Oil Spill
Shrimpers Will Get Another Chance With Opening of Season
MPB
PUBLISHED BY RHONDA MILLER ON 15 MAY 2012 05:32PM
Shrimp season will open soon in Mississippi waters. After Hurricane
Katrina, the BP oil spill and the Mississippi River flooding, MPB's Rhonda
Miller reports fishermen and state officials are just hoping for a normal
season.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/mississippi_shrimp_season_to_open_soon
Mississippi shrimp season opening nears
Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 3:07 PM Updated: Tuesday, May 15,
2012, 3:18 PM
By Harlan Kirgan, Mississippi Press
BILOXI, Mississippi -- The opening of the brown shrimp season in state
waters is near with shrimp sizes ranging from 61 to 70 shrimp per pound,
according to Traci Floyd, director of the Shrimp and Crab Bureau of the
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/05/mississippi_shrimp_season_open_1.html
Shrimp season opening date coming soon
WLOX
Mississippi is one important step closer to opening this year's shrimp
season.
On Tuesday, the Commission on Marine Resources gave the DMR executive
director the authority to open the season, once the shrimp reach legal
size.
http://www.wlox.com/story/18429662/shrimp-season-opening-date-coming-soon
Boxer: Highway deal will include measure to funnel oil-spill penalty money
to Gulf
The HIll
By Andrew Restuccia - 05/15/12 03:57 PM ET
A final compromise transportation package will include a provision sending
billions of dollars in fines from the BP oil spill to Gulf Coast states,
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer
(D-Calif.) said Tuesday.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/227533-boxer-final-transportation-deal-will-include-bill-to-funnel-oil-spill-penalty-money-to-gulf
now.
Scientists study oil's impact on birds
Daily Comet
By Nikki Buskey
Some of the most memorable and horrific images of the Gulf oil spill were
of birds, struggling and slathered from beak to tail in thick, chocolatey
oil.
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20120515/ARTICLES/120519801/1320?Title=Scientists-study-oil-8217-s-impact-on-birds
State News
Maywood dams to be evaluated
Engineers to consider possibility of removal
Commercial Appeal
By Toni Lepeska
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Olive Branch elected officials approved a study Tuesday night related to
the state's demand that Maywood community leaders bring their dams up to
modern standards or eliminate them.
…The lake community homeowner's association has been given a deadline to
respond to the Department of Environmental Quality.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/may/16/maywood-dams-to-be-evaluated/
Massive Biloxi project restores damaged water, sewer system
WLOX
It's being called the largest infrastructure project in Biloxi's history
and much of the work is going on underground.
After six years of planning, work is finally underway to replace all the
water, sewer, and drainage lines that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.wlox.com/story/18429633/massive-biloxi-project-restores-damaged-water-sewer-system
Moss Point leaders vote to fix sewer leaks, adopt two public health
ordinances
Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 10:10 PM Updated: Tuesday, May 15,
2012, 10:11 PM
By April M. Havens, The Mississippi Press
MOSS POINT, Mississippi -- City aldermen Tuesday night declared two major
sewer line leaks an emergency and voted to award a $113,000 contract to Don
M. Barron Contracting Inc. to fix the problems.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/05/moss_point_leaders_vote_to_fix.html
South Mississippi's refinery sitting pretty, for now
Sun Herald
By KAREN NELSON
PASCAGOULA -- A global shift in who uses gasoline and diesel is causing
upheavals in the business of refining crude.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/05/15/v-print/3950072/south-mississippis-refinery-sitting.html
Heritage Area Plan For Delta Under Development
MPB
PUBLISHED BY JEFFREY HESS ON 15 MAY 2012 05:22PM
Public Hearings are going on across the Mississippi Delta to develop a long
term plan to manage the area's historical and cultural sites. MPB's Jeffrey
Hess reports the plan is required for the area to keep its designation as a
National Heritage Area.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/heritage_area_plan_for_delta_under_development
Gov. Bryant: agriculture's economic role often underrated
Delta Farm Press
Agriculture continues to be the mainstay of the economy in Mississippi and
other Mid-South states, and, as such, it should be promoted and protected —
not neglected.
http://deltafarmpress.com/government/gov-bryant-agriculture-s-economic-role-often-underrated
Phil Bryant names Mississippi Development Authority director
Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 1:20 PM Updated: Tuesday, May 15,
2012, 1:21 PM
By Mississippi Press Staff Report
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Gov. Phil Bryant today named Brent Christensen
executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. Bryant made
the announcement at the close of the first roundtable meeting of his
Mississippi Works Committee.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/05/phil_bryant_names_mississippi.html
National News
Medical Records Could Yield Answers On Fracking
by JON HAMILTON
NPR
May 16, 2012
A proposed study of people in northern Pennsylvania could help resolve a
national debate about whether the natural gas boom is making people sick.
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/16/151762133/medical-records-could-yield-answers-on-fracking
Opinion
Higher education and agribusiness are interrelated
Op-Ed Sid Salter
CLEVELAND — At his speech here to the movers and shakers in the Mississippi
Delta's business, agricultural, educational and political circles, Gov.
Phil Bryant's remarks were met with more than polite applause. Bryant, the
mechanic's son from Moorhead, understands the Delta region's challenges as
lessons from his boyhood.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120516/OPINION/205160310/Higher-education-agribusiness-interrelated
Press Releases
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Celebrates USDA's 150th Year of Service,
Highlights Ways the Every Day, Every Way' Department Works for American
People
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today marked
the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and highlighted
the positive impact that USDA has on the life of Americans each day.
"For 150 years, USDA has supported our nation's economic prosperity and
touched the lives of generations of Americans," said Vilsack. "I'm proud of
the USDA employees who carry out President Lincoln's legacy throughout the
country and around the world, making USDA a truly 'Every Day, Every Way'
department. Whether improving domestic and international access to food,
promoting nutrition and safety of our food supply, conserving our natural
resources, advancing agricultural exports, or developing the rural economy,
USDA helps Americans to lead better lives."
President Lincoln created USDA in 1862 and in his last address before
Congress, called it the "People's Department." President Lincoln
established USDA because he understood the importance of agriculture to
America's success – and under the Obama Administration USDA has focused on
advancing Lincoln's legacy. The Department has delivered record amounts of
loan assistance; enrolled a record number of acres in conservation
programs; provided food assistance to 1 in 4 Americans and helped to
upgrade infrastructure, such as electric and broadband Internet service,
for millions of people.
Throughout 2012, USDA will continue to recognize important events such as
President Lincoln's signing of the Act to establish the Department of
Agriculture on May, 15, 1862 and the July 2, 1862 signing of the Morrill
Act to establish public land grant universities. Learn more about President
Lincoln's agricultural legacy here.
USDA works to support the tremendous growth and continued successes of
American agriculture at home and abroad, drive economic growth, conduct
groundbreaking research, conserve natural resources, promote healthy
families and build stronger communities and a stronger nation. The
Department will remain focused on rebuilding and revitalizing the nation's
future while bolstering innovation and supporting economic growth for
millions of American families. In the years to come, USDA will continue to
address the changing needs of agriculture and rural America, and will
continue to help provide a safe, ample food supply for our nation and the
world.
For more information on the 150th anniversary celebration, please visit
www.usda.gov/usda150. Additional information on USDA's work to strengthen
the American economy can be found at www.usda.gov/results.
