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Gov. Tate Reeves celebrates suspension of COVID-19 vaccine mandate

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Gov. Tate Reeves celebrates suspension of COVID-19 vaccine mandate

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Administration has suspended the enactment of 's COVID-19 vaccination mandate for companies that employ more than 100 workers as lawsuits filed by 26 states, Mississippi, are considered in the federal judiciary.

Gov. Tate Reeves, who leads the pandemic response for one of the least vaccinated states in America, celebrated on social the decision of the OSHA earlier this week to suspend the enactment of the mandate, which was not slated to go into effect until early January.

“Another victory for and individual liberty! Another victory for ! And another loss for Biden and federal overreach. OSHA suspends enforcement of vaccine mandate,” Reeves said on social media.

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In September, Biden announced plans to impose coronavirus vaccine mandates on employees of companies and other entities with federal contracts and on companies that employ more than 100 workers. The mandate was immediately met with criticism by Republican politicians, including by Reeves, House Speaker Philip Gunn, and Mississippi U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith.

Besides OSHA suspending the enactment of the mandate, the Biden administration also has provided more leeway on the portion of his mandate that requires companies with federal contracts to ensure their employees are vaccinated. Under the latest guidelines, the federal contractors are afforded significant discretion in enforcing the mandate and the mandate has been pushed back from December to Jan. 18.

Employees of federal contractors can ask for an accommodation to not be vaccinated based on religious and health reasons. And the company is responsible for deciding whether to grant the accommodation. Even if the accommodation is not granted, the company should not immediately terminate the employment of the worker, though the unvaccinated worker is required to wear a mask and practice social distancing and can be barred from federal property.

According to Roll Call, a company should counsel and consider other disciplinary action for unvaccinated employees before considering termination.

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The mandate on large companies gave them the option of requiring regular coronavirus testing for those who refused vaccinations.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Mississippi in its jurisdiction, was the first court to halt the vaccine mandate for companies employing more than 100.

But the 5th Circuit no longer has jurisdiction on the issue. As spelled out in federal law, the multiple lawsuits challenging the mandate were combined, and through a random drawing the Ohio-based 6th Circuit was chosen as the jurisdiction to handle the cases.

Many national pundits have predicted the issue ultimately will be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court. But an article in the National surmised that the Biden administration never believed the mandate would hold up in court, but imposed it believing it would increase the nation's overall vaccination rate even if it eventually was struck down.

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Numerous courts have upheld vaccine mandates on the state and local levels. What is at issue in the lawsuits against Biden is whether his Department of Labor can use federal law to impose the mandate. Federal law gives the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration the authority to issue rules and regulations to ensure workplace safety. The question for the courts is whether the vaccine mandate is a proper use of that OSHA authority.

For much of the pandemic, Reeves imposed mask mandates and other mandates for large swarths of the state. But this past summer as the COVID-19 delta variant surged and overwhelmed hospitals, the Republican governor refused to impose any mandates even as Mississippi became the state with the highest fatality rate per capita from the coronavirus. Mississippi also is one of the nation's least vaccinated states.

READ MORE: Reeves downplays Mississippi's highest-in-nation COVID death rate

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

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Mississippi News

Sex offender pulls knife on deputies

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www.wcbi.com – Eric Lampkin – 2024-03-28 10:37:03

SUMMARY: Kenneth Jones, Jr., a convicted sex offender wanted for failing to register, was in Monroe County after a public tip led deputies to him. During a pursuit, Jones pulled a knife on the deputies, resulting in new charges of felony assault on a officer. Sheriff Kevin Crook thanked the public for their cooperation in locating Jones. Now facing multiple charges, failure to register and assaulting a police officer, Jones is in custody. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of public cooperation in enforcement efforts.

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Mississippi News

Powerball jackpot increases to $935 million after no one wins the top prize

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www.wjtv.com – Matthew Knight – 2024-03-28 05:00:55

SUMMARY: The Powerball jackpot is now at $935 million after no winners were drawn. The Mega Millions jackpot was won in New Jersey for $1.13 . The Powerball jackpot has not been won since New Year's Day. The next drawing is for a sole winner who will be paid over 30 years through an annuity. Experts recommend taking the annuity option as it provides more control and protection for the winnings. Taxes will be withheld regardless of the payout option. Financial and legal advice is recommended for jackpot winners. Powerball is played in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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The post Powerball jackpot increases to $935 million after no one wins the top prize appeared first on www.wjtv.com

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Mississippi News

Warming trend for Easter weekend – Home – WCBI TV

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www.wcbi.com – Isaac Williams – 2024-03-28 04:08:29

SUMMARY: The weather in Columbus, Mississippi will be cold in the mornings but warm up in the afternoons for the Easter . Thursday will be sunny with highs in the 60s, dropping to the 30s at night with patchy frost. Friday will have highs in the 70s, and the weekend will be even warmer with temperatures in the 80s and no rain expected. Next will see warm and humid with the possibility of scattered showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday. It is still unsure if the storms will be severe.

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