Mississippi News
Gov. Tate Reeves celebrates suspension of COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Gov. Tate Reeves celebrates suspension of COVID-19 vaccine mandate
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has suspended the enactment of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for companies that employ more than 100 workers as lawsuits filed by 26 states, including Mississippi, are considered in the federal judiciary.
Gov. Tate Reeves, who leads the pandemic response for one of the least vaccinated states in America, celebrated on social media the decision of the OSHA earlier this week to suspend the enactment of the mandate, which was not slated to go into effect until early January.
“Another victory for freedom and individual liberty! Another victory for Mississippians! And another loss for Biden and federal overreach. OSHA suspends enforcement of vaccine mandate,” Reeves said on social media.
In September, Biden announced plans to impose coronavirus vaccine mandates on employees of companies and other entities with federal contracts and on companies that employ more than 100 workers. The mandate was immediately met with criticism by Republican politicians, including by Reeves, state House Speaker Philip Gunn, and Mississippi U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Besides OSHA suspending the enactment of the mandate, the Biden administration also has provided more leeway on the portion of his mandate that requires companies with federal contracts to ensure their employees are vaccinated. Under the latest guidelines, the federal contractors are afforded significant discretion in enforcing the mandate and the mandate has been pushed back from December to Jan. 18.
Employees of federal contractors can ask for an accommodation to not be vaccinated based on religious and health reasons. And the company is responsible for deciding whether to grant the accommodation. Even if the accommodation is not granted, the company should not immediately terminate the employment of the worker, though the unvaccinated worker is required to wear a mask and practice social distancing and can be barred from federal property.
According to Roll Call, a company should counsel and consider other disciplinary action for unvaccinated employees before considering termination.
The mandate on large companies gave them the option of requiring regular coronavirus testing for those who refused vaccinations.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Mississippi in its jurisdiction, was the first court to halt the vaccine mandate for companies employing more than 100.
But the 5th Circuit no longer has jurisdiction on the issue. As spelled out in federal law, the multiple lawsuits challenging the mandate were combined, and through a random drawing the Ohio-based 6th Circuit was chosen as the jurisdiction to handle the cases.
Many national pundits have predicted the issue ultimately will be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court. But an article in the National Review surmised that the Biden administration never believed the mandate would hold up in court, but imposed it believing it would help increase the nation’s overall vaccination rate even if it eventually was struck down.
Numerous courts have upheld vaccine mandates on the state and local levels. What is at issue in the lawsuits against Biden is whether his Department of Labor can use federal law to impose the mandate. Federal law gives the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration the authority to issue rules and regulations to ensure workplace safety. The question for the courts is whether the vaccine mandate is a proper use of that OSHA authority.
For much of the pandemic, Reeves imposed mask mandates and other mandates for large swarths of the state. But this past summer as the COVID-19 delta variant surged and overwhelmed hospitals, the Republican governor refused to impose any mandates even as Mississippi became the state with the highest fatality rate per capita from the coronavirus. Mississippi also is one of the nation’s least vaccinated states.
READ MORE: Reeves downplays Mississippi’s highest-in-nation COVID death rate
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: December 20-22
SUMMARY: This weekend (December 20-22), Mississippi offers a variety of festive events. In Jackson, enjoy Food Truck Friday, candlelight concerts, a Grinch movie screening, and Journey to the North Pole. In Ridgeland, experience Merry Bingo, Christmas on the Green, and Fleet Feet Coffee Run. Vicksburg hosts Rock the Halls, while Natchez offers a European Christmas Shopping Village. Other activities include Santa scuba diving at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, and Magic of Lights in Brandon. Hattiesburg features Lights of the Wild and Teddy Bear Tea with Santa. Numerous holiday events are available across the state.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: December 20-22 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Attorneys seek protective order in Jackson bribery case
SUMMARY: Prosecutors in Jackson are seeking a protective order to prevent the release of sensitive information in a bribery case involving Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba, and City Councilman Aaron Banks. The motion aims to protect personal, financial, and grand jury information, fearing it could impair investigations and fair trial rights. The three officials face charges related to a bribery scheme involving $80,000 in bribes for approving a real estate development project. Other individuals, including former City Councilwoman Angelique Lee and Sherik Marve Smith, are also implicated, with Smith pleading guilty to conspiracy.
The post Attorneys seek protective order in Jackson bribery case appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggles, shouts while entering courthouse
SUMMARY: Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was arrested in Pennsylvania and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Mangione, who expressed disdain for corporate greed and the health insurance industry, was found with a gun matching the murder weapon and fraudulent IDs. He initially gave false identification but was recognized at a McDonald’s. Mangione, who wrote a three-page document expressing anti-corporate sentiments, is being extradited to New York. His family, shocked by his arrest, expressed condolences to Thompson’s family. Mangione had no prior criminal complaints but had a history of severe back pain.
The post Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggles, shouts while entering courthouse appeared first on www.wjtv.com
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