SUMMARY: Mississippi towns and cities are relieved after lawmakers reached a deal in the final days of the Legislative Session to address the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The bill, awaiting Governor Tate Reeves' signature, removes power from the PERS Board and requires any employer contribution increase to be recommended to the Legislature. The bill also stops an immediate 5% employer contribution increase, instead implementing a gradual half a percentage point increase over five years. Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker, president of the Mississippi Municipal League, sees this as the first step in an ongoing issue, with $110 million allocated to PERS by the Legislature.

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SUMMARY: Former Noxubee County Sheriff Terry Grassaree pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents about his relationship with a female inmate in exchange for nude photos and videos. He used his position to provide her with special treatment, including access to a phone and other items not allowed for other inmates. Grassaree initially denied receiving these materials during an FBI interview. He was indicted in 2022, while one of his former deputies, Vance Phillips, pleaded guilty to using facilities in interstate commerce. Phillips faces up to five years in prison, while Grassaree is set to be sentenced in August with a similar maximum penalty.

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SUMMARY: A member of CODEPINK accused Mississippi Rep. Mike Ezell of assault during a confrontation at the U.S. Capitol. The incident occurred during a discussion about the conflict in Palestine, with Ezell allegedly slapping away the woman's phone. The group has filed assault charges against the congressman. CODEPINK believes the violence shown by Ezell and others supporting Israel's actions mirrors that of the Israeli government. Protests have erupted on college campuses across the country in response to the conflict. Ezell denied the allegations, stating that the protesters are backed by China and Hamas, and he will continue to support Israel.

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