Wednesday, July 18, 2018   
 
City of Starkville looks at keeping downtown historic
There is a certain kind of charm about a small town. That's why the City of Starkville is looking at new ways to up their style. The Board of Aldermen in Starkville has set a vote on a contract that will support their local businesses and help maintain historical buildings. A partnership with the people at the Carl Small Town Center and money from the state could help downtown Starkville protect their historic buildings. "To put together a design guidelines for downtown Starkville and they would not be any type of regulatory document. Something suggestive to a person that is buying a building or going into a building for their store of how to appropriately renovate the building in a historical fashion," said Buddy Sanders.
 
Starkville Strings School a place for students to 'try something out and do amazing things'
Giving students the opportunity to learn something new is a big part of helping them discover their own talents. That's according to Shandy Phillips, concertmaster of the Starkville Strings School who visited Starkville Rotary Club Monday. She said her school, which offers both private and ensemble lessons in stringed instruments, is one way to help students make those discoveries. Phillips said the school's lessons are all part of an effort to provide instruction to local students that might be expected in a larger city than Starkville. "When you give the opportunity to really, honestly try something out and you give them the foundational skills they need, they can do truly amazing things," Phillips said.
 
Long-delayed Longview Road project moves forward
Oktibbeha County may have clearance to pave a portion of Longview Road while awaiting federal money to complete the entire project, according to County Engineer Clyde Pritchard. Pritchard, speaking during Monday's Board of Supervisors meeting, told supervisors and frustrated citizens the Mississippi Office of State Aid Road Construction recently informed him it will allow Oktibbeha County to pave the ends of Longview Road with money that had been set aside for the project. Now, Pritchard said, the county can pave the ends of Longview Road from Highway 25 to Bluefield Road or Horsley Lane and from Highway 12 to around the First Baptist Church of Longview. He said the permission is an unusual one.
 
Race, the Tea Party, the state flag and GOTV: 5 Big Questions for Election 2018
Less than a month has passed since a round of runoff elections officially set the stage for what pundits are expecting to be the most competitive statewide political races in modern history. Even though the campaigns have been relatively quiet, the races also have a chance to make history. After becoming the first Mississippi woman to serve in Congress, Cindy Hyde-Smith, the former state agriculture commissioner whom Gov. Phil Bryant appointed to the U.S. Senate this spring, has a chance to become the first woman Mississippi voters send to Capitol Hill. In the run up to November, several key questions will determine whether this will be the same kind of ho-hum campaign Mississippi has grown accustomed or whether November 2018 will truly be a once-in-a-generation kind of historic Election Day.
 
3rd District race: Michael Ted Evans tells supervisors gas tax unlikely
A congressional candidate making his rounds through Southwest Mississippi on Monday told county supervisors not to expect a plan for road and bridge funding from the state. District 45 Rep. Michael Ted Evans, a Democratic candidate for Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District, told supervisors a pending special session of the Legislature would likely take up an internet tax and a lottery, but neither would come close to providing the kind of funding the state needs to play catchup with its worn-out infrastructure. "I can tell you the state isn't going to do anything. I'm a legislator -- I know," Evans said. "The federal government is going to have to find a way to help the counties with infrastructure." Evans, of course, is trying to be part of that federal government. He'll face Republican candidate Michael Guest, the district attorney for Madison and Rankin counties, and Reform Party candidate Matthew Holland, in the Nov. 6 general election.
 
Senator Roger Wicker fights against newsprint tariffs
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., testified in front of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in opposition to tariffs on imports of newsprint from Canada. The new tariffs threaten domestic newsprint producers, including those with operations in Mississippi, and would hurt the local newspapers that purchase newsprint from them. "My greatest concern is how these tariffs will harm a major newsprint producer in my state, as well as the many small and rural newspapers who operate with small budgets and tight margins," Wicker said during his testimony Tuesday. The Mississippi Press Association, and the 110 newspapers they represent, also oppose newsprint tariffs. Both the Vicksburg Post and the Natchez Democrat have cut production to five days per week because of preliminary tariffs.
 
Lawmakers warn tariffs threaten local newspapers
About a dozen members of Congress warned Tuesday that newspapers in their home states are in danger of reducing news coverage, laying off workers or going out of business if the United States maintains recently imposed tariffs on Canadian newsprint. The Trump administration ordered the tariffs in response to a complaint from a paper producer in Washington state. It argues that Canadian competitors take advantage of government subsidies to sell their product at unfairly low prices. Lawmakers testified against making the tariffs permanent during a United States International Trade Commission hearing. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said the tariffs have led to surprise newsprint shortages and price hikes across the Southeast. "It defies logic that NORPAC, just one mill located in the opposition end of the United States, can create this type of disruption and uncertainty," Wicker, who cosponsored the bill, said.
 
Auto Industry Pushes White House to Back Off Tariffs
Auto makers, parts suppliers and dealers are joining forces to push back against the Trump administration's proposal to apply tariffs of up to 25% on vehicles and components imported into the U.S., warning the administration's trade policy will backfire and lead to higher prices and lost jobs. Industry representatives jointly petitioned President Donald Trump on Tuesday to back off on his threats to place tariffs on imports, with plans to amplify their message in digital and newspaper advertisements. The U.S. Commerce Department will hold hearings Thursday on the proposed tariffs as part of an investigation launched in May into whether it can use a national-security law to impose duties on foreign-sourced cars and car parts. Auto makers building cars in the U.S. and employing tens of thousands of workers would be hit by higher costs if the tariffs were enacted, analysts and car makers said.
 
UM Alumna Begins Endowment to Rename Magazine Innovation Center
University of Mississippi alumna Amy Lyles Wilson is working to raise $100,000 to rename the Magazine Innovation Center at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media for the center's longtime director and journalism professor Samir Husni. A former student of Husni's, Wilson wants to rename the foundation of the university's magazine program to the Samir "Mr. Magazine" Husni Magazine Innovation Center in honor of the professor's years of service and dedication to his students. Wilson's family donated an initial $55,000 gift to support the effort, and she's inviting others to contribute through the Ignite Ole Miss crowdfunding platform to reach a $100,000 goal. Just over $76,000 has been contributed thus far, and Wilson is hoping more of Husni's friends, colleagues, and current and former students will pay tribute to his legacy on campus.
 
At MOST conference, high schoolers experience Ole Miss firsthand
On the University of Mississippi's website, prospective students can take a video tour of campus. From behind a computer screen, they can browse course offerings, read about Oxford and look up different student organizations. Virtually, high schoolers can see a glimpse of what the school has to offer. In person at the Mississippi Outreach to Scholastic Talent Conference, rising high school seniors spend three days and two nights sleeping in dorms and living on campus for a first-hand taste of what life is like at Ole Miss. The event, aimed at recruiting rising African-American high school seniors from the state to the university, connects soon-to-be applicants with mentors who have been in their shoes.
 
Criticism over proposed safety ordinance delays Oxford aldermen vote
The Oxford Board of Aldermen held a fifth public hearing Tuesday night on an ordinance aimed to reduce underage drinking and impose new safety regulations for event venues and for businesses that sell alcohol. After several citizens voiced concerns over the implications of the proposals, the board decided not to vote on the ordinance and discuss it further at a later meeting. Earlier in the week, owner of The Lyric Oxford, Bradley Bishop, sent an email asking citizens to call and email the mayor and the board asking them to oppose the ordinance. Ole Miss student Jarvis Benson delivered a statement on behalf of Susan Glisson, founding director of the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, who said she has pondered why this proposed ordinance has solicited so much emotion. "The April incident that spurred this current effort has racial overtones," Glisson said.
 
U. of Tennessee Police Department grows its K-9 unit with a fourth dog
The University of Tennessee Police Department has a new four-legged law-enforcer. Last month, UTPD added a fourth K-9, expanding its number of K-9 officers and dogs to four teams, according to a release. "We have so many controversial things, concerts, high-level speakers, and sporting events that bring thousands of people to campus," said Police Chief Troy Lane. "I take a bit of comfort knowing I've had a dog go through an area versus a couple of officers who look to see if anything is out of place." The fourth dog, which was added in June, is a male German shepherd named Bruno. His job is both drug detection and apprehension. UT Police already had three K-9s, all explosive-detecting female Belgian Malinois. The newest, Athena, joined the force in January.
 
Texas A&M enrollment sees summer dip
For the first time in five years, Texas A&M University has experienced a slight dip in their summer enrollment numbers. According to A&M's Office of Marketing and Communications, the total number of students enrolled at A&M this summer is 24,514 students, which is about 450 less students than in 2017. A&M's summer enrollment numbers have steadily grown from 2013-2017. Last year's summer student enrollment totaled 24,966 students, and in 2013, summer enrollment was 18,815 students, according to A&M's Data and Research Services. A&M has experienced a consistent growth trend in fall and spring enrollment, and it is known as the biggest university in Texas in terms of student enrollment.
 
Pell, work-force training could see increase in 2019 spending
Student aid advocates who hoped to see a substantial boost to the Pell Grant will have to settle for a modest increase -- if any -- in a 2019 congressional spending package. A Senate education funding package that cleared the appropriations committee last month would add $100 to the maximum value of the need-based grant, not enough to even keep pace with inflation. And a spending proposal approved by House appropriators last week would keep the maximum grant flat. Lawmakers from both chambers will have to negotiate the final number for the grant in a final education package along with other differences in the bills. Overall spending on most college access or student aid programs would be roughly in line with numbers from a March omnibus spending bill. A handful of priorities like Pell and career and work-force training would receive more funding in House and Senate proposals for the 2019 fiscal year, if less than advocates hoped.
 
The Evolving English Major
Bachelor's degrees conferred to English majors are down 20 percent since 2012, but responsive departments that know how to market their worth to students are finding ways to thrive, says a new analysis from the Association of Departments of English, or ADE. The group, which is part of the Modern Language Association, says its report is the most comprehensive study of English departments to date. "While declines in the number of undergraduate majors have affected English departments widely and at all types of institutions, most departments are exploring ways to respond," reads the report, "A Changing Major: The Report of the 2016-17 ADE Ad Hoc Committee on the English Major," released today. Paula Krebs, executive director of the MLA, said her takeaways from the report include the "increasing importance of writing in the English major," meaning composition, rhetoric, professional writing and creative writing.
 
Judge denies Louisiana College's motion to dismiss a discrimination case
A federal district court judge has denied Louisiana College's attempt to throw out a discrimination lawsuit filed by an alumnus who says he was denied employment because of his Jewish heritage. After Jason Bonadona was interviewed and recommended for a football coaching position at Louisiana College in 2017, President Rick Brewer said he did not want to hire Bonadona because of his "Jewish blood," according to the lawsuit Bonadona filed under Title VII of the federal 1964 Civil Rights Act, which says employers cannot deny employment to someone based on their race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Louisiana College tried to dismiss the case on technical grounds, arguing that Bonadona's Jewish heritage does not qualify as a race or national origin under Title VII. Judge Mark Hornsby thought otherwise, and wrote in a recommendation on Friday that Bonadona, and Jewish people generally, are protected under Title VII.
 
Neshoba County Fair stump speeches should more sharply focus two key political races
Syndicated columnist Sid Salter writes: A weekend visit to the Neshoba County Fairgrounds demonstrates that for the politicians and their supporters, the buildup to "Mississippi's Giant Houseparty" is long since underway. Political signs and placards already dot trees, fence posts and power poles along the seven-mile stretch of Highway 21 running south from Philadelphia to the historic fairgrounds. Inside the fairgrounds and particularly on Founder's Square, the signs literally obscure every power pole and no small number of the fair cabins. The fair's three-day marathon of political speaking will commence on Tuesday, July 31 and continue daily until the speeches conclude on Thursday, August 2 with a speech from Gov. Phil Bryant between 10:30 and 11 a.m. that day. By longstanding tradition, a Mississippi governor makes the last speech and gets the last word annually from the state's premier political stump.


SPORTS
 
Mississippi State's Joe Moorhead to take stage early at SEC Media Days Wednesday
The last few months have been full of firsts for new Mississippi State head football coach Joe Moorhead. He'll have another one today when he steps to the podium at Southeastern Conference Football Media Days. Moorhead takes the stage in the main room Wednesday at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. When he does, he'll be adequately prepared for whatever questions come his way says MSU Associate Athletic Director of Communications Bill Martin. "One of (Moorhead's) big strengths is getting up in front of an audience and commanding a room," Martin said. "He's done that with players, He's done that at speaking events and clinics and whatever it might be, then obviously with the media too. Sure, this is his first go-around with SEC Media Days, but he's well-prepared for this. He is going to really own that stage and command respect and set the vision for our program as we head into the season."
 
SEC Media Days: Joe Moorhead
Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead met with the local media early Wednesday morning prior to his appearance at SEC Media Days in Atlanta.
 
Nick Fitzgerald named to O'Brien Award watch list
Another day and another preseason award watch list for Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. The Bulldogs' senior signal caller was added to the Maxwell Award watch list on Monday and was selected to the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award on Tuesday. The Davey O'Brien Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback. Fitzgerald completed 55.6 percent of his passes last season for 1,782 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while also rushing for 984 yards and 14 more scores.
 
SEC discusses new football rule changes
College football games in the Southeastern Conference were six minutes shorter in 2017 compared to 2016. SEC coordinator of officials Steve Shaw wouldn't mind seeing it go down even more. Shaw's desire certainly comes from calls from fans for quicker and faster-paced games. The average college football game lasted 3 hours, 24 minutes in 2017 -- despite the improvement, the average SEC game was still longer at 3:26 -- whereas NFL games in 2016 averaged 3:07. "We had a number of changes last year, a lot of discussion here. One was about keeping the game moving, and we were really successful there," Shaw said during Day 2 of SEC Media Days. "(Working) with halftime and some of our ball mechanics and with our TV partners, we cut six minutes out of our game, which was pretty impressive, without taking plays out of the game. As you see, we'll try to continue that." That includes fewer stoppages after scoring plays.
 
Mullen couldn't pass up Florida job
Dan Mullen spent nine successful seasons at Mississippi State and guided the Bulldogs to bowl eligibility for eight consecutive years. Over that span, Mullen had several chances to go elsewhere but chose to remain in Starkville. But last November, Mullen fielded a phone call from his old MSU boss, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin, offering him the head coaching job. It was an offer Mullen couldn't refuse. "The opportunity to be the head coach at the University of Florida is one that I couldn't pass up," Mullen said. Mullen may have moved on from MSU but his past will catch up to him quickly. The Gators play at Mississippi State on Sept. 29, a game that was immediately circled by Bulldog players and fans alike upon Mullen's departure after losing last year's Egg Bowl.
 
Dan Mullen: Happy to be at Florida, but 'people at Starkville were great to me'
Dan Mullen wore a smug smirk and high-priced sneakers as he strolled up to the podium at the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday afternoon. In a way, it felt exactly the same as when he made the same walk to the microphone for his past nine SEC Media Days appearances. But if you looked closely, his custom Jordan shoes said "Gators" -- not Bulldogs. And they were orange and blue -- not maroon and white. And if you could peel your eyes away from Mullen's giddy grin for long enough, you'd obviously notice the Florida Gator logo on the big screen behind him -- not Mississippi State's classic "M-State" logo. After nine years as the head coach at MSU, Mullen left the program last November to become the head man at Florida. Despite calling that an "easy decision" on Tuesday, Mullen still got emotional when reminiscing.
 
Florida shows off Jordan Brand uniforms
The moment Florida coach Dan Mullen and the UF fanbase had been waiting more than eight months for arrived Tuesday night at the Georgia World Congress Center. Fresh off of his 10th consecutive SEC Media Days appearance and his first as Florida's head coach, Mullen took the GWCC stage to address a crowd of approximately 150 people and debut Florida's heavily-promoted uniform partnership with Jordan Brand. "We're so excited to be partners with Jordan," Mullen said. "It's a special day for us to join with the Jordan Brand, because it's about excellence. And it's a new day, to me it's a new day." And Florida, just the fourth collegiate football program to partner with Jordan Brand and the first Southeastern Conference member to transition from the Nike logo to Jumpman, plans to bring the Jumpman logo to the men's and women's basketball programs for the 2018-19 season.
 
Ole Miss expects worst, hopes for best with NCAA appeal
The final step in Ole Miss' appeal of the sanctions handed down in its NCAA infractions case is coming soon in the form of an in-person hearing with the Infractions Appeals Committee, which could reverse the Committee on Infractions' decision to levy an additional bowl ban for this season. The Rebels aren't counting on it. "We're preparing just like we're not going to a bowl game," Ole Miss coach Matt Luke said Tuesday at SEC Media Days. "Then if it does come through, then it will be a bonus." Luke said the in-person hearing will likely take place later this month, though he added he hasn't been given an official update on the process. Should that happen, a final decision from the appeals committee wouldn't come until August or later.
 
Matt Luke uses SEC Media Days to project a new image for Ole Miss football
Ole Miss coach Matt Luke greeted defensive lineman Josiah Coatney as they crossed paths for the first time in a couple hours Tuesday. They were on separate tracks as they were guided between interview rooms and embraced a rare chance to interact outside of an interview setting. "Tough questions?" Luke asked. "Eh, they've been alright," Coatney said. But flashing lights and the clicks of shutters colored even that brief moment between a coach and his player. They held their handshake a little longer than seemed natural. That was what the job called for. Matt Luke tackled his first SEC Media Days Tuesday with a smile and a series of uncontroversial talking points. For five hours he moved from one interview to the next, putting a new face on the Ole Miss program.
 
Alcohol sales at Williams-Brice Stadium? South Carolina vendor applies for license to allow them
The company that sells food at Williams-Brice Stadium has applied for a license to sell alcohol at USC's football stadium. Aramark Sports and Entertainment LLC applied on June 11 for the "permanent" license to sell beer, wine and liquor, according to Bonnie Swingle, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Revenue, which processes liquor licenses. However, USC said it only wants to sell alcohol for the much-anticipated Jay-Z/Beyonce concert on Aug. 21. "There is no attempt to want to sell alcohol at the games," USC spokesman Jeff Stensland said. Rather, the stadium would sell alcohol only at "private, nonathletic events" such as the Jay-Z/Beyonce concert, he said. Should the license be approved, Swingle said it would be valid for two years. However, USC's agreement with Aramark to serve alcohol lasts only one year, Stensland said.
 
Papa John's founder John Schnatter says he shouldn't have resigned
Papa John's founder John Schnatter, signaling he's not going away without a fight, now says he made a mistake in resigning as chairman of the pizza empire he created. In a letter to the company's board Saturday, he also charged that it acted on "rumor and innuendo" in asking him to step down without conducting an investigation of his use of a racial slur during a training session in May. In a separate letter, Schnatter's lawyer, Patricia Glaser, advises the board that it would be acting illegally if it tries to remove him as a director and that individual directors would be liable for damages if they do so. Schnatter, who owns about 30 percent of the company, remains on its board. The fallout has been swift and enormous. He was forced off the board of trustees at the University of Louisville where the new president also made the decision last Friday to remove his name from the school's football stadium. Other stadiums with sponsorships from the company also have pulled his name down.
 
Parents Behaving Badly: A Youth Sports Crisis Caught on Video
In one video, a fan at a youth soccer game bellows profanities and violently kicks a ball that slams into a teenage referee standing nearby. She disagreed with a penalty called. Another captures parents at a youth basketball game charging the court to hurl punches at the referee. And yet another shows parents berating game officials as they walk to their cars after a soccer game. The players were 8-year-olds. The videos were posted on a Facebook page, Offside, created in frustration by an Oklahoma youth soccer referee, Brian Barlow, who offers a $100 bounty for each clip in order to shame the rising tide of unruly parents and spectators at youth sports events. A torrent of verbal, and occasionally physical, abuse toward referees nationwide has disrupted the sidelines of youth sports. The harassment has grown so rampant that more than 70 percent of new referees in all sports quit the job within three years, according to the National Association of Sports Officials.



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