Episodes

  • @ISSUE • Politickin' at the Neshoba County Fair

    @ISSUE • Politickin' at the Neshoba County Fair
    Jun 29 2026
    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.
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    31 mins
  • @ISSUE • School District Consolidation

    @ISSUE • School District Consolidation
    Jun 15 2026
    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.
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    29 mins
  • @ISSUE • The Rural Health Transformation Program in Mississippi

    @ISSUE • The Rural Health Transformation Program in Mississippi
    Jun 8 2026
    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.
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    29 mins
  • @ISSUE • Interview with Jackson Mayor John Horhn

    @ISSUE • Interview with Jackson Mayor John Horhn
    Jun 1 2026
    Jackson Mayor John Horhn sits down with host Wilson Stribling to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Mississippi's capitol city. Mayor Horhn talks about improved relations between city and state, public safety initiatives, infrastructure improvements, the water controversy, control of the airport, and more. Then analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples join Wilson to look at the work Horhn is doing, in a role some call the toughest job in Mississippi.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 mins
  • @ISSUE • Redistricting is ahead...but not just yet.

    @ISSUE • Redistricting is ahead...but not just yet.
    May 18 2026
    Congressional, judicial, and legislative redistricting are all on the table, but when? Governor Reeves has cancelled the special legislative session, but still promises to redistrict Congressman Bennie Thompson out of office. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court's recent Callais decision impacts state supreme court redistricting as well as recently redrawn state legislative maps. Analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples join host Wilson Stribling to untangle the latest court decisions and predict political strategies.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 mins
  • @ISSUE • Will Mississippi join other states in redrawing congressional districts?

    @ISSUE • Will Mississippi join other states in redrawing congressional districts?
    May 11 2026
    In the wake of the Supreme Court's recent decision affecting the Voting Rights Act, Republican-led states across the South are redrawing Congressional districts. Will Mississippi do the same in the upcoming special session? Analysts Brandon Jones and Lucien Smith join host Wilson Stribling for an in-depth discussion.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 mins
  • @ISSUE • The U.S. Supreme Court's Calais decision reinterprets the 1965 Voting Rights Act. What will the impact be for Mississippi?

    @ISSUE • The U.S. Supreme Court's Calais decision reinterprets the 1965 Voting Rights Act. What will the impact be for Mississippi?
    May 4 2026
    Last week the United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Louisiana's newly drawn congressional district should not have used race as a factor. Does the 1965 Voting Rights Act remain "substantially intact," as Republican Lucien Smith claims? Or has it been "nullified with the stroke of a pen," as Democrat Brandon Jones laments? Brandon and Lucien join host Wilson Stribling to discuss this momentous decision and its impact on Mississippi.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 mins
  • @ISSUE • Mississippi’s Shield Act: Protecting election integrity or disenfranchising voters?

    @ISSUE • Mississippi’s Shield Act: Protecting election integrity or disenfranchising voters?
    Apr 27 2026
    Will the new Shield Act prevent non-citizens from voting in Mississippi elections? Or will it disenfranchise legal voters? Host Wilson Stribling interviews Senate Elections Committee chairman Jeremy England (R-Van Cleave) and University of Mississippi professor Marvin King for contrasting perspectives. Then Wilson welcomes Republican Lucien Smith and Democrat Brandon Jones for a spirited roundtable debate.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 mins