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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – We are getting a clearer picture of the achievement gap numbers in English and math during the worst part of the pandemic.

Thursday, the Mississippi Department of Education released achievement gap data for students who took statewide assessments in during the 2020-21 school year.

Economically disadvantaged students show the greatest achievement gap when compared to other students in both ELA (31.8%) and mathematics (35.8%). Though some gaps narrowed, significant gaps still exist between student population groups.

The report shows disparities in academic performance between subgroups of Mississippi’s students in grades 3-12.

It’s calculated based on the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced in the following student subgroups:

• All students
• Major racial and ethnic groups
• Students with disabilities
• Limited English-proficient students
• Economically disadvantaged students
• Gender

MDE compared achievement gaps from 2018-19 to 2020-21.

Results include:

• Gap decreased 4.8% between English speaking students and English learners in ELA
• Gap decreased 4.0% between students without disabilities and students with disabilities in ELA
• Gap decreased slightly (less than 1%) between white students and African-American and Hispanic students in ELA and widened in mathematics (4.8% for African-American students; 3.5% for Hispanic students)
• Gap increased between economically disadvantaged and not economically disadvantaged students in both ELA (1.4%) and mathematics (4.4%)

MDE says COVID-19 played a role in the results of this assessment.

“Disruptions may have influenced a student’s opportunity to learn, motivation and/or assessment administration conditions. Also, proficiency decreased among all student subgroups, with some decreasing more than others,” the organization said in a press release.

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We’re feeling warm and muggy out today with a mix of sun and clouds in the skies. Temperatures this afternoon will rise to the middle 80s, but could actually feel closer to 90 degrees considering our high humidity levels. There is a chance that some of us could see a few pop-up downpours later this afternoon and into the evening hours as a cold front drops into the area from the NW. Chances for any showers will come to an end as we head off to bed with temperatures a bit cooler in tomorrow morning the middle 50s. 

Friday’s forecast will feature more comfortable and less humid conditions as drier air filters in across our area. Temperature’s tomorrow afternoon are expected to top out in the upper 70s to right around 80 degrees. It will be a sunny and beautiful way to end off the work week. Dry and quiet conditions will stick around through this weekend as temperatures gradually warm back up and moisture creeps back in. By Sunday, we’re looking at temperatures back in the middle 80s.

We will start of the week ahead on this upcoming Monday feeling warm and humid in the mid 80s. The chance for showers and a few storms will also be possible as a frontal boundary forecast to push in from the north. We will dry out on Tuesday before another cold front moves in here by Wednesday bringing another opportunity for showers and potentially storms. Cooler and less humid weather are expected to return by the end of the work week.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Jackson native Othella Harrington was named one of the assistant coaches for Team USA basketball.

Harrington will be on the bench for USA’s training ahead of the men’s World Cup, which opens its qualifying games next month. He joins head coach Jim Boylen’s staff for the upcoming games.

The 2021-23 games will be played in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Harrington played his high school ball at Murrah High School in Jackson before being drafted in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. He played 13 years in the NBA before serving as Georgetown University’s director of basketball operations.

The former power forward was a member of three Team USA squads, winning gold in 1995 and 1993.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Families and friends will soon be able to visit their loved ones in prison.

Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain said all state prisons will again allow visitations beginning November 1.

The decision to reopen ends a three-month moratorium that was put in place on July 27 due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

“The decision is based on discussions with State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, community data from the Mississippi Department of Health and MDOC Medical Providers, as well as MDOC’s vaccine administration at each facility,” said MDOC Deputy Commissioner of Institutions Jeworski Mallett. “COVID cases are trending down and we feel visitation is safe for inmates with the COVID protocols we have in place.”

Visitors will be required to social distance, wear maks and have their temperatures checked at entry points. They also will be required to answer a series of COVID-19 related questions prior to entry, according to a news release from the department.

Inmates also will have to wear masks and be checked for temperature. Visitation areas will be sanitized with electrostatic sprayers and will have hand sanitizing stations.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The Mississippi Department of Human Services is preparing at least 24 civil complaints against individuals and groups for misspent TANF funds. Federal money that should have been used to help the poor in this state.

Bob Anderson, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, says that list of 24 could be expanded as they continue the investigation into millions of dollars in TANF or Temporary Assistance To Needy Families funds.

He also tells us it may surprise some who is not on the list right now.

Civil complaints are being prepared but they are not limited to the list the Mississippi Department of Human Services shared with us.

But two people considered the ring leaders in the scheme that robbed the poorest in the state of much needed help are not on the list – for now.

“It’ll come as a little bit of a surprise to folks, probably not Nancy New and John Davis themselves. Simply because right now they’re in the midst of a criminal indictment and would very quickly, we think, probably just move to stay any civil litigation until their criminal case is resolved”, Anderson said.

In peeling through years of TANF documents, Anderson says additional people could be added to the civil and criminal complaints. As a former federal prosecutor, he says he has seen brazen and bold behavior but this case is particularly hard.

Anderson said, “Take money and call somebody an outreach coordinator who doesn’t do anything and just throw money away. You know or to create out of their imagination some leadership program called Law of 16 and just squander money on it to me is just inexcusable.”

Anderson says money that meant survival for families was taken away by greed.

“This is money that was earmarked for the least of the least among us. The poorest, the downtrodden, the people who most needed these funds to provide for them. As we say in our mission statement, ‘Tangible Help Today to Create a Lasting Hope For Tomorrow.’ And it was just taken and used for personal gain, for personal enrichment, and for personal motives,” said Anderson.

When it comes to jail time, Anderson does not believe many of those involved in the case can avoid prison.

Anderson said, “Because of the sheer amount of money we’re talking about under the federal sentencing guidelines, I see no way they can avoid jail time and frankly the state sentencing exposure is already in the 10-20 years for each one of them.”

Anderson also tells us some of the projects were great ideas such as developing a concussion drug, but not on the backs of taxpayers or the needy.

“Every state in the nation would love to have a biomedical facility located, you know, within its borders. Mississippi would certainly love to see that, but we can’t do that with public assistance funds. And that’s what is so troubling about this is that you know the ends do not justify the means. They never do,” Anderson said.

The trial for John Davis, the former Executive Director of MDHS, on state charges is scheduled to begin November 1.

Anne McGrew, who was the bookkeeper for Nancy New, withdrew her not guilty plea and pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy and to making fraudulent statements. She is scheduled to be sentenced November 29 but has a status hearing set for November 19.

MDHS plans to serve civil complaints to:

Mississippi Community Education Center (MCEC)

Family Resource Center (FRC)

Brett Lorenzo Favre

New Learning Resources Foundation, Inc.

University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation, Inc.

Priceless Ventures, LLC

Ted M. (“Teddy”) DiBiase, Jr.

Prevacus, Inc.

PreSolMd,LLC

Jacob VanLandingham

Ted M.DiBiase, Sr.

Heart of David Ministries, Inc.

Paul Victor LaCoste

Victory Sports Foundation, Inc.

Lobaki, Inc/Lobaki Foundation

Brett DiBiase

Brian J. Smith

Marcus L. Dupree/MD Foundation

Jesse Steven New, Jr., and Magnolia Strategies LLC

Inside Capitol LLC/Will Longwitz

Austin G. Smith

Adam Such/SBGI LLC

Nicholas Coughlin/NCC Ventures LLC

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HINDS COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) – Agencies including the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Prisons conducted a shakedown at the Hinds County Detention Center on Wednesday evening.

According to Hinds County Interim Sheriff Marshand Crisler, several law enforcement personnel were at the detention center, including the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, SWAT and Bureau of Prisons.

Contraband, drugs, cellphones and shanks were all discovered during the search.

This comes days after inmate Michael Richardson was found unresponsive in POD A of the Raymond Detention Center.

A preliminary investigation determined that Richardson was a victim of an assault by several other detainees.

Richardson experienced a medical episode that led to his death.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – More than one viewer came to us with questions about a delay in receiving their loved one’s death certificates. We spoke with those who are on the waiting end of the issue.

“I have cried more in the last two months than I have my whole life,” said Rick Gibson.

It’s that ever-present grief that’s compounded with frustration for Gibson. His wife Linda died of COVID-19 on August 26.

But he’s still waiting on her death certificate.

“That piece of paper is very important, because you get to a point where you cannot proceed a step farther” described Gibson. “No matter how hard you try, or what you want to do, you have to have that piece of paper to do anything.”

Credit card companies and the life insurance company are also waiting. Gibson can’t get any of his wife’s affairs in order without that certificate.

“Every day that goes on, you’re ripping that scab off, and it’s still raw, and it hurts to deal with this anyway,” he said. “So, you want to get it over with. You want to get it done, get it behind you.”

Gibson says he tried calling the Office of Vital Records but couldn’t get information because he wasn’t the one who placed the order. The funeral home did. That’s common-place for funeral homes to offer that service.

People’s Funeral Home in Jackson says they’re experiencing the same kind of waiting game.

“I have one case in particular, a case where I made the funeral arrangements in the offices over a month ago,” said People’s Funeral Home Vice President James Stewart. “And the audit death certificate, we’re still waiting on.”

James Stewart says he’s attempted using the online system and the expedited ordering process but still… it’s taking awhile. And since they’re the last point of contact for families, they return to them with questions.

“They call me and I have to say… I’m sorry. I don’t have that hadn’t arrived yet,” said Stewart. “I don’t know what is the root of the problem. But there is a problem.”

We took these concerns to the Department of Health. Here’s what they said.

“According to our Vital Records Office, it is current on completed certificates received. The delay inquirers may be experiencing could be with the investigation for final cause of death, toxicology report, autopsy report, amendment to a death certificate, verification of identifying information, or COVID-related investigation. Those delays are not under the purview of Vital Records. Delays related to USPS delivery are also a potential cause.” – MSDH Spokesperson Liz Sharlot.

We will continue checking with other state agencies and office that may be a part of these delays.

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WEDNESDAY: A surge of moisture off the Gulf of Mexico will help spark a scattering of showers and storms through Wednesday ahead of our next front due in late Thursday. Expect variably cloudy skies with the best chances for rain being near and south of I-20 through the day. Highs, amid the moisture surge, will surge as well – to the lower 80s for many; some staying in the upper 70s. Rain coverage will gradually drop off through Wednesday evening with lows in the middle to upper 60s.

THURSDAY: Zones of fog and risk for a few showers remain in play to start off your Thursday. Expect a general mix of clouds and sun through the day with the best rain chances off to the east of I-55 to start. While the front approaches from the west, a few pop-up showers may get a few more backyards wet with highs in the middle 80s. Rain chances continue to dwindle after sunset with lows in the 50s and 60s.

EXTENDED FORECAST: Unfortunately, behind the front, no more cooler air of fall will slip southward. Temperatures will run in the lower to middle 80s amid a mix of sun and clouds; lows in the 50s and 60s. Our next fall front will not arrive until mid-next week – sparking a risk for storms with an inkling of cooler air lurking behind it in time for Halloween.

Patrick Ellis

WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The Mississippi Department of Human Services is moving ahead with civil complaints against individuals and groups that misspent TANF money that should have gone to the poor in this state. There are additional names not included in civil demands issued by the State Auditor’s office last week, including a former state Senator.

There are familiar names that will receive civil complaints from the Mississippi Department of Human Services in the fraud scandal that has resulted in six people facing criminal charges. Among the names, the Mississippi Community Education Center and Family Resource Center, both run by Nancy New and her son Zach New. Also included Brett Favre and the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation.

Anderson said, “there’s the five million dollar volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation. That entity will be named in our civil complaint. The indictments in the criminal cases make reference to funds that were used, TANF funds that were used to buy stock in a couple of companies called Prevacus and PreSolMD. Those are TANF funds, and it’s our duty to recoup those funds.”

Some of the names are not as familiar.

“Jacob VanLandingham was involved in the sale of those Prevacus and PreSolMd stocks. That’s the concussion drug that Brett Favre was involved in bringing to the attention of first, former Governor Bryant and then to the News,” said Anderson.

The list continues.

Victory Sports Foundation and its owner Paul LaCoste received a significant amount of TANF funds and will be named in the complaint that we proceed with. Jess New, who’s another of Nancy New’s sons, received over half a million dollars in TANF funds”, Anderson said.

Also receiving a civil complaint, a former state senator and Madison judge.

Anderson said, “Will Longwitz, who operated a lobbying firm called Inside Capitol, received over 400 thousand dollars in TANF funds. So there are a couple of dozen all together that I anticipate will be in our complaint.”

Ted DiBiase , Jr. Ted DiBiase, Sr, Brett DiBiase, and several family members of former MDHS Executive Director John Davis, who have been indicted on state charges in the case, will get civil complaints.

Lobaki, Inc., a Virtual Reality Company, Marcus Dupree and several people identified as friends of Ted DiBiase, Jr. will be served.

Anderson says former U.S. Attorney Brad Pigott, who the agency hired, plans to have the complaints ready by the end of the month. For those who say they didn’t know they received TANF money, Anderson says, “we believe that we can show that everybody who received these funds had reason upon you know just due diligence to know that these were, these are TANF funds,” Anderson said.

Anderson adds the TANF or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families money should have been used to get people out of poverty, to bring families together, and help prevent teen pregnancies.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – According to one family member, assaults at the Hinds County Detention Center happen more than they should.

On Monday, October 18, Hinds County Sheriff Marshand Crisler received an official notice that inmate Michael Richardson was found unresponsive in POD A of the Raymond Detention Center.

A preliminary investigation determined that Richardson was a victim of an assault by several other detainees, and, as a result, Richardson experienced a medical episode that led to his death.

Jackson resident Paris Godbolt said Tuesday that it could have been her brother who ended up dead.

Godbolt’s brother, Calvin, was locked up at the Raymond Detention Center on September 23 for aggravated assault.

Godbolt sent WLBT video of her brother’s condition on about his fourth or fifth day in jail after he was beaten up.

“They’re in your hands once they enter the facility,” Godbolt said. “They should walk out the same way they walked in.”

Calvin stayed in POD A of the jail, which is the same area where Richardson was found dead Monday.

“It touched my heart for that family because it almost could’ve been me,” she said.

Godbolt said to those who work at the jail, inmates are just that. But to those on the outside, they’re somebody’s family.

She said the conditions of the detention center are so poor that she wishes it would just get shut down.

“People die there all the time,” she said. “It’s almost too often, and it’s just sad.”

Hinds County has to get the jail to certain standards in order to get out from under the Department of Justice’s consent decree.

Board President Credell Calhoun said they’ve made improvements to POD C and are a couple months away from completing POD B.

“We’re looking at the possibility of a new jail because that one is really getting old,” Calhoun said. “It never was to the standards that jails generally run.”

The next step is to improve POD A. Calhoun said he toured that area Tuesday.

“It’s in pretty bad shape. We need to do something in POD A,” he said. “We don’t need any detainees in POD A at this time, but we have no choice. The crime is up right now.”

Until then, Godbolt hopes the facility pays more attention to those they hire.

“You have to have people who at least care about human life even if you don’t care about the person yourself,” she said.

Supervisor Calhoun said the board hopes to come out from under the consent decree in a year or so. This would free up funds and allow them to potentially build a new jail altogether.

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