Baby bust’s effect on public schools
Mississippi public school enrollment is set to steadily shrink. In 2007, Mississippi had 46,455 births, about 127 per day. In...
Change laws. Change lives.
Karrece spent her years as a young girl at the feet of her grandmothers watching them apply makeup. She followed...
Life changing reforms are winning the day
This week the Empower team was in Atlanta for State Policy Network’s Annual Meeting. SPN works alongside a national network of independent...
Empower reacts to charter board approving only one new charter
Today, the Mississippi Charter Authorizer Board approved one new charter application and denied four others, including denying a strong application...
Why has charter school progress been slow?
As we approach the 10-year anniversary of Mississippi approving charter schools, we remain excited for the kids who have been...
Lawsuit filed to stop student loan cancellation
A month after President Joe Biden announced plans to cancel a substantial portion of student loan debt, a lawsuit has...
Mississippi part of growing flat tax trend
Earlier this year, Mississippi lawmakers adopted legislation that will institute a 4 percent flat tax in the state. The Mississippi...
What charter school rankings really show
New school rankings show Leflore Legacy Academy Charter School in Greenwood, in only its second year of operation, was rated...
Mississippi’s regulations lead to fewer jobs, more poverty
New data shows that federal regulations have led to more people living in poverty, greater income inequality, fewer businesses, less...
Crime spike not due to prison reforms
Suggestions that the recent spike in homicides is due to recent statewide criminal justice reforms are not supported by evidence....
Are our schools doing better or worse?
We’ve seen conflicting reports on progress in Mississippi’s schools. This week, scores for all states on the National Assessment of...
Transformational Education Bill Becomes Law
On Friday, April 26 the Mississippi House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed House Bill 4130, the “Mississippi Student Funding Formula”, that is based on individual student needs. The Senate quickly passed the bill the following day, and...
Transformational Education Bill Becomes Law
On Friday, April 26 the Mississippi House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed House Bill 4130, the “Mississippi Student Funding Formula”, that is based on individual student needs. The Senate quickly passed the bill the following day, and...
Mississippi Supreme Court Rules on High Profile Case
Late last week, the Mississippi Supreme Court issued a ruling on a case that has captured the attention of lawmakers and media alike. The case involved $10 million in a legislative appropriation that was...
Empower Mississippi Praises Passage of New Education Funding Formula
Today the Mississippi Senate and yesterday the Mississippi House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed HB 4130, the “Mississippi Student Funding Formula”, that is based on individual student needs. This legislation repeals the antiquated Mississippi Adequate...
Joanna Polk joins the team
Joanna Polk has been named Executive Assistant and Development Manager on the Empower Team. In her role, Polk will support the CEO, keep projects and commitments on track, maintain the organization’s strategic fundraising plan,...
Joanna Polk joins the team
Joanna Polk has been named Executive Assistant and Development Manager on the Empower Team. In her role, Polk will support the CEO, keep projects and commitments on track, maintain the organization’s strategic fundraising plan,...
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves Proclaims April “Second Chance Month”
Governor Tate Reeves has declared April 2024 as Mississippi Second Chance Month! This proclamation demonstrates a commitment to providing opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation to all Mississippians, and we are grateful for the Governor’s...
SB 2689: Replace end of course tests with national testing options
Senate Bill 2689, sponsored by Sen. Dennis DeBar, would remove the public school graduation requirement that students must pass certain standardized end-of-course tests created by the state Department of Education. Instead, they would be...
HB 1609: Restore voting rights of former non-violent offenders
House Bill 1609, sponsored by Rep. Kabir Karriem, would automatically restore the voting rights of those who have served time for certain non-violent convictions. Under the proposal, Mississippi’s long list of disenfranchising crimes would...
Hattiesburg Art Alliance
Local Charities
Things To Do
Local Dining