JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi legislators advanced bills Monday to give voting rights back to 32 people convicted of felonies, weeks after a Senate leader killed a broader bill that would have restored suffrage to many more people with criminal records. The move is necessary due to Mississippi’s piecemeal approach to restoring voting rights to people convicted of felony offenses who have paid their debts to society. It also reflects the legacy of the state’s original list of disenfranchising crimes, which springs from the Jim Crow era. The attorneys who have sued to challenge the list ..read more

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Mississippi lawmakers face one of the final deadlines of the 2024 Legislative Session this weekend before the end of the session. The three biggest issues headed to conference negotiations include Medicaid expansion, education funding and the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) of Mississippi. Medicaid expansion has been the ruling issue this session. We asked House Speaker Jason White (R-District 48) what the red line is for House conferees at the Medicaid expansion negotiating table. He said the House is firm in their plan, which expands Medicaid to 138% o ..read more

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - A bill that closes a campaign finance loophole for Mississippi's Public Service commissioners is now law. The law restricts representatives for renewable energy companies, such as wind and solar, to donate to commissioners and candidates for the office. WJTV 12 News previously reported on questionable campaign donations received by Public Service Commissioners Brent Bailey, Dane Maxwell and former Democratic gubernatorial nominee Brandon Presley. Mississippi man falls into healthcare coverage gap At the time, those donations did not violate PSC campaign finance law. Sta ..read more

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Roughly 200,000 working Mississippians could have the option of healthcare if Mississippi fully expanded Medicaid. Ken Allen is one of them. He currently works as a custodian at Southside Baptist Church in Jackson. Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus advocates for Medicaid expansion “Myself or my wife any time that we've been, you know, in a situation where both of us were working or just one of us was working, we've, we've never made over $2,000 a month take home. I’ve had existing dental issues since I was in my early 20s, and I’m 43 this year, and, you know, it just ..read more

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Members of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus continued their call for Medicaid expansion on Wednesday. They put their support behind the House version of the bill that would expand Medicaid for working Mississippians earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Mississippi faith leaders advocate for Medicaid expansion Though lawmakers in both chambers show commitment to Medicaid expansion, there is a disagreement on how it should be done. With all the back and forth between which version is more suitable, some lawmakers believe the bill will die. Rep. Robert ..read more

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Mississippi lawmakers held a hearing on Wednesday to hear directly from convicted felons who are advocating for felony suffrage. A House bill that would have restored voting rights to non-violent felons died in the Mississippi Senate this year. The bipartisan measure passed the House overwhelmingly and would have granted suffrage five years after an individual's conviction date or their release. Mississippi faith leaders advocate for Medicaid expansion Kenneth Almons, who was freed from prison 28 years ago, shared his personal story of disenfranchisement. He now works f ..read more

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Faith leaders from across Mississippi joined together at the Mississippi State Capitol once again to advocate for full Medicaid expansion. On Tuesday, the groups said it's a moral imperative to care for the state's working poor. Mississippi medical cannabis research facility approved Clergy members urged lawmakers to come to an agreement that would expand Medicaid for working Mississippians making up to 138% of the federal poverty level. That's nearly $21,000 a year for one person. Both chambers have invited conference on the matter, and discussions will continue among ..read more

OXFORD, Miss. (WJTV) - A bill that establishes a medical cannabis research facility at the University of Mississippi has been signed into law. The university, located in Oxford, is home to the National Center for Cannabis Research. It operates as the leading federal cannabis research facility in the country. Mississippi advocates press for Medicaid expansion Senate Bill 2888 will allow researchers to collaborate with state and federal partners to dive even deeper on the health impacts medical cannabis can have on patients. “The state has had a medical cannabis program now for a little over a y ..read more

State lawmakers define the sexes in a bill whose authors say is aimed at protecting safe spaces for women. And The debate lingers between House and Senate on education funding. Hosted by 12 News' Byron Brown and produced by Tom Wright ..read more

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Mississippi lawmakers will take Medicaid expansion talks to conference negotiations to try and work out a deal that would bring more healthcare coverage options to working Mississippians. Advocates have been urging lawmakers to act throughout the session. Working Together Mississippi advocates were at the State Capitol on Thursday to put their support behind the House version of Medicaid expansion. Both chambers have passed their respective plans, but pro-expansion advocates have favored the House plan. It would cover an estimated 200,000 working Mississippians making u ..read more