/Ole Miss students take on Capitol press corps role

Ole Miss students take on Capitol press corps role

LaReeca Rucker, a Meek journalism professor, and Fred Anklam Jr. (Mississippi Today Co-editor) led the class. They spent several days in Jackson each week covering events at the Capitol and interviewing top state officials. The course was co-organized with the Mississippi Press Association, which is Mississippi Today’s digital affiliate. This course gives students an opportunity to get firsthand experience with both the long-term and daily responsibilities of reporting on state government and other issues that impact the state. Students were able to choose topics that they are interested in to cover a major story, but they also had the opportunity to visit the Capitol to see other activities such the Mississippi Economic Council’s Capital Day. Mississippi Today, the Mississippi Press Association, and The Meek School thank Lt. Governor. Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and Attorney General Jim Hood, Speaker of the House Philip Gunn, and their staffs arranged for students to meet each of them for interviews which allowed them to better understand their priorities for Mississippi.