SUMMARY: FEMA has provided over $2.6 million in aid to victims of April's severe storms and tornadoes. Of this, $1.6 million is dedicated to housing assistance, while over $1 million covers other needs like personal property damage, childcare, and transportation. Federal aid became available on June 11 for six Mississippi counties. FEMA officer Jeremy Slinker encourages all affected individuals to apply for assistance, even if they've started repairs. Seven disaster recovery centers are open for support, and applications can also be submitted online, via the FEMA app, or by calling the helpline. For more information, visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

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SUMMARY: Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade and Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba were optimistic about crime trends at a recent meeting, noting a drop in homicides and an improved 78.33% homicide case solvability rate, surpassing the national average. They emphasized ongoing work is needed as they reviewed detailed crime statistics. Wade attributed progress to effective police work, community involvement, and an increased force size from 221 to 264 officers since his tenure began in August 2023. Homicides in Jackson dropped from 135 in 2022 to 109 in 2023, aligning with a national decline in violent crime. Wade stressed proactive measures and collaboration with state and federal authorities in addressing crime.

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SUMMARY: Mississippi lawmakers are addressing mental health through a new K-12 and Postsecondary Mental Health Task Force, established by Senate Bill 2727. Co-chaired by Rep. Rob Roberson and Sen. David Parker, the 24-member committee will begin meeting on July 17-18 at the state capitol in Jackson. The task force includes mental health advocates and experts, such as Dr. Jonathan Baker and Senator Kevin Blackwell. The public is encouraged to submit written testimonies to MHTF@peer.ms.gov to aid in drafting future legislation. The initial meeting will focus on cataloging available mental health resources, with plans to collaborate with non-governmental experts and organizations.

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