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By Rep. Kabir Karriem | Chairman, Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus Governor Tate Reeves called the Mississippi Legislature into the 2026 Extraordinary Session with less than 24 hours' notice to consider the Mississippi Youth Court Reform Act of 2026, one of the most significant overhauls of Mississippi’s juvenile justice system in decades. There is no question that our youth court system deserves thoughtful reform. Our children, families, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, law enforcement officers, educators, and communities all deserve a system that is fair, efficient, accountable, and focused on rehabilitation whenever possible. However, legislation of this magnitude should never be rushed through the legislative process. A complete restructuring of Mississippi’s youth court system deserved careful review, meaningful public input, and genuine bipartisan collaboration. Instead, lawmakers were given less than 24 hours’ notice before convening in Special Session to consider sweeping changes that will affect children and families across our state. Unfortunately, what could have been a defining bipartisan moment became another missed opportunity. Good legislation is strengthened, not weakened, when members of both parties have the opportunity to ask questions, offer amendments, and work together to find common ground. For these reasons, I joined the majority of our Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus colleagues in voting “NO” on every piece of legislation relating to this youth court overhaul. Our vote was not a vote against reform or against Mississippi’s children. It was a vote against both a flawed legislative process and provisions of the legislation that we believe require greater scrutiny. Among our concerns were provisions expanding public access to youth court records and increasing the public disclosure of juvenile proceedings, changes that could follow young people long after they have paid for their mistakes. We were also troubled by the significant investment in juvenile detention facilities without an equal commitment to prevention, diversion, mental health services, education, mentoring, and community-based intervention programs that can keep children out of the justice system in the first place. Additionally, we remain concerned about the financial burden this legislation places on Mississippi’s counties. Many counties will now be expected to shoulder substantial new costs to operate and maintain an expanded youth court system. Reform should not become an unfunded mandate that strains already limited local resources. As these reforms move forward, we must also remain vigilant about equity. Black children have historically been disproportionately represented in Mississippi’s juvenile justice system. We must ensure that every child—regardless of race, income, or ZIP code—has equal access to diversion programs, rehabilitation, mental health care, educational opportunities, and restorative justice before incarceration becomes the default response. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus believes accountability and public safety must always be balanced with fairness, compassion, and the unwavering belief that young people are capable of change. We support policies that protect our communities while investing in prevention, intervention, and opportunities that help children become productive citizens rather than lifelong participants in the justice system. I challenge every parent, pastor, educator, mentor, community leader, judge, prosecutor, and elected official to stay informed and remain engaged. Reforming our juvenile justice system is too important to become a partisan exercise. It requires all of us working together with one goal: giving Mississippi’s children the opportunity to succeed. Moving forward, I remain committed to working with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, to strengthen Mississippi’s juvenile justice system through an open, transparent, and collaborative process. We can protect public safety while also protecting the future of our children. The true measure of a society is not how many children it detains, but how many children it gives the opportunity to succeed. Our children are not our greatest problem, they are our greatest promise.

By Rep. Kabir Karriem | Chairman, Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus There are moments when a state has the opportunity to tell the world who it really is. Recently, I visited The Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson. Both tell the story of our state. Both are truthful. Yet each tells that story through a different lens. As I walked through those exhibits, I realized the most important story of Mississippi isn’t confined to museum walls. It is being written every day by the choices we make, the values we uphold, and the way we respond when our people cry out for answers. History is not something we visit only in museums. It lives in our laws, our institutions, our memories, and our willingness or unwillingness to confront difficult truths. Every generation is given a choice: to repeat history, to ignore history, or to learn from it. I believe Mississippi is at its best when it chooses to learn. As a legislator, I have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and serve the people of Mississippi. As Chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, I have a responsibility to speak when communities are hurting. And as a father who has buried a child, I understand that no parent should ever be left searching for answers after suffering the unimaginable. That is why the death of Nolan Xavier Wells matters—not only to his family, but to all of us. This moment is bigger than one case. It is about what kind of Mississippi we choose to be. I have listened carefully to the public conversation surrounding Nolan’s death. I heard comments from Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, former State Senator Chris McDaniels, and my friend and colleague, Representative Jimmy Fondren, whom I respect greatly. While each expressed their own views, I came away with what I believe was a common theme in their comments: that Mississippi has changed, that we should not continue to define ourselves by our past, and that outside voices are coming into our state to stir racial division. I recognize that reasonable people can disagree, and I am paraphrasing my understanding of the overall message—not quoting anyone directly. My response is simple: if Mississippi has indeed changed, then we should never fear transparency. We should welcome it, because transparency is how public trust is earned and progress is demonstrated. I agree that Mississippi has changed in many ways. I have dedicated my life to serving its people, and I have witnessed meaningful progress firsthand. But acknowledging progress should never require us to ignore unanswered questions. In fact, true progress demands greater transparency, greater accountability, and greater public trust. This is not about reliving the past. It is about learning from it. The Wells family deserves answers. Mississippi deserves answers. America deserves answers. What happened to Nolan Xavier Wells? According to publicly reported accounts, Nolan reportedly left with three friends headed toward Horn Island, yet the only things that returned were his keys and his phone without Nolan. That heartbreaking reality leaves a grieving family, a community, and a nation searching for answers. What happened during those missing moments? What evidence has been gathered? What conclusions can legitimately be supported by the facts? The question is larger than one case. It is whether Mississippi has finally become one Mississippi, where every family receives the same urgency, the same transparency, and the same pursuit of justice, or whether too many still experience the tale of two Mississippis: One Mississippi where confidence comes easily. Another where confidence must be earned. One Mississippi where questions are answered quickly. Another where families wait, wonder, and grieve without knowing why. When legitimate questions go unanswered, speculation fills the void. Transparency is the only antidote to distrust especially in a state with Mississippi’s dubious past. The worst thing government can do is ask grieving families to simply trust the process without demonstrating that every available resource has been used to uncover the truth. Transparency does not weaken law enforcement. It strengthens public confidence. When investigations are open, thorough, and credible, they protect both the innocent and those who faithfully wear the badge. For many Mississippians, particularly Black Mississippians, history has taught us that unanswered questions often become lifelong wounds. That history cannot simply be dismissed because it makes us uncomfortable. It should compel us to ensure that every investigation is thorough, impartial, and worthy of the public’s trust. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” If today’s Mississippi is truly different from yesterday’s Mississippi, then this is our opportunity to prove it, not with slogans or speeches, but with a transparent investigation that earns the confidence of the people it serves. A just Mississippi understands that supporting law enforcement and seeking accountability go hand in hand. A united Mississippi does not silence difficult conversations. It meets them with truth. The families of Mississippi deserve more than our condolences. They deserve our courage, the courage to seek the truth wherever it leads. As Chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, I join those calling for complete transparency and accountability. We owe Nolan Xavier Wells’ family nothing less than the truth. Whatever that truth may be, it must be uncovered openly and honestly so that justice is not only done, but seen to be done. There is a Mississippi that wants to move forward, confront hard truths, and earn the trust of all its people. And there is a Mississippi that believes asking difficult questions somehow diminishes our progress. I choose the first Mississippi. Because loving Mississippi does not mean defending everything it does. Loving Mississippi means believing it can be better than it was yesterday. That is why I ask these questions, not to divide our state, but to help unite it around a simple principle: that every family deserves the truth, every investigation deserves integrity, and every life deserves equal justice under the law. Justice should never depend on race, geography, influence, or political affiliation. I love Mississippi. I have chosen to dedicate my life to serving this state because I believe in its people and in its promise. I believe we can continue moving beyond the divisions that have too often defined our history. But progress is not measured by what we say about ourselves. It is measured by what we do when justice is tested. The measure of Mississippi will never be whether tragedy occurs. The measure of Mississippi will always be how we respond when it does. If our state has truly changed, then transparency should never be feared. It should be embraced. Years from now, I hope we are remembered not for the questions we were asked, but for the answers we had the courage to seek. I hope we are remembered as the generation that chose truth over comfort, transparency over suspicion, and justice over expediency. That is how trust is restored. That is how healing begins. That is how history is changed. May we respond with honesty, courage, and justice that unites us. And, may history say that when Mississippi was called to choose between protecting its reputation and pursuing the truth, it chose the truth. Only then can we truly become one Mississippi.

A slate of new Mississippi laws took effect July 1, impacting areas ranging from criminal justice and education to health care and retirement benefits. Rep. Kabir Karriem, chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, recently highlighted several of the new laws in a public information flyer, encouraging residents to stay informed about how policy changes may affect their daily lives. Here’s a closer look at several key measures and what they mean in practice: Criminal Justice and Public Safety House Bill 525 establishes mandatory minimum sentencing for individuals convicted of sexual battery. Supporters say the law ensures consistent punishment for serious offenses, while critics of mandatory minimums have historically argued they can limit judicial discretion in sentencing. Senate Bill 2710 requires that minors accused of certain gun-related crimes be charged as adults. The law is intended to address violent crime involving youth, though it raises ongoing debates about how the justice system handles juvenile offenders. Senate Bill 2369 allows the state to intercept casino or gaming winnings from individuals who owe past-due child support. The measure expands enforcement tools already used for tax refunds and other income sources. Voting and Elections Senate Bill 2588, known as the “Shield Act,” requires local election officials to verify the citizenship status of individuals registering to vote. State leaders say the law is aimed at strengthening election integrity, while opponents have raised concerns about potential barriers to voter registration and administrative challenges. Family and Custody Law House Bill 1662 changes how courts approach child custody cases. The law establishes joint custody as the starting point in divorce proceedings, meaning judges begin with the presumption of a 50-50 custody arrangement. Courts can still adjust custody based on the best interest of the child, but the default starting point shifts how cases are evaluated. Education and Workforce House Bill 1935 provides a $2,000 pay raise for Mississippi teachers. Additional $2,000 increases are included for special education teachers, along with raises for assistant teachers, school psychologists and occupational therapists. Lawmakers say the raises are part of ongoing efforts to address teacher shortages and improve retention. Public Employees Retirement House Bill 4073 modifies the Public Employees’ Retirement System for new hires under Tier 5. The law reduces the years of service required for full retirement benefits from 35 years to 30 years, a change supporters say makes public employment more competitive. Health Care Coverage House Bill 565, known as “Jill’s Law,” requires certain health insurance plans — including Medicaid and state-regulated private plans — to cover biomarker testing when supported by clinical evidence. Biomarker testing can help guide treatment decisions for conditions such as cancer, potentially improving patient outcomes. Public Awareness Push Karriem said the goal of sharing the information is to help residents better understand how state laws affect everyday life. “An informed public is essential to a strong democracy,” he said in the flyer. Many of the new laws reflect broader policy trends seen across the country, including tougher penalties for certain crimes, expanded health care coverage requirements and changes to education funding. Residents seeking more details can review the full text of each bill through the Mississippi Legislature’s website or consult legal professionals for guidance on how specific laws may apply to them.

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Action Alerts The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is committed to ensuring your voice is heard. We encourage all constituents to stay informed and take action on critical issues affecting our communities. Your participation is vital in shaping the policies that impact our lives. Let’s work together to advocate for change and make a difference! MLBC is Coming to Ripley, MS This town hall is free and open to the public. MLBC will provide a legislative update and hear from residents about their concerns. Community Blueprint for Maternal & Infant Health News Release Download Jackson Flyer Download Canton Flyer Download Cleveland Flyer Participant Registration Volunteer Registration Education Equity Hearing on School Choice This hearing has been postponed indefinitely. MLBC and Faith Leaders Gather at State Capitol for Prayer and Policy Agenda Release Download Media Advisory The Future of the Voting Rights Act Digital Dialogue Watch Now Addressing Mississippi's Maternal Health Crisis Legislative Hearing Watch Livestream Greenwood Town Hall "Community Conversations with the Caucus" Share Now Watch Now Laurel Town Hall "Community Conversations with the Caucus" Share Now "The Federal Budget Bill and Its Impact on Mississippi Families" Legislative Hearing Watch Now Town Hall Meeting Learn More MDE Proposed Rules on DEI Ban House Bill 1193 prohibits the use, promotion, and institutionalization of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, policies, and offices across the state's public K-12 schools, community colleges, and public universities. The Mississippi Department of Education will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules. Get engaged and raise your voice on this issue. View More Stay Connected! Get immediate actions and stay plugged in our our social media channels. Be sure to follow us @mlbcofficial!