| Friday, September 29, 2017 |
| Unemployment in the Golden Triangle takes expected seasonal dip in August | |
 | Anyone looking for an explanation for the dramatic dip in unemployment in the Golden Triangle in August need only look at the calendar. Based on data released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, jobless rates in Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Clay and Noxubee counties dropped by anywhere from 1.4 percent to 2.3 percent in August when compared to July, but those numbers reflect a decrease in job seekers rather than a spike in employment as students returned to the classrooms in August and left the workforce. Those changes -- called seasonal adjustments -- are accounted for on the state and national level only. Mississippi's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.3 percent is up slightly compared to July, as is the national unemployment rate. While the start of the school year distorts the percentages on the county level, some progress has been made. The jobless rate in all four counties is lower this year than in August 2016. |
| OCH: County transparency lacking in hospital bids | |
| OCH Regional Medical Center is pushing back against a press release supervisors issued Tuesday after a lengthy review of bids the county received for the publicly owned hospital. Hospital CEO Richard Hilton said the release, which only contains limited information and does not reveal information such as how many bids the county received, what organizations bid, or how much the bids are worth, fell short of supervisors' promises of transparency. "What I had seen that had been released on some public media posts was that the supervisors were going to be releasing some significant information for the voters to have," Hilton said. "With what they put out there, I don't think they delivered on what they were saying was going to be made available to the public." |
| Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run on Old Highway 25 | |
 | An arrest has been made in connection to the fatal hit-and-run on Old Highway 25 that left a Starkville man dead earlier this week. Investigators with the Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office on Thursday arrested 25-year-old Haleigh Brooke Singleton of Quitman, Arkansas, on one count of leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. Singleton was arrested with assistance from the Olive Branch Police Department. Investigators also recovered the vehicle involved in the incident. Singleton is currently in the Oktibbeha County Jail with bond set at $25,000. The incident -- which involved two vehicles and a cyclist -- occurred at about 7:45 p.m. Monday night on Old Highway 25 South. |
| Governor Phil Bryant, Israeli Consul General Lior Haiat visit Meridian | |
 | Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and Consul General of Israel Lior Haiat were featured speakers Thursday afternoon at the MSU Riley Center in Meridian. Other dignitaries who spoke at the event included Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, Speaker Pro Tempore Greg Snowden and Meridian Mayor Percy Bland. Bryant and Haiat, along with a representative from the America-Israel Friendship League, visited Meridian to promote the importance and potential benefits of a strong friendship between Mississippi and Israel. Bryant also announced that representatives from various businesses in Israel will visit Jackson early next year. The governor described it as an opportunity to "join businessmen who want to do business here in Mississippi." With growth in industry, science and technology, business continues to advance in Israel, and Bryant hopes to make Mississippi a permanent home for more of these industries. |
| Israeli Consul General visits Meridian | |
 | Mississippians welcomed the consul general of Israel as he took the stage in Meridian Thursday evening. Lior Haiat stopped by the Queen City in his continued effort to promote peace between our two countries. The MSU Riley Center provided the perfect location for Haiat to meet with political and business leaders. On stage, the governor spoke about the importance of a healthy relationship between Israel and the U.S. and even became emotional during his speech. "I think so goes Israel and the Middle East, so goes America," Gov. Phil Bryant says. "That's how important this relationship is, and Mississippi has been leading among states in the United States with their relationship with Israel, and we're very proud of that." |
| Auditor hammers MDE over contracts | |
 | State Auditor Stacey Pickering says his office has found "blatant disregard for state purchasing rules and regulations" at the Mississippi Department of Education and has run into a "culture of obstruction" as it continues to probe. Pickering indicated his office's examination of MDE spending is transitioning from audit to investigation and he vowed, "If we discover one red cent has been misspent and diverted from our children and teachers, we will not hesitate to take full legal action against those involved." Pickering is questioning millions of dollars in education spending, but called one batch of MDE purchases, totaling $214,470, "not just a red flag, but a red neon sign with an arrow on it, pointing." |
| State Auditor slams Ed. Dept. over contracts | |
 | State Auditor Stacey Pickering accuses the Mississippi Department of Education of purposefully attempting to circumvent state laws regarding contracts and procurement in a report his office released Thursday. "They have blatant disregard at the Department of Education for procurement regulations," Pickering said. Concerns raised by Pickering followed a legislative report released earlier this week that was also highly critical of the Education Department's contracting and spending practices. That report, independent of the audits released Thursday, called for additional scrutiny of the agency's contracting procedures by Pickering, which he said he has already begun. |
| Auditor critical of MDE financial management | |
 | A report released Thursday by the office of state Auditor Stacey Pickering found the Mississippi Department of Education and its governing board has in general not provided proper oversight of taxpayer funds. The audit report coincides with many of the findings in a report released earlier this week by the Joint Legislative Committee of Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review. The report found that steps had been taken to avoid the competitive bidding of multiple contracts and unauthorized bank accounts that lacked transparency had been opened, among other things. Pickering said financial issues involving the state Department of Education are of particular importance because it is the agency receiving the largest share of state funds -- more than $2.5 billion annually. The bulk of that money is for the operation of local school districts. |
| Why did MDE pay Memphis community activist, and where's the paperwork? | |
| State officials have been trying to figure out why the Mississippi Department of Education was buying information technology goods from Memphis community activist Joseph B. Kyles. So far MDE's only explanation has been that whoever authorized paying him more than $214,469 in fiscal 2015 is no longer with the agency and that they cannot locate any contract or other paperwork beyond the payment invoices. Kyles has been the head of the Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition for Memphis and has been active in the Black Lives Matter movement, including a protest that shut down the Hernando DeSoto Bridge over the Mississippi River, according to The Commercial Appeal newspaper. Kyles has not returned multiple calls from The Clarion-Ledger seeking comment since last week. |
| Lt. Gov. Reeves sees Madison Central's science and tech | |
| While his Monday visit to Madison Central High School focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics classes, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves had the opportunity to see how technology was being implemented in the classroom in a variety of disciplines, including a stint in the hot seat on the student-run school news show. Reeves was escorted through the halls of Madison Central by Principal Austin Brown, Superintendent Dr. Ronnie McGehee and several representatives of the student body for a lengthy Monday morning tour of the school. "I really enjoyed everything we saw here today," Reeves said. "This is one of the best school districts in all of Mississippi. I think they are providing a lot of wonderful opportunities for their kids to learn and it's really exciting to see." |
| Voters to decide on Tuesday between Rehner, McGee for District 102 | |
 | On Tuesday, two candidates will face off in a runoff election for Mississippi House District 102. Missy McGee and Kathryn Rehner are vying for the seat, which was left empty after previous representative Toby Barker was sworn in June 29 as the Hub City's 35th mayor. The district comprises central Hattiesburg. The winner of the runoff will serve until the winner of the next general election, Nov. 5, 2019, is sworn in. Both candidates are running as independents. The two candidates were narrowed down from a pool of four during a special election held Sept. 12. The runoff will be held between McGee and Rehner, the top two vote-getters, because no candidate received 50 percent of the vote plus one vote. |
| Cochran scheduled to return to Washington Oct. 16 | |
| U.S. Senator Thad Cochran will return to Washington on Oct. 16 to resume his legislative duties, according to a press release issued by his office Thursday. "My physician told me today I am improving, but recommended I remain at home in Mississippi another week. I will follow that advice. I will return to the Senate on October 16 in order to continue work on the appropriations process and participate in upcoming debates on the budget and tax reform," the statement said. Cochran was being treated for urological issues. The Senate is scheduled to go into recess the week of Oct. 9-13. |
| Alabama Victory Provides Blueprint for New Bannon Alliance | |
 | Stephen K. Bannon and two of his longtime benefactors are putting together a political coalition designed to ensure that the victory of a Republican insurgent in the Alabama Senate primary this week was just the beginning of the surprises that await the party establishment. Mr. Bannon brings to the effort the political and promotional skills he showed as President Trump's chief strategist and advocate for populist stances on issues like immigration and trade. His benefactors, the billionaire hedge fund investor Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah Mercer, bring wealth and their own proven anti-establishment streak. Mr. Mercer also donated $50,000 to a super PAC called Remember Mississippi that is affiliated with an aide to Chris McDaniel, a Mississippi state lawmaker who is considering challenging Senator Roger Wicker in a primary next year. Mr. McDaniel, who was accused of racism during an unsuccessful 2014 primary campaign, met with Mr. Bannon after a rally for Mr. Moore in Fairhope, Ala. |
| Scalise Gets Emotional Welcome Back to the House | |
 | House Majority Whip Steve Scalise returned to the Capitol Thursday to a standing ovation from his colleagues as he walked out on the House floor on crutches to deliver an emotional speech announcing his plans to officially return to work. "You have no idea how great this feels to be back here at work in the people's house," the Louisiana Republican said. Scalise said the past 3-1/2 months since he was critically injured during a shooting at a GOP Congressional Baseball Game practice in Alexandria, Virginia, have been challenging times for his family, but he's been comforted by the "outpouring of love, of warmth, of prayer." God was one of the things that Scalise said helped him pull through. Scalise also credited Capitol Police for saving his life and specifically thanked officers Crystal Griner and David Bailey. |
| FAA Restricts Drones Over Major U.S. Landmarks | |
 | The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a new regulation restricting unauthorized drone operations over 10 Department of Interior sites, including the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore. The announcement Thursday says the two federal agencies "have agreed to restrict drone flights up to 400 feet within the lateral boundaries" of the sites. The announcement says the action comes at "the request of U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies." It says it marks the first time the FAA has restricted drone flights over Interior Department landmarks, although many of the sites were covered by a National Park Service ban on drones issued in 2014. But that ban pertained to "launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft" in national parks. The FAA's announcement includes the airspace above parks and landmarks. |
| ORNL budget has more at stake this year as GOP set priorities | |
 | President Donald Trump's budget proposal slashing funds for scientific research was declared "dead on arrival" when it reached Congress. But as the 2018 fiscal year begins Sunday, questions remain about important programs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory now that Republicans control the national government. Some areas, such as supercomputing, are sure winners as the House and Senate reconcile their spending plans. Other programs, including participation in a global effort to harness fusion power, are at risk. ORNL's overall budget, though, seems certain to continue its steady growth despite the "skinny budget" the president put forth in March. Two areas with that office stand out as safe zones whichever way the Office of Science budget goes: supercomputing and basic energy sciences. "(They) are areas where the United States should remain a leader for future generations," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. |
| Southern Miss Theatre's fall season kicks off with 'Trojan Barbie' | |
| Students and faculty in the Department of Theatre are preparing for an exciting season of storytelling and adventure in the form of Greek mythology, magicians, race and religion, classic playwrights and more at the University of Southern Mississippi. "Trojan Barbie" kicks off the fall lineup of shows Sept. 28, as it recasts the legendary fall of the city of Troy against the vivid reality of modern warfare. This edgy play catapults absurd fantasies, humor and dance into the harsh aftermath of war: "The past folded uneasily into the present." This play won the 2007 Jane Chambers Award for theater innovation in playwriting. "Trojan Barbie" contains strong language and subject matter suitable for mature audiences only. |
| Millennial 'brain drain' a challenge and an opportunity for Mississippi | |
| Half of the graduates from Mississippi's public universities move to other states within five years after leaving school. That was just one of the statistics that reinforces a harsh reality: Mississippi is losing members of the millennials generation faster than all other states. At an event at Millsaps College on Thursday, which grew out of stories published this summer at mississippitoday.org, Mississippi Today hosted a discussion about how to reverse the trend. Reasons for the phenomenon known as "brain drain" vary from economics to culture, but the session's panelists believe Mississippi has tools to not only keep but also attract young people to the state. |
| UN food, agriculture official to urge action against hunger in Auburn lecture Monday | |
 | The United Nations food and agriculture agency's top negotiator with the U.S. and Canadian governments will challenge the Auburn campus and community to help eliminate malnutrition, hunger and food insecurity worldwide when he delivers the fall 2017 E.T. York Distinguished Lecture on Monday. India citizen Vimlendra Sharan, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Liaison Office for North America of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, will present his lecture, "The Greatest Opportunity of Your Generation: Ending Hunger," at 4 p.m. in ballroom B at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center Marquee. His presentation, part of the College of Agriculture's E.T. York Distinguished Lecturer Series, is free and open to all. |
| White nationalist fliers removed from U. of Tennessee campus | |
 | Fliers advocating a white nationalist group were removed from an academic building at the University of Tennessee Knoxville on Thursday after they were found to be in violation of campus policy. The fliers read, "The most precious possession you have in the world is your own people," and include the cog and pitchfork symbol associated with the Traditionalist Worker Party, a white nationalist group. The fliers were posted in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building and were removed Thursday because they were found to be in violation of the campus' literature distribution policy, said UT spokeswoman Karen Simsen. The incident comes as the role of free speech on college campuses is being debated nationwide, and as universities are grappling with a rise in hate speech incidents. |
| Professors ask court to overturn Georgia's campus carry law | |
| Six veteran Georgia professors are seeking an injunction to stop the state's new law that allows licensed permit holders to carry concealed guns on certain areas of public college campuses, saying it's dangerous to students and faculty and unconstitutional. The professors hope to overturn the controversial guidelines using a legal argument that the "campus carry" law usurps the University System of Georgia's constitutional authority over its campuses. Their complaint was filed Monday in Fulton County Superior Court against Gov. Nathan Deal and Georgia Attorney Georgia Chris Carr. University of Georgia geography professor John Knox, who is described in the complaint as a gun owner, said guns on campus "make the learning environment less safe for everyone and negatively impact his educational mission." |
| Widow of TOPS founder says all qualifiers deserve the aid: 'You can't pick and choose' | |
 | The widow of the founder of TOPS said Thursday her late husband would avoid any rush to make the tuition aid more needs based. "I can assure you with the greatest of confidence that he would tell you to educate all of them and find the money," Phyllis Taylor said. "That would be my answer as well." The late Patrick F. Taylor helped launch the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, which finances most college tuition for students who qualify. Phyllis Taylor made her comments during the second meeting of the state House-Senate TOPS Task Force. One of the key issues before the panel is whether to make the merit-based TOPS program more needs based, which means family income would play a role in how the aid is allocated. Rising costs of TOPS -- about $290 million this year -- and other issues have sparked the legislative study. |
| U. of Florida students rally in defense of 'dreamers' | |
 | Giancarlo Tejeda does not remember life in Colombia. The third-year University of Florida biomedical engineering student immigrated to the U.S. when he was just 3 years old. Tejeda is a "dreamer," given the right to study in the U.S. through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy (DACA). After the Trump administration announced in early September that DACA will be terminated, Tejeda, along with 800,000 others like him, lost their security in this country. About 300 students gathered for a march from the Plaza of the Americas to the Reitz Union Thursday afternoon to show support for undocumented immigrants. Two students with different views made them known, as well. Kevin Lemos, a UF sophomore in computer science, held a sign that said "Build the Wall." |
| Seven academics named to latest class at Texas A&M's Hagler Institute for Advanced Study | |
 | Seven prominent academics from across the country are set to become the latest faculty fellows at the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M. The 2017-2018 class of faculty fellows, along with a Nobel Prize-winning distinguished lecturer, were announced in the Jack K. Williams Administration Building on the A&M campus Thursday afternoon. Founding director of John Junkins said accomplishments of the institute thus far has "proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that faculty, the administration and the Aggie network can work together and do some great things." The institute, which welcomed its first class of faculty fellows in 2012, has brought 52 prominent academics -- including its latest class -- to the university. It was renamed in honor of class of '58 graduate Jon Hagler in February after the alumnus gifted the institute with a $20 million gift to provide the program with long-term funding to continue its mission. |
| Texas A&M breaks ground for new Plant Pathology and Microbiology Building | |
| Texas A&M University had a ceremonial groundbreaking for its new Plant Pathology and Microbiology Building on Thursday -- a facility that, when completed, is expected to serve as the new home for a department with a strong focus on helping meet the ever-growing worldwide demand for food. With this building, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences Mark Hussey said the college will achieve its goal of locating 13 of its 14 departments together on A&M's west campus. The groundbreaking comes nearly two weeks after the college had the grand opening of its new Wildlife, Fisheries and Ecological Sciences Building nearby. Leland S. Pierson, head of the department of plant pathology and microbiology, said the facility -- which will include teaching and research laboratories, greenhouses, seminar rooms, offices and more -- is expected to serve as a home for a critical field of study looking toward the future. |
| U. of Missouri curators are not counting on state support for funding | |
 | The long-term financial health of the University of Missouri consumed most of Thursday's meeting of the Board of Curators as they established a new process for approving construction projects, discussed how to raise faculty and staff salaries and examined the returns on pension and endowment investments. The board made some progress on each issue, taking greater control of construction planning and working toward five-year budget plans. With declining state support and little likelihood of legislative backing for major projects, the board is abandoning the past practice of allowing each campus to pick its top priority project and passing it on to the state Department of Higher Education for submission. |
| Education Dept. updates higher ed consumer tool, adds new comparison feature | |
 | An Obama administration initiative that provided consumer information on colleges and universities has survived for another year and into the Trump administration. The Department of Education published updated information on the College Scorecard Thursday, including a new feature that allows students to compare data from up to 10 institutions at once. The update is a significant win for proponents of transparency in higher education who have watched Education Secretary Betsy DeVos over recent months delay and water down requirements for the gainful-employment measure. The consumer tool allows students and their families to easily find the average annual cost of a given institution, its graduation rate, the typical salary after attending and the percentage of students paying off their debt within three years of leaving. |
| DeVos assailed by protesters at college campuses in Boston, Washington | |
 | Education Secretary Betsy DeVos faced student protesters Thursday night at Harvard University, where she laid out her belief that school choice --- including allowing taxpayer dollars to follow children to private schools --- is the solution to many of the problems that beset public schools. In cutting rhetoric, she assailed teachers unions and those who have spoken out against her policies. The event was her second of the day at a college campus, and the second time the education secretary faced angry protesters. At George Washington University earlier Thursday, a small group of protesters gathered, voicing their support for transgender students and victims of sexual assault before an appearance by the secretary, who was at the school for an event with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and former NBA star Yao Ming. |
| Study challenges common belief that most science, engineering Ph.D.s leave academe | |
| Most Ph.D.s in the natural sciences and engineering leave academe because of the difficult job market, not because they want to, right? Wrong, according to a new study in PLOS ONE. Authors Michael Roach, the J. Thomas and Nancy W. Clark Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Cornell University, and Henry Sauermann, an associate professor of strategic management at Georgia Tech, found that labor market conditions do prevent some doctoral graduates interested in an academic career from pursuing one -- but a large share lose interest for other reasons. That matters, the authors say, because "efforts to understand students' career paths should consider the diversity in career goals" and the broad range of factors than shape them. In particular, "comparisons of the number of graduates with the number of available faculty positions likely overstate the number of Ph.D.s who aspire to a faculty career, thereby exaggerating imbalances in academic labor markets." |
SPORTS
| Clash could have huge implications for Auburn, Mississippi State | |
| No. 24 Mississippi State and No. 13 Auburn enter this weekend with identical 3-1 records. When those two teams clash at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, the outcome of that game could have huge implications in the SEC West standings before the calender turns to October. The Tigers' lone loss came in Week 2 at defending national champion Clemson 14-6 but have bounced back with a pair of wins since, including a 51-14 showing at Missouri last Saturday. MSU dominated its game 37-7 with then-No. 12 LSU two weeks ago but experienced the other end of the spectrum in a 31-3 loss at Georgia -- now No. 7 -- in its last outing. "My message to our team is that if you look at our league, there will be teams that will be up high one week or two weeks, then have a setback," said Auburn coach Gus Malzahn. "The teams that can win championships in this league are the ones that figure out a way to get a little bit better each week." |
| Mississippi State-Auburn jockey for respect, SEC West shot | |
 | Mississippi State looked like it could emerge as No. 1 Alabama's biggest challenger in the SEC West. But that was two weeks ago. Since then the Bulldogs have flopped -- badly. No. 13 Auburn also has designs on Southeastern Conference contention, and finally looked the part last week. The two potential division contenders meet Saturday with one of them strengthening its candidacy and the other left trying to salvage those hopes. Mississippi State especially has been on a roller coaster ride especially in terms of national perception. This game seems likely to provide more clarity -- one way or the other. "You're a young football team with people patting them on the back -- the family members, the uncles, the cousins, the friends and the people around campus telling them how great they are," Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen said. "Now this week, everyone's telling them how bad they are." The question now is what will they be saying next week? |
| Former Miss. State QB Matt Wyatt compares Alabama, Auburn defenses, says MSU will be ready to play | |
 | It is all about starting fast for the No. 24 Mississippi State Bulldogs when they travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium to face No. 13 Auburn on Saturday. That's what former Mississippi State quarterback and radio analyst Matt Wyatt said this week. Wyatt joined AL.com writer Mark Heim Wednesday on "The Opening Kickoff" on WNSP-FM 105.5 in Mobile, Alabama, to preview the SEC matchup. With Auburn 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference and State 3-1 and 1-1 in the SEC, the winner still controls its own fate in Western Division. The loser faces an uphill battle in that competition. Starting out quick is easier said than done, especially against an Auburn defense which ranks first in the conference in total defense. "I think people are sleeping, just a bit, on Auburn's defense," he said. "All the attention is on the offense." |
| Slowing Mississippi State QB Nick Fitzgerald the 'big challenge' for Auburn's defense | |
| There are two drives that Auburn's defense would like to have back more than any others through four games this season -- the last of the first half and the first of the second at Clemson on Sept. 9. Those drives ended with dual-threat quarterback Kelly Bryant running for touchdowns of 3 and 27 yards. They proved all Clemson needed in a 14-6 win over Auburn. On Saturday, Auburn will face a quarterback in Mississippi State's Nick Fitzgerald that has a similar and possibly even more polished dual-threat skill set. And he has the Tigers' attention. "We're very impressed with him," head coach Gus Malzahn said. "He's like a running back back in the backfield, which presents a lot of problems with the plus-one run game for defenses. He's got to where he throws the ball extremely accurate when he has time. There's going to be a big challenge for our defense." |
| Will Mississippi State's vertical passing game improve? | |
| While watching film recently, two Mississippi State assistant coaches discussed the same topic that has dominated the conversation about the Bulldogs ever since they failed to score a touchdown against Georgia last week. Mississippi State's offense has lacked big passing plays. MSU quarterbacks coach Brett Elliott and receivers coach Billy Gonzales compared the offense through its first four games of this season to the first four from 2014, when the Bulldogs ranked No. 1 for five weeks. "We've got to start hitting those shots down the field," Elliott said. "And we've got to take more shots, but not get out of what we do." |
| Mississippi State's Ben Howland optimistic as start of 2017-18 season approaches | |
| Ben Howland's list of on-court reasons for excitement for his upcoming Mississippi State men's basketball team are plentiful, as to be expected with a team as young as last year's. The one that may have him most excited has little to do with returning on-court production. "I really like the culture: I really like how these guys are pushing each other and supporting each other," Howland said. "I think we have a really good, cohesive unit, a good bond on our team, good chemistry, their excitement for the season and how hard they've worked. This is the best condition we've been in by far at this time." Even with a team Howland thinks is a better shooting team across the board and better suited for more versatile lineup combinations, his biggest reason for optimism the environment within the locker room. The contents of that locker room take to the court for the team's first official practice on Friday; the team will have 42 days to practice 30 times before its preseason exhibition against West Florida 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at Humphrey Coliseum. |
| Former Mississippi State, MLB star Paul Maholm to buy Hattiesburg Country Club | |
| Paul Maholm has figured out how he wants to spend his retirement, and it's better than he ever imagined. The former Mississippi State and Major League Baseball star and his partner Carter Callaway, owner and operator of Hattiesburg-based Callaway Custom Homes, are set to close on the purchase of Hattiesburg Country Club Friday. "It's something that I've always wanted to do," Maholm said. "I never knew if I'd have the chance, but once (Callaway) came to me with the idea and we started to talk about it, I knew it was the right opportunity." The club's board of directors was looking for a potential buyer, and it found a suitor in Maholm and Callaway. Maholm left MSU early when he was drafted in the first round, but he was in the university's PGA Golf Management program for three years in Starkville. |
| Mississippi State men's tennis hires Goodwin as assistant coach | |
| One of the brightest young minds in college tennis and a Southeastern Conference veteran is joining the Mississippi State men's tennis staff, as Andrew Goodwin was named State's new men's tennis assistant coach, MSU head coach Matt Roberts announced Thursday. Goodwin was named State's new assistant coach after Matt Walters accepted the assistant coaching position at Central Florida earlier this week. "We are really excited to have Andrew on board," Roberts said. "We really believe in him. He's a great coach who can help our program continue its success and movement in the right direction. We feel like his character and values fit right in with our program's core beliefs and philosophy. We're excited to begin working with him moving forward through our upcoming tournaments." |
| What Could Louisville Buy for the Money It Will Take to Fire Rick Pitino? | |
 | It may be difficult to calculate the reputational damage done to the University of Louisville during Rick Pitino's run as the Cardinals' head men's basketball coach, but the cost of firing him could be in the neighborhood of $44.5 million, according to news reports. Mr. Pitino, who was placed on administrative leave Wednesday after the basketball program was linked to a fraud and corruption scandal involving high-school recruits, still has tens of millions of dollars in unpaid salary, media-obligation compensation, and retention bonuses on his contract. His lawyer says he intends to fight for every penny of that money. If Louisville officials did not have to pay out that dizzying total to Mr. Pitino, whose program is still under a cloud from a previous recruitment scandal involving prostitutes, here's what they might do instead... |
| Pitino's status as 'Coach 2' could give U of L an out on paying off $46M due on contract | |
| A law enforcement source confirmed Thursday that ousted University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is the Coach 2 described in the FBI's bribery investigation of college basketball, which could allow the university to avoid paying off $46 million due on his contract. Coach 2 is described in a 28-page criminal complaint as central in the allegation that money was funneled to recruits and their families to secure their commitment to the University of Louisville. The complaint unsealed in federal court in New York this week describes how defendants claimed to have talked to a person identified only as Coach 2 about funneling $100,000 from an apparel company to secure a top recruit's commitment. Interim University of Louisville President Greg Postel told reporters that the university knows the names of the coaches referenced in the complaint, but he declined to identify them or say whether Coach 2 is Pitino. |
| What's Lost When Only Rich Kids Play Sports | |
| Concern about the kids' sports frenzy often fixates on the costs to children who do too much: the burnout and physical exhaustion, the bodies battered from overuse, the loss of unscheduled free time. But the children who are excluded from that frenzy, most of them from lower-income families, suffer more enduring losses. These children miss out on the scads of positive outcomes that are linked to regular exercise, including longer life expectancies, improved mental and physical health, and better grades in school. As important, they are denied lessons in discipline, teamwork, and resilience -- the very qualities that most parents want for their children -- which are often taught in athletics. And despite the well-documented advantages of athletics participation, it's unclear whether the loose coalition of businesses, community organizations, and nonprofits that are working to ensure all children have access to sports have the resources or clout to make it happen. |
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