| Thursday, August 6, 2026 |
| From Miss Mississippi to medicine: Vicksburg's Morgan Nelson begins medical school this fall | |
 | Vicksburg resident Morgan Nelson, first runner-up to Miss Mississippi 2026, begins her first year of medical school this fall at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Nelson, who has competed for the title four times, plans to become an OB-GYN. Since her sophomore year at Mississippi State University, Nelson has been a valued member of the PROMISE Program, said Dr. Dan Coleman, medical school outreach director. "It has been an honor to watch her grow from a pre-med student into a medical student," Coleman said. "The Office of Admission has directly observed her growth, not only as a PROMISE student but also during her tenure as Miss Mississippi State. Throughout her journey, Morgan has shown discipline, focus, and a steadfast dedication to excellence. Whether studying for the MCAT, excelling academically at Mississippi State University, preparing for the pageant, or being a member of the dance team at MSU, she consistently demonstrates an exceptional ability to manage multiple high-level commitments while maintaining outstanding performance. We have no doubt that the discipline, focus, and perseverance that have defined Morgan's success will enable her to excel in the rigorous environment of medical school and ultimately become an outstanding physician." |
| Reeves announces pilot programs to improve rural health for Mississippi | |
| Gov. Tate Reeves announced Wednesday new pilot programs aimed to combat obesity, eliminate obstetric care deserts and expand mental health services in rural Mississippi. The programs will be funded with federal Rural Health Transformation Program dollars. The Mississippi State Department of Health will oversee the projects designed to reduce obesity through Make America Healthy Again movement principles, track chronic conditions through remote patient-care monitoring and deploy mobile clinics to areas lacking access to prenatal or obstetric care. The Department of Mental Health will launch a new telehealth program for veterans and first responders, expand crisis diversion centers to provide an alternative to emergency departments and jails for people experiencing mental health crises and expand access to evidence-based training programs for behavioral healthcare staff. "This is not a collection of individual or separate projects," said Reeves, who spearheaded the state's application for the federal dollars last fall and is overseeing their distribution. "It's one, coordinated project." |
| Stuart Bell hires ex-Alabama executive for Florida role | Exclusive | |
 | A top University of Alabama administrator has left the university to join former UA President Stuart Bell at the University of Florida. Chad Tindol will serve as senior vice president for administration under Bell, who was confirmed as Florida's new president July 1. Bell said Tindol will report directly to him in the newly created position, which is intended to strengthen the University of Florda's ability to advance key priorities, enhance collaboration among senior leaders and support UF's continued success. Tindol's appointment marks Bell's first major hire since becoming UF president. Bell said Tindol will begin his duties in early August. Before departing for Gainesville, Tindol served as UA's senior vice president for partnerships and strategy. He also spent seven years as UA's chief administrative officer. A UA graduate, Tindol earned a bachelor's degree in English language and literature before receiving a law degree from Yale University. |
| Buc-ee's and Texas A&M team up for exclusive merch launch | |
| Two beloved Texas brands are joining forces in a way that Aggies and Buc-ee's fans have been waiting for. Texas A&M University and Buc-ee's officially launched their first-ever co-branded merchandise Tuesday, starting with a limited-edition T-shirt available at select Buc-ee's travel centers and the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Texas A&M's College Station campus. The collaboration celebrates the longtime connection between the university and Buc-ee's founder Arch "Beaver" Aplin III, a member of Texas A&M's Class of 1980. "As an Aggie, it's special to see Buc-ee's and Texas A&M come together in a way that celebrates both brands," Aplin said. "Texas A&M has always felt like home." The launch comes months after Texas A&M became the first university to sell Buc-ee's products on campus, offering more than 45 of the retailer's popular snacks and merchandise. The new partnership also highlights the future Aplin Center, a hands-on learning facility under construction at Texas A&M that will focus on hospitality, retail, food innovation, marketing and customer experience. Aplin has pledged $60 million toward the project. University officials say more co-branded merchandise is expected ahead of Texas A&M's 150th anniversary celebration. |
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