The week in Mississippi, from The Mississippi Wire. [link removed]

TheMISSISSIPPI WIRE
Latest News, Greatest State


Wednesday, September 2, 2026 A Publication of the
Mississippi Center for Public Policy MississippiWire.News

NATIONAL
SNAP water-bill payment resolution fails ([link removed])
A proposal by a Mississippi Public Service Commissioner to let SNAP/EBT recipients pay water bills directly with their food-assistance benefits died Tuesday when no other commissioner would second it.
Continue reading → ([link removed])
DeSoto County lawmakers question cost, fairness and need for new maps at redistricting hearing ([link removed])
Three DeSoto County-area legislators used a state redistricting hearing in Southaven to challenge the cost of past map fights, the fairness of the county’s judicial voting districts, and whether Mississippi needs to redraw its maps at all.
Read → ([link removed])
PERS board certifies $15,433 in delinquent contributions from Town of Chula ([link removed])
The Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System board voted Aug. 27 to certify additional delinquent contributions from the town of Chula, including money withheld from employees' paychecks but never turned over to the pension system.
Read → ([link removed])
Road-paving contract needs review - says local supervisor ([link removed])
Read → ([link removed])
Explore Mississippi In Depth
Tax Dollars → See how Mississippi spends every dollar you send to Jackson. ([link removed]) Schools → How does your local school really measure up? ([link removed]) Mississippi Wins → The wins putting Mississippi ahead of the pack. ([link removed]) Energy → What's really driving the cost of your energy. ([link removed])


Around Mississippi
Hernando Officials Signal Hiring Freeze for Coming Budget Year ([link removed])
HERNANDO — A Hernando official told the Board of Aldermen the city should add no new employee positions in the next fiscal year, following data on recent payroll growth.
Hernando Mayor Warns of Staff Losses Without 3% Raise ([link removed])
HERNANDO — Hernando's mayor told the Board of Aldermen the city could lose more police officers and firefighters without a pay increase this year.
Natchez Mayor Denies Report of Nearly $1 Million in Bounced City Checks ([link removed])
NATCHEZ — The mayor called claims that Natchez bounced roughly $1 million in checks "an absolute fabrication" at the Aug. 26 board of aldermen meeting.
Ocean Springs alderman backs lowering short-term rental permit caps ([link removed])
OCEAN SPRINGS — An Ocean Springs alderman said Aug. 29 he will support reducing the city's short-term rental permit caps, citing opposition from residents in his ward.
Natchez Alderwoman Warns Proposed Budget Could Leave $500,000 Deficit ([link removed])
NATCHEZ — A Natchez alderwoman cautioned that the city's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget could leave a six-figure shortfall the following year, as the Board of Aldermen reviewed a third draft during a special call meeting last week.
Action Against Nuisance Neighbors - Starkville Aldermen ([link removed])
STARKVILLE —
Starkville budgets $442,276 for raises and approves four new police positions ([link removed])
STARKVILLE — Starkville aldermen set aside $442,276 for general-fund employee raises in fiscal year 2027 and approved four new police department positions at a special call budget meeting on Aug. 26.
Flock-type Camera System for Starkville Approved ([link removed])
STARKVILLE — Starkville Board Approves $275,000 for New Police Camera System
Greenwood Leflore school board reviews new high school construction contract ([link removed])
GREENWOOD — New school takes shape in Delta town
New Youth Court Law Under Fire Locally ([link removed])
GREENVILLE —
Schools
Mississippi Teachers Get $748 Each for Classroom Supplies, Delivered by Digital Wallet ([link removed])
State Education Enhancement Funds reach districts Wednesday. For the first time the money moves through ClassWallet, a digital platform that tracks spending and collects receipts automatically.
Read → ([link removed])
National
Tariffs cost Americans $200 billion a year, add $147 to school supplies ([link removed])
Tariffs will cost Americans about $200 billion per year, according to the National Taxpayers Union, and school supplies aren’t exempt from the heightened costs
Read → ([link removed])
Ocean Springs board goes into closed session over open meetings and records complaints ([link removed])
The Board of Aldermen voted Tuesday night to remain in executive session while discussing litigation that includes a formal open meetings complaint and a public records complaint filed against the city.
Read → ([link removed])
Contract addendums add to cost of clear up - MDOT ([link removed])
Read → ([link removed])
Opinion
They wrote Mississippi off. Today we're thriving. ([link removed])
$79 billion invested since 2020. xAI, Amazon and Aluminum Dynamics chose Mississippi over anywhere on earth. What changed was never the soil — it was the rules we chose to live by.
Read → ([link removed])
Get the Saturday email
Over 80,000 Mississippians get our Saturday email — one of the largest distribution lists in the state. Join them.
Subscribe ([link removed])
The Mississippi Wire
A publication of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy
View in browser ([link removed]) · Unsubscribe ([link removed])