SUMMARY: Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann of Mississippi proposed measures to address the state's high chronic absenteeism rate during the 2025 Legislative Session. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing over 18 school days yearly, was 23.9% for the 2022-23 school year, a decline from pandemic peaks but still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Proposals include restricting cellphone use in schools, shifting school attendance officers to district supervision, boosting their salaries, and adopting modified school calendars in low-performing schools. Hosemann aims to visit schools with varying absenteeism rates to gather insights and has tasked the K-12 and Postsecondary Mental Health Task Force to study the issue.

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SUMMARY: Carroll County, Mississippi authorities are offering a $21,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the 2015 homicide of Kenneth “Kim” Daves, found at his family-owned K&M Grocery store. Investigators have developed many leads but need further help to solve the case. Sheriff Clint Walker requested the Board of Supervisors to approve a $10,000 reward to augment the $11,000 already offered by the Daves family. Walker emphasized the long wait for justice and the importance of any information that could help close the case. Information can be directed to Sheriff Walker at 662-310-7233 or the Sheriff's Office at 662-237-9283.

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SUMMARY: In Madison County, Mississippi, 19-year-old Dawton Gage Whatley pled guilty to second-degree murder after the body of Lemetrius Hollins was found in a local home on February 5, 2024. Whatley, who had been living with Hollins, was in custody in Washington County on unrelated charges when he confessed to shooting Hollins on February 3, 2024. Madison County deputies discovered Hollins' body during a welfare check. Whatley was charged and later indicted on June 7, 2024, ultimately pleading guilty on June 24. His sentencing is set for June 16. The motive for the murder remains unclear.

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