We covered a lot of topics on "Gulf Coast Mornings" this Nov. 21--Thanksgiving Eve. More on the top MS stories:
Voters in the state may now have a better understanding of the two runoff candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat vacated earlier this year by Thad Cochran. Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, who was appointed to the post on an interim basis after Cochran's retirement in April, and Democratic ex-congressman and former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, took part in their only debate last night. Both delivered jabs to each other, critical of actions taken or things said in the past and in recent days, while also addressing a myriad of issues of concern to the public. The two face off in Tuesday's runoff election, with the winner to complete the balance of time left in Cochran's six-year term.
Walmart is asking Mississippi U.S. interim Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith to return its campaign contributions over her remarks about public hangings. She says she was obviously joking when she said if a supporter invited her to a public hanging she would be in the front row.
A federal judge is blocking a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks. District Judge Carlton Reeves ruled yesterday that Mississippi's Gestation Age Act violates a woman's constitutional rights. The law was enacted in March and did not include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. The judge called it a "sad irony" that male lawmakers were in a position to dictate legislation about women's reproductive health.