The Wake Up Morning Report: Mississippi

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HATTIESBURG, Miss. (THN News) - Mississippi begins Wednesday with sunny, dry weather across the state, while several consequential government, public-safety, economic and community stories are developing. Rain chances are expected to increase substantially later this week and into the weekend.

STATEWIDE — FEMA RECOVERY MONEY: FEMA announced another $8.3 million for Mississippi recovery projects. Awards include $3.6 million for Tippah Electric Power Association, $766,000 for Grenada debris removal, $746,000 for Yalobusha County and $524,000 for Belzoni. Hattiesburg is receiving $481,000 for repairs and replacement of lighting, signage, trash cans and athletic fields damaged by previous severe weather.

STATE GOVERNMENT — FUEL COSTS: Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson is calling on state leaders to declare an economic emergency and pursue measures aimed at lowering fuel costs. The request is a policy proposal, not an emergency declaration currently in effect.

HEALTH POLICY — MEDICAID CHANGE TODAY: Beginning October 1, several categories of lawfully present immigrants in Mississippi—including some refugees and asylum seekers without green cards—are set to lose Medicaid eligibility because of changes in federal law.

JACKSON — CAPITOL POLICE CASE: A Hinds County jury acquitted former Mississippi Capitol Police officer Steven Frederick Jr. in the 2022 killing of Jaylen Lewis. Jurors could not reach a verdict concerning former officer Michael Rhinewalt, who fired the fatal shot.

JACKSON — CORRECTIONS: The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that Carly Gregg is eligible for parole, but WLBT reports Mississippi Department of Corrections records continued to list her as ineligible as of Tuesday.

HATTIESBURG / PINE BELT — SENATE DISTRICT 34: Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson is explaining procedures for the special election called to replace former state Sen. Juan Barnett. The race affects portions of the Pine Belt and surrounding region. 32 year old Daryl McKines of Laurel, MS is the first to announce his candidacy.

HATTIESBURG — COURTS: Three defendants have been sentenced to prison after guilty pleas in separate Forrest and Perry County cases handled in the 12th Circuit Court District.

HATTIESBURG COMMUNITY: The Hattiesburg Kiwanis Club donated $7,000 to the 3D School in Petal to help fund a new kindergarten lab.

GULFPORT / GULF COAST: Harrison County Sheriff's Department officials participated in a community listening session Tuesday night concerning the county detention center. Meanwhile, Gulfport-area RV parks are filling as Cruisin' the Coast approaches.

GULF COAST — CYBERSECURITY: Mississippi State University and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College partnered on the “Securing the Coast” cybersecurity event in Gulfport, bringing together students and professionals around cybersecurity issues.

MERIDIAN: The latest Meridian Police docket reports arrests involving alleged controlled-substance possession, stalking, domestic violence, assault, larceny and other offenses. Police also reported three commercial/church burglaries, three stolen vehicles and a Highland Park Drive shooting in which a vehicle was struck. Those arrests are allegations, not convictions.

MERIDIAN — KEY FIELD: The U.S. Air Force has selected Key Field in Meridian as one of four preferred locations under consideration to host new KC-46 aircraft, according to Mississippi's congressional delegation. It is a finalist selection, not yet a final basing decision.

TUPELO / NORTH MISSISSIPPI: The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Northeast Mississippi donated a combined $5,000 to Faith Haven and Remnant House during its annual golf tournament Tuesday.

MISSISSIPPI DELTA: A Water Valley woman's birthday fundraiser is being used to eliminate medical debt for residents of Yalobusha, Calhoun and several Mississippi Delta counties.

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES & SPORTS

At the University of Southern Mississippi, the internationally recognized de Grummond Children's Literature Collection is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor was named the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week following the Bulldogs' win over Missouri.

WEATHER | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

National Weather Service forecasts show another sunny and dry Wednesday for the covered markets. The NWS Jackson forecast discussion lists no Mississippi watches or warnings for its forecast area and 0% daytime precipitation probabilities for Greenville, Jackson, Hattiesburg and Meridian.

Greenville/Delta: Sunny — 95° / 68° — 0%.Jackson: Sunny — 92° / 66° — 0%.Hattiesburg: Sunny — 92° / 64° — 0%.Gulfport/Gulf Coast: Sunny — 86° / 72° — 0% daytime rain chance. Meridian: Sunny — 91° / 62° — 0%.Tupelo: Sunny — 91° / 59° — 0%.

The larger weather story comes Friday through the weekend. NWS Jackson says rain chances increase sharply Friday, with the highest probabilities Saturday and Sunday. Forecast rainfall totals of roughly 2–4 inches could provide meaningful relief from ongoing drought conditions; severe weather is not currently expected.

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This news story was covered by Hattiesburg News Staff. Thank you for visiting The Hattiesburg News.