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The lawyer for Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey defended the sheriff’s use of trusties on his family’s chicken farm, saying it was part of an inmate work program authorized by statute. But four trusties who said they worked at the farm were released from the Rankin County Detention Center before 2021, when the only statute governing a work program for jail inmates was passed.

Mississippi Today and The New York Times reported in a joint investigation Thursday that Bailey allegedly used inmates under his supervision to spray weedkiller, cut grass and muck out chicken houses on McLain Farms, owned by Bailey’s mother. Former trusties said they were expected to keep that work secret. 

In a statement released Thursday to a few local news organizations, the lawyer, Jason Dare, acknowledged that trusted inmates, known as trusties, had worked on the farm, but insisted they were always paid “according to statute.” 

“That’s absolutely a lie,” said one of the former trusties who worked on the farm. He maintained he was never paid for that work. 

Dare’s statement makes apparent reference to a section of a 2021 state law that authorized Rankin County to establish a pilot work release program for jail inmates. That law requires participating employers to pay inmates at least the “prevailing wage” for their position. While that statute empowers the department to keep 15% of the inmate’s wages, Dare said the sheriff keeps none. 

Mississippi Today interviewed two former trusties who participated in the work release program, which allows inmates to work at local businesses and deposit their earnings in personal savings accounts. Those former trusties said they used their savings from work release to pay their fines, hire lawyers and save for cars. 

But jail logs show that the four former trusties who told Mississippi Today they worked on the farm were released from the jail before the sheriff’s department established the work release program in 2021. There is no statute covering the payment of jail trusties who do not participate in a work release program.

It is unclear how trusties were paid prior to the work release program. The sheriff’s department did not fulfill a request made early this month for records of any payments made to trusties for their work on or off jail property, for which Mississippi Today paid the department $150.

At least three former trusties said they were never paid for their work on the farm. Those who witnessed some trusties getting paid said the sheriff would pay them in cash – “rolls of twenties,” one specified. Dan Pacholke, a corrections consultant and co-founder of the Sustainability in Prisons Project, raised concerns about transparency in such an arrangement, because cash payments are impossible to track.

Ted Booth, executive director of the Mississippi Joint Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review, said as far as he knew, a list of eight participating employers in his committee’s 2024 report on Rankin County’s work release program was exhaustive. McLain Farms does not appear on that list.

But even if McLain Farms had been on the list, former state Rep. Nick Bain, who voted for the law in 2021 and has since served on the Mississippi Ethics Commission, said it could be unethical for a sheriff’s family business to be a participating employer in such a program. He said that could be a potential violation of the state’s constitution and ethics code, which prohibit public officers from having an interest in any contract with their county of employment while in office.

Bailey did not respond to a request for comment.

Steph Quinn is a Roy Howard Fellow at Mississippi Today.

This story was published with the support of a grant from Columbia University’s Ira A. Lipman Center for Journalism and Civil and Human Rights, in conjunction with Arnold Ventures, a nonprofit research foundation that supports journalism.

The post Statute invoked to defend Rankin sheriff didn’t exist when inmates worked on family farm appeared first on Mississippi Today.

Three new programs are promising to make child care more accessible, helping not only parents and families but also providers and business owners.

Mississippi recently received $30 million from the  Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five. It’s using that money to create ELEVATE: A Quality Support System meant to improve early childhood care and education by supporting child care workers and parents.

The two other programs were developed to help employers understand how much child care issues are costing their businesses, and to take advantage of a tax credit incentive to help their employees meet that need.

ELEVATE is meant to address quality issues in early childhood education by providing resources to child care providers and helping parents make informed decisions about their child care options. “Our goal is to help families and child care providers understand and promote high-quality early learning experiences for our youngest learners,” reads the announcement.

The program has been in development for almost two years. The Mississippi Department of Human Services held town halls across the state to get input from child care providers and parents.

Lesia Daniel-Hollingshead, owner of Funtime Preschool in Clinton, attended one of the town halls and said she is hopeful the program will increase the quality of Mississippi’s child care offerings. She is grateful that providers were given input. 

“Our child care providers are entrusted with our state’s most valuable resource and should have the knowledge and training to provide children the best environment possible to grow and develop,” said Daniel-Hollingshead.

She added that “parent involvement is critical for every child’s education. We need families to value high quality early education so their children are set up for success when they enter kindergarten.”

MDHS plans to implement ELEVATE over the next three years, starting with child care centers that participate in the Child Care Payment Program. Providers will have access to educational resources on improving teaching and curricula. This includes group training, professional development, and more. They can receive up to 12 special badges that display their training in a particular area. 

Jamie Anderson, a mother of two who works at Funtime Preschool, applauds ELEVATE’s concept of ” helping families by ensuring child care providers are well trained in best practices and knowledgeable about what is considered best practices to meet the developmental needs of their children while families are working.”

“Our child care programs work very hard to educate and care for Mississippi’s children, and they are a great resource for Mississippi’s working families,” said Chad Allgood, director of the MSDH’s Division of Early Childhood Care & Development. “They need our support, but more than that, they deserve recognition for what they do. ELEVATE will give them both.”

Early childhood is a crucial period of brain development. Access to quality early childhood education has a significant impact on a child’s future from K-12 and beyond. 

Child care is an economic issue as well. Mississippi Early Learning Alliance released a report last year that showed that 7% of Mississippi’s labor force was not working full time due to family responsibilities, including child care. That 7% would add $8 billion to the state’s GDP. Most of those staying home are women.

Child care costs are a major reason many women stay home. A 2024 childcare market survey from Mississippi State found that depending on several factors, families pay around $100 to $200 a week on child care.

One solution is the Mississippi Business Child Care Tax Credit, a 50% income tax credit to employers who either provide their employees with child care during work hours or provide at least $6,000 in a stipend to a licensed child care provider for their employees. However, a survey from the Mississippi Economic Council found that less than 3% of businesses in Mississippi are taking advantage of it and other child care incentives. 

The Mississippi Early Learning Alliance recently launched two resources to encourage businesses to take advantage of this tax credit. The Economic Impact Calculator allows employers to calculate annual financial losses due to their employee’s problems with child care. The Mississippi Business Child Care Tax Credit and Employee Stipend Resource Guide  informs businesses about the Mississippi Business Child Care Tax Credit.

The Mississippi Economic Council, which helped develop these tools,t said in a statement, “This toolkit/resource guide will greatly help HR departments and CFOs for companies that want to take advantage of this opportunity to offset the high cost of childcare for their employees!”

MELA’s executive director Biz Harris stated in a press release, “These tools give businesses real data on how child care instability affects them and show how they can use an existing tax credit to benefit both their company and their employees.”

The post New programs could increase child care availability in Mississippi appeared first on Mississippi Today.

The federal government has frozen millions of dollars for family planning services for 91 clinics in Mississippi pending an investigation into the nonprofit that receives and disburses the grant.

A March 31 letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cites a 2020 statement made by the nonprofit Converge opposing racism and committing to diversity in health care in the wake of multiple deaths of Black men killed by police and the national outcry. The letter alleges that based on the group’s statement, it “could be in violation” of the terms of the award and parts of the federal civil rights law. 

The statement includes the line: “Race, income, geography and/or identity should not determine whether a patient has access to high quality family planning care.” 

Converge, which beat out the state Health Department for the funding in 2022, received the notification one day before they were set to receive the fourth year of their funding. The nonprofit receives about $4.5 million annually and funds services like screenings for breast and cervical cancer, intimate partner violence, and mental health problems, as well as contraceptive services. 

Title X funding has been in place for over 50 years and provides a range of services related to helping people get pregnant, preventing pregnancy through birth control like long-acting contraception, STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing and counseling and basic infertility services. It’s intended to ensure that every person, regardless of location, income or insurance status, has access to basic preventive reproductive health care.

Rates of unplanned and unintended pregnancies are higher for women in Mississippi than in other Southeastern states, according to a 2018 report from the Center for Mississippi Health Policy. The report specifically cites the importance of timely and inexpensive access to long acting reversible contraception such as IUDs and implants.

Mississippi also leads the nation in its rates of syphilis and HIV, in addition to other STIs.

“This is a safety net program. Any delay in funding will just exacerbate the extreme health care disparities and lack of access to care in Mississippi,” Converge Co-executive Director Jamie Bardwell said. “Clinics that rely on Converge – we aren’t able to offer them a new contract on April 1, so they can’t offer Title X services …” 

Bardwell says Converge is one of seven nonprofits nationwide to receive such a letter, in addition to nine Planned Parenthood state affiliates. 

HHS provided a list of documents Converge must provide within 10 days. They include “a copy of any policies related to the treatment of illegal aliens,” “a copy of any nondiscrimination policies,” and “a statement of positions on the concerns” outlined in the letter.

“They are asking for a wide range of documents – some are pretty straightforward, and some are things that just do not exist,” Bardwell said. “And they want this information from Converge and for the clinics that we give money to for Title X.” 

Converge acts as the pass through for clinics in both Tennessee and Mississippi. Last year, over 30,000 people in both states received services funded by Title X. They also operate the state’s only telehealth program for contraception and at-home STD and HIV testing. 

Bardwell says she and her colleagues are in the process of notifying the grant recipients of the funding freeze, and the nonprofit is trying to comply with the request as quickly as possible.

“We’re going to do everything in our power to show we for sure do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race.” 

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Note: Rep. Jeffery Harness, D-Fayette, offered the following comments during the Mississippi House Democratic Caucus press conference on Feb. 25. House Bill 1193, which he references, is still pending before the Legislature.

Today, we stand together—not just as legislators or as representatives of our districts, but as children of Mississippi, as students of history and as warriors for justice. This movement is bigger than politics as usual. It is about the soul of our state, the soul of our nation, and the very principles that make America worth fighting for.

Make no mistake: House Bill 1193 is not merely another piece of legislation. It is an attack on fairness, on truth and on the values that bind us together. When our Republican colleagues claim they want a better Mississippi, the question remains: for whom? Their proposed bans on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in our public educational institutions tell us the answer loud and clear – it is not for the majority of Mississippians. They care about diversity only when it suits them. When it comes to taking your hard-earned tax dollars or sharing the facts about our history, they remain silent.

Let’s be clear about what DEI stands for:

• Diversity means ensuring representation from all backgrounds – race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and more.
• Equity means recognizing that people start from different places because of historical and systemic barriers, and providing the resources needed for fair opportunities. 
• Inclusion means creating environments where every individual feels valued, respected, and fully able to participate without discrimination.

This bill seeks to strip our schools and universities of programs that celebrate our diverse narratives and to not acknowledge the lived realities of millions. It forbids educators from teaching the full spectrum of our shared history and attempts to erase the challenges and triumphs of marginalized communities. If we were all truly on an equal playing field, we wouldn’t see data revealing disparities in healthcare, education, wages and investments. But the truth is, our Republican colleagues do not want an equal playing field; they want to silence the voices that remind us of our collective struggle toward a more perfect union.

Let us remember: History demands that we stand and be counted. As we navigate these trying times, let us emulate our ancestors—the brave souls who fought for our children’s future and for democracy itself. House Bill 1193 is an attempt to erase, to silence and to control—a government-enforced ideology that denies the lived experiences of our people, especially when it comes to race, gender and identity.

It is no coincidence that this assault on truth occurs at a time when our nation is under threat from dangerous forces. Bills like these are part of an agenda championed by the tyrant Donald Trump and his followers—a reign of lies, division and fear that has poisoned our political discourse. To all Mississippians—regardless of party—heed this bill as a dire warning that we are witnessing the attempted slow dismantling of our democracy.

To our colleagues in the Democratic Party: This is our moment—our line in the sand. We urge a reconsideration of these measures so that Mississippi continues to progress toward a more inclusive and equitable society. We must speak out against these anti-DEI measures now, or history will remember us as cowards. And to our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, hear us clearly: You will not erase us. You will not silence us. You will not defeat us. Truth is louder than lies, and justice is stronger than oppression.

To the people of Mississippi, we say this: They want you afraid and divided. They want you to believe that this state is theirs to control, that your future is theirs to dictate. But they are wrong. Mississippi belongs to the people, and the people will have the final word.

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Make sure you vote today like your town or city’s life depends on it.

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Legislation to guarantee rape victims treatment at Mississippi hospitals faces an uncertain future hours before its deadline. Meanwhile, survivors continue to be turned away in Mississippi hospitals.

Just two weeks ago, a child who was allegedly raped was turned away from an emergency room in central Mississippi, according to his mother. The child’s mother gave Mississippi Today permission to quote her without using her name. 

“They just said they don’t do it there,” she said. She then drove nearly an hour to a Jackson hospital where she was able to get a rape kit for her son.

Hospitals in Mississippi are not required to perform rape kits. 

Rep. Dana McLean, R-Columbus, is spearheading the effort to change that. McLean’s original bill died earlier in the session, but she revived the legislation in Senate Bill 2211, which faces several more legislative hurdles – including an 8 p.m. deadline Monday. 

Meeting that deadline would mean three House conferees and three Senate conferees on the conference report would need to reach an agreement. Conferees have yet to come to an agreement as of the time the story published, due partly to a concern about the impact on hospitals. 

“The needle we’re trying to thread is: everyone wants to do everything we can and need to for rape victims. I mean, who’s not for helping rape victims?” said Sen. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, one of the conferees. “But, some of the language, at least at first blush, when the hospitals and their legal teams looked over them, basically said, ‘Wait a minute, y’all are trying to tell ER docs how to practice medicine inside the ER.’”

Several advocacy and law enforcement groups released a statement Sunday suggesting the Mississippi Hospital Association is “leading deceptive pushback” and attributed several claims to them that were “easily disproven.”

Mississippi Hospital Association CEO Richard Roberson refuted the press release, saying his organization has only ever expressed one concern and offered tweaks in language to make sure the bill conformed with federal law. He said MHA supports the legislation regardless of whether or not lawmakers heed his suggestions. 

“We are disappointed that anyone would accuse the Mississippi Hospital Association of working against this bill,” Roberson said. “MHA has met with stakeholders and offered language to strengthen the bill so that it conforms to federal law. MHA has been and is supportive of the legislation. Any characterization that MHA has not been supportive is false. MHA will continue to support victims of sexual assault – hard stop – and we will follow the law as the Legislature deems it to be.”  

Even if lawmakers file a conference report Monday night, the legislation will have a hard time passing the final hurdles of the session – due to political infighting. Since the two chambers haven’t reached an agreement for the annual budget, the session could end in a stalemate and force the governor to call a special session before July 1.

If the session ends without a budget, anything that hasn’t already been signed into law by the governor would need to be rushed through the legislative process, and it’s unlikely that lawmakers would have time to do that for all the conference reports not yet filed. 

The post As bill requiring hospitals to perform rape kits faces uphill battle, mom reports child was turned away from ER appeared first on Mississippi Today.

Mississippi Today is looking to speak with patients who receive or have received services at the Jackson Medical Mall. We’d like to speak with people who’d be willing to share their experiences for a story about the history of the medical mall and the relocation of UMMC services away from the mall, including cancer center, OB-GYN, and pain management services.

The post Current and former Jackson Medical Mall patients: We want to hear from you appeared first on Mississippi Today.

It remained unclear on Monday whether legislative leaders will engage in last-minute negotiations to revive around 100 budget bills that died over the weekend or adjourn this year’s session without passing a $7 billion budget to fund state agencies.

If lawmakers leave the Capitol sometime this week without passing a state budget, dozens of state agencies, which provide critical public services, could be in limbo when the new state fiscal year starts July 1.

To restart negotiations, lawmakers would have to pass a parliamentary measure to revive the budget bills and extend the session, which requires a two-thirds majority of support from the House and Senate. 

“That would be my urged course of action,” House Speaker Jason White said of a suspension measure. “But it takes two. I’ve been reminded this weekend that we have a Senate, and it’s a bicameral Legislature.”

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves could also force legislators into a special session to pass a budget. This would give the constitutionally weak governor more power than he normally has over legislation. During a special session, governors have the sole ability to set the legislative agenda, and lawmakers can’t take up or pass legislation outside that agenda.

The session crashed over the weekend when the House and Senate failed to come together to negotiate a budget. White and the House refused to meet with the Senate on a key deadline day because they did not want to hurriedly pass a budget. 

READ MORE: Fear and loathing: Legislative session crashes with lawmakers unable to set a budget because of Republican infighting

Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Senate leaders said they tried starting early last week to engage with House leaders on spending bills, but the House refused to engage with them. 

Many senators feel burned by the House over the budget negotiations and how it handled the passage of legislation to eliminate the state income tax. This is why several senators from both political parties on Saturday said they would not vote to extend the session. 

Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons said he did not support passing a resolution to extend the session and would encourage his caucus to vote against such a measure should it come before the Senate. 

“We don’t want to create a situation where people can pick and choose when they want to work, and then we have to support extending the session or a suspension resolution when we believe it’s completely unnecessary and it’s uncalled for,” Simmons said. 

Several Republican senators have pledged they won’t support a suspension resolution. If Republicans follow through on that promise, they’ll likely need Democratic support to clear the two-thirds requirement.

Speaker White said he would likely meet with Senate leaders on Monday afternoon or Tuesday to discuss how the two chambers should proceed. 

Another sticking point appears to be using surplus cash in the budget for special projects. 

White said Senate leaders told him they did not want to spend any capital expenditure money, or surplus money, for these projects. White called this move “short-sighted” and will anger mayors and supervisors around the state.

This money is used for several purposes, but the most fought over pot of this money goes toward local projects, called the “Christmas Tree” bill. This money, usually in the $200 million to $400 million range, gets divided all over the state for various projects such as renovations to volunteer fire departments, sports fields and parks and to repave rural county roads.

Mississippi Today reporter Michael Goldberg contributed to this report.

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