| Monday, September 22, 2014 |
| Mississippi State president speaks to Cleveland high school seniors | |
 | At 8:54 on Friday, Cleveland High School seniors milled into the auditorium to hear a speech from Mississippi State University's nineteenth president, Mark E. Keenum. He was introduced and gave a speech that not all of students were expecting. Instead of talking endlessly about the many opportunities MSU offers students, Keenum began his speech by reminding seniors about the value of high school and the memories they would take from it. He also mentioned the challenges the seniors, as millennials, would soon be facing. "This is your generation. This is your world," he told the seniors. The president praised Cleveland High School, calling it a great school that really prepared students for the next step in their lives. However, he emphasized that students should make plans and stay on the path to getting an education. |
| Mississippi State to Host Domestic Manufacturing Summit | |
 | Anticipating the return of manufacturing to the U.S., Mississippi State University's Franklin Furniture Institute is hosting the Mississippi Reshoring Summit on Wednesday. Higher labor costs in China and technological advances that aid in U.S. production are partly responsible for increasing domestic manufacturing. The summit will help attendees answer the question for their industries, "Is it time to reshore?" Harry Moser, a keynote speaker at the summit and founder of the Reshoring Initiative, said he is optimistic about the future of manufacturing in the U.S. The Mississippi Reshoring Summit also will feature Jay Tice, director of Innovate MEP Mississippi; Jay Moon, president and CEO of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association; and MSU experts. |
| Groundbreaking set for Baptist union at State | |
 | Groundbreaking is set for Oct. 7 for a new Baptist Student Union building at Mississippi State University. The multimillion-dollar building will be closer to the center of Starkville campus. Baptist Student Union director Michael Ball says the current building is cramped for space and can't accommodate student body growth. |
| Mississippi State Welcomes New Program for Pakistani Students | |
| Mississippi State now is a member of the U.S. Department of State's Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan. The Global UGRAD-Pakistan program specifically involves a diverse group of youth leaders from underserved populations across the South Asian republic of more than 180 million people. At MSU, the program is coordinated by the Office of International Relations in the International Institute. |
| Hinds Community College works deal with MSU Extension Service for land to expand | |
| Hinds Community College will expand its nursing and allied health programs in Jackson after agreeing to move Mississippi State University Extension Service employees to college property in Raymond. The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 2 to accept the swap. The college will gain use of 11.5 acres and two buildings. President Clyde Muse says one building will be renovated to house classrooms. The property adjoins the college's current nursing and allied health programs near Central Mississippi Medical Center. The 11 extension service employees will relocate to Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond, possibly as early as Christmas. Another extension office is already located on nearby Seven Springs Road in Raymond. Hinds President Clyde Muse said that's part of what sparked the discussion. |
| Q&A with HanaLena on 'Recipes and Road Trips' | |
 | Nashville's bluegrass/country/pop/blues duo HanaLena, comprised of Starkville natives Hannah and Caroline Melby, prove that if there's one upside to life on the road, next to making music, it would have to be the food these talented sisters have enjoyed along the way. Hannah, 28, and Caroline, 24, have been performing together since childhood and were the winners of the 2008 Colgate Country Music "Best New Act." Their parents, Pete and Cindy Melby, still live in Starkville, where he is a retired landscape architect professor for Mississippi State University and she teaches piano theory at MSU. |
| Starkville mayor vetoes insurance change, challenge coming | |
 | Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman vetoed aldermen's recent action to limit expanded health insurance coverage to legally married couples, and the four aldermen who pushed for the change are expected to call for an override during Tuesday's 5:30 p.m. recess meeting at City Hall. Aldermen specifically removed same-sex partners from the coverage Tuesday after board members were pushed to action by local clergy and criticized by those who self-identified as members of Starkville's growing LGBT community. In his veto, the mayor said aldermen specifically removed LGBT residents' ability to receive benefits through their partner's employment with the city without a true policy merit to back up the move. |
| Opening a dialogue about poverty | |
| While Bridges Out of Poverty regularly holds classes for people dealing personally with poverty, Tuesday's class was about helping the "haves" understand the "have nots" and facilitating a discussion about the causes and realities of poverty. About 20 people attended the day-long class, which was led by Bobby Weatherly. He hails from Vicksburg, where he owns his own financial planning company and is on the steering committee for the local Bridges Out of Poverty chapter. Those who attended were challenged to consider poverty in a different way and to discuss perceptions and solutions. |
| Grain buyer's bankruptcy could take steep toll on Delta farmers | |
 | The chapter 12 bankruptcy of a principal of Arkansas' Turner Grain Co. and accompanying grain contract defaults could cost farmers in the Mississippi Delta "paper" losses of up to $70 million, according to a Greenville lawyer for several grain producers. Separate from the paper losses is the prospect of some farmers going unpaid for grain already sold to Turner Grain. Attorney Scott Phillips, who represents Leland farmer Harper Ross and five other Mississippi farmers who sold to Turner, said his clients have not been paid for grain deliveries totaling about $1.7 million. The paper losses would come through Turner Grain's inability to honor contracts made at the start of the planting season, leaving corn and soy bean growers to sell at today's much lower price. The paper loses could take a large toll on Delta farmers, say Mississippi State University agriculture specialist John Michael Riley and AgFax.com editor Owen Taylor of Brandon. |
| No decision made yet on Senate pro-tem vacancy | |
 | Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves has made no decision on how to deal with the vacant post of Senate president pro tem, according to spokeswoman Laura Hipp. The post became vacant earlier this month with the death of Pro Tem Terry Brown, a Columbus Republican. The three-term state senator died Sept. 4 after a nearly one-year long bout with cancer. "The lieutenant governor lost one of his closest friends less than two weeks ago, and he intends to announce future plans at the appropriate time," Hipp said. The post is elected by the 52-member. But by custom, the members normally adhere to the wishes of the lieutenant governor, who presides over the Senate, in selecting a pro tem. Brown was in the third year of a four-year term. |
| Did Chris McDaniel win by losing Senate race? | |
| It's been nearly three months since Chris McDaniel lost the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Mississippi, and he still hasn't conceded. Now, it's worth considering whether McDaniel, a state senator tea party favorite from Jones County, is pursuing a long-term political strategy of winning by losing. Facebook and Twitter remain abuzz with McDaniel supporters urging him to "Fight, Chris, fight." Some suggest his tea party supporters should break away from the Republican fold and form their own "McGOP." McDaniel might be strengthening his political prospects by positioning himself as an advocate for conservatives who feel ignored by the Republican establishment. And that might provide momentum for McDaniel and his allies leading into 2015. |
| Will tea party anger create a Senate upset? | |
 | As the clock runs down toward the November general election, many in Mississippi are wondering if the bruising Republican senate primary and legal fight will affect the final outcome. Without the split in the Republican Party, the GOP nominee would be a near certain lock to win the general election. The big question hanging over the race is how much damage has been done by the hotly contested June 24th primary. State senator Chris McDaniel's legal challenge to his primary run off loss is still working its way to the state supreme court, but regardless of how they rule, the race could have a big impact on the November general election. Jackson State political science professor D'Andre Orey says tea party supporters have a choice to make. |
| Blogger says he's defying AG Jim Hood's subpoena | |
| A California political blogger says he's defying a subpoena from Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood that ordered him to appear before a Lauderdale County grand jury on Monday. "Today I have defied an illegal subpoena issued by AG Jim Hood for committing journalism in California by exposing voter fraud in (Mississippi)," political blogger Charles C. Johnson posted on Twitter. Hood's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday about Johnson. Last week, a spokeswoman for Hood's office said that, in general, "anyone who fails to follow an order to appear in court can be held in contempt of court." |
| Debate dance follows pattern | |
| It's a political dance that has been going on, no doubt, as long as people have put their names on the election ballot. In Mississippi this year, the dance centers around Democratic challenger Travis Childers of Booneville, who wants six-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, an Oxford Republican, to debate before the Nov. 4 general election. Cochran, a heavy favorite, has thus far declined to commit to a debate. It is common in campaigns for an incumbent who is favored to capture re-election to avoid debating under the assumption the favorite has everything to lose and nothing to gain. Childers and Cochran, though, both are slated to speak -- not debate or even be on the stage at the same time -- at the Mississippi Economic Council's annual Hobnob on Oct. 29 at the state Agriculture Museum in Jackson. |
| Gunn's state tour returns to Tupelo | |
| House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, says he will be doing a lot of listening this week during his third annual "Mississippi solutions -- an ideas tour," which will be in Tupelo on Wednesday. Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, who also hopes to attend, said just because an issue is brought up at the meetings doesn't mean the speaker will act on it during the legislative process. "Medicaid expansion was brought up last year during the Tupelo meeting, and it will be brought up this year," Holland said. Yet, Holland said the issue of expanding Medicaid to cover primarily the working poor as is allowed by the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act can gain no traction in the Republican-controlled Legislature where Gunn and other leaders remain adamantly opposed. The other cities on the tour are Ridgeland, Pearl, Cleveland, Senatobia, Louisville, McComb and Picayune. |
| Carville: U.S. needs more tales of bipartisanship | |
 | James Carville says it's not just the nation's capital that needs a lesson in bipartisanship. "I think people outside Washington need it. I think people in like Shreveport and Sheboygan need to read this book," the famed Democratic political strategist told ITK, pointing to, City of Rivals: Restoring the Glorious Mess of Political Democracy, the first tome penned by Bipartisan Policy Center President Jason Grumet. "D.C. runs everything, but if people out there understood it, I think it would have a greater effect," Carville said Thursday at a book party in his and wife Mary Matalin's Alexandria, Va., home. Carville, who is also a columnist for The Hill, sported a flashy belt at the festive occasion as he hosted guests including former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R), former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), and former Maine Gov. Jock McKernan (R) with his wife, former Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). |
| Top-level turnover makes it harder for Homeland Security to stay on top of evolving threats | |
 | An exodus of top-level officials from the Department of Homeland Security is undercutting the agency's ability to stay ahead of a range of emerging threats, including potential terrorist strikes and cyberattacks, according to interviews with current and former officials. Over the past four years, employees have left DHS at a rate nearly twice as fast as in the federal government overall, and the trend is accelerating, according to a review of a federal database. The departures are a result of what employees widely describe as a dysfunctional work environment, abysmal morale, and the lure of private security companies paying top dollar that have proliferated in Washington since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. |
| Mississippi campuses get military weapons | |
| One hundred state and local law enforcement agencies in Mississippi collectively own 1,354 military-grade items, including two grenade launchers and one mine-resistant-ambush-protected-armored truck that officials say they need to keep the peace. Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College and Mississippi State University each received several M16 rifles. Hinds also obtained a grenade launcher. The weapons came through the Department of Defense's Law Enforcement Support Office program. MSU Police got five M16A1 rifles similar to those used during jungle warfare in Vietnam and originally valued at $499 each. University spokesman Sid Salter said the rifles have been modified to work only in semi-automatic mode and are already in the process of being returned to the Department of Defense. |
| Gordy Honors Forum at MUW to feature monuments men | |
| On Thursday, the Mississippi University for Women Gordy Honors College Forum Series features Dr. Beverly Joyce, MUW professor of Art History, speaking on "Stolen Art, Nazi Ideology and the Monuments Men." The "monuments men" were a small corps of soldiers whose initial task in World War II to prevent combat damage to buildings and art collections evolved into a search for art treasures stolen and cached by the Nazis. Joyce's presentation will be followed on Oct. 9 by an Honors Forum screening of the feature film "The Monuments Men," loosely adapted from Robert M. Edsel's best-selling book "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History." Edsel will be the featured speaker at the MUW Welty Gala scheduled for Oct. 24. |
| MUW Culinary Arts announces non-credit courses for fall | |
| The Mississippi University for Women Culinary Arts Institute in Columbus announces three non-credit culinary certificate courses open to the public this fall: "Pastries and Desserts" meets Nov. 8 and Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. "Little Italy" meets Nov. 7 from 5-8 p.m. The fee for each course is $200. Enrollment is limited. |
| UM's Markley finds passion in higher education | |
| Derek Markley's first visit to Tupelo did not come at the most opportune time. The new executive director of the University of Mississippi's Tupelo and Booneville campuses had his job interview with the school scheduled for late April. Two days before he arrived, Tupelo was struck by an EF3 tornado that carved a 31-mile path of destruction. It was the first time the Auburn, Indiana, native had seen any area that had been freshly hit by a twister. It didn't dissuade him from the job."We were already hearing how people were pulling together and getting things done," said Markley, 37. "When you are considering moving to a community, that was a good thing to hear." |
| Mississippi manufacturing receives boost from MPI | |
 | Mississippi's manufacturing segment has received a substantial boost from Mississippi Polymer Institute. According to data compiled by InnovateMEP Mississippi, MPI -- the industrial outreach service for the University of Southern Mississippi -- recently has provided assistance to six manufacturers around the state, yielding more than $4 million in direct financial impact and resulting in the creation of 36 new jobs in the Magnolia State. "I'm very excited about it," MPI interim director Robert Thompson said. |
| Icona Pop to headline USM's Eaglepalooza | |
| The University of Southern Mississippi's Student Government Association hopes students and area residents will be chanting "I Love It" during this year's Eaglepalooza. Swedish female DJ duo Icona Pop will headline this year's free musical event set for Oct. 25 in downtown Hattiesburg. Known for the hit "I Love It," Icona Pop's synth/pop sound has been featured on radio stations around the world. "Typically, each year we try to have a different variety of acts so we're not bringing in the same genres and appeal to different audiences that we haven't targeted before," Eaglepalooza Director Gavin Snyder said. |
| High school students complete summer research at USM Gulf Park | |
 | While many students took a break from academic studies this summer, two rising high school seniors learned about environmental health sciences and career options in the field at the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Park campus. Jordan Ryan and Zac Gill, both entering their senior year at Harrison Central High School, spent seven weeks of their summer break in the laboratories of Drs. Rebecca Fillmore and Jennifer Walker, both assistant professors of biological sciences at Southern Miss. Through the university's Emerging Scholars Program, the students took part in hands-on activities and experiments to gain a better understanding of cells and how they react to variations in their environment. |
| Head of Mississippi Community College Board to Retire | |
| Mississippi Community College Board Executive Director Eric Clark announced Friday that he will retire at the end of June 2015. Since 2008, Clark has led the board that coordinates the operations of the state's 15 community colleges, which are governed by local boards. Clark, 63, made the announcement during a state board meeting. He told The Associated Press he will have 40 years in the state retirement system by next summer, dating to when he started teaching at Taylorsville High School. Clark, who holds a doctorate in history from Mississippi State University, has taught history and government at Taylorsville High, Jones County Junior College, Mississippi College and Belhaven University. |
| U. of Alabama dorm given the all clear after rumors of gun violence | |
 | After responding to reports of individuals with firearms in the Tutwiler dormitory, University of Alabama police gave the all-clear Sunday night around 11:50 p.m. The reports stemmed from rumors and social media posts, UA officials said, and no weapons or suspicious persons were found. UAPD officers locked down the all-female dormitory Sunday night around 11 p.m., conducting a "thorough" search of the building, even though no specific eyewitness accounts had reported the threat. No other dorms were on lock down, despite rumors on social media and anonymous messaging apps. |
| Auburn's Harbert College of Business establishes awards program | |
 | The first Auburn University Entrepreneurship Summit will be held April 24, and will honor individuals and businesses for their excellence. The daylong program will include the first inductions into the Auburn Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, presentations of Entrepreneur and Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards, recognition of the fastest-growing companies owned or led by Auburn alumni and a contest in which student entrepreneurs attempt to transform their ideas into viable business ventures. "Auburn University has built a remarkable legacy of entrepreneurs and industry leaders, from Main Street to Wall Street, from the one-person start-up to the highest valued company in the world," said Harbert College of Business Dean and Wells Fargo Professor Bill Hardgrave. |
| How could LSU save millions, run smoother? | |
 | LSU could save millions by overhauling its parking system, outsourcing the operation of its power plant and potentially partnering with a private developer to replace aging on-campus student housing, according to a private consultant the university hired. Based on Huron Consulting's analysis of university operations, a parking revamp that isn't just an across-the-board increase for students and faculty, could net the school $5.8 million in five years. Dan Layzell, LSU's vice president for finance and administration, said the Huron study is another step in making LSU operate more effectively. The most noticeable change in Huron's recommendations deals with on-campus parking, specifically pricing spots based on location and demand. |
| Making a Splash on Campus: College Recreation Now Includes Pool Parties and River Rides | |
 | When Louisiana State University surveyed students in 2009 to find out what they most wanted in their new recreation complex, one feature beat out even massage therapy: a lazy river. But with dozens of schools (including some of its Southeastern Conference rivals) building the water rides, the university had to do one better: When its lazy river is finished in 2016, it will spell out the letters "LSU" in the school's signature Geaux font. "The students involved in the planning process wanted something cooler than what anyone else had," said Laurie Braden, the school's director of recreation. "University relations said it was O.K. as long as it followed the font appropriately and didn't take it out of scale." In the university recreation center arms race, the latest thing is to turn a piece of campus into something approaching a water theme park. |
| Veterans success center at U. of Florida pointing students in right direction | |
 | When Caleb Archie transferred to the University of Florida from a smaller college, he was overwhelmed, confused. "I didn't know where to go," the pre-med junior said. By chance, he ran into Charlotte Kemper, the Veterans Administration benefits counselor assigned to UF. Kemper took him around to the financial aid office, the Collegiate Veterans Success Center in Yon Hall, and to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where she was helping him apply for work study. "It was a blessing from God," he said. Since January, the VA has assigned a benefits counselor to the campus veterans center to help those student veterans access their benefits and navigate their way back to civilian life. About 600 students at UF receive veteran benefits. |
| U. of Kentucky program's goal is more bikes, fewer cars | |
 | When McKenzie Campbell went to University of Kentucky orientation this summer, she saw many tables set up, advertising this club, that society and yet another program. But one caught her eye: "Free Bikes." "I knew I wasn't bringing a car to campus, so I thought it would be helpful," the Louisville freshman said. So she signed a commitment not to seek a parking permit and now happily bikes to class every day, thanks to the Big Blue Cycles program. The convenience is nice, but UK's Office of Sustainability really started the program for another reason: Fewer cars and more bikes. About 400 people signed up for the program, and the office held a lottery to give away 160 bikes. |
| UK's Capilouto calls racist remarks by U.S. Senate write-in candidate 'offensive and appalling' | |
| University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto on Friday described as "offensive and appalling" the racist remarks of a U.S. Senate write-in candidate who spoke to students about his campaign platform -- "With Jews We Lose" -- two days earlier at a Constitution Day campus event. Capilouto, UK's first Jewish president, did not apologize for the controversy, and UK spokesman Jay Blanton said that Buck Ryan, the journalism faculty member who organized the event, would not be disciplined. However, in an email to UK students and employees, Capilouto said "hate speech" should not go unchallenged on campus. |
| Vanderbilt police investigate kidnapping attempt | |
 | Vanderbilt University police are looking for a man they say tried to kidnap a woman visiting the school early Sunday morning. The attempted abduction occurred after 2 a.m., at the intersection of 25th Avenue South and Jess Neely Boulevard, according to a VUPD release. A white man, approximately 35 to 40 years old, wearing a dirty white T-shirt, dark shorts and dark shoes, got out of his vehicle and attempted to tackle the woman, police said. The woman fought back and a group of witnesses saw the assault and came to the victim’s aid. |
| Most UGA frat members facing hazing charges accepted into pretrial diversion | |
 | Nearly all 11 University of Georgia fraternity members arrested on hazing charges earlier this year have been accepted into a pretrial intervention program. Athens-Clarke County Solicitor General C.R. Chisholm recently said that eight members of UGA's Zeta Iota chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi are being allowed into the program that can result in the arrests being removed from their records. He said that a determination has not yet been made concerning the other three frat members. Athens attorney Mo Wiltshire said acceptance into the pretrial program was a good outcome for the eight clients he represents. |
| University of Georgia's journalism school to celebrate centennial | |
| The University of Georgia's journalism school is preparing to celebrate its centennial. The school says the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication plans to kick of the centennial celebration with a concert by the group Freedom Sings at the Athena Ballroom in the Classic Center on Oct. 2. Freedom Sings was founded by the First Amendment Center in Nashville and performs songs that have been censored or banned at some point. |
| Texas A&M celebrates 125th year of Aggie Ring | |
 | More than 3,500 students filed into the Clayton Williams Jr. Alumni Center to receive their Aggie Rings on Friday, each surrounded by proud family, except for Yashwant Vyas. Dressed in a maroon, white and gold traditional kurta pajama made special for the event, the closest family he had to share the moment with was his mother in India, who joined him over Skype on an iPad. Vyas said he didn't feel alone despite seeing what felt like 10 guests for every other ring recipient. "I wouldn't say that I didn't have my family here," he said. "I have my Aggie family here. I have 60,000 people here with me." Vyas experienced the strength of the Aggie network on his way to becoming part of the 125th year of the Aggie Ring. |
| Professor says complaints led to tenure denial at U. of Missouri | |
 | Gaining tenure never is a sure thing, but Dylan Kesler figured his chances were pretty good. The 42-year-old wildlife biologist has published nearly 30 scientific papers since his 2007 hiring as a University of Missouri assistant professor. He's received high marks for his teaching and is a favorite of the school's public relations team, which recently featured his work on mallard duck migration. What those university press releases don't say, though, is how Kesler filed a 2013 complaint with government prosecutors alleging the misuse of federal grants by colleagues. Or how a researcher whose work regularly exceeded expectations in his annual job reviews subsequently was accused of plagiarism in what he calls a targeted effort by his superiors to silence him. Though a university inquiry found "insufficient" evidence of misconduct, Kesler was denied tenure by Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin. |
| U. of Missouri to implement voluntary buyout program | |
| University of Missouri faculty received emails Friday afternoon announcing a voluntary buyout program for tenured professors who meet certain requirements. The Voluntary Separation Program gives faculty who are at least 62 years old and retirement-eligible by Aug. 21, 2015, the chance to receive a one-time payout of 1.5 times their base salary, not exceeding $200,000. There are 261 faculty members eligible for the program, university spokesman Christian Basi said. Faculty can accept the buyout between Dec. 31 and Aug. 31, 2015. "This program will help us recognize significant contributions made by tenured faculty members during their time with the university," MU Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin said. Faculty Council Chairman Craig Roberts said "there's a chance" the decision is related to the need for MU to increase its AAU ranking. |
| White House aims to 'fundamentally shift' culture around campus sexual assault | |
 | The White House launched a major public awareness campaign about campus sexual assault on Friday -- the aim of which, President Obama said, is no less than to "fundamentally shift" how the country thinks about campus sexual assault. The campaign, called "It's on Us," encourages student bystanders to intervene when they see situations that could lead to sexual assault, as well as attempts to change harmful attitudes that young men may have about women and sex. While changing ideas about how men should treat women will be a key part of the cultural shift the White House is aiming for, the campaign is also largely focused on encouraging more bystander intervention from both men and women. Dana Bolger, the founding co-director of Know Your Title IX, said she worries that the administration is moving onto the "next step" before finishing the previous one. |
| Tulane University forum: Pelosi urges women to fight for equal pay, better child care | |
 | Former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called on New Orleanians on Sunday to fight for changes aimed at bringing women's pay into line with men's and addressing a host of other issues that affect women and families. Pelosi, a California Democrat, spoke at a forum at Tulane University focused on rallying the largely female audience to action on a series of measures contained in an agenda being pushed by House Democrats. Pelosi also blasted the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Citizens United case that eliminated restrictions on independent election spending by corporations. |
| Students are asked to demonstrate more interest in colleges than just applying | |
| Some high school counselors are worried about another college admissions hurdle students have to clear: repeatedly showing interest in certain colleges, even though they have already applied. During the annual meeting of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, admissions officials from several colleges laid out how they used students' "demonstrated interest" to make admissions decisions. The concept of demonstrated interest isn't new -- and colleges have long been wary of applicants who might not be serious -- but its role has grown in a significant way. A few high school counselors strongly questioned the emphasis on demonstrated interest, suggesting that its use blurs the lines between education and business, and that it may be a needless ego trip by college admissions offices. |
| Child-Care, Research Bills Make Congressional Short List | |
 | As the curtain begins to close on the 113th Congress, lawmakers showcased a brief burst of bipartisanship to push forward on two education measures that had been languishing in the legislative pipeline, one that underwrites child care for low-income families and another that directs federal education research. Though neither bill is a blockbuster---and one got snared in wrangling over a single provision---the fact that they made the short list of actionable items last week just before the pre-election recess was impressive given the number of high-profile competing interests. The two chambers reached a bipartisan, bicameral deal on the Strengthening Education Through Research Act, which would reauthorize federal education research through the Institute of Education Sciences. |
| PAUL HAMPTON (OPINION): Money is the root of a lot of rooting around | |
| The Sun Herald's Paul Hampton writes: "You might be misled to believe the biggest problem facing Mississippi politicians is the abysmal turnout in the last election. (About 18 percent of the people eligible to vote cast ballots for Republicans, and that was the high-water mark.) That might seem problematic, but you'd be wrong. The big problem is money. To hear either side tell it, they're broke. Destitute. They might even have to start eating at three-star restaurants. Don't believe me? Check out some of the emails that are landing in my inbox." |
| GEOFF PENDER (OPINION): Little new under sun, before Legislature | |
| The Clarion-Ledger's Geoff Pender writes: "There's no telling what specific issues and bills the 2015 state Legislature will tackle. Oh, wait, yes there is. Because year after year, in some cases decade after decade, the same old issues and bills come up. They are perennial, like the flowers. They bloom every January but die by early April. It's amazing how little truly 'new' legislation and policy lawmakers tackle each year. Much of their time is spent haggling over age-old issues; some serious, some silly. Every once in a while, a perennial is passed into law. But most often, it just gets passed on to the next Legislature, or the next generation." |
| SID SALTER (OPINION): Understanding health insurance key to plotting future | |
| Syndicated columnist Sid Salter writes: "...the growing demand for health care and long term care is a game changing challenge for state government over the next decade. ...The ultimate political fear for many in state government remains the expansion of Medicaid in a fiscally unstable manner that cannot be sustained. Legislators don't want to create additional dependence on Medicaid and then be forced by fiscal constraints to have to take it away. But expect Medicaid expansion to be part of the political conversation again in Mississippi in the 2015 legislative session and during the 2015 statewide elections." |
SPORTS
| Mullen, Bulldogs expected to beat Tigers | |
| When Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott and coach Dan Mullen addressed the media following MSU's 34-29 upset of No. 8 LSU Saturday night, they showed little reaction to the victory. Maybe that's because they expected it to happen. "This is a veteran group of guys that knew how difficult this environment would be," said Mullen, who led the Bulldogs to their first road victory against a top-10 team since 1986. "They knew how tough it would be to win. But, at the same time, they knew how hard we worked and prepared and they came in here thinking we could win this game." Prescott, who had 373 yards and three touchdowns, echoed Mullen's sentiments. |
| Mississippi State moves up to No. 14 after upset of LSU | |
| Mississippi State moved into the The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in two seasons after breaking a long losing streak against LSU and East Carolina is ranked in college football poll for the first time since 2008. The top seven teams are the same as last week, starting with No. 1 Florida State, which escaped 23-17 in overtime against Clemson on Saturday night. Mississippi State is No. 14 after beating LSU 34-29 to end a 14-game skid to the Tigers. In addition, MSU junior quarterback Dak Prescott, with 373 yards of total offense -- 268 passing, 105 rushing -- while accounting for three touchdowns was named National Player of the Week by Athlon Sports. |
| Mississippi State's Prescott earns national honor | |
| One day after leading the Mississippi State football team to a 34-29 victory against then-No. 8 LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, MSU quarterback Dak Prescott was named Athlon's National Player of the Week. Prescott had 373 yards and three touchdowns in the win at Tiger Stadium, including a 56-yard touchdown run and a 74-yard touchdown pass to wideout Jameon Lewis in the third quarter. It was Prescott's nation-leading third-straight game with 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. |
| Mississippi State's Robinson makes a statement against LSU | |
| LSU had a choice between Josh Robinson or Terrence Magee. The two running backs out of Franklinton High School, located 85 miles northeast of Baton Rouge, caught the Tigers' attention in 2010. They wanted Magee for offense and told Robinson he could play defense. But Saturday, Robinson, now a junior, played running back for Mississippi State and shredded LSU with 16 carries for a career-high 197 yards. The Bulldogs (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) upset the Tigers 34-29 and entered the week ranked No. 14 in the AP poll. |
| Bulldogs handle adversity, Fighting Tigers | |
| Disaster struck, and Dak Prescott didn't bat an eye. After leading his Mississippi State team to a 17-3 halftime lead at No. 8 LSU on Saturday night, Prescott watched helplessly as his fumble on the first play of the third quarter was picked up by LSU defensive end Danielle Hunter and returned 25 yards for a score, which cut MSU's lead in half and gave LSU a much-needed shot of momentum. Prescott picked himself up, regained his bearings and went out and made history. |
| Bulldog Dak Prescott's Heisman hype higher than ever after LSU win | |
| It's difficult to create any Heisman Trophy momentum in September. But then again, it's not easy winning at Tiger Stadium either. Dak Prescott did both Saturday night in Mississippi State's 34-29 win against LSU. His numbers only tell half the story. Prescott jumped into the national discussion with the quintessential "Heisman Moment." It's been flashed on ESPN a number of times. Prescott drops back. Darts to his right. Stops. Pivots. Reverses field to his left. Then finds Jameon Lewis for a 74-yard touchdown. |
| MSU notebook: Big victory for Mississippi State's Mullen | |
| Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen now has a legitimate signature win. Mullen picked up his first victory over a Top 10 opponent with a 34-29 victory over eighth-ranked LSU Saturday night. "We're 1-0 in the SEC West with a lot of football left," Mullen said. "Our next two games are against teams that are ranked higher than LSU was. It's hard to believe we've got that much depth and talent in our side of the league." The Bulldogs are off this week and battle No. 6 Texas A&M on Oct. 4 and No. 5 Auburn the following Saturday, both in Starkville. |
| LSU notebook: Tigers had no answers for State's Dak Prescott | |
| Mississippi State junior quarterback Dak Prescott made a statement Saturday night -- both on the field and in the press room after the game. In a contest when he completed 15 of 24 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 105 yards and a score, Prescott seemingly had the perfect play called for every LSU defensive scheme. Prescott confirmed that theory minutes after completing an unlikely 34-29 upset, the first victory the Bulldogs have mustered against the Tigers since 1999. "I pretty much knew everything (the Tigers) were coming with before the snap of the ball," Prescott said. |
| Mary Landrieu assists with a keg stand at LSU tailgate | |
 | U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu created quite a stir with national political reporters when she helped a guy do a keg stand at a tailgate party before LSU took on Mississippi State Saturday. For those who don't know, a keg stand involves hoisting someone in the air -- in this case a purple-Polo-wearing LSU fan -- and putting the running spigot from a beer keg directly in his mouth. The idea is for the person to drink as much beer as possible, while being essentially upside down. It's a common practice on college campuses, especially at house parties and tailgates. At least two Republican activists sent out pictures of Landrieu helping with the keg stand over Twitter. A Congressional Quarterly photographer also took a picture of the event. Landrieu, a three-term Democrat, is facing a tough reelection campaign against U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy. |
| Texas A&M can't look past Razorbacks, Bulldogs | |
| Forget about Ole Miss. Forget about Auburn. Forget about Alabama. For Texas A&M to remain in the conversation for the College Football Playoff, the Aggies need to take care of Arkansas and Mississippi State in the next two weeks. Arkansas, 3-1, has bounced back impressively from a season-opening 45-21 loss at Auburn. Mississippi State's Dan Mullen got one of those signature victories Saturday night with a 34-29 victory at then eighth-ranked LSU. It was the first victory over LSU by Mullen, who is in his sixth season and had been 7-20 against Southeastern Conference West Division teams. It was a potential program-changing moment. |
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