Daily News Digest (Mississippi State University)

Thursday, October 29, 2026


Mississippi State announces 2026 Homecoming Court
Mississippi State will present its 2026 Homecoming Court during halftime of the Nov. 7 football game against Vanderbilt University, the university announced. Seniors J.J. Latham of Madison and Annie Long of Nesbit are Homecoming King and Queen. Latham studies social work, and Long is an interdisciplinary studies major. Jacob Moore, a senior accounting major from New Albany, is Mr. MSU. Madelyn Berry, a senior aerospace engineering major from Brandon with a concentration in aeronautics, is Miss MSU. Homecoming activities, themed "There's No Place Like State," are planned for Nov. 1-8.

Education: Personalized reading
Photo: Mississippi State University senior Kennedy Alverson, left, an elementary education major from Chattanooga, Tennessee, gives a book to Katie Wilson, a third-grade student at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School in Starkville. Alverson is one of several James Patterson Teacher Education Scholars in MSU's College of Education who personally selected books for Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District students this month as part of MSU's Personal Reading Stylist program. The scholars work one-on-one with students to learn about their interests and reading habits and then carefully choose a book specifically for each student.

Mississippi traffic officials urge caution as daylight saving time ends
The sun will soon set earlier in Mississippi with daylight saving time ending, and transportation officials are asking motorists and pedestrians to be cautious during dark hours. The Mississippi Department of Transportation is calling on drivers to be prepared to slow down and watch out for walkers, joggers, or bikers when on local roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,080 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2024. Of these, 76% happened after sunset. "With daylight saving time right around the corner, darker evenings can unfortunately result in more pedestrian-related crashes," MDOT Executive Director Brad White said. "That's why it's so important for drivers to slow down and stay alert. This weekend, practice extra caution as a dramatic increase in costumed pedestrians is expected in residential areas." MDOT officials believe slowing down can lessen the risk and severity of pedestrian-involved crashes. Studies show that higher speeds significantly decrease pedestrian survival rates. Always stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk or where pedestrian crosswalk signs are posted. Be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.

Mary Means Business: New Salon opening in Columbus next month
More life is being breathed into Catfish Alley with a new business opening next month. Mackenzie Rhett, who has been doing hair for the last five years, is excited to open her own brick-and-mortar spot, Rhett Haus. Located at 325 College St. on the corner of Catfish Alley, the full-service salon will feature hair styling, a head spa, makeup, nails and spray tanning services. The grand opening will be 1 p.m. Nov. 8 with giveaways, goodie bags, local pop-ups and more. ... Also, the latest restaurant in Starkville is opening. Taquería La Morenita is opening this Monday at 401 University Drive, Suite 2. The authentic Mexican eatery originally started in Sturgis. Hours will be 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Mississippi Business Journal recognizes 25 women in business and leadership
The Mississippi Business Journal recognized 25 women from across the state whose titles include CEO, vice president and mayor. The Journal narrowed the list from more than 200 nominations. Scott Coopwood, owner of the Mississippi Business Journal, said the honorees were chosen for more than business results. "We're saluting women around the state that not only done well in business or management... but also giving back to their community and volunteerism," Coopwood said. Suzy Hays, CEO of C Spire, also spoke about the recognition. "I believe there are little girls and young women who are looking at us going, if she can be a CEO or a CFO or a mayor or create her own company, I can too. I think that's pretty cool," Hays said.

Business Brief: Fisackerly among 2026 Leading Business Women in Mississippi
Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO Meryl Fisackerly has been named one of 25 Leading Business Women for 2026 by the Mississippi Business Journal. The list recognizes women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional achievement and a commitment to their businesses, industries and communities. Fisackerly and other honorees, who represent a wide range of industries and professions who have made significant contributions to the state's business economy, were recognized Wednesday during an awards luncheon at Old Capitol Inn in Jackson.

Inside a key vote coming for Madison's $60 million Gallery development
Madison officials will hold a public hearing next month on a proposed tax increment financing plan for The Gallery development, a mixed-use arts and entertainment district expected to become one of the city's largest private developments. The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m., Nov. 10 in the Madison City Hall boardroom. The mayor and Board of Aldermen will consider whether to approve a tax increment financing, or TIF, plan for the project and authorize the use of future tax revenues generated within the development to support public infrastructure and other eligible improvements. According to the public notice, the city is proposing to issue up to $11.741 million in tax increment financing revenue bonds to help fund infrastructure and redevelopment costs associated with The Gallery project. The developer, Bellamare Development LLC, could also be required to provide additional financial security through a taxpayer agreement with the city. The hearing marks another milestone for The Gallery, a roughly $60 million mixed-use development planned as the centerpiece of Madison's arts and entertainment district.

U.S. Economy Accelerated This Summer Despite High Gas Prices
U.S. economic growth picked up steam over the summer. Business investment surged, driven by the artificial-intelligence build-out, and consumers continued to spend at a healthy clip despite high gas prices and other affordability concerns. The Commerce Department said Thursday that U.S. gross domestic product -- the value of all goods and services produced across the economy -- rose at a 3.4% annual rate in the third quarter. That number is adjusted for inflation and seasonality. It was the fastest pace in a year. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had expected GDP growth of 3.1% for the July to September period. The economy grew at a 2.2% pace in the second quarter. The report is the last major reading on the U.S. economy before midterm elections on Tuesday. The numbers add to evidence that, despite tariffs, an immigration crackdown and high energy prices, the U.S. economy remains on solid footing. The Federal Reserve is wrestling with too-hot inflation and whether officials need to keep raising rates to slow the economy. The GDP report was released one day after a pivotal meeting where most Fed policymakers voted to hold interest rates steady.

Mississippi drivers are the most likely to be distracted by phones while driving, according to AAA
Mississippi drivers are the most likely to use their phones while on the road, according to AAA Mississippi, and state lawmakers are searching for solutions. It's illegal to text while driving in Mississippi, but the state's current law does not address other uses for a phone, like watching videos, voice calls, or online shopping. Research by the Center for Mississippi Health Policy found that 1 in 12 vehicle deaths are related to distracted driving. During a hearing of the Senate Insurance Committee this week, AAA spokesperson John Redman asked lawmakers to consider a "Hands Free" law. "These are 100% avoidable crashes, and so we just say, 'Hey, there's no phone. You can't hold your phone at all,'" said Redman. "It ends any kind of question, especially for law enforcement, because we find enforcement of laws make change in behavior." Republican State Senator Walter Michel of Ridgeland says the Legislature nearly passed a similar bill last year, but it was held up during the busy final days of the session. "I think it's becoming more and more of a problem," said Michel.

Local government advocates urge Mississippi lawmakers to consider changes to procurement laws
Adjustments to Mississippi's purchasing laws for cities, school districts, and counties was the main topic of conversation for the state Senate Accountability, Efficiency, and Transparency committee on Wednesday. Local governments are required to follow purchasing laws when acquiring goods and engaging services. Under current law, any expense below $5,000 does not require the governmental agency to seek competitive bids. When that expense exceeds $5,000 the city, school district and county are required to obtain at least two written bids. The two main points addressed during the Senate hearing were the need to increase the $5,000 limit threshold and the possibility of making reverse auctions an option rather than the rule. One of the biggest comments Chain's office receives is that there is a need to increase the $5,000 threshold. Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker (I) agrees that raising the threshold from its current level is needed, especially since the last time it was adjusted was in 2007. Prior to then, the threshold was $3,500. He spoke to the committee as the Legislative Chair for the Mississippi Municipal League. Inflation and the general rise in prices across the board have Barker suggesting a new threshold of $15,000. Making that change will free agencies up to make purchases faster, a benefit during infrastructure repair emergencies.

Walls State Auditor Investigation Opened Amid Data Center Fight
Mississippi State Auditor Shad White's office has opened a Walls state auditor investigation, White confirmed on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The news comes as the small northwest DeSoto County town has spent weeks in a heated debate over growth, rezoning and the possibility of a data center. White confirmed the probe in a text message to the Daily Memphian, which first reported it Wednesday evening. "We are aware of the allegations and have started our process, but we do not comment on the status of any investigation," White said. Few details have been released. The investigation comes during one of the most contentious stretches in recent Walls history. The debate began this fall over a proposal to change how a large tract of farmland could be used. The auditor's office typically does not discuss open cases, so updates may be slow. When an investigation ends, the office may issue a demand letter, refer a case for prosecution, or close the matter without action.

Clinton coming to Tupelo, Clyburn in Jackson to stump for Colom, Democrats
Former President Bill Clinton is coming to Mississippi to help boost U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom and other Democrats ahead of Tuesday's midterm Election. Colom's campaign confirmed Clinton's appearance in Tupelo on Friday to WTVA. "I am honored President Clinton is coming to Tupelo to highlight the issues that matter most for Mississippians, from the rising cost of gas and groceries to the negative impact tariffs are having on our farmers and small businesses," Colom stated, per WTVA. "Those are the same issues Trump voters talked to me about when I walked the line of the Trump rally on Monday, and it's why I know Mississippians are ready to fire Cindy High Prices on November 3rd." No details were announced on the time or location of Clinton's visit as of Wednesday afternoon. Colom's campaign also announced Wednesday that South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn would join the Democrat candidate in Jackson on Thursday of this week as the two "come together to stand up for voting rights and make sure every Mississippian's voice is heard."

Attack ads flood Mississippi's shockingly-competitive Senate race
The most-aired ad in the closing stretch of Mississippi's Senate race features a Jeffrey Epstein survivor attacking GOP Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith for voting against releasing files related to the convicted human trafficker. In the past week, Hyde-Smith has been outgunned on the airwaves. AdImpact data shows that only one of the eight most-aired spots portrays her positively. Five of the ads either positively portray her Democratic challenger, Scott Colom, or attack Hyde-Smith for her Senate record, largely painting her as an out-of-touch senator who cares more about her rich donors. The other two ads are for down-ballot races. The Epstein survivor ad has aired more than 1,200 times over the last week, costing the left-leaning New Deal for All super PAC over $329K, per AdImpact. In the ad, Jena-Lisa Jones condemns Hyde-Smith for her vote on the Epstein files and urges Mississippians to vote against her to protect their children. That vote, which passed 51-49 last year, indefinitely postponed an amendment that would have required the full release of the Epstein files by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi. "I do want transparency, and I support releasing information that can legally be released while protecting Epstein's victims. But a procedural vote on one amendment is not the same thing as saying the Epstein files should remain secret," Hyde-Smith said in a statement to the Mississippi Free Press.

Obama knocks White House's response to Cheesecake Factory jab: 'These are not serious people'
Former President Obama on Wednesday responded to uproar over a recent campaign trail jab at President Trump's White House decorations, slamming Republicans for focusing more on the joke than on the economy. "They mobilized a whole-of-government response to that joke, not to inflation, but to that joke," Obama said during a campaign rally in Georgia. "This is what I mean when I say these are not serious people. They don't have solutions to actual problems, so they'd rather have the media and you talking about the Cheesecake Factory." Obama had quipped during a recent campaign stop in Cleveland, Ohio, that Trump's taste in renovations -- worth a reported $900 million -- has the White House "looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory, it's just gold everywhere," referring to the Iraqi palaces that were famously adorned with gold decor. Trump has spearheaded a pricey overhaul of the Rose Garden and constructed a new granite helipad on the South Lawn, in addition to updating decor and adding signage in the gold color he's favored since his first administration. Obama argued that the administration "did not dispute" his argument that they were directly responsible for rising prices, a major midterm issue for voters across the country, and he expressed shock that the president "wasn't even mad about the Saddam Hussein comparison."

What's up with bad -- and even fake -- polls in the 2026 midterms? We asked an expert.
Political polls are just a "snapshot in time, not a predictor" of how an election will turn out, the axiom goes. During the 2026 midterm election cycle, that caveat seemed especially apt in some key statewide primaries -- including for Michigan and Wisconsin -- which turned out quite differently from how the polls had suggested. In another twist, "polls" that were widely cited and, in one case, incorporated into The New York Times' average of major polls turned out to be fake. The two most prominent fake pollsters ultimately acknowledged what they had done, calling it a "social experiment" to expose a lack of media vetting and oversight of polls. Now, on the eve of the Nov. 3 midterms, polling is again in the spotlight. As things stand, the Democrats are on track to retake control of the U.S. House, and could win a majority in the U.S. Senate. Or so suggest the real polls, as cited by experts. History also points to a strong Democratic performance in November, as the president's party almost always loses seats in the midterms -- sometimes a lot. But, given the polling anomalies this cycle, perhaps more surprises are in store.

Fear of a Democrat takeover has tech, crypto and industrial firms rushing to K Street
Donating to President Donald Trump's pet projects may have seemed like a savvy corporate investment 18 months ago. But today, companies are hiring lobbyists and crisis communications experts out of fear that their efforts to stay in the administration's good graces may expose them to a hail of partisan crossfire if Democrats take over Congress. Top congressional Democrats have already expressed interest in probing how technology giants like Meta, Nvidia and Amazon have worked with the Trump administration, rattling executives in other industries who fear they could also get targeted. A broad range of technology, financial, cryptocurrency and industrial companies are now scrambling to get ahead of Democrats' aggressive congressional oversight agenda if the party wins power next week, according to nine lobbyists, lawyers, public relations professionals and former congressional staffers who spoke to POLITICO. Law and lobbying firms on K Street have gone on an oversight-focused hiring spree in recent months, adding staff to handle increasing demand from clients. Corporate lobbying in advance of a new party takeover is a cherished election season tradition in Washington. Yet many of the lobbyists, PR advisers and lawyers POLITICO interviewed sense this time is different as their clients brace for an aggressive corruption hunt led by social media-savvy Democrats eager to scrutinize private-sector dealings with the administration.

Senate is skeptical about making daylight saving time permanent despite Trump's pressure
The Senate is unlikely to act before the end of the year on a House-passed bill that would make daylight saving time permanent, defying President Donald Trump and dashing the hopes of Americans who don't like having to change their clocks twice a year. As daylight saving time ends early Sunday and much of the country turns the clocks back an hour, several senators are holding up legislation that would eliminate the longtime U.S. practice. Supporters argue that ending the time change would provide more daylight during the afternoon, when Americans are most active, but opponents say commuters in some states wouldn't see the sun until after 9 a.m. "No one likes changing the clock, me included, but Congress has enacted permanent Daylight Savings Time multiple times before and repealed it each time once Americans experienced absurdly late sunrises in the winter," said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. Cotton, a member of GOP leadership, is the most vocal opponent of the change, notably drawing Trump's ire earlier this month when the Republican president posted his personal cellphone number on social media and ordered him to "GET IT DONE!" But Cotton is not the only senator blocking the legislation.

Education: The W, ECHO partner to increase access college for homeschool students
Mississippi University for Women has signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance educational opportunities for students with the East Columbus Homeschool Organization. Interim University President Scott Tollison and ECHO Board President Rachelle Slade signed the agreement Tuesday during a ceremony at The W. "One of The W's priorities is to build partnerships that create opportunities for students, particularly those right here at home," Tollison said. "We appreciate ECHO's commitment to its students, and we look forward to working together to help them get a head start on their college education." Academic courses available to ECHO students include English composition, general biology, oral communication, U.S. history, geography, Spanish and college algebra. Courses will be offered online or on campus. Dual enrollment courses will be offered in spring 2027.

YouTuber who alleged Minnesota daycare fraud headlines TPUSA event
The Ole Miss chapter of Turning Point USA welcomed Nick Shirley, a YouTuber and self-described independent journalist, and Shad White, Mississippi State Auditor and a University of Mississippi alumnus, for its "The State of Fraud" event at Booth's BBQ on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Shirley is perhaps most notable for a 42-minute YouTube video in which he visited 10 daycare facilities in December 2024 across Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., claiming the daycares were not providing services to children despite receiving public funding for that purpose. Federal and state authorities have not publicly confirmed Shirley's claims, which have received criticism from Minnesota daycare centers, according to NPR. However, the owner of one of the daycare centers Shirley visited, Fahima Mahamud, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy in July 2026. White said Shirley is an important figure when thinking about the "movement" against fraud. "Nick (Shirley) was the first domino to fall in this chain of dominoes that has turned into a movement," White said. "It's a movement against fraud in the government."

State leaders reflect on Mississippi Miracle at Ole Miss summit
Sitting on a University of Mississippi stage beside former Gov. Phil Bryant, Lafayette Upper Elementary School third grader Jake Riddle read the picture book "Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11" to an eager crowd of educators and educational leaders on Tuesday (Oct. 27). The symbolism was clear: Just as Apollo 11 launched three men toward the moon with no turning back, Mississippi embarked on an ambitious literacy effort in 2013. It transformed the state from 49th nationally in fourth-grade reading achievement to ninth in 2024. "We could have crashed into the surface, and they could have never passed the bill," said Bryant, who championed the measure. "You may have to put everything on the line for that moon shot, and that is a motivator." The state's literacy journey, and the passage of the Literacy-Based Promotion Act in 2013, was the focus of the Mississippi Literacy Summit, hosted by the university's Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction.

Lee McCall heads to UMMC after transforming Neshoba General
Perhaps no project better captures Neshoba County General Hospital CEO Lee McCall's forward-thinking legacy than the project soon breaking ground on the hospital campus: a brand-new satellite nursing school in partnership with the Mississippi University for Women. Backed by $4 million in legislative funding secured by Bounds and Taylor, construction on the state-of-the-art education facility is scheduled to begin within weeks, with plans to welcome its inaugural cohort of Bachelor of Science in Nursing students by late next year. "To have a four-year BSN program right here in Philadelphia is an amazing achievement," McCall said, deflecting credit to the community partners involved. "That wasn't the work of any one person -- it was everyone pulling in the same direction to make our community better. It ensures that the next generation of caregivers will be trained right here in Neshoba County." McCall is now preparing to step into his new role with the University of Mississippi Medical Center as the administrator over its growing Community Hospital Division. Based out of Madison, McCall will oversee UMMC's expanding network of regional and community health systems across the state, including facilities in Grenada, Lexington, Greenwood, and Canton.

MVSU works to restore website following cyber attack
Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) is working to rebuild their website after a cyber attack to the site's host. According to the university, MVSU's hosting partner for their website was hit with a cyber attack. The extent of the effect of the attack is unknown at this time. "Our hosting partner continues to make progress in restoring affected websites and recovering website content and functionality. Their technical teams are actively evaluating affected files and utilizing available recovery methods to safely restore services. Because the extent of the impact varies, some portions of the website may require additional time and effort to fully recover," said MVSU officials said. No timeline has been provided by MVSU for when their website will be restored.

DSU Receives Funding From Boeing Company
Delta State University has received funding from The Boeing Company to create four annual scholarships for students in the university's Commercial Aviation program.The new support will establish two scholarship programs: the Boeing Access & Opportunity Annual Scholarship, which will provide awards to two students with demonstrated financial need, and the Boeing Military Connected & Veteran Student Annual Scholarship, which will support two military-connected students, including veterans, active reservists, National Guard members, ROTC cadets and eligible family members. "Delta State University is grateful for Boeing's investment in our students and in the future of aviation," said DSU President, Dr. Daniel J. Ennis. "These scholarships will help remove financial barriers for talented students pursuing careers in one of the nation's most important industries. We are proud to partner with Boeing to create more opportunities for students to achieve their educational and professional goals."

Free Field Trips to The MAX Offered to Eligible Schools Through Mississippi Power Foundation
Schools across Mississippi Power's service area can bring students to the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience for free during the 2026-2027 school year. The free trips are made possible through a partnership with the Mississippi Power Foundation. Schools can book now at msarts.org. Groups traveling from outside Lauderdale County are eligible for transportation reimbursement, thanks to Yates Construction. "The MAX is an absolute gem in Mississippi that showcases and celebrates the Mississippians who have shaped the culture of our great nation," said Annie McMillan, Mississippi Power Manager of Corporate Responsibility and Community Development. The promotion comes as The MAX features John Jennings: Build Your World through spring 2027 --- showcasing the Mississippi native and creator of Marvel's Silver Surfer: Ghost Light. The exhibition bridges literature, visual arts and history.

The false promise of consolidation in West Bolivar schools: 'It takes a toll'
Cassandra Phillips hates to see the old Ray Brooks School building rotting off Highway 1. To local lawmakers and residents, it was the best maintained public schoolhouse in Bolivar County. The one structure connected to a gymnasium with a vaulted ceiling and glossy wooden floors and a cafeteria with cushioned booths in maraschino red. Now, vines hang where school banners did. Shelves and desks lie rusted and mangled in the abandoned breezeway, and wires stripped of their copper lay limp from behind shattered doors and windows. The Ray Brooks School, which served grades K-12, was a casualty of a 2014 consolidation between Benoit's school district and those in Rosedale and Shaw. But the community lost more than a school. Families had gathered at the building for repasts, impromptu kickball tournaments and youth mentoring. They could attend a football game or pick up a child without making a 20-minute drive -- the typical amount of time it takes now to get to school in Shaw. State lawmakers are considering another consolidation in Bolivar County, which has three districts: North Bolivar, West Bolivar and Cleveland. The details of lawmakers' new consolidation plans are not yet clear, and the promises of cost savings and better schools from the last one have fallen far short of expectations. Schools have closed, buildings have deteriorated and turmoil has plagued the resulting district.

Business as a liberal art? Some high schools say yes
Sitting in a semicircle around their teacher, Gerri Kimble, students at Hoover High School near Birmingham, Alabama ponder a high schooler dilemma: What to do with their part-time job paychecks. These teens say they're buying loaded teas, filling the gas tank -- and investing. "I put it in index funds, like S&P and then QQQ and VOO," says junior Darshan Parmar. Kimble asks if his parents do the actual investing. Parmar says he does it himself. One student puts 70 percent in his Roth IRA. Another contributes to a 401(k). A third says he invests directly in stocks. "Oh you watch the markets?" Kimble asks. "Love it." These students are among the first in the country to take a newly created Advanced Placement Business with Personal Finance course. The class is offered for the first time this year at more than 1,500 high schools across the country. AP courses are college level classes offered in high school. Enrolled students can take an exam in order to earn college credit. Typically, these credits are for canonical subjects like English, history and chemistry. Students at Hoover High School's AP business class however get lessons on management and finances. They learn about the outside factors that can make or break a business -- political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal.

New Haslam program uplifts management students at U. of Tennessee
"We launch business leaders into the world," is an idea that sits at the foundation of the Haslam College of Business. The college aims to propel prepared students into professional spaces through courses and programmatic support. Earlier this month, the college's management and entrepreneurship department officially launched the Management Scholars of Distinction program to help fulfill this mission. "It's an opportunity for us to recognize our top performing students in the management major," Jackie Jacobs, program director, said. "To give them individualized, intentional, one-on-one career support, professional support ... to expose them to opportunities they may not get otherwise." According to Jacobs, the program will work to serve and support "high potential" students majoring in management. The program is open to rising second, third and fourth year students looking to gain more exposure to corporate cultures and demands. The structure of the program is similar to that of existing initiatives such as the supply chain management Scholars of Distinction program. Jacobs pointed to greater engagement between faculty and students as an additional benefit of the program.

Records show how U. of Texas leaders tracked fallout of Bo French's racist tweet before response
The weekend of Sept. 12, the University of Texas celebrated. Celebrating the win that night, UT sent out an "apply now!" link on X, inviting students to be a part of "moments like this." A UT social media analyst tracked which politicians and celebrities had posted about the win (U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Matthew McConaughey and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico) and who had posted a picture with President Jim Davis -- referred to behind the scenes as PJD -- (Ohio State's president, a local CEO and former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison). The day after, the UT account went comparatively quiet. On Sunday, Sept. 13, just before 8 a.m., Bo French -- a Tarrant County Republican running for a seat on the oil and gas industry-regulating Texas Railroad Commission -- posted a screengrab he'd taken from the game. The photo showed a student section erupting in cheers as the Longhorns charged into the fourth quarter to score the 21 points they needed to clinch the victory. French described the crowd, with celebrating South Asian fans in the front row, as a problem "far worse than anyone imagined." French -- a downballot conservative candidate -- posts online angrily and often. But his post about UT's student section hit a nerve. Records obtained by the Austin American-Statesman show that as Longhorns called on UT to weigh in, staff meticulously monitored online traffic. In the days following, concerned emails from donors, parents and students peppered the president's inbox.

How Texas Tech's Brandon Creighton reshaped higher education
Nearly a year into his tenure as Texas Tech chancellor, Brandon Creighton was still making the case that he was the right man for the job. To convince the crowd at a recent Lubbock Chamber of Commerce luncheon that his loyalties now lay with scarlet red and black, not the burnt orange of his alma mater, the former Republican state senator touted his political connections and the growing influence they bring to Texas Tech. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the powerful politician with a hand on the state's purse strings, is donning Red Raider gear at the Capitol. The university is establishing a high-profile partnership with chipmaking giant Nvidia. Other colleges, Creighton boasted, are following Texas Tech's lead in scrutinizing what professors teach and whether their lessons prepare students for high-paying jobs. As chair of the Senate Education Committee, Creighton spearheaded laws aimed at curbing what GOP leaders saw as liberal influence on campuses and making college degrees worth their cost -- an overhaul his supporters say is unmatched by other states. The laws he championed have been far-reaching, and leaders in other states are paying attention. Now, from inside one of the university systems he once regulated, Creighton is going further than the laws he wrote require, positioning Texas Tech as a model for other universities.

Senior official at Dartmouth College resigns over AI use
A top administrator at Dartmouth College resigned after a faculty committee determined that he had improperly failed to disclose the use of artificial intelligence in some of his academic and public writing, the school announced Wednesday. The committee found that the school's provost, Santiago Schnell, used AI to alter his work in violation of the requirements of an academic journal and failed to disclose his use of AI as required by a newspaper where his writing appeared. Schnell was not forthcoming about his AI use, the committee concluded, and fell short of school standards including its code of ethical conduct. At a moment when college students are increasingly coming under scrutiny for their use of AI, Schnell is the most prominent academic known to have stepped down over the issue. Questions about Schnell's use of AI in his writing have drawn national attention as universities navigate the risks and opportunities of the rapidly advancing technology. At Dartmouth, where research on AI was born and is celebrated, the issues are particularly fraught.

Students Push Colleges to 'De-Flock'
In September, Emory University removed a dozen license plate–reading cameras from its campus in Atlanta and declined to renew its contract with Flock Safety, the company that sells and operates the automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and other mass-surveillance technology. For the coalition of Emory students and employees who had spent months pushing the university to "de-Flock," this was a victory. "It was a big deal for us," said Tony Torres, a sophomore biology major at Emory and president of Emory Students for Socialism, which was part of the DeFlock Emory coalition. "We made it very clear that these cameras were unneeded surveillance considering we already have regular security cameras." Removing the cameras "does not represent a retreat from cultivating a culture of safety," Emory spokesperson Laura Diamond told Inside Higher Ed in an email. "Importantly, this decision retains institutional control over our safety infrastructure. Emory will continue to invest in safety measures to protect students, faculty, staff, patients, visitors, and guests while maintaining a campus environment that is safe, welcoming, and consistent with our mission and values." Such concerns aren't unique to DeFlock Emory.

In First Year of 'Demographic Cliff,' Fall Undergraduate Enrollment Held Steady
This year has seen multiple developments that are poised to shake up higher education's enrollment. It marks the first year that the number of high-school graduates nationwide is trending down after peaking in 2025, according to research from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. The sunsetting of Grad PLUS loans and new federal loan caps threaten to constrain graduate enrollment. Meanwhile, the sector continues to wrestle with challenges, like responding to its worsening public perception, containing costs and tuition, satisfying the morphing needs of the work force, and managing federal visa restrictions. Early signals of how enrollment is faring amid all of this came out on Thursday, when the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center released its annual preliminary report on fall enrollment trends. The initial findings, which captured nearly 8 million students and 46 percent of American institutions that report to the Clearinghouse, revealed muted growth in undergraduate enrollment, modest hits to graduate enrollment, and a growing number of states with total enrollment declines, among other findings. While incomplete, the preliminary findings paint a picture of a sector that hasn't been turned on its head overnight, but that may already be feeling some downstream effects of demographic and policy shifts.

McMahon Says 'Institutional Decay' Compelled a 'Reckoning'
Education Secretary Linda McMahon declared President Donald Trump's 2024 election "a turning point for higher education" during a speech at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, the fourth and final talk in her series entitled "The Next 250: American Education." "Violent riots erupted across campuses," McMahon said, referring to the wave of pro-Palestinian student encampments that sprang up in the spring of 2024. But those protests, combined with dramatic declines in academic rigor, caught Americans' attention, she said, and now, "a tide of reform is finally washing over our campuses -- powered by some institutional leaders who have boldly acknowledged the need to rebuild public trust, restore sanity and revive a culture of excellence and accountability." "The most vivid examples of institutional decay rising to the surface compelled a reckoning," she later said. Just as she did a week ago when she gave a similar speech on college affordability at Arizona State University, McMahon touted her host institution, Vanderbilt, for being a prime example of such renewal. She also pointed to Yale and Washington Universities, which, like Vanderbilt, have released reports acknowledging their role in politicizing academic research and eroding public trust in higher education.

Midterm results could bring brewing student loan battle to a head
Student loan advocates see next week's midterms as an opportunity for further oversight and potential reversals of policies from the Trump administration that have delayed or denied debt relief and increased monthly payments. Democrats have the potential Tuesday to retake the House and Senate, possibly creating a friendlier environment for student loan borrowers after two years of drastic changes to the system. While lawmakers could only do so much with the Trump administration still in charge, advocates are looking for oversight and some wins for borrowers in budget negotiations. The student loan system has been turned on its head since President Trump's return to office, with new loan limits, fewer repayment options and taxes coming back on student debt relief. Many of the changes came from the One Big Beautiful Bill, which put ceilings on undergraduate and graduate borrowing, added restrictions to Parent PLUS loans and created a timeline for dwindling down student repayment options to just two plans by 2028.

SPORTS


Taylor's surgery successful, QB decision coming Saturday
Kamario Taylor's surgery on his injured toe Wednesday morning went "really well," head coach Jeff Lebby said during Wednesday's SEC coaches teleconference. Taylor was officially declared out for the season on Tuesday. He hurt his toe in MSU's 31-24 win against Missouri on Sept. 26 and played in just four quarters over the Bulldogs' next three games. He started MSU's game against Oklahoma Saturday, but played in just one quarter of the 23-15 loss after re-aggravating the injury. When asked if the injury worsened against the Sooners, Lebby said there was "nothing more to it" besides the fact he reaggravated it. Lebby FaceTimed Taylor after his surgery and said he is in a "good spot." "It was something that was a team decision," Lebby said of ending Taylor's season. "He did everything he could to be able to stay on the field, get back on the field, but it was the right thing." Lebby said the team is "heartbroken" for Taylor, but is ready for an "incredible" opportunity this Saturday against Texas. "Each week is its own week," Lebby said. "For us, being able to go play the best we've played all year, Saturday night at 6:30, that's our focus."

State's morale high after big blows; starting QB search underway
That's the SEC, and that's football. Such was the sentiment from Jeff Lebby in regards to the recent injuries suffered by Mississippi State. On Wednesday morning, star quarterback Kamario Taylor had surgery to repair a toe injury and will miss the rest of the season. On Monday, it was announced that Jalen Smith, the team's leading tackler before his injury, had knee surgery and will also miss the rest of the season. "You've got to catch a couple of breaks from that standpoint inside this conference," Lebby said in the SEC football coaches media teleconference on Wednesday. "When you step into the arena, that's part of it. Our guys understand that. But we have a great opportunity for other guys to be able to step up and go put great things on tape." "We've got a lot out in front of us. There's a lot of football to be played. We're 4-3. That's the reality of it," he said.

Jeff Lebby gives Kamario Taylor surgery update, reveals timeline for QB starter vs Texas
Kamario Taylor underwent successful season-ending foot surgery on Oct. 28, Mississippi State football coach Jeff Lebby said. Lebby said he was on FaceTime with the star quarterback afterward, and he was in good spirits. Taylor tried to overcome the injury in the last three games until the program announced Oct. 27 that he needed the season-ending surgery. The Bulldogs (4-3, 2-3 SEC) play at No. 11 Texas (5-2, 3-2) on Oct. 31 (6:30 p.m., ESPN). "Like we said in the statement, it was something that was a team decision with everybody involved," Lebby said. "It was the right thing to do. Kamario did everything he could to be able to stay on the field and get back on the field, but it was the right thing. He finished up surgery this morning and went really, really well. I just got off FaceTime with him, so great news from that standpoint." Either former walk-on Billy Puckett or Appalachian State transfer AJ Swann will start in Taylor's place. Lebby said an announcement won't come until the night of the game.

Sources: Bears acquire All-Pro DT Jeffery Simmons in trade with Titans
The Chicago Bears are acquiring All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Titans (1-6) are receiving 2027 and 2028 first-round picks, plus a 2027 fourth-round pick from the Bears (5-2) for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick, the sources said. Simmons, 29, signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension, with $100 million guaranteed, with the Titans in June. He is under contract through the 2030 season. He now will be reunited with former Mississippi State teammate Montez Sweat on the Bears' defensive line. Trading Simmons, who played 86.6% of the defensive snaps leaves a huge hole along the interior of Tennessee's defense.

Mississippi State looks to return to NCAA Tournament form after slipping a season ago
It's a "prove it" year in Starkville for coach Chris Jans. He became the head coach ahead of the 2022-23 season and the Bulldogs incrementally improved from there, reaching the First Four that season and the Round of 64 the next two. However, State took a step backward last season (13-19, 5-13 SEC), missing March Madness entirely and finishing the year with a losing record. Josh Hubbard has established himself as one of the better shooters in America and one of the better players in the SEC, but the challenge for MSU is finding the cast to support their top producer. Mississippi State has some challenging non-conference matchups on its early season slate. The first is a neutral-site tilt with Xavier (Nov. 13), which will be played in West Virginia. Next comes a three-game stretch against Tulsa (Nov. 20), Wake Forest (Nov. 25) and Georgia Tech (Dec. 2), the latter of which will be part of the SEC/ACC Challenge. The Bulldogs then travel to face Marquette (Dec. 12) and then VCU (Dec. 19) in Huntsville, Alabama. Conference play starts with a pair of tough matchups; at home against No. 20 Alabama (Jan. 2) and at No. 24 Vanderbilt (Jan. 6).

Women's Golf: Bellendir Named SEC's Golfer Of The Week
Alicia Bellendir earned her first SEC Golfer of the Week honor on Wednesday after winning the individual title at The Fin last week. Bellendir, a sophomore from Coppell, Texas, returned to her home state for The Fin. She shot a combined 5-under to earn co-medalist honors, which was the first win of her career. Bellendir shot an impressive 6-under round last Tuesday to gain the lead entering the final round of action. That round was the best of any golfer throughout the duration of the event. She recorded 18 birdies during the week, the most of any golfer in the event. The Fin was just the conclusion of a strong fall season for Bellendir, as she finished 11th or better in every event in the fall to earn four top-20 finishes.

Brewers stalwarts Christian Yelich, Brandon Woodruff savor long-awaited title
Christian Yelich held a newspaper bearing the headline, "World Champs," in one hand as he hugged Robin Yount with the other. Yelich reminded the Milwaukee Brewers legend, "I told you we would do this." In fact, Yelich told everyone in the Brewers clubhouse during a road series over the summer that they would win the World Series. The sentiment was so popular that word quickly spread to Brandon Woodruff, who was rehabbing in Milwaukee. Recalling the memory, Woodruff smiled as he stood in the visitors' clubhouse at Tropicana Field in champagne-drenched clothes. He placed the World Series trophy he'd been cradling on a table. Then he pointed to it. "That right there," Woodruff said, "'Yeli' knew we'd get it." For the first time, the Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions. For Yelich and Woodruff, it marks a culmination of nearly a decade of near misses. Together, Woodruff and Yelich set the tone for the world champions. Woodruff's salary ($22.05 million for 2026) makes him a king among Brewers, but at his core he is a blue-collar worker from the tiny town of Wheeler, Miss. His father, Richard, once said of his home, "If you wanna do something around here, you just do it." No frills, just grit. That's Woodruff.

Delta State football forced from Gulf South Conference, seeks other options
The Delta State University football program is being forced to go independent of the conference it helped charter back in 1970. Amid changes within the Gulf South Conference, including several schools choosing to move to new conferences since 2024, the GSC will no longer sponsor football beginning in 2027-28. Only three football-playing schools currently remain in the conference: Delta State, West Alabama, and Valdosta State. Earlier this month, Valdosta State announced it would move all sports except football to the Peach Belt Conference and make its football program independent. The GSC also lost West Florida after the 2025 season when the school moved to Division I. Before that, Mississippi Christian University discontinued its football program, and North Greenville and Chowan jumped for the Conference Carolinas. Delta State Athletic Director Mike Kinnison explained that the GSC no longer has enough football-playing members to sustain the sport beyond the 2026 season.

Louisiana judge temporarily blocks the SEC from sanctioning LSU for playing ex-pro RJ Luis Jr.
Louisiana judge has granted a request by lawyers for RJ Luis Jr. -- who was briefly under contract with two NBA teams but never played in a game -- to temporarily block the Southeastern Conference from punishing LSU if Luis is added to the Tigers' roster. The order on Wednesday by state district Judge Ronald R. Johnson in East Baton Rouge Parish also blocks LSU from using SEC policies as a reason for declining to play Luis. The injunction takes effect on Nov. 3, the day of LSU's regular-season opener against LSU-New Orleans, and lasts until Nov. 13, when Johnson has scheduled a hearing on the matter and ordered SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, as well as LSU officials, to appear. Johnson's ruling came a day after Luis' lawyers -- Elliot Abrams of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Tony Clayton of Port Allen, Louisiana (in suburban Baton Rouge) -- requested an expansion of a preliminary injunction against the NCAA that Johnson issued in late August.

Paul Finebaum unsure about future at ESPN with expiring contract
Paul Finebaum is under contract with ESPN through this college football season, but the longtime radio host and college football analyst is unsure about his future at the company. Finebaum recently joined the Awful Announcing Podcast, where he confirmed ESPN pulled him from its programming last year after he told Clay Travis, then with OutKick, he was considering a run for U.S. Senate as a Republican. At the time, ESPN denied Finebaum was being sidelined. But one year later, Finebaum opened up about what he felt was an intentional sidelining by ESPN. Finebaum ultimately returned to his regularly scheduled shows on ESPN and decided against a pivot to politics. But now his future at ESPN is in question again, with his contract set to expire next summer. Finebaum said he "feels pretty good" about his current relationship with ESPN, but that doesn't mean a new contract is imminent. "I intend to continue doing what I'm doing, which is doing a show of some sort, but I don't know how it will be constructed," Finebaum continued. "These are always awkward situations that are probably best not discussed in the public airwaves, but then again, here we are."

Big Ten won't wait on Congress, adopts Protect College Sports Act pay rules
The Big Ten passed a league-wide rule Wednesday that would allow schools to increase the amount of money that can be directed to athletes by about $28 million annually, a move made to match similar spending provisions in the Protect College Sports Act. The PCSA, a wide-ranging bill that would federally regulate various aspects of college sports and provide the NCAA antitrust protections, passed the Senate in September. With the House of Representatives out of session until after next week's midterm elections, the bill is in limbo. While the PCSA passed the Senate with bipartisan support and has the backing of President Donald Trump, its prospects in the House are uncertain at best. Especially if control of the House flips from Republicans to Democrats in next week's midterms. Big Ten presidents and chancellors decided not to wait to see if the PCSA would pass the House, and voted to implement similar new rev-share rules. Jeffrey Kessler, one of the lead attorneys who negotiated the landmark antitrust settlement, told The Athletic the Big Ten's new rule would violate the deal's terms if the PCSA does not pass. Kessler said conferences cannot put limits on NIL deals athletes sign with third parties.

From tailgates to tap: The growth of stadium alcohol sales and debate over fan drinking
Georgia football fans can sit in between the hedges with a GameDay Spiked in hand, the new official canned cocktail of the Bulldogs this season. As stadium drinking has become the norm across college football, some worry about potential abuse. This football season marks the third year alcohol has been sold in the stadium. While the Southeastern Conference (SEC) lifted its ban on stadium alcohol sales in 2019, it wasn't until February 2024 that the University of Georgia Athletic Association Board of Directors approved alcohol sales in Sanford. This made UGA one of the last SEC schools to permit the sale of alcohol during football games. Research on the impact of alcohol sales shows mixed findings. A 2023 PubMed study found that alcohol sales in college football stadiums had no significant impact on the amount of alcohol-related emergency department visits or calls at a university. Conversely, a 2018 study from the Journal of American College Health found that crime incidents, specifically liquor law violations and alcohol consumption by minors, increased after sales were introduced at another institution.

Boston University study estimates nearly three-quarters of NFL players who died in a 16 year period had CTE
A new study from a team of researchers in Boston estimates that nearly three-quarters of NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. The disease is caused by repeated hits to the head, whether they cause a concussion or not. It can only be diagnosed after death. The work builds on research released in August that estimated between 25% and 98% of players had CTE based on a study of brains donated by players and their families. The researchers at Boston University, Mass General Brigham and the Concussion & CTE Foundation wanted to explore how including data from players who didn't donate their brains might affect the estimate. The results were published Wednesday in JAMA Network Open. "The importance of this number is knowing that football played at the professional level is a real risk for this disease, and it's time for all of us to work together on ways of prevention, ways to keep our players safe," said Dr. Ann McKee, a neurologist and neuropathologist who directs the Boston University CTE Center and worked on the study.

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