Louisiana ranked worst state to live in America. What about Mississippi?

According to a new national ranking, Louisiana is the worst state in the country.  U.S. News and World report ranked all 50 states based on a number of metrics like the economy, infrastructure, opportunity, health care and education. Louisiana ranked 50th out of 50 overall, but Alabama and Mississippi weren't far behind. MS ranked 48th, Alabama was 49th.

Other top local stories we discussed on this May 15th Edition of "Gulf Coast Mornings with Kelly Bennett and Uncle Henry":

Alabama's state Senate has passed a controversial bill that would ban nearly all abortions. The highly-restrictive measure makes abortions illegal except to prevent serious health risks to the pregnant woman. The senate voted down an amendment that would've added exceptions for rape and incest. Republican Governor Kay Ivey has not said if she will sign it into law. The bill's authors in the House have said that their aim is to have the matter taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court with the hope that it will overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

1 in 5 Americans are affected by skin cancer, but if it’s detected and treated early there’s a 99% cure rate.The Skin Surgery Centre and Harrah’s are encouraging everyone to practice safe sun…There’s a free skin cancer screening from 4-6 today inside the Flavors Banquet Room located inside Harrah’s Gulf Coast Coast.

There will be a Change of Command Ceremony at Keesler AFB tomorrow (May 16) at 8:10am.They’ll officially transfer command to the new 81st Training Wing Commander, Col. Heather Blackwell…from current Commander, Col. Debra Lovette.The 81st TRW is responsible for training more than 28-thousand students every year in 400 courses covering 37 different career fields.

The first black woman to become mayor in Mississippi has died. Civil rights pioneer and former Mayersville mayor Unita Blackwell passed away Monday in Biloxi. She started her political career in the 1960's as a member of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which protested the exclusion of blacks from voting in Democratic primaries. Those efforts led to her being arrested at least 70 times. Blackwell was 86-years-old. 

State leaders are hoping a recently reinstated incentive for filmmakers will help lure Hollywood back to the Magnolia State. This year, lawmakers revived the Mississippi Motion Film Incentive Program, allowing productions to claim a 30-percent cash rebate on payroll that's paid to cast and crew members who live in the state. Officials say it's already having a positive effect, with five films approved in just the past month. Some notable films shot in Mississippi include "The Help," "A Time to Kill," and "Mississippi Burning."

Actor and comedian Tim Conway has died at the age of 85. Conway's representative said he died yesterday in Los Angeles from water on the brain. Conway was a star on The Carol Burnett Show and also starred in number of Disney films 1970s, including The Shaggy D.A. and The Apple Dumpling Gang.

The Hershey Company says it is redesigning the look of its iconic chocolate bar to include an emoji. The change is the first in the 125-year history of the Hershey Bar. The new chocolate emoji bars will soon feature 25 of the most popular emojis in six different packaging designs. The limited-edition bars are set to launch this summer.


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