| Friday, September 20, 2024 |
| MSU named 'Great College to Work For' for ninth consecutive year | |
 | For the ninth consecutive year, Mississippi State University is being honored as an exemplary employer by the Great Colleges to Work For recognition program. The latest results released today [Sept. 20] in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education are based on feedback from MSU employees. Out of 216 colleges and universities surveyed only 53 applicants representing four-year institutions and large institutions, achieved Great Colleges to Work For status. Results are reported for small, medium and large institutions, with MSU included among large universities with 10,000 or more students. "Mississippi State is a special place with a special culture and that's reflected in this latest Great Colleges to Work For recognition. I'm so proud of our world-class faculty and staff who are working hard every day to help our students, serve our communities, and move Mississippi forward," MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. "I am grateful for all they do and to have the privilege of working with them." The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captures employment data and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators and professional support staff. |
| MSU's Riley Campus undergoes window restoration | |
 | Photo: A worker endeavors to replace custom windows on the Fifth Street side of Mississippi State University-Meridian's Riley Campus on a recent September afternoon. Funded through a gift from The Riley Foundation, the $1 million-plus window restoration project was authorized by the Mississippi Department of Archives, which approved the custom windows that complement the integrity of the 19th-century buildings. |
| Thunderbirds touch down in anticipation of weekend air show | |
 | The Thunderbirds have touched down at the Columbus Air Force Base, arriving Thursday afternoon before headlining this weekend's Thunder Over Columbus air show. Columbus Air Force Base will be opening its gates to the public Saturday and Sunday, allowing the community to see the highly specialized demonstration squadron, along with other air acts. Maj. Tyler "Slasher" Clark, right wing pilot for the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, said the squadron will be putting on "quite the spectacle," displaying the overwhelming power of military aircraft with precise air maneuvers. "The (crowd is) going to witness the raw power and precision of military fighter aircraft, specifically the F-16, which we call the Viper," Clark said. "For some of these maneuvers, the formations you'll see will be closer than 18 inches apart. And the solos will fly maneuvers at just under the speed of sound and upwards of nine Gs." Along with the air show on Saturday and Sunday, CAFB also held a STEM Expo on Wednesday and Thursday as another way to inspire the next generation. The expo brought roughly 2,100 students from area middle and high schools to the base to see exhibitors display everything from robotics to virtual reality simulators to drones to static display airplanes. |
| Tupelo officials continue efforts to enact tax incentives for 'Project Target' | |
 | The city of Tupelo has taken the next step in its plans to enact incentive programs for incoming economic development seemingly to accommodate national retailer Target. The council this week voted unanimously to authorize a Regional Economic Development Act Agreement between the city of Tupelo Lee County and other related purposes. Those "related purposes" include a tax increment financing act agreement for a development dubbed "Project Target." "This is just the next step. It has to be done," City Attorney Ben Logan said. The agreement positions the city and county together to make strategic plans for the upcoming development along North Gloster Steet, including infrastructure, tax incentive plans and other logistics to bringing the multi-million dollar company into town. Tax incentives the city plans to offer for the development include a tax increment financing plan, a structure that allows for tax breaks for new developments. Jackson-based Butler Snow drafted the agreement, and Logan noted he received the first draft shortly before the Monday afternoon pre-council meeting. He dubbed it in "good form." With this step complete, the city has to give a 30 day notice for its intent to issue TIF bonds before it can take the next leap. While city officials have stayed mum on whether Target Corporation has officially set eyes on the All-America City, city documents obtained through a Daily Journal Freedom of Information Act request show a site plan produce by the retailer. |
| State House Speaker shares biggest concerns for 2025 session | |
 | Representative Jason White, who is the Speaker of the House, shared the House's biggest concerns for the 2025 session at an event in Jackson County. Among those concerns were incentives for the labor force, the high sales tax rate and making the current Medicaid package work for Mississippians. Representative White stressed that job availability is not the problem, rather getting people to want to work. "We are barely above 50% of folks that are actually in the workplace. We have a great unemployment rate, lowest it's been in our states' history at 2% or so. Everyone who wants a job can have one now," said Representative White. "The problem is only about half of our citizens actually want one. We've got to try and figure out the root causes of that problem." Representative White has been one of the state leaders who has continued to push for a tax cut to the state sales tax, hoping to cut taxes on groceries in half. While it would be beneficial for families, Rep. White said there is concerns for the municipal governments. "It is one of the highest in the nation. We want to try and find a way to cut that tax," said Rep. White. "It gets a little tricky there because that's how most of our cities fund their government, is from the diversion they get on grocery tax. We have to be careful there. We don't want to leave a hole for our city budgets." |
| Hosemann breaks bread with Rotary Club of Oxford, talks 2024 Legislative highlights | |
 | Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann addressed various key legislative issues during a recent Rotary Club of Oxford lunch meeting where he was the guest speaker. Hosemann highlighted the state's accomplishments in areas ranging from government reorganization and economic development to education, infrastructure, and healthcare. He discussed the state's $7.03 billion budget, reflecting a 2% increase. He noted that salary increases for state agencies, universities, and community colleges were selectively implemented, with discretion given to agency heads. The Lt. Governor emphasized the state's efforts in streamlining government, citing a 10% reduction in state employment through attrition and reorganization. A significant portion of Hosemann's address focused on education. He detailed a new funding formula that brings additional resources to school districts. Hosemann reiterated the state's commitment to improving education outcomes, with a recent focus on career coaching. Mississippi will have 200 career coaches to guide students toward specific career paths, aiming to create a more skilled workforce. Additionally, he praised initiatives like the state-wide teacher pay raise and the expansion of early education programs. |
| Congressman Guest speaks to News 11 about what needs to be done regarding the Secret Service | |
 | Former President Donald Trump has been the target of two failed assassination attempts, and many are blaming the Secret Service for wrongdoings. The Secret Service is currently run by Homeland Security, but Guest, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, is not against giving another agency control of the world's most powerful leaders' security. "And so I would be very receptive to us looking at breaking them out from under the umbrella of Homeland Security as a stand-alone agency. Again, whether they answer to the treasury or to some other agency other than Homeland Security. I think with what we've seen with these last two presidential assassination attempts. I think that those are conversations that Congress needs to be having. And at this point, it would be something that I would be supportive of," said Guest. The Biden administration is urging more funding to go toward the Secret Service. Guest says that Congress allotted the Secret Service an additional 265 million dollars this fiscal year, saying they have the money to do what they need. Guest continues to say that if Congress were to approve more funding, the money would not really have an effect before election day. |
| Simmons says new projects could be big for Vicksburg | |
| Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) Central Commissioner Willie Simmons laid out how roadway and rail line projects could be big boons for the River City while speaking at the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday. Simmons spoke at length about the need for projects to improve Vicksburg's Interstate-20 corridor, as well as its six interchanges and areas of highways 61 and 27. But, he also said a possible passenger railway project that would bring people east and west from Atlanta to Dallas could put Vicksburg in the geographical center of a lot of travel. Simmons also addressed upcoming work to the Flowers exit, where Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann told The Post last month work will begin soon to expand the overpass at exit 15. Simmons also addressed plans for the Dick Hall Visitor Center slated to replace the current welcome center near the Mississippi River Bridge on Washington Street, although he said not many details are yet available. |
| Federal judge throws out case over Mississippi Sound dolphin deaths | |
 | A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit Coast governments and groups filed against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over dolphin deaths after the corps opened the Bonnet Carré Spillway, releasing Mississippi River water that found its way into the Mississippi Sound. U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola ruled that the Coast entities don't have standing to sue over the dolphin deaths. The lawsuit was filed by the cities of Biloxi, D'Iberville and Pass Christian, Harrison County, the Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association and Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United Inc. The localities and groups had hoped Guirola would require the Corps to seek a federal permit for "taking" dolphins before opening the spillway, and require the Corps to avoid harming or killing the Mississippi Sound's dolphin population. Guirola's opinion noted that the National Marine Fisheries Service would have the right to require a permit and otherwise regulate the taking of dolphins for spillway openings. "We're obviously disappointed in the ruling and will be evaluating our options for appeal," said Ocean Springs attorney Robert Wiygul, who represents the Coast governments and groups. "What this decision does not change is that operation of the Bonnet Carré Spillway in 2011 and 2019 caused massive dolphin deaths in the Mississippi Sound." |
| Justice Department launches probe into Rankin County's policing practices | |
| The Justice Department announced Thursday that it had expanded its investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff's Department where a self-described "Goon Squad" of deputies has been accused of torturing people for nearly two decades. Investigators will seek to determine if the suburban Mississippi sheriff's department engaged in a pattern of unconstitutional policing through widespread violence, illegal searches and arrests or other discriminatory practices. "Since the Goon Squad's sickening acts came to light, we have received reports of other instances where Rankin deputies overused Tasers, entered homes unlawfully, bandied about shocking racial slurs, and deployed dangerous, cruel tactics to assault people in their custody," Kristen Clark, the assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department, said during a press conference. Rankin County came to national attention last year after deputies, some from the Goon Squad, tortured two Black men in their home and shot one of them, nearly killing him. Six officers pleaded guilty and were sentenced to federal prison in March. An investigation by The New York Times and Mississippi Today later revealed that nearly two dozen residents experienced similar brutality over two decades when Rankin deputies burst into their homes looking for illegal drugs. During the press conference Thursday, Todd Gee, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, noted that journalists "have compiled harrowing" details of torture and abuse of Rankin County citizens. |
| Mississippi political parties organizing poll watchers for Nov. 5 election | |
 | In Mississippi, the Republican and Democratic parties are organizing hundreds of volunteers to engage in poll watching to monitor the nation's electoral process as it unfolds on Nov. 5. Poll watching, which began in the United States in the late 18th century, is the act of monitoring a polling location to ensure no voter fraud or illegal voting activities take place. Both parties engage in the practice to watch the polls, and in some cases, watch each other, several sources told the Clarion Ledger. While the activity's political origin is steeped in the idea to protect voting, the practice has been scrutinized as a gateway to voter intimidation while also being used to ensure minorities are not kept from the polls. As recently as this year, watchers have violated state and federal law at the polls in Mississippi. Mississippi Republican Party Chair Mike Hurst and Mississippi Democratic Party Executive Director Mikel Bolden both told the Clarion Ledger the parties are amping up the number of watchers at polling locations throughout the state. Hurst said voter fraud and bad behavior from voters in recent election cycles have spurred the party's interest in keeping a closer eye on the polls this year. Bolden, who became Democratic Party executive director in July, said issues revolving around polling locations for the last four years has caused the party to double down on efforts to organize poll watchers. She also agreed with Hurst that the practice is a useful tool to ensure fair and honest elections. |
| Americans Are Desperate for Relief. The Rate Cut Is a Glimmer of Hope. | |
 | The Federal Reserve's interest-rate cut on Wednesday will take time to work its way through the American economy. And not everyone will feel its effects right away. But for some, the move will amount to a big change -- or at least the start of one -- and those changes will add up. The varied impacts will stretch from struggling restaurateurs north of Phoenix to Miami homeowners who need to downsize to get by. All told, the amount of extra breathing room in American budgets could shape the economy in the years ahead. Officials on Wednesday cut their benchmark rate by 0.5 percentage point to start, the first step in lowering what Americans will pay for business and auto loans, as well as credit-card balances. Mortgage rates already have been falling for months in anticipation. Now, the question is changing from how quickly higher rates will cool U.S. growth to how quickly lower rates can support it. The economy is more like an ocean liner than a speedboat: Just as it took time for higher rates to slow things down, it will take time for rate cuts to speed things up. The cuts will make many household budgets stronger, on balance, and potentially begin to lift some of the bad economic vibes that have puzzled Washington and Wall Street. Across the world's largest economy, those little differences are multiplied by millions of people who borrow money to finance big purchases, invest in companies or buy day-to-day necessities. |
| This economy will leave a mark on Gen Z | |
| The Federal Reserve's interest rate cut may make it feel like we've finally tamped down inflation. But it's not over till it's over. The Fed's goal is 2% annually. But inflation and everything the Fed has done to tame it, like interest rate hikes that have created prolonged uncertainty, will leave a scar on the economy. Perhaps especially on those who are just starting their financial lives: Generation Z. Uncertainty is the theme for a lot of young people. "This generation's often called the recession babies," said Corey Seemiller, a Wright State University professor who studies Gen Zers, or people born between 1995 and 2010. "My daughter was actually born in 2009. So it's not like they remember the recession. But what they do experience and have experienced was sort of a tightening of the belts." They saw their parents lose jobs. Maybe downsize their homes. And Seemiller said everyone told them, "Don't worry! Life-changing economic events don't happen that often." "And then COVID comes along," she said. And along with it? Inflation. Seemiller said this lifetime of unpredictability has made Gen Zers risk-averse. They have a scarcity mindset like the GI Generation -- people who came of age during the Great Depression. |
| House eyes vote early next week on bipartisan CR | |
 | The House is gearing up to go first on a bipartisan stopgap funding package early next week after nailing down the particulars this weekend, lawmakers said Thursday. The measure would extend current funding levels, with some "anomalies" allowing for higher rates, likely through Dec. 13, a source familiar with the talks said. The plan is to be ready to go with text of the package over the weekend so members can have time to review it before voting early next week. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, a senior Appropriations Committee member, said he expects the continuing resolution to hit the floor around "the first of the week." The deadline to get a bill through both chambers without triggering a partial government shutdown is Sept. 30, though it is more like Friday, Sept. 27, since that's the last scheduled day in session. Simpson said there was some discussion of going an extra week beyond Dec. 13, but that there was basic agreement not to interfere with the holidays. "I'd like to have it done before [Dec. 31] so we can actually have our appropriations staff have a Christmas," he said. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., earlier Thursday teed up a separate legislative vehicle in his chamber that could be used to carry a bipartisan deal in case of any House holdups. But it appeared that by Thursday afternoon, House Republicans were on board with avoiding a shutdown, even if it meant making tough concessions to the other side. |
| Congress unlikely to pass Farm Bill before Sept. 30 deadline. Here's how it affects you | |
| Farmers, ranchers, and various agricultural producers are urging Congress to pass a new Farm Bill as the Sept. 30 deadline approaches. But with only 10 days remaining and peak campaign season underway ahead of the Nov. 5 election, it is increasingly likely that the 2018 Farm Bill will be extended for another year. In May, the United States House Committee on Agriculture passed its version of the bill, which included several significant changes related to hemp products and food stamps. Since then, there has been little progress, with no further action taken on the House floor, and the bill has not even been publicly considered by the Senate. The most debated issue in discussions about the Farm Bill is the funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. This program is a key component of the bill and provides food assistance to nearly 42 million Americans each month. If Congress fails to authorize a new Farm Bill by the deadline, there is a high likelihood that the current Farm Bill will be extended for another year, with plans to revisit the legislation in 2025. This approach has been common in the past to ensure continuity of support for farmers and related programs. Regardless of whether an extension is enacted, most commodities from the 2024 crop year will still be covered through their respective marketing years, which extend into the summer or fall of 2025. However, there are some significant concerns still. |
| Middle East pager attacks ignite fear of supply chain warfare | |
 | Attacks on militants' wireless devices in Lebanon and Syria this week are amping up concern about ways in which the global electronics supply chain can be compromised -- and the risks for companies operating in adversarial countries. In the attacks, pagers and other hand-held communications devices linked to members of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group exploded, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 3,000. Israel is reportedly behind the attacks, though it has not claimed responsibility. Security experts and supply chain analysts said the attacks serve as a model for future adversaries on how to weaponize the complex and often-opaque supply chains for everyday items, which go through a bevy of forms and countries before arriving in stores. Private sector companies and public officials alike are still taking stock of the policy implications, but it could motivate governments to further restrict the flow of sensitive technology and encourage companies to move more manufacturing back home or to friendly third countries. And it almost certainly will force manufacturers and transport companies to reexamine the security and transparency of their supply chains. The revelation of Israel's operation against Hezbollah is also casting a harsh spotlight in Washington on the risks that come with relying on hardware and software originating from potential adversaries such as China -- the world's most dominant manufacturer. |
| Deadly violence on America's highways wreaks fear, havoc, and frustration | |
 | A sniper wounds five motorists on a Kentucky highway. In Colorado, a teenager kills a woman after hurling a rock through her windshield. A family drive through the Navajo Nation near New Mexico turns into a nightmare when a motorist inexplicably pursues the car, guns blazing. The lure of the open road is a quintessentially American draw. But a drive can easily take a turn for the worse and outbursts of violence on the highway leave indelible images of slain motorists and destruction - and also undermine the feeling of safety on the 48,500 miles of interstate highways where American motorists drive the most, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics and state crime reports. A USA TODAY review of data and news stories from around the nation shows that attacks on freeway drivers are not only on the rise in some heavy commuting areas, but that highway assaults are causing increased fear during everyday driving. Among the deadly incidents in the U.S. are heavily armed riflemen on the sides of highways, motorists looking to kill someone who cut them off in traffic, and young pranksters who fling melon-sized rocks at passing cars. The numbers for road rage alone, just one segment of the highway violence problem, have risen exponentially. The unpredictability and ferocity of the attacks is what makes highway violence so distinctly terrifying, experts say. |
| W nursing students get head start at BMH through new apprenticeship program | |
| Denier Dismukes hasn't always wanted to be a nurse. In fact, she earned two other degrees -- a bachelor's in biology and master's in biomedical science -- before she decided to enroll in the Mississippi University for Women's associate nursing program. Now Dismukes is one of the first two students at MUW to participate in the Mississippi Earn Program, an initiative designed to provide students with meaningful clinical experiences and allow hospitals to mentor future nurses well before they start the job. "What this program is designed to do is help bridge the gap between the academic environment and the actual hospital organization," said Mary Helen Ruffin, chair of the associate nursing program at The W. "It is to help students feel comfortable in that hospital, to be familiar with their hospital policy and to understand how the staff work and interact, so that when they are able to work as a registered nurse, they already feel comfortable in that environment." The W is the first university in the state to participate in the program through a partnership with Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. Students who are selected for the program have to complete an externship course, which similarly gives students hands-on experience while being taught by registered nurses. Two students were selected from this year's externship cohort. |
| Mississippi Court of Appeals convenes at USM as part of 'Court on the Road' program | |
 | The Mississippi Court of Appeals convened Thursday at the University of Southern Mississippi for the first time in nearly a decade, as a three-judge panel heard oral arguments in a manslaughter conviction from Hancock County. Thursday's hearing was part of the Court of Appeals' "Court on the Road" program. "I had never gotten an opportunity to see an appeal and I've really enjoyed that aspect of it," said Madison Dearman, senior criminal justice major at USM. Dozens of USM students attended, most of them from the university's Legal Studies program. A few of the students asked the judges some general questions about the legal profession. The judges could not and did not talk about the case on appeal. "It gave us a better chance to really understand as a whole, what it means to really be an attorney," said Antonio Brashears, USM senior legal services major. |
| Millsaps College receives huge grant. See how much and what for | |
| Good news keeps coming the way of Millsaps College. After the news last week of increased freshman enrollment for the 2024-25 school year, Millsaps announced Thursday that it has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct pioneering research aimed at revolutionizing STEM education. The project, led by Beth Hussa, chair of the biology department; Stacy DeZutter, professor of education and psychology; and Cory Toyota, associate professor of organic chemistry, is set to transform traditional classroom environments into spaces that foster active learning and greater student engagement, according to a statement from the school. Titled "Active Learning Sociocultural Progression through Adapted Classroom Environments," the study will investigate how classroom design influences the way students and faculty approach the learning process. "Our goal is to create a learning environment that prioritizes student engagement and fosters a deeper understanding of STEM subjects," DeZutter said. "This NSF grant is a giant vote of confidence in the validity of our research, which has the potential to impact not just our institution but educational practices nationwide." |
| Community college marching band bus involved in fatal crash | |
| A Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College bus was involved in a fatal accident on its way to a football game at Southwest Mississippi Community College on Thursday. All the students, who were members of the school's marching band, were safe. But two people in a separate vehicle were killed in the crash that happened on Highway 98 in Pike County near the Walthall County line. The identities of the deceased have not been released at this time as the investigation into what caused the crash is still underway. Students on the bus did end up making it to the game and performing. It's unclear if they had to use a different form or transportation or not. |
| Vouchers ease start-up stress for churches seeing demand for more Christian schools | |
 | Florida pastor Melvin Adams knows a few hours of church programming every week is no match for the more than 30 hours children spend at secular schools, absorbing lessons that he says run counter to their family's Christian beliefs. Like other theologically conservative pastors in Florida and beyond, he decided his Nazarene church in the Orlando suburbs could do something about it. Now the inaugural semester of Winter Garden Christian Academy is underway at Faith Family Community Church, educating K-4th grade students within the church's biblical worldview. "We're making disciples and we're doing it not just on Sundays, but we're doing it all week long," said Adams. "I feel like we do have a leg up here in Florida." The state has an expansive voucher program in which taxpayers help to pay tuition for all families who want to send their kids to private schools. While that's not the primary reason Faith Family Community and other churches are launching Christian schools on their campus, the vouchers have made it easier. It's not about hurting public schools, said pastor Jimmy Scroggins, whose Family Church in South Florida is launching four classical Christian schools over the next year. Rather, he said it's about giving parents more schooling options that align with their Christian values. |
| Alabama Data Scholars program ready for second year of student internships | |
 | A group that gives Alabama high school and college students opportunities to develop data skills in science and engineering through summer internships with companies around the state is gearing up for its second year. Alabama Data Scholars, an internship and skill-building initiative powered by QuantHub, celebrated the graduation of their first group of Data Scholars this summer at QuantHub's headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama. The new program, composed this year of 26 Scholars, has transformed the future of tech talent in Alabama by equipping high school students with innovative skills in data science, analytics, and AI through direct, hands-on experience, according to a statement from Data Scholars. Partnered with a mix of corporate partners, innovative startups, tech companies, and nonprofit and government entities, Alabama Data Scholars offers Alabama high school students from across the state a rare opportunity to gain 21st-century skills through paid internships, all before graduating high school, according to the statement. Data Scholars, according to the program, are determined based on a combination of factors including interest in data science careers and data skills development, academics and extracurricular involvement, engagement in QuantHub, and a demonstrated desire to innovate and drive positive change in Alabama. |
| After a No-Confidence Vote at the U. of Kentucky, a Tussle Over Ballots Gets Messy | |
 | For months, faculty members at the University of Kentucky have criticized what they see as an attempt by administrators to strip them of power. Now, some are worried they'll be retaliated against for opposing those changes. In May, the University Senate at Kentucky voted no confidence in the institution's president, Eli Capilouto, after he proposed a series of shared-governance changes that included dissolving the Senate. Capilouto, the senators said, was moving too quickly and using inaccurate information, resulting in "unnecessary and harmful division" across the university. Capilouto said he was acting at the behest of the university's trustees, who asked him to recommend changes to what they saw as an inefficient shared-governance system that failed to ensure all voices -- particularly staff members' -- were heard. The trustees voted in June to adopt Capilouto's recommendations. Now, the former leader of the Senate is accusing administrators of trying to gain access to individual ballots from the no-confidence vote. DeShana Collett, whose term as chair of the Senate Council -- the University Senate's executive committee -- ended in the spring, wrote to faculty members last month that the university's actions since the vote could be perceived as a "blatant act of retaliation" and "significant breach of confidentiality." |
| Georgia to place decals with suicide, crisis hotline info in dorms, college campuses | |
 | Georgia's mental health agency is partnering with the University System of Georgia to place decals listing the 988 suicide and crisis hotline number in the dorm rooms of every public college and university campus. "Partnering with the University System of Georgia on this vital initiative underscores our commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of young adults across the state," said Kevin Tanner, commissioner of the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). "The placement of 988 decals in residence hall rooms will serve as a constant reminder to students that confidential help is always available, and they are not alone." Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 18 and 24 in Georgia, according to recent statistics. The 988 decals are part of a broader effort under the university system's Mental Health Initiative, a program launched in 2020 to significantly expand mental health services for students. "Our students' mental health is a top priority," said Scot Lingrell, the system's vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs. "This partnership with DBHDD helps raise awareness and get them help when they need it." |
| Supreme Court in focus: the first of a 3-part lecture series hosted by the Howard Baker School of Public Policy | |
| On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Howard H. Baker School of Public Policy and Affairs began its Election 2024 lecture series, starting the first event with a discussion on the Supreme Court in focus. This discussion was also the tip of the hat falling on Constitution Day, which honored the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia in 1787, some 237 years ago. "The fall lecture series aims at exploring important topics that will be impacted by the Nov. 5 presidential election," said Josh Dunn, the executive director of American Civics at the Baker School. This is the first election, and even more, a presidential election, that the Baker School will be on campus as it was established in July of 2023. It transitioned from the Public Policy Center, which had a role in helping shape politics and policy. However, the school now has a much larger and more involved role here on campus, with its first inaugurated class starting this year. The Baker School has already engaged University of Tennessee students and the greater Knoxville area in organized speakers, discussions and student events emphasizing politics and policy in this election cycle. This lecture series is another part of building their presence here on campus. Guest lecturer Keith Whittington is a current Yale Law School professor, former visiting professor of Georgetown Law Center, Harvard Law and the University of Texas School of Law. |
| 'Disruptive and disrespectful': How U. of Kentucky learned former equine lab director faked results | |
 | Problems with the University of Kentucky lab that was supposed to test racehorse samples for performance enhancing drugs began from the moment the national anti-doping regulatory agency, the Horseracing Safety & Integrity Authority, took over. But racing officials didn't know how bad things were until they accidentally discovered lab director Scott Stanley had lied multiple times and faked test results, including on samples suspected in blood doping cases. Now, after investigations by the integrity authority (commonly known in equine and racing circles as HISA, the private anti-doping regulatory body created in 2020 by Congress) and by UK auditors, the lab's renowned director is being fired and federal authorities are looking into the significant issues uncovered. Equine drug expert Scott Stanley, a UK graduate, had been recruited from California to Kentucky to establish an equine drug testing lab and serve as its director. It's a prestigious position that also included a professor position endowed by Keeneland with virtually no oversight. From the moment the new testing program began in May 2023, "the behavior of Dr. Stanley and some of his staff ... was challenging," according to the regulators' report. Stanley and his staff ignored emails and were "frequently unprofessional," according to an investigation released by HISA on Sept. 18. |
| U. of Maryland President Accused of Plagiarism | |
 | The University of Maryland at College Park will review the scholarship of President Darryll Pines---at his request---following allegations that he plagiarized portions of two papers. Pines is alleged to have lifted 1,500 words from a tutorial website for a 5,000-word paper he co-authored in 2002, later reusing the same section in a 2006 paper, according to The Daily Wire, a conservative online publication that first made the allegations. Pines said that while the claims lack merit, an independent investigation is "in the best interest of the university." Pines, who has been president of Maryland's flagship at College Park since 2020, is an aerospace engineer who previously led the university's School of Engineering and has published dozens of articles. Lisa Rasmussen, a philosophy professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and editor in chief of the journal Accountability in Research, noted that the allegations against Pines are complicated by the fact that he wrote the piece with a co-author. Others argued that the number of authors makes little difference. "It shouldn't matter," said Sam Bruton, a philosophy professor at the University of Southern Mississippi and former director of the institution's Office of Research Integrity. "The fact that this person was one of the authors on a paper in which there are credible allegations of misconduct that have been made, then the University of Maryland is under an obligation to follow up and decide whether or not there should be an inquiry." |
| Conservatives play offense on higher education | |
 | Conservatives have secured multiple victories in the higher education space the past few years, taking advantage of missteps by opponents and a more aggressive movement that is unlikely to slow down its battle with college administrators. A major blow to affirmative action, eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices and colleges recently implementing neutral position policies are just some of the shifts Republicans have been cheering. "I think it's been the best two years for conservatives in higher education in a half century," said Rick Hess, senior fellow and the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). "I think some of these victories are more substantial than others, but I think the trajectory has been very helpful, and that this is a case of where conservatives are winning because they are broadly aligned with the vast majority of what the public thinks is appropriate in higher education," Hess added. |
| Colleges Say GOP Bill to Protect Free Speech Would Do the Opposite | |
| Over sharp objections from Democrats, House Republicans narrowly passed legislation Thursday that higher education groups say would undermine public colleges' ability to protect free speech on campus and ensure student safety. As universities rethink campus policies to change where and how students can protest following last year's disruptive demonstrations, the End Woke Higher Education Act would prevent public colleges from enforcing "time, place, or manner restrictions on an expressive activity" in a generally accessible area such as the campus quad -- unless policies are narrowly tailored and based on content- and viewpoint-neutral criteria, among other requirements. That restriction could make campuses less safe, higher education associations argued this week. "We are particularly concerned with the impact this legislation would have on campuses' ability to prevent discrimination and hateful incidents at a time of widespread national tension," the American Council on Education wrote in a letter this week to House leaders. But Republicans say that the wide-ranging bill, which would also end the use of "political litmus tests" at public institutions (such as requiring diversity statements for admissions) is needed to safeguard students' First Amendment rights. Those rights, they say, are increasingly under attack -- particularly for conservative students -- as some universities become "illiberal" and "repressive institutions." |
SPORTS
| Mississippi State football program receives $8 million donation | |
| Mississippi State athletics announced Thursday that it received an $8 million donation for the football program. It's the second largest in MSU athletics history. Mississippi State said in a news release that the family who made the donation wished to remain anonymous. With the donation, Mississippi State launched the State Excellence Fund, which "will be dedicated to enhancing student-athlete resources and providing athletic benefits in a highly competitive environment." The Bulldogs are 1-2 in coach Jeff Lebby's first season and play Florida at home on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN). "This thoughtful and generous investment in our program is critical to what we are building here in Starkville in this new era of college athletics," MSU athletics director Zac Selmon said in a statement. "To be an elite-level program, it takes elite-level resources. A gift of this magnitude shows the unwavering drive to establish Mississippi State football as a premier college football destination for many years to come. I could not be more grateful for the commitment to championing our programs and players." |
| Mississippi State football receives $8 million gift, launches State Excellence Fund | |
| Mississippi State football has received the second-largest financial commitment in the athletic department's history. An $8 million pledge, donated by an anonymous family, will kick start the State Excellence fund. The school told On3 that the gift will help jumpstart Mississippi State investment in the new era of college sports and future revenue sharing. The House v. NCAA settlement is currently going through the approval process. If approved, the 10-year settlement agreement would allow schools to share $20 to $23 million annually in revenue to athletes. The $8 million gift gives the Bulldogs strong footing as they prepare for the revenue-sharing era. Since the summer of 2021, NIL collectives have become integral for football and men's basketball programs to recruit and retain top talent. More than 80% of the dollars distributed to athletes in NIL come from booster-funded entities. Raising dollars for collectives has been crucial. Now the focus will switch to funding revenue sharing and collectives. The donor-driven organizations will remain imperative to creating a competitive advantage. Mississippi State currently backs and works closely with The Bulldog Initiative NIL collective. The collective has spent significant dollars on football, men's basketball and baseball. The organization was founded by lifelong Bulldog supporter and 1994 graduate Charlie Winfield. |
| Miss. State receives $8 million pledge to uplift Bulldog football | |
| Mississippi State football received a major boost Thursday, as Director of Athletics Zac Selmon announced the receipt of a single pledge of $8 million aimed at uplifting the Bulldogs' football program. The financial gift was committed by a family who wishes to remain anonymous. MSU said in a statement that the family are Bulldog Club members and members of the Cristil Society. It is the second-largest commitment in Mississippi State Athletics history. Plans are for the funds to be used to kick start the State Excellence Fund, the Mississippi State Athletics fund of the future. In a statement, the family making the commitment said Selmon and Lebby need access to "very necessary resources, which is why we want to ensure we are doing our part to bolster Mississippi State Football." "We would like to thank Zac and his staff for their efforts working with us to put this investment together and officially launch the State Excellence Fund. We also would like to thank Coach Lebby for his hard work, determination, and commitment to building a winning program at Mississippi State since he and his family arrived on campus less than one year ago," the family stated, adding, "To build a sustained winning culture and program in today's climate it's going to take us all coming together to ensure our program has what it needs to recruit, train and keep top talent." |
| Mississippi State football looking to build momentum with $8 million pledge | |
| Mississippi State football is looking to become more competitive in the ever-evolving world of college athletics after a rather troubling start to the 2024 season. Bulldog Athletics Director Zac Selmon announced on Thursday that a generous family, which elected to remain anonymous, has pledged $8 million to advance the university's mission of delivering exceptional competitive resources that will uplift the football program. Per a press release from the university, the $8 million pledge is the second-largest commitment in Mississippi State Athletics history and will be utilized to launch the State Excellence Fund, which will be dedicated to enhancing student-athlete resources and providing athletic benefits in a highly competitive environment. "This investment in our program shows that State fans are 'all-in' when it comes to helping provide the resources it takes to compete in the toughest conference in the country," head coach Jeff Lebby said. "Having their support and belief in what we're building is crucial for us as we continue to move forward. There are truly no words that can describe how thankful I am for the commitment to the program I am blessed to lead." |
| Florida and Mississippi State meet in SEC play, looking to rebound from head-scratching home losses | |
| Florida (1-2, 0-1 SEC) is at Mississippi State (1-2, 0-0), Saturday, 11 CT (ESPN). Both teams seek major rebounds after home losses that have turned up the heat on their head coaches. Mississippi State lost 45-17 to Toledo in nonleague play, which has drawn scrutiny on first-year coach Jeff Lebby, but the seat is hotter for Florida counterpart Billy Napier, whose team fell 33-20 to Texas A&M in their SEC opener. The Gators seek their first win over the host Bulldogs since winning 13-6 in 2018 with the game's lone touchdown. Mississippi State's passing game appears to be on the way back to its old fast-paced ways under Lebby after last year's major drop-off. The Bulldogs are averaging 278 yards per game to rank 42nd nationally and have scored six of their 11 touchdowns in five plays or less. The air game has accounted for 10 of their 11 explosive plays with three TDs. That poses a big challenge for a Gators secondary that ranks 92nd of 133 FBS teams (235.7) and next to last in the conference. Florida last week allowed the Aggies to throw for TDs of 73 and 29 yards and 178 overall, two games after No. 19 Miami (Florida) threw for 385 yards and three scores in the opener. |
| Five keys for Mississippi State's conference opener against Florida | |
| Following a 41-17 loss to Toledo last week, Mississippi State (1-2) opens Southeastern Conference play at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday against Florida (1-2, 0-1 SEC) at 11 a.m. on ESPN. The Gators dropped their conference opener at home to Texas A&M last Saturday, after losing to Miami and beating Samford. MSU went three and out on its first two drives against Arizona State, then did so on its first three possessions against Toledo. That left the Bulldogs chasing points the entire game, and with the offense unable to sustain drives, their defense was on the field for 77 out of a possible 120 minutes between those two games. "We have stressed that and are doing some things differently in practice this week, and have a heightened awareness of how we have to go start," head coach Jeff Lebby said on Wednesday's SEC teleconference. "It's going to be incredibly important for our locker room, our team and our fan base to have a good start." A big reason why MSU's early-game offense has been so poor is that the Bulldogs have too often found themselves behind the chains, which led to undesirable downs and distances. The offensive line did not hold up against the Rockets' pressure packages, leaving quarterback Blake Shapen hardly any time to examine his options and make a play. |
| Florida football: Five Gators who could play key roles in UF's first road test at MSU | |
 | Florida football players insist there's still motivation to turn around a season that's gotten off to a disappointing start. The Florida Gators (1-2, 0-1 SEC) will try to begin their path back to respectability when they play Saturday at Mississippi State (noon, ESPN). Florida has lost seven straight power conference games and five straight SEC games, dating back to the 2023 season. "We have a responsibility as players at the University of Florida to uphold the standard," Florida wide receiver Chimere Dike said. "You know, I'm going to go out there and give my all for my teammates and I'm going to prepare like it's the biggest game of the season and go out there Saturday and try to get a win and get things on the right track." It's the first road test of the season for UF after dropping two of its first three home games at The Swamp to Miami (41-17) and Texas A&M (33-20). Florida trailed by as many as 28 points in the second half against the Hurricanes and by as many as 26 points in the second half against the Aggies. Florida is 2-10 away from The Swamp under head coach Billy Napier and 2-7 in true road games. Here are five players to watch for Florida against the Bulldogs. |
| Soccer: No. 24 Mississippi State Shuts Out Oklahoma, 2-0, In SEC Opener | |
| Mississippi State soccer (7-1-0, 1-0-0 SEC) kicked off its SEC campaign in commanding fashion, delivering a 2-0 shutout against Oklahoma (7-2-0, 0-1-0 SEC) on Thursday night at John Crain Field. On a night when the Sooners were celebrating their inaugural SEC contest, the Bulldogs played the role of spoiler, led by goals from Zoe Main and Price Loposer, and a dominant performance in goal by Maddy Anderson. From the opening whistle, State established control, pressing the Oklahoma defense and keeping their goalkeeper, Caroline Duffy, busy. The Bulldogs registered their first shot in the 8th minute when Zoe Main fired toward the bottom corner, only to see her attempt denied by Duffy. Moments later, Ally Perry followed up with a shot of her own, but Duffy was once again up to the task, making a series of early saves to keep the game level. Oklahoma struggled to find offensive momentum, and State's relentless pressure eventually paid off. In the 24th minute, midfielder Hannah Johnson threaded a pass through the Sooners' backline to Main, who calmly slotted it past Duffy for her first goal of the season and second of her career. Main's finish gave the Bulldogs a well-deserved 1-0 lead. Mississippi State's defense, anchored by goalkeeper Maddy Anderson, stifled Oklahoma's attack throughout the match. The Bulldogs wasted no time in the second half, quickly extending their lead. Just seven minutes into the period, Price Loposer capitalized on a loose ball in the box, firing it past Duffy to make it 2-0 in the 53rd minute. The goal marked Loposer's second career goal and gave Mississippi State firm control of the match. |
| Former Mississippi State pitcher etches name in Shuckers playoff history | |
| Behind the third-longest playoff start in franchise history from former Mississippi State pitcher K.C. Hunt, the Biloxi Shuckers staved off elimination in game two of the Southern League Division Series with a 5-1 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Thursday night. The win in Montgomery marked Biloxi's first in the playoffs in over five years as Hunt continued to prove that he's one of the best pitching prospects in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system. After allowing a hit in the first, Hunt retired 11 in a row before a single in the fifth was erased when Brayden Taylor was caught stealing. The right-hander, who had only pitched into the eighth inning once in his minor league career, clocked 7.2 innings of work that included three hits and just one earned run. The former Bulldog struck out five along the way. Hunt's performance marked the first time a Shuckers starting pitcher had recorded an out in the eighth inning since Dylan File went 8.1 innings in game two of the Southern League Division Series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Sept. 14, 2019. |
| Mizzou Athletics registers its student-athletes to vote in November election | |
 | Mizzou Athletics took time out of student-athletes' schedules to help get them registered to vote. Student-athletes from Missouri had their voter registration checked, while assistance was provided for out-of-state athletes to request absentee ballots or change their registration to Boone County. "We're always just trying to get our student-athletes engaged in the community," graduate assistant Mikaela Adolphus said. "We want to make sure they're getting the same level of engagement as other students on campus." Adolphus is a former student-athlete at her alma mater, Cal-Davis, and says she knows how athletes can struggle to balance their involvement in school and extracurricular activities. "I just want to offer support that looks past them as just an athlete," Adolphus said. "There were lots of questions about voting out of state and requesting absentee ballots," Adolphus said. "We also helped some people (who lived in other parts of Missouri) change their addresses so they could vote here." |
| Blake Shelton to be guest picker on ESPN's 'College GameDay' for Oklahoma-Tennessee | |
 | Oklahoma football is set for a tough home matchup with Tennessee on Saturday, and ESPN's "College GameDay" is coming to Norman for the game. "GameDay," who picks a celebrity guest picker for the show each Saturday, announced a famous Oklahoman for the role on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday. Country music star Blake Shelton, who was born in Ada and resides near Tishomingo, will appear on ESPN's pregame show ahead of No. 13 Oklahoma's game against No. 7 Tennessee on Saturday night. Shelton is also known for his role as a coach on NBC's "The Voice," where he met now-wife Gwen Stefani, a pop star. Shelton told McAfee he's both an Oklahoma and Oklahoma State fan, even rooting for Tulsa, as well. However, those watching can fully expect Shelton to pick the Sooners to beat the Vols in their first ever SEC game. "GameDay" hasn't been in Norman since 2020, when no fans were allowed due to COVID-19. The last time "College GameDay" was fully in Norman was 2012, when Oklahoma fell to eventual national champion runner-up Notre Dame 30-13. |
| Go West? The next wave of realignment is in Memphis' hands | |
| Go West, young man. Surely, you've heard the phrase before. It's been in American existence since the mid-1800s, credited to author and newspaper editor Horace Greeley, who, in an 1865 edition of the New York Daily Tribune, wrote those words as a way to encourage Americans to migrate away from the country's founding territories in the East. "Washington (D.C.) is not a place to live in," he wrote. "The rents are high, the food is bad, the dust is disgusting and the morals are deplorable. Go West, young man." The rents in D.C. remain high, by the way. But this story is not about the rent prices in D.C. It is about going west. To be more specific, it is about going west for a group of college athletic programs. And to get even more specific, it is about going west for the Memphis Tigers. The Pac-12's resurgence -- taking four Mountain West Conference members -- has left one school, it seems, with a decision that could completely reshape the lower half of the Football Bowl Subdivision. Go West or not? Memphis doesn't have a formal invitation into the Pac-12, but that's likely only because it hasn't accepted a (forthcoming) invitation. The oft-used motto during the coaching cycle applies here: A job cannot be offered if it isn't accepted. The Pac-12's pursuit of Memphis justifies what many in college athletics know to be true: The most desirable remaining Group of Five program is Memphis. |
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.
