Mississippi

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour ignited a firestorm of controversy when he pardoned nearly 200 individuals, some of them still in jail and at least one a convicted murderer, shortly before he left office. Now the state Supreme Court will take up the case.

Tiffany Brewer’s sister was shot and killed by her husband, David Gatlin, in what she describes as a cold, methodical murder. Gatlin was pardoned recently by outgoing Gov. Haley Barbour, but critics say the pardons are not legitimate.

In his last days in office. Gov. Haley Barbour pardoned more than 200 people, at least four of whom have been convicted of killing other people. One of them had been denied parole just two weeks before.

Officials along the Mississippi Delta are considering whether to open the floodgates, allowing water to flood farmland, to save cities from a Katrina-like disaster.

Floodwaters are rising on the Mississippi, but officials believe they have it under control.