| Tuesday, October 14, 2025 |
| Mississippi State recognized nationally for excellent safety culture | |
 | Mississippi State is gaining widespread recognition for its excellent safety culture. The national Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association, or CSHEMA, recently recognized key messaging from MSU's chief executive, a campus safety initiative and an up-and-coming member of the university's Environmental Health and Safety professional staff. Awards were announced during CSHEMA's annual conference in Seattle. MSU President Mark E. Keenum's "Excellence in Safety Message Video" claimed a 2025 Marketing Single Media Award. Produced for MSU Environmental Health and Safety by the Emmy-winning University Television Center, Keenum's message emphasizes that safety is a shared responsibility and a university-wide priority that impacts "every aspect of our work." "At Mississippi State University, ensuring a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors isn't just part of what we do, it's at the heart of who we are. Everyone plays a crucial role in this commitment to safety. Every day you can set the standards and expectations for a safe working environment through your actions and decisions," Keenum said in the video that is shown for EHS and supervisor training sessions, departmental presentations and new hire orientations. |
| Universities Turn to Tech and Data for Parking Management | |
| Managing the thousands of permits, parking spaces and rules regulating these assets on college campuses is increasingly being taken up by technology. "Parking has come a long way. At one time permits were all sold over the counter," Jeremiah Dumas, executive director of the Parking Services department at Mississippi State University (MSU), said in an email. The university uses technology from T2 Systems and ParkMobile to manage its 15,500 spaces and 16,700 permits. "When physical permits were issued, officers were required to look at and [validate] each permit. Now they can drive continuously through a parking lot and scan plates," Dumas said, noting some of the modernizations that have taken place in the last two decades since MSU began to introduce technology into the parking process more deliberately. Technology has served not only the internal needs of the parking department, but students and staff as well, who use an online portal to apply for and obtain permits. "Over a three-week period in July, we sell over 15,000 permits via T2," Dumas said. "Their portal is also the location where we and users manage vehicles, which are linked to each permit." Like other smart city technologies, digital parking systems generate significant amounts of data, which can be used to better understand parking needs, and the steps the university can take to improve the management of those spaces. |
| MSU awarded $1.2M MDE grant for Mississippi Teacher Residency program | |
 | Mississippi State University-Meridian's Division of Education is receiving a $1.2 million grant from the Mississippi Department of Education to help strengthen and expand the state's teacher pipeline. MSU is among nine Institutions of Higher Education awarded a total of $2,968,855 in grants through MDE's Mississippi Teacher Residency, or MTR, program to cover tuition and expenses for up to 236 individuals seeking licensure in elementary and special education. The funds were appropriated by the state Legislature this year. The MTR is part of a statewide strategy to expand the teacher pipeline and retain highly effective teachers, so all students have teachers who are well-prepared, appropriately licensed and equipped to support the academic progress of all students. The program began in 2019 with funding by a $4.1 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and expanded in 2021 with $9.8 million in American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. At least 287 individuals have completed the MTR program since it was created. "Mississippi State is proud to partner with MDE to expand the Mississippi Teacher Residency program," said Teresa Jayroe, MSU College of Education dean. "This grant helps us prepare and support more teachers for critical shortage areas, ensuring every child in our state has access to a well-prepared and dedicated educator." |
| MSU Science Fair Educates Elementary Students About Wood | |
 | Mississippi State University's College of Forest Resources' Department is inspiring young minds this week. The annual Wood Magic Science Fair provides 3rd and 4th-grade students with hands-on education about one of the state's largest economic drivers, the forest products industry. The Wood Magic Science Fair is providing young students with an interactive learning experience about the impact of wood and its everyday applications. Hands-on activities, such as creating plywood and paper, give them a deeper understanding of the forest products industry. Teachers said this is a fun and engaging way for their students to learn about products that are part of their daily lives. Dan Seale has been a part of it since it started. He said he is always excited when it's time to educate and inspire youth in the surrounding area. "It's just grown and we've had turnover in employees and students but, now we have students that are out in the workforce and some of them have moved up in management and, they are supporting the fair themselves through their companies," Seale said. |
| MSU Career Horizons Center invites referral to help those with disabilities from Long COVID gain employment | |
 | Mississippi State's Career Horizons Center is on a mission to help individuals with disabilities gain and retain meaningful employment in the Magnolia State. Housed in the university's Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, the center is seeking referrals for individuals with disabilities accompanied by or resulting from Long COVID Syndrome to facilitate competitive integrated employment for them. Now in its second year, the five-year project is funded by a $9.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration. Referrals are accepted directly from individuals with disabilities. Family members, vocational rehabilitation and health service providers, and employers may also submit a referral on their behalf. "Our project is about hope and opportunity -- helping Mississippians living with Long COVID get the support they so desperately need to keep working, return to work and move forward with their lives," said MSU Associate Professor Zaccheus Ahonle, the grant's principal investigator. |
| Spicy instruction: MSU Extension Service provides church members with nutrition, healthy living education | |
 | Sure, medicines are great for preventing and addressing health problems, but one Brookhaven resident is using a different approach -- eating healthier. "A change of diet is what helps us in the long run," says Debbie Corley, lifetime local resident, now a retiree. "I've seen people who were on medicine, and once they start to change their diet, then they start losing weight and get off their medication. "When I started helping organizing the educational programs at church, I picked LaToya with the Extension Service to come do a lunch and learn with a program that relates to food. You go to the doctors, but they don't really tell you how to change your diet, so we brought LaToya in." LaToya Evans, a Mississippi State University Extension Service agent in Lincoln County, specializes in family, health, and wellness education. Thirty church members signed up to attend her presentation when she came to St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, led by Pastor Patrick Hardy, in Brookhaven. "You can't change everything overnight, but with the right resources, we can change and make healthy eating a lifestyle," Evans says. "We went through the 'Extension Salt-Free Spice Blends' publication; we have a variety of spices -- something for each taste bud." Locals of all ages attended, and Evans provided an interactive presentation to ensure participants felt involved and comfortable asking questions. |
| Ask the Dispatch: If I live in the historic district, do I have to get permission to paint my house? | |
| Residents of the Downtown Historic District in Columbus began receiving letters recently from the city's building department reminding them of what changes to their property require prior approval. For most, the letter was exactly that -- a friendly reminder. For others, it's how they became aware they live in the district, Building Official Nathan Katona said. "That's exactly why the Historic Preservation Commission asked for that letter to be sent out," Katona said. "... (Some) people had no idea the historic district even existed. ... (The commission) will probably be doing other outreaches to make people aware." So, where is the historic district? What kind of changes merit prior approval? What is the process for getting that approval? Established by the city council in 1996, the Downtown Historic District is shaped sort of like a key, Katona said. The purpose is to maintain the historical integrity of the exteriors of properties in the district, and the city's nine-member Historic Preservation Commission was created to oversee that process. When changing colors, commission chair Barbara Bigelow said, there are plenty of appropriate options. "We have a paint chart of historical colors which we use to assure buildings maintain a historical look," she said. "There are many colors in all hues on the chart, and I do not recall, during my time of the commission, having an issue with color." |
| The MAX Welcomes William 'Bill' Ferris for conversation, book signing | |
 | The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience invites all for an unforgettable morning in conversation with William "Bill" Ferris beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Ferris, a Vicksburg native and one of the newest members of The MAX Hall of Fame, will share insights into his pioneering work as a folklorist and discuss the importance of Mississippi Black oral traditions of music, stories and art as an enduring part of American culture. Stay afterward to meet the legend and buy copies of his photography books, which capture Mississippi like no one else. Attendees also get the chance to meet New York Times bestselling graphic novelist John Jennings, whose work will be featured at The MAX in 2026. The founding director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi and co-editor of the Pulitzer Prize-nominee Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, Ferris is also a former chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, nominated by President Bill Clinton for the post. In 2019, Ferris received a Grammy Award for Best Historical Album for the boxed set Voices of Mississippi: Artists and Musicians Documented by William Ferris. |
| Oyster season opens strong after years of recovery from 2019 Bonnet Carré Spillway opening | |
 | The year 2024 marked the first time oyster season had opened in 6 years. Now, things are looking hopeful for the industry. Those visiting any harbor across the Coast will likely see oyster sacks piling up. Fishermen say they're plentiful on the first day of the 2025 season. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources explains that Mississippi residents are limited to catching three sacks of oysters. Karl Carpenter of Hancock County says he's glad to start a full season after a limited 2024 season, adding that the oysters have come a long way since the 2019 Bonnet Carré Spillway opening. "It took many years to get back to where they're at, and it feels good to actually have a Mississippi season," described Carpenter. "Let's hope that they have good weather in the next few weeks," said DMR Director Joe Spraggins. Spraggins says the season could last 90 days. Feeding and expanding oyster beds will help to keep the season open longer. "Every time the dredge comes up, it's overflowing with oysters," said Carpenter. Spraggins says this could be the start of many more successful seasons if the spillway remains closed. |
| 'Transformative' project will cost $105 million, reshape downtown Gulfport | |
 | Developers expect to break ground in December on a $105 million project in downtown Gulfport unlike any the Coast has seen. "We do transformative projects only," said Sunny Sethi of Madison, CEO of Bellamare Development. "We only do projects that move the needle on quality of life and economic development." Bellamare is partnering with Mississippi Coast-based AnderCorp, where Roy Anderson III is chairman and CEO, on the development of just under 5 acres at the northwest corner of U.S. 49 and 90 downtown. The development, known as Gulfport Town Center, will include a Tribute Portfolio by Marriott hotel, luxury apartments, retail shops and a parking garage. Bellamare and AnderCorp are working on the project with the Gulfport Redevelopment Commission, which manages properties and projects for the city, including construction of the Mississippi Aquarium downtown. GRC has helped the development secure $16 million in state funding, including $10.5 million from the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund, where grants for economic development come from Mississippi's settlement with BP over the 2010 oil spill. Bellamare and AnderCorp stepped into the project about 18 months ago, Sethi said. The previous developers were unable to move forward with their plans. |
| Mississippi lawmakers target rising student absenteeism | |
 | More than a quarter of Mississippi students missed so much school last year that they were considered chronically absent, and lawmakers say the problem has become one of the state's most pressing education issues. According to data presented to the Senate Education Committee, 27.6 percent of Mississippi students, about 126,000 total, missed 18 or more days of school during the 2024-25 year. Rates were lowest in elementary grades but climbed sharply in high school, where absenteeism spiked near 40 percent in May when many students weren't required to take semester exams. Education officials told the Senate Education Committee that the problem is being fueled by practices like exam exemptions and allowing seniors to have light class schedules once graduation requirements are met. Sen. Hob Bryan (D-Amory) said policies that let students coast after meeting minimum requirements devalues what public education offers students. "They may have completed their requirements for graduation, but they certainly haven't learned everything there is to learn in the whole world," Bryan said. "The message that's being sent is that it's not important to go to school and I think that's very troubling." Lawmakers and MDE officials are weighing how to hold districts more accountable while also addressing the family and community factors that keep kids out of school. |
| 'I could see the bodies dropping': Mississippi communities are shaken by shootings at homecoming events | |
| Destrile Jackson recited Psalm 23 as she ran for her life while bullets whizzed around her. Then she hid under a Jeep, watching as "guys with black T-shirts" shot at the sidewalk in her hometown in the Mississippi Delta. She was sure she was going to get hit in the explosion of gunfire Friday night in Leland at a block party following a high school homecoming football game. She did but was not seriously wounded. "I got hit running across the street. I just kept running. I could see the bodies dropping as I looked back. ... I could see the bodies. ... Just three minutes of continuing fire," Jackson, a 2016 Leland High graduate, recalled Monday. "I could see people drop like something you see in a movie," she said. "It was panic. Everyone was in survival mode. People running and getting trampled. Some guy was having a seizure near me. It was pure panic." Mississippi communities from Leland to Lorman are reeling from the chaos of gun violence that killed nine people and wounded more than a dozen during or after high school and college homecoming celebrations Friday and Saturday. The student government associations at Alcorn State and JSU released a joint statement that they "stand together -- united as one HBCU." |
| Trump's Big Gamble on Tackling the Middle East's Intractable Problems | |
 | President Trump wants to quickly pivot from a Gaza cease-fire to the thornier problem of a broader peace in the Middle East, betting that two years of war transformed the region so much that decades-old animosities can be set aside. It is a gamble that -- much like the unorthodox diplomacy Trump used to secure the release of the hostages held by Hamas -- flouts traditional thinking about the intractable problems at the heart of the region's problems, and it risks inflaming tensions between Israel, Palestinians and the broader Muslim world. On Monday in Israel, the president presented a sprawling vision for ending the modern era of violence that has gripped the Middle East for nearly a century. Trump broached an offer of peace with Iran, a country the U.S. bombed this year; urged a wider circle of countries to undertake diplomatic relations with Israel; and called for a region free of militancy and extremism. "This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East," Trump said in remarks to Israel's parliament, the Knesset, shortly after the hostages were released. That sort of talk has often led to frustration or worse. The Middle East is a graveyard for ambitious plans. “He has to be prepared to ride this through to the end,” said Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. Middle East negotiator who is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “If he doesn’t, this is going to drift, and you will end up with a Gaza that looks more like Oct. 6, whether Hamas is involved or not,” referring to the day before the start of the present war in 2023. |
| What Republicans could offer Democrats on health care after the shutdown | |
 | A menu of options is starting to emerge around what a compromise might look like for extending a suite of Affordable Care Act tax credits, which have become a focal point in the current government funding standoff. With the shutdown about to enter its third week, Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune continue to insist that any negotiation over the future of the enhanced Obamacare subsidies will need to happen after the government reopens. Behind the scenes, however, Republicans on Capitol Hill and inside the Trump administration are discussing potential pathways to prevent the tax credits from expiring at the end of the year. According to two people granted anonymity to share details about private discussions, some members of the House GOP leadership circle are having early, informal conversations with officials from the White House Office of Legislative Affairs and the Domestic Policy Council to develop a framework for a deal. As they await President Donald Trump's buy-in, members of House Republican leadership have discussed imposing minimum out-of-pocket premium payments for ACA enrollees, according to one of the people familiar with the internal conversations. Ultimately, whatever they come up with has to be something not only Democrats can accept but also Republicans, who are sharply divided over whether to extend the credits at all. |
| Lawmakers show little urgency to end shutdown as it enters its third week | |
 | A partial government shutdown is entering its third week as there appears to be little urgency among lawmakers on Capitol Hill to do much of anything to end it. No senator objected when the Senate left town last on Oct. 9 for an extended Columbus Day weekend without an agreement on a continuing resolution that would revive funding, and there's no indication that a Tuesday evening procedural vote requiring 60 votes on the House-passed Republican-led stopgap bill will yield a different result than the seven previous attempts. Senate Democrats are largely continuing to block the measure, citing the need to negotiate to address expiring health insurance tax credits under the 2010 health care law known as the Affordable Care Act, as well as looming Medicare cuts. Senate and House Republicans alike have said negotiations, particularly over the tax credits, should take place after the shutdown has ended. But Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, remain in no mood to believe their Republican colleagues. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaking with reporters on Monday, insisted there was nothing to negotiate about. "You've all heard our Democrat colleagues demand that Republicans come to the table to negotiate. But as I've said time and time again, I don't have anything to negotiate with, Johnson said at a news conference. |
| Trump Ramps Up Trade War as New Tariffs on Lumber and Furniture Take Effect | |
 | President Trump ushered in new tariffs on imported furniture, kitchen cabinets and lumber on Tuesday, adding a fresh round of levies as he once again threatened to expand his trade war with China. Tariffs ranging from 10 to 50 percent on foreign wood products and furniture snapped into effect just after midnight. The tariffs are meant to encourage more domestic logging and furniture manufacturing. But critics say that the levies will raise prices for American consumers and could slow industries including home building that rely on materials from abroad. The tariffs come in addition to import taxes President Trump has already imposed on cars, steel and other goods. And they take effect as Mr. Trump is engaging in a high stakes game of chicken with China, one of America's biggest trading partners, which could end up derailing trade and slowing the U.S. economy. On Friday, the president said he might add an additional levy of 100 percent to all products from China beginning Nov. 1. Beijing last week placed restrictions on its exports of rare earth minerals, which could be crippling for American and European makers of semiconductors, electric vehicles and other products. Some economists expect the higher price of lumber, along with home furnishings, will slow the pace of home building in the United States. That could set back the Trump administration's goals of improving a weak housing market. |
| U.S., China Aim for a Delicate Balancing Act on Trade | |
| President Trump has been trying to publicly de-escalate tensions with China to soothe markets while privately keeping up pressure on Beijing -- a difficult balancing act that is being closely watched by Wall Street. After threatening additional 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting Nov. 1, Trump in recent days spoke with senior officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, about sending a message to the world that the U.S. wants to de-escalate trade tensions with China, according to people familiar with the matter. Trump's 100% tariff threat Friday came after Beijing moved to impose restrictions on the export of rare-earth minerals. The renewed conflict sparked a large U.S. market selloff, during which the president suggested he might not meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. After a market rebound on Monday, the tensions re-emerged overnight, as Beijing moved to effectively ban Chinese companies from doing business with U.S. subsidiaries of a South Korean shipbuilding giant. Stock futures fell, with contracts tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average sliding 1%. Trump's desire to de-escalate comes as both nations privately expressed desire to quell tensions, at least for now, in their current trade dispute -- the latest in a cycle of flare-up and de-escalation that has been in place since the beginning of Trump's second term |
| Trump to Award Posthumous Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk | |
| President Trump will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, to the assassinated right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in a ceremony at the White House on Tuesday. Mr. Kirk, who was a crucial organizer of the MAGA movement, was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. Mr. Trump announced his death on his social media site, Truth Social, and the following day, the president said he would award a posthumous medal to Mr. Kirk. "Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people," Mr. Trump said at the time. He predicted that there would be a "very big crowd" for the ceremony, which, according to the president's schedule, will be held in the East Room of the White House. Mr. Kirk was among the most significant movement leaders in modern American politics and helped to energize young conservatives to back Mr. Trump in the 2024 presidential election. But his rhetoric is divisive, including criticizing gay and transgender rights, and asserting that the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a "mistake." Some critics have argued that tributes to him as a champion of free speech have made formerly extremist views mainstream. |
| Data centers are booming. But there are big energy and environmental risks | |
 | Google recently courted the township of Franklin, Ind., so that it could construct a giant campus to house the computer hardware that powers its internet business. But the company needed to rezone more than 450 acres in the Indianapolis suburb, and residents weren't having it. Many were concerned the facility would consume huge amounts of water and electricity while delivering few local benefits. When a lawyer representing Google confirmed at a September public meeting that the company was pulling its data center proposal, cheers erupted from sign-waving residents. Similar fights are happening around the United States. On one side are companies pouring billions of dollars into data centers, which increasingly are being built to support artificial intelligence models that promise to transform how people live and work. On the other side are residents who worry the construction spree will have dire consequences for the environment, power prices and surrounding communities. How tech companies and government officials handle those concerns will shape the industry's future in the U.S. and the country's competitiveness, according to analysts and academics who track the AI industry. Local opposition "slowing down the development of the industry or distributing it in sort of weird regional patterns is probably the most overlooked potential outcome in this conversation," says Joseph Majkut, director of the energy security and climate change program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. |
| New program launched to connect students to Mississippi Public Service Commission | |
| Central District Public Service Commissioner De'Keither Stamps announced Monday the launch of a new initiative designed to bridge the gap between the Mississippi Public Service Commission and educational institutions. "Classroom to Commission" will work to reach high school and college students and inform them of career opportunities within utility industries, government, and public service. The first institution to take part in the program will be Hinds Community College during the PSC's next docket meeting on Oct. 16 in Jackson. Students who come to the meeting will get to converse with the three commissioners and receive resources on career pathways. "Investing in young people is investing in the future of Mississippi," Stamps said in a news release. "'Classroom to Commission' will open doors for students to explore careers in fields that power our communities -- from utilities and infrastructure to public policy and economic development." Other schools are encouraged to take advantage of the program as well. Those interested can contact Nayla McClure, a policy analyst for the PSC, at nayla.mcclure@psc.ms.gov. |
| The W receives $140k grant to support future Mississippi teachers | |
| Mississippi University for Women has received a $140,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Education through its Mississippi Teacher Residency program, covering tuition, books and fees for 10 teacher candidates. "This grant directly advances the School of Education's mission to prepare highly effective, reflective and service-oriented educators who positively impact Mississippi's classrooms and communities," said Kelly Ballard, chair of the Department of Education at The W. In addition to tuition, textbook and fees, the grant will cover licensure exam vouchers, test preparation resources and professional technology -- such as iPads and GoReact subscriptions -- for the candidates completing their internship during the spring 2026 semester. Each teacher candidate will be paired with an experienced, content-aligned mentor teacher who will provide at least 30 hours of guided support. |
| Southern Miss homecoming week scheduled for October 20-25 | |
 | The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will host its annual Homecoming celebration October 20-25, 2025. This year's theme is "There's No Place Like Homecoming." The weeklong celebration will feature the induction of the 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame members, numerous student-centered events, the always-popular Homecoming parade and Eagle Walk, and will culminate with the Golden Eagles' Sun Belt Conference football matchup against the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) Warhawks. The Southern Miss Homecoming Court will also be presented during halftime of the game. "Homecoming Week 2025 at The University of Southern Mississippi is shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration under the theme There's No Place Like Homecoming," said Dr. Sirena Cantrell, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students. "Our Student Government Association (SGA) has been working hard to create a week full of spirit, tradition and Golden Eagle pride." This year's Homecoming parade grand marshal is Dr. Lachel Story, a Southern Miss faculty member, administrator and alumna, selected by the SGA committee in recognition of her longstanding service to the university. |
| New Musical 'Rey of Light' at Southern Miss Honors Legacy of Curious George Creators | |
| The de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at The University of Southern Mississippi will host a one-night-only presentation of Rey of Light, a new musical with book by Jen Cohen and music and lyrics by Nicky Phillips. The musical is inspired by the extraordinary lives of H.A. and Margret Rey, creators of Curious George. Featuring Southern Miss members of the Hub City Players, the performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in the Joseph Paul Student Theatre inside the Thad Cochran Center. This moving and joyful event will not only bring the Reys' story to the stage but will also mark a long-awaited family reunion of the Reys' descendants. The family will gather from around the globe to celebrate the remarkable legacy preserved in the internationally renowned de Grummond Children's Literature Collection, which houses the Reys' original manuscripts, letters and artwork. The performance is free and open to the public, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. (Parents, please note: the musical is intended for audiences ages 12 and up). "This is not a children's musical," said book writer Jen Cohen. "It's a story about finding hope in the darkest times -- about two artists who risked everything to preserve their freedom and creative spirit. Sharing this story and our process of writing a new musical in the place where their legacy is housed is one of the most meaningful moments in our journey so far." |
| JSU to Host Mt. Olive Cemetery Reenactment Honoring African American History | |
| Jackson State University's Office of Community Engagement will host a Mt. Olive Cemetery Reenactment on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at noon, to honor those buried at the historic site and to celebrate the legacy of African American life across generations. Established in the early 1800s, Mt. Olive Cemetery is one of Mississippi's oldest private cemeteries for African Americans. The cemetery reflects more than a century of history, spanning the slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and Civil Rights eras. The event aims to educate the community and pay tribute to the individuals interred there through historical reenactments that bring their stories to life. The program will be led by Heather Denne', Ph.D., director of community engagement at Jackson State, and Wilma E. Mosley Clopton, Ph.D., president of NMHS Unlimited Film Productions. The reenactment will take place at Mt. Olive Cemetery, 1400 John R. Lynch St., Jackson, Mississippi. |
| College in Mississippi beefs up homecoming security following rash of shootings across the state | |
| A college in Mississippi is beefing up its security ahead of its upcoming homecoming celebrations. The announcement comes after an outbreak of shootings across the state last weekend, one mass shooting in Leland, Mississippi, claiming the lives of six people. MississippiValley State University says they are expanding their on-campus security presence this weekend and implementing "a series of proactive safety protocols." These measures include inspections of all campus entry points and a strict prohibition of firearms. The university has also installed additional lighting and barricades throughout the campus. Tailgating activities will conclude at 9 p.m. on Saturday, and the university is also enforcing restrictions on ATVs, four-wheelers, motocycles, and golf carts. Over the weekend, one person was killed at Alcorn State during a shooting on the campus. A juvenile was also shot near the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium during Jackson State's homecoming festivities. "The safety and well-being of our students, alumni, and guests remain our highest priority," MVSU stated. "MVSU encourages all attendees to remain vigilant, respect the established guidelines, and contribute to a positive and secure Homecoming experience." Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons commended the school's plan for increased safety. |
| Despite federal funding uncertainty, Louisiana community colleges see enrollment boost | |
 | Long considered Louisiana's "best-kept secret," the state's community college system has seen a post-pandemic enrollment resurgence. Nearly a third of Louisiana's 280,000 college students last year attended one of the state's 12 community and technical colleges, working toward a two-year degree or a technical certification that costs less and offers a faster path to a job than a four-year college degree. And the number of community college graduates has nearly tripled over the last decade, reaching about 38,000 graduates last year. The students, who tend to be older and more racially diverse than traditional college students, can train for jobs in everything from welding to nursing and hospitality. They can also take adult education classes in English language, reading and other core subjects. Chandler LeBoeuf, the system's vice president of education, has worked at several of its campuses, including South Louisiana Community College, Delgado Community College and Fletcher Technical Community College. He said the system's schools have adapted to make it easier for students to access training in high-demand industries, like health care and IT. |
| U. of Florida trustee Heavener accused of coordinating fraud scheme | |
 | University of Florida Board of Trustees member and longtime donor James W. "Bill" Heavener has been accused of defrauding the government out of millions of dollars, according to a federal lawsuit filed in California. The complaint, filed in 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges two colleges partially owned and operated by Heavener "financed thousands of short-term job placements for their graduates through schemes with non-profits and paid-off vendors." The lawsuit claims the Los Angeles Film School and Full Sail University lied to government officials about students' employment outcomes for over a decade to continue receiving federal funding, a violation of federal law and accrediting standards. Heavener is a UF alum and has served on the Board of Trustees since 2013. He is a longtime donor to the university, as evidenced by the buildings throughout campus named after him, including the James W. "Bill" Heavener Football Training Center, the Heavener School of Business, Heavener Hall and the Heavener Football Complex. According to court documents, the L.A. Film School and Full Sail paid employers to hire graduates, often only for a couple days, so the school could count them as "employed." |
| Arkansas State University hits milestone of the new veterinary school building | |
| Because Arkansas doesn't currently have a veterinary school, the state annually pays for several students to attend veterinary school out of state, but Arkansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine will help keep future veterinarians in Arkansas, state Rep. Jack Ladyman said Monday during a topping off ceremony on campus. "We want to teach them here, (and) I'm glad Arkansas State was able to take on this challenge," said Ladyman, a Republican from Jonesboro who represents District 32, adding that he is "very proud" of A-State and what the veterinary school will do for Arkansas. Indeed, the veterinary school represents the beginning of a new era for the university, Jonesboro and the region, Chancellor Todd Shields said Monday during the ceremony. "Every bolt in this beam represents a student's future, (and) we'll keep talent right here in Arkansas." Dr. Heidi Banse, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, and other administrators hear from five to 10 students weekly who are interested in attending the veterinary school, which is slated to start classes next fall with a cohort of 120 pending successful accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education following a January 2026 site visit, she said. The one-story, 56,000-square-foot building is budgeted at $33.2 million and slated for completion in May 2026. |
| Harrison vs. higher ed: How one lawmaker is weaponizing social media to eradicate LGBTQ+ curriculum | |
| A few days after Charlie Kirk was assassinated, a video was posted on social media of a Texas State University student mockingly re-enacting the conservative activist's death. Rep. Brian Harrison saw the video and got to work. He pulled up the university's online course catalog and found a class called LGBTQ+ Communication Studies, where students were to learn about how "communication sustains both discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and their resistance," according to the course description. Within the hour, Harrison shared the video of the student on his X account alongside the image of the offending course description. After sparking the online outrage with his post, Harrison appeared on Steve Bannon's show later that day to fan the flames, railing against the San Marcos-based university for offering the course. Shortly after, Texas Scorecard, a conservative website followed by many state legislators, wrote about Harrison's efforts, naming the professor and further dissecting her syllabus. Texas State removed the course from its catalog the day after Harrison's post. It's unclear if the course is permanently removed. The university refused to explain its decision and the professor did not respond to requests for comment. This chain of events has become a standard playbook for the North Texas lawmaker, who is increasingly seeking to make an impact through his prolific social media posts over his work in the Legislature. |
| Esteemed educator named dean of the Clarice C. and Leland H. Bagwell College of Education | |
| Kennesaw State University has named distinguished educator and administrator Eric Moyen as dean of the Clarice C. and Leland H. Bagwell College of Education, effective Jan. 1. Moyen, who was named following a national search, is currently an associate dean in the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, the executive director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, and a professor of higher education leadership at Mississippi State University. At Kennesaw State, Moyen will serve as the chief executive and academic officer for the Bagwell College, providing strategic leadership for the College's more than 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students and more than 300 faculty and staff. He will support the College's growing national prominence by fostering research productivity and enhancing collaborative partnerships with school districts. "Dr. Moyen brings an inspirational vision and a deep commitment to educational leadership that will elevate the Bagwell College and KSU on our path to national prominence," KSU President Kathy S. Schwaig said. "His passion for advancing teaching and learning, along with his collaborative spirit, will undoubtedly enhance the College's influence both in our community and beyond." |
| Trump Offers All Colleges Preferential Funding Plan Rejected by MIT | |
| The Trump administration is inviting all US colleges to participate in a compact -- initially rejected by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- that would grant preferential federal funding in return for commitments to specific policy changes like DEI bans, according to a person familiar with the matter. The White House sent its Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, designed in part by Apollo Global Management Inc. co-founder Marc Rowan, to nine colleges earlier this month, asking for feedback. A few days after MIT rebuffed the proposal, the administration extended the offering to all higher education institutions, according to the person, who asked not to be identified discussing internal policies. The move expands President Donald Trump's latest pressure tactic beyond the relatively small circle of elite colleges and research universities that have so far been his administration's targets. The person familiar said that a number of schools had reached out to express interest in the agreement, though they declined to name them. So far, interest in the compact appears relatively muted. Ken Marcus, who served as assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department during Trump's first term, said refusal would almost certainly be seen as a "sign of defiance" by administration officials, and colleges should expect heightened federal scrutiny. |
| Already Battered by Cuts, Researchers and Colleges Face Federal Shutdown Impacts | |
 | The U.S. government has been without a spending plan for two weeks now. Senate Democrats aren't backing down on their demands that Republicans extend health insurance subsidies and reverse Medicaid funding cuts, and Senate Republicans continue to push a short-term funding bill that would reopen the government but not restore that funding. House Republicans aren't even in Washington to help work out a compromise. Few congressional watchers in D.C. think the shutdown, now in its 14th day, will end anytime soon. So far, the funding lapse has meant furloughs for thousands of federal workers, layoffs at eight agencies and shuttering of government buildings. Historically, shutdowns have a muted immediate impact, but a few higher ed experts warned that the longer they persist, the more disruptive they become. Some higher ed and research associations as well as universities and researchers say the continued shutdown is harming budgets and discoveries after the already tumultuous first nine months of the second Trump administration. The government closure means that, after this presidency's mass grant cancellations and slowdowns in new awards due to political reviews, the new federal fiscal year that began Oct. 1 has only brought even more uncertainty about the future of federally funded research. |
| China and the US have long collaborated in 'open research.' Some in Congress say that must change | |
 | For many years, American and Chinese scholars worked shoulder to shoulder on cutting-edge technologies through open research, where findings are freely shared and accessible to all. But that openness, a long-standing practice celebrated for advancing knowledge, is raising alarms among some U.S. lawmakers. They are worried that China -- now considered the most formidable challenger to American military dominance -- is taking advantage of open research to catch up with the U.S. on military technology and even gain an edge. And they are calling for action. "For far too long, our adversaries have exploited American colleges and universities to advance their interests, while risking our national security and innovation," said Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican and chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He has introduced legislation to put new restrictions on federally funded research collaboration with academics at several Chinese institutions that work with the Chinese military, as well as institutions in other countries deemed adversarial to U.S. interests. The rising concerns on Capitol Hill threaten to unravel deep, two-generations-old academic ties between the countries even as the world's two largest economies are moving away from each other through tariffs and trade barriers. The relationship has shifted from engagement to competition, if not outright enmity. |
SPORTS
| Football: Bulldogs Back At It After Needed Breather | |
| Receiver Brenen Thompson wet a line and reeled in a few fish. Quarterback Blake Shapen was able to kick up his feet and enjoy some much-needed rest. Safety Jahron Manning allowed a few bumps and bruises to heal up. It's safe to say that Mississippi State made the most of its just-passed open weekend. It was well deserved. For the last couple of months, the Bulldogs busted their tails -- beginning in preseason camp, then over the first six weeks of the regular season. MSU enjoyed the fruits of its labor, too. The Bulldogs won four of their first six games, including a top-15 triumph. State showed it is a football program on the rise. However, on the heels of suffering a few injuries and a couple of tough losses, a breather was welcome for the Bulldogs. Now, it's back to work, and there seems to be a newfound bounce in State's steps. "The energy was great this morning," head coach Jeff Lebby said at his press conference on Monday. "[Sunday] night, we had a quick team meal as guys got back into town and that was really good. I think this break for us was right on time. I know it was much-needed from a health standpoint and with the schedule we've played. Our guys needed the ability to just kind of go and be normal for a day or two. You could tell it in their energy and their step this morning. They had a ton of excitement and great intent. We know we have a great challenge ahead of us, but we're excited about it." |
| Bulldogs use bye week to heal up ahead of SEC gauntlet | |
| Very rarely will a college football coach exclaim that a bye week was bad for his football team, but Jeff Lebby and Mississippi State couldn't have had their come at a better time. After the Bulldogs had their second-straight loss with a 31-9 defeat at top 10 Texas A&M, the team limped into the bye week with several key injuries and some mental strain. Naturally, last week's bye week was used to heal up the players as well as they could be and refocus the team's energy towards five-straight weeks of college action inside the SEC. Players and coaches alike had a chance to reset themselves for the grind ahead. But on Sunday night, it was right back to business for the Bulldogs. "Energy was great (Monday morning)," Lebby said. "(Sunday) night we had a quick team meal as guys got back into town and that was really good. I think this break for us was right on time. I know it was much-needed from a health standpoint and six straight with the schedule that we've played. Our guys needed the ability to just kind of go be normal for a day or two. You could tell it in their bounce and their step this morning. A ton of excitement, great intent. We know we have a great challenge ahead of us, but excited about it." |
| Bulldogs staying positive despite early SEC struggles | |
| The 2025 Mississippi State Bulldogs might be in a two-game slump, but the mood around the team is a far cry from the 2024 Bulldogs at this same point. Head coach Jeff Lebby is still looking for his first SEC win, but has seen his group double its win tally from last year through just six games, including a ranked win and an undefeated nonconference record. The first bump in the road came against No. 15 Tennessee, an overtime shootout loss at home with multiple opportunities to win the game passing the Bulldogs by. A difficult road loss to No. 6 Texas A&M followed, but the team returned from their off week with persistent confidence that things are looking up, and more importantly, that this group has what it takes to make that happen. "To be honest, I think we gave up last year," quarterback Blake Shapen said on Monday. "A lot of people did, and that's just me being honest. I look at our team this year, we're sitting at 4-2, and we've got everything ahead of us. You feel that throughout the locker room. There's not a game that I feel like we go into like, 'We're going to lose this game.' The expectation is you win, no matter who you're playing. The morale of the team, the energy, the belief, all that stuff, it's still there and it's great." |
| Jeff Lebby gives Fluff Bothwell injury update before Mississippi State football vs Florida | |
 | Mississippi State football starting running back Fluff Bothwell is "doubtful" to play vs Florida this week, according to coach Jeff Lebby. "Fluff is doubtful this week," Lebby said on Oct. 13. "For him, it's going to be about getting a little bit better every single day. I'm incredibly encouraged with how things have gone up until this point. He's done everything he possibly can to get himself ready, so we'll wait and see on that." The Bulldogs (4-2, 0-2 SEC) play at Florida (2-4, 1-2) on Oct. 18 (3:15 p.m. CT, SEC Network) after their first open week of the season. It's their first game since Bothwell was carted off the field during MSU's 31-9 loss to Texas A&M on Oct. 4. Lebby also said starting right tackle Albert Reese IV and starting safety Isaac Smith, both of whom missed the Texas A&M game, "were not full-go" at practice on Oct. 13. The first SEC injury report of the week will be released on Oct. 15. |
| Men's Basketball: Hubbard Collects Preseason All-SEC First-Team Honors | |
| Mississippi State's Josh Hubbard captured Preseason All-SEC First-Team accolades by the league's media announced Monday leading into this week's SEC Media Days in Birmingham. As a program, the Bulldogs have had at least one player secure All-SEC Preseason honors from the media during four of the last five seasons and in nine of the last 11 seasons since 2015-16. State was listed among teams receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll and was picked to finish 10th in the SEC Preseason media poll which also was released on Monday. The SEC placed six teams inside the AP Top 20 which include No. 3 Florida, No. 9 Kentucky, No. 14 Arkansas, No. 15 Alabama, No. 18 Tennessee and No. 20 Auburn. The Bulldogs were joined by Missouri, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas and Vanderbilt among the receiving votes category. In 23 days, State takes on North Alabama (Nov. 5, 8 p.m. CT, SEC Network) for its 2025-26 season opener at Humphrey Coliseum and officially embark on the program's fourth season under Chris Jans, who has guided State to three consecutive NCAA Tournament trips. |
| Bulldog Basketball projected 10th in preseason SEC voting, Josh Hubbard first-team All-SEC | |
| On Monday the SEC released the media voting for the 2025-26 basketball season and Mississippi State junior Josh Hubbard was voted preseason first-team All-SEC. In the preseason team poll, Mississippi State was predicted to finish 10th in the SEC this season. The Bulldogs finished 21-13 last season, including 8-10 in the league, and advanced to the program's third straight NCAA Tournament. Hubbard led the Bulldogs in scoring last season at 18.9 points a game and enters his junior season with 1,240 career points. That total is the third-most in Bulldog history through a player's first 69 games and currently ranks 27th all-time in scoring in school history. Also in the past two seasons, Hubbard has made a school-record 108 three-pointers. He is also the first Bulldog to score at least 600 points and dish out 100 assists in his first two seasons. Hubbard and former State standout Erick Dampier are the only two players in school history to earn All-SEC honors in their freshman and sophomore campaigns. The Bulldogs open the 2025-26 season on November 5th against North Alabama in an 8 p.m. tipoff at Humphrey Coliseum. |
| MSU Women's Basketball Gears Up For Another Year On The Court | |
| All eyes may be on football right now, but basketball season is just around the corner. And, Mississippi State's women's squad is fine-tuning its game plan on and off the court. Associate Head Coach Fred Castro briefed Starkville business leaders on some of the work that's been going on in the off-season, especially on the recruiting trail. There are only 3 returning starters, but coaches have landed a Top-10 recruiting class to build on, including the highly-touted Madison Franklin, who ranked 39th in ESPN's nationwide Top 100 for the Class of 2025. Coach Castro said the NCAA rules changes have made building and keeping a team more challenging, but Head Coach Sam Purcell is playing the game well. "It's a combination of, you know, the NIL component, but then the NCAA also made it where you could transfer without sitting out. So, you know, there's no penalty, you don't have to sit out a year like you used to in the past, and, you know, players are looking at all their options. There are agents involved now, and the landscape of college basketball right now; it's not the players' fault. They're just optimizing their situation, and as coaches and athletic departments, we'll have to adjust and find the best ways to adjust and help our programs," said Castro. |
| MHSAA advises halting campus tailgates over safety concerns | |
| After a weekend of violence at Mississippi high school football games, Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Executive Director Rickey Neaves recommended that schools end campus tailgating events. In a recent podcast, Neaves provided insight into safety concerns with high school athletic events in Mississippi, especially those that have alcohol and other related substances at tailgates. "Let me say this: highly recommend at this time that there be no tailgates on school properties," Neaves said. "All these events seem to stem from tailgates, so we recommend from advice from our attorney that we stop the having tailgates on campus." While he doesn't order schools to stop tailgates outright, Neaves recommended schools to increase security around these events to ensure the safety and wellbeing of attendees. "Beef up security at your events, especially when you have big nights such as homecomings and rivalry games, and lets just be as safe and as careful our there as we can be," he stated. "If we want to continue to have our events on our campuses on Friday nights, I think it is imperative that we make these events be a safe haven for people who want to come and watch our young people play," Neaves continued. |
| Exclusive: Auburn AD John Cohen addresses future of head coach Hugh Freeze | |
 | One day after James Franklin was stunningly fired by Penn State after starting the season ranked No. 2 in the country, Auburn athletic director John Cohen spoke exclusively with AL.com. Cohen covered a variety of topics with AL.com including Tigers football head coach Hugh Freeze. Speculation surrounding Freeze's job security has picked up after three straight losses at then-No. 11 Oklahoma, at then-No. 9 Texas A&M and last Saturday to then-No. 10 Georgia at home. On Monday, Cohen told AL.com a coaching change is "not my expectation at this point." When asked whether or not he expects Freeze to be Auburn's head coach in 2026, Cohen said he has a "never say never" attitude, and used a metaphor about a car not starting to explain his thought process. "I don't know if I'm going to walk outside and my car is going to start or not, I think it is," Cohen said. "I have an expectation it will. But if my car doesn't start enough, then I will evaluate that and make decisions about my car. But that's not my expectation at this point about our football program." Through two and a half seasons, Freeze is 14-17, and the team is off to another slow start in 2025, currently holding a record of 3-3. |
| Penn State AD: Franklin's big-game record played role in firing | |
| James Franklin's record in big games played a role in Penn State moving on from the longtime head coach, athletic director Pat Kraft acknowledged Monday. "I'm here to win a national championship," Kraft said. "And I believe our fans deserve that." Penn State fired Franklin on Sunday after 12 seasons following a stunning 0-3 start in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions opened the year ranked No. 2 in the polls off an appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. But Penn State tumbled out of the polls two weeks ago after losing to then-winless UCLA, which hadn't held a lead all season. Then at home on Saturday, the Nittany Lions lost to Northwestern. With the two losses, Penn State became the first team since the FBS and FCS split in 1978 to lose consecutive games while favored by 20 or more points in each game, according to ESPN Research. Yet Penn State's first defeat of the losing streak continued a troubling and inescapable trend under Franklin, which ultimately led to the move. "This is not a three-game thing," Kraft said. "This is really diving where we are as a program -- what is the trajectory of this program?" Kraft noted that the athletic department will cover the $49 million buyout that Franklin is owed. |
| Florida football coach Billy Napier on job security: 'It's what we sign up for' | |
| Florida football coach Billy Napier was asked about the tenuous nature of college coaching after three more football coaches, including Penn State's James Franklin, were fired over the weekend. Napier also is in a perilous spot for the second straight season after the Florida Gators (2-4, 1-2 SEC) lost at No. 5 Texas A&M 34-17 on Oct. 14. The loss dropped Napier to 21-23 overall and 0-14 away from The Swamp against ranked teams. "I don't think anything's changed," Napier said. "I think it happens every year. It's what we sign up for. They pay us. They compensate us well. So these are challenging jobs in today's climate in particular. We're all men. We're all competitors. We understand we live in a production world and you got to produce. There's no running from that." Napier's buyout is in the neighborhood of $20 million if he's fired without cause, with $10 million owed to him within 30 days of his dismissal. Penn State will fork over $49 million to buy out Franklin's contract. Florida returns home to face Mississippi State on Oct. 18 for homecoming at The Swamp (4:15 p.m., SEC Network). At this point, Florida likely needs to run the table in its final six games for Napier to save his job, and more tough tests loom on the back end of the schedule, including a matchup with No. 7 Georgia in Jacksonville on Nov. 1, at No. 15 Ole Miss on Nov. 15 and home against No. 11 Tennessee on Nov. 22. |
| As Big Ten inches toward $2.4B private equity deal, a resistance has formed that may delay or nix the project entirely | |
| On Saturday in Los Angeles, Michigan and USC's football programs battled at The Coliseum. The Trojans won, 31-13. But what happened off the field, in and around that game, is perhaps more interesting and impactful than the game itself. At fancy parties in the hills of California and within luxury suites high above the football field, influential donors and university board members of these two storied programs met, mingled and dished on the latest big story from their conference: Is the Big Ten really about to enter into a $2.4 billion capital deal with a California pension fund? "We don't have any reason why we need to do this particular deal," said one university board member who requested anonymity. "The more people understand this, the more people have questions," added another. This is straight out of a Hollywood movie script: A week before Big Ten schools appeared poised for a definitive conclusion to the landmark capital proposal, the powerbrokers of two blue bloods were strategizing over, at the very least, delaying the deal while their two football teams clashed. Could two of the league's biggest brands stop or delay the entire thing? Could the other 16 agree to a portion of the deal without them? |
| Trump administration to launch $500M drone program ahead of World Cup | |
| The Trump administration is moving to fortify U.S. skies against potential drone threats ahead of next summer's World Cup and other marquee mega-events, casting the technology as necessary both to bolster security and to help outpace foreign competition for aviation technology. The administration plans to launch a $500 million effort to support state and local governments as they develop anti-drone security strategies ahead of the soccer tournament being played across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, along with the United States' 250th anniversary and 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, according to Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House's FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force. The White House says the money will be available to all 50 states but put to particular use to secure the 104 soccer matches that will be played in American stadiums. Officials envision urban police departments using handheld tools to detect aircraft, then either disabling them via jamming technology or ordering them to return to their points of origin. "Everybody from the governors to different commissioners of the police in these different cities to the stadium chief security officer say that this is something that they need in order to protect the [World Cup] sites," Giuliani told POLITICO in an interview. The funding will further insert the White House into a controversial debate over which law enforcement officials should be able to intercept or disable drones. |
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