| Tuesday, June 9, 2026 |
| MSU, partners receive East Mississippi Sentinel Landscape Designation | |
 | Mississippi State University (MSU), along with several state and military partners, announced that the East Mississippi Sentinel Landscape (EMSL) was selected for designation by the federal Sentinel Landscapes Partnership. This recognizes the region's national importance to military readiness, working lands conservation and long-term landscape resilience. The application was submitted by MSU's Office of Research and Economic Development, the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office, Governor's Office of Military Affairs, Columbus Air Force Base (CAFB) and Naval Air Station Meridian (NASMER), along with a broad coalition of federal, state, local, nonprofit, industry and private landowners partners across East Mississippi. MSU will play a central role in implementation by hosting the future Sentinel Landscape coordinator and supporting landscape-scale planning, geospatial coordination, landowner engagement and applied research efforts. |
| MSU, partners receive East Mississippi Sentinel Landscape Designation | |
 | Mississippi State University, along with several state and military partners, are announcing that the East Mississippi Sentinel Landscape has officially been selected for designation by the federal Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, recognizing the region's national importance to military readiness, working lands conservation, and long-term landscape resilience. The application was submitted by MSU's Office of Research and Economic Development, the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office, Governor's Office of Military Affairs, Columbus Air Force Base (CAFB), and Naval Air Station Meridian (NASMER), along with a broad coalition of federal, state, local, nonprofit, industry and private landowners partners across East Mississippi. Governor Tate Reeves praised the designation as a major accomplishment for Mississippi and the nation's defense mission. "Mississippi continues to play a vital role in supporting America's military readiness and national security," said Gov. Reeves. "This designation recognizes the importance of the working forests, farms and rural communities that support the missions at CAFB and NASMER. It also highlights Mississippi's ability to bring together military leaders, landowners, conservation partners, universities and state agencies around a shared vision that strengthens both our economy and our national defense." |
| New AICPA chair pitches a people-first profession | |
| When you have made a career in tax at a regional firm in the Deep South and you're a huge college baseball fan, spring weekends are special. "There's nothing like coming off a busy tax season and going on a warm Saturday afternoon and watching college baseball," said AICPA Chair Jan Lewis, CPA, CGMA, partner at BMSS Advisors & CPAs in the Jackson, Miss., metro area. Lewis, who, in May, began a one-year term as the 2026–2027 chair of the AICPA board of directors and the chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, is a Jackson native who has worked at the same core firm for nearly 40 years, most of them as tax partner at Haddox Reid Eubank Betts PLLC. In 2023, the local accounting firm became part of a top 100 U.S. firm when it merged with Alabama-based BMSS Advisors & CPAs. Off the job, Lewis is a huge fan of Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball, and she and her husband are pet parents to three "spoiled Dachshunds." Lewis sees a renewed importance in people skills, in part driven by the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). Accounting and finance professionals are trusted advisers for a reason, but the reliance on AI to complete data input and analysis is creating an opportunity for CPAs to hone their people skills and deliver more value to clients. |
| Neshoba County Fair officials stress rules following cabin fire | |
| We're just under two weeks from Mississippi's Giant House Party beginning, and Neshoba County Fair officials are encouraging cabin owners to follow rules set in place following a fire that broke out over the weekend. The blaze was spotted at a cabin on Sunset Strip on Sunday evening, as reported by The Neshoba Democrat. Following the fire, Neshoba County Fair officials promptly reminded cabin owners that rules are in place to prevent incidents like Sunday's from occurring. The fairgrounds have strict rules about cabin maintenance, when electricity will be turned on for cabin use, and other regulations aimed at ensuring the safety of all on site. Officials say adherence to these rules would prevent future occurrences, like Sunday's, from happening. "The Neshoba County Fair Association cannot emphasize enough that the rules and regulations of the Association be followed to prevent occurrences in the future. In the event of emergencies of this nature, please keep roads clear to allow first responders access." The fair is scheduled to run June 19-26, about a month earlier than usual, after officials altered the schedule because of the evolving K-12 academic calendar. |
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