FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Mississippi Scholastic Press Association is both shocked and saddened to learn of the charges levied against a member of our Board of Advisers, Braden Bishop. 

This alleged behavior is obviously inexcusable, deplorable and completely out of line with the ethics of a professional educator, especially one we have held up at the state level as a leader and exemplar in our profession. 

Bishop is a former MSPA Adviser of the Year, a longtime board member, and has made a positive impact in the lives of countless young people during his time in the classroom. 

However, in light of these charges, our director and the remaining 11 board members have voted unanimously to condemn these actions, remove Mr. Bishop from our board and offer our support in helping the journalism program at Tupelo High School move forward. 

But most importantly, our thoughts are with the alleged victim and her family, and we hope all parties involved will find peace soon.