| Wednesday, August 26, 2026 |
| Mississippi launches UPSKILL grant for adult education, training for in-demand careers | |
 | The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid and AccelerateMS, the state's workforce development office, have announced the launch of the UPSKILL Mississippi Grant. The grant is aimed at providing adult Mississippians greater access to state financial aid for education and training for in-demand careers. The UPSKILL Mississippi Grant -- short for Upgrading Priority Skills for Key Industry Learning and Labor -- will be administered by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid. The grant will cover any remaining tuition and fees after other aid is applied and include an additional $500 annual stipend for books and other educational materials. Dr. Jennifer Rogers, executive director of the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid said UPSKILL Mississippi creates an important new opportunity for adult Mississippians who may have thought the cost of returning to school to pursue a credential or degree was out of reach. "Mississippi has to be strategic about how we invest in workforce development," state Senator Nicole Boyd (R), chair of the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee, said. "UPSKILL gives us a way to focus state resources on the skills our economy needs most while creating a stronger connection between education, workforce development, and the industries driving growth in our state." |
SPORTS
| Journeyman Adam Frazier still considers Starkville home | |
 | The Los Angeles Angels are the seventh different team Adam Frazier has played for in the big leagues. Regardless of his employer, Frazier, 34, who starred at Mississippi State between 2011 and 2013, is steadfast that Starkville remains home. "I reminisce on those days a lot, whether it's here in the clubhouse talking trash with some of these guys about our school is better than yours. I consider that home," Frazier said. "The fans still show up here or travel around, so that's cool. The support has always been there, which is great. It feels like family there. I still keep in touch with pretty much that whole team. It's a special group of guys. Fortunate for my time there, and it's always fun to go back." A sixth-round pick of Pittsburgh in 2013, Frazier made his big league debut for the Pirates in June 2016. He remained with the Bucs through July 2021 when he was traded to San Diego. Since then, he's played for Seattle, Baltimore, Kansas City, and had second stints in Pittsburgh and K.C. before signing a minor league deal with the Angels this past offseason. The ex-Bulldog ended up making the Halos' opening day roster and through 52 games this season had played second base, left field and taken the mound three times. He's hitting .257 with 10 RBIs this season; he's a .264 career hitter. |
| East Lake general manager earns PGA Master Professional designation | |
| The PGA of America has announced that Chad Parker, President and General Manager of East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, has earned PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation available within the Association. The PGA Master Professional program recognizes PGA of America Members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to professional growth and maintain the highest standards of excellence for themselves and their facilities. Parker, a member of the Georgia PGA Section, has been a PGA Professional for more than 30 years. A 1995 graduate of Mississippi State University's PGA Golf Management program, Parker spent the first years of his career in Alabama at NorthRiver Yacht Club. Parker and his wife, Carrie, then moved to Atlanta where he began as an Assistant Professional at East Lake Golf Club. Soon thereafter, he was promoted to PGA Head Professional. During his more than three decades at East Lake, Parker has held numerous leadership positions. He also serves as an advisor and mentor to Mississippi State University's PGA Golf Management program. |
| Big Ten bars football players with pro contracts from returning to play amid NCAA eligibility chaos | |
 | The Big Ten became the first conference Tuesday to adopt a rule prohibiting football players who have signed professional contracts from returning to play at its schools as college sports finds itself mired in lawsuits and disputes over eligibility. The matter came to a head Monday when the agent for former Mississippi tight end Dae'Quan Wright said Wright could be heading to LSU thanks to a state-level court order allowing him and others an unexpected fifth year of eligibility despite a NCAA rule change in June impacting players who graduated from high school in 2022. There are a number of lawsuits in dispute around the country. The Big Ten said that administrators unanimously approved the rule to prohibit football players who have signed a professional contract, were on a professional roster at any point or declared for the NFL draft as an underclassman without withdrawing, from maintaining eligibility for athletic competition at a conference institution. It did not rule out restrictions in other sports like basketball. |
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