| Monday, November 25, 2019 |
| Engineering majors at Mississippi State work to revolutionize state infrastructure | |
 | As we wrap up a week-long look at rebuilding Mississippi, 12 's Alex Love travels to Mississippi State to speak with engineering students about the cutting edge of infrastructure. The next generation of engineers at Mississippi State are researching new and creative ways to build better roads and bridges. Director of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Isaac Howard says, "Where would your life be today, tomorrow, or a month from now without roads, bridges, water treatment systems? And we try to engage our students there first and then we get into the more technical matters." In 2019, MSU helped develop the loaded rubber wheel tracker to evaluate making stronger asphalt to withstand more traffic. Howard says, "We can make asphalt more resistant to that rutting and stability problems that you see in the summertime in the wheel paths and stoplight things of that nature." In one of the engineering labs, students get to make their own concrete with machines that are stronger than you see today Bridging the way to stronger than humans. |
| MSU Extension Service nets grant funds for teleconferencing equipment | |
 | The Mississippi State University Extension Service will soon be installing updated teleconferencing equipment at 93 of its facilities across the state thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA announced Wednesday that the university would receive $488,315 to update video conferencing and cloud-based equipment at 93 facilities across the state. The award is part of a larger $1.9 million grant backing several projects expanding through its Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program. "We've got 93 sites that have these interactive video learning systems in them," said Extension Center Head of Technology Outreach Randy Loper. "The technology has been terribly outdated, and this grant is going to allow us to go update the technology in those so we can continue to serve extension clientele all around the state." Loper said assistant extension professor Mariah Morgan spearheaded the application for the grant. He also named USDA Mississippi Director for Rural Development John Rounsaville as a key figure in ensuring some of the grant funds went to MSU. |
| Regions Bank contest recognizes Montgomery Center for America's Veterans at Mississippi State | |
 | The G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Center for America's Veterans is in the running to win a contest that honors military veterans. Regions Bank's "What a Difference a Day Makes" contest recognizes non-profit organizations that provide meaningful services to veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families. As of this posting, the Center is in fifth place in the voting. The Center honors the legacy of Mississippi State University alumnus and U.S. Congressman, Sonny Montgomery. The Center's director, Brian Locke, said the nomination is an honor. The winner will receive a $5,000 grant and a day of volunteer service form Regions associates. Voting concludes at the end of November. |
| Starkville's first Food Truck Friday sees strong attendance despite rain | |
 | Friday's rainy weather did not stop a swarm of people from stopping by the Cadence Bank Plaza downtown and visiting the four food trucks that served a variety of cuisine from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Customers could choose from chili dogs, Italian meatball sliders, pulled pork nachos, pizza and more. The trucks came from Eupora, Kosciusko, Winona and Jackson, and three of them sold out of one of their menu items by the end of the second hour. Some customers took shelter from the rain under the overhang of the Cadence building while they ate. The crowd was at its largest around noon, most likely a result of people's lunch breaks at work, said Paige Watson, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership's special events and projects coordinator. Spruill said the city has been trying to bring in food trucks for about two years. "It was just a matter of getting enough interest in the community, people who would be interested in investing in a food truck and see that there's an adequate market for it," Spruill said. Mississippi State University has played a key role in building that market, she said. |
| Fort Worth Zoo Welcomes IVF Puerto Rican Crested Toad Named 'Olaf' | |
 | The Fort Worth Zoo and Mississippi State University have successfully hatched a toad via in-vitro fertilization utilizing frozen semen collected from the wild. His name is Olaf, and he's a Puerto Rican crested toad. The Fort Worth Zoo and its partners from Mississippi State University came together this summer to continue their efforts with assisted reproduction technology (ART) for critically endangered amphibians. For the first time ever, they were able to successfully conduct IVF using the eggs from two Zoo females and frozen semen from six wild males. The Zoo said their efforts are a significant advancement for the critically endangered species. |
| Flu activity is on the rise in Mississippi | |
 | Flu activity is widespread in five states including neighboring states Louisiana and Alabama, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical experts believe it's playing a role in the high number of flu-like illnesses reported in Mississippi. Dr. Paul Byers is the state epidemiologist. "It's hard to predict what we're looking at down the corner but we do know that we are getting in the time of year when we're starting to see increased activity usually as we get into December and January are the times that we see most of our activity," said Byers. Byers says Mississippians should also take into consideration the chance of spreading viruses while gathering during the holidays. Dr. Bhagyashri Navalkele is the Medical Director of Infection Prevention at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She says having a flu shot can lower your chances of infection. |
| MHP to saturate roads over holidays | |
 | State troopers will be out in force later this week to curtail speeding and distracted driving on state and federal highways. The 2019 Thanksgiving Holiday enforcement period for the Mississippi Highway Patrol will begin Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 12:01 a.m. and conclude Sunday, Dec. 1, at midnight. State troopers will place emphasis on saturation patrols to combat speeding, promote seat belt usage and prevent reckless driving. Drivers should avoid text messaging or any driver distraction that could endanger lives and have sober designated drivers in place when necessary. During the period in 2018, MHP investigated 200 crashes with 5 fatalities and made 98 driving under the influence arrests on state and federal highway systems. |
| Thanksgiving travelers should expect higher gas prices this year | |
 | Getting to grandma's house for Thanksgiving is going to cost you more this year, but not by much. One of the busiest times on the road all year, Thanksgiving. And drivers should not expect a dip in prices at the pump. GasBuddy tracks fuel prices around the country and projects the national average to be its highest since 2014, which was $2.79. The average gas price around Thanksgiving in 2015 was $2.06 in 2016, $2.13 in 2017, a whopping $2.53 and in 2018 $2.55. This year's gas prices only went up by a penny But the average price in Mississippi, 2.10, is below the national average. In Columbus, the highest price is $2.35. One way to save on gas this Thanksgiving is to fill up your tank on Monday. The most expensive day to fill up is Friday. |
| Bad weather may ground iconic balloons for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | |
| That's deflating news. Gusty winds forecast for the city on Thursday may ground the popular giant balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "It looks shaky for the balloons," said Accuweather senior meteorologist Steve Wistar. Wistar said a strong cold front will pass through the area Wednesday evening, setting up the stage for howling winds and cool conditions on Thanksgiving. Sustained winds over 23 mph and gusts surpassing 34 mph would, under city regulations, cancel the large inflatables. Thursday's anticipated conditions will be flirting with those thresholds, with sustained winds of 12 to 25 mph and peak gusts up to 40 mph, Sistar said. If Thursday's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons are nixed, it would be the first time the city has grounded them since 1971. |
| National Christmas tree shortage not impacting trees grown in Mississippi | |
| If you've heard about a national Christmas tree shortage, don't let it dampen your holiday cheer. The impact around here will be minimal and could mean even more Mississippi-grown trees will be in demand this year. Don Kazery, Jr. has been growing Christmas trees in Hinds County for nearly 20 years. There are a lot of variables that go into keeping up the supply. And it takes time to get them ready to sell. "This tree right here might be six years old," Kazery pointed out. "A tree right next to it...is probably two years older." Weather-wise, this year's periods of drought after good rainfall won't impact the Kazery supply for several years. But it was enough for them to lose some of the younger trees that didn't have established roots yet. The nationwide shortage of Fraser firs isn't making an impact at Kazery Farm. They only sell what they grow. But the Southern Christmas Tree Association says some other Southern growers typically supplement their crop with those Fraser firs. |
| How a Mississippi trooper almost took down the world's most powerful cartel boss | |
 | Jason Gazzo's mission was to rid the Gulf Coast region of speeders. But in 2012, the third-generation trooper stumbled onto a Mexican cartel connection and nearly brought down its dangerous and elusive leader. Gazzo had never heard of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, better known as CJNG, or its ruthless leader, "El Mencho." El Mencho -- whose real name is Ruben Oseguera Cervantes -- is hiding in Mexico and is now considered the most dangerous and wanted drug lord in the world. The U.S. is offering a $10 million reward for the fugitive who commands an army of 5,000 members and whose cartel controls parts of Mexico and has set up shop in large and small American towns. The violent but sophisticated "super cartel" has been detected on every continent except Antarctica. Cartel members and associates weren't terribly worried about the shrewdness of small-town Southern police back then, they later told investigators. They should have been. |
| Sam Hall stepping down as Clarion Ledger executive editor | |
 | Clarion Ledger Executive Editor Sam R. Hall announced his upcoming resignation Friday. The Mississippi-native will stay on until early January. "When I first started my journalism career at a small weekly in Flowood, executive editor of The Clarion-Ledger is what I wanted to be one day," Hall said. "This has been a high-point in my career, and I will be eternally thankful for the opportunities I've had as a result." Hall, who has spent nearly 20 years in journalism, joined the Clarion Ledger in 2012. He oversaw a digital transformation of the newsroom before taking over all digital operations. He was named interim executive editor in 2014 and was named to the full-time role the following January. Katrice Hardy, the regional editor for the South, will help oversee the news organization's operations with its current leadership team in the interim. |
| Jackpot! Lottery tickets on sale for 1st time in Mississippi | |
 | Mississippi residents don't have to leave the state to buy lottery tickets anymore. Tickets went on sale Monday. The tickets are available in roughly 1,200 convenience stores and other sites. Democratic state Rep. Alyce Clarke of Jackson has been pushing for years to bring a lottery to Mississippi. She bought a ceremonial first ticket at a RaceWay store and gas station in south Jackson. "It feels great. Finally, it becomes a reality. And it just goes to show you what happens if you don't give up," Clarke said. "Sometimes you have to try and try and try again." By 7 a.m. Monday morning -- two hours after tickets went on sale -- the state had made $300,000 from its share of the ticket sales, said Meg Annison, the lottery's spokeswoman. |
| Pascagoula native ready to tackle statewide issues as Secretary of State | |
 | Mississippi's next Secretary of State is from the Gulf Coast and has big plans to move the Magnolia State forward. Secretary of State elect Michael Watson grew up in Pascagoula and still resides in Jackson County. It's the first time in 20 years that a Coast resident has held the statewide office, and he's very eager to get started. Watson says there are a couple of major projects he wants to tackle as soon as he takes office in January. One of those changes include improving the Department of Public Safety's process for getting drivers licenses. "Moving the DMV from the Department of Public Safety over to the Secretary of State's office has been one of our cornerstone issues," said Watson. Another one of Watson's big projects is changing how statewide officials are elected. Watson said he hopes these issues will gain momentum when state lawmakers had back to Jackson for the upcoming session. |
| Paper ballots offer extra election security | |
| Sometimes, the old-fashioned way ends up ahead of the curve. Amid ongoing anxiety about election hacking and foreign interference, Lee County continues to use what many experts deem the most secure voting system: the paper ballot. In Mississippi, the bulk of the state's 82 counties use fully electronic voting systems. But about a dozen or so counties use paper ballots. And that number is increasing. "The shift is we're going back," said Lee County Circuit Clerk Camille Roberts Dulaney. A Republican about to begin her second term, Dulaney said hand-marked ballots build voter confidence and ensure the integrity of the election. "It just feels safer to me," Dulaney said. Mississippi counties that still use paper ballots include some of the most populous, like Hinds, Madison, DeSoto and Harrison counties. Incoming Secretary of State Michael Watson, a Republican, has expressed confidence that the electronic voting system can be safe, but wants to take necessary precautions. |
| Analysis: Espy says he's better prepared for 2020 campaign | |
| Democrat Mike Espy says he has a clearer strategy to win a U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi in 2020 than he had when he ran for the same seat last year. Espy anticipates another showdown with Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who defeated him in a November 2018 special election runoff. In announcing his 2020 candidacy Nov. 12, Espy said he wants to build on his base of support from the 2018 race, focusing particularly on increasing the turnout among African American voters. Espy says he also has data showing which Republican-leaning precincts in Mississippi are most likely to flip to Democratic. "We can't win with black votes alone. And I shouldn't," Espy told The Associated Press. "We have to create a coalition of black voters and white voters all over Mississippi who believe in vision of a more modern Mississippi." |
| Senator Roger Wicker appears on 'Meet the Press' to push back on impeachment narrative | |
 | Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) appeared on NBC's Meet the Press yesterday to discuss the pending impeachment inquiry. Appearing after Rep. Adam Schiff, Wicker made the case that Democrats simply haven't made theirs and pushed back on the Chuck Todd narrative that it had been a bad week for President Trump. Wicker also defended President Trump against accusations that he wrongfully reinstated a Navy Seal who had been dismissed through disciplinary action through military channels. |
| Bumbling Congress gives Trump the budget freeze he wanted | |
 | White House budget hawks who have failed to rein in government spending in the Trump era might get a major win -- by default. Top Republicans and Democrats are fumbling in their attempts to clinch a deal to fund the government over the next year. The result could be a government-wide spending freeze -- exactly what Mick Mulvaney and the rest of President Donald Trump's negotiating team sought months ago. With no agreement in sight and impeachment captivating the Capitol, it's increasingly likely Washington will be forced to accept another temporary funding bill in December. Lawmakers are already eyeing a monthslong stopgap to stave off a Christmastime shutdown. In the worst-case scenario, a full-year extension could follow. It's an outcome that would not only highlight congressional dysfunction but also deny the Pentagon and domestic programs potentially critical funding boosts. |
| Colleges struggle with soaring student demand for counseling | |
| More college students are turning to their schools for help with anxiety, depression and other mental health problems, and many must wait weeks for treatment or find help elsewhere as campus clinics struggle to meet demand, an Associated Press review of more than three dozen public universities found. On some campuses, the number of students seeking treatment has nearly doubled over the last five years while overall enrollment has remained relatively flat. The increase has been tied to reduced stigma around mental health, along with rising rates of depression and other disorders. Universities have expanded their mental health clinics, but the growth is often slow, and demand keeps surging. The Associated Press requested five years of data from the largest public university in each state. A total of 39 provided annual statistics from their counseling clinics or health centers. The remaining 11 said they did not have complete records or had not provided records five months after they were requested. The data shows that most universities are working to scale up their services, but many are far outpaced by demand. |
| Ole Miss senior awarded Rhodes Scholarship | |
| A University of Mississippi senior is the first African American woman from the school to become a Rhodes Scholar. The university said in a news release that Tunica native Arielle Hudson is the 27th Ole Miss student selected for the prestigious program. Recipients were announced Saturday. An English education major, Hudson received a full scholarship from the Ole Miss chapter of the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program. The release says Hudson plans to pursue dual master's degrees in comparative social policy and comparative international education as a Rhodes recipient. Then she plans to return to the Mississippi Delta to fulfill a five-year teaching requirement for her scholarship. |
| Delta State President Bill LaForge: University in stable condition | |
| Delta State University President William LaForge recently spoke with The Bolivar Commercial following a series of forums held at the university for faculty, staff and students. Last month, it was revealed that Delta State was facing a $1.7 million budget shortfall. LaForge said the shortfall resulted in a decline in tuition revenue from fewer paying students, estimated at about $1 million, as well as the distribution of too many scholarships. These two factors combined with budget issues Delta State has been "whittling away" at for several years culminated in what LaForge called a "midyear budget adjustment." "The good news about our midyear budget revision is that it is about as painless as it can be," LaForge said. "We're not asking anybody to leave. Nobody is being fired. No program is being ended or terminated or cut. No people are leaving. No programs are being touched. And most importantly, it's not affecting our students in any way. It's not really affecting faculty or staff. It's mostly paper." |
| Student makes history as JSU's first finalist for Rhodes Scholarship | |
| A Jackson State football player made history as the first in the university's history to be named a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. 21-year-old Jordan Jefferson is the SGA president, in the Honors College, is a McNair scholar, plays receiver on the football team, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and most competitive fellowship in the world. Each year, only 32 students earn the scholar title. Very few students come from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). "I have a great team of people that work with me, and I have people that believe in what I want to do," said Jefferson. |
| Courtney Taylor takes leadership of Communiversity | |
| Since Nov. 11, there has been a new face at the helm of the Communiversity. Courtney Taylor was announced as the $42 million institution's director on Oct. 29, and now has been leading the Communiversity and East Mississippi Community College's other career and technical programs. She replaces retiring EMCC Vice President of Workforce and Community Services Raj Shaunak. In an interview with the SDN on Friday, Taylor said her top priority was understanding the area and its people. "For me to do my job, I have to know that," Taylor said. "That will take a little bit of time, but interspersed in there, we are going to be working on recruiting, enhancing some of the bigger things that have already been started before I got there." She also listed creating partnerships with industry as a priority. |
| Auburn trustees approve housing rate increase | |
| Auburn University's Board of Trustees approved a resolution that will increase semester rental rates in residence halls on Auburn's main campus. Kelli Shomaker, chief financial officer for the University, said the increases averaged $92 per bed per semester. With the approved changes, the average cost per semester is $4,687. Shomaker said the change amounts to a 2% increase in cost to students. "The increase in rental rate revenue will ensure Auburn University Housing's commitment to sound fiscal management," Shomaker said. "As Auburn continues to plan for the future of campus housing, rental rates will play an essential role in ensuring financial self-sustainability." Shomaker said the housing rate increase will generate an additional annual revenue of $741,000 and be allocated for new developments, renovation to existing housing facilities as well as preventative and planned maintenance needs. |
| TSA director talks travel safety at Auburn University | |
 | The head of the Transportation Security Administration lectured at Auburn on Friday about safety in transportation, K-9 units, challenges for the program and more. Admiral David P. Pekoske, the TSA's administrator, spoke in the Dixon Conference Center in The Hotel at Auburn University at 11 a.m. after the university's board of trustees meeting. Notable university figures went from one meeting to the next, including interim President Jay Gogue and trustee members. Many are preparing to fly across the country for the holidays and spend time with family members. There is an underlying fear among travelers related to outside terrorist threats when flying. "I think sometimes people think that given the success we've had against al-Qaida and ISIS that the threat is diminished," Pekoske said. "I would not agree with that at all. The threat is absolutely there. The threat is different." |
| U. of Mobile names UM alumnus president | |
 | After six months serving as interim president, Lonnie A. Burnett, history professor and dean, has been named president of the University of Mobile. His naming follows the resignation of Tim Smith, former president of the university. Burnett recently served as executive dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. His past leadership roles include vice provost, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, and president of the Faculty Council, according to the university. Burnett graduated from the University of Mobile in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts. His wife is also a graduate of the University of Mobile. He moved on to the University of South Alabama for his Master of Arts, and he studied for his doctorate at the University of Southern Mississippi. |
| International students flocking to U. of North Alabama | |
 | Walking into Rice Hall at the University of North Alabama feels like walking among the United Nations, said Chunsheng Zhang jokingly. "Multiple languages are spoken there," said Zhang, the senior vice provost for International Affairs. Rice Hall is home to several of UNA's 359 on-campus international students. A total of 783 international students are enrolled this semester, up 288 from last year. That's nearly 10% of UNA's total enrollment for this fall. The university began opening up floors in the building last year to accommodate the increase in international students. It opened up a couple more this year as on-campus residents reached a record high. UNA has made gains this fall in its goal to become a "global campus," something Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Ross Alexander attributes to the overall quality and vibrancy of the university. "While international enrollment trends have declined significantly nationally, we're increasing in a significant way as UNA truly becomes a global campus," Ross said. "We see that as a sustainable model for the future." |
| In-depth look at Tigerland today: bars still big with LSU students despite shootings nearby | |
 | It was 1971 and the sun was rising over Tigerland. Large apartment complexes springing up offered LSU students what newspaper ads described as a "private paradise" close to campus. Amenities included swimming pools, television antennas and an ideal location in what was then called the Tigerland Acres subdivision, an upscale residential community with streets named after such LSU sports legends as Alvin Dark, Y.A. Tittle and Bob Pettit. Developers soon recognized an untapped market for drinking establishments there and laid the foundation for LSU's storied bar district. Now almost five decades later, no one would describe Tigerland as a paradise. In fact, concerns about crime and safety have LSU's student newspaper calling for Tigerland to be razed. What's changed over the decades is that the apartment complexes -- some now aging and rundown -- are no longer filled almost exclusively with LSU students. They have instead embraced newer housing developments outside Tigerland. And adults and families not affiliated with the university have taken their place, introducing in some cases what police describe as a "criminal element." |
| U. of Florida offers little-known option for reporting crimes | |
 | In September the University of Florida issued alerts about two separate sexual batteries on campus. The incidents were not reported to police but instead to campus security authorities. The alerts raised some eyebrows -- not for the crime, but the mention that they were reported to a campus security authority, or CSA. UF Police Maj. Brad Barber, when asked about the CSA, was vague. A few days later, veteran UF spokesman Steve Orlando said he wasn't familiar with the CSA. CSAs are employees to whom students can report crimes without talking to police, having their name in a police report or even giving their name. They don't investigate beyond gathering initial details, but they can point victims to support services. It seems very few students know about the program. Though when told about it, some students believe it's worthwhile. There are no posters around campus, an accessible high-profile office or notices on UF websites frequented by students. "I've never heard of it before," student Gabriela Cano said. "When it comes to sexual battery, people may be embarrassed to talk to police about it, so having another person to talk to anonymously could help." |
| U. of Arkansas researchers study rocks for prehistoric parallels to today | |
| Rock samples gathered and analyzed with help from a National Science Foundation grant will help University of Arkansas, Fayetteville researchers learn about an era in the Earth's history known for its warm weather and changing life. The time period under study, from about 120 million to 96 million years ago, featured increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, said Celina Suarez, a UA associate professor of geosciences. This makes the era relevant to climate change taking place now, she said. The five-year, $588,000 grant awarded to Suarez and another UA researcher, Glenn Sharman, allows them to spend time in the field and use recently refined analytic laboratory techniques to better understand biological and other responses to the era, which Suarez said included volcanic eruptions that released greater amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. |
| U. of Missouri students give away their Thanksgiving breaks | |
 | This week, 95 University of Missouri students will forgo a week-long break to scatter across the Midwest and do volunteer work. Mizzou Alternative Breaks is a student-run program dedicated to using time off school to help those in need. "Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks and giving back," said Ola Babalola, director of leadership development for Mizzou Alternative Breaks, in a news release. From Friday, Nov. 22, to Wednesday, Nov. 27, students will be in six different states volunteering in an array of places, from a food bank in Memphis to a children's hospital in Little Rock. Mizzou Alternative Breaks is the nation's largest alternative breaks program, and the next opportunity to get involved will be over the upcoming winter break. |
| Forgiving Student Debt Would Boost Economy, Economists Say | |
 | Presidential hopefuls Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders want to tear up your student loans and set you financially free. That's popular among voters -- especially those struggling to pay off this debt. Other Democratic candidates have more modest plans. But economists say the dramatic proposals from Sanders and Warren to free millions of Americans from the burden of student debt could boost the economy in significant ways and help combat income inequality. Warren would forgive up to $50,000 for most people. Sanders would go further with total loan forgiveness. But with these plans having a price tag north of $1 trillion, such legislation would come with plenty of risks. |
| The Professor's Views Are Loathsome, Stupid, and Ignorant, the Provost Said. But He Won't Be Fired. | |
 | The provost didn't equivocate. The professor's views on race, gender, and sexuality, she said, are loathsome. Stunningly ignorant. Stupid. But he won't be fired, she said. The First Amendment forbids it. The constitutional right to free speech "is strong medicine," she said, "and works both ways." Instead, no student will be forced to take a class from Eric B. Rasmusen, a professor of business economics and public policy at Indiana University at Bloomington, who this semester taught a required course for the public-policy degree. He will use "double-blind grading" on assignments, the provost, Lauren Robel, wrote in a message to the business school. If that's not possible, another faculty member will "ensure that the grades are not subject to Professor Rasmusen's prejudices." The force of Robel's condemnation stunned many observers. It managed to balance a university's duty to protect the principles of free speech, they said, while not shrinking away from naming bigoted ideology for what it is. |
| Syracuse students demand change on campus after 'two weeks of hate' | |
 | To hear some Syracuse University students and alumni of color tell it, the headline-grabbing events on campus over the past two weeks were a long time coming. They say while other colleges and universities across the country have experienced intermittent racial incidents and controversies, they occurred regularly at Syracuse. The problems were like a slow burn that went back decades and ultimately turned into a conflagration of anger, frustration and disappointment. "This isn't anything new. Students of color have had to deal with things like this on the Syracuse campus since I was a student in the mid-'70s," said Butch Charles, a 1980 alumnus and adviser to the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity chapter on campus. What brought things to the surface this time at the central New York campus was 16 separate incidents that began on Nov. 7, when the first reports of racist vandalism in freshman residence halls were reported to the university's Department of Public Safety. |
| How a $250-Million Campus-Housing Deal Went Bad at U. of Oklahoma | |
| David L. Boren had grand plans for Cross Village. As the long-serving president of the University of Oklahoma, he planned to expand the Norman campus's capacity for housing upperclassmen without incurring any debt. Cross Village would feature about 1,200 beds arrayed in apartment-style suites, as well as accompanying parking and some ground-floor retail space, all set to open in the fall of 2018. The project would be built through a $250-million deal that used none of the university's money, just private capital. By the fall of 2019, however, Boren was gone. Cross Village was only about a third full, and the ground-floor retail space was deserted. The bonds issued for the project have been downgraded, and the company that borrowed the money for it all could potentially default on its loan payments. Accusations fly between the university and the borrowers and bondholders, and soon, so may lawsuits. The deal-gone-sour between Oklahoma and the Cross Village developers provides a cautionary tale for colleges and private firms entering such agreements -- called public-private partnerships, or P3s -- which are an increasingly popular workaround to tight college budgets. |
| Is Black Friday shopping ruining family-friendly Thanksgiving? | |
 | Syndicated columnist Bill Crawford of Meridian writes: Happy Black Friday, er, I mean Thanksgiving. Yes, super shopping day Black Friday seems to be more top of the mind these days than family-friendly holiday Thanksgiving. Guess that's just another example of how our lives have become much more transactional than relational. "With maxims like 'what's in it for me', 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine', and 'quid pro quo', our society is becoming more and more transactional" says an article by lifestyle entity Victorious Living. "We did not stumble into this society. For generations, the American way has been about open market consumerism. Which as an economic exercise has certain values and benefits that do not translate well when we take the same approach to matters in other arenas." Hmmm. |
| Chief among Mississippi Democratic candidates' many problems in statewide races is lack of money | |
| Bobby Harrison writes for Mississippi Today: In three elections for governor in the 1990s, the Democratic candidates essentially matched or garnered more in campaign contributions than their Republican opponents. That all changed in the early 2000s. Starting with the 2003 statewide elections, the Democratic candidates have not been close in terms of matching their Republican opponents in fundraising. ... In part, the inability of Mississippi Democrats to raise money is a symptom of the dismal state of the party. As Democrats debate how to revive the party and move forward after the shellacking they suffered this election cycle, one issue they must resolve is how to garner campaign money to fund their candidates' campaigns. That inability to raise money can be traced, at least in part, back to the efforts in the early 2000s to change the civil justice system to ensure more protection from lawsuits for businesses. |
| Be thankful | |
| Mississippi newspaper publisher and columnist Wyatt Emmerich writes: Cognitive therapy is a form of psychotherapy that "states that thoughts, feelings and behavior are all connected, and that individuals can move toward overcoming difficulties and meeting their goals by identifying and changing unhelpful or inaccurate thinking, problematic behavior, and distressing emotional responses," according to Wikipedia. In short, you are what you think. I have begun practicing my own form of cognitive therapy. When I open my eyes in the morning, I start thanking God for all the things I have to be thankful for. It's a long list. ... By the time, I get out of bed, I am in a great mood. I suddenly realize just how amazingly blessed I am. My whole attitude becomes upbeat. I am ready to embrace another day. One reason we all love Thanksgiving is because it's a national exercise in cognitive therapy. When we start thinking about all the things we have to be thankful for, it just makes us feel better. I think the world needs a big lesson in cognitive therapy. |
SPORTS
| Spencer Kirkpatrick crowned Mississippi State homecoming king before roaring crowd | |
| The famous Maroon Band lined up on the field at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday night and created a pathway at midfield. It wasn't for Mississippi State players. They had already taken the field for their game against Abilene Christian long before then, and they were in the locker room at halftime. It was for the university's homecoming court. Representatives from each class were honored on the field as they walked through the passage. Then Spencer Kirkpatrick's picture popped onto the big screens inside the stadium. The cowbells seemed to ring a little louder when his image was displayed. Spencer started to venture across the turf when the stadium's public address announcer introduced him to the crowd as Mississippi State's homecoming king. Spencer wore a sparkling smile on his face and a snazzy tuxedo over his body as he was crowned on the 50-yard line. Spencer overcame tremendous challenges to make it to midfield below the lights on Scott Field. |
| The Deputy Position: Mississippi State's Benko, Clemson's Neff, and Kentucky's Peevy | |
| Tailgate Guys Founder & CEO Parker Duffey hosts a trio of Deputy ADs -- Mississippi State's Jared Benko, Kentucky's DeWayne Peevy, and Clemson's Graham Neff -- for an in-depth conversation about the Deputy AD role. The group discusses career paths and plans, managing up, addressing their weaknesses, and much more. |
| QB Tommy Stevens leads Mississippi State over Abilene Christian 45-7 | |
| Mississippi State got a rare late-season break from SEC play on Saturday and took advantage of the opportunity. Tommy Stevens had two touchdown passes and ran for another as Mississippi State defeated Abilene Christian 45-7 on Saturday. Stevens had 165 yards passing and 88 yards rushing in the Bulldogs' final nonconference outing of the season. Kylin Hill added 153 yards rushing and had 88 yards receiving and a touchdown for Mississippi State (5-6). The Bulldogs rolled up 577 yards of offense and had 372 yards rushing. Normally, Mondays are considered 'off days' for Mississippi State during game week. But that won't be the case leading up to Mississippi State's regular-season finale. The Bulldogs return to action in five days and host Ole Miss on Thursday. |
| Win over Abilene Christian overshadowed by looming Egg Bowl | |
| As the clock struck zero at the conclusion of Mississippi State's 45-7 win over Abilene Christian, reality set in. There was the reality of unrealized potential in that MSU's nine-year bowl streak stands to move to 10 and grant the Bulldogs a shot at seven wins should they defeat in-state rival Ole Miss Thursday despite an up-and-down campaign. There was the reality of junior running back Kylin Hill continuing to torch defenses as he still leads the Southeastern Conference in rushing following a 16-carry, 153-yard performance. And then there was the reality that the most important week of the year in the state of Mississippi has arrived -- it's officially Egg Bowl week. "I lied -- I looked at them this week," Moorhead conceded in reference to saying he wasn't focusing on Ole Miss until the conclusion of the Abilene Christian game. While Moorhead began his preparation last week, so too did the visiting Rebels. With a bye week in hand following a loss to No. 1 LSU Nov. 16, Ole Miss was off Saturday as MSU slogged through its middling performance against Abilene Christian. |
| Bulldogs score six touchdowns in win over Wildcats | |
| Mississippi State found just enough offense in spurts to cruise past FCS foe Abilene Christian on Saturday night. Mississippi State defeated Abilene Christian, 45-7, to move the Bulldogs within one game of reaching a bowl game. The Bulldogs will host Ole Miss (4-7) on Thursday night in the Egg Bowl. "English major, not a math guy, but I know you have to get to five before you can get to six," Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead said. "So at the end of the day, pleased with the win and ready to move forward for Egg Bowl week." The Bulldogs were forced to punt on their first two drives of the game, but received good field position and took advantage of it on their third drive. A shanked punt set up Mississippi State on the Wildcats' 35-yard line, and Nick Gibson cashed in five plays later on a 4-yard run to go up 7-0. |
| SEC's Greg Sankey hopes for quiet Thanksgiving night | |
| Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey is optimistic in his efforts to forge a kinder, gentler Egg Bowl. The Monday following Mississippi State's 35-3 win over Ole Miss in Oxford last season -- a game that included a bench-clearing brawl at the end of the third quarter -- Sankey made a public statement and announced his intention to have both athletics directors come together for a sit-down meeting. "These incidents have become too common in this series," Sankey said last November. Both athletics directors would be called to the SEC office for peace talks with the goal of "reviewing past issues and (to) develop a plan for the purpose of creating a healthier environment for this annual game." In an interview last week, Sankey would not speculate on the possibility of penalties for either or both schools if there is a fight on this year's holiday for goodwill and thanksgiving. "It's inappropriate for me to hypothesize," he said. A lot has happened since Sankey's off-season summons. |
| No. 10 Mississippi State meets Marquette again | |
| Marquette gave Mississippi State all it could handle when the two teams met for the first time in Starkville last season. Now it's the 10th-ranked Bulldogs' turn to travel as they stop off in Milwaukee tonight at 7 for a rematch with the Golden Eagles. Last year's game featured 25 lead changes and eight ties and was not decided until the final two seconds as MSU prevailed, 87-82. "We were lucky to get out of here with a win at home against them," said MSU coach Vic Schaefer. "They're really talented again this year." The Bulldogs (5-0) continue to lead the country in scoring offense, averaging 102.2 points per game. Sophomore forward/ center Jessika Carter tops the team with 19.2 points and 11.4 rebounds. |
| Mississippi State men rout Coastal Carolina | |
| Mississippi State only has to manage three more games without Nick Weatherspoon. The Bulldogs miss him, of course, but not nearly as badly as they could -- thanks to Tyson Carter. Carter had 19 points and 10 assists, and Mississippi State routed Coastal Carolina 81-56 on Sunday afternoon in the third-place game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational. Reggie Perry added 16 points, freshman D.J. Stewart finished with 11 points and Robert Woodard II had 10 rebounds. The Bulldogs (6-1) bounced back from their Friday loss to No. 17 Villanova by shooting 53% and hitting 44% of their 3-pointers. Mississippi State plays host to Louisiana Tech on Dec. 5. |
| Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter: 'Matt Luke is our coach' | |
| If there were any questions as to whether Matt Luke would be returning to coach Ole Miss football following the conclusion of the 2019 season, let there be no more. Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter confirmed in his introductory press conference that Luke would be returning to coach the football program in 2020. "I think our football program is heading in a great direction," Carter said. "Matt Luke is our coach. I'm so excited about Coach Luke. We're going to get behind Coach Luke and get after those Bulldogs next week and get to that fifth win." When asked afterward if his statements mean that Luke would 100-percent be back for the 2020 season, Carter emphatically responded yes. In introducing Carter as the permanent athletic director, University of Mississippi Chancellor Dr. Glenn Boyce insisted the hire of Carter came with no stipulations regarding the future of the football program. Boyce added that he agreed with Carter that the program is in a great position moving forward. |
| Alcorn crushes Jackson State, earns home field advantage for SWAC championship game | |
| Alcorn State University's campus is well off the beaten path, a hard turn toward the Mississippi River and six miles down Highway 552 in Claiborne County. It's the kind of place you don't exactly stumble across, unless you're trying to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference football championship. Then you can't miss it, and in fact have no choice but to go right through it. Felix Harper threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score, Alcorn's defense forced four turnovers, and the Braves routed Jackson State 41-6 on Saturday to clinch home field advantage in the SWAC championship game. Alcorn (8-3, 6-1 SWAC) had already clinched the SWAC East Division title, and by beating Jackson State (4-8, 3-4) earned the right to host the conference championship game for the second year in a row. It will face either Southern University or Grambling --- whichever team wins next week's Bayou Classic in New Orleans will also claim the West Division title --- on Dec. 7 at Jack Spinks Stadium. |
| JSU AD Ashley Robinson gets 4-year contract extension | |
| Jackson State president William B. Bynum Jr. has extended the contract of its vice president and director of athletics Ashley Robinson from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2023. Robinson joined Tiger Athletics in June 2018. Since his arrival, he has injected new enthusiasm into the department. "Ashley has been instrumental in helping us to run and operate a high quality, NCAA Division I compliant athletic program as we seek to bring back the glory days of JSU Athletics," said Bynum. He has brought in over $2 million in guaranteed games, developed a new partnership with Nike through BSN SPORTS, renegotiated a four-year extension for the Southern Heritage Classic, and began the inaugural Ashley Robinson Golf Tournament to assist with operational costs. |
| Gary Danielson apologizes to Chamberlain Smith, student photographer, during Georgia-Texas A&M | |
| SEC on CBS analyst Gary Danielson apologized Saturday for comments he made during last week's telecast after a Georgia student photographer was knocked unconscious. Chamberlain Smith got knocked unconscious when she got hit by Georgia running back Brian Herrien as Herrien was forced out of bounds. "Last week in real-time, I just didn't see what happened," Danielson said the broadcast of the Georgia-Texas A&M game. "In fact, I might have been the last person to see what happened. That confusion and my commentary that followed led some to conclude that I was kind of being insensitive to Chamberlain's serious situation. That certainly wasn't my intent. Simply put, I should have been better. I want to apologize to Chamberlain and our CBS viewers for that." |
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