The Latest: Mississippi lawmaker says memory problems ease

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Latest on the opening day of the 2018 Mississippi Legislature (all times local):1:15 p.m.

A long-serving Mississippi lawmaker says he has recovered from an illness that had been diagnosed as dementia.

Rep. Steve Holland, a Plantersville Democrat, made the announced Tuesday as lawmakers met for the first time in 2018.

He says his short-term memory problems cleared up in August. Holland says they may have been caused by a previous illness, although he also says his improvement may be a "providential miracle."

Holland had previously announced he would retire in 2019 at the end of this four-year term, but now says he's unsure of his plans.

An undertaker, Holland has been a lawmaker more than 30 years.