| Tuesday, July 28, 2026 |
| Meridian begins downtown demolition for Mississippi State expansion | |
 | Demolition work continues in the City of Meridian. The demolition began over the weekend for several downtown properties, as the City of Meridian states it is making way for Mississippi State University's expansion and development. Drivers and commuters are asked to use caution while work continues in the area. |
| MSU scientist recognized internationally for wood engineering research | |
 | A Mississippi State assistant research professor is receiving international recognition for early career achievements in wood engineering, success that's enhancing efficient, sustainable wood construction. MSU Forest and Wildlife Research Center's Laya Khademibami has earned the Wood Engineering Achievement Award for Young Engineers from the Forest Products Society. The FPS, a global organization promoting advancements in forest products research, education and industry, recognized Khademibami during its international conference held this month in Eugene, Oregon. Khademibami's research focuses on improving long-term performance of structural insulated panels. Working with collaborators at MSU, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Products Laboratory and the Structural Insulated Panel Association, Khademibami cultivated a series of full-scale studies designed to answer questions about building code development. |
| Early corn crop headed to apparent good harvest | |
 | Sources from an MSU press release say that Mississippi's corn crop is looking good this year, and harvest began in July for what was one of the earliest planted corn crops in state history. Erick Larson, corn specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said most of the crop will be mature by the end of the month. This is weeks earlier than usual. "Most of our corn crop was planted in the last 10 days of March," Larson said. "Early planting and warmer-than-normal spring temperatures promoted earlier maturity." Mississippi growers are estimated to have planted about 780,000 acres, down from a record 910,000 acres in 2025. Recent corn acreage has fluctuated widely, with 580,000 acres in 2022, 790,000 acres in 2023 and 490,000 acres in 2024. Pest and disease issues have been minimal. Larson said there has been an unusual amount of heat stress that has resulted from anaerobic soils, which limit plant and root function. |
| MSU to offer training in hydroponic farming at Oct. workshop | |
| A limited number of people with an interest in hydroponic farming are invited to a free workshop Oct. 13 hosted by Mississippi State University. Registration will be open to the public July 31 with just seven spots available for the workshop, although those added to a waiting list may have an opportunity to join the workshop. There is no charge to attend, and participants will receive lunch and take home fresh, live hydroponic harvests of leafy greens and microgreens. Qianwen "Megan" Zhang, MSU Extension horticulturist and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station researcher, said the workshop is designed for those professionals who support hydroponic farmers and those in the business or seeking to get into hydroponic farming. The event is sponsored by MSU Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. |
| Why Baby Boomers and Gen Z have different concerns about the economy | |
| Over the past few months, Baby Boomers' confidence in the economy has continued its slow march downward, while Gen Z's has stayed elevated. That's according to the most recent consumer confidence data from The Conference Board. The main driver of this trend: 20-year-olds and 70-year-olds are just worried about different things. The more pessimistic groups are "very concerned about what's happening with healthcare. And they're also very concerned with things like retirement, or, if they are retired, how well are their benefits going to be doing," said Tom Arnold, who teaches finance at the University of Richmond. He said young people worry about labor and credit, or their ability to make and spend money. "The only time that the younger generation really, really gets pessimistic is if there aren't any jobs. But unemployment's at a relative low," he said. The job market and credit environment aren't all that worrisome right now, while healthcare costs keep rising. Hence, the sentiment gap. |
| Gov. Reeves appoints Judge Celeste Wilson to Mississippi Supreme Court | |
 | Governor Tate Reeves today announced the appointment of the Honorable Celeste Embrey Wilson of Southaven to the Mississippi Supreme Court, Northern District 3, Place 1. This appointment fills a vacancy created by the confirmation of the Honorable Robert P. Chamberlin to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi. "Judge Wilson has dedicated her career to serving the people of Mississippi with integrity, fairness, and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law," said Governor Reeves. Judge Wilson currently sits as a circuit court judge for Mississippi's 21st Judicial District, which serves DeSoto County. She has served as a circuit court judge since her appointment to this position in February 2017. Before taking the bench, Judge Wilson was an assistant district attorney for Mississippi's 17th Judicial District for seven years. Judge Wilson earned her J.D. from the University of Memphis School of Law and her B.A. from Delta State University. |
| Despite its strength, US military faces a reputational crisis over Iran | |
 | As the United States and Iran trade increasingly ferocious blows, President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing ramped-up operations against Tehran once again. He threatened this week to target the country's critical civilian infrastructure -- power plants and bridges, for example -- every time Iran fires into the Strait of Hormuz. But with a new surge of U.S. forces into the region in recent days, the war is quickly becoming less a test of American military dominance than its limits. The five-month-long conflict has exposed America's strategic vulnerabilities and reflected poorly on the Pentagon's reputation, some analysts add. U.S. firepower, overwhelming though it may be, has so far failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or bring the regime back to the negotiating table. The administration bears much of the blame for demonstrating a "distinct inability" to see over the strategic horizon, says retired Col. Peter Mansoor, a professor of military history at Ohio State University. But as Iran has continued to absorb attacks and retaliate against American bases in the Middle East, the U.S. military must take responsibility for its strategic shortfalls as well, says retired Col. Mark Cancian, a defense analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. This includes the "glaring failure" of the Navy to secure the Strait of Hormuz, he adds. |
| Gorsuch: US 'never supposed to be ... about one race or one religion' | |
 | Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch said in a recent interview that the U.S. was not founded on "one race or one religion," pushing back on arguments made by conservatives such as Vice President Vance. "We were founded, a lot of our colonies, for our religious pluralism, right? And the opportunity to practice your own faith in your own way," Gorsuch told PBS host Margaret Hoover in an episode of "Firing Line" published Friday. "And we were never supposed to be a nation that was about one race or one religion, it was about those ideas," he added, referring to America's founding principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. "And those things are perfect ideas that speak to every human heart and that unite us all." Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, touted his view in December that Christianity provided the prevailing ideals for the founding and continuation of the country. But Gorsuch took a different tact, pointing out that Charles Carroll, who was also Catholic, signed the Declaration of Independence alongside members of other Christian faiths. He also explained that Amish and Quakers settled in the then-British colonies. "We have a First Amendment for crying out loud. No established religion, everybody has a freedom of religion, everybody has the freedom of speech, we are all equal under law," the high court justice told Hoover. |
| Hiding in plain sight: UAH researchers discover new 'Demon Cavefish' in North Alabama cave | |
| Researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, have helped uncover a new genus of blind cavefish hiding in one of the most studied cave systems in the southeastern United States, a discovery that is reshaping scientists' understanding of evolution, biodiversity and conservation in subterranean ecosystems. The newly described Demon Cavefish (Demogorgonichthys arcanus) is completely eyeless, colorless and faintly electric blue in life. The discovery, published in Scientific Reports, reveals that one of Alabama's most intensively studied cave systems can still hold extraordinary biological secrets. The study's lead author was Dr. Matthew L. Niemiller, associate professor of biological sciences and director of the Cave Bio Lab at UAH, in collaboration with researchers from three other regional universities, including Drs. Jonathan Armbruster of Auburn University, Pamela Hart at The University of Alabama and Dr. Michael Sandel at Mississippi State University, as well as Redstone Environmental and students in the Cave Bio Lab. |
| U. of Florida sets date for President Stuart Bell inauguration in Gainesville | |
 | University of Florida President Dr. Stuart R. Bell's inauguration is scheduled for Nov. 18, according to a university press release. "President Bell has wasted no time getting to work for the University of Florida. Since July 1, he has started to identify and appoint leaders in key positions, met with various stakeholders, and is listening to all of you about what makes the University of Florida the best in the nation," UF Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini wrote. "Dr. Bell's strong leadership and vast experience will build on UF's momentum as a top public university in the nation." Bell assumed the presidency on July 1 after the State Board of Governors approved his nomination 16-1. Since starting in the role, Bell has outlined several top priorities. In a July 13 statement, he said his first 100 days would focus on filling vacant leadership positions across the university. He also said he aims to improve the university's ranking, moving it into the nation's top five public universities and promised to continue dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus. |
| U. of Tennessee wins SEC Student Government of the Year | |
| Last week, the University of Tennessee won Student Government of the Year at the annual SEC Exchange in Starkville, Mississippi. At this event, student governments from across the Southeastern Conference gathered for networking and recognition of exceptional service and leadership to their respective institutions. This award honors outstanding student leadership in several categories within the last academic year. UT Student Body President Caroline Marcus shared the magnitude of this recognition. "For our university, I believe that this award exemplifies another way that we excel within the Southeastern Conference," Marcus said. The winning submission was selected on the basis of supporting student needs, collaboration with administrators and off-campus partners and development of necessary and innovative programs and services. The awards were voted on by advisors, faculty and SGA executive members of the host school, which was Mississippi State University this year. |
| U. of Texas student government attends, collaborates at annual SEC Exchange conference | |
| University of Texas Student Government leaders attended the SEC Exchange this year in Starkville, Mississippi, from July 16-19. The exchange brought together student governments from across the Southeastern Conference to collaborate and discuss initiatives and solutions to common university-wide issues. The annual SEC Exchange is held to build community among the colleges in the conference. Each year, the host college changes; this year Mississippi State University hosted, featuring social gatherings, breakout meetings and presentations from each school. MSU administrators hosted a panel about building credibility and influence as leaders. "The SEC has the craziest rivalry... it's always prevalent, and so getting to see that pushed aside for the common goal of serving our students and what we care about ... that's the benefit of every SEC Exchange every year," said MSU Student Association President Keegan Figueroa, who helped organize the event. |
| Regents vote to allocate $10 million for cyclotron expansion | |
| On Monday afternoon the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents voted unanimously to revise the funding source for the Cyclotron Institute Expansion project after learning some of the planned funding from the state was not going to be coming. The regents learned in the leadup to the Monday meeting that $10 million that had been pledged to the project by the Texas Space Commission was no longer going to be provided. Instead the regents voted to fund the $10 million on top of the $5.1 million from institutional cash sources allocated when the Cyclotron Institute Expansion project was first approved at the February quarterly meeting. The funding will come from system investment earnings. The cyclotron at Texas A&M is a K500, one of only five in the world and it provides technical capabilities for applications in space science, materials science, analytical procedures and nuclear medicine. |
| Universities to detail progress on new Texas law that increased state scrutiny of colleges | |
| Texas university leaders on Tuesday will share their progress and challenges in carrying out a new state law that gives governor-appointed regents more control over what students learn. A Texas Senate committee will hear invited testimony only. However, students and professors who say they experienced censorship and other effects under Senate Bill 37 are planning a news conference at the Capitol beforehand. Under SB 37, governing boards must regularly review universities' undergraduate course requirements and academic programs. It expands regents' authority over the selection of campus leaders and faculty senates, groups that represent professors in university decisions. The law took effect Sept. 1, and boards must complete their first review of general education requirements by Jan. 1. |
| The Disappearing Student Safety Net | |
 | An unexpected expense is one of the most common reasons students stop out of college. Research has showed that emergency aid -- a timely grant that helps students cover unexpected costs -- can greatly improve the odds that they stay enrolled and complete a degree or credential. However, a new analysis from the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University found that despite growth in emergency aid programs on college campuses, far fewer students are receiving that assistance. The analysis is based on data from Trellis Strategies' most recent Student Financial Wellness Survey of more than 65,000 undergraduate students across 153 institutions nationwide. It found that the share of students receiving emergency aid fell from 44 percent in fall 2021 to 4 percent in fall 2025 -- a decline of roughly 90 percent. |
| New grads have to compete with AI for entry-level roles, hiring managers say | |
| Hiring managers in the U.S. are betting on artificial intelligence over new graduates, with 48% saying they would rather invest in AI tools than hire and train a recent college graduate, according to a July 17 report from ResumeTemplates.com. The job market does still have space for 2026 graduates, and 65% of hiring managers said they planned to hire the same number or more this year compared to last year, per the report. However, 23% said they expected to hire fewer 2026 grads this year or none at all, and 12% didn't know how many they would hire. Most hiring concerns centered around workplace skills rather than credentials. Nearly 70% of hiring managers said they had "at least one character concern about recent grads," including 33% who cited "a lack of work ethic." Another 76% said recent grads required assistance understanding basic documents such as memos, contracts and budgets. |
| Why One Professor Abandoned the AI Resistance | |
| Two years ago, Scott Latham, a business professor at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, was one of academia's leading voices of the resistance to artificial intelligence. "AI is not your friend," he wrote in a June 2024 editorial for Inside Higher Ed, imploring faculty to "pump the brakes on artificial intelligence in higher education," lest robots take their jobs in the not-so-distant future. But as the technology has evolved, so has Latham's view on it. "For everyone who works in higher education, there is a great deal of pain and disruption to come," he wrote in an editorial for The Chronicle of Higher Education in April 2025. "We can minimize the damage, though, by helping people understand how AI will transform higher education." Now, he's not only embraced AI in his own classroom, he's also trying to create a clearer portrait of how universities across the country are using it. Last month, he and his colleagues, in partnership with the nonprofit Alliance for Data Science and AI, launched the AI Campus Index, an independent national ranking system that measures how well colleges and universities use and provide AI for their students, faculty and operations. |
| More than 100 former NASA astronauts launch college tour ahead of midterms | |
 | Astronauts may be accustomed to embarking on missions that take them well beyond Earth, but one group of former spacefarers is preparing for a journey that will keep them much closer to home. A group of retired NASA astronauts is on the cusp of launching a nationwide tour of college campuses in an effort to encourage young people to vote as the midterm elections fast approach. Politics and spaceflight may not immediately seem to be topics that go hand in hand. But just like any elected official, those joining the U.S. space agency's esteemed astronaut corps take oaths to defend the Constitution. And now, more than 100 of them have joined forces in a group dubbed Astronauts for America to ensure those sworn ideals remain at the forefront of the nation. "Going to the polls is a small step for each American, but a giant leap for our country," John Daniel "Danny" Olivas, who flew on two spaceflights in his 12-year astronaut career, said in a statement. "Young voters are the stewards of our shared future." |
SPORTS
| The Swamp renovation puts microscope on college sports facilities' past-versus-future tension | |
| Florida's proposed $1.45 billion renovation of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, better known as The Swamp, captures the moment in college sports facilities. The university spent nearly 10 years studying what to do with its venerable stadium, which turns 100 years old in 2030, before announcing this summer that it will renovate The Swamp over the next three years in the most expensive college football stadium project ever. The work entails a combination of deferred maintenance ($500 million worth) and general modernization, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance-inspired alterations, and the creation of additional revenue generators, like premium seating. Simply adding handrails to the aisles -- necessary for ADA compliance -- will ripple through the stadium's seating bowl, requiring each aisle to be widened and some lower-bowl seats removed. Florida's journey to choosing renovation over a new stadium illustrates a central tension in college athletics facilities today: the tug-of-war between tradition and modernity, affordability and revenue generation, and college sports' amateur past and its professional-looking present and future. Florida thinks it found a solution that marries tradition with modern realities. |
| How Will New Student Visa Rules Impact Athletics? | |
| After the Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule limiting international students to a four-year stay in the U.S. -- unless they apply for and receive an extension -- some college sports fans noted on social media that the rule doesn't line up with the National Collegiate Athletic Association's eligibility requirements. New NCAA eligibility rules allow student athletes to compete for five years, starting either from the beginning of their freshman year or the day they turn 19. The new regulation would cut off that fifth year for international students unless they receive an extension. But language in the DHS duration-of-status regulation states that students will be granted extensions in the case of illness, circumstances outside their control and compelling academic reasons---which seems to rule out playing sports for an additional year. "Given the current immigration environment, I do not believe it will be easy to get an extension of F-1 status, even for F-1 student-athletes," Tom Arkell, an immigration attorney with Husch Blackwell who specializes in athletics, wrote in an email to Inside Higher Ed. "I also do not believe [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] will take athletics into account in their decision. However, the athletics department and institution may provide more resources for high profile F-1 student-athlete cases when a revenue generating sport is involved." |
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