Longtime Mississippi radio talk show host Paul Gallo died on Sunday, according to SuperTalk radio. He was 77.

“For over five decades, Paul didn’t just talk about Mississippi — he helped shape its story,” a SuperTalk statement said. “… Paul dedicated his life to his listeners, his state, and the pursuit of the truth.”

Gallo was the longtime host of the popular “The Gallo Radio Show” mornings on the statewide SuperTalk network. He began his radio career in 1968, the network said, and, “From DJ to program director, from sales and management to ownership, Paul mastered every facet of the industry.”

Gallo is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patsy; children Jennifer Campbell (Jason) and Mark Galtelli (Susan); six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi Department of Transportation Director Brad White tells Mississippi Today’s Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance he’s staying “in his lane” and out of the politics of a House tax overhaul that would eliminate the income tax and raise sales and gasoline taxes, but that he’s pleased lawmakers are trying to address the long running need for a steady new stream of money to help cover highway maintenance needs.

READ MORE: As lawmakers look to cut taxes, Mississippi mayors and county leaders outline infrastructure needs

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi could soon join the vast majority of states that offer some form of early voting or no-excuse absentee voting. 

House and Senate leaders told Mississippi Today recently that they plan to advance legislation to establish some form of in-person early voting, though they may differ on specific proposals.

Senate Elections Committee Chairman Jeremy England, a Republican from Vancleave, said he intends to move a bill through the Senate that establishes 15 days of no-excuse early voting before Election Day. To cast an early ballot, the measure requires people to vote in person at their local circuit clerk’s office and present a form of photo ID. 

England said he heard from several constituents this past year who grew frustrated and confused when they tried to vote early in the 2024 presidential election as people do in a majority of states — and learned Mississippi has no early voting.

“Of course, they were told we don’t have early voting,” England said. “I think we’re seeing some confusion about this.” 

Mississippi currently allows in-person absentee voting before elections, but voters must meet criteria, such as being over 65 or disabled, or provide one of a handful of valid “excuses,” such as being out of town for work on election day and follow a long list of rules and procedures.

But Mississippi, along with Alabama and New Hampshire, does not have no-excuse absentee voting or other type of early voting. 

The Jackson County lawmaker pushed the legislation last year, where it passed the Senate 44-8. It died, however, in a House committee without any debate or a vote. 

LISTEN: Podcast: Senate Elections chairman says the public wants early voting

House Elections Committee Chairman Noah Sanford, a Republican from Collins, let the Senate bill die in committee last year because some rural circuit clerks had concerns they would not have the office space or staff to conduct widespread early voting.

After conducting hearings this past summer, Sanford said he is more open to the proposal and plans to bring it up for a vote in the House committee, though he’s still trying to work through some of the concerns from circuit clerks.

Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson is the state’s chief elections administrator and has a platform to advocate for changes to voting laws. Watson said at a Thursday press conference that he prefers voters to cast ballots on actual Election Day at their precinct, but he does not oppose early voting laws.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.