| Friday, June 27, 2025 |
| Extension releases latest book on municipal government | |
 | New and experienced municipal officials have an updated reference resource available through the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The MSU Extension Center for Government and Community Development, or GCD, published the "Municipal Government in Mississippi, Eighth Edition" in June. The book aims to enhance local governance, deepen statutory understanding and promote efficient, transparent delivery of government services across Mississippi's approximately 300 municipalities, said Jason Camp, an Extension instructor with the center who specializes in municipal government. "This edition is designed to incorporate the most recent changes in the law and introduce the reader to the powers, duties and responsibilities of Mississippi municipalities," said Camp. "While no book can provide everything there is to know about municipal government, this book provides the building blocks for elected and appointed municipal officials and other interested individuals to form a substantial knowledge base across a range of subjects." First published in 1997, the book is regarded as the definitive work on Mississippi municipal government. |
| First-of-its-kind living shoreline project underway in Hancock County | |
 | A new kind of coastal restoration effort is taking shape in Hancock County, and it's the first of its kind in Mississippi. At the Logtown Boat Launch, crews are installing what's known as a "living shoreline" --- a more natural alternative to traditional erosion control. The project uses large, carbon-fiber concrete blocks called exoforms, each weighing over 500 pounds. "We're stopping the erosion with a living shoreline rather than driving sheet pile to stop it," said Robert Smith, Coastal Program Coordinator for Wildlife Mississippi. "We're putting in cutting-edge, carbon fiber, dry pour, concrete form wave brushes to slow wave energy and then backfilling and establishing native vegetation." The goal is to protect nearly 500 acres along the Pearl River, which has been steadily eroding from barge traffic, high water during floods, and military training exercises. In addition to erosion control, the project aims to improve boat access, expand fishing opportunities, and serve as a site for educational outreach and habitat restoration. Wildlife Mississippi is leading the project, with support from Mississippi State University, the Outdoor Stewardship Fund, and a range of other conservation partners. It marks the first time living shoreline technology of this scale has been used in the Gulf South. |
| Grilling with lump charcoal: Is US-grown hardwood really in that bag? | |
 | Mississippi State University's Adriana Costa writes for The Conversation: People dedicated to the art of grilling often choose lump charcoal -- actual pieces of wood that have been turned into charcoal -- over briquettes, which are compressed charcoal dust with other ingredients to keep the dust together and help it burn better. The kinds of wood used to make lump charcoal affect how it burns and how the food tastes when grilled. Dedicated grillers are often willing to pay a premium for higher heat, no additives, particular flavors and the cleaner burn they get from particular wood species in lump charcoal. Buyers probably expect the label to accurately report how much charcoal they are getting, what kind of wood it is, and where the wood was grown. A spot-check I helped conduct on lump charcoal for sale in the U.S. has revealed that the information on the label does not always match what is inside the bag. Customers might not know what they are actually buying, potentially affecting their purchasing choices and even their grilling experience. |
| What is the impact of the blueberry industry in Mississippi? | |
 | Even though the blueberry became Mississippi's official fruit two years ago, its impact on the state precedes 2023. That year, a group of fourth graders from Madison County lobbied the state legislature to make the blueberry the state's official fruit. Though grapes, muscadines, blackberries and strawberries are common fruit crops statewide, they are not grown at nearly the same scale. The state's blueberry crop spans roughly 1,000 acres and its production value is nearly $13 million. Blueberries are the major fruit crop in Mississippi; they are native to the South and grow well in South Mississippi. According to the Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service, Rabbiteye and Southern Highbush are the blueberry varieties that grow best in Mississippi. According to Eric Stafne, fruit and nut specialist with the MSU Extension Service, blueberry acreage is significantly lower than a decade ago. The state had roughly 2,000 to 2,500 acres in the mid-to-late 2010s. Stafne cited older producers aging out, declining market prices and farm diversification for the decline. |
| Howard Industries to expand Mississippi footprint with $237M investment | |
| Laurel-based electrical distribution transformer and technology products manufacturer Howard Industries is expanding operations across Mississippi. Gov. Tate Reeves announced Thursday that the homegrown company will build upon its footprint in Clarke, Jones, and Simpson counties. The project marks a $236.95 million investment and will create a total of 450 jobs. "Howard Industries' $236 million investment is yet another powerful example of the economic momentum building across Mississippi," Reeves said. "With hundreds of new high-quality jobs across Clarke, Jones, and Simpson counties, this project highlights the record-breaking private sector growth we're seeing throughout our state. Mississippi is proving once again that we're open for business -- and we're just getting started." Howard Industries' three-county expansion will enable the company to meet the U.S. Department of Energy's new requirements for electrical transformers while addressing the growing demand for power from sectors such as data centers, electric vehicles, transportation, and industry. Howard Industries is a privately held, family-owned Mississippi business established in 1968. |
| SouthWay Foundation hosting free small-town preservation event in July | |
| The SouthWay Foundation is looking to move small town community development forward in the Deep South. In July, the foundation will welcome local and regional leaders to Eupora for a free event centered around discussing preservation possibilities, cultural heritage, and historic trades in small towns. The Small-Town Preservation Symposium, hosted in partnership with the Mississippi Humanities Council, is set for Saturday, July 12, at the Eupora Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The symposium will include two featured discussion panels: "How to Do Preservation": Belinda Stewart, architect and founder of SouthWay, Dr. Kwesi Daniels, head of Tuskegee University's Department of Architecture, and Donald Bennett, president of Marion, Al.'s Main Street Association. "Preservation Trades": John Hankins, president of New Orleans Master Crafts Guild, Nick Conner, master woodworker, and Tommy King, Historic Preservation Graduate from Mississippi State University. |
| Majority of US adults support religious chaplains in public schools, a new AP-NORC poll shows | |
 | Few U.S. adults support allowing religious schools to become tax-funded public charter schools, but a majority favors allowing religious chaplains to provide support services for public school students, a new poll finds. The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows the complexity of Americans' attitudes toward religious expression in schools, which varies depending on the kind of expression and sometimes crosses partisan lines. The findings also highlight tension points in the country's long-standing debate over the role of religion in public schools, which continues to drive legislation and legal action. Recent examples include a lawsuit against a new Arkansas measure that requires the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, a push by lawmakers in multiple states to allow religious chaplains to serve in student support roles in public schools, and the U.S. Supreme Court's 4-4 decision that blocked plans for a publicly funded Catholic charter school in Oklahoma. About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say that religious chaplains should be allowed to provide support services for students in public schools, but most do not think teacher-led prayer or a mandatory period during school hours for private prayer should be allowed in public schools. |
| U. of Alabama professor testifies 'very powerful person' threatened to cut funds over DEI | |
 | A University of Alabama professor and administrator Wednesday accused a member of the Alabama House of Representatives of threatening a fellowship program's budget if its curriculum was not changed to comply with a state law banning DEI programs and so-called "divisive concepts." In an evidentiary hearing in a federal lawsuit over the statute, known as SB 129, Dana Patton, director of the Witt Fellows Program and a political science professor at the University of Alabama, testified that university officials told her a "powerful person in Montgomery" was behind complaints alleging the Dr. Robert E. Witt Program, an interdisciplinary honors program at UA focused on community service, was violating the law. "Clearly, a very powerful person was behind this complaint for me to be asked to provide such extensive detail about my course," Patton said in testimony before U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor. "I did not know who she was referring to. When I hear 'very powerful person,' I generally think it's either a big donor to the university, a board of trustee member or state legislator." |
| DeSantis Announces Launch of New Accreditor | |
 | Six state university systems are going to form a new accrediting body, Florida governor Ron DeSantis announced in a Thursday morning press conference at Florida Atlantic University. At the event, DeSantis bemoaned liberal and unproductive faculty members and what he views as spineless administrators unwilling to crack down on disruptive student behavior before ultimately turning to what he saw as an "accreditation cartel" that he cast as undercutting efforts at reform, calling out past clashes with accreditors in response to actions by state universities. "Who are these accreditors? Did you elect these accreditors to anything?" DeSantis asked. After a roughly 30-minute broadside against what he saw as the failings of higher education broadly and the accreditation system in particular, the Republican governor announced that Florida was moving forward with a new accreditor, to be named the Commission for Public Higher Education. Public systems joining the State University System of Florida as partners are the University System of Georgia, University of North Carolina System, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee System, and the Texas A&M University System. All those systems are in states that voted for Donald Trump in 2024. |
| 6 State University Systems Are Partnering to Create a New Accreditor. Most Details Are TBD | |
 | At 10:18 a.m. Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis walked behind a podium at Florida Atlantic University to announce that the state's university system was leading an effort to create a new accrediting agency. More than 20 minutes into the news conference, he still hadn't mentioned accreditation. Instead, the Republican governor spent that time laying out a long list of grievances about higher education. He described high prices and student debt, degrees that lead to low-paying jobs, and, in his view, an emphasis on progressive ideology and diversity, equity, and inclusion -- and how Florida had avoided or solved those challenges. Ultimately, DeSantis blamed much of the sector's ills on accreditation, describing the current system as a cartel run by "juntas," or groups of military leaders who take over countries by force. The solution, DeSantis said, is the Commission for Public Higher Education, a consortium of six public university systems that are joining in a fledgling effort to form a new accreditor. Other than that, Thursday's announcement didn't offer many specifics -- including about how the organization would work, when it might be operational, and whether the campuses in participating university systems would even seek accreditation from the new commission. |
| Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education set tuition and fee levels for upcoming school year | |
| The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education set the tuition and mandatory fee levels for Oklahoma's public colleges and universities for the 2025-26 school year. Tuition and mandatory fees for resident undergraduate students will not increase at 10 institutions in the state during the upcoming school year. However, besides those 10 universities, tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduates will increase an average 1.9% statewide for the upcoming academic year. "Keeping public higher education affordable for families is a responsibility the State Regents take very seriously," said Dennis Casey, the State Regents' Chair. "As Oklahomans navigate a challenging economy, the State Regents work to balance those needs with the operating requirements of our state system institutions, which must maintain academic quality and student support services to continue building Oklahoma's educated workforce." For public regional universities, tuition and mandatory fees will increase an average of 2% annually for full-time undergraduates. Specifically for the University of Oklahoma, in-state tuition and mandatory fees will increase by 3% annually for full-time undergraduates. |
| MSU-led research team receives $500K grant to combat herbicide-resistant weeds in soybeans | |
| A national research team led by Michigan State University has received a $500,000 grant from the United Soybean Board to develop new diagnostic tools for herbicide-resistant weeds in soybeans. The award currently covers one year but can be extended for up to three years. Eric Patterson, an assistant professor and weed geneticist in the MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences (PSM), leads the project that will cover most of the soybean-growing region of the U.S. The multi-state project also brings together partners from Kansas State University, Mississippi State University, Penn State University, Purdue University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the University of Arkansas, the University of Illinois, the University of Missouri and the University of Wisconsin. For decades, the primary method of weed eradication has been chemical control with herbicides, but growers and researchers are seeing increased levels of resistance in several weed species. Patterson said the primary culprit is an over-reliance on a limited number of herbicides. |
| Can UNC Build a Non-Ideological Accreditor in a Polarized Landscape? | |
| The UNC System announced Thursday that it is working with public university systems in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas to create a new accreditor called the Commission for Public Higher Education. The effort follows high-profile disputes and criticism from conservatives, and it comes after President Donald Trump issued a scathing executive order drawing attention to the process of evaluating schools. "The vision for this effort really is to offer a streamlined, non-ideological approach to accreditation," UNC System President Peter Hans told The Assembly in an exclusive interview this week. In order for students to receive federal financial aid, their institutions must be recognized by an accrediting agency that the U.S. Department of Education has approved. These agencies ensure that colleges and universities meet certain standards for academics, finances, governance, and other functions. While accreditors have long operated as a largely bureaucratic function without much public attention, they have drawn increased scrutiny in recent years from conservatives, who claim standards mandate diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and fail to sufficiently evaluate academic quality. In late April, Trump signed an executive order that allows institutions to change accreditors more easily and for new accreditors to receive federal approval faster. |
| Facing entry-level job crunch, new grads question the value of a degree | |
 | Ever since she graduated a year ago with a degree in computer science, Maggie Chen, 23, has been searching for her first real job. The process has been grueling and impersonal, she said, involving a lot of ghosting and rejection, which at times has made her "a bit depressed and demotivated." Mostly, "looking on LinkedIn just makes me feel sad," said Chen, who switched to computer science from biochemistry halfway through her undergraduate studies at the University of California at Davis after she got into computers early in the pandemic. Tech appealed to her because it seemed stable and full of opportunity -- and because she wanted to be done with school after completing her bachelor's degree. "Everybody tells you, 'Just get a college degree and you'll get a job and it'll make things easier,'" Chen said. Now, "a master's is the new bachelor's, I guess." Chen is among the growing numbers of graduates facing a bumpy transition to professional life as they contend with one of the toughest job markets in years for people in their 20s. As summer heats up, grads are peppering social media with frustrated posts about the job search. In interviews, young workers said they are disillusioned with unresponsive recruiters and employers, ghost postings and AI slop on jobsites. |
| Senate Parliamentarian Nixes Workforce Pell From Megabill | |
| A plan to expand the Pell Grant to students in short-term workforce programs was cut from a budgetary megabill early Thursday morning despite immense bipartisan support. It was one of several higher education–related provisions that a Senate official struck down. Other provisions that violate Senate procedural rules included plans to consolidate student loan repayment options for current borrowers, limit grant access for noncitizens and exclude medical residents from a loan-forgiveness program. But the decision against expanding grants shocked some higher education experts who expected Congress to finally pass the proposal after years of trying. "It's been abundantly clear for years now that many low-income students don't have the finances to take advantage of the programs that would be made eligible by workforce Pell and therefore they don't have the opportunity to benefit," said David Baime, senior vice president of government relations for the American Association of Community Colleges. "There has been such strong support that a successful challenge was not necessarily something that we anticipated." However, Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat who has long supported the concept known as workforce Pell, was less confounded. "At every turn, President Trump and congressional Republicans' process for this partisan megabill has been mired by chaos and infighting," Kaine said in a statement to Inside Higher Ed. "It's no surprise that many provisions are being removed and changed." |
SPORTS
| 105 Bulldogs Named to 2025 Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll | |
| A total of 105 student-athletes who competed for Mississippi State during the 2024-25 academic year earned placement on the 2025 Spring Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, as announced Thursday by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. The honor roll recognizes student-athletes competing in baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track and field who have maintained a grade point average of 3.00 or higher while meeting additional academic and participation requirements. This year's list is based on grades from the 2024 Summer, 2024 Fall and 2025 Spring terms. Mississippi State's honorees represent eight different sport programs and span a wide variety of majors, including aerospace engineering, biological sciences, psychology, business administration, and public policy. The Bulldogs' 105 honorees contribute to the SEC-wide total of 1,700 student-athletes recognized this spring. |
| Baseball: Reese Earns Fifth All-America Honor | |
| Mississippi State's Ace Reese can add another All-American accolade to his long list of accomplishments and awards from the 2025 season. D1Baseball selected Reese to its All-America second team as a designated hitter on Thursday. It is the fifth All-America honor he has received following his fantastic sophomore campaign joining the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (first team), Baseball America (second team), American Baseball Coaches Association (second team) and Perfect Game (third team). Reese started 57 games for the Bulldogs at third base where he led the team with a .352 batting average, 80 hits, 18 doubles, 21 home runs, 66 RBIs, 163 total bases and a .718 slugging percentage while ranking top seven in the Southeastern Conference in each of those categories. The sophomore from Canton, Texas was named the SEC Newcomer of the Year, a first team All-SEC performer and also produced 25 multi-hit games, 20 multi-RBI games and five multi-homer games. |
| USA Baseball Invites Third Bulldog To Training Camp | |
| Mississippi State pitcher Ryan McPherson accepted an invitation from USA Baseball to participate in its training camp. McPherson will join fellow Bulldog Ace Reese as well as incoming transfer Tomas Valincius for the Collegiate National Team Training Camp in Cary, N.C. from June 29-July 3. The elite training camp will feature 56 of the top collegiate stars that are not draft eligible. If selected to Team USA, the State trio would represent their country in the 45th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Championships Series at various venues across Japan from July 8-13. McPherson appeared in 20 games as a true freshman this past season and drew two starts on the mound. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound right-hander posted a 4-1 record and tied for the team lead with three saves. He struck out 56 through 39 1/3 innings of work and finished with a 4.12 earned run average with opposing hitters batting .190 against him. |
| ESPN to feature 2025 Neshoba County Fair in upcoming series | |
| The Worldwide Leader in Sports is coming to the Neshoba County Fair this year as a part of a 50-state tour. SportsCenter, ESPN's marquee program, is breathing new life into an old fan favorite series previously titled "SportsCenter Across America" that last aired in 2005. The modern revival titled "50 States in 50 Days" will highlight and celebrate the unique intersection of sports and community in each U.S. state. "The Neshoba County Fair will showcase the rich traditions, local pride, and unique energy that makes The Neshoba County Fair a one-of-a-kind experience," Neshoba County Fair officials said in a social media post. While many might first think of political speeches, country music concerts, or fried fair food when the Neshoba County Fair is mentioned, the annual event would not be complete without its horse races -- or the chaotic scramble by patrons for front row seats. ESPN SportsCenter anchor Shea Cornette will be live on the fairgrounds Tuesday, July 29, to shine a national spotlight on "Mississippi's Giant Houseparty." |
| LSU will pay athletes $20.5 million over the next year. Here's how the Tigers plan to do it | |
 | The night of June 6, LSU athletic officials and staff members expected to have a casual Friday evening. Some of them relaxed at their homes. Another was on vacation, celebrating his dad's birthday. Taylor Jacobs, who oversees name, image and likeness within the department, had gone to dinner with her family at Modesto. Luckily for Jacobs, they were already paying the bill when the House settlement was approved a little after 9 p.m. ET. She headed home to take calls. NIL deals did not have to be approved by a new clearinghouse if they were finalized by midnight, so the rest of the night was spent checking on contracts with LSU's collective. "We did work up until midnight that night to just make sure everything was completely buttoned up," LSU executive deputy athletic director Keli Zinn said. "It was a late night for our folks, but really pleased where everything ended up for us." Zinn and several others involved in LSU's operations spoke to The Advocate about the school's plans. They discussed paying players, the murky future of LSU's collective, how third-party NIL could let them exceed the cap, their search for more money and why they feel confident in the future. "I think what you'll find," Zinn said, "is the House settlement being really, really favorable to LSU." |
| Why the Pac-12 is adding Texas State, how it rebuilt and next steps in realignment | |
 | The Pac-12 Conference has extended an offer to Texas State to join the league in July 2026, and barring any late changes, the school is expected to officially accept the invitation on Monday, according to multiple people briefed on the Pac-12's decision. The Austin Sports Journal first reported the news. The Bobcats will become the conference's eighth football-playing full member and finally give the rebuilt league the minimum number of members to continue as an NCAA conference. After years of collapse and uncertainty, the Pac will be back. The move will come almost three years to the day that USC and UCLA announced their move to the Big Ten, which started a chain of events that led 10 of 12 Pac-12 members to depart for the Big Ten, Big 12 or ACC. It left just Oregon State and Washington State holding the mantle of a century-old league. Instead of folding and joining a Group of 5 conference, they chose to rebuild, adding five schools from the Mountain West, non-football member Gonzaga from the West Coast Conference and soon Texas State from the Sun Belt Conference. Texas State is in San Marcos, a booming college town nestled between Austin and San Antonio. Its football program moved up to FBS in 2012, and the Bobcats are coming off their first two bowl seasons in program history and have a rising coach in G.J. Kinne. |
The Office of Public Affairs provides the Daily News Digest as a general information resource for Mississippi State University stakeholders.
Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to Jim Laird.
