| Friday, March 20, 2026 |
| MSU partnership aims to 'fill the gap' in state radar systems | |
 | In some rural areas of Mississippi, many residents rely on weather predictions from stations more than 50 miles away. In a state where tornadoes and severe storms are a near year-round threat, filling those gaps could potentially mean saving lives and property, said Narcisa Pricope, associate vice president for research in the Office of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State University. Climavision, an Arkansas-based weather technology company, is doing just that, and now MSU is joining the effort. "In these blind spots ... if a tornado or a big storm cell forms in those areas, the National Weather Service radars may miss it, but Climavision essentially can pick that up and within a matter of minutes ... issue an alert," Pricope told The Dispatch on Thursday. "... We want to help close that gap between knowing that a storm is coming and being ... able to act on it." Through a partnership with Climavision, MSU is advocating for expanding radar coverage across the state while gaining access to high-resolution weather data to further research and education at the university. |
| MSU landscape architecture program partners with city to design Starkville arboretum | |
 | Mississippi State landscape architecture faculty and students are partnering with the city of Starkville to design a new public arboretum at Cornerstone Park, creating a future outdoor space focused on native plants, research and community access. The project is led by retired landscape architecture Professor Bob Brzuszek. It brings together city leaders and MSU's Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design to develop a long-term vision for the site, which includes young forest, grassland and wetland systems. The project reflects MSU's land-grant mission of teaching, research and service by inviting faculty across disciplines to use the space as a living laboratory. Once complete, the arboretum will provide Starkville residents with a free, publicly accessible nature trail. Currently, the nearest comparable site is the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, located about 25 miles away. "Research has shown repeatedly that being in a natural environment reduces stress and improves mental and physical health," Brzuszek said. |
| Some Mississippi farmers got historic head start to corn planting in 2026 | |
 | Some Mississippi farmers got a rare head start on corn planting this year. According to the Mississippi State University Extension Service, some growers began planting as early as the last week of February -- nearly a month ahead of the state's typical mid-March start and "likely a record for the state." Much of the early activity was reported in counties in the southern part of the Delta, where warm, dry conditions have certainly helped out. Erick Larson, corn specialist with the MSU Extension Service, said he has never seen so much corn planted so early in his three decades on the job. "This year, we began planting nearly a month earlier than normal," Larson said. "I've been the corn specialist for 30 years, and I've never seen this much planting progress this early. Consultants and farmers who have been around considerably longer say the same thing." Larson said early planted corn can produce better yields because it matures before the hottest parts of the summer. But there's also a risk with an early start: sporadic cold weather. Mississippi saw freezing temperatures in some areas earlier this week, which could pose a risk to young crops, though it's unclear how much damage, if any, occurred. |
| Economist says placements remains the number to watch in Cattle on Feed report | |
| A livestock economist says placements will be the number to watch in this week's Cattle on Feed report. Josh Maples with Mississippi State University Extension says, "We're going into this report on the heels of 15 straight months of declining feedlot numbers." He says that isn't going to change anytime soon. "We had a little bit of weather to deal with in February," he says. "Do we see that show up in the report? Placements during January were about 5% below a year ago. So, we've got some big question marks." Maples tells Brownfield the border remains closed to live cattle imports from Mexico because of the ongoing threat of New World screwworm. "Nothing is happening there," he says. "And when I mean nothing happening, I mean no cattle coming in. So that automatically reduces placements, especially in the southern part of the U.S." The report comes out Friday. |
| Columbus, Starkville lag behind sales tax projections | |
| Both Columbus and Starkville are on pace to fall just shy of their projected sales tax revenue budgets halfway through Fiscal Year 2026. The cities' budget cycles began Oct. 1. Starkville is on pace to miss its $10.3 million projected budget by about $235,332, while Columbus is falling more than $101,000 short of its $12 million projected budget. Meanwhile West Point, whose fiscal year began July 1, is on track to exceed its $2.9 million projected budget by more than $500,000. Sales tax diversions run on a three-month window. Taxes are collected by retailers in the first month, sent to Mississippi Department of Revenue the next and then disbursed to cities and counties the third. Therefore, March reported collections reflect sales from January. Year-to-date, Starkville has collected $1,652,710 in restaurant sales tax revenue, marking a 4.67% increase from this time last year ($1,578,881). Starkville's tourism tax brought in $137,859 this month, a 1.02% increase from March 2025 collections of $136,463. This marks a 5.6% drop from February collections of $130,543. Year-to-date, the city has collected $945,309 from tourism tax revenue, marking a 5.13% increase from this time last year ($899,167). |
| Mississippi awards $9.8M for downtown projects | |
 | The Mississippi Legislature has approved nearly $9.8 million in grants for downtown revitalization projects in 26 communities, funding streetscape improvements, building restorations and public space upgrades through 2027. The funding, approved Wednesday, March 18, through House Bill 1854, will be distributed through the state's Main Street Revitalization Grant Program to designated communities across Mississippi. Some towns are getting the full $500,000 treatment for major downtown overhauls, while others are landing smaller checks for things like signage, historic renovations and tourism-focused upgrades, including: Starkville, Starkville Streetscape Improvements: $500,000; Meridian, Main Street Light Project: $200,000; and Columbus, Downtown Columbus Wayfinding and Streetscape Improvement Project: $380,000. |
| Starkville Police Host Community Fundraiser for Injured Officer | |
 | The Starkville Police Department is inviting the community to come together this weekend for a very special cause. Corporal Colby Huffman was recently seriously injured in a motorcycle crash and remains hospitalized as he continues his recovery. Huffman's family has been deeply touched by the outpouring of support, and the department is helping to ease the financial burden from medical and travel costs. A fundraiser will be held Saturday, March 21st, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Village Cycle Center. Community members are encouraged to attend and show their support for one of Starkville's own during this challenging time. For those looking to make a difference, this event provides an opportunity to rally behind Corporal Huffman and his family as they navigate the road to recovery. |
| Bartenders to battle for best cocktail in Starkville | |
| The spirits are set, and the competition is on. Bartenders from 13 Starkville restaurants will go head-to-head next week to craft the top cocktail for the city's inaugural Battle of the Bartenders, Starkville Main Street's newest event and fundraiser. "We've seen some similar events from across the state, and so we wanted to try it and put our own spin on it," Paige Watson, director for Starkville Main Street, told The Dispatch on Thursday. The carefully-crafted cocktails will be served during the event, set for 6-8 p.m. Friday under the lights on Lafayette Street. Those attending the event will sample each drink and cast their vote for the top cocktail while also enjoying small bites and live music performed by Jeffrey Rupp and Bill Cooke. Restaurants with bartenders participating in the competition include Arepas Coffee and Bar, Bin 612, The Grill, Restaurant Tyler, The Guest Room, Dave's Dark Horse Tavern, Rosey Baby, The Older Brother, Walk-On's Bistreaux, Taste, Starkville Country Club, L'uva Wine Room and Harveys. |
| Sparks, Senate attempt to revive chambers' PERS reforms | |
| The Mississippi Senate passed a strike-all amendment earlier this week to a House bill in an effort to revive its reforms to the Public Employees Retirement System, or PERS. The Senate amendment places language from its six bills that have died this session into a House bill as the chamber again seeks to address changes in PERS. "Those bills didn't make it, so we're back here," said State Senator Daniel Sparks (R). The amended bill would lower the years of service in the new Tier 5 established last year from 35 years to 30 years. First responders had requested a reduction to 25 years, which was in the House version of the bill, but the Senate is seeking the middle ground. One longtime senator said 25 years of service is unrealistic. State Senator Hob Bryan (D) told members that the 25 years has been tried and proven not to be sustainable. "The 25-year retirement was terribly unfortunate, could never be sustained," Bryan said, noting that retirement was originally intended to support people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s from living in poverty. |
| Mobile sports betting dies again in Mississippi Senate | |
| The "Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act," which passed 100 to 11 in the House of Representatives, has died in the Senate Gaming Committee at the hands of chairman State Senator David Blount (D). It is the second time this session that a mobile sports betting bill from the House has died in the Senate. Attempts to establish mobile sports betting in previous legislative sessions have also died by way of Blount and his Senate Gaming Committee. The latest version of the mobile sports betting proposal put forward by State Rep. Casey Eure (R), the House Gaming Committee chairman, would have imposed a 22% tax on mobile sports betting, up from 18.5% proposed previously. When presenting the bill to the House. Eure said the increase would put Mississippi in line with the national average. The House measure would have also reduced the state gaming tax from 8% to 6%, giving "approximately a $48 million tax cut to the casinos." Eure's bill would have sent $50 million per year from the revenue generated from mobile sports betting to the Public Employees Retirement System, or PERS, over the next 10 years in an effort to provide a revenue stream to shore up the system's $26 billion unfunded liabilities. |
| Will state continue funding pilot public defender program called 'model for the nation'? | |
| The fate of a pilot program to provide public defenders in rural counties -- called "a model for the nation" -- is now in the hands of a legislative conference committee. The Mississippi Senate has approved an amended version of House Bill 1930 that includes second-year funding for the three-year pilot program that provides resources for rural counties that lack a robust public defender program. On Wednesday, the House declined to concur on the changes, seeking final negotiations with the Senate. Wednesday also marked the 63rd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that established the right to counsel for people charged with serious crimes who can't afford a lawyer. That 1963 case involved Clarence Gideon, who was convicted after he was forced to represent himself in court. As a result of the ruling, he received a new trial, this time with a court-appointed lawyer. He was acquitted. The pilot program is taking place in Mississippi's Fifth Circuit Court District. In Attala, Winston, Montgomery and Grenada counties, these new public defenders are tackling a third of the felony cases. In Carroll, Choctaw and Webster counties, the new defenders are handling cases where conflicts arise. |
| Brain injury survivors call for expanded support as advocates meet with Mississippi leaders | |
 | March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and survivors and advocates in Mississippi are calling on state leaders to increase support and awareness for those living with brain and spinal cord injuries. Wesley Ward, who survived a traumatic brain injury in 2008 during football practice at Central Hinds Academy, returned to the State Capitol this week to continue the advocacy work he began years ago. Ward spent five months in a coma at age 16 and has since dedicated his life to supporting others with similar injuries. Ward's experience led to the passage of the Mississippi Youth Concussion Act in 2014, a law named in his honor aimed at protecting young athletes from head injuries. Catherine Bishop, executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi, said the need for greater awareness remains urgent. "Brain injury does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone at any time," Bishop said. House Public Health Chairman Rep. Sam Creekmore sponsored House Bill 314, which would create a pathway for the state to fund and conduct clinical trials of ibogaine, a drug being studied as a potential treatment for traumatic brain injuries and posttraumatic stress disorder. |
| 3 liquor stores sue Mississippi alcohol warehouse operator over shipping delays | |
| A group of licensed liquor retailers in Mississippi is suing the third-party operator overseeing the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control warehouse amid ongoing processing and shipping delays. The lawsuit, spearheaded by Aloha Wine and Spirits in Diamondhead, accuses Des Moines, Iowa-based Ruan Transport of a breach of contract. Waveland's Rosetti's Liquor Barrel and Pass Christian's Buckshots Liquor are also involved in the litigation. The delays caused the liquor stores suing Ruan Transport to miss out on revenue during "seasonal peak times," such as Mardi Gras, the lawsuit alleges. Officials with the Department of Revenue suggest that progress has been made in fulfilling the backlog of orders and that technical issues at the warehouse have been rectified. The warehouse has hired more staff and has extended hours of operation to meet the demand for liquor. As things stand, the ABC center in Gluckstadt is shipping 20,000 to nearly 30,000 more cases of liquor than they were this time last year, intending to make strides in dwindling down the number of orders on standby. Officials confirm they've been working with retailers to ensure a smoother delivery process in the future. |
| Many states count mail ballots that arrive after Election Day. Those grace periods could go away | |
 | There will be just one Election Day for this fall's midterm elections -- Nov. 3. But voters in 14 states who cast their votes by mail will be given a grace period ranging from a day later to several weeks in which their ballots can be received and counted. Whether that extra time should be allowed is at the heart of a case that will be argued Monday before the U.S. Supreme Court. If the court strikes down those grace periods, it will leave those states -- and their voters -- scrambling to adjust with only a few months before absentee ballots are sent out for this fall's midterm elections. The implications could extend well beyond the 14 states that give a grace period for regular ballots, depending on how the court ultimately rules. A total of 29 states allow for the late arrival of military and overseas ballots, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Voting Rights Lab. The Republican National Committee and the Libertarian Party of Mississippi brought the lawsuit against Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson, a Republican, arguing that federal Election Day statutes envision a single day for casting ballots. Grace periods for receiving mail ballots violate federal law, they argue. |
| Supreme Court rules in favor of antiabortion activist who said his right to protest was restricted | |
 | The Supreme Court on Friday ruled unanimously that an evangelical Christian preacher and antiabortion activist can sue a Mississippi city for arresting him for protesting outside of a designated area in what he argued was a violation of his free speech rights. Gabriel Olivier was arrested in May 2021 by police in Brandon, Mississippi, for protesting outside of a city amphitheater with his evangelical group. They waved pictures of aborted fetuses, passed out fliers and used a loudspeaker. The protest took place outside of a designated area for demonstrations in violation of a city ordinance. Olivier pleaded no contest to violating the ordinance. He was issued a small fine and sentenced to one year's probation. A few months later, Olivier sued the city, alleging the local law violated his constitutional free speech rights. Lower courts blocked Olivier's lawsuit from moving forward, citing a rule that says criminal defendants cannot file civil rights lawsuits that could undermine the legality of their convictions. Doing so could allow a defendant to walk free and end-run the normal criminal appeals process. At issue before the Supreme Court was whether Olivier was subject to what is known as the "Heck" rule. |
| Tobacco could get a boost from the farm bill. How does that square with MAHA? | |
| The 2026 farm bill now working its way through Congress contains a number of provisions at odds with the Make America Healthy Again movement, particularly when it comes to pesticides and factory farming. One less-noticed amendment would allow tobacco farmers to receive more disaster and emergency funds -- a move critics say is out of step with public health goals and MAHA's vow to lower chronic disease rates in the U.S. The amendment, introduced by Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.) earlier this month, would make tobacco farmers eligible for aid from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation. Tobacco farmers have been excluded from receiving those funds since the end of the federal tobacco program, which ran from 1938 to 2004. Rouzer, whose state is the top producer of tobacco in the U.S., called the amendment a "technical correction" in keeping with the original intent of the 2004 buyout negotiations, which gave tobacco farmers $10 billion spread out over 10 years. Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) opposed the amendment, saying it would "restart the government's ability to use taxpayer dollars to promote the domestic consumption of tobacco and the marketing of tobacco as well. That seems very inconsistent with the Make America Healthy Again agenda." Those objections were overruled. |
| Appropriators meet as deadline set for Homeland Security deal | |
 | Senate Majority Leader John Thune set a deadline of next week for resolving the Homeland Security Department funding standoff, as Senate appropriators of both parties held a face-to-face meeting Thursday with White House "border czar" Tom Homan. Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said the meeting -- the first of its kind since the department's partial shutdown began a month ago -- was a "pretty big deal and a recognition that we need to get this resolved." He also threatened to curtail a scheduled two-week spring recess in early April if there was still no deal by then. "It needs to get resolved by the end of next week," Thune told reporters. "I can't see us taking a break if the government's still shut down." But lawmakers signaled little progress after the roughly 90-minute meeting with Homan adjourned at the Capitol Thursday afternoon. "I'm glad that the White House is here, but we're still a long ways apart," said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. Asked if both sides were closer to a deal, she said, "No." Homan wouldn't characterize progress from the talks and said lawmakers need to "get the government back open." |
| Pentagon Sending More Marines, Warships to Middle East | |
 | The Pentagon is sending three warships and thousands of additional Marines to the Middle East, in the second deployment of Marines to the region in the past week. Roughly 2,200 to 2,500 Marines from the California-based USS Boxer amphibious ready group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are heading to the U.S. Central Command, U.S. officials said. As the war neared the three-week mark, Iran projected defiance, with the new supreme leader declaring that "safety must be taken away" from the country's enemies and its armed forces vowing to pursue them even in tourist spots. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps denied that U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have crippled Iran's ability to produce missiles -- a statement attributed to a spokesman who had already been killed in a strike hours earlier. President Trump lashed out again at NATO on Friday, calling the alliance "A PAPER TIGER" and "COWARDS" on social media. "They didn't want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran. Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don't want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. |
| White House sends blueprint for national AI rules to Congress | |
 | The White House on Friday published a long-awaited policy wishlist for artificial intelligence regulation that it hopes Congress will codify into law. The light-touch federal framework blends the Trump administration's effort to create a national AI rulebook on issues like political bias within models and reducing barriers to innovation with protections for children and teens online. It urges Congress to overrule state AI laws that the administration says "impose undue burdens," in favor of the "minimally burdensome" federal law that it's recommending. The Trump administration has been trying to establish preemption over state AI laws using Congress and executive order for roughly a year, arguing that the patchwork of laws harms AI innovation. The blueprint explicitly calls on Congress to preempt any state laws that regulate the way models are developed or that penalize companies for the way their AI is used by others, and instructs U.S. lawmakers not to create any new federal agencies to regulate AI. It also outlines some areas where the federal government's laws wouldn't overrule those of the states, and asks Congress to allow states to keep laws that protect children, including those that ban AI-generated child sexual abuse material. |
| Pentagon's attempt to strong-arm Anthropic rouses resistance and reflection in Silicon Valley | |
 | Artificial intelligence powerhouse Anthropic's battle with the Pentagon has sparked some soul-searching in Silicon Valley that could reshape the tech sector's complicated relationship with war and the White House. Anthropic is the San Francisco-based startup behind the chatbot Claude and some of the most powerful AI on the market. In its negotiations with the military, it has demanded guardrails on how its technology is used. The military said it refused to be beholden to a corporation and pushed back, labeling Anthropic a threat akin to an enemy foreign power and blocking it from some government contracts. Tech leaders have quietly backed Anthropic, saying that AI isn't ready for some weapons and that strong-arming companies is counterproductive and antidemocratic. President Trump called Anthropic a bunch of "left-wing nut jobs." How this showdown plays out will affect not only Anthropic's booming business but also the way tech titans and other corporations work with an administration known for lashing out at resisters, said Alan Rozenshtein, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Law School. |
| Get Ready for a Year of Chaotic Weather in the US | |
 | Despite being declared the third-hottest year on record, 2025 was a relatively quiet year for climate disasters in the US. No major hurricanes made landfall, while the total number of acres burned in wildfires last year -- a way of measuring the intensity of wildfire season -- fell below the 10-year average. But starting this week, the West is experiencing what looks to be a record-breaking heat wave, while forecasting models predict that a strong El Niño event is likely to emerge later this year. These two unrelated phenomena could set the stage for a long stretch of unpredictable and extreme weather reaching into next year, compounding the effects of a climate that's getting hotter and hotter thanks to human activity. First, there's the heat. Beginning this week and heading into next, a massive ridge of high-pressure air will bring record-breaking temperatures to the American West. The National Weather Service predicts that temperature records across multiple states are set to be broken in dozens of locations, stretching as far east as Missouri and Tennessee. The other remarkable thing about this heat wave, Swain says, is just how long it's going to last. Then there's El Niño. Last week, the National Weather Service announced that there was more than a 60 percent chance of an El Niño event emerging in August or September. Various weather models suggest that this El Niño could be particularly strong. |
| JSU Board Search Committee starts interviews for next president | |
 | The Jackson State University (JSU) Board Search Committee and Search Advisory Constituency met on Thursday, beginning the first round of interviews in the search for the university's next president. The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) held an executive session to discuss the candidates and their qualifications. "The success of Jackson State is critical right now, and we need a good leader who's going to carry and build the history, build on the history of Jackson State and carry it into its next phase of success," said John Sewell, director of communications for the IHL. The IHL aims to have someone in place by the end of the 2026 spring semester. |
| William Carey University set to launch 'Investing in Teacher Assistants Initiative' this summer | |
 | William Carey University will be launching a new scholarship this summer to advance teacher assistants on their path to full certification. The initiative was created through a $300,000 grant from the Robert M. Hearin Foundation. It was designed to help teacher assistants earn their bachelor's degrees and become fully accredited classroom teachers. The initiative will provide students with financial assistance to help cover the cost of tuition. It will also give them opportunities for professional development and mentoring. Dr. Teresa Poole, dean of the School of Education, said programs like this are necessary to address the ongoing teacher shortage across Mississippi. "We have to invest in our teacher assistants because when we invest in those people, that's going to make a huge difference in our teachers," said Poole. "So, supporting teachers and education is something we come to work for every day to ensure that all of our students, no matter if they live in a rural or urban area, have a well-prepared teacher." |
| Annual Bettye Jolly Lecture to Feature Richard Ford | |
| The Eudora Welty Foundation, in partnership with the Millsaps College Visiting Writers Series, will present the 2026 Bettye Jolly Lecture on April 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. The Eudora Welty House & Garden will host this year's lecture, which will conclude with a reception and book-signing. The event is free and open to the public. This year's keynote speaker is Jackson native and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Ford. The Bettye Jolly Lecture honors the memory of Bettye Jolly who was a community leader, journalist, and wife of the late Grady Jolly, senior United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.The series is funded by her family, her friends, and the Eudora Welty Foundation and grew out of a Millsaps College Great Topics Seminar titled "Eudora Welty and Friends." Students in the seminar, inspired by conversations about Welty and her literary circle, continued meeting as a book club under Bettye Jolly's guidance. |
| Miss. Dept. of Education releases updated K-12 strategic plan | |
| The Mississippi State Board of Education announced on Thursday that they have approved an updated strategic plan titled "Mississippi Strategic Plan for Pre-K through Grade 12 Education." It is said to incorporate new priorities for the state's education system while ensuring Mississippi schools build upon their historic academic achievements of late. Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education, said in a statement that Mississippi students have earned national recognition for their gains over the past decade, "proving that high expectations, strong instruction, and a commitment to equity improve outcomes." "The work ahead builds upon that momentum and demands the same focus and dedication of teachers, school leaders, families, community partners, and policymakers working together with a common purpose," Evans said. The Board was told that the Mississippi Department of Education developed the updated Strategic Plan after gathering stakeholder input through a survey and focus group interviews with approximately 100 Mississippians last fall. |
| U. of Alabama student who vanished in Spain found dead in sea | |
 | The search for a missing University of Alabama junior who vanished while on a spring break trip in Barcelona ended Thursday afternoon when the body of 20-year-old Jimmy Gracey was found. Mossos, the police force in the Spanish community of Catalonia, confirmed on X that the body found was Gracey. Sources close to the investigation told Spanish news outlet Elperiodico.com earlier that a witness alerted authorities that they saw the young man walking towards the sea on the night of his disappearance, and that the possibility of foul play had been ruled out, the newspaper reported. The University of Alabama urged students affected by Gracey's death and in need of counseling to call at 205-348-5454. "Jimmy's loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time," a statement from the university read. Several of Illinois and Alabama's elected officials offered their condolences on social media. Gracey's hometown was Elmhurst, Ill. |
| Louisiana universities underfunded by $850 million, higher ed leaders say | |
| After three consecutive years of standstill state budgets, Louisiana's public colleges and universities are struggling with the effects of inflation and bloating athletics budgets. Gov. Jeff Landry has boasted of not growing the state budget since he took office in 2024. But while funding has generally stood still, inflation has created the practical effect of budget cuts not just for colleges and universities but all state government. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed listed inflation and athletics costs among the key factors leading to financial challenges at several public universities in Louisiana. She laid out the financial picture for state lawmakers this week to the committees that craft the state budget. If state funding for higher education had kept pace with inflation over the past 10 years, higher education would be receiving approximately $850 million more, Reed said. That's more than the entire budget for LSU's main campus. "To fully fund higher education is an $850 million price tag, which I know this legislature does not have, but we do need to continue to invest in the education providers who are developing talent so there are more opportunities for our people," Reed told lawmakers. That level of investment isn't coming anytime soon. |
| Hegseth taps U. of Tennessee for potential military training | |
 | Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has named the University of Tennessee a potential new partner for elite military fellowships as part of his plan to "restore and maintain the warrior ethos" in higher education. A statement released Feb. 27, announced a geographic and ideological shift from the Department of War's previous partnerships with Ivy League universities to a list of schools that are largely located in the South, and a number of religious private schools. All eliminated programs were located in the northeast. The University of Tennessee is the only Tennessee university listed as a potential new partner for the fellowship programs. It is listed simply as "The University of Tennessee" without defining which campus in the system it is referring to: Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski or Martin. How the Tennessee school came to be named isn't clear. Spokespersons for the school system declined to comment on the issue. However, Hegseth, who lives in Sumner County, is an avowed University of Tennessee Knoxville Volunteers fan and has previously posted on social media about his love of the team. |
| Florida Passes Bill to Promote AP Class Alternative | |
 | Florida's Legislature passed a bill last week to further plans to develop college-readiness courses to compete with Advanced Placement, called Florida Advanced Courses and Test, or FACT, Politico reported. The legislation will allow school districts and teachers to earn bonuses for offering FACT courses, offering teachers a $50 bonus for each of their students who achieves a certain grade on a FACT exam. Such bonuses are on par with those offered for AP and International Baccalaureate courses. FACT originated in 2023 amid disagreements between the state government and the College Board over AP African American studies courses. This past fall, the state launched FACT's first pilot courses in algebra at some high schools. Public Florida colleges and universities will accept FACT credits, but institutions in other states do not. Some Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about whether FACT classes are as rigorous as APs and IBs. They also expressed worry that parents might erroneously believe FACT scores can give them a leg up in college admissions outside of Florida. |
| Turning Point USA chapter at U. of Arkansas breaks with national group, reorganizes under new name | |
| Less than a week after Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders urged every high school and college in Arkansas to open a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter, the chapter at the state's largest university is dissolving its affiliation with the national organization. The chapter will rebrand under a new name, Young American Revival at the University of Arkansas, according to a statement posted to Instagram on Monday by chapter president Dino Fantegrossi. The statement Fantegrossi posted to social media Monday said the decision came following discussions with the chapter's executive board. He expressed gratitude to Turning Point USA but said the organization "has lost sight of what is truly important." "We are no longer focused on our guiding north star -- that is, fighting for conservative policy, principles, and values -- at least, that is how I have always understood it. It feels we have become consumed with metrics, creating viral cultural moments, and generally chasing relevance. We have become reactionary when we need to be proactive," he wrote. The statement did not reference Sanders proclamation, which was made alongside Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion on Wednesday. |
| U. of Missouri Faculty Council continues discussion on AI usage scale | |
 | Despite intensive conversation concerning the AI use scale, the University of Missouri Faculty Council voted Thursday to table further discussion until the next meeting on April 2. Cruz Lewis, an undergraduate student at Mizzou, attended the meeting to voice his opinions on policy. "I don't think this scale is all that useful; I think it's too complex," Lewis said. "The transparency that the students want is to know if the faculty is going to compel students to use AI before they sign up for a class." Kevin Brown, chair of the Artificial Intelligence Committee, emphasized the importance of having expectations for students regarding AI. "I think having the syllabus statement in each class is very helpful for a student, but we have to do this because some of our students have very big concerns about the impact of AI on the environment and the impact of AI on education," Brown said. Students for Human Intelligence, a student organization concerned with artificial intelligence usage on Mizzou's campus, sent an email to the AI fellows of each college and every professor in the College of Arts and Sciences recently. |
| Why a Politician's Offhand Comment About Consolidating Colleges Stirred a Dust-Up | |
 | Vivek Ramaswamy set off one of higher education's most enduring tripwires when the candidate for governor of Ohio opined that the Buckeye State might have too many public universities. "Look at the number of universities in our state," the former Republican presidential candidate said in a video released by his campaign, during which the former entrepreneur spoke about getting rid of the state's income tax by cutting costs. "I love universities in Ohio. I want us to have the best universities. But we have too many of them." In the next breath he used the term "consolidate" to describe reducing redundancies and making Ohio's public universities into "centers of excellence," but the spark ignited. The remarks set off a mild furor, with Ramaswamy's presumed gubernatorial opponent Amy Acton and others in the state interpreting them as anti-higher ed and a potential threat to shutter institutions. But Ramaswamy also highlighted an uncomfortable and inescapable reality for many states in 2026 -- overbuilt public-college capacity, a dwindling number of traditional-age students, and few feasible solutions. |
| It's One of the Hottest Tables in America -- and It's a College Dining Hall | |
| When Lisa Yee's son brought his girlfriend home over the winter, the children's book author knew the perfect place for a family meal. It featured flavors from all corners of the world, made by award-winning chefs from locally sourced ingredients. "You'll love it," Yee told them. "It's a dining hall." The cafeterias at the University of Massachusetts Amherst joined Yee's date-night rotation when her husband took a job there as an adjunct professor. On the faculty dining plan, he pays $13.25 a meal. "One of us will say, 'Wait a minute, we haven't gone to the dining hall in a while. Let's go there,'" she said. "And we both get really excited." For nine years, UMass Amherst has been ranked No. 1 for campus food in the country, according to annual surveys of more than 100,000 students by test-prep company the Princeton Review. To locals, it's the No. 1 buffet in town. The UMass dining halls are known for serving global cuisines worthy of the Michelin Guide to more than 30,000 students. They are also open to the public -- adults pay $12.50 for breakfast, $17 for lunch and $20 for dinner -- although the school doesn't advertise that. "If you know, you know," said Alexander Ong, the school's director of culinary excellence whose resume includes the Ritz-Carlton and Shangri-La hotels. |
| Hundreds of Colleges and Professors Implore Ed. Dept. to Reverse 'Dangerous' Changes for Grad Students | |
| "I fear we are headed down a dangerous path." This foreboding comment from a professor was one of tens of thousands submitted to the Department of Education as it finalizes regulations that would sharply limit federal student aid for graduate education. In just a few words, it captured the deep unease permeating across higher ed as it braces for the end of a program that, for 20 years, has allowed graduate students to take out federal loans up to the full cost of their attendance. And it hinted at how the sector is framing the stakes. An AI-assisted Chronicle analysis of nearly 20,000 public submissions identified more than 500 comments from institutions, departments, programs, and employees, such as deans, faculty members, and adjuncts -- many of whom benefited from the soon-to-sunset program, known as Grad PLUS, themselves. Across these often-impassioned and pleading comments, a recurrent storyline emerged: Limit the consumer-friendly loans that students have access to, and they might not be able to enroll. And if students can't pursue certain in-demand degrees, society, especially the most vulnerable, will suffer. |
| Record Number of Student Loan Borrowers Are in Delinquency and Default | |
 | A record number of borrowers have fallen far behind on their federal student loan payments, another pressure point among millions of increasingly stretched American consumers. Recently released Education Department data showed that by the end of last year, 7.7 million borrowers had defaulted on $181 billion in federal student loans. Three million other loan recipients were at least three months late on their payments. That's the highest combined rate of serious delinquency and default since the government began its data reporting system nearly a decade ago. Of the nearly 43 million recipients with federal student loans, roughly a quarter are significantly behind. And the problem is likely to grow. The stark delinquency data is the latest sign of distress from those on the downside of what economists call a "K-shaped economy": one in which the richer get richer, while the financial health of many lower-income households declines. Unemployment is increasing, gas prices have spiked and people are stretching to manage higher costs for food, medical care, housing and other essentials. That has led to more unpaid debts. |
| Trump's push to abolish the Education Department reaches student loan portfolio | |
 | One year after President Trump signed an executive order calling for the shuttering of the Education Department, the agency has taken its biggest step yet toward self-elimination. On Thursday, the department announced that it would seek to move its $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio to the Treasury, the latest in a series of interagency agreements shifting programs out of Education, which could only be officially closed by an act of Congress. "By leveraging Treasury's world-renowned expertise in finance and economic policy, we are confident that American students, borrowers, and taxpayers will finally have functioning programs after decades of mismanagement," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. Only lawmakers could definitively shutter the Cabinet agency, and even some Republicans are skeptical of such a push, which is opposed by a majority of voters. But with the student loan agreement, Congress may not be able to ignore the issue much longer. "What we're seeing right now is a generational change. I think it will be, could very well be, decades before there's a sufficient return to the levels and kinds of activity and federal assistance and role in education that we were accustomed to until January 2025," said Robert Kim, executive director of the Education Law Center. |
| Employers warn Senate plan to raise Mississippians' drug prices will cost dearly | |
| The Magnolia Tribune's Russ Latino writes: "This is not PBM reform. It's a tax increase on every Mississippian." That's how one of Mississippi's largest employers summed up the Senate's changes to HB 1665 in a conversation with Magnolia Tribune on Wednesday. Two other employers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shared with us their benefits teams' calculation of the effect of the Senate's plan to create an $11.29 dispensing fee on every prescription filled in the state. One offered a net estimate of between $800,000-$1,000,000 in new annually recurring expense. The second employer offered an even more staggering figure of nearly $2.3 million in new dispensing fees. One plan administrator not speaking on the condition of anonymity is Michael Callahan, the CEO of Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi. ECM's affiliates supply some 450,000 Mississippians with power touching all 82 counties. Nearly 6,000 workers receive health insurance benefits under the plan administered by ECM. ... Multiplied across Mississippi's entire insured workforce, the cost of the Senate's new dispensing fee likely reaches into the 9-figures. Confronted with this reality, there are a number of relatively asinine arguments being peddled by those pushing these prescription drug price hikes. |
| Another conflict in the Middle East | |
| Mississippi newspaper publisher and columnist Wyatt Emmerich writes: I prefer local issues, but the recent international topics are driving everyone's interest, so I'll add my two bits. Unlike many of my friends, I am not a fan of Trump's personality. I would prefer a more genteel leader like Ronald Reagan. But Trump is the duly elected leader of our nation. I do like the fact that Trump is a man of action. One of the greatest problems of the huge U. S. government bureaucracy is that nothing gets done. Perhaps that's a good thing. When the press complained about President Calvin Coolidge's long afternoon naps, he responded that the less he did, the better it was for the country. Coolidge also said, "If you see 10 troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they get to you." And he said, "The words of the President have enormous weight and ought not to be used indiscriminately." And he said, "It is a great advantage to a President, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know that he is not a great man." Trump is no Coolidge, that's for sure. Whether the Iranian problem would have run into a ditch before it got to us, nobody knows. But we are in it now. |
SPORTS
| McPherson Family Gives $1 Million Gift To State Excellence Fund | |
| Mississippi State has already been elevating in the current landscape of collegiate athletics and that trend is continuing. The latest step forward comes courtesy of the McPherson family. The McPhersons have gifted $1 million to the State Excellence Fund as MSU remains committed to enhancing the athletic department and its programs while providing improved student-athlete resources and key athletic benefits in today's increasingly competitive environment. "People like Bill McPherson and his sons, Will and Jones, are what make this place so special," Mississippi State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. "The McPhersons bleed Maroon, and that comes across with this generous contribution. At MSU, we are committed to having sustained success and we are so thankful to have the McPhersons fully behind us. We're incredibly grateful for their partnership." Mississippi State's fundraising efforts continue as it seeks to support its bold vision for the future. To learn more or support State's initiatives, visit StateExcellenceFund.com and HailState.com/HowardIPF. |
| Baseball: Sixth-Ranked State Welcomes Commodores | |
| Dudy Noble Field will be the place to be this weekend as sixth-ranked Mississippi State hosts its first SEC series of the Brian O'Connor era. The Diamond Dawgs welcome Vanderbilt to town for a three-game series starting on Friday at 7 p.m. on SEC Network. The series continues Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. with the final two contests streamed on SEC Network+. MSU has won 15-straight games at Dudy Noble Field dating back to last season and are 20-1 at home since April 20, 2025. The Bulldogs are a perfect 13-0 at "The Dude" so far this spring. State will once again send three standout sophomores to the mound this weekend. Right-hander Ryan McPherson gets the ball first on Friday. McPherson is 3-0 with a 2.48 earned run average, 36 strikeouts and only five walks across 29 innings. The Commodores will counter with junior righty Connor Fennell, who is 2-0 with a 5.47 ERA, 38 strikeouts and six walks in 26 1/3 frames. This weekend marks the first meeting between State and Vandy since the 2024 SEC Tournament. The Diamond Dawgs hold a 76-59-2 overall advantage in the series. |
| No. 6 Bulldogs host Commodores in first SEC home series | |
| Mississippi State baseball is back in primetime today. After a difficult Top-10 road matchup at Arkansas last week, the No. 6 Bulldogs return home for the first SEC series at Dudy Noble Field in 2026, welcoming Vanderbilt. MSU is 17-4 so far in the first season under head coach Brian O'Connor, with all four defeats coming against Top-10 opponents. The Bulldogs won't face ranked opposition this weekend, but they won't be overlooking the visitors from Nashville. The Commodores (13-9, 2-1 SEC) took down a struggling LSU team that has since dropped out of the Top 25 altogether, and despite some struggles in nonconference play, the Commodores -- like any SEC program -- pose a challenge. The key for MSU will be stability on defense. The Tigers let the Commodores get away with games of 13, 11 and nine runs scored last weekend. Vandy's batters have posted 10 or more runs in 11 games this season, and could be capable of hanging with a prolific MSU side if the Bulldogs can't tune up their defense. |
| Softball: Top-15 Matchup Awaits State At Georgia This Weekend | |
| A consensus top-15 matchup is on deck for No. 11/12 Mississippi State this weekend in the SEC's battle of the Bulldogs. State will play three games at No. 15/13 Georgia beginning with a nationally-televised contest on SEC Network at 5 p.m. CT on Friday night. The final two games of the series are both set for 1 p.m. on SEC Network+ on Saturday and Sunday. MSU (28-4, 1-2 SEC) is coming off of a hard-fought series against No. 1 Tennessee that saw the Bulldogs hand the Lady Vols their only loss this season. Meanwhile, Georgia (21-7, 1-2 SEC) did not play any softball last weekend during its SEC bye week, instead playing home midweeks on March 10 and March 18. The Bulldogs return at home for their final midweek game of the season on Wednesday, March 25. State will host UT Martin at 6 p.m. with the game airing on SEC Network+. MSU then prepares for its annual Monday night series, hosting No. 21/24 South Carolina on March 28-30 with Sunday and Monday night's games airing nationally on SEC Network. |
| No. 11 Mississippi State faces No. 15 Georgia in first SEC road test | |
| More than 4,800 Starkvillians came out to Nusz Park for a historic weekend for Mississippi State softball. The Bulldogs took one game in a series defeat to No. 1 Tennessee, but more than that, they took away the confidence that they could hang with anyone. The Bulldogs backed that up on Wednesday with a shutout 4-0 win over UAB, improving to 28-4 overall ahead of the first SEC road trip of the season. Starting pitcher Alyssa Faircloth mowed down the Blazers, recording 14 strikeouts in her first solo shutout while allowing just two hits. "(Faircloth) wasn't quite as sharp on some of her pitches she normally is early on, and a big credit to her, she really just kind of pushed through it. She continued to fight," MSU head coach Samantha Ricketts said. Where Ricketts would have liked to see some more production was on offense. The Bulldogs managed just three runs all weekend against the Vols, enough to take Game 2 in a series full of quality pitching, but struggled again to get on top of the Blazers until late in the night. The Bulldogs might need some more runs in Athens, facing a Georgia team that ranks 18th in Division I in scoring. |
| Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor details bowl injury, ankle surgery | |
| When Kamario Taylor was carted off the field during Mississippi State football's loss to Wake Forest in the Duke's Mayo Bowl, there was concern for the quarterback's immediate health and how it could impact 2026. Taylor, in his second career start, received a low hit to the leg late in the fourth quarter. But he exited the stadium with only a slight limp and no cast or boot on his leg. MSU said he'd be fully healthy for spring practice despite undergoing a procedure to address a sprained left ankle. That's how it played out with Taylor having no limitations when spring practice began March 17. "I was confident," Taylor said after the second spring practice on March 19. "In the moment, it was down, but after the game I was back walking. So, I knew I was going to be fine, especially with our training staff. We got top tier." Mississippi State announced Taylor's ankle procedure six days after the bowl game. However, Taylor said the procedure was not directly tied to the hit from the game. "It was wear and tear," he said. "It wasn't just from the hit. I tweaked my ankle before. In high school, I tweaked my ankle, so it was always a lingering injury. I just had the surgery just for future references." |
| Matt Barrie to succeed Laura Rutledge as 'SEC Nation' host: Sources | |
| Matt Barrie will succeed Laura Rutledge as the host of "SEC Nation," sources briefed on the move told The Athletic. In Barrie's 13 years at ESPN, he has been a college football host, play-by-play announcer, "SportsCenter" anchor and a host for ESPN's TGL coverage. ESPN declined to comment on Barrie's latest move. "SEC Nation," which is on ESPN's owned SEC Network, is akin to "College GameDay" for the conference, featuring lead analysts Tim Tebow and Paul Finebaum, with Rutledge as the host. Rutledge -- who, like Tebow, graduated from Florida -- hosted "SEC Nation" for nearly a decade. She had opportunities to come off the program previously but chose to remain, even as her portfolio increased. She is a "Monday Night Football" sideline reporter and will be part of ESPN's first Super Bowl coverage in February 2027. Rutledge is also the daily host of "NFL Live" and is expected to keep her role as a sideline reporter for college football's big matchups. Barrie previously hosted on ESPN during college football games on Saturday after "College GameDay" aired. |
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