Mississippi News

Daniel P. Edney named as new State Health Officer

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2022

State Board of Health names Dr. Daniel P. Edney as new State Health Officer

by Will Stribling, Mississippi Today
May 25, 2022

The Mississippi State Board of Health announced Wednesday morning that Dr. Daniel P. Edney will be the new State Health Officer of the Mississippi State Department of Health. He will step into the new role on Aug. 1.

Edney was named deputy state health officer in March after the Department announced that current State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs would be retiring at the end of July. Prior to that appointment, Edney served as chief medical officer and has worked closely with Dobbs on the agency’s COVID-19 response.

“Following in the footsteps of Dr. Dobbs, I, too, hope to serve as a catalyst for change – especially with infant and maternal mortality, the opioids battle plaguing the country right now, and moving the needle in preventive health and health equity issues,” Edney said in a press release.

Edney, a native of Greenville, has practiced medicine in Vicksburg since 1991. He is a former president of the Mississippi State Medical Association and currently serves as a board member on the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure. He has also served as a fellow and laureate for the Mississippi Chapter of the American College of Physicians and a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Edney is a board-certified General Internist with subspecialty board certification in Addiction Medicine. He has a private practice at Medical Associates of Vicksburg and has served as the medical director for several local nursing homes and hospice services, as well as the addiction medicine physician for several mental health facilities.

In the announcement, Dobbs praised Edney as a major asset to the health department, especially during the COVID pandemic.

“Among his various contributions, Dr. Edney worked with various organizations and partnerships to explain COVID and answer questions,” Dobbs said. “He has also worked with providers to sign them up to give COVID vaccine, and he fielded questions from providers about allergies and other complications related to the administration of the vaccine.”

WATCH: Mississippi Stories: Dan Edney

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Can you remain anonymous in Mississippi if you win the $1.8B Powerball jackpot?

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Addy Bink – 2025-09-05 11:22:00

SUMMARY: The Powerball jackpot has reached an estimated $1.8 billion, the second-largest in U.S. history. Winners must decide between a lump sum or annuity payout and should keep their ticket safe, sign it, and assemble a team of financial, tax, and legal advisors. Experts recommend maintaining privacy, though disclosure laws vary by state. Some states require public release of winners’ names and locations, while others allow anonymity or temporary confidentiality based on prize amounts. Many winners use trusts for privacy. Powerball is played in 45 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, with odds of 1 in 292.2 million.

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Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: September 5-7

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-09-05 07:10:00

SUMMARY: This weekend (September 5-7) in Mississippi offers diverse events across the state. In Central Mississippi, highlights include the “Wild Robot” screening in Jackson, the Roosevelt State Park reopening in Morton, the Hurricane Katrina photo exhibit, and art shows at the Mississippi Children’s Museum and Mississippi Museum of Art. Activities also include roller derby, farmers markets, painting classes, and a Woodstock-themed festival. In the Pine Belt region, Hattiesburg hosts charity events, art classes, live music concerts, a food truck festival, and Southern Miss football games, alongside karaoke nights and museum exhibits. These events suit all ages and interests, ideal for relaxation and exploration.

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Mississippi News

Mississippi universities halt funding for student groups, citing DEI law

Published

3 days ago

September 4, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Devna Bose – 2025-09-04 12:30:00

SUMMARY: Some Mississippi universities have halted funding for student organizations due to a state law (House Bill 1193) banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, currently blocked by a federal judge for potentially violating First Amendment rights. The law exempts registered organizations but prohibits using student activity fees—considered state funds—for DEI-related programming. Consequently, universities like the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State redirected these fees to campus departments for organizing activities, suspending the student-driven funding process. Students and leaders express concern, fearing loss of support for events and club activities, with efforts underway to find alternative funding amid growing legal uncertainty.

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