| Thursday, May 7, 2026 |
| Tupelo native wins free tuition for fall semester at MSU | |
 | Mississippi State University freshman Bailey Bruce is the winner of the MSU Alumni Association's 24th Tuition Drawing. Bruce, a finance major from Tupelo, will receive free, full-time tuition for 12 credit hours in the 2026 fall semester. Her ticket was one of 4,144 sold by the Alumni Delegates, offering MSU students a chance to win one semester of free, in-state tuition. Eligible students include any undergraduate enrolled full-time at the university. This semester, the delegates raised more than $17,000 from ticket sales. Jeff Davis, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association, introduced the drawing at the university in 2014 after witnessing its success at other institutions. Davis believes it has become an important tradition for the Alumni Delegates, helping strengthen the association's relationship with parents and extended family of students. "This is an exceptional situation all around. The student with the lucky ticket wins. The family who saves on tuition wins, and the drawing helps us raise money for scholarships and priority programs and build support for future deserving students," said Davis. |
| Fordice history project roundtable set at St. Andrew's | |
 | The Fordice History Project will host a journalist roundtable on Thursday evening at St. Andrews Ridgeland campus as part of an ongoing effort to document the late Daniel Kirkwood Fordice's tenure as the first Republican governor since Reconstruction. The panel discussion will include Rex Baker, Reed Branson, Sarah Campbell, Mark Legggett, and Sid Salter. The program will be moderated by Stephanie Strickland Garriga, said Shannon Warnock, an organizer for the event. Warnock said everyone on the panel was a working journalist during Fordice's 1991 campaign. According to their website, the Fordice History Project's mission is to "collect the oral history of Governor Kirk and First Lady Pat Fordice, aiming to preserve and share the narratives that shaped Mississippi during his administration as Mississippi's first Republican Governor since Reconstruction." The recordings of the oral histories will be permanently housed in Mississippi State University's Archives and Special Collections Division within the Mississippi Political Collections. |
| MDWFP appoints first female wildlife bureau chief | |
 | A number of familiar names have shifted into new roles at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and among them is Amy Blaylock who is the first woman to lead the wildlife division. "I feel honored and blessed," Blaylock said. "I'm excited. "I wouldn't say it was necessarily a goal of mine. My goal was to be a biologist and be the best one I could be. I try to do the best I can do at whatever I'm doing." Blaylock joined the department in 2007 after receiving her undergraduate degree in forestry and master's degree in wildlife science at Mississippi State University. It was an education and career path that came naturally for her. |
| ICC educators complete Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy | |
| Itawamba Community College's Ira Lindsay Kinard of Houston and Rachel Steele of Fulton were recognized Tuesday during a ceremony at Mississippi State University after completing the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy as members of the 2026 class. The MCCLA was developed in the spring of 2009 to address the projected need for upper-level leaders within Mississippi's community college system. The program is organized around the practical needs of future community college leaders and focuses specifically on leadership within Mississippi's community college environment. Supported by Mississippi State University, the annual MCCLA program provides participants with opportunities to strengthen leadership skills, build professional relationships and gain a broader understanding of issues impacting higher education across the state. |
| Pirkle, Wilson named Jack Reed Sr. Community Leadership Award recipients at annual CREATE meeting | |
| Recognized and praised for their contributions to their communities, Greg Pirkle of Tupelo and Bryan Wilson of Starkville each received the Jack Reed Sr. Northeast Mississippi Community Leadership Award at the CREATE Foundation's annual Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi State of the Region meeting on Wednesday. Supported by an endowment at CREATE and funded by a special dividend from Journal Inc. -- the Daily Journal's parent company -- the award is presented annually to individuals or organizations who have showed extraordinary leadership, integrity and long-term commitment to improving the quality of life in their communities. Wilson, a retired leader in agriculture who grew up in Fulton, was recognized for making a lasting impact on his community through his dedication to local philanthropy and development. He played a key role in establishing the FIRST Foundation community affiliate in Fulton. He has served on the CREATE Foundation Board of Directors and helped to lead efforts to develop a new office location for CREATE Foundation. Robin McCormick, a CREATE board member from West Point, said Wilson was "one of the most caring people I have ever known and who has the heart the size of Texas." |
| Mary Means Business: Columbus Baptist Urgent Care closed | |
 | The Columbus Baptist Urgent Care is officially closed. Amy Thomas, chief marketing and communication officer for Urgent Team, cited "declining community demand for walk-in urgent care services" as the reason for the closure of the Columbus location at 1503 Hwy. 45. She confirmed the final day of services was Wednesday, but Baptist Urgent Care will continue operating locations in Batesville, Horn Lake, Olive Branch, Tupelo and Starkville. ... After about five years in operation, high-end Starkville restaurant 44 Prime, 211 S. Jackson St., is closing by the end of the month. But owners and partners Roy Oswalt and Jeff Thornsberry are already preparing for their second venture on Poor House Road. The duo hopes to open The Ranch, 1044 Poor House Road, by mid-July. Located near the Mississippi Horse Park, the 6,000 square-foot restaurant will have three separate dining areas, which Thornsberry said will allow the restaurant to host private events while remaining open for guests. ... Moving over to Highway 12, we officially have one fewer Starbucks in town. According to Starbucks officials, the coffee shop in Kroger at 826 Hwy. 12. closed permanently in mid-April. |
| Nearly 500 homes damaged in Mississippi storms as multiple tornadoes reported | |
 | Powerful storms that included at least one confirmed tornado tore through parts of Mississippi, damaging nearly 500 homes, tearing up trees and downing power lines, authorities said Thursday. There were no immediate reports of deaths from the storms that struck several counties Wednesday night. At least 17 people were injured, according to Scott Simmons, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. He said 12 of those hurt were transported from the Wash Trailer Park in the small community of Bogue Chitto, in Lincoln County. The park was severely damaged. "I was just watching TikTok on my bed and thought it was thunder. I went to my living room. I went back to my room, and the room's gone," resident Max Mahaffey told WAPT-TV. |
| Community leaders react to the possibility of building a new jail | |
 | With talks of a possible new jail, businesses in downtown Meridian are speaking out on this idea and how it would affect Meridian tourism and economic development. With many events being held throughout the Queen City, like the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience's biggest fundraiser of the year, Sipp and Savor, the Jimmy Rodgers Music Festival, Threefoot Festival, Bud 'N' Boiln, Earth's Bounty, Soule Steam Festival, and many others, community leaders' biggest concern is the safety of their residents and event goers. Possible talks of this new jail would be beneficial for tourism in the Queen City. "It would help us out. I understand the reason it was built, I think, back in the 90s, and downtown wasn't what it is today. And so now, as we expand our downtown presence and as it becomes more revitalized, that will definitely help, just from an aspect of living areas, and bring in more places to live downtown. I think that's kind of a next expansion that we're looking towards in downtown," Matt Schanrock, Director of Meridian Main Street from the EMBDC, says. "This is a great opportunity for Lauderdale County and Meridian with the Data Compass Center coming, and we've got so much movement with MSU as well in downtown. And so, really planning for the future is going to be very important. So obviously, having everyone at the table making the right decisions as we look forward." |
| Jackson has uphill battle for economic development, demographer says | |
| In the 2021 census, Jackson's population dropped below 150,000 for the first time since before 1970. The shrinking continued with the release of data from the 2022 census estimates, which revealed a 2.5% drop for the state's capital city. Jackson's population stood at 145,995. The drop of 3,766 from 2021 to 2022 made it the fastest-shrinking city with at least 50,000 residents in the United States. Three years later, the estimates are that Jackson's population has dropped even further to fewer than 136,000. Bradley Schurman, a demographer and author who has spent his career decoding what is reshaping economies and American cities, said Jackson has a hill to climb to achieve economic development goals. "I have to tell you, Downtown Jackson is pretty jarring," Schurman told the Clarion Ledger. "I took the train in from Memphis, walked through downtown. Everyone who I met there was kind, courteous, generous. But the first thing I noticed was desolation. I feel like during my time there, I saw maybe 10 people on the streets. That says a lot about a place. The people that I did see were a couple of police officers, some government workers and a TV reporter standing in front of the (federal) courthouse." |
| Entergy Mississippi grows economic development team | |
| Entergy Mississippi has promoted two members of its economic development team and added two new team members to the organization. The company also reorganized the group to ensure a premier customer service experience to our large industrial customers and other businesses in the state. The economic development team works to build and enhance Entergy Mississippi's industrial customer base through recruitment and expansion strategies, community development efforts, site development, and economic development-specific programming for communities throughout the 45-county service territory. Christine Pate was promoted to a newly created position as director, economic development and industrial accounts. Lauren Gurtowski is now senior project manager for business development, succeeding Pate in that role. Gabriella MacNabb was hired to fill Gurtowski's former role as business expansion and retention representative for the company, and Jack VanDevender has been hired as a community development representative. |
| Corporate Layoffs Are Down 10% This Year, but the AI Reckoning Has Come For Tech | |
 | There is a lot of concern about how artificial intelligence is affecting work as each new month brings a wave of job-cut announcements from large employers, including Nike, Morgan Stanley and Amazon.com. Layoffs in the first four months of the year totaled 300,749, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a level 50% lower than the same period last year when enormous federal-worker job cuts dominated the start of President Trump's second term. Private-sector layoffs were 10% lower than this time last year. Now AI is upending workplaces in ways both real and whitewashed. Tech has been hardest-hit, with firms letting go of more than 85,000 employees so far this year, a 33% increase over the same period in 2025, Challenger data show. The cuts keep coming, with fresh announcements in May of thousands more workers cut at PayPal and the elimination of "pure managers" at Coinbase. |
| 'This is a very clear warning': After Indiana, redistricting pressure mounts in the South | |
 | President Donald Trump's successful Indiana revenge campaign is already scaring other state lawmakers into falling in line on redistricting. After Trump unseated a majority of the Indiana Republican state senators who blocked his Indiana gerrymander on Tuesday, GOP state legislators in red Southeastern states are facing renewed pressure to redraw their own congressional maps before the midterms. The biggest pressure point is in South Carolina, where state Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey had thrown cold water on taking up a redraw ahead of the state's June 9 primaries -- and is already at the center of Trump's next offensive. Trump called Massey to encourage him to take up a redraw both on Monday and Tuesday, before Indiana's results were in, according to a person familiar with the calls and granted anonymity to discuss them. Massey didn't respond to multiple calls and texts. While it's unclear whether they will ultimately adopt a new map erasing lone Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn's seat, GOP lawmakers who had hesitations are moving toward support, a major shift from just a few days ago. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signaled on Wednesday that his state could soon begin to move forward with a redraw, telling the Daily Caller that he has the authority to add congressional redistricting to the agenda of a pre-existing special session. |
| Speaker White names House Select Committees to tackle property taxes, school consolidation, redistricting, more | |
 | Speaker Jason White (R) has announced the formation of six new House Select Committees to study issues facing Mississippi. The committees will be tasked with developing policy recommendations ahead of the 2027 Legislative Session. White's newly established House committees will focus on Government Efficiency, Property Taxes, Redistricting, Judicial Operations, Consolidation, and Specialty Schools. "The Mississippi House of Representatives has consistently demonstrated a willingness to take on complex issues with thoughtful study, serious discussion, and deliberate action," White said Wednesday. "Our Select Committee process allows members to engage stakeholders, examine policy from every angle, and build informed, conservative solutions that serve the people of Mississippi." Speaker White said the committees "will help shape meaningful legislation that reflects our commitment to responsible governance." |
| Speaker Jason White says House will consider redistricting during 2027 legislative session | |
| House Speaker Jason White said on Wednesday that his chamber would consider redrawing Mississippi's electoral maps as he announced the formation of six new House select committees to develop policy plans ahead of the 2027 legislative session. One of the six committees will focus on "the current districting processes and legal considerations, ensuring Mississippi remains prepared to address future reapportionment with transparency, fairness, and adherence to constitutional requirements," White's office said in a news release. The announcement came less than a week after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted part of the Voting Rights Act and opened the door for states such as Mississippi to eliminate majority Black electoral districts. The court's landmark Louisiana v. Callais decision places Mississippi and other Southern states at the center of a national partisan and racial political battle over redistricting. |
| Speaker creates new House committees to address 'complex issues' ahead of 2027 | |
| Mississippi lawmakers will reconvene in Jackson for a special session this month, but one legislative leader is already eyeing a potential agenda for 2027. House Speaker Jason White announced six new select committees on Wednesday with the goal of each to touch on "complex issues" that affect Mississippi. According to the Republican from West, the committees will focus on government efficiency, property taxes, redistricting, judicial operations, consolidation, and specialty schools. Committee members will be tasked with engaging stakeholders, examining policy "from every angle," and building solutions on each topic, per White. The Select Committee on Consolidation will evaluate opportunities for consolidation within our K-12 public schools, as well as community college and Institutions of Higher Learning systems, according to the speaker. Reps. Rob Roberson (R-Starkville) and Donnie Scoggin (R-Ellisville) will co-chair the committee. The Select Committee on Specialty Schools will study Mississippi's specialized educational institutions and programs, examining opportunities to strengthen educational access, improve outcomes, and ensure students with unique talents and needs receive the highest quality support and instruction, White said. Reps. Steve Massengill (R-Hickory Flat) and Andy Boyd (R-Columbus) will co-chair the subcommittee. |
| Former Hinds Co. Republican chair says pump the brakes on Congressional redistricting talks | |
| A former Hinds County Republican Party chairman says it's time to pump the brakes on talks of redrawing Rep. Bennie Thompson out of his district. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana's 2024 district lines amounted to unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. Since then, state leaders have been amping up calls to redraw Mississippi's congressional lines to create four Republican districts -- effectively removing the longtime Democratic congressman from office. However, Pete Perry, the former head of the Hinds County Republican Party, says the ruling in Louisiana v. Callais might not be the opening that some Republicans think it is. "The Supreme Court said the lower court could not force you to create a district looking for a certain result," he said. "If you intend to discriminate, that's still unconstitutional." Perry said that just as a new district can't be created solely on the basis of race, one also can't be eliminated for the same reason. He said Mississippi would have a hard time proving that any effort to redraw the state's congressional districts would not be racially motivated -- even if the motivation were solely political. |
| Mississippi Republicans split over potential redistricting that could impact U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson | |
| As a special session intended to take up Mississippi's Supreme Court map moves closer, a divide is emerging among Republicans over whether to also redraw the state's congressional lines. Some in the GOP are pushing to further solidify their advantage in an already-red state, while others warn that revisiting the map could carry long-term political risks. As of now, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves -- who has yet to publicly weigh in on the prospect of redrawing congressional districts -- only has lawmakers returning to Jackson to discuss the state's Supreme Court map. Rep. Sam Creekmore, a Republican from New Albany, reiterated that Reeves controls the special session's agenda, and he "would be surprised if we expanded to the congressional map." Sid Salter, a longtime political analyst who also works at Mississippi State University, agrees with Creekmore, saying a redraw of the state's congressional map could be beneficial to Republicans short-term but long-term, it may backfire. "Without question, that is not only a possible outcome; it is a probable outcome," Salter said. "This crossroads, as you call it, is just that. There are many people who can't see past the impact this has on Congressman Thompson's district." |
| Attorney Whitney Lipscomb is preparing to run for secretary of state | |
| Whitney Lipscomb, an attorney who has worked for Republican officials in Mississippi, is planning to run for secretary of state next year, according to campaign finance forms. Lipscomb's campaign committee filed its initial paperwork recently with the secretary of state's office saying she plans to run. "I'm grateful for the encouragement I've received across Mississippi," Lipscomb said in a statement. "People want strong, conservative leaders who will stand with President Trump, protect election integrity, and fight hard to defend our values and way of life. I am taking the necessary steps, spending time in prayer and listening as I chart a path forward. Stay tuned!" Lipscomb was deputy chief of staff and an attorney for former Gov. Phil Bryant and served as deputy attorney general under AG Lynn Fitch. She left Fitch's office last year and became the general counsel for the Republican Attorneys General Association. It's expected that Lipscomb will launch her campaign for secretary of state in the coming weeks. |
| Race for Mississippi state auditor taking shape with Sparks, Wilson set to enter | |
| The 2027 race for state auditor in Mississippi is busying with two more candidates expressing their intentions to run for the soon-to-be-vacant seat. After former Republican state Rep. Nick Bain announced his candidacy in his hometown of Corinth last week, two others have confirmed they are seeking the office: Republican state Sen. Daniel Sparks and Adams County Supervisor Kevin Wilson. Wilson, most recently an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. House, will also run as a Republican. Sparks recently told crowds in DeSoto County and Rankin County of his plans but will hold an official campaign launch later this month. Wilson, on the other hand, announced at a political gathering in Madison County on Wednesday. All three are looking to replace Shad White, whose team confirmed to SuperTalk Mississippi News on Wednesday that he is not seeking another term as state auditor and will announce which office he will run for at a later date. White has been publicly mulling a run for governor since last summer. |
| In a new poll, Americans voice broad bipartisan support for age caps in Congress | |
 | There are divides on nearly every issue in American politics today. But many voters agree on one topic: Congress is too old. An overwhelming majority of Americans -- 8 in 10 -- are in favor of setting age caps as well as term limits for members of Congress, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. While both ideas are hypothetical -- neither is being seriously considered by Congress -- support for each cuts across many backgrounds and party lines. The poll found that 78% of Democrats support both age caps and term limits. Eighty-three percent of Republicans backed maximum age limits, and nearly 9 in 10 supported term limits. The findings come as many Americans have begun to demand that longtime lawmakers pass the torch to a new generation of leaders who they see as more representative of an electorate increasingly dominated by younger voters. For some voters, the widening age difference between them and members of Congress is contributing to an already growing disconnect that they feel with leaders. "I feel that they just might be out of touch. You've got 70 and 80-year-olds in Congress ... running the country," said 18-year-old Michael Hatch, who lives in Eudora, Kansas. "It's just not doing it for young people. It's not representing people like me. |
| Senate GOP fears $1B for White House ballroom represents political landmine | |
 | A Republican proposal to spend $1 billion in taxpayer money on security for the White House ballroom has become a political landmine in the Senate debate over funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for the next three and a half years. Before the Senate Judiciary Committee released its bill, Republican senators warned that using taxpayer money to pay for the ballroom would be a dumb move in an election year where GOP candidates are already facing headwinds over the issue of affordability. While the legislation clearly states that the money is for security enhancements and may not be spent on "non-security elements" of the construction project, that distinction is being lost in the media headlines and broader debate over the sensitive issue. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) says he supports the construction of the White House ballroom, but he wants it paid for by private donations, which President Trump originally pledged when he tore down the historic East Wing. Most GOP lawmakers would prefer not to link public funds so clearly with the ballroom, which is likely to be used as a setting for high-profile, black-tie events. |
| Rubio visits Rome aiming to repair White House ties with Pope Leo | |
 | Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Thursday with Pope Leo XIV with relations between the Vatican and the White House at a low point over President Donald Trump's repeated, direct criticism of the U.S.-born pontiff who has emerged as a leading global critic of the war in Iran and of the administration's invocation of God in pursuing military action that has resulted in the deaths of thousands. Rubio was at the Vatican for roughly two hours on Thursday, meeting with both the pope and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state. The small U.S. delegation included Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador to India, who is a personal friend of Rubio's and a prominent Catholic in the Trump administration. Thursday's meetings came after Trump's criticism of Pope Leo, including a new broadside on Monday, fomented an unprecedented rift that now divides the world's leading political superpower and the head of its largest Christian faith. Publicly, both sides have sought to minimize the rift, but the Holy See, in its stoic way, has taken deep offense at Trump's missives even as the still-novice pope has risen to the challenge posed by the unorthodox president and his unpredictable utterances. |
| There Is No Evidence the Trump Assassination Attempts Were Staged. People Still Believe They Were | |
 | In recent weeks both MAGA and left-wing influencers have found something they agree on: President Donald Trump, they say, is staging his own assassination attempts. Within minutes of the Secret Service detaining an alleged attacker at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25, social media was flooded with baseless claims the attack was "STAGED." In the days since, these claims have led some prominent pundits and creators to reassess the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania, with many alleging, without evidence, that it was also staged. The trend of left-wing influencers boosting these conspiracy theories comes immediately after a wave of prominent MAGA figures, angry about Trump's war with Iran and his anti-Catholic rhetoric, promoted conspiracy theories about the Butler shooting. WIRED has looked at the main claims that conspiracy theorists point to when claiming both the Butler and Correspondents' Dinner shootings were staged, and why none of the claims stand up to scrutiny. |
| What Are 'Teen Takeovers' and Why Are Police Struggling to Stop Them? | |
 | As the school year draws to a close, the perennial worry about teenage misbehavior and how to keep youth occupied in the summer has a new name with ominous undertones: "teen takeovers." In Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, the nation's capital and elsewhere, large, quickly organized gatherings of youths have popped up in downtowns, parks and leafy neighborhoods. They can be noisy, boisterous and at times violent, their impact often amplified on television, especially in conservative media outfits like Fox News. And city leaders have begun to pay more attention. "It has gotten worse when it comes to the bad behavior," Larry Snelling, the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, said in an interview. "Kids just start to fight, so they get increasingly more violent." Societal anxiety over juvenile delinquency is not new. But what is undeniably new is the role that platforms like Instagram and TikTok play in the speed of organization and the scale of assembly. And the larger the gatherings, the better the chance that something can go wrong. |
| Who Exactly Is That Wellness Influencer? Not Likely a Doctor or Nurse | |
| A new study of health and wellness influencers found that nearly as many say they are coaches or entrepreneurs as say they are health professionals. The new data, by the Pew Research Center, found that 41% of health and wellness influencers described themselves as some sort of healthcare professional in their profiles, while 31% said they were coaches and 28% said they were entrepreneurs. (Many put themselves in more than one category.) Another 16% reported no credentials in their bios. The healthcare professional category was a broad one: It included doctors, nurses, dietitians, social workers, chiropractors and massage therapists, among other jobs. Concern about health misinformation has been growing, with vaccination rates falling and extreme diets, such as the carnivore diet, increasing in popularity. Social media has amplified this problem. |
| Rich Gentry named dean of School of Business Administration | |
 | The University of Mississippi announced Rich Gentry as the new dean of the School of Business Administration on May 6, pending approval by the Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees. If approved, Gentry will begin in the role on July 1. Gentry currently serves as chair and professor of management and is the FNC Founder's Chair in Entrepreneurship. As co-director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), Gentry has helped students navigate entrepreneurial pursuits and launch their own companies. Noel Wilkin, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Mississippi, cited Gentry's "student-focused leadership, innovative teaching and track record of building programs" as reasons for his selection following a nationwide search. Gentry plans to focus heavily on artificial intelligence within the School of Business Administration to prepare students for an industry that relies heavily on AI usage. |
| McRae Foundation's generosity continues with significant gift to UMMC cancer center campaign | |
| The Selby and Richard McRae Foundation, a longtime supporter of causes in Jackson and throughout the state, is continuing its philanthropy with a significant gift to It's About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute. The $125 million campaign is helping fund construction of a 250,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art cancer center that will bring CCRI care, research and education under one roof. More than 80% of that goal has been raised. "Over time, we have recognized the impact of the Medical Center on the Jackson metro area and throughout Mississippi," said Vaughan McRae, who, with siblings Susan McRae Shanor and Richard McRae Jr., is a trustee of the foundation named for their parents. "Our family has deep roots in Jackson and Mississippi and know the difference a cancer center could make in the state." Mississippi, with a cancer mortality rate that's among the worst in the country, also struggles with access to health care, something the cancer center can help address. |
| Mississippi's only children's hospital gifted nearly $206K from state's largest St. Paddy's parade | |
| Mississippi's largest St. Patrick's Day celebration has yielded a nearly $206,000 donation to the state's lone children's hospital. Hal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival presented a check for $205,900 to Children's of Mississippi on Wednesday, marking another milestone in the event's longstanding commitment to supporting the work done at the healthcare facility in Jackson. "When we started this partnership, the vision was simple: to celebrate together and support Mississippi's only children's hospital," Hal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival Founder Malcolm White said. "Seeing that vision result in a $205,900 gift to Children's of Mississippi is incredibly meaningful and speaks to the generosity of this community." "We are incredibly grateful to the Hal's St. Paddy's parade for their continued support of Children's of Mississippi," Children's of Mississippi CEO Dr. Mary Taylor said. Officials say funds raised through Hal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival directly support programs, equipment, and services that enhance care for children and families across Mississippi. |
| Ohio University provost named 11th UAH president | |
 | The University of Alabama Board of Trustees turned to Ohio University Executive Vice President and Provost Donald Leo as the University of Alabama in Huntsville's 11th president. The board of trustees named Leo president during a special meeting at UAH on Wednesday. Leo will become president on June 1, replacing retiring President Charles Karr. "As an aerospace engineer with a deep appreciation for the impact of groundbreaking research, I am excited about the opportunity to lead UAH," Leo said. "I have always been drawn to organizations that can have a tremendous impact, and UAH's location in the heart of a dynamic innovation corridor uniquely positions it for unprecedented success." Among his first tasks, Leo said, was to focus on student success. His research focuses on synthesis, modeling and control of active material systems with an emphasis on electroactive polymers and biomolecular materials. |
| How are Louisiana grads using their degrees? LSU, Southern join landmark U.S. Census study | |
 | The LSU and Southern University systems will participate in a study with the U.S. Census Bureau to learn more about how Louisiana students are using their degrees after graduation. The pilot project, which brings together data from the Census and the nonprofit National Student Clearinghouse, is the first of its kind in the country. "There's tremendous interest across Louisiana in, when people graduate from different higher education institutions with different degrees at different levels, what happens then?" Tristan Denley, deputy commissioner for academic affairs and innovation with the Board of Regents, said. "What actually do they go do with those degrees?" The analysis will help answer the questions, on a broad scale, of where students are employed after graduation, if their jobs match their field of study and if they choose to reside and build their careers in Louisiana, Denley said. All data will be anonymous, he added. |
| U. of Arkansas, Fayetteville will delay fall 2026 break until after homecoming at students' request | |
| The University of Arkansas will move fall break back by a week this October in response to requests from students on the Fayetteville campus. Fall break will be Oct. 19 and 20, Provost Indrajeet Chaubey said during a faculty senate meeting Wednesday, rather than Oct. 12 and 13. "Fall break is for students -- it's meant for them -- (and this) is in the best interest of students," Chaubey said. Students had petitioned for the change because the Razorbacks are scheduled for a home football game Oct. 10, against the Tennessee Volunteers, and it's homecoming at UA. Students would have to choose between attending the game and traveling out of town to visit family. The following Saturday, Oct. 17, the Razorbacks travel to Nashville, Tenn., to face the Vanderbilt Commodores. Following an extended debate last month, the faculty senate declined to endorse the change, which the senate's calendar committee had recommended. "Students want to be part of those experiences on campus," Chaubey said Wednesday. He said campus leadership ultimately decided to make the change because they asked themselves, "What is best for students?" |
| UTK Turning Point hosts conversation with Marsha Blackburn, Riley Gaines | |
| On Tuesday evening, political activists Riley Gaines and Josh Thifault joined U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn on campus in a conversation centered around conservative values. In coordination with the University of Tennessee-Knoxville's chapter of Turning Point USA, Blackburn spoke to over 100 members of the UT community in the Student Union ballroom. Blackburn, who is campaigning for her 2026 gubernatorial run, encouraged students at the event to register to vote. "In this country, 'one person, one vote,' is vitally important," Blackburn said. "One of our precious rights is that right to go cast that vote and participate in the electoral system." Gaines and Thifault have been heavily involved with Turning Point throughout their careers. Thifault, a founding member of Turning Point USA, touched on the importance of Blackburn speaking to the "future leaders of the country." Blackburn, who has been criticized by some constituents for not holding public, in-person town halls, used the event as an opportunity to answer questions facing young voters. |
| Susan Ballabina becomes Texas A&M's 28th president | |
| Texas A&M System Board of Regents unanimously approved Susan Ballabina as Texas A&M's 28th president. The Regents met virtually Wednesday afternoon to decide on two agenda items: appointing Ballabina as president and considering possible action regarding construction. The vote was swift -- with all nine regents casting an enthusiastic yes. "I have the utmost confidence she is ready to serve as the next president of Texas A&M University," System Chancellor Glenn Hegar said once regents returned from the executive session. Ballabina was previously the executive vice chancellor of the Texas A&M System. Ballabina's appointment has filled a hole that's been open for the last eight months, since former President Mark Welsh resigned and regents began a national search. Ballabina will take over for interim President Tommy Williams and will serve as the third woman ever to hold the position at Texas A&M, following Dr. Elsa Murano (2008–2009) and Dr. M. Katherine Banks (2021–2023). |
| First-generation students highlight outreach program, reflect on finding their place at U. of Oklahoma | |
| The University of Oklahoma has a large population of first-generation students who face a unique set of hurdles while pursuing higher education, though programs can provide support systems to help them feel at home. The university defines a first-generation student as someone whose parents or legal guardians have not completed a bachelor's degree. In fall 2025, 27% of undergraduates enrolled at OU's Norman campus fit this description. OU is a part of the FirstGen Forward network as one of over 470 higher education institutions across the U.S. selected for their commitment to aiding first-generation students. Outreach programs like Miracle Mindset serve first-generation and low-income high school students in Oklahoma, pairing students with advisers and aiding in early career preparation to help them get through college. Angel Carbajal-Martinez, a first-generation management information systems junior and chair of OU's Miracle Mindset, said he applied to OU after attending a Miracle Mindset conference in high school. Carbajal-Martinez said the conference gave him the confidence to feel ready for college. |
| Mixed response from NC universities on pitching quicker degree programs | |
| The University of North Carolina System announced last month it was exploring the feasibility of offering degree programs consisting of around 90 credit hours as opposed to the typical 120. The UNC System's curiosity about quicker, cheaper degrees is in line with national trends, appearing in some form in states like Massachusetts, Oklahoma and Indiana. But unlike other states, the first step in the process for the UNC System was asking its very own instructors and administrators for their ideas in a formal Request for Proposals process. UNC System Vice President for Academic Affairs Dan Harrison gave institutions until April 17 to submit ideas. Upon that deadline, Carolina Public Press filed a public records request for the proposals the UNC System received. According to the records, which CPP received on Thursday, seven of the UNC System institutions have submitted proposals for 18 degree programs. The lion's share of the proposals are for business-focused degree programs, one of the areas Harrison said would be given priority given the current workforce needs in accounting and finance in the state. |
| Rutgers University withdraws invite to a graduation speaker over his criticism of Israel | |
| Rutgers University has canceled a planned graduation speech by business leader Rami Elghandour after some students raised concerns about his criticism of Israel on social media. Elghandour, the CEO of biotech company Arcellx, had been set to give the May 15 convocation address at the Rutgers School of Engineering, his alma mater. That invitation was rescinded last week by the school's dean, Alberto Cuitiño, after the university learned that "some graduating students would not attend their graduation ceremony due to concerns about the invited speaker's social media posts," a Rutgers spokesperson said in a statement. The spokesperson declined to specify the offending posts, but confirmed they were focused on Israel. The cancellation comes as the springtime commencement season ignites yet another round of debate about student protests against the war in Gaza, which have roiled U.S. campuses in recent years and led to canceled speeches and disruptions during graduations. |
| Texas Tech cautions broadcasting research restrictions to prospective students | |
| Texas Tech leaders told faculty not to widely share the chancellor's memo restricting graduate work related to sexual orientation or gender identity, a move some experts say could cost prospective graduate students time and money. Instead, an April 17 email from Mark Sheridan, Texas Tech's vice provost for graduate and postdoctoral affairs and dean of the Graduate School, directed them to notify certain prospective and newly admitted graduate students if their stated interests might conflict with the restrictions. Graduate students and higher education experts say that approach could leave students learning too late that Texas Tech will not allow the work they want to pursue. Asked why university officials aren't notifying all prospective graduate students about the restrictions, Allison Hirth, a Texas Tech spokesperson, said "program-specific advising is the most effective way" to provide students with relevant and accurate information about their intended field of study. |
| Trump's student loan limits could rock the health care industry | |
| The Trump administration's new federal student loan limits could force aspiring health care workers to abandon their degrees or turn to private lenders. America's aging population means the nation needs more health care workers, but the borrowing cap could exacerbate the industry's worker shortage, which is already marked by medical care deserts and longer wait times. "The health care workforce is not a faucet that you can turn on and off," Adrienne Thomas of the American Hospital Association tells Axios. "We're really concerned that this rule will discourage students from entering health care professions because they can't afford it." Trump's 2025 tax bill capped federal loans at $100,000 total for those pursuing graduate degrees, and $200,000 for 11 professional degrees, including medical doctors, pharmacists and dentists. Both caps take effect on July 1. Physician assistants, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals fall in the graduate degree category, excluding them from the higher borrowing cap. |
| Employers are demanding AI skills. What's the best way to learn them? | |
 | Fluency in artificial intelligence is increasingly a prerequisite in today's labor market, with employers across industries seeking AI-literate job candidates. Research from Resume Genius found that 8 in 10 hiring managers consider AI skills a priority. And in a sign of the times, other data shows that most employers would hire a candidate with AI skills over one with additional years of work experience. Yet while many workers today are well aware of the need to hone their AI chops, few employers offer the necessary training, said Lisa Gevelber, who heads Google's "Grow with Google" initiative, a program that provides digital skills training to workers and businesses. "We know AI can be extremely beneficial and that hiring managers say knowing how to use it is essential, but employers aren't meeting that need in terms of training employees," she told CBS News. So how can people learn about AI in ways that might boost a job search or advance their careers? According to AI and career development experts, a good way to start is simply by using publicly available AI tools daily. |
| An end to racial gerrymandering | |
| Mississippi newspaper publisher and columnist Wyatt Emmerich writes: Late last month, the U. S. Supreme Court issued a bombshell decision that will have a huge effect on Mississippi politics. In Louisiana v. Callais, the court ruled that you can't redistrict based purely on race. It overturned a previous federal court decision that compelled the Louisiana state legislature to create a second black Congressional district. ... Immediately after the U. S. Supreme Court ruled, Gov. Tate Reeves announced plans for a legislative special session to address Mississippi's Supreme Court districts in light of the new ruling. It's no secret Republicans would love to get rid of Congressman Bennie Thompson, who led the Congressional fight to prosecute Trump for the Jan. 6 riot. That may not be easy for do. First, Mississippi's Congressional districts are not clearly gerrymandered. They look pretty normal and common sensical. Second, as the lone Black Congressman, any such effort to unseat Thompson through redistricting will look pretty racially intentional, especially in Mississippi. |
SPORTS
| Baseball: No. 11 MSU Hosts Sixth-Ranked Auburn | |
| Mississippi State has spent much of Brian O'Connor's first season proving it belongs in the national conversation. This weekend, the No. 11 Diamond Dawgs get another chance to sharpen that case against another one of the country's best when No. 6 Auburn visits Dudy Noble Field for a three-game series beginning Thursday night. The series brings together two teams with identical 14-10 SEC records and plenty still at stake in the league race and postseason picture. MSU enters 37-12 overall after bouncing back from a road series loss at No. 4 Texas with a 21-6, seven-inning rout of Nicholls on Tuesday. Auburn comes to Starkville at 33-14 overall. First pitch Thursday is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN2. Friday's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and Saturday's finale set for 3 p.m., both on SEC Network. The opening game features one of the best pitching matchups of the SEC weekend. Mississippi State will start sophomore left-hander Tomas Valincius, who is 7-2 with a 2.37 ERA, 92 strikeouts and only 16 walks in 68 1/3 innings. Auburn will counter with sophomore left-hander Jake Marciano, who is 4-3 with a 2.26 ERA, 87 strikeouts and 12 walks. |
| What's at stake for State in the home stretch | |
| With less than a month before the NCAA tournament, a lot remains in play for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs (37-12, 14-10 SEC) are looking to finish high enough in the national rankings to host a regional -- and possibly a super regional -- at Dudy Noble Field. It would mark the first time since the national championship season in 2021 that the Diamond Dawgs have hosted postseason games. Before then, State will wrap up the regular season with a home series against No. 6 Auburn and a series on the road against No. 9 Texas A&M. The SEC tournament then starts Tuesday, May 19 in Hoover, Alabama. If it started today, Mississippi State would be the No. 5 seed. Auburn and Texas A&M are fourth and second in the standings, respectively. MSU is currently eighth in RPI, which takes into account numbers such as strength of schedule and quality of wins. The Bulldogs are ranked 11th by D1Baseball.com, 10th by Baseball America, and 11th by USA Today. |
| Men's Golf: Mississippi State Punches Ticket To Eighth-Straight NCAA Tournament | |
| Mississippi State has punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 7 seed in the Bermuda Run Regional. This is State's eighth-consecutive NCAA regional berth, which extends a program record. The Bulldogs will travel to Bermuda Run Country Club in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to play on May 18-20. The top five seeds will advance to the National Championship tournament in Carlsbad, California. "Making the NCAA Tournament is not something we take for granted," head coach Dusty Smith said. "This team overcame a lot this season but stuck to our process throughout. It's always a goal to be playing our best golf at the end of the year, and I feel like our guys are doing just that." State will look for its second NCAA Championship appearance in the last four seasons, having won the 2023 Morgan Hill Regional. State finished sixth in last season's Reno Regional, one spot from advancing. |
| MSU Athletics to Host Surplus Equipment Sale at Davis Wade Stadium on May 9 | |
| Mississippi State fans looking to upgrade their gear collection can head to Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m. for a Surplus Sale. The event offers a rare opportunity for the public to purchase authentic Bulldog equipment and sideline gear. The inventory features a massive selection of items, including official team uniforms, athletic footwear, and various apparel issued to State student-athletes and staff. Also happening on campus after the Surplus Sale is game three of the Diamond Dawgs' series against Auburn with first pitch set for 3 p.m. |
| College football coaches back ending conference title games, 'maximizing' CFP field | |
| College football's coaches association is calling for the College Football Playoff to "maximize" the number of teams, eliminate conference championship games and complete the CFP by the second Monday in January, as part of a group of informal recommendations announced on Tuesday. The American Football Coaches Association does not have formal power to change rules, but its coaches sit on various NCAA committees, and the AFCA has crafted ideas in the past that have later become official proposals and rules. The organization did not stake a specific claim on expanding the playoff to 16 or 24 teams, which is being debated by conference commissioners, but the AFCA's announcement stated, "future playoff models should maximize the number of participants while honoring the proposed completion date." To further help end the CFP earlier, the AFCA supports removing conference championship games in December, an idea gaining public support among administrators and coaches, but one that would come with a cost. The SEC championship game is worth well north of $50 million to that league and is part of the contract with ESPN, as all league title games are valuable parts of TV deals. |
| Sources: College football coaches throwing support behind expanded CFP format | |
| Coaches are swinging their support behind a remade and expanded college football postseason. The American Football Coaches Association voted last week to recommend that college leaders implement a playoff with "the maximum number of participants," discontinue conference championship games, preserve the Army-Navy game's exclusive time window but hold other games on that day, and end the playoff by the second week of January. In their annual meeting, the AFCA's Board of Trustees discussed and adopted the recommendations, AFCA executive director Craig Bohl told Yahoo Sports. The association is expected to publicly release its decisions soon, most notable of which is the nod of support for a 24-team playoff and the elimination of league title games. Over the last month, influential leaders on the CFP governance committee such as Big 12 and ACC commissioners Brett Yormark and Jim Philips, as well as Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, have swung their support behind a 24-team field -- a stark change from a few months ago when much of the committee, aside from Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, supported a 16-team playoff. But not everyone is leaping toward a 24-team playoff format. There are hurdles. |
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