| Monday, September 15, 2025 |
| Mississippi Book Festival unites over 23,000 readers through 11th edition | |
 | Another successful chapter of the Mississippi Book Festival has come to an end, with the state's largest literary lawn party helping tens of thousands of readers unite through this year's events. Through pop-up reading hours and kids' programming to the festival itself, the final tally of readers impacted by the 2025 Mississippi Book Festival landed at 23,125, according to festival officials. One of the localized panels that drew a large crowd was centered on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and featured former Gov. Haley Barbour, Mississippi State University President Dr. Mark Keenum, philanthropist and businessman Jim Barksdale, and Mississippi Speaker Pro Tempore Manly Barton. It was moderated by former Sun Herald publisher and SuperTalk Mississippi radio host Ricky Mathews, who was vice chair of Barbour's post-Katrina commission with Barksdale serving as chair. |
| Curtains Up: Theatre MSU unveils season of classics, musicals | |
 | Mississippi State University's Theatre MSU launches its 2025-26 season this month with a vibrant adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic "The Jungle Book," running Sept. 24-26. The beloved children's classic tells the story of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves, as he navigates the jungle with friends Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther. The MSU production features puppetry and musical numbers that bring the story to life for audiences of all ages. School performances are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. each day at the McComas Hall theater, and reservations can be made by emailing thays@comms.msstate.edu. Theatre MSU and the Lyceum Series are partnering for the evening production open to the MSU and Starkville community at 7 p.m. Sept. 26. "I am thrilled about Theatre MSU's upcoming season and our collaborations with various MSU groups," said Tonya Hays, MSU Department of Communication, Media and Theatre assistant professor. "We believe our season will entertain, inspire and provoke thoughtful conversations while engaging the MSU community." |
| Walk Mississippi: Six-week wellness program starts Oct. 11 | |
 | The Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service announced a new exercise and nutrition initiative that challenges Mississippians to improve their health and fitness, one step at a time. "Walk Mississippi and Live Healthy ... One Step at a Time" is a six-week wellness program developed by the MSU Extension Service that encourages youth and adults to be more physically active and adopt healthier nutritional habits. According to officials, the objective is for everyone who signs up to virtually walk 180 miles (the equivalent of the width of Mississippi), learn strategies and tips from MSU Extension's Walk-a-Weigh wellness program, and improve dietary and lifestyle behaviors. This no-cost program officially begins October 11 and wraps up on November 21, 2025. During each week of the program, participants will receive weekly emails from MSU Extension nutrition specialist Qula Madkin providing educational materials and video demonstrations on a range of health and wellness topics. |
| Mississippi State University is Using Thermal Drones to Study Dolphins | |
| For marine biologists, studying dolphins in their natural habitat has always been a massive challenge. Getting close enough to observe them without altering their behavior is incredibly difficult. Now, a researcher at Mississippi State University (MSU) is using a powerful new tool to solve that problem: a thermal drone. Assistant research professor Holley Muraco is taking to the skies over the Mississippi Sound, using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to get a revolutionary new perspective on the health and behavior of dolphin pods. It's a brilliant, non-invasive approach that is changing the game for wildlife research. Traditionally, studying marine mammals involves costly and intrusive methods, like getting close in a boat, which can stress the animals and cause them to act unnaturally. Holley Muraco's work, funded by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES), offers a much better way. By flying a professional-grade drone high above the water, her team can capture stunningly detailed information without the dolphins even knowing they are there. |
| MSU-Meridian looks to outreach and research-based grants for community empowerment | |
 | As a public health practitioner in East Central Mississippi, Brittney Mosley knows firsthand the power of grant support in transforming communities. "Funding is the catalyst. It sets the tone for developing impact," said Mosley, who has made Meridian her home for 13 years. "Without funding, the process is harder. It's more tedious to get to the next level." A few months into her new position as program manager at MSU-Meridian, Mosley, originally from Clinton, has defined the trajectory of grant writing and proposals that will ultimately benefit communities in Mississippi and beyond. David Buys, associate vice provost for Health Sciences and interim head of campus, said MSU-Meridian's initiative to create more awareness of potential grants, and to help facilitate grant writing, is an organic step in its growth evolution. "In moving toward the future, we are embracing the long-established history of securing financial support from many types of grant sources that have been set by our Starkville campus," he said. |
| MSU student orgs face funding freeze | |
| Mississippi State students pay a $25 student activity fee each semester that funds events and student organizations. Last spring, SA appropriated nearly $50,000 to 87 organizations. But in July, a state law took effect that prohibits state funding from being spent on programming or curriculum related to diversity, equity and inclusion. And while the law does include an exception for "registered student organizations," it does not exempt student activity fees. The legislation is currently blocked after a federal judge ruled it may violate the First Amendment rights of students and teachers, but it appears MSU, and other universities, are proceeding cautiously. MSU Vice President of Strategic Communications and Director of Public Affairs Sid Salter declined to comment on the situation, instead referring The Dispatch to a statement from John Sewell, communications director for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. "Student activity fees are state funds. Universities are following state and federal law, including the First Amendment's requirement that student activity fees be used in a viewpoint and content neutral manner," the statement reads. Other universities, including the University of Mississippi, have also announced the suspension of student activity fee funding. |
| More than 120 gather for Charlie Kirk vigil | |
| When Spencer Sanderson, a Mississippi State University senior agriculture business student, received the news of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk's death Wednesday, he was sick to his stomach. He went through the motions of the day but he wasn't mentally present at his classes for the remainder of the day. "My heart just broke," Sanderson told The Dispatch. "I wasn't able to pay attention the rest of the day." Sanderson said Kirk was an important figure in his life both because of his open dialogue in political conversations with others and his openness about his Christian faith, which is why he felt compelled to speak at the MSU chapter of Turning Point USA's candlelight vigil on Thursday at the YMCA courtyard. More than 120 students gathered to grieve Kirk, who was killed in a Wednesday shooting at Utah Valley University. Chapter leadership at MSU felt compelled to organize an event in Kirk's honor after the news came of his death Wednesday, chapter president Samuel Gonzalez said. Students gathered in prayer, sang hymns and gave speeches in honor of Kirk and the impact he had on their lives. |
| U.S. beef exports to China plummet 94% amid trade disruptions; global demand shifts | |
| Exports of U.S. beef continue to run below year-ago levels. Josh Maples, an ag economist with Mississippi State University, says one of the big stories is China. "China had become one of our larger beef export destinations," he says. But he tells Brownfield the shift in demand has been catastrophic. "Exports to China were down about 94% from where we were a year ago," he says. "It went from being one of the top destinations, and now it's just in July of this year, 1% of our beef exports went to China." Maples says ongoing trade issues between the two countries are playing a big role in the decline. China has failed to renew registrations for the vast majority of U.S. beef and cold storage facilities, most of which expired in March. Since June, China has also suspended access to 11 U.S. beef facilities. However, U.S. beef continues to see strong demand from other countries like Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and Canada. |
| State leaders drafting legislation to address concerns raised by first responders after changes to PERS | |
| Mississippi Sen. Joey Fillingane said he's heard the concerns of first responders after changes to the state retirement system. "To stay for 35 years in that job is just not reasonable," said Fillingane. Lawmakers recently passed House Bill 1, adding five years to the required service for new first responders to get full retirement benefits. Lamar County Fire Coordinator Kyle Hill was one of the first to call for a conversation regarding the changes. "We don't need people at 50 (years old), 55 years old, depending on their health, running into a burning house," Hill said. Fillingane (District 41-R) said that he's now drafting legislation that could change that. Research is underway at Mississippi State's Stennis Institute of Government to compare Mississippi's retirement plans to those of nearby states. "What we're discovering is that almost all of our neighboring and sister states have a separate carve-out or situation for those high-stress load type jobs," Fillingane said. The senator said he plans to take that information to the 2026 legislative session and share it with lawmakers before the PERS changes go into effect in March. |
| One step closer: Federal nominees questioned by Senate Judiciary Committee | |
 | North Mississippi could have two new federal judges by the first of the year. Robert Chamberlain of Hernando and James Maxwell of Oxford each moved one step closer in the process of becoming federal judges last week, when they were questioned before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The men, both currently justices on the Mississippi Supreme Court, must be approved by the committee, before their names are submitted to the full Senate for confirmation. "I know (both of) them personally," Sen. Roger Wicker said when introducing Chamberlain and Maxwell to the committee. "They will both make very fine judges for the Northern District of Mississippi. I urge my colleagues to approve their nominations." Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith called both men highly qualified individuals who would bring honor, experience and integrity to the federal bench. Chamberlain and Maxwell have been nominated to fill the vacancies left in the Oxford and Aberdeen divisions when Judge Michael Mills took senior status in November 2021 and when Judge Sharion Aycock took senior status in April, respectively. |
| House GOP eyes lawmaker security boost in bill to avert shutdown | |
 | House GOP leaders are close to finalizing a government funding extension that would avert a shutdown through Nov. 20 and potentially include more money for lawmaker security in the wake of the Charlie Kirk killing. Republican leaders want to put the bill on the House floor this week, as a Sept. 30 shutdown deadline looms. POLITICO previously reported the bill would likely extend funding through Nov. 20, the week before Thanksgiving. The member security funding is of huge importance to many on Capitol Hill amid heightened threats on lawmakers. It's the final item to sort out, according to three people granted anonymity to discuss the private negotiations. Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday on Fox News that all options were on the table for lawmaker security efforts. He has pledged to speed up a review of an expiring pilot program to provide individual lawmakers with more safety resources. Republicans are preparing to push through the measure amid protests from Democrats. Democratic leaders have signaled they will oppose a funding punt that doesn't include health care policy items like extending enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits. |
| For Congress, security fears are a haunting part of the job | |
 | Each time a new act of violence targets a political figure, whispers about security grow into a loud roar at the Capitol. For some, it feels like public service is being strained to a breaking point. Capitol Police say they are on pace in 2025 to work through roughly 14,000 threat assessment cases, which include concerning statements and direct threats, a jump from 9,474 cases investigated last year. Threats against politicians today may look different from those of the past, from "swatting" to hacking and more. But lawmakers have long debated how to keep themselves safe -- and advocates have long urged them not to cut off public access. "You tend to forget how open and free the Capitol was as late as the 1980s. When you come on the compound now, you've got the police that stop you, the dogs sniffing you. You go through the X-ray machines. It's a lot tighter," former Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said back in 2011. While most members worry for themselves and their families, some fear for the legislative branch as a whole. They've been posing an uncomfortable question since 9/11: If dozens were killed at once in a terrorist attack or natural disaster, could Congress keep going? |
| The Utah Governor Urging America to 'Disagree Better' | |
 | "I don't want to get too preachy," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said during a news conference Friday, two days after a gunman fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus. Cox then took a few minutes to warn that America is in trouble. "To my young friends out there: You are inheriting a country where politics feels like rage," the Republican said. "It feels like rage is the only option...We can choose a different path." In a political ecosystem dominated by divisive rhetoric and fierce disagreements, Cox is taking his own advice. The 50-year-old two-term governor has dedicated much of his time in public office to building bridges across the aisle, launching a "Disagree Better" campaign in 2023 with Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis in a bid to tone down the toxicity of U.S. politics. Cox, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, acknowledged the enormous hurdles he faces but said he thought most voters were with him. "This is radical because no one is doing it," he said. Few politicians of either party are embracing Cox's playbook. Lawmakers lash out at each other in the halls of Congress, on social media and on cable news. |
| After Charlie Kirk's death, workers learn the limits of free speech in and out of their jobs | |
 | In the days following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, numerous workers have been fired for their comments on his death, among them MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd. It's far from the first time workers have lost their jobs over things they say publicly -- including in social media posts. In the U.S., laws can vary across states, but overall, there's very little legal protections for employees who are punished for speech made both in and out of private workplaces. "Most people think they have a right to free speech...but that doesn't necessarily apply in the workplace," said Vanessa Matsis-McCready, associate general counsel and vice president of HR Services for Engage PEO. "Most employees in the private sector do not have any protections for that type of speech at work." Add to that the prevalence of social media, which has made it increasingly common to track employees' conduct outside of work and to dox people, or publish information about them online with the intent of harming or harassing them. Most of the U.S. defaults to "at-will" employment law -- which essentially means employers can choose to hire and fire as they see fit, including over employees' speech. |
| Mississippi College fall art exhibitions highlight creativity, community | |
| Mississippi College is showcasing the power of art to inspire creativity and foster unity through a series of fall exhibitions open to the public. The Department of Art is hosting multiple exhibits across campus, featuring works from professional artists, local creators, and MC students. Randy Jolly, MC art instructor and director of the Gore Galleries, said the events give students valuable opportunities to learn from established artists. "Our students get to hear working artists and learn from them, see new ideas, and realize that they, too, can have a career in art," Jolly said. "Art is one of the most exciting careers that you can have. You must be strong, resilient, able to adapt, and you have to understand the culture that you live in, what your audience is looking for in a work of art." |
| LSU law school dean to step down after 'amicable resolution' reached in dispute | |
 | LSU law school Dean Alena Allen will serve her last day in the top job on Sept. 19, when she will transition to a full-time law school faculty position, the university said Friday in a news release. LSU praised Allen's "visionary leadership, steadfast commitment, and remarkable accomplishments" -- a change in tone since her demotion at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center was first announced by the university late last month. Just two weeks ago, LSU Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Troy Blanchard met with Allen to tell her the LSU Board of Supervisors had decided to "make a change in leadership at the law school" because "they were just going a different direction," according to Allison Jones, Allen's attorney. The following day, Allen threatened to sue LSU over alleged whistleblower retaliation, racial and gender discrimination and violations of LSU policy if the school refused to engage in mediation. In a demand letter, Jones accused the the LSU Board of Supervisors of engaging in "systematic discrimination and retaliatory conduct" against Allen after she raised concerns about "irregularities" in the LSU law school's finances. On Friday, Jones said an "amicable resolution resolved all claims." |
| Texas legislative committees will study freedom of speech on college campuses in wake of Charlie Kirk killing | |
| Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday announced the formation of committees to study bias and free speech at universities amid a firestorm of criticism from conservative lawmakers on statements made by university faculty and students. The House and Senate Select Committees on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education were formed "honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk," according to a press release. Kirk, a Christian conservative activist who frequently traveled to college campuses to discuss controversial politics, was shot and killed on Wednesday at Utah Valley University during one of his events. In the wake of Kirk's death, Republican lawmakers and activists in Texas and across the state have harshly criticized online commentary mocking Kirk and his killing. Several lawmakers have called for the removal of school teachers, professors and public officials who criticized Kirk, which Burrows said highlighted the necessity of the committee. "The political assassination of Charlie Kirk -- and the national reaction it has sparked, including the public celebration of his murder by some in higher education -- is appalling and reveals a deeper, systemic problem worth examining," Burrows said in the press release. |
| Missouri Health Sciences dean retiring after 25 years at MU | |
 | The dean of the College of Health Sciences will retire in August 2026 after a 35-year career at the University of Missouri. Kristofer Hagglund became the dean of the college in 2013. He is only the second dean of the college since it became an autonomous unit in 2000. The college's enrollment has increased by 47% since he joined, according to a news release. During his time, he oversaw many major developments, including the formation of the university's Department of Public Health, the School of Social Work and the Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center. He also co-founded the Center for Health Policy. "My team and I have found a way to build opportunities for students to follow their paths to careers or professional work that they value," Hagglund said in an interview. The University plans to launch a national search for a new dean this fall, MU Provost Matthew Martens said in a news release. |
| Americans don't think college is worth it. It is. | |
| The share of Americans who say college is "very important" plummeted over the past decade, new Gallup polling finds. College may not live up to the American Dream that it promised in the past, and there are other pathways for success becoming more appealing for Gen Z, but in terms of lifetime earnings, a college degree is actually still incredibly important. College grads earn more than twice what high-school graduates make. The median income in a household headed by someone with at least a bachelor's degree was $132,700 last year -- that's more than double the $58,410 median income of a household led by a high-school grad, according to Census income data released last week. And earnings for college-led households have pulled away from the pack -- rising more than 6% over the past two decades, compared with a 3% increase for high school graduates. "It feels bad right now to be a recent college graduate, but it doesn't necessarily feel better to be someone with a high-school diploma who's just going onto the labor market either," says Chris Martin, lead researcher on jobs site Glassdoor's economic research team. "While there may be declines in the returns to a college education, you're still better off." |
| Energy Department withdraws controversial Title IX athletics rule | |
| The U.S. Department of Energy canceled plans to issue a rule that would have removed a regulatory requirement for colleges and schools receiving funding from the agency. The requirement in question is meant to level the playing field between women and men in athletics. The Energy Department's rule would have no longer required colleges and schools receiving Energy Department funding to provide women or girls a chance to try out for contactless men's or boys' sports teams in cases where no equivalent sports team exists for them. Under current requirements, for example, girls must be allowed to try out for spots on the boys' baseball team if there is no girls' softball team. In May, the Trump administration quietly proposed rescinding this requirement, along with a handful of other regulatory changes, by issuing a "direct final rule." That process is usually reserved for uncontroversial regulations that are not expected to receive pushback, allowing an agency to issue new policies without incorporating changes based on public feedback. On Sept. 10, however, the Energy Department said it was withdrawing the proposed change entirely after it received over 21,000 comments -- many of them opposing the changes. The rescission came after the administration initially delayed the rule's July 14 effective date until Sept. 12 amid significant pushback. |
| Charlie Kirk's Killing Threatens Colleges' Ability to Fulfill an Age-Old Responsibility: Hosting Political Events | |
 | When colleges cancel events featuring provocative public figures or contentious topics, officials often make vague references to "safety concerns." Sometimes, in their campuswide missives, they admit that they cannot ensure the security of all attendees. To the students and faculty members organizing the appearances, the claim can come across as a statement on the speech itself, a reflection of the muzzling of their perspective -- even if the institution says it is making a neutral call. The planners, forced to take their event off campus or online, may cast doubt on the legitimacy of the safety concerns. As such debates over campus speech become increasingly heated, Wednesday's killing of Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA, on the public campus of Utah Valley University was a grisly reminder of the worst-case scenario: An event was allowed to go on, despite some opposition. Someone was killed. And thousands saw it happen. Kirk's slaying raises questions about colleges' ability -- and willingness -- to host divisive figures at a time of heightened political violence. If colleges, entrusted with fostering the free exchange of ideas, can't feature controversial speakers because of safety fears, are they taking a necessary measure or failing to meet their mission? |
| Kirk Assassination Puts America's Political Spotlight on Campuses Again | |
 | The political powerhouse that Charlie Kirk built reached conservative college students on campuses all over the country. So when Mr. Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday at Utah Valley University, national attention turned, as it often has in tumultuous times, to the American university. Colleges have often been the setting for America's most divisive and memorable cultural flashpoints, over Communism and racism, the Vietnam War and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Throughout, they have also been the trustees of American innovation and economic promise. But after Mr. Kirk started Turning Point USA in 2012, at age 18, to spotlight what he saw as leftism running amok on college campuses, that began to change. Mr. Kirk's rising influence corresponded with a sharp drop in the confidence that Americans have in their universities. The idea that liberal ideas dominate college campuses led to the modern conservative movement, after a then-unknown William F. Buckley Jr. chronicled what he described as the anti-Christian and pro-collectivism views of the Yale faculty, in the 1951 book "God and Man at Yale." After Mr. Kirk founded Turning Point USA, the broader political winds began changing against colleges. |
| Shocked by Charlie Kirk's murder, these students yearn for civil discourse | |
 | The four friends settled around a picnic table on the packed patio of their favorite ice cream shop. It was Friday night in a college town. But the students couldn't relax. Just two days earlier they were fleeing campus, caught up in a tide of thousands of panicked classmates, all sent scattering by the gunshot that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University. "Are you okay, and where were you?" Caleb Stay, a senior, asked the three others, once they had their scoops in hand. It was the way all their conversations had begun lately. With classes canceled and the campus closed, the students struggled to process the horror that had turned their low-key commuter college into a crime scene, thrusting it -- and them -- into the international spotlight at a deeply polarized time. Gruesome video footage of the attack was inescapable, and its bloody backdrop was their courtyard. The shooter's perch, their student center. They didn't know what would come next, but they knew they wanted to be together. Gatherings like this one have been happening across the university, known here as UVU. In dorm rooms, Zoom calls and group chats, the school's 46,000 students were checking on each other, offering comfort, circulating mental health resources and making plans to wear green, their school color, whenever they were allowed back on campus. |
| 'It Will Scar This Generation.' Charlie Kirk's Death Ignites a Campus Reckoning | |
| A few hours after Charlie Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday, Riley McArdle, a senior at the University of Alabama who leads the College Republicans there, began getting messages from students across campus. Some came from political clubs formally expressing their condolences. Others, he said, were screenshots leaked to him from students' private chats. They included photos of Kirk immediately after being shot, his hand clutching his neck to stop the flow of blood. One caption read "Whomp Whomp," McArdle said. "These people are mentally and spiritually sick," said McArdle. "'They need a gut check before we can ever work together." Kirk's influence spread widely across colleges as the founder of Turning Point USA, a powerful conservative youth organization active on more than 3,500 campuses. For a younger generation, he became a celebrity for debating students in front of an audience in a public setting. Videos of him sparring with liberal-minded young people generated millions of views online. Now the senseless killing of Kirk is dominating the conversation on campuses that had become polarized in the wake of the pandemic and the war in Gaza. The shooting is quickly raising questions about security for campus speakers, and is both deepening divisions and prompting some students to call for a truce. |
| Blue-city mayors urge colleges to stand up to Trump | |
| Mayors of blue cities poised to feel the economic hit of President Donald Trump's feud with universities are lining up behind one message for the schools: don't cave. The Trump administration's decision to withhold federal funds from schools that don't abandon diversity efforts and adopt new antisemitism policies is forcing universities to submit or risk losing the cash. That financial fallout could start to bleed into the communities these universities call home. Harvard froze its hiring and Northwestern University began laying off hundreds of employees amid funding cuts and new restrictions. Despite the economic risks many cities face if their universities are at odds with a raft of White House policies, some mayors argue the stakes are about free speech and the future of academia. "It's my hope that Duke does remain firm on their values," said Leonardo Williams, the Democratic mayor of Durham, North Carolina, where the university is based. Mayors count on the dollars generated for local businesses by the students, staff and faculty of the universities, the people the schools educate and train and the research dollars they attract. But the list of colleges having their federal cash threatened by the Trump administration as part of an escalation of a civil rights investigation continues to grow. |
| National Guard troops not trained in law enforcement | |
| Columnist Bill Crawford writes: In August, Gov. Tate Reeves deployed 200 troops from the Mississippi National Guard's 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, to Washington, D.C. They were sent, Reeves said, in support of President Donald Trump's push to "return law and order to our nation's capital." "Crime is out of control there, and it's clear something must be done to combat it," Reeves added. According to former senior members of the Mississippi National Guard, these troops have had no relevant training to prepare for such a mission. Rather, their training has focused on combat missions in support of active duty units. At most, they received a half day of riot control training and may have participated in security support following major disasters. ... If the president wants to permanently hinder crime, he should look at what Gov. Reeves and the legislature have done in our capital city. The Capitol Police, funded and operated by the state, are having notable, lasting impacts on crime in Jackson. These are not temporary troops, but well-paid, well-trained law enforcement officers. |
| Rising costs of exchange health insurance could be major issue in 2026 U.S. Senate election | |
| Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison writes: The expected rising costs for health insurance could give Democratic candidate Scott Colom a line of attack in next year's election against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. It is an issue that will hit tens of thousands of Mississippians right dab in their faces and in their pocketbooks when they go to renew their health insurance policies later this year and see how much their monthly premiums have increased. Colom, a longtime district attorney from Columbus, can hammer Hyde-Smith for the rising costs. After all, the rising costs could be traced directly to Hyde-Smith and her allies if the Republican-led U.S. Congress and President Donald Trump do not act to prevent the increase in health insurance premium costs for about 285,000 Mississippians who purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act exchange or marketplace. Unless Congress acts before the end of the year, the price of the marketplace's health insurance policies will increase an estimated $480 annually in Mississippi, according to KFF, a national group that conducts health care research. And based on other factors, such as inflation, the increase could be significantly more. |
SPORTS
| Football: Bulldogs Blow Out Braves | |
| Mississippi State picked up where it left off last week as MSU improved to 3-0 courtesy of a dominant 63-0 rout over Alcorn State on Saturday night at Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs struck within the first 17 seconds of action with a 75-yard shot from quarterback Blake Shapen to receiver Jordan Mosley to give State an early 7-0 edge, and the Dawgs continued rolling from there. After State's first score, MSU then forced a punt which receiver Anthony Evans III returned to the Alcorn 29-yard line. The Bulldogs capitalized when running back Fluff Bothwell punched it in to extend State's lead to 14-0. MSU then kept its foot on the gas pedal and never looked back. Head coach Jeff Lebby's high-powered offense was too much for the Braves to handle as State recorded a strong and balanced outing both on the ground and through the air, collecting 514 total yards of offense. Shapen completed 10 of his 14 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns through the first half of play. He also rushed for a six-yard score in the effort. Defensively, the Bulldogs posted their first shutout since the 2017 season. |
| Shapen, Mississippi State take control from the outset and dominate Alcorn State 56-0 | |
| Mississippi State scored on its first four possessions to jump out to a big lead and roll Alcorn State 63-0 on Saturday. The win got the Bulldogs to 3-0 on the season for the first time since 2018 with it being the first shutout since 2017 by the MSU defense. The Bulldog offense was efficient all game but especially with its starting unit as Blake Shapen went 10 for 14 for 173 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Shapen threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Mosley on the second play of the game and it was all Bulldogs from there. "There will be a ton of things to clean up, but I loved our energy," head coach Jeff Lebby said. "I thought that part of it was probably the best. We didn't execute well at times offensively, but defensively we were able to create turnovers and take advantage of it to be able to get away with a win." |
| Bulldogs flex their depth in shutout of Braves | |
| It only took three weeks for head coach Jeff Lebby and the Mississippi State Bulldogs to surpass the win total of a forgettable 2024 season. MSU moved to 3-0 with a dominant 63-0 win over Alcorn State at home on Saturday, the first shutout for the Bulldogs since 2017. There have been five different head coaches in the years between those games, a sign of the inconsistency in both performance and personnel for the program, but a routine win to stay undefeated proved a potential sign of stability at last. "I feel really good," defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones said of the shutout. "Coach Lebby said that was our first shutdown since 2017, so it felt really good being able to see the young guys go in and execute because, like we talked about all week, it didn't matter who's in the game. The expectation was to execute. So it felt really good to see those guys... go in there and still be able to uphold the standard on the D line. It feels really good." |
| Mississippi State pours it on early in blowout win over Alcorn State | |
| Mississippi State won its last game on a long touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter, and the Bulldogs kicked off their matchup with Alcorn State on Saturday with another. Blake Shapen hit Jordan Mosley deep for a 75-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the game from scrimmage, and Mississippi State was off to the races after that. The Bulldogs scored a touchdown on each of their first four drives and six of their first seven in a 63-0 win over Alcorn State. "(Explosive plays) have kind of been a part of offenses I've been able to go call and run and manage, and it's been something that I've always thought," Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby said. "Without a doubt, it's a huge determining factor in football games. Explosive plays matter and in a huge way. Explosive plays create touchdown opportunities, and so that will be a big part of us." |
| Dominant win allows younger Bulldogs chance to shine | |
| There were a few goals for Mississippi State coming into Saturday evening's matchup with Alcorn State and the Bulldogs seemed to check all of those boxes. Winning the game was at the top of the priority list for Jeff Lebby, but he wanted his team to attack the week with energy and not form a hangover after an emotional 24-20 victory over Arizona State from last week. On top of just simply winning the game, the Bulldogs needed to dominate it in a way that players in the first unit earned an early trip to the bench and everyone stayed healthy. By all accounts, every one of those boxes were checked for the Bulldogs. Lebby wasn't totally pleased with the execution across the board, but they leave with a satisfying 63-0 win. "For our guys, the message at halftime was that regardless of who is in the game, the expectations are for guys to go execute at a high level," Lebby said. There were fourth string guys in there, guys that are 100% redshirting that played the last 15 plays for us defensively. Our guys played fast, they played with an edge and they had fun playing. I love having the ability to reward those guys as we're in the middle of it right now." |
| What 'Score From Far' means to Mississippi State football, Blake Shapen and Jeff Lebby | |
 | Mississippi State football's first play was a deep pass from Blake Shapen to Brenen Thompson against Alcorn State. Thompson was open, but the pass was a touch too far and fell incomplete. The next play was another deep pass -- this time, Shapen connected on a 75-yard touchdown to Jordan Mosley. The Bulldogs (3-0) have scored passing touchdowns of at least 48 yards to begin all three games this season. Mosley's was the latest in MSU's 63-0 rout of Alcorn State at Davis Wade Stadium on Sept. 13. "Score From Far" has been a saying the past two seasons with coach Jeff Lebby's offense. Mississippi State scored some long touchdowns in 2024, but Shapen's season-ending injury in Week 4 hindered any advancement. With him healthy, Mississippi State is excelling with long touchdown passes, like Thompson's 58-yard game winner against then-No. 10 Arizona State on Sept. 6. The Bulldogs entered Week 3 with four touchdowns of at least 40 yards, the most in the SEC, and had two more of them against Alcorn State. "It's kind of been a part of offenses I've been able to go call and run and manage," Lebby said. "It's been something that I always thought is without a doubt a huge determining factor in football games. Explosive plays matter in a huge way. Explosive plays create touchdown opportunities. That will be a big part of us." |
| Soccer: Bulldogs Knock Off No. 1 Tennessee To Open SEC Play | |
| For the second year in a row, Mississippi State took down the top-ranked team in the nation at home, and for the second year in a row Ally Perry was the hero. The Bulldogs (6-1-0, 1-0-0 SEC) defeated No. 1 Tennessee, 3-2, on Friday night in comeback fashion. Perry scored twice in the game's final 20 minutes to tie it and win it with 1:04 to play. "I mean, again, I'm so, so proud of the girls' response," head coach Nick Zimmerman said. "I mean we scored a really good goal, and conceded two goals. To score the second and not just be content with getting the second, but to get after it and score the third really showed that willingness to keep fighting. We said we just needed a moment -- one moment of magic, one moment of brilliance. You know that Ally Perry, she's pretty good at soccer. She made it count, but obviously this was a total, total team effort and team win. You know, everyone just buying in, and I think that's what makes this sport so special." Mississippi State returns to the pitch on Thursday, Sept. 18, when the Bulldogs travel to Austin, Texas. That match will see the defending SEC regular season champions take on the SEC Tournament champion Texas Longhorns at 7 p.m. CT on ESPNU. |
| Ally Perry leads MSU comeback win over No. 1 Vols | |
| There was plenty of football happening across Mississippi on Friday night, but perhaps the most entertaining matchup occurred at the MSU Soccer Field. For the second year in a row, Mississippi State upset the top-ranked team in the country at home thanks to the left foot of Ally Perry. The captain scored twice in the final 15 minutes of play to secure a 3-2 win over Tennessee, kicking off SEC play in dramatic fashion. It was a battle from start to finish, but the Bulldogs proved to themselves, to Tennessee, and to everyone watching that they're capable of playing with and beating some of the best in the country. "This is an awesome game for us," head coach Nick Zimmerman said. "We want to keep the ball, we didn't dominate it like we have in the past, and it's tough. You have to be brave. There wasn't anything tactical; it was us playing our game. We do the things that we're capable of doing, score a really good first goal and it opens up other things for us." |
| Volleyball: Dawgs Leave Hattiesburg Undefeated | |
| Mississippi State volleyball swept the Southern Miss Invite with a 3-1 win over the hosts this afternoon. "I'm so proud of another great road weekend for the Bulldogs," said head coach Julie Darty Dennis. "We are working hard and learning more about ourselves every time we play, and this weekend taught us a lot. I am so proud of the team. We are growing and coming together, and that is leading us to succeed in pressure situations. We could have backed down, but we didn't and that takes a lot of toughness. We're proud of today's effort and excited to get home for a big one at The Griss on Tuesday!" State finished the match with 60 kills, 76 digs, five service aces and 10 blocks. The Bulldogs leave Hattiesburg undefeated both in the tournament and the season, now sitting at 9-0. State will take on South Alabama at home on Tuesday, September 16, as the last match before conference play begins. |
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