1/11/21 - Winter Weather | Vaccine Roll-out | MDOC Reforms

Mississippi Edition

With snow hitting the Magnolia State, we talk to the National Weather Service about how long residents can expect wintry weather.

Then, the health department expands vaccination sites in the continuing fight to lower transmission of the coronavirus.

Plus, after assuming leadership of the Department of Corrections last summer, Commissioner Burl Cain discusses his first months on the job.

Segment 1:

A wintry mix of rain and snow is making its way across Mississippi, causing a number of school closures and winter weather advisories. Some parts of the state have seen more than an inch of snow. For more on the system and how long residents can expect these conditions, we turn to Meteorologist John Moore who joins us now from the National Weather Service in Jackson.

Segment 2:

Coronavirus transmission in Mississippi remains high with the state health department reporting over 5,000 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend. Although vaccine distribution in the state is underway, roll-out has been slow. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says the risk remains high for the state's long-term care facilities.

State officials are deviating from the Center for Disease Control's vaccine distribution guidelines. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says the decision was made to expedite the vaccines to the state's older residents.

Segment 3:

The Mississippi Department of Corrections is changing some policies under the direction of Commissioner Burl Cain. Cain, who took office last summer, promised to deliver prison reform based on moral rehabilitation and skills training. Under his direction, MDOC has added seminary programs for inmates and Cain hopes community college courses will be available soon. Cain shares more about his first months on the job and his vision for the Department, beginning with the progress at Parchman State Penitentiary

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