MDOT Assistant Chief Engineer - Field Operations Janie Bass joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about her role at the agency, the capacity project program, women in engineering and more.·               Show intro – 00:31·               Janie Bass' background at MDOT – 01:18·               The MDOT Internship – 05:50·               Under the Field Operations Umbrella – 06:38·               Women in Transportation – 10:00·               Why Engineering? – 11:40·               Favorite music/concert(s) – 12:53·               Favorite place(s) to eat – 14:39·               Show Outro – 16:52

MDOT Director of the Office of Intermodal Planning and Highway Operations Jim Willis joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about his role at the agency, multimodal funding, the benefits of working at MDOT and more.·               Show intro – 00:30·               Jim Willis background – 01:20·               Legacy of Charles Carr, former Multimodal Director at MDOT for 40+ years – 03:55·               Momentum of Multimodal – 04:49·               Working at MDOT – 07:05·               Favorite music/concert(s) – 10:28·               Favorite place(s) to eat – 13:03·               Show Outro – 14:16

State Representative Fred Shanks joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about how he got into politics, successful 2024 legislation, his thoughts on the future of the ballot initiative process and more.·               Show intro – 00:26·               Fred Shanks background/introduction into politics – 02:09·               Rep. Shanks on the influence of his father, former Jackson city commissioner and baseball coach Doug Shanks – 03:19·               2024 Legislative Session Recap – 07:55·               Banning Squatted Trucks – 08:06·               House Bill 691 – 11:03·               Looking ahead to 2025 Legislative Session – 13:17·               Restoring the ballot initiative – 13:34·               Suffrage bills – 14:22·               Favorite place(s) to eat – 15:35·               Favorite music/concert(s) – 17:35·               Show Outro – 19:57

MEMA Chief Communications Officer Malary White joined The Extra Mile Podcast to discuss a projected above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, talk about disaster anxiety, provide FAQs on MEMA and more.·         Show intro/introducing MEMA Chief Communications Officer Malary White – 00:29·         Projected above-normal 2024 hurricane season – 01:17·         What has MEMA done to prepare for hurricane season? – 02:10·         Resources to prepare for hurricane season – 04:01·         The First 72 Hours Are On You! – 07:43·         Don’t go outside to assess damage/Indirect fatalities – 09:40·         Contraflow Protocol – 11:43·         Keep your gas tanks at least half-full – 14:22·         FAQs – 17:10·         Social Vulnerability Index/FEMA – 18:46·         Partnership with the Department of Human Services – 22:09·         Disaster Anxiety – 22:54·         Free Resources from MDOT and MEMA – 28:29·         Favorite place(s) to eat – 30:55·         Favorite music/concert(s) – 33:40·         Show Outro – 35:00

The Extra Mile Podcast team took the show on the road to Biloxi to speak with MDOT State Maintenance Engineer Heath Patterson at the State Roadeo.Show intro/introducing MDOT State Maintenance Engineer Heath Patterson – 00:30History of the Roadeo – 02:14Different events of the Roadeo – 03:37Why MDOT does the Roadeo – 04:57Favorite events to watch – 06:24The Biggest Competitors – 07:56Workplace Safety – 08:52Slow Down in Work Zones! – 10:04Favorite place(s) to eat – 11:33Favorite music/concert(s) – 12:47Show Outro – 13:40

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to break down how the agency fared during the 2024 session and provide other MDOT updates.Show intro/Brad White intro – 00:45Legislative session wrap-up begins (Recurring revenue) – 01:20Money moving into projects – 03:20Design Build Bill – 04:30Funding – 05:20Capacity projects – 06:05Additional comments on wrap-up – 07:07Favorite place(s) to eat - 08:11Favorite music/concert(s) – 09:21Show Outro – 10:00

MDOT Chief of Staff Jeff Ely joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about updates on capacity projects, the MDOT leadership development program, agency recruitment efforts and much more.Show Intro/Jeff Ely intro – 01:14Regarding capacity projects – 02:49One-time money put into projects – 04:15Contraflow/Hurricane evacuation – 05:17On professional development program – 08:16Succession planning – 12:40Big capacity projects – 15:40Safety/Work zone awareness message – 19:56Favorite place(s) to eat – 23:23Favorite concert(s) – 24:32Show outro – 25:36Additionally, The Extra Mile Podcast has been selected by panelists as one of the Top 20 Mississippi News Podcasts on the web. MORE: https://blog.feedspot.com/mississippi_news_podcasts/

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about how she got started in politics, THUD Bill funding, her January 6 experience, the link between strong transportation infrastructure and economic growth and development and much more.Show intro/Cindy Hyde-Smith intro – 01:12Relationship with MDOT Executive Director Brad White – 02:18How Cindy Hyde-Smith got into politics - 03:07First impressions on being in office - 04:58Memorable moments/stories from D.C. – 07:58Committees/plans - 12:22Pine Beetle issues - 15:50Other committee focuses – 17:48On visiting home of MS – 20:36Regarding Mike Johnson - 21:57Big accomplishments/Bills - 23:09COVID times – 24:38Nursing shortage – 28:55Transportation Network importance - 31:22Favorite place(s) to eat in MS – 33:12Favorite concert(s) - 35:38Show Outro – 36:27

Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about the need for recurring revenue for Mississippi highways, anti-litter efforts, current projects and future projects possible with more funding.Show Intro/Willie Simmons intro – 01:14Willie Simmons on being Chairman – 01:54Conversation plan of Conference - 03:04Talks/plans with Legislature – 05:08Greenville Bypass – 09:32Other Projects – 12:07Willie Simmons on littering issue – 14:29Willie Simmons on lighting – 18:27Work Zone Awareness Week – 19:55Willie Simmons new place(s) to eat – 23:52Groundbreaking Ceremony – 25:25Show Outro – 25:57

State Treasurer David McRae joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about his path to public service, promote the Unclaimed Property Program, provide his thoughts on PERS and much more.Show Intro/ State Treasurer David McRae intro – 01:14David McRae background/position – 01:42Highlights/Big projects as the Treasurer - 04:37Unclaimed Property/Other Programs – 05:55College savings Program/Opportunities - 12:15Starting a College Savings Program - 17:15Importance of Customer Service - 17:50MS Constitution Counting Statement - 18:58The Vault – 19:56The PERS Board - 21:12Healthcare & Pension for state employees - 23:31Understanding Personal Finance - 24:14Legislative agendas - 26:17Greatest Accomplishment as Treasurer - 28:23David McRae’s favorite place(s) to eat – 30:17David McRae’s favorite concert(s) – 32:14Show Outro – 34:49

State Senator Joel Carter joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about how he got into politics, updates from the Energy Committee, his favorite place to grab a bite to eat during the session and more.Show intro/State Senator Joel Carter – 01:15Joel Carter background/Journey to politics – 02:06The benefit of working in the food industry – 04:39Energy Committee update – 05:22Timetable with Nuclear – 06:49Main topics of Legislature – 07:24Gulf Coast District Projects – 08:10Joel Carter on Buc-ee’s – 09:08Other Projects – 09:42Coast Bounce back from Katrina – 10:25Joel Carter’s favorite place(s) to eat – 11:48Joel Carter’s favorite musician(s)/concert(s) – 12:34Additional comments to constituents – 13:45Show outro – 14:10

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to provide an update on efforts to find recurring revenue for Mississippi highways among other topics.Show Intro/Brad White Intro – 01:15Brad White speaking tour/goals – 01:50Plans/Conversations for revenue – 04:35Brad White on Legislative support – 07:40Removing Obstacles/Confidence – 08:26Bill supporting Design Build Process – 09:54Capacity Program/Needs – 11:44Conversations on Sports betting/Lottery – 15:07Working at MDOT/Job postings – 16:15Show Outro – 19:35

MDOT Alternative Program Deliveries Division Director Jessica Dilley joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to explain the benefits of alternative delivery transportation projects.Show Intro/Jessica Dilley Intro – 01:13Jessica Dilley history/New Position in MDOT – 03:06Jessica Dilley on Design Build Projects – 04:10Design Build Project vs Alternative delivery – 06:17Alternative delivery project examples – 08:34Hurricane Katrina impact on projects/lessons learned – 09:26Retouching on limitations – 10:44Legislation action/Caps – 12:06Electric Vehicle Charging stations – 12:40MDOT’s role in project – 13:30Project Timeline/Mapping – 14:18Number of Stations – 15:32Women’s Transportation Seminar – 16:29Jessica Dilley’s favorite place(s) to eat – 19:41Jessica Dilley’s favorite concert(s) – 21:08Jessica Dilley’s first car – 22:05Show Outro – 23:27

Southern District Transportation Commissioner Charles Busby joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk his first two months as Commissioner, the future of transportation funding in Mississippi and more.Show into/Charles Busby Intro – 01:15Charles Busby Update/Project plans – 02:06Legislature/Relationship with Steve Massengill – 04:05Recurring revenue/Research – 04:28Program Sources/Funding – 05:35Focused efforts for recurring revenue – 07:50How that revenue is used – 08:54Charles Busby Current (Coast) Projects – 10:22Other Projects (Buc-ee’s) – 11:14What Charles Busby looks forward to as Commissioner – 13:00Tap Grants/Comradery with other cities– 13:44Charles Busby’s attention to Legislature – 15:32Charles Busby favorite/new place(s) to eat – 16:55Favorite concert(s) – 18:05First car – 19:10Show Outro – 19:59

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to discuss his recent op-ed in support of additional transportation funding, provide updates on The Dixie National Rodeo and more.Show Intro/Andy Gipson Introduction – 01:15Rodeo update/review – 02:02Mississippi AG and Outdoor Expo – 03:00Andy Gipson and MDOT Partnership on Sustainable Revenue – 04:10Current focuses of the AG department – 06:11Drought/Pine Beetle Crisis – 07:54Cattle Theft – 12:15Back-water pumps – 13:25Mike Mathis Memorial – 15:05Dixie national trademark Steakhouse – 15:59Sale of Champions/Expectations – 16:42Andy Gipson’s favorite place(s) to eat – 18:55Andy Gipson’s favorite concert(s) – 20:13Show Outro – 21:28

State Representative Steve Massengill joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to introduce himself and talk about his new role as House Transportation Committee Chairman.Show intro/Steve Massengill intro – 01:15Steve Massengill position specifics – 03:14Steve Massengill districts – 04:14Differences as Chairman – 04:50Big projects/Focused efforts – 05:27Sustainable revenue conversations – 07:29Legislative agenda/State affairs – 08:20Roundabout Hwy 72 – 09:30New committee members – 10:14Steve Massengill extra Legislative comments – 11:24Steve Massengill favorite concert(s) – 12:37Steve Massengill favorite place(s) to eat – 14:03Steve Massengill’s love for cars/favorite(s) – 15:00Show outro – 16:16

State Senator Jenifer Branning joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to provide updates on transportation-specific legislative happenings and other priorities for the 2024 session.Show intro, introducing State Senator Jenifer Branning – 01:18Jenifer Branning recap of Legislative Session so far – 02:05Jenifer Branning addressing new senate members – 02:48The hearing on transportation/revenue for transportation – 03:35Ideas for achieving revenue dedicated to transportation – 05:43ERBR/Multimodal fund – 06:48Other bills related to transportation – 08:40Jenifer Branning’s districts – 10:42Major projects – 11:13Favorite music/Family of musicians – 12:30Favorite place(s) to eat/Love for cooking – 13:50Show outro – 14:52

MDOT Deputy Executive Director/Chief Engineer Earl Glenn joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to introduce himself and break down the agency's response to January's winter weather.Show intro, introducing Deputy Executive Director/Chief Engineer Earl Glenn – 01:15Earl Glenn background/experience – 02:07Earl Glenn taking over as Chief Engineer – 06:10DOT preparation for winter/severe weather events – 07:03Stories of MDOT first responders – 10:30Lessons learned from previous storms – 11:28Snow vs Ice – 12:48Staff/Resources – 14:16Southern vs Northern States – 15:21Favorite place(s) to eat – 17:10Favorite concert(s) – 18:02Show outro – 19:12

Mississippi Speaker of the House Jason White joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about his path to public service, outline legislative priorities, namedrop some of his favorite Mississippi eateries and more.Show intro, introducing MS Speaker of the House Jason White - 01:36Jason White's background - 02:30Overview of Jason White's path to Speaker in the legislature- 07:58Transportation-related legislative items coming up - 12:50Impact of MDOT managing its appropriated funds - 15:54Regarding the future of PERS - 19:05On the income tax - 22:33Other legislative priorities - 24:15Favorite place(s) to eat - 29:04Favorite musical concert(s) - 31:13Show outro - 33:45

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to discuss the top priorities for the agency during the 2024 legislative session among other topics.Show intro, introducing MDOT Executive Director Brad White - 01:17Mississippi Transportation Commission updates - 02:10Overview of staff changes at MDOT - 03:37What the beginning of a legislative session is like - 06:30On sustainable funding for MDOT operations - 07:26Other priorities for the legislative session - 11:03How appropriated funds from the legislature get spent through MDOT - 12:09Regarding legislative earmarks - 14:10Brad White's New Year's resolution(s) - 15:44Family member in music - 16:28Show outro - 18:14