| Wednesday, August 20, 2025 |
| Officials break ground on Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center in Biloxi | |
 | Officials from academia, state and local government, and the U.S. military gathered on the Gulf Coast on Tuesday to break ground on the new Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center. Leaders from Mississippi State University, the U.S. Air Force, the city of Biloxi, and Gov. Tate Reeves were on site at the 100,000-square-foot facility under construction adjacent to Keesler Air Force Base. The center will serve as the headquarters for the Mississippi Cyber Initiative, building upon a shared vision to enhance cybersecurity capabilities and collaboration across state, federal, academic, and industry sectors. "This is a proud day for Mississippi State University, a proud day for our partners at Keesler, and a proud day for every Mississippian who wants to see our state thrive in the innovation economy of the 21st century," Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum said. "Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It is a national security priority, a workforce imperative, and a driver of economic growth. And Mississippi is leading the way." MSU Research and Technology Corp. will manage the building, which is expected to open in 2027. |
| Officials break ground on Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center | |
 | Officials broke ground on the Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center on the coast. The Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center will be built adjacent to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. The 100,000-square-foot facility will serve as the headquarters for the Mississippi State University (MSU)-led Mississippi Cyber Initiative (MCI). Officials said it will build upon a shared vision to enhance cybersecurity capabilities and collaboration across state, federal, academic and industry sectors. "This is a proud day for Mississippi State University, a proud day for our partners at Keesler, and a proud day for every Mississippian who wants to see our state thrive in the innovation economy of the 21st century," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. The facility, funded by Mississippi State Legislature and a large donation from Mississippi Power and Southern Company, is designed by Dale Partners Architects with AnderCorp. Expected to open in 2027, it will include MCI's central offices, an event center, Air Force training spaces and secure offices for private industry partners. Keesler leadership said this project is vital to keep Mississippi safe. "This building represents our commitment to staying ahead in the cyber domain in an era when it is of critical importance to everything we do," said Col. Christopher Robinson, commander of the 81st Training Wing at Keesler. |
| MSU, ECCC partner to create culinary arts transfer pathway | |
 | Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Central Community College (ECCC) partnered to create a transfer pathway for culinary arts students. MSU President Mark E. Keenum and ECCC President Brent Gregory signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday, August 18. The agreement allows community college graduates to continue their education at the university level. "Our university is widely recognized for the innovative degree programs we provide and the collaborative culture we have," said Keenum. "This agreement is the perfect example of how we're working with our partners to give students access to a high-quality academic experience with our world-class faculty and earn a degree that leads to successful and rewarding career opportunities." Transfer students will also be able to study at the university's new Food Science Innovation Hub. "The culinology degree blends culinary arts and food science," said MSU professor Wes Schilling. "By partnering with community colleges like ECCC, we're increasing access and creating pathways for students to merge their culinary passion with food science -- preparing them to work seamlessly with both chefs and food scientists." |
| Trump budget officials claim sweeping spending power from Congress, records show | |
 | The Trump administration is asserting new power to withhold billions of dollars from low-income housing services, education assistance, medical research grants and other programs approved by Congress, centralizing sweeping authority in the executive branch and potentially inflaming tensions between the two branches. The new practices revealed Monday -- which increase the leverage and power of budget chief Russell Vought -- are likely to reignite a clash over the administration's power to freeze dollars approved by Congress, usurping authority that the legislative branch has under the Constitution. The power struggle dates to President Donald Trump's first term, when his refusal to release congressionally approved money for Ukraine helped spark a House impeachment, from which he was acquitted in the Senate. The restrictions effectively give Vought, the director of the White House budget office and an architect of the controversial conservative governing plan Project 2025, the power to approve or deny virtually all spending decisions. |
| UGA announces new School of Nursing, first students expected in fall 2027 | |
| In May, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved the creation of an independent School of Nursing at the University of Georgia, with its first group of students expected in fall 2027. The board directed the USG system office and UGA to develop a comprehensive plan for the school over the summer. That plan is now underway, according to a press release. "The UGA School of Nursing will advance our institution's commitment to addressing the health care needs of all Georgians, provide educational opportunities sought by our students for many years and develop a community of scholars equipped to prepare the next generation of nurses," UGA President Jere W. Morehead said. "We would like to thank the members of the Board of Regents, the chancellor and staff of the University System of Georgia for their continued support in addressing Georgia's most pressing needs." Georgia faces a shortage of nurses to serve its growing population, and the region also needs more nursing faculty. To address those needs, the Board of Regents has recommended the school begin with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, adding a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in the future. |
SPORTS
| Mississippi State working to bounce back from rough first season under Jeff Lebby | |
 | Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby enters his second season still looking for his first victory with the Bulldogs in Southeastern Conference play. Lebby, however, doesn't judge his maiden campaign solely by the Bulldogs' winless league record. "The result was not what we want, wasn't the expectation," he said. "But if you know football and you watch, you can tell that it's a group of guys that believe, and so people want to be a part of that. There's great belief, passion, toughness, confidence inside the program right now." The former offensive coordinator at Ole Miss and Oklahoma was widely seen as a rising star when he was hired at State after the regular season in 2023. His new job presented some tough challenges. The Bulldogs had been through a tumultuous calendar year that included coach Mike Leach unexpected death during the team's bowl game preparations. The Bulldogs' SEC schedule features four teams that played in last season's inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff and seven ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. Lebby and his squad will host playoff teams Arizona State, Tennessee, Texas and Georgia with road trips to teams like Missouri and Texas A&M. The Bulldogs also have their annual matchup at home against rival Ole Miss. |
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