| Tuesday, February 4, 2025 |
| Education: MSU secures prestigious defense grant, ranks among elite institutions | |
 | Mississippi State University has been awarded one of just seven inaugural Defense Security Cooperation University grants, funding research to evaluate a critical component of the military arms ecosystem: capabilities that are reused, refurbished, dated or discounted, known as R2D2. This research aims to position the U.S. as a leader in the value arms industry. Leading the nearly $400,000 grant at MSU is Benjamin Tkach, associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. He is joined by Vasabjit Banerjee, a former MSU faculty member now at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Their project, "The Value Arms Ecosystem: New Data on Stockpiles, Production Capacity, and Transfers," will expand understanding of the value arms ecosystem. "Most states rely on the value arms market, or VAM, to equip parts or all of their military. Russia dominates the market, with China showing signs of growing influence," Tkach said. "Our research will analyze the dynamics of VAM, identifying opportunities for the U.S. to strengthen its partnerships and counter adversarial strategies. |
| Education: MSU's Merrett connects students to aviation history through museum collaboration | |
| Craig Merrett, a Mississippi State associate professor of aerospace engineering, is spearheading a current initiative to bridge the gap between aerospace education and the rich history preserved in aviation museums across North America. Five years ago, to mark the 75th anniversary of World War II's end, Merrett contacted dozens of museums across the U.S. and Canada, asking them to allow students to analyze information and details about the WWII-era aircraft from their collections. "They were able to dive deep into the structural details of these historic aircraft, creating CAD drawings, renderings and technical reports the museums can then use to update their displays and archives," Merrett said of the initiative's first year. "The project evolved to include a personal connection, with students learning about the individuals associated with each aircraft." Since the project's inception, about two dozen museums have participated |
| MSU hosts regional journalism conference for the first time | |
 | The field of journalism plays into a broad range of careers. Mississippi State University hosted the annual Southeast Journalism Conference for the first time. This conference is for college students who are interested in pursuing journalism as a career. The conference provides journalism students an opportunity to take part in workshops, build their skill sets, and network with experienced professionals in the field. "How does it feel to host it's a lot of work," Josh Foreman said. "But, if you put a lot of work into something and then you get a great result, that's what life is all about. That is satisfaction so I'm happy that we are hosting a great conference. " Around 200 students came from more than 20 universities to attend and take part in several on-site competitions. They said the conference was everything they expected. The conference also has a positive impact on the instructors who are involved. |
| NAS Meridian hosts 3rd annual State of the Base breakfast | |
 | Naval Air Station Meridian hosted its 3rd annual State of the Base breakfast Monday morning, with nearly 100 guests invited. Captain Luke Davis said he is proud of the partnerships NAS Meridian has established and he looks forward to the ones that are coming in the future. "We just signed a memorandum of understanding with the 186th Air Refueling Wing to bring training to their unit as well as needed infrastructure repairs to our base. We're helping them save some money where they don't have to send folks out across the country to get the training that we can help them out with, with our machinery and projects that we have here on the base," said Captain Davis. "We're also working recently with Mississippi State University on an effort to get some of our physiologists up to work with them and their sports engineering program to bring back just a different variety of things that will benefit our aviators and make them more suitable, able to fly longer in their careers from the efforts that are coming out of Mississippi State." |
| NAS Meridian recaps busy 2024, looks toward future goals | |
 | The past 12 months have been busy on board Naval Air Station Meridian, sailors, marines and local community leaders were told Monday as they gathered for the third annual State of the Base Breakfast. Capt. Luke Davis, commanding officer on board NAS Meridian, said 2024 was full of achievements for naval installation as it continues its work to promote mission readiness and grow its connections with the surrounding community. NAS also works closely with Mississippi State University, Meridian Airport Authority and assists with Northeast Lauderdale High School's JROTC and its SeaPerch aquatic robotics program, Davis said. Looking forward, Davis said NAS Meridian is beginning to look at upgrades and modifications to its hangers and other facilities needed to house the next generation of training aircraft. Currently, he said, Naval aviators train on the T-45 Goshawk, but a new aircraft is expected to be rolled out by 2035. "It is a wonderful place to be as a military commander here, and I'm grateful for the wonderful community and the state that supports us day to day and helps make our mission successful here in Meridian." |
| Talking tariffs with Kathleen Thomas, an economics professor at Mississippi State University | |
 | Video: Talking tariffs with Kathleen Thomas, an economics professor at Mississippi State University. She discusses the potential local impact on tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico |
| St. John brings Loblolly King Cakes to Meridian | |
| If you bake it, they will come. If you take it on the road, Loblolly King Cake lovers will come in droves to meet you. Just ask Loblolly owner and restauranteur Robert St. John. St. John is bringing his unique take on the Mardi Gras standard in all four flavors -- cream cheese, cinnamon, blueberry and pecan praline -- to Cater's Market Meridian on Thursday, Feb. 6. Named one of the top 22 bakeries in the United States by the New York Times, Loblolly Bakery opened in July 2023 in Hattiesburg. People travel from all over the state to feast on the delectable pasties and breads created in Loblolly's kitchen by James Beard award winner Martha Foose and her husband, Donald Bender. As St. John has been significantly influenced by New Orleans culture and cuisine throughout his career, it was natural for him to want to recognize and celebrate the season of Mardi Gras by adding these seasonal treats to his bakery offerings as he has at his other restaurants. Meridianites will get their chance to sample the treats at the pop-up shop at the Cater's Market located at 5201 Highway 493. Jamie Cater, owner of Cater's Market, said she is happy to host her friend and his wares. "We like to support local, but we also like to feature great Mississippi cuisine and its creators. This is exciting," she said. |
| Lowndes issues $25M in bonds for Cinco Megasite | |
| Lowndes County has approved issuing up to $25 million in bonds to acquire land that will make up the Cinco Megasite. Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the bond issuance during the board's Monday meeting, after Steve Pittman with Government Consultants and attorney Chris Pace with Jones-Walker presented an offer from Webster Bank out of Athens, Georgia at an interest rate of 5.77% over 15 years, through Mississippi Development Bank. The bonds issued to fund the purchase are subject to repayments starting in five years, and they will mature on March 1, 2040, Pace said. Board President Trip Hairston said the county plans to budget to pay back the bonds through its regular ad valorem taxes, with the expectation revenue will increase as economic development activities increase in the county -- like when the Aluminum Dynamics mill comes online this summer. At the same time, other bonds will be coming off the books, he said, freeing up funds previously tied up in things like the Lowndes County Industrial Park. Hairston called the bonds' issuance the "first step" in purchasing the Megasite, which will encompass up to 1,500 acres of land north of Highway 82 near the airport exit. "When we close on this property in March, it is my belief, and my strong belief, that this will be one of the most marketable sites in the state of Mississippi," Hairston said. |
| Southeastern Timber Products announces $123 million expansion in Ackerman | |
 | The Mississippi Development Authority announced Monday that Southeastern Timber Products is expanding its operations in Ackerman. According to MDA, the project represents a corporate investment of $123.4 million and will create 40 new jobs expected to be filled within the next two years. Governor Tate Reeves welcomed the announcement, saying that Southeastern Timber's expansion speaks volumes about the special things happening in Mississippi. "Mississippians are proud of our state's manufacturing capabilities, and we're excited to see the increased demand for them," Reeves said. "This multi-million-dollar investment and these 40 new jobs are a massive win for Choctaw County, and it's a remarkable way to start the new year." The company's expansion of its Ackerman sawmill will increase its production capacity from 120 million board feet per year to 300 million board feet per year. To facilitate the project, Southeastern Timber Products will install a new sawmill line, new dry kilns and storage facilities. Choctaw County also is assisting with the project. |
| Barrel racing, roping and livestock: the Dixie National Rodeo is in Mississippi | |
 | The Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo is considered the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River. At least 900 cowboys and cowgirls will be competing this year, according to Visit Jackson. Live concerts will feature artists such as Sam Barber, George Birge and Ella Langley. The event also features livestock showcases from youth participants, who are competing as part of 4-H and Future Farmers of America, or FFA. 18-year-old Alana Whitehead from the community of Nanih Waiya in Winston County began showing Boer goats nine years ago, but this year showcased pigs. "I had never realized you could show animals," she said. "No idea. I thought these people were crazy. And now, turns out that I'm one of those crazy people. I would not trade it for the world because animals have made me." At least 37,000 people attended the rodeo last year, according to Yolanda Clay-Moore, a director with Visit Jackson. She says the rodeo is a huge part of Mississippi's culture. Michael Lasseter is the director of the Mississippi National Fairgrounds. He says the rodeo helps visitors experience the importance of agriculture. "We are in Jackson and this is kind of an urban area," he said. "So we have a lot of people that come in that never get to experience livestock or see cows, and they can walk down and kind of learn about the animals." |
| Enviva Biomass closes Amory facility | |
 | Employees of Enviva Pellets were informed by corporate representatives Tuesday morning the company is closing its Amory facility. The company, which is a leading producer of industrial wood pellets, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last April and emerged in December. "I was made aware it was effective immediately because they were shuttering the facility as part of their reorganization plan," said Mayor Corey Glenn, who received notification at 7:16 a.m. Tuesday. "Certainly our hearts, prayers and condolences go out to the affected families. The city, board of aldermen and myself stand ready to be behind our associates to help them be repositioned in the workforce as soon as possible. I feel that Enviva will do a tremendous job to help get those associates repositioned." The number of employees impacted by the closure is in the mid-20s, according to a call Glenn had with company management. "This does have a far-reaching effect on the peripheral employment through other businesses that support them, to include our port and municipality. Enviva is in the top three consumers of power for the municipality and they have not gotten back to their steady run rate since the 2023 tornado. We felt the impact on power bills, and Amory will see the impact on power bills from the closure," Glenn said. |
| Campaign finance reports show the race is on for Mississippi's highest offices in 2027 | |
| Annual campaign finance reports for calendar year 2024 were due from Mississippi officials on January 31, 2025. The reports provide insight into how well current officeholders are positioned ahead of the 2027 election cycle, as jockeying has already begun for the state's highest offices. Governor Tate Reeves (R) and Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann (R) are term limited, meaning the top two seats in Mississippi state government will be up for grabs in two years. Reeves built a large campaign war chest during this time in state government, having served two terms each as State Treasurer and Lt. Governor before winning the Governor's office for another two terms. At one point prior to the 2023 General Election, Reeves reported just under $10 million. Now, his combined total between his accounts is just over $2 million cash on hand. Hosemann, who previously served three terms as Secretary of State, is openly considering a bid for Governor after serving two terms as Lt. Governor. His current cash on hand shows $1.6 million, down from just under $4 million during the 2023 cycle. Hosemann did raise the most of other state officials in 2024, bringing in over $1.5 million. But Hosemann isn't alone in those aspirations, as both State Auditor Shad White (R) and Attorney General Lynn Fitch (R) have also been mentioned as possible gubernatorial contenders. |
| Campaign finance reports: Gubernatorial hopefuls Fitch, Hosemann, White neck-and-neck in fundraising | |
| Annual campaign finance reports due Friday show the top potential contenders -- at least to date -- for Mississippi governor in 2027 were neck-and-neck in how much they raised last year. Attorney General Lynn Fitch, reported to be eyeing a gubernatorial run, raised just under $1.3 million and has nearly $2.6 million in her campaign account. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who's term limited in his current position and has expressed interest in a gubernatorial run, raised more than $1.5 million for the year, and has a cash balance in his campaign account of nearly $1.6 million. State Auditor Shad White, who has said he is considering a run for governor, raised $1.16 million for the year, but started the year with a large balance and has nearly $3 million in his account. Secretary of State Michael Watson, considered a contender for the lieutenant governor's office, raised nearly $651,000 for the year and has a balance of more than $1.5 million in his account. State Sen. Briggs Hopson III, also considered a contender for the lieutenant governor's race, raised nearly $259,000 and has a balance of nearly $588,000. |
| Education Chairman says Senate doesn't currently support easing public school transfers | |
| Mississippi Senate Education Chairman Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, declined on Monday to advance a proposal that would have made it easier for students to transfer between public schools and said he doesn't think such a proposal can currently pass the upper chamber. The statement portends an uncertain future for a policy cited before the session as a key education priority by the Republican leaders of both chambers, House Speaker Jason White and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann. Even as DeBar let the Senate bill die, he said his committee would take up a similar House bill later in the session if support for the policy grows. "I don't think the support is there," DeBar told Mississippi Today. "And the House has a bill that we can address if things change." Legislative proposals this year would aim to prevent schools from stopping students from transferring if another public school has enough room for them. The House bill that is still alive, sponsored by Rep. Jansen Owen, R-Poplarville, would remove the requirement for home districts to approve a student for release. It would also create a special fund that would pay the local portion of the total funding formula base-student cost for the transferring student. In a statement following Monday's Senate meeting, House Education Chair Rob Roberson said he expected Owen's open enrollment bill to pass the House and potentially win support in the Senate. |
| Senate committee clears bill to ban or restrict cell phones in school | |
| Mississippi lawmakers are looking to join some other states in reducing a major classroom distraction --- cell phones. Senate Bill 2151 seeks to limit use in public school classrooms. "For the most part, it's getting cell phones and social media distractions and emails and text... all the things that kids don't need to be focusing on during school," explained bill author Senator Briggs Hopson. "It's getting that out of their hands so they can focus on their learning and the instructional materials that are given by the teachers." Sen. Hopson's bill doesn't specify exactly what those restrictions should include. "I'm going to leave that up to the school districts," he said. However, it does say they would have until January 1 to get a policy in place. If not, they would lose a day's worth of state funding for each day a policy is not in effect. However, Hopson doesn't think that will be an issue. There are already examples. This year, Marshall County School District started requiring students to lock up their phones until the end of the day, using a special pouch similar to those used in schools across the country. In Pass Christian, students have to either put their phones in their school bags or place them in designated areas before class. |
| Rural Mississippi schools struggle to attract teachers, and keep them once they have them | |
 | Mississippi's education system faces a critical teacher shortage, particularly in rural areas like Greene County, where school leaders struggle to recruit and retain experienced educators. "We need good teachers. We need good, strong individuals that know their content and know how to deal with children because it takes both," said Greene County Schools Superintendent Charles Breland. The Mississippi Department of Education's 2024-2025 Educator Shortage Survey revealed nearly 5,160 vacancies statewide, spanning teaching, administrative and support staff roles. While this marks an increase of 148 vacancies compared to the 2023-24 school year, it represents a decrease of 343 since the survey's initial administration in 2021-22. Nearly half of all Mississippi schools report at least one vacancy, with districts in the Delta, the northeast corner of the state and rural areas being most impacted. Mississippi has long struggled to compete with neighboring states on teacher salaries, which are among the lowest in the nation. "Of course, the pay and the benefits are not as great as other areas that they can go into and get a four-year degree and work in," Breland said. "We're not able to recruit young teachers because they have better pay and they have better benefits in Alabama." |
| Mississippi Legislature might make sweet potato new state vegetable | |
 | Mississippi lawmakers are considering naming a new state vegetable. What do you think it should be? House Bill 287 aims to name sweet potatoes the state veggie, and the House voted with only two members absent or not voting to pass the measure. The bill was introduced by state Reps. Lester Carpenter and Jonathan Lancaster. If the Mississippi Senate approves it, the tubers will be the state vegetable starting July 1. It would join other Magnolia State icons, like milk, the state drink. The state does not yet have a state vegetable. Sweet potatoes contribute $92 million to the economy. But compared to the $1.56 billion the state gets from soybeans or the $675.5 million from corn, that amount can seem like, well, small potatoes. The blueberry has been the official state fruit of Mississippi since July 1, 2023. Gov. Tate Reeves signed House Bill 1027 into law on March 13, 2023. The Southern magnolia, featured on the Mississippi flag, has been the state flower since 1990. It also lends its name to one of the state nicknames -- The Magnolia State. |
| Senate Agriculture advances Rollins to be Agriculture secretary | |
 | The Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday voted to favorably report the nomination of Brooke L. Rollins, a senior aide for President Donald Trump during his first administration, to be the Agriculture secretary. Rollins had the support of members of both parties in the 23-0 vote despite ranking member Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., expressing some concerns about her nomination. Rollins has also been the president and CEO of the conservative think tank America First Policy Institute. "We obviously have concerns about workforce, tariffs, some of the conservation issues, and we are going to be holding her to getting things done for rural America," Klobuchar said. Klobuchar and Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., asked Rollins at her Jan. 23 hearing how she would handle tariff retaliation. The Agriculture Department estimated that retaliation by Canada, China, the European Union, India, Mexico and Turkey in response to Trump's first trade war caused more than a $27 billion loss in U.S. agricultural exports, or $13.2 billion annualized, from mid-2018 to the end of 2019. "If our trading partners unfairly target U.S. agricultural producers, how will the administration minimize the impact to our producers?" Boozman asked at the time. Rollins said that tariffs are an important tool in Trump's toolkit "but just as he did and we did in the first administration, he also understands the potential devastating impact to our farmers and ranchers." |
| RFK Jr. vote poses key test for Bill Cassidy, endangered Louisiana senator | |
 | Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s bid to serve as America's top health official could come down to a Louisiana Republican who's openly wrestling with his training as a physician and his instincts as a politician. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), who has begged Kennedy to stop invoking the debunked link between vaccines and autism, is seen as one of several swing votes on Kennedy's nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Local and national political leaders, public health experts, and Kennedy supporters have all spent days training their focus on Cassidy, with Kennedy allies hopeful that they've won his support after last week's confirmation hearings. Cassidy also had conversations with Kennedy over the weekend, according to two people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations. Cassidy questioned Kennedy across two Senate hearings last week and spent much of the second chastising Kennedy for his years of undermining confidence in vaccines. The chairman of the Senate Health Committee reflected on treating a young unvaccinated woman who nearly died of a vaccine-preventable disease -- "the worst day of my medical career," Cassidy said -- and his fears that confirming Kennedy to oversee the nation's health agencies would lead to real harms. |
| Senate Committee Votes for Kennedy's Nomination to Run Health Department | |
 | Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nomination to lead the Health and Human Services Department advanced Tuesday after a key swing Republican voted for the nominee in the Senate Finance Committee. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R., La.), a medical doctor, voted with all of the committee's Republicans to support Kennedy's confirmation, advancing his nomination to the full Senate for a vote. "With the serious commitments I've received from the administration and the opportunity to make progress on the issues we agree on like healthy foods and a pro-American agenda, I will vote yes," Cassidy said on X shortly before the vote. |
| Trump riles up America's nicest neighbors | |
 | Facing a devastating trade war, Canadians have been canceling on Arizona, bypassing Florida oranges at the grocery store and booing at top volume through the U.S. anthem at the start of NBA and NHL games. "We have a reputation for being chill, relaxed, kind of an easy going country," British Columbia Premier David Eby told reporters on Monday morning. "You want to see Canadians get their back up and get things done? Then threaten their sovereignty." U.S. President Donald Trump did just that on Monday afternoon in the Oval Office, repeating how he'd like Canada to become a 51st state. While few Canadians understand the president's desire to punish Canada with 25 percent tariffs, they've come to appreciate that it's all very serious. So while Canada's top ministers threatened retaliation and ultimately earned a 30-day reprieve from Trump, ordinary Canadians have been trading notes on random acts of patriotism -- returning U.S. products to stores, canceling Netflix subscriptions and announcing plans to avoid American food chains. On X, #BOYCOTTUSA has trended for days. "We are seeing a beautiful surge of Maple Leafs," New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said to reporters Monday. "And I think that comes alongside a bit of anti-American sentiment, a frustration that our closest neighbor and trading partner has decided to treat us this way." |
| State economist weighs in on possible tariffs | |
| President Donald Trump proposed new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China - with hopes of shutting down illegal immigration and drug trafficking. State economist Corey Miller shared how these tariffs -- if imposed -- would affect Mississippians. "Most states, the impact is primarily going to be on consumers. We expect to see higher prices for a lot of merchandise that we import from other countries. Almost all consumer electronics in the United States are imported from other countries, a lot of it from China. Mexico, we import a lot of produce," said Miller. So far, the president has negotiated with both Canada and Mexico, delaying the tariffs for 30 days in exchange for beefed-up security at both borders and clamping down on drug trafficking. Some Mississippi residents are still concerned with the potential impact of these taxes once the extension ends. "You have people living paycheck to paycheck, and people are deciding whether to eat, put gas in their car, or have somewhere to live. So, we have people out here that really can't make it," said Georgia Lacy. Others agree with Trump's decision, hoping to prevent illegal immigration and drugs from coming into the country. "I think he's doing the right thing," said Ken Magee. |
| Rubio accuses USAID of 'rank insubordination' | |
 | Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday called out the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for what he called "rank insubordination," adding that the agency and its procedures need an overhaul. His comments just a day after President Trump announced Rubio would also serve as the acting head of USAID. "Well, that was always the goal was to reform it, but now we have rank insubordination," Rubio told Fox News's Rich Edison in an interview. "Now we have basically an active effort -- their basic attitude is we don't work for anyone, we work for ourselves, no agency of government can tell us what to do." "So the President made me the acting administrator," he added. "I've delegated that power to someone who is there full-time, and we're going to go through the same process at USAID as we're going through now at the State Department." "They have basically evolved into an agency that believes that they're not even a U.S. Government agency, that they are out -- they're a global charity, that they take the taxpayer money, and they spend it as a global charity irrespective of whether it is in the national interest or not in the national interest," Rubio said Monday. |
| Trump Hints at Curbs on Musk's Powers After Billionaire Shakes Up Washington | |
| President Trump on Monday said there were curbs in place to prevent Elon Musk from doing anything in the government without the White House's blessing, responding to growing confusion about who was overseeing Musk's push to dismantle multiple agencies. Trump described Musk's role as advisory. "Elon can't do -- and won't do -- anything without our approval and we'll give him the approval where appropriate. Where not appropriate, we won't," Trump said. Trump's comments, made to reporters in the Oval Office, came just hours after a Musk-led team effectively shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development. Musk, over the weekend, called USAID "evil," "a criminal organization" and said it was "time for it to die." Secretary of State Marco Rubio was made acting head of the agency on Monday and said he would work with Congress regarding the agency's future. Congressional Democrats have expressed growing fury about Musk's role and the way he is moving to either shut down agencies or slash government employment. "We don't have a fourth branch of government called Elon Musk and that's going to become real clear," said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D., Md.) during a protest outside USAID on Monday. "This illegal, unconstitutional interference with congressional power is threatening lives all over the world." A person close to Musk compared the Tesla chief executive to Dick Cheney's time as vice president during the George W. Bush administration. Cheney was considered the most powerful person to hold the post because of his access to the president and his deep knowledge of how the federal government operated. |
| How Congress -- and not the president -- controls how taxpayer money is spent | |
| Several executive orders signed by President Donald Trump order a freeze of federal funds that Congress has already approved. But, according to both the Constitution and something called the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the president does not have the authority to do that unilaterally. For a chaotic, confusing couple of days last week, it looked like the Trump administration was about to halt federal spending on all sorts of programs --- including, possibly, housing vouchers, low-income heating assistance, Medicaid and Head Start. But after widespread outrage, lawsuits and two court orders, the Office of Management and Budget rescinded its memo ordering that spending freeze. "Congress authorized that money to be spent, and it is not up to the president to decide, 'I don't want to spend it,'" said Sally Katzen, a professor at New York University's School of Law. The Constitution gives Congress what's called "the power of the purse" and not the president, Katzen said. "And that means that when Congress has appropriated funds, they should be spent on what Congress had in mind." Much like Trump, President Richard Nixon didn't want to spend money on certain social and environmental programs that Congress had approved, so he just refused to spend it. "He was sued over that. He lost all the cases that were decided on the merits, including 9-0 in the Supreme Court," David Super at Georgetown Law School said. |
| Elon Musk is barreling into government with DOGE, raising unusual legal questions | |
 | Elon Musk has launched a campaign from inside the federal government to radically upend agencies, exercising a level of control so sweeping that it is stunning former top White House officials, even in a political moment when many things are described as unprecedented. Musk, the world's richest man and an advisor to President Trump, is leading a team called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Despite the name, DOGE is part of the White House and not a Cabinet agency. In recent days it has gained access to the Treasury Department's payment systems, which are responsible for processing trillions of dollars of spending every year. Musk, the biggest donor in the 2024 election, has been using X to pounce on his critics, both Democrats and Republicans, who have questioned the reach of Musk's authority and just how much oversight he is receiving from Trump and senior White House officials. "In terms of rule of law, we are losing it rapidly," said Eric Rubin, a retired ambassador who spent nearly 40 years in the foreign service. "Musk and DOGE are intentionally creating hundreds of potential court cases that could take months or years to resolve," he said. "But who knows what kind of damage they can inflict before that happens." Some of the first legal challenges to DOGE's activities came on Monday. |
| Trump's early moves are terrifying Washington. A legal resistance is imminent. | |
| President Donald Trump's era of retribution has begun. A wave of legal resistance is next. With a blinding speed that has left adversaries virtually paralyzed, Trump allies are purging the Justice Department and FBI of perceived enemies. Elon Musk, empowered by Trump, has deployed a band of loyalists to take over the federal spending apparatus managed by the U.S. Treasury. Trump's temporary pick to lead federal prosecutions in Washington says anyone who resists Musk's efforts could be breaking "numerous laws." The White House is attempting to freeze virtually all federal grants, which nonprofits say is already wreaking havoc on programs for vulnerable Americans. With almost no notice, the administration has dismantled the agency responsible for international aid and offered millions of federal employees a buyout with questionable legal authority. Trump fired many of the internal watchdogs -- inspectors general -- who would review these decisions. Congressional Democrats seem flummoxed by the pace, responding to crises from three news cycles ago while new ones keep arising in real time. And congressional Republicans have either stayed silent or applauded Trump for sending shock waves through the federal government. All eyes are now on federal courts, where challenges to these decisions are slowly starting to take shape. "Federal employees around the country are surely feeling Trump's orders as body blows, as he likely intended," said Daniel Richman, a lawyer and former adviser to FBI leadership. "But once the immediate shock at his extraordinary power claims wears off, I doubt they will all be cowed. Rather, they will be the source of litigation that all but the most die-hard Trumpist judges will take seriously." |
| Why the Supreme Court may be open to Trump's push for expanded power | |
| Donald Trump's rapid-fire efforts to expand presidential authority seem likely to prompt key test cases at the Supreme Court he helped shape, according to legal experts, with the conservative supermajority signaling in past rulings that it may be open to landmark changes in the balance of power. In the opening weeks of his second term, Trump has fired inspectors general, frozen federal grants and loans, removed the leadership of independent agencies and dismantled civil service protections. Behind the seemingly scattershot array, analysts see a common goal: A decades-long effort by conservatives to boldly grow the power of the presidency through a principle that says the executive branch has sole authority to hire and fire agency employees and control their policies. The Supreme Court has also embraced the "unitary executive theory," as the legal idea is known. Legal experts and Trump allies said some of the new administration's opening moves appear calibrated to tee up cases that rely on the theory, before a friendly Supreme Court that includes three appointees from Trump's first term. Rulings in favor of the executive branch could cement a vision of the presidency defined by untrammeled authority. President Ronald Reagan's administration was the first to formulate the unitary executive theory in the 1980s, as a response to limits placed on the presidency to address the excesses of Watergate and rein in federal regulatory agencies. |
| Former President Biden signs with Hollywood talent agency CAA | |
 | Just weeks after leaving office, Joe Biden is laying the groundwork for his post-presidential era in Hollywood. One of the entertainment industry's biggest talent firms, Creative Artists Agency, which represents actors including Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, said Monday it had signed Biden to its roster. Biden was previously a CAA client from 2017 to 2020, following his second term as vice president during the Obama administration. During his earlier stint with CAA, he released his memoir, "Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose" and launched his "American Promise Tour," which sold more than 85,000 tickets nationwide, the agency said. CAA will be representing him in all areas, including publishing and speaking engagements. Many in the entertainment industry, who are predominantly Democratic, are still reeling from President Trump's victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden received criticism from Hollywood talent for not dropping out of the presidential race sooner against Trump in 2024. He left office with low approval ratings and received widespread backlash for pardoning his son Hunter Biden, who was convicted of illegally purchasing a handgun in Delaware and pleaded guilty to tax charges in Los Angeles. |
| Education: The W ranked No. 1 in nursing education in Mississippi | |
| Mississippi University for Women has been recognized as the leading institution for nursing education in the state, earning the top ranking for its Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and RN to BSN programs, according to NursingProcess.org. "Our strong, successful nursing programs not only equip students with critical skills and knowledge but also strengthen the state's workforce by ensuring a steady pipeline of career-ready nursing professionals for Mississippi's healthcare challenges," said Brandy Larmon, dean of the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences. "I am always excited to see organizations recognize our students, faculty and staff for their work in these programs." Further solidifying its reputation, NursingProcess.org ranked The W's ASN program as the No. 1 program in the Southeast Region, while the BSN and RN to BSN programs secured the No. 4 spots in their respective categories. More than 98% of students who completed The W's registered nursing programs in spring 2024 obtained licenses in Mississippi, and 83% of the graduates accepted a position within the state. |
| Education: Aspiring music majors invited to Music Day at The W | |
| The Department of Music at Mississippi University for Women will host the fourth edition of Music Day Friday. This event is specifically designed for high school and community college students who would like to experience a day in the life of a music major. "We're excited to invite high school and community college students to Music Day at The W. This event offers a unique opportunity for students to experience lessons, rehearsals and workshops led by our world-class faculty," said Valentin Bogdan, professor of music. "It's a great chance for students and families to explore the possibilities within our music programs, learn about careers in music and see what makes The W such a special place for aspiring musicians. We can't wait to welcome you." Music Day is a unique experience that offers a comprehensive insight into the life of a music student, featuring engaging activities, lessons, rehearsals and workshops. The event is free to attend, but it does require registration, which can be completed online at muw.edu/music. |
| Jimmie 'Jay' Lee's remains believed to be found | |
| A gold necklace with Jimmie "Jay" Lee's name on it was found with human remains in Carroll County this weekend, but authorities have not publicly confirmed the remains belong to the missing University of Mississippi student and well-known member of Oxford's LGBTQ+ community. Local authorities acknowledged the necklace was found with human remains that have yet to be identified through DNA. In a text, Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker acknowledged a picture of the necklace but said he had no comment. The Oxford Police Department could not be reached by press time. After this story published, the Oxford Police Department released a statement that it was aware of the Carroll County sheriff's investigation and had no additional comment until the identification of the remains. "Our main priority has always been to bring Jay Lee home," Chief Jeff McCutchen said in the release. "We, like the public, are anxiously awaiting updates and ask for patience as the investigative process unfolds." Lee's body had been missing since July 2022 after his mother told local police that she had not heard from him. A few weeks later, a fellow Ole Miss student and recent graduate, Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr., was arrested and accused of killing Lee to preserve their secret sexual relationship. Herrington's attorney, state Rep. Kevin Horan, R-Grenada, said he had no comment. Lee's parents could not be reached. |
| UM observes Black History Month | |
 | In honor of Black History Month, student organizations at the University of Mississippi will host events throughout February. The Black Student Union (BSU) will kick off Black History Month with their first general body meeting of the semester on Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. in student union room 125. BSU Vice President Ayanna Norman, a junior allied health studies major, said the organization is more than just a space for representation, it is a community. "It's a family, a foundation and a catalyst for the growth. Our executives and cabinet directors work hard to uphold our constitutional mission of empowering members to grow socially, intellectually, politically and culturally, as stated in our organization's constitution," Norman said. "Those words alone aren't enough to express how profound the impact BSU has had on me." The university will host its annual Black History Month concert, "If Love Fails, Try Nothing Else," featuring guest artist Angela Brown, a world-renowned soprano and two-time Grammy Award Winner. UM Music Professor George W.K. Dor said this year's concert will "provide an opportunity for symbolic interaction that will remind us of the concert's theme." The concert will showcase collaborative pianist Amanda Johnson, the Concert Singers, directed by Director of Choral Activities Don Trott and the Ole Miss African Dance and Drum Ensemble, directed by Dor. |
| UMMC opens new specialty clinics in Ridgeland | |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center will begin service at their new location in Ridgeland. This new location is the start of a major expansion for UMMC's patient care and academic programs. The plan for the Medical Center is to increase access to specialty care and provide students and trainees with real world learning environments. The new location gives easy access to I-55, while also providing beneficial on-site parking and free handicapped-accessible shuttle service connecting Colony Park South to the main UMMC campus. The shuttle will be active from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday- Friday. |
| South Central Regional Medical Center announces 1st residency program | |
 | South Central Regional Medical Center was given the green light to start a new residency program related to internal medicine. The approval comes from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Program director Dr. Deepu Thoppil said resident physicians will take part in a three-year training regime after finishing medical school. Thirty slots will be open for the training. Thoppil said internal medicine is a specialty that focuses on some of the sickest patients. He said this will mark the ninth program dedicated to internal medicine in Mississippi. "They will have a very difficult year," he said. "Residency training is the part of the training that is the most difficult and it is what we say that really turns you into the physician that you're going to be." Meanwhile, the hospital recently purchased the old Townhouse Motel for $1.2 million to house future residents. The hospital has said it does not have exact plans for the building yet. The first class of 10 resident-physicians will begin in July. |
| Millsaps College names new provost | |
| Millsaps College has named a new provost. On Monday, the college announced that Dr. Daniel Jasper would serve in the position. He replaces interim Provost Stephanie Rolph, who weeks ago was blamed for firing a professor for making politically charged comments to students in an email. "I'm thrilled to have Dr. Jasper join the Millsaps community," said Frank Neville, Millsaps president. "His leadership experience, track record of innovation, and dedication to academic excellence will undoubtedly contribute to the continued growth and success of the college." Jasper is currently vice president of academic affairs at William Jewell College, a liberal arts institution in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Prior to that, he served at Moravian University, where he helped develop that college's Asian studies, peace studies, and justice studies programs. He is expected to start in the role on June 1. |
| LSU fires back in legal battle over law professor who criticized Jeff Landry: 'public fiasco' | |
 | The legal battle has intensified over LSU's decision to suspend a tenured law professor who used profanity while criticizing Gov. Jeff Landry, with the university urging a judge to "diffuse the public fiasco." The professor, Ken Levy, sued to be put back in the classroom, and state district court Judge Donald Johnson on Thursday ordered LSU to do so. The university's attorneys in a filing Friday argued the order was legally unsound, and on Monday asked the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal court to undo it. The state appeals court had not acted on LSU's request as of early evening Monday. Levy's next scheduled class lecture is Tuesday afternoon. Through its attorneys, LSU also argued the case itself is "wildly premature and without merit." It said the disagreement was "simply an employment dispute in the early stage of an administrative process where the employee's rights are fully protected." "Tenure ensures due process prior to termination," the university said in court filings. "It does not create a right to seek judicial relief prior to a final administrative decision nor create a right to perform certain job duties, such as lecturing students." |
| U. of Florida's first art and mechanical engineering major combines creativity with STEM skills | |
 | Captivated by cubism, color, construction, and deconstruction, Rokheyatou "Roxie" Faye is the first Gator to double major in art and mechanical engineering at the University of Florida. Her creative and technical focus epitomizes how UF students are diversifying their academic pursuits to get a leg up in the competitive job market. At a university that encourages cross-disciplinary academics, this pathway also helps students approach scientific challenges with creative perspectives, leading them to find innovative, real-world solutions. "I was always taking things apart and putting them back together [when I was younger]," said Faye, a third-year student, who started out at UF as an engineering student. "I liked playing with LEGOs and deconstructing my Barbies, making a mess. I thought it was fascinating. It made my parents upset, but I found it interesting how you could make and manipulate things." But it wasn't until Faye's sophomore year in college that she brought the creativity component into her studies. During a study abroad summer program in France, while in the cathedral-laden Lille, she admired the art on the ancient museum walls and set a new career course for herself -- adding art as a second major. |
| State Higher Ed Funding Up, but 'Volatility' Looms | |
 | State funding for higher education increased by 4.3 percent this fiscal year, according to a new report from the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, amounting to a total of $129.7 billion in state higher ed funding nationwide. It's a "modest increase," said SHEEO senior policy analyst Kelsey Kunkle, a little less than what researchers expected -- about one percentage point below the average year-over-year change in state funding going back to 1980. The organization's annual winter report is a preliminary one, based on projections that have yet to be adjusted for inflation, so the ultimate increase could be a bit lower. The bump reflects widespread state budget surpluses in 2024 and the continued use of what is likely the last of federal pandemic stimulus money; on average, states allocated 2.2 percent more of their federal funding to higher education this year. In all, two-year public colleges received $26.7 billion in state funding and four-year institutions received $62.5 billion, while $16.7 billion was allocated for state financial aid. Next year could be different. Converging difficulties loom over the future of state higher ed funding, including projected budget deficits for fiscal 2026 and mounting financial challenges for tuition-dependent public colleges. Cuts could be devastating for enrollment and affordability: A College Board report last year found that state funding was the main factor keeping tuition prices from rising as much as inflation. "State leaders are going to have to make tough choices in the coming years," Kunkle told Inside Higher Ed. |
| Congressional Budget Office Projects $2.7B Pell Grant Shortfall | |
| The Pell Grant program has a $2.7 billion shortfall heading into the coming fiscal year, according to new projections from the Congressional Budget Office. The budget office said in June that the program would run a $11.4 billion surplus, though that assumption was based on a projected drop in financial aid applications for 2024 and 2025 as a result of issues with the rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Instead, postsecondary enrollment increased by nearly 5 percent, according to one recent estimate. For fiscal year 2024, the Pell Grant program had a $3.6 billion surplus before running at a deficit in fiscal year 2025. The updated projections signal that Congress might have to find additional funding in its FY 2026 budget to make up the difference. Lawmakers have yet to adopt a budget for FY 2025. CBO estimated that the Pell Grant program could end FY 2026 down by about $10 billion, if the funding levels don't change. "If program funding is not shored up, students could face eligibility or funding cuts for the first time in more than a decade," the Institute for College Access and Success warned in a blog post about the projections. |
| Trump administration's data deletions set off 'a mad scramble,' researcher says | |
 | Researchers are in what one described as "a mad scramble" to sort out what public data the Trump administration has deleted from government websites and electronic publications. Late last week, federal agencies took down scores of government webpages as staffers hurried to comply with President Donald Trump's order rolling back protections for transgender people, which required the removal of "gender ideology" language from websites, contracts and emails. Some of the sites were back online Monday, but data analysts say it's not clear exactly what was removed or changed. "You go looking for something and it's just not there," said Amy O'Hara, a Georgetown University researcher who is president of the Association of Public Data Users. Social science researchers and other federal data users on Monday described feeling like a five-alarm fire was triggered when they discovered late last week that vital federal datasets were inaccessible. It sparked "a mad scramble right now" to grab copies of whatever federal data was posted before, O'Hara said. While the administration's stated goal was to delete gender and transgender terminology, O'Hara said some researchers worry that other politically charged topics -- such as climate change or vaccines -- might be removed or altered. "The scale of this is quite stunning," O'Hara said. |
| A Scandal in Alzheimer's Research Shows How Science Can Go Astray | |
 | Billions of dollars have been spent on researching Alzheimer's disease, which afflicts more than six million Americans and is the fifth-leading cause of death among the nation's elderly. Yet there is no cure, and the few treatments available show only modest evidence of slowing cognitive decline. Fraudulent science may have steered the field in the wrong direction for decades, according to Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's, which was published Tuesday. Charles Piller, an investigative journalist at Science, chronicles how the field coalesced around a central explanation for what causes the disease: biological chain reactions set off by clumps of amyloid-beta proteins. Doctored presents evidence that this hypothesis was reinforced by hundreds of important Alzheimer's papers -- led by star researchers, published in leading journals, financed by federal grants -- that relied on falsified data. In late 2021, Piller came into contact with the scientist who would eventually blow the whistle. Matthew S. Schrag, a young, untenured neuroscientist at Vanderbilt University, was finding alarming numbers of seemingly manipulated images in papers key to his field. |
| Exclusive: how NSF is scouring research grants for violations of Trump's orders | |
| The US National Science Foundation (NSF), a major funder of basic academic research, announced yesterday that it has reopened a website that distributes money from research grants to scientists. The move comes after a week of confusion and frustration for NSF-funded researchers in which the agency froze their funding -- including for postdoctoral fellowships -- and said it was reviewing grants worth billions of dollars to comply with President Donald Trump's directives to terminate funding for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and to scrub all federal resources of these terms. Although the funds are unfrozen after a federal judge issued an order blocking the US government from freezing grant money, the NSF has said it will continue its review. This whiplash shows that the "United States is not a stable place to be a scientist", says Julia Barnes, an NSF-funded cultural anthropologist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. "Scientists funded by the NSF aren't paid a lot, but we care a lot about the research we do." To better understand what is happening inside the NSF and what the future might hold, Nature spoke to six NSF staff members, who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the press. All expressed strong concerns about recent agency decisions, especially to freeze funds. |
| NIH eases freeze on grant reviews imposed after Trump communications pause | |
| The gears of the grantmaking machinery at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have begun to move again, after a 2-week standstill following a controversial ban on communications imposed by President Donald Trump. NIH had ceased meetings where grants are reviewed as it responded to a communications "pause" along with executive orders banning funding related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and "gender ideology," among other topics. But an agency leader told staff today the higher level reviews by advisory councils will resume. And scientists who provide the first level of that peer review are reporting that their study section meetings are back on track. The agency's operations are still far from normal. Portions of the Trump-ordered communications pause originally set to end on 2 February are instead continuing, including a ban on speaking in public, which means intramural scientists can't present their work at meetings. And the advisory council meetings, in which outside scientists provide a final grant review as well as strategic advice on new NIH programs, will not meet in open session. Furthermore, the agency is still under a mandate to review programs that violate Trump's executive orders. But reviews of grants that don't obviously contradict the executive orders are resuming. |
| Trump administration opens antisemitism inquiries at 5 colleges including Columbia and Berkeley | |
| The Trump administration is opening new investigations into allegations of antisemitism at five U.S. universities including Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley, the Education Department announced Monday. It's part of President Donald Trump's promise to take a tougher stance against campus antisemitism and deal out harsher penalties than former President Joe Biden's administration, which settled a flurry of cases with universities in its final weeks. The new investigations were opened the same day the Justice Department announced a new task force to root out antisemitism on college campuses. In an order signed last week, Trump called for aggressive action to fight anti-Jewish bias on campuses, including the deportation of foreign students who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests. Along with Columbia and Berkeley, the department is now investigating the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University and Portland State University. The cases were opened using the department's power to launch its own civil rights reviews, unlike the majority of its investigations, which stem from complaints. A statement from the Education Department criticized colleges for tolerating antisemitism after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and a wave of pro-Palestinian protests that followed. It also criticized the Biden administration for negotiating "toothless" resolutions that failed to hold schools accountable. |
| U.S. to Probe Reports of Antisemitic Incidents at Top Medical Schools | |
| The Trump administration is doubling down on its scrutiny of universities by launching investigations into whether top medical schools, including Harvard University's, adequately protected Jewish students. Four top medical schools -- in addition to confronting the potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars of research grants if they don't comply with White House diversity orders -- now face investigations from civil rights attorneys at the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to Harvard, medical schools at Columbia, Brown and Johns Hopkins universities are the targets of the investigations, people familiar with the matter said. HHS said late Monday it launched the investigations "following reports of antisemitic incidents" during 2024 commencement ceremonies but didn't disclose the names of the schools. HHS said it would examine whether the medical schools acted with "deliberate indifference" in response to alleged antisemitic incidents, including displays of offensive symbols and "expressions of support for terrorist organizations." Universities were already scrambling to comply with Trump's diversity, equity and inclusion orders by calling off research projects and conferences with, in some cases, tens of millions of dollars' worth of medical research grants hanging in the balance. |
| Higher education groups sue Trump over anti-diversity orders | |
| Higher education groups are suing the Trump administration over its executive orders eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) positions in government and his threatening the loss of funding to institutions over the issue. The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education and the American Association of University Professors, along with the city of Baltimore and a restaurant group, are asking the courts to block the implementation of the executive orders due to President Trump allegedly exceeding his authority under the Constitution. The executive orders Trump signed seek to remove all DEI programs and positions from the federal government and institutions connected to the government that receive federal funding. "In the United States, there is no king. The President can exercise only those powers the Constitution grants to the executive, and only in ways that do not violate the rights the Constitution grants to the American people. In his crusade to erase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility from our country, President Trump cannot usurp Congress's exclusive power of the purse, nor can he silence those who disagree with him by threatening them with the loss of federal funds and other enforcement actions," the suit reads. |
| Trump Planning EO Directing Education Department to 'Diminish Itself,' Reports Say | |
| The Trump administration is preparing an executive order to dismantle the Education Department, though the specifics are still in the works, two news outlets reported Monday. The Wall Street Journal first reported that the order could "shut down all functions of the agency that aren't written explicitly into statute or move certain functions to other departments," citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter. Likewise, The Washington Post reported that the order wouldn't directly abolish the agency but instead "directs the agency to begin to diminish itself," citing three people who were briefed on the order. Other sources familiar with talks about the order told Inside Higher Ed as early as Friday that the order would at least direct the education Secretary to come up with a plan to break up the department. No executive order has officially been signed, but a White House official told the Post that one is in the works for later this month and "will fulfill Trump's campaign pledge to defund the department." Sources told the Journal and the Post that the White House should hold off on the executive order until Linda McMahon, Trump's nominee to lead the Education Department, has been confirmed. But the Senate has yet to even schedule a committee-level hearing, let alone a confirmation vote. Only Congress can get rid of the agency, so the executive order would mostly amount to a messaging tactic. But the Trump administration can take other steps to make the agency a shell of itself, from cutting staff to stopping some programs. |
| Trump Orders Could Drain Millions From Universities, but Few Protest Openly | |
 | The opening weeks of President Trump's second term have cast America's campuses into turmoil, with upheaval that threatens to erode the financial foundation of higher education in the United States. As the administration orders the end of diversity programs and imposes cuts to foreign aid, university presidents and their lawyers fear that millions of dollars in federal funding could ultimately vanish. Some research projects, including many connected to the U.S. Agency for International Development, have been suspended, and program directors have made plans for layoffs. But universities have largely been quiet. Professors and administrators alike seem wary of provoking a president who has glorified retribution and has already started to tighten the funding spigot. Staying out of the spotlight, some reason, is prudent. Universities across the country are for now using a subtle playbook to try to stave off funding losses: beseeching their congressional delegations to intervene, and sometimes deploying Republican-aligned lobbyists across Washington. “These are different times,” said former Senator Trent Lott, a Mississippi Republican who became a lobbyist after he left the congressional leadership. “I’m sure everybody is trying to figure out how it’s going to play out and what they need to do. Different team in town and people are going to have to figure out how to deal with it.” |
| Mississippi AI executive order supports economic, technological development | |
| Dr. Craig Orgeron, Chief Information Officer for Mississippi, writes: By signing Executive Order 1584, Governor Tate Reeves has solidified Mississippi's commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance lives, empower businesses, and fuel innovation. This initiative underscores Mississippi's leadership in embracing transformative technologies and ensuring that the state remains at the forefront of economic and technological advancement. The order will serve as a foundation to support AI initiatives, enabling Mississippi to strengthen its role in the growing AI driven economy. This action comes at a pivotal moment. Mississippi's proactive approach to AI has delivered impressive results across various industries and sectors, setting a standard for others to follow. Take, for example, the strides made in agriculture. Mississippi State University's Agricultural Autonomy Institute has been at the cutting edge of AI powered farming innovations. By integrating robotics and AI into agricultural practices, the institute has driven efficiency, improved crop yields, and optimized resource management. These advancements boost productivity, foster sustainability, and fortify the agricultural economy, directly benefiting our farmers and the state's economic stability. |
SPORTS
| Women's Golf: Horder, Whateley Lead Bulldogs In Second Round Of PDI Intercollegiate | |
| The Mississippi State Bulldogs shot the sixth lowest second round in program history on Tuesday, as State finished 7-under par to bring their two-day total to 12-under. Chiara Horder and Samantha Whateley starred for State. Even though the start of the round was delayed an hour and forty-five minutes, the two remained locked in. Horder went throughout the entirety of the round without a blemish on her card, as she knocked down three birdies to finish 3-under. Whateley also finished the day 3-under but carded four birdies to Horder's three. Izzy Pellot fired her second straight under-par round on Tuesday. After making the turn at 3-over par, Pellot would pick up four birdies throughout her last nine holes to finish her day at 1-under. Ana Pina Ortega followed a similar route as well. She carded four birdies in her last six roles to climb back to even par. As a team, the Bulldogs finished the second round 12-under as a team. With an expected delay in the start time for round three, the Bulldogs began the third round until it was postponed due to darkness. In the six holes that were played, Pellot and Pina Ortega sat at 2-under in that third round after collecting two pairs of birdies. Horder grabbed a birdie as well as she will be 1-under in the third round at the resumption of play. The final round of the PDI Intercollegiate will resume Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. CT. |
| Mississippi State women's tennis earns two doubleheader sweeps, improves to 6-0 | |
| After a layoff of nearly two weeks, Mississippi State showed no signs of rust playing four matches in three days. The Bulldogs remained undefeated by beating Tulane and Alabama A&M on Friday and UAB and Arkansas State on Sunday. "What impressed me today was the team's energy and the team's togetherness," head coach Chris Hooshyar said after Friday's doubleheader sweep. "Last year when we were playing, you could hear a pin drop too much. We're trying to teach the girls how to be more energetic and how to understand momentum." MSU (6-0) earned revenge on the Green Wave, who had shut out the Bulldogs last season, with a 6-1 victory that took three and a half hours to complete. The No. 2 doubles team of senior Maria Rizzolo and freshman Carolina Troiano got things started with a 6-2 win, and the No. 1 duo of freshman Gianna Oboniye and sophomore Athina Pitta clinched the doubles point by winning 6-3. MSU had an easier time later that day against Alabama A&M, winning every set in a 7-0 victory. Rizzolo and Clemens lost just one game apiece in singles, while Troiano and Di Genova lost just three each. Two days later, the Bulldogs grabbed 4-1 victories over both the Blazers and Red Wolves. Oboniye, playing at No. 1 singles, earned the clinching victory against UAB after she bounced back from losing the opening set. She won in straight sets against Arkansas State, as did Troiano and Pitta. MSU is back in action for two more home matches this coming Friday against Memphis and Alcorn State. |
| Mobile sports betting legalization passes Mississippi House | |
| The state House approved legislation Thursday for the second year in a row to legalize mobile sports betting, a move that puts Mississippi on track to join a growing number of states that allow online betting. House Gaming Chairman Rep. Casey Eure, R-Saucier, is trying again to pass legislation after lawmakers couldn't agree on a final proposal in 2024. Sports wagering has been permitted in the state for years, and casino gambling for decades. But online betting has remained illegal amid fears the move could harm the bottom line of the state's casinos -- a concern Eure acknowledged in committee and on the House floor. "As I told y'all last year, I'm committed to and this bill is committed to our bricks-and-mortar casinos," Eure said on Monday. "All mobile sports betting will still be tethered to bricks-and-mortar casinos in the state of Mississippi." In an 88-10 vote, the House approved a new version of the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act, which Eure said was reworked to address concerns raised by the Senate last year. The new version would allow a casino to partner with two sports betting platforms rather than one. Allowing casinos to partner with an extra platform is designed to assuage the concerns of casino leaders and lawmakers who represent areas where gambling is big business. Eure said he believes the state is losing between $40 million and $80 million a year in tax revenue by keeping mobile sports betting illegal. |
| Mississippi House of Representatives votes overwhelmingly to legalize mobile sports betting | |
| The Mississippi House of Representatives has gambled once again on a bill that would legalize mobile sports betting statewide. Officials in the chamber voted 82-10 to pass House Bill 1302, familiarly dubbed the "Mississippi Sports Wagering Act," on Monday. The legislation, according to author Rep. Casey Eure, R-Saucier, is reminiscent of the one passed by the House last year which was ultimately railroaded by the Senate, but with a few modifications. According to Eure, Mississippi leads the nation in illegal online sports betting searches via Google and is one of 19 states that has not legalized online wagering outside of a brick-and-mortar gaming facility. Neighboring states, like Louisiana and Tennessee, secured a large sum of tax revenue from mobile sports betting last year. Tennessee generated nearly $100 million while Louisiana hauled in $64 million. Mississippi, on the other hand, acquired nothing. "That just goes to show you that we're losing a lot of tax revenue to these [illegal] online sports betting [platforms]," Eure said on the House floor Monday afternoon. "Once you pass and legalize mobile sports betting, the illegal sites are basically gone. Everybody goes to a brick-and-mortar casino and they start doing it the proper way." Revenue generated by mobile sports betting would be taxed at 12% with the lion's share of the proceeds going to road and bridge repairs in all 82 Mississippi counties, per the text. |
| Sources: NBA gambling ring also tied to college basketball games | |
| A gambling ring currently under federal investigation for its role in two NBA betting cases also was involved in unusual wagering activity on at least three men's college basketball programs this season, sources told ESPN on Monday. Sportsbook accounts connected to the gambling ring bet against North Carolina A&T, Mississippi Valley State and Eastern Michigan in games this season, sources said. Some of the same accounts also placed large wagers on prop bets involving former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter in two games during the 2023-24 NBA season and veteran guard Terry Rozier in 2023, when he was with the Charlotte Hornets, sources said. Porter has admitted to manipulating his performance during the games for gambling purposes; Rozier has declined to comment on a reported investigation into unusual betting on his performance in a select game. The sportsbook accounts linked to the gambling ring also wagered on a Temple game flagged for suspicious betting last March. Sources familiar with the ongoing investigations said the ring targeted additional college basketball programs over the past two seasons. Officials at North Carolina A&T and Mississippi Valley State did not respond to requests for comment regarding the betting case. |
| House Education Chair Questions Federal Funding for College Sports | |
| The new chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee is asking the U.S. Government Accountability Office to analyze how federal money subsidizes the increasingly expensive project of Division I and D-II college sports. In a letter sent Monday to GAO comptroller general Gene Dodaro, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) asked the agency to determine how the multibillion-dollar college sports industry is funded by schools and, crucially, the "extent to which Title IV student aid subsidizes these costs through students' tuition and fees." Walberg's request comes amid increased scrutiny over the financial structure of college sports, particularly in light of the House v. NCAA settlement that provides for direct payments from schools to players. Citing an NCAA report, the committee chairman noted that in 2022, the median revenue of Division I athletic departments through donor contributions, ticket sales and media rights was $8.4 million, while the median total department expenditures was $30.3 million. The proportionate gap between those revenue streams and overall expenses was even more pronounced at the Division II level, according to the NCAA. Walberg is not the only politician grappling with the role of subsidies in college athletics. As Sportico reported last week, lawmakers in Virginia are currently weighing legislation that would dial back the state's restrictions on athletic department revenue coming from student fees. |
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