Mississippi News
How we reported the story: Delta farm discrimination
How we reported the story: White Delta farm owners underpay, push out Black workers
Mississippi Today reporter Sara DiNatale spent eight months investigating the state of the farming workforce in the Delta. She interviewed a dozen local and H-2A visa farm workers, including some currently living in South Africa.
She examined three investigation files from the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which Mississippi Today obtained through public information requests.
What she discovered was alarming: At least five Delta farms paid their primarily Black local workforce less money per hour than temporary workers from other countries — most often, white men from South Africa.
“I started investigating the dynamics at play among the workforce on Delta farms because I knew it was more than just a lawsuit story,” DiNatale said. “I knew if I spent time listening and searching, records would back up what these men were telling me. And that's what we were able to find.”
DiNatale along with data reporter Alex Rozier analyzed 15 years of labor department enforcement data to show the high rate Mississippi farms are found to be breaking labor laws when investigated by federal agents. They also sorted through nationwide H-2A applications data to identify trends among the Mississippi farms that used the program last year.
DiNatale contacted more than 30 farm owners throughout the Delta and spent time with veteran farmworkers. Her reporting was informed by interviews with agricultural academics from Alcorn State University, University of Arkansas and Tuskegee University, as well as researchers at the Economic Policy Institute. She attended a virtual session held by the Department of Labor meant to educate about farmworkers' rights and missteps often made by farmers using the H-2A program.
While she used information shared in the Mississippi Center for Justice's lawsuits against Pitts Farms and Harris Russell Farm, she also verified information shared by attorneys with former workers and experts familiar with the H-2A program.
“The problem our investigation uncovered is complex and nuanced,” DiNatale said. “But Mississippi leadership has made it clear they want to focus on creating well-paying jobs in the state. I think the biggest takeaway of everything is: Don't forget about the Delta.”
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 26-28
SUMMARY: Unwind this weekend with a variety of events happening in Mississippi. From concerts to festivals, there is something for everyone. Enjoy The Magic Flute in Jackson, the Natchez Trace Festival in Kosciusko, or the Lynch Street Festival in Jackson. For music lovers, there's Music for the Heart and Soul in Jackson and Dancing on the River in Natchez. Foodies can attend the Pearl Day in The Park BBQ Cook-Off in Pearl or the Wing Competition in Ridgeland. There are also opportunities for art enthusiasts with various exhibits and markets happening throughout the weekend. The options are endless for a fun-filled weekend in Mississippi.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 26-28 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Warm and breezy for the weekend – Home – WCBI TV
SUMMARY: Temperatures will be above average in Columbus, Mississippi for late April, reaching the lower to middle 80s. Rain and thunderstorms are expected to return to the forecast on Monday. The weekend will be warm and breezy with highs in the low to mid 80s, although there might be occasional showers. Heading into next week, showers and storms are likely on Monday afternoon and evening, with a potential for locally heavy rain and a risk of severe weather. Scattered showers may continue through Tuesday and Wednesday as a slow-moving front approaches.
The post Warm and breezy for the weekend – Home – WCBI TV appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
House Speaker Mike Johnson appears at Mississippi event
SUMMARY: US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson visited Mississippi and spoke at Jackson Preparatory School during an event hosted by NACLC. While reporters were unable to ask him questions, student Sophie Slade asked him about balancing foreign and domestic policy priorities. Johnson emphasized the importance of America first but not America only, and expressed concern about projecting weakness in foreign policy. He also discussed issues at the southern border and his recent speech at Columbia University about the protests following the war between Israel and Hamas. Additionally, officials announced that the US is expected to provide $6 billion to fund long-term weapons contracts for Ukraine.
The post House Speaker Mike Johnson appears at Mississippi event appeared first on www.wjtv.com
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