| Monday, August 3, 2026 |
| Shark Week: What species are swimming off Mississippi's coast? | |
 | With Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" underway, many Mississippians might not realize just how many species are swimming off the state's coastline. During last year's "Shark Week," Dr. Jill Hendon with the Center for Fisheries Research and Development at the University of Southern Mississippi explained that the waters off Mississippi boast "some of the greatest diversity" in all the Gulf, even noting that white sharks can be occasionally pass through deeper waters before moving on. "We have been running a survey of shark species in the Mississippi Sound for well over 20 years now, and we routinely will find seven- or eight-foot -- sometimes nine-foot -- tiger sharks, great hammerheads, and scalloped hammerheads," she said. While a shark that large near Gulfport or Ocean Springs may be a startling sight, Hendon said those sharks are still far from full-grown. As they mature, they move farther offshore. |
SPORTS
| Florida Atlantic University Names Josh McCowan as Vice President and Director of Athletics | |
| Florida Atlantic University has named Josh McCowan as its next Vice President and Director of Athletics, bringing an accomplished collegiate administrator with a deep track record of revenue generation and strategic leadership to Boca Raton. McCowan, who brings more than 15 years of high-level athletic administration experience, will be officially introduced during a press conference next Friday at the Schmidt Family Athletics Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence. McCowan comes to Owls athletics after serving as Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Revenue Officer, and CEO of The Bulldog Club, Inc. at Mississippi State. Recognized in 2026 as one of the Top 100 Future Athletics Directors by Silver Waves Media, McCowan directed MSU to the three highest fundraising years in school history after joining the program in 2023. During that three-year span in Starkville, Mississippi State generated over $173 million in fundraising -- including a 121% jump from 2024 to 2025. |
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