MISSISSIPPI: New Breezes Blowing On the Old Magnolia

Mississippi is the Magnolia State, but by many measures it is a faded flower. Its archaic constitution prohibits dueling and admonishes the Governor to sneak into the treasurer's office at night to count all the state's money. Its youngsters are not required by law to attend school. Its people have the lowest per capita annual income in the nation ($3,803). Its dominant Democratic Party has grown sluggish after 100 years of unbroken rule. But as it approaches a gubernatorial election on Nov. 4, some new breezes are blowing on the old magnolia....

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