4/23: Group says MS youth are unfit for military service

Clarion-Ledger: Nonprofit group says Mississippi youth are unfit for military service

Mission: Readiness, a nonprofit group of retired military officers, said Thursday that 75% of 17-24 year olds are not qualified for military service. In Mississippi, they cite the low graduation rate, high childhood obesity and large numbers of youth in the justice system as problems for the state and for national security.

"We need to support long-term strategies in our state that will help our young people in Mississippi maintain healthy lifestyles, help them to succeed in school and help keep them on the right side of the law," retired Brig. Gen. Augustus Collins said.

"If we can give our kids a good solid foundation, we won't have to deal with these other problems, and that solid foundation comes with early childhood education," Shields said. Mississippi is the only state in the nation without a state-funded pre-kindergarten program.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislative session ends without passing ethics reform

ARKANSAS: Former Pres. Clinton in Little Rock promoting green energy

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist signs into law a bill that expands use of private-school vouchers

GEORGIA: More state employees seeking retirement as future is uncertain

KENTUCKY: State Supreme Court strikes down aid to private religious school

LOUISIANA: Ecological risk grows as oil rig sinks off Louisiana coast

NORTH CAROLINA: Ten sites chosen by Duke Energy for solar panels

SOUTH CAROLINA: Loophole has allowed SC political caucuses to spend secretly

TENNESSEE: House Speaker threatens to remove two lawmakers over tax quarreling

VIRGINIA: State to end criticized test for special needs students

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