atmos Energy’s customer service team at 888.286.6700 or visit the account center at www.atmosenergy.com.

The Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) will be holding auditions for the Dance, Theatre, Vocal and Media Arts/Filmmaking Departments on June 10, 2020. Tenth graders apply online by June 3, 2020. The process for admission includes on-line application, and virtual or on-site audition and interview. Accepted students attend their Junior and Senior years of high school at MSA. If you know of students currently in the 10th grade who might be interested in dance, theatre, vocal music or filmmaking, please let them know about this opportunity. Applications are available on our website, www.msabrookhaven.org. MSA is a public statewide eleventh and twelfth grade residential high school located in Brookhaven, MS on the Historic Whitworth College campus. Annually, MSA enrolls approximately 140 students who meet and exceed the traditional Mississippi high school curriculum by receiving intensive instruction in dance, literary arts, theatre, visual arts, vocal music and media arts/filmmaking. MSA is a great school for those students who want to explore the arts in an extraordinary way. We also fill a special need for students with demonstrated talent that need a collegiate level learning experience in the arts that is not widely available across our state. In addition to MSA students consistently winning awards for their work on the state, regional and national levels, the school holds the #3 highest ACT average in the state and the college scholarship opportunities for graduating Seniors are amazing! For additional information and the application, visit our website at www.msabrookhaven.org or email, admissions@msabrookhaven.org.

The Mississippi Transportation Commission at its May 12 meeting awarded contracts for maintenance projects throughout Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will oversee the 14 projects, which will maintain and enhance transportation infrastructure of the state. “These projects will make our highways safer and make Mississippi a better place to live and work,” said Melinda McGrath, P.E. “All of our projects, whether pavement overlays or bridge replacements, help ensure the businesses and people of Mississippi have efficient and reliable infrastructure for travel and transport of goods and services.” Commissioner Tom King, Chair, Mississippi Transportation Commission, said, “These projects will help MDOT continue to provide safe and reliable transportation to Mississippi’s traveling public. A robust transportation network is vital for economic development.” The awarded contracts for the Southern Transportation District were: A $995,030 contract was awarded to Warren Paving, Inc., of Hattiesburg, for a 1-mile mill and overlay project on U.S. Highway 49 from U.S. Highway 90 to 28th Street in Harrison County. A $1.6 million contract was awarded to Warren Paving for resurfacing projects along five miles of State Route 198 in Perry County and along two miles of SR 198 in Greene County. “Our number one priority at MDOT is to keep the state of Mississippi safe,” said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District. The awarded contracts for the Central Transportation District were: A $1.3 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC, of Madison, for a bridge preservation project on Interstate 20 over Meridian Speedway in Hinds County. A $3 million contract was awarded to W.E. Blain & Sons, Inc., of Mount Olive, for a mill and overlay project on I-20 from Pearson Road to Crossgates in Rankin County. A $462,080 contract was awarded to Atwood Fence Company, Inc., of Kosciusko, for an overhead truss replacement on I-20 in Vicksburg in Warren County. A $932,063 contract was awarded to W.E. Blain & Sons for a mill and overlay project on State Route 492 in Newton County. A $1.6 million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc., of Richland, for a 2-mile mill and overlay project on U.S. Highway 51 from Dinkins Street to State Route 16 in Madison County. A $2.1 million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi for a nearly 11-mile resurfacing project on U.S. 51 from near State Route 17 to Aldy Road in Holmes County. A $1.8 million contract was awarded APAC-Mississippi for a 14-mile mill and overlay project on State Route 432 from SR 433 to I-55 in Yazoo County. A $148,578 contract was awarded to Akca, LLC, of Plant City, Fla., for installation of raised pavement markers throughout District 5. A $926,960 contract was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc., of Brookhaven, for a 2-mile mill and overlay project on State Route 467 from SR 22 to Utica Street in Hinds County. “Safety is always MDOT’s top priority,” said Commissioner John Caldwell, Northern Transportation District. “These projects will significantly increase the safety and mobility throughout north Mississippi.” The awarded contracts for the Northern Transportation District were: A $13.8 million contract was awarded to T. L. Wallace Construction, Inc., of Columbia, for three bridge replacement projects on State Route 35 in Attala County and U.S. Highway 49 in Tallahatchie County. A $233,084 contract was awarded to Sunbelt Sealing, Inc., of Jackson, for 20 bridge preservation projects on State Route 12 and State Route 14 in Attala County and U.S. 61 in Coahoma County. A $1.4 million contract was awarded to WG Construction Company, Inc., of Ripley, for a 7-mile resurfacing project on State Route 371 from Monroe County to Lee County in Itawamba County. MDOT will release additional information regarding timelines and impacts to traffic prior to the start of construction. MDOT will alert the traveling public prior to any changes in traffic. Highway 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.