In a breaking story just over an hour ago, RedState’s Kira Davis shared some breathtaking news: Republican Governor Greg Abbott, with the sweep of his executive pen, put in motion the full re-opening of businesses in the state of Texas and wiping away all mask-wearing requirements in the Lone Star state a week from Wednesday.

Now, another state with GOP leadership appears to be jumping in the freedom pool — and it’s starting almost immediately, according to media reports.

JUST IN – Gov. Reeves lifts all mask mandates in #Mississippi and businesses can begin to operate at full capacity without any state-imposed restrictions.

— Disclose.tv 🚨 (@disclosetv) March 2, 2021

NPR:

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves made a similar announcement shortly thereafter — on a shorter timeline.

“Starting tomorrow, we are lifting all of our county mask mandates and businesses will be able to operate at full capacity without any state-imposed rules. Our hospitalizations and case numbers have plummeted, and the vaccine is being rapidly distributed. It is time!” he tweeted.

Starting tomorrow, we are lifting all of our county mask mandates and businesses will be able to operate at full capacity without any state-imposed rules. Our hospitalizations and case numbers have plummeted, and the vaccine is being rapidly distributed. It is time!

— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) March 2, 2021

It didn’t take long for people across the country to take note of the trend:

Mississippi now “Free” too.

— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) March 2, 2021

It also doesn’t take a stretch of the imagination to wonder if Florida’s own conservative governor, Ron DeSantis, giving a speech at last weekend’s CPAC on how his state is open for business — while rescuing the largest, conservative political conference of the year, when progressive-run Washington, D.C., is locked down tight because of the Wuhan coronavirus — might have had something to do with these moves.

UPDATE [03/02/21, 5:34p.m. EST]:

A state-based publication, the New Albany Gazette, reported that the MS mandates would expire at 5 p.m. tomorrow, and adding a statement from Gov. Reeves, which read, in part:

I am replacing our current orders with recommendations. Everyone should continue to listen to Dr. Dobbs and other health advisors for the best possible wisdom regarding how you can personally stem any risk of catching COVID. Their insight is valuable. The only rules that will remain in this order are a capacity limit of 50% on indoor arenas, and those that govern K-12 schools.

As this is a breaking story, RedState will update as details become available.