Mississippi governor's inauguration set for Jan. 12

JACKSON, Miss (AP) - Republican Gov. Phil Bryant of Mississippi will be sworn in for his second term on Jan. 12, one week after the beginning of the legislative session.His first inauguration, in 2012, was moved inside the state Capitol because of stormy weather, after crews had spent days building a platform on the building's south steps.Organizers are hoping for clearer skies the second time around. Bryant's office announced Monday that the inaugural ceremony is scheduled to be in the same spot where it was supposed to be the first time.Scott McClintock, the staff member in charge of planning, said a backup plan is being made in case the ceremony needs to move again to the House of Representatives chamber."It will be fully planned out, down to the seating," McClintock said. "We won't be having to move things around, last-minute."An inaugural parade through downtown Jackson, past the Governor's Mansion, is scheduled for after the ceremony. In 2012, bad weather first delayed then led to cancellation of the parade.An inaugural ball is scheduled for the evening of Jan. 12 at the Jackson Convention Complex, and in a nod to Bryant's favorite cowboy footwear, it is being billed as "black tie and boots optional." The ball is open to the public. Tickets are $50.Bryant easily defeated Democrat Robert Gray, a truck driver who ran a low-budget campaign, in the Nov. 3 general election.Details about the inaugural festivities will be posted to http://www.imaginems.com .

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