The Extra Mile

MDOT State Maintenance Engineer Matt Dugas joined The Extra Mile Podcast on location at the 2025 State Roadeo in Biloxi to provide an overview of the important training event.Drive safely this summer! – 00:00Show intro / introducing MDOT State Maintenance Engineer Matt Dugas – 00:30Matt's career at MDOT – 01:19The 2025 State Roadeo – 02:34Who are the favorites to win? – 06:33MDOT's Maintenance Division – 07:26Favorite place(s) to eat – 08:17Favorite music/concert(s) – 10:41Show Outro – 12:02

Michael Morris, Director of the Two Mississippi Museums, joined The Extra Mile Podcast to give an overview of the museums, talk programming and events, discuss upcoming major Mississippi Department of Archives and History projects, and more.To support the Two Mississippi Museums, visit https://2mm.mdah.ms.gov/support/donate

Gerard Gibert of SuperTalk's "MidDays with Gerard Gibert" show joined The Extra Mile Podcast to discuss his background in the tech sector, how strong infrastructure plays a role in attracting businesses, his thoughts on a special session, and more.Show intro / introducing SuperTalk host Gerard Gibert – 00:00Gerard's background at Venture Technologies – 01:28How Gerard got into politics – 19:01The importance of transportation infrastructure – 41:33Legislative recap / upcoming special session – 47:04Looking ahead to 2027 election – 51:24Favorite place(s) to eat – 55:31Favorite music/concert(s) – 57:43Show Outro – 1:02:40

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined The Extra Mile Podcast to discuss new recurring revenue for the agency gained during the 2025 legislative session, toll scams, National Work Zone Awareness Week and more. Show intro / introducing MDOT Executive Director Brad White – 00:002025 Legislative Session overview – 00:48New recurring revenue stream & where it will go – 02:26Reauthorization of IIJA – 04:18MDOT mourns the passing of Former Northern Transportation Commissioner Zack Stewart – 05:33National Work Zone Awareness Week / Fallen Workers Memorial Ceremony – 06:54Toll road scams – 09:02MDOT's annual Trash Bash events – 11:1120th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina – 12:50Something fun Brad has done lately – 15:42Show Outro – 16:55

For the extra special 100th episode of The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session, Mississippi Transportation Commission Chair Willie Simmons joined co-hosts Will Craft and Paul Katool to provide central Mississippi project updates, give the latest on recurring revenue for MDOT, talk litter pickup efforts, and more.Show intro / introducing Commissioner Willie Simmons – 00:00Mississippians affected by severe weather / MDOT project updates – 01:48Museum Trail in Jackson – 10:57Interstate Problems in the Jackson Metro – 13:33Recurring Revenue for MDOT – 21:20Favorite place(s) to eat – 26:07Favorite music/concert(s) – 28:09Show Outro – 29:57

State Senator Briggs Hopson joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to break down Senate Bill 3095 and its implications for transportation funding, talk about why he got into politics and discuss other legislative hot topics.Show intro / introducing State Senator Briggs Hopson – 00:00How Chairman Hopson got involved in politics – 00:59Senate Appropriations Committee – 03:00How we got here – 04:19Senate Bill 3095 – 09:14Other legislative hot topics – 11:30Favorite place(s) to eat – 13:27Favorite music/concert(s) – 16:00Show Outro – 17:52

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to break down House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 3095. Both bills contain means to provide additional recurring revenue for transportation.Show intro / introducing MDOT Executive Director Brad White – 00:00Senate Bill 3095 – 00:52HB 1 vs. SB 3095 – 04:30Why MDOT needs a different approach to recurring revenue – 08:22Legislative deadlines to watch – 12:00Show Outro – 15:29

State Senator John Horhn joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about legislation he's focused on, transportation funding, the Governor's Arts Awards and more.Show intro / introducing State Senator John Horhn – 00:35Legislative Session updates – 01:38Governor's Arts Awards – 04:55What legislation Senator Horhn is watching – 07:37Infrastructure/Recurring revenue for MDOT – 12:35Favorite place(s) to eat – 17:50Favorite music/concert(s) – 20:04Show Outro – 21:48

State Senator Charles "Chuck" Younger joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about how he got into politics, his new role as Senate Highways and Transportation Chairman, transportation funding and more.Show intro / introducing State Senator Charles "Chuck" Younger – 00:35How Chairman Younger got involved in politics – 03:34Younger as new chairman of Senate Highways and Transportation Committee – 04:35Things to look for in legislative session – 06:00Some Senate Districts to be redrawn – 10:10Favorite place(s) to eat – 14:20Favorite music/concert(s) – 17:11Show Outro – 18:15

State Representative and House Ways and Means Chairman Trey Lamar joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to share his thoughts and insights on House Bill 1 (the "Build Up Mississippi Act"), cutting taxes, and Mississippi infrastructure funding.Show intro/introducing House Ways and Means Chairman Trey Lamar – 00:37House Bill 1 – 01:39Other items on legislative agenda – 10:52Show Outro – 11:36

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined The Extra Mile Podcast to recap a successful 2024 for the agency and talk about his continued push to modernize MDOT's funding model during the 2025 legislative session.Show intro/introducing MDOT Executive Director Brad White – 00:362024 MDOT Recap – 01:24Looking ahead to the 2025 legislative session – 05:00Recurring revenue models – 09:00A new Senate Highways & Transportation Chairman – 15:28Favorite Christmas songs – 18:30Favorite Christmas foods – 19:10Show outro – 20:28

State Representative Steve Massengill joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about recurring revenue possibilities for transportation, discuss Thanksgiving cuisine options, and more.Show intro/introducing State Representative Steve Massengill – 00:38What the House Transportation Committee has been up to – 01:38Recurring Revenue Ideas for MDOT – 09:47Other Topics in the 2025 Legislative Session – 16:51Favorite Thanksgiving dishes – 21:17Favorite Christmas songs – 23:51Show Outro – 25:30

MDOT Planning Division Director Evan Wright joined The Extra Mile Podcast with a live audience at the 2024 Mississippi Transportation Institute (MTI) in Biloxi to discuss the conference, his division, and much more. Show intro – 00:36What is the Mississippi Transportation Institute (MTI)? – 01:24Evan's role at MTI – 02:11Favorite sessions at MTI – 03:24MDOT's Planning Division – 04:01The 2024-2026 Official Mississippi State Highway Map – 07:25How Evan landed at MDOT – 08:53Come work at MDOT! Visit GoMDOT.com/Careers – 10:36         Favorite place(s) to eat – 14:03Favorite music/concert(s) – 15:12Show Outro – 16:33

MDOT Director of Preconstruction - Program Management Trudi Loflin joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about her long career at the agency and break down what her current role entails, among other topics.Show intro, introducing MDOT Director of Preconstruction - Program Management Trudi Loflin – 00:36Trudi's background and coming to MDOT – 01:26What is Right of Way? – 04:11Trudi's new role at MDOT – 05:25What's going on in Preconstruction? – 08:12Trudi's favorite things and lessons learned while working at MDOT – 09:35Come Work at MDOT! – 12:04Favorite place(s) to eat – 13:24Favorite music/concert(s) – 14:54Show Outro – 16:45

Secretary of State Michael Watson joined The Extra Mile Podcast to preview the November 5 election from his office's standpoint, provide updates on the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office initiatives, shoutout a certain Covington County-based eatery, and more.Show intro, introducing MS Secretary of State Michael Watson – 00:36Election Day Preparations / Relationships with Local Election Officials – 01:37Check out free resources like yallvote.ms and My Election Day – 04:10Mississippi's Election Security Plan – 05:50Secretary Watson wants you to vote! – 07:59Voter ID – 11:12Any changes coming to voting in Mississippi? – 12:39SOS Ambassadors Program – 16:26Tackle the Tape – 20:18Looking ahead to the 2025 Legislative Session – 24:46Favorite place(s) to eat – 30:03Favorite music/concert(s) – 32:04Show Outro – 33:50

Speaker of the House Jason White joined The Extra Mile Podcast to preview his Tax Reform Policy Summit on September 24, among other topics.

Mississippi Book Festival Executive Director Ellen Daniels joined The Extra Mile Podcast to preview the September 14 event, talk panelists and provide her own personal book recommendations.Show intro – 00:29Meet Mississippi Book Festival Executive Director Ellen Daniels – 00:58Recording on location at Mississippi Author Eudora Welty's House in Belhaven – 01:16The 10th Anniversary of the Mississippi Book Festival – 01:45Ellen Daniels's background – 02:37The Mississippi Book Festival – 03:40Authors to check out – 05:28Moving the Mississippi Book Festival to September – 09:36Favorite book(s) of all-time/reading right now – 13:34Favorite place(s) to eat – 16:28Favorite music/concert(s) – 18:12Show Outro – 21:49

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 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.

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

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney joined The Extra Mile Podcast to provide an overview of his department, discuss tie-ins with MDOT, talk about a recent visit to a Willie Nelson concert and more.

Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann joined The Extra Mile podcast to discuss the 5th anniversary of the completion of I-269 and more. Show intro, introducing Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann - 01:23 Lt. Governor Hosemann's November plans - 03:03 Progress for education in Mississippi - 03:47 Reflecting on this year's infrastructure investment - 06:48 Upgrades to State Parks - 07:48 Mississippi financial improvements - 08:45 Regarding litter - 11:10 Museum to Market Trail - 13:54 Looking ahead to the next legislative session - 16:00 Strategic infrastructure investments with MDOT - 21:50 Impact of I-269 project - 24:12 Lt. Governor Hosemann's hopes for MDOT projects - 24:31 Notes on Mississippi's growth and success - 27:35 Usual place(s) to eat - 33:10 Favorite entertainment in Mississippi - 34:49 Show outro - 37:54

Biloxi Mayor Andrew "FoFo" Gilich joined The Extra Mile podcast to talk Cruisin' the Coast, working with MDOT at the local level, his days playing in a rock and roll band and much more. Show intro, introducing Biloxi Mayor Andrew "FoFo" Gilich - 01:22 On Mayor Gilich's background - 02:57 Why the nickname "FoFo" - 03:54 Important visitors from Croatia - 05:25 Charm of Biloxi - 07:36 On Cruisin' the Coast - 10:39 Tourism and lodging in Biloxi - 13:24 Local partnership with MDOT - 15:40 Regarding the I-110 bridge - 16:35 Clean-up related to Katrina  - 17:37 Importance of hurricane preparedness - 23:09 Project to widen I-10 - 26:09 Working with MDOT leadership - 28:10 Favorite music - 29:06 Favorite concert - 31:24 Favorite place(s) to eat - 32:20 Events around Biloxi City Hall - 35:03 Show outro - 36:28

MDOT State Safety Engineer Mark Thomas joined The Extra Mile podcast to give an overview of the Highway Safety Division, talk about the Buckle Up Phone Down campaign, promote roundabouts and more. Show intro, introducing MDOT State Safety Engineer Mark Thomas - 01:35 About the Highway Safety Division - 02:39 How the Highway Safety Division gets involved in safety improvement projects - 04:02 On pedestrian safety - 05:44 Pedestrians on the interstate - 07:09 Types of Highway Safety Division projects - 08:25 Regarding roundabouts - 10:14 Example of an effective MS roundabout - 12:02 Safety education activities - 14:15 Buckle Up Phone Down campaign - 17:25 Favorite place(s) to eat - 24:11 Favorite music - 25:43 Favorite concert - 26:23 Show outro - 27:57

Accelerate MS Executive Director Ryan Miller joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about the exciting work his office is doing in the realm of workforce development among other topics. Show intro, introducing Accelerate MS Executive Director Ryan Miller - 01:28 What Accelerate MS does - 02:41 Ryan Miller's background - 03:39 Second annual MS Horizons Workforce Symposium - 07:17 Current focus for Accelerate MS - 09:26 On Accelerate MS successes so far - 11:21 Regarding Workforce Enhancement Training (WET) Funds - 12:11 Accelerate MS's future approach structure - 14:28 Challenges Accelerate MS faces in accomplishing goals - 19:02 Transportation related career growth - 25:04 How Accelerate MS relates to economic development - 28:02 Top careers with needs and growth - 31:02 Favorite current music - 35:58 Favorite concert(s) - 37:30 Favorite place(s) to eat around Mississippi - 39:53 Show outro - 42:02

MDOT State LPA Engineer Lee Frederick joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about how his division helps to facilitate countless local, public projects across Mississippi among other topics. Show intro, introducing MDOT State LPA Engineer Lee Frederick - 01:28 What LPA means - 02:51 How MDOT works with local public agencies - 04:32 Types of LPA projects - 06:03 LPA division team - 06:47 Why you would want to work for MDOT - 09:50 Lee Frederick's favorite LPA projects - 14:06 Transportation Alternatives (TA) program - 16:05 Other upcoming projects - 17:07 Litter in Mississippi - 18:34 Favorite place(s) to eat around Jackson - 19:05 Top restaurants outside of Jackson - 20:13 Favorite music - 21:43 Favorite concert - 23:14 Lee Frederick's Mississippi summer travel spots - 24:03 MDOT's free travel resources - 25:18 Show outro - 28:04

MEMA Chief Communications Officer Malary White joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about the importance of preparedness as we enter peak hurricane season along with other topics. Show intro, introducing MEMA Chief Communications Officer Malary White - 01:32 About the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) - 02:28 What Malary White does at MEMA - 04:32 How MEMA approaches peak hurricane season - 07:30 On hurricane preparedness - 10:00 MEMA resources, including their app  - 12:40 Overview of contraflow - 17:12 Lessons learned from past events - 19:06 Clarifying common MEMA misconceptions - 22:20 Hurricane season predictions - 24:16 Favorite place(s) to eat - 27:38 Favorite music and concert - 28:26 Favorite summer travel spots - 29:52 Show outro - 31:47

State Senator Jenifer Branning and State Representative Scott Bounds joined The Extra Mile podcast on location at the Neshoba County Fair to talk Mississippi's Giant House Party, highlight 2023 legislative accomplishments/discuss future priorities and drop favorite summer travel destinations.

The Extra Mile Podcast made a return trip to Vicksburg to visit with Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. to talk transportation projects in the area, the Dick Hall Welcome Center, city happenings and more. Show intro, introducing Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. - 01:12 July 4 in Vicksburg - 03:01 Regarding the Miss Mississippi Pageant - 04:14 Vicksburg pickleball and goat yoga opportunities - 05:31 On the Dick Hall Welcome Center - 07:46 Improvements to I-20 Flowers Interchange  - 09:03 I-20 frontage road extension and bridge repair - 13:04 Port update - 14:11 City's litter management - 15:25 Favorite place(s) to eat - 19:00 Favorite summer trip - 20:57 Favorite music - 21:57 Show outro - 23:07

Our summer travel theme continued on The Extra Mile Podcast as the team visited with concert promoter Arden Barnett, owner of Ardenland! Show intro, introducing concert promoter and owner of Ardenland Arden Barnett - 00:37 About Duling Hall - 01:37 How Arden got into music - 03:00 Why Duling Hall's location matters for music - 05:05 Importance of transportation network for shows - 06:16 Cathead Jam - 08:59 Upcoming event at MSU Riley Center - 10:08 Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo  - 11:40 Regarding litter - 13:37 Favorite place(s) to eat - 15:46 Favorite music - 16:50 Show outro - 19:35

State Senator Lydia Chassaniol, Chair of the Senate Tourism Committee, joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about summer travel destinations in the great State of Mississippi. Show intro, state Senator Lydia Chassaniol - 00:35 About the building and location - 01:26 Senator Chassaniol's service history - 02:58 On the Mississippi culinary travel project - 03:45 Promoting town to town marketing - 07:57 Recent trip to Ocean Springs - 11:52 Regarding a visit to Laurel - 13:55 Favorite place to eat  - 16:25 Favorite music - 19:21 Passion for art  - 22:23 Show outro - 23:54

Kevin Coggin, Executive Director of the Coast Transit Authority, joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about his organization, the need for public transit, the importance of hurricane preparedness and more. Show intro, introducing Coast Transit Authority Executive Director Kevin Coggin - 00:36 On the Gulfport Transit Center building - 01:15 What is the Coast Transit Authority - 03:29 Van pool operations - 05:54 How the Coast Transit Authority relates to MDOT - 06:51 Recent funding for multimodal transportation - 08:29 Experience during Hurricane Katrina - 09:59 Response to hurricanes  - 12:34 Lessons learned from Katrina - 13:51 Importance of a hurricane plan - 15:20 Future challenges for transit - 20:11 Autonomous and EV type vehicles for transit - 21:18 Favorite place(s) to eat - 22:57 Favorite music - 24:56 Show outro - 25:33

Colby Kimmel, Assistant Chief Engineer - Pre-construction, and Jessica Dilley, Assistant State Planning Engineer, joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk women in engineering, why they got in to the field, the benefits of working at MDOT and more. Show intro, introducing MDOT Engineers Colby Kimmel and Jessica Dilley - 00:38 Beginnings at MDOT - 03:07 Regarding the Women in Transportation Seminar Mississippi group - 04:26 WTS Social Media - 10:00 Why Colby Kimmel decided to become an engineer - 10:10 Contact details for WTS and STEM video resources - 11:36 What drew Jessica Dilley to engineering - 14:17 Why girls should study engineering - 16:16 Importance of diversity in teams at MDOT - 20:20 Reasons why MDOT is a great place to work - 23:02 Favorite place(s) to eat - 27:22 Show outro - 30:22

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session on location at the Mississippi Capitol to recap a successful 2023 Legislative Session. Show intro, introducing MDOT Executive Director Brad White - 00:31 On the State Capitol room setting - 01:16 2023 legislative session impact for MDOT - 02:18 Importance of multimodal investment - 05:55 Dick Hall welcome center - 08:02 Funding for capacity project highlights - 09:47 Current MDOT priorities - 13:38 Response to recent storms - 17:04 Favorite place(s) to eat - 19:47 Favorite music - 20:31 Updates on Will's family - 21:41 Show outro - 22:41