Mississippi Edition

The legislature considers community college funding.

Then, with the primaries approaching we hear from secretary of state Michael Watson regarding election security.

And the latest Mason Dixon Mississippi poll breaks down how the two Democrat front runners match up against President Trump.

Segment 1:

Mississippi's 15 community and junior colleges are requesting $212 million from the legislature. That's 10 percent more than the current budget. Faculty at Mississippi community college say they haven't had a state-funded raise in 12 years. Marilyn Ford is with the state's faculty association for community and junior colleges. She tells MPB's Desare Frazier the current funding does not reflect the faculty workload. Democrat Gregory Holloway serves on the House Colleges and University committee. He says community colleges faculty salaries should reflect a midpoint between K-12 education and senior universities.

Segment 2:

Mississippi's primary elections are on March 10th. There are contested races for both parties in Mississippi's second and third congressional districts, and a packed Republican field in the Republican primary for Mississippi's fourth district. In the race for Senate, Republican Cindy Hyde Smith is uncontested, while three hopeful challengers are on the Democratic ballot. While the parties are responsible for primary elections, Secretary of State Michael Watson has been traveling throughout the state to help local officials prepare. He tells our Kobee Vance that aside from discussing protocol and procedures, his office is maintaining relationships with the FBI and DHS to ensure election security through the fall.

Segment 3:

The Democratic primary race for president is down to three active campaigns - Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Ahead of the March 10th voting day, Mason Dixon Polling and Strategy surveyed Mississippians' on potential general election match-ups between Republican incumbent Donald Trump, and the two front runners in the Democratic race. Brad Coker is with the Mason Dixon poll. He tells our Michael Guidry, no matter the outcome of the March 10th primary, the state is projected to remain firmly red.