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

Intoxicating hemp products will remain on Mississippi shelves after legislation to regulate it dies

1 week ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

DPS Commissioner believes the federal government should set standards in relation to hemp and cannabis since current state and federal laws are at odds. Hemp-based products that contain intoxicating THC levels will remain on the shelves of some Mississippi businesses for at least another year after HB 1502 died this session. Authored by State Rep. Lee Yancey (R), the bill would have made the sale of any product containing more than 0.3 THC in Mississippi illegal.
Legislature shelves ‘Last Dollar’ free tuition bills aimed at boosting Community College enrollment

1 week ago | vicksburgnews.com | Jeremy Pittari

JACKSON, Miss. by Jeremy Pittari (Magnolia Tribune) — Bills that sought to drive students into Mississippi’s community colleges through the promise of “free” tuition died after making their way across the Capitol this session. The House of Representatives passed HB 1556, called the Mississippi Connecting Career and Technical Education Employability Program. It sought to assist students seeking a degree or certificate in a high-demand, skilled career path.
"Last dollar" community college program will be back before lawmakers next session, Lt. Gov. Hosemann says

1 week ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

The tuition assistance programs were being considered as a means to better train the state’s workforce and prepare students for higher paying careers. Bills that sought to drive students into Mississippi’s community colleges through the promise of “free” tuition died after making their way across the Capitol this session. The House of Representatives passed HB 1556, called the Mississippi Connecting Career and Technical Education Employability Program.
State Board of Health receives update on measles, pertussis cases

2 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Vaccination was cited as the best method to protect children from the contagious diseases. Measles in the state of Mississippi are currently nonexistent, but the concern is there due to rising cases in other parts of the nation. Dr. Renia Dodson, State Epidemiologist, said that there is still concern due to the highly contagious nature of the virus. The Mississippi State Board of Health heard the reason for that during Wednesday’s meeting.
Roll back of federal COVID funding concerns Mississippi state, local education officials

2 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Change in deadline over pandemic era funding by the U.S. Department of Education forcing Miss. Dept. of Education and school districts to consider options. The Mississippi Department of Education is concerned about a recent decision by the federal government regarding access to COVID-19 pandemic federal reimbursement funding.
CON reform legislation expected to receive Governor's signature

2 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Additional action to reform certificate of need laws in Mississippi is expected next session. While not as strong as when it was introduced, a bill that makes revisions to Mississippi’s certificate of need (CON) laws is on the governor’s desk. State Rep. Sam Creekmore (R) said the bill sent to Governor Tate Reeves (R) is a bit weaker than the one he introduced at the start of the 2025 legislative session.
House Democrat kills bill to require companies seeking state incentives to allow secret ballot union elections

3 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

The House Democratic Leader made a motion to reconsider the measure moments before the chamber adjourned sine die on Wednesday, effectively killing the bill. A bill that would have limited state incentives for companies that did not allow for secret ballot union elections found stiff competition on the House floor this week just prior to sine die. State Rep.
Lawmakers seek to advance merit over DEI in Mississippi public schools and universities

3 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

If signed by Gov. Reeves, the act seeks to ensure employment, academic opportunities and student engagement are based solely on individual merit instead of race, sex, or gender. A bill that prevents public schools and public postsecondary educational institutions across the state of Mississippi from engaging in discriminatory practices is headed to the governor’s desk, now that both chambers of the Legislature have adopted a conference report this week.
House heads home without state budget agreement

3 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Frank Corder |Jeremy Pittari |Daniel Tyson

The Mississippi House adjourned sine die to end the legislative session, days early and without a budget, after late session disagreements escalated tensions. Sine die was scheduled for April 6th. But on Wednesday afternoon, Speaker of the House Jason White (R) gathered his members, thanked them for their service, and adjourned sine die.
Democrat lawmaker kills PBM reform on point of order

3 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

While the conference report for HB 1123 was being presented, State Rep. John Hines (D) raised a point of order requiring the bill to be recommitted. The move likely ends the potential of PBM reform this session. Legislation aimed at reforming how of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) operate in Mississippi likely died on the House floor Tuesday morning. The measure has been hotly debated throughout this session, only to come to a seemingly unceremonious end in the final week of the 2025 session.