Wednesday, February 6, 2019   
 
Bricklee Miller, Zach Rowland talk Mississippi Horse Park success at Rotary
The Mississippi Horse Park has come a long way from its gravel beginnings to being one of the top facilities in the nation in its 20-year existence. "It started off as four metal buildings on a gravel road, it was just dreams and now it's become reality," Horse Park Director and Rotarian Bricklee Miller said. Jim Buck Ross was formerly the Commissioner of Agriculture and he used to say "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man." Legislators were sold on that philosophy and today there are 72 publicly funded arenas in Mississippi. Hattiesburg, Jackson, Tunica and Starkville are the four largest in the state. In 1999, 23 events were held at the horse park. And in 2009, 37 were held and 134 in 2018. Over 60,000 people came through the gates in 2018.
 
Boys and Girls Club of the Golden Triangle seeking grant funding for new clubs
The Boys and Girls Club of the Golden Triangle is pushing along with preliminary steps to seek funding for a new center in Oktibbeha County. BGC Golden Triangle CEO Nadia Colom spoke to the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors at Monday's meeting to request support in seeking a community block grant to help fund the project. Colom said the current Oktibbeha County club, located at Lynn Lane in Starkville, has been a good facility. However, the club has seen growth beyond what the building can accommodate. BGC Golden Triangle impacted more than 1,600 children last year, Colom said, and about 700 of them were in Oktibbeha County. BGC Golden Triangle is planning to build its new facility in Westside Park on North Long Street. Colom said the new facility is being designed with ideas Mississippi State University architecture students crafted during a design charette in the fall.
 
Jim Hood: A look at how the Democratic AG is raising cash for a governor's race
About 150 people stood in the Capital Club penthouse overlooking downtown Jackson on October 8, 2018, as Jim Hood laid out his plan to win the governor's race in 2019. Just five days earlier, Hood announced he would run, assuaging the fears of many who had spent months prodding the three-term attorney general to run for the seat. The evening's event was the first fundraiser since his announcement, and a few dozen attendees were eager to write checks. Mark Utley, president of Utley Properties based in Olive Branch, wrote Hood's campaign a $10,000 check that night. Carroll Hood, founder and president of Hood Petroleum in Hazlehurst, wrote a $5,000 check. Flip Phillips, a founding partner of Smith Phillips law firm in Batesville, wrote a $5,000 check. Robert Watson, president of Watson Quality Ford dealership in Jackson, gave Hood $5,000. By the end of the dinner, Hood had collected at least $100,000 in donations, accounting for 14 percent of the campaign's total contributions in 2018. Hood's finance report, which was released last week, provides a glimpse into fundraising strategy for a Democratic campaign in ruby red Mississippi.
 
Hood holds narrow lead over Reeves in latest Mason-Dixon poll
Democrat Jim Hood still holds a slim lead over Republican Tate Reeves in what currently appears to be the most likely gubernatorial general election match-up, according to a Mississippi poll conducted by the Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy Statewide, 44% of voters currently support Hood, while 42% back Reeves and 14% are undecided. However, the race has steadily tightened over the past year. Hood held a six-point advantage in December 2017 and a five-point lead last April. Additionally, Hood's edge could simply be the product of his current 11% statewide name recognition advantage (91%-80%). Meanwhile in the Republican primary, among the currently announced GOP candidates for Governor and Attorney General, Reeves holds a commanding lead over Robert Foster (62%-9%) and Lynn Fitch has a comfortable advantage over Mark Baker (45%-17%).
 
Poll puts Hood slightly ahead of Reeves, but race for governor is tightening
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves may have the money, but Attorney General Jim Hood still has a slight lead -- for now, according to a new poll. A poll from Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy gives a slight advantage to Hood, the presumptive Democratic nominee, over Reeves, the Republican front-runner, in the race for governor. The poll was released Wednesday. In a head-to-head, Hood leads Reeves 44 to 42 percent with 14 percent of voters undecided. The margin of error for the poll was 4 percent. According to the poll, 12 percent of Republican voters are comfortable crossing party lines and supporting Hood, while only 6 percent of Democrats are willing to support Reeves. In the Republican primary for governor, Reeves holds a sizable lead over state Rep. Robert Foster, R-Hernando. The poll shows Reeves at 62 percent and Foster at 9 percent.
 
Mississippi won't reinstate law allowing no-judge seizures
Mississippi lawmakers have rejected plans to allow police to resume seizing cash, guns and vehicles without going before a judge, agreeing with civil liberties advocates that the practice was unjust. House Judiciary A Committee Chairman Mark Baker said his committee won't consider House Bill 1104 , which would have reinstated a previous law. That means it dies at a Tuesday deadline for legislation to advance out of committee. The Brandon Republican, who's running for attorney general, said House leaders decided not to move forward with the proposal. Under a law that was in effect until June 30, police agencies could file for administrative forfeiture of property worth less than $20,000 that was associated with illegal drugs. Lawmakers allowed that law to lapse last year, although many police agencies didn't notice.
 
School choice push fizzles out
Legislative leaders still have time this session to push for a controversial expansion of a program allowing the use of public money to pay for private education, but there are signs that support for such a move has already fizzled out among rank-and-file lawmakers. Only one school choice proposal survived Tuesday's deadline day. That bill authored by Sen. Education Committee Chairman Gray Tollison, extends a sunset provision for the state's education scholarship account program until 2024. As originally proposed, the bill would have established near-universal eligibility for the program, which is currently limited to students with special-needs. Participating families receive $6,500 to go toward the cost of paying for private school tuition. Tollison averted a contentious policy battle by stripping out the expansion provisions before Tuesday's committee vote took place. Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, questioned whether the survival of the bill leaves school choice supporters with an opening to reintroduce language expanding the program.
 
Mississippi Bill Would Ping Companies That Boycott Israel
Mississippi lawmakers could ban the state from investing in companies that boycott Israel. The state House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday passed House Bill 761 , which would set the ban. The bill moves to the House for more work. House Speaker Pro Tempore Greg Snowden, a Republican from Meridian, says about two dozen other states have already enacted similar laws. The American Civil Liberties Union has sued over a Texas law, arguing that the state is infringing on free speech by requiring contractors to certify that they are not boycotting Israel.
 
'A gross misuse of your position.' Meeting over controversial bill ends in shouting
A discussion among lawmakers devolved into shouting Tuesday after a lawmaker rammed a bill through a committee hearing. Rep. Mark Baker, R-Brandon, chairman of the House Judiciary A Committee, said a bill had passed. Then the meeting ended. The bill -- called the Landowner Protection Act -- would reduce the liability of business owners when someone is injured on their property. If passed, Mississippi business owners could not be sued if a person (not an employee or connected to the business) injures another person on their property. There are some exceptions in the bill, including if an "atmosphere of violence" existed at the property. Other representatives still wanted to talk about the bill after Baker declared it passed. They shouted at Baker, saying they wanted to speak. As the meeting adjourned, Rep. Ed Blackmon Jr., D-Canton, chastised Baker. "This is a gross misuse of your position as chairman," said Blackmon, a noted plaintiff's attorney and former judiciary committee chairman.
 
Republicans, emboldened by a Trump Supreme Court, advance 'heartbeat' abortion ban bill for first time
Mississippi could again have the nation's most restrictive abortion law. Emboldened by a newly conservative Supreme Court, House and Senate committees passed legislation that would ban abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected, setting the stage for another legal fight between Mississippi and abortion-rights advocates. Although Republican lawmakers have introduced so-called heartbeat bills for nearly a decade, House Bill 732 and Senate Bill 2116 are the first to pass out of a legislative committee. Both would ban abortions once a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, usually between six and eight weeks gestation. And while both bills make exceptions if the life of the mother is in jeopardy, neither makes an exception if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. Senate and House Public Health committees passed the legislation along party lines. Although other states have passed fetal heartbeat bills, none have withstood constitutional scrutiny.
 
Confederate Emblem Remains on Mississippi Flag as Bills Die
Mississippi lawmakers are again killing bills to remove the Confederate battle emblem from the last flag in the U.S. to display it. But they also rejected measures that would force universities opposed to the emblem to fly the banner. The emblem -- a red field topped by a blue tilted cross and dotted by 13 white stars -- has appeared on Mississippi's flag since 1894. Critics say it's racist; those who oppose removing it say it's a historic symbol. Mississippians voted to keep the flag in a 2001 statewide election. Several Mississippi cities and counties -- and all eight of the state's public universities -- have stopped flying it in recent years, however, amid criticism that the battle emblem is a racist reminder of slavery and segregation. Supporters of the flag say it represents history.
 
Senate candidate cites altercation in campaign announcement
A former Chris McDaniel campaign volunteer who was arrested last year following an altercation has announced a state senate candidacy for an open seat in Northeast Mississippi. Tishomingo County construction contractor Mario Barnes released a statement Tuesday declaring his intent to seek the District 5 state senate seat as a Republican. The District 5 race already includes two Republican candidates, Daniel Sparks, an attorney, and Patrick Eaton, a community college administrator. Barnes achieved notice last year after an altercation with an out-of-state man briefly became campaign fodder in a heated race for the U.S. Senate. In his written campaign announcement distributed to the Daily Journal, Barnes discusses the incident and admits that he punched a man in the face last year in response to alleged verbal taunts.
 
Sen. Sally Doty tops area in '18 cash reports
Campaign finance reports for 2018 were released by the Secretary of State's Office this week, and they show Sen. Sally Doty with the most cash on hand among the area's three lawmakers. Doty's annual report for 2018 shows a balance of $45,555 after contributions of $23,750 and expenses of $9,960.48. She had about $27,000 cash on hand heading into 2018. Doty, who is running for re-election in District 39, has two Republican opponents --- Josh Davis of Ruth and Elizabeth Brown of Brookhaven. The Democratic party in the state has yet to release a list of candidates. Doty's campaign finance report did not itemize her contributions or expenses. Rep. Becky Currie, R-Brookhaven, had $17,560 cash on hand at the end of the 2018 reporting period. She had contributions that totaled $10,650 and expenses of $8,794. She began 2018 with about $15,000 on hand. Her largest local contribution for 2018 -- $1,000 -- came from Ryan Holmes with Dungan Engineering. She had several local contributions of $500.
 
House District 28: Jerry Darnell qualifies to run for Legislature
Another candidate from DeSoto County has qualified for state-level political office, with the announcement from Jerry Darnell that he is running for House District 28 state representative. The Hernando Republican has qualified to have his name on the Aug. 6 primary election ballot for the seat now held by state Rep. Robert Foster, who opted during the current election cycle to be a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor. Darnell's career has primarily been in education and, while not immediately announcing a platform, he admitted that education would be one of his main issues. "I just want to help the people of District 28 where I live," Darnell said Monday. "I've been in education for 32 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. I've been at the (DeSoto County Schools) district office for the last seven years and education means a lot to me." Darnell is currently serving as Executive Director of Academic Services for the DeSoto County School District.
 
Trump shifts from insurgent to incumbent with 2020 in mind
Donald Trump just went from insurgent to incumbent. No longer just a disrupter out to shatter the establishment, Trump is now a president midway through his first term -- and feeling the need to show results as he readies for a bitter 2020 re-election fight. In an 82-minute speech to Congress Tuesday, Trump boastfully claimed a long list of accomplishments likely to form the contours of his campaign to reclaim the White House: An economic turnaround. Trade agreements to help American workers. Criminal justice reform. Defeating the Islamic State and concluding "endless wars." Trump never actually mentioned his nascent re-election campaign --- despite the presence of several eye-rolling 2020 Democratic rivals --- but like his predecessors he used his annual address to Congress in his third year to signal his upcoming campaign themes. To be sure, Trump the non-traditional insurgent wasn't entirely absent.
 
State College Board president giving up Tupelo city job
The president of the state College Board is leaving his job with the city of Tupelo. Shane Hooper says he will step down from his job as director of development services on March 29. That department manages the city's growth. Hooper says he is leaving after five years on the job for a private venture. He announced his upcoming departure during a staff meeting Tuesday.
 
MUW promotes police officer
The Mississippi University for Women Police Department has announced Lamar Peacock as assistant chief of police. "The W PD was fortunate to have an officer with the qualifications to fill the assistant chief's position. Lamar's knowledge and experience working for the university make him a great fit, and I look forward to working with him," said Randy Vibrock, W Police chief. Peacock will oversee the patrol division, directly supervise all patrol officers and ensure policies/procedures are followed. He will also serve as the department's special events coordinator. "I am humbled and very excited to be named the assistant chief of police. I want to thank the hiring committee for placing their faith in me and allowing me this opportunity," said Peacock. The Columbus native also said he was excited to work with the MUW community and the great people who make the campus a close-knit environment.
 
UMMC opens first food pantry to the public
Mississippi continues the fight against hunger, with the University of Mississippi Medical Center opening their first food pantry this week. The UMMC Evers Care Emergency Food Pantry is located in the Jackson medical mall, and is open to anyone who is hungry, as well as patients who don't have enough to eat. The Mississippi Urban League and Mississippi Food Network partnered to open the Magnolia State's first emergency pantry. Dr. Bettina Beech is the dean of the Bower School of Health. She says it is her responsibility to help the community and her patients in any way she can. "Food insecurity has been something that has always touched my heart," said Beech. "But when you have a young girl tell us, when we asked her what she had for dinner last night, that 'it was not my turn to eat', that was not acceptable. And I knew there was something we needed to do." Dr. Beech says opening the food pantry is their attempt to help end the fight against hunger here in the Jackson community.
 
Hazing, drugs, weapons found at USM Sigma Chi house, reports show
Campus police incident reports show officials at the University of Southern Mississippi knew that the Theta Delta chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity was engaging in hazing months before the university placed Sigma Chi on an "action plan" and evicted them from their frat house. The consequences for the fraternity were put in place by USM in December for multiple violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Sigma Chi won't return to their house on what students call "Frat Row.' Sigma Nu will move into the house in August, said Jim Coll, USM's chief communications officer. Three incident reports, the first two made in September, highlight incidents described as hazing by campus police The incident reports also mention Sigma Chi violations of the university's drug, alcohol and weapons policies, dating back to Spring 2013.
 
Two Lee County seniors are candidates for U.S. Presidential Scholars program
Mooreville High School senior and football player Braeden Martin loves athletics and plans to study biomedical engineering to improve prostheses for those with disabilities. Saltillo High School senior David Tindoll is in the school band and plans to study chemical engineering. Both students have two goals in common: plans to attend Mississippi State University and to compete with seniors across the state to become U.S. Presidential Scholars. Martin and Tindoll were recently invited to apply for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program, a prestigious program recognizing academic excellence, leadership and service to school and community. "It's a great program," said Saltillo Principal Tim Devaughn. "I think it's grown a lot and there has been a lot more interest in this area."
 
U. of South Carolina frats, sports clubs cited for hazing, alcohol violations
Five student organizations at the University of South Carolina were cited for hazing or alcohol violations in the fall semester, university records show. The most egregious violation was the Women's Club lacrosse team, which was suspended until November 2022 for hazing, "rapid alcohol consumption" and "inappropriate activities for new members," according to university documents. The other four organizations -- one club sport and three fraternities -- were also cited for hazing, but were placed on probation in lieu of suspension. All South Carolina colleges and universities, with the exception of technical schools, are required to disclose all student conduct violations by fraternities and sororities, according to The Tucker Hipps Transparency Act. The act -- named after a 19-year-old Clemson University student who died after his parents say he was forced to walk on a narrow bridge railing during a hazing ritual -- passed the Legislature with overwhelming support but is set to expire at the end of the year.
 
Study: UGA has $6.3 billion impact on Georgia
The University of Georgia has quite the economic impact on the state of Georgia, some $6.3 billion according to the latest research. UGA Professor of Economics Jeffrey Dorfman conducted the study, which covered three main categories. "The report is designed to let people understand what an economic engine the University of Georgia is for the state and its economy, and we measure by looking at three things, really," Dorfman said. "One is the value of the human capital for our graduates, so people who get degrees here tend to earn more money than if they hadn't come here. The second of those pots is research -- dollars from the federal government, agencies, foundations, things like that. Finally, we look at our public service outreach program." He said UGA reaches every county in the state through students, extension agencies and research. Dorfman said the study also focused on outside money coming into the state of Georgia through UGA.
 
U. of Kentucky student indicted with reckless homicide in boy's death
An 18-year-old University of Kentucky student accused of driving drunk in a crash that killed a 4-year-old boy now faces a reckless homicide charge, according to an indictment released Wednesday. Jacob Heil was initially charged by police only with driving under the influence in the death of Marco Lee Shemwell, who was struck during a UK football game Sept. 15 while he and his family were waiting to cross Cooper Driver near Scoville Drive. Marco died Sept. 17 at the Kentucky Children's Hospital. Through his attorney, Heil pleaded not guilty to DUI in September. The grand jury included a misdemeanor DUI count in its new reckless homicide indictment of Heil. The university suspended Heil and the fraternity he was reportedly pledging, Alpha Tau Omega, UK President Eli Capilouto announced in a campuswide email the week after the incident. A day later, the national ATO chapter dissolved its UK chapter and announced it "no longer has a presence on campus."
 
Texas A&M professor to race in Iditarod bike event for charity
Texas A&M philosophy professor Jose Luis Bermudez is no stranger to cross-country bicycling. He's participated in Race Across America for many years, traveling up and down the country and from coast to coast. In a few weeks, however, he'll face one of his most harrowing rides yet -- a 1,000-mile bike journey through the dead of the Alaskan winter in an attempt to raise $20,000 for charity by riding the path of the Iditarod dogsled races. While Bermudez has ridden his bicycle in the unforgiving Alaskan winters in the past -- he completed a 350-mile snowy journey there in 2018 -- on Feb. 24 he'll be one of only 17 people completing the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Invitational. The race begins Feb. 24 in Anchorage and will end in the town of Nome anywhere from 16 to 30 days after the start, depending on each participant's pacing.
 
Charge filed in connection with death of U. of Missouri student in dorm room
A University of Missouri student faces a charge of delivery of a controlled substance in connection with the death of fellow student Boston Perry in January, according to MU Police. Carson Latimer, 19, is accused of selling Percocet to Perry on Jan. 21. Perry reportedly was found unresponsive in his dorm room in Mark Twain Residence Hall the next afternoon. Emergency medical services attempted to revive Perry but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Boone County Sheriff's Office stated they do not have Latimer in custody as of Tuesday afternoon. According to the probable cause statement signed by MU Police Officer Dustin Heckmaster, a bottle containing 4 1/2 imprinted white pills was found near Perry's body. The pills were later identified as Percocet. Latimer is being charged with a class C felony, delivery of a controlled substance.
 
Trump talks education policy in State of the Union -- one sentence of it
President Trump addressed education policy in his 2019 State of the Union speech Tuesday night -- in one 16-word sentence: "To help support working parents, the time has come to pass school choice for America's children." The president did not mention any other issue about education policy --- including the recommendations of his federal school safety commission headed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. But the secretary issued a statement in support of Trump's school choice comment. At seven sentences, it was about seven times as long as Trump's comment. Trump's fleeting mention of education policy Tuesday was about as much as he did in his 2018 State of the Union.
 
Medical marijuana unlikely to advance in 2019, but 2020 effort could get legs
Syndicated columnist Sid Salter writes: Almost 40 years of covering Mississippi government and politics suggests to me that an election year isn't the best time to enact something as controversial as legalizing medical marijuana. To be sure, medical marijuana is already legal in Mississippi in the narrowest of senses and has been since 2014. Legal, yes. Available? No. As I've noted before on this topic, conservative Republican Gov. Phil Bryant -- a no-nonsense former deputy sheriff -- signed Mississippi's very narrow current medical marijuana bill into law in 2014 with help from some of the state's most conservative lawmakers. The namesake of the bill -- Harper Grace's Law -- was Harper Grace Durval, a child enduring Dravet Syndrome, a rare and particularly difficult form of epilepsy. Harper Grace's Law was supposed to allow the Durval child and other children like her to obtain treatment with cannabis oil at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. But due to federal bureaucratic roadblocks at federally-funded UMMC beyond state control, not one child has received cannabis oil treatment under the 2014 law.


SPORTS
 
Bulldogs begin homestand with No. 21 LSU
Mississippi State survived playing four of its last five games on the road with a 3-2 record, but the upcoming homestand is far from a reward. The Bulldogs host No. 21 LSU tonight at 8 on ESPN 2 before playing fifth-ranked Kentucky on Saturday. The Tigers and Wildcats are tied for second in the SEC standings with 7-1 records. "It's one game at a time," said MSU coach Ben Howland. "That's where we're at. It's one game at a time and the next game is against LSU. We'll have to have our very best effort of the year to have success against LSU." Humphrey Coliseum has been kind to the Bulldogs the past two seasons going 29-3, including a 10-1 mark this year. State will close out its three-game homestand with a rematch against Alabama on Feb. 12.
 
Why Mississippi State point guard Lamar Peters will be key against LSU
Lamar Peters has been a different player offensively during conference play. For Mississippi State, that isn't a good thing. But it doesn't forebode anything detrimental, either. The junior point guard was arguably the Bulldogs' best player during the non-conference portion of the season. He averaged 13.2 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting. Peters has seen those numbers drop to 12.3 points per game on 35.4 percent shooting during SEC games. His shooting percentage is the worst on the team since conference play started. And yet, No. 21 Mississippi State (16-5, 4-4 SEC) has managed to stay somewhat afloat during SEC play. That's because Peters doesn't have to be hitting eight threes per night like he did in back-to-back games against McNeese State and Clemson in early November. With the emergence of players like freshman forward Reggie Perry and the continued excellence of senior guard Quinndary Weatherspoon, Mississippi State has found ways to win without high scoring outputs from Peters.
 
Bulldogs look to get Aric Holman going against Tigers
Mississippi State forward Aric Holman missed a jump shot with just under 16 minutes to play in last Saturday's eventual win over Ole Miss. About 10 seconds later, the Rebels ran right by Holman on the other end for an easy layup. Right after that sequence, MSU head coach Ben Howland removed his senior from the game. Holman never returned to action the rest of the day. It was all a microcosm of the struggles Holman has been experiencing of late. State (16-5, 4-4) begins a critical part of its schedule Wednesday as it welcomes No. 21 LSU (17-4, 7-1) to Humphrey Coliseum for an 8 p.m. game and the Bulldogs are hoping today is the day Holman starts to bust loose from his recent doldrums. "I think (Holman) just needs to make a shot," Holman's teammate and fellow senior Quinndary Weatherspoon said. "If he can make a shot, I think he can get his confidence back."
 
No. 21 LSU hoping to get focus back in tough matchup at Mississippi State
Its first loss in 11 games and first setback in Southeastern Conference play couldn't have come at a worse time for the LSU men's basketball team Saturday. Sailing through the second half of December and all of January without a loss, the 21st-ranked Tigers had set themselves up nicely for a challenging February. Then, LSU ran into a hot-shooting Arkansas squad in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and a 90-89 loss brought the Tigers back to earth a little. Now, with three of its next four games on the road, starting with Wednesday's 8 p.m. matchup against an experienced Mississippi State team in Humphrey Coliseum, Wade said his team has to refocus. Wade tried to emphasize that Friday night when, in the wake of lackluster practices following a win over Texas A&M last Wednesday night, he dug into his bag of motivational tools.
 
LSU looks to bounce back in 'toughest road game' of season at Mississippi State
LSU's miraculous run is over. Will Wade knows that. The team knows that. The focus now is making sure one loss doesn't turn into two. "We've got to stay the same," Wade said Monday. "Do what we do and play a little better than we've been playing. You can't change. After winning 10 in row, that's good enough to win from here. Get a little bit better." But the road ahead isn't easy. The No. 21 Tigers head to Starkville, Mississippi, to play Mississippi State in what Wade said was the "toughest road game we've had to this point." Wade knows the road ahead isn't going to be an easy one, but it all starts with LSU's outing on Wednesday against Mississippi State. "The environments are going to get tougher as you move forward in the season," Wade said. "We think everything gets a little more difficult. We've certainly got a lot of work ahead of us. We've got some tough road games coming up starting on Wednesday, so hopefully we've learned something from our other road games but time will tell."
 
Mississippi State's Quinndary Weatherspoon a finalist for West Award
Mississippi State's Quinndary Weatherspoon was chosen as one of 10 finalists for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award on Tuesday. The Bulldogs' senior was the only player representing the Southeastern Conference selected. Weatherspoon leads MSU averaging 17.6 points this season to go along with 5.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals. He ranks in the top three in the SEC in points per game as well as his 49.2 shooting percentage and 85.2 percent free throw percentage. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder from Canton ranks fifth all-time at State scoring 1,753 career points and snagging 175 steals.
 
Mississippi State baseball team will hold Fan Day on Saturday
The MSU baseball program will hold Fan Day from 3-5 p.m. Saturday at the Palmeiro Center, located adjacent to Dudy Noble Field and Humphrey Coliseum. The event will follow the MSU men's basketball team's game against Kentucky at noon tipoff. Fans are reminded that basketball parking restrictions will remain in place until after the game. Doors to the Palmeiro Center will open at 2:30 p.m. Fans are asked to enter through the southeast entrance of the building. The 2019 roster and coach Chris Lemonis will sign autographs, while other activities include photos with the 2018 College World Series participant trophy, Maroon Memories Stadium Tours, appearances by Jak, Bully, and the MSU Diamond Girls, as well as a Lil' Dudes Zone with inflatable games for kids. The baseball team also will hold Cowbell Yell at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Dudy Noble Field. The event will take place prior to the MSU men's basketball team's game against Alabama.
 
Mississippi State's Teaira McCowan, Reggie Perry recognized
Mississippi State senior center Teaira McCowan and MSU freshman Reggie Perry were honored Monday for their accomplishments. McCowan was one of 20 women's basketball players named to the late season watch list for the John Wooden Award. McCowan leads No. 6 MSU (21-1, 9-0 Southeastern Conference) in scoring (16.9 points per game) and rebounding (13.7 per game). She is sixth in the nation with 58 blocked shots and fifth in field goal percentage (66.1 percent). McCowan already has broken the MSU career records for rebounds (1,316) and double-doubles (57) this season en route to four weekly SEC honors. The Brenham, Texas, native has recorded 18 double-doubles. After delivering two career-high scoring performances, Perry was named SEC Freshman of the Week. The honor is the first of Perry's career. It is MSU's second SEC weekly award for the 2018-19 season. Lamar Peters captured SEC Player of the Week on Dec. 10.
 
No. 24 Mississippi State softball team hopes to pack punch
In softball circles, most teams begin their seasons with their pitchers projected to be ahead of their of hitters. The Mississippi State softball team will buck that trend this season. Buoyed by the return of a talented group of offensive players, MSU figures to be able to score plenty of runs while newcomers take over in the circle. The ability to score runs is a big reason why coach Vann Stuedeman is excited about her team's season opener against Middle Tennessee State at 3 p.m. in the Bulldog Kickoff Classic at Nusz Park. MSU will play five games in the event this weekend. "On paper, this team has a chance to be really good offensively," Stuedeman said. "We have speed and we have good contact hitters up and down the lineup. This team should be able to score some runs. That's a relief because we will be largely unproven in the circle. "It will be good to be the kind of team that 'if we give up a run, that's fine, we will get our own.' "
 
Fans react strongly to USM interviewing Art Briles, coach who was fired amid sex scandal
There was an immediate and intense reaction to Monday's news that former Baylor head coach Art Briles was interviewing for the offensive coordinator position at Southern Miss. While many USM fans expressed support for hiring the 63-year-old with hopes that he could turn the Golden Eagles into an offensive juggernaut, others were adamantly against it. Baylor fired Briles in 2016 amid a probe into allegations of sexual assault by his players. The school acknowledged 17 women had reported sexual or domestic assaults involving 19 players, including four alleged gang rapes. A 2017 lawsuit alleged 31 players committed 52 acts of rape, and that the school had a "show 'em a good time" policy that "used sex to sell" the football program to recruits. An independent investigation found that Briles' staff members failed to report allegations to the proper authorities. Briles interviewed with USM head coach Jay Hopson in Hattiesburg on Monday and was introduced to players as he toured the Duff Athletic Center that afternoon, the Sun Herald has learned.
 
Art Briles and Southern Miss football? University, Jay Hopson release statements after visit
The University of Southern Mississippi released a statement Wednesday after former Baylor head football coach Art Briles was on campus Monday, interviewing for a position on the Southern Miss football coaching staff. According to The Sun Herald, Briles interviewed for the team's vacant offensive coordinator position. USM said on Wednesday they've informed Briles he is no longer a candidate for the position, Southern Miss President Rodney Bennett and Interim Athletic Director Jeff Mitchell said in a joint statement. "We have met with Art Briles regarding a position with the Southern Miss football program," the statement read. "Following that meeting, we informed him that he is not a candidate. The University will have no further comment on this matter." Shortly after Southern Miss released its statement on Briles, USM head coach Jay Hopson released a statement of his own through college football writer Brett McMurphy.
 
Postseason ban already wreaking havoc for Missouri athletics
The effects of the NCAA's sanctions against Missouri have already started rippling through the athletic department -- waves that could have severe impacts in the short- and long-term. Tiger football seniors, who likely would be given a waiver to compete for another school in 2019 if Missouri's postseason ban is upheld (or not stayed by the appeal process), have already been targeted by some other Southeastern Conference programs. That postseason ban could also cost Missouri's athletic department millions in revenue, a troubling development for a department that has operated at a deficit for the past two years. Coach Barry Odom said in a press conference Friday that some schools had already reached out to Missouri's seniors about transferring, and UM Board of Curators Chairman Jon Sundvold took the further step Tuesday on WHB 810 radio in Kansas City by naming some of the schools involved. Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk said Monday that the NCAA's postseason ban as a result of its investigation into academic fraud could result in a loss of up to $9 million in SEC revenue and that the NCAA's sanctions "ultimately sent the wrong message to membership."
 
Auburn athletics profited $7.8 million in 2018
Auburn athletics collected a total revenue of $147,620,569 for the 2018 fiscal year, netting a total profit of $7,822,378, AL.com learned through an open records request. The profit margin is significantly lower than 2017, when Auburn netted $14.6 million in profit. The total revenue marks slightly less than $109,000 increase in revenue from 2017, and up nearly $7 million from 2016. Auburn collected $33,213,941 in ticket sales in 2018, up around $300,000 from the year prior. They collected $1,885,872 in direct institutional support from Auburn. It's just the fourth year that AU has collected income from the university. There were $35,611,584 made in contributions to Auburn athletics, up almost exactly $200,000 from 2017. Auburn collected $62,237,612 in rights and licensing in 2018, and $2,773,675 from their bowl game. Perhaps the most dramatic change in 2018 was the increase in student fees -- money paid for directly by the student body. Auburn collected $5,785,452 from its student body, up 1,368,300 from 2017, or about an additional $57 per student, making it around $241.42 per student total.
 
The Helicopter Parent Descends on College Football
When Leslie Smith, a high school senior from Miami, made his official visit to the University of Pittsburgh last month, he got an idea before a photo shoot in which he was to pose wearing the Panthers' football uniform. He asked his mother, Lucretia Chapple, who was accompanying him on his visit, to put on the jersey. His request was too mild for her. "She decided, 'I'm going to put on the whole uniform,'" Smith said. Parents of college-age students have long proudly advertised where their students attend school on sweatshirts, bumper stickers, coffee mugs, etc. But football parents -- a special species of sports parent -- have a new twist on that this year. As national signing day dawns Wednesday, the trend du jour is parents dressing up in uniforms alongside their talented sons. "This is the era of 'we' parenting, i.e., 'We have a midterm. We've got a game tomorrow. We're being recruited by top-tier schools,'" Julie Lythcott-Haims, a former Stanford administrator and the author of "How to Raise an Adult," said in an email.



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