| Monday, May 12, 2025 |
| 'We need more Hollys': MSU celebrates alumna's selfless, lifesaving act for her student | |
 | Holly Allgood was in her classroom at Tupelo's Early Childhood Education Center with her student, Bowen Dorr, when the phone call came -- she was a match. Allgood, a Mississippi State University alumna and Tupelo Public School District special education teacher, donated 30% of her liver to Bowen, a young student battling carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency, or CPS1, a rare and life-threatening metabolic condition. Both Allgood and Bowen are recovering well after the August transplant and have gained national attention for their story. Recently, Jamie Dorr, Bowen's mother, and Allgood were featured on the "Jennifer Hudson Show" during this week's national Teacher Appreciation Week. The duo shared Bowen's story, and Allgood received a $10,000 gift from PaperMate. Allgood, a Tupelo native and 2005 MSU College of Education graduate, has spent nearly two decades teaching special education. |
| Mississippi teacher donates part of liver to save student | |
 | Mississippi State University (MSU) alumna and Tupelo Public School District special education teacher Holly Allgood didn't hesitate to help one of her students. Allgood was in her classroom at Tupelo's Early Childhood Education Center when she received a call that she was a match. She donated 30% of her liver to her student, Bowen Dorr, who is battling carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency (CPS1). "MSU alumna Holly Allgood's selfless act of love and concern for one of her students reflects what I believe is a core value of our university, which is service," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. "We try to instill in our College of Education graduates the sense that they are stewards of the future in teaching and impacting the lives of their students. Certainly, Holly has taken that to an entirely new level, and all of us in the Mississippi State family admire and applaud her sacrifice and devotion to her student." |
| Ask The Dispatch: How are crowd sizes determined for free outdoor events? | |
| Thousands packed the Cotton District on May 3 for the third annual Starkville Derby, where organizers estimated a record-breaking attendance of 80,000, topping a headcount of more than 50,000 at the event last year. The same day in downtown Columbus, residents and visitors braved the rain to attend the annual Market Street Festival, which has drawn as many as 30,000 people in the past, Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow told The Dispatch. But with no tickets sold and no turnstiles at either event, how does anyone count that many people? Is there a method for counting unticketed events? Or is it all just guesswork? Rachael Carter, a community development specialist with Mississippi State University Extension Service, conducts impact assessments for festivals in the state. When it comes to events without gates or tickets, she said it's definitely possible to get at least an estimate of how many people attend, but it depends on the resources the community has. "You can actually have people use crowd counters, like a clicker counter, to count people," Carter said. "Some communities have access to Placer data, which tracks cell phone pings, and so you can identify ... where (that person is) in the area, and then you can also identify whether or not they are a tourist." |
| Hail storm decimates homes, damages farms in Oktibbeha | |
| Alayna Stevens arrived at her home on Old West Point Road just after 4:45 p.m. Thursday to find every window on the front side shattered. Her 6-year-old son's carpet was flooded with water -- leaves and twigs scattered about the floor. His blue dinosaur comforter was sopping wet, the mattress beneath it ruined and his toys littered with glass shards. "We have a place to sleep, but we don't have a living room," Stevens said. "My son's room is ruined. ... We'll have to tear up the carpet because of all of the glass. I'll have to throw away most of his toys." Another severe storm swept through the Golden Triangle area Thursday, bringing with it wind gusts estimated to hit 60 mph and 2.25-inch hail in some areas of Oktibbeha County, according to reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather service. Dewayne Davis, chief of Starkville Fire Department, said the majority of the damage was confined to the north side of Starkville, between Highway 182 and just north of Highway 82. Farms in the area also suffered the brunt of the storm's damage. Bill Miller, who owns and lives on a 750-acre farm along Old West Point Road just outside of Starkville, said his sweet corn, kale, lettuce, potatoes and carrots were all but wiped out from the hail. "Essentially, just about all my vegetable crops are gone," Miller said. |
| Feds to make Columbus hub for training police in enforcing immigration | |
| The federal government wants to make Columbus a hub for training police officers around the state in several areas, including enforcing immigration. Steven Jackson, a law enforcement coordinator for the Department of Justice, visited Columbus Police Department on Wednesday to congratulate the department on reducing crime in the city. He also filled the department in on a training opportunity intended to prepare officers for dealing with different situations dealing with both violent crime and immigration enforcement. "DOJ is partnering with (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in order to facilitate training in this jurisdiction to give y'all the procedures, the tactics and techniques they use to successfully conduct investigations with reference to some illegal person or suspected illegal person in this jurisdiction," Jackson told a room of CPD officers during a meeting streamed on Facebook. Jackson said the decision is driven by the Trump administration's focus on immigration enforcement. The president signed an executive order in January called Protecting The American People Against Invasion that encourages federal partnerships with local agencies to aid the administration with its detention and deportation efforts. |
| Downtown Tupelo's anchor: Reed's celebrates its 120th year of business | |
 | In 1905, R.W. Reed and a friend who owned a wholesale business put in $500 to open the store in Downtown Tupelo. That store was Reed's, and 120 years later, there are few ... if any ... who call Tupelo home who don't know it. R.W. Reed had three sons: Bob, Bill and Jack Sr. After R.W. died of a stroke, Bob and Jack took over the store, while Bill ran Reed Manufacturing. R.W.'s grandson, Jack Reed Jr., is now chair of the company, which also operates Reed's Gift Shop, GumTree Bookstore, another Tupelo location near The Mall at Barnes Crossing, and a third store in Starkville. Reed said the company will celebrate its 120th birthday, and the original store's storied history, throughout the year. "We're using it as a message thanking everyone, especially our customers, for being 120 years, and also a reminder that another 120 years is not guaranteed," Reed said. "We are a part of the community, and a lot of big names have gone out of business." He's right. Southern-based retailer McRae's sold to Belk, which is no longer run by the Belk family, years ago. It's a similar story Rich's in Atlanta. The list of national retailers that have come and gone since Reed's opened its doors is much longer. |
| USACE Vicksburg District opens gates of Steele Bayou Drainage Structure | |
 | The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District opened the gates of the Steele Bayou Drainage Structure, located approximately 10 miles north of Vicksburg, on Friday. The Steele Bayou Drainage Structure's gates have been closed since April 10, when the Mississippi River rose rapidly due to heavy spring rainfall across the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. Constructed in 1969 as a component of the Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries (MR&T) project, the Steele Bayou Drainage Structure -- together with the Mississippi River and Yazoo Backwater levees -- serves as a key component in mitigating flood risk in the Mississippi Delta. Its primary function is to prevent reverse flow from the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers into the Yazoo Backwater Area, thereby protecting critical infrastructure, agricultural lands, and communities. The district has observed no significant issues caused by the recent flooding. Some roads in the area, including Mississippi Highway 465, have been closed because of high water. Residents are encouraged to contact local authorities and management officials for updates about conditions in their area and should avoid activities on or near flood control works. |
| US, China agree to slash tariffs that fueled markets' chaos | |
 | The U.S. and China said Monday that they have agreed to slash reciprocal tariffs as the world's two biggest economies seek to end a trade war that has fueled fears of inflation and recession and disrupted financial markets around the globe. U.S. markets rocketed higher after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters the two sides had agreed that tariffs would come down by over 100 percentage points. The U.S. will cut extra tariffs it imposed on Chinese imports in April to 30% from 145%, while Chinese duties on U.S. imports will fall to 10% from 125%. The new measures are effective for 90 days. President Donald Trump, in a briefing early Monday, said key elements of the deal included pledges from China to open markets to American businesses and to eliminate "non-monetary" trade barriers. He said China also agreed to cut off the flow of fentanyl to the U.S. The deal does not include tariffs on cars, steel, aluminum and pharmaceuticals, Trump said. He said he planned to speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping "maybe at the end of the week." "We are not looking to hurt China," Trump said. "They were very happy to do something with us. The relationship is very very good." |
| Brett Favre's defamation lawsuit against Mississippi auditor will move forward, court says | |
 | A defamation lawsuit filed by retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre against Mississippi Auditor Shad White for his comments on a welfare scandal will move forward after Mississippi's Supreme Court on Thursday denied White's appeal to dismiss the lawsuit. "The facts of this case have not changed and Auditor White will continue to defend himself from this ridiculous and frivolous lawsuit," White's office said in a statement. In March, White asked the court to overturn a ruling by Hinds County Circuit Judge Debra Gibbs, who denied White's initial dismissal request. "The continued litigation of this case not only threatens important First Amendment rights. Equally if not more worrisomely, it discourages public servants from doing their jobs," White's appeal read. Favre filed the defamation lawsuit in 2023. It alleges White falsely accused Favre of stealing taxpayer funds in media appearances and in White's 2024 book, "Mississippi Swindle: Brett Favre and the Welfare Scandal that Shocked America." Favre has not faced any criminal charges related to the scandal and has denied any wrongdoing. |
| Republicans hit crucial week for advancing Trump agenda | |
 | House Republicans are barrelling into a critical week for passing President Trump's legislative agenda --- even as they remain far apart on a number of key, hot-button issues. The House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes, and the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid policy, are both scheduled to begin debating -- and eventually voting to advance -- their parts of the "big, beautiful bill" Tuesday at 2 p.m., kicking off what is expected to a pair of marathon hearings. A number of hangups, however, remain. The Ways and Means Committee has not yet reached an agreement on how to approach the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, which has emerged as one of the biggest sticking points in the GOP's mega bill. And for the Energy and Commerce Committee, some hardline conservatives are already sounding off on how the panel decided to reform Medicaid. The consideration comes as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is pushing to pass the entire package full of Trump's domestic policy priorities by the end of next week -- an ambitious timeline that largely hinges on how the two markups proceed. |
| States bear the brunt of House GOP Medicaid plan | |
 | House Republicans opted against some of the most dramatic changes they had been considering for Medicaid, the joint federal-state program covering nearly 80 million Americans. But they are plowing forward with other major initiatives that could leave millions without coverage as the GOP starts laying out key provisions of its party-line domestic policy megabill. The House Energy and Commerce Committee proposal released Sunday night attempts to strike a balance between satiating conservatives' thirst for deep cuts to the program and placating moderates wary of major coverage losses for low-income Americans. It does not include the most controversial ideas, including per-capita caps on federal Medicaid payments to states, but it incorporates new mandates that will likely force states to revamp how they finance their programs or cut benefits. One of the largest potential sources of savings will come from a policy curbing states' ability to levy taxes on providers, which could force states to make major changes since the taxes can pay for a state's share of Medicaid costs. The legislation would freeze state provider taxes at their current rates and prohibit them from establishing any new taxes. |
| Trump Plan Would Tie Some Drug Prices to What Peer Nations Pay | |
 | President Trump will sign an executive order on Monday aimed at lowering some drug prices in the United States by aligning them with what other wealthy countries pay, he said on Truth Social on Sunday evening. The proposal he described, which alone cannot shift federal policy, is what he calls a "most favored nation" pricing model. Mr. Trump did not provide details about which type of insurance the plan would apply to or how many drugs it would target, but he indicated that the United States should pay the lowest price among its peer countries. "Our Country will finally be treated fairly, and our citizens Healthcare Costs will be reduced by numbers never even thought of before," he wrote in his social media post. Any such plan will most likely be subject to challenges in court, and it is not clear whether it will pass legal muster, especially without action by Congress. The pharmaceutical industry bitterly opposes the idea, which would almost certainly cut into its profits, and has been lobbying against it as discussions of the policy have regained steam in Washington in recent weeks. Companies have warned that such a policy would lead them to spend less on research, depriving patients of new medicines. |
| U.S. halts cattle imports from Mexico, citing fears of flesh-eating maggot | |
 | Concerns over a flesh-eating parasite have led U.S. officials to halt all imports of live cattle, horses and bison across the Southern border. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins made the decision on Sunday, citing the northward spread of the New World screwworm, which has been detected in southern Mexico in the last year. "The protection of our animals and safety of our nation's food supply is a national security issue of the utmost importance," Rollins said in a statement. "This is not about politics or punishment of Mexico, rather it is about food and animal safety," she said. New World screwworms are fly larvae that burrow into a wound or mucous membranes of animals and rarely humans. The maggots feast on the flesh and blood of their host with tiny mouth hooks. Left untreated, the parasitic infection can kill a full-grown cow within one to two weeks. In 1976, an outbreak in Texas affected more than 1.4 million cattle and hundreds of thousands of sheep and goats. If such an outbreak were to occur now, it's estimated that would cost the Texas economy $1.8 billion, according to a USDA analysis. The potential fallout is why agricultural officials are so alarmed that the pest has made a comeback in the last few years. |
| USAID is all but gone. For one family, 3 generations of service were defined by it | |
| He was special, Albert Votaw's daughter remembers all these decades later. Cathy Votaw is 70 now, more than a dozen years older than her father lived to be. She describes a man with a larger-than-life personality and a love of fun -- as if you couldn't tell that from the photos, which show an outrageous handlebar mustache and a penchant for bowties sewn by his wife. Each year on April 18, the anniversary of the 1983 bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut that took the lives of her father and 62 others, a persistent sense of loss awakens in Cathy. Some years, she writes an email to her family, telling them about Albert, a public-housing expert for the U.S. Agency for International Development. He was, she writes, dedicated to public service -- and to USAID. And she is so sorry, she tells Albert Votaw's grandchildren and great-grandchildren, that his death at the hands of an anti-American attacker driving a truck packed with explosives means they never got to meet him. Yet Albert Votaw's influence echoes down across the generations. Four decades later, as the agency that worked to promote American security through international development and humanitarian work disappears at the hands of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, two things are abundantly clear: Service to USAID shattered the Votaw family. And service to USAID reshaped it as well. |
| America's Richest Foundations Team Up Against Feared Trump Assault | |
 | Some of America's wealthiest and most powerful private foundations are informally banding together to protect their tax-exempt status from any potential attempt to revoke it by the Trump administration. Grantmakers across the political spectrum, including the Ford Foundation, the Gates Foundation and the Charles Koch Foundation, are discussing possible ways to respond should the administration make such an attempt, said people involved in the effort. Many of the foundations have discussed whether to seek legal representation as a class or individually should their tax status come under fire. Some foundations also have been covering part of the legal and communications expenses behind the effort, said a person familiar with the matter. The Trump administration hasn't explicitly pledged to revoke foundations' tax-exempt status, though it is exploring ways to challenge the tax-exempt status of nonprofits more broadly. President Trump has also threatened Harvard University with revocation of its tax-exempt status and hinted at future actions against specific nonprofits. "This is not a fight any of us is picking. This is very clearly a leave-us-alone-to-do-our-jobs approach," said John Palfrey, president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, who is helping convene the foundations. But he also said any effort by the administration to revoke foundations' tax-exempt status on the basis of their giving activity "would be fully, fully pushed back upon, with a very clear legal argument, which we would expect to win and we'd be ready to bring." |
| 'It's time for Joe Biden to go away': Democrats are triggered by Biden's return to the spotlight | |
| Joe Biden's return to the spotlight this week is igniting anger among Democrats who wish the former president would ride off into retirement and stay there. In a wide-ranging interview on "The View" with former First Lady Jill Biden on Thursday, Biden owned up to his role in Donald Trump's return to power even as he defended his decision to stay in the race as long as he did last year. But if he was expecting a warm reception, he's not getting it. Many in his party are desperate to turn the page on Biden's presidency, craving new leaders and fresh faces as Democrats look to find a way out of the political wilderness. "It's time for Joe Biden to go away with all due respect and let the next generation of Democrats take the mantle," said Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha. "Every time he appears on a show or says something, it's just another week or a month that we have to defend him and remind everybody that we got beat by Donald Trump, again." "For those of us trying to rebuild the brand, it does no good when you're constantly reminded about the old brand that won't go away," Rocha said, adding that the only good thing about the interview is that it was quickly overtaken by news of the selection of a new pope. Biden's reemergence comes as the Democratic Party works to move beyond its current predicament -- shut out of power in Washington and embroiled in a fierce debate about the party's direction and strategy against Trump. |
| MUW holds graduation ceremony in Columbus | |
 | The Long, Blue Line is now a little longer. Friends and family members were on hand on May 9 as more than 300 Mississippi University for Women students received their diplomas at two ceremonies on The W's Columbus campus. The early ceremony featured graduates from the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences receiving their associate, bachelor, and doctorate degrees in nursing, along with graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences. A second ceremony featured other health-related majors and graduates from the College of Business and Professional Studies and the School of Education. The W helped put a dent in the state's nursing shortage. 111 graduates received their Associate's and Bachelor's in Nursing, and three received their Doctor of Nursing Practice. |
| A.J. Brown advises new class of Rebel alumni 'The playbook is yours' | |
| With the shift of tassels and a familiar rousing refrain, the University of Mississippi graduated more than 5,500 students at its 172nd Commencement exercises Saturday (May 10) morning in a packed Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Early-morning showers moved the ceremonies indoors, but the Pavilion was packed with smiling faces and excitement. Before an overflow ocean of navy gowns, Chancellor Glenn Boyce assured the Class of 2025 and their loved ones that they are ready to build legacies of excellence. "You are poised to contribute to the world in meaningful ways," he said. It has been said that "one never graduates from Ole Miss." Super Bowl champion, philanthropist and former Ole Miss standout wide receiver A.J. Brown lived that saying when he returned to the "spot that ever calls" as Commencement speaker. Brown has faced off against some of the most fearsome linebackers and safeties in both the SEC and NFL, and he's competed on football's biggest stage. Still, he told the graduates that delivering the keynote speech was intense. "Standing here, trying to impress your grandma, your professors and your group chat all at once -- this might be the real pressure," he said. |
| Local leader receives honorary degree from the U. of Southern Mississippi | |
 | Hundreds of students have graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi this week. However, one degree granted was given to local icon in special circumstances. Clarence Magee, a longtime activist and educator, received an honorary humanitarian degree from USM. Magee serves as president of the Forrest County branch of the NAACP. Magee said the degree was kept a surprise by USM President Joseph Paul and Dr. Eddie Holloway, USM's Senior Associate Provost for Community and Belonging Success. Magee said he was grateful to have been considered for something so special. "I feel great because, right now, I want to leave an example for my grandkids and great-grandkids that even though some say you can't do it, they can still do it," Magee said. "I'm gonna open the door. I'm a trailblazer." |
| Southern Miss celebrates Class of 2025 during graduation | |
| The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) celebrated the Class of 2025 on Friday, May 9. USM President Dr. Joe Paul awarded diplomas to undergraduate students from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Nursing and the College of Business and Economic Development. The Class of 2025 has 2,025 graduates from USM. Students said they're proud to have reached the milestone and are ready to embark on their next journey. "It's an honor. Southern Miss was kind of my dream school coming into it. So, it's such an honor to be graduating today and to be among a group of people that have worked so hard," said Sarah McCammon, a graduate. "It means that I've accomplished a lot of my dreams, have overcome a lot of challenges and just made my family proud," said Jimena Peredes, another graduate. |
| Class of 2025 at U. of Southern Mississippi has graduation ceremony at Reed Green Coliseum | |
 | Photos: University of Southern Mississippi celebrates graduates during the undergraduate commencement ceremony at the Bernard Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Friday, May 9, 2025. |
| Jackson State alumni call for transparency in presidential search | |
| Days after commencement ceremonies were held at Jackson State University (JSU), President Dr. Marcus Thompson submitted his resignation to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). The IHL will now be closely watched as alumni and fans of the university have grown weary of the past presidential choices that end with resignations. Thompson was appointed to his position by the IHL instead of being chosen by a national search. He follows in the footsteps of Thomas Hudson, who also resigned in 2023. "This is the third consecutive president at Jackson State that has resigned long before they have been there very long. Jackson State needs consistency. They need quality leadership. And I think that the IHL Board and the IHL commissioner owe the taxpayers an explanation as to why they've gotten it so wrong at Jackson State. And so, I'm hopeful to have an open, transparent process going forward," said Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.). |
| Gregory asks for patience, partnership, and prayers after taking helm as JSU interim president | |
| Interim President Denise Jones Gregory took to social media on Friday, where she asked for patience, partnership, and prayers as she takes the helm at Jackson State University. "In the weeks ahead, I will meet with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners to chart a course forward for our Dear Old College Home. I ask for your patience, your partnership, and, most of all, your prayers as we move Jackson State University forward together." The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees appointed Gregory to the position this week, following the resignation of Marcus Thompson. "I am honored to be appointed interim president of Jackson State University. I extend my sincere appreciation to the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning for its confidence in me during this period of transition. It has been my privilege to serve Jackson State as provost, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue serving my alma mater in this new role. My commitment is to uphold the standard of excellence that defines Jackson State in every area of university life." |
| MCC hosts two commencements spotlighting students' achievements | |
 | Laughter mixed with tears and cheers echoed through the Evangel Temple Friday as Meridian Community College celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025 with two commencements, honoring students from both the Career and Technical Education and University Transfer Programs, marking the end of one chapter and the start of another. MCC President Tom Huebner praised the graduates for their hard work and determination. "MCC has helped these students find their potential and gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed," he said. "Watching them reach for their dreams reminds us why we do this work." The highlight of the Career and Technical Education ceremony was the announcement of the H. M. Ivy Scholarship, which was presented to Hannah Buchanan of Duck Hill. During the University Transfer Program commencement, Hollie Gillies of Glasgow, United Kingdom, Katherine Hayes of New Hope, and Savannah Smith of Philadelphia were also awarded H.M. Ivy Scholarships. |
| ICC formally opens state-of-the-art Robotics Lab at Belden Center | |
| Itawamba Community College formally opened its state-of-the-art robotics lab at the Belden Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. "It is an exciting day for our college, our students, our faculty and our region as we officially unveil our new state-of-the-art Robotics Lab, a facility that not only represents the future of workforce training, but also our steadfast commitment to innovation, opportunity and excellence," said ICC President Jay Allen. "The $1.2 million renovation made possible through the support of our friends in the Mississippi Legislature reflects a true investment in the lives and futures of our students and the communities we serve. At ICC, we don't just train for today's jobs, we prepare for tomorrow's careers. And this Robotics Lab is a shining example of that mission in action. As industry leaders consider locating in North Mississippi, this lab, and the facility as a whole demonstrates that we are ready -- with the talent, training and technology to meet their needs." |
| U. of Alabama details summer road work on Tuscaloosa campus | |
 | With the departure of students comes blockages and re-routings around the University of Alabama campus, as Tuscaloosa's largest employer takes advantage of the interim between the end of spring semester, and the beginning of summer's classes, to perform needed construction, renovation and repair. Spring and summer 2025 impacts may seem lessened this year, for students and others navigating campus, as detours and lane shifts keep traffic flow possible. UA plans its road construction to make minimal impact on students, while still doing the most cost-effective work, said Matt Skinner, interim senior associate vice president for campus development at UA. "It's strictly infrastructure improvement, storm sewer, removing some large concrete barriers that cause issues," Skinner said, "also some technology enhancements for security." That's not the full scope of construction at UA, of course. "Simultaneously, we do probably between 15 and 20 large capital projects during the summer," Skinner said, with about $690 million invested in overall campus construction. |
| Expanding meaning of 'everything school': UT Advisory Board talks new records, improvements, fee increases to keep up with expansion | |
| The University of Tennessee Advisory Board meeting occurred on May 2, 2025, marking the last meeting of the 2024-2025 school year. The Board discussed the $2.37 billion budget proposal -- more than $200 million compared to last year -- which will now go before the UT System Board of Trustees for final approval next month. However, UT Chancellor Donde Plowman confirmed that there will be no tuition increase for students this next year but there will be an increase in facilities fees. Graduate and out-of-state tuition increases are being kept below regional benchmarks. The increases align with overall campus growth and the rapidly growing rate of prospective students who have submitted more than 63,000 applications for the fall 2025 semester, breaking yet another record. The facilities fee is set to increase by $30 for in-state students and $46 for out-of-state students to cover rising costs related to new construction and maintenance, totaling to $630 and $946. The transportation fee will increase by $24 for expanded parking services, totaling $258, and the library fee will see a $10 increase, totaling $90. Dining service rates are set to increase by a flat rate of 3.6%. Housing rates are set to increase by 5% for every option to pay for rising costs, debt and maintenance projects. |
| There's a buzz around the U. of Tennessee's success. This leader is a force for change | |
 | Amber Williams started her undergraduate studies in a different era of higher education. The highs and lows stuck with her, and still shape her vision to modernize University of Tennessee's Division of Student Success. She knows what works and -- more importantly -- what doesn't. Her efforts are playing out with UT's improved student retention numbers, more than 130,000 visits to the Vol Study Center and a year-long orientation process to get freshman students acclimated to campus, which she based on her own experience. It's all leading to a better-educated Tennessee. Williams' orientation at the University of Kansas over two decades ago left a sour taste that's familiar to so many bright-eyed freshman back when college leaders didn't do a great job making students feel welcome. A faculty member told her classroom of 1,000 students only half of them would make it through the semester. It's a harsh anecdote she shares with staff members to explain why she restructured UT's orientation to integrate students into the campus community. "That was a formative experience, and I don't want any scholar to have that experience now," Williams told Knox News. |
| UGA professors research accuracy of heat monitoring smartphone application | |
 | A key component of heat safety in an effort to avoid heat illnesses involves monitoring environmental conditions through heat stress. A recently published study out of the University of Georgia identified a smartphone application designed to monitor heat-related risks through direct on-site measurements. "A lot of my work and the people I work with, we interact a lot with people in athletic training and other settings where they have to monitor conditions for safety," said Andrew Grundstein, professor in the Department of Geography, at the University of Georgia. "Athletic trainers are coming to us saying, 'There's this new app. How well does it work?'" Grundstein added, "We didn't know. There isn't a lot of information on the website that could tell us how accurate it was. So that's how we constructed our study, to at least have a comparison with the gold standard of taking measurements on site." The study, Evaluating Heat Risk: Comparing On-Site WBGT Measurements Versus Smartphone Application Estimates, highlighted that the key component of heat safety involves monitoring environmental conditions through heat stress indices like the wet bulb globe temperature and adjusting activity as conditions get progressively hotter. |
| Couple donates $4.6 million to bolster Mizzou New Music Initiative | |
 | The leading patrons of new music in Missouri have furthered their commitment to seeing the state and the University of Missouri become "a mecca for musical composition." Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield and their charitable foundation gave $4.6 million to MU and the Mizzou New Music Initiative, the school announced this week. The donation is another step to fulfilling Jeanne Sinquefield's own words about Missouri's promise as a creative destination. Mizzou New Music Initiative is a dynamic program, encompassing the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, a yearly composition prize named for the Sinquefields, the Mizzou International Composers Festival, Creating Original Music Project for students kindergarten through 12th grade, and much more. This gift will bolster those efforts through scholarships and awards and will also support key personnel and infrastructure. Additionally, "a new mixed media studio -- welcoming not just composers but also filmmakers and digital artists -- will open collaborative possibilities across disciplines," the release noted. |
| No One Is More Excited About Pope Leo XIV Than Villanova | |
| It's a good week to be a Villanova Wildcat. On Wednesday, graduates of the school's men's basketball program helped the New York Knicks stage a comeback win to take a commanding 2-0 series lead against rival Boston Celtics. On Thursday, a Villanova alumnus became pope. "I screamed," university President Rev. Peter Donohue said on the Today Show Friday. In the day since Robert Prevost, class of 1977, became the first American pope, the Villanova community has also partied with "pope punch," a social-media storm of cheeky memes and four hours of nonstop bell-ringing on the campus outside of Philadelphia. Donohue also called for "prayer, reflection and thoughtful discourse" -- but few have been able to contain themselves since Prevost, a onetime Villanova math major, stepped out onto the central balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. The papal announcement came just past 1 p.m. local time during finals week as Brooke Ackerman prepared to take her last exam of her junior year: Early Modern Europe. Savvy students successfully delayed the exam's 2 p.m. start time by asking the professor about his interaction with the school's homegrown pope. When Ackerman emerged from the exam two hours later, bells were still ringing and the campus buzzed with students making plans to celebrate at local bars. Her social-media feed was already jammed with pope posts. |
| Trump's reshaping of higher education tests America's appeal for international students | |
| As he finishes college in China, computer science student Ma Tianyu has set his sights on graduate school in the United States. No country offers better programs for the career he wants as a game developer, he said. He applied only to U.S. schools and was accepted by some. But after the initial excitement, he began seeing reasons for doubt. First, there was President Donald Trump's trade war with China. Then, China's Ministry of Education issued a warning about studying in America. When Ma saw the wave of legal status terminations for international students in the U.S., he realized he needed to consider how American politics could affect him. The recent developments soured some of his classmates on studying in the U.S., but he plans to come anyway. He is ready "to adapt to whatever changes may come," he said. American universities, home to many programs at the top of their fields, have long appealed to students around the world hoping to pursue research and get a foothold in the U.S. job market. The durability of that demand faces a test under the Trump administration, which has taken actions that have left international students feeling vulnerable and considering alternate places to study. |
| Can Scientific Research Survive Without Federal Funding? | |
 | Colleges and universities are digging into their own pockets to temporarily support graduate students and faculty in limbo after the Trump administration's sudden cancellation -- and stalled review -- of billions of dollars in federal research grants. While institutional funding will help some researchers continue their work in the short term, experts and research advocates say it's far from a long-term solution. And neither is counting on private industry or philanthropists to step in to sustain the U.S. research enterprise at the same scale federal grants have done over the past 80 years, experts say. Over the past several decades, universities have already substantially increased the amount of money they spend on their own research and development---from 10 percent of the total in 1970 to 25 percent in 2023, according to federal data. Meanwhile, federal support for academic research has been on the decline, falling from 71 percent to 55 percent during that same timeframe. And support from industry, charities and other sources have always been marginal, collectively making up about 15 percent of contributions to research funding at colleges and universities in 2023. "When it comes to supporting curiosity-driven scientific research, there is simply no replacement for the federal government," said Toby Smith, senior vice president for government relations and public policy at the Association of American Universities. |
| The NIH Is Requiring Grantees to Follow Trump's Anti-Trans Executive Order | |
 | On April 21, the National Institutes of Health notified a researcher at a teaching hospital in the Boston area that her grant was being renewed for the fourth year in a row. In most years, such confirmations are uncontroversial. But because this is not a normal year, the scientist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she does not have permission from her employer to speak to the media, dug into the fine print. And she learned that the grantee was expected to comply with the gender-equity law Title IX -- "including the requirements set forth in Presidential Executive Order 14168 titled Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." That's the executive order President Trump signed on the first day of his second term, directing the government to recognize two sexes, male and female. The new terms "felt like a little bit of a punch in the gut," said the scientist, who added that she was confused about how they would affect her. Her grant is about how genes are regulated in lung disease, and its official description does not mention transgender or nonbinary people, nor diversity, equity, or inclusion. "What happens if someone decides I'm not adhering to this particular policy?" she asked. "Does my entire research program fall apart?" |
| Here's What Republicans' Proposed College-Endowment Tax Could Look Like | |
| As Republican lawmakers hustle this month to advance a "big, beautiful bill" to enact President Trump's agenda, they are reportedly forging ahead with a hike in the endowment tax that a sliver of wealthy private colleges pay. On Friday, details of potential endowment-tax changes emerged via Punchbowl News, Politico, and Bloomberg. The exact tax rates described in those news reports varied, but the proposed new system would be tiered, and only colleges with endowments valued at more than $750,000 per student would pay a higher tax rate. (Currently, colleges that have endowments valued at $500,000 or more per student -- and meet certain other conditions -- pay a 1.4-percent tax on endowment earnings. Fifty-six institutions paid the tax in 2023, according to the Internal Revenue Service.) In one version of the newly proposed structure, reported by Punchbowl News, colleges with endowment values over $2 million per student -- fewer than half a dozen -- would pay a 21-percent tax rate on endowment earnings. Princeton and Yale Universities and the Massachusetts Institute for Technology could qualify for this bracket, according to an analysis by James Murphy, who leads Education Reform Now. Depending on how you calculate value, Stanford and Harvard Universities could fall into either this group or the one just below it. |
| What's driving small colleges to hire lobbyists for the first time | |
| Some of the nation's small liberal arts colleges are hiring Washington lobbyists for the first time -- seeking to distinguish themselves from the Ivy League universities at the center of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education. While managing government relations has always been a main responsibility for college presidents, at least five of U.S. News & World Report's top 20 liberal arts colleges have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their histories, according to lobbying disclosures: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College and Washington and Lee University. All five schools declined to comment or did not respond to interview requests. "There are some institutions that have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing," said Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government relations at the American Council on Education. The endowment tax fight comes amid the Trump administration's broader assault on higher education. In this environment, some schools are eager to highlight political differences between themselves and the Ivies in Trump's sights. That's where the lobbyists come in. |
| Congress Could Make Paying for College Even More Complicated | |
| Ask any parent or prospective student and they'll likely tell you that between opaque financial aid calculations, questions about degree value and the murky student loan system, paying for college is not a straightforward process. Experts warn that if Congress moves forward with new higher education reforms, it could get even more difficult to navigate. Late last month, House Republicans put forward a plan that would significantly alter how colleges and families calculate cost and put a number of new limits on federal financial aid eligibility. Among other changes, the legislation would create a national college cost estimate by degree program, put individualized caps on federal loans and limit Pell eligibility for part-time students. Jennifer Zhang, a research associate at the Student Borrower Protection Center, said many of those provisions are going to make a system that's already difficult to navigate labyrinthine. "How are you going to save up for college if you don't know how much college is going to cost, or how much federal loans you're going to be able to take out next year?" she said. "Under the guise of trying to drive down the cost of college, this bill is actually doing the opposite." The proposal is part of a broader effort to cut spending in order to pay for President Trump's new tax cuts and other priorities. |
| Why a Sorority Is Taking on Trump's Budget Cuts | |
| Fraternities and sororities are not historically known for their strong political activism. But in late April, Kappa Alpha Theta members had a cause to speak up about: The organization's longtime philanthropy partner had lost its federal funding. The nonprofit, called National CASA/GAL, helps children experiencing abuse or neglect navigate the court system by appointing them special advocates. For 36 years, Theta members raised millions of dollars for the organization through events like grilled-cheese mixers and charity 5K runs. The funding cuts have created unusual tension between the Trump administration and a sorority whose alumnae include Tiffany Trump, the president's daughter, and former First Lady Laura Bush, as well as her daughters Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager. Tiffany Trump, Laura Bush and Barbara Bush did not respond to requests for comment, and a representative for Jenna Bush Hager declined to comment. Theta finds itself in an awkward position, as the sorority treads carefully to avoid a full-on political protest while still pushing back in ways atypical for Greek life organizations. Baker Wilson, 19, a freshman Theta and humanities major at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., was in class when the national Theta organization issued its statement. Her phone began to light up with freaked-out sorority sisters. "I really hope that they will change their minds about this," Wilson said. "I would love to see that funding reinstated." |
| State still hugs bottom as education advances | |
| Columnist Bill Crawford writes: Mississippi still hugs the bottom as the 48th best state, according to the 2025 U.S. News and World Report "Best States" rankings. The state has come in 48th or worse since U.S. News started the rankings. Holding the state down are continued low rankings in components for health care (50th), economy (49th), infrastructure (47th), and fiscal stability (47th). Other components fare better: crime and corrections (20th), natural environment (31st), opportunity (31st), and education (34th). Two components shown notable improvement since 2018. Education moved from 46th to 34th and opportunity from 49th to 31st. Rachel Canter, executive director of Mississippi First, which helped start the "Mississippi miracle," recently touted Mississippi's education improvements in the Magnolia Tribune. She recalled that when she began lobbying the legislature in 2005, "too many of Mississippi's leaders at that time did not believe that our children, and our state, could make real progress in education." "Today, Mississippi has not only met the national average in math at fourth grade, we have surpassed it in reading," she boasts. "It is a stunning achievement." Yet, this is not enough, she notes. |
| Control of a special session is the governor's superpower, but is it really that super? | |
| Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison writes: The Mississippi Constitution gives the governor the sole authority to call a special session and to set the agenda. It is one of the few powers granted to the governor by the Mississippi Constitution. But in reality, the special session power the governor possesses can be limited by legislators if they so choose. Granted, the Legislature cannot convene a special session. Once legislators end a regular session, they cannot return unless called by the governor or until the next regularly scheduled session. Lawmakers are dependent on the governor to call a special session to allow them to take up a state budget, which they remarkably were unable to pass during the regular session that ended in early April. Many believe that the governor will have more authority over the budget in special session than in regular session. For instance, can the Legislature consider a bill to fund special projects throughout the state if Gov. Tate Reeves does not include what is known by many as the "Christmas tree bill" in the agenda? Debate over that special projects bill appears to be the major sticking point preventing a budget agreement between the House and Senate. The House wants a Christmas tree bill. The Senate does not. |
SPORTS
| Diamond Dawgs Top Rebels To Claim Series | |
| Mississippi State thwarted a late comeback attempt by No. 24 Ole Miss and ultimately claimed a 6-5 victory on Saturday night at Dudy Noble Field to claim a series win over the rival Rebels. The Diamond Dawgs were in the driver's seat with a 6-1 lead heading into the top of the seventh, but Ole Miss scored a pair of runs in both the seventh and eighth innings to make it a one-run game. MSU freshman pitcher Ryan McPherson then entered the game in the ninth with Ole Miss runners at first and second and no one out. McPherson then earned his second save as he wiggled out of trouble and slammed the door. State's offense built the Bulldog advantage with a 13-hit effort led by Ace Reese. Reese ended the night 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and a double. Gehrig Frei, Sawyer Reeves, Bryce Chance and Gatlin Sanders all collected a pair of hits. Karson Ligon started on the mound for MSU and earned the win, evening his record at 5-5. Ligon had seven strikeouts through five strong innings of work. Mississippi State hosts North Alabama for the final home game of the season with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+. |
| Mississippi State baseball wins series over Ole Miss, keeps regional hopes alive | |
| The Mississippi State baseball team staved off an Ole Miss comeback on Saturday night to win the series and keep postseason hopes alive. The Bulldogs were leading 6-1 after six innings, but the No. 24 Rebels managed two-run frames in the top of the seventh and eighth innings. The four runs were highlighted by a Colin Reuter pinch-hit home run, his second of the weekend. With the score at 6-5 and Ole Miss in striking distance, Mississippi State freshman pitcher Ryan McPherson entered the game in the top of the ninth with runners on first and second and no one out. The righty wiggled out of trouble before slamming the door on his second save of the season. Mississippi State's Saturday night offense included 13 hits, three of which came off the bat of Ace Reese. Gehrig Frei, Sawyer Reeves, Bryce Chance, and Gatlin Sanders each collected a pair of hits. While Ole Miss (34-17, 14-13 SEC) is virtually a regional shoo-in, the Rebels' chances at hosting were lessened with the series loss to Mississippi State (31-20, 12-15). The Bulldogs badly needed to win to keep regional hopes alive. Since firing head coach Chris Lemonis amid what had been a lackluster season, Mississippi State is 6-1 and trending in the right direction with one week remaining before the conference tournament. |
| Baseball: Mississippi State holds off No. 24 Ole Miss to claim rivalry series | |
| Ryan McPherson's first appearance against Ole Miss was going very well until it suddenly wasn't. After 3 1/3 scoreless innings in the Governor's Cup on Apr. 22 in Pearl, the Mississippi State freshman allowed a game-tying two-run home run in the ninth to Austin Fawley in a game the Bulldogs would lose in extras. But interim head coach Justin Parker showed faith in McPherson by turning to him Saturday night with the tying and go-ahead runs on base and nobody out as MSU was clinging to a one-run, ninth-inning lead. McPherson rose to the occasion this time, inducing a double-play ball against the first batter he faced to get most of the way out of the jam. Following a walk, another routine grounder ended the game, giving the Bulldogs a 6-5 victory over the No. 24 Rebels and the series along with it. "Coach Parker, he's really changed me to the person I am now," McPherson said. "It's all according to Coach Parker's scouting report. What really got them is the up and elevated inside fastball, sometimes away, depending on their swing path. And then the changeup or curveball low, they've had a hard time recognizing spin to get it." MSU hosts North Alabama on Tuesday evening, then hits the road for a series with last-place Missouri -- albeit a Missouri team that won its first conference games of the year over the weekend at Texas A&M. |
| Mississippi State baseball resurging with interim Justin Parker, more takeaways from Ole Miss series | |
| Mississippi State baseball has won consecutive SEC series. The Bulldogs (31-20, 12-15 SEC) took two of three games from No. 22 Ole Miss (34-17, 14-13) at Dudy Noble Field over the weekend. The Rebels won Game 1 of the doubleheader 10-4 on May 9, but MSU prevailed in the next two games, 4-1 and 6-5. MSU is 6-1 since firing coach Chris Lemonis on April 28. Mississippi State's resurgence since Lemonis' firing has lasted longer than a week. It started with a run-rule win versus Memphis, and then a sweep of Kentucky. The Ole Miss series win puts the Bulldogs closer to securing an NCAA Tournament appearance and in a much more comfortable position before the final series at Missouri. It also showed they might be peaking at just the right time, rather than backing into the postseason. "We've been playing better complementary baseball," interim coach Justin Parker said. "I think that's the biggest thing. It's trending, yes, but we're not as one-dimensional as maybe we were six weeks ago or a month ago. We're able to win games in a couple different ways." |
| Mizzou baseball completes sweep in blowout Game 3 win over Texas A&M | |
 | Mizzou baseball finished its sweep with a 10-1 win over Texas A&M on the strength of back-to-back three-run innings Sunday in College Station, Texas -- marking the Tigers' first sweep since defeating Florida on April 6, 2024. Junior shortstop Jackson Lovich ended Game 3 one leg short of a cycle, going 3-for-5 with a leadoff home run to begin the game, a triple in the third and a double in the sixth, needing only a single to complete the feat. The Tigers (16-35, 3-24 Southeastern Conference) scored three runs in the sixth inning, one run off of a balk by Aggies sophomore right-hander Clayton Freshcorn and Lovich's two-run double. Mizzou pushed three more runs across the plate in the seventh. Sophomore center fielder Kaden Peer doubled home a run while sophomore first baseman Mateo Serna and second baseman Keegan Knutson each drove in a run with an RBI single that stretched the lead to 10-1. Mizzou next plays Mississippi State in its last series of the regular season. Game 1 begins at 6 p.m. Thursday at Taylor Stadium. |
| Texas A&M baseball team swept by Missouri in humiliating fashion | |
 | This weekend went from frustrating to miserable and then humiliating for the Texas A&M baseball team at Blue Bell Park. Not only were the Aggies swept at home by Missouri, which entered the weekend 0-24 in Southeastern Conference play, but the Tigers embarrassed them 10-1 in the series and home finale Sunday afternoon. "I feel terrible for these guys," A&M head coach Michael Earley said. "They've put everything into this and it's tough. I feel awful for them, but we're going to rebound, we're going to regroup and we're going to finish this thing strong, however it may be. But we're not going to quit." After the game, a handful of A&M players either sat or stood in the dugout with blank stares. The Aggies' NCAA tournament hopes are on the ropes. When asked about his time at A&M, senior Hayden Schott said it was a hard question to answer and added all he could think about was the SEC tournament. It's possible that the Aggies' only path to the postseason will be to earn the automatic bid in Hoover, Alabama. They have No. 6 Georgia on deck to close the regular season. Schott said the emotions after this weekend were indescribable. Losing a game -- much less being swept by Missouri -- seemed inconceivable after last Sunday's win over LSU. Now, the Aggies find themselves fighting for their postseason hopes as they head to Athens. Earley said there is no secret A&M has to win, but did not waver in confidence about his team. |
| Softball: State Makes 19th NCAA Tournament, Bound For Lubbock | |
| Mississippi State's softball program will play in the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in the last eight tournaments. The Bulldogs (37-17, 13-11 SEC) will start their road to Oklahoma City as the No. 2 seed in the Lubbock Regional. MSU will open the double-elimination regional on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. CT against Washington at 7 p.m. CT at Rocky Johnson Field. Along with the Bulldogs and the Huskies, the Lubbock Regional features host Texas Tech, which earned the No. 12 overall national seed, and Brown. State met Texas Tech on Opening Day, defeating the Red Raiders, 3-1 in eight innings. "We are excited texcited for the challenge ahead as we return to the postseason," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "Earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament is always special, and we're excited for the opportunity to compete in Lubbock. This team has battled all season, and we're ready to bring our fight to the postseason." The Bulldogs' first game of the regional will air on ESPN2. The winner of the Lubbock Regional will advance to Super Regionals to face the winner of the Tallahassee Regional, hosted by No. 5 Florida State. Also competing in the Tallahassee Regional are Auburn, South Florida and Robert Morris. |
| Mississippi State softball heading to Lubbock Regional for NCAA Tournament | |
| Mississippi State is returning to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row and the 11th time in the last 13 postseasons. The Bulldogs are heading to the Lubbock Regional, hosted by No. 12 seed Texas Tech, starting with a first-round game against Washington on Friday night (7 p.m. CT, ESPN2). Head coach Samantha Ricketts' team was pushing for one of the top 16 national seeds for most of the year, which would have given MSU its first regional at home in program history, but a few bad losses early in the season hurt the Bulldogs' cause. MSU's hosting hopes were extinguished with a shutout loss to LSU in its first Southeastern Conference Tournament game. The Bulldogs (37-17, 13-11 SEC) finished above .500 in conference play for the first time since 2001. They picked up two big early non-conference wins in Clearwater, Florida, including one against the Red Raiders in extra innings. Texas Tech is led by ace pitcher NiJaree Canady, who MSU also saw in the NCAA Tournament last year when she was at Stanford. Ricketts and company had 11 wins against the RPI top 25, the 10th-most in the country. Those included series wins over Alabama and Ole Miss and single victories over Texas and Tennessee, which are both in the top 10. |
| Mississippi State softball to play Washington in NCAA tournament Lubbock Regional | |
| Mississippi State softball is in the NCAA tournament for the second straight season. The Bulldogs (37-17) will play Washington (34-17) on May 16 (7 p.m., ESPN2) in the Lubbock Regional. Texas Tech (45-12) is the top seed of the regional and will face Brown (33-15). MSU is experiencing an historic season under sixth-year coach Samantha Ricketts. It finished above .500 in conference play for the first time since 2001. Its five SEC series wins are the most since 2007. The 37 wins are tied for the most since 2018. The Bulldogs are led by pitcher Raelin Chaffin and outfielder Sierra Sacco, both of whom were AUSL College Draft picks on May 3. MSU is one of only two teams in college softball to have two draft picks. Sacco bats .461 with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs. Chaffin has made 27 starts and boasts a 2.65 ERA with a 21-9 record. |
| Men's Tennis: No. 12 MSU Defeats No. 6 Ohio State, Advances to Quarterfinals | |
| After losing to the Buckeyes last year in the Round of 16, the Bulldogs finally got their long awaited revenge, defeating the Buckeyes 4-2 in Columbus, Ohio to advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State started out strong with a doubles win, but MSU fought back even stronger. No. 1 Petar Jovanovic and Benito Sanchez tied it up with a strong win on court 1, and their victory also marked their 16th straight victory as a pair. Dusan Milanovic and Michal Novansky clinched it for MSU with a gritty, 7-6(6), win to put State up one. The Buckeyes started off hot again in singles with two straight singles wins, but Jovanovic put a stop to their push. The Podgorica, Montenegro, native got Mississippi State started in singles with a win over No. 61 Alexander Bernard, 6-4, 6-3, and flipped the momentum. MSU recorded two straight wins to advance to the Elite Eight, courtesy of Mario Martinez Serrano and Dusan Milanovic. No. 12 MSU will face No. 4 Stanford in the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, May 16 in Waco, Texas. The match time will be released at a later date. |
| Men's Tennis: Mississippi State downs Ohio State, advances to NCAA quarterfinals | |
| A year after Mississippi State saw its season end at Ohio State in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, the Bulldogs were back in the same place on the same stage. And this time, they pushed their way through to the NCAA quarterfinals. No. 12 seed MSU defeated the No. 5 seed Buckeyes 4-2 on Saturday, advancing to the championships for the first time since 2018. ... MSU reached the quarterfinals for the seventh time in program history. Jovanovic and Sanchez Martinez extended their doubles winning streak to 16, and they now have 57 doubles wins as a pairing, tying them with Nuno Borges and Strahinja Rakic for the most by any Bulldogs duo. Head coach Matt Roberts and company now head to Waco, Texas, where the remainder of the tournament will take place from May 16-18. MSU will face No. 4 seed Stanford in the quarterfinals on Friday. A win would send the Bulldogs to the semifinals for the third time, with the first two trips coming in 1994 and 1998. |
| Mississippi State's Zac Selmon weighs in on expanding playoffs | |
| Mississippi State athletics director Zac Selmon isn't leaving any doubt where he's weighing in on all of the expansion talk around college football. Since it involves more money, there will be some Bulldogs fans that applaud that move. Others that want wins are probably not as enthusiastic because it will make a tough schedule even more competitive. Selmon didn't leave much wiggle room where he's standing on the whole issue. "Exciting competition is exciting competition, and I've always been a fan for access, but also for the fan bases, more play-ins," Selmon said. "You look at what the NBA has done and other leagues --- having hope, having excitement late in the season -- I love the concepts of just having more opportunities and also having some more things on the line." Don't overlook that increased money, though. With ESPN reportedly talking about adding what could amount to a few million bucks every year. It's a good thing for Mississippi State. Expanding the current playoff number gives college football 16 teams in the mix and going to more of an NFL-type model everyone seems to favor. So does adding the ninth SEC regular-season game. Both of those ideas would expand the bottom line. |
| Tommy Tuberville: 'NIL is in dire need of restructuring' | |
| A college sports commission is coming. And it's coming for the money the players are now making. If that wasn't obvious, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) made it so in comments to CNN that were broadcast on Sunday. "He's got a commission that he's putting together," Tuberville said regarding President Trump's plan to save college sports from itself. "I've recommended some people to go on it, of course. I've been working on it for four years. Nick Saban is gonna be involved. I think the NIL is in dire need of restructuring." And there it is. When Tuberville says "NIL is in dire need of restructuring," he means that the players need to be making less money. And that they need to have less flexibility to go from one school to another, in order to make more money -- or to simply be happier with their situation. Earlier this month, Tuberville made his views clear regarding the preferred outcome during a radio interview: "Everybody would be on the same level. We've got to come up with some rules for the transfer portal, possibly a contract for players. We do not want to turn into minor league sports. I talked to [Auburn men's basketball coach] Bruce Pearl a few weeks ago, he says it's a disaster, absolute disaster in basketball, and I'm sure it goes over into football and some of the other sports." |
| NBA analyst Charles Barkley rails on NIL: 'Not gonna give Auburn millions of dollars' | |
 | Charles Barkley isn't about NIL. He is so much against name, image and likeness, the "Inside the NBA" analyst said he wouldn't give money to his college team, the Auburn Tigers. And he would do anything for his favorite team. "Hey, I love Auburn, I do," Barkley said during an appearance on "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich" on OutKick.com. "I'd do anything for Auburn, within reason. But I'm not gonna give Auburn millions of dollars, so we can be good in football or basketball. That doesn't help my life in any capacity. And let me tell you something, black and broke does not work in any states. Guam, District of Columbia, all 50 states. I never want to be poor and black. That does not work." That's quite a statement from a man who continues to give in other areas. "I just gave $10 million dollars to HBCU's, that stuff is way more important to me," Barkley said. "This notion that you have to come up with tens of millions of dollars to pay kids to play basketball, and have them be free agents every year and transfer to another school and get more money every year. Like, we don't even get to do that in the NBA. Can you imagine if players in the NBA got to be a free agent every year?" |
| NIL lawyer: NCAA eligibility rules could reach Supreme Court | |
| Former Charleston forward Ante Brzovic has been denied his request for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA to allow him to play a fifth season after spending one year at the JUCO level. That decision is coming from the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina (4th Circuit). Now, NIL lawyer Darren Heitner has weighed in on the decision, cautioning that this issue will likely find its way to the Supreme Court. That's because other districts have had significantly different decisions in similar cases, relating to the NCAA's eligibility rules and the Five-Year Rule in particular. In particular, Heitner pointed to Jett Elad. A Rutgers defensive back who spent time at the JUCO ranks, Elad looked for a similar injunction against the NCAA to allow him to play this upcoming season. That was ruled on by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (3rd Circuit). The key difference in the two cases is that the courts that heard the cases took largely different approaches. The Elad court relied heavily on NCAA v. Alston and the post-Alston landscape of NIL compensation. However, the Brzovic court disagreed. Instead, the South Carolina court ruled that there is no "binding legal authority" to show that the Five-Year Rule is subject to antitrust law. Since one circuit court's decisions are not binding in another circuit. Even within a circuit, it's only considered that the ruling would have persuasive authority. So, Darren Heitner believes there could be a brewing legal fight over the issue that could go as far as the Supreme Court. |
| Non-scholarship athletes argue proposal to fix roster-limit rule in lawsuit does not go far enough | |
| A court filing in the multibillion-dollar college sports lawsuit argues the proposed remedy for the roster-limit rule holding up the case does not go far enough in protecting walk-on and other athletes who lost their spots when schools started cutting players in anticipation of the settlement being approved. Attorneys for Michigan walk-on football player John Weidenbach and Yale rower Grace Menke filed a brief last week responding to the proposal that any athlete who had lost a spot because of the roster-limit rule not count against the cap when it goes in place next school year. It's the roster caps that have prevented U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken from approving the $2.78 billion settlement, which is designed to allow schools to pay players directly beginning later this year. Wilken suggested any athlete already on a roster be "grandfathered in" for the rest of their college career, so as not to count against the new roster limits. The limits, while expanding scholarship opportunities across all sports, are expected to cost thousands of athletes -- most of them walk-ons or on partial scholarships -- their spots on rosters. Wilken is accepting objectors' filings through Tuesday, then giving the NCAA and plaintiffs through Friday to rebut those arguments. |
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