SUMMARY: Republican Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann plans to propose several measures to reduce chronic absenteeism in Mississippi schools. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing over 18 school days annually, stood at 23.9% in the 2022-23 school year, down from 28% in 2021-22 but still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Hosemann's proposals include restricting cell phone use in schools, shifting school attendance officers to district-level supervision, increasing their salaries, and encouraging low-performing schools to adopt a modified calendar. He also intends to visit schools statewide to better understand absenteeism issues and has tasked the K-12 and Postsecondary Mental Health Task Force with examining the problem.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the permanent closure of five disaster recovery centers in Mississippi, effective July 8. The closing centers are located in Hancock, Madison, Neshoba, Scott Counties, and one of two centers in Hinds County. Despite these closures, other centers in Hinds and Humphreys Counties will remain open. Officials will assist storm survivors of the April 8-11 events until 5 p.m. on the last day. Survivors can still apply for federal assistance via DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA mobile app, or by calling the helpline. The deadline for assistance applications is August 9. To date, over $2.6 million has been granted.

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SUMMARY: The Mississippi Freedom Trail has unveiled a new marker honoring civil rights leaders Dorie and Dr. Joyce Ladner in Hattiesburg. The marker, located at 507 Mobile Street, highlights the Ladner sisters' contributions to the civil rights movement, alongside other important sites like the African American Military History Museum. The Ladners, inspired by Emmett Till's murder, were active in the NAACP Youth Council, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and participated in Freedom Rides and marches. The site is part of the Sixth Street Museum District. The new marker stands where the historic Woods Guest House once did, emphasizing Hattiesburg's crucial role in civil rights history.

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