| Tuesday, June 16, 2026 |
| Climbing the Ladder: MSU's College of Professional and Continuing Studies helping skilled workers advance careers through leadership credential program | |
 | Mississippi State's College of Professional and Continuing Studies is spearheading a new leadership and project management credential program to help skilled workers advance into supervisory roles. Thanks to a U.S Department of Education grant, MSU is receiving approximately $2.6 million in federal funding through 2029 for its new Skills Trade Empowerment Program, or STEP, a 10-week leadership initiative for early and mid-career workers in trade industries such as construction, manufacturing, and energy. The university is the only Mississippi institution of higher learning to receive the award served through the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, or FIPSE, Special Projects Program. "There is a gap between knowing a trade and leading a team. STEP closes that gap with a structured, industry-recognized credential built around what supervisors in construction, manufacturing and energy actually need," said Kenna Vowell, CPCS assistant professor and STEP principal investigator. |
| King named interim director, associate dean for MSU's CITE | |
| Stephanie King is the new interim Executive Director/Associate Dean of Mississippi State's Center for Innovation in Teaching Excellence. King will lead the university's hub for instructional innovation that partners across all disciplines to advance teaching effectiveness, supports emerging classroom technologies, and ensures MSU faculty have the tools and resources needed to deliver an exceptional educational experience. "Dr. King genuinely understands what faculty need to thrive in today's higher education environment," said Susan Seal, dean of MSU's College of Professional and Continuing Studies, which houses the center. Her research in community college leadership, student success, workforce education, and online learning aligns directly with CITE's mission of empowering faculty to excel in today's rapidly changing higher education landscape, according to Seal. |
| Pork Exports Surge While Beef Trade Struggles With Limited Access to China | |
 | U.S. pork exports maintained a strong pace through April, while beef exports remained below last year's level as access to China remained limited. USDA data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation show pork demand is broadening across several key markets. April pork exports totaled 257,212 metric tons, up 8 percent from last year, with value rising 6 percent to $718.1 million. Mexico, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Central America, and the Philippines helped drive the increase. Through the first four months of 2026, pork exports reached 1.04 million metric tons, up 4 percent from last year. Export value also climbed 4 percent to $2.89 billion. U.S. consumers are still reaching for beef even though the country now produces more pork than beef. Mississippi State University livestock economist Dr. Josh Maples says the difference between production and consumption shows how trade shapes the meat case. |
| Crypto mining center pitched for Industrial Park Road | |
 | A cryptocurrency mining center is in early development on Industrial Park Road. The facility, a type of specialized data center, would become Starkville Utilities' second-largest electrical customer behind Mississippi State University if it comes to fruition, drawing as much as 30 megawatts of power daily, Starkville Utilities Director Edward Kemp told The Dispatch following a board of aldermen work session Friday at City Hall. Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that operates independently of government-backed financial systems. It is stored in digital wallets and fluctuates in value. Mining facilities, like the one proposed in Starkville, use specialized computers that draw large energy loads to secure the digital transactions that take place. Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association, a membership organization representing all 60 municipal electric power providers in Tennessee, has assisted site developers to bring similar centers to counties across Tennessee. Kemp said early site and system capacity studies have been underway at Starkville Utilities to determine the project's feasibility. |
| U.S. Army contracts with General Atomics for long-range maneuvering projectile program | |
| General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems announced Monday that it has been awarded a U.S. Army contract to demonstrate a long-range maneuvering projectile under the Extended Range Artillery Projectile (ERAP) program. The company said it invested early to mature key technologies and reduce development risk ahead of the ERAP award, leveraging experience from other advanced projectile programs to position the system for rapid progress within the Army‑led effort. General Atomics also noted that it continues to invest in and expand its advanced manufacturing infrastructure in Mississippi. Its Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Tupelo is designed to support surge capacity, incorporating automation, modular production processes and new materials to increase efficiency. U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said General Atomics has always proven it can deliver the technology needed to keep the U.S. armed forces on the cutting edge. Fellow Mississippi U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith was pleased with contract announcement as well. |
| Huntington Bank rebranding to wrap up by the weekend | |
 | The large letters that once identified the former Cadence Bank Arena and Conference Center are gone, leaving a blank facade. But in a few days, the venue's new name will shine brightly as Huntington Bank Arena and Conference Center. The name change is part of the rebranding of Cadence Bank, which was acquired by Ohio-based Huntington earlier this year. Every sign at every branch and office, from the arena to the bank's regional headquarters in downtown Tupelo to its campus on West Jackson, will soon reflect the new "Abundant Green" shade of Huntington Bank. "Cadence is now officially operating under the name of Huntington Bank, and signage updates are underway," said Joseph Moss, president of the Mississippi region for Huntington. "Signage changes began in mid-April and they'll conclude June 21. Our conversion activities will culminate over June 19 to 21. All branches will open as Huntington on June 22." Moss said Mississippi bank employees have worked countless hours during the transition from Cadence to Huntington. |
| Popular catfish spot coming to Downtown Jackson | |
 | Shivers Creek Catfish House will open a new restaurant in Downtown Jackson, marking the fish house's fourth location. The company also operates restaurants in Crystal Springs, Star and Simpson County. The announcement was made at a press conference on June 12 at 422 E. Capitol St., in Jackson. Shivers Creek is known for serving Mississippi farm-raised catfish and U.S. Gulf Coast seafood. The restaurant has developed a loyal following through its quality food and customer service. When the owners began bringing their food truck to Downtown Jackson events, it began to garner a following in the area. "That success led Dustin to reach out to me about finding a permanent location," Downtown Jackson Partners President Liz Brister said in a statement. "We contacted downtown property owners, and Speed Commercial Real Estate was able to secure the perfect spot in a historic building on Capitol Street. This is a big win for downtown workers, residents and visitors." Owner Dustin Malley said he expects the restaurant to open and begin serving customers this fall. |
| John Rodgers Brashier: Ready to lead Delta Council as President | |
| Recently named as the new and 92nd President of Delta Council, John Rodgers Brashier believes that his 40 years of being an independent farmer not only will help him in the role -- it also humbles him to work for an organization that has done so much for the agricultural community his career has been built upon. Born and raised in Indianola, where he still resides, Brashier was born into a family of farmers and now represents the fourth generation to make their living off the land. In addition to his farming, Brashier serves as the Managing Partner of Eureka Partnership and Vice President of Consolidated Catfish Producers, and also serves as Chairman of the Board of Planters Bank and Trust Company. Previously, he served on the St. Louis Federal Reserve Agriculture Industry Council. Brashier's term, like past Delta Council Presidents, lasts one year until Delta Council Day rolls around next May. "And, my role will require a good bit of travel to Jackson and Washington, D.C., but I'll mainly be in Frank's office, at the headquarters, leading discussions and committee work. My main imprint, as I start my term, will be trying to get the Farm Bill through and assisting in all issues dealing with agriculture, especially. I'm looking forward to getting our ag community in a more solid position and also improve health care for our citizens in the Delta." |
| Sabrina Howell appointed Chancery Judge | |
 | Governor Tate Reeves today announced the appointment of Sabrina D. Howell of Grenada as Chancery Judge for the 3rd Chancery District, which covers DeSoto, Grenada, Montgomery, Panola, Tate, and Yalobusha counties. This appointment fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Senior Chancellor Percy L. Lynchard Jr., effective June 29, 2026. "Sabrina's extensive Chancery Court experience, including her service as a youth court referee and family master, makes her exceptionally well-suited for this appointment," said Governor Reeves. Howell has practiced law for more than twenty years, building a career rooted in Chancery Court practice and public service in the Third Chancery District. She currently serves as a youth court referee and family master in Tate County, where she oversees youth, pro se, and child-support matters. Her legal experience spans hundreds of trials over the course of 22 years in front of Chancery Judges across the state. Howell earned her J.D. at the University of Mississippi, and a B.A. in English and Master of Criminal Justice from Delta State University. |
| Blanche makes Senate visit ahead of confirmation push | |
 | Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche started his Senate goodwill tour Monday in his bid for Senate confirmation to run the Justice Department permanently, sitting down with Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Charles E. Grassley. The Iowa Republican is the first lawmaker to meet with Blanche since President Donald Trump tapped him to lead the DOJ last week, two months after Trump's former personal defense attorney took the lead role in an acting capacity. Grassley and Blanche, in a press photo opportunity for their meeting, declined to answer reporters' questions about numerous moves Blanche has made. That includes setting up a now blocked $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund that could benefit Trump's allies and statements made by California Gov. Gavin Newsom that the DOJ is investigating the governor because of his opposition to Trump. Nominees for top Cabinet posts typically meet with senators on the committee with jurisdiction, in this case the Judiciary panel. The current 12-10 partisan split on the committee could allow one Republican to tank the nomination if they vote with the panel's Democrats. |
| Senate GOP has many questions about Trump's Iran deal | |
 | Republican senators are holding back from embracing President Trump's announced peace deal with Iran, telling reporters that they need more details about the agreement and whether it would stop Iran's nuclear program before providing judgment. Trump's Republican allies on Capitol Hill have said since the United States and Israel launched strikes in February that Iran cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, but they say they can't assess whether the new memorandum of understanding (MOU) will achieve that objective because they have yet to review it. Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), who last month criticized the emerging deal, on Monday declined to comment. "I'm withholding comment," he said. Wicker slammed the emerging deal last month when details of the framework began to leak to the press. "The rumored 60-day ceasefire -- with the belief that Iran will ever engage in good faith -- would be a disaster," Wicker wrote on X, the social media platform, on May 23. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) says he's "hopeful" Trump has negotiated a strong deal but cautioned, "I want to read it myself." |
| Republicans hopeful Iran deal could stop the pain at the pump -- but it may be too late | |
 | Republicans who have been raising alarm about the political costs of gas pump sticker shock are relieved the Iran war could be ending -- and hopeful prices will soon ease near pre-war levels. They're split on whether it's too little, too late. Gas prices have been falling since their pre-Memorial Day peak of $4.56 per gallon in anticipation of a deal to end the war, now hovering just above $4 a gallon. A reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could accelerate that trend though it could take months, as the strait is freed of mines, tankers start the slow work of picking up oil shipments and Middle Eastern countries work to restore oil and gas fields hit by Iranian missiles. And even if prices ease, some Republicans, including those close to the White House, fear that voter perceptions of a sour economy are already baked in and irreversible before the midterms. They note that President Donald Trump and the GOP were already grappling with affordability concerns before the war began at the end of February -- and that merely returning to the status quo isn't enough, particularly given the central role the economy plays in driving voter behavior at the polls. |
| Plan to attack UFC event at White House 'stopped cold,' FBI says | |
 | The FBI thwarted an alleged plot to target the Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House over the weekend, according to Director Kash Patel. Patel did not share additional details in the social media post, and the FBI directed USA TODAY to the same post in response to a request for more information. The Secret Service said in post that it worked with the FBI on the investigation. Fox News, citing unnamed officials, reported that there were five people in custody. The alleged plan included setting off explosives to cause people to evacuate, drawing them near a team of snipers, before a "second wave" would attack the White House gate, the officials reportedly told Fox News. The event the evening of June 14 on the White House South Lawn was timed to coincide with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and came amid the celebration for the United States' 250th anniversary. Trump and family members were in attendance. |
| Rec nitrous oxide banned in Lafayette County | |
| The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance banning the sale of recreational nitrous oxide, commonly known as "laughing gas." A temporary moratorium on the sale of recreational nitrous oxide was put into effect in February while the county worked on the wording of the new ordinance. The ordinance makes it illegal for individuals under the age of 21 to possess nitrous oxide for recreational use. It would also prohibit the sale of nitrous oxide to anyone under 21 and restrict sales to individuals known to be using the product as an intoxicant, regardless of age. Additionally, the ordinance would ban retail sales in certain types of businesses, including convenience stores, gas stations, vape shops, smoke shops, and novelty or gift stores where food preparation or service is not the primary business. Nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in food preparation, medical care, industrial applications and automotive settings. Those uses are exempt under the new ordinance. |
| Alpha-gal, tick illness risks rise in Mississippi | |
| As lone star ticks spread across the Southeast, Mississippi residents face a growing risk of tick-borne illness and alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-related allergy that can cause reactions to red meat. Experts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The University of Southern Mississippi say warmer, humid conditions and the movement of deer, birds and pets are making it easier for people to encounter ticks in yards, wooded areas and places where animals travel. Dr. Shahid Karim, a professor of cell and molecular biology at USM's School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences, said he and his team are studying how lone star tick bites can trigger alpha-gal syndrome. Karim said rising temperatures and humidity are helping lone star tick populations grow in Mississippi. Karim said deer are one reason ticks move into neighborhoods and yards. "We have deer population and they feed on the deer and then they drop off and they lay their thousands of eggs," Karim said. |
| William Carey University to build new art facility, renovate auditorium and dorms | |
 | William Carey University is undergoing four construction and renovation projects over the summer, each of which scheduled to be complete by the time students return to campus in the fall. The projects include the construction of a new arts facility, renovations to the Thomas Fine Arts Center auditorium and two older dormitory buildings. In the past, William Carey has not had a dedicated building for the university's art department, so classes typically met in borrowed spaces throughout the campus. The decision to construct a new building came after a significant increase in the number of art majors over the past two years. The new building will be 6,400-square-feet, will have studio spaces for drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture. It will also feature a gallery space for exhibitions. The Thomas Fine Arts Center has existed on William Carey's campus for over 60 years. The building has undergone a few repairs and minor renovations over the past decade, but this summer will see the auditorium get a complete overhaul. The last of the projects taking place over the summer at William Carey are the renovations of two dormitories. |
| Mississippi seeks input on barbering, cosmetology rules | |
| The Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering is accepting public comments through June 22 on temporary rules that could shape health, safety and business standards across the industry. For Hattiesburg barber Bonnie Holloway, the process marks a sign of progress after two years of uncertainty following the state's merger of its cosmetology and barbering boards. Holloway, who co-owns The Dapper Man Studio in Hattiesburg with Crystal McCormick, opened her barbershop just before Mississippi merged the boards in 2024. She said she has seen signs of progress since the board began operating again. Catherine Bell, executive director of the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, said the current board members were approved by the Senate early in the 2026 legislative session. "That enabled the board to get up and running and start to do all of the things that need to get done for a new state agency to get created," Bell said. The board also decided to remove the practical exam from the licensing process, which some educators have said allows them focus more closely on individual learning needs rather than preparing students for a second state test. |
| MCC Orientation planned to help new Eagles prepare for fall | |
 | Meridian Community College will welcome new students to campus this summer through a series of one-day orientation events designed to help them feel confident, connected, and ready for the start of college. Orientation sessions are scheduled for June 23, July 16, Aug. 5, and Aug. 14 in McCain Theater. "Orientation is open to all new students who have been admitted to MCC. There is no limit on the number of guests students may bring, and a special break-out session will be available for parents and guardians," said Mandy Hurtt, executive director of recruiting and admissions. During orientation, students will get a closer look at what life at MCC has to offer while taking important steps toward the fall semester. The day will include opportunities to connect with campus resources, meet with advisors, tour learning spaces, and complete key enrollment tasks. Students and their guests can visit with representatives from the Eagle's Nest Bookstore, the Cafeteria, Student Support Services, the Student Success Center, and other campus areas to learn more about available resources and services. |
| Heindl Center for the Performing Arts Fall 2026 Season Announced | |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College's Heindl Center for the Performing Arts has announced its fall 2026 season. "We are delighted to welcome you to another exciting season at the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts," said Heindl Center Director, Dr. Blake Bostick. "As we continue our mission of bringing outstanding entertainment to northwest Mississippi, we are proud to present a lineup of legendary artists, unforgettable music, heartfelt inspiration, and laughter-filled evenings – all in the intimate setting that makes every Heindl Center experience so special." The season kicks off with Grammy-nominated comedian Bill Engvall on Aug. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Known for his iconic "Here's your sign" routine, Engvall was a part of Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy's "Blue Collar Comedy Tour." |
| U. of Texas fires Debbie Hiott, longtime Austin journalist who led KUT and KUTX | |
| The University of Texas fired KUT General Manager Debbie Hiott on Monday, weeks after a public firestorm over the radio station's planning of its inaugural community festival. University officials claimed the festival had issues related to security, forcing the station to move some events at the last minute. Some worried whether UT's intervention in the event was an attempt to stifle political speech. Hiott told the American-Statesman that she was called into a 3 p.m. meeting with Anita Vangelisti, the UT interim dean of the Moody College of Communication, and university representatives from human resources and legal departments. They presented her with the option of resigning or facing immediate termination. "I said I guess you are going to have to fire me," Hiott said. Although no firm evidence has emerged, festival patrons and others have suggested that UT may have had other motives in trying to boot the event from campus. The festival featured multiple politicians, including Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker as a keynote speaker. |
| Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera stepping down to lead nonprofit Aspen Institute | |
 | Georgia Institute of Technology President Ángel Cabrera will step down from his role leading the Atlanta university in November. Georgia Tech announced Cabrera's plan on Monday, saying that he has been selected to serve as president and CEO of nonprofit organization the Aspen Institute. Cabrera became Georgia Tech's 12th president in 2019, and officials say he has oversaw a period of record growth in enrollment, research, philanthropy, and more during his tenure. The university pointed to a 55 percent increase in the number of students enrolled at Georgia Tech while Cabrera has been president. Georgia Tech has also seen a massive spike in annual sponsored research awards, making it the No. 1 in the nation for research expenditures in universities that do not have a medical school. In a statement, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue praised Cabrera's impact to Georgia Tech, saying it "goes well beyond the numbers." "Since rejoining his alma mater, he's brought energy, warmth, and engagement to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the entire Tech community," Perdue said. |
| Judge Blocks USCIS Pause, but International Students Remain in Limbo | |
 | A federal court has blocked a Trump administration policy that paused the processing of nonimmigrant benefits for individuals from 40 countries and territories, but those impacted by the pause say it still left long-term impacts. In a 135-page decision, John J. McConnell Jr., a federal judge in Rhode Island, found the pause unlawful for several reasons, including that it discriminated against applicants based on their country of origin. "When USCIS first enacted the policies at the center of this litigation, the agency did not simply place a hold on adjudications," he wrote. "More fundamentally, the Challenged Policies placed the lives of countless individuals on hold---solely by virtue of their countries of birth. Over six months later, many of those individuals remain without work, without legal status, and without any meaningful ability to plan for their futures." U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services quietly paused the processing of those applications -- which include the application for Optional Practical Training, which allows international students to work in the U.S. after completing their degree, as well as green card applications -- via memos in December and January. At the time, the office said the pause would last until it had implemented new processes for vetting those applications, but months passed with no word on when applications would be reviewed. |
| Colleges hit in cyberattack by group behind Canvas breach, Google says | |
| Dozens of higher education institutions may have been hit by another attack from the cybercrime group behind the May hack against Canvas, according to the Google Threat Intelligence Group and cybersecurity firm Mandiant. From May 27 and June 9, the group ShinyHunters potentially gained access to the systems of over 100 organizations by targeting the Oracle PeopleSoft software suite. A majority of them are based in the U.S., and 68% are within the higher education sector, GTIG and Mandiant said in a post Thursday. ShinyHunters twice gained unauthorized access to Instructure's Canvas learning management system last month, disrupting final exam season at colleges nationwide. Colleges are a prime target for cybercriminals, both because they hold vast troves of student and employee data and because their systems typically have a massive number of users that turn over regularly. In the Oracle and Instructure hacks, ShinyHunters gained access to data through system vulnerabilities at companies with whom colleges contracted -- another big risk facing higher education. |
| How GOP State Lawmakers Are Reshaping General Education | |
| Thousands of college students in some states now have to read the Constitution and Declaration of Independence as well as pass American history and government courses to graduate. More changes are coming as red state lawmakers reshape general education requirements -- what students must learn before they can graduate. Republicans' gen ed playbook varies state by state and has evolved over the years as lawmakers assert their power and increase state-level governing boards' authority over curricula -- an area previously mostly under faculty purview. Over all, this yearslong effort has narrowed the list of courses students can take to satisfy graduation requirements and put a greater focus on Western civilization and civics while sidelining courses focused on diversity and social justice. The patriotic, pro-West themes hark back to the surge in gen ed requirements after the world wars. Critics argue states are circumventing faculty expertise and engaging in censorship in deciding what students learn, all to push a political agenda. "I've never seen such intrusion" into curriculum, said John Thelin, an emeritus professor of higher ed at the University of Kentucky. He said he's also surprised at how effective the intrusion has been. |
SPORTS
| College sports built a new body to police itself. A year later, order has not been restored | |
 | At a shared office space in Northern Virginia, amidst the maze of desks and glass walls, it is difficult to tell where the College Sports Commission begins and ends. Maybe one day the CSC will have its own standalone headquarters like the NCAA, the organization that has been governing intercollegiate athletics for 120 years, the last 27 from a sprawling campus in Indianapolis. For now though, the fledgling enforcement agency, created a year ago by the Power 4 conferences to regulate the new ways college athletes are compensated, fits snugly in 1,500 square feet. Despite its modest accommodations, the CSC has come a long way. But certainly not far enough to please everybody, admits Bryan Seeley, the former head of investigations at Major League Baseball who launched the organization a year ago by himself from a bedroom desk in a New Jersey apartment. Twelve months in, many across college sports wonder whether the CSC can be what it was intended to be: an enforcement body with the power to rein in the skyrocketing costs of competing at the highest level, bringing predictability to the world of $40 million football rosters and $6 million small forwards. Seeley is also not getting what he expected. Instead of enforcing rules, he has spent a lot of time reshaping and interpreting them. He hears from people throughout college sports that they want rules, but their actions don't always back that up. |
| Sorsby won't play for Texas Tech after unprecedented legal fight over his eligibility for gambling | |
 | Transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby will not play for Texas Tech this fall and instead plans to enter the NFL supplemental draft, ending an unprecedented legal fight over the college eligibility of a player who had acknowledged betting on college and pro sports, including some wagers on his own team while at Indiana four years ago. Cody Campbell, the billionaire booster who is chairman of the Texas Tech regents, wrote in an open letter Monday night that Sorsby will not be part of the team. Sorsby's decision came on the same day the NCAA and Big 12 had filings in separate courts challenging a temporary injunction that had cleared the way for the 22-year-old quarterback to play despite being declared ineligible after he admitted making thousands of bets worth at least $90,000 while in college. Those included at least 40 bets on Indiana while he was a freshman there in 2022, though none on the game in which he played for the Hoosiers that season. In a joint statement, Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec and Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt also said the school would still extend all available resources to Sorsby that he had while on the Lubbock campus. |
| College Football's Gambling Fiasco Has Landed on the NFL's Doorstep | |
 | After a judge overturned Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's NCAA ban for betting on sports last week, granting him the right to play next season, the world of college sports melted down. Sorsby had admitted to placing thousands of wagers, including some on his own team while playing at Indiana -- and everyone from rival athletic directors to leaders of the Big 12 conference was up in arms. But before Sorsby ever takes a snap for the Red Raiders, he's aiming to extricate himself from the situation altogether: by entering the supplemental draft. If Sorsby's application is accepted, teams will face a thorny calculus between taking a talented quarterback and casting their lot with a player who crossed the bright red line of betting on his own team. Experts have said that they see first-round potential in Sorsby. But any pick used in the supplemental draft requires forfeiting a pick from the same round of next year's normal draft, and it's a decision teams don't usually have to weigh. Notably for Sorsby's future, when Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor entered the supplemental draft after receiving an NCAA suspension in 2011, he didn't escape NFL punishment. The league gave him a similar five-game ban after the Raiders selected him in the third round. |
| Brendan Sorsby Gambles on NFL Letting Him Play | |
| Hours after the Big 12 sued Texas Tech and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and hours after the NCAA filed an emergency motion to stay a trial judge's ruling that let Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby play college football, Sorsby has decided to leave Texas Tech and go to the NFL. That's if the NFL allows it. Things could get tricky with Sorsby wanting to enter the NFL; the league could let Sorsby enter but with strings, and maybe a suspension, attached. The 22-year-old quarterback has reportedly applied to the NFL for eligibility in a supplemental draft to be held this summer, for players who weren't eligible for the annual draft held in April, but who become eligible thereafter. The league hasn't held one since 2023. From a talent perspective, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Sorsby is regarded as an impressive NFL prospect who could warrant an early-round pick. He was sought after by college teams and reportedly landed a $5 million NIL deal to join Texas Tech as a transfer from Cincinnati earlier this year. But talent isn't the only consideration with Sorsby. |
| Tom Izzo seeking solution to Michigan State leadership turmoil | |
| Longtime Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo said he is "disgusted" by the on-campus turmoil that led to the departures of the school's president and athletic director, and he is challenging the alumni base to do something about it. Izzo, speaking to reporters Monday, said the departure of president Kevin Guskiewicz to Clemson after two years is "ridiculous" and was fueled by clashes and unrest within the board of trustees. Two weeks after Guskiewicz's departure, Michigan State athletic director J Batt left Monday for the same role at Kentucky after only a year in East Lansing. "There's other dominos that get affected when things go wrong like that," Izzo said. "I'm very upset about it, and I'm sick of it." Izzo has led the Michigan State men's basketball team since 1995, following 12 years as a Spartans assistant, and won a national title in 2000. He called Guskiewicz "the best president that's ever been here, maybe" and said that his departure stems from what Izzo described as "self-inflicted" problems. |
| Why did J Batt leave Michigan State for Kentucky? 'Alignment is so important' | |
 | When Mitch Barnhart announced plans to retire as Kentucky athletics director in March, it would have been difficult to imagine J Batt was a legitimate candidate to replace him. Batt was just nine months into his stint leading the Michigan State athletics department. He was in the process of creating a new revenue-generating entity to help better position the Spartans for the revenue sharing era and had only three months earlier hired a new football coach. But between Barnhart's initial announcement and the time UK's search for his replacement began in earnest, Batt's circumstances changed. UK revealed the formal job description for Barnhart's replacement on May 21, announcing the eventual hire would carry the dual titles of athletics director and CEO of Champions Blue LLC. Six days later, Michigan State president Kevin Guskiewicz was named president at Clemson University. Guskiewicz took a pay cut to leave Michigan State. He cited tension with the school's Board of Trustees as the reason for his departure. For Batt, Guskiewicz's departure meant the buyout he would owe to leave Michigan dropped by half to $2.5 million. "I think part of what is so exciting about the University of Kentucky is that it is built for this next era ... but it's also so aligned," Batt told the Herald-Leader Monday when asked about his departure from Michigan State. "From the president, the board, down to our longtime coaches, that alignment is so important, and that is really one of the keys to the future of college athletics." |
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