Jackson, Miss. (MIssissippi Today) –

If you were an artist commissioned to draw a mural representing your hometown, what would it look like?

The secretary of state’s office posed that prompt to classrooms around the state as part of a contest to engage children with the electoral process and spark Mississippi pride through creative expression.

Today 47 winning pieces were unveiled at a gallery in Jackson State University’s Capitol Street building. The winners were among thousands of submissions for the “Promote the Vote” contest.

“We asked them to view your city and how you want it look in the future: what do you perceive Mississippi to be?” said Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. “I always believed that most of the decisions about the future are made at the kitchen table.”

Hosemann said he traveled around the state, telling students, “Ask your mama who she’s voting for. Ask your daddy who he’s voting for. And make sure they go vote. And then discuss with them, if you don’t agree with them, tell them why.

“I think that political discourse is lacking a lot in the country. I thought the earlier we’d started the better off we’d be as a country. These young people will probably never vote for me. But they’ll vote for somebody, and that’s important.”

The exhibit, which will run at 101 W. Capitol Street until the end of May, features art from K-12 students around the state. The contest also included an essay for students to propose business ideas for their hometowns.

“By displaying this art in galleries it shows that you have a voice in this state and this society, and you matter as a person,” said Brandi Knott, a senior graphic design student at JSU. “We need our young folk to understand that we appreciate them and we want them to incorporate their interests and hobbies into the artistic field so they will know there’s a future for them in something they love to do.”

This year marked the first in the program’s 22-year history that the secretary of state partnered with JSU and Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s education arm. MPB hosted mock elections during last year’s U.S. Congressional races, and awarded prizes to Pearl Upper Elementary and Carthage Christian Academy for “Best Mock Election Precinct”.

“I applaud the secretary of state’s office for organizing this effort with schools emphasizing the importance of voting,” said Ronnie Agnew, MPB Executive Director. “Reaching our children while they are still children will yield results in the future. Through this program, I hope that all of the participating partners have gotten the message across to our kids that voting is a right that we simply must exercise.”

The 2019 edition of the program will include mock elections for the Governor’s race.

The individual prizes included $100 for first place, $75 for second, $50 for third, as well as free entry to the Mississippi Museum of History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Teachers also received $50 per entry to support their classroom.

“Promote the Vote” began in 1996 under then Secretary of State Eric Clark. This year, more than 320 schools and about 70,000 students participated.

“The arts are critical to understanding human behavior,” said Roosevelt Shelton, Interim Dean of JSU’s College of Public Service. “The arts are modes of communication. It allows every individual, every human being to express themselves. It’s critical to allow those who may not be as verbally articulate a mode of that expression. To unveil that mode of expression to children and adults is critical because ultimately what we want to do is empower the franchise. There is no more noble aim. And we’re not talking politics we’re talking civic responsibility.”

Original Story

Jackson, Miss. (DeSoto Times-Tribune) – 

In an effort to get the Mississippi Legislature’s attention, community college presidents, faculty, and students reminded everyone at a Capitol building press conference that community/junior colleges provide a vast array of educational and economic opportunities for everyone. Additionally, two-year colleges provide a healthy return on every dollar spent on the nation’s oldest community college system. MACJC Legislative Co-Chair and Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith encouraged legislators to “face the facts.”

“For every dollar invested in the community college system, the return on the investment is $4.86.  That’s a worthwhile investment if you’re just talking about an investment but what about the people?” asked Smith.   

Long lists of facts were shared. For instance, Mississippi ranks fourth in the nation in the percentage of students who transfer from community colleges to four-year universities, beating the national average by eight percent. In 2017, community/junior college students earned 20,432 degrees, certificates and awards which is a 42 percent increase over 2011. Regarding economic development, community colleges served 551 companies with workforce training.  

“Folks, we have to pay the bill,” said MACJC President and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College President, Dr. Mary Graham. “It’s time Mississippi legislators get some help for our community/junior colleges. People continue to pat community colleges on the back, saying ‘you’re doing a great job,’ but continuous pats on the back without financial support begin to feel like kicks in the teeth.”

Northwest Mississippi Community College Student Government Association President Adam Conner of Southaven has experienced similar disappointment when he had to quit college the first time he took classes at Northwest because of difficulties in chemistry. When he tried to return a year later, he learned he was not eligible for the Pell Grant. Conner didn’t feel financially apt as an 18-year-old to take out a loan, so he waited until he turned 24 to be eligible for aid as an independent student. 

“A quality education provides an array of benefits but there are many barriers to success. Rising tuition, time, and financial aid restrictions keep countless Mississippians from accessing higher education,” he explained. “Every Mississippian is entitled to opportunities for educational and professional growth.”

Without more support for community colleges, Dr. Jim Haffey is concerned more people will be dependent on the state. The MACJC legislative co-chair and Holmes Community College president shared his mother’s story. She earned her nursing degree at Hinds Community College after 20 years of raising kids and being a housewife. He calculated a 1,600 percent return on the states’ investment in her education from the state taxes she paid over the 26 years she worked at a rural county hospital. Haffey is challenging legislators to provide support so anyone who wants an education can be served.

“There are hundreds of Mississippians who do not get a chance to enroll at an allied health program every year because we have limitations on our space. We stand poised to help hundreds, but we cannot open or expand new programs without a strong commitment from the state. Two years ago, the community colleges were cut 11 percent while the state made other areas a priority. I’m asking the legislature to restore those cuts immediately and invest in a proven economic development entity—the Mississippi community colleges.”

Dr. Andrea Mayfield, executive director of the Mississippi Community College Board, added community colleges are the best value for the taxpayers and individuals seeking an education. 

“The community college system does it all while offering affordable college tuition, and with every experience you can find at a university. But, you can also (earn a degree) and begin work without a large debt. The community college’s purpose is to put people to work and it’s the best value to Mississippi’s economy.”

Longtime community college supporter and Secretary of State, Delbert Hosemann urged community college leaders to continue to share their “good value” message because two-year colleges make a difference.  While visiting schools across the state, Hosemann said he has met first-generation college graduates and problem solvers thanks to community colleges.

“The first autistic child was diagnosed in 1947 in Mississippi,” Hosemann said. “It’s a growing problem but what are we going to do? How are we going to educate teachers who haven’t been faced with the challenges of teaching an autistic child? We went to the community colleges and they devised a program and it’s taught at Holmes.”

While the successes of community colleges are abundant, administrators are faced with the challenge of funding a system that continually lacks support from legislators. For every dollar spent on education only seven cents go to community colleges, while 18 cents go to colleges and universities and 75 cents fund kindergarten through 12th grade. Community college leaders are asking for legislators to spend a dime of every dollar to educate the 100,000 students and the additional 70,024 individuals seeking skilled training.  

“We are not just another group of people who want more money,” said Meridian Community College Associate Degree Nursing Instructor, Dr. Holly Crane. “We, the community colleges are the catalyst that grows this economy and we are simply asking our legislators, our leaders, to invest in us like we invest in our students.”  

Original Story

Natchez, Miss. (Delta Business Journal) –

In an effort to get the Mississippi Legislature’s attention, community college presidents, faculty, and students reminded everyone at a Capitol building press conference that community/junior colleges provide a vast array of educational and economic opportunities for everyone. Additionally, two-year colleges provide a healthy return on every dollar spent on the nation’s oldest community college system. MACJC Legislative Co-Chair and Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith encouraged legislators to “face the facts.”

“For every dollar invested in the community college system, the return on the investment is $4.86.  That’s a worthwhile investment if you’re just talking about an investment but what about the people?” asked Smith.   

Long lists of facts were shared. For instance, Mississippi ranks fourth in the nation in the percentage of students who transfer from community colleges to four-year universities, beating the national average by eight percent. In 2017, community/junior college students earned 20,432 degrees, certificates and awards which is a 42 percent increase over 2011. Regarding economic development, community colleges served 551 companies with workforce training.  

“Folks, we have to pay the bill,” said MACJC President and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College President, Dr. Mary Graham. “It’s time Mississippi legislators get some help for our community/junior colleges. People continue to pat community colleges on the back, saying ‘you’re doing a great job,’ but continuous pats on the back without financial support begin to feel like kicks in the teeth.”

Northwest Mississippi Community College Student Government Association President Adam Conner of Southaven has experienced similar disappointment when he had to quit college the first time he took classes at Northwest because of difficulties in chemistry. When he tried to return a year later, he learned he was not eligible for the Pell Grant. Conner didn’t feel financially apt as an 18-year-old to take out a loan, so he waited until he turned 24 to be eligible for aid as an independent student. 

“A quality education provides an array of benefits but there are many barriers to success. Rising tuition, time, and financial aid restrictions keep countless Mississippians from accessing higher education,” he explained. “Every Mississippian is entitled to opportunities for educational and professional growth.”

Without more support for community colleges, Dr. Jim Haffey is concerned more people will be dependent on the state. The MACJC legislative co-chair and Holmes Community College president shared his mother’s story. She earned her nursing degree at Hinds Community College after 20 years of raising kids and being a housewife. He calculated a 1,600 percent return on the states’ investment in her education from the state taxes she paid over the 26 years she worked at a rural county hospital. Haffey is challenging legislators to provide support so anyone who wants an education can be served.

“There are hundreds of Mississippians who do not get a chance to enroll at an allied health program every year because we have limitations on our space. We stand poised to help hundreds, but we cannot open or expand new programs without a strong commitment from the state. Two years ago, the community colleges were cut 11 percent while the state made other areas a priority. I’m asking the legislature to restore those cuts immediately and invest in a proven economic development entity—the Mississippi community colleges.”

Dr. Andrea Mayfield, executive director of the Mississippi Community College Board, added community colleges are the best value for the taxpayers and individuals seeking an education. 

“The community college system does it all while offering affordable college tuition, and with every experience you can find at a university. But, you can also (earn a degree) and begin work without a large debt. The community college’s purpose is to put people to work and it’s the best value to Mississippi’s economy.”

Longtime community college supporter and Secretary of State, Delbert Hosemann urged community college leaders to continue to share their “good value” message because two-year colleges make a difference.  While visiting schools across the state, Hosemann said he has met first-generation college graduates and problem solvers thanks to community colleges.

“The first autistic child was diagnosed in 1947 in Mississippi,” Hosemann said. “It’s a growing problem but what are we going to do? How are we going to educate teachers who haven’t been faced with the challenges of teaching an autistic child? We went to the community colleges and they devised a program and it’s taught at Holmes.”

While the successes of community colleges are abundant, administrators are faced with the challenge of funding a system that continually lacks support from legislators. For every dollar spent on education only seven cents go to community colleges, while 18 cents go to colleges and universities and 75 cents fund kindergarten through 12th grade. Community college leaders are asking for legislators to spend a dime of every dollar to educate the 100,000 students and the additional 70,024 individuals seeking skilled training.  

“We are not just another group of people who want more money,” said Meridian Community College Associate Degree Nursing Instructor, Dr. Holly Crane. “We, the community colleges are the catalyst that grows this economy and we are simply asking our legislators, our leaders, to invest in us like we invest in our students.”  

Original Story

Gulfport, Miss. (WAPT) –

Drone technology is taking off in Mississippi and drones are showing up everywhere.

Some think of drones as toys, or maybe as a hobby, but the technology is becoming a workhorse for several industries. For Mississippians who are taking advantage of being on the cutting-edge technology, the sky is the limit.

Hinds Community College has offered the Unmanned Aerial Systems Program for the past seven years.

“(There’s) no syllabus, no road map to follow when we started this,” HCC instructor Dennis Lott said. “When we started this, there were only about two or three community colleges in the nation that (offered drone classes). We were the only one in the southeast.”Play VideoPlayMuteLoaded: 0%Progress: 0%-1:04CaptionsFullscreen

A lab at the John Bell Williams Airport in Raymond is where the future drone pilots begin to earn their wings. The training begins with computer flight simulators, which allow students to put their hands on the controls and fly around a virtual environment. They also learn the ins and outs of drones, so they can build their own.

Students learn several ways to master the controls.

“The best part is the knowledge. You can’t find it anywhere else. You can get it right here at Hinds, and I just love it,” student Jonathan Braud said.

The students learn about working as a team with a pilot and a spotter.

The students who complete the course will graduate with an associate’s degree, along with industry and FAA certifications. They will be ready for jobs that are expected to grow in the state in the fields of construction, mapping, land surveying, media, commercial real estate and in one of Mississippi’s largest industries — agriculture.Play VideoPlayMuteLoaded: 0%Progress: 0%-0:32CaptionsFullscreen

“The farm community is finally beginning to understand the benefit and efficiencies and cost-savings that these aircrafts bring,” Lott said.

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said the possibilities with drone technology are limited only by one’s imagination.

“It is the wave of the future, and Mississippi is uniquely positioned for this,” Hosemann said.

Hosemann’s office is using drones to survey some of the state’s barrier islands off the Gulf Coast. Cat Island was purchased after the BP oil spill and there is some work that’s needed to refresh the island.Play VideoPlayMuteLoaded: 0%Progress: 0%-0:53Fullscreen

“It was gradually being worn away by waves and whatnot and by hurricanes,” Hosemann said. “They actually pumped 250 feet of sand, so we watched with drone footage (and) exactly where the sand was being placed. We had to monitor that as it went in, and they put in over 2 miles of sand, 250 feet wide on that island. Now it’s renourished as it was, really, when we first started with the Spanish back in the 1500s.”

From protecting ecosystems to protecting and serving citizens, even the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is using drones, most recently to survey the damage from February’s storms in north Mississippi.

Drones are also a new tool in law enforcement’s arsenal.Play VideoPlayMuteLoaded: 0%Progress: 0%-3:40Fullscreen

“We’re looking for missing people in the woods, elderly people who have walked off. Mental patients that may not be able to find their way home,” said Deputy Tyson Burleson, with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office.

They also hunt for bad guys and help other police agencies across the state.

“We’ve been to Simpson County, Scott County, Yazoo County — we’ve been all over the local area,” Burleson said.

Deputy Chris Mackey started the RCSO drone unit.

“It goes up the chain of command and the sheriff makes the final call on if we can go fly or not,” Mackey said. “So, when it comes to using it for nefarious purposes, or things like that, we don’t turn a motor unless the sheriff says it’s OK.”

Across many different job sectors, drone technology is being researched, tested and applied in Mississippi, with the possibility of many jobs and business opportunities on the horizon in the coming years.

“There weren’t drones when I was growing up, of course, and their uses are unlimited,” Hosemann said. “I want us to be the incubator for that thought process.”

Original Story

Ocean Springs, Miss. (WXXV) –

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann visited the Coast this evening in Ocean Springs and Pascagoula.

Hosemann is running for lieutenant governor in this upcoming election. He is currently in his third term as secretary of state.

Hosemann tells News 25 since he announced he was running for the position, the support of the Gulf Coast has been amazing. “I don’t know if there is anybody else in the state government that knows the Gulf Coast like I do. We bought Cat Island. We raised millions of dollars from our tidelands. We’ll do ten million dollars this year. I grew up going to St. Stanislaus. This will be a lot like the Coast getting a lieutenant governor I think.”

The filing deadline for this upcoming election is March 1^st.

Original Story

Pascagoula, Miss. (GulfLive.com) –

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann spoke Thursday at the Mississippi Maritime Museum general membership meeting.

His message: the preservation the the maritime industry bodes well for keeping homegrown products in the state and Mississippi Gulf Coast.

”I fully support the efforts of this community-based board to create this museum,” said Hosemann. ” We’ve been building ships in Jackson County for 300 years and the sea-going tradition here is stronger than ever today. We really must make every effort to preserve our history here in Mississippi.”

Museum board president Perry Thompson and fund raising chairman Robert Hardy brought those in attendance up to date on the museum’s developmental progress.

Over $600,000 has already been raised, with the probability of incoming grants and state funding bringing an expectation of the facility to reality in the next couple of years.

Thompson also stated the Marine Activities Center is already well-used and has been the site of an ongoing maritime history lecture series.

Those interested in assisting in the fundraising efforts of the museum can visit the Get On Board site for more information.

Original Story

Jackson, Miss. (Northside Sun) –

The Columbus tornadoes last weekend are a reminder that Mississippi has the highest per capita deaths from tornadoes of any state in the country at 132 per million. Our prayers are extended to the family of Ashley Pounds who lost her life. We pray the church that was destroyed will rebuild quickly. At least Mississippi doesn’t suffer from raging forest fires or earthquakes.

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, went to Columbus to help. What he saw there is a reminder of the great spirit of the people in Mississippi, especially in the face of tragedy. Speaking to the Stennis Press Forum at the Capital Club in downtown Jackson, Hosemann said, “It was a miracle there wasn’t more loss of life. People came from everywhere. And I’ve seen it time after time. People pulled up in this neighborhood and starting hauling logs off, picking up stuff, putting tarps on roofs and there was no relation to race, color, creed or national origin, economic status. None of that mattered. They would just pull up and get out with a pair of gloves and went to work. Every neighborhood was that way. It reminds me of Mississippi just being a giant neighborhood. When you really get down to it, that’s what we are. The government will do its part, MEMA (the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency) will do its part, but in the end, most of the heavy lifting, literally, is done by our fellow citizens. And every time I see this it’s a reminder that I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but right here.”

Compared to other states, Mississippi does not have as much material abundance, but we should remind ourselves that our spiritual abundance is great. Mississippi is the most spiritual state in the union with the highest church attendance and the greatest percentage of believers. Despite our state’s relative lack of wealth, Mississippians give more per capita than all the other states. The poorest state is the most generous. Think on that for a moment. Also ponder this question: What is more important, material abundance or spiritual abundance?

Hosemann is correct. It’s a great blessing to live in Mississippi.

Original Story

Jackson, Miss. (Y’all Politics) –

This week, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann discussed work his office is currently doing on redistricting projects at the Stennis Luncheon. He was also asked what his platform consists of in his run for Lt. Governor in the 2019 election cycle

“An educated workforce,” said Hosemann. “That’s where it’s going to be.”

Hosemann said in order for the state to move forward changes must be made for young people in what happens after high school. He said the practice of handing a high school graduate a diploma and asking them “now what do you want to do” has to end.

Hosemann said embedding community colleges in local high schools will help provide those students with the direction they need to embark on a career focused future to obtain the skills needed to begin those jobs.

Currently, there is a 55% labor participation rate in the state. Hosemann said his goal is to increase that by a percent a year. The national average is 63 percent.

Keeping in step with his education platform, Hosemann said while he is not in denial that there are road and bridge needs, he would have another goal if he makes it to the Lt. Governor’s seat.

“We’ve got other needs here, our teachers’ compensation is one of them,” said Hosemann. “If I’m lucky enough to be there I intend to raise teacher pay every year, not just on an election year.”

He was outspoken on his thoughts of the appropriation of the soon-to-be lottery revenue. The Mississippi Legislature appropriated the first $80 million for the next ten years, go straight to state infrastructure, Hosemann said it should have been given to education.

“I was not in favor of giving all the funds on the lottery to infrastructure, I thought it should go to education,” said Hosemann. However, he said, he believes $80 million was the wrong number and it could have been divided more equally.

Hosemann foresees that lawmakers will have an annual expense for infrastructure but should consider which roads are being focused on. He said counties should expect to participate in maintaining their roads and not show up and expect the legislature to pay for them once a year.

“We can’t have people show up when they can’t take of the 398 bridges in their own county and expect you to come up with millions every year to subsidize it,” said Hosemann.

When asked whether or not he would support Medicaid expansion if elected Lt. Governor, Hosemann said, only if the score was balanced.

“I think it needs to be where the state is not out significant amounts of money,” said Hosemann. He said he would like to take the necessary steps to get the cost close to breaking even. “I think we could come up with something that is acceptable and affordable,” said Hosemann.

The Governor chose not to expand Medicaid this year, which was a decision backed by the Division of Medicaid Director Drew Snyder and many Legislators, but not without its share of backlash.

Hosemann faces Democrat Representative Jay Hughes in the race for Lt Governor in 2019.

Original Story

Columbus, Miss. (WCBI) –

People across the area are lending helping hands in the impacted areas in Columbus, truly showing what it means to live in the Friendly City.

“Columbus is just a big neighborhood and we saw hundreds of people showing up carrying logs out of the backyard, helping people move their stuff trying to store their things that haven’t been destroyed and really when you get down to it, the government will do its part, but the faith-based community and their neighbors are what really makes a difference,” says Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann.

People across the Friendly City are working to help clean up and offer support all across tornado scarred areas.

“We’re offering sandwiches, chips, apples, bottled water. Anything to help relieve the people that can’t cook right now.”

“We just wanted to come, you know, be the hands and feet of Christ,” says Ann Robinson.

Passing out food, cooking, or serving it, volunteers are doing all they can to help those impacted.

“Totally devastated over everything, that’s why I felt like I needed to do something and this was the best way to do it,” says Gwendolyn Summerville.

We even caught up with Ward 5 councilman Stephen Jones, helping people affected by the storm.

“This morning, went out door to door trying to pass our breakfast to people that may not have had power and weren’t unable to eat and then now, we’re just out here trying to cut up some trees in some different areas because of course, the city will not go on private property, so we’re just trying to make sure we get some of these trees to the streets, so the city can pick them up .”

Jones along with childhood friends are back where they grew up picking up fallen trees and the pieces.

“I’ve got a lot of friends of mine that I grew up with, they’re all out here volunteering with all this stuff that they have. These are actually friends of mine that grew up in this neighborhood, or that are associated with this neighborhood somehow, and they’ve all come out to help.”

If you’re wanting to volunteer, please contact one of the following for more information.

Donations – Glena Buckhalter, Community Outreach – 662-364-1850

Cleanup-Renae Sanders – 662-570-9095

Original Story

Jackson, Miss. (Chocktaw Plaindealer) –

Sixty-seven of the thousands of K-12 students who participated in 2018 Promote the Vote activities were recognized at the Mississippi Capitol today for high achievement in the arts and writing.

Promote the Vote is Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann’s comprehensive K-12 voter education program.  This year’s program, which included a mock election and art and essay contests, asked students to contemplate how they may “Make a Difference in Mississippi” by voting and otherwise getting involved in their communities. 

The art contest asked students to depict “Colors of My Community” by pretending they were an artist commissioned to draw a mural on a building in their hometown representing the place and people.  The essay contest, called “We Have Business to Do!,” called on entrants to choose one local industry and write an essay on how a business in that industry can provide community support by connecting with or supporting their school by using the Secretary of State’s Y’all Business website, www.yallbusiness.sos.ms.gov.  

Seven artists across the State judged art entries, and nine journalists and professors judged essays.

“These students are our State’s future leaders.  Through Promote the Vote, we’re able to support the people on the ground—our educators—in their mission to teach these students about how critically important it is for them to vote and get involved in their communities,” Secretary Hosemann said. 

For the first time in PTV’s decades-long history, Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s (MPB) Education arm partnered with the Secretary of State’s Office to encourage school, teacher, and student participation.  MPB hosted a mock election precinct contest, and recognized schools and classrooms with festive election décor for their mock election.  Two schools won prizes: Pearl Upper Elementary and Carthage Christian Academy.

“I applaud the Secretary of State’s office for organizing this effort with schools emphasizing the importance of voting,” MPB Executive Director Ronnie Agnew said. “Reaching our children while they are still children will yield results in the future. Through this program, I hope that all of the participating partners have gotten the message across to our kids that voting is a right that we simply must exercise.”

Promote the Vote essay and art contest winners received $100 (First Place), $75 (Second Place), and $50 (Third Place) provided by sponsor banks across the State, and free entry to the Mississippi Museum of History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.  Teachers also received $50 per winning entry to spend in their classrooms.  Additionally, winning art entries will be on display in Jackson State University’s Downtown Gallery, 101 W. Capitol Street, from March 6-May 31.

Free to participating schools, Promote the Vote began in 1996. This year, more than 320 schools and about 70,000 students participated in Promote the Vote activities.  The 2019 Promote the Vote program will kick off in August with a mock election for Governor and art and essay contests.

More information about Promote the Vote is available on the Secretary of State’s web site. A full list of winners is attached to this release, and photos of winners relevant to coverage area will be provided to media outlets.

Original Story