Dealing with Mississippi's obesity rating - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

Dealing with Mississippi's obesity rating

Posted: Updated:

JACKSON, Ms., (KNOE 8 News) - In the most obese state in the nation, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says he'll sign a new law to prevent cities or counties from banning extra-large soft drinks or requiring restaurants to list calorie counts on menus.

Some lawmakers call Senate Bill 2687 the "anti-Bloomberg" bill as a jab at New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who tried to limit super-size sodas.

Bryant, a Republican, says he opposes local restrictions because he sees them as "nanny state" interference into private business practices.

Health advocates urged Bryant to veto the bill, but he says it's up to consumers, not government, to make healthful food choices.

Bloomberg said Friday on WOR radio in New York that the Mississippi bill is "ridiculous" and life expectancy in the Southern state is shorter because of obesity.

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:27 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:27:30 GMT
    BATON ROUGE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Police say a 27-year-old Baton Rouge man accused of punching a man during a bar fight who later died of his injuries has surrendered to authorities.
    BATON ROUGE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Police say a 27-year-old Baton Rouge man accused of punching a man during a bar fight who later died of his injuries has surrendered to authorities.
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 10:30:52 GMT
    MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 news) - Storms moved into the Arklamiss last night bringing strong winds and rain.
    MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 news) - Storms moved into the Arklamiss last night bringing strong winds and rain.
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:09 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:09:25 GMT
    MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Thousands of customers across north Louisiana and southern Arkansas are without power Tuesday evening.
    MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Thousands of customers across north Louisiana and southern Arkansas are without power Tuesday evening.
Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KNOE. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.