Advertise on podcast: @ISSUE

The eighth, and final, public hearing on redistricting took place Thursday night at the State Capitol. Hear from speakers at the anti-redistricting rally that took place outside the Capitol, and from proponents and opponents of redistricting at the hearing. Then host Wilson Stribling welcomes Republican Lucien Smith and Democrat Brandon Jones to get their takes on the hearings and their predictions on what the legislature may do next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a group of Jackson plaintiffs do not have a right to uncontaminated drinking water, nor to honest information about it from public officials. If that strikes you as strange, you’re not alone. On this episode, host Wilson Stribling interviews Jade Craig, assistant professor at the University of Mississippi School of Law. They discuss common misunderstandings about the concept of rights. Then analysts Lucien Smith and Brandon Jones look at the Jackson water case as well as the broader topic of legal rights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers --the “middlemen” between insurance companies, drug manufacturers, and pharmacies— ultimately determine what you pay for prescription drugs. Critics have called for greater regulation and transparency, but the Mississippi legislature has failed to send legislation to the Governor during recent sessions. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Indianola pharmacist Guy Phillips about the challenges for locally-owned, independent pharmacies. Then analyst Brandon Jones joins Wilson to discuss the PBM issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mississippi’s mail-in voting law was upheld this summer by the U.S. Supreme Court, voting 5-4 to maintain the 5-day window for counting mail-in ballots after Election Day. Meanwhile, President Trump has issued an executive order requiring the Dept. of Homeland Security to compile lists of eligible voters in each state, and calling on the U.S. Postal Service not to deliver ballots cast by people not on those lists. Lower courts have blocked this effort, and now the Supreme Court must decide. Host Wilson Stribling welcomes Professor Matt Steffey of MC School of Law to discuss the constitutional issues at play. Then Republican Lucien Smith and Democrat Brandon Jones join Wilson for a lively roundtable segment on the politics of election law. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mississippi’s cattle producers, like cattle producers nationwide, were caught off-guard by President Trump’s plan to import 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef at below-market prices. Host Wilson Stribling interviews State Senator Andy Berry (R-District 35), who is also executive vice president of the Mississippi Beef Council. Then analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples share bi-partisan concerns about the president’s new strategy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Joint Legislative Committee on Redistricting and Reapportionment has begun its series of eight public meetings across the state, getting comments from citizens before redrawing districts. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Representative Noah Sanford (R-Collins), vice chairman of the Joint Committee. Then analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples discuss the process and agree that public participation can have a real influence on the committee’s work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The artificial intelligence boom is here, with hyperscale data centers in operation and many more under construction across Mississippi. Construction jobs and tax revenues are bringing money into the state, but how are communities dealing with concerns about noise, air pollution, water depletion, and other impacts? Host Wilson Stribling welcomes guest Neil Strebing, a reporter for the Memphis Commercial Appeal who has been following the data center story closely. Then analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones discuss how Mississippi can maximize the benefits while protecting community interests. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could performance-based funding have unintended consequences for Mississippi’s universities? Host Wilson Stribling looks back at last week’s interview with Senate Universities & Colleges Committee chair Sen. Nicole Boyd (R-Oxford). Then Wilson welcomes Rep. Zakiya Summers (D-Jackson) to discuss how new proposals might affect HBCU’s, as well as predominantly white institutions. Analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones then offer their perspectives on the topic, plus take a look ahead at redistricting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can Mississippi’s universities and community colleges better prepare students for tomorrow’s workplace? Legislators are advocating new performance measures not only to gauge educational outcomes, but also to determine institutional funding. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Sen. Nicole Boyd (R-Oxford), chair of the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee. Then analysts Rebekah Stapes and Brandon Jones discuss the prospects for major reforms during an election year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week the legislature met in special session to pass sweeping youth court system reforms. Host Wilson Stribling welcomes Jamie McBride, longtime adjunct professor at MC School of Law, to discuss key elements of the new legislation. Then analysts Brandon Jones and Clifton Carroll join Wilson to offer their viewpoints not only on the new reforms, but also on how the special session was conducted. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mississippi’s Youth Courts were thrown into crisis on July 1 when key legislation expired. Now two hotly contested lawsuits are underway, and a special session may be the only solution. Madison County Youth Court prosecutor Lindsey Herr joins host Wilson Stribling to discuss what’s transpired. Then, roundtable analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples break down what this means for Mississippi’s youth and families. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New laws passed during the spring legislative session went into effect on July 1. Host Wilson Stribling speaks with Clarion-Ledger legislative reporter Bea Anhuci and analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones, discussing how these new laws will affect you and what they say about Mississippi's priorities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Neshoba County Fair brought together political candidates, elected officials, and hundreds of fairgoers last week for one of Mississippi's great traditions. On this week's @ISSUE, host Wilson Stribling brings you highlights from the speeches, followed by expert analysis from Republican Rebekah Staples and Democrat Brandon Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mississippi's student population is shrinking. Some districts are struggling both academically and financially. Is school district consolidation the answer? Host Desare Frazier speaks with Rep. Rob Roberson (R-Starkville), chair of the House Select Committee on School Consolidation. We also hear from Nancy Loome, executive director of the Parents' Campaign. Then, analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples discuss the prospects for consolidation during an election year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rural Health Transformation Program will bring more than $200 million to Mississippi in 2026, and as much as $1 billion over five years. But how will this money be used, and who will make the decisions? @ISSUE reports on the joint Senate-House hearing held last week. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Sen. Hob Bryan (D-Amory), chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. Then, analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones join Wilson to discuss the launch of the new federal program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.