| Monday, October 26, 2026 |
| MSU ranks among best colleges nationally, statewide in recent Niche ratings | |
 | Mississippi State University is seeing national and statewide attention this fall from the college ranking and educational resource website Niche. Recently posting its 2027 Best Colleges in America list, Niche has named MSU the No. 1 College in Mississippi and the No. 12 overall Best College Campus in America. The online platform didn't stop its recognitions of MSU there. The land-grant institution also rates No. 1 in the state as the Top Public, Best Research, Best Professors and Best College Dorms university. Niche draws data for its rankings from sources such as the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation. The ranking system prioritizes direct reviews from students on each school's academics, diversity, athletics, value and campus life. One MSU junior who responded to the Niche survey, said, "Mississippi State has become the best home. As soon as I stepped on campus, I was welcomed and it was obvious that everyone wanted me to succeed in every aspect." |
| Drones are making their way into every aspect of the business world | |
 | Drones are finding their way into almost every aspect of the business world, including agriculture, and Mississippi State University is leading the way in research. The unmanned craft comes in many shapes and sizes, largely depending on their application. More of them are being employed to do jobs formerly handled by manned aircraft, such as crop dusting. But they are also used in mapping fields and observing crops and cattle. "Drones present a tremendous variety of opportunities ... still very very new and very cool, and it gets kids excited about the technology, and there are great areas that can be found in this technology. It presents tremendous economic opportunities for the state, because of all the different industries drones can play a valuable role in. So, great economic opportunities. Great workforce opportunities, great career opportunities for individual Mississippians," said MSU's Madison Dixon. |
| The Riley Foundation welcomes new members to Board of Directors | |
 | The Riley Foundation announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: William W. Simmons and Jay Davidson. Collectively, the new directors bring extensive experience in law, governance, public policy, community engagement, and industry leadership. They will help guide The Riley Foundation as it continues to invest in the community, while strengthening the organization's commitment to healthcare and education in Meridian and Lauderdale County. The Riley Foundation was established in January 1998 following the sale of Riley Memorial Hospital. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $85 million in grants throughout Meridian, including more than $55 million to Mississippi State University-Meridian. Mississippi State University-Meridian continues to expand its presence in downtown Meridian and The Riley Foundation remains an important partner in efforts to reshape and revitalize the city's downtown area. |
| Mississippi comedians set for MSU Lyceum Series appearance | |
 | The "Southern Nights Comedy Tour" will make a stop in Starkville as part of the 2027 Lyceum Series at Mississippi State University (MSU). The tour, which features Mississippi-native comedians and storytellers Landon Bryant and Mary Ryan Brown, is making a January 16 road trip to MSU's Bettersworth Auditorium. The show will start at 7:00 p.m. Born in Laurel and a former art teacher, Bryant has amassed almost one million followers of his "Landon Talks" podcast across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube. Brown is a Hattiesburg-born writer and performer, widely known for her "Southern Moms of Weird Daughters" social media and live show comedy sketches. Tickets are on sale now for $40 and an additional meet-and-greet with the comedians is available for $25 while tickets last. |
| Southern Nights Comedy Tour coming to Mississippi State in January | |
 | Mississippi natives Landon Bryant and Mary Ryan Brown will bring the "Southern Nights Comedy Tour" to Mississippi State University on Jan. 16, 2027, the university announced. The show begins at 7 p.m. in Bettersworth Auditorium as the first 2027 event in MSU's Lyceum Series. The university describes the performance as suitable for all ages. Tickets are $40. An additional meet-and-greet with the comedians costs $25 while tickets last. Tickets are available at www.lyceum.msstate.edu or by calling the MSU Center for Student Activities at 662-325-2930. Any remaining tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the performance. |
| Ground broken on new Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center and Museum | |
| The full Mississippi federal delegation welcomed the signing of the Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act into law last week at a groundbreaking ceremony. The legislation permits the State of Mississippi to build a new informational visitor center and make necessary structural improvements around the park. Congressman Bennie Thompson (D) introduced the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, which was approved on March 16. Last month, U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) led the effort to push the bill through the Senate, where it received unanimous support. The national park to mark the Siege of Vicksburg, a key event in the Civil War, was established in 1899. Since 1933, the National Park Service has overseen and managed the landmark. "We are grateful for the effective leadership of Mississippi's entire Congressional delegation in passing this law," said Barry White, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. |
| Inside Tom Rice's new Fondren butcher shop concept | |
 | Entrepreneur Tom Rice said a new butcher shop planned for Jackson's Fondren district is moving closer to opening, with hopes of welcoming customers before the holiday season. Rice, who last year opened Louise's Piano Bar and Jazz Club in Fondren and announced plans this summer for a neighborhood butcher shop, provided an update Wednesday, Oct. 21, during the Fondren Business Improvement District Annual Meeting at the Capri Theater. The shop will combine a traditional butcher counter with an expanded charcuterie operation tied to Louise's. "We're really just trying to do good beef," Rice told the audience. "We're not trying to do anything fancy here." The store plans to offer prime-grade beef, fresh-cut meats prepared by certified butchers and special-order items for holidays and events. Rice said he hopes to keep prices competitive with larger retailers while offering higher-quality products. |
| Controversial $54 million Coast road project will break ground this month | |
 | Gulfport plans to break ground this month on a $54 million road project that would give drivers another way across Interstate 10. City officials say it would improve traffic flow and emergency access, while environmental advocates raise concerns about wetlands and flooding. The Interconnecting Gulfport project would build an overpass west of U.S. Highway 49, connecting the Airport Road area south of I-10 with Daniel Boulevard to the north. The route would also provide another entrance and exit for Gulfport Premium Outlets. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality approved two state-level authorizations in May. To U.S. Army Corps of Engineers record also lists a federal permit issued with special conditions June 12. The city awarded Cotton Creek Transport Inc. a construction contract in September, with completion required by May 2029. Plans include two roundabouts, connecting roads, drainage improvements, lighting, sidewalks and access for bicyclists and pedestrians. City officials say the road would improve emergency response and provide another evacuation route during hurricanes. |
| Burn ban covers 60 Mississippi counties as state awaits rainfall | |
| More than half of Mississippi is under a burn ban as most of the state has gone without measurable rainfall since early October. According to the Mississippi Forestry Commission, outdoor burning is currently prohibited in 60 of the state's 82 counties. The restrictions include campfires, fire pits, debris burning, and field burning. Grilling is still allowed on gas or charcoal grills when done safely. Burn ban expiration dates vary by county, but most extend well into November. Anyone caught violating a burn ban could face a misdemeanor fine of up to $500, the Forestry Commission reminded residents. According to the National Weather Service's weekly outlook, rain chances are expected to increase beginning on Halloween. From Oct. 31 through Nov. 4, much of Mississippi has an above-normal chance of precipitation. |
| Mississippi Congressional delegation addresses elections, civil war museum and key policy issues | |
 | On Wednesday, Congressional delegates visited Vicksburg for the announcement of a new Civil War Visitor Center and Museum. While there, they faced reporters and addressed the many concerns many Mississippians have. From overseas conflicts and policies in the state affecting Mississippi families. Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith expressed her confidence in being reelected. Emphasizing voter turnout and the work she has done across Mississippi. She highlighted issues she said matter to Mississippians, including border security and rural hospitals. "People want a safe country," Hyde-Smith said, adding that saving rural hospitals was among the priorities voters supported. Republican Sen. Roger Wicker said the elections are up to the voters. Addressing the attention Mississippi has seen from various Democrats representing Senate Democrat, Scott Colon. "Senator Hyde Smith is a mainstream Republican and her opponent is very much in line with Kamala Harris and folks like that," said Wicker. "So it's a decision that the voters will be making, but I've of course made my preference known long ago." During the discussion, the topic of foreign policy, energy prices, and oil production came up. |
| Scott Colom says he'll delete AI-generated Cindy Hyde-Smith ad after AG Fitch threatens legal action | |
| Republican Attorney General Lynn Fitch said Friday that Scott Colom, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, likely violated state law with a digital ad that featured an artificial intelligence-generated depiction of Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith running away from reporters. Colom told Mississippi Today he would delete the post because he didn't want Fitch to launch litigation with taxpayer money. That came after Fitch sent Colom a complaint letter demanding that he remove that ad from his social media accounts. If he did not, the complaint said, the attorney general's office could file an injunction against him. In a statement, Colom said that Hyde-Smith is "clearly desperate" and that she and her allies are "once again trying to weaponize the justice system to distract from the real issues, which is that she has sold out our farmers, sold out our small businesses, and sold out our families." "Clearly this was parody, maybe too close to home because she knows she does love to hide from her own constituents and reporters," Colom said. |
| Democrats see Trump 'rescue mission' in Mississippi | |
| Some Democrats are trying to temper soaring expectations in the battle for the Senate -- but they also can't help but savor President Donald Trump's campaign stop in deep-red Mississippi on Monday. It's a sign that "a full-out rescue mission is being launched to bail out Cindy Hyde-Smith," argued Monica Robinson, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Both parties remain skeptical that Democrats can win Mississippi's Senate race. But there are several reasons it could be competitive: Trump's visit follows former Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign stop for Democrat Scott Colom, and both parties' top super PACS are spending in the state. Even with Mississippi's high percentage of Black voters, Republicans think the Magnolia State is just too red. Colom is "too radical to ever be the next senator from Mississippi," said Samantha Cantrell, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. |
| Mississippi Senate race becomes a test of Trump's turnout machine | |
 | President Trump's campaign stop in Mississippi on Monday is putting the ruby red state in the spotlight as Democrats grow optimistic about their chances in the state's Senate race. The Republican National Committee said on Wednesday that Trump will headline a rally in the city of Corinth in northeast Mississippi. Meanwhile, the Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC announced it will spend $1.2 million in a television ad touting Democrat Scott Colom, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.). The Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund is spending over $1 million in an effort to defend Hyde-Smith's seat. Colom, for his part, has taken advantage of the upcoming presidential campaign stop, challenging Trump to a debate. "I don't think Republican voters are going to go vote for Scott Colom in any big number," said Austin Barbour, a Mississippi based Republican strategist. "What they could do is they could say 'Hey, I'm not showing up that day,'" Barbour added. |
| Trump failed to stop inflation. Now Republicans may pay the price in the midterm elections | |
 | President Donald Trump would prefer that voters not worry about inflation. But it's hard for them to ignore. Filling up a basic Ford F-150 truck now costs about $100, up $30 from a year ago. Mortgage rates have jumped to levels that have depressed home sales. And for the past 12 months, consumer prices have risen faster than paychecks, making the average family poorer. One week before midterm elections that will serve as a referendum on his second term, Trump is struggling to deliver on his campaign promise to bring down costs, even as he insists the country has entered an economic "golden age." The same frustration that powered his comeback two years ago could now cost Republicans control of Congress. "Our nation is doing better now than ever before," Trump insists while campaigning, vowing that interest rates and oil prices will plunge once the war with Iran -- which he started -- comes to an end. The word "affordability," he says, is nothing but "a con job by the Democrats," adding that "it doesn't mean anything to anybody." That rhetoric comes as voters say they're struggling to afford basics like fuel and groceries and as they blame Trump for higher costs, pointing to the Republican president's aggressive tariff policies and the ongoing, unpopular war with Iran. |
| There's reason to believe the private sector economy is actually doing pretty well | |
| Whatever else in the economic firmament might be giving you agita -- stocks, bonds, oil prices, uncertainty and volatility in all of the above -- the private-sector economy is actually doing, "really very well, thank you." S&P Global Market Intelligence's purchasing managers' index, which is based on a survey of manufacturing and service-sector companies, signaled strong, sustained economic growth in October. It also reported a pick-up in hiring plans and solid new-order flow and production levels. There's still one big warning sign flashing red: inflation. The prices for the stuff companies buy and sell keep surging higher. Still, the growth of U.S. business activity remained near a five-year high in October, said economist Chris Williamson at S&P Global Market Intelligence. "This is another really strong report in terms of manufacturing growth, accompanied by service-sector growth as well, it's a broad-based upturn that we've got," he said. It's a welcome change from the past few years for manufacturing, which was hit hard by tariffs and the Trump administration's trade wars. |
| Gen Z Is Broke and Fed Up With Politics | |
 | At Thanksgiving last year, a great-aunt tried to offer Kayla Cornett a reassuring example: Her older cousin had worked hard, saved and bought a house. Cornett, 24, could do the same, she said -- if she tried just a little bit harder. What stayed with her long after the turkey was cleared was the implication that her current efforts just weren't enough. She was trying to keep up with rent and the ordinary expenses of adulthood, and it was a struggle. She recently started carrying a credit-card balance for the first time, she says, after even modest costs began piling up. Filling her gas tank was $40. "I can not eat, or I can have credit card debt," she remembers thinking when older relatives questioned her balance. The affordability crisis is a struggle felt by everyone in the country, but it's hitting Cornett's generation particularly hard as they emerge into adulthood with high inflation, little savings, a wobbly job market and a lifetime of dysfunctional politics. This gap -- between the promise that hard work will bring stability and the costs young adults say they can't get ahead of -- is key to understanding the politics of Gen Z, a voter group that helped President Donald Trump win in 2024, but whose longtime loyalties have yet to be won by either party. |
| Two movies coming to Columbus for America250 | |
 | Two films are coming to Columbus next week both hoping to get residents to reflect as part of America250 celebrations. Friendly City Books is showing "Possum Town" at 6 p.m. Monday at Malco Theater. Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and Mississippi University for Women will be showing "Citizens Revival" at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Nissan Auditorium. Monday will be the first time "Possum Town" is shown in the city that inspired it. The movie has been on the movie festival circuit since its 2025 premiere at New/Next Film Festival in Baltimore. Becca Finley, director of "Citizens Revival," similarly hopes her film will inspire curiosity and engagement. Chanley Rainey, associate professor of political science at The W and one of the organizers, told The Dispatch she hopes that people will leave the screening with new insights into the importance of civic engagement. Rainey said some of the students she has spoken with are excited about the opportunity to meet Finley, who will attend a Q&A session following the screening. |
| Elizabeth Smart shares message of hope, telling her own story, at Welty Gala | |
| Elizabeth Smart still remembers the moment she decided she would write her first book. After enduring what would become one of the most closely followed child-abduction cases in the country, all she wanted to do was withdraw. "Sharing my story was something that I did not want to do for years and years. I remember saying, 'I'm never going to write a book. I'm never going to speak about it. I'm never going to do anything. I just want to disappear,'" Smart said. "And so it wasn't until after my case came to trial where I ended up feeling like everything that I experienced was condensed down to a list of bullet points." Smart discussed her path to becoming an author and victims' rights advocate Friday as keynote speaker for Mississippi University for Women's Welty Gala, which benefits the university's scholarship fund, held at Trotter Convention Center. |
| REACH MS secures $6 million grant renewal | |
| Through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the United States Department of Education has renewed funding for the Realizing Excellence for ALL Children in Mississippi (REACH MS) project. Six million dollars in funding over five years (2026-2031) has been awarded to REACH MS to continue serving as Mississippi's State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) program assisting the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). SPDGs are awarded to state educational agencies to help strengthen systems for personnel preparation and professional development in early intervention, educational and transition services to improve results for children with disabilities. Originally awarded to MDE in 2005, the grant supporting REACH MS is operated by The University of Southern Mississippi School of Education. To date, SPDG funding has allowed REACH MS to train staff from over a thousand schools in Mississippi (Pre-K–12). |
| Communities meet in Jackson to discuss pros and cons of building data centers. | |
| Researchers at Jackson State University hosted a public forum on Thursday to share information about data centers and how they affect the communities around them. Melinda Todd, with the Mississippi Urban Research Center at Jackson State, opened the discussion by highlighting tax revenue that centers can bring to cities and counties where they are developed. "Through property and personal equipment taxes, which help fund local public services, schools, infrastructure, healthcare, and emergency services," said Todd. In the Jackson metro area, 11 data centers are currently in operation, and nine are in the planning phase. Many have deals that allow the companies to pay flat annual fees in lieu of standard tax rates. According to data from the Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development, as well as the Madison County Board of Supervisors, the deals bring in millions of dollars each year and are contingent to meeting development benchmarks. But critics say these deals produce much less income for a county or city, locked in contracts for sometimes decades. |
| NASA, Agriculture leaders sign Memorandum of Understanding, lead flyover | |
| NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Champions Lane before the Alabama-Texas A&M matchup to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between their two agencies, modernizing data-sharing efforts to better support farmers. "Our farmers, for a long time, have been surviving and really just surviving. And so we're going to sign a memorandum of understanding that I believe is a massive step forward in supporting our farmers," Rollins said. "Our MOU will advance USDA data modernization priorities by allowing regular technical exchanges, greater access to NASA data and technical reviews of using NASA data for field modeling and acreage estimation." Isaacman said that the signing in Tuscaloosa was part of NASA's "Inspiration Tour" that brings together stakeholders to "connect the agency with the people, technologies, and organizations that drive American leadership in space." During the game, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, with Isaacson, Rollins and the flyover crew, presented University of Alabama President Peter J. Mohler with a flag that flew aboard Artemis II around the moon, to recognize the University's role in the mission. |
| LSU's Collegiate Recovery Program, state-wide substance use program support college students | |
| LSU has many resources to support students struggling with substance abuse. With the rise in drug problems on college campuses, both LSU's Collegiate Recovery Program and the Louisiana Center Addressing Substance Use in Collegiate Communities work together to get these resources established and readily available to students, staff and faculty. In 2025, there were 62 reported on-campus drug arrests compared to 29 arrests reported in 2024. The rise in drug-related arrests presents an evident need for student-oriented programs on campus. LSU's CRP is a resource for students in substance abuse recovery. Program Manager Adam Singer is a licensed clinical social worker and an advanced alcohol and drug counselor. The program is designed to help students, faculty and staff who struggle with addictive disorders. Singer said it's not therapy or treatment, but it serves more as a mutual aid organization. "When we were building the CRP, I did not want it to be mandatory or a box that you need to check off. I wanted it to be something that people actually wanted to do," Singer said. "I wanted it to be a safe avenue to say the things you might not be comfortable saying in [a] polite society." |
| UGA signs research and teaching partnership with U. of Leeds | |
| The University of Georgia and the University of Leeds have signed a five-year partnership agreement to collaborate in medical and nursing research and teaching, according to a UGA press release. This partnership will allow both universities to address global challenges and exchange knowledge through summer research programs, study abroad and experiential learning. Shelley Nuss, the founding dean of UGA's School of Medicine, said that this partnership will increase opportunities for students, faculty and researchers at both institutions. UGA's School of Medicine welcomed its inaugural cohort this fall, and the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing is expected to enroll its first cohort of students in fall of 2027. Chris King, the interim vice president of research at UGA, shared the universities' commitment to advancing clinical research, particularly for regenerative medicine, infectious diseases and therapeutics innovation. King said that collaborating in these areas will help both institutions translate new breakthroughs and technologies that improve public health. |
| U. of South Carolina touts financial strength as construction debt climbs to $1.7B | |
| The University of South Carolina's debt load will more than double over the next four years as it embarks on a massive construction spree, which includes a revamp of the student center, new dormitories and football stadium upgrades. Debt taken on to build those projects is expected to peak at $1.7 billion in 2030, chief accountant Mandy Kibler told the university system's governing board Friday. In that year, the school expects to make $140 million in principal and interest payments on that debt, compared to the $60 million in annual payments it's making now. In all, this takes up about 80% of the school's operating revenue, Kibler said. But Kibler tried to put trustees at ease about the increase, saying the university spent years preparing for this moment. "While this is a substantial increase -- and I can see on all of your faces as you actually see this visually -- it is why we have been really planning very intentionally, looking ahead over the last six to seven years, so that we can ensure that we have full repayment," she said. |
| Lexington council candidates criticize UK over housing issues. University responds | |
 | Lexington officials, city council candidates and neighbors downtown last week said the University of Kentucky isn't doing enough to try to accommodate its own students, leading to an inundation of private student apartments popping up around Lexington. Lexington's housing issue has been thorny, and experts say the city needs significantly more residences to meet demand: A 2024 study by EHI Consultants found that Lexington was short 22,549 housing units, and that shortage will likely exceed 30,000 by 2030, unless significant policy change and construction occur. For months, Lexington residents have shown up at city planning meetings to decry the increase in these student-focused apartment buildings, raising concern over displacement and lack of housing availability for residents who aren't students. Some city council candidates have joined in. Jay Blanton, a spokesperson for UK, told the Herald-Leader in response Friday that the city's housing deficit is "irrespective of anything the institution is doing or has done, period." The university has produced more on-campus housing units than other public research institutions in the country, and is willing to collaborate more with the city, according to Blanton. |
| 'Silence is getting a bit loud': Emails show UT leaders took heat for slow response to Bo French post | |
| An Indian American student who had lived in California their entire life was scared to move to Texas to pursue a doctorate in economics at the University of Texas at Austin. But during the Longhorns' comeback victory against Ohio State in September, the student taught classmates from abroad about football and cheered with them. "When I was sweating with three minutes to go in the fourth quarter, I knew that UT would be part of me forever," the student later wrote. That excitement turned to "shock and despair" the next morning when Bo French, the Republican nominee for Texas railroad commissioner, posted a photo on X of South Asian students celebrating the victory and suggested their presence at UT-Austin was a problem. As condemnation of French's message exploded online, UT-Austin President Jim Davis responded nearly 35 hours later by affirming that all UT students were Longhorns without directly addressing French's remarks. |
| McMahon Touts Arizona State as Example for Nation | |
 | Education Secretary Linda McMahon had a firm message for America's higher education institutions last week -- be more like Arizona State University. "Our message to the sector is simple: Follow ASU's example," McMahon said. She praised ASU's business partnerships, accessibility, innovation and its "high-quality degrees at a reasonable cost." "The Trump administration is reorienting higher education to ensure that there is no 'lesser than' degree or credential. Any pathway that offers an affordable route to a good career and a good life deserves to be celebrated," she said. Thanks to ASU President Michael Crow, "ASU has emerged as a model for the new American university. You remind us that college belongs to students from every background, and that excellence is measured not by whom you shut out, but by how the students you welcome in go on to advance [their] careers," she added. But the secretary's decree -- given from a podium at the university's College for Teaching and Learning Innovation -- was about more than just touting ASU's achievements. |
SPORTS
| Soccer: State Finishes Regular Season Undefeated On The Road | |
| Mississippi State recorded its sixth draw of the season with a 0-0 tie at LSU on Sunday. With the result, the Bulldogs have finished the regular season unbeaten on the road for the first time in program history. The match saw a combined 35 shots between the two teams, but only nine landed on frame. Elsa Johnson led the way for MSU with five shots, including three of the team's four shots on goal. "She was great. we played her as a as a striker versus a winger where she could run in behind, and man, she wreaked havoc and was really, really hard to handle," head coach Kevin O'Brien said. "I loved it. It was kind of something we were experimenting with, and I think it paid off." The Bulldogs return home for the final match of the regular season next week. State will host No. 7/13 Alabama at the MSU Soccer Field on Sunday, Nov. 1 with kickoff slated for noon CT on SEC Network+. MSU is currently tied for eighth in the league standings and would be the No. 9 seed in the SEC Tournament thanks to tiebreakers. With a win on the final day of the regular season, the Bulldogs could climb as high as a tie for sixth place with the right results around the conference after being picked to finish 14th in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. |
| Mississippi State to offer free sensory bags at home football games | |
| Mississippi State University's (MSU) T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability will partnering with MSU Athletics and the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services to provide free sensory bags at home football games. The bags will be available to check out at the information booths inside Davis Wade Stadium at West Gate A, North Section 09 and East Gate L during home games. Each bag contains a noise-canceling headset, fidget toys, disposable ear plugs and an information sheet explaining when families can anticipate sudden changes in lights or noises during the football game. Rebecca Mathis, an assistive technology specialist at T.K. Martin, said the idea of the gameday sensory bags stemmed from families reaching out to the center for help. The sensory bags are funded by MDRS's Project START, a federally funded assistive rehabilitative technology initiative. |
| Black bear populations rising slowly in Mississippi. A hunting season could come in the future | |
| The Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has been advised that as black bear populations in Mississippi increase, the state may need to consider implementation of a hunting season in the coming years. The lawmakers also heard a pitch on the creation of a venison sharing program to help families in need. Anthony Ballard, Black Bear Program Leader for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, told the Senate committee that historically black bears were plentiful in the state. In the 1900's hunting black bears for meat, fat and hides led to a population decline in Mississippi. However, state and federal regulations now in place have allowed the black bear population to bounce back. In 2012, the population was estimated to be between 150-250. Ballard believes the population is closer to 400-500 bears today, mostly in the western part of the state, along the border of Louisiana where larger populations have been seen. Since most people in Mississippi are unaware black bears roam the lands, Ballard said his agency is tasked with informing the public of their presence, while also monitoring the growing population. Black bear populations are monitored through hair snares, or traps, that use barbed wire to collect hair samples. Those samples are then genetically tested to identify individual animals. |
| Charlie Baker on idea of SEC, Big Ten self-governance: 'I don't have a problem with that' | |
| As the Protect College Sports Act heads to the House of Representatives, the idea of self-governance remains prevalent in college athletics. The SEC and Big Ten have been at the forefront, and Greg Sankey said his league is "prepared" for that discussion. Speaking with Puck's John Ourand, NCAA president Charlie Baker said he understands the idea of self-governance. He also said he wouldn't have much issue with conferences perhaps having their own sets of rules. With that, though, Baker explained the importance of national rules as schools play for national championships. But he used the SEC as an example with its rules about intra-conference transfers outside the portal windows to show why he wouldn't be against leagues establishing their own rules. "I was a local-elected official before I was in state government," Baker said on The Varsity. "I don't have a problem with de-centralization, or whatever you want to call it. I think the question becomes, which kinds of things do you want to have done at the conference level and which kinds of things do you think you need to have done at the national level so that you can have competitive national championships? Because one of the main reasons you have national rules is so everybody plays by the same rules, so that everybody can compete in the same championship. But I have no problem with the idea of having conferences do their own rules around a lot of stuff." |
| FAMU shooting: 15-year-old boy arrested in mass shooting during homecoming weekend | |
 | Police in Tallahassee, Florida, arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with a mass shooting that left 11 people injured outside Florida A&M University's football stadium after a homecoming game. The teen was arrested Sunday, Oct. 25, and faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent, according to the Tallahassee Police Department. It is unclear if he is being charged as an adult. The gunfire erupted on Oct. 24 behind Bragg Memorial Stadium hours after Florida A&M University's homecoming game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. At least 11 people were injured in the shooting, while one was hurt during the ensuing panic. Those injured included six children, the youngest of whom is 11 years old, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said. Six victims remain hospitalized, including one in critical condition. Authorities believe the incident stemmed from a dispute between several people known to one another, but have not said what sparked the altercation. None of the victims were believed to be the "intended targets" of the shooting, officials said. |
The Office of Public Affairs provides the Daily News Digest as a general information resource for Mississippi State University stakeholders.
Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to Jim Laird.
