| Friday, September 26, 2025 |
| 'A New Era' as MSU and SOCSD Ink Partnership for New High School and District Earns its Second A-rating | |
 | "It's an historic moment," said SOCSD Superintendent Dr. Tony McGee as the district celebrated a much-anticipated repeat performance alongside the launch of another groundbreaking partnership. On Thursday, Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District joined with Mississippi State University to publicly formalize an expanded partnership aimed at developing and constructing a new Starkville High School on the university campus. MSU President, Dr. Mark Keenum, and SOCSD Superintendent, Dr. Tony McGee officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Mississippi State and SOCSD at the Signing Ceremony held at Partnership Middle School. The SOCSD Board of Trustees approved the MOU at its September board meeting. "Today marks the beginning of the latest chapter in the highly successful partnership between Mississippi State University and the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District. By working together, we are creating new and exciting opportunities for students along every step of their educational journey," Keenum said. |
| MSU, Starkville School District partner for new high school | |
 | Mississippi State University (MSU) partnered with the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District (SOCSD) to build a new high school on the university's campus. MSU President Mark Keenum and SOCSD Superintendent Tony McGee signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Thursday. The proposed school will be built close to the Partnership Middle School, which is also on MSU's campus and opened in 2020. "The new Starkville High School will be a true asset and resource for not only our community, but a model for innovative teaching, learning, discovery and career and technical education for school districts around the state and across the country," Keenum stated. The MOU serves as a "blueprint" that outlines the parties' mutual goals. More detailed and specific information about the school's construction will be released in the future. |
| Starkville High is moving to MSU | |
 | Maroon and yellow became one on Thursday for the second time in Starkville. Mississippi State University and Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District signed a memorandum of understanding for a new high school -- on MSU's campus. "This is a wonderful celebratory occasion for us here at Mississippi State University, for Starkville, Oktibbeha County... where today we're announcing our commitment to work with the school district to bring and build a brand-new state of the art high school," said MSU President, Dr. Mark Keenum. This isn't the first time the two have joined forces. In 2020, they opened Partnership Middle School at MSU. "I think it' s a historic day for us here in Starkville and you know, our community has really poured into this middle school over the years and Mississippi State has to. And we've just seen the fruits of that labor over the last five years and the benefits that those students have received," said SOCSD Superintendent Dr. Tony McGee. A timeline for construction has not been set. The superintendent said they are in the designing and programming phases of it now. |
| AI Legislative Task Force meets at MSU, tours research centers at the forefront of technology | |
| The Artificial Intelligence Legislative Task Force chaired by state Sen. Bart Williams of Starkville and state Rep. Jill Ford of Madison held its September meeting at Mississippi State Thursday, gaining insight on how the university supports the state's position as a national and global technology and innovation leader. "We are a tech destination," Williams emphasized. "We're on the radar throughout the nation thanks to the leadership of many in this room, and we want to continue to do that." MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw said it is crucial to have engaging conversations about "a whole suite of emerging technologies." "We're so proud that our state is taking a leadership role. We want to listen to you and be challenged by you, and we can work together to keep this state in the forefront -- not just trying to figure out how to regulate AI but how to embrace it in a very holistic, but also responsible way," Shaw said |
| Mississippi oysters are back. Sampling shows biggest supply in years for upcoming season | |
 | The 2025-26 oyster season in the Mississippi Sound could be the best in more than a decade, state surveys show. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, which maintains state-owned oyster reefs, expects to open the 2025-26 oyster season on Oct. 13 -- an early start. Catch limits are geared to conserve the resource but will allow fishermen to harvest up to 82,000 sacks of oysters this season. It would be the biggest harvest in well over a decade, DMR records show, assuring residents of plentiful catches for their holiday meals. "After completing our annual reef assessments, we feel like the oysters are recovering at an appropriate rate to open the season," said Jason Rider, the DMR's shellfish bureau director. The state's once-productive reefs have struggled to recover since the 2010 BP oil spill and, later, disastrous openings of the Bonnet Carré Spillway to avert Mississippi River flooding. The river water kills oysters by disturbing the salinity balance in the Mississippi Sound. Reefs closed for five years when a prolonged Bonnet Carré opening in 2019 killed virtually every oyster in the western Sound. While oysters are a big draw for tourists and residents alike, they also provide priceless environmental benefits. |
| Spending on AI Is at Epic Levels. Will It Ever Pay Off? | |
 | The windswept town of Ellendale, N.D., population 1,100, has two motels, a Dollar General, a Pentecostal Bible college -- and a half-built AI factory bigger than 10 Home Depots. Its more than $15 billion price tag is equivalent to a quarter of the state's annual economic output. The artificial-intelligence boom has ushered in one of the costliest building sprees in world history. Over the past three years, leading tech firms have committed more toward AI data centers like the one in Ellendale, plus chips and energy, than it cost to build the interstate highway system over four decades, when adjusted for inflation. AI proponents liken the effort to the Industrial Revolution. A big problem: No one is sure how they will get their investment back -- or when. The building rush is effectively a mega-speculative bet that the technology will rapidly improve, transform the economy and start producing steady profits. "I hope we don't take 50 years," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said at a May conference with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, referring to the initially slow adoption of electricity. Silicon Valley watchers worry that enthusiasm for AI has turned into a bubble that has increasingly loud echoes of the mania around the internet's infrastructure build-out in the late 1990s. There are growing, worrying signs that the optimism about AI won't pan out. |
| Mississippi doctors refute Trump's links between Tylenol and autism | |
 | President Trump on Monday linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to higher risks of autism diagnoses in children. Hattiesburg pediatrician Dr. Anita Henderson said after he made those comments, her office was flooded with calls from patients. They were confused about whether acetaminophen -- brand name Tylenol -- causes autism in children. Her answer? It's unlikely. "There is good data, long-term data, on the use of Tylenol in pregnancy that shows it's safe and effective for mom and for baby," Henderson told MPB. She said the president's claims are shaky -- even the FDA,in a recent notice, conceded that "a causal relationship has not been established" between acetaminophen and autism. "There's not something magically that a parent or a mom can do to prevent autism," Henderson said. "I also want to make sure moms are hearing this: they are not responsible for their children having autism." Mississippi is already grappling with limited healthcare, especially in rural areas, and high rates of both infant and maternal mortality. Conflicting health information can leave patients confused on who to trust, exacerbating those kinds of existing medical crises. Ultimately, every doctor said the best steps for any questions are to talk to trusted doctor or medical professional. "Get your information from your healthcare provider," said Henderson. "Do not look to a politician for medical information." |
| School choice opponents warn lawmakers of segregation and financial collapse as advocates tout 'education freedom' | |
| Lawmakers selected to study school choice proposals in Mississippi made good Thursday on their promise to hear from both sides of the debate. What resulted was a dizzying day of conflicting arguments, punctuated by a lunch break that divided the differences in opinion. In the morning, a school superintendent from the Gulf Coast and an education policy expert argued against expanding such programs in Mississippi, citing education's worth as a public good. But the afternoon speakers -- a school choice advocate from Florida and an education researcher -- instead referred to the education system as a business and centered their argument around the superiority of private schools. It was the second meeting of the House Education Freedom select committee, which was created by Republican House Speaker Jason White to weigh pros and cons of a robust school choice program. So far, neither of the select committee's meetings has been streamed online. "Education freedom," the moniker that Republicans prefer to describe school choice ideas, refers to a myriad of policies that either disburse money to families to pay for education services, including private school tuition, or allow families to move their children to different schools, regardless of type or location. The issue has gained traction under the Trump administration, and White and other state leaders have repeatedly indicated their support for the issue, which is expected to headline the legislative session that starts in January. |
| Ezell leading charge to create first Secretary of the Coast Guard | |
| Mississippi Congressman Mike Ezell (R) is helping lead the charge in the U.S. House of Representatives to create a Secretary of the Coast Guard, the only branch of the U.S. military without a civilian Service Secretary at the helm. With its nearly 43,000 active-duty personnel, the Coast Guard is also the only branch that is not under the Department of Defense, now known as the Department of War under the Trump Administration. The branch currently falls under Homeland Security. That, too, could change. Ezell, who represents South Mississippi's 4th District, is the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. A provision was included in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2025 that provides for a Secretary of the Coast Guard. He called the legislation "a win for Mississippi, a win for the Gulf Coast, and a win for the country." Similar legislation to create a Secretary of the Coast Guard has been filed in the U.S. Senate by Senators Rick Scott (R) of Florida and Shelley Moore Capito (R) of West Virginia. |
| Grassley raises alarm about soybean farmers, Argentina 'bailout' | |
 | Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said Thursday American farmers have been overshadowed and outsold by Argentinian soybean production, and he slammed the Trump administration for agreeing to soften the South American country's economic hardship. Argentina recently suspended its 26 percent export tax on soybeans, an opportunity used by China to purchase more than 1 million tons of the crop, according to Reuters. "Why would USA help bail out Argentina while they take American soybean producers' biggest market???" Grassley wrote in a Thursday post on social platform X. "We shld use leverage at every turn to help hurting farm economy," he added, "Family farmers shld be top of mind in negotiations by representatives of USA." In past years, the U.S. has been the No. 1 supplier of soybeans to China, which purchased more than half of all American soybean exports last year. U.S. farmers have been hit hard by President Trump's trade war with Beijing, which resulted in a 20 percent tariff on all American imports. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Wednesday signaled that a farmers aid package would also be forthcoming amid the export decline of soybeans and other crops. |
| 'Pain on the bureaucracy': Russ Vought's crusade upends the shutdown fight | |
 | Russ Vought careened into the escalating government shutdown fight this week, threatening mass layoffs of federal workers if Democrats don't capitulate to President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans. For those who know the White House budget director's long history in Washington, it was only a matter of time. "You could have anticipated what was coming," Bill Hoagland, a former longtime top Senate GOP budget aide, said in an interview. "He is clever. But he has a clear intent here, which I think is to strangle the beast. And he knows how to play the game." With the layoffs threat Wednesday, Vought has cast himself as a main character in the shutdown standoff ahead of the Tuesday midnight funding deadline. It's a role he is no doubt comfortable playing, having navigated dozens of spending fights as a congressional aide, think-tank operative and Trump official. Now Vought, 49, is well positioned to further execute his long-held views on government spending if federal cash stops cold, after months of groundwork undermining bipartisan funding negotiations and upending the federal bureaucracy. His ideological allies are already excited by what Vought might have in store at the Office of Management and Budget if the government does in fact shut down at midnight Sept. 30. Paul Winfree, who served as Trump's director of budget policy during his first term, called Vought's threat a "brilliant" move. "This time, Russ is putting the pain on the bureaucracy," he said. |
| White House ramps up pressure on Democrats' shutdown strategy | |
 | Democratic leaders are digging in on their demands for keeping the federal government open, even after a startling missive from the White House budget office putting agencies on notice to potentially shutter entire programs and conduct mass firings if a partial shutdown occurs. Sources on both sides of the aisle and nonpartisan analysts agreed that, beyond the tough talk, top congressional Democrats have a weak hand to play and no discernible strategy for extracting the concessions from President Donald Trump and GOP leaders that they want on health care policy. "A shutdown for the sake of a shutdown doesn't help anyone," a former Democratic congressional aide granted anonymity to speak candidly said. "If there is a shutdown, there also needs to be a plan to get out of it -- and it will require a deal on all sides to end it, at a time when tensions would be even higher. It's hard to turn back to bipartisan negotiations after that." |
| James Comey indicted over testimony at 2020 Senate hearing | |
| A federal grand jury indicted former FBI Director James B. Comey on Thursday on charges he lied to Congress and obstructed a congressional proceeding, days after President Donald Trump demanded that the Department of Justice prosecute his long-time foe. The charges follow a public campaign by the president for the indictment of Comey and other perceived political enemies, and they come after Trump forced out the U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia and appointed an ally of his to the spot. The indictment, filed in that district, focuses on Comey's testimony at Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Sept. 30, 2020, and states he lied when he said he "had not 'authorized someone else at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports' regarding an FBI investigation." In the first count, Comey is accused of violating the Section 1001 of Title 18, a rarely used law that has ensnared other high-profile figures, including television personality Martha Stewart and political figures such as former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer. In the second count, Comey is accused of violating Section 1505 of Title 18 by obstructing "the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry under which an investigation was being had before the Senate Judiciary Committee." Both charges carry a maximum five years in prison, but no minimum sentence. An arraignment was set for Oct. 9 before Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff of the Eastern District of Virginia. |
| Trump orders crackdown on 'domestic terrorists' in escalation of a campaign against political rivals | |
 | President Donald Trump on Thursday directed his administration to crack down on backers of what it described as "left-wing terrorism," naming two top Democratic donors as he alleged without evidence a vast conspiracy to finance violent protests against the government. Trump's executive order put the FBI's Joint Terrorism Taskforce in the lead and said the effort would span agencies across the administration, including the Treasury Department, "to identify and disrupt financial networks that fund domestic terrorism and political violence." The pursuit of what the president said were the funders of "agitators and anarchists" is the latest instance of Trump using the power of his office to persecute his political rivals. When pressed by a reporter to name any possible targets, he suggested two of the Democratic Party's top donors -- billionaires George Soros and Reid Hoffman. "If they are funding these things, they're going to have some problems," Trump said. The executive order is the latest startling action from Trump as he seeks to wield the Justice Department as a tool of retribution in a campaign to punish his perceived enemies and undercut the ability of Democrats to organize and raise money. Last spring, he ordered his attorney general to investigate ActBlue, the Democrats' main fundraising platform, while allowing its conservative counterpart to escape scrutiny. |
| Trump announces new tariffs on trucks, furniture and pharmaceuticals | |
 | President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on heavy trucks, furniture and pharmaceutical products late Thursday, saying the levies will take effect Oct. 1. In a post on social media, Trump said the new tariff for heavy trucks would be 25 percent and would seek to help companies such as Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner and Mack trucks. New import taxes of 50 percent will be imposed on "all Kitchen Cabinets, Bathroom Vanities, and associated products," Trump added. Upholstered furniture will be subject to a 30 percent rate, he said. "Branded or patented" pharmaceutical products may face a rate of 100 percent, Trump also said in a separate post. However, he suggested drug companies that are building plants in the United States could face lower tariffs. The fresh tariffs add to a cloud of uncertainty on trade policy, according to analysts, as major trade partners such as Canada, Mexico, China and South Korea continue trade negotiations and as U.S. courts weigh the legality of some of Trump's earlier tariffs. The new import taxes come on the heels of creeping inflation. Americans are paying more for appliances, home furnishings, toys and shoes than they were a few months ago. Key monthly costs such as those for shelter, food, health care and electricity are outpacing inflation. |
| U. Of Mississippi Reveals New Plan For SAF-funded Events | |
 | The University of Mississippi intends to use funds from the Student Activity Fee (SAF) to provide more university-sponsored events, rather than distributing these funds directly to registered student organizations (RSOs). The announcement, which was sent to RSO student leaders via email, was made on Thursday by Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead and Director of the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union and Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Bradley Baker. This decision comes after an Aug. 28 announcement from Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Noel Wilkin, which halted the distribution of SAF funds to registered student organizations in response to Mississippi House Bill 1193. HB 1193 prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices in public schools. Under the new plan, the university will use SAF funds to host events in lieu of distributing the money to registered student organizations, a plan designed to provide consistent funding for student events. "The university remains committed to offering a robust slate of student activities this academic year," UM Director of News and Media Relations Jacob Batte said. "In consultation with student leaders, the university has adopted a new model for student activity fees that shifts to university-sponsored programming. This change will ensure a full calendar of student events without interruption, regardless of the outcome of the ongoing legal challenge to HB 1193." |
| New study reveals prevalence of gambling among college students in Mississippi | |
| A new study reveals your college students may be facing a challenge that isn't on your radar. "We've done a really good job in the public health and higher ed communities about addressing some of the more pressing issues among students -- which tend to be mental health and then alcohol, drug use, and other substance use," said Hannah Allen, Executive Director of the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi. However, not as much attention goes to gambling addictions. Allen was a member on the Ole Miss team of researchers who found that gambling is more prevalent than you may realize across Mississippi's college campuses. "Students are facing real consequences," Allen added. "So, those are both financial consequences, but also consequences related to decreased academic success and also some mental health issues as well. We need to address that in similar ways that we've addressed other pressing health and social issues among our students." |
| Magnolia Mornings: UMMC School of Dentistry celebrates 50 years | |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center's School of Dentistry is celebrating 50 years of training dental professionals, advancing research and serving Mississippians through outreach that stretches from elementary classrooms to free dental clinics. "We want to build on the foundation from the last 50 years of the School of Dentistry and continue our commitment to prepare competent, ethical dental health professionals for the state of Mississippi who work to eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes," said Dr. Pia Chatterjee Kirk, interim dean of the school. The effort to establish a dental school began in 1971, when advocates pressed lawmakers to create one. Legislation passed two years later, and in 1974, Dr. Wallace V. Mann became the school's first dean. That same year, the dental hygiene program--- already one of the first three programs offered by the School of Allied Health (now the School of Health Related Professions)--- graduated its first class of eight women. By 1975, the School of Dentistry was accredited, enrolled its inaugural students and broke ground on a permanent facility. On March 6, 2025, the school broke ground on a new clinical building --- a fitting symbol of its commitment to the next fifty years. |
| Southern Miss students 'Experience Business Casually' at networking event | |
 | The University of Southern Mississippi is helping students prepare for life after graduation, one handshake at a time. On Thursday, the College of Business and Economic Development hosted "Experience Business Casually," an informal networking event designed to connect students with industry professionals. The goal was to help students refine skills, like dressing for success, communication, social etiquette and interview strategies, all while building relationships that could lead to future career opportunities. "We ask industry executives to come in and advise our students on various topics related to professional development," said Amy Yeend, assistant dean for Professional Development and Career Success. "It's all about making sure our students are successful both in the classroom but also after graduation as they start their careers and become growing successful professionals." More than a dozen businesses were represented at the event, giving students plenty of opportunities to practice and grow their professional confidence. |
| The grades are in: Mississippi schools backslide on academic progress | |
| For the first time in years, the performance of Mississippi schools and districts fell from the previous academic year, according to state education rankings released Thursday. The new scores interrupt the steady progress of Mississippi's education system that's been praised across the country and occasionally referred to as the "Mississippi Miracle." Coupled with mixed results on state tests this past year, it could signal trouble -- a possibility the state superintendent frankly acknowledged in a press release this week. "While Mississippi has made historic progress over the past decade, the areas of declining achievement demand our immediate attention," Lance Evans said. This year, 80% of schools and 87% of districts received a "C" or higher on their report card. That's a meaningful drop compared to the 2023-2024 school year, when 85.7% of schools and 93.9% of districts got a "C" or higher. Evans had no explanation for the shortfalls in a press call with Mississippi Department of Education officials Monday. He said as soon as agency leaders got the results, they started investigating reasons for the decline but couldn't pinpoint one specific thing. "We would have loved to have been able to find one particular issue, but we did not find one," Evans said. "We also know that over a period of ... continual gains, there is going to come a point in time in which there is some drift." |
| What schools stand to lose in the battle over the next federal education budget | |
 | The battle over next year's federal education budget has begun. Congress and the White House have released not one, not two, but three competing funding visions for the nation's K-12 schools in fiscal year 2026. And education researchers warn that two of those three proposals -- from the White House and House Republicans -- would impose steep cuts on some of the United States' most vulnerable students and disadvantaged school communities. First up, President Trump's proposed budget would cut U.S. Department of Education funding by 15%. The second proposal, from House Republicans, would push for even deeper K-12 cuts, notably a $4.7 billion reduction in funding that supports schools in low-income communities. And the third proposal, from the Senate, would make minor cuts but largely maintain funding. A quick reminder: Federal funding makes up a relatively small share of school budgets, roughly 11%, though cuts in low-income districts can still be painful and disruptive. The challenge for states, communities and families, if one of these budgets becomes a reality, will be filling that funding void, especially since the federal government has always focused its dollars on helping students and schools that need it the most. |
| Brilyn Hollyhand announces campus tour with Turning Point USA | |
| On Sept. 19, Brilyn Hollyhand, Auburn freshman studying political science, announced his plans to join forces with Turning Point USA (TPUSA) to launch his "One Conversation at a Time" college campus tour. Hollyhand, driven by the death of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, will travel across the southeastern United States to speak and encourage young people to stay engaged in politics. Hollyhand aims to build on the legacy established by Charlie Kirk. Last week, on Sid and Friends in the Morning, a conservative talk radio show, Hollyhand announced his partnership with TPUSA and the launch of his tour. "I am going to be launching a 'One Conversation at a Time' tour...traveling to 10 college campuses across this great nation this semester, being bolder than ever to carry out Charlie's legacy to reach the next generation," Hollyhand said. "Yes, there's security risk. Yes, I'm getting more death threats by the hour than I've ever gotten in my life before. It's important, we cannot cower because that's what they want us to do." The tour dates and locations include: University of Mississippi: Sept. 30, Mississippi State University: Oct. 20. |
| U. of Florida to be new host for major plant breeding accelerator program | |
 | The University of Florida is the new home for an important partner in the effort to provide nutritious food for the nation and to keep farms competitive -- a USDA-Agricultural Research Service-funded program called Breeding Insight (BI). The initiative supports public breeding efforts via more than 61 programs at the USDA as well as university-based programs across the country. Scientists at Breeding Insight use advanced prediction methods -- including high-performance computing and artificial intelligence -- and custom software applications to dramatically accelerate the development of new pest- and disease-free crops that are more robust and nutritious. They also bring their expertise to ornamental crops that support healthy ecosystems as well as animal breeding programs. "The shift of the program to the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) solidifies UF as the world's best plant breeding program and brings additional seed funding and data analytic resources to UF/IFAS plant breeders," said Damian Adams, UF/IFAS associate dean for research, who will manage the Breeding Insight program. |
| UT-Knoxville faculty raise concerns over free speech, academic liberty to Provost John Zomchick | |
| University of Tennessee faculty members met with Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick on Thursday, Sept. 25 over concerns of faculty free speech and recent termination proceedings that have begun against assistant professor Tamar Shirinian. Organizers of the Coffee and Conversation event scheduled it in advance for a secluded room, tucked down a long, windowless hallway on the third floor of the Student Union building. Sept. 14, Shirinian made a comment online about Charlie Kirk's assassination. "The world is better off without him in it," Shirinian said. In an email from the Office of the Chancellor Sept. 15, Donde Plowman wrote that the university was taking action against Shirinian for "endorsing violence and murder on social media." The administration's decision to terminate Shirinian prompted backlash from some faculty at UT. While many members of the faculty confronted Zomchick with pressing concerns about academic freedom and the rights to self expression, the conversation -- and potential legal process -- are far from over. Some hope to see a reversal of the administration's decision and renewed protections for faculty. |
| U. of Arkansas System trustees adopt new mission statement, welcome North Arkansas College | |
| University of Arkansas System trustees officially adopted a new system mission statement and accepted a new college into the ranks Thursday. In May, UA System trustees unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the system president and general counsel to negotiate and prepare a merger agreement with North Arkansas College to be signed by the chairs of both boards in order to become official, which they did Thursday during a meeting in Fayetteville. UA System President Jay B. Silveria presented a draft for the mission statement, as well as strategic pillars, to trustees and others in August for feedback. A key change in wording for the mission statement was to feature "health," in acknowledgment of the importance of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said Silveria, who became president of the system earlier this year. Following Thursday's approval, "we will now refine and build on" the draft pillars, as well as possible metrics to measure progress on those pillars in the future. The previous mission statement dated to 1989, and while it acknowledged the land-grant mission -- including the value of research and education -- more "breadth" was necessary to include the system's public service, economic development, and health care roles, along with a focus on continuous improvement through stewardship, responsiveness, and collaboration, according to Silveria. |
| Ten years after 2015 protests, Mizzou students still endure racial tensions | |
 | Nearly a decade after students protested racial incidents, the University of Missouri is still under scrutiny for its responses to discrimination and student expression. Over the past few years, Mizzou changed Homecoming parade policies to exclude political content, canceled the Legion of Black Collegians' "Black 2 Class" block party, removed resource websites for minority students and dissolved the Division of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. Despite outcries from students and advocates, the university emphasized that it took these actions to align with federal and administrative policies. Still, these recent efforts parallel measures taken by the university around the time of the 2015 protests against racial discrimination on campus. In a statement to the Missourian, Mizzou spokesperson Christopher Ave said that discrimination and harassment are not tolerated on Mizzou's campus. "The university does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on our campus and works diligently to investigate complaints through various offices and when appropriate, the University of Missouri Police Department," Ave said. |
| UVa faces 'major obstacle' looking for new president, search firm says | |
| The head of the executive search firm assisting the University of Virginia find a new president says it faces a "major obstacle" -- but has not publicly disclosed just what that major obstacle is. John Isaacson, founder and chair of the Boston firm of Isaacson, Miller, says the search remains ahead of schedule regardless. "We have rarely moved this quickly, and we have a major obstacle in front of us, but we have moved exceptionally well so far," he told the 28-member presidential search committee at a Monday meeting just outside of Charlottesville at the Boar's Head Resort. He told the committee he would discuss the major obstacle further when he and his firm reached that point in the search. What is known, and what was affirmed at Monday's meeting, is that trust in university leadership has eroded since President Jim Ryan resigned in July under pressure from the Trump administration Department of Justice, which alleged he was slow-walking and misrepresenting the dismantling of diversity policies at UVa. Students and faculty have challenged the makeup of the search committee tasked with finding Ryan's replacement, claiming they do not feel fully represented. And multiple groups across Grounds have passed votes of no confidence in the university's governing Board of Visitors and its ability to find a 10th president for the school. |
| UCLA chancellor ready to stand firm against Trump demands, unless they're 'valid' | |
 | UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk says the university will address "valid" concerns of the Trump administration and be "fully compliant" with the law, but will defend the campus against federal civil rights investigations and funding suspensions. In a wide-ranging online appearance Thursday evening hosted by a Los Angeles-based Jewish civic group, Frenk said the University of California was still considering suing the Trump administration over its August demand that UCLA pay a $1.2-billion fine and make sweeping changes in its diversity programs, admissions practices and policies governing gender identity on campus and international students. But, for now, he said, UC officials are negotiating with the Department of Justice and will staunchly uphold core academic freedoms to "assure that there's no government interference in who we hire, who we admit, and what we teach or research." Making his first extensive public remarks on a nearly two-month saga that has shaken the UC system over possible federal actions and funding clawbacks, Frenk said he was not "directly" involved in government talks and had no "visibility" into how long the process would take. But he said he was taking firm actions against antisemitism allegations at UCLA. |
| Doctoral Programs Were Already Under Strain. Things May Be Getting Worse. | |
 | As application deadlines for doctoral programs for the fall of 2026 approach, some signs point to a bleak picture of smaller-than-usual cohorts and paused programs in the next academic year. Many institutions were already forced this spring to reconsider their admissions plans for the current year as the Trump administration announced widespread grant terminations and floated policy changes that would cap the amount of indirect costs universities can recoup for federally funded research. A sense of limbo as courts weigh those moves has forced some of the nation's most prominent institutions to make further, longer-term adjustments. The tax hike on endowments, a provision of the sweeping budget bill signed by Trump over the summer, has also been cited as a reason to mull trims in graduate education. Other Trump-administration policies stand to affect the admissions picture for 2026, among them the elimination of the GRAD Plus loan program and new caps on the amount of money graduate students can borrow to finance their education, both of which will take effect in July. Several institutions also faced sizeable gaps in their international-student populations this fall amid visa delays and prospective students' uneasiness about the American political climate. A diminished pool of international students could have an outsized impact on some STEM fields. |
| Education Department Panel to Weigh Sorting of Grad and Professional Programs | |
 | Despite the possibility of a government shutdown next week, the Education Department is slated to begin the complicated endeavor of determining how to carry out the sweeping higher ed changes in Congress's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The agenda for the weeklong meeting, which kicks off Monday, includes hammering out details about loan repayment plans and how to help struggling borrowers return to good standing. The key issue on the table, though, will likely be determining how best to differentiate between graduate and professional degree programs for future borrowers. The terms "graduate" and "professional" were once nothing more than a trivial self-prescribed classification. But under the Republicans' new law, they have become critical labels that could alter which college programs get more federal aid. For example, under the new plan, student borrowers in a graduate program will be limited to $20,500 per year or $100,000 total, whereas those enrolled in a professional program will be able to borrow more than double that. |
SPORTS
| Mississippi State football fans urged to ring cowbells 'responsibly' during Tennessee game | |
| While cowbell ringing is encouraged during Mississippi State's inaugural SEC battle of the 2025 campaign, Bulldog fans are also being encouraged to exercise restraint during periods of the game where the noisemakers are barred from clanging. The Bulldogs, boasting an opening 4-0 record for the first time in over a decade, will host No. 15 Tennessee on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium. The contest is sold out and expected to be rowdy from kickoff until the final snap, with fans of the maroon and white geared up to give their favorite team a home-field advantage through the traditional ringing of cowbells throughout the matchup. However, the Mississippi State Athletics Department is urging those in attendance to silence the bell when instructed to avoid any possible on-field penalties or the possible prohibition of cowbells from future home games. "Our tradition, our sound, our reason -- outsiders want them gone. We won't let that happen. Do your part. Protect the bell. Ring responsibly," a social media post from the official Mississippi State football account reads. "When the center is over the football, rest your bell and just yell. Our tradition depends on it." |
| Football: Tillman Takes Inspiration From Mom To The Football Field | |
| You could see the love in Zakari Tillman's eyes last Saturday. The Mississippi State linebacker's mother, LaTonia Tillman, was being honored on the field at Davis Wade Stadium as part of MSU's Salute to Service that occurs at each Bulldog home game. Meanwhile Zakari stood on the State sideline, clapping and beaming with pride as he watched on. "She inspires me a lot," Zakari said of his mom. "She calls me every day, and, you know, it gets rough as a college athlete. So, she's my shoulder to lean on every day. I call her every day to ask her about everything, and I feel like if it wasn't for my mom, I really wouldn't be who I am today." Latonia spent 21 years in the Air Force. The technical sergeant ensured mission readiness and security at home and abroad, racking up numerous honors throughout her career. Those include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Outstanding Unit Award, the Longevity Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. After those accolades echoed over the public address system and through the Starkville air last weekend, Zakari rushed onto the field to embrace his mom. It was an incredibly memorable moment for mother and son. |
| Why Wade Sims, born with a rare brain disorder, is Mississippi State's ultimate fan | |
 | Zac Selmon ran through his usual thank yous while introducing Brian O'Connor as the new Mississippi State baseball coach on the stage at Dudy Noble Field. The athletics director started with Neil Price, the radio voice for football, men's basketball and baseball who was emceeing the event, then with legendary retired baseball coach Ron Polk, followed by university president Mark Keenum. Next, Selmon mentioned Wade Sims, the only fan to get a personal shoutout during the speech. "People like Wade Sims, along with parents Brian and Donna, don't miss a single event. Where's Wade at tonight?" Selmon said, followed by an applause from the crowd. "You got a fan club, Wade." Sims, a month later in an interview with The Clarion Ledger, said he did something in that moment he never does. He cried. "I really did not expect it," Sims said. "Nobody expected it really." While Sims isn't a player, coach or administrator at Mississippi State, he's held to the same royalty. Fans know him. So do the players and coaches. Everywhere Mississippi State goes, Sims follows. "He's had so many great experiences," Donna Sims, Wade's mother, said. "Even though we haven't always won, I think he's definitely winning." |
| Soccer: State Continues SEC Play At Missouri | |
| No. 15 Mississippi State is headed to Missouri on Friday to take on the Tigers at 7 p.m. CT. The match is set to air live on SEC Network+, and MSU brings a series of streaks into the match. The Bulldogs will again wear their black uniforms that they've previously worn at Texas and in the home wins over then-No. 10 Wake Forest and then-No. 1 Tennessee. State has won 10 consecutive matches when wearing black. Another streak on the line pertains directly to this week's matchup. MSU is undefeated in its last five meetings with Missouri, but the Bulldogs have not won in Columbia since 2019. Ally Perry continues to etch her name all across the Bulldog record book. She has scored in each of the last three games, and has a point in four straight. Her run is the 22nd three-game goal-scoring streak in program history, and should she extend it to four games, she would be tied for the third-longest streak in school history. The last four-game streak came in 2018 when MaKayla Waldner scored in five straight and Zakirah McGillivary scored in four consecutive games. |
| Volleyball Preview: Florida And Auburn | |
| Mississippi State Volleyball will be on the road this weekend to kick off conference play, taking on both Florida and Auburn. The first match of the weekend will take place on Friday at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Florida. The match will start at 7:00 p.m. and is available to stream on SEC Network+. The weekend will conclude on Sunday at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama. The match will start at 2:00 p.m. and is available to stream on SEC Network+. The Bulldogs are on their best season-opening streak since 2005, sitting at 10-0. Mississippi State is one of eight programs still undefeated in the country. They are joined by Texas as the only undefeated teams in the SEC. Florida is 5-4 on the season, currently on a two-match losing streak, losing to Marquette and #7 Wisconsin. Auburn is 9-2 on the season, currently on a three-match win streak. |
| Congressional Black Caucus in discussions with Republicans on amending SCORE Act | |
| A task force of the Congressional Black Caucus is in negotiations with its Republican colleagues to amend portions of the college sports legislation, the SCORE Act, some of which have already been agreed to. The caucus, made up of 59 Democrat members of both the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, is a key bloc of lawmakers in the effort from college leaders to pass the Republican-authored sports bill dubbed the SCORE Act (Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act). Speaking Thursday from a conference at the Washington Convention Center, Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), a member of the caucus, revealed that the group has reached an agreement on several changes to the legislation -- a notable move that may accelerate the once-stalled progress of the bill to get through the House. "The authors of the SCORE Act are around the table negotiating with us. That's a good sign," Sewell said. The Alabama congresswoman spoke from a stage as the moderator of a panel discussion with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and SWAC commissioner Charles McClelland, delivering a 50-minute talk as part of the CBC's annual legislative conference in the nation's capital. |
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