Mississippi Happenings

MS Happenings
  • 5.0 (4)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

MS Happenings is your go-to source for political news and events that matter to Mississippians. Hosted by Jim Newman and David Olds, this weekly podcast fills the gap left by traditional news coverage, ensuring that all corners of the Magnolia State—North Mississippi, the Delta, the Coast, and beyond—stay informed. We tackle the kitchen table issues that impact everyday life, from legislative decisions to local policies affecting communities statewide. Whether you live in a bustling city or a quiet rural town, Mississippi Happenings brings you the news you need, without the out-of-state distractions. Join us each week for insightful discussions, in-depth analysis, and a fresh perspective on the issues shaping Mississippi’s future. Stay informed. Stay engaged. Subscribe now to never miss an episode!

  1. FEB 3

    Legislative Review with Senator Theresa Isom

    In this episode of Mississippi Happenings, co-hosts David Olds and Jim Newman break down the latest developments from the Mississippi Legislature following the January 31, 2026 session. The conversation covers major policy debates, legislative priorities, and behind-the-scenes dynamics shaping the 2026 lawmaking season. Topics include infrastructure and public services, education policy, economic and workforce issues, and the political context influencing decision-making at the Capitol. Drawing on experience and regional insight, the hosts explain what these legislative actions mean for Mississippi residents and what to watch as the session moves forward. This episode provides clear analysis, practical context, and informed commentary for anyone looking to understand Mississippi politics beyond the headlines. 00:00 – Introduction & Winter Weather Check Hosts David Olds and Jim Newman open the show and discuss recent weather impacts across Mississippi. 04:30 – Overview of the Legislative Session Setting the stage for the January 31, 2026 legislative review and key themes emerging at the Capitol. 11:15 – Major Bills & Policy Priorities Discussion of prominent legislation under consideration and the political motivations behind them. 22:40 – Infrastructure, Utilities & Local Impacts How legislative decisions affect counties, rural areas, and statewide services. 32:10 – Education & Workforce Issues Debate over education policy, workforce development, and long-term economic implications. 43:25 – Political Dynamics & Party Strategy Insight into alliances, disagreements, and the broader political landscape in Mississippi.

    47 min

  2. 11/12/2025

    Inside the System: Addressing Healthcare in Mississippi’s Prisons - Becky Currie

    In this episode of Mississippi Happenings, hosts David Olds and Jim Newman sit down with State Representative Becky Currie, Chairwoman of the Mississippi House Corrections Committee, to discuss the urgent challenges facing healthcare in Mississippi’s prison system. From overcrowding and medical access to funding and accountability, Representative Currie offers a candid look at the realities inside state correctional facilities and the reforms needed to ensure both safety and dignity for all Mississippians. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Mississippi Prisons01:50 Becky Curry's Journey into Corrections08:08 Healthcare Challenges in Mississippi Prisons16:23 The Role of VitalCore in Prison Healthcare24:10 Mental Health Facilities and Their Impact26:30 Addressing Rape Kit Issues in Mississippi30:13 Controversies in Law Enforcement and Corrections33:19 Expanding Medicaid in Mississippi34:34 The Importance of Rural Hospitals37:38 Medicaid Expansion and Federal Funding40:30 School Choice and Education Reform

    44 min

  3. 11/04/2025

    Policy in Practice: What HR1 Means for Mississippians with Kathleen O’Beirne

    In this episode of Mississippi Happenings, hosts David Olds and Jim Newman engage with Kathleen O'Beirne to discuss the implications of federal policies, particularly HR1, on Mississippi families. They explore the effects of tax policy changes, healthcare challenges, education funding cuts, and food insecurity, emphasizing the need for grassroots activism and community engagement to address these pressing issues. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Family Ties03:10 Understanding HR1: Trump's Big Beautiful Bill05:56 Tax Policy Changes and Their Impact on Mississippi Families08:57 The Effects of Medicaid Cuts12:08 Inequality and Economic Disparities12:42 The Misrepresentation of Tax Benefits14:21 Healthcare Access and Medicaid Expansion17:25 The Broader Economic Impact of Cuts20:25 Education Funding and Its Consequences32:23 Impact of Disruption on Families35:15 Food Insecurity and Its Consequences37:30 Short-Sighted Policies and Their Effects37:51 Disdain for Vulnerable Populations37:57 Religion and Politics: A Complex Relationship38:39 Government Shutdown: Potential Consequences42:07 Economic Impact on Farmers43:53 The Ripple Effect of Policy Changes45:40 Awakening of the Mississippi Voter46:53 Using Social Media for Advocacy52:02 The Importance of Civic Engagement

    59 min

  4. 10/28/2025

    Policy and Progress: A Conversation with Senator David Blount

    In this episode of the Mississippi Happenings podcast, hosts David Olds and Jim Newman engage with Senator David Blount to discuss critical issues facing Mississippi, particularly focusing on the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and its funding challenges. Senator Blount explains the current state of PERS, the implications of recent legislative decisions, and the potential impact on public employees and education funding. The conversation highlights the need for a sustainable financial strategy for PERS and the importance of education in the state budget. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mississippi Happenings Podcast01:27 Understanding PERS: The Employee Retirement Fund10:24 Challenges Facing the Retirement System18:36 Education: The Top Priority for the Upcoming Session

    27 min

  5. 10/21/2025

    Revisiting Venezuela: The Latest on Military Actions and Legal Implications

    Read the NPR Article Here: https://www.npr.org/2025/10/18/nx-s1-5577941/adm-alvin-holsey-who-was-overseeing-the-venezuelan-boat-strikes-steps-down In this episode, the hosts discuss the recent military actions taken by the U.S. off the coast of Venezuela, exploring the legal, ethical, and political implications of these operations. They delve into the command structure of military operations, the role of intelligence in decision-making, and the potential consequences of using military force for law enforcement purposes. The conversation also touches on the importance of international law, the role of Congress in overseeing military actions, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy in a changing global landscape. The episode concludes with a discussion on the rise of authoritarianism and its impact on democracy, along with recommendations for further reading on these critical issues. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Military Actions in Venezuela06:23 Understanding Military Command Structure09:20 Legalities of Military Engagement11:49 The Role of Coast Guard in Drug Interdiction14:52 Concerns Over Use of Military Force17:49 Intelligence and Lawfulness of Orders20:36 Political Implications of Military Actions23:33 Congressional Authority and Military Force26:32 Cost-Effectiveness of Military Actions29:23 Designating Organizations as Terrorists32:22 Impact on Venezuelan Politics35:11 International Law and Human Rights38:17 China's Actions in the South China Sea40:12 Conflict in the South China Sea42:23 Taiwan's Strategic Importance44:23 Global Autocracy and International Relations46:49 America's Global Standing48:15 Trust and Alliances in a Changing World50:33 The Role of International Institutions53:06 The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict55:41 The Rise of Authoritarianism in the U.S.01:02:07 Recommended Readings on Democracy and Autocracy

    1h 11m

  6. 10/15/2025

    Federal Bills, Local Consequences: A Conversation with Kathleen O’Beirne

    In this episode, David Olds and Jim Newman discuss the implications of HR1, the 'Big Beautiful Bill', with guest Kathleen O'Beirne. They explore how the bill affects tax policies, Medicaid cuts, and the overall economic landscape in Mississippi. Kathleen emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism and community engagement in addressing these issues, highlighting the detrimental effects of inequality and the need for healthcare access. The conversation also touches on education funding challenges and the necessity for Mississippians to speak up and take action against policies that harm their communities. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Family Ties02:57 Understanding HR1: Trump's Big Beautiful Bill05:43 Tax Policy Changes and Their Impact on Mississippi Families08:44 The Effects of Medicaid Cuts11:56 Inequality and Economic Disparities14:42 The Misrepresentation of Tax Benefits17:30 Healthcare Access and Medicaid Expansion20:34 The Broader Economic Impact of Cuts23:34 Education Funding and Its Consequences35:32 Impact of Disruption on Families38:25 Food Insecurity and Its Consequences41:14 Short-Sighted Policies and Their Effects41:35 Disdain for Vulnerable Populations45:57 Religion and Politics: A Complex Relationship46:49 Government Shutdown: Potential Consequences50:17 Economic Impact on Farmers52:03 The Ripple Effect of Policy Changes53:50 Awakening of the Mississippi Voter55:03 Using Social Media for Advocacy01:00:12 The Importance of Civic Engagement

    1h 8m

  7. 10/07/2025

    The Cost of Choice: Public Money and Private Schools in Mississippi with Nancy Loome

    In this episode of the Mississippi Happenings podcast, hosts David Olds and Jim Newman discuss the critical issues surrounding public education in Mississippi with guest Nancy Loome, executive director of the Mississippi Parents Campaign. The conversation covers the ongoing debate about the allocation of public funds to private schools, the legal challenges faced by public education advocates, and the importance of community support for public schools. Loome emphasizes the need for accountability in education funding, the impact of recent legislation, and the successes of Mississippi's public schools. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with their legislators and support public education initiatives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mississippi Happenings Podcast01:41 Public Education in Mississippi: An Overview02:18 The Debate on Public Funds for Private Schools07:45 Legal Challenges and Accountability in Education Funding12:46 Public Hearings and Legislative Transparency17:44 The Children's Promise Act and Its Implications25:59 Vaccination Policies in Private vs. Public Schools29:21 Legislative Resistance to School Vouchers32:21 Federal Tax Credit Voucher Program40:19 Progress in Mississippi Public Education44:26 Challenges in Rural Education Funding51:50 Concerns Over Homeschooling Legislation57:24 Community Support for Public Education

    1h 3m

  8. 09/30/2025

    Military Actions in Venezuela: Legal Analysis - Major General Andrew Turley and Admiral Jamie Barnett

    In this episode, hosts David Olds and Jim Newman engage with retired military officials Jamie Barnett and Major General Andy Turley to discuss the recent U.S. military actions off the coast of Venezuela. The conversation delves into the command structure of military operations, the legalities surrounding the use of force for law enforcement purposes, and the political motivations behind these actions. The discussion also touches on the implications for international relations, the perception of the U.S. on the global stage, and the importance of congressional oversight in military decisions. The episode concludes with recommendations for further reading on the themes of democracy and authoritarianism. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Military Actions in Venezuela00:54 Understanding Military Command Structure03:51 Legalities of Military Engagement06:19 The Role of Coast Guard in Drug Interdiction09:22 Concerns Over Use of Military Force12:19 Intelligence and Lawfulness of Orders15:07 Political Implications of Military Actions18:04 Congressional Authority and Military Force21:03 Cost-Effectiveness of Military Actions23:54 Designating Organizations as Terrorists26:53 Impact on Venezuelan Politics29:41 International Law and Human Rights32:48 China's Actions in the South China Sea34:43 Conflict in the South China Sea36:53 Taiwan's Strategic Importance38:54 Global Autocracy and International Relations41:20 America's Global Standing42:45 Trust and Alliances in a Changing World45:04 The Role of International Institutions47:37 The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict50:12 The Rise of Authoritarianism in the U.S.56:37 Recommended Readings on Democracy and Autocracy

    1h 6m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

MS Happenings is your go-to source for political news and events that matter to Mississippians. Hosted by Jim Newman and David Olds, this weekly podcast fills the gap left by traditional news coverage, ensuring that all corners of the Magnolia State—North Mississippi, the Delta, the Coast, and beyond—stay informed. We tackle the kitchen table issues that impact everyday life, from legislative decisions to local policies affecting communities statewide. Whether you live in a bustling city or a quiet rural town, Mississippi Happenings brings you the news you need, without the out-of-state distractions. Join us each week for insightful discussions, in-depth analysis, and a fresh perspective on the issues shaping Mississippi’s future. Stay informed. Stay engaged. Subscribe now to never miss an episode!

Information

  • Creator
    MS Happenings
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © MS Happenings