| Wednesday, July 15, 2026 |
| Watson's campaign for Lt. Governor built on relationships, not shying away from tough conversations | |
 | Michael Watson announced his campaign for Lieutenant Governor in April, setting out on an 11-city tour across Mississippi to spread his message. In an interview with Magnolia Tribune this week, Watson, a two-term Republican Secretary of State who previously served three terms in the Mississippi Senate, said the response so far has been "fantastic." Watson is currently the only candidate -- Republican or Democrat -- openly stumping for the office. Watson addressed a few hot topic issues being bantered about across the state, most of which he will likely be charged with engaging on if elected Lt. Governor. Watson recalls "good movement" when he was in the Senate on school district consolidation. "And let's be very clear, that's administrative, that's not shutting schools down," he emphasized. "I think there's still a lot of work that we can do there." As for community colleges and universities, Watson sees the current funding formula as rewarding some institutions "that maybe aren't producing, so I think we can take a harder look at that." |
| UM wants $2M for gambling research amid debate on online sports betting | |
| University of Mississippi researchers, armed with a bevy of data, have in recent weeks met with state lawmakers and outlined their case for why the Legislature should fund new programs to study and treat problematic gambling. The researchers will request a $2 million annual allocation to fund two major gambling initiatives on campus, a presentation obtained by Mississippi Today shows. The effort comes as gambling in the U.S. is on the rise due to increasing access and availability, the researchers said. It also comes as the legalization of mobile sports betting remains stalled in the Mississippi Legislature, with House and Senate leaders at loggerheads over the policy. Researchers affiliated with the initiative have since been looking for steady funding for the center. Figures included in the presentation they delivered to lawmakers point to a growing problem that will take resources to solve. A 2025 survey of schools in the Institutions of Higher Learning found that about 40% of undergraduate students gambled in the past year, most often via lottery, cards and sports betting. |
SPORTS
| Ole Miss considers suing 2 LSU transfers over unpaid buyouts in latest twist to offseason of drama | |
 | The messy divorce between Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss appears headed for yet more drama, this time a possible court case over two players who left the school to join Kiffin at LSU. Ole Miss is considering filing suit to recover buyout money that it said defensive end Princewill Umanmielen and offensive tackle Devin Harper owe the school. Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter signaled the possibility in an interview last week with the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger, and a source familiar with the school's thinking, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said the move is likely. "That would be an option, going and asking a court to get that money for you," Carter told the Clarion-Ledger. "Contracts are with the players. LSU could pay that on behalf of the players. So we're kind of exploring all of that right now." It's not unprecedented for schools to sue players who transfer to other universities. What sets this apart is the enmity between Ole Miss and LSU since Kiffin's departure. |
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