| Thursday, July 23, 2026 |
| Dr. Camp installed as new president of state Veterinary Medical Association | |
 | The Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) has announced the installation of Dr. Amanda Camp as President of its Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 year. A veterinarian at All Creatures Animal Care Center in Madison, Dr. Camp earned both her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University. She joined All Creatures in 2000 and became a partner in 2004. Her professional interests include small animal medicine, reproduction, endocrinology, dermatology, and soft tissue surgery. Throughout her career, Dr. Camp has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to veterinary medicine. In 2007, she was named Young Veterinarian of the Year by the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association. In 2024, she received the prestigious Alumnus of the Year award from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. |
| MSU workshop trains on hydroponic farming | |
 | A limited number of people with an interest in hydroponic farming are invited to a free workshop Oct. 13 hosted by Mississippi State University. Registration will be open to the public July 31 with just seven spots available for the workshop, although those added to a waiting list may have an opportunity to join the workshop. There is no charge to attend, and participants will receive lunch and take home fresh, live hydroponic harvests of leafy greens and microgreens. Qianwen "Megan" Zhang, MSU Extension horticulturist and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station researcher, said the workshop is designed for those professionals who support hydroponic farmers and those in the business or seeking to get into hydroponic farming. The Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station, part of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, is located at 2024 Experiment Station Road in Crystal Springs. The event is sponsored by MSU Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. |
| Mary Means Business: Saddle up for Starkville's new restaurant The Ranch | |
 | It's official: Get your boots ready and head down to The Ranch. Starkville's newest dining destination officially opened Monday at 1044 W. Poor House Road. About five years ago, co-owners Roy Oswalt and Chef Jeff Thornsberry opened the high-end steakhouse 44 Prime. Earlier this year, the duo closed 44 Prime to pivot toward an ambitious new project, building a 6,000-square-foot facility from the ground up. The Ranch features three separate spaces: a main dining room, lounge and bar area and a private dining room. Lunch and dinner menu lineups include sandwiches, salads, shrimp and grits, catfish and mushroom rigatoni, while the Sunday brunch offers biscuits, omelets, hamburgers and other classic brunch favorites. Lunch kicks off at 11 a.m., with dinner starting at 5 p.m. According to its website, walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended. |
| Oktibbeha planning steps for wastewater treatment | |
| Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors are evaluating the possibility of creating a countywide utility district for wastewater. Doing this will allow the county to prepare to serve a growing population with an anticipated influx of 9,000 to 14,000 new residents by 2043, as outlined in the wastewater feasibility study recently conducted by engineer Clyde Pritchard. Starkville Utilities currently processes 96% of the county's sewage. "The current arrangement cannot meet present demand, let alone documented future demand, sustain compliance, or compete effectively for state and federal infrastructure funding," the study reads. The study lays out multiple governance structures for countywide wastewater districts but recommends a two-track approach that includes working with Starkville Utilities to service neighborhoods closest to the city limits while also building localized treatment plants to meet need in more rural areas. The top priority will be a new plant serving the east and southeastern county. |
| Columbus, Starkville see sales tax gains in July | |
| Both Columbus and Starkville saw an increase in general sales tax collections this month compared to July 2025, but Columbus is still projected to fall shy of its projected $12 million budget for this fiscal year. Meanwhile, Starkville is still on track to exceed its projected budget of $10.3 million by about $131,045 despite continuing to lag behind its Fiscal Year 2025 collections. Both cities' budget cycles began Oct. 1. while West Point's fiscal year begins July 1, meaning this month is the start of that city's 2027 fiscal year. West Point's projected budget for this year has increased to $3.1 million after successfully surpassing its $2.9 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026. West Point made a strong showing for its first months of collections, currently projected to surpass its budget by $162,296. Starkville's restaurant tax has brought in $301,921, up 2.06% from this time last year. This collection also marks a 0.21% decrease from last month's collections. Year-to-date, the city has collected $2,831,046 in restaurant tax, a 5.47% increase from last year ($2,684,279). |
| SIP Manufacturing coming to the Sip with $100 million investment | |
| The Mississippi Development Authority announced Wednesday that SIP Manufacturing is establishing operations in Southaven, investing more than $100 million and creating 187 jobs in the North Mississippi region. Governor Tate Reeves welcomed the announcement, saying, "Every new job is an opportunity for a Mississippi family to build a better future, and SIP Manufacturing's $100 million investment will create nearly 200 of those opportunities in DeSoto County." "We've stayed focused on helping companies grow and giving Mississippians new pathways to good careers," Reeves added. "I'm glad SIP Manufacturing has chosen to grow in Mississippi and become part of our state's historic success." SIP Manufacturing is a third-party beverage co-packer. The company supports customers from product development through shipment and specializes in aluminum canning, PET bottle and aluminum bottle packaging. They also produce a variety of beverages, including flavored waters, energy drinks and hard seltzers. |
| Paycheck Boost Gives Low-Income Workers a Breather | |
 | Working-class Americans have experienced a paycheck bump in recent months after tax breaks and some signs of faster earnings growth, certain data suggest, a welcome development for households that have been struggling with inflation and stagnant wages. An improvement in the finances of working people at the lower end of the economic scale might help explain why their spending on both essentials and discretionary items has accelerated recently, some economists said. New federal data this week showed an acceleration in weekly earnings growth for low- and middle-income full-time workers during the second quarter, compared with a year earlier. Weekly pay rose 5.5% for workers at the 25th percentile of earnings and 4.6% for workers at the median, according to Labor Department data. That outpaced growth of 1.5% or less for higher-earning brackets. And it outpaced inflation, too: Consumer prices rose 3.9% over the same period. Working-class Americans have felt particularly squeezed in recent years as inflation and cooling wage gains pinched their pocketbooks. Many have also missed out on the big gains in housing values and stock-market portfolios enjoyed by wealthier households. The widening gap between their fortunes and those of higher-income Americans amounted to a two-speed economy. |
| Hyde-Smith joins Defense Subcommittee on Senate Appropriations Committee | |
| U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced Wednesday that Mississippi U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) will join the join the Defense subcommittee. Hyde-Smith already served on the Senate Appropriations Committee. She will retain her chairmanship of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, as well as her memberships on the subcommittees on: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development; Homeland Security; and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. The updated appointments on the committee come following the death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) on July 11. His sister, Darline Graham (R), is now serving in the seat by appointment until a special election is held. |
| Federal bill could send millions for Mississippi water systems | |
 | Provisions for some of Mississippi's most embattled water systems have been written into a bill in the U.S. Senate. If the Magnolia State's federal representatives can help urge it across the finish line, some cities will come into millions of dollars. The Water Resources Development Act is still in its infancy; it was only proposed on July 13. But it speedily passed through its committee and awaits a vote in the full chamber, the roughly halfway point of its journey to becoming law. The stated purpose of the massive bill is to "provide improvements to the rivers and harbors" and boost water conservation efforts. In Mississippi, that proposal primarily involves two things: money and studies. Mississippi could see more than $20 million directly from the federal government if the bill becomes law, mostly earmarked for municipalities with struggling water systems. The bill would send an additional $5 million each to Clinton, Oxford and Picayune for environmental infrastructure. Madison County would add $2 million to the $24 million it received in the 2022 version of the same bill. The next step for the bill is a vote before the entire Senate. |
| Appropriators ponder alternatives to annual shutdown threats | |
 | As Congress struggles, yet again, to pass a funding extension to head off a government shutdown this fall, House appropriators took some time Wednesday to think about other ways of doing business. For more than three hours, the Appropriations Committee debated the merits of tweaking the budget process in an effort to take shutdowns off the table -- or at least make them less likely. A key witness at the hearing was Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who is pushing a bill that would eliminate the risk of shutdowns by providing for automatic stopgap spending measures when a funding lapse is about to occur. It would extend funding for 14 days at a time while lawmakers try to reach a full-year appropriations deal. Lankford argued his proposal could help push both parties to negotiate during a funding lapse by requiring members to stay put, while allowing federal workers to continue to receive pay. "We all have to stay here, and it is required in this," Lankford said. "We have a quorum call every day. We cannot go into recess for more than 23 hours, so it requires everybody to be here." But Democrats argued that a default to automatic extensions would become a crutch that avoids the need for tough negotiations on funding priorities. |
| GOP senators criticize Trump plan to sell access to Truth Social posts | |
 | GOP senators at odds with President Trump are slamming the plan floated by his social media company to sell faster access to the president's market-moving online posts to wealthy trading firms, which could give them a crucial edge in the financial markets. Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of Truth Social, announced last week it would launch "Truth API" -- a direct data feed that would give investment firms "real-time access to posts from the highest-ranking Truth Social accounts." Business-focused media outlets including Reuters and CNBC reported that executives at Truth Social discussed charging Wall Street traders and investment firms as much as $100,000 a month for faster access to the president's posts. "I think that's wrong. It's a form of buying access," said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who lost his primary to a Trump-backed candidate earlier this year. He said families "struggling to make ends meet" would wonder, "Why would you reward those who are already doing well when we should do more for those who are struggling?'" |
| US is ready to help end the 'senseless war' in Ukraine but no quick deal ahead, Rubio says | |
 | U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the Trump administration is poised to help end the "senseless war" in Ukraine but acknowledged there is no quick path to a deal, saying diplomacy will require sustained effort and new ideas. Rubio, who held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, said Moscow and Kyiv should have the incentive to end a "very bloody war" that has devastated both sides. Rubio alluded to how U.S.-mediated talks have stalled, calling them "unsuccessful or at least unfruitful" in the past but insisted that President Donald Trump was committed to the work "if conditions and factors have changed to make that possible." "That's been the challenge -- an end that both sides can accept. And we've tried and we'll continue to try to see if we can, you know, find a middle ground that brings this about. And we're prepared to play that role if the opportunity presents itself," Rubio told reporters. |
| The White House pushes healthy eating. It cut a landmark nutrition education program | |
 | Wholesome eating is a central part of the Trump administration's efforts to Make America Healthy Again. But a landmark nutrition education program for recipients of federal food assistance and other low-income people will cease to exist within weeks after President Trump eliminated it last summer when he signed a massive Republican spending and tax bill. For decades, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program, known as SNAP-Ed, has funded programs such as community cooking classes, farmers markets in low-income neighborhoods, school nutrition lessons and more in every U.S. state. The program is a "pillar of the public health infrastructure in the US," according to a report published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. The decision to end SNAP-Ed at a time of rising food prices and the Trump administration's push for healthy eating has mystified nutrition advocates and public health experts alike. "It doesn't make sense when we have an administration [promoting] the Make America Healthy Again efforts that are focused on decreasing consumption of ultra-processed foods and wanting to encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetables," said Tashara Leak, a professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University, "to then get rid of the largest federally funded nutrition education program that helps to achieve those goals." |
| The Trump administration wants to tackle food aid fraud. Conservative states have issues with the approach | |
 | A Trump administration initiative to expose potential fraud in the nation's largest food aid program has sparked pushback from two Republican-led states, raising new doubts about how it's scrutinizing the signature $100 billion safety net. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has spent months campaigning against "significant fraud" in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as part of a splashy public messaging effort among Republicans. She repeats unconfirmed claims that thousands of SNAP beneficiaries are driving Lamborghinis, Porsches and other luxury cars, and regularly posts mugshots of people arrested for alleged fraud. But Ohio and Georgia -- the first two states to get examined for potential fraud by the Agriculture Department's independent watchdog -- said the agency's methods were "insufficient" and "incorrectly identified" errors, according to documents obtained by POLITICO. While genuine scammers do target the SNAP system, former USDA officials said the department and its inspector general appear to be adopting a maximalist approach that often mischaracterizes routine administrative errors and proper payments as potential theft. So far, Ohio has successfully disputed USDA's initial estimate, landing at a figure tens of millions of dollars lower. |
| Google Study Says AI Is Helping Workers, Not Replacing Them | |
| One of the looming worries about artificial intelligence is that it will automate away jobs. A report from researchers at Google released Thursday says that, so far, the technology is mainly being used as an aid to workers. It is a finding that, if it holds true as AI continues to develop, could point to a future where the demand for highly skilled workers is accentuated rather than diminished. "Just because you're using AI doesn't mean it's going to automate your job," said Google economist Scott Strand, one of the researchers. The stakes are high for Google parent Alphabet. Google operates Gemini, one of the world's most popular AI platforms. Public backlash to AI is intensifying, with stark fears about job loss and anger over the build-out of data centers across the country. Thursday's is the first report based on research assembled using millions of de-identified interactions people around the world made with Google AI tools. Within the U.S., they found that AI is being used across a large number of occupations. The report also says that skilled, blue-collar workers are using AI, which stands in contrast to some other research showing adoption is concentrated in white-collar work. AI is additionally being used in the home in ways that, while unlikely to show up in measures such as gross domestic product, is helping people be more efficient. The researchers point out that the use of AI doesn't necessarily mean workers accomplished what they set out to do, or saved time or money. |
| Ole Miss, Southern Miss work to help school meals meet new nutrition standards | |
| Pizza, pastries and parfaits are staples in many school cafeterias. But new research from the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi suggests some of students' favorite meals may contain more sodium and sugar than schools will be allowed to serve under updated federal nutrition standards. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will require schools across the United States to reduce sodium and added sugars in meals by fall 2027. A new study published in Nutrition Reviews aimed to identify which popular menu items are highest in sodium and sugar, giving school officials a starting point for creating healthier menus. "School meals are designed to meet nutrition standards, and for many children, they are among the most balanced meals they eat," said Aleshia Hall-Campbell, executive director of the Institute of Child Nutrition at Ole Miss. "But because students may eat school breakfast and lunch many times each week, the nutrition quality of those meals matters. Reducing added sugars and sodium is not about blaming school meals. It is about using school meals as an opportunity to support children's health while still serving foods students enjoy." The researchers aimed to create healthier versions of students' preferred meals that adhere to updated guidelines for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, said Ruaa Al Juboori, assistant professor of public health and data analytics statistician. |
| UMMC to take over Greenwood Leflore Hospital Aug. 1 | |
| Nearly four years after negotiations collapsed over a potential takeover of the long-struggling Greenwood Leflore Hospital by the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the state's only academic medical center is set to assume operations of the Delta hospital on Aug. 1. A federal bankruptcy judge on July 16 approved a plan for the donation of the 25-bed public hospital, which is owned by the city of Greenwood and Leflore County, to UMMC. At a Tuesday Greenwood City Council meeting, Gary Marchand, the hospital's former interim CEO who became a consultant for the hospital's board, called this the "last hurdle" to completing the transfer. "As I speak here today, the university is on our campus," Marchand said. "They're making sure the IT -- their clinical information systems -- are up and running, the connectivity works, etc. We're ready to switch over." |
| Donation of Greenwood Leflore Hospital to UMMC now official | |
| A hospital that was in danger of closing can now officially be donated to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, ensuring the residents in Greenwood and Leflore County will have continued access to care nearby. Even though the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees approved a motion to accept the donation of the Greenwood Leflore Hospital to UMMC, there was a bankruptcy matter that first had to be cleared up before it became official. That matter was decided in the United States Bankruptcy Court on July 16. The facility will now be renamed UMMC Greenwood. "Based on the order of the bankruptcy court, the University of Mississippi Medical Center will assume operation of Greenwood Leflore Hospital, effective August 1," Dr. Alan Jones, associate vice chancellor for health affairs told Magnolia Tribune. During IHL's June monthly meeting where the donation was approved, it was noted that the facility is expected to serve as a learning center for doctors who plan to practice in healthcare facilities in small communities. |
| Jackson State University earns A+ rating for teacher preparation and literacy | |
| Jackson State University has earned an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality for excelling in the science of reading and elementary teacher preparation. Through the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (K-6) degree program in the College of Education and Human Development, JSU meets standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction. "This recognition by the NCTQ is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our faculty in the elementary education program. Their commitment extends beyond preparing pre-service teachers through evidence-based reading instruction," said Tony Latiker, Ed.D., dean and associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development. "Our faculty are leading Mississippi's efforts to improve literacy outcomes for all learners through participating in and conducting professional development and evaluating reading instruction." |
| JSU earns A+ rating for teacher preparation, literacy | |
 | Jackson State University (JSU) received a high rating for teacher preparedness and quality. According to the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), JSU earned an A+ rating for excelling in the science of reading and elementary teacher preparation. The rating concluded that JSU's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (K-6) degree program meets the standards of literacy experts for reading instruction. The rating found that Jackson State prepared Elementary Education graduates for all five components of science-backed education research. The five components include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. "The College of Education really instilled in me the importance of the science of reading and language comprehension models like the Scarborough Rope," said Brailyn Luckett, spring 2025 JSU graduate and second grade reading teacher at Bates Elementary School. "This has made an impact in my classrooms, and I'm excited to continue using it more in the development of our scholars." |
| Peter J. Mohler marks one year as U. of Alabama president | |
| Peter Mohler, UA president, and Steven Hood, vice president for student life, pose for a picture in the photo booth at University Programs' Mornings with Mohler event on Jan. 14, 2026. Tuesday officially marked the first full year of Peter J. Mohler's term as president of The University of Alabama. Mohler was appointed by the UA System Board of Trustees on June 16, 2025, and officially began his term on July 21, 2025. Mohler's presidency, despite beginning with an email to students encouraging them to engage with their community and listen, has been fraught with controversy, particularly the shutdown of student magazines, his AI-heavy "Future Ready Flagship" program and the silent shuttering of race- and gender-based programs. The Future-Ready Flagship includes a new AI data center set to cost $100 million. While the data center isn’t directly geared towards students, the University said it was aimed at ensuring “the University and its students are at the forefront of the AI wave.” The UA AI Experience will officially launch this fall, with the data center, the School of Data Science and the AI course all falling under Mohler’s apparent passion project. |
| Mounds of excitement: U. of Tennessee's composting program showcases responsible circular systems | |
| When a student grabs a quick to-go meal on campus and tosses the leftovers into the trash, the lifecycle of the food and packaging is disregarded. Tennesseans generate 7.8 billion tons of waste a year, and with landfills filling up, there is a heightened concern surrounding how garbage is managed. As the public grows wary of where their waste ends up, circular systems have become a great topic of discussion. While recycling gets plenty of time in the sustainability limelight, a more organic approach is often overlooked. Composting is the process of converting organic matter, like produce or landscaping waste, into nutrient-rich soil-like material used for fertilization purposes. Over the past few years, UT has invested into sustainable initiatives, especially in the realm of green packaging. One company with Tennessee roots is leading the way in bio-based food packaging. Located in Vonore, Tennessee, Genera is a company founded by former UT professor Kelly Tiller that manufactures carbon-negative compostable food packaging created from grass fibers. The University of Tennessee's Compost Facility composts over 2 million pounds of food waste, animal waste and landscaping debris annually. The finished compost is then utilized to grow plants on campus, creating a circular system. |
| With help from the Haslams, U. of Tennessee breaks another record | |
 | The University of Tennessee at Knoxville posted another record-breaking year for fundraising, boosted by the largest single donation in its history. The UT System's record-breaking total of $654 million raised for fiscal year 2025-26 is more than what President Randy Boyd forecasted in June, and it includes a record-breaking $581 million given to the flagship university in Knoxville. The money raised for the Knoxville campus is about $153 million more than last fiscal year's fundraising total. More than a fifth of the money raised came from Dee and Jimmy Haslam pledging a record-breaking $130 million investment, which will be put toward the Haslam College of Business and helping UT in its mission of hiring world-class faculty. More than 12,000 donor-supported scholarships were awarded to students, according to UT, thanks to the contributions of more than 70,300 donors. As the UT System aims to raise $4 billion by 2030, it's also plans to enroll 85,000 students by that time. This figure includes 17,000 fully online students across the five state campuses. The Knoxville campus expects to enroll upwards of 42,600 students for the fall 2026 semester, including fully online students. |
| The State of Higher Education with Sonny Perdue | |
| Most Georgians know Sonny Perdue from his time as the state's 81st governor from 2003 to 2011 and as the United States Secretary of Agriculture from 2017 to 2021. Today the former veterinarian may have his favorite job of his career: Since 2022 he's served as the chancellor of the University System of Georgia (USG), leading 26 public higher education institutions around the state. "The trajectory of someone's life, to a large degree, depends on their level of education. As we help people invest in themselves through education, it just increases their chances of personal prosperity, both for them and their family," Perdue says. "When you see the graduation walks across the stages and the confidence these students have, it's a thrill." There's lots to be proud of: In fiscal year 2024, the USG awarded an all-time high of 76,571 degrees. We spoke with Perdue to hear more. |
| Judge denies motion to block a federal judge from starting as U. of Kentucky dean | |
| A federal judge denied a motion to temporarily prevent a federal judge from starting as the next dean of the University of Kentucky College of Law. Last week, professor Ramsi Woodcock filed a lawsuit against the incoming dean, Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, as well as UK President Eli Capilouto, Provost Robert DiPaola and the university. Among Woodcock's requests were asking the court to block Van Tatenhove from becoming dean of the law school and preventing UK administrators from appointing or reappointing a dean over the objection of a majority of faculty. UK announced Van Tatenhove, who was appointed to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, as the next dean of the college earlier this year, but the choice has been met with criticism. UK spokesperson Jay Blanton previously said Van Tatenhove was to start as the law dean on Monday. "We are pleased that Dean Van Tatenhove is here at UK and excited about the outstanding leadership he will provide for the Rosenberg College of Law," Blanton said Wednesday. |
| Higher education agency prepares to cut 3% of spending as ordered by Texas leaders | |
| Bracing for possible cuts to financial aid after a directive to curb spending, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is planning to ask lawmakers to set aside additional dollars to offset impacts to students. Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows instructed state agencies to cut spending by 3% ahead of the next legislative session as a starting point for budget deliberations. For Texas' higher education agency, that means trimming $77 million over a biennium. Most of the higher education budget is made up of dollars that trickle down from the state to its community colleges and universities. THECB officials said at a board meeting Wednesday that the cuts likely cannot be entirely absorbed from internal operations, and that some student and institutional programs will likely be affected. "We will have to look at cuts both within operations and administration, but also in some of these trustee programs and funds that we send to institutions and students," Sarah Keyton, the deputy commissioner for administration and operations for THECB, said. "We'll be looking at options to minimize the amount of the cut that we need to take in mission critical programs." |
| The Researchers Who Want Dads-to-Be to Stop Drinking | |
| Pretty much everyone knows that women aren't supposed to have alcohol while they're pregnant. Even just a drink a day, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists warns, can cause lifelong problems with a baby's coordination, behavior, and learning. Not all mothers-to-be follow this advice, of course, but the official guidance is clear: "There is no safe amount or type of alcohol use during pregnancy." Male drinking and its potential negative effects on a fetus have gotten considerably less attention. The ACOG does not have the same alcohol-related recommendations for men on its website, and doctors do not generally bring up the topic in prenatal appointments. A few years ago, however, Kara Thomas, then a graduate student at Texas A&M University's veterinary school, suggested an experiment that would explore whether a father-to-be's alcohol consumption could also pose risks. She wanted to see whether alcohol used by a male mouse before impregnating a female mouse might change the facial features of the resulting fetus. The student's professor, Michael Golding, was initially against the idea. |
| U. of Missouri plans for commercial development are progressing | |
 | University of Missouri officials are accepting proposals from commercial developers to build new structures on campus, particularly near its sporting venues. A successful request for information process that began last fall has encouraged Mizzou to move forward with direct conversations with developers that have expressed interest, according to a new release issued Friday. Travis Zimpfer, deputy spokesperson for Mizzou, said the university is focused on the possibility of creating student housing, hotels and restaurants that will form a year-round commercial hub for Columbia. A Request for Information, which allowed firms to submit proposals for development, was issued by Mizzou last October. A few universities across the nations have embarked on similar ventures. According to the Orlando Business Journal, the University of Central Florida identified more than 60 acres of land that it intends to use to privately develop student housing and retail establishments with hopes that it stimulates the local economy in the long term. In partnership with a private firm, the University of Tennessee is constructing a new parking garage and an entertainment district. Tennessee officials said they anticipate millions of dollars in annual revenue from the endeavor. |
| Virginia explores 3-year bachelor's degrees | |
| Virginia higher education leaders are exploring a three-year bachelor's degree, joining a growing national push to shorten college. Students could enter the workforce a year sooner while potentially saving thousands in tuition and living expenses. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) announced last month that it's working with reps from several Virginia universities to explore 90-credit undergraduate degree programs. That would replace the traditional 120-credit, four-year model that's been the standard for most bachelor's degrees for more than a century. Virginia reps are working with counterparts in Ohio to develop the program, joining roughly a dozen other states that are offering or exploring a shorter degree option. 1 of Virginia's 16 public universities and four private colleges have expressed "preliminary interest" so far, SCHEV spokesperson Bob Spieldenner tells Axios, cautioning that "the process is in the early stages" and unlikely to "work for most majors." Virginia Tech is looking at programs within its College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, school spokesperson Mark Owczarski tells Axios. |
| Students Using AI to Write Financial Aid Appeals | |
 | Since the launch of ChatGPT and other generative artificial intelligence platforms in late 2022, students have adopted the tools to facilitate the admissions process, from researching colleges to writing admissions essays. Now, financial aid officers are seeing students and families use AI in a new way: to try to get more financial aid. Every institution of higher ed is required by law to allow admitted students to request changes to their financial aid package due to changes in their life circumstances, such as a parent losing a job; these requests are called "professional judgment" appeals and usually involve reaching out to the financial aid office, explaining the change in circumstances and providing some documentation. But financial aid administrators say they've begun to receive appeals that appear to be written by AI, based on the generic language they use and the vagueness of the requests. |
| Hegseth turns to U. of North Carolina, Virginia Tech after cutting Ivy League ties | |
| The Defense Department has selected the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech to host a revamped fellowship program for senior military officers -- the first universities approved after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth severed partnerships with top universities. The two universities will participate in the new Senior Service College Fellowship, a 10-month professional military education program that serves as an alternative to traditional war colleges. Additional university partners will be announced at a later date, according to the department. The announcement follows an earlier move from Hegseth, barring military officers from attending graduate programs at several elite universities including Harvard, Brown, Princeton and Yale, Hegseth, who graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Kennedy School, argued that the universities had become "woke breeding grounds of toxic indoctrination." |
| Trump's Plan for Science: More Money for A.I., Less for Universities | |
 | President Trump's science adviser told lawmakers on Wednesday that the Trump administration intended to drastically overhaul the country's approach to scientific research, including by shifting research funding away from universities toward individual researchers and private companies. At a House hearing, Michael Kratsios echoed points he laid out in a report released Tuesday, titled "Science: A New Golden Age." He said the administration would prioritize artificial intelligence, robotics and nuclear energy while reducing the government's focus on what he called "life sciences." "Our ability to make transformational breakthroughs here in the United States has slowed," Mr. Kratsios told lawmakers in the hearing on Wednesday. "Maybe we should be testing other ways to make breakthroughs than what we've been doing for so many years." Democrats countered that the Trump administration had harmed scientific research by firing staff members at federal science agencies, seeking deep cuts to research programs, canceling or freezing grants, punishing universities that Mr. Trump is unhappy with, and pushing some of the best researchers in the United States to relocate to other countries. "Let me propose an alternative title: 'Unleashing the Golden Age of Science in the People's Republic of China,'" Representative Zoe Lofgren of California, the top Democrat on the House science committee, told Mr. Kratsios at the start of the hearing. "This administration has been systematically destroying the U.S. science enterprise." |
| A Call to Meet the Moment at NACUBO | |
| Keep calm and budget on. That was the message that emerged from the 2026 National Association of College and University Business Officers annual meeting earlier this week, which comes amid the flurry of federal policy changes the Trump administration has advanced over the last 18 months. While many of those changes -- which some critics described as a federal assault on higher education -- will affect institutional bottom lines, speakers urged attendees to act based on reality, not political rhetoric. "Now, things may change, and things may happen, but they don't change until there is a new law or a new regulation. Please don't react to what you see on X or TikTok or Instagram or Truth Social," Liz Clark, vice president for policy and research at NACUBO, said in a session. "Please remember to react to what is actually in the Federal Register or enacted into law." Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, described the expansion of Pell Grants to short-term workforce programs and the new earnings test as likely positives. But he cast the restrictions on student borrowing as a "big negative" that will likely force institutions to make hard choices, including possibly pulling back on some graduate programs. |
| Opinion | Data Centers Are a Financial Risk for Mississippi | |
| Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson writes: Unlike some politicians, I know how to read financial statements. In fact, I spent an entire career reviewing financial statements for investment risks, from the viewpoint of a reasonable investor. Last weekend, I reviewed a major AI player's financial statements for its AI segment, showing it lost $6.4 billion dollars in that segment in 2025 alone. The major losses AI companies like these are experiencing stem from their huge data center construction costs, with no significant "return on investment." In other words, there's been no profitability up to this point. Most AI companies are financing these data centers with enormous amounts of debt. To fund the debt, many companies are entering into data or compute contracts with related companies -- companies they hold significant interest in. Closed loop valuations and circular financing arrangements allow the bubble to continue to grow. Thus, a growing concern is in this so-called "AI race" to build so many data centers. Will there be a nationwide or global financial crash in the aftermath? In such a scenario, only a couple major players may be left standing. |
SPORTS
| State 1878 Announces 2026 Farm Bureau Diamond Dawg Classic | |
| As announced by State 1878 on Wednesday, Dudy Noble Field will host the 2026 Farm Bureau Diamond Dawg Classic presented by State 1878 on November 6. This year's event once again features Team Thunder vs. Team Lightning with Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiro serving as general managers for their respective teams. Mitch Moreland will manage Team Thunder, and Jake Mangum has been named the Team Captain. In the other dugout, Jonathan Papelbon will manage Team Lightning with Tanner Allen serving as Team Captain. The 2025 event showcased 51 Diamond Dawg alums who played in front of 10,172 fans. Team Lightning defeated Team Thunder in a swing off with Hunter Renfroe besting Moreland. Tickets will go on sale for the 2026 Farm Bureau Diamond Dawg Classic presented by State 1878 on Monday, July 27. Complete rosters and more information will be released at a later date. |
| Canton's Ace Reese joins Mariners with $3.5M bonus, marking dream MLB debut | |
| While on his first trip to the Pacific Northwest region, former Canton Eagle Ace Reese received a $3.5 million signing bonus as he joins the Seattle Mariners. Reese, 21, a 2023 Canton High School graduate, was selected by the Seattle Mariners with the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft. Sources told MLB.com's Daniel Kramer that Reese agreed to the signing bonus, which is below slot value ($3,818,700). Reese ranked the No. 18 prospect in this year's draft by MLB Pipeline. He was also the highest-ranked prospect at third base. "It's a dream come true," Reese told MLB.com about joining the Mariners. "You dream it your whole life." After graduating from Canton, Reese initially continued his baseball career at the University of Houston before he transferred to Mississippi State University after his freshman year. Last season at Mississippi State, Reese hit .336 with 24 bombs, 23 doubles, 74 RBIs and 73 runs scored. And the season before that, he had .352, 21 homers and 66 RBIs. |
| Ten rising college football quarterbacks who could make a jump this season | |
| On Tuesday, The Athletic published our ranking of the 138 projected starting quarterbacks for the 2026 season. There were plenty of familiar names near the top of the list. So, which players are among the next wave of future stars? I scoured our ranking and identified 10 players who have a chance to thrive in 2026: 1. Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State. Jeff Lebby is 7-18 overall and has won only one SEC game in two seasons at Mississippi State. But if you're searching for a reason why things could improve very soon, look no further than his 6-foot-4, 230-pound dual-threat quarterback. Taylor, a Mississippi native, was used primarily as a runner during his freshman season as a backup and change-of-pace option to Blake Shapen. He ran for 458 yards and eight touchdowns on 82 carries and made his first start in the Egg Bowl at the end of the regular season, when he ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-19 loss. Taylor then closed out the season by completing 13 of 22 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown in a 43-29 Duke Mayo's Bowl loss to Wake Forest. Lebby's up-tempo offense and quarterback-run packages should create plenty of opportunities for Taylor to put up huge numbers as the full-time starter. |
| Roster Review: Mississippi State safeties | |
| Mississippi State fans are going to have to recognize new faces in the secondary next season. The Bulldogs' two projected starting safeties are new transfers into Starkville. Of the six safeties listed on MSU's depth chart on OurLads.com, only two were Bulldogs last season. Here is a look at MSU's projected safeties depth chart. |
| Former MSU football star Glen Collins 'so honored' to be going into the Miss. Sports Hall of Fame | |
| It was Halloween 1980. A Friday. Mississippi State's football team arrived in Jackson mid-afternoon for its game the next day against legendary coach Bear Bryant and his undefeated and top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Glen Collins, born and raised in Jackson and one of the nation's top defensive tackles, had phoned his 20-year-old fiancé, Kathy Brinston, several times but couldn't get an answer. He figured she was probably busy finishing up schoolwork at Jackson State, where she was a sophomore. As day turned to night and trick or treaters were out and about, Collins' fellow defensive lineman and close friend, Tyrone Keys from Jackson, received a phone call. Brinston, who lived with her parents, had been killed. Shot in the head by a 15-year-old male who lived near Brinston. She was found by her mother that afternoon. Police said it happened around 11 a.m. during a robbery of the Brinstons' home. "I immediately went to Coach (Emory) Bellard," Keys recalled. "We talked about who should tell Glen." Keys knew her, grew up near her. Before they could decide, an aunt phoned Collins with the news. "I heard the scream when he ran out of his hotel room," Keys said. "I'll never forget that scream." ... A year and a half after the tragedy, Collins was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Before that, Collins had been an All-American at MSU, sacked quarterbacks 26 times and made 205 tackles while battling through injuries. In 2013, he was named an SEC Legend. On Aug. 1, Collins will be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. |
| SEC commish throws cold water on 'breakaway' notion, but league tension is high with Senate bill still up for grabs | |
| Within this waterfront Marriott hotel along an offshoot of Tampa Bay, college football's biggest media extravaganza unfolds. In the main grand hallway, where hundreds of press members gather here for SEC football media days, a giant logo portraying the conference's three iconic letters -- S-E-C -- serves as the primary visual backdrop. But adjacent to that display, behind a guarded curtain, the league's commissioner slumps into a chair as he scrolls through his cell phone during a rare quiet moment amidst the bustle. "Mmm," he mutters as he glares at the screen. "More messages from Washington." A topic at this year's event -- even among the head football coaches themselves -- is ongoing negotiations over a congressional bill to regulate college athletics and, perhaps even more notable, the SEC's potential plans, without revised federal legislation, to operate within its own silo: a conference-led governance model that's caused a stir across the country. In fact, in a sitdown with Yahoo Sports, commissioner Greg Sankey says the frustration within his league over the absence of regulation and enforcement will "continue to simmer" and "if we're not able to deal with issues, then the boil starts." |
| Ole Miss coach Pete Golding has moved on, calls Lane Kiffin 'the ex' who's always going to come up | |
| Unearthed at Ole Miss after an offseason filled with tales of betrayal, unkept promises and watching college football's ugly underbelly tearing at the fabric of an institution came this surprise from the new coach there, Pete Golding: "I have no ill will toward Coach Kiffin," Golding said Wednesday at SEC Media Days. Golding was the up-and-coming defensive coordinator who was asked to pick up the pieces when his old boss, Lane Kiffin, abruptly left for LSU for a seven-year, $91 million deal just as the Rebels were about to embark on their first trip to the College Football Playoff last season. "It's the ex, right? There's always going to be the history," said Golding, who is married with three children. "Do you have an ex? Are you married? Well, if you do get married and you have an ex that your wife knows about, like, she doesn't ever end; she's never dead. She's always going to get brought up, and so that's kind of where it is right now. That's always going to be there a little bit, which is fun to a certain degree." Fun, indeed. |
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