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(AP) — Inmates at a Mississippi prison were forced to mix raw cleaning chemicals without protective equipment, with one alleging she later contracted terminal cancer and was denied timely medical care, a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges. Susan Balfour, 62, was incarcerated for 33 years at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility until her release in December 2021. Prisoners were required to clean the facility, without protective equipment, using chemicals that might cause cancer, Balfour's lawsuit says. “I feel betrayed by our system that failed to provide timely medical care for me. The companies contracted to provide health care to prisoners at the facility — Wexford Health Sources, Centurion Health and VitalCore — delayed or failed to schedule follow-up cancer screenings for Baflour even though they had been recommended by prison physicians, the lawsuit says.

Persons: JACKSON, Susan Balfour, Balfour, I'm, VitalCore —, Drew Tominello, Tominello, Pauline Rogers ,, ” Rogers, ” ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, U.S . Southern, U.S . Southern District of, Centurion Health, Mississippi Department of Corrections, of Corrections, Mississippi Supreme, Rech Foundation, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Miss, Mississippi, U.S, U.S . Southern District, U.S . Southern District of Mississippi, Wexford, @mikergoldberg

Some bills would bar financial institutions from discriminating against those who refuse to participate in DEI programs. Meanwhile, Democrats have filed about two dozen bills in 11 states that would require or promote DEI initiatives. The Supreme Court’s June decision ending affirmative action at universities has created a new legal landscape around diversity programs in the workplace and civil society. Rob Standridge, who has authored four bills aiming to hollow out DEI programs in the state, said it has become a salient campaign theme. In a 2023 report, White said Mississippi’s public universities are spending millions on DEI programs instead of student scholarships.

Persons: JACKSON, Republican Oklahoma Sen, Rob Standridge, Standridge, “, Trump, ” Mike Gonzalez, Josiah Magnuson, ” Magnuson, Kevin Stitt, it’s, Sen, Marko Liias, Liias, Ron DeSantis, ”, Shad, White, Becky Currie, Currie, Spencer Cox, Cox, Robin Vos, Jonathan Butcher, ” Butcher, Fentrice, ” Driskell, Trisha Ahmed, David Lieb, Hannah Schoenbaum, Todd Richmond, ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: Republican, Associated, Democratic, Republican Oklahoma, Heritage Foundation, Rep, Republican Gov, Oklahoma State Regents, Higher Education, ”, Washington, Utah Gov, The Heritage Foundation, Democratic House, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Miss, Washington, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Jefferson City , Missouri, Salt Lake City, Madison , Wisconsin

“Mar-Jac and its affiliates have a long and sordid history of willful disregard for worker safety,” the lawsuit reads. In July, Duvan became the third worker to die in less than three years at the Hattiesburg, Mississippi, plant owned by Mar-Jac, a Georgia-based poultry production company. After Duvan's death, Onin filed a notice with the state to avoid paying worker's compensation,the lawsuit claims. OSHA had issued at least eight citations for safety violations at the plant before Duvan's death, the lawsuit says. After the accident, Labor Department officials said Duvan’s death offered a reminder that children remain vulnerable to exploitation in the U.S. workplace.

Persons: JACKSON, Edilma Perez Ramirez, Mar, Jac, Duvan Perez, “, Duvan, Joel Velasco Toto, Bobby Butler, Perez Ramirez, Onin, Toto, Butler, Seth Hunter, Perez Ramirez's, Chick, ” Hunter, ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: U.S . Department, Safety, Health Administration, Mar, OSHA, Onin Staffing, Labor, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Miss, Mississippi, Forest, Guatemala, Hattiesburg , Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, U.S, @mikergoldberg

Presumptive Medicaid eligibility during pregnancy would be based on questions about income, asked by health care providers such as employees of county health departments. In Mississippi, Medicaid coverage for pregnant women 19 and older is based on income. Mississippi Medicaid coverage is available to all income levels for those who are pregnant and younger than 19. Democratic Rep. John Hines Sr. of Greenville said earlier eligibility for Medicaid coverage during pregnancy could help the state in recruiting OB-GYNs. In 2023, Mississippi extended postpartum Medicaid coverage from two months to a full year, with Republican Gov.

Persons: JACKSON, “, Missy McGee, McGee, John Hines Sr, Hines, Tate Reeves, Michael Goldberg Organizations: Medicaid, Mississippi, of Health, Democratic, OB, Senate, Republican Gov, Associated Press Locations: Miss, Mississippi, Hattiesburg, U.S, In Mississippi, Greenville, Louisiana

(AP) — One day after Mississippi health officials told residents in the state’s capital that dangerous bacteria could be in their tap water, the state health department said Friday that city water was safe to consume. Mississippi health officials lifted their health advisory after a new round of test results did not find E. coli in Jackson's supply. The move came hours after Ted Henifin, Jackson’s interim water manager, said repeat samples taken from the city’s water system tested negative for E. coli. In a statement Friday, the health department stood by the initial test results and dismissed the idea that its lab had been contaminated. At news conferences on Thursday and Friday, Henifin said state officials refused to validate the lab results before issuing the boil-water notice.

Persons: JACKSON, Jackson, Ted Henifin, Henifin, ”, Dan Edney, Greg Flynn, Flynn, “, Flowood, ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: Mississippi Department, Mississippi Department of Health, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Miss, Mississippi, Flowood, Jackson, @mikergoldberg

(AP) — The manager of the long-troubled water system in Mississippi's capital city proposed a slight rate increase for most residents Friday alongside what he said is a first-in-the-nation proposal to reduce water rates for low-income people who get government help with grocery bills. If enacted, it would be the latest in a series of changes after infrastructure breakdowns in 2022 caused many Jackson residents to go days and weeks without safe running water. “We think this is a great opportunity to really change the dialogue around water and sewer in the city of Jackson,” Henifin said at a news conference. The proposal also marks the first rate increase since a federal judge appointed Henifin to manage Jackson's water system last November. JXN Water will start shutting off water for people who don't pay their bills sometime after Jan. 1st, Henifin said.

Persons: JACKSON, Ted Henifin, ” Henifin, Henifin, Delbert Hosemann, Jan ., Chokwe Antar Lumumba, ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: Nutrition Assistance, SNAP, Mississippi Legislature, Gov, Jackson, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Miss, Jackson, Mississippi, @mikergoldberg

(AP) — The U.S. Justice Department launched an investigation Wednesday into alleged civil rights violations by police in a majority Black Mississippi city, stepping in following accusations that officers used excessive force and arrested people without justification. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who leads the Justice Department's civil rights division, announced the investigation at a news conference. The area also has a storied place in civil rights history. It also follows the June arrest of Jill Collen Jefferson, the president of JULIAN, the civil rights organization that filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of residents. If the Justice Department concludes that police officers committed the alleged civil rights violations, it could bring a lawsuit seeking court-ordered changes to the department.

Persons: JACKSON, Kristen Clarke, Clarke, ” Clarke, Robert Clark, Todd Gee, Jill Collen Jefferson, JULIAN, Sam Dobbins, Dobbins, Jefferson, ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: U.S . Justice Department, “, Mississippi Legislature, Southern, Southern District of, Lexington Police Department, Lexington Police, Lexington, Department, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Miss, Black Mississippi, Lexington, Jackson, Holmes County, Mississippi, U.S, Southern District, Southern District of Mississippi, Rankin County , Mississippi, @mikergoldberg

(AP) — A federal judge has postponed sentencing for six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to a long list of federal charges for torturing two Black men in January. Lee has not yet rescheduled the sentencing hearing, but some of the former officers requested it be delayed until Dec. 15. The men admitted in August to subjecting Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker to numerous acts of racially motivated, violent torture. Political Cartoons View All 1227 ImagesThe officers taunted the men with racial slurs and poured milk, alcohol and chocolate syrup over their faces. “Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker are urging that the sentencing for the ‘Goon Squad’ members ... take place as quickly as possible," Shabazz said.

Persons: JACKSON, Tom Lee, Lee, Michael Corey Jenkins, Eddie Terrell Parker, Jenkins, Parker, Brett McAlpin, Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke, Joshua Hartfield, Malik Shabazz, “ Michael Jenkins, Eddie Parker, Shabazz, Michael Jenkins, ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: —, District, Rankin County, Associated Press, ” Prosecutors, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: MISS, Mississippi, U.S, Braxton, Rankin, Richland, @mikergoldberg

Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms,” the complaint says. Almost all teens ages 13 to 17 in the U.S. report using a social media platform, with about a third saying they use social media “almost constantly,” according to the Pew Research Center. Other measures social platforms have taken to address concerns about children’s mental health are also easily circumvented. TikTok, Snapchat and other social platforms that have also been blamed for contributing to the youth mental health crisis are not part of Tuesday’s lawsuit. “They’re the worst of the worst when it comes to using technology to addict teenagers to social media, all in the furtherance of putting profits over people.”In May, U.S.

Persons: Meta, ”, Letitia James, “ Meta, ” “ We’re, Instagram, Frances Haugen, Rob Bonta, TikTok, Brian Schwalb, they’re, “, Vivek Murthy, Press Writers Michael Casey, Michael Goldberg, Susan Haigh, Maysoon Khan, Ashraf Khalil Organizations: Meta Platforms Inc, Facebook, Meta, D.C, “, New, The Wall Street, Associated Press, Pew Research Center, Washington D.C, U.S, Press Writers Locations: California, New York, Washington, California , Florida , Kentucky , Massachusetts , Nebraska , New Jersey , Tennessee, Vermont, British, U.S

(AP) — The Mississippi sheriff who leads the department where former deputies pleaded guilty to a long list of state and federal charges for the torture of two Black men has asked a federal court to dismiss a civil lawsuit against him. Court records show that attorney Jase Dare asked to dismiss the lawsuit on Oct. 6, just one day after a settlement conference was filed with the court. A settlement conference is scheduled when the parties in a lawsuit try to settle a case before trial. One of those men was Pierre Woods, who was shot and killed by Rankin County deputies in 2019. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Persons: JACKSON, Michael Corey Jenkins, Eddie Terrell Parker, Bryan Bailey's, Jenkins, Parker's, Bailey, “, Jase Dare, Malik Shabazz, Trent Walker, ’, Bryan Bailey’s, Walker, Parker, Hunter Elward, Pierre Woods, Rankin, Woods, Brett McAlpin, Dare, McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke, Joshua Hartfield, ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: Prosecutors, Associated Press, U.S, Circuit, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Miss, The Mississippi, Rankin, Elward, Richland, @mikergoldberg

(AP) — Mississippi's gubernatorial election could hinge on turnout among Black voters, who haven't wielded political influence commensurate to their share of the state population, the Democratic nominee said Friday. At a campaign event in the 80% Black state capital of Jackson just over one month before Election Day, Brandon Presley said Black voters could help carry him to victory. Tate Reeves, who is seeking reelection, of hoping they stay home. “Black Mississippi and white Mississippi have been purposefully, strategically and with intent divided over racial lines. Black voters and lawmakers in Mississippi are overwhelmingly Democratic, while Republicans command majority support among white voters and hold supermajorities in the state Legislature.

Persons: JACKSON, — Mississippi's, haven't, Brandon Presley, Tate Reeves, “, Presley, —, Reeves, Jackson, ”, stomped, Keshun Brown, ” Brown, Rodney Hall, Trent Kelly, Gwendolyn Gray, ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: Black, Democratic, Republican Gov, Historic District, Mississippi Delta, Jackson, Mississippi Supreme, Republicans, GOP U.S . Rep, Army, Black Republican, Reconstruction, Center for Healthcare, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Miss, Jackson, “ Black Mississippi, Mississippi, Jackson’s, Mississippi Delta, @mikergoldberg

(AP) — Mississippi has seen a consistent rise in the number of families accepting public assistance for child care since lawmakers banned abortion in almost all circumstances, with the sharpest increase coming after a child support policy change in May, the state human services director said Friday. They also said that when parents couldn't find child care, it prevented them from getting back to work. Delbert Hosemann, also a Republican, disputed the idea that the abortion ban has had an impact on child care voucher enrollment. “It’s clear to me it’s not the Dobbs decision. It’s the fact that we made this policy decision that’s been approved by the governor and that you’re seeing thousands of people become eligible because of that,” Hosemann said.

Persons: JACKSON, Bob Anderson, Dobbs, ” Anderson, Roe, Wade, Tate Reeves, couldn't, Delbert Hosemann, “, it’s, that’s, ” Hosemann, they’re, Reeves, ”, Cory Custer, ” ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: —, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Jackson, Health Organization, U.S, Supreme, Gov, Republican, Child, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Miss, — Mississippi, Mississippi, @mikergoldberg

☆ Saudi soccer dominance could still take 'decades' despite reported $332 million Mbappé bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty ImagesSaudi Arabian soccer club Al-Hilal reportedly tabled a world record 300 million euro ($331.9 million) bid for Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé, a further signal of the kingdom's efforts to shake up the sport's global order. Al-Ahli snapped up Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, and have just agreed a £30 million ($38.54 million) deal to bring in forward Riyad Mahrez from reigning English Premier League and European champions Manchester City. A medium-term threat Soccer isn't the first sport to be rocked by a sudden wave of Saudi investment. This is more like a couple of decades before I think we could see some significant impact." Cristiano Ronaldo stands prior to the Saudi Pro League week 28 soccer match between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab at Alawwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 23, 2023.

Persons: Kylian, Paris Saint, Germain, Le, Aurelien Meunier, Hilal, Mbappé, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Ronaldo, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Mahrez, Anmar Al, Khalid Alhaj, Al, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, LIV, Michael Goldberg, DBRS Morningstar, Goldberg, Jude Bellingham, Mohammed Saad Organizations: Paris Saint, Campus PSG, PSG, Getty Images, Al, French, country's Public Investment Fund, Real, English Premier League, Newcastle United, Saudi, — Al, Saudi Pro League, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, King Abdullah Sports City, Premier League's Wolverhampton Wanderers, Senegalese, Lazio, UEFA, Champions League, England's Premier League, Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, Italian Serie, isn't, DBRS, CNBC, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Alawwal, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: POISSY, France, Paris, Le Havre, Getty Images Saudi Arabian, Qatar, Real Madrid, Spanish, Saudi, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli, JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Italian, Barcelona, Liverpool, Shabab, Riyadh

☆ One family may have to travel 185 miles to Chicago to get gender-affirming care after Indiana banned treatment for trans minors
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Arleigh Rodgers | Michael Goldberg | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

An expert said trans kids need what all young people need: "to feel included and part of a family." The following afternoon, Flower and Jennilyn Nichols would see a doctor at the University of Chicago to learn whether they could keep Flower, 11, on puberty blockers. At least 20 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for trans minors, though several are embroiled in legal challenges. Flower Nichols hugs her mom, Jennilyn Nichols, as they watch the Pride Parade, Saturday, June 10, 2023, in Indianapolis. Flower Nichols, middle, watches the Pride Parade with her parents Kris and Jennilyn Nichols, Saturday, June 10, 2023, in Indianapolis.

Persons: Flower Nichols, Jennilyn Nichols, Eric Holcomb, Darron Cummings Jennilyn Nichols, Nichols, Parker, Kris, Darron Cummings, Robert Marx, Marx, Krisztina Inskeep, Inskeep, Indiana University's Riley, Flower, Jennilyn, —, Teresa Crawford, She's, ___ Arleigh Rodgers, Michael Goldberg, Rodgers, Goldberg Organizations: Indiana, Service, University of Chicago, Republican Gov, AP, of Science, Industry, Republican, San José State University, Indiana University's Riley Children's Hospital, Hoosier, Red, Indiana Statehouse, Scout, Chicago's Museum of Science and, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Indianapolis, Chicago, Wall, Silicon, Indiana, Indiana , Mississippi, babysit, brightened, Chicago's, Jackson

☆ Mississippi's ban on gender-affirming care is forcing one teenager to leave his mom and 2 brothers and go live with his dad in Virginia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Arleigh Rodgers | Michael Goldberg | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ray Walker had been receiving gender-affirming care in the state where he lives, and now can't. AP Photo/Rogelio V. SolisAt least 20 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for trans minors, though several are embroiled in legal challenges. Opponents of gender-affirming care say there's no solid proof of purported benefits, cite widely discredited research and say children shouldn't make life-altering decisions they might regret. Then the broad effort in conservative states to restrict gender-affirming care set its sights on Mississippi. "Most people in Mississippi cannot afford to just move to another state or even go to another state for care."

Persons: Ray Walker, Walker, Katie Rives, Tate Reeves, Reeves, Rogelio V, Solis, Walker's, Rives, It's, ___ Arleigh Rodgers, Michael Goldberg, Rodgers, Goldberg Organizations: Mississippi Republican, Service, Mississippi Republican Gov, AP, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Mississippi, Virginia, Wall, Silicon, Jackson, Madison County, Miss, Chicago, Indianapolis

☆ Somehow 32 school districts in Mississippi are still under federal orders to desegregate
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Michael Goldberg | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But 69 years later, 32 school districts in Mississippi are still under federal desegregation orders. (AP) — There are 32 school districts in Mississippi still under federal desegregation orders, the US Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division's assistant attorney general said Thursday. "In our ongoing efforts to fulfill the promise of Brown vs. Board of Education, we currently have 32 open cases with school districts here in Mississippi," Clarke said. In addition to school districts, Clarke said at least five Mississippi jails and prisons have come under federal scrutiny. Clarke declined to offer more details about the case, citing an ongoing federal civil rights investigation.

Persons: Brown, —, Kristen Clarke, Clarke, Rogelio V, Solis Mississippi, Michael Corey Jenkins, Jill Collen Jefferson, JULIAN, Bonita Streeter, Mitzi Dease Paige, Solis, Jefferson Organizations: Service, US Department of Justice's, US Department of Justice's Civil Rights, Justice Department, of Education, Holmes, Community, Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, AP, The Justice Department, Mississippi Delta, Penitentiary, South Mississippi Correctional Institution, Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, Correctional, Sheriff's Deputies, Southern, Southern District of, Solis An Associated Press, Lexington Police Department, The, Department, FBI Locations: Mississippi, LEXINGTON, Miss, Lexington, Jackson, Parchman, Wilkinson, Hinds, Rankin, Southern District, Southern District of Mississippi, Solis An

In the months since the most recent water woes began in Jackson, Mississippi, national attention has died down, donations have dwindled, and volunteers have been hard to come by. Thanks to donations and the national attention, grassroots organizers were able to distribute hundreds of cases of bottled water to panicked residents after the O.B. Michael Goldberg / AP fileJackson has one of the oldest water systems in the country, with authorities routinely directing residents to boil their water for safety, and residents often reporting brown water, leaking sewage and low water pressure. Since the water outage over the summer, residents have largely relied on bottled water for eating and drinking — and some for bathing as well. Months before the water outage in August, residents endured a cold snap in 2021, with extremely low temperatures freezing pipes and leaving many without water.

☆ Saudi Arabia's new love for soccer could cause ripple effects across the sports world
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo poses for a photo with the jersey after signing with Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr Football Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 30, 2022. Al Nassr Football Club / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesSoccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi club Al-Nassr, and the kingdom's growing investments in the sport, could have ripple effects across Europe and the U.S., experts have told CNBC. The former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus star earlier this week contended that the "unique contract" was befitting of his status as a "unique player." The Financial Times reported in October that the Saudi PIF had committed more than $2 billion to sponsorship deals over the first eight months of 2022, most of which was directed toward domestic soccer competitions. The Saudi PIF's takeover of Newcastle United was met with criticism across the soccer world — deemed an effort to launder the country's reputation against the backdrop of a poor human rights record.

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