Wednesday, February 16, 2022   
 
Temporary construction closures impact Bost Drive, intersection and sidewalks
Campus Services is announcing the temporary closures of Bost Drive, the intersection of Bost and Stone Blvd. and adjoining sidewalks. The closures will run from Feb. 14 through July 1, 2022, to allow for new sidewalk, drainage and landscape construction along Bost Drive, near the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Alpha, and Pi Kappa Alpha houses. Please contact the Facilities Management Service Desk at 662-325-2005 if you have any questions.
 
MSU, MDHS renew early-childhood partnership, announce curriculum development project
The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) has awarded the Mississippi State University Extension Service $5 million to develop a new curriculum called "My Mississippi Adventures" for children from birth through the age of five. The curriculum will impact early childhood education in Mississippi by renewing the early-childhood partnership between Mississippi State and Mississippi Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood Care and Development that existed for many years before the contract was ended in 2016. "My Mississippi Adventures" will be made available at no cost to all licensed and registered childcare facilities and will focus on people, places, and things relevant to Mississippi. "This project has the opportunity to impact both future teachers still in our college classrooms and existing teachers already working in the field as childcare providers," said Michael Newman, director of the MSU School of Human Sciences. Early childhood development experts hope to provide researched-based early childhood development curriculum and instruction tools to childcare providers in all 82 Mississippi counties.
 
MSU Extension Service to develop new early childhood curriculum with $5M
The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) has awarded the Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service $5 million to develop new curriculum for early childhood development. The Extension Service is tasked with created "My Mississippi Adventures" curriculum that is developmentally appropriate for children from birth to age five. The curriculum will focus on people, places and things that are relevant to Mississippi. It will be provided to all licensed and registered childcare facilities at no cost. The goal project is to provide research-based early childhood development curriculum and instructional tools to childcare providers in all Mississippi counties. The focus of the curriculum will be preparing students for early success in K-12 schools.
 
MSU Extension Service shares budgeting tips
Leaders with the Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Center said the first step to achieving financial fitness is creating a budget, but that first step can be hard to take. "Typically, people shy away from making a budget because it is one more thing to do, and it reminds us of all the things we would like but don't have the money for," said Becky Smith, director of the MSU Extension Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy. Begin by taking inventory of how much money is coming in and how much money is spent. This can be done with a piece of paper and a pencil or a budgeting template in a computer program, such as Excel. Other specialized tools also can be used. Smith recommends the budgeting worksheet in Extension Publication M1471, "Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise: Budgeting," as well as the month-at-a-glance cash flow budget worksheet in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's "Your Money, Your Goals: A Financial Empowerment Toolkit." "Tracking our expenses can be overwhelming because we make so many purchases," Smith said. "But the longer one tracks where their money goes, the more accurate a budget can be. Even tracking for a week can give someone a lot of insight."
 
Magnolia Film Festival returns to Starkville for its 25th year
Starkville's popular independent film festival will return later this month for the 25th time. The long-running Magnolia Independent Film Festival -- popularly known as "The Mag" -- will return to Columbus and Starkville on Feb. 24-26 for a slate of screenings from some of the world's most promising young filmmakers. The festival will open at on Thursday at the Malco Columbus Cinema in Columbus, followed on Friday night by a drive-in event at Horse Park on Poorhouse Road in Starkville. The festival will close out on Saturday with a return to Hollywood Premier Cinemas in Starkville for an afternoon matinee and evening screening. The 2022 festival will feature a red carpet event on Saturday evening, special VIP lounges, a special 25th year anniversary celebration reception, and films from Mississippi and across the United States. The fest will also feature screenings films from several international artists. Saturday will also feature a free filmmaking workshop, sponsored by The Mississippi Film Alliance. This intimate workshop will explore production sound on location for TV and film. Festival director Chris Misun said he's excited for the state's oldest film festival to be returning for its 25th year after the pandemic forced last year's festival to adopt a virtual-only format. "We are so excited to be offering an in-person experience for the community this year," Misun said. "We are very thankful to the Golden Triangle Region for making this 25th year possible and felt it was a great opportunity to spread the festival to Columbus for the opening night and return to Starkville for a retro experience."
 
Mississippi weather: South at risk of strong storms, tornadoes
Large parts of Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky will be at risk of powerful thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes as a storm system sweeps into the South, forecasters said Wednesday. More than 20 million people are in a zone that's most at risk of severe weather on Thursday, the national Storm Prediction Center said in its most recent weather outlook. The region includes Jackson, Mississippi; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; and Birmingham, Alabama. Some of the storms could become "supercellular and capable of producing damaging wind gusts and tornadoes, the Storm Prediction Center said. Stronger heating of the atmosphere in some areas will lead to a greater tornado threat. Much of Oklahoma and north Texas will also be at risk of severe weather beginning late Wednesday and continuing into early Thursday. Wintry weather is expected further north. The overall storm system has the potential to bring "a swath of disruptive snow and freezing rain to extend from northern Oklahoma to southern Michigan on Thursday," the National Weather Service warned.
 
Inflation rates affecting local restaurants
The rate of inflation is having an impact on everyone, including local restaurants. It was announced Tuesday that wholesale inflation surged again, rising 9.7% from a year earlier. Weidmann's has been forced to increase some of its pricing to account for issues. Employee retention, recruitment and combating supply chain problems continue to be a common problem for several businesses. Owner Charles Frazier is optimistic about the future. He said they've had a lot of recent success. "Across the board, all items have gone up. That means everything from appetizers to desserts have gone up, including beef, seafood and pork," Frazier said. "They have gone up marginally, not as much as we'd like, I'm sure more than the customer would like." Supply has been rocky. Frazier said the cost has also gone up about 25 percent over the last couple of years. That increase is not only being felt by restaurant owners, but also by the customer. The problems are everywhere, but despite the issues around the world, Meridian has seen a growing economy. "I think that other restaurants around the state are seeing a bit of a drop. I think we have been shielded from that due to the economic development we've had locally. That's helping us out and hopefully that will continue," Frazier explained. Frazier said there was a lot of business for Valentine's Day and that helped everyone in the downtown area.
 
Lumber prices soar on hot demand and supply bottlenecks
The latest producer price index from the Labor Department came out Tuesday. Overall producer prices were up 1% in January, and they were up nearly 10% from a year earlier. But buried in the report is a big jump in the price of lumber -- up over 25% in January. There is high demand for lumber, thanks to the booming housing market and new construction. "The number of apartments that are under construction today is the highest it's been since 1974," Mark Vitner, a senior economist with Wells Fargo, said. According to Vitner, the bulk of single-family home construction is happening in the South. "That allows for more construction to take place during the winter months, and I think that's putting a little bit more seasonal pressure on lumber prices," he said. But lumber supply has been facing issues as well. There's a shortage of workers available to move the material. "The whole transportation sector, between rail and trucking, has slowed down," said Brian Leonard, a lumber analyst with RCM Alternatives. January's price spike doesn't reflect disruptions from the trucker protest at the Canadian border. Canada is a major supplier of lumber to the U.S, and the province of British Columbia was hit with torrential rains late last year, which washed out lumber transportation routes. "It just devastated some rail lines and some highways. So it's just been a logistics nightmare times two," Leonard said. Then there's omicron. According to Greg Kuta, the CEO of Westline Capital Strategies, lumber mills in Canada and the U.S. have had a lot of employees calling out sick lately.
 
4 Bed, 3 Bath, No Garage Door: The Unlikely Woes Holding Up Home Building
A single house under construction in America today faces all kinds of problems, starting with a run on lumber, then bricklayers in demand, subcontractors with Covid, appliances on back order and plumbing fixtures out at sea. Get through all of that, and then comes one more hitch with what should be a straightforward finishing touch. "Garage doors are a nightmare," said Rick Palacios Jr., the director of research at John Burns Real Estate Consulting. If you had to rank the headaches homebuilders face, he said, "garage doors are the worst right now." The home-building industry is having the most difficult time in decades meeting demand, the sum of many pandemic complications. But this moment reaches peak absurdity with garage doors. Few people had a problem getting them before. Now everyone seems to have that problem. Prices have doubled or tripled in the last year. Lead times have stretched from weeks to months. Homebuilders who would once order garage doors several weeks before finishing a house are now ordering them before the foundation is poured. Many frustrations that builders face today aren't entirely novel. Tariffs and natural disasters have rattled supply chains before. Skilled labor has been an issue for years. Zoning rules have long stymied construction. Rather, what is unique, with an American twist, is a problem like this: Homebuilders are struggling to complete new homes amid a housing shortage because they must first complete the thing designed to house our cars. In most parts of the country, a builder can't pass final inspection for a home that is otherwise perfectly complete -- but that is missing its garage door. That means builders don't get paid and home buyers can't move in.
 
U.S. Retail Sales Grew by 3.8% in January
U.S. shoppers sharply boosted retail spending last month as inflation surged to a 40-year high and the Omicron wave of Covid-19 eased. Sales at retail stores, online and restaurants rose by seasonally adjusted 3.8% in January from the prior month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. That marked the strongest monthly gain since last March when pandemic-related stimulus was being distributed to households. The jump in retail spending last month also represented a rebound from December, when sales fell by a revised 2.5%. Increased spending was broad-based, with large gains for purchases of vehicles, furniture and building materials. Online sales also rose sharply. Restaurant and bar receipts dropped last month as consumers limited in-person services during the latest Covid outbreak. Consumer inflation rose at its fastest pace in nearly 40 years last month, eroding consumers' spending power as wages rose more slowly than the price of most goods and services. "2022 is going to feature this very delicate rebalancing act for the entire economy, and in particular for U.S. consumers living in this world where prices are higher and purchasing power is more constrained," said Gregory Daco, chief economist at consulting firm EY-Parthenon.
 
Legislator pay raise bill dies quiet death
A proposal to give state lawmakers a pay raise died a quiet, ignominious death without a vote or even discussion on Monday. The Senate last week passed a bill that would give lawmakers a pay bump of $6,000 for the first year of a four-year term, and $4,500 a year for the other three years of the term. Some House members had expressed interest in a lawmaker pay raise and were awaiting the arrival of the Senate bill in the House. But Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, held it on a motion to reconsider the vote. For most bills, tabling such a motion is pro forma. But in the case of Senate Bill 2794, McDaniel's motion to reconsider was not taken up, so the bill died with Monday's deadline to clear such procedural motions. McDaniel said he believes legislative leaders caught so much flak for proposing the pay increase that they just let it go. "The word I've used for it is embarrassing," McDaniel said. "Politicians do not deserve a pay raise. We know what the pay is when we run for office ... I do think the (motion to reconsider) delay allowed people around the state to make phone calls and send emails and push back against this." Mississippi's part-time legislators are paid a base of $23,500 a year -- although most make between $40,000 and $50,000 a year in salary, per diem, reimbursements and other payments. Some lawmakers' total compensation is around $70,000 a year.
 
Interior secretary tours civil rights sites in Mississippi
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland toured Mississippi civil rights sites Tuesday, seeing the crumbling rural store that's part of the history of the 1955 lynching of Black teenager Emmett Till and touring the home where state NAACP leader Medgar Evers was assassinated in 1963. Haaland traveled with White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory and Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson. The sites are in Thompson's district, which encompasses the Delta flatlands and much of Mississippi's capital city of Jackson. Standing outside the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument in Jackson, Haaland said the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior are looking to expand opportunities for people to learn about the civil rights movement. "Today, I was so honored to learn, to listen, to hear from people who have been on the ground working in this for decades," said Haaland, a former New Mexico congresswoman who is the first Native American to lead a Cabinet department. "It's important that we educate our children because they deserve to know the history of our country," Haaland said.
 
Gulf Coast railway hearing underway as future of passenger route remains unclear
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker kicked off what would be more than 70 speakers testifying over the disputed Gulf Coast passenger route before a federal board on Tuesday. "Restoration of this vital service is long overdue," Wicker told the Surface Transportation Board over Zoom. "The impact of Hurricane Katrina is still being felt ... one of the victims that remains is passenger rail across the Gulf Coast." The board is tasked with deciding the future of a public train route that would run between Mobile and New Orleans, with four stops in Mississippi. Passenger train stops on the Gulf Coast were never restored following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, although the freight rail companies that own the affected tracks long ago repaired and replaced them. After years of debate over use of the railways and attempts to create a plan, Amtrak filed a complaint with the transportation board asking its members to mediate and make a decision about the future of the proposed route. Members of the Southern Rail Commission, which conducted feasibility studies as the region's champion for railways, have long accused freight company CSX of stonewalling any progress. Typically private rail companies and Amtrak reach use agreements outside of the courtroom-style hearings. Testimonies regarding the route during Tuesday's hearing came primarily from Alabama and Mississippi officials but also included leaders from as far as Pennsylvania and Oregon.
 
Wicker tells Surface Transportation Commission that Gulf Coast rail is needed now
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker testified before the federal Surface Transportation Board Tuesday and told them that increasing population on the Mississippi Gulf Coast means the restoration of rail service would be more beneficial than ever. "Restoration of this vital service is long overdue," Wicker said. "Resumption of the service after 16 years would mark the completion of a recovery from one of the strongest storms on record. It would also support future economic growth." The federal regulatory body that governs railroads is conducting a public comment period on Tuesday and Wednesday before a March 9 hearing when it will make its decision on whether to allow Amtrak to start a new twice-daily service between Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans. Wicker also said that he was supportive of freight rail and was aware of the concerns raised by two railroads that operate in the region, CSX and Norfolk Southern, which say their freight operations will be negatively impacted without large infrastructure investments along the route. The Alabama State Ports Authority also is opposed to the project for the same reason. "I see restoration of passenger rail as an improvement, not an impairment," Wicker said. "I believe the Gulf Coast rail corridor can accommodate passenger rail service."
 
GOP decries cost of Pentagon anti-extremism and diversity training
Republicans and Democrats split sharply Tuesday over U.S. military officials' estimate of the time and money they have spent attempting to counter extremism and promote diversity. James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, made public on Tuesday a recent letter from Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, indicating that the armed forces dedicated nearly 6 million hours and about $1 million in additional expenses to training sessions focused on these issues since January 2021. Most of that came during last February's military "stand down," when units at varying times of that month stopped their activities to have a conversation about race, violent extremism and the importance of an apolitical military, the letter showed. Milley's letter was a response to a missive from Inhofe and 11 other GOP senators on the Armed Services Committee who had sought the information. In a collective statement Tuesday, the senators said they were "alarmed" by the data and accused President Joe Biden of being "more focused" on enacting a "woke" agenda in the military than on confronting America's adversaries. "We face real threats across the world, yet the Biden administration is more focused on promoting its leftist social agenda in the military instead of countering China, Russia and Iran or creating an effective counterterrorism plan," said Inhofe, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Rick Scott of Florida, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.
 
Senators aim to rewrite child safety rules on social media
Senators are introducing a bill aimed at keeping kids safe online amid mounting frustrations that popular apps including Instagram and YouTube don't do enough to protect their youngest users. The bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., is a grab bag of new rules and safeguards covering some of the biggest concerns that have emerged among lawmakers in the last year, as child safety has become a rare point of cross-party agreement. The law would require apps to create stricter safety measures for users under 16 by default, including tools to protect against stalking, exploitation, addiction and "rabbit holes of dangerous material." They would have to build parental supervision tools and dedicated channels to report harm. Kids would be able to turn off recommendations based on algorithms that use their personal data. Tech companies would have a "duty of care" to protect kids from content that promotes self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse and sexual exploitation. They would be barred from showing ads to kids for products that are illegal to sell to them, like alcohol and tobacco. The bill follows a series of contentious hearings on Capitol Hill over the role of social media in fueling a teenage mental health crisis and exposing kids to harms from bullying to drug abuse to predators.
 
Palazzo: Putin 'playing games,' Biden sending wrong message to Kremlin
Congressman Steven Palazzo says Vladimir Putin is "playing games with the world," and the Biden Administration is sending all the wrong messages to the Russian leader. Palazzo made his statement Tuesday after Russia announced it was withdrawing some of its troops from the Ukrainian border after training drills were wrapped up. "It's like a big chess game, Putin's playing games with the world," Palazzo said. "We need to send a clear message to Putin and the oligarchs that if he invades Ukraine, we're going to make his life miserable," Palazzo said. "We're going to depress his country and the Russian people, to where they'll go after Putin and say, 'That was a huge mistake.' But, that deterrent needs to be out there now, not after the fact." He also addressed the economy, saying President Biden needs to work harder on inflation. He says the President really doesn't have a plan to tackle it. "If you look at the price of gas, it's doubled since he's taken office, the cost of goods, the cost of labor and producing and manufacturing, everything's up," Palazzo said. "We're paying for it at the pump, we're paying for it at the store and raises have been flat, and all he's talking about is increasing taxes on the hard-working American people." Palazzo was in Oak Grove to speak to members of Forrest-Lamar Republican Women.
 
They used to just run elections. Now they fight foreign agents.
Voting for the 2022 midterms is already underway, and the nation's top election officials are caught fighting a two-front war: Battling disinformation stemming from the last election, while simultaneously preparing for the next one. The officials are no longer just running elections. They've become full-time myth-busters, contending with information threats coming from the other side of the globe -- and their own ranks. In interviews with 10 state chief election officials -- along with conversations with staffers, current and former local officials and other election experts --- many described how they have had to refocus their positions to battle a constant rolling boil of mis- and disinformation about election processes. They're dealing with political candidates undermining the election systems that they still run for office in, and conspiracy theories that target even the most obscure parts of America's election infrastructure. And they say the country will face the same issues this year as it elects a new Congress and decides control of three dozen statehouses. "The biggest challenge that we face is disinformation, about the 2020 election in particular, and more generally about the election system itself," Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat, said in an interview. Ohio Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose said he believed that local partnerships would be key to fighting off misinformation, foreign or domestic-based. He hoped to revive briefings with local media in his state to help explain the election processes and connect them with local election officials. He also said that he would continue to work with minority representation groups, like the NAACP and local Urban League chapters, because the communities they serve are "often the targets of disinformation campaigns."
 
Biden orders release of Trump White House logs to Congress
President Joe Biden is ordering the release of Trump White House visitor logs to the House committee investigating the riot of Jan. 6, 2021, once more rejecting former President Donald Trump's claims of executive privilege. The committee has sought a trove of data from the National Archives, including presidential records that Trump had fought to keep private. The records being released to Congress are visitor logs showing appointment information for individuals who were allowed to enter the White House on the the day of the insurrection. In a letter sent Monday to the National Archives, White House counsel Dana Remus said Biden had considered Trump's claim that because he was president at the time of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the records should remain private, but decided that it was "not in the best interest of the United States" to do so. She also noted that as a matter of policy, the Biden administration "voluntarily discloses such visitor logs on a monthly basis," as did the Obama administration, and that the majority of the entries over which Trump asserted the claim would be publicly released under the current policy. The Presidential Records Act mandates that records made by a sitting president and his staff be preserved in the National Archives, and an outgoing president is responsible for turning over documents to the agency when leaving office. Trump tried but failed to withhold White House documents from the House committee in a dispute that was decided by the Supreme Court.
 
GOP scrambles to figure out what Trump legal drama means for future
Senate Republicans are scrambling to figure out how former President Trump's mounting legal troubles will affect his grip on the party and chances of running for office again in 2024. Allies of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has worked behind the scenes to counter Trump, are wondering whether the former president's clout may fade regardless of what happens in the 2022 midterm elections because of his many legal entanglements, including investigations by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) and Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis (D). The latest development came Monday evening when Trump's longtime accounting firm, Mazars USA, severed ties with him and his business empire and said it could no longer vouch for the reliability of a decade's worth of financial statements it prepared for the Trump Organization. The revelation came after James said her investigation found evidence that Trump's company used "fraudulent or misleading" valuations of properties to obtain loans and tax deductions. Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) and other GOP lawmakers are trying to figure what it all means politically, given that Trump is viewed as the party's de facto leader. "I suppose it probably depends on how this all plays out," he said. "I assume there are other accounting firms out there that they can employ, but clearly they'll have to answer the questions around it." One key question is whether Trump misled his own accountants.
 
U. of Alabama to drop COVID-19 masking protocols, citing 'dramatically' lowered numbers
Citing lower student and employee COVID-19 numbers, and the widespread availability of vaccines, the University of Alabama will no longer require masking indoors, beginning Feb. 21. Case management and hotline services will remain, but on a "limited basis," with UA-provided quarantine and isolation spaces being phased out over the remaining spring semester. "Our campus team has thoroughly reviewed the best available information and considered our own experience in addressing COVID over the past two years," said Dr. Ricky Friend, dean of the College of Community Health Sciences, in a written release. "The university has provided the indispensable service of education, while protecting our community. This is the next phase in continuing our essential mission. Services will remain available (at the UA Student Health Center and University Medical Center), and those who are sick or symptomatic --- especially those who are at-risk, immunocompromised as defined by the CDC, and/or unvaccinated --- should take precautions. If you are sick, stay home, self-quarantine, and mask around others." Masking will still be required in UA medical-care areas, and on public transportation; the latter is mandated by federal law. Students who feel sick or think they may have been in contact with the virus should test at the Student Health Center or University Medical Center, seek treatments and self-isolate when advised.
 
AU releases spring 2022 commencement schedule
Auburn University announced its schedule for spring commencement ceremonies Tuesday afternoon in an email to students and faculty. Ceremonies are scheduled for May 6 and 7. University Commencement is scheduled for Friday, May 6, from 5-6 p.m. in Jordan-Hare Stadium. All graduates are required to attend the ceremony and should arrive no later than 4 p.m. Families and guests are welcome, and gates open at 3 p.m. The ceremony will include a keynote address, conferral of degrees, recognition of students graduating with honors and the introduction of student graduation marshals, who are selected by their colleges. All graduates will receive a commemorative AU cord and be seated on Pat Dye Field. Graduates will also pick up their name tags upon entry, which are required for Saturday's ceremonies. Graduates are required to wear regalia, which can be purchased through the Auburn University Bookstore. Commencement ceremonies for individual colleges and graduate students will be held in Auburn Arena on Saturday, May 7. Ceremonies begin with remarks from the college's dean, and all graduates will cross the stage and receive a copy of the Auburn Creed. AU Photographic Services will take photos of each student crossing the stage which will be available for free download two weeks after the ceremony. Graduates must enter the arena's student entrance at the designated time for their college. Some colleges' ceremonies are combined into one ceremony.
 
Auburn University expands footprint in Huntsville with purchase of former LogiCore facility
Auburn University is expanding its footprint in the Huntsville area with the acquisition of a new research facility located in the Cummings Research Park. The university reached an agreement with LogiCore Corp. to purchase two buildings with more than 40,000 square feet of space situated on a nine-acre parcel of land at 345 Voyager Way NW. Located within minutes of Redstone Arsenal's Gate 9 entrance and near many of Auburn's research partners in defense, aerospace, law enforcement and biotech sectors, the facility will significantly expand Auburn's presence in the fastest-growing tech hub in the country, establishing a permanent foundation from which Auburn can leverage its regional reputation and thriving public-private partnerships into unprecedented national prestige and influence. Plans for the facility include configurable laboratories for on-site research and development in critical technology areas; meeting spaces and engagement opportunities for government, industry and academia to allow for in-person and virtual meetings; exercises and more. "This is a defining moment for Auburn University and the Huntsville community where today meets tomorrow," said Jim Weyhenmeyer, university vice president for research and economic development. "This facility will fast-track connections that change the world through our valued research partnerships."
 
Alabama Community Colleges target high-demand industries for rapid training for jobs
The Alabama Community College System today announced details of its launch of an Innovation Center to begin rapidly training Alabamians for jobs in high-demand industries. "This is an exciting time for the community college system," said Jimmy H. Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, in a presentation at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. "We will step up and meet the need if we know what the need is." The Innovation Center's rapid training programs will not only help trainees find jobs quickly, but also help reduce the state's supply chain problems and small business closures, said Mara Harrison, interim executive director of the Innovation Center. Hospitality courses began last month and commercial driving courses for 18-wheelers and passenger buses such as school buses are ready, she said. Training programs for grocery butchers, heavy equipment operators, plumbing and facilities maintenance are among the first to target high-demand industries. Twenty-three rapid training programs will be offered. The training is job-specific and was developed by businesses and industries to help students find jobs immediately with employers who are struggling to find workers.
 
Former Gov. Sonny Perdue named sole finalist for University System of Georgia chancellor
Former Gov. Sonny Perdue is poised to become the next chancellor of the University System of Georgia. The system's Board of Regents voted Tuesday to name the Republican from Houston County the sole finalist to lead Georgia's 26 public colleges and universities. Perdue was Georgia's first Republican governor since Reconstruction, serving from 2003 until 2011. Then-President Donald Trump tapped Perdue, an agribusiness owner, to serve as Secretary of Agriculture in 2017, and he became one of the few Cabinet secretaries to remain in his post throughout Trump's four-year term. The selection of Perdue came after a nationwide search. The selection committee interviewed many highly qualified candidates, board Chairman Harold Reynolds said Tuesday. "This is a highly sought-after job, and that reflects well on our system," he said. The hiring process stretched out for months after former Chancellor Steve Wrigley retired last year and was succeeded by Teresa MacCartney as acting chancellor. Perdue had the support of some regents, but others were concerned about his lack of experience in education administration. Gov. Brian Kemp recently replaced four regents with new appointees who favored Perdue, clearing the way for Tuesday's vote, which was unanimous. Student and faculty groups also have raised concerns about Perdue's suitability for the job. While Perdue lacks administrative experience in higher education, Reynolds said he will bring government management expertise and high-level leadership to his new position.
 
A Trump Cabinet Secretary Is Poised to Take Over Georgia's Public-College System
Former Gov. Sonny Perdue of Georgia, a Republican and onetime cabinet official in the Trump administration, has been named the sole finalist to become chancellor of the University System of Georgia. The choice follows months of speculation that the regents were poised to hand the keys of the public-university system over to Perdue, who has no experience leading colleges. The system's Board of Regents announced the selection of George Ervin (Sonny) Perdue III after a meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Though the board must still vote, after a 14-day waiting period, to approve the former secretary of agriculture, Tuesday's vote all but finalizes the appointment. Perdue's candidacy has been condemned by faculty members within the system and nationally, who say the process has been marred by secrecy and politics. "Aside from a small number of 'listening sessions' in March 2021, the entire search process has been hidden from public view," said a news release from the American Association of University Professors. Perdue had been named a possible candidate for the post nearly a year ago. But the regents paused the search after the agency that accredits the state's public colleges raised questions about whether Gov. Brian P. Kemp, a Republican, had influenced the board's decision. If the board confirms Perdue, he will join a growing list of higher-education leaders chosen because of partisan connections, or political pressure, rather than their expertise in academe.
 
Politics Prevail in Search for Georgia Chancellor
In the face of widespread opposition, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted Tuesday to name former two-term Georgia governor Sonny Perdue the sole finalist for the open system chancellorship. Students Against Sonny, a group fighting Perdue's imminent appointment, has organized protests, phone banks and petitions urging the regents to drop Perdue as a candidate. Students across the state fear that Perdue will defund the university system and contribute to the increasing political interference in academia, said Alex Ames, a sophomore at the Georgia Institute of Technology and organizer of the group. "My parents are public school teachers. I am a public school student. I grew up dealing with the consequences of having a governor and a state Legislature that defunded our education system by over $10 billion in two decades," she said. While Perdue was governor, he decreased funding for public education, was sued for underfunding historically Black colleges and universities in the state, and supported reinstating a state flag with a large Confederate symbol. Despite their efforts, student activists have heard nothing from the Board of Regents in the last 10 months. The lack of communication is disappointing, Ames said. Faculty members say Perdue is unqualified for the job. They are also concerned about his history as a climate-change denier and his political background. In a statement about his selection, Perdue touted his experience at the U.S. Department of Agriculture under former president Donald Trump.
 
Texas A&M president adds Battalion members to journalism working group
Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks has announced that representatives from The Battalion will be added to a working group that was formed earlier this year to develop recommendations for the future of A&M's journalism department and degree. Previously, the working group did not include members of The Battalion staff. The additions come after the news last week that Banks directed The Battalion to immediately cease its regular print edition and become a digital-only news outlet. After meeting with Battalion leadership Friday, Banks revised her decision and said The Battalion could print as scheduled through the spring semester. "The reaction to this plan makes it clear that I should seek additional community feedback on the role of The Battalion and the rebuilt Department of Journalism, while also getting feedback about industry trends and future workforce needs," Banks said in a statement. New representatives of the journalism working group include Douglas Pils, general manager of A&M's student media, senior Myranda Campanella, The Battalion's current editor-in-chief, and senior Michaela Rush, The Battalion's current co-news editor. The working group is scheduled to meet next Wednesday. During an A&M Faculty Senate meeting on Monday, Dale Rice, speaker of the Faculty Senate who is also an instructional associate professor in A&M's department of communication, addressed Banks' decision last week. Rice called Banks' decision "an ultimatum [for The Battalion] to give up its student organization status and move under the auspices of the university or face dire fiscal consequences." Rice added he has heard from faculty colleagues that have "emotions ranging from outrage to fear" since the announcement.
 
U. of Texas Faculty Council passes resolution defending teaching critical race theory
The Faculty Council at the University of Texas approved a nonbinding resolution Monday defending the academic freedom of faculty members to teach about race, gender justice and critical race theory. The resolution, approved 41-5 with three members abstaining, states that educators, not politicians, should make decisions about what to teach, and it supports the right of faculty members to design courses and curriculum and to conduct scholarly research in their fields. The UT Faculty Council is an organization that represents the faculty members at the university. Faculty members approved the resolution partly in response to legislation around the country seeking to limit discussions involving race in schools, colleges and universities. The resolution expresses solidarity with K-12 teachers in Texas who are seeking to "teach the truth in U.S. history and civics education." State lawmakers approved GOP bills last year limiting classroom discussions of race and gender amid a conservative backlash against critical race theory, a framework of scholarship to examine racism. The Legislature has not, however, targeted the teaching of critical race theory and related topics in Texas universities. Andrea Gore, chair of the council's Committee of Counsel on Academic Freedom and Responsibility, told the American-Statesman that she wrote the resolution because she believes faculty should have the academic freedom to be able to teach a topic even if there is controversy or disagreement about it.
 
U. of Missouri changes its COVID-19 dashboard
The University of Missouri's COVID-19 dashboard has changed, with daily positive cases now represented on a graph, spokesman Christian Basi said in a news release Tuesday explaining the changes. With Boone County changing the way it reports data, university officials determined the best available information from the campus community was self-reported data from students, faculty and staff. The dashboard will update each weekday around noon, Basi wrote. The dashboard showed six new student cases on Monday, with a 10-day cumulative total of 58 cases. For staff, there was one new case Monday, with a 10-day total of 18 cases. Among faculty, there were no new cases Monday, with a 10-day total of three cases. All cases have declined since peaking in mid-to-late January.
 
What Are The Most Popular Majors Among Prospective College Students?
Business tops the list of the most popular college majors for high school students who will be graduating in 2022 and 2023. That finding comes from recent data collected by Niche, the popular college rating and review platform that also collects evaluative information on k-12 schools and places to live and work. When students register for a Niche account to conduct their colleges searches, one of the pieces of information that they are asked to provide is their intended major. Niche analyzed those responses from 935,830 students graduating from high school in 2022 or 2023. Responses submitted through January 24, 2022 were included. The new results serve as an update to a prior report on intended college majors. This information comes at a time when more is being learned about which college majors yield the biggest economic benefits to students and which ones may not pay off financially at all. Of course, prospective earnings are only one variable influencing students' choices of major, and a quick review of the Niche data confirms that money is far from the only consideration that students take into account when they think about their future major. A search for meaning, the prospects for fulfillment, and the chance to study what is most personally interesting drive this decision-making to a substantial degree.
 
Granholm to tour nuclear program at South Carolina HBCU
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is visiting South Carolina this week, stopping at a historically Black university to tout what the Biden administration says is a commitment to funding nuclear engineering at such institutions around the country. On Thursday, Granholm is set to tour the nuclear engineering program at South Carolina State University, officials told The Associated Press. Along with U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, an alumnus of the Orangeburg school, Granholm plans to discuss federal funding for programs related to science, technology, engineering and math at historically Black colleges and universities. The visit, Granholm's first to South Carolina as secretary, comes as President Joe Biden and other officials tout progress made in implementing the administration's $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, following setbacks on other issues including voting rights and other economic efforts. The South Carolina trip also features a roundtable discussion between Granholm and HBCU leaders, as well as a visit to Clemson University's Wind Test Facility, which tests wind turbine drivetrains. It follows Granholm's discussion of similar funding initiatives during trips to other HBCUs. South Carolina State is the only HBCU in the country to offer a four-year nuclear engineering program. In June, the Energy Department awarded more than $2.85 million aimed at nuclear and particle physics research trainee programs for students at HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions.
 
As bomb threats keep targeting HBCUs, 64 higher ed groups tell Congress to act
The American Council on Education is calling on Congress to take action following weeks of bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities. A total of 64 higher ed associations and organizations including ACE signed a letter Monday that called the threats acts of terror fueled by racist motivations. The letter asks Congress to begin expedited hearings on "the persistent issues underlying these crimes" and how to prevent them in the future. It also asked Congress to pass a concurrent resolution condemning threats of violence against HBCUs and affirming support for the institutions and their students. ACE wrote to Congressional leaders of both parties after consulting with UNCF, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. The letter acknowledges ongoing investigations by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. It argues federal lawmakers have unique authority and responsibility to take action. The 64 signing organizations want to force lawmakers to reckon with what is happening, said Jon Fansmith, assistant vice president of government relations at ACE. The bomb threats are not pranks that can be written off as juvenile behavior, he said.
 
Why everyone in Mississippi should care about downtown Jackson
Guest columnist Michael Rejebian writes for the Daily Journal: A car passed alongside the Mississippi Governor's Mansion on a warm summer evening last year when the vehicle's occupants suddenly fired multiple gunshots in rapid succession from its window. Then, just as quickly, drove away. The shooter's intent isn't known, maybe just some dangerously misguided show of bravado by some equally misguided young people. But the fact is the incident that June night was startling to many of us in downtown Jackson, and seemed to have caught the attention of the governor inside the mansion. Two weeks later, Tate Reeves held a press conference during which he announced an increase in Capitol police presence in his neighborhood. Though Reeves stated that an overall increase in crime throughout the city of Jackson was the reason, it's difficult not to believe that gunshots fired a few yards from his bedroom had something to do with his ensuing announcement. More funding for Capitol Police, more state officers to patrol downtown, and even judges to adjudicate the criminals arrested here are all in the works in the Legislature. The question has been asked as to whether and why downtown Jackson deserves such special attention from the state when other areas are suffering from an increase in crime. The answer is yes and because downtown, like it nor not, is different than any city or any place in the state, including the rest of Jackson. And it must be protected. Downtown is the government center, the central business district, a residential neighborhood, a political hub, an entertainment venue and a gathering place. But most important, downtown Jackson is the capital of Mississippi, a fact that's not likely to ever change. It's not going anywhere.
 
Justice Mike Randolph pushing for expansion of intervention courts as alternative to incarceration
Syndicated columnist Sid Salter writes: Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph believes that non-violent offenders who find themselves in trouble with the law over drugs, mental health issues or veterans' issues should have alternatives available to them that eclipse the old "lock them up and throw away the key" variety. Randolph, a decorated Vietnam combat infantryman, is not "soft" on crime. On the contrary, Randolph has proved quite capable of bringing the judicial hammer down on violent offenders and those who profiteer on the misery of others. He has served on the high court since 2004, when he was appointed by former Gov. Haley Barbour. But he likewise recognizes the waste of locking people away who are guilty of nothing more than addiction. Along with the waste of lives and human potential, that strategy carries with it a huge cost in terms of taxpayer support for incarceration. Randolph was blunt in his assessment: "When we send a druggie to Parchman, it's $18,000 a year. That is what it costs to maintain a person," Randolph said. "In drug courts, we spend about $1,200 a person per year."


SPORTS
 
Bulldogs Host Alabama State In Home Opener Wednesday
Softball returns to Nusz Park on Wednesday when Mississippi State hosts Alabama State for its home opener. First pitch in the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT with the second game of the day set for 3 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on SEC Network+. MSU (1-3) is coming off an opening weekend that challenged the Bulldogs with matchups against the Nos. 1 and 3 teams in the nation. On Opening Day, State claimed a 4-2 victory over Loyola Marymount thanks to a two-run homer from Matalasi Faapito and a two-run single from Paige Cook. The Bulldogs are led offensively by Cook (.444 average) along with Mia Davidson (.400) and Brylie St. Clair (.400). Davidson and St. Clair lead the team with two doubles, and Davidson also boasts a home run. It was the 70th long ball of her career, and she is now one shy of tying the SEC career record. Admission to MSU softball games is always free. The first 150 fans in attendance on Wednesday will receive a pair of MSU logo knit gloves.
 
Mississippi State looking to save season against Alabama team that once ignited it
Mississippi State's season was headed in the right direction the last time it played Alabama. Tonight, State will look to save its season in the rematch. MSU (14-10, 5-6 SEC) defeated Alabama 78-76 a month ago for its lone Quadrant 1 win of the season. With a plethora of opportunities for more ahead, it appeared as though Mississippi State's tournament expectations would be achieved. Instead, State has lost six of eight games with both wins (home against Ole Miss and South Carolina) qualifying as Quadrant 3. Mississippi State now has seven games left with only three serving as Quadrant 1 opportunities. The rest serve as games it just can't afford to lose. That quest begins in Tuscaloosa against an inconsistent Alabama team capable of turning it up at any moment. Alabama has losses to Davidson, Missouri and Georgia on its resume, but sits at No. 23 in the NET thanks to six Quadrant 1 victories. The Crimson Tide are on a two-game winning streak after prevailing in a high-scoring effort at Ole Miss before winning a tight battle against Arkansas on Saturday. The Bulldogs took the first meeting in Starkville thanks to a typical performance from point guard Iverson Molinar. His 24 points paced both teams and a 43-32 edge in rebounding proved Mississippi State the tougher team that night.
 
Howland expects more from Shakeel Moore as Mississippi State, Alabama face off again
Mississippi State guard Shakeel Moore played one of his best games of the season when the Bulldogs faced Alabama on Jan. 15 at Humphrey Coliseum. The North Carolina State transfer scored 15 points thanks to a 9-for-9 performance at the foul line. He was stout on defense in MSU's 78-76 win. And he threw down an emphatic dunk in the process. But since scoring 18 points in the Bulldogs' following game against Florida, Moore has gone cold. He hasn't scored more than 10 points in any game since, and he didn't even start Saturday in a loss at LSU. So Mississippi State coach Ben Howland hopes something as simple as seeing the Crimson Tide across the court again Wednesday will awaken Moore from his cold spell. After all, something has to. "One thing I do know is the last time we played Alabama, Shakeel played really well," Howland said. That hardly means it's guaranteed to happen again when the Bulldogs (14-10, 5-6 Southeastern Conference) take on the Tide (16-9, 5-6 SEC) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa. But with the recent dip in production from the shooting guard spot, Mississippi State needs help desperately, and Moore is as good a candidate as any to provide it. Howland said he hopes the sophomore guard's strong workout Monday is a positive sign as MSU gears up for its second matchup with Alabama this season. The Crimson Tide entered the AP poll Monday as the No. 25 team in the country.
 
What led to 5-star JD Davison taking next step for Alabama
Five-star, McDonald's All-Americans haven't always been commonly associated with Alabama basketball. Add in the home-grown element and Letohatchee product JD Davison was even more of a unicorn when he arrived in Tuscaloosa last fall. He's been leaving social media users slack-jawed for years with his electrifying athleticism that frankly made his Calhoun High School games look unfair. Alabama had lost a healthy chunk from last year's SEC title team but the addition of new talent like Davison kept preseason expectations on a similar plane. The trajectory, however, wasn't linear for the Crimson Tide or its highly-touted freshman. After a hot start, a hot and cold December/January, Davison and Alabama has found a rhythm entering the final six games of the regular season. That final sprint to the SEC tournament continues at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday when Mississippi State (14-10, 5-6 SEC) comes to Tuscaloosa. The Bulldogs handed the Tide a third straight loss Jan. 15 in Starkville by a 78-76 final. That wasn't one of Davison's memorable afternoons with five points in nearly 30 minutes of action. Progress has been noticeable since, though not immediate. Coach Nate Oats said there wasn't a single game that was a light-bulb moment for the freshman, rather a steady progression that began not on the offensive end.
 
Alabama basketball vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Scouting report, score prediction
Alabama basketball has a chance to avenge a game it could have, and perhaps should have, won when Mississippi State travels to Tuscaloosa this week. On Jan. 15, the Bulldogs snuck out a 78-76 victory over the Crimson Tide in Starkville. That was the most recent time Alabama was ranked in the AP Top 25 until this week. Alabama has had some ups and downs since then, but Mississippi State has mostly struggled. The Bulldogs have only won two games in the past month, going 2-6 since the victory over Alabama. Mississippi State has lost five of its last six games. Meanwhile, Alabama is 5-3 since that loss. The Crimson Tide (16-9, 6-6 SEC) will look to win its third consecutive SEC game when it faces the Bulldogs (14-10, 5-6) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2/ESPNU. Iverson Molinar gave Alabama problems in the last matchup in January. The Crimson Tide will need to defend him better this time around if it wants to win. Molinar was fresh off a 28-point performance before facing Alabama, and he put together another strong performance at the expense of the Crimson Tide. He led all scorers in the game with 24 points to go with six boards and four assists. He ranks No. 3 in the SEC in points per game with 18.4. He's right between Arkansas guard JD Notae (18.8) and Alabama's Jaden Shackelford (17.3).
 
MSU Announces Several Fan Enhancements to The Dude
The best stadium in college baseball is getting even better in 2022. Mississippi State's Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium will re-open its gates on Friday with the Maroon and White faithful set to be greeted by a bevy of new in-house features to enhance the overall fan experience. A complete list of stadium enhancements is provided below to help fans navigate their way through The Dude during the 2022 season. Mississippi State will open the 2022 campaign on Friday, Feb. 18, with the first of the a three-game set versus Long Beach State. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. CT on Friday, while Saturday's contest is set for 2 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. start time in Sunday's finale against the Dirtbags. Fans entering Dudy Noble Field for the season opener will immediately notice several updates to the concourse for the new campaign. The 2021 National Championship trophy will take center stage with a permanent trophy case installed at the home plate entrance of the stadium. New "high-volume, low-speed" fans have been installed on the concourse to help patrons stay cool while supporting the Diamond Dawgs. The two main concession stands underneath the grandstand have been converted to Market Style walk-through locations. A new Grab & Go concession stand is now available to fans in centerfield. One of the most noticeable enhancements to the overall fan experience is the installation of new ribbon board displays, making it possible for fans to follow along with statistics and in-game elements from any location inside The Dude. The new ribbon videoboards run the entire grandstands at 477' in length and 3'-10" in height. State Style will be adding a variety of MSU gear and merchandise as well as a distinctive baseball-specific collection that will be released at Friday's season opener versus Long Beach State.
 
Fatigue, lack of size catch up to Mississippi State in crushing loss at Kentucky
Mississippi State's run of success with a shorthanded lineup caught up to it Tuesday night in a heartbreaking 81-74 loss at Kentucky. MSU dominated throughout the evening, leading by as many as 15 in the fourth quarter. That's when Kentucky pressed on the gas against a fatigued State team with seven available players amidst a stretch of three games in six days. The Wildcats went on a 24-2 run to completely flip the momentum of the game and win consecutive SEC games for the first time this season. "It's a big concern to be honest with you," interim head coach Doug Novak said of the fatigue. "They were quicker to the ball than we were." Kentucky improved to 11-11 while State -- a team among the last four in the field according to the latest ESPN bracketology -- fell to 15-10 and let a Quadrant 1 win slip away. "We just did not make the plays to finish the way we needed to," Novak said. The loss, though emotionally crushing, is something Novak says the team must get over quickly with a game against No. 11 LSU on Thursday. State did not move in the ESPN bracketology after its Quadrant 1 win against Ole Miss on Sunday and likely won't move out with this loss. But letting this game slip could prove costly considering the path ahead for MSU. After returning to Humphrey Coliseum to face LSU, MSU will return to the road to face a Missouri team it beat earlier this season.
 
John Cohen explains what makes Doug Novak a candidate in Mississippi State women's basketball search
Mississippi State athletics director John Cohen considers interim women's basketball coach Doug Novak a candidate for the full-time head coaching position, he told the Clarion Ledger, although all options are still open as the season winds down. The Bulldogs have dealt with plenty of uncertainty since coach Nikki McCray-Penson resigned a month before the season began. Now, Mississippi State finds itself in contention for an NCAA Tournament bid despite an interim coach and a depleted roster. Novak has received fan support due to strong Mississippi State (15-8, 6-5 SEC) performances this season, considering the circumstances, including Sunday's win against Ole Miss. "There isn't an option that isn't still on the table," Cohen said. "Certainly, I think that Doug deserves consideration. But we're also a national program. And we're a program that's going to attract some real coaching talent out there. So, yeah, we have time. We're going to continue to evaluate all phases. And Doug certainly deserves consideration." "I really have enjoyed watching our kids compete, and sometimes some tough things happen early on in a season, and your kids are resilient and they respond to the challenge," Cohen said. "And I think that, at least so far, is what's happened."
 
Three position battles to watch this spring for Mississippi State football
Spring football provides an opportunity for transfers to prove their immediate worth and a shot for freshmen to show their sophomore seasons should include increased playing time. At Mississippi State, this spring season comes with less turnover than many of its Power Five counterparts. The Bulldogs return key starters at most every position. But there are still holes Mike Leach will need to fill heading into his third season at the helm. The spring season could help him determine much of that -- though the conclusion of the spring slate could also bring moves through the transfer portal. Here's a look at three notable position battles State could resolve in the coming weeks: cornerback No. 2, outside receiver and right tackle.
 
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott explains whether he wants personnel input
Negotiations began in earnest February 2019, the Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott's representation interested in extending Dallas' three-year starter. They veered close to resolution that September before sputtering -- and propelling what became a years-long journey. The franchise tag deadline came and went in 2020, phone calls acknowledging the again-deferred security but not changing the reality. Finally, in March 2021, a rehabilitating Prescott inked a four-year, $160 million extension to stay home. Now arrives Prescott's first full offseason in four years with contract certainty. What potential awaits? "I didn't think about it until you said it," Prescott told USA TODAY Sports by phone last week, speaking in partnership with Sleep Number. "But it just allows you to be fresh and be certain on everything and know obviously you're here. There's no questions. You can help the team make decisions." The Cowboys face plenty of decisions, with 20 players scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency. That depth chart includes three starters on offense, five on defense and Pro Bowl punter Bryan Anger. So with Prescott consuming the largest slice of the Cowboys' salary cap, will he have a say in the pieces set to surround him? "I think that just depends on whether they ask me," Prescott said. "I'm not going in and knocking on doors saying, 'Hey, I want this done, I want that done.' But I'm pretty sure that my opinion will be valued in certain decisions, as I hope. So with that being said, just plan on helping this team get better in every which way I can."
 
Controversial: Parents question MAIS eligibility rules for playing sports
The Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) has declined to comment and remains silent as parents across its schools are upset over the athletics eligibility rules as their children sit out entire years, which they believe is unjust. MAIS is a consortium of schools in Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Arkansas responsible for accreditation and governing athletic competition for its member schools. Once a student hits ninth grade, MAIS requires that any student-athlete who transfers from one member school to another member school and hasn't changed their residence participates in a one school-year "sit out" period -- meaning the student-athlete is ineligible to participate for a year. There are exceptions to this rule, however, some student-athletes who have legitimate reasons for transferring have not been granted exceptions. Elizabeth Upchurch is a parent of children within MAIS member schools. When it was in one of her children's best interest to transfer to another member school, her family was told her child would not be able to participate in sports for the next school year -- a decision she disagreed with. "My disagreement with the rule is that it doesn't support the best interest of the student," Upchurch said. "Athletics are a character-building and social supportive part of the high school experience. Denying a student a full year of eligibility is not to their benefit in either aspect of this experience. It also is unfair because of the inconsistent application to all transfers."
 
Conference USA schedules USM in 2022 football, willing to sue
Southern Miss' time in the Conference USA might not be over yet. Less than a week after Southern Miss released a statement announcing its intention to leave Conference USA before the start of next football season, the league retaliated by putting out its schedule for the season and including Southern Miss, as well as two other departing institutions. Along with the schedule release, Conference USA put out the following statement. "Conference USA intends to conduct the 2022-23 athletic year with the full 14 institution membership intact," the statement reads. "The C-USA Board of Directors will exhaust all necessary legal actions to ensure all members meet their contractual obligations as defined by and agreed to in the Conference USA Bylaws." Southern Miss, Old Dominion and Marshall have announced their intentions to leave Conference USA in favor of the Sun Belt. On Feb. 11, Southern Miss released a statement announcing it will terminate its membership with Conference USA effective June 30 and does not intend to participate in Conference USA events starting with the 2022-23 academic year. That time period would include the upcoming football season. "The University first advised Conference USA in early December 2021 of the University's plans to terminate its membership in June 2022," the statement read. "Since then, the University has clearly and consistently repeated its intentions to the conference. The University has from the outset expressed its desire to work with Conference USA to achieve an amicable separation, including offering to cooperate to ensure that all remaining conference members had complete competitive schedules for those sports in which the University competes. Conference USA has so far refused to discuss any such arrangement with the University."
 
Back on his feet, Deion Sanders and Jackson State football soak in celebration at state capitol
Deion Sanders made his way to the podium atop the front stairs of the Mississippi State Capitol and thanked the dignitaries who celebrated Jackson State's SWAC championship football season Tuesday. Sanders, who revealed recently that doctors once feared he could have lost his leg during a weeks-long hospital stay last year, was back on his feet walking with a slight but noticeable limp. "Jackson Mississippi, we love you, we appreciate you," Sanders said. "We've gone through tough times during the course of my being here, but we've overcome all adversity and we're winning." Sanders and the entire JSU coaching staff wore matching red blazers. The players were wore navy blazers. Players took turns taking pictures with the SWAC championship trophy, which they won by beating Prairie View A&M 27-10 on Dec. 4 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Sonic Boom of the South Marching band was close behind, playing hits like "Get Ready" by The Temptations and "Candy" by Cameo. It was a celebration of a season that resulted in Jackson State's first SWAC football title since 2007 and first appearance in the Celebration Bowl, the de facto HBCU national championship game since the game began in 2015. The Tigers also completed their first 11-win season in school history. Under Sanders, Jackson State football has drawn increased attention and resources to the city. Visit Jackson, the city's official marketing organization, estimates that JSU football had a $30 million dollar financial impact on the city in 2021, nearly double the estimated $16 million from 2019.
 
COLLEGE BASEBALL '22: Longhorns are No. 1 as season begins
When he was coach at Texas, Augie Garrido often would say the minimum expectation for the Longhorns was to reach the College World Series every year. And he was only half-joking. Those expectations extend well beyond the program's passionate fan base this year. With almost all the pieces back from the 50-win team that fell one victory short of the CWS finals, the Longhorns are the consensus preseason No. 1 team. Anything short of a return trip to Omaha would be a surprise. "We accept it. We embrace it. We love it," coach David Pierce said. The Longhorns have been looking toward 2022 since their walk-off loss to eventual national champion Mississippi State in the bracket final last June. Texas had won three straight elimination games to put itself in position to go to the CWS finals for the first time since 2009. The Longhorns open the season Friday with the first of three weekend games against Rice. The defending national champion Bulldogs' biggest hole is on the mound after they lost first-round draft pick and CWS Most Outstanding Player Will Bednar and two other pitchers who were drafted. Landon Sims, a potential high first-round draft pick, moves into the Friday night starter's role. Logan Tanner hit a team-high 15 homers and is one of the best catchers in the country. Kellum Clark, who hit two big homers at CWS, moves from infield to right field.
 
Golfing with Paul Mainieri: Ex-LSU baseball coach talks retirement over nine holes
About a week after his final game last summer, Paul Mainieri went to the driving range used by the LSU golf teams and began his new life. Still bothered by the neck pain that contributed to his retirement as LSU's baseball coach, Mainieri worried about how much he could swing a club. Alone there on the range, he grabbed a wedge and softly hit a couple balls. After about 10 shots, Mainieri had enough. He wanted to swing. He pulled out his 3-wood. "I'm going to swing this thing," Mainieri said, "and I might end up lying on the ground paralyzed, but I'm going to find out." Mainieri reared back. He made solid contact. As the ball shot forward, he realized he hadn't collapsed. He could still feel his limbs. Mainieri tossed the club in the air, raised his fists and thanked God. "I knew then," Mainieri said, "that I was going to be able to play golf." Mainieri told the story from the other side of the University Club driving range one sunny morning last week as we prepared to play nine holes. Usually, Mainieri would tinker with lineups or worry about pitching rotations this close to LSU's season opener, but golf has become his primary activity in retirement, an outlet for the energy he used to spend molding a team every spring for four decades. Without the sport that filled his entire life, Mainieri has played at least five times a week. Often six. Some days he completes a full round. Others, he uses the driving range as he lowers his 10.7 handicap. He shot under 80 once, and ever since then, he has tried to break the number again. "He has a reason every morning to get up and get going, which is all he's ever known," said Mainieri's wife, Karen. "It's been the biggest outlet." As LSU approaches its opener Friday night, Mainieri doesn't know exactly how he will handle his first season in retirement. Though the 64-year-old hasn't regretted his decision, sometimes he misses the job.



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.
Mississippi State University  •  Mississippi State, MS 39762  •  Main Telephone: (662) 325-2323  •   Contact: The Editor  |  The Webmaster  •   Updated: February 16, 2022Facebook Twitter