| Thursday, October 3, 2024 |
| MSU-Meridian nursing students receive white coats | |
 | Friends, family and community gathered at the MSU Riley Center last week to witness an inaugural white coat ceremony for the university's first in-state Master of Science in Nursing students. The event signifies that the 35 students in the program cohort are ready to enter the clinical phase of their education. Flanked by Dean of Nursing Mary Stewart were community members and supporters. In attendance were The Riley Foundation board members, leaders from Ochsner Rush Health and President of the Board of Trustees for Institutions of Higher Learning Bruce Martin. "We all chose to start this program because we believe in this community, in Mississippi State University and the power of nursing," Stewart told an audience of 300. "This group of students, well, you are impressive. Representing a rich diversity of lived experiences, you've brought your best selves to this challenge. Thank you." Before addressing the students, Stewart thanked donors contributing student scholarships -- the White Family, The Riley Foundation, The Bower Foundation, Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation and Mississippi Nurses Foundation, along with Ochsner Rush Health. David Buys, associate vice provost of health sciences and interim head of campus, said he felt a sense of pride during the ceremony "not just in seeing the students get their white coats, but with the speed and quality in which they have risen to this challenge." |
| More than $30 million and 300 jobs lost during 2019 spillway opening, MSU study finds | |
 | The 2019 opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway cost the Mississippi Coast hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars, a scenario likely to repeat itself and endanger a seafood industry that has been vital to the economy and culture, a study from Mississippi State University concludes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opens the spillway to prevent the Mississippi River from flooding New Orleans. The polluted river water pours into Lake Pontchartrain and, eventually, the Mississippi Sound, lowering salinity to intolerable levels for oysters, shrimp, fish and dolphins. The river, which drains 41% of the continental U.S., is also laden with nutrients from agricultural operations, creating toxic algae blooms and closing Coast waters to fishing and swimming. "Our research reveals that the spillway openings led to substantial declines in seafood harvests, particularly in the eastern oyster and brown shrimp sectors, resulting in severe economic losses for fishermen and seafood processors," says the study, authored by five professors for MSU's National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center and Coastal Research & Extension Center. The Mississippi Sound Coalition of local governments and member groups commissioned the study. |
| Corn, Rice Harvest is Wrapped for 2024 | |
 | Corn and rice harvests wrapped up for Mississippi fields a bit ahead of schedule, helped by the ideal weather leading up to the harvest window. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated corn harvest was 98% complete by Sept. 29, 2024. This put harvest ahead of the five-year average, which typically has corn 94% harvested by that date. USDA estimated rice was 93% harvested by Sept. 29, 2024, well ahead of the five-year average of 77% harvested by late September. Harvests for both crops were helped by almost five days of weather suitable for field work leading up to that date. Erick Larson, corn specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said hot, dry weather during August and early September promoted an extremely quick and efficient corn harvest this year. "Mississippi's corn yield results vary widely depending primarily on irrigation capability," Larson said. "The summer's drought stressed dryland corn during key reproductive stages, which limited productivity considerably." Hurricane Helene and associated wind and rain missed the state when it made landfall on Sept. 26, but Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana on Sept. 11 and trekked through parts of the state as a tropical storm. That storm caused minimal trouble for Mississippi growers. |
| MSU tests AI-powered cleaning robots in Colvard Student Union | |
| Mississippi State University and Lann Chemical of Aberdeen are partnering to demo two new AI-powered autonomous cleaning robots on the first floor of the Colvard Student Union. The CenoBots SP50 and CenoBots L50, supplied by Lann Chemical in Aberdeen, will work in the Union until the end of this week. The SP50 is a robotic vacuum and sweeper that removes basic debris. The L50 works behind the spot cleaner to scrub and mop the floors. Both robots, which are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, navigate buildings using a map that automatically updates itself for new changes using artificial intelligence. When their batteries are low, the robots automatically return to a docking station where they can charge and empty any dirt they pick up. Both robots use AI to navigate their environment, with maps that update automatically as the building changes. While Union operations coordinator Alan Jabri said that they will likely run the robots more during times that the Union is closed, he also noted that if the robot does detect a person in its way, it will say, "Excuse me," go around the person and return to that spot later in the day. Caleb Jackson, a junior business information systems major, said he is excited to see MSU experiment with new technology. "I love autonomous technology and stuff like that," Jackson said. "I have a couple of Roombas and stuff like that. So I love to see the new technology." |
| Mary Means Business: Connie's Chicken coming to Starkville | |
 | Connie's Chicken has filed a permit for the former Chicken Salad Chick building at 602 Hwy. 12. The incoming restaurant is a staple in Tupelo opened by Constantine Asters, along with his sons, four decades ago. Since opening, Connie's has started a regional expansion with locations in Oxford, West Point and soon-to-be Starkville. Menu items include tenders, chicken sandwiches, bone-in chicken, country fried steak, chicken, sausage biscuits, Connie's famous blueberry donuts and more. ... Other than October being the start of spooky season, it has also been recognized by Mississippi as careers in construction month. FORGE, an organization of Golden Triangle companies, is celebrating careers in construction by raising awareness about the industry's opportunities for skilled trades. FORGE is hosting the fifth annual FORGE Your Path Career Expo Oct. 23 and 24 at East Mississippi Community College's Communiversity. The event will introduce more than 2,000 eighth-graders from 12 counties to hands-on experiences in construction. |
| Oktoberfest returns to Burns Bottom for fifth year | |
| Oktoberfest is on its way back to Columbus for a fifth year, as Munson and Brothers prepares to host a weekend of fun, live music and German traditions. Owner Ryan Munson said this year, Oktoberfest has taken on sponsors for the first time, allowing the event to include "bigger bands and bigger acts." Munson also hopes the experience is more authentic to its German roots than ever before. "It's awesome that it keeps growing and becoming something where we're able to experience the culture together and bring a little bit of fun to our side of the town," Munson said. All Oktoberfest activities will take place at Munson and Brothers, 301 Second Ave. N. Munson said the weekend will kick off at 5 p.m. Friday with a prost (the German word for "cheers" or a toast) by Mayor Keith Gaskin. Music performances will follow shortly after. The next day, Oktoberfest celebrations will start back up with races benefiting the Columbus Arts Council. There will be a one mile beer run at 10 a.m., followed by a beer 5K starting at 10:30 a.m. Doughnuts will be available for runners that do not enjoy beer, according to the race website. While the races are wrapping up, the Burns Bottom Arts Festival will begin. |
| ERDC hosts Senior Scientist Induction Ceremony | |
| The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) recently held a Senior Scientist (ST) Induction Ceremony to officially recognize three leaders in their respective fields: Dr. Matthew Farthing, Dr. Mihan House McKenna Taylor and Dr. David Moore. ERDC officials said these inductees are now part of an elite circle within the Army's Senior Scientist community, a distinction that reflects not only their expertise, but also their significant contributions to the Army and the nation. ERDC Director Dr. David Pittman explained the significance of the occasion to the crowd gathered both in person and online. "Today, we honor Dr. Farthing, Dr. McKenna Taylor and Dr. Moore as part of the Army's Senior Scientist cadre. Each of these specialists is among the best in the world, contributing to our mission with unparalleled expertise," Pittman said. "Every day, our scientists push the boundaries of knowledge, and their work not only strengthens our Army, but also enhances our nation's capability to respond to global challenges," he said. |
| Mississippi revenue collections exceed estimates in September by $14 million | |
| For the first three months into the 2025 Fiscal Year, Mississippi revenue collections have exceeded legislative estimates each month. The Legislative Budget Office reported Wednesday that the September revenue collections came in $14.3 million, or just over 2 percent, above estimates. That, along with the prior months, pushed the Magnolia State's year-to-date revenue collections to $46 million above estimates. Notably, the fiscal year-to-date total revenue collections through September 2024 are $12.3 million, or 0.67 percent, above the prior year's collections for the same period. The total FY 2025 revenue estimate is $7.6 billion. For September, General Fund collections were $11.1 million, or 1.57 percent, above the same period the prior year while individual income tax collections exceeded the prior year by $39.7 million. Mississippi is currently in a phase-out plan passed in 2022 that moves the income tax to a flat 4 percent. Sales tax collections for September were below the prior year by $2.5 million along with corporate income tax collections also being down from the prior year by $28.0 million. Discussions among lawmakers are ongoing as to whether to pursue a sales tax cut on groceries in the 2025 session. |
| Will port strikes lead to food shortages? Consumer, business behavior both play role | |
| The economic impact of the ongoing longshoremens' strike at ports on the East and Gulf Coasts largely depends on how long it lasts. If it starts to drag on, some imported food items could start to run low. But how quickly that happens partly depends on consumer and business behavior. One example? Most of the bananas we eat come through ports impacted by this strike. So they could be one of the first grocery items to run low, says Joe Balagtas at Purdue University. "There's only so many days, weeks that you could store bananas, but you could, you can build up stocks to prepare for this type of an event," he said. Which is exactly what many food importers did ahead of the strike, including Encore Specialty Foods in Hingham, Massachusetts. They import mustards, olives, vinegar, through the port of New York, says operations manager Hanley Scott. "We certainly buffered our inventory as much as possible while not wanting to be overstocked," she said. Because overstocking means renting more warehouse space, a cost they'd eventually pass on to their customers, Scott says. Those customers, meanwhile, have been increasing their orders this week, which could put the company in a tough position if the strike drags on. |
| Secretary of state reminds Mississippians of upcoming voting deadlines | |
| With the Nov. 5 general election quickly approaching, the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office has issued a handful of reminders for those who plan to vote. Firstly, unregistered voters have until Monday, Oct. 7, at 5 p.m. to register. Registration can be done in person at local circuit clerk's offices or through mail. Registration forms can be printed online or picked up at the secretary of state's office in Jackson and in public libraries, driver's license exam stations, circuit clerk's offices, municipal clerk's offices, and public schools across the state. Mail-in registration must be postmarked by Monday, Oct. 7, as well. The same deadline applies to those who need to update registration information before the upcoming election. Information can be updated online. Secondly, the secretary of state's office reminds voters who may not be in town or might have a work obligation during voting hours that absentee ballots are now available. The Nov. 5 general election will include the presidential election, five of six congressional seats, four state supreme court seats, along with various local races. |
| Multiple versions of school safety proposals could come up during next legislative session | |
| The Vice Presidential candidates discussed school safety in the most recent VP debate, and that's brought back up a statewide conversation on what's next. Mississippi has requirements for doing active shooter drills and preparing for the worst-case scenario. However, there are differing opinions on how state dollars can best be spent to further boost school safety. Rep. Trey Lamar is looking for a way to incentivize every school in the state to get a school resource officer. He's filed a bill the last two years with no luck in getting it across the finish line. That proposal would look to create a grant program administered by the Department of Public Safety. The state would pay for 75%. "There's been some complaints that it's expensive," said Lamar. "Well, yeah, it can be somewhat expensive, but it's not that expensive. And it's something that can be phased in over three to four years. It's not that much money to protect our to protect our babies as they go off to school." Lamar says Tennessee has passed similar legislation in the wake of the Nashville school shooting. "We, meaning the Mississippi Legislature, have the ability to do something about that on the front end, hopefully before anything unspeakable like that happens in the state of Mississippi," he added. |
| State Health Department amps up free naloxone distribution | |
| Schools, community organizations and hospitality groups now have access to free bulk naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, thanks to recent state legislation and federal funding. In the first two months since the new law went into effect, the Mississippi Department of Health has distributed 3,470 boxes of bulk naloxone. That's more than it distributed in the prior 10 months combined. The Legislature passed House Bill 1137, authored by Rep. Fabian Nelson, D-Jackson, and a freshman legislator, in the spring. Nelson said the impetus for the bill, which expands what types of groups can receive the overdose reversal drug, was a conversation with a local advocate who showed him the need for more access across the state. Nelson worked closely with Department of Mental Health Executive Director Wendy Bailey to draft the legislation. The Department of Mental Health also distributes naloxone through a program called Stand Up Mississippi. The focus of that program has been on law enforcement and first responders, Bailey said. "There was a core group that was missing there -- nonprofits, recovery support groups that really needed to have access to more than just one dose," said Bailey. Nelson teamed up with House Public Health and Human Services Chair Sam Creekmore, R-New Albany, and Senate Judiciary A Chairman Brice Wiggins, R-Pascagoula, to shepherd the legislation -- which allows community organizations, educational groups and any other "high-risk opioid overdose touchpoint" to receive the drug -- through the process. The bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously. |
| Supreme Court will tackle transgender rights, 'ghost guns' in term beginning Monday | |
 | The Supreme Court opens a new term Monday, facing major decisions on whether states can ban "gender-affirming care" for transgender teens and if the U.S. government can restrict the sale of untraceable "ghost guns." Both cases could have a broad impact in the years ahead. The first could outlaw discrimination nationwide against transgender youth, or instead uphold the power of red states to decide the divisive issue on their own. The other -- to be argued Tuesday -- could score another victory for gun rights groups, making it easier for criminals and many others to get firearms they cannot obtain legally. They are among the many contentious issues due to be decided in the coming term, including whether the government can restrict the marketing of new e-cigarettes that appeal to minors and whether states can set age limits for pornographic websites. The transgender and gun cases both arose from appeals by Biden administration lawyers. They are asking the conservative-dominated Supreme Court to overturn decisions from even more conservative lower courts. "This is obviously the blockbuster case of this term," said Washington attorney Deepak Gupta. "It's about the fundamental power of parents to direct medical care for their children." While the Constitution forbids states and public agencies from discriminating based on race or sex, the court has not said whether this antidiscrimination rule extends to gender identity. |
| Election 2024: Cybersecurity head says there's no chance a foreign adversary can change results | |
| Nearly a month out from Election Day, the head of the nation's cybersecurity agency is forcefully reassuring Americans who have been swept into the chaotic churn of election disinformation and distrust that they will be able to feel confident in the outcome. State and local election officials have made so much progress in securing voting, ballot-counting and other election infrastructure that the system is more robust than it has ever been, said Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. As a result, she said, there is no way Russia, Iran or any other foreign adversary will be able to alter the results. "Malicious actors, even if they tried, could not have an impact at scale such that there would be a material effect on the outcome of the election," Easterly told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday. Easterly's trust in the election process comes as intelligence officials have warned of escalating efforts by foreign adversaries to influence voters, deepen partisan divides and undermine faith in U.S. elections. Her comments stand in contrast to the doubts millions of Americans, especially Republicans, have held since the 2020 election when former President Donald Trump refused to accept his loss. He has built on his false claims of vote rigging since then, setting the stage to claim the election has been stolen if he loses again this November. |
| Hurricane Helene Scrambles Campaign Calculus for Harris and Trump | |
 | Hurricane Helene injected fresh uncertainty into the presidential race this week, posing potential risks and opportunities for Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign and creating dire problems for voters in two crucial swing states: North Carolina and Georgia. While the White House has won praise from local leaders for its immediate response to the storm, the real test will come over the next few weeks as victims -- thousands of whom are out of their homes, without power or cellphone service -- continue to put their lives back together. The politics of natural disasters can be complicated: They provide leaders an opportunity to show competence, but if they are seen as falling short, as President George W. Bush was during Hurricane Katrina, the consequences can be devastating. Politicizing the response can be hazardous, according to strategists. "You should just be a normal caring person who wants to help the communities affected," said Doug Heye, a North Carolinian and former top aide to several Republican leaders. The storm could have an impact on voting. Polling locations have been flooded and damaged, and the vote-by-mail system has been upended in the most affected areas where homes have been washed away. Those who have been involved with hurricane responses said the recovery process is long. When Hurricane Andrew hit Florida and Louisiana in August 1992, President George H.W. Bush dispatched Transportation Secretary Andy Card to the states to oversee the response; he packed for a short trip but ended up staying for about seven weeks. "I tried to train everyone to have empathy for the people we were dealing with," Card said in an interview. |
| The Whiskey Industry Is Bracing for a Trade War if Trump Wins. It's Not Alone. | |
 | When you're in the whiskey business, you're always making predictions about the future. From the time grain grown around the Midwest enters Sonat Birnecker Hart's distillery on the North Side of Chicago, it will be four to 10 years before the whiskey is shipped to buyers. So running her business requires careful projections about demand. Those calculations have become harder of late. With the U.S. presidential election looming, many businesses around the world are facing uncertainty about the future of American trade policy and the tariffs that products will face in global markets. For the whiskey industry, the stakes are particularly high. In March, a 50 percent tariff on American whiskey exports to Europe will snap into effect unless the European Union and the United States can come to an agreement to stop the levies. The outcome may depend on who is in office. Both former President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have embraced tariffs, but their plans differ significantly. Ms. Harris's campaign has said she would use tariffs in a "targeted" fashion -- possibly mirroring the approach of President Biden, who recently imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, silicon chips and solar panels. Like Mr. Biden, she has emphasized working closely with allies. Mr. Trump, in contrast, has said his approach to trade would be even more aggressive than the trade wars of his first term, when he imposed stiff tariffs on allies and rivals to obtain concessions and try to bolster American manufacturing. |
| Special prosecutor divulges new details in Trump case filing | |
 | The federal judge overseeing the prosecution of Donald Trump for his effort to overturn his loss in the 2020 election made more than 100 pages of allegations in the case public Wednesday, as part of a court fight over whether the presidency makes the former president immune to the charges. The filing, which represents the largest batch of public information about Trump's alleged crimes shared by federal prosecutors since the indictment last year, contains new details about Trump's efforts to disrupt vote-counting in states he lost, arrange for false slates of electors to be presented to Congress, foment the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and then take advantage of the ensuing chaos. It's the most complete argument yet from special counsel John L. "Jack" Smith to prosecute Trump for an effort to overturn his loss in the 2020 election, made as part of Smith's effort for the case to survive a July ruling from the Supreme Court that presidents are immune for actions taken in an official capacity. The judge overseeing the case, Tanya S. Chutkan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, is now gathering information from both sides about which allegations prosecutors can pursue, which might be off-limits and how to handle other outstanding issues in the case. |
| New Future Caucus report finds more Gen Z, millennials running for Congress | |
 | A Future Caucus report released Thursday found an increase in congressional candidates under the age of 45 seeking higher office, with the group's leader noting younger blocs have found success combatting political polarization. "As more and more people are louder about the problems in our democracy, it would be rational, it would be reasonable, to see more and more people decide they aren't going to get involved," Layla Zaidane, president and CEO of Future Caucus, told The Hill. "Instead, we're seeing the opposite. We're seeing more and more young people decide to throw their hat in the ring and be a part of the solution." The Thursday report, titled "On the Rise," examines demographic data of congressional candidates from primary and general ballots. As of Sept. 11, there are 1,285 congressional candidates on November's general election ballot, including 21 Gen Z candidates, according to the report. There's 220 millennials seeking office -- a 79 percent increase from 2020, when 123 candidates in the age group ran for Congress. But candidates over the age of 45 are still outnumbering younger candidates two to one. It found the average age in the House and Senate are 57.9 and 65.3 years old, respectively. |
| Community colleges, universities play significant role in improved workforce participation in Mississippi | |
| If gains are to be seen, community colleges and universities in Mississippi will play an integral role in increasing the state's workforce participation rate. That is the word from educators and lawmakers alike. Members of the Mississippi Senate Labor Force Participation Study Group were recently brought up to speed on how the state's public post-secondary institutions are working to that end. At the university level, about 63 percent of students are Mississippians, leaving the remaining 37 percent coming from out-of-state. Demographics within the university student body show 59 percent are female, 41 percent are male with 29 percent black and 59 percent white. Dr. Alfred Rankins, Commissioner of Higher Education in Mississippi, said that universities in the Magnolia State served about 77,000 students as of the fall of 2023 and the average ACT score of university students was 23.6. Universities have reported a retention rate of 80 percent for freshmen to sophomores. Dr. Rankins said that while universities are also seeing the effects of the enrollment cliff, noting that over the past decade there's been a four percent dip, the number of students who earned degrees from universities in Mississippi has risen by 16 percent. "I think that's because of some statewide policy decisions and the good work that our universities are doing on our campuses to try to get our students to the finish line more efficiently," Rankins described. |
| Wi-Fi issues impact student and staff performance | |
 | Ten years ago, the University of Mississippi ranked No. 5 among the nation's flagship universities for internet upload speeds, according to a 2014 survey by The Huffington Post. While UM's current ranking is unavailable, anecdotal evidence from students and faculty points to a decline in network reliability and their ability to consistently connect. Razavier Davis, a junior psychology major, has had Wi-Fi difficulties both in class and in his former on-campus home, Campus Walk. "Ole Miss needs to fix the Campus Walk (Wi-Fi)," Davis said. "The router is way too far. I had to go an entire year having very bad internet, and I could barely do my homework (on) time." On campus, Davis noted that he experienced the most trouble in the student union, especially on the first floor. "I was kicked out of my (online) tests because of the Wi-Fi. I almost flunked because I didn't finish it. It's hard to believe that they expect us to do our work when they don't give us the Wi-Fi to do the work," Davis said. Professors are also feeling the strain of Wi-Fi problems. Professor of Spanish and linguistics Felice Coles has experienced connectivity problems in her office in Bondurant Hall for many years. "(My computer) will slow down and then occasionally it just won't come on no matter what you try to connect," Coles said. |
| UMMC lands $1.8 million grant to boost lung cancer screening efforts | |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Center and Research Institute has received a Quality Implementation of Lung Cancer Screening (QUILS) grant, which focuses on improving lung cancer screening rates in the state. The initiative provides $1.8 million over four years to improve lung cancer screening efforts in a state that sorely needs it. According to the American Lung Association, Mississippi has some of the lowest screening rates and highest mortality rates for lung cancer in the U.S. Officials with UMMC think the grant initiative will have a significant impact on those numbers. "Lung cancer claims the lives of over 1,800 Mississippians every year. Lung cancer screening is a proven tool to prevent these deaths by detecting cancer early, when it is easy to cure," UMMC's Dr. Pierre de Delva said. "The QUILS grant will help to increase the use and quality of lung screening across the state. We hope to replicate the results seen with this program in Kentucky and make Mississippi a leader in the use of lung cancer screening to save lives. Lung cancer kills more people than prostate, colon, and breast cancer combined. However, less than 10% of eligible patients in Mississippi are screened. |
| Condoms aren't a fact of life for young Americans. They're an afterthought | |
| It's hard to miss the overflowing bowl of condoms at the entrance of the gym. Some University of Mississippi students walking past after their workout snicker and point, and the few who step forward to consider grabbing a condom rethink it when their friends catch up, laughter trailing behind them. Almost no one actually reaches in to take one. Though officials say they refill the bowl multiple times a day, and condoms are available at multiple places on campus, Ole Miss students say the disinterest is indicative of changing attitudes. Fewer young people are having sex, but the teens and young adults who are sexually active aren't using condoms as regularly, if at all. And people ages 15 to 24 made up half of new chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis cases in 2022. The downward trend in condom usage is due to a few things: medical advancements like long-term birth control options and drugs that prevent sexually transmitted infections; a fading fear of contracting HIV; and widely varying degrees of sex education in high schools. Despite the relentless Southern sun, a handful of people representing various student organizations sat at tables in the heart of Ole Miss' campus. Students walked past and grabbed buttons, wristbands and fidget toys. One table offered gold-packaged condoms -- for cups to prevent drinks from being spiked. Actual condoms are noticeably absent. They're also absent in the state's public schools. Condom demonstrations are banned in Mississippi classrooms, and school districts can provide abstinence-only or "abstinence-plus" sexual education -- both of which can involve discussing condoms and contraceptives. |
| Dance troupe 'Hithla' showcases Native American stomp dancing at USM | |
 | Students, faculty and visitors to the University of Southern Mississippi campus were treated to an interactive event Wednesday, focused on traditional Native American dance. Members of the Native American dance troupe, "Hithla," paid a visit to Hattiesburg, to showcase "stomp dancing" and other types of traditional dance. "It's a really, really old dance being done by the mound builders, the traditional people who were here long before our tribes had names," said Amy Bluemel, co-director of "Hithla." "We don't actually know what they called this dance, but it's a time for prayer, so you light a fire and you go man, woman, man, woman around a circle and the men sing and the women shake shells on our legs." The group is made up of members from several tribes, from Oklahoma and Texas. They performed at USM's medicine wheel garden and invited several folks to join them in several dances. "What I want students to see is (traditional Native American) culture, because a lot of people don't even know that Southeastern American Indians are still around and then, they don't know about the huge mound-building culture we had and our ceremonies like Stomp," said Tammy Greer, director of USM's Center for American-Indian Research and Studies. |
| US school-entry vaccination rates fall as exemptions keep rising | |
| U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dipped last year and the proportion of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted Wednesday. The share of kids exempted from vaccine requirements rose to 3.3%, up from 3% the year before. Meanwhile, 92.7% of kindergartners got their required shots, which is a little lower than the previous two years. Before the COVID-19 pandemic the vaccination rate was 95%, the coverage level that makes it unlikely that a single infection will spark a disease cluster or outbreak. The changes may seem slight but are significant, translating to about 80,000 kids not getting vaccinated, health officials say. The rates help explain a worrisome creep in cases of whooping cough, measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, said Dr. Raynard Washington, chair of the Big Cities Health Coalition, which represents 35 large metropolitan public health departments. "We all have been challenged with emerging outbreaks ... across the country," said Washington, the director of the health department serving Charlotte, North Carolina. The slide in vaccination rates was not unexpected. Online misinformation and the political schism that emerged around COVID-19 vaccines have led more parents to question the routine childhood vaccinations that they used to automatically accept, experts say. |
| These 7 Alabama colleges are growing the fastest: Report | |
 | Alabama college and university enrollment is trending upward again this year, according to preliminary data from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. University enrollment increased 2.4% in 2024 from last year and community college enrollment went up 12.7%. And an increasing number of Alabama high school students are attending school in-state. "I think that we should all be optimistic that we do still have people that understand the value of education and how that's important for their future career," said Jim Purcell, executive director of ACHE. One of the state's biggest increases in college enrollment comes from people who are still in high school. High school students in dual enrollment represent 4.9% of university enrollment and a whopping 31.9% of community college enrollment. These trends are encouraging, Purcell said, because the COVID-19 pandemic triggered drops in undergraduate enrollment by 6% in 2020. Enrollment figures have steadily increased over the last four years. Some state universities aren't growing as quickly, but still are seeing annual increases in their student body. The University of Alabama saw record enrollment this fall, exceeding 40,000 for the first time. That includes the largest in-state freshman class ever. |
| Rise Center preschool program celebrates 50 years at U. of Alabama | |
 | Children ran through bubbles with abandon. Carnival-style rides put smiles on faces and magic was in the air as magicians and jugglers entertained at the 50th anniversary celebration for the Rise Center on Sept. 28 in Tuscaloosa. The Rise Center started in 1974 with a federal grant to provide early intervention services to preschool children. The University of Alabama was one of 15 locations across the country to receive the grant, according to Andi Gillen, Rise Center's director. Rise is an acronym that stands for Rural Infant Stimulation Environment project. The program started in one classroom located in a basement. It is currently housed in the Stallings Center, a building dedicated in 1994 and that has seen two additions since it was constructed. "We have celebrated the (Gene) Stallings family. They made inclusion and having a child with challenges OK and something to be celebrated and not something to be hidden or kept away or to be embarrassed of. He wanted every child to reach his or her maximum potential, so that is what Rise is all about," Gillen said. Stallings, a former head football coach at the University of Alabama, championed opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. He was an assistant coach under Paul W. "Bear" Bryant in 1962 when his son John Mark was born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect. |
| Tiger ID is now fully digital, here's how it works | |
| In fall 2024, Tiger ID officially became digital only. The Auburn University Tiger ID office is no longer producing physical student ID cards and is now almost solely using the GET Mobile app. The decision to switch to mobile credentials has been in the making since 2018 when Alabama launched Blackboard, an academic service similar to Canvas. They presented it to the Student Government Association which was interested in switching to a mobile credential for Auburn students. Since 2021, students have been able to access their Tiger ID card digitally through the GET Mobile app, and most students on campus use it to scan into athletic events, enter university buildings and dorms, and purchase food. According to Melanie Chambless, director of Tiger ID, Auburn started using digital credentials for many reasons. "A lot of things factored into it. Safety and security for one, it's a lot harder to swap a phone than it is with a physical card. Convenience, again, not sure if you ever came to our office and saw the line," Chambless said. "Sustainability was an issue as well because we're trying to be more sustainable on campus. If we don't have to print physical cards, then we are reducing our carbon imprint." One of the perks of the cards being digital now is the price -- it's free. Students no longer have to pay for their Tiger ID and do not have to have a picture taken by the Tiger ID office for their card. |
| Louisiana's colleges need $2 billion in repairs | |
 | Broken elevators. Leaky roofs. Ancient flooring. Louisiana's public colleges and universities have a nearly $2 billion backlog of building repairs postponed due to budget constraints. But now, after years of waiting, those campuses will finally start seeing some much-needed upgrades. This year, the state Legislature passed a one-time allocation of $75 million for public colleges to begin tackling some of their dozens of deferred maintenance projects. Recently, the state's four public higher-ed systems -- LSU, Louisiana Career and Technical Colleges, Southern University and University of Louisiana systems -- submitted a list of about 90 projects that are "shovel ready," Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed told lawmakers last month. "We want to make sure we have robust and appropriate facilities to ensure that our students are well educated and that they're safe," she said. Deferred maintenance projects are a growing issue across U.S. campuses, Higher Ed Dive reported. A Moody's Ratings report released last month estimated the capital needs for facilities over the next decade is between $750 billion and $950 billion. "One of the things we do in Louisiana is build beautiful public facilities," said Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge. "But our problem is we never maintain them the way we should, particularly our colleges and universities" |
| Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signs executive order on college campus free speech | |
| Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order Tuesday asking the Board of Regents to make recommendations for improving freedom of expression policies on the state's college campuses. "Students should be able to freely engage in discussions and talk about ideas and the things that they believe in because that is how we grow," Landry said at a news conference on LSU's campus. "That is how we are educated, rather than indoctrinated." "Unfortunately, what we've seen in college campuses around the country is where, again, as I said, one voice seems to be quieted while another seems to yell," Landry said. The executive order also includes aspects of a 2018 state law that requires colleges and universities to submit annual reports to the Legislature and the governor's office "regarding any barriers to or incidents against free expression that occurred at the institution." It also calls on the Board of Regents to work with schools to develop free speech policies. Read the full executive order below. Each school adopted new free speech policies in 2018. Spokespeople for the Legislature, Landry and LSU have not yet responded to requests for comment as to whether schools have been submitting the required reports. |
| Vol Dining gives away fresh ingredients to students, offering ways to maintain healthy diet | |
| On Oct. 2, Vol Dining employees at UT came together to support students by hosting their annual Fall Harvest Market in involvement with the Center for Health Education and Wellness and Wellness Wednesdays. At UT, Vol Dining supports students with diverse dietary needs that may not be fully addressed by the dining hall. This includes considerations for allergies, health preferences, religious beliefs and more. To assist these unique nutritional requirements, Vol Dining offers nutritional counseling to help students meet their health goals. This event served as a wonderful kickoff to fall, celebrating the season's focus on comfort food and harvest time. The fall market had a warm, inviting atmosphere that gave off the same feel as a farmers' market, free to all students. While this event gets students in the fall spirit, it had the added benefit of teaching students about healthy foods and providing free meals. Tatyana Kimble is a registered dietitian for Vol Dining and works with Wellness Wednesdays as well as Student Life. She spoke on the reality of food access issues among students. "A lot of students that I consult with are food insecure and do not realize it," Kimble said. "So, I just make sure they know what opportunities on campus there are, trying to get the word out so people can do these kinds of events." |
| Oklahoma higher education officials appeal to lawmakers to keep state institutions competitive | |
| Several presidents of Oklahoma colleges and universities urged state lawmakers on Wednesday to adopt policies to make the state's higher education institutions more competitive. Higher Education Chancellor Allison Garrett and five presidents of Oklahoma higher education institutions spoke to lawmakers at the Capitol during an interim study about how the state's colleges and universities can "maintain a competitive edge." Garrett offered the legislators a handful of recommendations, including greater flexibility for institutions to waive in-state and out-of-state tuition, increased funding for marketing initiatives and expanding the Oklahoma Opportunity Scholarship to include higher education institutions. Garrett said that Oklahoma high school graduates are choosing to attend out-of-state institutions due to cost, proximity and degree programs. She said the states that admit the most Oklahoma students are Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri and Colorado. She said around 34% of Oklahoma high school graduates attended a public institution for higher education in the state. About 58% did not attend college. Almost 6% went to an out-of-state school and just over 2% attended private institutions. |
| Farm Journal Foundation Launches Veterinary Shortage State Readiness Program | |
| Farm Journal Foundation is launching a new effort to help states develop infrastructure to recruit and support veterinarians working in rural areas, with the aim of addressing the national shortage of veterinarians who specialize in treating poultry and livestock. The Veterinary Shortage State Readiness Program is backed by support from the Zoetis Foundation and works in partnership with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). It is currently underway in three states: Oklahoma, Kansas, and Indiana. According to a recent report commissioned by Farm Journal Foundation, the U.S. is currently facing a nationwide shortage of veterinarians to treat livestock and poultry in rural areas, threatening public health, food safety, and economic growth in communities that depend on agriculture. A key component of the program is an effort to help veterinary students while they are in school. Farm Journal Foundation's companion Rural Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program is working in nine universities across the country and focuses on areas including academic preparedness, managing education debt and financial planning, developing business management skills, and learning how to engage with rural communities. The list of schools where this program is currently used includes Auburn University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Lincoln Memorial University, Mississippi State University, Oklahoma State University, Penn State University, Texas Tech University and Tuskegee University. |
| Removal of On-Campus Voting on Election Day Sparks Uproar at Purdue | |
 | This November, for the first time since before 2008, students, faculty and staff will be unable to vote on Purdue University's campus on Election Day. For four presidential elections, Purdue hosted voting sites at various locations around campus -- most recently the Mackey Arena, located minutes from several residence halls and academic buildings. But in August, when Tippecanoe County's three-member election board released its list of early voting and Election Day sites, Purdue wasn't included on either one, due to the security of its internet connection failing to meet new state standards. The following month, after Purdue updated its internet, the board still only granted the university a polling place for six hours of early voting time on one day, Thursday, Oct. 24, at the campus's France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center. There still will be no voting on campus on Election Day, despite an outcry from voting groups and students. The change comes only five weeks from an election that many believe will be decided by young voters, who came out in record numbers in 2020 and pushed President Joe Biden to victory over former president Donald Trump. It's the latest in a long history of controversies over campus polling places across the country. |
| Appalachian State University to stay closed for weeks due to Helene | |
| Appalachian State University in North Carolina will remain closed for at least the next two weeks in the wake of the destructive Hurricane Helene. On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the university announced that classes would resume no earlier than Oct. 16 at its campuses in Boone and Hickory. Officials will assess conditions and infrastructure, and provide an update by Wednesday, Oct. 9, the university's website said. Classes were initially canceled through Oct. 4. University facilities would remain closed at least through 5 p.m. on Oct. 11. Residence halls, dining facilities, and campus medical facilities remained operational, however, the university said. Many roads in the Watauga County area were "treacherous or impassible," the university said Wednesday while urging people to "limit travel and use extreme caution" if traveling. Hundreds of thousands of Duke Energy customers were still without power on Wednesday following Helene. Power was expected to be restored for many by the end of the week, but some areas were incapable of getting power back due to damaged or non-existent infrastructure. Boone, home to the university's main campus, was one of many towns in the area that was inundated with floodwaters caused by Helene. On the campus, no residence halls had been structurally compromised due to the storm, the university said. |
| Employers Say Students Need AI Skills. What If Students Don't Want Them? | |
| A May 2024 survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab asked students if they knew when, how or whether to use generative artificial intelligence to help with coursework. Student responses revealed the importance of faculty communication around generative AI policies in the classroom but also highlighted some learners' disdain for using the technology in any capacity. Among the 5,025-plus survey respondents, around 2 percent (n=93), provided free responses to the question on AI policy and use in the classroom. Over half (55) of those responses were flat-out refusal to engage with AI. A few said they don't know how to use AI or are not familiar with the tool, which impacts their ability to apply appropriate use to coursework. But as generative AI becomes more ingrained into the workplace and higher education, a growing number of professors and industry experts believe this will be something all students need, in their classes and in their lives beyond academia. "The big picture is that it's not going to slow down and it's not going to go away, so we need to work quickly to ensure that the future workforce is prepared," says Shawn VanDerziel, president and CEO of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). "That's what employers want. They want a prepared workforce, and they want to know that higher education is equipped to fill those needs of industry." |
| What to know about college recruiting right now | |
| It's fall college recruitment season again -- and now employers are meeting students who have learned to operate both virtually and in-person. And while some students may prefer to connect with potential employers online, college campus events are back in a big way. Here's what recruiters need to know. Instead of being entirely in person or entirely online, employers are mixing up their recruitment strategies. "It is much more of a hybrid strategy these days," said Christine Cruzvergara, career expert and chief education strategy officer at Handshake. Recruiters are "really trying to fine-tune what is the right mix for their organization for the types of roles that they're recruiting for." And while virtual recruiting of college students will probably never go away, in-person events on college campuses have been in demand. That's especially true at historically Black colleges and universities, Cruzvergara said, citing North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The school held an in-person career fair in September, and over 400 employers and 7,224 students attended -- among the highest numbers she's seen for such a fair, she said. |
| It's the Anniversary of October 7. Will College Presidents Say Anything? | |
 | On October 7, 2023, Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, president of Oakland University, in Michigan, issued a statement expressing her horror at the killing and kidnapping of civilians in Israel by Hamas fighters. Leaders of many other colleges released similar comments over the next several days. Pescovitz doesn't intend to send another campuswide message on Monday, the anniversary of the attack that started the war in Gaza. She doesn't see the need. But she expects that some presidents who put statements out last October will stay mum this year for a different reason: Their colleges or systems have adopted a position of institutional neutrality, whereby administrators won't speak out on social or political issues that don't directly affect their campuses. Last year, critics chided college presidents for releasing statements that didn't condemn the actions of Hamas or that failed to address the plight of the Palestinians. Some leaders responded by sending more emails. This year, presidents and boards have emphasized academic freedom and free speech in defending their neutrality policies. Whether or not the new policies will stifle statements, recognizing the anniversary will likely vary from college to college. On the one hand, the war reverberated through American higher education like few global crises have, so some presidents may feel empowered or obligated to say something. On the other, leaders have become more selective about using their pulpit. |
| She wants to start a College Republicans chapter at an HBCU -- but can't find an adviser | |
 | Charrise Lane, a senior at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, wants to re-establish what would be the only active chapter of College Republicans at a historically Black college or university. There's just one roadblock: She can't find an adviser for the group to be recognized on campus. According to FAMU guidelines, no student organization can become official without one. "I've reached out to professors," said Lane, a 25-year-old public relations major and registered Republican. "The two that responded said they couldn't do it," she said, adding, "So it's not like I'm not trying." While rare, College Republicans have had homes at HBCUs in the past. As recently as 2016, there were at least four HBCUs with GOP chapters: Howard University, Morehouse College, Central State University and FAMU. "I believe that Black people are needed on both sides," said Lane, who noted that her conservative views have been heavily shaped by her Christian upbringing. Felicia Barnes, assistant director of student organizations at FAMU, said the university would welcome the College Republicans back to campus. This week, Barnes shared names of more professors for Lane to reach out to. "They've been here before, so it's not like it hasn't been the organization here," she said. |
SPORTS
| 2025 Diamond Dawgs roster beginning to take shape | |
| The Mississippi State team that takes the field on Feb. 14 against Manhattan will barely resemble the 2024 Bulldogs that returned to the NCAA Tournament after a two-year absence and lost in the regional final to Virginia. MSU's entire 2024 opening weekend rotation was selected in the MLB Draft, and five starting position players were either drafted or exhausted their eligibility. Such is the state of college sports in the 2020s, and head coach Chris Lemonis echoed a line often used by Bulldog men's basketball head coach Chris Jans. "This day and age, it's more about building a great team year to year," Lemonis said. "It used to be we'd always say we're building a great program. But the transition is so big right now. We had three sophomore-eligible guys sign (with MLB teams) last year. That dynamic changes everything." Eleven players from the 2024 MSU roster were drafted, more than any other school. But the Bulldogs do still get back two key starters who were draft-eligible -- slugging first baseman Hunter Hines was surprisingly not picked and will return for his senior season, and outfielder Bryce Chance is back for his junior year after taking over the leadoff spot down the stretch. |
| Mississippi State men's, women's basketball to play in Tupelo | |
| The Mississippi State men's and women's basketball teams will be bringing basketball to Tupelo this season. As announced by the Mississippi State athletic department, both teams will play at Cadence Bank Arena on Saturday, Dec. 14. The doubleheader will include the men's team taking on McNeese State and the women's group going up against Belmont. Game times have not been released at this time. It won't be the only time the men's team plays a neutral site inside state lines during the 2024-25 season. Chris Jans' squad will take on Utah at the Landers Center in Southaven on Sunday, Nov. 17, and Central Michigan at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The men's team will look to make the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year under Jans' leadership, while the women's team will look to return to the Big Dance after making it in year one under head coach Sam Purcell but narrowly missing out in 2023-24. |
| Men's Golf: Bulldogs Finish Second At Blessings Collegiate Invitational | |
| In what proved to be a two-horse race all day, Mississippi State men's golf was unable to chase down No. 15 LSU in the final round of the Blessings Collegiate Invitational. The Bulldogs shot a 6-over 294, a three-stroke improvement from the second round, but LSU pulled away with an 8-under day.Only three under-par rounds as a team were recorded over three days. The Tigers and Bulldogs both shot under on the first day, with LSU leading by two strokes. The two programs matched each other with 9-over days on Tuesday when Louisville was the best squad at even-par. The Bulldogs finished with a 12-stroke lead over third-place Louisville and a 14-stroke gap over fourth-place BYU. "I am really proud of our fight this week. We put ourselves in a good position going into the final round and fought until the very end," MSU head coach Dusty Smith said. "I saw a lot of growth from this group this week, and I think we proved to ourselves that our game shows up on tough golf courses. We need to keep making the climb and embracing our journey. We need to keep fighting daily and make sure we build off of this." The Bulldogs will return to the course on Oct. 19 when they co-host the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational in Biloxi. |
| Women's Golf: Lopez Ramirez, Bulldogs Finish Runner-Up at Blessings | |
| For the second consecutive season, the Mississippi State women's golf team finished the Blessings Collegiate Invitational in second place. Individually, Julia Lopez Ramirez finished in second as well. In the final day of action at the Blessings, Lopez Ramirez tied her season-best round of 6-under par. The senior fired off a team-best five birdies, just on the back nine, to secure the runner-up spot. In the last three seasons, Lopez Ramirez has won an individual title and been runner-up twice at the Blessings, with her individual title coming in 2022. Avery Weed picked up a top-10 finish at the Blessings after finishing the tournament with a three-day total of 6-over par. Weed finished the final round at 1-over to pick up her second top-10 finish of the season. Chiara Horder finished right outside of the top 10 at 8-over par. The senior picked up her second best finish as a Bulldog as she finished 11th, three spots behind her 8th place finish at the Blessings last year. This is the third time Horder has finished in the top 20 during her time at State, and the second time she's done so this season. The Bulldogs will wrap up the fall portion of their season when they return to Starkville for their annual home tournament, The Ally, on October 21. Admission will be free to the public at Old Waverly Golf Club |
| Logan Ready To Make PGA Tour Debut | |
| Mississippi State alumnus Hunter Logan will make his PGA Tour debut on Thursday morning at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. Logan is scheduled to tee off at 8:55 a.m. CT on Thursday and 1:40 p.m. on Friday. Logan earned a sponsor's exemption into the event. His former teammate Ford Clegg had a sponsor's exemption into the 2023 edition of the tournament and made the cut in his PGA Tour debut after carding a 7-under 65 in the second round on the back of an even-par first day. Logan led the Bulldogs with a 71.06 stroke average last year in his final season. That average ranked third in program history, and he posted a career-high-tying 21 par or better rounds. He finished his career with 74 par or better rounds and 33 rounds in the 60s, both of which are second in program history. His 15 rounds in the 60s in 2023-24 came one shy of the program's single-season record set by Alex Rocha in 1999-00. "I am so excited for Hunter and the opportunity he has to make his PGA Tour debut in his home state of Mississippi," head coach Dusty Smith said. Logan will be joined at the event by fellow MSU alum Chad Ramey. Ramey has one career PGA Tour victory at the 2022 Corales Puntacana Championship where he shot 17-under. Ramey has made 12 cuts in 23 events this season. He finished tied for 13th at the Barracuda Championship in July and lost a playoff hole with his partner for the championship at the foursomes alternate shot Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He will tee off at 12:34 p.m. on Thursday and 7:49 a.m. on Friday. |
| Jackson Academy grad Wilson Furr at Sanderson Farms Championship for first time as PGA member | |
 | Wilson Furr felt the emotion hit him as soon as he stepped on the course at The Country Club of Jackson. It's easy for him to remember standing on the paved path that lines the course and under the sporadic trees littered around the fairways, watching the golfers at the Sanderson Farms Championship, hoping he would one day get his chance. "I learned how to play the game of golf out here," Furr said on Wednesday. "I remember coming out to Sanderson all the time and watching these guys and like, how am I gonna play like these guys? And that was always what I wanted to do. And it's just really cool to do it." Furr, a Jackson native and Jackson Academy graduate, is playing in his third Sanderson Farms Championship and first as a PGA Tour member. He made his debut here after winning the Mississippi State Amateur in 2018. In 2022, Furr played as a professional but without a PGA Tour card. "It's a bit surreal," said Furr, who played golf at Alabama. "I spent way too much time out here as a kid. And I mean, bringing back a lot of good memories, it's just a dang blast. You don't get this opportunity much in golf to play on your home course that you grew up on. So I'm just trying to really take it all in and get prepared to play great golf." |
| Greg Sankey provides five-year outlooks for SEC amid conference realignment | |
| Conference realignment has remained a major topic of conversation in college football with more changes in the landscape coming. It's an issue that the SEC and Commissioner Greg Sankey are aware of moving forward. As Sankey explained during an appearance on The Triple Option, the SEC is happy with how new members Texas and Oklahoma are transitioning to the conference. On top of that, he shared what he thinks is the five-year outlook for the SEC amid conference realignment. "We've worked hard because it's been a three-year transition process," Greg Sankey said. "I think the longest change from announcement to entry of a new member, ever, that I've experienced and that's because of contracts and media agreements. But that's allowed us to prepare so that the transition has been close to seamless. I'll go back to during those three years we wanted to be respectful. There wasn't a lot of flag waving. You didn't see our logos in Norman or in Austin. We certainly talked were about. Then when we came to June 30th, July 1st, couple of big celebrations. Now, they want to beat our teams that are conference members and our teams want to beat them." "That's the natural order of things and I think, for example, you saw in Austin they played Mississippi State and it ends up being a tough game just because of talent and focus on conference games," Sankey said. |
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.
