SUMMARY: Mississippi's Republican-led Legislature failed to reach a compromise on two bills that would restrict legal recognition of transgender people before a Monday night deadline. The bills would have limited transgender people's use of bathrooms and defined sex as determined at birth with only male or female genders. Lawmakers had passed different versions of the bills in the House and Senate. Governor Tate Reeves would need to approve a single version for the bills to become law. These bills were part of a larger trend in state legislatures across the U.S. where Republicans are pushing for restrictions on transgender rights.

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SUMMARY: Mississippi lawmakers are set to vote this week on a compromise measure that would expand Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of residents. The plan would expand Medicaid up to 138% of the federal poverty level, covering those making between 0% and 99% FPL through Medicaid and those between 100% and 138% through state subsidized plans. The measure includes a 25-hour work requirement, which Democrats are questioning due to federal approval concerns. Republicans are confident in approval if former President Trump is re-elected. Lawmakers have until Wednesday to approve, reject, or further amend the conference report.

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SUMMARY: A court battle is underway over who has the right to request an independent autopsy for Dau Mabil, who went missing and was found dead. Dau's brother argues that his widow, Karissa Bowley, is not the next of kin due to their relationship issues. Evidence presented in court includes texts from Dau to the mother of his child, expressing problems with Karissa. The Mississippi DPS has agreed to preserve Mabil's body for an independent autopsy. Both sides have until May 1 to submit their requests to the judge, who will issue a ruling on May 2.

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