Mississippi Lawmakers Honored, Millions Awarded for Safe Room Projects

State REALTORS group names two legislators as Legislators of the Year, while federal funding announced for tornado shelters across the state.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Mississippi Association of REALTORS has named State Representative Shanda Yates (I) and Senator Daniel Sparks (R) as its 2025 Legislators of the Year. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith announced over $24.8 million in federal grants to fund the construction of several safe room projects across Mississippi, including at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, in Webster County, and in Tate County.

Why it matters

These awards and funding announcements highlight the ongoing efforts by state lawmakers and federal officials to improve public safety and disaster preparedness in Mississippi, which is prone to severe weather events like tornadoes. The new safe rooms will provide critical shelter for students, faculty, emergency personnel, and community members in the event of a storm.

The details

The Mississippi Association of REALTORS recognized Yates and Sparks as state legislators who have advocated for and supported REALTORS across the state. The federal grants announced by Senator Hyde-Smith will fund the construction of a nearly 35,000-square-foot safe room on the Copiah-Lincoln Community College campus, a safe room to protect Webster County's emergency operations center, and a tornado safe room to shelter students and faculty at Magnolia Heights School in Tate County.

  • On February 26, 2026, the Mississippi Association of REALTORS presented the Legislator of the Year awards.
  • On March 5, 2026, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith announced the federal grant funding for the safe room projects.

The players

Shanda Yates

A state representative in Mississippi who was named a 2025 Legislator of the Year by the Mississippi Association of REALTORS.

Daniel Sparks

A state senator in Mississippi who was named a 2025 Legislator of the Year by the Mississippi Association of REALTORS.

DeShawn Davis

The 2026 President of the Mississippi Association of REALTORS, who presented the Legislator of the Year awards.

Cindy Hyde-Smith

A U.S. Senator from Mississippi who announced over $24.8 million in federal grants to fund safe room projects across the state.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College

A community college in Mississippi that received $16.4 million in federal funding to construct a large multi-use safe room on its campus.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody in America better watch that board. Anybody who votes to block funding for the homeland, it is shameful. I don't know how to describe it. It speaks to a long record of Democrats' deliberate efforts to undermine America's safety and the essential operations of DHS.”

— Mike Johnson, Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (The Hill)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These investments in critical infrastructure like tornado safe rooms demonstrate Mississippi's ongoing commitment to protecting its residents and communities from the devastating impacts of severe weather. By working together at the state and federal levels, lawmakers are taking proactive steps to enhance public safety and emergency preparedness across the state.