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

Appointees named to Mississippi's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Council

1 week ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Two slots remain to be filled by Governor Tate Reeves. The group will review applications for grants funded by the proceeds of opioid settlements. A Mississippi Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Council is being formed to assist the state in the utilization of millions in settlement funds which will be used to help those who have become addicted to opioids.
Mississippi Medicaid appropriation increases by $58 million for new fiscal year, state support nears $1 billion

2 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Enrollment numbers in the program are on a decline in the Magnolia State. The Mississippi Division of Medicaid is anticipated to operate off a total budget of $8.4 billion for the new fiscal year which begins July 1. Of that total, the state’s total support sits at about $969.9 million, Senate Medicaid Committee Chair Kevin Blackwell (R) told his colleagues during the recent special session. “In this bill, we allowed for a deficit of $60 million.
More people considering moving to Mississippi

2 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Low cost of living, great food, and rich history were cited as reasons people were contemplating a move to the Magnolia State. Of the 50 states in the U.S., Mississippi was recently ranked 10th among states people are considering relocating to based on web searched reviewed and reported on by U.S. News & World ReportSouth Carolina and Tennessee ranked first and second, respectively, while New Jersey and California were the least searched state.
ACLU files suit against Mississippi's new anti-DEI law

2 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

The state’s new law prohibits utilizing DEI practices when making decisions concerning school employment, academic opportunities, and student engagement. A federal lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Mississippi and the Mississippi Center for Justice on Monday challenging HB 1193, the state’s new law prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in public K-12 schools as well as in Mississippi’s public colleges and universities.
State funding for Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning down from previous year

3 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Appropriations bills to fund IHL and its operations were passed by lawmakers during last week’s special session. Appropriations for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and its various operations were approved during the legislative special session held last week. The Legislature approved $451.8 million in general support funding, a decrease from last year’s appropriation of $477.2 million, according to information filed with the Legislative Budget Office.
Speaker White makes House committee changes

3 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

House Drug Policy chair State Rep. Stacey Wilkes was replaced with State Rep. Beth Waldo. Wilkes claims the change was related to her position on PBM reform legislation. A change in one committee leadership position within the Mississippi House of Representatives occurred during last week’s special session along with movement on other standing committees in the chamber. State Rep.
Legislature adds $16 million to education funding formula, other areas of the K-12 budget

4 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Increases related to addressing reading deficiencies and covering rising health insurance costs were among the funds added to Mississippi’s education budget. The budget for the K-12 public education system in Mississippi has been set, with lawmakers increasing the student funding formula by $16 million over the prior year. State Senator Dennis DeBar (R), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, presented HB 42 on the floor of the Senate during this week’s special session.
House works into the night on state budget leaving Senate to finalize special session

4 weeks ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

The budget for the State Auditor’s office became a point of contention on Wednesday, with the House and Senate disagreeing on funding levels for the agency. Wednesday into early Thursday morning, the Mississippi House of Representatives worked to complete its work on the state budget, leaving the Senate to finalize its part when that chamber gavels in Thursday morning.
Tuition, other college fee increases approved at most Mississippi institutions of higher learning

1 month ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Salaries, inflation, new technology, and campus safety were among the reasons given for the requested increases. Six of Mississippi’s public institutions of higher learning are increasing the price of state resident tuition. Out-of-state tuition, top tier meal plan, and housing increases were also approved.
Need for nurses continues in Mississippi

1 month ago | magnoliatribune.com | Jeremy Pittari

Enrollment in undergraduate programs sees a slight decline while the turnover rate reaches 21%. Enrollment in Mississippi undergraduate nursing programs showed a slight decline year over year but graduate programs saw an increase, Dr. Melissa Temple, Director of Nursing Education for the State Institutions of Higher Learning told the IHL Board last week. Mississippi currently has 41 total degree programs offered through 25 schools of nursing.