Shamira Mohamed

An attorney for Steven Spencer Pittman argued his client poses no serious danger to potential witnesses and should be deemed eligible for bond with conditions.

Attorneys for the government argued the 19-year-old does pose a risk to witnesses from Beth Israel and his parents.

A federal judge denied him bond.

Zach Schimper is president of the Beth Israel Congregation.

A trial has been set for February 23rd.

For NPR News, I'm Shamira Mohamed in Jackson, Mississippi.

The charges carry a hate crime enhancement, meaning harsher penalties if the felony was committed because of the perceived race,

He faces up to 60 years of prison on the state charges alone.

Pittman is a former honor student of a well-known Catholic school.

The Catholic Diocese of Jackson has condemned the actions attributed to Pittman.

And Hines County District Attorney Jody Owens says, quote, crimes motivated by hate and directed at places of worship strike at the core of who we are as a community.

For NPR News, I'm Shamira Mohamed in Jackson, Mississippi.

13% of Mississippi's population relies on SNAP benefits.

Cassandra Mobley, interim CEO of the Mississippi Food Network.

says food partners around the state accepted the egg donation swiftly.

Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gibson says the freeze in SNAP benefits has also hit farmers.

Mississippi has announced it'll begin to distribute 65 percent of SNAP benefits.

For NPR News, I'm Shamir Mohamed in Jackson.