| Thursday, August 28, 2025 |
| Magnolia Mornings: Rollins to tour MSU, cut ribbon at Mississippi Farm Bureau Thursday | |
 | U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins will be in Mississippi on Thursday, making stops in Starkville and Jackson. In Starkville, Rollins is scheduled to join U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi State University President Dr. Mark Keenum, and Mississippi Farm Bureau President Mike McCormick on a tour of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. According to the USDA office, Rollins will "make a major announcement" while at MSU concerning a new policy addressing the veterinarian shortage and the USDA veterinarian grant recipients. Rollins will then head to Jackson to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Offices and attend a reception for Hyde-Smith's re-election campaign. |
| Mississippi joins Alabama and Georgia in regional economic development initiative | |
| Mississippi will be playing a key role in a tri-state partnership aimed at boosting economic development and job growth. The Mississippi-Alabama-Georgia Network for Evolving Transportation (MAGNET) initiative will be headquartered at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and will create a research and development hub for research-enabled mobility innovation that drives economic and workforce development. The host higher learning institution will be joined by the University of Georgia and Mississippi State University in sharing expertise in all aspects of the automotive industry and emerging technologies. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the governors of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, along with the CEOs of Southern Company, Alabama Power, Georgia Power, and Mississippi Power, and the presidents of the three universities. "Mississippi State University is a national leader in mobility systems research and development and widely recognized for our collaborative culture and many successful partnerships," Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum said. "We are honored to join with the State of Mississippi, Southern Company, and our peers in Alabama and Georgia on the MAGNET team." |
| Governors, industry and education leaders announce tri-state manufacturing partnership | |
 | Area governors, power company executives and university presidents recently established the Mississippi-Alabama-Georgia Network for Evolving Transportation, or MAGNET for short -- a regional economic development initiative aimed at leveraging the Southeastern United States automotive vehicle and battery industry to stimulate economic development and job growth. This tri-state initiative, which will be headquartered at The University of Alabama, will create a premier research and development hub for research-enabled mobility innovation that drives economic and workforce development. Joining The University of Alabama are the University of Georgia and Mississippi State University, each with critical expertise in all aspects of the automotive industry and emerging technologies. "Mississippi State University is a national leader in mobility systems research and development and widely recognized for our collaborative culture and many successful partnerships," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. "We are honored to join with the State of Mississippi, Southern Company and our peers in Alabama and Georgia on the MAGNET team." |
| MSU College of Business Dean Discusses Programs | |
| Video: The Mississippi State University College of Business is the oldest in the state and one of the oldest in the southeast region. It started in 1915 and has at least 40,000 alumni all over the world. The Dean of the College of Business, Dr. Scott Grawe, joined Studio 3 to share details on the new entrepreneurship major, live-learning and the online MBA program. Alumni and friends can support the college through the Club 1915. |
| Hotel, dining and retail planned for new Crossroads District near campus | |
| Mississippi State University unveiled plans on Aug. 20 to construct a major mixed-use development between MSU and Starkville that will reshape the western entrance into campus, including commercial space, a hotel and a new home for the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library. The plans aim to create a walkable connection between the MSU campus, the Cotton District and downtown Starkville. MSU leaders and the MSU Foundation said the Crossroads District will be designed to serve students, visitors and Starkville residents while overall boosting Starkville's economy. The first phase of the project focuses on the construction of the five-story, 90,000 square-foot Hotel Madelon. One of the centerpieces for the new district will be the new facility for the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, which is currently housed on the fourth floor of the Mitchell Memorial Library. John Rush, MSU's vice president for Development and Alumni, said moving the library into a standalone building will make it more accessible for tourists, school groups and Civil War historians. "We are proud of the home it has now, but it is hard to get to for visitors," Rush said. "The new location will serve as a gateway from the community back to campus and vice versa." |
| Ole Miss, Mississippi State see endowments pass $1 billion | |
| Coming off historic fundraising years at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University, endowments at both schools have now topped the $1 billion mark. The University of Mississippi, better known as Ole Miss, announced Wednesday that fiscal year 2025 saw a record $215.6 million in private donations pour in. Earlier this month, Mississippi State University announced its endowment had surpassed $1 billion, in large part due to $260 million in private donations in fiscal year 2025. "Achieving this level of unprecedented success reflects the generous spirit of countless Mississippi State University friends, alumni, and partners," President Mark E. Keenum said. "Words alone cannot express the deep appreciation I have for their meaningful investments in our students and the transformative work we are doing to serve our state and nation. We are blessed to have these resources and are committed to being good stewards of these gifts as we pursue life-changing research, meet critical needs, and prepare students to be leaders." Endowment growth at both universities comes from donor gifts and revenue generated from long-term investments. The majority of endowed funds are directed by donor designations such as scholarships, faculty support, research, and facility improvements. |
| Natasha Bedingfield to headline 2025 Bulldog Bash | |
 | Natasha Bedingfield, a British singer and songwriter known for several pop hits, will perform at Bulldog Bash in Starkville this year. The Grammy-nominated singer will take the stage in The Hump at Mississippi State University (MSU) on Friday, October 3, 2025. She's known for her songs "Unwritten," "Pocket Full of Sunshine," and "Love Like This." Just last year, Bedingfield's song "Unwritten" had a resurgence in popularity, charting again due to its feature in the film "Anyone But You" and popularity on TikTok through mall flash mobs and moves by masked dancers in bright sweatpants. Tickets will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. on August 28 at www.hailstate.evenue.net/. Students can claim one free ticket and non-students can claim four. Opening act for this year's Bash will be the winner of the Battle of the Bands sponsored by MSU's Music Makers Productions. It happens on September 12 at 6:00 p.m. in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium. |
| Natasha Bedingfield to headline this year's Bulldog Bash | |
 | Grammy-nominated singer Natasha Bedingfield is set to headline this year's Bulldog Bash on Oct. 3, Mississippi State University announced in a Wednesday press release. Bedingfield, who is set to take the stage at Humphrey Coliseum at about 9 p.m., is a British pop-artist known for her hit songs including "Unwritten" and "Pocket Full of Sunshine." "We are super excited," MSU senior and Bulldog Bash Director Sneha Cherukuri told The Dispatch. "We've ... not able to sleep at night, thinking about 'what is the reaction going to be?' And for the most part, it's been super positive." The music festival, put on by Mississippi State's Student Association, is typically held downtown each year and is funded by a portion of Starkville's 2% food and beverage tax. The festival announced this year it will be held at The Hump on MSU's campus instead of downtown, due to ongoing road construction on Main Street. Due to the move to The Hump, the concert cannot accommodate its typical crowd of 15,000 and will limit capacity for safety reasons, Director of Student Activities and Adviser for Bulldog Bash Kylie Forrester said. |
| Natasha Bedingfield headlining free concert at Mississippi State's Humphrey Coliseum | |
 | Natasha Bedingfield will be the headline performer at the 2025 Bulldog Bash at Mississippi State, the university announced Aug. 27. The concert is Friday, Oct. 3, at Humphrey Coliseum. Tickets are free, and can be claimed beginning at 10 a.m. on Aug. 28 through Mississippi State. Students can get one ticket, while non-students can get up to four tickets. Bedingfield is a pop singer known for hit songs like "Unwritten" and "Pocketful of Sunshine." The opening act will be the winner of MSU's Battle of the Bands, which takes place Sept. 12. The concert is the night before Mississippi State football's road game at Texas A&M. Ludacris was the 2024 headliner. |
| 'Unwritten' singer Natasha Bedingfield to headline 2025 Bulldog Bash | |
| Bulldog Bash is around the corner, and this year's event will be headlined by Grammy-nominated singer Natasha Bedingfield. Bedingfield, best known for her 2004 hit "Unwritten," will take the main stage in Humphrey Coliseum at Mississippi State on Friday, Oct.3. Along with her catchiest tune, Bedingfield is also behind popular songs "Pocket Full of Sunshine," "Love Like This," and "Strip Me." Ranked by VH1 on its list of "100 Greatest Women in Music," she has sold over 10 million albums and 10 million singles, totaling more than 20 million records worldwide. In 2024, "Unwritten" had a resurgence in popularity, charting again due to its feature in the film "Anyone But You" and popularity on the social media platform TikTok through mall flash mobs and moves by masked dancers in bright sweatpants. Also included in the 2025 Bulldog Bash festivities, which are happening on campus this year due to construction underway in downtown Starkville, will be the Maroon Market outside Humphrey Coliseum. The market showcases local musicians on stage while also featuring art and food vendors. |
| Student Association halts appropriations amid new state law, fires director of programming | |
| The Student Association announced on Monday night that it can no longer distribute funds to student organizations due to a new state law. They also announced they had fired their Director of Programming. In addition to the leadership change, SA executives announced they will not be able to distribute student organization appropriations this semester. The decision follows Mississippi House Bill 1193, passed in April, which prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) statements and practices in public K-12 and postsecondary schools. At the general body meeting, Mary Walker Foster, the treasurer of the SA, read on behalf of Regina Hyatt, the vice president of Student Affairs who could not attend the meeting, that due to the bill, Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning have determined that the $25 student activity fee, included with every MSU student's tuition, is considered state money. "Because the IHL has determined student activity fees are considered state funds, we cannot contribute them to registered student organizations this fall without violating federal requirements to remain viewpoint neutral," Foster said. |
| National Strength and Conditioning Foundation awards grant to MSU's Gillen for research | |
 | Zachary Gillen, an assistant professor of exercise physiology at Mississippi State, is receiving a prestigious national grant to advance his research in better understanding how different resistance training intensities maximize human performance. The National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation's Young Investigator Grant recognizes Gillen's dedication to academic excellence and potential to make a meaningful impact in the field. He will use the $23,293 award to support his work in MSU's Department of Kinesiology, where he directs the Resistance Exercise Performance Lab, which analyzes physiological and biomechanical responses to exercise. "Dr. Gillen is doing exciting research in strength and conditioning, and this grant will help move that work forward," said JohnEric Smith, department head. "He's not only advancing research in performance through resistance training, but also creating meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities for our students. We're excited to see the NSCA supporting his efforts and look forward to the impact his work will have on both our field and our students." |
| Leslie Burger wins 2025 TWS education award | |
| The Wildlife Society has granted its 2025 Excellence in Wildlife Education Award to Leslie Burger for her long career in teaching students of all levels. The Excellence in Wildlife Education Award honors those who have demonstrated excellence in all areas of education, including teaching, advising, scholarships, program development and leadership. A professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University, Burger has consistently helped launch careers, guide internships and improve understanding among her students. For more than three decades, Burger has worked with graduate and undergraduate students as well as K-12 students, often teaching special courses designed to promote career success. "Leslie builds ecosystems of curiosity and exploration within her classrooms, and I am always impressed with her thoughtful experiential learning style of teaching, where the students develop critical-thinking and soft skills that are stepping-stones to professional success," said Andy Kouba, professor and head of Burger's academic department, in his nomination letter. Burger called her win an "unexpected honor and privilege," saying that it was humbling to see the nomination letters. "It was a good reminder that even as an individual, we have the power to make a difference," she said. |
| Whitfield receives Pittman Excellence in Leadership Award from MEC | |
 | Lewis Whitfield, a senior consultant of the CREATE Foundation in Tupelo, has been named a Bob W. Pittman Excellence in Leadership Award recipient by the Mississippi Economic Council. Whitfield retired from a 32-year banking career in 2004, having served as president of four banks in the city. He has served as chairman of the board for the MEC, Community Development Foundation, Good Samaritan Health Services, All Saints Episcopal Church, Yocona Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, CREATE, the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra, United Methodist Senior Services – Tupelo Area Inc., North Mississippi Health Services, and Good Samaritan Free Clinic. Whitfield received Bachelor of Science and MBA degrees from Mississippi State University. He is a graduate of the School of Banking of the South at LSU. He served as an army intelligence officer, a management consultant with KPMG, and a U.S. Senate aide. Whitfield has served as a member on the following boards: MSU Development Foundation, MSU Alumni Foundation, United Way of Northeast Mississippi, Community Federal Bancorp Inc., First Bank Capital Corp., MidSouth Corporation and Journal Publishing Co. The award is named in honor of Bob Pittman, who served as president and CEO of the Mississippi Economic Council for 32 years. |
| Higgins' conduct would 'harm every member of this community' | |
| The Golden Triangle Development LINK Executive Committee broke its silence Wednesday evening on why it fired longtime CEO Joe Max Higgins over the weekend. An official statement from the Executive Committee said it was "compelled to remove" Higgins after learning of workplace behavior and speech over an extended period that "do not reflect the values of this organization and the communities we serve." Bain Nickels chairs the 13-member Executive Committee. "Mr. Higgins' conduct goes well beyond profanity, and, if known, would harm every member of this community," the statement reads. Higgins was fired after more than 20 years as chief executive for the industrial recruitment organization that serves Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties. During his tenure, the LINK helped bring in $10 billion in capital investment to the area, including plants like Steel Dynamics, Aluminum Dynamics, PACCAR and Airbus to Lowndes County, and Yokohama Tire to Clay County. The LINK's statement acknowledges the success the organization experienced under Higgins' leadership but added the LINK is "stronger than one individual." Chief Operations Officer Meryl Fisackerly is leading day-to-day operations at the LINK, the statement reads, as it looks for a new CEO. |
| 'Workplace behavior and speech' led to Higgins being fired as LINK CEO | |
| Days after the abrupt departure of Joe Max Higgins as chief executive officer of the Golden Triangle Development LINK, the largest economic development group in north Mississippi, the organization has provided at least some reason as to why Higgins was let go. "The Executive Committee of the Golden Triangle Development LINK was compelled to remove Joe Max Higgins as CEO after learning of workplace behavior and speech espoused by Mr. Higgins over an extended period of time that do not reflect the values of this organization and the communities we serve," a Wednesday afternoon statement from the LINK's executive committee reads. As speculation from community members swirled and some elected officials in the group's service area of Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha counties questioned the decision -- including Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill, who told the Columbus Dispatch it was "hastily made" -- the LINK decided to clarify what led to Higgins' firing without disclosing too many details. Higgins, known as an economic development baron who doesn't mince many words when getting deals done, took it well past profanity on the way to being fired, according to the LINK's executive committee: "Mr. Higgins' conduct goes well beyond profanity, and, if known, would harm every member of the community." |
| Mary Means Business: New owner: Ruben's to reopen | |
| It looks like there's a little life left for Ruben's Fish and Steak House. The 70-year-old restaurant property has a new owner, Frank Loftis, who posted online that the restaurant will close for a short time, but he fully intends to reopen. "Ruben's will be closed only long enough for cleaning, for replacement of kitchen equipment and to re-stock," the post reads. "I have a passion to turn Ruben's into what it was like in the past where people can enjoy a clean family-friendly atmosphere, and our goal is to serve excellent quality food." ... Over in Starkville, a downtown bookstore is turning the page after more than 50 years in business. Book Mart and Café, 120 E. Main St., has been a cornerstone for the community – a place for Bulldog fans to get the latest maroon and white gear, local authors to sign and meet readers and folks like me, who always left with something new for my already stacked shelves. Now, longtime owner Carolyn Abadie is ready for her next chapter: retirement. After years of helping others discover books, she's looking forward to finding more time to read them herself. "I don't get to read nearly as much as people think I do," she laughed. Abadie said the shop will likely close by Oct. 1, marking the end of an era for Main Street. Starting Thursday, everything is 50% off. |
| New Chick-fil-A on 22nd Avenue will host its grand opening on September 4th | |
 | In just eight days, the city of Meridian will be able to "Eat Mor Chikin" because the new Chick-fil-A, located on 22nd Avenue, will host its grand opening on Thursday, September 4. The project was announced in March of this year The new spot should be able to relieve the Crossroads location of heavy traffic, as it's nearly five times the size, with over 80 parking spots and a two-lane drive-through around the restaurant. Its hours of operation will be 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. |
| City secures partnership with Cisco, state investments to advance MCITy | |
| Vicksburg Mayor Willis Thompson announced Tuesday that the City of Vicksburg has signed a "landmark" agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc., one of the world's leading technology companies, to expand the Thad Cochran Mississippi Center for Innovation and Technology (MCITy). The announcement comes as Accelerate Mississippi has formally indicated its intent to award $282,540 to Vicksburg. "This is a major win for Vicksburg," Thompson said. "Cisco's global leadership in technology -- combined with nearly $300,000 in state investment -- ensures MCITy has the infrastructure, expertise, and credibility to make Vicksburg the technology hub of Mississippi. This is about creating opportunity, building our workforce, and strengthening our economy for the people who live here." Under the agreement signed by Thompson, Cisco will provide advanced networking systems, technical support, and workforce training resources to help MCITy attract new industries and prepare Vicksburg residents for high-paying, technology-driven careers. Thompson said the $282,540 award from Accelerate Mississippi confirms Vicksburg's growing influence in statewide economic development. |
| The Pig and Pint expands to Madison with new location at The Gallery | |
| The Pig & Pint, Jackson's go-to spot for smoky, Southern flavors and cold craft beer, is officially coming to Madison. The award- winning Mississippi barbecue joint is opening its newest location at The Gallery, bringing its famous pulled pork nachos, brisket tacos, and wide selection of craft beers to one of Madison's most exciting new destinations. "At The Pig & Pint, we've always been about chef-driven barbecue and craft beer, served with a side of nostalgia and true Southern hospitality," said Scott Jackson, Founding Partner of The Pig & Pint. "Madison has such a strong sense of community, and we're excited to be part of it with our second location." Located off Galleria Parkway, The Gallery is a privately funded, mixed-use development that brings together family entertainment, retail, dining, and office space into one community-driven destination. Developed by Bellamare Development, The Gallery is focused on creating experiences that locals love and visitors seek out. Groundbreaking is underway, with construction beginning soon. |
| Current project of Erin and Ben Napier of HGTV Home Town catches fire in Laurel | |
| Erin and Ben Napier of the HGTV series Home Town were close to fulfilling their latest vision as the Heirloom Hotel was close to opening. That all changed on Tuesday, Aug. 26, as Laurel, Mississippi fire crews responded a call around 5 a.m. The hotel was on fire. While not a complete loss, the Napiers and their partners are evaluating what the next steps will be. The 30-room boutique hotel, owned by Joshua Nowell, Emily Nowell, Jim Rasberry and Mallorie Rasberry, was to be the centerpiece of the HGTV series. The Napiers were part of the restoration. Its opening was on the horizon as booking for 2026 was set to begin in the next few weeks. According to the Laurel Main Street Facebook page, the Laurel Fire Department arrived and fought the fire for nearly two hours independently before calling in reinforcements from the Ellisville Fire Department to help contain the blaze. The building was unoccupied, and no cause of the fire has been identified at the time of this report. "Right now, they are just trying to pinpoint everything that went on to cause all of that," Caroline Burks, executive director of the Laurel Main Street Association, told the Clarion Ledger. "From a local perspective they were right at the finish line for this project, which had been a labor of love for more than two years." |
| It's been 20 years since forecasters issued the Katrina 'doomsday' statement | |
 | It's been two decades since Hurricane Katrina brought catastrophe to the Gulf Coast region, killing at least 1,800 people and displacing hundreds of thousands. About 19 hours before the storm first made landfall in southeast Louisiana, the National Weather Service in New Orleans delivered a grim but prescient warning, an unprecedented weather alert since dubbed the "doomsday" statement. The dire language that specifically predicted "human suffering incredible by modern standards," included template language that had originally been crafted by the Weather Service in Tampa Bay. It had sat for years, reserved for the big one. Forecaster Robert Ricks Jr. from the New Orleans office was confident that was Katrina. At 10:11 a.m. local time on Sunday, Aug. 28, Ricks Jr. issued the warning. "I remember reading that, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up," Josh Morgerman, a storm chaser who holds a world record for intercepting tropical cyclones, wrote in a message. "It didn't seem real -- seemed like a movie. And while it turned out that Katrina's winds were nowhere near as strong as what's described in that bulletin, the water impacts were actually worse than feared -- both the [levee] failures in the city and the gargantuan storm surge in Mississippi." |
| A Mississippi city's tax break spurred post-Katrina building. But will homes stand the next storm? | |
 | Rocking on his front porch overlooking the Mississippi Sound, former Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes questions how anyone wouldn't want to live there. "People are always going to gravitate to the water," he said. "And we have a beautiful waterfront." But it was far from certain that people would return after 2005's Hurricane Katrina, which killed 238 people in Mississippi and left only concrete slabs in many areas. With beachfront rebuilding crawling along a decade later, Gulfport began offering property tax breaks to those who built near the water. Hewes said the goal was for people to "build back better, quicker, help kick-start the economy." Where to encourage building is a thorny decision for local governments in areas exposed to floods or wildfires. Despite risks including rising sea levels, places need residents and taxpayers. Like other Gulf Coast cities after Katrina, Gulfport required residents to build at higher elevations and enforced a stronger building code. But most residents near the water are in at least a moderate-risk flood zone. Nationwide, many more homes are being built in flood zones than are being removed. |
| Mississippi Museum Acquires Gun Linked to Emmett Till's Murder | |
 | It was the image of Emmett Till's disfigured body, lying in an open casket for the world to see, that helped galvanize a movement. He had been beaten, but bullets also played a role in his death in 1955, fired from a weapon that was widely thought to be lost. Now, the gun that is believed to have been used in 14-year-old Emmett's murder -- an Ithaca .45 caliber pistol -- is on display at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, mounted in a display case. The museum is set to announce the acquisition on Thursday, exactly seven decades after Emmett was killed in a Mississippi barn by two white men who were angered by allegations that he had whistled at a white woman in a grocery store while visiting from Chicago. The gun is going on display less than a week after the federal Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board released thousands of pages of documents related to the case. "Now we have an artifact that we can clearly pinpoint to what happened in the barn," said Daphne Chamberlain, a civil rights historian who works at the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Sumner, Miss. She added, "If this artifact is out there, what else is out there that has not yet been disclosed to the public or to a cultural institution for historic preservation?" |
| Facing 'same issues' as in Jackson's past, Mayor Horhn proposes legislative solutions | |
| Jackson faces many of the same issues it did 10 years ago, including youth crime, lack of economic development and failing infrastructure, according to testimony Mayor John Horhn and state officials gave Wednesday to a House committee. The stuck-in-amber nature of Mississippi's capital city was highlighted by a moment when Rep. Chris Bell, a Democratic lawmaker from Jackson who sits on the Capital City Revitalization Committee, asked Horhn about a state-funded study on gangs. The 2016 study, paid for with $500,000 in funding Horhn secured while senator, found in part that Jackson's gangs were mainly neighborhood cliques of young adult men. "Are these some of the same issues that we're seeing back then and we still have today?" Bell asked. "Absolutely," Horhn responded. It was Horhn's first time to publicly address his former colleagues through the select committee, formed by Republican House Speaker Jason White in 2024 to focus on issues in the capital city, since the former senator left the Legislature to become mayor in July. |
| Lawmakers convene hearing to consider Capital City Revitalization | |
| In an effort to combat the numerous challenges Jackson is facing, lawmakers on the Mississippi House Select Capital City Revitalization Committee heard from the city's mayor and interim police chief on Thursday. From gang activity to new homeless laws, city officials said they need help finding solutions. However, Democrats and Republicans alike said they would like to see the city take a tougher stance on crime. State Rep. Fabian Nelson (D) said he would like to see tougher laws concerning gun violence in the capital city, which has seen nearly 40 homicides and scores of shootings this year. Notably, the number of fatalities in the city is about half what it was last year at this time. "I'd like to see people charged with attempted murder if they shoot into someone's house," Nelson said, noting that in three Jackson shootings, more than 100 bullet casings were found at each crime scene. Jackson Mayor John Horhn (D) and Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones, who is also now serving as the city's Interim Police Chief, testified that of the 100 or so gangs in Mississippi, a third are in Jackson. When asked by Committee Chairwoman State Rep. Shanda Yates (I) why are there 33 gangs in the capital city, Mayor Horhn said, "Basically one street doesn't like the next street over." |
| US asks Supreme Court to take action in USAID funding challenge | |
 | The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to quickly step into a legal challenge over billions of dollars in funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development and other foreign assistance funds. The emergency application filed late Tuesday argues that administrative action at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has left the government in limbo just ahead of the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. If the justices do not intervene, the Trump administration wrote, it "will effectively force the government to rapidly obligate some $12 billion in foreign-aid funds that would expire September 30 and to continue obligating tens of billions of dollars more -- overriding the Executive Branch's foreign-policy judgments regarding whether to pursue rescissions and thwarting interbranch dialogue." The application is the latest in litigation over Trump's effort to cut foreign aid funds and wind down USAID that dominated the first few weeks of his administration and have already included one trip to the Supreme Court. The application asked for a decision by next Tuesday and dipped into a broader fight over who can challenge the president's decisions to withhold funding passed into law. |
| In Trump's Second Term, a Bolder President Charges Ahead Unchecked | |
 | Some aides to Donald Trump warned the president that building a ballroom at the White House would force them to tear down part of the East Wing and disrupt daily operations and tours, according to people familiar with the discussions. Trump said he would build it anyway, and the contract was given to builders chosen by the White House. In his first term, administration officials regularly curbed Trump's impulses on matters big and small, including on tariffs, immigration and controlling the Federal Reserve. In his second, Trump has been surrounded by fewer people who try to dissuade him, according to White House officials, Trump allies and observers of the presidency. "I think he's learned there is not much that can really stop him from what he wants," said Marc Short, who was Trump's director of legislative affairs in his first term. Trump is motivated by "having control over all American institutions," said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian at Rice University. "He seems to want to grab everyone by the neck and say 'I'm in charge.'" American history includes examples of presidents who've changed the office they occupy. Andrew Jackson took on elites and brought populism to the highest office. Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus (later ratified by Congress) and eventually ended slavery. Franklin D. Roosevelt built a social safety net. The Trump era is marked by concentrating federal power in the Oval Office. "I have the right to do anything I want to do," Trump said Monday. |
| CDC director Susan Monarez is fired after less than a month on the job | |
| The director of the nation's top public health agency has been fired after less than one month in the job, and several top agency leaders have resigned. Susan Monarez isn't "aligned with" President Donald Trump's agenda and refused to resign, so the White House terminated her, spokesman Kush Desai said Wednesday night. Her lawyers said she was targeted for standing up for science. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had announced her departure in a brief social media post late Wednesday afternoon. Her lawyers responded with a statement saying Monarez had neither resigned nor been told she was fired. "When CDC Director Susan Monarez refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts, she chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda. For that, she has been targeted," attorneys Mark Zaid and Abbe David Lowell wrote in a statement. "This is not about one official. It is about the systematic dismantling of public health institutions, the silencing of experts, and the dangerous politicization of science. The attack on Dr. Monarez is a warning to every American: our evidence-based systems are being undermined from within," they said. |
| GOP Health chair Bill Cassidy vows Senate oversight after CDC shakeup | |
 | Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, says the departures of several high-level officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including Director Susan Monarez, "will require oversight." Cassidy, who cast a pivotal vote to confirm Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in February, supported Kennedy's controversial nomination after receiving his assurance that he would not dismantle the nation's vaccine safety systems. The Louisiana Republican posted his statement pledging oversight of the shake-up at CDC on social platform X. Now, Monarez and several other senior officials at CDC are set to leave their posts after a battle with Kennedy over the administration's vaccine policies. Four other senior officials at the agency announced their resignations after Monarez was ousted from her job: Debra Houry, the CDC's chief medical officer; Demetre Daskalakis, the agency's top respiratory illness and immunization officer; Daniel Jernigan, a senior official who helped oversee responses to infectious diseases; and Jennifer Layden, who handled public health data. |
| How the Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting Unfolded | |
| Through his open window in a leafy neighborhood, utility manager P.J. Mudd heard "boom, boom, boom," the 49-year-old said. "It suddenly dawned on me. It was a shooting." A block away, 23-year-old Robin Westman had opened fire at a church adjoining the local Catholic school, killing two children and injuring 17 people, authorities said. The Mass marked the start of the school year. The shooting began just before 8:30 a.m. as the priest was wrapping up the processional and congregants were finishing the opening song, according to a father who attended Mass with his second-grader. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said pieces of wood had been placed outside at least two doors on the side of the church where the shooter approached. "The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible," O'Hara said. Westman died by suicide in the rear of the church, police said. A quick-responding Minneapolis police officer entered the church and then ran toward the shooter outside. "He ran towards the danger," the father of the second-grader said of the police officer. The suspect was a former student at Annunciation Catholic School, according to a school yearbook. |
| This Is the Group That's Been Swatting US Universities | |
 | A self-proclaimed leader of an online group linked to the violent extremist network The Com tells WIRED he is responsible for the flurry of hoax active-shooter alerts at universities across the US in recent days as students return to school. Known online as Gores, the person says he coleads a group called Purgatory, which is offering its followers a menu of services, including hoax threats against schools -- known as swatting -- for just $20, while faked threats against hospitals, businesses, and airports can cost up to $50. The group also offered "slashings" and "brickings" for as little as $10, according to a review of the group's Telegram channel by WIRED, apparently referencing real-world violence. In recent days, however, as the incidents were reported in the media, the prices have skyrocketed, with a school swatting now costing $95 and brickings costing $35. Since the swatting spree kicked off on August 21, around a dozen different universities have been targeted with 911 emergency calls, some having to issue alerts on multiple occasions after receiving multiple hoax calls. Gores tells WIRED that the group had earned around $100,000 since the swatting spree began. WIRED has not independently confirmed that figure. Gores, whose identity is unknown, told WIRED in a message on Telegram that he was responsible for "a lot" of hoax calls to universities, claiming that he and another member named "tor" were the ones who placed the calls, some of which they were paid to place. Asked if the swatting spree will continue, Gores simply replied: "Yes. 2 months." |
| Emmy Award-winner Conor Knighton Leaves His 'Footprint' At Fall Convocation | |
 | University of Mississippi students and faculty gathered in the Sandy and John Black Pavilion for the annual Fall Convocation on Tuesday, Aug. 26., where Conor Knighton gave this year's keynote. Knighton is a two-time Daytime Emmy Award-winner as a correspondent on "CBS Sunday Morning." He wrote the memoir "Leave Only Footprints," a book about the year he spent traveling through every United States national park. The book was chosen as the university's common reading experience for the class of 2029. Knighton used his keynote address to speak on his memoir bringing a message of encouragement that emphasized the importance for students to not only take the opportunities presented to them but to make opportunities of their own. He particularly focused on his journey up a hiking trail in Acadia National Park during the dead of the winter season, where he compared the start of his adventures through all of America's national parks to the beginning of the person's experience as a college student. |
| 20 years after Hurricane Katrina, USM Gulf Coast Research Lab showcases resilience | |
 | 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Although traces of the storm remain along the Coast, many areas showcase the resilience of Mississippians in the face of destruction. One coastal school is showing that recovery is possible -- no matter how long it takes. The University of Southern Mississippi's Marine Education Center and Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) provides students with hands-on learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom. Today, this approach is a choice, but in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it was a necessity because the storm destroyed the educational hub. "We were teaching outside and out of temporary buildings. We learned a lot about how to teach outside," said Jessie Kastler, the USM Marine Education Center Director. After 13 years of temporary buildings, Southern Miss cut the ribbon on a new state-of-the-art facility in Ocean Springs in 2018. It is equipped with several safety features that will help mitigate damage if another strong storm hits South Mississippi. "All of the floors are 21 feet above sea level, so we can reduce the possibility of storm surge," said Kastler. |
| Hattiesburg became a hub of nurturing for twins born in New Orleans in wake of Katrina | |
 | Mary Margaret Duggan and her twin sister Betty Duggan were supposed to have a different life when they were born. Their parents, Jack and Hilary Duggan, had a home in New Orleans, where they planned to raise their family, immersed in the city's rich cultural and arts scenes. Jack and Hilary were looking forward to the birth of their twin daughters in 2005, but had no idea the trajectory of their lives was about to change in a very big way. Fast forward to August 2006, and the family finds themselves in Hattiesburg, along with thousands of others who had evacuated there before and after the storm. Jack was able to get a job at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, where he has been ever since. Today he is the associate athletic director for communications. He served a similar role as sports information director at the University of New Orleans before Katrina. Hilary is a Hattiesburg public school teacher and very much involved in the Hattiesburg community. Betty and Mary Margaret? They are juniors at the University of Southern Mississippi, where they live on campus, much like any other student. While Hilary initially was wistful when thinking about leaving her New Orleans home, she now said she wouldn't want to live anywhere else but Hattiesburg. Her daughters feel the same way. |
| Magnolia Mornings: Moore to headline first USM University Forum of school year | |
| The University of Southern Mississippi announced Wednesday that Dr. Russell Moore, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, will speak the university's first 2025 University Forum series. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Thad Cochran Center Ballroom on the Hattiesburg campus. An ordained Baptist minister, Moore is the author of Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America and previously served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Moore is an alumnus of Southern Miss. |
| 'We have to make sure we get it right': JSU alumni demand to be included in search for new president | |
| Jackson State University finds itself searching for another president once again. Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning announced last week that it is officially beginning the process to see who will serve as the university's next leader. "I'm very disappointed in the fact that, over the past 10 to 15 years, we've gone through four presidents. Now we're looking for another president," said 66th District Representative and JSU graduate Fabian Nelson. "In order for our university to grow, we're going to have to have some longevity and we're going to have to make sure that whoever is appointed as our new president is there for the long haul." Nelson, who is currently earning his Ph.D. from JSU, said he wants alumni to be included in the upcoming president search process. "I would like to see a rubric developed by IHL and present it to the alumni as well as the student body and say, 'This is what we are looking for in a president,'" said Nelson. "Allow us to find three candidates that fit that rubric that we are comfortable with being our president and then let IHL decide based upon the three candidates that we provided them. If they say they are not good candidates, then we'll go back to the drawing board." John Sewell, who serves as the IHL Director of Communications, said the board is taking input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters. |
| Northrop Grumman opens high-tech aerospace lab at Northeast Mississippi Community College | |
| Defense technology giant Northrop Grumman officially opened its new aerospace laboratory at Northeast Mississippi Community College's (NEMCC) Corinth campus this week, marking a significant milestone in Mississippi's workforce development initiatives. Under clear skies on a slightly cooler summer day, the ribbon-cutting ceremony August 26 featured Governor Tate Reeves, Northrop Grumman executives, state officials, and NEMCC leadership rejoicing what represents both a strategic investment in regional education and a pipeline for the state's growing aerospace and defense industry. The high-tech facility, funded through a Northrop Grumman Foundation grant, will provide firsthand training in composite material fabrication, repair, and inspection, and also in advanced manufacturing techniques. "The realization of true workforce training efforts is a testament to the power of collaboration and partnerships," NEMCC President Dr. Ricky G. Ford said during the ceremony. "As we witness the unveiling of this cutting-edge training facility, we celebrate the potential it holds for our students to receive hands-on experience and begin prosperous careers in aerospace and advanced manufacturing." |
| Tougaloo College seeks new president amid faculty and alumni concerns | |
| Tougaloo College, the private historically Black institution located in north Jackson, is seeking its 15th president in the school's 156-year history. Donzell Lee, the current president, will remain in his role until June 2026. In an email, Blondean Y. Davis, chair of the presidential search committee, told constituents last week that WittKieffer, a Chicago-based consulting and executive firm, will lead the process. The committee has also created a leadership profile outlining the qualities for a successful candidate. Earlier this summer, the committee led community listening sessions for faculty, alumni, board of trustees and students. The college's next leader will be expected to expand enrollment, help with financial sustainability and elevate the national profile, according to the job profile. Applications for the role will be accepted through Oct. 10. Faculty and alumni have been dissatisfied with the school's leadership for years. In March, the college's faculty senate issued a series of no confidence votes for Lee, the office of the provost and registrar. In a memo, faculty cited lack of communication from Lee as well as failing to acknowledge lingering concerns about provost Josiah Sampson III and registrar Pam England. The faculty senate voted no confidence in Sampson and England in May 2024. Lee was interim president of the university at the time. |
| Auburn University reports 'heavy police presence' at RBD library | |
| At 5:07 p.m., Auburn University sent out an AU Alert that stated: "AU ALERT: Heavy Police presence at RBD Library. Please avoid the area." When contacted, campus security stated that the AU Alert contained everything they knew. As of 5:49 p.m., the University ruled the alert to be a false alarm in response to a possible threat on campus. Once the scene was cleared, an AUPD officer approached a reporter for The Plainsman. The officer confirmed that there was a 911 call, regarding a "disturbance in the library." When asked for a statement for The Plainsman, Jennifer Adams, Vice President for Public Affairs, Communication & Marketing for Auburn University, responded with the following. "Just before 5 p.m., Auburn Police responded to a false report of a possible threat at the Ralph Brown Draughon Library. After thoroughly searching the building, authorities confirmed there was no danger to the Auburn University community. Similar false reports have occurred at universities nationwide. Although today's report was unfounded, we urge our community to stay vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity to police." |
| As public debates new LSU arena, Baton Rouge council signs off on new tax near campus | |
 | Baton Rouge officials approved a new sales tax near LSU's campus Wednesday after a public debate over the new arena where some of the tax could be collected. The East Baton Rouge Metro Council unanimously authorized the LSU Economic Development District to levy a new sales tax in the district's boundary, effective Oct. 1. District officials say they are planning for a tax of one cent. The approval came after several comments from residents who feared the tax is going to be given to the developer of the proposed new arena and took issue with any new tax levied without direct voter approval. "I can stand here very confident and say this whole tax is to prop up the development," said former Metro Council member Darryl Glasper. "It may have not have been created for that, but because it was created, it's going to be used to prop up (the developer)." Charles Landry, attorney for the Tiger Athletic Foundation who helped create the economic development district and is negotiating the arena deal, said the tax at issue Wednesday had nothing to do with the arena. Landry said taxes collected from businesses in the district will not go to Oak View Group, the developer. But the board of the LSU Economic Development District could choose to give the tax revenue generated directly within the 30-acre new development to Oak View. Supporters of the project have argued it could attract major events to Baton Rouge, providing a massive economic boost. When the arena is not being used for LSU events, it will be open for concerts and other events. |
| Update: U. of Tennessee PD, FBI investigating campus threat hoax | |
| The University of Tennessee was caught in the latest round of hoax active threat reports on Monday, part of a wave of false alarms that have appeared across United States universities since Aug. 21. At about 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, Knoxville police received a call of an individual carrying a weapon at Hodges Library on UT's campus. University police as well as Knoxville police responded to the call and arrived on scene within minutes. Police found no threat and no injuries were reported. A copy of the police report can be viewed here. "It was clear the whole time that this was a hoax," Public Information Officer Ryan Moore told the Beacon, additionally noting they are now working alongside the FBI to investigate the call. Students, staff and faculty did not receive notifications via the UT Alert system. "We have a robust camera system on campus, and UTPD was able to look at video in and around the library immediately and in real time," Moore said. |
| When Hurricane Katrina hit, the U. of Tennessee embodied its Volunteer spirit | |
 | The University of Tennessee at Knoxville lived up to its moniker after Hurricane Katrina made landfall Aug. 29, 2005. Some Volunteers rushed to Louisiana while others stayed back to help those who made a temporary life here. The university opened its doors to students from other schools who had to flee the Gulf Coast, offering classes at no cost or for the in-state tuition rate, thanks to a directive from then-Gov. Phil Bredesen. The Knoxville campus welcomed about 110 students, according to UT in 2006. The students who came to UT inspired those who worked with them, and those who went out into the field took away lessons they still use today in the classroom. Jerry Adams, the director of residence life for UT Housing, remembers one student who arrived with his mother when they had nothing left back home. That student ended up graduating from UT, he said. "He and his mom were so excited to be here, but they were just so appreciative of anything that we did and the help that we did for them. We're Volunteers, it's just Tennessee, so we just did what we normally do," Adams said. |
| New Committee outlines goals to attain R-1 status within A&M system | |
 | Since he was a student at Texas A&M regent John Bellinger has been interested in research. He did quite a bit of research into meat science while he was pursuing his graduate degree. In May he was named the chairman of a new committee of research that is tasked with looking at how the Texas A&M system can increase its research capabilities not just at Texas A&M in College Station but throughout the system. On Wednesday afternoon Bellinger called the first quarterly meeting of the research committee to order. "We have several priorities and its not inclusive but number one is to learn and turn over stones," Bellinger said in his opening remarks. "How do we make this thing better? You have to understand what's what and you have to do your investigative work to be able to make decisions. We are not going to make a decision until we have more and more facts. We want to know how to help and how to grow the R-1s and R-2s." Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor for Research Joe Elabd shared information on research across the system. In FY 2024 the Texas A&M University system had $1.57 billion in annual research expenditures. Texas A&M in College Station accounted for $1.39 billion of that. The regents compared the current levels of A&M campuses to the University of Texas system which has six R-1 universities. |
| Palestinian student group files suit over exclusion from U. of Missouri homecoming parade | |
| Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court challenging its exclusion from last year's Homecoming parade. The lawsuit was filed against University of Missouri System President Mun Choi. It claims he violated students' First Amendment rights by barring the group from participating in the parade because of their views on Palestine and Israel. At a news conference and rally Wednesday afternoon in conjunction with the legal action, an attorney from the Council on American-Islamic Relations said free speech is not subject to the "whims" of the university president's personal beliefs. "Public universities cannot open events for the public for expression like they did with the Homecoming parade, then filter which viewpoints they want expressed at these events," said attorney Ahmad Kaki, who is providing legal counsel for the organization. Just ahead of the Mizzou Homecoming celebration in October 2024, Choi sent an email to the student group that banned them from participating in the parade. |
| Construction, traffic disruptions alter parking and routes for Mizzou football fans | |
 | University of Missouri students, faculty and staff may need to park in alternative locations Thursday to help accommodate increased traffic as Mizzou football kicks off its season. The home opener against Central Arkansas starts at 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Stadium. In tandem with the expected increase in traffic, construction at the north end of the stadium is also affecting parking and gate entrances. Upgrades to Interstate 70 will also affect travel to the game. Most faculty and staff who park in affected lots can relocate to AV14B, Hitt Street Parking Structure, Turner Avenue Parking Structure or any Mizzou unrestricted lot or garage north of Rollins Street. Parking in the affected lots is not allowed between 10:01 p.m. Wednesday and 11:59 p.m. Thursday. Given the disruptions, fans are also advised to allow extra travel time. To help alleviate the congestion, gates will open two hours ahead of kickoff, at 4:30 p.m., instead of the usual 90 minutes. All university operations, including in-person classes, will continue as scheduled Thursday. But the logistics of the game may impact employee schedules, according to the release. The university is also offering a $20 voucher for those with Uber accounts to use Thursday instead of driving. The voucher is available for the first 600 participants. |
| Are States Prepared for Workforce Pell? | |
 | Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act becoming law this summer, workforce Pell is now a reality and federal aid dollars are expected to flow to low-income students in short-term programs as soon as next July. But now comes the hard work of figuring out which programs are eligible -- and some states aren't ready, according to a new report from the State Noncredit Data Project, which helps community college systems track data related to noncredit programs. Not all states collect the data needed to make that determination, and some offer programs that wouldn't make the cut, the report concluded. Under the legislation, short-term programs need to meet certain requirements to qualify for Pell money. For example, state governors need to verify they align with high-skill, high-wage or in-demand jobs. Programs also must be able to build toward a credit-bearing certificate or degree program and be "stackable and portable across more than one employer" unless preparing students for jobs with just one recognized credential. |
| Colleges see significant drop in international students as fall semester begins | |
 | Classes began this week for students at the University at Buffalo, a public research university in western New York, but there were about 750 fewer international students on campus than expected. The new students who did make it gathered for a welcome from the school's dean of students. "We know you have had to overcome hurdles to be here -- especially this summer, with visas," Tomás Aguirre told the assembled students, representing more than 100 countries. "And I just wanted you to know that we are so glad you were able to make it." Over the last six months the Trump Administration has clamped down on international student visas, temporarily pausing and then revamping the student visa interview process and bringing more scrutiny to the vetting system. That led to long delays and meant many accepted students couldn't get appointments at embassies or consulates in time for the start of the fall semester. At the University at Buffalo, the overall decline of about 15% of international students is happening mostly in graduate programs, especially in the STEM fields. But it's not just Buffalo. Universities all over the country are experiencing similar drops. Arizona State University reported a fall semester decline for the first time since 2020. Declines have been announced at universities in Texas, Missouri and Illinois. The state of Massachusetts is expecting about 10,000 fewer new international students this year. |
| Trump administration plans to limit how long foreign students can study in the US | |
 | The Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday it intends to publish a proposed rule that would limit the length of time foreign students are allowed to stay in the United States. Since 1978, foreign students, or F visa holders, could stay in the U.S. for their "duration of status," meaning as long as they were enrolled as a full-time student. The proposed rule set to publish Thursday would allow for foreign students and exchange visitors to stay up to the duration of the program they are participating in, not to exceed a 4-year period. DHS officials said the rule is to correct a system in which foreign students have "taken advantage of U.S. generosity" by becoming "forever students." If finalized, the rule would require foreign students to be regularly assessed by DHS to remain in the U.S. for a longer period. Advocates who represent foreign students, said this rule will create uncertainty for these students and leave them with more bureaucratic hurdles to clear. The proposed rule could dissuade some students from choosing to study in the U.S., said Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. |
| Will the Supreme Court's Ruling on Research Grants Sink Harvard's Lawsuit Against Trump? | |
 | The Supreme Court has created a major hurdle for colleges seeking to preserve research grants that have been canceled by the Trump administration, including Harvard University. In an emergency decision last week, a 5-4 majority of the justices allowed the government to go forward with canceling some 900 National Institutes of Health grants worth nearly $800 million, partially reversing a June ruling from a district court judge in Massachusetts that had blocked the move. The Supreme Court's brief order stated that cases challenging the loss of those research dollars must be brought in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, a special division of the judicial branch created to hear monetary claims against the government for things like breach of contract. In that venue, researchers or other entities might have to file complaints individually for every canceled grant, lawyers told The Chronicle last week. A different 5-4 majority of the justices upheld the same district court's authority to invalidate the government's reasoning and guidance for canceling those grants. The split decision from the Supreme Court has cast uncertainty over higher education's efforts to defend itself from the administration's leverage of using research grants to force changes in admissions, hiring, and student discipline, among other things. |
| Inside Pete Hegseth's Civilian Purge at West Point | |
| To Graham Parsons, the nomination of Pete Hegseth as Defense secretary at once offered a fascinating case study and an immediate threat to his career. Since 2012, Parsons has been a professor at West Point, the U.S. Army's premier educational institution, where he has taught cadets military ethics and researched the knotty relationship between gender and warfare. Hegseth was a paragon of Parsons' scholarship, a tattooed alpha male whose vision of military service is built on undermining and expelling female and transgender troops. In his 2024 book The War on Warriors, Hegseth also agitates against America's bedrock constitutional doctrine of civilian military control, casting this class of martial outsiders as weak, privileged, radically left. Days after Hegseth's hearing, President Donald Trump co-signed his quest via an executive order pledging to overhaul the "leadership, curriculum, and instructors" at the military service academies. The Boards of Visitors who might object to all this change have themselves become stocked with Trump loyalists, including arch-conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, a community college dropout who was rejected from West Point years ago, and disgraced former general Michael Flynn. |
SPORTS
| Elevating The Experience: What's New At Davis Wade Stadium In 2025 | |
| Following the unveiling of this season's lineup of helmets and the introduction of a new alternate uniform, Mississippi State Athletics is set to roll out significant gameday enhancements at Davis Wade Stadium this fall. Fans can look forward to the unveiling of a state-of-the-art LED lighting system and a series of additional upgrades designed to elevate the game-day atmosphere throughout the season. "Mississippi State fans and students are at the heart of everything we do, and we know the importance of taking a customer-focused approach to the gameday experience at Davis Wade Stadium and each of our home venues," MSU Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. "Our team has worked tirelessly over the last year to bring elements from both the collegiate and professional levels to ensure our fan experience is second to none. I can't wait for Bulldog fans to see what we have in store for them starting with the debut of our new LED lights on Sept. 6." Mississippi State has invested $9 million in enhancements to Davis Wade Stadium and the gameday experience over the past year as part of a multi-year approach. |
| Why Jeff Lebby's history shows Blake Shapen could have big season for Mississippi State | |
| Jeff Lebby has a confidence in his offense. The Mississippi State football coach knows his offenses are primed for jumps in their second seasons. Recent history shows it, especially with a returning quarterback. "Inside this system, regardless of where I've been and who I've coached, you look at the quarterback in Year 2 of this system and it's been a huge jump," Lebby said. The Bulldogs have both of those in 2025. Lebby enters his second season after his typically outstanding offense flattened after quarterback Blake Shapen's season-ending injury in Week 4. The timing worked well though, with Shapen returning on a medical redshirt for his sixth season of college football. If history repeats itself, Lebby and Shapen could combine for an MSU offensive boom starting Week 1 at Southern Miss on Aug. 30 (11 a.m., ESPN). "For us being in Year 2, I think the thing that is very obvious for us is having Blake back," Lebby said. "His leadership and his understanding of what's being asked for him every single snap and every single day are leaps and bounds ahead of where he's been. I'm excited about that. That gives us the chance to take the step we need to take offensively and get us where we need to be." |
| What to watch for: Southern Miss vs. Mississippi State | |
| Mississippi State football begins its season at Southern Miss on Saturday, playing in the 11 a.m. slot on ESPN. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 1-11 campaign in 2024, but had an exciting offseason with the arrival of new head coach Charles Huff and several exciting transfer portal additions. It's a matchup of unknowns for two teams reloaded with new talent and looking to put bad seasons behind them. Mississippi State holds a 16-14-1 all-time record against Southern Miss. The Bulldogs won the last meeting 41-20 in 2023, and are on a six-game winning streak against the Golden Eagles dating back to 1988. MSU head coach Jeff Lebby literally knocked on wood at the podium on Monday saying that the Bulldogs are mostly healthy. Kai McClendon, a true freshman starter in 2024, is recovering from a torn ACL in the offseason, but otherwise the Bulldogs are looking healthy in the trenches and plan to run out multiple guys on both sides of the line. MSU receiver Brenen Thompson had a wrap on his thumb on Monday, but is listed as WR1 on the depth chart and will lead a group with six new players. |
| 'Dawg Talk' Returns For 2025 Season | |
| Mississippi State football's radio show, "Dawg Talk," returns for the 2025 season with head coach Jeff Lebby, Bulldog student-athletes and special guests from across MSU Athletics. The weekly show will air Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. at Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux in Starkville. Hosted by Neil Price, "The Voice of the Bulldogs," the 60-minute program will be carried statewide on the Bulldog Sports Network and streamed live and on-demand on HailState.com. Fans are invited to attend the live broadcast each week at Walk-On's, a locally and alumni-owned restaurant. Those in attendance will have the chance to interact with Price, Lebby and guests, as well as win tickets and parking passes. Fans unable to be there in person may submit questions via the @HailStateBSP account on X/Twitter. Lebby will appear on eight shows this fall, with student-athletes and other athletic department guests featured during the remaining dates. |
| Ed Orgeron speaks to Southern Miss football team ahead of season opener | |
| A familiar face in the college football world paid a visit to Southern Miss to motivate Charles Huff's team before its 2025 debut against Mississippi State. National championship-winning frontman Ed Orgeron, colloquially known as "Coach O," was in Hattiesburg on Wednesday, where he spoke with the Golden Eagles' football team ahead of their home opener against the Bulldogs. Orgeron, along with Heisman-winner Joe Burrow and an immensely talented cast of offensive weapons, helped lead LSU on a title run in 2019. Though the honeymoon didn't last long in the bayou, as Orgeron was officially relieved of his head coaching duties following the 2021 campaign. No stranger to Mississippi, Orgeron served as the head coach at Ole Miss from 2005-07. The proud Cajun, with a thick accent that highlights his Louisiana roots, later went on to hold defensive coaching roles with the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Volunteers, and USC Trojans. He was later bumped to interim head coach at USC before heading back down south to coach at LSU. The battle between Southern Miss and Mississippi State will kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday and will be aired on ESPN, along with participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series against the Golden Eagles 16-14-1 and have won in the last six meetings. |
| Soccer: No. 17 Bulldogs Depart For First Road Trip | |
| Fresh off a signature victory over then-No. 10 Wake Forest, the No. 17 Mississippi State soccer team will make its first road trip of the season this week. The Bulldogs (2-0-0) will play at Baylor on Thursday before heading to Oklahoma State on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on Thursday night from Betty Lou Mays Soccer Field. MSU last traveled to Waco, Texas, in 2002, but the two teams played in Starkville last year. The Bulldogs were the victors in that match, which saw just one goal scored. Both teams remain undefeated this season and both have conceded just one goal on the year. Offensively, State has been more productive so far. The Bulldogs have scored five goals in two games, while the Bears boast three over three contests. MSU is averaging 17.5 shots per game while allowing just 4.5 shots per game. Ally Perry is leading the way with 6.00 shots per game individually, which leads the SEC. |
| No. 17 Bulldogs prep for Big 12 road trip | |
| Mississippi State soccer will continue its 2025 campaign on the road this week, traveling to face Big 12 programs Baylor and Oklahoma State. The Bulldogs are 2-0 after wins over Jacksonville State and then-No. 10 ranked Wake Forest, and are back in the rankings at No. 17 in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll. The 2-1 win over the Deacons on Sunday was an early signature win on the season, but there is still plenty for the Bulldogs to work on as they look to improve before beginning conference play next month. "It was good to play two games, that's the most important thing," head coach Nick Zimmerman said. "We watched the film, and there are some things we've got to continue to work on and grow. Two games in, I think we'd be naive to say that everybody thinks they're there after two games, so we've got a long way to go, two really good opponents, both well coached, so I think it'll be a great challenge for us and another good opportunity for us to learn and grow." MSU's Thursday opponent, Baylor, is 1-0-2, with draws against Texas A&M and Denver before beating Montana 2-0 on Sunday. Oklahoma State is 2-1-1 with wins against Mercer and Arkansas State, a loss to Oklahoma and a draw against Nebraska. |
| Keeping State Soccer on the Cutting Edge | |
| In recent seasons, you've seen Mississippi State soccer rise to new heights. Whether it's the Southeastern Conference Championship, the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearances or the multiple Bulldogs that have been able to swap out the Maroon and White for a professional kit, it's obvious there is something special behind State soccer. So, what's fueling MSU's success? The answers are many. It's the players, coaches and fans, for sure. But it's also a commitment to getting the very best out of every athlete using the latest technology and collaboration from State's sports science department and the Athlete Engineering Institute on campus. "It's important for us to be professional in everything that we do," MSU assistant director of strength and conditioning and applied sports sciences Victor Hoffmann said. "The intentionality behind our training days, training weeks and training months is key. Having everything planned out is something that sets us apart, and it prepares players for their next step." That word -- intentionality -- is key. Hoffmann is one of the faces charged with using technology to measure and evaluate each Bulldog in both training and matches to best develop individualized plans for each player to reach peak performance. |
| Men's Tennis: Jovanovic and Sanchez Martinez Ranked No. 1 in Doubles as Five Bulldogs Appear in Preseason ITA Rankings | |
| The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released their Preseason Rankings on Tuesday with five Bulldogs featured, highlighted by the No. 1 ranked doubles team in America. The No. 1 duo of Petar Jovanovic and Benito Sanchez Martinez claimed the top spot in the ITA preseason rankings after finishing No. 2 in last season's final ranking. The pair enter the 2025-26 season with three career ITA All-America honors to their names. Jovanovic and Sanchez Martinez posted a 22-1 record in the spring -- all at the No. 1 position -- with a perfect 12-0 mark in SEC play. Their 22 dual doubles wins set a program record, and their .960 winning percentage was the highest in school history. The pair also earned First Team All-SEC honors following the season. The Dawgs are also represented in the doubles preseason rankings with the No. 52 ranked doubles duo of Niccolo Baroni and Mario Martinez Serrano. The duo climbed 13 spots from last season's final ITA rankings. As a pair, they claimed 16 doubles victories together last season. Sanchez Martinez also finds himself as the highest ranked Bulldog in the singles rankings at No. 11. He boasted a team-high 27 singles victories this past season and picked up 13 wins over ranked opponents. His doubles mate, Jovanovic, is ranked No. 31, climbing 36 spots. He recorded 18 singles victories last season. |
| Visa Consultant for Temp Foreign Labor Turns Focus to NCAA Athletes | |
| MásLabor, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Virginia, bills itself as the nation's largest provider of consulting services for businesses hiring temporary foreign workers across both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. From small-town landscaping firms to the Trump Organization, the company has been retained by thousands of employers to navigate the complex process of securing labor certifications and visas primarily through the H-2A and H-2B programs -- at scale. Earlier this year, however, MásLabor turned its focus to a very different labor market: international college athletes. The initiative began with a personal connection between Tom Bortnyk, MásLabor's senior vice president and general counsel, and his former University of Michigan Law School classmate, Casey Floyd, co-founder of the NIL technology platform Nocap Sports. In a recent phone interview, Floyd said he was referred to Bortnyk after speaking with another law school alum about one of the most persistent challenges in the evolving NIL landscape: ensuring that international athletes can fully participate. At the center of that debate is a legal gray area. F-1 visa holders, international students who are prohibited from working most jobs while studying, face unclear guidance on whether they can legally earn NIL or House v. NCAA revenue-share payments. |
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