Government

President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for five Mississippi counties after severe storms May 6-7, the governor’s office said. The storms produced seven tornadoes, injured 26 people and damaged 425 homes.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has appointed and reappointed more than 100 individuals to various state boards and commissions, strengthening governance across multiple sectors.

Gov. Tate Reeves announced that the State Workforce Investment Board approved a framework to guide review of Workforce Pell programs and that AccelerateMS will begin accepting institutional applications on July 1, 2026, his office said.

Gov. Tate Reeves announced special elections for House Districts 77 and 70 will be held Nov. 3, 2026, to fill vacancies left by the deaths of Reps. Price Wallace and William “Bo” Brown, the governor’s office said.

Gov. Tate Reeves announced that Mississippi’s total nonfarm employment hit a record 1,195,400 in May and highlighted recent economic awards and investments.

Area Development magazine awarded Mississippi a 2025 Gold Shovel Award for economic development, and named a $210 million Amazon project in Marshall County a Non-Manufacturing Project of the Year, state officials said.

Governor Tate Reeves has appointed Sabrina Howell as Chancery Judge for Mississippi’s 3rd Chancery District, filling a vacancy left by a retirement.

The Port of Gulfport has received a key federal recommendation to deepen and widen its channel, paving the way for future growth and economic development.

The Mississippi Development Authority has approved $5 million in grants to support transportation and infrastructure improvements for forestry industry projects across the state.

A Mississippi Development Authority report recommends using direct lithium extraction and existing oilfield infrastructure to develop a domestic critical minerals industry centered on lithium-rich brines, the report says.