| Friday, February 20, 2026 |
| Flipturn to headline Old Main Music Festival | |
 | Indie rock band Flipturn, which has performed at major music festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and South by Southwest, is set to take the stage in April at Mississippi State University's annual Old Main Music Festival. The free day-long event, sponsored by MSU's student-led Music Maker Productions, is scheduled for April 17 at the MSU Amphitheater near the intersection of Stone Boulevard and Russell Street. The band, formed in 2015 in Fernandina Beach, Florida, has amassed more than 84 million streams on Spotify for its top single "August" from its 2018 extended-play album "Citrona." Flipturn's latest release, published in January 2025, is a 12-song album titled "Burnout Days." "We've been wanting to bring Flipturn to Starkville for a while now, so we're elated to have finally landed them," Cooper Word, student director for Music Maker Productions, wrote in an email to The Dispatch on Thursday. "They fit the spirit of Old Main Music Festival so incredibly well. ... We're having ... a host of other fun activities. Capping that all off with Flipturn is going to be an incredibly special day for Mississippi State and Starkville, and we're just excited to get to witness it." |
| Miss. State entomologist going viral to educate others about insects | |
 | "Welcome to the bug world, or the bug kingdom! This is Jerome Goddard with the Mississippi State Extension Service!" That phrase is known to many on social media. One professor wants to educate others about his unique field: medical entomology. "I'm not just an entomologist, I'm a specialist in bugs that affect health, like mosquitoes, ticks, lice, that sort of thing," says Dr. Goddard. Goddard says the Mississippi State Extension Service wanted professors to start making videos, and his videos became increasingly popular! "For some reason, they have just taken off. Some videos are in the hundreds of thousands, so added all together, probably in the millions. So, I am baffled as to why people are so interested in that," Goddard said. When asked how he got into entomology, Goddard says it started with one professor in undergraduate school! "There was one professor I took entomology from, and it just hooked me! He was just so enthusiastic about bugs," Goddard says. Goddard hopes to continue to educate the public through his videos. |
| Mississippi under severe weather risk Saturday ahead of temperature drop | |
 | Mississippi has been no stranger to severe weather as of late. The worst winter storm in over three decades hit the state in late January, primarily impacting north Mississippi and pockets of the Delta. This past weekend, 12 tornadoes were confirmed in southwest Mississippi. Another weekend of potentially rough weather is on tap, according to the National Weather Service. NWS Jackson has issued a Marginal Risk, or Level 1 of 5, for severe weather Saturday morning and into the evening for much of the state. "Isolated severe storms will be possible Saturday as a frontal boundary moves south across the area," NWS Jackson warned. "Storms are possible before sunrise across northern Mississippi, progressing southward through the day." After any potential storms, temperatures statewide are forecast to drop heading into next week. NWS Memphis, which extends into north Mississippi, is predicting Thursday's highs in the 70s to dip into the upper 40s and lower 50s by Sunday and well into the 40s on Monday. |
| The Beef Industry Has a Message for Consumers: Get Used to High Prices | |
 | High prices are the new normal in the U.S. beef market. A tight cattle supply and continued robust demand for the protein are expected to keep costs elevated for consumers and others throughout the supply chain over the next few years. Efforts to improve supply have been slow-moving. Ranchers are reluctant to erode their strongest profits in decades by increasing the size of their herds. As a result, the U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest level in 75 years, according to the Agriculture Department. Measures from the Trump administration to rein in prices have had little effect on the market. The Labor Department said last week that ground-beef prices in January were up 17% from a year earlier, compared with a 2.1% rise for all other groceries over that time. "Beef is the premium protein and consumer demand is reflecting that," said Monty Lesh, a rancher in Miles City, Mont., with 650 cattle. Ranchers began shrinking their herds several years ago because of poor financial conditions stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic. A severe drought also burned up grazing pastures, making it more expensive to feed livestock. Industry analysts estimate the earliest the U.S. herd could grow meaningfully is 2028. |
| Pine Belt farmers react to proposed bill to remove sales tax on certain equipment | |
| A new Senate bill is under review in the Mississippi House, aimed at cutting the sales tax on certain farming and logging equipment. Senate Bill 2272, proposed by Sen. Neil Whaley (R-Dist. 10), comes alongside House Bill 1523, which would establish a grant to help farmers purchase new tractors. "A cotton picker, you know, can cost as much as a million dollars," Jasper County cattle farmer Rickey Ruffin said. "So, you still would have sales tax that could exceed $15,000 to $20,000." The exemption would apply to commercial farmers like Ruffin, as well as the logging, pulpwood and tree-farming industries. "We impact a lot of communities," Ruffin said. "We impact a lot of jobs and things that happen in this state. We don't seem to get much help sometimes." Relief would also be provided for certain materials, such as fencing and agricultural lime. Over in Forrest County, Ben Simmons owns Nature's Gourmet Farm, which raises cows, chickens, goats and turkeys. "I think this bill is nothing more than a diversion from what our real issues are in this state," Simmons said. Simmons said he isn't as optimistic about the bill. "I don't think it's enough where it's going to make a difference to anybody wanting say I'm not going to buy this, not going to buy that because of the sales tax," Simmons said. |
| Mississippi public school graduation rate rises to over 90%, dropout rate falls to 7% | |
| The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced the state's 2024-25 school-year graduation rate was 90.8%, exceeding the latest national rate of 86.6% from the 2021-22 as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics. The statewide the dropout rate was 7% for the 2024-25 school year. Compared to the prior school year in 2023-24, the graduation rate increased by 1.6 percentage points while the dropout rate decreased by 1.5 percentage points. Notably, the statewide graduation rate has risen over 16 points over the last decade. It was 74.5% in 2013. The statewide dropout rate has also decreased from a decade ago, falling nearly 7 points from the 13.9% in 2013. Among students with disabilities, the 2024-25 graduation rate was 71.1% and the dropout rate was 14.6%, this is a 5.6 percentage point increase in the graduation rate and a 5.4 percentage point decrease in the dropout rate. MDE attributed the 2024-25 rates to quality instructional support from dedicated teachers across the state as well as increased options for meeting graduation requirements and an increase of students completing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. |
| Sports Specialty owner, salesperson indicted in multi-million plot | |
| A federal grand jury has indicted three men who are accused of a 13-year bid rigging scheme that allegedly affected at least 44 public schools in Mississippi and 270 purchases totaling more than $1 million in taxpayer funds. John "Tank" Christopher Burt and Gerald "Jerry" Steven Lavender, both of Columbus, and Jack "Jay" Nelson Purvis Jr., of Laurel, are each charged with one count of bid rigging in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Burt is charged with a second count of bid rigging alleging a separate conspiracy involving additional companies and co-conspirators. The indictment, filed Wednesday in the Northern District of Mississippi, alleges the men conspired to submit intentionally higher-priced "complementary bids" to ensure predetermined winners on sports equipment contracts, and on occasion, concealed those bids from school employees. The indictment alleges the three men agreed with multiple sales representatives and companies to "suppress and eliminate competition" by rigging the bidding process and receiving contracts as a result. In July 2023, the indictment said Burt sent an email to co-conspirator Doug Heflin with a copy of a spreadsheet attached that contained Burt's quote form. Heflin, former general manager of Starkville's Parks and Recreation, pleaded guilty to bid rigging in March 2025. |
| What is the Mississippi Legislature doing for rural hospitals? | |
 | The Greenwood Leflore Hospital is drowning. It is just one of many rural health facilities, lawmakers warn, that could close if the Legislature doesn't take immediate action. The hospital has been embroiled in financial trouble for years, made worse by millions of dollars in Medicaid overpayments in 2024. The problem, said Rep. Sam Creekmore, R-New Albany, in a House health committee meeting earlier this month, is that the hospital doesn't have the funds on hand to repay its debt. "The community just needs someone to operate a hospital in Greenwood," he said. "If they are willing to do that, then the local community is willing to support them." The hospital board could lease or sell the facility, Creekmore proposed in a bill, and the new owners would receive a $10 million cash infusion. Creekmore's bill passed the committee after pushback from some representatives, who said it skirted the root cause of the hospital's issues, but died in the House. Another bill aiming to help rural hospitals like Greenwood Leflore stay afloat amid shrinking patient volumes and Medicaid reimbursements came from Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, the chair of the Senate health committee. His proposal would allow a small number of rural hospitals to open specialty facilities, such as geriatric psychiatry, dialysis and same-day surgery clinics. |
| ABC warehouse faces backlog of 199,000 cases of inventory | |
| Walk into Madison Cellars and you'll find empty spaces on the shelves that should be filled with bottles of wine, fifths of whiskey and other products. Customers are quick to notice the store looks emptier than usual, said Richie Peaster, one of the owners of Madison Cellars in Madison. "They ask, 'Are you going out of business?' or 'When is this coming in? When will that be back in stock?' You can't tell them because you don't know." Like many liquor stores throughout the state, Madison Cellars lacks inventory because the Alcohol Beverage Control warehouse, which is owned by the state but operated by Ruan Transport Corp., faces a backlog of 199,000 cases. Chris Graham, commissioner at the Department of Revenue, said during a House State Affairs Committee meeting on Feb. 17 that additional employees have been hired to work at the warehouse in Gluckstadt, but it could take until May to get all the back orders filled. Whatever the reasons for the delivery failure, Peaster knows this: "The ABC warehouse is full and my store is not. They're way behind and there doesn't seem to be any relief in sight." As frustrating as the lack of products to sell is the lack of transparent communication from the ABC, Peaster said. |
| Bill that would allow Sunday liquor sales in Mississippi heads to Senate | |
| House bill that would allow Mississippi liquor stores to operate seven days a week has passed and now moves to the state Senate. Under the legislation, HB 672, stores could open on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., bringing Mississippi closer in line with neighboring states. Sunday hours would be optional, and stores would not be required to participate. At The Bottle Shop, manager Sam Kumar said Saturdays are typically the busiest day. State Representative Brent Powell noted the bill has not gained support in previous sessions in the Senate. If approved and signed into law, the legislation would take effect July 1. |
| McMahan urges funding for small municipality grants | |
| The state Senate allocated more than $204.5 million to the Mississippi Development Authority on Thursday, $109.9 million less than the Legislative Budget Office's recommendation. The difference was said to be due to lawmakers' desire to set up a new Department of Tourism, which would result in some of the funds being appropriated to the new state agency, along with the reduction in non-recurring authority for certain state projects. The funding bill drew questions from State Senator Chad McMahan (R) on why $10 million for small municipal government grants has not been appropriated over the past three years. The senator said the funding "is a powerful tool" for economic development in small towns under the population of 5,000 residents. Appropriations Chairman State Senator Briggs Hopson (R) said a bill addressing small municipality grants passed the Senate earlier this session and is not in the House. "The only thing in this bill you'll see would be the $18 million for site development. That's going to be [Capital Expenditure] funding, it's not general funding," Hopson said, noting to fund those grants, the appropriators would have to find funds elsewhere. McMahan said a large portion of the state's nearly 300 cities would likely qualify for the grants. |
| Phil Bryant Defamation Case Could Be Revived, Justices Signal | |
| Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant's defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today over its welfare scandal coverage could be revived after several Mississippi Supreme Court justices questioned a lower court's dismissal and suggested a jury should consider the case. Bryant has accused the nonprofit publication and members of its staff of defaming him including, he alleges, by saying he "steered" millions in welfare funds to sports celebrities and other illegal uses. He also sued its former CEO for saying he "embezzled" welfare funds while speaking at a journalism forum in 2023. Neither state nor federal prosecutors have accused Bryant of a crime in the welfare case. Lee Crain, an attorney from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, who is representing Mississippi Today, argued at the Mississippi Supreme Court on Wednesday that Bryant admitted in a 2022 interview with Mississippi Today reporter Anna Wolfe that "it doesn't look good." He was referring to some of the text messages she had obtained between him and key figures in the welfare scandal. Chief Justice Michael Randolph repeatedly pushed back. "Wouldn't what you're saying today to us be appropriately brought in front of a jury?" he said. Justice Josiah Coleman also seemed to suggest the case should be heard in front of a jury. It would be a victory for Bryant if a majority of the court agrees that the case should go before a jury. |
| Republicans are ignoring Trump and holding out hope for a second megabill | |
 | President Donald Trump sent a clear message to congressional Republicans this month that there's no need to pass another party-line megabill this year. Many, however, aren't ready to give up yet. Trump's comments in a Fox Business Network interview earlier this month appeared to finally settle a long-running GOP debate over whether to pursue a follow-up to the "big, beautiful bill" enacted in July, saying "we've gotten everything passed that we need." But some lawmakers are insisting that the filibuster-skirting budget reconciliation process offers an unmissable opportunity for Republicans to enact major conservative policy changes ahead of the midterm elections -- and that there is still a window to get it done. Those Republicans are largely brushing off Trump's comments, refusing to take them as a death knell for their efforts. "One day he's okay with it, and the next day he's not," said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who is one of the loudest evangelists for passing another party-line bill before the midterms, arguing Republicans "haven't done a damn thing" since last year's effort. Those attitudes threaten to extend the will-they-or-won't-they discussion for potentially several more months as some factions keep pressure on GOP leaders to keep hope alive. |
| Disaster relief fund threatened as partial shutdown takes hold | |
 | The federal government's main disaster relief fund is dwindling as the partial shutdown of the Homeland Security Department nears the end of its first full week. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to report that its disaster relief fund totals $9.6 billion, a source familiar with the matter said Thursday night. That is down from the roughly $30 billion balance that existed as of Dec. 31, according to FEMA's Feb. 3 report to Congress. But since the partial shutdown that began Feb. 14, FEMA lost access to $22.5 billion that had been provided on a temporary basis in a Homeland Security continuing resolution that expired last week. Democrats refused to back another extension of Homeland Security funding last week as they push for an overhaul of immigration enforcement practices after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents last month. There's been no signs of significant movement toward a bipartisan immigration deal this week, either. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that the most recent offer from Democrats was "very unserious," while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said there has been no "high-level effort" from Republicans. Winter Storm Fern, in late January, brought significant ice and snow to much of the southern and eastern United States. The agency is also responding to the sewer spill into the Potomac River last month, as well as wildfires in Oklahoma. |
| Trump Has a Head-Spinning Day, but Republicans Want Him to Focus | |
 | President Trump started the day on Thursday by celebrating peace in the Middle East while also threatening to launch a new, all-out attack in the region. Shortly thereafter, he celebrated that his handpicked arts commission had approved his $400 million White House ballroom project. By the day's end, Mr. Trump was speaking to a crowd in northwest Georgia, where he was supposed to focus on the economy and jobs but spent much of the time on wild tangents: railing against the Supreme Court, making false claims of voter fraud and calling himself a "schmuck" for donating his presidential salary. The president's head-spinning day came as Republicans look to Mr. Trump to lock down a message that will resonate ahead of the midterms, when the party could face big losses. They want him to stay focused on an economic message to help his party keep control of Congress in November's midterm elections -- but Mr. Trump is never one to stay on message. In fact, he sounded as though he wanted to move on entirely from the one issue they want him to focus on -- affordability -- as Democrats hammer him on the cost of living and high prices. Throughout his meandering speech, Mr. Trump often found his way back to his core message: that former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. destroyed the country and Mr. Trump has resuscitated it. But not all of Mr. Trump's supporters are feeling the economic renaissance the president described on Thursday. |
| U.S. economic growth slowed sharply at end of 2025, dragging down the year | |
 | The U.S. economy cooled sharply at the end of 2025, with growth slowing to an annual rate of 1.4 percent, as tariffs and a weeks-long government shutdown sapped its earlier momentum. Overall, the economy expanded by 2.2 percent last year, lower than the 2.8 percent growth the year before, according to new data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The latest gross domestic product report -- which sums up the goods and services produced in the United States -- reflects rising imports and a widening trade gap, despite President Donald Trump's push to revive U.S. manufacturing. Federal spending also fell sharply, in part, because of the longest government shutdown in history, which began Oct. 1, 2025, and lasted 43 days. Still, those subtractions were largely offset by steady spending by American households that have been paying more for housing, utilities, health care and other services. Notably, spending on big-ticket items like cars and appliances slowed last year, as new tariffs and sluggish wage growth chipped away at families' finances. "Even though the headline numbers look fine, the economic environment right now is incredibly narrowly driven," said Shannon Grein, an economist at Wells Fargo. "Higher-income households are still spending but we're seeing pullback from middle- and lower-income households." |
| Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Global Tariffs | |
| President Trump's global tariffs are illegal, the Supreme Court ruled Friday, in a stinging repudiation of a signature White House initiative. The decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, removes a tool of diplomatic pressure that Trump has aggressively wielded to remake U.S. trade deals and collect tens of billions of dollars from companies importing foreign goods. It is the first time the high court has definitively struck down one of Trump's second-term policies. In other areas, the court's conservative majority has so far granted Trump broad latitude to deploy executive power in novel ways, but a majority of justices -- three conservatives and three liberals -- said he went too far in enacting his most sweeping tariffs without clear authorization from Congress. Three conservative justices -- Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh -- dissented. The court rejected Trump's argument that a 1977 law, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, implicitly authorized both groups of tariffs. "Had Congress intended to convey the distinct and extraordinary power to impose tariffs, it would have done so expressly," Roberts wrote. Until Trump, no president had invoked the emergency-powers law as a basis to impose tariffs. |
| Supreme court invalidates Trump's tariff regime | |
| The Supreme Court invalidated much of the Trump administration's worldwide tariff regime in a ruling released Friday, dealing a major setback to one of President Donald Trump's signature domestic and foreign policy efforts. The 6-3 ruling found that Trump overstepped the emergency authority Congress gave to presidents in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, or IEEPA. The decision wipes out the tariffs and sets the stage for court fights over potential refunds of more than $130 billion in tariffs paid to the federal government. It also represents a major blow to the administration's effort to wield executive power outside of Congress. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., writing for the majority, said IEEPA did not explicitly give the president the power to impose tariffs. And he wrote that the Trump administration's interpretation of it would be "a sweeping delegation of Congress's power to set tariff policy." The justices who joined the majority opinion in parts were Amy Coney Barrett, Neil M. Gorsuch, Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Gorsuch, in his concurring opinion, emphasized that tariffs are a power that is meant to be decided by Congress, not the president. "Yes, legislating can be hard and take time. And, yes, it can be tempting to bypass Congress when some pressing problem arises. But the deliberative nature of the legislative process was the whole point of its design," Gorsuch wrote. |
| 'I feel vindicated': Anti-tariff Republicans cheer as Supreme Court checks Trump | |
| Republican tariff skeptics on Capitol Hill celebrated Friday after the Supreme Court struck down the core authority behind President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs -- dealing a blow to a major plank of the president's agenda but offering a welcome off-ramp to GOP lawmakers who viewed the levies as a political loser. Retiring Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) broke with Trump and GOP leaders a week ago to help overturn Trump's Canada tariffs. On Friday, he hailed the "common sense ruling" by the high court that essentially invalidates those and many other tariffs. "The checks and balances our Constitution puts in place works," Bacon said in an interview Friday morning shortly after the decision, adding, "I feel vindicated." Another Republican who backed the effort to overturn the Canada tariffs, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, also praised the ruling. "On its face, this case was obvious, because the Constitution vests the power to tax with the legislative branch, not the Executive branch," Massie said in a text message. "No contrived emergency can undo that." Trump himself appeared upset at the decision, cutting short remarks he was delivering to governors upon hearing the news at a White House breakfast Friday, according to two people in the room granted anonymity to describe the private event. "He was not happy. He got the info in real time," one of the people said. |
| Trump seeks to boost controversial herbicide glyphosate, drawing MAHA ire | |
 | President Trump this week issued an executive order that seeks to boost the controversial herbicide glyphosate, drawing ire from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. Glyphosate, a key ingredient in the commonly used and widely litigated weedkiller Roundup, is described as "a cornerstone of this Nation's agricultural productivity and rural economy" in Trump's order, issued Wednesday. "Ensuring an adequate supply of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides is thus crucial to the national security and defense, including food-supply security, which is essential to protecting the health and safety of Americans," Trump wrote in the order. He directed the Agriculture secretary to ensure the country has an adequate supply of glyphosate-based herbicides and also said that producers of such chemicals should have "immunity" under the Defense Production Act. The move was met with backlash from the Republican-aligned MAHA movement, which is widely against the use of pesticides -- and is also skeptical of vaccines. The movement is linked to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This is not the first time tensions have flared between Republicans and MAHA over pesticides and specifically glyphosate. |
| In a historic vote, Tennessee Volkswagen workers get their first union contract | |
 | Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee voted to ratify their first union contract Thursday, securing pay bumps, job protections and a rare win for the United Auto Workers union in the South. It's been a long road to this contract. Workers initially voted twice against joining the union before casting ballots in favor in 2024, making this VW plant one of the few to unionize in the South, and the rare one that's not a member of the "Big 3" auto companies: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. That was nearly two years ago and negotiations have dragged on since, with workers at one point granting the union the ability to call a strike if necessary. But contract talks were resolved in early February when the UAW and Volkswagen struck a tentative agreement, which the workers have now voted to approve, with 96% of them voting yes. "Today you showed the world Southern autoworkers are ready to fight," UAW President Shawn Fain said to workers after the results of the vote came in. "And to all the other non-union autoworkers out there," he continued, "come on in. The water's fine." f the UAW wants to grow, it must look to the South. The unionized automakers in Northern states, such as General Motors and Ford, have seen their share of stateside car manufacturing shrink. Instead, the country's auto manufacturing growth has been led by foreign auto manufacturers expanding in Southern states. This new contract gives the UAW a new selling point for recruiting those Southern workers. |
| UMMC cyberattack forces students to adapt to offline learning | |
 | The cyberattack at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) didn't just impact patient care, it also disrupted students across campus on February 19, 2026. Many showed up for class unsure of what to expect, only to find much of their coursework suddenly offline. "Everything we do is on our computers, our iPads, our phones. So without that, like we have nothing," said one student. They received notifications about the cyberattack early Thursday morning, but they didn't expect a complete loss of internet and system access. Some classes had to pivot, going back to handwritten notes and whiteboard instruction. "We didn't know that it was going to be just like no internet at all. We didn't know if there was just going to be restrictions, but it turned out that we did have to kind of do everything by the book," said Mary Farish, a dental student at UMMC. While lecture-based courses were able to adjust, other programs faced bigger obstacles. Students in radiology and other imaging-based fields couldn't access the specialized software they use for training. That meant no uploading scans and no reviewing digital images. Beyond the classroom, students said the incident has also changed how they're handling communication. With warnings about suspicious emails and unfamiliar links, many are being extra cautious as IT teams work to restore UMMC's systems. |
| UMMC cyberattack is fourth to hit Mississippi hospital systems in three years | |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center's cyberattack marks the fourth hospital system in Mississippi to be targeted by cybercriminals in three years, a 3 On Your Side investigation found. More Mississippi hospitals have become targets of these cyberattacks in recent years. Just two months ago, Singing River Health System in Ocean Springs identified a potential cyber incident and shut down systems to stop the threat before it could go further. In 2023, a major ransomware attack on Singing River exposed nearly a million individuals' health information to hackers. That same year, North Mississippi Health Services and OCH Regional Medical Center in Starkville also fell victim to cyberattacks. The investigation found Mississippi has no law that requires hospitals to protect against cyberattacks. But federal law does. Hospitals must do everything they can to protect electronic health information to remain compliant with HIPAA. If a hospital didn't do enough, it can face hefty fines from the federal government. The Mississippi State Department of Health does require hospitals to have an Emergency Operations Plan for potential hazards, including cyberattacks, which controls how they operate when these threats happen. 3 On Your Side has requested those documents from MSDH to better understand UMMC's preparedness. |
| UMMC clinics statewide remain closed after cyber attack | |
| University of Mississippi Medical Center clinics statewide remained closed Friday after a cyberattack on Thursday disrupted multiple systems. Also elective procedures scheduled Friday were canceled, according to a statement by UMMC. Appointments were rescheduled except the dialysis clinic at the Jackson Medical Mall, which is operational and open for scheduled appointments. UMMC confirmed that hospital officials and federal law enforcement are in communication with the attackers behind. Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs LouAnn Woodward revealed during a Thursday press conference, that UMMC sustained a cyberattack in the early hours of the morning that impacted its IT network and key systems, including Epic, the medical center's electronic medical record platform. Woodward confirmed the incident was a ransomware attack but provided no further details about the nature of the attack or the ongoing discussions between the attackers and authorities. |
| Ole Miss Symposium Puts Drones at the Center of Crisis Response | |
| Drones are being used for more than package delivery and simple fun. In fact, they are making a big impact as a helpful tool in disaster recovery and saving lives. First responders, policymakers, industry professionals and the public from across the country will gather at the University of Mississippi to discuss how drones can help save lives and provide critical information during disasters and emergencies. The university's Center for Air and Space Law will host its second Unmanned Aircraft System Symposium on March 2 in the Paul B. Johnson Commons Ballroom. The event will focus on "Unleashing UAS for Crisis Response and Disaster Relief." "Mississippians know the difference preparedness makes when natural disasters strike," Sen. Roger Wicker said. "As technology evolves, we should use the improvements to protect our citizens. Drone technology provides essential assistance during emergencies." The symposium is organized in partnership with the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence and partially funded by the Federal Aviation Administration. It will involve panels, presentations and facilitated discussions, allowing participants to learn from industry experts. |
| Ole Miss symposium puts drones at center of crisis response | |
 | Drones are being used for more than package delivery and simple fun. In fact, they are making a big impact as a helpful tool in disaster recovery and saving lives. First responders, policymakers, industry professionals and the public from across the country will gather at the University of Mississippi to discuss how drones can help save lives and provide critical information during disasters and emergencies. The symposium is organized in partnership with the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence and partially funded by the Federal Aviation Administration. "The symposium is designed to move beyond abstract discussions and focus on how drones are actually deployed in complex, high-pressure emergency environments," said Michelle Hanlon, executive director of the Center for Air and Space Law. The event also highlights Mississippi's growing role in data-driven emergency management and decision support. "Mississippi has become a proving ground for how advanced analytics and autonomous systems can support public safety," Hanlon said. "From research and testing to applied analytics, the work happening across the state at our universities and at companies like Camgian reflects how drones and related technologies are increasingly integrated into real-world emergency response." |
| Southern Miss hosts first Ready for Life Champion Awards Ceremony | |
 | The University of Southern Mississippi will host the first Ready for Life Champion Awards Ceremony on Feb. 23, according to the USM Office of University Communications. The event will take place at 4:30 p.m. at the Ogletree House on the Hattiesburg campus. The ceremony will recognize faculty members and academic programs that are leading efforts to prepare students for professional and personal success through experiential learning, mentorship, industry partnerships and career-readiness initiatives. Eight recipients and two special commendations will receive funding through the USM Foundation to support the continued development of their projects. The awards were created by Southern Miss President Joe Paul to highlight best practices and emerging initiatives that reflect the university's commitment to ensuring students are "Ready for Life." |
| Historic photo recreation, exhibition, lectures highlight MC's 200th birthday celebration | |
| When Joseph H. Hamilton was considering what college to attend, his father made the young high school graduate a generous offer. "He told me, 'You can go to any school you want to in the country,' but the only school he took me to see was Mississippi College," Hamilton said The senior Hamilton, a 1914 MC graduate, may have been a bit biased. But his son earned his undergraduate degree at MC in 1954 and went on to become an internationally celebrated scientist and world-class researcher who co-discovered new elements 113, 115 and 117 in the Periodic Table of Chemistry Elements. He even had the honor of naming atomic element 117 -- Tennessine -- in honor of his home state of Tennessee. For decades, Hamilton kept a relic of his father's college days in Clinton: a black-and-white photo of his father and his classmates standing in front of Provine Chapel on the day of their graduation. With the arrival of MC's Bicentennial year, he thought the photo belonged at the University. On the warm and sunny afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 12, dozens of current MC faculty, staff, students and alumni crowded in front of Provine Chapel to recreate that photo taken more than a century before. Seated right in front on a wooden pew was Joseph H. Hamilton, representing his father in the modern image: two generations of Hamiltons spread 112 years apart. The photo followed a recognition of the chapel's addition to the National Register of Historic Places by MC President Blake Thompson and Stephanie Busbea, dean of the School of Christian Studies, Humanities and the Arts. |
| U. of Florida expands study abroad with Antarctic expedition | |
 | While most University of Florida students prepare for finals in December, Tiffany Mai is preparing her body for subzero temperatures, unpredictable seas and a journey to one of the most remote places on Earth: Antarctica. Mai, a master's student in applied physiology and kinesiology, is one of a small group of students selected to participate in a new UF study abroad program that includes a two-week expedition to Antarctica. The interdisciplinary program, developed in collaboration with the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and the College of Health and Human Performance, blends academic coursework with hands-on learning in an extreme environment. "This program excited me because it's a field trip to Antarctica," Mai said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Pingchien "Ping" Neo, director of international engineering programs for the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, said the goal is to give students firsthand exposure to how humans function in severe environments and to help them understand the impact of human activity on the planet. Unlike many study abroad programs that emphasize cultural immersion, UF in Antarctica focuses on experiential learning. |
| After Researching Tenure's History, Tennessee Lawmaker Drops Bill to End It | |
 | Tennessee's House Higher Ed Subcommittee chair has withdrawn his bill to end tenure in public universities after saying he "stumbled into a little bit of the history" and "got a little deeper than I thought I would." "It got me to thinking about political lines, pendulums, they're always moving ... I kind of think that way about tenure," Republican Justin Lafferty told his subcommittee Wednesday in a brief but wide-ranging explanation for dropping the bill. According to a video of the meeting posted on the state General Assembly's website, Lafferty said he learned tenure goes back to the 1600s or 1700s, "a time when there weren't that many highly educated folks," so "it was very important to keep the best and the brightest." Though he didn't use the words "academic freedom," he echoed arguments for protecting it that proponents of tenure often use. Mentioning the Vietnam War era, Lafferty said, "In a controversial time, I kind of understand you want those protections in place to not lose the talent that you've been able to acquire." But he also suggested that he filed his bill in opposition to controversial faculty speech. |
| Package panic across U. of Tennessee leaves students frustrated | |
| Many across the University of Tennessee Knoxville campus have been experiencing a package delivery disaster since the start of the spring semester. Packages are going missing, being stolen and some residents have not been informed on where their packages have gone. Issues have been brought up at Sorority Village, Fraternity Row and the Hub apartment complex on Cumberland Avenue. The issues with Sorority Village and Fraternity Row have been more recent, while the Hub has dealt with complaints since residents moved in last semester. Taylor Wright is a sophomore resident at the Hub majoring in communications. "I've had all but one package delayed here since living here," Wright said. "Several were lost or stolen." Wright has experienced most of his issues with Amazon orders -- none of his packages have ever been found at the Hub. "As a resident, I have no idea why this is the case, but the Hub doesn't seem interested at all in getting it figured out, so now I just don't order from Amazon," Wright said. |
| U. of Texas regents approve limits on teaching 'unnecessary controversial subjects' | |
| The University of Texas System's Board of Regents unanimously approved Thursday a rule requiring its universities to ensure students can graduate without studying "unnecessary controversial subjects," despite warnings it could leave them less prepared for the real world. The rule also requires faculty to disclose in their syllabi the topics they plan to cover and adhere to the plan, and says that when courses include controversial issues, instructors must ensure a "broad and balanced approach" to the discussion. The policy does not define what qualifies as "controversial" or what constitutes a "broad and balanced approach." Opponents warned that leaving those terms undefined would force administrators to interpret them case by case, pressuring professors to avoid difficult material rather than risk complaints. Other speakers said restricting controversial material would leave students unprepared for careers that require navigating complex, unsettled political and social problems. "The job market is really tough right now, ask any undergrad," said David Gray Widder, a professor in UT-Austin's School of Information. "We can't do this to our students." |
| Could magnet therapy ease postpartum depression? U. of Texas study aims to find out | |
| What if you could ease the symptoms of postpartum depression by using a magnet to stimulate the brain? This therapy is already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people with medication-resistant depression. Now, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas is one of four sites in the country testing this 20-year-old therapy on people with postpartum depression. The $11.6 million study, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, is also being done at the University of South Carolina, Mount Sinai in New York and the University of Massachusetts. Postpartum depression affects about 1 in 8 people who give birth in the United States and typically occurs within the first year after childbirth. Dr. Jeffrey Newport, a UT professor, is looking for people whose current depression began within six months of giving birth, but they can be up to a year post-birth. This trial is an accelerated version of the therapy. |
| U. of Oklahoma parking to see changes as housing plans develop | |
| OU parking officials shared plans to increase commuter parking, respond to housing changes and upgrade faculty lot gates at an OU Staff Senate meeting Wednesday. Brian Holderread, vice president of OU Campus Operations, and Kris Glenn, director of Parking and Transportation Services, discussed parking and transportation updates starting in the fall and continuing in the next few years. "We're going to have a master plan, and it's going to be a living, breathing, actionable, not sit-on-a-shelf plan, because the university is growing at too rapid of a pace to not do something," Holderread said. Holderread and Glenn said the department plans to expand commuter spaces in the Jenkins Avenue Parking Facility beginning in the fall 2026 semester. Holderread said the project will be "rightsizing" housing parking, meaning the transition of Traditions East from upperclassmen to first-year housing will ideally alleviate some parking congestion near the dorms and create additional commuter spots. In response to a question about limiting or eliminating housing parking, Glenn said they are not considering plans. Holderread also said they plan to add housing parking as new residence halls open and are considering additional lots and parking garages, although he said he likes that lots are more versatile. Holderread described the campus as a chessboard and said "every little piece and move you make affects the rest of the board." |
| U. of Missouri Faculty Council votes to alter DEI language in handbook | |
 | The University of Missouri Faculty Council met Thursday to make final revisions to the diversity, equity and inclusion language in the faculty handbook. Conversations centered on language in the handbook that went against the Trump administration's executive orders. These orders emphasized that DEI initiatives amount to unlawful discrimination. James Crozier and Nicole Monnier, co-chairs of the Academic Affairs Committee, brought forth the amendments proposed by the committee. Before voting started, Monnier wanted to make clear to the council that the handbook is in fact a "living document" and is subject to further alteration. The first phrase that was altered was, "The university seeks a heterogeneous student body reflecting diversity of race, ethnicity, age, geography (including international students) and physical disability." With a 12-11 vote, it was determined that to maintain wording compliant with current laws, striking the phrase in its entirety was the best outcome. Despite the adjustments being adopted by the council, nothing can be confirmed before the Academic Affairs Committee reviews the changes with the University's Office of General Counsel. |
| The National Campaign to Change America's Mind About Higher Ed | |
| You won't see students studying together in a library, images of grand campus buildings or crowded athletic events in a new campaign promoting higher education. There are no logos, no mascots and no official colors. Instead, an elderly couple walk arm in arm smiling, with "Proud sponsor of a better life for everyone" printed across the image. Sparks fly from a welder's electrode just behind the words "Proud sponsor of the future titans of industry." Another image shows a masked nurse holding an infant with the words "Proud sponsor of goodbye nursing shortage." The ads are part of "College: Proud Sponsor of America at Its Best," a national campaign that is explicitly not promoting a single institution. Its goal is to remind Americans of higher ed's impact in bolstering national security, developing the economy and building the workforce. "Higher ed may not be for everybody in terms of, 'Hey, I want to go to college,' but the benefits of higher ed are for everybody," said Tamalyn Powell, a senior vice president of education at BVK, the marketing agency that created the campaign. BVK officially launched Proud Sponsor last October after higher ed had spent months under attack from the Trump administration, but Powell said the agency didn't create the public service campaign in reaction to the assault. Rather, it's a response to years of public polling showing increasing skepticism about the value of higher ed. |
| With federal research funding uncertain, states debate new science initiatives | |
| On paper, little appears to have changed for UMass Chan Medical School over the past year, despite the cascade of paused and terminated grants and swift, unpredictable policy shifts that followed President Trump's return to office. The amount of bread-and-butter RO1 awards it received from the National Institutes of Health in the 2025 fiscal year dropped only 1.6% from 2024. But the reality is far different: That figure is padded by the NIH's transition to multiyear funding, where the budget for awards is allocated entirely in the first year. This means the school only has $75.4 million of the $88.6 million available to use this year. Add in the confusion all universities are feeling over how much federal funding they can count on in coming years -- though Congress rejected the most severe research cuts advanced by the Trump administration -- and the picture is very different. Massachusetts and a handful of other states are considering initiatives to increase funding for scientific research as uncertainty around federal dollars has grown. Ultimately, state budgets are unlikely to ever match that of the federal government, but some states with large scientific ecosystems are hoping they might be able to support their universities and research institutions. |
| Leading US Research Lab Appears to Be Squeezing Out Foreign Scientists | |
 | One of the US government's top scientific research labs is taking steps that could drive away foreign scientists, a shift lawmakers and sources tell WIRED could cost the country valuable expertise and damage the agency's credibility. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) helps determine the frameworks underpinning everything from cybersecurity to semiconductor manufacturing. Some of NIST's recent work includes establishing guidelines for securing AI systems and identifying health concerns with air purifiers and firefighting gloves. Many of the agency's thousands of employees, postdoctoral scientists, contractors, and guest researchers are brought in from around the world for their specialized expertise. The congressional letter follows a Boulder Reporting Lab article on February 12 that said international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers would be limited to a maximum of three years at NIST going forward, despite many of them needing five to seven years to complete their work. A NIST employee tells WIRED that some plans to bring on foreign workers through the agency's Professional Research and Experience Program have recently been canceled because of uncertainty about whether they would make it through the new security protocols. The staffer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, says the agency has yet to widely communicate what the new hurdles will be or why it believes they are justified. On Thursday, the Colorado Sun reported that "noncitizens" lost after-hours access to a NIST lab last month and could soon be banned from the facility entirely. |
| Biotech investor set to lead US National Science Foundation | |
| US President Donald Trump plans to nominate biotechnology investor Jim O'Neill to be the next leader of the National Science Foundation (NSF), a White House spokesperson confirmed to Nature. The NSF, one of the largest funders of basic US research, has been without a permanent head since April 2025 when director Sethuraman Panchanathan abruptly resigned as the Trump administration cut hundreds of the agency's research grants and proposed a massive budget cut. O'Neill left his post as the acting head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week. That position will now be taken up by US National Institutes of Health (NIH) director Jayanta Bhattacharya. "Both are eminently qualified for these positions, and the White House has confidence in them to deliver on the President's agenda," a White House spokesperson said in a statement. The NSF -- currently led by Brian Stone, who is the agency's chief of staff -- declined to comment. The shakeup was first reported by The New York Times. If confirmed by the US Senate, O'Neill would be the first non-scientist or engineer to lead the NSF. He is no stranger to government roles, though: he has served in administrative positions at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the parent agency of the CDC and the NIH. |
| Campus DEI's Chief Defender Says Colleges Must Be Clearer About Their Goals | |
 | The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education has tapped Emelyn dela Peña, a former vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at several elite universities, to lead the organization as its next president. Dela Peña must energize an organization with an embattled membership facing a confusing legal landscape surrounding what the government classifies as illegal DEI. In that context, she told The Chronicle, it is essential that diversity officers be more explicit about their goals. On Wednesday, a federal judge invalidated a 2025 directive from the Education Department that called on colleges to end all race-conscious programs to receive federal funding. Education advocates celebrated the ruling as a win against the administration's assault on diversity initiatives. Still, the Justice Department last summer released a separate guidance document warning colleges against a "non-exhaustive list" of diversity-related practices that might run afoul of the administration's interpretation of civil-rights law. And earlier this month, the Trump administration was handed a legal victory in a lawsuit brought by NADOHE when a federal judge vacated a preliminary injunction affecting Trump's anti-DEI executive orders. The injunction itself had been stayed since last year; under the latest ruling, the executive orders will remain in place while court proceedings continue. |
| Trump Went After the PhD Project. Now 31 Campuses Have Agreed to Sever Ties With It. | |
| In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would investigate 45 institutions for their partnerships with the PhD Project, a nonprofit organization aimed at increasing diversity among business-school faculty members. Nearly a year later, the department's Office for Civil Rights has made deals with 31 of those campuses, all of which have already cut ties with the PhD Project or agreed to do so. The PhD Project was founded in 1994 to encourage business professionals from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue doctoral degrees. By working with the organization, the Education Department alleged, institutions were violating Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin. As part of their resolution agreements with the Education Department, the 31 institutions will also review their external partnerships "to identify any that violate Title VI by restricting participation based on race." Discussions with the 14 other campuses named in the investigation are ongoing, according to a department press release. "This is the Trump effect in action: Institutions of higher education are agreeing to cut ties with discriminatory organizations, recommitting themselves to abiding by federal law, and restoring equality of opportunity on campuses across the nation," Linda McMahon, the secretary of education, said in the statement. |
SPORTS
| Baseball: No. 4 Bulldogs Set To Battle Blue Hens | |
| No. 4 Mississippi State is just past the midway point of its nine-game homestand to start the season and are off to a perfect start. The Diamond Dawgs are off to a 5-0 start and hope to carry that momentum into their three-game series against Delaware this weekend. Things get started against the Fightin' Blue Hens on Friday at 4 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday. Sunday's finale gets underway at 11 a.m. with all three games streamed on SEC Network+. It will be just the second time MSU has met Delaware on the diamond. The Bulldogs edged out a 4-3 victory in the 2001 Columbus Regional hosted by Ohio State. Future MLB first round draft pick and big leaguer Paul Maholm started that game for Mississippi State and Matthew Brinson went a flawless 4-for-4 with a pair of home runs. Brian O'Connor will send a trio of sophomores to the mound to meet the Blue Hens this weekend. Right-hander Ryan McPherson gets the ball for his second-straight Friday start. McPherson (0-0, 4.50 ERA) fanned four and did not walk anybody during his four-inning start against Hofstra last week. Southpaws Tomas Valincius (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6 K, 1 BB) and Charlie Foster (0-0, 9.00 ERA, 5 K, 1 BB) are scheduled to start the final two outings for the Diamond Dawgs. |
| O'Connor's options expand ahead of Delaware series this weekend | |
| There wasn't too much to take away from the matchup between No. 4 Mississippi State and Alcorn State on Wednesday. The Bulldogs improved to 5-0 on the year with a 19-0 run-rule win. The Bulldogs made it three games in a row with at least 10 hits, but they did so with a largely rotated side. Vytas Valincius, who had a strong Tuesday outing against Troy, kept things going with a hit and two RBI. Blake Bevis played both infield and outfield in a two-hit, six RBI performance that included his first home run as a Bulldog, and shortstop Drew Wyers went 4-4 at the plate in his first start for MSU this season. "I gave some guys their first opportunities tonight. Drew Wyers, Andrew Raymond, (Peter) Mershon, and we like all those players. Once you get the game under control, getting someone like Ace Reese out of the game. It gives other guys opportunities to play and see what they're capable of doing." Mershon was a noteworthy player for the Bulldogs, not only for his two hits and four RBI, or because his brother, David, was an All-SEC player for the Bulldogs two years ago. He's made an impression on the staff over the past six months and offers a lot of promise at catcher and as a designated-hitter option. "I really like Peter Mershon. He's an SEC kind of athlete," O'Connor said. "He goes about his work in a businesslike manner. Drew Wyers is that cagey veteran who's been around college baseball and knows what he's doing. You can play him anywhere in the infield." |
| Softball: Nation's Top Pitchers Meet In Starkville At Bulldog Invitational | |
| A pair of challenging pitching matchups await in Starkville at the Bulldog Invitational presented by Mizuno this weekend. No. 14 Mississippi State and Belmont, who rank first and second nationally in strikeouts, are joined by Samford and Delaware State for a nine-game event. The Bulldogs (11-0) look to continue a historic start to their season. MSU has already secured the best start for the program since 2008 and could tie the program record this weekend. Belmont brings in the national leader in strikeouts per seven innings in Maya Johnson. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have a three-headed monster in the circle. Peja Goold, Leila Ammon and Alyssa Faircloth are all among the top 10 pitchers in the nation in at least one metric. As a team, the Bulldogs lead the country in WHIP (0.65) and strikeouts (98) while ranking second in strikeouts per seven innings (9.66) and fielding percentage (.993). MSU will also play Samford on Friday for the first of two meetings this season before seeing them again in March at the Jaguar Invitational in Mobile, Alabama. |
| Hubbard leads Mississippi State against South Carolina after 46-point game | |
 | Mississippi State visits South Carolina after Josh Hubbard scored 46 points in Mississippi State's 91-85 victory against the Auburn Tigers. The Gamecocks are 10-6 on their home court. South Carolina has a 6-15 record against teams over .500. The Bulldogs are 5-8 in conference matchups. Mississippi State is ninth in the SEC with 10.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Achor Achor averaging 2.2. South Carolina is shooting 43.8% from the field this season, 0.9 percentage points higher than the 42.9% Mississippi State allows to opponents. Mississippi State averages 77.9 points per game, 2.0 more than the 75.9 South Carolina gives up. The matchup Saturday is the first meeting this season between the two teams in conference play. Hubbard is scoring 22.4 points per game with 2.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Bulldogs. Jayden Epps is averaging 12.1 points over the past 10 games. |
| Men's Basketball: State's Josh Hubbard Named 2026 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Winner | |
| Fresh off a record-setting 46 points against Auburn, Mississippi State's josh Hubbard has been recognized for his exceptional leadership, character and commitment to community service as the 2026 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup announced Thursday. The Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Award honors student-athletes who embody the values of legendary coach John Wooden, emphasizing integrity, teamwork, academic excellence, and servant leadership both on and off the court. Hubbard's impact extends well beyond his athletic performance. Known for his humility, work ethic, and dedication to serving others, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to mentoring youth, engaging in community outreach initiatives, and representing Mississippi State with distinction. "We are thrilled to congratulate Josh on being named the 2026 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Award winner," State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. "This recognition reflects the impact he has made through his leadership, academic dedication, and engagement beyond the court. To be honored in the name of Coach John Wooden speaks to Josh's character and the way he represents Mississippi State every day. We are proud of all he accomplishes and grateful for the example he sets for our student-athletes and community." |
| Josh Hubbard nationally recognized for community service with 2026 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup | |
| Josh Hubbard is celebrating a big week after logging a career-high 46 points versus Auburn on Wednesday night and being recognized off the court as a community servant. A standout guard for Mississippi State, Hubbard is the 2026 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup recipient. The award, named after 10-time national championship-winning former UCLA frontman John Wooden, honors student-athletes who "emphasize integrity, teamwork, academic excellence, and servant leadership both on and off the court." In the name, image, and likeness era of college athletics, Hubbard has put much of his compensation to good use. The junior founded The Josh Hubbard Showcase, a basketball camp which has hosted around 200 aspiring athletes in his hometown of Madison and awarded approximately $40,000 in scholarship money over the last two years. "This award means a lot to our program because it recognizes who Josh is at his core," Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans said. "He cares about people, he works at his academics, and he leads with humility. Being honored in Coach John Wooden's name is special, and it couldn't happen to a more deserving young man. We're proud of him, and we're thankful for the way he represents Mississippi State on and off the court." |
| Josh Hubbard awarded Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup in recognition of community service | |
| Mississippi State guard had the biggest night of his life on the court on Wednesday, dropping a new career-high 46 points and setting a program record for made threes in a single game as the Bulldogs took down Auburn 91-85. On Thursday, Hubbard was recognized for the work he's done in his home state off the court. Hubbard was announced as the recipient of the 2026 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Award, recognizing Hubbard's impact in community service. Hubbard has shown a strong awareness of his ability to impact lives outside of basketball, and in his time at MSU, he has taken part in several opportunities to fuel community-driven initiatives with his personal platform and NIL resources. This season, Hubbard signed on for a new "Buckets for Wishes" campaign with the Make-A-Wish Mississippi organization, raising money from donors and sponsors pledged to each three-point basket he makes during the 2025-26 season. He also took time during the holiday season to visit with patients at the Children's of Mississippi Hospital in Jackson, and teamed up with Aerus and US Foods to provide food and donations for the Ballas Family Community Kitchen in Greenwood. |
| Men's Tennis: SEC Home Opener on Tap as Bulldogs Face No. 37 Vanderbilt | |
| Mississippi State opens Southeastern Conference home play Saturday playing hosts to No. 37 Vanderbilt at noon at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre. The Bulldogs enter the matchup fresh off a standout performance at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships, highlighted by wins over No. 23 Florida and No. 4 Stanford, with their only loss coming against No. 1 Virginia. Vanderbilt comes to Starkville with an impressive resume of its own, with eight wins and their only defeats coming by way of No. 2 Virginia and No. 1 Wake Forest. Saturday's match marks Mississippi State's SEC home opener, where head coach Matt Roberts has posted an 8-3 record in league home openers during his tenure. A win against the Commodores would also give Roberts his 221st career victory, breaking the program's all-time wins record. |
| Mississippi State overpowered by Florida at home | |
| Mississippi State missed an opportunity to further separate itself from the NCAA Tournament bubble on Thursday night. The Bulldogs were outmatched underneath and could not keep Liv McGill at bay in a 71-56 loss to the Florida Gators in the Humphrey Coliseum. McGill had 30 points and seven assists. The Gators outscored the Bulldogs 44-34 in the paint. "I had too many people that just went quiet tonight," Bulldogs coach Sam Purcell said. "And that can't happen in a game in the SEC, especially at home." McGill came into Thursday second in the SEC in points per game (22.5) and fourth in assists (6.0). Madison Francis led Mississippi State with 20 points. "First half was the ball game," Purcell said. "We had one assist to 12 turnovers, which led to way too many opportunities for them to get in the open court, play with a rhythm and a swag at our place, and ultimately, that's why the outcome is what it was today." The Bulldogs will take a trip to face No. 4 Texas on Sunday. The game will tip-off at 1 p.m. on the SEC Network. |
| Why NCAA lawyers in Trinidad Chambliss eligibility case were issued show cause order | |
| The judge in Ole Miss football quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' injunction hearing wants the lawyers from the NCAA back in his Pittsboro courtroom. Judge Robert Whitwell issued a show cause order to the three lawyers who represented the NCAA in the case, per a document filed Feb. 18. The reason for the order is that the attorneys, J. Douglas Minor, Taylor Askew and Daniel Zeitlin, left the courtroom before Whitwell issued his final decision on Feb. 12. "The attorneys' departure was made without obtaining this court's prior permission and approval," Whitwell said in the Feb. 19 order. The decision was in favor of Chambliss. He secured an injunction against the NCAA and will likely be the Ole Miss quarterback in 2026. It sets the table for Ole Miss to make another run at the College Football Playoff in 2026. Whitwell read his ruling for about 90 minutes. He was clearly perturbed by the absence of the NCAA's lawyers. He said before his ruling that it's "not how we do things here." |
| South Carolina latest state to push to keep college athlete payments secret | |
| One by one, South Carolina senators stood up at the Statehouse this week, saying they didn't want to wade into the rules about paying college athletes, but they couldn't bear to see their Gamecocks or Tigers left behind on the field or the court. South Carolina is poised to join at least four other states in keeping secret the amount of money given to athletic teams and players after the Senate initially approved a bill Tuesday. The House approved the proposal last month with just two "no" votes. Nearly every senator who spoke wished the NCAA, which oversees college athletics, would implement rules on what Name, Image and Likeness payments can be revealed or kept secret, rein in the transfer portal where athletes can switch schools yearly, or just do something to stop the extreme changes in the sports they've loved all their lives. "I think we have taken a wrecking ball to college sports. I played two sports, and I think it's been a horrible radical change," said Republican Sen. Chip Campsen, a 165-pound (75-kilogram) defensive back on The Citadel's 1978 football team whose best pole vault remains among the top 10 in the school's record book. |
| NCAA's Charlie Baker reiterates support for expanded tournaments | |
| NCAA president Charlie Baker reiterated Thursday that he supports an expanded NCAA basketball tournament format but would not commit on whether it will happen in 2027. "We're still talking to the various players in this one," Baker said Thursday. "I said all along that I think there are some very good reasons to expand the tournament. So, I would like to see it expand." When asked what he thought the 2027 NCAA format would look like, Baker was noncommittal but doubled down on his view: "I would like to expand the tournament." NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt announced later Thursday that the NCAA committee is pausing any discussion or decisions about expansion until after this year's NCAA tournament. Baker has long been an advocate for expanding the event, consistently citing the absence of Indiana State and Seton Hall in the 2024 men's tournament as one of the reasons behind his stance. He also said Thursday that he has spoken to student-athletes on campuses and that they tell him they appreciate the postseason tournaments giving them an opportunity to compete with teams and players they don't normally get to face. |
| NCAA official says March Madness expansion will not be discussed until after this year's tournaments | |
| The NCAA won't discuss expanding the men's and women's basketball tournaments until after this year's version of March Madness finishes, senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt said Thursday. Gavitt told that to a group of reporters who were attending an NCAA event in Indianapolis. There has been talk for the past few months that the NCAA could expand the tournament field to 72 or 76 starting in 2027. NCAA President Charlie Baker said last year that adding teams could add value to the tournament, and he said the NCAA already has had "good conversations" with TV partners CBS and Warner Bros., whose deal runs through 2032 at the cost of around $1.1 billion a year. The NCAA Tournament expanded from 64 to 68 teams in 2011. The change introduced the First Four round, a set of pre-tournament games in which the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and four lowest-seeded conference champions compete for spots in the traditional 64-team bracket. Baker said in November that he supported expanding the tournament, but that the decision was up to the basketball committees. |
| Derogatory chants at BYU games lead to fines and apologies, but can Big 12 break the cycle? | |
| Over the past year, the BYU football and basketball teams have been on the receiving end of derogatory chants targeting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with incidents at Arizona, Colorado, Cincinnati and, most recently, Oklahoma State. That's four of the 15 fellow Big 12 programs since BYU joined the conference 2 1/2 years ago. The latest flashpoint was in Stillwater, Okla., on Feb. 4. After the conference fined Oklahoma State $50,000 on Feb. 8, the Big 12 released a statement that it "will not tolerate any behavior that targets or demeans others." When asked for additional comment, the Big 12 reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward any discriminatory behavior by conference members or at league events. The Cougars have thrived competitively -- football reached the Big 12 Championship Game in December, and men's basketball is ranked in the Top 25 -- but the chants have become a distressing and unavoidable part of the experience for the university and its supporters. Publicly, the Big 12 conference office has issued reprimands and fines. Privately, the league has pushed for increased education and consequences, particularly within student sections, where the issues tend to start. |
| Schools on Hook for $303M NCAA Volunteer Coaches Settlement | |
| The NCAA on Thursday announced it finalized a payment structure for a $303 million settlement that resolves a class action brought on behalf of individuals who worked as "volunteer" coaches for schools' Division I teams, except baseball, sometime between March 17, 2019, and June 30, 2023 -- the date when the NCAA lifted a bylaw that capped the number of coaches. According to court records, there are approximately 7,718 volunteer coaches who fit this category. They are set to be paid over a three-year period beginning this summer. Sportico detailed Ray v. NCAA when it was brought in 2023 by Shannon Ray, a track and field coach at Arizona State, and others, who accused the NCAA and member schools of acting like a "buyer-side cartel." The logic: NCAA member schools are competing businesses and when they join hands to limit how they pay for services---be it coaching services or athlete services---they're engaged in price-fixing. This fixing deprives a labor market (coaches) of pay they would receive from buyers (schools) in a more competitive market. The absence of salary wasn't the only kind of denied compensation. By being classified as volunteers, the coaches lost out on health insurance, housing and other workplace benefits. Plus, the coaches insisted, their future salaries were harmed since salaries for paid coaches often reflect pay levels at previous jobs. In addition, the coaches maintained they "worked" what amounted to a full-time job. |
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