It appears the savings estimates by the commission planning the merger of Memphis and Shelby County Schools may have been greatly exaggerated. The Shelby County School Board was preparing for a $60 million deficit.

If the school system merged without making changes, there would be a $157 million deficit. So, Shelby

Federal court records say an April 8 trial date has been set for a man charged with failing to register as a sex offender after moving from Mississippi to Ohio.

A complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Greenville, Miss., says James Artis Gilmore was convicted in 1982 on charges of rape, kidnapping and armed

State lawmakers are advancing a measure meant to make it legal for students to pray before public school groups.

House Bill 1112, sponsored by Rep. Mark Formby, a Picayune Republican, was approved unanimously Monday by the House Education Committee.

It suggests naming events including morning announcements, football

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS
Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi House officials say state Rep. Joe Gardner of Batesville died Monday. He was 68.

Gardner, a Democrat, had served in the 122-member House since 2007 and was chairman the House Ethics Committee.

He represented District 11, which included parts of Panola and Tate counties.

Gardner