| Wednesday, October 7, 2026 |
| Timing of beef import expansion affects domestic markets | |
 | Consumers may be looking to purchase more locally raised beef despite a 90-day beef import policy enacted in August that reduced tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of imported beef. MSU Extension livestock economist Josh Maples said the announcement made by President Donald Trump was the second time this year that a tariff rate quota was adjusted to allow more foreign beef to enter the U.S. at a lower tariff. Argentina received an 80,000-metric-ton duty-free allowance in February. The recent announcement did not specify the countries from which the supply would originate. "The 300,000 tons announced in August was allocated to countries without their own existing quota, which excludes Argentina and means the majority of the 300,000 tons probably comes from Brazil, plus maybe some from Paraguay and Nicaragua," Maples said. "2026 was already going to be a record large year for beef imports, and this just adds to that. It is lean beef trimmings for grinding -- not steaks." Consumer interest is only one area affected by the temporary plan. The announcement drew the ire of agencies that advocate for ranchers and the cattle industry, including the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, the Mississippi Beef Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation. |
| More Mississippi counties report sightings of invasive ants | |
 | The Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service announced an invasive ant, confirmed only in south Mississippi until this year, has made moves into nearby counties. Officials are now asking people to be on the lookout for tawny crazy ants. Joe MacGown, ant taxonomist with the Mississippi Entomological Museum housed at MSU, said these small, reddish-brown ants are native to South America and first arrived in the U.S. almost 100 years ago. "According to Mississippi Entomological Museum records, the earliest known record from the U.S. was from Illinois in 1931, followed by records from Florida and Texas in the late 1930s," said MacGown. "As with many invasive ant species, they went largely unnoticed until populations exploded in both Florida and Texas in the early 2000s." Santos Portugal, entomologist with the MSU Extension Service, said the ants were identified in Wilkinson, Marion and Perry counties in 2026. "If you look at them closely, they are very hairy and have long antennae and long legs," Portugal said. "They are called crazy ants for a reason, as they appear to run around like crazy more so than form defined trails like you see with a lot of ants." |
| Starkville considers pausing development of car maintenance businesses | |
| Recent concern around the density of gas stations, car washes and other vehicle repair and maintenance businesses in the city has prompted the board of aldermen to consider temporarily pausing new builds or site redevelopments. Mayor Lynn Spruill, who is spearheading the proposal, told the board Tuesday she is specifically concerned about the density of these businesses along Highways 12 and 182. "I think it's just appropriate that we take a close look at that before we get inundated, and I don't know that we will, but I do think it's important we take notice now," Spruill told The Dispatch. "... I just want us to be thoughtful about what we're doing along Highway 12 because it is a really important corridor. It's probably our only really industrial heavy commercial type corridor, because (Highway) 182 is no longer heavy commercial." Starkville's Unified Development Code defines a vehicle repair and maintenance business as, "a business that offers services to maintain, repair, clean, and provide other services to automotive vehicles." Those can include car washes, towing services and gas stations. There has been recent concern raised on Facebook about the number of car washes in the city, which Spruill said prompted the city to analyze the current density of these businesses. |
| Lauderdale County unveils marker honoring first Black legislators | |
 | Lauderdale County is highlighting another chapter in the region's rich history with a new historical marker outside the former courthouse recognizing some of the first Black legislators to serve in the state. "After the Civil War, the Fourteenth Amendment and a new state constitution enabled the people of Mississippi to elect 162 Black men to state or national office over the next twenty years. More than any other state," the marker reads. Representing Lauderdale County was James Aaron Moore, a prominent religious leader and entrepreneur, who served in the State Legislature from 1870 to 1871. Born in Georgia, Moore was enslaved in Lauderdale County prior to emancipation. After the Civil War, he became a Methodist minister and help organize multiple Methodist churches throughout the East and Central Mississippi, as well as holding several public offices. In addition to the State House of Representatives, Moore served in the constitutional convention of 1868 and as a Meridian City Councilman in 1869. Also on the plaque is Charles P. Clemens, who represented Clarke County in the State House of Representatives from 1874 to 1875. |
| Tropical Storm Isaias forms, is forecast to become a hurricane and hit US Gulf Coast this week | |
 | Tropical Storm Isaias formed early Wednesday in the warm waters off eastern Mexico and forecasters said it was expected to strengthen into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season before hitting the U.S. Gulf Coast later in the week. Isaias was centered about 285 miles (460 kilometers) west of Progreso, Mexico, and about 580 miles (935 kilometers) southwest of the Mississippi River's mouth, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was moving east-northeast at 8 mph (13 kph). It was not immediately known where the storm may make landfall on the Gulf Coast. The hurricane center's initial projections said the center of Isaias could come onshore late Friday or early Saturday somewhere between eastern Louisiana and the western Florida Panhandle. People in those areas were urged to prepare for the storm. Isaias, pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs according to the hurricane center, is expected to bring areas of heavy rain to portions of the Gulf Coast and much of the U.S. Southeast on Friday and into the weekend, forecasters said. |
| Mississippi leaders to implement some fuel relief in repsonse to Trump executive order | |
 | To mitigate rising fuel prices, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday deferring federal taxes on dyed diesel and allowing it to be used on the highway. Governor Tate Reeves, on Facebook, said the state is taking cues from that order in responding to high fuel prices. "Because of the EO signed by President Donald J. Trump, I have spoken with Commissioner Sean Tindell and he plans to direct the Commercial Transportation Enforcement Division of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to not enforce the dyed diesel prohibition on highways," Reeves wrote in a social media post. That dyed diesel is normally reserved for off-road vehicles and equipment, with heavy effects on industries like farming and logging. Recently, governors of multiple states, including Alabama and Louisiana, have issued their own executive orders, similar to what Trump's now doing. Reeves still hasn't issued an executive order. "What we're trying to do is be cognizant of what the president's desires are and follow his lead when it comes to the use of the red-dyed fuel in diesel vehicles," said Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell in an interview. |
| Reeves waives diesel tax enforcement after Trump order | |
 | Gov. Tate Reeves has announced that Mississippi would not enforce dyed diesel prohibitions on highways after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to try to lower the soaring cost of the fuel. This would mean diesel, which has shot up to more than $6 a gallon due to the war in Iran and hit Mississippi truckers and farmers hard, could be purchased without the 24-cents-a-gallon federal or state excise usually levied on dyed fuel meant for highway use. "This will have positive ripple effects on America's economy and your wallet," Reeves wrote in a social media post. Trump signed the order at a rally in Nebraska on Monday. "I'd like to thank President Trump and his administration for working quickly to provide this relief," Reeves wrote on social media. "Mississippi looks forward to working with USDOT to implement the president's directives and executive order. We'll continue to explore legal and fiscally responsible ways to help further drive down fuel prices." |
| The long wait is over: Target is now open in Tupelo | |
 | It took six weeks and three dozen trailer loads of merchandise and groceries to fill Mississippi's largest Target store. And it took only six minutes for the first 250 shopping carts to be snapped up by eager shoppers who got an early taste of Tupelo's long-awaited Target to finally open. With the grand opening officially set for Sunday and a VIG (Very Important Guest) Night planned for friends and family, store officials decided to fling the doors open wide early Tuesday evening as the line to come in had grown to several hundred people, stretching from the south entrance to the north entrance by 5 p.m. Store Director Leah Beauchamp, just prior to the opening, said she was proud of her team's efforts in getting the store ready. "We went from bare bones to what is just beautiful right now. We're really super excited about Tupelo coming in to see this so that we can share all of our hard work, and then help the wonderful people of Tupelo fulfill their dream of having a Target," she said. "I know it's been much anticipated." |
| The unexpected ways that AI is reshaping the U.S. economy | |
 | Some economic repercussions of the artificial intelligence boom are impossible to miss. There are data centers measured in miles and retirement accounts soaring from the stock market's AI mania. But like waves pounding a coastline, AI is steadily reshaping parts of the U.S. economy in ways that aren't immediately obvious. Zooming in on those changes reveals how the AI investment boom is creating economic dynamism but also instability. In San Francisco and New York, AI companies are grabbing office space fast enough to revive commercial real estate -- and also drive up rents for everyone else. Across the United States, the data center construction spree is boosting employment in some sectors and buoying once-fringe ideas for energy generation -- but also fueling anxiety about what happens if the AI boom goes bust. As the U.S. economy increasingly depends on AI, optimism about the technology's potential is tempered by a growing awareness of its economic headaches and the risk that the AI boom could collapse, threatening Americans' prosperity, corporate profits and the country's growth. |
| Buffington joins race for State Auditor | |
| Financial advisor and attorney Phil Buffington announced a run for Mississippi State Auditor on Tuesday, joining the race to succeed outgoing Auditor Shad White. White has publicly said he does not intend to seek re-election in 2027 and has been mulling a run for governor. Buffington joins the open seat race with two candidates who announced earlier this year. Former State Rep. Nick Bain made his intentions known in the spring while State Senator Daniel Sparks entered the race soon thereafter. All three are running as Republicans. Buffington has been active in Republican politics, particularly in central Mississippi where he also advises financial institutions throughout the U.S. on federal and state banking laws and regulations as a partner with Balch and Bingham LLP. No Democrats have announced a run for State Auditor as of yet. Party leaders have said they will unveil names of those seeking statewide offices after the November 3 midterm election. |
| Madison attorney Phil Buffington announces run for state auditor | |
| Phil Buffington, a Madison attorney involved in conservative politics and chairman of the Mississippi Tort Claims Board, announced on Tuesday that he will run for state auditor next year in the Republican primary. Buffington, a partner at Balch and Bingham LLP, advises financial institutions throughout the country. He said in a news release that he plans to campaign on fraud prevention, regulatory accountability and stronger cybersecurity standards for state financial systems. "I'm running for Mississippi state auditor because I believe the people of Mississippi deserve a person who wants to make sure your tax dollars are not wasted or stolen and a government that is transparent, accountable, and responsible with every taxpayer dollar," Buffington said. Buffington graduated from the University of Mississippi and Mississippi College School of Law, now Mississippi Christian University School of Law. |
| Finance lawyer Phil Buffington Jr. announces bid for Mississippi state auditor | |
| Another candidate has entered the race to be Mississippi's next auditor. Veteran finance lawyer C. Phillip "Phil" Buffington Jr. announced his candidacy on Tuesday. He is running as a Republican. As a partner and financial services-community bank team leader at Balch & Bingham LLP, Buffington has spent his career guiding financial institutions through complex state and federal banking laws, risk assessments, and corporate governance. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Mississippi Christian School of Law, teaching banking law and business planning. Buffington joins two other Republicans, former state Rep. Nick Bain and state Sen. Daniel Sparks, currently in the race for state auditor, which will be held alongside other statewide elections in 2027. All three are looking to replace Shad White, whose team told SuperTalk Mississippi News in May that he is not seeking another term as state auditor. White has teased a potential run for governor in the 2027 cycle. |
| Trump admin to receive $100 million in compute credits for AI science initiative | |
 | National Compute, a new company that has pooled computing power from major tech companies, plans to donate $100 million worth of computing credits to the Trump administration to be used to advance scientific discovery. The credits are expected to be announced Thursday at an event with White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios. They will support the administration's Genesis mission, a government-wide push to use AI to accelerate scientific discovery, according to two people familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. The donation would give Genesis Mission researchers access to advanced computing resources at a time when smaller labs and companies can struggle to secure capacity for frontier research. Major providers often prioritise long-term contracts with the largest AI labs. National Compute is building what it calls the National Compute Grid, a network intended to pool computing capacity from multiple providers and make it available to researchers, companies and government agencies. |
| Red-dyed diesel order unlikely to stem red ink from high prices | |
 | A White House bid to address sky high fuel prices by allowing temporary expanded use of untaxed diesel will have a limited impact on businesses and consumers feeling the pain at the pump, experts say. President Donald Trump signed an executive order while at a Nebraska campaign event on Monday allowing the sale of red-dyed diesel for use in on-road vehicles through the end of this year. Typically used in off-road vehicles like farm and construction equipment, the dyed fuel is exempt from the 24.4 cents per gallon federal diesel tax. Trump, who explained he didn't "know what the hell it is," nonetheless said the move would drive down costs for truckers and farmers, which would trickle down into lower prices paid generally by U.S. consumers. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said farmers would ultimately save $640 million on federal and state taxes in the last quarter of the year, which would "better enable our farmers to deliver America's harvest during this critical time." SIGMA, the trade group representing major fuel distributors and retailers like ExxonMobil Corp., Marathon Petroleum Corp. and Valero Energy Corp., said in a notice to association members Tuesday that "we expect the current elevated price environment to persist" despite Trump's executive order. "The White House appears to be trying to encourage the supply chain to move toward selling dyed fuel in non-traditional ways," they said. "We do not expect most reputable diesel retailers and fuel marketers to do this." |
| An early flu season means it might be time to think about a flu shot | |
 | Fall has only just begun, but it's already time to start thinking about the quintessential winter bug: the flu. The annual flu season usually starts in October or November. But this year, it looks like the flu started to pick up in early September. "There are enough signs pointing in the same direction to make me think, 'OK, yes. This is the start of flu season,'" says Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The percentage of people testing positive for the flu in the West has been rising steadily since around the beginning of September, she says. And the number of people showing up in emergency departments because of the flu has also been rising for weeks, she adds. "It's very uncommon to see flu activity rising this early. It's activity that we might normally see more like November or December," she says. The timing of the flu season isn't the only thing that's odd. It's also unusual that flu activity seems to have started in Western states, such as California, Washington, Hawaii and Alaska. "It typically starts in the South and then expands from there," Rivers says. "So two uncommon developments there." |
| FAFSA now open; Mississippi students reminded to check state aid requirements | |
 | The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open for students planning to attend college next school year, but financial aid officials are reminding Mississippi families that completing the federal application may not be the only step. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid. Mississippi students seeking state financial aid may also need to complete the Mississippi Aid Application, or MAAPP. Kari Dedwylder, who works with financial aid and student accounts at Jones College, said students should begin the process as soon as possible. "Do it now. The whole point of the FAFSA opening Oct. 1 is to get ahead of the game," Dedwylder said. She said one common mistake is assuming that submitting the FAFSA means the financial aid process is finished. "They think that they complete the FAFSA, they get that summary from the Department of Ed that says how much they're eligible -- without realizing, hey, there may be some additional things that they need to turn in," Dedwylder said. "So it's really important that students are following up with the school." |
| Jackson State to open M2Go restaurant Wednesday | |
| Jackson State University will expand its dining options Wednesday with the grand opening of M2Go, a new fast-casual restaurant founded by Jackson native and JSU Athletics Hall of Fame basketball player Richard Bradley. The university will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Heritage Dining Hall on the first floor of the JSU campus, with light samples available during the event. M2Go was developed around the concept of bringing together food, culture, community and innovation while creating a dining experience designed to connect with today's college students. The menu will feature a variety of items, including catfish, pantrout, wings, burgers and fried broccoli. JSU President Denise Jones Gregory, Ph.D.; Bradley, philanthropist and owner of M2Go; and Daphne Miles, general manager of SodexoMagic, are scheduled to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. |
| New JSU wellness center aims to improve student success | |
| Jackson State University (JSU) held a grand opening on October 6, 2026, for the new Health and Wellness Center on campus. Officials said the facility's goal is to improve student life, wellness and culture. JSU President Denise Jones Gregory, Ph.D., hopes this is just the beginning and that more projects will take place on campus. "We know that when students' physical and mental health are in a great place. It also helps them to have a great place in terms of their learning environment. So, we want to ensure that those students can be able to go and find a space where they can have conversations about their health, and from that, be able to navigate the space that allows them to be successful students here at Jackson State." Jones Gregory said. |
| Hinds Community College opens new health sciences complex | |
| Hinds Community College is set to open a new health sciences complex today, two years after breaking ground on the facility. The college's nursing and allied health students will now train under one roof with the addition of the new Health Sciences complex. The complex cost $64 million and is 160,000 square feet. Inside, the building includes mock hospital rooms and specialized labs designed to give students hands-on training before entering the workforce. The building has been in use since August. The grand opening is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on the college's Rankin campus. |
| Meridian Community College gives back with local 'My College Cares' day | |
 | MCC traded its usual three-letter moniker today for a different one; My College Cares. "Meridian Community College is really all about community, and in addition to providing education for students to workforce advancement, research, et cetera, we feel that in order to be a part of the community, you have to be out in the community," said Will Nathan, VP of enrollment management services at MCC. "My College Cares" is an annual event that brings together MCC's various clubs and organizations, to clean up and beautify the Queen City. "My College Cares is a longstanding tradition for Meridian Community College. We've been doing it for a really long time, decades, to where we prioritize our community. We rally as a college and as a team and all of our students and our faculty and staff have an opportunity to go out into the community and do good work," said Leia Hill, executive director of the MCC Foundation. Along with the group at the historic Merrehope, other teams worked around the Queen City, both picking up trash along the roadsides with help from Keep America Beautiful personnel, and doing chores at other sites, like Aldersage, Camp Binachi, Meridian Little Theater, and the Mississippi Heritage Museum. |
| Book bans reach all-time high, led by Texas and Florida and fueled by AI | |
 | Book bans reached an all-time high this year as political pressure and AI fuel a spike in titles taken off the shelves. Almost 12,000 books were banned between 2025 and 2026, a 5,000-book jump from the previous year, according to a Monday report by PEN America, a free-speech organization. The vast majority of the book bans are coming out of Texas and Florida, with an estimated 8,100 and 3,200 titles revoked, respectively. "The fact that a huge number, a strong majority, I would say, of the bans that we calculated in Texas and Florida -- we were only able to find out about because of public information requests," said Philomena Polefrone, senior manager for Freedom to Read at PEN America, adding it has become difficult to count book bans based on local reporting. The group has also noticed the rise of AI as educators navigate laws around which books are allowed in classrooms, highlighting how the technology could incorrectly flag books for removal. Efforts to push back against book bans have been fought out in courts with mixed results. |
| Alabama Makes State Workers Say 'Gulf of America.' Colleges Aren't Spared | |
 | Alabama's Gulf of America Act took effect last week, making it state policy to use President Trump's preferred term for the Gulf of Mexico. House Bill 2 requires "all state and local entities and their employees" to "refer to the body of water that borders the coast of Alabama as the 'Gulf of America,'" and to reflect this "terminology in all newly created maps, documents, educational materials, websites, official communications, and other resources." The page-and-a-half-long law has one exception for the public schools, colleges and universities it impacts: They can use Gulf of Mexico "for historical purposes" during instruction. Otherwise, the law doesn't exempt Alabama faculty or other university employees, including reporters, from its restriction on what they can call this body of water. The University of Alabama at Birmingham has ordered journalists at WBHM, the university-sponsored NPR affiliate, to comply, according to emails obtained by Inside Higher Ed. Back in June, Steve Murray, UAB's executive director of business operations, told then-WBHM Executive Director Will Dahlberg, "We will be referring to the Gulf as 'Gulf of America' in content written or spoken by WBHM staff beginning on Oct. 1." That's when the law took effect. |
| LSU AgCenter receives $500,000 from USDA to better identify, control invasive pest | |
| LSU AgCenter researchers received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture last month to advance the identification and control of a common pest. The pest, known as the cotton jassid, is an invasive insect that feeds on crops like cotton, hibiscus, eggplant and most often okra according to an LSU AgCenter article. LSU Assistant Professor and Program Director Jeff Davis said that adult cotton jassids have two black spots on the wings, usually green and have the general appearance of a soft-bodied hopper or cicada. These insects inject saliva that causes the plant to look like it got a sunburn and the leaves become discolored, also known as "hopper burn" by Davis. Furthermore, the plant stops being able to move water or get nutrients because of a disruption in its vascular bundles according to him. These bundles include the xylem and phloem that together transport water, minerals and photosynthesis products essential for plant health. "So with your field crops that's yield loss," Davis said. "In terms of your vegetables, that's less fruit. In terms of your hibiscus, you're then losing your plants around your house." |
| U. of Kentucky has a gap in campus housing. Out-of-state developer sees it as a chance to build | |
 | An out-of-state developer says the University of Kentucky is prioritizing athletics and healthcare over student housing. Tyler Ammermann, executive vice president of development for Up Campus Student Living, said that has left room for private developers like him to help meet Lexington's student housing demand. The Chicago-based developer is pending approval to put up a 10-story student apartment building facing scrutiny downtown. "They don't require here in Lexington on-campus living, so they're really focusing their efforts on healthcare, the academics and the sports, and they're like, 'Hey, we'll let all the private guys do what they're good at and they'll build the housing for us,'" Ammermann told the Herald-Leader. Many colleges require at least first-year students to live on campus, but UK does not. The number of first-year students has grown around 11% since 2022, according to data shared at a UK Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 18. Yet UK went nine years without a new dorm building on campus until the $83 million Kirwan-Blanding Hall opened this summer. It now has 20 residence halls that house around 8,500 students total. Developers are eyeing universities with potential for growth, especially members of the Southeastern Conference. |
| Oklahoma Panhellenic opens for extension as recruitment increases | |
| As the University of Oklahoma's Panhellenic sororities hit capacity, OU Panhellenic Association announced it will host Alpha Delta Pi and Kappa Delta on campus for formal extension visits and presentations. Alpha Delta Pi will visit Wednesday, Oct. 7, and Kappa Delta on Wednesday, Oct. 28. According to Kylie Frisby, OU's director of fraternity and sorority programs and services, only 1,511 potential new sorority members matched in the bid matching process out of 1,727 students who rushed. According to fraternity and sorority programs, 30% of undergraduate students are involved in greek life. Following formal extension visits and the extension committee's review of Alpha Delta Pi and Kappa Delta, the committee will make a recommendation to the Panhellenic Council. According to Frisby, chapter delegates are expected to vote in November on which organization to invite to establish a chapter at OU. According to Frisby, the current average chapter size on campus is approximately 406 members, and the percentage of recruitment participants who matched with a chapter increased from 71% in 2023 to approximately 88% this fall. OU is the only university in the SEC without both Alpha Delta Pi and Kappa Delta chapters. |
| U. of Arizona Temporarily Suspends All Fraternity Activities | |
| The University of Arizona put an interim pause on activities for all 21 of its fraternities Monday amid a series of ongoing misconduct investigations, according to a letter the university shared with Inside Higher Ed. In the letter, Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman wrote that seven weeks into the semester, the university is "already" investigating nearly half of its fraternities for incidents including physical assault, hazing and inappropriate use of drugs and alcohol. "The number of cases under investigation and the severity of the concerns is egregious," Lieberman wrote to the "Arizona Fraternity and Sorority Community." She noted that UA President Suresh Garimella met with the fraternity presidents over the summer, calling their chapters' behavior "unacceptable" and warning that the university "will not tolerate further violations that put our students in harm's way." Arizona's decision to crack down on its Greek life system comes in the midst of a nationwide conversation over sexual misconduct at fraternities following a lawsuit against Cornell University for allegedly mishandling a 2024 allegation of gang rape at Chi Phi. |
| Colleges seek answers amid Trump push to cancel tax exemptions over diversity programs | |
| The Trump administration is threatening to cancel universities' tax exemptions over diversity programs, and the higher education world is worried. The new rules, which aim to stamp out policies supporting minorities on college campuses, are unusually stringent. At the same time, they're also vague, leaving many to wonder what commonplace activities and practices might land a school in the government's crosshairs. And the penalty for flunking the test -- the loss of nonprofit status -- is extreme: It would upend schools' finances. Colleges could suddenly find themselves facing stiff tax bills, not to mention higher borrowing costs and other expenses. "What if a university has Black History Month?" Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who sits on the tax-writing Finance Committee, said in a recent interview. "Is that going to cause them to lose their tax-exempt status?" Schools don't have much time to prepare -- the IRS regulations proposed Sept. 3 are slated to go into effect next June. Legal challenges are likely, with many saying the administration doesn't have the authority to make the changes without Congress' blessing. |
| Growing calls to suspend or eliminate federal and state gas taxes have consequences | |
| Columnist Sid Salter writes: In the past year, voices as disparate as President Trump and members of both houses of Congress, along with Mississippi elected officials, have called for suspending either federal or state taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel in response to soaring prices for both commodities. Over the past year, fuel prices have surged across both regular gasoline and diesel, driven largely by global energy disruptions and ongoing geopolitical conflicts, including the war in Iran and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Nationwide, regular gasoline has increased by $1.25 per gallon (+39.7%), while diesel has surged by $2.67 per gallon (+72.2%). In Mississippi, drivers face an even sharper percentage-based hike at the pump because of lower baseline costs from the prior year, according to the American Automobile Assn. (AAA). On July 1 in Mississippi, new laws took effect, cutting the sales tax on groceries and raising the state tax on gasoline. The higher gas tax, to be phased in over three years, will ultimately increase the state tax to 27 cents per gallon. ... Energy experts say the real benefit of suspending federal and state fuel taxes is greatly overstated, and that while it makes consumers feel better, the actual savings are less than expected. |
SPORTS
| Mississippi congressman confident Protect College Sports Act will clear House regardless of leadership | |
| Federal legislation aimed at creating uniform rules for college athletics in the current age of name, image, and likeness, and endless transfers needs to clear one more congressional chamber before it can head to the desk of President Donald Trump. And though there could be a changing of the guard on Capitol Hill after November's midterms, one Mississippi lawmaker is confident the bill will pass no matter which party is in leadership. The Protect College Sports Act passed overwhelmingly in the U.S. Senate in late September. The bipartisan bill standardizes NIL guidelines, prohibits coaches from leaving one school for another during the season, and most importantly, gives the NCAA enforcement authority over its rules. Now, it awaits approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward. One wrinkle in that process is that the House is not in session. With midterms a month away, many representatives are back in their hometowns campaigning. Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) is not concerned, though. "I think the thing that makes this bill pressing is that we're here at the start of the college football season. College sports are at the top of minds for a lot of Americans," Guest said. "One of the things that gives me hope that we'll be able to get this passed in the House is the overwhelming vote that we were able to see out of the Senate. 77 senators voting for anything is extremely rare in the world that we live in. With such overwhelming support from the Senate, I think there's momentum for that." |
| Mississippi companies dress Bulldog players, coaches | |
| Blue Delta Jeans and Mossy Oak unveiled a custom collection featuring Mossy Oak's Bottomland camouflage during Mississippi State's recent home football game against Alabama. Mississippi State Athletics is helped the two homegrown companies launch the collaboration as coaches and players debuted custom Blue Delta x Mossy Oak pants during the traditional Dawg Walk through The Junction before the game. Developed throughout the offseason, the collaboration combines Mossy Oak's unmistakable outdoor pattern with Blue Delta's bespoke design and Mississippi-based manufacturing. The Blue Delta x Mossy Oak Bottomland collection is available for purchase at BlueDelta.com, allowing fans to own a version of the collaboration worn by Mississippi State players and coaches. |
| State 1878 Announces Women's Hoops Exhibition Against Louisiana Tech | |
| Announced by State 1878 on Tuesday, the Mississippi State women's basketball program will host an exhibition against Louisiana Tech in conjunction with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians on Sunday, October 18 at Choctaw County High School. Tipoff for the exhibition is set for 4 p.m. at Tushka Arena. Tickets for the exhibition are $10 and can be purchased at the door or through GoFan.com by searching "Choctaw Central High School." The exhibition is a part of a broader weekend of activities that includes a golf tournament beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 19. Mississippi State is set to open the regular season on November 3 inside of Humphrey Coliseum against North Alabama. Season tickets and mini plans are available at HailState.com/tickets, as well as special 'buy week' sales and SEC x ACC Challenge ticket packs. |
| Choctaw Central to host women's basketball exhibition featuring Mississippi State | |
| College hoops are coming to the recently built Choctaw Central High School campus. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians announced Tuesday that the school will host a women's basketball exhibition between Mississippi State and Louisiana Tech on Sunday, Oct. 18. The game will be played at 4 p.m. at Tushka Arena on the campus of Choctaw Central High School. "This event reflects our commitment to supporting our students and investing in opportunities that inspire future generations," said Chief Cyrus Ben. "Our growing partnership with Mississippi State University continues to create meaningful opportunities for our Tribe and community, and we are proud to bring Division I women's basketball to Choctaw as part of that collaboration. "As one of the first premier events held in Tushka Arena, this exhibition marks a special milestone for our community, and we look forward to welcoming many more athletic and community events in the future." Mississippi State women's basketball head coach Sam Purcell says he is grateful for the opportunity to get some extra reps against a good team, while also being a part of history for the Tribe's school. |
| Gulf Coast baseball exhibition between Mississippi State, Southern Miss canceled | |
| Baseball fans along the Mississippi Gulf Coast will miss out on seeing one local team in action. With expected inclement weather on the horizon, the Oct. 10 showdown between Mississippi State and Southern Miss at Keesler Federal Park has been canceled. While that game won't happen, Bulldog fans will still get to see Brian O'Conner's club in action, as the Oct. 9 matchup between Mississippi State and Auburn will still go on, but on a different date. The Hancock Whitney Classic contest between the Bulldogs and Tigers will now happen on Oct. 8. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., and gates will open at 5 p.m. Those who already purchased tickets for either game can redeem them on Thursday. For those who purchased tickets to both games, officials say to call the Biloxi Shuckers box office at (228) 233-3465 or email tickets@biloxishuckers.com. |
| Could Tropical Storm Isaias affect Alabama-Georgia? The SEC is keeping watch | |
 | This weekend's Alabama-Georgia clash has plenty: Two unbeaten opponents ranked in the top 10. ESPN's "College GameDay" hosting its show on site. President Donald Trump planning to be there. And now one more visitor: Isaias, a tropical storm that could hit the Gulf Coast beaches as a hurricane. Tuscaloosa, Ala., is more than 300 miles inland, but the storm could still bring heavy winds, rain and the chance for tornadoes. That depends on the storm's track. James Spann, a longtime meteorologist with the Alabama Weather Network, said Wednesday morning that Isaias should make landfall late Friday night, with winds of 90-95 mph, before moving north through West Alabama or East Mississippi during the day Saturday. "The daytime hours Saturday in Tuscaloosa will be very rough," Spann said. "Soaking rain, heavy at times with some flooding potential. The risk of isolated tornadoes. Sustained winds of 15-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph possible. "The big question is when does the rain end. ... It could be any time from 6 p.m. to midnight." Georgia and Alabama kick off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. SEC officials said they are watching storm developments and staying in contact with both schools. "At this time, there are no plans to alter the contest," Alabama athletics said Tuesday night. |
| ACC commissioner says league is not unanimous in support of Protect College Sports Act | |
| ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said Tuesday at the league's preseason basketball event that "we don't have unanimity in our league" on support for the current version of the Protect College Sports Act, which recently passed the United States Senate. Phillips' comments came days after the leadership from four ACC schools -- North Carolina, Clemson, Florida State and Miami -- sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and House leadership asking for adjustments to the bill as currently written, specifically to provisions surrounding conference realignment. As presently written, the PCSA caps conference membership for any leagues reporting at least $700 million in revenue -- aka the Power 4 -- to just 20 schools. (The ACC and Big Ten each have 18 members, and the Big 12 and SEC have 16.) The bill also states that in the first six years of its implementation, any Power 4 schools attempting to join another Power 4 league must first spend three years as an independent. |
| Need Help Paying for College? Try Bass Fishing | |
| Just before sunrise on a Saturday in August, 25 boats bobbed in the marina at Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan, Tenn., awaiting the start of the final round of the most prestigious event in high school bass fishing. After "The Star-Spangled Banner" was played, the boats sped onto 184-mile-long Kentucky Lake in search of bass, the heavier the better. Caige Bragg, a lanky 18-year-old Alabaman who was in first place, motored about 10 minutes south of the marina where he knew the fishing would be fruitful. Eight hours later, Mr. Bragg returned to the marina and handed the tournament's organizer a mesh bag with his catch. At a combined 11 pounds 3 ounces, the three fish were enough to secure him the championship, beating out 213 other teams. For winning the Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship, Mr. Bragg received a $25,000 boat and a $5,000 college scholarship. "I just love fishing for bass, to be honest," he said. "There's always a puzzle every time. It's kind of like chess." Competitive bass fishing has been around for about 60 years, but in the past decade or two, it has turned into high-stakes pro sport complete with star anglers, big sponsors and media deals. The chance to make a living with a rod, reel and boat -- or at least get a college scholarship from it -- has in turn spawned a growing number of youth fishing programs across the country. About 600 colleges have some kind of fishing program, roughly twice as many as a decade ago, said Garry Mason, the head coach of the bass fishing team at Bethel University. |
The Office of Public Affairs provides the Daily News Digest as a general information resource for Mississippi State University stakeholders.
Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to Jim Laird.
