The Latest: Governor disagrees with schools furling flag

The Confederate flag is a polarizing symbol. And the state flag of Mississippi includes the Confederate battle emblem in its design. Though voters overwhelming supported keeping the design in 2001, it still is criticized as a symbol of racial oppression. Consequently, seven of Mississippi’s eight public universities have stopped flying the state flag. Governor Phil Bryant has criticized the universities for removing the Confederate-themed flag, but no law requires public agencies to fly the flag.