| Monday, October 15, 2018 |
| Mississippi State's Lyceum Series continues with Trey McLaughlin and The Sounds of Zamar | |
 | Trey McLaughlin and The Sounds of Zamar are bringing fresh adaptations of contemporary gospel, pop and musical theater hits to the Bettersworth Auditorium stage Tuesday, Oct. 16 as part of Mississippi State's Lyceum Series. Doors to historic Lee Hall's auditorium open approximately 30 minutes before the curtain rises for the 7 p.m. show, which is part of the university's long-running performing arts program. After being featured on the song "Chasing After You" from Vashawn Mitchell's Grammy-nominated album "Triumphant," Trey McLaughlin and The Sounds of Zamar have become sought after for their expressive vocals and intricate arrangements of classic gospel hymns. Ticket purchases may be made online at http://events.msstate.edu. If available, individual tickets may be purchased at the door before each program. Contributions to the Lyceum Series can be made via the MSU Foundation by contacting Lynn Durr at 662-325-8918. |
| Future Meteorologists Experience Hurricane Michael's Wrath | |
 | This past week, thousands of people evacuated the Florida Panhandle to avoid Hurricane Michael, but we're taking a look at a group of guys who were running into the storm. WCBI's Cash Matlock sat down with students from the Mississippi State meteorology program and found out more. "I've never witnessed anything like that before in my life. Just the winds were crazy. I've never seen anything like that before in my life," says Sophomore meteorology major Christopher Pipkin. A group of 4 meteorology students from Mississippi State University planned an non-sponsored trip to Marianna, Florida, to get a closer look at Hurricane Michael. They thought this would be just another trip, but it quickly turned into one they'll never forget. |
| Continuing an Italian family tradition in the Delta: farming | |
 | You may not be familiar with the history of how and why Italians immigrated to the Mississippi Delta years after the Civil War. It is a fascinating story that led to decades of crops being sown on seemingly endless rows of rich Delta soil by multi-generational Italian farming families. For over 40 years Lawrence Reginelli has been embracing and continuing that Italian family farming tradition handed down to him from his father. "I'm the second generation of my family to be born in this area," says Reginelli, who today farms 4,000 acres in the rural outskirts of Shaw, Mississippi. Lawrence started learning to farm before he earned degrees in chemistry and biology from Delta State University. His youngest son, Brad, graduated from Mississippi State University with a business degree. They have been farming together ever since Brad returned home in 2010. |
| Citywide Tailgate returns to Starkville Nov. 2 | |
| nited Way of North Central Mississippi will present its annual Citywide Tailgate Friday, Nov. 2 in Starkville. This friendly competition has participants vying for the title of Best Citywide Tailgater. Proceeds from fundraisers like the tailgate support 15 agencies in the four-county area served by UWNCM. The organization's philosophy is "Stronger Neighbors Make a Strong Community." "Tailgating at Its Finest" is the theme of this year's event. Any business, school, university or civic group can register to participate. Applications can be picked up and turned in at the United Way office at 300 University Drive, or on the third floor of Regions Bank in Starkville, or by emailingunwayokt@maxxsouth.net. Four tailgate zones will be designated in the downtown Starkville area between City Hall and Bancorp South on Main Street/University Drive and adjoining streets; and between LPL Financial to BankFirst on Lampkin Street. Zone 5 is Hospital Road, upper Russell Street and the Academy Road/Louisville Street area. |
| David Baria trying to make it a race against Roger Wicker in state's 'other' Senate campaign | |
 | About 125 students, faculty and others sat comfortably on couches, cushioned armchairs and other furniture in the Leggett Living Room on the Millsaps College campus recently listening intently to David Baria talk about his long shot campaign to upend U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker on Nov. 6. When Baria finished a short opening monologue, student were slow to ask questions. Crickets. But eventually the questions began to flow on issues ranging from education funding to infrastructure to racism. Baria told students he would continue to hold townhall meetings to listen to the concerns of constituents if elected to the United States Senate. He said his opponent is not doing that. But in response to questions, Justin Brasell, a campaign spokesperson for Wicker, said, "Sen. Wicker has been in Mississippi traveling the state for both official and campaign events every day the Senate is not in session. He flew home immediately after the Kavanaugh (Supreme Court confirmation) vote and held five events in the state on Monday." |
| Mike Espy was acquitted 20 years ago, but the corruption charges haunt his Senate bid | |
 | Mike Espy has a framed courtroom sketch artist's rendering from his 1998 federal corruption trial prominently hanging on a wall in his law office, a keepsake from the lowest point in his political career. "It's to remind me how terrible a time it was," said Espy, now a Democratic candidate for a U.S. Senate seat from Mississippi. "It was the worst moment in my life." Espy's Republican opponents in next month's Senate election don't want voters to forget the moment, either. Incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Mississippi State Sen. Chris McDaniel are persistently, loudly reminding voters often that Espy was indicted on some 30 counts of accepting over $35,000 illegal gifts from companies when he was U.S. agriculture secretary under President Bill Clinton. He was acquitted of all charges. |
| Senate breaks to hit campaign trail, no commitment from incumbents on debates | |
| Incumbent Mississippi Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker can now return to Mississippi since the U.S. Senate has concluded its business until after the Nov. 6 election. Whether that means the two, both on the ballot in November, will debate their opponents remains to be seen. When asked about the possibility of Hyde-Smith debating her opponents, Melissa Scallan, a spokesperson for her campaign, said, "We are working on events right now, so I should know more about that in a few days. We just found out yesterday afternoon that they were getting out of session." Wicker spokesperson Justin Brasell also would not commit to a debate, saying "Sen. Wicker looks forward to returning to Mississippi and spending more time on the campaign trail. He has made no secret of where he stands on the issues. He has made his beliefs public and works to defend those beliefs every day." |
| Recess renews calls for Senate candidates debate | |
 | As primary-style infighting between Cindy Hyde-Smith and Chris McDaniel continues to dominate a Mississippi special election, an upcoming recess of the U.S. Senate has reignited calls for a scheduled debate. Following a deal reached between Senate leadership, the upper chamber of congress recessed Friday and will remain in recess until after the Nov. 6 midterm elections. That means Hyde-Smith, and Sen. Roger Wicker -- both incumbent Republicans facing re-election -- will likely be in Mississippi during the three weeks before election day. McDaniel was quick to seize upon news of the recess, and renewed his call for a debate. |
| Drivers take issue with hybrid/electric car fees; lawmakers claim they're reasonable | |
| When Mike Buehler received a notice from the Mississippi Department of Revenue a week ago that he would be required to pay a fee for driving his 2014 Tesla each year, he bit his lip and did a little research before forming an opinion. The verdict? "It's unfair," the Starkville radiologist said. That opinion is likely shared by many of the 15,281 people who received similar notices last week informing them of the new fees assessed to drivers of electric and hybrid cars. For hybrids that use both fuel and electric power, the fee is $75 annually. For electric cars that use no fuel, it's $150. State Rep. Jeff Smith (R-Columbus) chairs the House Ways and Means Committee that helps tailor funding bills as they pass through the Legislature. In the case of the hybrid/electric fees, Smith said, Gov. Phil Bryant was adamant they be part of the Emergency Road and Bridge Fund bill. |
| Voters say they are more likely to cast ballots in this year's midterm elections | |
 | Three weeks before critical midterm elections, voters are expressing significantly more interest in turning out than they were four years ago, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. Enthusiasm is up across almost all demographic groups, but the increases are greater among younger adults, nonwhite voters and those who say they favor Democrats for the House. At the same time, President Trump's job approval rating has risen five points after tying a record low point in August, although Democrats maintain a double-digit advantage in overall support for Congress, the poll finds. Four years ago, midterm voter turnout fell to its lowest level in more than half a century. Republicans were able to capitalize by expanding their House majority and taking control of the Senate. |
| Watchdog exposes Pentagon's cyber struggles | |
 | Defense experts are seizing on a stunning federal report highlighting cyber vulnerabilities in U.S. weapons systems, calling it an embarrassing wake-up call for the Pentagon. A Government Accountability Office report released this week found that nearly all of the weapons systems it tested had extensive cyber flaws. The report warned that the Department of Defense "likely has an entire generation of systems that were designed and built without adequately considering cybersecurity." Experts said the alarming report was shining a light on the Pentagon's systematic failure to consider cyber threats in building the country's most powerful weapons. Military leaders publicly acknowledged at a Senate hearing last month that the Pentagon struggles with recruiting staffers to work on cyber issues. |
| MUW's Welty Gala will feature New York Times best-selling author | |
| Thrillers, children's books and comics -- writer Brad Meltzer has something for every reader. On Friday, Oct. 19, guests will have an opportunity to meet the No. 1 New York Times best-selling author in person at the Mississippi University for Women Foundation's 2018 Welty Gala. "The Escape Artist," Meltzer's newest book, recently debuted at No. 1. Reviews describe the book as a cutting-edge thriller with a memorable main character readers won't be able to forget. MUW President Nora Miller said, "We look forward to hosting Brad Meltzer and hearing about his best-selling work. We also look forward to raising scholarships for so many deserving students as part of this event." The Welty Gala, sponsored by the MUW Foundation, is a part of the signature Welty Series held annually in October to honor the university's world-renowned alumna Eudora Welty. As a part of the Welty Series, The W also hosts the Eudora Welty Writers' Symposium scheduled Oct. 18-20. |
| Chancellor Vitter responds to Ole Miss faculty member's social media post | |
 | Ole Miss Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter condemned a "recent social media post by a UM faculty member" in a statement on Vitter's personal Facebook page Sunday night. "A recent social media post by a UM faculty member did not reflect the values articulated by the university, such as respect for the dignity of each individual and civility and fairness. While I passionately support free speech, I condemn statements that encourage acts of aggression. I urge all members of the Ole Miss community to demonstrate civility and respect for others and to honor the ideal of diversity of thought that is a foundational element of the academy," Vitter's post read. Vitter's post comes after an Oct. 6 tweet by associate sociology and anthropology professor James Thomas attracted attention for its insensitive tone over the weekend. |
| Historians, archaeologists survey Friendship Cemetery for unmarked Union graves | |
| Gary Lancaster leaned over the computer set out in Friendship Cemetery among clusters of land surveying equipment Friday afternoon. On the screen in front of him was a rough underground map of the grave sites of about 1,000 soldiers who died in Columbus after the Battle of Shiloh in 1862 -- soldiers whose lives and deaths he's been researching for years. It was the second day of a project initiated by the research he and fellow local historians Carolyn Kaye and Rufus Ward have conducted on the soldiers buried in the cemetery. Now a team of archaeologists from University of Mississippi are using non-invasive archaeological equipment to survey the western section of the cemetery. The project is a partnership between Ole Miss, the U.S. Grant Association and the U.S. Grant Presidential Library at Mississippi State University and the Billups-Garth Foundation of Columbus. |
| Rough-toothed dolphin found stranded on Biloxi Beach | |
 | A stranded rough-toothed dolphin -- a rare find along coastal waters off the Gulf of Mexico -- apparently became separated from its mother and was hunted by deep-sea fishermen before it was found on the Biloxi beach. The juvenile dolphin, a female, has pneumonia and had a large hook in its mouth, indicating a deep-sea fishing crew had tried to catch her, said Moby Solangi, a veterinarian and executive director of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport. Neal Peterson of Biloxi found the dolphin Friday morning while walking on the beach across from the Ocean Club off Ocean Club Boulevard. He looked around for some of his friends that go fishing there to see if they had a number he could call, but had no luck, and called the Biloxi Police Department non-emergency line. Police called the IMMS in Gulfport and put them in touch with Peterson. "A lady had come up about that time," Peterson said. "Marine biologists told us to hold her up to keep her blow hole out of the water," Peterson said. |
| UPS head and Delta State alumnus returns home to share advice | |
| United Parcel Service Chief Operations Officer David Abney returned to Cleveland Thursday for the International Business Symposium he and his wife Sherry began 12 years ago. Abney spoke about building trust and developing relationships with colleagues and customers as well as working hard to become successful. Abney started with UPS in 1974 as a package loader. He worked nights for the company and attended classes at Delta State University during the day. Abney said the Delta State community was an important early step in his successful career. "Coming from a small town and going to a small high school, I don't know that I would have been able to handle a big school environment," he said. "I gained confidence here. Even though this is considered a small school, it seemed like a big place to me. No one in my family had ever gone to a four year school so this was new territory," he added. |
| East Mississippi Community College looks forward to partnership with Peco Foods | |
 | West Point is ground zero for Peco Foods' foray into operating its own centralized distribution center, which will open in November or December at the old Americold plant on West Church Hill Road. "Our other facilities will ship us their frozen chicken and we will store it in our freezer facility until an order comes in and we will then ship it out to the customer, whether it is Wendy's or Buffalo Wild Wings," said Jordan Townsend, plant manager for the company's West Point facility. Peco Foods, the 8th largest poultry producer in the U.S., operates processing plants, feed mills, and hatcheries in Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama. In May, Peco Foods and Gov. Phil Bryant's office announced the company would invest $40 million to convert the facility into a warehouse with freezer, cooler and storage space. The job fair took place inside East Mississippi Community College's Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence and members of the college's Workforce Services division helped with support services for the event. |
| U. of Florida: Orange, blue ... and green | |
 | The vision of the University of Florida campus within the next five to 10 years is one of more tree-lined streets, pedestrian walkways and visible entry points around campus. UF's strategic development plan, unveiled in November of 2016, identified six million square feet of potential new construction on and beyond the eastern third of campus. More building density is being proposed east in an effort to create more student, staff and faculty engagement and to better connect UF to downtown. Within that plan, though, there are other proposed construction projects in the center and west of campus, including new dormitories along Museum Road and a new $50 million, 10,000-seat baseball stadium that will take up 13.63 acres of land off Hull Road. Balancing that growth while maintaining open green spaces to keep UF's campus visually appealing is important to school president Kent Fuchs. |
| U. of Arkansas Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Funded by $100M Endowment | |
 | The University of Arkansas System and the University of Arkansas Winthrop Rockefeller Institute announced Friday the Governor Winthrop Rockefeller Endowment, a gift of more than $100 million from the Winthrop Rockefeller Charitable Trust that will continue to fund the institute in perpetuity. The institute on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton is part of the UA System. How it operates will not change, but the endowment ensures its future, officials said during the announcement. The institute has hosted and sponsored numerous civic, cultural, research and education-oriented programs and activities, and convened conferences on nano-technology and radiation-related medical research. "The trust recognizes the strength and reputation of the UA System, and the proven ability of the UA Foundation to be an excellent steward of the assets of the trust, so we are especially pleased by the affiliation of the Institute in the UA System," said Marion Burton, executive trustee of the Winthrop Rockefeller Charitable Trust. |
| U. of Tennessee student film, 'Tangier to Casablanca,' goes from study abroad project to competition finalist | |
 | Studying abroad is not just a way to travel to somewhere else, for one senior University of Tennessee student, it teaches travelers how to invest in other people's lives. Philip Baites, a senior studying international business and French at UT, spent a school year in Morocco as part of a program with the Institute for International Education of Students. While there, Baites explored the Sahara Desert and the Blue City. He rode a train through the country and on the back of a camel through the desert. He also created a film, which is now a finalist in a national film competition. "The train from Tangier was always late, and that gave me the idea that waiting for the train was kind of symbolic about the journey I was on," Baites said. "It was a token for my time in Morocco." |
| Texas A&M experts: Ethanol policy shift could bring wide range of effects for agriculture | |
 | President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he plans to lift a federal ban on summer sales of high-ethanol fuel blends, a move that would likely benefit Texas corn producers but could negatively impact cattle ranchers, according to Texas A&M AgriLife extension economists who follow grain and cattle trends in the state and nationwide. The plan directs the Environmental Protection Agency to initiate the process that would allow E15, or gasoline with 15 percent ethanol, to be sold year-round, possibly as soon as summer 2019. Sale of the higher-ethanol fuel mixture is currently banned between June 1 and Sept. 15 because of ozone-related health and environmental concerns. "This is a long range, long-term adjustment to ethanol policy and ethanol availability in this country," said Mark Welch, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension economist who specializes in grain markets. "It is friendly to the biofuel industry and something the industry has wanted for a long time." |
| U. of Missouri receives 'C' in racial equity study | |
 | A new racial equity report card is in and Missouri's marks put the state among the bottom 10 in the nation. A recently released study by the University of Southern California's Race and Equity Center found that the 900,000 black students attending 506 public colleges and universities are under-represented, graduate at lower rates than their peers and greatly outnumber black faculty by a 41 to 1 ratio. Shaun Harper, founder and executive director of the center, and research associate Isaiah Simmons calculated each state and university's overall equity index score, grading each on a 4-point scale, similar to a college GPA, using 2016-17 school year data. No state scored above a 3.50. The University of Missouri-Columbia's 1.75 mark, which is slightly higher than the state's 1.68 average, classifies as a 'C' on the school's own grading scale. This places MU in middle of the 11 Missouri schools measured. |
| Student success, research focus of revised U. of Missouri's strategic plan | |
 | The University of Missouri's senior leadership has identified 35 overarching goals for moving the university forward as part of "The Flagship of the Future" strategic plan. Chancellor Alexander Cartwright emailed the multiyear plan, which was approved by the UM System Board of Curators last month, to the campus community on Friday morning. The approved plan is a revised version of the original one published in April. In his email, Cartwright said Provost Latha Ramchand will convene a steering committee to determine the plan's next steps. MU spokesman Christian Basi wrote in an email that there's not a planned date for announcing the committee's members. The committee will have to address difficult questions. The plan is a living document, so changes could be made throughout the process. |
| Potential Democratic House takeover promises tougher scrutiny of Betsy DeVos | |
 | For much of the past two years, congressional Democrats hoping to have a say in federal higher ed policy have had the door repeatedly slammed in their faces. They were shut out of the drafting of the PROSPER Act, a House Republican plan to reauthorize the Higher Education Act that was later passed out of committee on a party-line vote. And they've repeatedly complained that requests for information from the Education Department on federal programs have gone ignored. Their voices could begin to matter a lot more soon. Democrats are widely expected to wrest control of the House of Representatives from the GOP in November -- if consistent polls showing large leads are to be relied upon -- which would give Representative Bobby Scott, currently the ranking Democrat on the House education committee, the ability to hold hearings and issue subpoenas to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her top aides. If that happens, the best indicator of the Democrats' priorities may be the slate of programs they've already been scrutinizing during DeVos's tenure. |
| Stanford study says rankings do not point students to the best college fit | |
| As they do every fall, high school students and their parents are deciding on college lists -- figuring out where to apply and which colleges are on top of their wish lists. As is also the case every fall, U.S. News & World Report and others have released their rankings, suggesting which are the "best" colleges -- among all and in certain categories. Many students gravitate (regardless of what the rankings say) to public institutions close to home. But many others rely on rankings to identify potential colleges -- or to convince parents that a particular institution is worth whatever it charges. And many colleges are banking on that, boasting about their scores in the latest rankings. Educators have for years questioned the validity of the rankings, pointing out flaws with various parts of the methodologies of U.S. News and others. A new study from researchers at Stanford University's Graduate School of Education examines all of the evidence about rankings and comes to this conclusion: the best way to find a college that is a "good fit" is to ignore the rankings. |
| At Stanford, a Conservative Student Was Confronted at a Pro-Kavanaugh Event and Now He's Pressing Charges | |
 | At Stanford University this week, an argument between students at an event supporting Brett M. Kavanaugh's appointment to the Supreme Court descended into a physical confrontation that prompted a police response. Several media outlets reported that John Rice-Cameron, president of the campus's chapter of the College Republicans, called the police to report being shoved by another student. No one appeared to have been injured in the dispute, first reported by The Stanford Daily, but the police did issue a student, Melinda Hernandez, a citation for battery. Protests over Kavanaugh have been common on college campuses following the justice's controversial confirmation to the Supreme Court, after he had been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct. Conservative students on several campuses nationally have hosted their own rallies in support of him. At the University of Texas at Austin, a woman tore up the signs of students hosting a Kavanaugh rally. And conservative students at the University of Washington have threatened to sue a bar that declined to let them hold an event called "Beers 4 Brett." |
| #MeToo inspires wave of old misconduct reports to colleges | |
 | For 35 years, Ruth D'Eredita tried to dismiss her former professor's behavior -- the way he touched her, groped her and kissed her. But last year, as dozens of women came forward to share similar encounters with powerful men, she started to see her memories differently. "It made me look at that incident and say, no, it was wrong," said D'Eredita, a 1984 graduate of Mount Holyoke College, a women's school in Massachusetts. "I went there with a heart full of passion, eager for scholarship, just to throw myself into it, and this man looked at me as a potential sexual partner." She's now among a wave of women inspired by the #MeToo movement to report past sexual misconduct to their colleges, breaking sometimes decades of silence in an attempt to acknowledge the wrongdoing, close old wounds and, in some cases, seek justice. n many ways, schools say, they face the same frustrations that arose in last month's Senate hearing over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. But unlike the Senate or the White House, which have broad investigative powers, colleges are left to tease out the truth with legal authority that does not extend beyond their campuses. |
| U.N.C. Chancellor Apologizes for History of Slavery at Chapel Hill | |
 | Ever since the cornerstone of the nation's first public university building was laid in 1793, the legacy of slavery has been inextricable from the history of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At an event celebrating the university's 225th birthday on Friday, Chancellor Carol L. Folt apologized for that history. "I offer our university's deepest apology for the profound injustices of slavery, our full acknowledgment of the strength of enslaved peoples in the face of their suffering, and our respect and indebtedness to them," Dr. Folt said in a speech for the University Day celebration at Memorial Hall. She said that U.N.C. had a unique place in history as the nation's oldest public university, adding that "our apology must lead to purposeful action and it has to build upon the great efforts and sacrifices of so many across the years who fought so hard for much of what we value about Carolina today." |
| In a case that could upend college admissions, the Ivy League goes on trial | |
 | Both Harrison Chen and Thang Diep graduated No. 1 from public high schools. Both excelled in extracurricular activities and scored high on their college admissions tests. And both are Asian American. But the similarities stop there. Chen, who was raised by middle-class Chinese immigrants outside Raleigh, N.C., was rejected by Harvard University. Diep, a Vietnamese immigrant who grew up in a working-class family in Reseda, got in. Their experiences have left them with distinct feelings about affirmative action and a federal lawsuit against Harvard that puts Asian Americans at the center of one of the most contentious issues in higher education. Chen opposes the consideration of race in college admissions and plans to join like-minded Asian Americans at a rally in Boston on Sunday, a day before Harvard is scheduled to go on trial. Diep, who favors affirmative action, plans to attend a rally a few miles away in Harvard Square in support of the university and its policies. |
| 4-H: One of nation's best youth development organizations | |
| Retired reporter and 4-H volunteer Lena Mitchell writes in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal: The 159th Mississippi State Fair concludes at 10 p.m. tomorrow in Jackson after 12 days of celebrating what our state has to offer in agriculture and commerce. The state fair and county fairs throughout the state showcase arts, crafts, garden, cooking, livestock and other projects local residents have worked on during the year. For more than 100 years many youths who are members of 4-H have enjoyed their first taste of success as ribbon-winners for various kinds of projects entered at the county fair. ...Offered through the county extension service in every county and parish in the nation, 4-H is a free youth development program through which young people ages 8-18 (with Cloverbud programs for younger children ages 5-7) "learn by doing." Mississippi State University is the state's university that oversees the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative Extension Service in Mississippi, of which 4-H is a part. |
| Creativity most important skill for future careers | |
| Angela Farmer, an assistant professor of educational leadership at Mississippi State, writes: Students today graduate from universities with a variety of majors. Depending on the options available, many select majors in a STEM field, and others focus on the liberal arts or business or even specific disciplines like architecture or archaeology. While there is definitely not one best major to select, there are some realities associated with choosing a major that students need to consider. For example, selection of a STEM major typically necessitates that a student has an interest and an aptitude in mathematics. Liberal Arts majors need not apply if they are not planning on some extensive reading opportunities. Business majors need to be adaptable to parlaying their analytical skills toward any number of work environments. Specific discipline majors must bring an intense passion for the field as there is often a more detailed focus. |
| State job recovery more modest than terrific | |
 | Syndicated columnist Bill Crawford of Meridian writes: Record numbers of jobs and job growth in Mississippi top political speeches by incumbent politicians these days. Yes, more Mississippians have jobs now than before the Great Recession. Yes, more Mississippians have jobs now than ever before. But, there is more to the story. Total residence-based employment (the number that includes part-time and self-employed individuals used to calculate unemployment rates) hit 1,223,887 in July. That was up 0.3% from 1,219,739 in July 2008 and a new record. Total non-farm jobs (the number of jobs at Mississippi establishments) reached 1,165,500 in July. That was up 1.9% from 1,143,800 in July 2018 and a new record. However, over the same multi-year periods, U.S. employment grew 7.2% and non-farm jobs 8.4%. While employment was up overall, it was not up in two-thirds of the 82 counties. |
SPORTS
| Nick Fitzgerald: Mississippi State's unbalanced offense 'not a big deal' | |
 | Joe Moorhead told Nick Fitzgerald to make room for a Heisman Trophy on his shelf when the Mississippi State head coach first got to town. Adding an aerial attack to Fitzgerald's already-stout rushing ability would've definitely made him a candidate. But it hasn't come close to materializing. By most measures, Fitzgerald is having the worst passing season of his career. As the 4-2 Bulldogs (1-2 SEC West) enjoyed their open date, Fitzgerald's completion percentage, yards per game, yards per attempt and quarterback rating are all the worst they've been in his three years as a starter. His reps haven't been that limited, either. He's averaging more than 24 passing attempts per game, which is just shy of his career average of 25.7 throws per game. The opportunities to transform as a passer have been there, but Fitzgerald hasn't made the most of them. "I know a lot of our attention was devoted to his development as a drop-back passer," Moorhead said. "I think he will continue to make improvements there." |
| Mississippi State's Gerri Green embracing each day of senior season | |
| A thought started to creep into Gerri Green's mind following Mississippi State's win at the TaxSlayer Bowl last December. It didn't take Green long to realize that he was about to start his fifth and final year with the Bulldogs. "It's here and I just embrace it every day like it's my last one because it is," Green said. "I'm enjoying every single moment with my teammates and this coaching staff. They're making each day what it is." After the spring game in April, Green received one of the highest honors a player can be bestowed by being selected as a team captain along with quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. "Because it came from my teammates it was a big deal," Green said. "They wanted me to be their leader. That was a great honor for me because it came directly from them." Green's final season in Starkville has been filled with change. |
| Jaquarius Landrews bolsters Mississippi State's depth on defense | |
| Bob Shoop has called the job of a college football defensive coordinator the toughest in sports. The hardest job on a defense might be the Nickel spot, which Shoop calls Star. "At our Star position, because of the nature of college offensive schemes that spread the field, you want that position to be a hybrid linebacker and defensive back," Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead said, "a guy that can fit in the run game and provide great support, but at the same time be manned up and be able to play great coverage against a team's most shifty receiver. We're very fortunate in that regard." No. 24 MSU is fortunate because it has two players to play that role. Junior Brian Cole has performed well as the starter at Star, but an injury kept him out of the game against then-No. 8 Auburn. Junior Jaquarius Landrews stepped in and held his own in a 23-9 win to prove he can be a useful option when MSU (4-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) needs it. |
| Walt Harris, Art Davis to be inducted into Mississippi State football 'Ring of Honor' | |
 | Mississippi State football legends Walt Harris and Art Davis will become the newest inductees into the Bulldogs' "Ring of Honor" in a November 17 ceremony when MSU hosts Arkansas in Davis Wade Stadium. Harris and Davis will become the eighth and ninth MSU legends enshrined in the "Ring of Honor" respectively, joining Johnie Cooks, Jack Cristil, Joe Fortunato, Kent Hull, D.D. Lewis, Tom "Shorty" McWilliams and Jackie Parker. Fortunato was inducted last October. "Walt Harris and Art Davis are two of the greatest Bulldogs of all-time," MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "Walt distinguished himself as one of the best cornerbacks in SEC history, while Art was a dynamic player who was ahead of his time. We are excited to honor these MSU Hall of Famers later this season." |
| Mississippi State, Ole Miss both battle Tigers this week | |
| Mississippi State and Ole Miss enter the eighth week of the college football season coming off their first conference wins. The Bulldogs, who rose two spots to No. 22 in the Associated Press poll on Sunday, defeated Auburn 23-9 on Oct. 6 then enjoyed a weekend off. The Rebels secured their initial SEC victory 37-33 at Arkansas on Saturday night. MSU (4-2, 1-2 SEC) took a three-day break before starting preparations on Sunday to play No. 5 LSU. The Bulldogs and Tigers battle in Baton Rouge on Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN. LSU is coming off a 36-16 victory upset of then-No. 2 Georgia in Death Valley over the weekend. Mississippi State rolled over the Tigers 37-7 in Starkville last season with Aeris Williams rushing for 146 yards and Nick Fitzgerald accounting for four touchdowns. |
| Maroon claims Fall World Series in extra innings | |
| It took an extra inning but the Maroon team plated three runs in the top of the eighth inning to persevere past their White counterparts for a 4-1 victory on Saturday to win the Fall World Series at Dudy Noble Field. Dustin Skelton broke up the 1-1 tie with an RBI single up the middle off White reliever Bryce Brock and Josh Hatcher followed suit with a two-run single to right. The Maroon team had six hits on the day led by doubles from Jake Mangum and Tanner Allen. Mangum plated the other Maroon run in the third inning by swiping home on a pitch in the dirt and dancing around a tag by the catcher at home plate. Maroon received a solid start from Ethan Small on the mound. Small fired four no-hit innings with seven strikeouts and only faced one over the minimum. A third inning walk to Cole Gordon was the lone blemish during Small's outing. |
| Long, winding journey includes one more season for Mississippi State's Teaira McCowan | |
| Teaira McCowan wasn't thinking about a professional basketball career when she arrived at Mississippi State. In fact, McCowan said in July 2015 she wasn't even sure if she would be able to play Division I basketball because so many coaches told her she would have to go to junior college first. Vic Schaefer and Johnnie Harris didn't buy it. "Coach Harris and coach Schaefer were like, 'No, you don't have to go to JUCO first," McCowan said more than three years ago. "You can just come right on to DI. You just have to put in the extra hours.' " McCowan has put in more than a few "extra" hours to become arguably the best post player in women's college basketball. |
| Network broadcaster believes Teaira McCowan's game can transition to next level | |
| Debbie Antonelli doesn't use the word if when asked about Mississippi State center Teaira McCowan. The longtime college basketball analyst has watched the 6-foot-7 senior operate for three years, so she knows McCowan is too strong and too big to be stopped on the block. That's why she believes it is only a matter of time before McCowan is wreaking havoc at the next level. "I think the greatest way a player can feel confident and validated is if they put in the time," Antonelli said when asked to evaluate how McCowan has developed in her time at MSU. "What tools do you use to measure and evaluate the improvement of a player? You talk about maturity and accountability and being a leader. Those intangibles have allowed her skill set to grow." Antonelli said those same ingredients will enable McCowan to be a force when she is a professional. |
| Mississippi State women's basketball team will represent U.S. | |
| The Mississippi State women's basketball team will trade the Maroon & White for the Red, White, and Blue when it represents the United States at the 30th Summer World University Games in Naples, Italy. MSU, the back-to-back NCAA runner-up and 2018 Southeastern Conference regular-season champion, was selected to represent USA Team by the United States International University Sports Federation. "We are humbled and honored to have the opportunity to represent the United States of America and all that means," said MSU coach Vic Schaefer, whose team is 126-22 in the last four years. "We will do our very best to take advantage of that opportunity and represent this great country in the most positive way possible. We are going to go over there and compete for a gold medal." The event begins July 3. The basketball portion runs through July 12. Representing USA Team, MSU will be one of 16 women's basketball nations competing in the event. |
| Amway Coaches Poll: Upset-filled weekend causes massive shake-up in Top 25 | |
 | Week 7 produced significant chaos in college football, resulting in considerable shuffling in the Amway Coaches Poll. Top-ranked Alabama retained the No. 1 spot, but even the Crimson Tide got a scare. The result of their game against Missouri wasn't in doubt, and they still have all but three of the 64 first-place votes. But Heisman favorite Tua Tagovailoa left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury that coach Nick Saban later described as a tweak. For now, at least, all seems well in Tuscaloosa. Ohio State moves up to No. 2, retaining one first-place nod, after a home win against Minnesota. Clemson, which had the weekend off, climbs back to No. 3 and has the remaining two firsts. Notre Dame avoided the upset bug with a late touchdown to get by Pittsburgh and is now No. 4. |
| LSU fraternities adjust to latest change in tailgate rules; students have mixed reaction | |
 | Fraternities at LSU may be experiencing whiplash after the university's latest revision of tailgating guidelines upended Greek pre-game parties for the second time this football season. For the Tigers' home game against Ole Miss two weeks ago, their tailgates were confined to chapter houses as fraternities were no longer welcome on the Parade Ground. The change was intended to curb excessive drinking and rowdy behavior as administrators sought to ensure the safety of students in the wake of freshman Maxwell Gruver's 2017 hazing-related death. But for this week's big game against Georgia, it was back outside on the campus, although the Parade Ground remained off limits. The turnabout came after Lofton Security Service, Inc., the sole security provider for fraternity tailgates, abruptly severed its ties with Greek organizations. Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Kurt Keppler said Lofton found itself regularly several employees short for the house tailgates, which was a problem because personnel are needed to secure entrances and exits to each house so that students remain safe. |
| A costly celebration? SEC likely to fine LSU for fans rushing field after Georgia upset | |
| Foster Moreau was talking to some Georgia players Saturday after LSU's 36-16 upset of the No. 2-ranked Bulldogs when he suddenly felt a larger than usual crowd around him. "I didn't expect that," the LSU senior tight end said. "All of a sudden I was like, 'There are a lot more people on the field than normal.'" Indeed. Thousands of LSU fans rushed the field, dancing onto the turf as the clock hit zero. "It was very cool," Moreau said. "I just hope everyone is OK." Very cool from Moreau's perspective, perhaps, but very costly. The Southeastern Conference, which has cracked down on fans storming playing surfaces since 2015, will likely fine LSU for the incident. A fine is expected to be announced Monday, LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette said. SEC spokesman Herb Vincent declined to name an amount, but under the rule established in 2015 a first offense typically carries a fine of $50,000. LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munson declined comment. |
| War Memorial Stadium detectors slow Arkansas, Ole Miss fans' entrance | |
| The War Memorial Stadium stands were a little more than half full when the Arkansas-Ole Miss game kicked off Saturday night. But that wasn't because a lot of fans decided to stay home. Long lines of fans were delayed getting into the game because of metal detectors installed at the stadium. By early in the second quarter, most of the seats were filled. Metal detectors were installed at the stadium as a result of a scare at the Salt Bowl in August between Benton and Bryant high schools. Someone fired a stun gun during the Salt Bowl, resulting in panic among the crowd of about 38,000 and causing people to flee for the exits. After the incident, 18 metal detectors were installed at the stadium at the cost of $60,000 paid for from Gov. Asa Hutchinson's discretionary fund. |
| Aggies' helmet stickers honor those affected by Hurricane Michael | |
| The catastrophic effects of a hurricane are felt close to home among many on the Texas A&M football team. Last year, several Texas A&M players -- most notably running back Trayveon Williams -- played through the start of the football season while their families back home picked up the pieces left by Hurricane Harvey. In honor of the victims of Hurricane Michael, which tore through the Florida panhandle last week, the Aggies sported special stickers on the back of their helmets during Saturday's SEC matchup with South Carolina. "We did it as a show of support and acknowledgement of the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael, since we are playing a game in the region on the heels of the storm passing through," Texas A&M head equipment manager Matt Watson said. Krystal Grows, a member of the athletic department graphic design group, created both designs, Watson said. |
| Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason jaws with Florida coaches Dan Mullen, Todd Grantham after hit, injury | |
 | Anger and targeting penalties do not mix. Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason and Florida coach Dan Mullen jawed at each other after Vanderbilt's Dare Odeyingbo was hit and injured on a punt return late in the second quarter in Nashville. As Odeyingbo was being checked by trainers in the middle of the field, Mason walked over to check on the starting defender. Mason verbally engaged Mullen shortly thereafter, and Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, from the Florida sideline, chirped at Mason as well. Florida linebacker James Houston was ejected for targeting on the hit to Dare Odeyingbo, while linebacker Vosean Joseph was ejected for his second unsportsmanlike conduct of game. Both teams received offsetting unsportmanlike conduct personal foul penalties. |
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