Thursday, November 6, 2014   
 
In Mississippi, Football vs. Politics Is No Contest
On Tuesday, as the College Football Playoff committee once again voted Mississippi State as the country's No. 1 team, its weekly poll had new competition from another election of national intrigue. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant made it clear which one took precedence. Bryant introduced Sen. Thad Cochran at his re-election celebration on Tuesday night, and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen received a text message not long afterward letting him know that Bryant had said something that may interest him: Republicans taking control of the U.S. Senate, he said, was almost as good as the state of Mississippi having the nation's top-ranked football team. "I don't know that people get football in the South completely unless you're here to understand it," Mullen said in an interview Wednesday.
 
Governor's arts awards tap 2015 crop of creatives
Five Mississippi cultural treasures will be recognized with a Governor's Arts Award next February, including the Mississippi State University Riley Center for Education & Performing Arts in Meridian. The MSU Riley Center is a jewel box opera house whose $25 million restoration/renovation transformed it into a mulitfaceted center that draws conferences, meetings and performers. Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum called it "a treasure" in the region. "As we grow MSU-Meridian's vital Riley Campus, winning the Governor's Award ranks as a tremendous honor for both the Riley Foundation and our university," Keenum said. "This prestigious award underscores the great value of MSU's partnership with the foundation."
 
In Mississippi, job placement made easier
Looking for a job? Looking for a worker? In Mississippi, there's an app for that, thanks in part to an Italian transplant who describes himself as a "Mississippian by marriage." Domenico "Mimmo" Parisi, director of the National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center (nSPARC) at Mississippi State, showed off the MS Works app at the Columbus Rotary Club meeting Tuesday. Parisi said that the work of nSPARC is a key part of the state's economic development strategy. "What's the best asset for promoting economic development? Knowledge," Parisi said. "Recruiting industries is incredibly competitive. I guess the best example of that would be Yokohama." Parisi said nSPARC's work proved to be an invaluable resource as Mississippi wooed Yokohama officials.
 
Mississippi State partners with Veterans Affairs for new initiative
An important announcement concerning veteran's health care was made Wednesday at Mississippi State University. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Veterans Medical Center participated in a ceremony. "We're very proud of the fact that we're one of the most veteran-friendly universities in the nation," said MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum. "And, I think the fact that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognized our commitment to our students who served our country, so admirably to allow us to extend more benefits to our students our dependents on this campus."
 
Mississippi State Home to New Healthcare Services for Veterans
Mississippi State students who have served in the military and Golden Triangle veterans now have access to specialized healthcare and benefits. During a ceremony Wednesday morning, the university, the U.S. Veterans Health Administration and the state's VA Medical Center announced a partnership that will offer physical, occupational and speech therapies, along with mental health services to local and student veterans. The services will be available on the MSU campus, so veterans in the area don't have to travel regularly to Jackson. The program is the first of its kind in the nation.
 
What's Working: Mississippi State and Jackson Zoo Partnership
When it comes to education, few things are more helpful than hands on experience. That certainly holds true for veterinary medicine. Mississippi State is expanding its partnership with the Jackson Zoo, and soon some students will be earning their stripes in exotic animal care and getting class credit for it.
 
Mississippi Court of Appeals to visit two college campuses
The Mississippi Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on the campuses of two universities this month. The court's stops at the University of Southern Mississippi on Nov. 13 and at Mississippi State University on Nov. 18. At Mississippi State, a panel will hear an armed carjacking case from Bolivar County and a drug case from Harrison County. The cases will be heard at the Hunter Henry Center.
 
'Breaking Bad' Actor R. J. Mitte to Visit Mississippi State
He rose to fame playing Walt White Jr. on TV's critically acclaimed AMC drama, "Breaking Bad," but R.J. Mitte plans to promote equality when he visits Mississippi State University. His public presentation will be held Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium. Tickets are free and may be picked up at the door. They also are available in advance from the Center for Student Activities, event sponsor, in suite 314, Colvard Student Union. On "Breaking Bad," he played a character with cerebral palsy, the same disability he battles in real life.
 
Starkville leaders now expect water, sewer rate increases
After first downplaying forecasted water and sewer rate increases, Starkville leaders performed an about-face Tuesday on City Hall's previous stance and said future hikes are more than likely needed as Public Works tends to a growing list of capital improvement projects. SPW Director Doug Devlin first predicted the increases in October, but City Hall representatives said the discussions on rate hikes were premature before Starkville's Fiscal Year 2013-2014 audit arrives in early 2015. Tuesday, both Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard and Mayor Parker Wiseman said the city is nearing its first water and sewer rate increase in about seven years. Neither Maynard, nor the mayor say when an increase could come, but Wiseman said such a hike "in the near future is a real possibility."
 
Nissan Canton begins Murano production
Wednesday's official start of production of the Nissan Murano at Nissan Canton marks the eighth vehicle to be built at the plant and is the latest part of a three-year growth spurt at the manufacturing facility. But company officials say there are "big plans" for the plant beyond the Murano launch, including boosting the plant's production capability to 507,000 vehicles per year by 2017. It currently can produce as many as 480,000 annually and actually builds about 300,000 per year. Nissan Canton and a Toyota plant in Blue Springs collectively employ about 8,000 people, and suppliers to those plants count thousands more workers.
 
East Mississippi Business Development Corporation shifts focus, considers priorities
East Mississippians have to control their destiny -- not only in economic growth, but also in how residents perceive themselves and their community. That was part of the message members of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation heard Wednesday, when they gathered in Meridian for a discussion of the community's strengths and weaknesses. "We don't want to criticize or complain about the past, but we do want to learn from the past," said Bob Luke, chairman of the EMBDC board. Members were asked to submit questions and to frankly discuss their concerns. Among the concerns were education, public safety and tax rates. In the absence of a president, EMBDC is working to redefine some of the responsibilities of the job before hiring a new leader.
 
Ballot petition aims to protect Confederate heritage
A Mississippi heritage group has launched a ballot initiative that would appear on the 2016 statewide ballot if enough signatures are obtained. The 12-part ballot measure, if passed, would amend the state's constitution to acknowledge "Confederate Heritage Month," which would provide a curriculum base for school children to learn about "Mississippi's Confederate history, heritage, achievements, and prominent people," the initiative reads. It also includes multiple sections regarding the state's institutions of higher education. State universities Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi Valley State University would not be permitted to merge or consolidate. If passed, the University of Mississippi's mascot would once again become "Colonel Reb" and the song "Dixie" would be played by the university.
 
Epps, McCrory to be arraigned on 49-count indictment
State Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps and Rankin County School Board President Cecil McCrory will be arraigned in federal court today on a 49-count federal indictment. Epps has abruptly resigned amid a federal investigation and the U.S. Attorney's Office has moved to seize his $359,000 Flowood home, his beachfront condo in Pass Christian and two Mercedes Benz sedans. Epps resigned his $132,700-a-year government job on Wednesday, with a brief letter to Gov. Phil Bryant. McCrory also abruptly resigned his school board post on Wednesday. McCrory is listed as an owner of companies that have done business with the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
 
Feds target Epps' assets
The U.S. attorney's office recently sued the assets of Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps in connection with an apparent violation of federal laws, according to documents obtained by The Clarion-Ledger. The federal forfeiture, filed March 12 in U.S. District Court in Jackson, sought to seize roughly $1 million of Epps' property. Listed assets include a $360,000 residence in Flowood's gated Lineage Lake subdivision, a $250,000 luxury beachfront condo in Pass Christian, a 2007 Mercedes-Benz S65 V12 AMG and a 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 that to purchase new today would cost roughly $193,000 and $94,000, respectively, as well as all the funds deposited into two Edward Jones accounts.
 
Feds move to seize assets of MDOC's Christopher Epps, including Pass Christian condo
Mississippi's corrections commissioner suddenly resigned Wednesday in the face of an apparent federal investigation. Christopher Epps had led the state prison system for 12 years. Gov. Phil Bryant named Deputy Commissioner Richard McCarty as the interim leader of the state prison system until a permanent commissioner is selected. House Corrections Committee Chairman Tommy Taylor, R-Boyle, said Epps is under investigation, but said he wasn't allowed to discuss the details. Epps' legal troubles have apparently been mounting for months. "It was a shock to me," Senate Corrections Committee Chairman Sampson Jackson, D-DeKalb, said Wednesday. "I thought a lot of him. I did."
 
Patrick, Younger advance to runoff in Senate District 17
The special election for the District 17 Mississippi Senate seat is headed to a Nov. 25 runoff. Charles "Chuck" Younger and Bobby Patrick advanced in a four-candidate race that will ultimately decide who replaces the late Terry Brown for next year's legislative term. Neither garnered 50 percent plus one of the vote, however, necessitating the runoff. The runoff winner will fill Brown's term, which expires in 2015. Brown died in September after a battle with cancer. Younger, 51, has farmed and ranched in Lowndes and Monroe counties for more than 30 years. Patrick, 68, retired in 2011 after nearly 40 years as an insurance agent.
 
Race is on to run National Republican Senatorial Committee
The race is on for one of the toughest jobs in Washington: Protecting blue state Republicans across the country in 2016 in order to preserve Senate Republicans' new majority. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) wasted little time in making his case for the job of National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman to his colleagues on Wednesday. Neither did his principal competition for the job, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), who an aide said has officially begin the campaign to lead the Senate GOP's campaign arm. On Wednesday Wicker shipped out a letter highlighting the work he did raising more than $2 million for the GOP's Senate takeover this cycle and emphasizing that he will not be "preoccupied" by his own race for reelection in 2018, due to having more than $2 million in his campaign coffers. Another key part of his pitch is that Wicker was a key player in rescuing the floundering reelection campaign of Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), helping deliver $1 million to his state's senior senator.
 
Cochran carries 58 of 82 Mississippi counties
After winning a chaotic Republican primary earlier this year, Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran cruised to a seventh term with 60 percent of the vote in Tuesday's general election. That's similar to the wide margins Cochran enjoyed in most of his previous campaigns for re-election. He carried 58 of 82 counties Tuesday, even winning in Jones County, home of the tea party-supported state senator who tried to unseat him in the primary. "No matter who you voted for, I want you to know that I am committed to doing my best to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate," Cochran said during his victory party in Jackson.
 
Childers, Democrats had wanted McDaniel
Travis Childers was not excited about running against incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran. When Childers, a former Democratic chancery clerk of Prentiss County and U.S. House member, qualified for the Senate race at the Feb. 28 deadline, he was hoping to face state Sen. Chris McDaniel of Ellisville in Tuesday's general election. But instead Childers ended up opposing Cochran, a six-term incumbent, who easily breezed to a seventh term by winning 60 percent of the vote to 37 percent for Childers. One prominent Democrat said he thought Childers did the best he could do in the general election against great odds. But he faults Childers for not being more active in the Democratic primary, which he won easily against token opposition.
 
Swamped in a Red Surge, Southern Democrats Contemplate Their Rebuilding Plans
Burns Strider, a native Mississippian who has advised the Democratic Party on faith issues, spent Tuesday night watching the election returns with a couple of other Democratic consultants and a bottle of small-batch bourbon. It was that kind of night. The Republican wave on Tuesday washed over the whole country, including Massachusetts and Maryland, but it was in the South that the swamping of statewide Democratic prospects appeared most complete. In the foggy hangover of Wednesday morning, Democrats in the South maintained in interviews that such Republican gains should not be considered permanent. But Democrats were not the only ones considering the way forward. "If we just assume we're safe, we're wrong," said Henry Barbour, a Mississippi-based lobbyist and a member of the Republican National Committee. Mr. Barbour pointed to several lessons in this year's bizarre Senate primary in Mississippi. He held up State Senator Chris McDaniel, a Tea Party candidate who nearly won the primary runoff, as the kind of divisive Republican who could threaten the party's general appeal.
 
Roberts' win signals GOP revival: 'The triumph of old white guys'
Kansas U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts defied dire predictions that he'd be swept out of office in a flood of anti-incumbent anger this week. Instead the 78-year-old lawmaker rode a GOP wave to victory. His salvation signals a resurgence of the Republican establishment nationwide, a trend that comes not only at the expense of Democrats but also of tea party insurgents. From Roberts' defeat of independent millionaire Greg Orman to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's decisive win over Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky to Thad Cochran's re-election to a seventh Senate term in Mississippi, Election Day was a good day for long-serving Republicans. "It's the triumph of old white guys," said Jack Pitney, a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in California.
 
Blue Dog ranks dwindle further
The already dwindling Blue Dog Coalition of centrist House Democrats will shrink to even fewer members thanks to the 2014 midterm elections. In two of the biggest upsets of the night, Blue Dog Reps. John Barrow (D-Ga.) and Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) lost reelection. Barrow's defeat was especially significant because he was the last white House Democrat representing a district in the Deep South. The region's surviving Democrats are all African-Americans who represent largely black districts. Like other white Southern Democrats before him, Barrow repeatedly had been able to cobble together a winning coalition of black voters and white conservatives, but he was unable to survive a particularly difficult year for his party.
 
Deep South senators gain power
Republicans from the Deep South could control the gavel on eight Senate committees come January, a sizable concentration of power for a region once dominated by Democrats. Seniority is the main ingredient for awarding committee chairmanships. When Republicans took the majority role in the Senate on Tuesday, it elevated a sizable number of longtime Southern senators who have been biding their time in the minority. "I think it means our state and our region will have more effective representation in the United States Senate," Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander said Wednesday. "There is a major surge of Southern strength in the Senate, and it's reminiscent of the Southern strength during the old, solid South days of Democratic dominance," said Ferrel Guillory, director of the Program on Public Life at the University of North Carolina and a Southern political analyst.
 
Lott: Cruz, Paul, Rubio, Portman Won't Win 2016 GOP Nomination
Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., doesn't believe that any of his Senate colleagues stand much of a chance in the 2016 GOP presidential primary and he said he gives the edge to the nation's Republican governors. "Clearly governors over senators," Lott said when asked his preference. His comments come as GOP Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio, Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida -- and possibly others -- could seek the nomination. "I think the American people really will be looking for a governor," Lott said. "I don't think any of our senators are really going to be that viable in 2016, partially because you vote every day and your record can be twisted around your neck every day."
 
U.S. Money-Laundering Probe Touches Putin's Inner Circle
U.S. prosecutors have launched a money-laundering investigation of a member of Vladimir Putin 's inner circle, several people familiar with the efforts said, in a politically sensitive escalation of pressure on the Russian president's cadre of billionaire supporters. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, aided by the Justice Department, is investigating whether Gennady Timchenko transferred funds linked to allegedly corrupt deals in Russia through the U.S. financial system, the people said. The probe is also examining whether any of Mr. Putin's personal wealth is connected to allegedly illicit funds, one person said.
 
USM students trade books for trash bags to cleanup campus
Dozens of Southern Miss students traded their books for trash bags for awhile in an effort to spruce up their campus. The Student Government Association hosted a campus-wide clean-up Wednesday afternoon. It was done to prepare the grounds for Homecoming activities, which will kick into high gear in the coming days. This year's events include an Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet, the annual Homecoming Parade and, of course, the football game Saturday between the Golden Eagles and the Marshall University Thundering Herd.
 
USM Residence Life Coordinator wins national honor
Dr. Megan McCay, Residence Life Coordinator for Academic Initiatives and Assessment at the University of Southern Mississippi, was honored recently by the National Association for College and University Residence Halls as Adviser of the Month for September. This is the first time McCay, who has served in her current role since July, has captured the award. She also serves as the adviser to the Student Academic Mentors at Southern Miss.
 
Mississippi College makes ranking of Christian colleges with lowest student debt burden
Christian Universities Online has published a ranking of the Christian colleges with the lowest debt burden, and Mississippi College made the list. MC, which came in eighth, was the only Christian institution of higher learning in Mississippi to be ranked. Michael Templeton, senior editor for Christian Universities Online, said the purpose of the ranking was to help "parents and students who are seeking to make the most informed decision possible when choosing a Christian institution of higher education. We understand the long term effects of excessive student loan debt and produced this ranking in order to highlight schools that are excelling in keeping the debt burden of their graduates as low as possible."
 
U. of Alabama considers more space for band
The board of trustees for the University of Alabama is set to consider a proposal to provide additional space for the Million Dollar Band by renovating and expanding the Moody Music Building when it meets today and Friday. The proposal is part of a host of construction-related agenda items the Physical Properties Committee will first take up today. If approved by the committee, the agenda items will be presented to the full board on Friday. The plans for an exterior renovation and 20,000-square-foot addition to the Moody Music Building are part of a proposed amendment to the 2012 Campus Master Plan. The trustees will also consider a resolution to set a preliminary budget and begin planning for the proposed $21.7 million parking deck and pedestrian bridge project.
 
Author of Auburn University's common book encourages audience to overcome obstacles
A vision of the life he wanted, paired with a sharp focus on his goals, helped William Kamkwamba overcome humble beginnings in a rural Malawi village. Speaking to students and community members Wednesday night at Auburn University, the New York Times bestselling author encouraged his audience to to overcome obstacles. Kamkwamba's "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," which chronicles his early teenage years spent teaching himself science, is Auburn University's 2014-2015 common book. "I've faced so many challenges, challenges that could have stopped me from reaching my goals," he said, adding that all successful people have faced challenges. "But they didn't allow those challenges to stop them from achieving their goals."
 
Two food scientists plan talks at U. of Florida
Two controversial food scientists will be speaking as part of the University of Florida's ongoing Food Science Seminars. Robb Fraley, chief technology officer at Monsanto Corporation and winner of the 2013 World Food Prize, will speak at 11 a.m. Friday at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom. Fraley "was personally responsible for making the first transgenic (geneticallly modified) plants," said Kevin Folta, chairman of the UF Horticultural Sciences Department. On Nov. 13, Alison Van Eenennaam, an expert in animal genomics and biotechnology at University of California-Davis, will speak as part of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences York Lecture Series. Van Eenennaam will give a lecture called "GMO Technology: What do the facts say?"
 
U. of Kentucky president tells elementary pupils about his struggles as a student
"Believe in yourself," University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto told fifth-graders from Lexington's Northern Elementary School who toured UK Wednesday as part of a college readiness initiative. "I don't care what anybody says to you. I don't care what happens. I want you to believe in yourself." Capilouto told students that whether they go to UK or another school, college is important. Lori Vogel, a social worker at Northern, said students were able to visit UK on Wednesday because the school received a grant to enhance college and career readiness through the Urban County Government's Partners for Youth program. Through the grant of about $800, Vogel takes fourth- and fifth-grade students to local colleges to help them envision themselves on campus one day.
 
Western inaction helped ISIS grow, says U. of Georgia panelists
The United States is partly to blame for the rise of ISIS, University of Georgia faculty members who keep tabs on the Middle East agreed during a Tuesday panel discussion. And ISIS, also called ISIL for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, isn't going away anytime soon, they said as they explained the nature of the terrorist group. The outfit grew out of many causes, including poverty, religious oppression and strife, and a continuing tradition of repressive regimes. But the United States might have helped itself by giving aid to some of the more moderate groups fighting against the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria's 5-year-old civil war, suggested Alan Godlas, a UGA religion professor who has traveled widely in the region.
 
U. of Arkansas Projects, Fayetteville School Win American Architecture Awards
Three projects with ties to the University of Arkansas' Fay Jones School of Architecture have received 2014 American Architecture Awards. The awards are presented by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture & Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design & Urban Studies. The 63 award winners were chosen from submissions by architecture firms across the United States and include buildings, commercial and institutional developments, and urban planning projects designed or built since 2012.
 
Texas A&M regents to vote on tuition increase in year's last meeting today
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents will meet today in the Memorial Student Center to discuss and vote on a proposed tuition and fee increase, campus construction projects, infrastructure improvements and property development for their last meeting of 2014. With a vote of approval from the regents to appropriate $48 million in funds, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory will leave its current 47-year-old facility on Sippel Road for a new two-story, 92,915-square-foot home on Agronomy Road. The new building proposal called the current facility "antiquated" and stated it poses biosafety concerns. The new facility would be able to meet or exceed federal biosafety and biosecurity standards needed for the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians approval. If regents approve, construction will begin in January 2015, with an expected completion date in August 2016.
 
U. of Missouri provost candidate promotes shared governance
At the helm of the academic side of the University of Missouri, the provost is considered the final leg of the triumvir of administrators that lead the institution. On Wednesday morning, MU's third provost candidate, Nancy Brickhouse, spoke to several dozen faculty and staff members and students, stressing her belief in shared governance and building campus buy-in for large decisions. Fielding questions for almost two hours, Brickhouse used multiple opportunities to discuss her collaborative leadership style and belief in the importance that the community should take ownership of policies and changes, especially during a time of administrative turnover -- an issue MU is facing. She also stressed the importance of that same feeling of ownership from the community.
 
U. of Missouri nursing students teach preschoolers the importance of hand-washing
With the squeeze of a plastic bottle, a puff of baby powder fell into the center of many small palms. Fifteen preschoolers at Eugene Field School turned and high-fived a partner. Almost like magic, the powder spread from hand to hand. Just like germs. This was an eye-opening lesson in hygiene at the Title I preschool Wednesday morning. University of Missouri nursing students used puzzles, powder, songs and board games to teach the children, ages 4 and 5, the importance of hand-washing to prevent outbreaks of illness. "We are trying to make the lessons fun and exciting since the students are so young," said Joely Milazzo, MU nursing student and volunteer.
 
Governing Boards Should Focus on Finances and Stay Out of Politics, Report Says
It's not hard these days to find examples of colleges' governing boards under fire for what critics regard as bad behavior. In recent years, boards of trustees have been accused of ignoring problems (Penn State), meddling in campus leadership (University of Virginia), and pursuing an ideological agenda (University of Texas). A commission formed to recommend changes in higher-education governance says actions like those jeopardize not only the institutions but also the public trust in higher education. Too often, governing bodies get caught up in petty conflicts or ideological squabbles rather than focus on the strategic needs of institutions, says a report issued on Thursday by the National Commission on College and University Board Governance.
 
War on Poverty College Programs Still Serving 'Lucky Few'
As more middle-class jobs require postsecondary training, school districts face increasing scrutiny and accountability for their students' college enrollment and success. Yet the federal programs originally intended to bridge high school and college, Upward Bound and Talent Search, were not designed to serve all students, and have not been given the resources to cope with the dynamic and exponentially growing need, particularly in rural communities. Anthony P. Carnevale, the director and research professor of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, in Washington, sees the push to get more students from poor or minority families to college breaking down, as more colleges become "selective" and gaps continue between students at selective institutions and those with open enrollment.
 
In South Carolina, A Program That Makes Apprenticeships Work
Several years ago, South Carolina had a problem: a shortage of skilled workers and no good way to train young people for the workforce. So at a time when apprenticeship programs were in decline in the U.S., the state started a program called Apprenticeship Carolina. "We were really, really squarely well-positioned at the bottom," says Brad Neese, the program's director. From the beginning, South Carolina took apprenticeship beyond the building trades -- that's the traditional route for apprentices -- to fields like nursing, pharmacy and IT. As the number of apprenticeship programs has fallen nationwide, it has taken off in South Carolina.
 
SAM R. HALL (OPINION): What we learned from the midterm elections
The Clarion-Ledger's Sam R. Hall writes: "With the 2014 midterm elections all but behind us (thanks a lot, Louisiana...), here are a few thoughts from the aftermath. ...Party philosophies aside, Mississippi should be a big winner with the Republican gains in Congress. One of the main arguments for re-electing Cochran was that he is expected to return as chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee in a GOP majority. He has four years left to lead the committee. ...Democrats were the big losers nationally, but the Mississippi results really don't tell us anything new about the state of the party here. Childers' campaign was lackluster, and the Mississippi Democratic Party was barely visible in helping. It seems their focus has been on 2015, with the Mississippi Democratic Trust leading the way."
 
BRIAN PERRY (OPINION): Election ends, election begins
Consultant and columnist Brian Perry writes: "The election is over. Long live the election! That's right, you don't get to rest from politics for very long. Every year in Mississippi is an election year. With some local exceptions and special elections scattered throughout the calendar, we have significant campaigns every year. Last year we had municipal elections; this year federal and judicial elections; next year county, legislative and statewide elections; and in two years more federal (including President) and judicial elections. The qualifying deadline for statewide, legislative and county elections is fewer than 17 weeks away."
 
BOBBY HARRISON (OPINION): Tea Party possibilities weigh on 2015 races
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal's Bobby Harrison writes: "Unless the Better Schools, Better Jobs folks badly miscounted the number of signatures they gathered, their initiative to require eventual full funding of the Mississippi Adequate Education program will be on the ballot in November 2015. ...As the coming vote on the education initiative unfolds during the 2015 election season, there also is speculation that some Republican officeholders might be challenged in the primary by Tea Party favorites. The euphoria of near-victory followed by the devastation of a close loss to incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran in the this past summer's Republican primary by state Sen. Chris McDaniel, a Tea Party favorite, has buoyed speculation of Tea Party candidates possibly challenging incumbent Republicans in 2015."


SPORTS
 
Bulldogs look to 'put the ball down' on defense
"Put the ball down." That phrase has been uttered often by members of Mississippi State's defense lately, the latest in a string of mottos meant to stir enthusiasm within the unit and to convey unity to outsiders. In MSU's 17-10 win over Arkansas last Saturday, the mentality behind "Put the ball down" was on full display. Five times MSU allowed the Arkansas offense to drive within the Bulldogs' red zone. Only twice did the Razorbacks score, adding to the growing legend of MSU's red zone defense, which currently ranks as the best in the Southeastern Conference and is ranked No. 1 nationally. So what does "Put the ball down" mean?
 
No. 1 Mississippi State's biggest challenges still lay ahead
Mississippi State fans have every right to celebrate the current standing of their team as the No. 1 team in the nation, but the two most difficult games of the season remain. The Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0) control their own destiny in the College Football Playoff and SEC West, but there's a lot of work left to be done. MSU hosts Tennessee-Martin at 3 p.m. on Saturday in a game that allows the Bulldogs to catch their breath before hitting the home stretch in SEC play. What should be a relatively easy home game against struggling Vanderbilt on Nov. 22 is framed by a Nov. 15 road game at No. 5 Alabama and the Nov. 29 Egg Bowl at No. 11 Ole Miss.
 
Mississippi State's Prescott says he's 'ready to go' vs. Tennessee-Martin
Dak Prescott shrugged his shoulders. Asked Tuesday how his team's offense can respond after a 17-point showing against Arkansas on Saturday night, Mississippi State's junior quarterback was his worst critic. He also came across as a player eager to right the ship. "We really stepped on our own toes a lot in that game," Prescott said of a 17-10 win against the Razorbacks, the Bulldogs' 11th-straight win and eighth-consecutive victory to start the season. "Even when we got drives going later, we'd commit a penalty and push ourselves back. We have to be better, and we will be." Although rumors persisted this week about an injury that seemed to slow Prescott's running on Saturday night, Prescott dismissed those thoughts. "I'm feeling great," Prescott said. "Ready to go this week."
 
Mississippi State's Dan Mullen not surprised by Dak Prescott's Heisman consideration
Dan Mullen knows what it takes. Mississippi State's sixth-year coach went to New York City with Alex Smith, while he was at Utah. He made the trip again to the Heisman Trophy presentation with Tim Tebow in 2007 when the quarterback won the award. Now he's coaching Dak Prescott, who many believe can win this year's Heisman. Mullen isn't surprised. "(Before the season) At this point in the season if we were 8-0, I would have told you I imagine Dak would be a Heisman contender," Mullen said.
 
Bulldogs still deep at receiver
During Dan Mullen's first spring at Mississippi State, in 2009, he had to use walk-on quarterbacks as wide receivers just to have enough depth to practice. The Bulldogs have come a long way since those days. They have enough playmakers at the position now that even an injury to Jameon Lewis has not affected the offense's production. "Obviously I'd love to have J-Lew back but without him I still feel like I'm two-deep across the board," said MSU receivers coach Billy Gonzales.
 
Ready to roll: Ray's squad faces Delta State in exhibition tonight
Mississippi State's men will hit the hardwood for the first time tonight in exhibition action against Delta State. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on SEC Network Plus. Rick Ray returns all five starters from last year's squad that finished 14-19 and 3-15 in Southeastern Conference play. But Ray feels that finally having a deep roster will help his team finally play his style of basketball in his third year at the helm.
 
Mississippi State's Sword could return for season-opener, Ready out 4-6 weeks
Mississippi State could have its leading scorer from a season ago when it opens the season on Nov. 14. It won't have its starting point guard. Both Craig Sword and I.J. Ready had surgery to repair bulging discs in their backs. Sword is expected back for the season-opener. Ready, who had surgery last Friday, will miss 4 to 6 weeks. "We fully expect Chicken to be back for that first game," MSU coach Rick Ray said. The junior won't play in Mississippi State's exhibition game on Thursday against Delta State.
 
Ray's Bulldogs battling injuries yet again
Unfortunately, the start of Rick Ray's third season as Mississippi State men's basketball coach looks familiar. On the eve of MSU's exhibition opener against Delta State, Ray announced another critical injury for the Bulldogs as sophomore I.J. Ready, expected to be MSU's starting point guard, will miss four-to-six weeks after undergoing back surgery last Friday. It's already MSU's third significant injury - starting guard Craig Sword will miss tonight's exhibition and at least MSU's season opener with the same injury, while forward Johnny Zuppardo is out for the season with an ACL tear. Still, after his first two seasons were marred my injuries and inexperience, Ray is optimistic as the Bulldogs prepare to give fans their first glimpse of the 2014-15 team tonight. Tipoff against Delta State is set for 6 p.m. at Humphrey Coliseum.
 
Schaefer's Bulldogs gearing up for offense
The basketball doesn't discriminate. While the shots look different coming from the hands of Kendra Grant or Dominique Dillingham or Blair Schaefer or Kayla Nevitt, the desired result is the same: The ball has to go through the net. Mississippi State women's basketball coach Vic Schaefer has made that point clear to his 12 healthy players as the team continues to prepare for its exhibition game against Arkansas-Fort Smith at 2 p.m. Sunday at Humphrey Coliseum. The game, which is free to fans, will be MSU's first official test of the preseason following a closed scrimmage against Georgia Tech in Birmingham, Alabama, and an intrasquad scrimmage last week.
 
Former Mississippi State baseball player Flagg wins Long Drive Championship
Six years after hitting his last home run for the Mississippi State baseball team, Jeff Flagg is still hitting tape-measure blasts. On Tuesday night, Flagg's ability to hit the ball long won him $250,000 and the title of world champion. Flagg, a member of MSU's 2007 College World Series team, was one of two former Bulldogs -- Conner Powers was the other -- competing in the Re/Max World Long Drive Championship at the Latiue Country Club in Las Vegas. After fighting cold, windy conditions, Flagg was the last golfer left standing, as he uncorked a final drive that covered 365 yards, 20 inches.
 
Counterfeit tickets? Ole Miss asks fans to be on alert
Ole Miss is encouraging fans to only buy tickets from the school or other "reputable" companies after a trio of incidents before last Saturday's game against Auburn. Two individuals were arrested for ticket scalping and a third for counterfeit tickets, the school announced in a press release Wednesday. In Mississippi it is illegal to sell a ticket to an event on a college campus for more than the face value price. "The overall risk for getting robbed, let alone ripped off, is extremely high because most of these people have an extensive criminal background," said Keith Davis, a captain with Lafayette County's Metro Narcotics Unit. "It's a lot of risk not worth the reward." There was also an arrest for the theft of a woman's wallet, one of several incidents inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium or in the Grove.
 
One arrested in Ole Miss game day wallet theft
One arrest has been made in relation to the taking of a wallet during the Ole Miss-Auburn game Saturday in Oxford. University police charged Demartine Ezell, 57, with robbery of a woman's wallet. UPD Detective Jane Tutor says the department received three other reports of wallet theft inside the stadium, one in the Grove and one in the Circle. Investigators believe the thefts were committed by multiple people.
 
Former UAB football players concerned the program may be shut down
Some former UAB football players are concerned that the results of a study that's part of a university-wide strategic plan could lead to the elimination of the school's football program. Former player Justin Craft, a partner and senior vice president of Nowlin and Associates, a Birmingham financial planning firm, has met with UAB President Ray Watts and written a letter to Watts to voice those concerns. Craft said he met with Watts last Friday in Craft's capacity as a member of the new UAB Football Foundation, a private organization of local business leaders and UAB supporters, to discuss how they could help the program and to raise some specific issues that had been brought to their attention.
 
N.C.A.A. Questioned Its Authority in Penalizing Penn State
Emails released as part of a lawsuit reveal that N.C.A.A. officials were unsure of their own authority to penalize Penn State in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual-abuse scandal. In one email, an official said that she told the N.C.A.A.'s president, Mark Emmert, that sanctions would be a "bluff" and that he "basically agreed." The emails were first reported Wednesday by the Penn State blog Onward State. In 2012, Penn State agreed to N.C.A.A. sanctions including a $60 million fine, the loss of multiple football scholarships, a four-year postseason ban and the vacating of all victories from 1998 to 2011, which dropped the former coach Joe Paterno from the top spot in the career wins list. The sanctions were controversial, with critics saying that the details of the scandal made it best suited to the criminal justice system and that the N.C.A.A. had not followed its typical due process in issuing the punishment.



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