| Tuesday, April 23, 2019 |
| To Keep Eating Delicious Steaks, We Need Climate-Proof Cows | |
 | If agriculture is one of the industries most vulnerable to the effects of global warming, it's also the human endeavor with the richest history of responding to environmental change. Still, James Giesen, a professor of agricultural and environmental history at Mississippi State University, says agriculture hasn't faced an environmental threat approaching the scale and pace of climate change since at least the turn of the 19th century, when the boll weevil beetle began its slow spread north from Mexico. Once the parasite began ravaging the Texas cotton industry, researchers and government agencies acted. "You see this huge explosion of scientific research, of state support for farm programs," Giesen says. Land-grant universities increased their focus on pesticides and other strategies, bringing their findings to farmers through the government-funded Cooperative Extension Service. The effort worked: Cotton suffered but wasn't wiped out. |
| Monday profile: Cyndi Sullivan makes time for games she loves | |
 | Cyndi G. Sullivan plans to spend this summer playing tennis with her 12-year-old daughter Margaret Ann. The sixth grader at Armstrong Middle School will be able to try out for varsity tennis next year, Cyndi said, and she's already getting ready for try-outs. For Cyndi, who played tennis when she attended Heritage Academy in Columbus and who coaches tennis as a paraprofessional at Starkville High School, it's a chance to pass on some sports wisdom to Margaret Ann. "(I tell her) to give it 110 percent," Cyndi said. "That's the main thing, is to stay focused and give it your all. I think that goes for any kid." It's the same message Cyndi said she hopes she gets across to student athletes who play tennis at Starkville High School and softball at Mississippi State University, where she's co-president of the softball booster club. |
| Buggy problem: High water contributing to proliferation of gnats in area | |
 | The nearly record-high flooding along Mississippi River in recent months has contributed to yet another tiny problem in the Miss-Lou -- one with wings. Jason Jones, an Adams County Extension Agent, said standing water in people's yards, such as bird fountains and pet's water bowls, can serve as breeding grounds for the pesky little insects -- some of which have been known to bite people and animals. "Areas with water can be a habitat for the gnats," Jones said. "Biting black gnats usually lay their eggs in water areas and require the blood from warm-blooded animals to survive. Usually gnats don't bite through clothing." The good news is, the warmer summer weather should cause the gnat population to go away, Jones said, adding that the lack of prolonged cooler weather this year may have also contributed to the nuisance population of gnats. |
| Heavy showers can bring unwanted pests | |
 | Spring rains are still causing problems. From flood waters that are slow to recede, to standing water, many local yards are still wet. And that means unwelcome visitors. Due to excessive water, mosquitoes and fire ants will try to make your lawn their new home. "When a fire ant mound gets flooded those ants, and there may be 100- or 200,000 ants, they tend to ball together and go floating down the stream with the water. That results in fire ants in someone's house or on someone's property when they're trying to do cleanup after a flood or situation like that. You get into a big ball of fire ants it can cause some pretty significant sting events," said entomologist Dr. Blake Layton. |
| Mosquito season 2019: 10 things you need to know in Mississippi | |
 | In Mississippi, mosquito season never really ends. "We don't have a time of year when it gets cold enough to suppress mosquito activity," said Donald Yee, Southern Miss associate professor whose research focuses on mosquitoes. "The peak time though is late spring into the fall, so we're just starting (major outbreaks) now. "The expectation, since we haven't had a lot of cold days and we've stayed relatively wet is we'll have an average to above-average mosquito population. We're having a lot of eggs hatching and we'll soon have a lot of adults." LeDrew King, owner of the Hattiesburg company Mosquito Eliminators, agrees. "With the rain we've had and are going to have, I'd say it's going to be a pretty bad mosquito season," he said. |
| Electric co-ops are holding onto millions that belong to Coast customers, lawsuit says | |
 | South Mississippi electric cooperatives are keeping millions of dollars that belong to their ratepayers, lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court claim. The lawsuits say that both Singing River and Coast Electric power associations provide modest rebates to placate customers when the unregulated, nonprofit companies should be returning far higher amounts, based on their reserves. Jackson law firm Cosmich Simmons & Brown filed the lawsuits on behalf of 55,517 Singing River customers and 79,000 Coast Electric ratepayers in South Mississippi. The lawsuits are two of seven Cosmich has filed against electric cooperatives in Mississippi. "These lawsuits are designed to make plaintiffs' lawyers money at the expense of co-op members," Audrey Young, a media representative for the power associations, said in an email. |
| Survey: 30 percent of teachers would strike for better pay, more than 60 percent OK with 'sick out' | |
| With the school year winding to a close soon, a recent survey of more than 1,500 teachers shows one third of respondents are willing to participate in a teacher strike for higher pay. The Mississippi Association of Educators, a statewide organization and local affiliate of the National Education Association, released a survey earlier this month to gauge educators' level of interest in participating in a "walkout (of the classroom) on a specific day and refuse to return for an indefinite amount of time" and other possible actions. During the 2019 legislative session, the Legislature passed a $1,500 pay raise for teachers and assistant teachers. Many said the amount was insulting, and not long after the session ended a Facebook page titled "Pay Raise for Mississippi Teachers" spurred debate about whether educators were willing to strike. |
| Analysis: Auditor drags school funding back into spotlight | |
 | When state Auditor Shad White issued a three-page report last week stating that spending on school administration has risen faster than spending on some other parts of K-12 education, it wasn't like he had found an undiscovered country. Republicans have been complaining about the subject for years, and some have seriously explored legislative fixes meant to penalize districts that they believe spend poorly. But while the outlines of the continent are well-known, explorers have yet to penetrate its interior to answer key questions -- why is administrative spending going up, is it wasteful or detrimental, and can policymakers effectively control bad spending. |
| Federal Judge Keith Starrett talks about courts, Trump criticism | |
 | U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett's career isn't winding down just yet, but the longtime judge is moving to a new status, clearing the way for a new judge to be appointed in the Mississippi Southern District in Hattiesburg. Starrett was appointed to the federal post in 2004 by President George W. Bush. He announced earlier this month he has accepted senior judge status. The new status doesn't mean the 68-year-old is retiring. He said his caseload will stay pretty much the same when the senior judge status takes effect May 1. Starrett, when asked during an interview about his career and the courts, did not respond specifically to fellow U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves' recent comments on President Donald Trump's attacks on the judiciary. However, he did share his thoughts on the president's criticism of some judges' rulings. "(The president) probably believed what he said and responded to some adverse rulings to things that he was trying to do," Starrett said. |
| Michael Guest addresses learning curve in first 100 days in Congress | |
 | As a freshman member of the 116th U.S. Congress, representing the members of the 3rd Congressional District, Michael Guest had a steep learning curve. "Early on, I knew that because I did not have a legislative background it would be important to get a good staff," Guest, who previously worked as the District Attorney of Hinds and Rankin Counties, said. "So, on day one, when I walked in the door I had the least experience of anyone on the staff." Guest said he accomplished that by retaining some of Gregg Harper's staff, the congressman who represented the congressional district before retiring last year, and hiring only staff members with congressional experience. Forming relationships with other congressional members proved incredibly important, Guest said, naming Mississippi Congressional members Trent Kelly, Bennie Thompson and Steven Palazzo. |
| Should Noncitizens Be Counted in America's Political Maps? | |
 | Studded with taquerias and Catholic churches on street after street, the 29th Congressional District of Texas has among the highest proportions of Hispanics in the country. But the fact that the district -- which traces a jagged semicircle around Houston's east side -- is three-quarters Hispanic may not be its most defining statistic. These days, the most important number may be the estimated share of its residents who are not American citizens: one in four. A battle is brewing over the way the nation tallies its population, especially in immigrant-dense places like Texas's 29th District, that could permanently alter the American political landscape. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether the next census in 2020 should ask respondents if they are American citizens -- a question that has never been asked of all the nation's residents in the census's 230-year history. |
| Trump poised to roll back transgender health protections | |
 | The Trump administration appears ready to roll back health care protections for transgender people, and advocates are gearing up for a fight. A proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that's expected in the coming days would make it easier for doctors, hospitals and insurance companies to deny care or coverage to transgender patients, as well as women who have had abortions. Coming on the heels of the military transgender ban, there are fears the administration could go even further and use the proposal as an opportunity to narrow the definition of gender. Religious providers say they expect the administration's rule to reinforce their right not to provide treatment that is against their beliefs. |
| Presidential hopeful Seth Moulton offers burger-and-beer plan for space alien invasion | |
 | There's no evidence that space aliens are preparing to invade Earth, but presidential hopeful Seth Moulton is ready with a beer and a burger if they do. In response to a Buzzfeed reporter's cheeky question Monday, the Democratic congressman from Massachusetts said he'd "start with diplomacy." Moulton's musings earned a bit of lighthearted support from one scientist. "If spacecraft from another solar system were to set down on Earth, you can be sure the occupants are technologically far, far beyond us," Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California, told NBC News MACH in an email. "Trying to fight them off would be like cavemen taking on the army's Special Forces .... Diplomacy is the only strategy that might work." Then again, Shostak said, hamburgers might not be the best food to offer hungry aliens, "given that the aliens' biochemistry is undoubtedly somewhat different than ours!" Angelle Tanner, a professor of physics and astronomy at Mississippi State University in Starkville, echoed Shostak's comments, joking that the aliens "could be allergic to gluten." |
| 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' The Anthem For A Generation That Didn't Want One | |
 | There's a grainy video of the first time Nirvana played "Smells Like Teen Spirit" live, at a small club in Seattle in April 1991. Nirvana was largely unknown outside of punk and indie rock circles in the Pacific Northwest. The band hadn't even recorded the song yet, which meant that nearly everybody in the room was hearing it for the very first time. Still, the reaction was intense. "They started playing the new song and people erupted," says Jennie Boddy. She was a friend of the band and a publicist for Sub Pop Records, the indie label that put out Nirvana's first record, Bleach. Within months, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" would make Nirvana famous around the world. The song forged an instant connection with Generation X -- the generation sandwiched between baby boomers and millennials -- which was deeply skeptical about the music and culture of its parents. An anthem, in other words, for a generation that didn't want one. |
| Preferred candidate named for Alcorn president position | |
| The College Board in Mississippi says its preferred candidate to become the next president of Alcorn State University is an experienced administrator who earned her undergraduate degree from the school. The board announced Monday that the candidate is Felecia M. Nave. She has been provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at North Carolina Central University since June. "We believe the preferred candidate's background, both as a graduate of Alcorn State University and many years of service in higher education, both as a faculty member and an administrator, make this individual extremely well qualified for this opportunity," Shane Hooper, a College Board trustee who led the presidential search committee, said at a news conference in Jackson. |
| A window to the Confederate history on campus at U. of Mississippi | |
 | Several recent votes by campus governments called for the Confederate monument that stands at the center of the University of Mississippi to be relocated to the Confederate cemetery, but the Tiffany stained glass window that also commemorates Confederate soldiers in Ventress Hall remains largely left out of the conversation. The 12-foot-high stained glass window that stands in Ventress Hall was donated by Delta Gamma sorority and the Alumni Association in 1889, over a decade before the Confederate monument in the circle was erected. The window was dedicated to the University Greys, a branch of the Confederate Army composed primarily of students from the University of Mississippi who were all casualties of the Civil War. "When making decisions about the ways in which the past shapes our campus we must be mindful not to erase important history," John Neff, former member of the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on History and Context, said. "We have deep connections with the University Greys. They were here, in our dorms and classrooms. They trained for war here. They left from our depot to go to war. In ways we should not avoid or erase, they belong here." |
| America's chief spy pays visit to Auburn campus | |
 | CIA director Gina Haspel made a rare public-speaking appearance Thursday morning, addressing a national security forum at Auburn University, where she acknowledged some of the greatest threats facing the United States today. Haspel also used the opportunity to make a pitch for university students and new-job seekers to consider a career in the Central Intelligence Agency, citing Auburn University as an excellent place to recruit because of its long and storied career of producing military and intelligence experts "willing to do the tough jobs." Retired Army Lt. Gen. Ronald Burgess, Auburn's chief operating officer and himself the former director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, introduced Haspel and, after her remarks, moderated a question-and-answer session with her. The event at the university's Hotel and Conference Center in downtown Auburn was conducted under tight security and was not open to the general public, with attending media, which included several national publications and networks, only allowed on an advanced-reservation basis. |
| U. of South Carolina students, faculty protest school for naming only men as presidential finalists | |
 | Some University of South Carolina students and faculty are criticizing the school for selecting presidential candidates who are predominantly white and all male. Specifically, 28 student organizations and 46 faculty members faculty signed an open letter that was read aloud during a USC presidential forum. The letter argued the search committee failed to assemble a list of candidates who represent the university's demographic makeup. "We are calling on the trustees of this university to add more diverse voices to the search committee," said Megan Rigabar, a senior at USC, who read aloud from the letter at the presidential forum. "We are calling on this new committee to reform their methods, to fix what caused them to miss qualified women for this position and to return with a diverse pool of candidates that are qualified to lead this university." USC defended its presidential search process, saying the board considered diversity when selecting candidates but picked the four best ones. |
| Arrest made in shooting of UGA lacrosse player from metro Atlanta | |
| An arrest has been made in the shooting of a University of Georgia lacrosse player and the armed robbery of another student, Athens-Clarke County police said Tuesday. The wounded student, identified by his metro Atlanta high school as Tate Prezzano, 22, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries Monday morning after he was shot multiple times at an off-campus bus stop, authorities said. Prezzano, who also played lacrosse at Cambridge High School in Milton, is a junior communications major at UGA. Police released a sketch of the shooting suspect, who they say is also connected to the armed robbery of another UGA student Monday. "We are deeply saddened by these tragic and shocking events," the university said Monday in an email to students, faculty and staff. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to our two students who were involved -- one of whom is hospitalized -- as well as their families and friends." |
| Bill Hardgrave, candidate for UT Knoxville chancellor, speak on campus | |
 | The fourth candidate for the chancellor of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville held a forum Thursday afternoon, speaking on his leadership style and the future of higher education. Bill Hardgrave is the current provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Auburn University. Prior to that, he was the dean and a professor in the college of business at Auburn. Hardgrave described himself as a "servant leader." Several times throughout his forum, Hardgrave emphasized that the top priority of a university is its students. "We are here to serve the university community," Hardgrave said. "I think that's really important in higher education." Hardgrave also discussed shared governance and said he believes in the importance of working with students, faculty and staff. During the forum, Hardgrave also spent time discussing the future of higher education and how UT Knoxville can be preparing for the challenges that may come. |
| Viral tweet accuses professor of charging for letter of recommendation, but there's no evidence to back the claim | |
 | Social media is full of reports on higher education -- some true and many false. We typically ignore claims that can't be verified, but sometimes a tweet attracts so much attention -- from reputable news organizations and journalists -- that there may be value in saying that there's no proof behind the claim. In this case, an accusation that a professor was charging students for letters of recommendation attracted coverage from the U.S. and Australia and outrage from prominent social commentators and journalists. At the American Association of University Professors, officials said that they had not heard of the practice. The AAUP has argued that faculty members have the right to write a recommendation or not, based on their view of the student involved, but prior discussions haven't covered issues of fees. |
SPORTS
| Rivalry night: No. 9 Bulldogs take on No. 19 Ole Miss | |
| The Mississippi State-Ole Miss rivalry will be renewed once more Tuesday as the No. 9 Bulldogs and No. 19 Rebels will meet in a battle for the Governor's Cup in Pearl. For MSU coach Chris Lemonis, this will be his first time competing against the Rebels in a maroon-and-white uniform. "It means a little bit more when you're playing Ole Miss," Lemonis said. "And our kids will be ready to play." The Bulldogs now sit tied for fourth in the SEC West at 10-8 with Ole Miss and Auburn. Arkansas is first in the division at 12-6 in conference play. "We need to play good baseball," Lemonis said. "We didn't play extremely great this past weekend so for us to get back out there and play a good game, that's what I'm most looking forward to." Senior Peyton Plumlee will start Tuesday night's game. As the de facto No. 3 starter of late, Plumlee has been streaky behind freshman JT Ginn and redshirt junior Ethan Small. |
| Mississippi State, Ole Miss meet in annual Governor's Cup | |
 | Mississippi State and Ole Miss are both limping into tonight's Governor's Cup game in Pearl. The Bulldogs slid six spots in the rankings to ninth after being swept at Arkansas over the weekend while the Rebels fell down four positions to No. 19 after losing two of three at Auburn. The instate rivals will try to regroup when they meet at Trustmark Park in Pearl at 6 p.m. for their annual non-conference meeting. "It definitely means something, a lot different than other games," said MSU center fielder Jake Mangum. "It's bragging rights within the state. It's the Governor's Cup, so let's roll." It's possible that Mangum, a Pearl native, could tie or potentially break the SEC hits record in his hometown with a big night at the plate. Mangum has 347 career hits -- five shy of the mark set by LSU's Eddy Furniss -- and owns four five-hit games during his career. |
| What to make of Mississippi State baseball's winless week against Arkansas | |
| Just when it looked like Mississippi State was going to take a stranglehold on the SEC West, the Bulldogs went to Fayetteville for a three-game series against the Razorbacks and returned home without a single victory. MSU sat atop the SEC standings entering the series, but the Dogs have dropped to the middle of the pack because of the sweep. No. 7 Arkansas now leads the division at 12-6, while the No. 8 Bulldogs are a few games behind at 10-8 despite being 32-9 overall. Head coach Chris Lemonis' team has a chance to reset in Tuesday's Governor's Cup game against No. 19 Ole Miss. The game does not count for conference records, but it is a chance for the Bulldogs to get back to their winning ways against a quality opponent. |
| After 40 years, what was once Mayor's Trophy is still cherished as Governor's Cup | |
| Mississippi sports columnist Rick Cleveland writes: Mississippi State and Ole Miss will play the annual Governor's Cup game Tuesday night at Trustmark Park in Pearl and this one will be an anniversary of sorts. This will be the 40th time the two have played the annual game in the Jackson area. It was first known as the Mayor's Trophy game and played at Smith-Wills Stadium beginning in 1980. In 2007, the game moved to Trustmark in Pearl and was re-named the Governor's Cup. Dale Danks was the Jackson mayor in 1980 when the series began. Danks says he remembers throwing out the first pitch and handing Ron Polk the trophy afterward. Danks' memory is better than mine. I reported that first game for the Clarion Ledger, something I know now only because newspapers.com reminded me when I was researching this piece. State defeated Ole Miss 9-2 on April 22, 1980, before a crowd estimated at 4,300. "Bull-strong Bruce Castoria," the story says, smashed a home run and a double to lead the Bulldogs. More history: Castoria's home run produced the first run on the series. |
| Mississippi State hosts second annual Maroon & White Night | |
| Accompanied by a maroon carpet with live music and glamourous attire of dresses and suits, Mississippi State's Second Annual Maroon & White Night took place Monday night at The Mill Conference Center. With all 16 sports being represented, MSU recognized those who had earned All-American and All-SEC accolades and outstanding achievements in the classroom and community. Other awards given were Athletes of the Year, Coaches of the Year, Moments of the Year and the Newsom Awards With the "Voice of the Bulldogs," Neil Price, as the emcee with a special appearance from athletics director John Cohen, nine different awards were given. Teaira McCowan (women's basketball) and Anderson Peters (track and field) being named female and male athletes of the year was the highlight of the evening. |
| Mississippi State men's basketball: Ben Howland gives offseason updates | |
| Exactly one month after his season ended, Mississippi State head coach Ben Howland held a press conference to give updates on his team as it heads into the offseason. Howland had important answers for a variety of topics. Here is a rundown of them. |
| Mississippi Valley State hires Lindsey Hunter as basketball coach | |
| Mississippi Valley State is turning to a Southwestern Athletic Conference legend to lift up its men's basketball program. Valley announced over the weekend that it has hired former NBA player and coach Lindsey Hunter as its next head coach. Hunter is a Mississippi native, born in Utica, and starred Jackson State before a 17-year NBA career. Hunter was the SWAC Player of the Year in 1993. "I am elated to welcome Coach Lindsey Hunter and his family back to the Oasis of the Mississippi Delta and the SWAC," MVSU athletic director Dianthia Ford-Kee said in a statement. "I am excited about his energy, vision, and most importantly the impact he will have on our program." |
| Greg Sankey says SEC coaches still unsure about new transfer rules | |
 | Student-athlete transfers have taken a journey to where no college students have gone before in recent years: the NCAA portal and beyond. "We've sent a number of people back to the dictionary to figure out what the word portal actually means from the early Star Trek days," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said with a smirk on Monday. That was the only joke from Sankey about an otherwise serious subject facing college athletics. Graduate transfers have become more prominent in recent years with fewer restrictions. The NCAA's transfer portal allows student-athletes to be openly recruited by other schools while leaving the door open for them to return to their team. Some coaches have told Sankey they're still adjusting to the new rules. "What I've not heard is 'We're not doing the right thing,' " Sankey said. "I have heard 'Are we doing the right thing?' Some coaches have said, being very honest with me, 'I've stayed out of this activity, particularly with grad transfers. I've stayed out of this. But if this is the new way things will be going forward, then I'm going to be active.'" |
| SEC commissioner: LSU's story isn't over | |
 | There is more to this story. That's the position of the SEC's front office regarding LSU basketball coach Will Wade as a federal trial into the corruption of college basketball begins Monday. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey agreed with LSU's decision to suspend Wade before the SEC tournament, but Sankey remained neutral Monday when asked about the university's decision to reinstate the controversial coach last week. "I view that as a chapter in the larger story," Sankey said. "The suspension was part of the story, a chapter in that story. The interview and reinstatement is a chapter in that story. We have a federal trial that's beginning today that's related to global basketball issues. I presume that will be another chapter in that bigger story, and we'll see how this whole story concludes." |
| Alabama AD Greg Byrne shoots down notion of following father's path, filling same role at Texas A&M | |
| When Texas A&M suddenly found itself in need of an athletic director, Alabama's Greg Byrne was referenced by those on message boards and social media. Apparently, the internet speculation went a little further. In an interview Monday with WJOX-FM in Birmingham, Ala., Byrne was asked about speculation that someone was looking for houses in College Station on his behalf. Byrne, the son of former A&M athletic director Bill Byrne, quickly dispelled any notions that he wanted to follow his father's path in Aggieland. "I love him dearly, like I said, but I definitely want to be at Alabama," Byrne said. |
| Nick Saban's hip replacement surgery complete and 'successful,' per doctor | |
| University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban had successful hip replacement surgery on Monday, according to a statement from Dr. Lyle Cain of Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, who oversaw the surgery with Dr. Benton Emblom. "Coach Saban underwent successful robotic assisted right hip replacement surgery this afternoon with our hip specialist, Dr. Benton Emblom and the team at Andrews Sports Medicine," Dr. Cain said in a Monday afternoon statement. "Coach is resting comfortably and we anticipate a full recovery. He should be able to return to work in the very near future, and we'll have him back out on the golf course, with hopefully a few more yards off the tee, as soon as possible." Saban had announced after Alabama's spring practice that he would have his hip examined after having pain for some time. |
| Darren Rovell didn't like LSU gymnastics' runner-up billboard. The team clapped back. | |
 | Louisiana loves its billboards, there's no question about that. So when LSU's gymnastics program put up a billboard in Baton Rouge celebrating its runner-up performance at the first-ever Four on the Floor meet, not much was thought about it. Not until former ESPN analyst Darren Rovell caught wind of it. Rovell, who now works for the Action Network, quote-tweeted LSU gymnastics' post of the billboard saying "No, you can't put up a billboard for coming in second." Plenty of users came at Rovell in his mentions, saying that his outrage was misplaced. Several other Twitter users brought up Final Four banners, to which Rovell said comparing the two are "apples and oranges. Not close." The LSU gymnastics Twitter account clapped back at Rovell's tweet, saying. "We're just here for the replies," adding three popcorn emojis. |
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