Jeremy Pittari

Picayune

News Correspondent at Magnolia Tribune

News Correspondent at Magnolia Tribune. Proud southerner, music lover, car enthusiast, cat dad and movie buff.

Articles

Jackson State University President submits resignation to IHL Board

1 week ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Marcus Thompson had served as the JSU President since November 2023. During a special called meeting held Wednesday afternoon, the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning accepted the resignation of Jackson State University President Marcus Thompson. Thompson was appointed to lead Jackson State in November 2023, replacing previous president, Thomas K. Hudson, who resigned in March of that same year after being placed on administrative leave.
MDE to present policy to State Board of Education to ensure compliance with new anti-DEI law

1 week ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

The Mississippi Department of Education plans to propose the new policy to the Board and then allow for public comment. A policy that would ensure Mississippi’s public schools are in compliance with the state’s new law prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices is expected to be presented to the State Board of Education this month.
Mississippi 98% compliant as REAL ID deadline nears

1 week ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

A gold star on your identification will be required to fly or enter federally restricted facilities after Wednesday. Mississippians who plan to travel commercially by air and/or access military and secure federal facilities will want to ensure their form of identification is REAL ID compliant. REAL ID forms of identification will include a gold star in the right-upper corner of the front of the card. The deadline to have a REAL ID to fly or access those facilities is Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Judge issues temporary restraining order against three PBMs

1 week ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Good Rx Holdings, Inside Rx LLC and MS CVS Pharmacy LLC are allegedly forcing independent pharmacies to accept discount cards, negatively affecting their profits. A temporary restraining order has been placed on three companies by a Harrison County Chancery Judge in a move Attorney General Lynn Fitch (R) says protects small pharmacies. The order was approved by the court on April 23.
Mississippi recognized as one of five states to reach all pre-K benchmarks, according to NIEER

2 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

A few of those benchmarks include early learning standards, educator qualifications, the size of classrooms, and program assessments. This week, the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) issued a report showing Mississippi as one of five states in the U.S. to meet all of the recommended benchmarks in early childhood education. A few of those benchmarks include early learning standards, educator qualifications, the size of classrooms, and program assessments.
Efforts to loosen APRN collaborative agreements fall short during 2025 session

2 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

State Rep. Samuel Creekmore said he is considering making adjustments to the legislation before he reintroduces a similar bill next session. In an effort to address healthcare deserts within Mississippi, the Legislature took up a bill this session that would have changed the state’s medical collaboration requirements for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). However, after the measure passed the House, it died in committee in the Senate.
Second Medicaid Tech Bill vetoed by Governor

2 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Governor Reeves said the proposed expansion in the legislation unwisely comes at a time when federal funding of existing Medicaid services is in question. Governor Tate Reeves (R) has vetoed a Medicaid Technical Amendment bill that he says would result in expansion of the program, a change he adamently opposes. Prior to sine die, Governor Reeves vetoed SB 2687, citing what he viewed as efforts to expand the program.
Governor Reeves vetoes CON reform bill over Senate amendment

2 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

State Rep. Sam Creekmore said he’s willing to remove the Senate amendment and send the measure back to the Governor. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (R) announced Thursday that he had vetoed a bill that aimed to reform the state’s certificate of need laws.
Mississippi Board of Education discusses ending U.S. History test as graduation requirement, unwinding of DEI

3 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Other topics discussed by the Board included Title I and ESSER funding. The Mississippi State Board of Education is considering removing the end-of-course U.S. History test from the state’s graduation requirements. During discussion on the matter, Board member Mary Werner asked if removing the end-of-course testing would affect student’s understanding of state and national history.
IHL approves new degree paths, changes to ACT scoring

3 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Thursday’s meeting also saw the passing of the gavel to the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees’ new president, Gee Ogletree. Several new degree paths and a change to the way ACT scores are used for college admissions were approved by the Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees during last week’s meeting. An amendment setting new regulations concerning college admissions using the ACT was approved Thursday.