The General Insider - Volume 113

Fighting to End Human Trafficking

Yesterday, I announced the recent sentencing of James West, Jr. of Jackson, Mississippi, who was arrested in November 2021 as a result of a human trafficking operation in Pearl.

West, 42, pleaded guilty to Promoting Prostitution, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. West is a convicted felon, having previously been convicted of Motor Vehicle Theft, Burglary of a Dwelling, Felony Child Endangerment, and other felony charges.

I want to thank the investigators and prosecutors of our Special Victims Unit (SVU) for the hard work that helped put this felon behind bars. Their diligence is vital to ensuring that criminals are brought to justice and victims are set on the road to recovery. My office will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities from criminals who seek to exploit others.

Protecting Religious Liberty

Earlier this month, I joined a coalition of 26 states that filed a brief before the U.S. Supreme Court opposing the Hillsborough County transit authority’s no-religious-speech advertising policy. We urged the Court to review the policy because it infringed on the First Amendment rights of a Jewish synagogue, Young Israel of Tampa, to advertise Chanukah on Ice on public transportation in Tampa, Florida.

The Transit Authority’s policy lumps religion in with alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, obscenity, pornography, and more. But their policy runs afoul of the First Amendment. Young Israel stood up not only for the right of Tampa families to learn about its family-friendly holiday event; they stood up for all of us and our fundamental right to religious liberty.

Inaugural Mississippi Women's Summit

We are less than four weeks away from the Inaugural Mississippi Women’s Summit on Monday, August 19 at the Oxford Conference Center. I am excited to announce our three featured speakers: Paula Scanlan, Rachel Duffy, and Sarah Thomas.

Independent Women’s Voice Ambassador and former University of Pennsylvania swimmer, Paula Scanlan, has a compelling experience to share as a teammate of Lia Thomas and the efforts of her college’s administration and student body to silence her and suppress her right to free speech after speaking out about the injustice of forcing females to compete against a man. Today, Paula has put her engineering career on hold to be an advocate for women and girls sex-based rights across the United States.

Rachel Duffy is a NYTimes best selling author, communications consultant, and television personality specializing in politics, culture and parenting. She is the host of America's #1 rated cable news morning show, FOX & Friends Weekend on the FOX News network. Rachel and her husband, Sean Duffy, also host a popular podcast, "From the Kitchen Table". Rachel has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Arizona State University's Honors Program and a Masters Degree in International Affairs from the University of California, San Diego.

Sarah Thomas, a Pascagoula native, changed the game in the world’s most quintessential male-dominated sport – football - when she became the first female NFL official. She officiated her first NFL game on September 13, 2015, between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans - and on February 7, 2021, she became the first female to officiate a Super Bowl. Today, Sarah’s hat, whistle and flag are on display at the NFL Hall of Fame and serve as a testament to her historic achievements. Named one of the Sports Illustrated 100 most influential figures of all time, Sarah is no stranger to being the first or breaking gender barriers. Since joining the NFL's roster of officials, she has become a trailblazing inspiration to women everywhere, and she keeps the mindset of being the best you can be – no barrier or ceiling is shatterproof.

You will not want to miss this lineup of incredible speakers! If you have not yet reserved your space at this free event, please click?here?now to do so.?We have expanded our room block at the Tru by Hilton in Oxford, with a special price of $189 per night. Please click?here?to make your reservation or call 662-380-5888 and ask for the 2024 Women’s Summit room block (mini code WMN).?The room block closes on August 5 and space is limited, so please reserve your room today.

In addition to several panels of women leaders from all over Mississippi who will share their experiences as women running businesses and charitable organizations or as women in public service, law enforcement, and the military, we will also feature a vendor area of women-owned businesses from across Mississippi. Vendor spaces are free to qualifying businesses, and there are a few spaces left, so if you know a woman-owned Mississippi business, please?contact us?now!