Wednesday, April 20, 2022   
 
Starkville Community Market opens Saturday
Starkville Community Market will kick off its new season Saturday. Open from 8-11 a.m. every Saturday at Fire Station Park, this year's market has had 23 vendors apply, according to Paige Watson, Starkville Main Street director. She is also the market manager and works with a board of 14 people. She noted that for 2018, the market had about five to 10 vendors apply. The market has been open since 2007. "Because of the pandemic, we were able to stay open because we were an essential event. We did really well in 2020 and 2021," Watson said. "We hope this year, it will be bigger and better than ever." During opening weekend, visitors can expect a musician performing. Repairs and improvements to the park are expected to be completed in time for the market's reopening, Watson said. The pond is being replaced with a fountain and permanent hanging outdoor lights will be installed. The market focuses on food -- produce, cottage industry food (baked goods, canned goods, etc.), eggs and a limited selection of crafts. The market also hopes to have more programming and activities this year, Watson said, noting that the Oktibbeha Master Gardeners will sell plants in May.
 
Starkville discusses more signage for paid parking
After social media discourse over the weekend, the Starkville Board of Aldermen is considering amending the parking section of the Starkville Code of Ordinance to add signage to make its paid parking spots more visible. The board approved a contract with third-party, paid-parking service ParkMobile in September, making the majority of parking spots in The Cotton District and Midtown subject to user payment. While the paid-parking switch was publicized on the city's social media, as well as covered in local media, resident Shana Lee said she was unaware of the change, prompting her to write a letter to the Starkville Daily News last week that she also posted on social media. Lee said she would not be returning to the areas in the city that require paid parking, not because she does not support local businesses but because she does not want to give the city money in order to park. Current signage includes a single, nearly one-foot sign per every few parking spots. Customers must download ParkMobile's app or use the company website to reserve a parking space and scan the QR code on one of the signs upon arriving. Tickets for people who do not pay to park are $25.
 
Mississippi Economic Council's 72nd annual meeting set for April 21
The Mississippi Economic Council will host its 72nd Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 21, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex. Hundreds of MEC members, business leaders, and elected officials from across Mississippi will come together to hear from thought leaders about opportunities for securing Mississippi's future. MEC's 72nd Annual Meeting luncheon will feature Gov. Tate Reeves, a conversation with State Medical Director Thomas Dobbs, M.D., and attendees will hear from 2021-22 MEC Chair Augustus Leon Collins as he turns the gavel over to Martin Williams, the 2022-23 MEC Chair. A series of morning sessions are planned, focusing on the goals and recommendations outlined in the recently released MEC "Securing Mississippi's Future: Vision for Economic Growth" report. The report was developed using research from the 51 small group discussions across the state as part of the MEC Tour. The goals within the report align with MEC's priority issues of education, workforce development and skills training, talent retention and attraction, infrastructure, business climate, and healthcare. Three concurrent sessions will be held from 9-10 a.m., a plenary session begins at 10:30, and the Annual Meeting Luncheon gets underway at 11:45 a.m.
 
Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund signed into law
The fund will also allow for additional federal dollars to be funneled to the state in support of conservation and environmental efforts. "Mississippi is the most beautiful state in the nation. From our rivers and forests to our farmlands and coastlines, we have been abundantly blessed by the Lord with a tremendous wealth of natural beauty," said Governor Tate Reeves. "This massive new resource will offer protections for our land that will pay dividends for years to come. We will ensure that we pass on the rich and beautiful natural heritage of Mississippi to our children and grandchildren." The fund will be governed by a board who will review the direction of the money into projects and programs that facilitate care for parks and rivers across the state. This money will be used for a variety of worthy causes. It can help improve recreation and trails, restore public waters and lands, expand conservation education, enhance privately owned agricultural lands and forests, and protect our wealth of wetlands, forests, grasslands, and other unique habitats. Governor Reeves remarked that Mississippi has incredibly high numbers of farmers, fisherman, hunters, ranchers, and other individuals whose professions rely on the land. This legislation takes steps to ensure the continued health of Mississippi lands that are relied on by these many Mississippians. Furthermore, outdoor recreation in Mississippi generates over $8 billion in revenue each year and helps to support more than 79,000 jobs.
 
Governor signs outdoor conservation funding bill into law
Gov. Tate Reeves has signed into law a bill that establishes a program to preserve and improve the state's natural recreation areas, which have been chronically unmaintained the last several years. "This massive new resource will offer protections for our land that will pay dividends for years to come," Reeves said at a bill signing ceremony outside the Governor's Mansion on Tuesday. The law creates the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, which will be funded through yearly budget bills by the Legislature. It also creates a new stewardship board, which will determine how those dollars should be spent. The governor will appoint four people to the board; the lieutenant governor will appoint three more. All appointees are subject to Senate confirmation. Several legislators and leaders of state agencies would also sit on the board as non-voting members. Reeves, who will be required to appoint someone to the board from north Mississippi, said that he intends to put forward his nominees "sooner rather than later," but would not give a specific timeline. The Legislature set aside $10 million for the trust fund's first year to go towards conservation efforts. But after this year, it will be up to the Legislature to determine how much money goes into the fund.
 
Reeves passes harsher penalties for fentanyl dealers in Mississippi
Governor Tate Reeves is aiming to crack down on drug distribution in Mississippi through the signing of "Parker's Law" (HB 607), which makes fentanyl delivery resulting in death labeled as first-degree murder. On Tuesday, the Republican governor signed the bill into law at the State Capitol surrounded by numerous individuals that have lost a loved one to a drug overdose. Within the crowd stood Cordie Rodenbaugh, a mother that lost her son Parker to a drug overdose in 2014 and has fought to keep other parents from experiencing the same loss she has. Over eight years later, Parker's passing became the inspiration for the bill, which aims to enhance the penalty for dealers whose distribution of a substance leads to an overdose. As Reeves signed the bill, he commented on the impact of fentanyl on American lives as over 100,000 lives were lost due to a drug overdose in 2021. "Fentanyl has taken the lives of too many of our family members, friends, and neighbors. It has wreaked havoc and been an absolute tragedy for our communities," Reeves said. "I want to thank Cordie Rodenbaugh for her tireless work in advocating for this law and fighting drug use among students."
 
Sen. Wicker addresses Laurel Rotary Club, speaks on Ukraine and rising oil prices
Sen. Roger Wicker was the guest speaker at the Laurel Rotary Club's monthly luncheon on Tuesday. Wicker spoke on several topics including the war in Ukraine, inflation in the U.S. and the price of gas at the pump. He said America stands with Ukraine and is pushing for more military aid to the embattled country. He also said it's imperative that the United States, along with the rest of the world, stand together in the face of Russian aggression. "Vladimir Putin has always been the neighborhood bully, whether it was in Chechnya or the Republic of Georgia or Crimea," said Wicker. "We're asking every few days, are we getting everything to Ukraine as quickly and as efficiently as we can." Back home in the U.S., inflation is on the rise, which, according to Wicker, is a direct result of President Biden's failed energy agenda. He criticized the decision to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserves. Instead, Wicker said Biden should focus on long-term energy policies including the expansion of the country's energy infrastructure and also reduce bureaucratic regulations. "We need to send a signal to American petroleum companies and risk-takers, a lot of whom are small businesses, that there's going to be an opportunity not just for the next few months but in the future for us to responsibly produce our own plentiful fossil fuels here in the United States," said Wicker.
 
New law allows north Mississippi counties to improve tourism along Tallahatchie River
Gov. Tate Reeves recently signed legislation into law that creates the Tallahatchie River Authority, a group of eight counties that can band together to promote economic, historical and and tourism projects around the Tallahatchie River. House Bill 1323 allows one representative each from Lafayette, Leflore, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tippah and Union counties to collaborate with one another to improve the river. Bill author Rep. Sam Creekmore, R-New Albany, said he's excited about the future economic impact the new group could bring to north Mississippi. "Even though the governor just signed this, it's really taken on some legs," Creekmore said. The Union County lawmaker said a group wanting to build a high-end RV park and a company looking to construct a boat ramp along the river have already made business inquiries, now that the legislation is law. The authority may not have any direct power to attract a particular business to the area, but the new law gives it the authority to work with other governments to create long-term plans for tourism, economic development, forestry and drainage. The board of supervisors from each county will have the option to appoint a representative to the new authority.
 
Research facilities eye new locations in Hernando, board forms committee to address medical marijuana
A committee has been formed by Hernando city officials to further explore the possibility of opting-in for medical marijuana to be allowed for patients. Mayor Chip Johnson, Ward 4 Alderman Chad Wicker, Ward 6 Alderman Ben Piper, City Attorney Steve Pittman, City Planner Austin Cardosi and Police Chief Scott Worsham made up the newly formed body to research more into the issue. Hernando did not opt-out of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act like northern neighbor Horn Lake. Under the law, cities can opt-in at a later date. Residents can also opt-in by submitting a petition with 1,500 signatures which would require the city to put the question on the ballot and to hold an election within 60 days. George Reedy, of Hernando, said he was representing a large financial based medical group. He addressed city officials during the public comments portion of the meeting. Reedy said the company is Southern Biomedical Industries. According to their website, "Southern Biomedical Industries, LLC (SBI) is a Shelby County-based biomedical research and development company dedicated to creating life-changing plant-based medicines as alternatives to opioids." SBI is expected to create around 80 to 85 new jobs, have a $4.5 to $5 million dollar economic impact, be a three-year development plan, and would include a dispensary, all according to Reedy.
 
Trump targets outraise challengers, unlike some other incumbents
Republicans in Congress targeted for defeat by former President Donald Trump posted strong fundraising numbers during the first three months of his year, while a handful of other vulnerable House incumbents from both parties raised less than potential opponents, new disclosures show. The disclosures to the Federal Election Commission also show that House candidates raising more than $1 million in just three months is not the phenomenon it once was. And some of those crossing that threshold are getting a lot of it from donors giving small amounts. Challengers backed by Trump in six House districts and one Senate race all raised less than the targeted incumbents during the first quarter. Nevertheless, several of the challengers have ample resources to compete, especially in states with comparatively low-cost media markets. Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who was ousted from the House GOP leadership for refusing to support Trump's false claim of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, raised more than $2.9 million and finished the quarter with $6.8 million. Harriet Hageman, the water and natural resources lawyer who is backed by Trump, raised $1.3 million, including $36,500 from Cheney's Republican colleagues in the House such as Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California. Hageman ended the quarter with nearly $1.1 million on hand. Similarly, Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski raised $1.6 million and had $5.3 million on March 31, compared with $673,000 raised and $968,000 cash on hand for Trump-backed former state government official Kelly Tshibaka. In the first quarter of 2020, the comparable period in the last campaign, 18 House candidates reported raising more than $1 million. This year there were at least 18 Democrats alone, along with 13 Republicans, when candidates writing big checks to their own campaigns were excluded.
 
US Pentagon chief speaks for 1st time to Chinese counterpart
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday spoke with his Chinese counterpart for the first time since becoming Pentagon chief more than a year ago, breaking a communications impasse that American officials saw as increasingly dangerous amid concern that Beijing might provide military support for Russia's war in Ukraine. Austin, who calls China the U.S. military's leading long-term challenge but has been forced to focus heavily on Russia this year, requested the telephone conversation with Gen. Wei Fenge after months of failed effort to speak with Gen. Xu Qiliang, the highest ranking uniformed officer in the Communist Party military structure. Austin wanted to talk to Xu because, as deputy chairman of the party's Central Military Commission, which controls the People's Liberation Army, Xu is more influential than Wei. But Beijing insisted on sticking to protocol and having Austin talk to Wei, who officially is his counterpart as defense minister but ranks below Xu in the hierarchy and has less military operational clout. The U.S.-China relationship has become more strained on multiple levels since the start of Biden's presidency. Biden has repeatedly criticized China for military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to squelch pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong. U.S. officials also have expressed concern about signs that China is vastly increasing the size of its nuclear arsenal, although it remains far smaller than America's.
 
It's planting season in Ukraine, and that means problems for global food supply
The day after Russia invaded Ukraine, Lebanon's economy minister announced the country of 6.8 million people had enough wheat reserves to last just one month. Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of agriculture, which Lebanon depends on. Ukraine alone exported more than $27 billion in agricultural products to the world last year. About 80% of Lebanon's wheat comes from Ukraine. So when the war started, so did worries of food shortages and price hikes. "You could say the majority of the Lebanese population is living in survival mode," said Maya Terro, founder of the non-profit organization FoodBlessed Lebanon, which feeds vulnerable people in Beirut. Weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, food prices soared. The invasion sent ripples beyond the immediate conflict zone, breaking supply chains and creating food shortages as two of the world's biggest food exporters went to war. In response, Egypt's prime minister fixed bread prices, Bangladesh launched a nationwide food subsidy program, and consumers in Indonesia noticed a favorite instant noodle dish went out of stock. "This is just catastrophe on top of catastrophe," said David Beasley, the director of the World Food Program [WFP] who is currently in Ukraine. "Because guess where the Ukrainian farmers are right now; they're on the front lines fighting for the freedom of their country." Beasley said things were bad before the war, but now they were worse. "If you can end these wars, we can end world hunger," Beasley said.
 
China looks to learn from Russian failures in Ukraine
With its ground troops forced to pull back in Ukraine and regroup, and its Black Sea flagship sunk, Russia's military failings are mounting. No country is paying closer attention than China to how a smaller and outgunned force has badly bloodied what was thought to be one of the world's most powerful armies. China, like Russia, has been ambitiously reforming its Soviet-style military and experts say leader Xi Jinping will be carefully parsing the weaknesses exposed by the invasion of Ukraine as they might apply to his own People's Liberation Army and his designs on the self-governed island of Taiwan. "The big question Xi and the PLA leadership must be asking in light of Russian operations in Ukraine is whether a military that has undergone extensive reform and modernization will be able to execute operations that are far more complex than those Russia has undertaken during its invasion of Ukraine," said M. Taylor Fravel, director of the security studies program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Experts have been collectively stunned that Russia invaded Ukraine with seemingly little preparation and lack of focus -- a campaign along multiple, poorly-coordinated axes that has failed to effectively combine air and land operations. China has had no recent major conflict by which to gauge its military prowess, having fought its last significant engagement in 1979 against Vietnam, said David Chen, a senior consultant with CENTRA Technology, a U.S.-based government services firm.
 
Kremlin Insiders Alarmed Over Growing Toll of Putin's War in Ukraine
Almost eight weeks after Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine, with military losses mounting and Russia facing unprecedented international isolation, a small but growing number of senior Kremlin insiders are quietly questioning his decision to go to war. The ranks of the critics at the pinnacle of power remain limited, spread across high-level posts in government and state-run business. They believe the invasion was a catastrophic mistake that will set the country back for years, according to ten people with direct knowledge of the situation. All spoke on condition of anonymity, too fearful of retribution to comment publicly. So far, these people see no chance the Russian president will change course and no prospect of any challenge to him at home. More and more reliant on a narrowing circle of hardline advisers, Putin has dismissed attempts by other officials to warn him of the crippling economic and political cost, they said. Some said they increasingly share the fear voiced by U.S. intelligence officials that Putin could turn to a limited use of nuclear weapons if faced with failure in a campaign he views as his historic mission. To be sure, support for Putin's war remains deep across much of Russia's elite, with many insiders embracing in public and in private the Kremlin's narrative that conflict with the West is inevitable and that the economy will adapt to the sweeping sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies. And public backing remains strong as the initial shock and disruption from sanctions has given way to a kind of surreal stability in Russia. Still, more and more top insiders have come to believe that Putin's commitment to continue the invasion will doom Russia to years of isolation and heightened tension that will leave its economy crippled, its security compromised and its global influence gutted.
 
McRae announces MPACT Legacy Plan rebounds to near full funding
The Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (MPACT) Legacy Plan will rebound to near full funding, a major reversal from prior expectations. In 2019 when Treasurer David McRae came into office the plan had a 72 percent funding ration, leaving taxpayers on the hook for more than $125 million. Currently the plan is funded at 91 percent. The cost to taxpayers has also been cut by two-thirds. Also, the Horizon Plan is fully funded at 141 percent. "For nearly a decade, the MPACT Legacy Plan has been a bill that hung over the heads of Mississippi taxpayers, but today, we can rest much easier knowing the road to solvency is nearly secure," said Treasurer McRae. "I want to extend a special thank you to our Investments Team for their hard work throughout this process." McRae reported that two decisions helped push the MPACT plan forward. First, a 27 percent performance investment return in FY2021. This marks the best one-year annualized return in program history. Second, Treasurer McRae -- along with the College Savings Board -- updated and improved actuarial assumptions in 2020 to more accurately reflect historical experiences. "With each new two- or four-year college diploma, Mississippi gains another skilled worker," said McRae. "And more skilled workers makes Mississippi more attractive to employers, drives economic development, and empowers young people to reach their God-given potential. I am proud we were able to lift more of the burden from the shoulders of taxpayers while continuing to assist students in their journey toward a college degree and a good-paying job."
 
Ole Miss prepares to welcome largest freshman class ever in fall
Glenn Boyce, the chancellor for the University of Mississippi, has been a busy man as the end of the academic year approaches. The former commissioner of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning is preparing for the largest incoming class of freshmen the university has seen to land on campus at Oxford in the fall. "Overall we have reversed the trend of four to five years of consecutive enrollment losses, and we grew last year for the first time in a while," Boyce told the Rotary Club of Columbus on Tuesday at Lion Hills Center. Boyce said in addition to welcoming in the largest undergraduate freshman class, the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson will welcome its largest class of aspiring doctors. UMMC also did not see a drop off of incoming classes as the pandemic ravaged the world like much of the other medical schools did, according to Boyce. Overall, Boyce is optimistic for the future of the university and for Oxford, as both are on an upward trajectory. "Our trajectory is absolutely exploding," Boyce said. "We're excited about everything going on, and I also want to tell you higher education in Mississippi is absolutely doing a wonderful job."
 
Half a million dollars donated to Children's Hospital at UMMC
Half a million dollars was donated today to the Children's of Mississippi Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The $500,000 donation will be used to help renovate and expand the facility. The Junior League of Jackson has been a long-time partner of Children's Hospital and made the donation this afternoon. The project will more than double the number of exam rooms at the facility, double the size of infusion rooms as well as make it more private for patients. The size of the waiting room will increase and will be more interactive. It will include a digital aquarium and games. Doctors say this gift helps in serving children and families in Mississippi. "The Junior League of Jackson has been a long-standing supporter of our Children's Hospital," said UMMC Pediatrics Chair Mary Taylor. "They have come and worked with children, read to children, played with children, participated in activities over the holidays. They're just part of our family at Children's of Mississippi." Junior League of Jackson President Katie Browning said, "in its original form, it was the Children's Cancer Clinic, now the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. We are so excited to be working with UMMC on this project. We have been in partnership with them for over 30 years. This was actually our signature project."
 
'It's about helping someone else': What we know about USM's $150M fundraising campaign
The USM Foundation says raising $150 million with its Give Wing campaign will go a long way to improving the student experience at the University of Southern Mississippi. More than $120 million will go directly to helping students, including $53.5 million in new endowed scholarships. "It's all about helping our students succeed," said Stace Mercier, executive director of the USM Foundation. The foundation launched the silent phase of the campaign in 2018 ahead of a planned 2020 public phase, but that part of the fundraising was postponed until this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The silent phase included reaching out to alumni and supporters, who have already contributed nearly $110 million of the $150 million goal. Mercier said not all the donors are alumni or have close ties to the university but support the school because it benefits the Hattiesburg community. "Having a good and healthy university population is important to them," Mercier said. "The reason for supporting is not about themselves. It's about being able to help someone else." Other funds will go toward upgrades to existing facilities like Pete Taylor Park and construction of new buildings like the recently-opened center for veterans, the Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor.
 
JSU unveils Brigadier General Robert Crear Atrium honoring Vicksburg native
Jackson State University named its campus atrium the "Brigadier General Robert Crear Atrium" on April 13. A Vicksburg native, Crear has served worldwide, commanded and led soldiers and civilians at every level, while serving in high-level leadership positions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. At the Pentagon, he served as the military assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. At the Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C., he served as Assistant Director of Civil Works and as the Chief of Staff. In the field, he commanded the Vicksburg District, the Southwest Division and the Mississippi Valley Division. Additionally, he served as President of the Mississippi River Commission, having been appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. He is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Reatha Hall. They have four adult children.
 
Students in Mississippi participate in financial education and competition
April is Financial Literacy month in Mississippi, and experts are working to educate students across the state about how to have a strong financial future. The Mississippi Council on Economic Education is holding their annual Personal Finance Challenge where students from across the state gather to compete and learn about economics. Students who rank high in the challenge can receive scholarship funding, but experts like MCEE President Selena Swartzfager say the lessons learned could benefit students for the rest of their lives. "We want these young people to grow into adults who know how to make good decisions. And even if they don't remember every single detail about what they learned in the classroom, they've learned the importance of making good financial decisions, and they will know where to go to find the answers." Swartzfager says this year's graduating senior class will be the first to have mandatory financial literacy instruction. Among the participants in the Personal Finance Challenge is a team from McLaurin High School. Cyber Foundations Teacher Eric Hite says the mock scenarios help students put their financial education into practice and see real world applications. "These 7-12th graders are considered financial experts. They're going to give advice to these judges about what's wrong with these scenarios that they're given. That's the cool thing. And I'm here with 7th graders. And my 7th graders are out there with a plan about how to help this person out of this financial situation that they're in."
 
Strong influences help mold 2022 US Teacher of the Year
It hardly seems a stretch to say Kurt Russell was born to be a history teacher. Raised on his mother's stories about segregation and the civil rights movement in Alabama and influenced by teachers from his childhood, the 50-year-old Russell has spent the last 25 years teaching history and African American history at Oberlin High School outside Cleveland. The Council of Chief State School Officers announced Tuesday that Russell is the organization's National Teacher of the Year for 2022. The group previously named him Ohio's teacher of the year. "Kurt's extensive career shows the power of educators to shape the lives of students from the classroom to extracurricular activities to the basketball court," CCSSO Chief Executive Officer Carissa Moffat Miller said in a statement. Russell will spend the next year representing educators and serving as an ambassador for students and teachers across the country, the organization said. His classroom journey to teaching began with his white kindergarten teacher, Francine Toss, who read a picture book about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as he and other students sat in a circle in her classroom. "She had the audacity to introduce literature that was culturally relevant," Russell said. "I thought, 'Wow, that's a guy who looks like me.'"
 
Hire now, fire later. Schools flush with cash face a funding cliff in 2 years
States are awash in money -- and facing pressure from the Biden administration and teachers unions to spend it on schools. But here's the catch: lofty education promises made today may be seeding layoffs tomorrow. Governors and superintendents are pushing to hire new teachers, raise salaries and pay bonuses to educators worn down by two years of the pandemic. School districts and administrators can tap the use-it-or-lose-it Covid relief money approved by Congress to address emergencies and attract in-demand workers like bus drivers and substitute teachers. But schools could face a "funding cliff" when federal monies run dry in September 2024. That's made many of those same state and local education officials nervous about sustaining any ambitious pay boosts and hiring sprees once their budgets are no longer cushioned with federal cash. California, for example, has a huge sum of money to spend on education -- a proposed $71 billion for its 2022-2023 budget -- but little flexibility to use state funds on the kinds of raises rank and file employees are demanding. California isn't alone. Without a long-term plan for maintaining funding levels, staffing gains made across the country could be reversed in just a few years, said Dan Goldhaber, who researches teacher labor markets as a vice president at the American Institutes for Research. "To the extent that school systems are adding people who believe themselves to be permanent additions to their labor force, they are kicking a political issue into the future," he said.
 
'I feel like we can breathe': Auburn's Tiger Transit no longer requires masks
Beginning Tuesday morning, Auburn University lifted its mask mandate requirement to travel on Tiger Transit. This decision comes after a judge in Florida struck down a federal mandate requiring masks on airplanes, buses, trains and in other public transportation cabins. Students were informed of the change in a campus-wide email early Tuesday morning. Kelis McGhe, an Auburn student and frequent Tiger Transit rider, said she found out the news this morning from the email. "For me, it's not a big deal because we already don't wear masks inside the university buildings," she said. Auburn lifted its university-wide mask mandate inside buildings earlier this year. "I feel like we can breathe," said Tiger Transit driver Rebecca Henry. COVID transmission is at its lowest level locally since the beginning of the pandemic, with East Alabama Medical Center earlier this week loosening its visitation policies for non-COVID patients to green, which allows for more visitors. On Tuesday, most students riding the buses were taking advantage of the new rule change.
 
Jason Hicks selected as dean of College of Liberal Arts at Auburn
Jason Hicks has been selected as the next dean of Auburn University's College of Liberal Arts, effective July 1. Hicks is currently a Provost's Fellow in the Office of Academic Affairs at Louisiana State University, where he started his tenure in 1998 as an assistant professor in psychology. From 2019 to 2021, he was an associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, where he led professional and leadership development efforts for the college. As dean, Hicks' priorities will include developing strategies to elevate the student experience and broaden access to CLA courses and curricula, furthering opportunities to support recruitment and retention of faculty, expanding engagement with alumni, and enhancing professional and leadership development for faculty and staff. The University has been conducting a national search for a new dean for CLA since July 2021, following the transition of Joe Aistrup back to a faculty member after serving as the dean for eight years.
 
DeSantis signs bill in The Villages to address school fees, reform tenure and 'politicized' curriculums
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference in The Villages Tuesday morning and signed Senate Bill 7044, a bill addressing higher education. The bill, DeSantis said, aims to keep postsecondary education affordable. It also changes the way tenure will work and how college courses are developed. During the conference, DeSantis also talked about Florida's decision to nix proposed math textbooks. The Florida Department of Education rejected 54 of 132 submitted math textbooks for "attempts to indoctrinate students," saying that they violate Florida's new state laws prohibiting teaching critical race theory in schools. "We just had a review with the math textbooks from K through 12," DeSantis said. "And there's a movement to say that math should be not about getting the right answer but more about social and emotional response and all that and I'll tell you this, it is absolutely gaining a foothold across the country. We said that we're not doing that in Florida." During the press conference, DeSantis signed Senate Bill 7044: Postsecondary Education. This legislation makes changes to higher education in Florida including: Authorizes the Board of Governors to adopt a regulation regarding post-tenure reviews for state university faculty, and requires the Board of Governors and State Board of Education to identify and determine accrediting agencies or associations best suited for public postsecondary institutions.
 
'An incredible legacy': U. of Kentucky leaders reflect on the impact of Bill Gatton
Carol Martin "Bill" Gatton, an influential businessman and strong supporter of higher education in Kentucky and Tennessee, died Monday. Gatton was 89 years old and a native of Muhlenberg County. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1954 and went on to own several car dealerships in Tennessee, Alabama and Texas, as well as real estate projects in Kentucky. Gatton was the largest single donor to UK, the university said earlier this year. He donated more than $70 million to UK in his lifetime. His influence extended beyond UK, throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. In a note to the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and Leadership Advisory Council, UK President Eli Capilouto said Gatton was "a Kentucky original" with a commitment to "hard work, generosity and service." His generosity also had an impact on other donors to UK, encouraging them to donate to the university, Capilouto said. "It is an incredible loss that we mourn, but an incredible legacy that we have been given the gift of celebrating and carrying forward," Capilouto said.
 
Darla Moore returning to U. of South Carolina campus for first time in 3 years to introduce Angela Davis
Darla Moore, the University of South Carolina's largest benefactor who has been unhappy with school leadership, will return to the Columbia campus for the first time in three years to introduce a speech by famed controversial political activist Angela Davis. Davis, who gained national attention in the 1970s as a fugitive that landed her on FBI's Ten Most Wanted List, is the keynote speaker at the 2022 Robert Smalls Annual Lecture held by USC's African American Studies program on April 21. Her sold-out speech has drawn some opposition during a time when colleges have become the center for political fights across the country, including debates over critical-race theory. Davis was fired from a university teaching job for being a member of the Communist Party in 1969 and was charged with murder in 1970 after guns she purchased were used a courtroom shootout left a judge dead. She was captured and held in prison for 18 months before being acquitted. The Rolling Stones and John Lennon recorded songs about her after her arrest. Davis then ran twice as a vice presidential candidate for the Communist Party in the 1980s. "Sometimes when there's a speaker who's considered controversial, we often get calls," USC spokesman Jeff Stensland said. "It's not uncommon." Moore's return to campus, her first visit since the business school's 100-year anniversary celebration in 2019, was confirmed by a source with knowledge of her plans. She wanted to introduce Davis to promote free speech, the source said. Moore declined comment about her appearance April 20.
 
Texas A&M defunds annual drag show
LGBTQ+ student organizers say Texas A&M University defunded its annual drag show without explanation after initially agreeing to partner with them on the event, The Daily Beast reported. The university has partnered with student organizations to host the popular show, called Draggieland, since its beginning in 2020. Last year the administration disaffiliated from the show, and this year it pulled its sponsorship, students said. Though Draggieland is primarily funded through ticket sales, in the past the university has helped LGBTQ+ organizations with up-front costs, such as booking headliners, and then the organizers paid the university back through profits from the event. Because the university defunded the event, students said they had to do their own fundraising for the show, which took place Monday. The administration is "actively making decisions that discriminate against the LGBTQ student body for the purpose of making sure that LGBTQ representation is not part of the face of Texas A&M," Frey Miller, president of the trans student group Transcend, told The Daily Beast. According to KAGS, an NBC affiliate station, Texas A&M vice president of student affairs Joe Ramirez said during a student government meeting that Draggieland was already self-sufficient and didn't need the funds. Ramirez said the funds could be used for organizations that don't have those resources but was unable to give an answer to where those funds would end up.
 
A university pays $400K to professor who refused to use a student's pronouns
A public university professor in Ohio who was disciplined four years ago for refusing to use a transgender student's pronouns is being awarded $400,000 following a lawsuit against the university. Nick Meriwether, a philosophy professor at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, sued the college in 2018 after he was disciplined for not using she/her pronouns to refer to a transgender woman, according to a news release from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a legal organization focusing on religious freedom and free speech cases. In a January 2018 philosophy class, Meriwether responded to the student by using the phrase "Yes, sir." Once the class ended, the student asked Meriwether to use she/her pronouns when addressing her, but Meriwether refused to do so, according to ADF. Meriwether did not agree with the student's request, as court documents indicate that the student became "belligerent" and promised that the professor would get fired. The student, who was not named, filed a complaint against Meriwether that sparked a formal investigation with the university.
 
Job Recruiting on College Campuses Roars Back to Life
As job recruiters swarm back to America's college campuses, career fairs aren't enough to stand out in the competitive labor market. Now, some employers are pulling out all the stops with intimate gatherings and flashy presentations. Young professionals coming out of college this spring are in high demand. Employers plan to hire at least 30% more new graduates this year than they did last year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. In some fields, including technology, finance and consulting, starting salaries are even in the six figures. And while many in Gen Z say they wish to work remotely at least part of the time, some are eager to partake of office life. Fifty-three Baylor University students attended an invitation-only speed-networking event with employees of Academy Sports + Outdoors in the presidential suite of the campus's football stadium in late March. The students were chosen because of their grades, activities, majors and desired careers paths. They ate hors d'oeuvres and learned about Academy while taking in a sweeping view of the gridiron through floor-to-ceiling windows. Students across majors---considering jobs in finance, marketing and the supply chain---attended the event. Dubbed "Academy Night," the Baylor event is one of several that the company is hosting at Texas universities as an official re-entry to in-person recruiting, said Bill Ennis, Academy's senior vice president and chief human-resources officer. This semester, several companies are operating from a similar playbook, giving students standout experiences to make a stronger hiring pitch. Companies and colleges said more of this semester's recruiting, including at career fairs, is in person than at any time since the pandemic began.
 
Is Geopolitics Closing the Door on Open Research?
Since the end of the Cold War, and even before, intellectual exchange across borders has been viewed as inherently beneficial. On college campuses and in national capitals the consensus was that knowledge should be open and shared, both in the West and around the world. It was the rare country that was outside the global academic and scientific community, and those that were, like North Korea or Iran, were pariahs. Almost all research was, by default, to be published and available for anyone to read. Few areas of inquiry were off limits, and it was clear when discoveries were to be walled off: when national security was at stake. But that long-held consensus may be crumbling. Governments have become more suspicious of international collaboration, seeing it as not in concert with, and sometimes counter to, national interests. As a result, they have moved to put in place new restrictions on joint research and exchange. China's ambition to become a technological and innovative superpower has in particular led to a newfound mistrust in the West. College leaders in Europe and North America were also quick to suspend academic partnerships with Russian institutions following that country's invasion of Ukraine. Yet the retreat from international engagement comes as the advancement of knowledge is more dependent than ever on global connections.
 
Education Department changes two student loan programs
The U.S. Education Department on Tuesday announced changes to two key student loan programs: the Public Service Loan Forgiveness and income-driven repayment programs. The changes would "fix long-standing failures" in the programs, department officials said. After the changes are made, 40,000 borrowers will have their debts forgiven under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. More than 3.6 million borrowers will also receive at least three years of additional credit toward IDR forgiveness. "Student loans were never meant to be a life sentence, but it's certainly felt that way for borrowers locked out of debt relief they're eligible for," Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said Tuesday. "Today, the Department of Education will begin to remedy years of administrative failures that effectively denied the promise of loan forgiveness to certain borrowers enrolled in IDR plans." At the same time, the department plans to continue its approach of dealing with loan issues that come up in specific loan programs and not issuing across-the-board loan forgiveness, as many Democrats in Congress are urging. "We are working really hard where there is clear authority for us to help borrowers," said Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal. Specifically, the department is working to end "forbearance steering."
 
Repaying student loans is a burden, but most people 40 and under don't regret taking them out
About 70% of Americans under the age of 41 who have student debt say they've delayed at least one major financial decision because of it, according to a new study from Bankrate. But nearly 60% say they feel the education their student loans bought improved their career and earning potential. The most common thing people with student loans have put off doing is saving for emergencies and retirement. Also on the list? Buying a house, getting married and having kids. "It makes sense, you know. The average student loan payment is about $400 a month," said Naomi Zewde, a professor at the City University of New York. "That's the money that they would have spent to take whatever is the next financial step they would have taken. So, you know, that displaces a lot of disposable income, especially in the beginning of your career." Putting off big financial moves because of student loans is more common for younger people, for people living in the Northeast and the West, and for Black people -- largely because of the racial wealth gap, according to Fenaba Addo, an associate professor of public policy at UNC Chapel Hill. But even those who are putting off big things, like saving or buying a house, still feel -- for the most part -- that going to school was worth it. About 60% say they wish they'd done something differently, like worked more while in school, found scholarships or gone to a cheaper college. But just 10% say that, in hindsight, they wouldn't have gone at all.
 
Minor issues on flight to hike the Jesus Trail
Mississippi newspaper publisher and columnist Wyatt Emmerich writes: The hardest part of traveling to an exotic destination is getting someone to go with you. So when my friend Jeff Weill asked me to hike the Jesus Trail in Israel I said yes. I mean I'm 63. If not now when? I feel like I'm a pretty good traveler. First of all, I have my travel bag, which I have perfected over decades. It's got everything you really need in a set-aside, ready-to-go bag. Just grab it and go. I also have my travel checklist, which includes other possible preparations gleaned from past trips. I review that list and tweak it for the trip at hand. This trip is different because we are hiking and backpacking. Everything we need is carried on our backs. I am experienced at this with about eight months of backpacking under my belt. Problem is, that was 37 years ago. With some rearranging, I got my borrowed high-tech backpack down to 15 pounds total. ... Of course, covid adds complexity. Israel requires a PCR test 72 hours before you leave. To guarantee the lab results within 24 hours, you have to pay $165. We took our chances and got the free government test. We were sweating it but the negative results arrived in the nick of time.
 
Medicaid expansion vote fears linked to failure of ballot initiative fix by the Legislature
Syndicated columnist Sid Salter writes: One of the state's more mainstream conservative business groups last week unveiled a unanimous resolution endorsing Medicaid expansion in Mississippi -- the venerable Delta Council. The resolution, adopted by the group's Health and Education Committee, was clear and unequivocal in calling on lawmakers to act. Mississippi is one of 12 remaining states that have not expanded Medicaid despite an increased federal match rate in which the state contributes 10 % to 9% federal funds under the American Rescue Plan Act. The Delta Council endorsement of Medicaid expansion recognizes and acknowledges the risks inherent in Medicaid expansion -- that changing congressional or White House leadership in Washington could change the program including match rates. The agribusiness group representing 19 Delta counties is also fully aware of the partisan opposition from Republicans. Finally, legislators understand the retail political fear to granting a government service at constituents and then possibly having to take it away if funding changes or collapses. But the Delta Council leadership also understands the fact that Mississippi taxpayers are already helping pay the freight (since 2010) on an expanded federal Medicaid program that they are not able to see their communities receive full benefits from. The group also recognizes the dire straits of rural Mississippi hospitals -- particularly in the state's Delta region -- that are struggling to keep their doors open without the infusion of Medicaid dollars from an expanded program.


SPORTS
 
Mississippi State takes midweek battle against Jackson State in seven innings
Mississippi State made quick work Tuesday night of in-state foe Jackson State at Dudy Noble Field. The Bulldogs, behind an early barrage of offense, took the game 13-2 in seven innings. It put Mississippi State and its pitching staff in a favorable position heading into this weekend's series at Ole Miss. MSU started freshman Jack Walker on the bump. In his sixth appearance of the season, Walker tossed three scoreless innings while working around four walks. It's the first scoreless outing of Walker's career. With a thinned bullpen, it was crucial for Mississippi State to jump to an early lead and save its few high-leverage arms for the weekend. MSU did so with six runs in the opening two frames -- highlighted by a five-run, four-hit second inning. Kamren James was the hot bat on the night, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, two doubles, and four driven in. RJ Yeager's grand slam in the sixth left little doubt of the 10-run rule ending things after seven. The big lead allowed Chris Lemonis to turn to Andrew Walling in the fourth for just his second relief appearance of the season. Walling worked around his own control issues, tossing two walks while allowing no runs in one inning of work.
 
Mia Davidson's 'flu game' ends in walk-off homer as Mississippi State softball beats ULM
Mia Davidson became the latest Mississippi State softball player to come down with the cold that has been making the rounds in the Bulldogs' clubhouse for the past month. Not that MSU's star player was going to let a little sickness stop her. Davidson belted a walk-off solo home run to center as Mississippi State (27-17) held off Louisiana-Monroe (23-17) with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday at Nusz Park. "We were joking around before the game that it was going to be like her MJ flu game, and then, of course, she does that," Mississippi State coach Samantha Ricketts said. "It's about right for her." Davidson, unable to speak to media postgame because of her illness, homered for the 18th time this season, putting her in a tie for third place nationally. The Southeastern Conference's all-time home run leader sent a 1-2 pitch out to center field, slamming it off a camera rig behind the wall. She finished 3 of 4 in the game, putting herself on board with a pair of infield singles in the third and fifth innings. Ricketts said she wasn't surprised by the "team-first" attitude Davidson once again displayed. "Ultimately, it wasn't even a question of her wanting to play, be out there and do what she could to contribute," Ricketts said. "Even before that, she was finding her way on base when we needed some baserunners there. ... Just being able to come up big even when she's not feeling her best is just really at this point kind of standard for Mia."
 
What Leach said about how Mississippi State's quarterbacks look in second scrimmage
Mississippi State returned to Davis Wade Stadium for its second spring scrimmage Tuesday. It was originally scheduled to take place Saturday of Super Bulldog Weekend, but due to rain and lightning, plans changed. The Bulldogs moved indoors for a traditional practice Saturday and pushed their scrimmage to Tuesday. The scrimmage provided another look at Mike Leach's quarterbacks and how they've progressed a month into spring ball. The team rotates units for at least 10 plays in various drives, so the structure doesn't allow for any player under center to find much rhythm. But their spurts provided an insight into what their futures in Leach's Air Raid offense can look like. Here's a look into each quarterbacks' performance Tuesday and what Leach had to say. Statistics were kept by reporters in attendance and not officially released by the team.
 
Mississippi State Begins Postseason Play at SEC Championship
Mississippi State's men's golf program will begin Championship Season in postseason play this week. The Bulldogs travel to St. Simons Island, Georgia, to compete in the 2022 SEC Championship on April 20-24. The five-day event includes both stroke and match play on the par-70, 7,005-yard Sea Island Golf Club's Seaside Course. Teams will begin the event with traditional stroke play from Wednesday until Friday. The top eight teams will then advance to match-play quarterfinals. Both the quarterfinal and semifinal matches will be held Saturday, followed by the championship match Sunday. SEC Network+ will have digital coverage of the matches on Saturday, and the final match will be televised nationally on the SEC Network on Sunday. The 2022 SEC Championship field includes 10 of the nation's top-25 teams, with all 14 teams ranked in the top-65 according to Golfstat.com's most recent rankings. Reigning SEC champion No. 3 Vanderbilt leads the field, with No. 10 Arkansas, No. 12 Georgia, No. 15 Auburn, No. 16 Florida, No. 18 Tennessee, No. 19 Texas A&M, No. 21 Ole Miss, No. 22 South Carolina and No. 25 LSU joining them in the top-25. "I'm excited for the guys this week," said head coach Dusty Smith. "I know we have been preparing for postseason all year. We need to play within ourselves, trust and believe in what makes Mississippi State golf successful." The Bulldogs are set to tee off beginning at approximately 8:40 a.m. CT with fixed tee times. State will be paired with the Kentucky Wildcats throughout the first round.
 
Bill that would have allocated millions for new JSU stadium dies in committee
The star power of Coach Deion Sanders and the success of the Jackson State football team have resulted in sold out crowds at home games. It has also reignited the desire for a new state-of-the-art stadium. Last year, the state allocated a quarter of a million dollars to JSU to research the price tag and size for a new stadium. "The estimate that I heard is that the stadium, 30-35,000 seat stadium, will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of 120 million dollars," said Sen. John Horhn. The study also looked at possible locations. "The consultant that the university hired came up with four sites: One near the fairgrounds, one across from WLBT, one in the downtown area south of the convention center, and one over on the Metro Parkway," added Horhn. He says a senate bill was introduced which would have provided a $40 million to JSU in its efforts to build a bigger, better stadium, but it died in committee. Horhn stated, "It was a disagreement about the location of the stadium, where it's going to go. The legislative leadership, along with the governor, from everything I heard, we're all in favor of the downtown site. The university was not in favor of that and negotiations broke down." Horhn admits he is disappointed a deal was not reached for a new JSU stadium because it's long overdue. Yet, he is still optimistic there will be a better outcome next legislative session with the right plan in place. "Of course, the ultimate scenario would involve the University of Mississippi Medical Center saying to the state, We need the land where the current stadium is. I think that would then trigger more movement for the leadership in the legislature and the university... In the long run, we want Jackson State to have a new stadium and we want it to be a highly visible stadium..." he concluded.
 
Ole Miss routed at home by Southeast Missouri State
Ole Miss used nine pitchers and walked nine batters in a 13-3 loss to Southeast Missouri State at Swayze Field Tuesday night, the third-straight loss for the Rebels overall. Ole Miss (21-15, 5-10 SEC) had 10 hits in the game but left nine runners on base. The Rebels also committed three errors defensively. Junior Drew McDaniel got the start for the Rebels and gave up three runs in the second inning, though two were unearned due to a throwing error. McDaniel was lifted with two outs in the second for freshman Mason Nichols. Nichols surrendered a pair of runs in the third. Southeast Missouri State drove in three runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to make it 10-1. The Redhawks (25-10, 8-4 OVC) scored in seven different innings. Senior outfielder Justin Bench led the Rebels with two hits. Freshmen Tywone Malone and John Kramer hit solo home runs in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Ole Miss hosts Mississippi State in a three-game series starting Thursday. First pitch in the opener is 6 p.m.
 
Nick Saban: 'Our players have made $1.7 billion playing in the NFL since 2007'
Nick Saban didn't appear to be saying it to boast, but only to illustrate a larger point. When asked prior to a speaking engagement in Mobile Tuesday night about any changes he might make to the NCAA transfer portal, the Alabama head football coach first said he wasn't in a position to make any adjustments to NCAA legislation. But then he delivered a staggering number. "Somebody gave me a stat that our players have made $1.7 billion playing in the NFL since 2007," Saban said prior to his appearance at a fundraiser for Team Focus, a youth mentoring organization founded by former college football coach and broadcaster Mike Gottfried. "And all those guys didn't play when they were freshmen. They didn't all play when they were sophomores. They didn't even all play when they were juniors, but they all developed." The transfer portal has changed the landscape of college football since it came into being in 2018, particularly since the NCAA passed an additional rule in the spring of 2021 allowing Division I athletes to transfer once during their careers without sitting out a season at their new schools. Alabama has been included in that number, in both directions. "Everybody has an opportunity to go wherever they want, to go whenever they want to go," Saban said. "And if we think that's good for the development of young people, I guess it's OK. Um, but I think everyone that's successful in life has resiliency and perseverance."
 
Vanderbilt athletics to partner with NBC Sports on NIL marketplace
Vanderbilt athletics announced Tuesday that it would collaborate with NBC Sports on an NIL marketplace. The program, called NBC Sports Athlete Direct, is available to athletes at Vanderbilt, Notre Dame and Temple, and will help connect athletes to potential businesses who may want to partner with the athletes to monetize their names, images and likenesses. The program also includes a partnership with CNBC to provide financial resources for these athletes. According to a release from Vanderbilt, the opt-in program will present athletes with NIL opportunities from local businesses, including ways to monetize their social media followings. "As the collegiate athletics landscape continues to change, Vanderbilt's vision is for student-athletes to maximize their potential in all areas – including with name, image, and likeness," athletic director Candice Lee said in a statement. "We are proud to collaborate with NBC Sports on this concept. This initiative also allows our world-class faculty the opportunity to contribute content and best practices to student-athletes through NBC Sports Athlete Direct."
 
Vanderbilt to add volleyball as varsity sport beginning in 2025
Vanderbilt announced Tuesday that it will be adding volleyball beginning in 2025, the 16th varsity team at the school. The Commodores had a volleyball team but discontinued it in 1980. Every school in the SEC will now have a volleyball team, including incoming new members Oklahoma and Texas. According to athletic director Candice Lee, volleyball was chosen because Vandy United made the sport feasible. With new basketball facilities being built in the end zone of Vanderbilt Stadium, there is now more room for volleyball facilities, which will take the space of the current basketball offices in Memorial Gymnasium. Lee said that adding volleyball was something late athletic director David Williams wanted to do but it was not feasible until Vandy United, the school's fundraising campaign intended to improve facilities and the athlete and fan experience. "It's not a new conversation," Lee said. " ... But we also have the support, because of Vandy United, and the space to actually make this feasible. And to put them in a position where they can succeed and not at the expense of another sport. So that's really important. But this is this has been something that -- David Williams is not here today -- but I'm happy for him to because he wanted to add volleyball. And now we have the ability. So I'm happy for all of us, it's been a long time coming." The two-year runway will give Vanderbilt time to hire a coach and recruit players for a team. Lee said that she wants the team to have a fully funded 12 scholarships by the time the program starts.
 
Big 12 commissioner candidates: WSU president Kirk Schulz emerges as 'strong' option
Washington State president Kirk Schulz has emerged as a strong candidate to be the Big 12 Conference's new commissioner, according to a report Tuesday by The Athletic's Matt Fortuna. While Schulz is a name to know for the job, there has been ongoing debate about how enticing the opening will be, Fortuna added. Schulz has been the president at Washington State since June 2016. Under his guidance, Washington State has achieved numerous notable accomplishments. The school's statewide enrollment totaled a record-breaking 31,478 students for the fall of 2018, the third straight years that the school went over 30,000 students. Schulz has a history in the Big 12, as he served as the president at Kansas State from 2009-16. He earned his undegraduate and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering at Virginia Tech. Schulz also currently serves as the Pac-12's representative to the College Football Playoff Board of managers. The Pac-12 last made the College Football Playoff in 2017 when Washington reached the four-team format.
 
Herschel Walker's Senate Bid in Georgia Is Powered by Fandom
Most came dressed in University of Georgia jerseys, hats and T-shirts. Some carried footballs and framed posters. It was a campaign stop for a Senate candidate, but for many Georgians who came to see Herschel Walker, politics was hardly the only draw. "It's 'Herschel, Herschel, Herschel' -- he doesn't even have to have his last name," said Gail Hunnicutt, a Walker fan since he dominated the University of Georgia football program from 1980 to 1982, winning the Heisman Trophy and unending adoration from many in football-obsessed Georgia. "I'm wondering why he wants to jump into the mess of Washington politics. But we're proud to have him there." Mr. Walker is a risky choice for a Republican Party desperately trying to win back a Senate seat lost in the state's Democratic wave two years ago. He has never held elected office, and he lived in Texas for the better part of the last decade. He has been accused of domestic abuse and has acknowledged violent thoughts as part of his past struggles with mental illness. He has made exaggerated and false claims about his business success, according to local news reports. And his public speeches are characterized by unclear and sometimes meandering talking points. But little of this seems to matter to the Republican voters embracing his Senate primary campaign. "I go into these cities and give people hope," Mr. Walker said on Monday in an interview at the meet-and-greet in LaGrange. But even some Republicans worry their party is being blinded by fandom. Mr. Walker may be on track for victory in the May 24 primary, but he faces a harder challenge against Senator Raphael G. Warnock.
 
Wimbledon bans players from Russia, Belarus over Ukraine war
Tennis players from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to play at Wimbledon this year because of the war in Ukraine, the All England Club announced Wednesday. Among the prominent players affected by the ban are reigning U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who recently reached No. 1 in the ATP rankings and is currently No. 2; men's No. 8 Andrey Rublev; Aryna Sabalenka, who was a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2021 and is No. 4 in the WTA rankings; Victoria Azarenka, a former women's No. 1 who has won the Australian Open twice; and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the French Open runner-up last year. Medvedev, Rublev and Pavlyuchenkova are from Russia; Sabalenka and Azarenka are from Belarus. "It is our responsibility to play our part in the widespread efforts ... to limit Russia's global influence through the strongest means possible," the All England Club said in a statement first posted on Twitter. "In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players with The Championships." Russian athletes have been prevented from competing in many sports following their country's invasion of Ukraine. Belarus has aided Russia in the war. Wednesday's move signals the first time a tennis tournament has told players from Russia and Belarus they are not welcome.



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