In this episode of Mississippi Happenings, co-hosts David Olds and Jim Newman break down the latest developments from the Mississippi Legislature following the January 31, 2026 session. The conversation covers major policy debates, legislative priorities, and behind-the-scenes dynamics shaping the 2026 lawmaking season.

Topics include infrastructure and public services, education policy, economic and workforce issues, and the political context influencing decision-making at the Capitol. Drawing on experience and regional insight, the hosts explain what these legislative actions mean for Mississippi residents and what to watch as the session moves forward.

This episode provides clear analysis, practical context, and informed commentary for anyone looking to understand Mississippi politics beyond the headlines.

00:00 – Introduction & Winter Weather Check
Hosts David Olds and Jim Newman open the show and discuss recent weather impacts across Mississippi.

04:30 – Overview of the Legislative Session
Setting the stage for the January 31, 2026 legislative review and key themes emerging at the Capitol.

11:15 – Major Bills & Policy Priorities
Discussion of prominent legislation under consideration and the political motivations behind them.

22:40 – Infrastructure, Utilities & Local Impacts
How legislative decisions affect counties, rural areas, and statewide services.

32:10 – Education & Workforce Issues
Debate over education policy, workforce development, and long-term economic implications.

43:25 – Political Dynamics & Party Strategy
Insight into alliances, disagreements, and the broader political landscape in Mississippi.

In this episode of Mississippi Happenings, hosts David Olds and Jim Newman sit down with State Representative Becky Currie, Chairwoman of the Mississippi House Corrections Committee, to discuss the urgent challenges facing healthcare in Mississippi’s prison system. From overcrowding and medical access to funding and accountability, Representative Currie offers a candid look at the realities inside state correctional facilities and the reforms needed to ensure both safety and dignity for all Mississippians.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Mississippi Prisons
01:50 Becky Curry's Journey into Corrections
08:08 Healthcare Challenges in Mississippi Prisons
16:23 The Role of VitalCore in Prison Healthcare
24:10 Mental Health Facilities and Their Impact
26:30 Addressing Rape Kit Issues in Mississippi
30:13 Controversies in Law Enforcement and Corrections
33:19 Expanding Medicaid in Mississippi
34:34 The Importance of Rural Hospitals
37:38 Medicaid Expansion and Federal Funding
40:30 School Choice and Education Reform

In this episode of Mississippi Happenings, hosts David Olds and Jim Newman engage with Kathleen O'Beirne to discuss the implications of federal policies, particularly HR1, on Mississippi families. They explore the effects of tax policy changes, healthcare challenges, education funding cuts, and food insecurity, emphasizing the need for grassroots activism and community engagement to address these pressing issues.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Family Ties
03:10 Understanding HR1: Trump's Big Beautiful Bill
05:56 Tax Policy Changes and Their Impact on Mississippi Families
08:57 The Effects of Medicaid Cuts
12:08 Inequality and Economic Disparities
12:42 The Misrepresentation of Tax Benefits
14:21 Healthcare Access and Medicaid Expansion
17:25 The Broader Economic Impact of Cuts
20:25 Education Funding and Its Consequences
32:23 Impact of Disruption on Families
35:15 Food Insecurity and Its Consequences
37:30 Short-Sighted Policies and Their Effects
37:51 Disdain for Vulnerable Populations
37:57 Religion and Politics: A Complex Relationship
38:39 Government Shutdown: Potential Consequences
42:07 Economic Impact on Farmers
43:53 The Ripple Effect of Policy Changes
45:40 Awakening of the Mississippi Voter
46:53 Using Social Media for Advocacy
52:02 The Importance of Civic Engagement

In this episode of the Mississippi Happenings podcast, hosts David Olds and Jim Newman engage with Senator David Blount to discuss critical issues facing Mississippi, particularly focusing on the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and its funding challenges. Senator Blount explains the current state of PERS, the implications of recent legislative decisions, and the potential impact on public employees and education funding. The conversation highlights the need for a sustainable financial strategy for PERS and the importance of education in the state budget.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mississippi Happenings Podcast
01:27 Understanding PERS: The Employee Retirement Fund
10:24 Challenges Facing the Retirement System
18:36 Education: The Top Priority for the Upcoming Session

Read the NPR Article Here: https://www.npr.org/2025/10/18/nx-s1-5577941/adm-alvin-holsey-who-was-overseeing-the-venezuelan-boat-strikes-steps-down

In this episode, the hosts discuss the recent military actions taken by the U.S. off the coast of Venezuela, exploring the legal, ethical, and political implications of these operations. They delve into the command structure of military operations, the role of intelligence in decision-making, and the potential consequences of using military force for law enforcement purposes. The conversation also touches on the importance of international law, the role of Congress in overseeing military actions, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy in a changing global landscape. The episode concludes with a discussion on the rise of authoritarianism and its impact on democracy, along with recommendations for further reading on these critical issues.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Military Actions in Venezuela
06:23 Understanding Military Command Structure
09:20 Legalities of Military Engagement
11:49 The Role of Coast Guard in Drug Interdiction
14:52 Concerns Over Use of Military Force
17:49 Intelligence and Lawfulness of Orders
20:36 Political Implications of Military Actions
23:33 Congressional Authority and Military Force
26:32 Cost-Effectiveness of Military Actions
29:23 Designating Organizations as Terrorists
32:22 Impact on Venezuelan Politics
35:11 International Law and Human Rights
38:17 China's Actions in the South China Sea
40:12 Conflict in the South China Sea
42:23 Taiwan's Strategic Importance
44:23 Global Autocracy and International Relations
46:49 America's Global Standing
48:15 Trust and Alliances in a Changing World
50:33 The Role of International Institutions
53:06 The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
55:41 The Rise of Authoritarianism in the U.S.
01:02:07 Recommended Readings on Democracy and Autocracy

In this episode, David Olds and Jim Newman discuss the implications of HR1, the 'Big Beautiful Bill', with guest Kathleen O'Beirne. They explore how the bill affects tax policies, Medicaid cuts, and the overall economic landscape in Mississippi. Kathleen emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism and community engagement in addressing these issues, highlighting the detrimental effects of inequality and the need for healthcare access. The conversation also touches on education funding challenges and the necessity for Mississippians to speak up and take action against policies that harm their communities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Family Ties
02:57 Understanding HR1: Trump's Big Beautiful Bill
05:43 Tax Policy Changes and Their Impact on Mississippi Families
08:44 The Effects of Medicaid Cuts
11:56 Inequality and Economic Disparities
14:42 The Misrepresentation of Tax Benefits
17:30 Healthcare Access and Medicaid Expansion
20:34 The Broader Economic Impact of Cuts
23:34 Education Funding and Its Consequences
35:32 Impact of Disruption on Families
38:25 Food Insecurity and Its Consequences
41:14 Short-Sighted Policies and Their Effects
41:35 Disdain for Vulnerable Populations
45:57 Religion and Politics: A Complex Relationship
46:49 Government Shutdown: Potential Consequences
50:17 Economic Impact on Farmers
52:03 The Ripple Effect of Policy Changes
53:50 Awakening of the Mississippi Voter
55:03 Using Social Media for Advocacy
01:00:12 The Importance of Civic Engagement

In this episode of the Mississippi Happenings podcast, hosts David Olds and Jim Newman discuss the critical issues surrounding public education in Mississippi with guest Nancy Loome, executive director of the Mississippi Parents Campaign. The conversation covers the ongoing debate about the allocation of public funds to private schools, the legal challenges faced by public education advocates, and the importance of community support for public schools. Loome emphasizes the need for accountability in education funding, the impact of recent legislation, and the successes of Mississippi's public schools. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with their legislators and support public education initiatives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mississippi Happenings Podcast
01:41 Public Education in Mississippi: An Overview
02:18 The Debate on Public Funds for Private Schools
07:45 Legal Challenges and Accountability in Education Funding
12:46 Public Hearings and Legislative Transparency
17:44 The Children's Promise Act and Its Implications
25:59 Vaccination Policies in Private vs. Public Schools
29:21 Legislative Resistance to School Vouchers
32:21 Federal Tax Credit Voucher Program
40:19 Progress in Mississippi Public Education
44:26 Challenges in Rural Education Funding
51:50 Concerns Over Homeschooling Legislation
57:24 Community Support for Public Education

In this episode, hosts David Olds and Jim Newman engage with retired military officials Jamie Barnett and Major General Andy Turley to discuss the recent U.S. military actions off the coast of Venezuela. The conversation delves into the command structure of military operations, the legalities surrounding the use of force for law enforcement purposes, and the political motivations behind these actions. The discussion also touches on the implications for international relations, the perception of the U.S. on the global stage, and the importance of congressional oversight in military decisions. The episode concludes with recommendations for further reading on the themes of democracy and authoritarianism.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Military Actions in Venezuela
00:54 Understanding Military Command Structure
03:51 Legalities of Military Engagement
06:19 The Role of Coast Guard in Drug Interdiction
09:22 Concerns Over Use of Military Force
12:19 Intelligence and Lawfulness of Orders
15:07 Political Implications of Military Actions
18:04 Congressional Authority and Military Force
21:03 Cost-Effectiveness of Military Actions
23:54 Designating Organizations as Terrorists
26:53 Impact on Venezuelan Politics
29:41 International Law and Human Rights
32:48 China's Actions in the South China Sea
34:43 Conflict in the South China Sea
36:53 Taiwan's Strategic Importance
38:54 Global Autocracy and International Relations
41:20 America's Global Standing
42:45 Trust and Alliances in a Changing World
45:04 The Role of International Institutions
47:37 The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
50:12 The Rise of Authoritarianism in the U.S.
56:37 Recommended Readings on Democracy and Autocracy