Michele Walker
@mwalkerms.bsky.social
Trying to make well-read sense of the world and understand a place like Mississippi.
A new report breaks down how much Mississippi Medicaid stands to lose should efforts to cut the program at the federal level continue moving forward.
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/10/m...
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/10/m...
Mississippi would lose billions if Congress cuts Medicaid, report says - Mississippi Today
Mississippi could see a potential reduction of up to $5.4 billion in federal funding for Medicaid under one proposal over the 10-year period, and $16 billion under another, according to the report.
mississippitoday.org
April 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
A new report breaks down how much Mississippi Medicaid stands to lose should efforts to cut the program at the federal level continue moving forward.
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/10/m...
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/10/m...
The wiping of academic material unfolded at the same time lawmakers were at loggerheads over the state budget. They ultimately adjourned their regular session without passing a budget to fund state entities, including the Library Commission.
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/08/m...
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/08/m...
Mississippi libraries ordered to delete academic research in response to state laws - Mississippi Today
The two research collections state officials ordered for deletion included material from professional journals, conference papers, books, student dissertations, periodicals and newspaper articles.
mississippitoday.org
April 9, 2025 at 3:39 AM
The wiping of academic material unfolded at the same time lawmakers were at loggerheads over the state budget. They ultimately adjourned their regular session without passing a budget to fund state entities, including the Library Commission.
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/08/m...
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/08/m...
Last week, as the number of confirmed measles cases rose to 483, the CDC buried a report that would’ve stressed the importance of getting vaccinated.
The move was “not normal at all,” one agency staff member said.
Read more: propub.li/41X1XUc
The move was “not normal at all,” one agency staff member said.
Read more: propub.li/41X1XUc
The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations
The move — along with the CDC’s explanation — is a sign that the nation’s top public health agency may be falling in line under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of vaccines.
propub.li
April 7, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Last week, as the number of confirmed measles cases rose to 483, the CDC buried a report that would’ve stressed the importance of getting vaccinated.
The move was “not normal at all,” one agency staff member said.
Read more: propub.li/41X1XUc
The move was “not normal at all,” one agency staff member said.
Read more: propub.li/41X1XUc
Mississippi is one of the most federally dependent states in the nation.
Superintendent Evans said he has asked the federal government to reinstate access to the money.
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/04/t...
Superintendent Evans said he has asked the federal government to reinstate access to the money.
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/04/t...
Trump administration slashes education funding. Mississippi leaders and schools panic - Mississippi Today
Schools were already using the money to pay for a range of initiatives, including literacy and mathematics programs, mental health services, construction projects for outdated school facilities and te...
mississippitoday.org
April 4, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Mississippi is one of the most federally dependent states in the nation.
Superintendent Evans said he has asked the federal government to reinstate access to the money.
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/04/t...
Superintendent Evans said he has asked the federal government to reinstate access to the money.
mississippitoday.org/2025/04/04/t...
NWS-Memphis: "We are focused on an early threat of potential supercells ahead of the main event later today. Damaging winds and large hail would be the main threats."
Here we go again…
Here we go again…
1:05 pm-Showers are forming across the metro right now that have the potential of becoming severe. Be prepared for the potential of damaging wind and large hail with these storms later this afternoon./RB
April 4, 2025 at 6:25 PM
NWS-Memphis: "We are focused on an early threat of potential supercells ahead of the main event later today. Damaging winds and large hail would be the main threats."
Here we go again…
Here we go again…
The administration’s move to defund the Institute of Museum and Library Services is reminiscent of what Hitler did to German libraries and museums.
www.msnbc.com/top-stories/...
www.msnbc.com/top-stories/...
Trump’s attacks on museums and libraries echo the Nazi playbook
The administration’s move to defund the Institute of Museum and Library Services is reminiscent of what Hitler did to German libraries and museums.
www.msnbc.com
April 3, 2025 at 3:40 AM
The administration’s move to defund the Institute of Museum and Library Services is reminiscent of what Hitler did to German libraries and museums.
www.msnbc.com/top-stories/...
www.msnbc.com/top-stories/...
The impact of the layoffs will be acutely felt in the South, which experiences high electricity rates and a significant number of energy-insecure households.
www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2...
www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2...
Trump cuts to HHS layoff all workers for US program that helps Mississippi pay light bills
All the staff for LIHEAP was fired in RFK's HHS purge. The federal program helps poor, elderly, disabled people keep power on in Mississippi. What now?
www.clarionledger.com
April 3, 2025 at 12:49 AM
The impact of the layoffs will be acutely felt in the South, which experiences high electricity rates and a significant number of energy-insecure households.
www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2...
www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2...
Reposted by Michele Walker
"Thus far, the review of the Naval Academy's Library’s holdings has identified 900 books that may run afoul of Hegseth’s order... They include “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.” and a biography on Jackie Robinson..."
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/u...
Naval Academy Takes Steps to End Diversity Policies in Books and Admissions
The defense secretary’s office has ordered that some books be removed from circulation in its library, and the academy has ended the use of affirmative action in admissions.
www.nytimes.com
March 31, 2025 at 6:39 PM
"Thus far, the review of the Naval Academy's Library’s holdings has identified 900 books that may run afoul of Hegseth’s order... They include “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.” and a biography on Jackie Robinson..."
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/u...
Reposted by Michele Walker
Absolutely horrible for museums and libraries. The arts continue to be decimated: bookriot.com/imls-gutted/
The Institute for Museum and Library Services Was Just Gutted
DOGE fired all IMLS employees and closed down their emails. It is assumed all funding for 2025 coming from the federal agency will not be happening.
bookriot.com
March 31, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Absolutely horrible for museums and libraries. The arts continue to be decimated: bookriot.com/imls-gutted/
Reposted by Michele Walker
ALA President Cindy Hohl: “Congress created I.M.L.S. by law, with bipartisan support, and Republican and Democratic Presidents signed those laws, including President Trump in 2018...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/a...
Trump Administration Moves to Shutter Library Agency (Gift Article)
The staff of the independent Institute of Museum and Library Services, the largest source of federal funding for museums and libraries, were put on leave.
www.nytimes.com
March 31, 2025 at 9:30 PM
ALA President Cindy Hohl: “Congress created I.M.L.S. by law, with bipartisan support, and Republican and Democratic Presidents signed those laws, including President Trump in 2018...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/a...
After Trump officials texted war plans to a group chat that included a journalist, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said he was "very concerned" and that his Armed Services Committee would “be looking into it on a bipartisan basis."
Wicker ‘Very Concerned’ After Trump Officials Texted War Plans
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said senators would “be looking into it” after Trump officials texted war plans to a group chat that included a journalist.
www.mississippifreepress.org
March 25, 2025 at 12:31 AM
After Trump officials texted war plans to a group chat that included a journalist, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said he was "very concerned" and that his Armed Services Committee would “be looking into it on a bipartisan basis."
By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration’s executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/a...
Library Advocates Rally as Trump Targets Federal Funding
An executive order has demanded that the Institute for Museum and Library Services be eliminated to the maximum extent allowed by law.
www.nytimes.com
March 24, 2025 at 9:50 PM
By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration’s executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/a...
States such as MS & AK depend on this money to fund more than 20% of school districts’ costs. Advocates worry that without federal oversight, state leaders could spend the money on anything they want, including vouchers to attend private school. apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump has ordered the dismantling of the US Education Department. Here's what that means
President Donald Trump’s order calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Education Department has complex implications.
apnews.com
March 21, 2025 at 7:38 PM
States such as MS & AK depend on this money to fund more than 20% of school districts’ costs. Advocates worry that without federal oversight, state leaders could spend the money on anything they want, including vouchers to attend private school. apnews.com/article/trum...
Reposted by Michele Walker
Column: Now that Trump has formally moved to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, Mississippi leaders need to get so many questions answered quickly. If they don’t, the state and its children could be set so far back in time that we’ll never recover.
Trump moves to eliminate U.S. Department of Education. Right now, Mississippi must figure out what’s next. - Mississippi Today
Column: Now that Trump has formally moved to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, Mississippi leaders need to get so many questions answered quickly. If they don’t, the state and its children…
mississippitoday.org
March 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Column: Now that Trump has formally moved to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, Mississippi leaders need to get so many questions answered quickly. If they don’t, the state and its children could be set so far back in time that we’ll never recover.
Reposted by Michele Walker
Mississippians could soon pay less in income and grocery taxes while paying more in gas taxes under a bill that both chambers of the Legislature have now approved.
Income, Grocery Tax Cuts Approved in Mississippi House, Senate
Mississippians could soon pay less in income and grocery taxes while paying more in gas taxes under a bill that both chambers have approved.
buff.ly
March 20, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Mississippians could soon pay less in income and grocery taxes while paying more in gas taxes under a bill that both chambers of the Legislature have now approved.
International “Read to Me” Day is on March 19th. It is a global campaign that encourages children to ask adults to read to them, promoting literacy and a love for books.
March 19, 2025 at 7:59 PM
International “Read to Me” Day is on March 19th. It is a global campaign that encourages children to ask adults to read to them, promoting literacy and a love for books.
A severe weather system spawned intense, long-duration tornadoes that struck parts of Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri, leaving some communities in tatters.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/w...
Fierce Storms Spawning Tornadoes Kill at Least 18
A severe weather system spawned intense, long-duration tornadoes that struck parts of Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri, leaving some communities in tatters.
www.nytimes.com
March 16, 2025 at 1:50 AM
A severe weather system spawned intense, long-duration tornadoes that struck parts of Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri, leaving some communities in tatters.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/w...
Library advocates have been waiting for this to happen and there will be more we can do in the coming days. But right now, call your members of Congress. Tell them exactly what’s at stake if Trump’s order stands: the future of America’s libraries. #ForOurLibraries
March 15, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Library advocates have been waiting for this to happen and there will be more we can do in the coming days. But right now, call your members of Congress. Tell them exactly what’s at stake if Trump’s order stands: the future of America’s libraries. #ForOurLibraries
Reposted by Michele Walker
Trump signed an executive order to dismantle seven federal agencies: the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services,
March 15, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Trump signed an executive order to dismantle seven federal agencies: the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services,
Reposted by Michele Walker
For the first time in a century, the White House — not the independent White House Correspondents' Association — will determine which news outlets are part of the press pool, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced.
White House strikes back at AP, takes over press pool coverage from reporter group
"Moving forward, the White House Press Pool will be determined by the White House Press Team," she said.
www.axios.com
February 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
For the first time in a century, the White House — not the independent White House Correspondents' Association — will determine which news outlets are part of the press pool, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced.