Friday, January 29, 2021   
 
Mississippi State prepares plan for potential vaccine site
Mississippi State University (MSU) announced on Tuesday that it is preparing a plan to be in place if the university received vaccines for the Bulldog community. Brent Crocker is the emergency manager at MSU and helped put together the plan by the university. "This is something that we feel is important because we want to vaccinate our community as quickly as possible," he said. "We want to protect the people of Mississippi State University." Crocker said the university deemed the Longest Student Health Center to be the best place to house a drive-through vaccination site. Crocker believes this access to students, faculty, and staff would also provide support to county vaccination sites. "It would help pull a lot of burden off of them," said Crocker. "Instead of the employees of Mississippi State needing to register and use that facility, they would be able to take care of it here on campus." MSU teamed up with its IT department to create a website that will allow the MSU community to register for vaccines. "We want to make sure that the University is prepared as possible so that if vaccines become available to the university, we have a way of helping increase those number of vaccinations by taking care of the Mississippi State University community," Crocker said.
 
MSU Providing $1.26 Million in Completion Grants; MSU Receives $4.3 Million GEER Grant
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Mississippi State University is providing more than $1.26 million in completion grants to under-resourced students approaching graduation who are in need of funding for additional credit hours to earn their diplomas. MSU recently received a five-year, $200,000 commitment from the Woodward Hines Education Foundation, which the university matched with an additional $200,000. The commitment supports college retention and degree completion. The funds allowed for 68 student completion grants during the most recent semester and will fund the same number of grants each semester over the next three years, a release from MSU says. The university also received $861,637.50 from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund program for additional student completion grants. Both funds allowed the university to award 85% of all eligible students this spring with one-time, $1,000 grants. Mississippi State University recently received $4.3 million from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund program to implement 15 new education projects throughout Mississippi. The new projects will address educational needs that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, a release from MSU says. Project goals include improving online learning in K-12 and higher education, providing virtual mental health services and supporting at-risk students such as those with autism and dyslexia.
 
US, Morocco Launch $18 million Development Program in Beni Mellal-Khenifra
The US and Morocco are partnering to promote further investments and trade in Morocco through a new investment program. As part of its commitment to contribute to the development of Morocco, the U.S. Embassy in Morocco, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with the Wilaya and Regional Council of Beni Mellal-Khenifra. The partners are aiming to create more economic opportunities for women, young people, people with special needs, and rural populations. In a press release, USAID announced the allocation of $18 million for the Inclusive Socio-Economic Development (ISED) pilot program that will fund the project for a five-year period. The 2021-2025 program aims to "support the region in achieving its development priorities by strengthening participatory governance and improving opportunities for economic growth and job creation.' The implementation of the regional development program is entrusted to a consortium led by Family Health International 360. The consortium brings together the Financial Services Volunteer Corps / LixCap, Mississippi State University, and the local non-profit Intilaka AIDECA Association.
 
For NASA engineer, Stennis Space Center is home
As far as Christine Powell is concerned, NASA's Apollo Program and the original Star Wars movie changed everything for her. "The image of a starscape is branded in my memory," said Powell, as she reflected on the impact of the movie and NASA's missions to the Moon. "Space and the stars and exploring the universe became a huge part of my life growing up. Working for NASA or doing something related to space became my main goal." Powell took a major step toward achieving her goal in college when she was offered a chance to work at Stennis Space Center, near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, through the Mississippi State University Co-Op Program. Thirty years later, she remains at the site, serving as assistant director of the Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate. Powell became a full-time employee at Stennis in 1995 and has served in various roles, including as a controls engineer, instrumentation engineer, data acquisition engineer, test project console operator, systems engineer lead, project manager, and systems engineering branch chief. In her current position, she leads the Project Formulation, Planning and Control Office and oversees staff functions for various site contracts and office areas.
 
Austin Check joins Ward 4 race in Starkville
A Republican candidate has announced he will run for Ward 4 alderman. Austin Check, 36, filed qualifying paperwork with the city clerk's office Wednesday. He is the second candidate to qualify for the seat, joining Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Mike Brooks, who is running as a Democrat. Both are vying to replace Democrat Jason Walker, who opted not to run for a third term. Check began working in May as Mississippi State University's technical licensing coordinator and government compliance manager in the office of technology. Before that, he worked five years in the university's human resources department. He has served in various capacities in public safety for nearly 20 years, as well, currently as an adjunct instructor with the State Fire Academy, training officer for Oktibbeha County Fire Services and as assistant chief for the county's District 5 Volunteer Fire Department. One challenge Check said Starkville faces is what he called an ongoing debate "between wants and needs." He also wants to see the city be more proactive in creating and facilitating opportunities for high school graduates to become thriving members of the economy.
 
Nedra Lowery disqualified from Starkville alderman race for not meeting residency requirements
A candidate hopeful for Starkville Ward 7 alderman has been disqualified from the race. Starkville's Municipal Democratic Executive Committee members voted unanimously in a special-call meeting Thursday to disqualify Nedra Lowery for not meeting the residency requirements to run for local office, Chairwoman Patti Drapala told The Dispatch. State law enacted in January 2020 requires candidates for city and county elections to reside in the district they hope to represent for two years immediately preceding the election. Lowery, 36, filed qualifying paperwork Jan. 22 to challenge three-term incumbent Henry Vaughn in the April 6 Democratic primary. While attempting to qualify, she produced a lease agreement for a rental house on Louisville Street in Starkville dating back to March 2018. However, Lowery ran in a special election for a vacant Columbus city council seat in September 2019, and she voted at a Lowndes County precinct in the U.S. presidential primary in March 2020. She registered to vote in Oktibbeha County in August 2020 and cast her November ballot in Starkville. Drapala said the committee determined Lowery's "domicile" was Lowndes County until at least sometime after March 2020.
 
Despite bankruptcy, Belk stores expected to remain open
What the Belk? The national retailer announced new restructuring plans Tuesday with intent to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Despite the company's financial woes, all stores are expected to continue operations as normal. Though Belk has not officially filed for bankruptcy yet, Belk public relations director Jenny Anderson said once the department store does file, the company expects to be out of Chapter 11 by the end of February. "We do not anticipate any store closings or layoffs in conjunction with this financial restructuring, including our store in Columbus," Anderson wrote in an email to The Dispatch. Currently Belk has nearly 300 store locations, largely in the Southeast, that will remain in operation throughout the restructuring process. Moving to Starkville, at long last Eat Local Starkville's Humble Taco has officially opened. The long-awaited Mexican restaurant with a Southern twist initially announced plans in 2017 to open on the corner of Jackson Street and Highway 182. With construction costs and location changes, plans altered and Humble Taco officially opened Tuesday at 511 University Drive, formerly occupied by City Bagel.
 
C Spire to invest $1 billion for broadband expansion in Mississippi
C Spire announced Thursday it's investing $1 billion over the next three years to speed up deployment of 5G wireless technology and broadband internet in Mississippi. The "history making" project will bring faster delivery of 5G wireless technology and provide all-fiber broadband services to over 200,000 homes and businesses in Mississippi and Alabama. U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said this project will help keep Mississippi competitive and boost its economy. He said C Spire's commitment to rapidly deploying 5G fast service means that virtually every major part of Mississippi will be able to leverage the next-generation technology with the activation of more than 300 sites by the end of this year. "I'm thrilled to see that C Spire is investing so much to build out its high-speed internet infrastructure to support the future of education, health care, technology, and small business in Mississippi," Wicker said. "Because we live in a digital world, better, faster internet connections are critical to keeping our state competitive and boosting our $100 billion-plus economy," he added.
 
MSDH reports 2,186 new COVID-19 cases, 38 deaths
The Mississippi State Department of Health on Friday reported 2,186 additional cases of COVID-19 and 38 deaths related to the virus as of 6 p.m. Jan 28. Calhoun, Clay, Lafayette, Tippah and Union counties in Northeast Mississippi each reported one additional death. Monroe County reported two deaths. The statewide total number of cases since March 11, 2020, is now 272,662, with a death toll of 5,983. Around 222,812 people are estimated to have recovered from the virus as of Jan. 24. There are currently 181 outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state.
 
New COVID cases continue to drop in Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties
New COVID-19 cases are continuing to fall in parts of the Golden Triangle, in keeping with state and national trends. Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties recorded fewer new cases from Jan. 20 to Wednesday than in the week from Jan. 13 to 20, according to data from the Mississippi Department of Health website. Oktibbeha County has seen 4,149 cases and 87 deaths since last March, with 133 new cases in a week after recording 174 the previous week. Mississippi State University recorded a slight drop in cases from Jan. 21 to Thursday, according to data updated daily on its website. MSU has 92 cases, 82 from students and 10 from employees, as of Thursday. A week earlier, MSU had 100 cases, 89 from students and 11 from staff. Conversely, cases spiked at Mississippi University for Women between Jan. 22 and Thursday, according to its daily updates on its website. Two employees and 12 students tested positive in that time, and all except one student and one employee were on campus within seven days before testing positive, the data shows.
 
Gov. Tate Reeves: Goal is to up vaccine capacity to 100,000 per week
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said he wants to increase coronavirus vaccinations rapidly in the month of February, ramping up the state's capacity for weekly inoculations to around 100,000. "We have to double the capacity of our state-run sites over the next nine days," the Republican governor said Thursday during a news conference. The state has completed 194,597 total first doses and 21,941 second doses for residents by using 19 state-run drive-thru facilities, hospitals and clinics. Under Reeves' plan, vaccinations would drastically increase. Reeves said the state has received around 37,000 doses a week for the past three weeks from the federal government. Next week, that allocation is set to increase to 43,000. Officials are also in the process of redistributing some of the unused vaccine doses that was originally allocated to long-term care facilities. This week, the state is scheduled to complete 30,000 first-dose vaccination appointments at the drive-thru sites. Next week, it's hoping to do 30,000 first doses and 17,000 second doses at those sites. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said Thursday that approximately 20% of Mississippi's 65 and older population and 30% of the state's 75 and older population have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine.
 
Mississippi no longer asking people to wait to schedule second dose of COVID-19 vaccine
If you've already received your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Mississippi, there's no longer a need to wait to schedule your second vaccination. The State Department of Health announced Thursday that it's no longer asking people who have received the vaccine to wait two weeks to schedule an appointment for the second dose. Starting Monday, residents can make a second dose appointment for one of the state's drive-through vaccination sites immediately after receiving the first dose. The appointments can be made at covidvaccine.umc.edu or by calling 877-978-6453. Those eligible for the shot are anyone 65 and older or anyone over the age of 16 with pre-existing conditions that make them more susceptible to severe effects from the coronavirus. The department of health asks that everyone attempt to schedule second-dose appointments at the same site they received their initial vaccine, but Gov. Tate Reeves said it's not required. "In a perfect world, we'd like everybody to go back to the same site. That's not going to happen," Reeves said. "People will get appointments somewhere closer. That's allowable and acceptable. There are going to be the same number of appointments at roughly the same place. Some people will choose a different spot. Some people will have to go to a different spot because appointments fill up."
 
Gov. Tate Reeves says Mississippi will receive increased supply of COVID-19 vaccines in coming weeks
Gov. Tate Reeves on Thursday said he expects an increase in the state's vaccine allotment starting next week and set a goal to administer 100,000 doses a week during the month of February. After the state had received about 37,000 first doses a week the last few weeks, the governor said on Thursday he expects that weekly number to increase to 43,000 first doses starting the week of Feb. 1. He explained there was a decline in doses administered this week -- about 27,000 doses have been administered this week as of Thursday -- after the state "caught up" with its available supply. Reeves said he expects "another significant rise" in shots in arms next week. The Mississippi State Department of Health reports more than 200,000 Mississippians, or about 7% of the state's population, have received their first dose of the vaccine. The state health department on Thursday announced that individuals can now schedule their second shot immediately after receiving the first one. "For all intents and purposes, we have caught up," Reeves said. "We have put virtually every first dose in an arm or in an appointment that we have received."
 
Mississippi Prison Officials Tout Low Rates of Covid. The Reason May Be Fewer Tests.
Mississippi officials boast of having one of the lowest coronavirus infection rates among state prison systems, but 10 months into the pandemic, the state's rate of testing is also among the lowest, a New York Times database shows. Across the country, the coronavirus has battered prisons and jails, infecting more than half a million inmates and correctional officers, yet testing in some states has been so limited as to cloud their statistics on infections. Critics say the low testing numbers at Mississippi prisons and the high rate of positive results when they do test suggest a more extensive problem than the state has acknowledged. "We think widespread testing is so important," said Cliff Johnson, the director of the University of Mississippi School of Law's MacArthur Justice Center, part of a group that pushed for a legal agreement last year requiring the state's corrections department to take more steps to protect inmates from the coronavirus. "Knowing exactly how many people have been infected in your facilities and exactly how many people have died is critically important if you are serious about remedying infections and saving lives."
 
Despite safety protocols, another senator tests positive for COVID
Since both the House and Senate have instituted extra COVID-19 safety guidelines this week, at least one additional legislator has tested positive for the coronavirus. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said there have been four positive tests in the Senate where he presides. At the end of last week before the additional protocols were put in place, the Senate reported two confirmed COVID-19 cases and one likely case. In addition to the positive tests, Hosemann said there are an unspecified number of senators who might be quarantined from coming to the Capitol because of the close contact they had with a member who recently tested positive. In the House, one member tested positive earlier this session. Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, said he did not know of any other positive tests among House members. This week, as members work to take up bills in committee, both chambers have allowed members to participate via Zoom. Gunn has also insisted that at this point in the legislative session when members are only in full session for a short time each day that they participate virtually. But starting next week when members are in full session for long periods to take up the bills that have been passed out of committee, Gunn said they will have to attend in person.
 
One-dose shot offers good protection, new hope against virus
Johnson & Johnson's long-awaited vaccine appears to protect against COVID-19 with just one shot -- not as strong as some two-shot rivals but still potentially helpful for a world in dire need of more doses. J&J said Friday that in the U.S. and seven other countries, the single-shot vaccine was 66% effective overall at preventing moderate to severe illness, and much more protective -- 85% -- against the most serious symptoms. There was some geographic variation. The vaccine worked better in the U.S. -- 72% effective against moderate to severe COVID-19 -- compared to 57% in South Africa, where it was up against an easier-to-spread mutated virus. "Gambling on one dose was certainly worthwhile," Dr. Mathai Mammen, global research chief for J&J's Janssen Pharmaceutical unit, told The Associated Press. But with some other competing vaccines shown to be 95% effective after two doses, at question is whether somewhat less protection is an acceptable tradeoff to get more shots in arms quickly. “Frankly, simple is beautiful,” said Dr. Matt Hepburn of Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. government’s vaccine initiative.
 
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency executive director Greg Michel to retire
Greg Michel, who has served as the head of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency agency since 2018, is retiring, Gov. Tate Reeves announced Thursday. Stephen McCraney, deputy director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency since 2016, has been appointed as the agency's new executive director, Reeves said. McCraney has also served as chief of staff for the agency during his tenure with the agency, and has assisted during 15 federal and multiple state-level disasters, according to a statement. Reeves said Michel had spoken to him several months ago about the possibility of retirement and the two had been working on a plan ever since. "After the year he's had, I certainly can't question that," Reeves said. Michel said he's learned a lot about himself and the state during his time as executive director, but is glad for the experience. "This is the most challenging job that I've had in 30 years of military and time in the private sector," he said. "I'm very humbled and honored to have served (the state)."
 
Momentum building for computer science availability in K-12 public schools across Mississippi
More emphasis is being put on computer science availability in the classroom during the 2021 Mississippi Legislative session. SB 2678 and HB 633 were both filed and would be a phase-in of computer science courses in schools across the state who serve K-12 students starting in the 2022-2023 school year. Two years later, the full program should be implemented, and students would have access to computer science classes across the board. The second part of the bill offers scholarships for teachers who will need to be trained in order to offer the courses. "The bill is really lined out into two different formats," State Sen. Scott DeLano said. "One is to address the curriculum that is necessary in our public schools, K-12. Then the second part of that it gives scholarships for teachers to get endorsements because we obviously need to have teachers available who are accredited to teach these computer science programs." Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann showed support for the bill in his weekly press conference. Right now, half of all Mississippi schools teach some form of computer or typing class, however this bill sets forth a more optimal curriculum. The push for this has become more prevalent due to an advancing need for more technology-based employees in the workforce.
 
Lawmakers want to privatize Mississippi liquor sales, allow home delivery
Lawmakers are considering withdrawing the state from the liquor and wine business, letting private industry take over warehousing and distributing liquor -- something the state has struggled to do efficiently. The Legislature is also considering allowing home delivery of liquor, wine and beer, similar to delivery services for groceries and restaurant takeout that have become popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both measures appear to have traction in the Legislature this session, even in a Bible Belt state that has been slow to relax or change its strict liquor laws. "The time has come that we address these issues," House Ways and Means Chairman Trey Lamar said of the move to privatize liquor distribution. "... I happen to believe that it is not a core function of government to run a liquor warehouse ... If it were done today, if it were day one, we would never put government in charge of liquor. How do we unwind it? That's where it gets a little hard." Mississippi is one of 17 states that tightly control the sale of liquor, and one of 10 that sell spirits to all private package stores. Seven directly own all the liquor stores in their states. Lamar said that "on paper," it would look like the state would lose millions in revenue from privatization, but he believes state coffers will instead see increases.
 
Area legislators split on alcohol delivery bill
State legislators are considering a bill that would legalize home delivery of some alcohol products. Senate Bill 2804, if passed, would allow package stores and delivery service providers to purchase $500 permits from the Alcoholic Beverage Control under the state Department of Revenue to deliver "beer, light wine or light spirit products," the bill says. The bill will require a two-thirds majority vote to pass the Senate before going to the House of Representatives for a vote. Not all legislators from the Golden Triangle have seen the bill yet, but Sen. Chuck Younger (R-Columbus) and Rep. Rob Roberson (R-Starkville) both said the bill could be a boon to businesses and help keep inebriated drivers off the roads. Roberson added the bill could particularly help retailers out during the pandemic, when the demand for home delivery of food and groceries is higher. Sen. Bart Williams (R-Starkville) said he hasn't looked at the bill but that he wants to ensure that it balances safety with helping package stores and delivery businesses. "It's kind of a balance there," he said. "We need to answer the questions about (safety) on one side, but if it enhances the quality of life, it makes it easier for our citizens, by all means, I would be for something like that."
 
Privatize Mississippi state parks or fund them? House, Senate at odds.
Legislative leaders appear to agree that Mississippi's long-neglected state parks need help, but while the Senate is pushing for privatization and turning parks over to local governments, the House wants to find a permanent stream of public funding. "What that tells me is that the House and Senate agree it's an issue," said Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who oversees the Senate and said fixing the Mississippi's dilapidated state parks is a priority. "We'll all get together on this." Mississippi's state parks have suffered from years of neglected maintenance and budget cuts to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks. The price tag to bring the state's 25 parks (three of which are run by local governments) up to snuff is an estimated $147 million. Plus, millions more a year would be needed to keep them up -- prompting discussion of privatization and a search for other options. Hosemann said many parks could benefit from "an infusion of knowledge and capital" from privatization. But privatization of parks has drawn fierce debate nationwide and in Mississippi. Opponents fear private developers would "cherry pick" the best state parks that could turn profits leaving others neglected, or that privatization would turn parks into expensive resorts and limit public access.
 
First deadline in Mississippi Legislature looms Tuesday
The first big deadline for the Mississippi Legislature will be Tuesday, which is the deadline for committees to approve bills for floor votes. A bill that would increase teacher pay has already passed the state Senate and bills that would allow the over-the-counter sale of ephedrine-related products and another which would give nurse practitioners full practice authority have already passed the initial committee hurdles. Also, a bill that could represent a starting point for reform for the Department of Revenue's embattled Alcohol Beverage Control division is still alive. Here are some of the more interesting bills that have been submitted so far: Senate Bill 2001 is authored by state Sen. Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, and would provide a $1,000 annual pay raise for teachers. The bill has already passed the Senate and is now in the hands of the House. House Bill 1303 would allow nurse practitioners full practice authority in Mississippi and is sponsored by state Rep. Donnie Scoggin, R-Ellisville. The bill was approved by the House Public Health and Human Services Committee. SB 2788 is sponsored by state Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson and would require municipal law enforcement to inform the state Highway Safety Patrol of any road blockages or emergencies on interstates in city limits. It was passed by the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee.
 
Mississippi looks at penalties for blocking roadways
Republican lawmakers in Mississippi are seeking to increase penalties for people who block public roadways during protests. Several Democrats, however, are expressing concerns about legislation that could be seen as criminalizing free speech. Republican Sen. Chad McMahan of Guntown proposed the "Freedom of Roadway Act" to "criminalize the malicious obstruction of a public street, highway or road during an unpermitted protest." Senate Bill 2283 would require that protesters who block roadways with no permit be fined up to $1,500, serve up to a year in jail or both. The minimum punishment would be a $500 fine and a 25-day jail sentence. McMahan told the Senate Judiciary B Committee on Wednesday that he drafted the bill after being approached by the Tupelo police chief, who was concerned after seeing protesters blocking roadways in other parts of the country. However, Democratic Sens. Angela Turner-Ford of West Point and Derrick Simmons of Greenville raised concerns about the legality of criminalizing gatherings without a permit.
 
Mississippi found 'absurd' ways to spend welfare on anything but the poor. These bills would put more money into families' pockets.
In 1999, 23,700 struggling Mississippi families received the welfare check --- a max of $170 a month for a family of three. Today, the number of families has dropped to under 3,000, and the amount remains $170. In those two decades, as fewer and fewer families sought or qualified for the meager benefit, Mississippi had to find other ways to spend the $86.5 million annual block grant from the federal government called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Mississippi public and nonprofit officials used the money to purchase a new volleyball stadium, a horse ranch for a famous athlete, multi-million dollar celebrity speaking engagements, high-tech virtual reality equipment, luxury vehicles, steakhouse dinners and even a speeding ticket, to name a few. They were under virtually no requirement to report this detailed spending to the federal government. "Once you talk yourself into ignoring the laws and the regs around how to spend the money, it's easy to talk yourself into increasingly absurd expenditures over time," said State Auditor Shad White, whose office investigated the misspending and eventually arrested six people within a $4 million welfare fraud conspiracy nearly a year ago.
 
State medical examiner resigns, leaves unfinished work, holes in investigations
State Medical Examiner Dr. Mark Levaughn has been on administrative leave since November. On Thursday, he resigned, leaving a lot for investigators, prosecutors, and coroners to deal with in his wake. Today, Department of Public Safety Spokesman Chris Vignes confirmed that Levaughn had ended his decade of tenure with the State Medical Examiner's office. DPS officials have been silent on anything about LeVaughn's situation other than to say it is a personnel matter. So far there are no confirmed charges against LeVaughn, nor will the Attorney General's office confirm whether an investigation centered on him exists. Levaughn's departure is far from ideal timing. With only three medical examiners in the state, his name is on at least a third of the ongoing investigations. "Oh my goodness, it's a tremendous problem we're fixing to have," said District 17 DA John Champion. "It's a tremendous problem we already have." Champion said his district has about 12 autopsies they're waiting on in order to be able to go to trial. Hinds County DA Jody Owens said his numbers are in the hundreds.
 
Senator Bill Hagerty Announces Washington, D.C. Staff
United States Senator Bill Hagerty on Thursday announced the appointment of a team to his staff. In addition to the State office appointments announced earlier, Senator Hagerty has appointed Cookeville, Tn. native, John Rader, as his chief of staff, as well as other men and women who will make up his administration, communications, and policy teams in Washington, D.C. Adam Telle returns to the Senate to serve as Senator Hagerty's chief advisor. Most recently, Mr. Telle led the White House Office of Legislative Affairs' Senate team, where he also managed all national security and appropriations matters. Previously, Mr. Telle was the chief staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committee's Homeland Security Subcommittee, serving under the chairmanship of U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS), Richard Shelby (R-AL), John Boozman (R-AR), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). He also spent 10 years in the Office of Senator Cochran, where he served as deputy chief of staff, legislative director, and the top national security staffer. He is a native of Northport, Al. and holds degrees in computer science and communication from Mississippi State University, where he was elected student body president.
 
'I'm just furious': Relations in Congress crack after attack
Some House lawmakers are privately refusing to work with each other. Others are afraid to be in the same room. Two members almost got into a fist fight on the floor. And the speaker of the House is warning that "the enemy is within." Forget Joe Biden's calls for unity. Members of Congress couldn't be further divided. Just weeks into the 117th Congress, the bedrock of relationships hasn't been on such shaky ground in more than a generation, with a sense of deep distrust and betrayal that lawmakers worry will linger for years. And those strains could carry long-term effects on an institution where relationships -- and reputations -- matter more than almost anything else. The friction is particularly intense in the House, where two-thirds of the GOP conference voted to overturn the election just hours after lawmakers were attacked by a mob that demanded that very action. The position of those 139 members is now threatening to upend decades of relationships in the House, forcing long-time colleagues to work through their raw emotions and palpable anger in the weeks since the attack. The tensions aren't just between members of opposing parties: Infighting within the GOP has reached new heights as the party wrestles with its direction in the post-Trump era.
 
Kevin McCarthy taps Trump donors in seeking to retake House majority
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is relying on the brand and grassroots network of his party's ex-president to gin up donations in Republicans' quest to retake the majority in the chamber in 2022. Not only did McCarthy meet with Donald Trump in Florida, but the House's top Republican also sent a fundraising email Thursday from an account dubbed trumps-majority.com. It comes at a pivotal moment for the GOP as party insiders wrestle with the role that will now be played by Trump, whose supporters rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6 but who also remains hugely popular among conservatives. The fundraising email attacks Democratic President Joe Biden's policy agenda, including his executive orders on energy and other matters. And it makes a plea for donations toward Republican congressional candidates to help them win control of the House of Representatives. McCarthy has criticized Trump for his role in the Capitol violence, but he has sought to make amends, most notably with Thursday's session with the ex-president. McCarthy was among some 140 of his colleagues who voted against certifying the electoral results on Jan. 6, siding with Trump, who claimed for months that his defeat in 2020 was the result of a stolen election.
 
Calls Mount For President Biden To Shake Up Postal Service's Leadership
It's been a rocky few months for the U.S. Postal Service. Numerous lawsuits were filed over the Post Office's handling of mail-in ballots during November's elections. Then came the holiday season, and many customers became frustrated by backlogs that meant their Christmas cards and packages weren't delivered until January. Among those frustrated is Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., who says cards his office sent to constituents on Dec. 1 are still arriving at homes in his district. Pascrell says enough is enough. "It would seem to me that if we shrink the trust of the Post Office any more, there won't be any Post Office left to trust," he says. "So we need to do something that's strong. It's time to clean the house. And that's what I'm recommending." And by cleaning house, Pascrell says everyone -- the six current members of the board of governors, and the Postal Service's top leadership, including Postmaster General Louis DeJoy -- should be removed. "Fire everybody at the top," Pascrell tells NPR. "They've done a lousy job." The board oversees the Post Office and appoints the postmaster general. A new board could replace DeJoy, something many of his critics would like to see.
 
Lawmakers Take Aim at Insidious Digital 'Dark Patterns'
In 2010, British designer Harry Brignull coined a handy new term for an everyday annoyance: dark patterns, meaning digital interfaces that subtly manipulate people. It became a term of art used by privacy campaigners and researchers. Now, more than a decade later, the coinage is gaining new, legal, heft. Dark patterns come in many forms and can trick a person out of time or money, or into forfeiting personal data. A common example is the digital obstacle course that springs up when you try to nix an online account or subscription, such as for streaming TV, asking you repeatedly if you really want to cancel. A 2019 Princeton survey of dark patterns in ecommerce listed 15 types of dark patterns, including hurdles to canceling subscriptions and countdown timers to rush consumers into hasty decisions. A new California law approved by voters in November will outlaw some dark patterns that steer people into giving companies more data than they intended. The California Privacy Rights Act is intended to strengthen the state's landmark privacy law. The section of the new law defining user consent says that "agreement obtained through use of dark patterns does not constitute consent." That's the first time the term dark patterns has appeared in US law, but likely not the last, says Jennifer King, a privacy specialist at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. "It's probably going to proliferate," she says. King says other states, and perhaps federal lawmakers emboldened by Democrats gaining control of the US Senate, may follow suit.
 
UM administrator reflects on the history of nonviolent activism
The Center for the Study of Southern Culture hosted Anthony Siracusa for the first event of its SouthTalks series this semester. Siracusa's first book, "Nonviolence Before King: The Politics of Being and the Black Freedom Struggle," will be released by the University of North Carolina Press in June. Siracusa, the UM director of community engagement, talked about the "politics of being" and the nonviolence movements largely started by Black college students during the civil rights movement in the mid 1960s. He said that the narrative around the Freedom Movement and nonviolence has been about "converting the other" and that those in the movement wanted to shame the nation into making amends for racial atrocities through legislation. "The goal was not conversion of the other," Siracusa said. "There may have been hope for that, but the animating impulse of nonviolent action was fundamentally about making a public claim on the right to be free." Much of the nonviolence of the Freedom Movement was based on the ideas of Howard Thurman, a religious leader and former dean at Howard University. Thurman became one of the most important leaders for a generation of activists during the Freedom Movement through his religious teachings.
 
COVID-19 cases on campus rise as the week comes to an end
The University of Mississippi reported a total of 51 active COVID-19 cases among students and staff on Thursday, according to the university's coronavirus dashboard, an increase of 15 from the day before. There were 32 active cases on Tuesday and 36 on Wednesday. There are no active cases among faculty, but 12 of the active cases are among staff. Over the past week, the university's total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased by 4.7%. There is one outbreak in an on-campus group, meaning three or more members of the group are actively infected. The university has not specified which campus group is involved in the outbreak, but the dashboard lists no outbreaks in on-campus housing or on-campus buildings. One student is in university-provided quarantine housing, and another is in isolation on campus. The increase in university cases follows an outdoor mask mandate passed by the Oxford Board of Aldermen on Monday. The Aldermen voted to approve the mandate after Mayor Robyn Tannehill noted on Twitter that she had received several calls regarding photos of large mask-less crowds outside of bars on the Square. The photos began circulating on social media last week.
 
Auburn University officials defend vaccination plan, respond to APDH concerns
Auburn University is vaccinating campus community members, including employees under age 75, despite an admission by State Health Officer Scott Harris that there is a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines in Alabama. The Associated Press reported that Ryan Easterling, a spokesman for the Alabama Department of Public Health, acknowledged that some communities may be ahead of others and said the state has reached out to Auburn University "to clarify the allocation plan and ensure that community outreach has been adequate for current risk groups prior to entities moving to additional subsets of eligible groups." The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is currently in Phase 1b of its statewide COVID-19 vaccination plan. Essential workers at highest risk for work-related exposures and people age 75 and older and eligible under Alabama's Phase 1b. The university asserts that while it is in Phase 1c of its own plan, the people included in this group fall under Phase 1b of the state's plan and that it is also following federal guidelines.
 
U. of Missouri research: Cats help children with autism stay calm
Feline friends can help families in more ways than one. Cats help calm children with autism, according to new research from the University of Missouri. The study was conducted by Gretchen Carlisle, research scientist at the MU Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction in the College of Veterinary Medicine. There, she studies the benefits of companion animals for families with children with autism. "We've done a number of studies of companion animals," Carlisle said. Most previous studies have been on dogs as pets. "We screen the cats to identify cats that are calm and social," Carlisle said. Eleven families, with children with autism ages 6-14, participated. To participate, they could have other pets already, but not pet cats. Families agreed to keep the cats after the study. The families were recruited through the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental disorders. She found children had less anxiety after cats were introduced into their lives. "Many children with autism have sensory issues with dogs, which are barking and more in your face," Carlisle said. Cats are more laid back, she said.
 
UC record college admission applications show wide diversity
The University of California's record-shattering applications for fall 2021 show remarkable surges in Black, Latino and other underrepresented students seeking admission, putting the system within reach of dismantling long-standing admission barriers and building a student body that reflects the state's diversity. UCLA and UC Berkeley, the system's two most selective campuses -- where diversity particularly tumbled after affirmative action was banned in public schools more than two decades ago -- achieved historic gains, according to preliminary UC data released Thursday. Black freshman applicants rose by about 48% at both campuses, and Latino applicants increased by 33% at UCLA and 36% at Berkeley. Overall, UC's nine undergraduate campuses drew a record number of applicants despite myriad pandemic challenges, totaling 249,855, a 16.1% leap over last year. "These are phenomenal numbers and speak to the ability of UC to attract students from across the state and country at a time of incredible turbulence," said Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, which represents more than 1,700 colleges and universities. "The university has sought a more representative class for a long time and now it's within reach."
 
These colleges survived World Wars, the Spanish flu and more. They couldn't withstand COVID-19 pandemic.
They survived both World Wars. These colleges, however, won't survive the coronavirus pandemic. Concordia College, outside Manhattan, New York, will close its doors in the fall, the school announced Thursday --- adding to a growing list of colleges and universities that are shutting down for good amid the ongoing public health crisis. Another school, Iona College, will acquire the campus and allow students to finish their degrees with Iona. Concordia, a liberal arts college that has been operational since 1881, has about 1,500 students. While Concordia has faced challenges in recent years, the school's financial problems were accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly a year into the ravaging pandemic, Concordia isn't alone. MacMurray College, which had been one of the oldest colleges originally for women in the United States and one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in Illinois, closed its doors in March 2020. For others, such as Wisconsin's 136-year-old Holy Family College, the "significant" financial hit from coronavirus "made an already tough situation unsustainable." The school announced last August that it would close in May. These colleges aren't the only ones to shut their doors and some fear they won't be the last. Among small private schools, especially in Wisconsin, there's a sense of mourning.
 
Applications for Next Year's Freshman Class Are on the Rise -- With Warning Signs for Equity
The college-application season is underway for the high-school class of 2021, and early warning signs about the pandemic's effects have begun to surface. While the volume of applications over all is up 10 percent from a year ago, there are other, more troubling trends beneath this topline number, according to new data about submissions of the Common App from after the January 1 and 15 deadlines that some colleges have. The number of first-generation applicants is down 3 percent from this point a year ago. The number of students who requested fee waivers for their applications also fell, by 2 percent. Although both groups have recovered some from a 7-percent slide in December -- and many low-income and first-generation students tend to apply later in the admissions cycle -- it's clear that the pandemic is continuing to have equity implications for higher education. "This is still really problematic, and we have to be laser focused on this," said Eric Waldo, chief access and equity officer at Common App, which has more than 900 institutions as members. "We don't want to see a lost generation of students who end up not going on to further their education because of this pandemic."
 
Will more public colleges freeze tuition for next year?
The California State University system is freezing tuition for the 2021-22 academic year, Chancellor Joseph Castro said this week. The announcement follows California Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposal to tie funding increases for the 23-campus system with keeping tuition and fees flat. Cal State will join several other public institutions that aren't raising tuition during the pandemic, but higher education experts say colleges in budget-strapped states may struggle to take this approach. Newsom's budget proposal increases base funding to Cal State by 3%, as well as injects $255 million into the system for several initiatives, including deferred maintenance and emergency student aid. The extra funding, however, comes with the expectation that the system keeps tuition and fees level and that it makes strides in student equity. Other public colleges are hoping to follow suit. Presidents of Idaho's public, four-year colleges promised to freeze tuition for the upcoming fiscal year if the state legislature approves the governor's higher education budget. His proposal restores $15.4 million that was cut from the sector for the current fiscal year. These types of arrangements have been becoming more common, said Tom Harnisch, vice president for government relations at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. Yet the health crisis has drained many states' coffers, which could make lawmakers less amenable to such deals.
 
New Report Analyzes Joe Biden's HBCU Policies
As President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris transition into office, a new report analyzes the administration's proposed education policies, specifically those that impact historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Despite enrolling over 300,000 students and graduating 25% of all Black bachelor's degree earners, many HBCUs remain underfunded and under-resourced, according to the report. "[HBCUs] play a critical role in evolving a diverse society," said Dr. Hakim Lucas, president and CEO of Virginia Union University (VUU). The university's Center for the Study of HBCUs produced the report. "Research shows that HBCUs graduate more Black professionals than primarily White institutions. There are many promising proposals in the new administration's agenda --- but there is a long history of broken promises and inequitable treatment when it comes to HBCUs." The six Biden-Harris administration policies highlighted in the report aim to increase federal Pell Grants, create Title I programs for postsecondary education, develop more research opportunities at HBCUs, build infrastructure, reduce debt and promote graduate program expansions as well as advance student success. Dr. Terrell L. Strayhorn, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at VUU and the author of the report, emphasized that investing in Black colleges translates to "educational opportunity for all."
 
Biden appointee is champion for LGBTQ rights but has checkered past at Columbia
When the Biden administration appointed Suzanne Goldberg, a Columbia University law professor and top university administrator, to oversee civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education last week, some civil rights advocates believed it signaled a new era of federal protections for LGBTQ students and a revival of policies requiring colleges to respond to and prevent sexual assaults on campus. Survivors of campus assault, who saw regulatory protections created by the Obama administration stripped away by the Trump administration, were optimistic that under President Biden they could again expect their colleges to be held accountable for promptly investigating their assault complaints and punishing those responsible for sexual misconduct. The expectations have gotten complicated. Goldberg's appointment as acting assistant secretary for the Office for Civil Rights, the agency that oversees implementation of Title IX, the law prohibiting sex discrimination at federally funded institutions, has some former Columbia students and survivors of sexual assault revisiting her tumultuous history as executive vice president of university life, a job she held from 2015 until last week. The position encompassed student affairs and disciplinary processes, diversity and inclusion, and Title IX policies. The former students say they were not well-served by Goldberg; they're now questioning her fitness for the government role.
 
Due dates encourage management of time, productivity
Angela Farmer, an assistant clinical professor in the Shackouls Honors College at Mississippi State University, writes: There are many things that students learn along their academic journeys. From reading proficiency to mathematical prowess, students have myriad lessons to learn. While there are a variety of ways in which to maximize comprehension and retention, there is one skill that stands the test of time and is essential from kindergarten through adulthood. This critical component, which can overshadow the quality and complexity of one's work, is the student's ability to respect and submit work within the required timeline. Whether learning to complete timed assignments within a classroom setting or finishing a formalized national assessment, compliance with the predetermined window is key. Strategies to help with such fixed schedules include using practice exams, keeping up with time on a watch or stopwatch, and planning to have everything ready to begin immediately. As students mature and become more independent in their responsibilities, a respect for timelines becomes ever more paramount. In middle school and high school, there are regularly out-of-class assignments or projects with established due dates. Much like the speed limit on a public road, due dates are not suggestions or subtle guides for interpretation.


SPORTS
 
Mississippi bill would allow compensation for student-athletes
State lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow for college athletes in Mississippi to profit from their name, image and likeness. House members have said that the bill would apply to student-athletes at all four-year colleges and universities in the state. The bill would allow the athlete to retain an agent and profit from the use of their name, image or likeness. Back in 2014, a federal court ruled that the NCAA cannot prohibit student-athletes from selling the rights to their name image, or likeness. Now, states are introducing their own proposals regarding student-athlete compensation. Supporters of this bill in Mississippi have said that it needs to pass in order to stay competitive in recruiting. "If we do not do this and every other state around us does this, we will be at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting students and student-athletes," state Rep. Scott Bounds said. "We want to be competitive. If we're going against Arkansas, we don't want that to keep a student-athlete from our institution because we don't offer the same competitive edge. It's something that we definitely need to pass," JSU women's basketball coach Tomekia Reed said.
 
Shorthanded Iowa State takes on Mississippi State in middle of Big 12 season
The good news: Iowa State will have more players in the bench area and in uniform for Saturday's Big 12/SEC Challenge. The bad news: The roster still is probably limited. And now, for the uncertain news about Saturday's game at Mississippi State (9-8): Who Steve Prohm actually plays in this made-for-TV event wasn't exactly known when reporters had a video conference with the coach Thursday. It'll probably be more than the seven who contributed in Monday's 81-60 loss at home against Oklahoma State, but how many more is as uncertain as when this 2-8 team's four-game losing streak finally ends. "Our guys are doing well," said Prohm, who had just six healthy scholarship players and two walk-ons available for the Oklahoma State game. "I don't know how much will change. We could have one more guy back possibly. Whether they play or not, I'm not sure." Staying with this good news-bad news theme -- any player the Cyclones (2-8) get back playing will be a welcomed addition to a team that hasn't won a Big 12 game since defeating TCU on Feb. 25, 2020.
 
Big 12/SEC matchup presents more 'challenges' for Iowa State
Iowa State is heading down South to break up its conference game slate Saturday for the eighth-annual Big 12/SEC Challenge against Mississippi State (9-8, 4-5 SEC). But the challenges of a COVID-19-depleted roster will be following the Cyclones to Starkville, Mississippi. Iowa State will play in just its second game since coming out of a program COVID-19 pause, a pause that left the team down four starters and two walk-ons Monday against Oklahoma State. Iowa State Head Coach Steve Prohm told the media Thursday the roster availability should not be much different from Monday, but potentially one player could be back Saturday. Whether that player plays or not remains to be seen. Iowa State's main focus will be on the defensive end and the glass for Saturday. Mississippi State comes in averaging 39 rebounds a game, 13 of which are offensive rebounds. And with Solomon Young potentially out again and Xavier Foster out for the year with an injury, Prohm knows the Bulldogs will be attacking down low. Iowa State and Mississippi State will tip off at 5 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2.
 
Bulldogs Fall To No. 4 South Carolina, 75-52
Three players finished with double-digit scoring for Mississippi State, as the Bulldogs fell to No. 4 South Carolina, 75-52, at Humphrey Coliseum on Thursday night. "I feel like we're moving in the right direction," said head coach Nikki McCray-Penson. "Our kids continue to come in and work. We had a great week of practice. Again, I'm really proud of them. They're coming in and working. It doesn't feel good to be on a three-game losing streak, but these are all things that we can correct. As coaches, we stay up and spend countless hours watching film. We just have to execute. For us, this is a new season. Yes, we didn't get the win, but we have to be us. We're winners. We have to get back to our winning ways, but it starts on the defensive end." Rickea Jackson led the team with 15 points and six rebounds in the contest, while Jessika Carter posted 12 points, 10 boards and three blocks in her sixth double-double of the season. Myah Taylor added 10 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals to round things out. Up next, Mississippi State will host the Tennessee Lady Vols on Thursday, Feb. 4, for a 7 p.m. tip. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+ and the MSU Radio Network.
 
Hinds Community College athletic director, longtime football coach Gene Murphy retires
Hinds Community College Athletic Director Gene Murphy is retiring at the end of February. Murphy has served as athletic director since 1997 and was head football coach from 1987 to 2003 and again from 2009 to 2017. As head coach, Murphy led his team to nine state championships in 14 years. "Coach Murphy has been an integral part of the Hinds Community College family and had a far-reaching influence on athletes that is immeasurable," said Hinds Community College President Dr. Stephen Vacik. Murphy's teams have gone 172-76-5 in his two tenures as coach, and played in eight junior college bowl games. "Coach Murphy was an outstanding football coach as is evidenced by his record," said Rick Trusty, president of the Hinds Community College Athletics Alumni Chapter. "He accomplished something truly outstanding as he coached teams to win the state championship four years in a row. This brought much recognition to the college, and we will benefit from the foundation that he laid for years to come."
 
Paul Finebaum on Tennessee's hiring of Josh Heupel: 'School swung, and, frankly, it missed'
A day after Tennessee introduced Josh Heupel as the Volunteers football coach, Paul Finebaum called the hire "both safe and underwhelming." The ESPN analyst didn't hold back Thursday, saying the move shows just how far the Tennessee program has fallen. "Unfortunately for Tennessee, Heupel is probably as good as the school can do," said Finebaum, who joined me and Lee Shirvanian on "The Opening Kickoff" on WNSP-FM 105.5. "You think of a more-than-decade-long losing streak with turmoil and potentially punishing NCAA investigation around the corner, the school swung, and, frankly, it missed." Heupel is the program's 27th head coach and fifth since the 2008 season. He replaces Jeremy Pruitt, who was fired Jan. 18 along with nine others in the program after an investigation into recruiting issues. "I don't know how else to characterize a school that has produced such memorable moments in sports with players like Reggie White and Peyton Manning, coaches like John Majors, Phillip Fulmer and General Neyland. No matter how you spin it or how they attempted to spin it yesterday, the school seemingly keeps sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss."
 
Men's college basketball bluebloods Duke, Kentucky are struggling. Is reliance on one-and-done players to blame?
Starting with his third recruiting class that arrived in 1982, there was a time Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski could have promised all but one of his next 25 incoming groups of freshmen that they would be guaranteed at least one Final Four appearance if they stayed four seasons. It was a similar story for Kentucky and coach John Calipari. Starting with his arrival before the 2009-10 season, four of his first six seasons ended with Final Four appearances. But in a month that has seen two of college basketball's premier programs drop out of the Ferris Mowers Men's Basketball Coaches Poll, those runs of success seem like a lifetime ago. The Blue Devils are 6-5 and have work to do to avoid missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994. The Wildcats, who are 5-10, most recently didn't make the field in 2013, one year after their lone title under Calipari. The last time both missed the tournament in the same season was 1976. Such is the state for the sport's two teams that draw the most coverage and national attention for their current and historical success that includes 13 national titles and 33 Final Four appearances. The unifying characteristic between the programs -- besides their championship success and history of producing NBA talent -- has been their increased reliance on one-and-done freshmen who top recruiting lists each year.
 
Texas athletics generates $200.7 million in revenue, $22.1 million profit in 2019-20 fiscal year
COVID-19 didn't completely stop the Texas athletic department, but new figures shed light on how the pandemic had an impact on the Longhorns' bottom line. UT athletics still turned an eye-popping $22.1 million profit for the 2019-20 athletic year, according to audited figures. However, the total revenue dropped more than $23 million down to $200.8 million for the fiscal year that ended Aug. 31 -- approximately a 10% drop from the 2018-19 athletic year. Yes, Texas makes a lot of money, but the Horns spend a lot, too. The athletic department spent $178.7 million in expenses for things such as scholarships ($11.8 million), head coaches' salaries and benefits ($20.5 million) and team travel ($7.5 million). The audited figures obtained by the American-Statesman through an open records request show the Longhorns took financial hits in men's and women's basketball and baseball. All three major sports were cut short once the pandemic took hold in March 2020. Still, UT athletic director Chris Del Conte guided the financial behemoth well into the black on the strength of $146.8 million in football revenue, department-wide salary cuts, layoffs and belt-tightening across the board.



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