| Thursday, June 18, 2015 |
| Mississippi State Lands Environmental Honor | |
 | The Environmental Protection Agency recognized Mississippi State University with the regional 2015 EPA Rain Catcher Award in the Neighborhood/Community Category for the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum's rain garden program in Starkville. The award was given at a ceremony during the EPA Region 4/International Erosion Control Association Municipal Wet Weather Stormwater Conference, in Atlanta. The museum's rain garden program was a 5-year project designed and constructed by Mississippi State students, faculty and community volunteers. |
| Mississippi State honored for rain garden project | |
 | A rain garden project in Starkville has been awarded a regional award from the Environmental Protection Agency. Mississippi State received the 2015 EPA Rain Catcher Award in the Neighborhood/Community Category for the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum's rain garden program. The five-year project was designed and constructed by MSU students, faculty and volunteers. More than 200 Mississippi State students from various fields of study worked on the garden, which now serves as a demonstration site for North Mississippi. |
| Perkins signals opposition to future TIF packages in Starkville | |
 | Future tax increment financing packages for Starkville developments should see consistent opposition from at least one alderman after Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins pledged Tuesday to not grant tax waivers for new businesses. Perkins was the lone vote against a $3 million-maximum improvement package for HPM Development LLC's proposed $21.9 million project that aims to build a car dealership complex, 20,000 square feet of office space, convenience store, restaurant and 15 single-family homes on almost 26 acres of land along eastern Highway 12. Perkins' comments found no support at the table as other aldermen pledged to continue working with developers attempting to invest in Starkville. |
| Southern Rail Commission wants Amtrak rolling along Coast again | |
 | Gulf Coast travel options may one day include daily passenger rail service if a rail authority group is able to bring its vision to fruition. The Southern Rail Commission on Wednesday hosted a public forum, Y'all Aboard, at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art. The program was part of the museum's "Katrina+10" series. The five-person panel included representatives from Amtrak and rail transportation groups, including the SRC and the National Association of Railroad Passengers. "What we are trying to do is bring to the Mississippi Gulf Coast a daily passenger service at good times that are convenient for you," said Pelahatchie Mayor Knox Ross, who also serves as the SRC's chairman. |
| Poll: Majority would support state health exchange | |
 | A majority would favor establishing a state-run exchange to prevent Mississippians from losing their health insurance, according to a recent poll. The Mississippi Health Advocacy Program recently released results of a Mason-Dixon poll showing that 54 percent of Mississippians favor establishing a state-run exchange should the U.S. Supreme Court rule that federal subsidies (actually tax credits) are not available to people who purchase health insurance through a federally run exchange. The poll showed that 37 percent oppose a state-run exchange and the remainder is undecided. |
| Former Candidate Edwards Endorses Denson in Choctaw Tribal Chief's Race | |
 | As the run-off election for Choctaw chief nears, a former candidate is throwing his support behind one of the front runners. Kevin Edwards made that announcement at Southern Business Supply in Marion. Edwards says Denson will provide an environment Anderson does not. "We need a chief in there that will work with the tribal council. Until they all work for the collective good of the tribe, you're never going to accomplish anything," Edwards says. Four years ago Edwards supported Anderson. There has been much controversy surrounding Denson and an FBI raid on casino offices. Denson says the raid was provoked. "The raid by FBI at Choctaw was basically, today, I think was all political," Denson says. |
| Thompson: US should maintain Medgar Evers home | |
 | The home of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers should be part of the national park system, according to Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson. Evers "gave all of his adult life to trying to make Mississippi and this country a better place," Thompson, a Democrat, said. "I think there's no better tribute to his legacy than to have the United States Parks Service maintain that home in a manner where people from all over the world can come and visit." Thompson made his comments after the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing Tuesday on his bill -- the Medgar Evers House Study Act -- to require the National Park Service to look into taking over maintenance of Evers' home in Jackson. |
| Palazzo works to save two South Mississippi postal facilities | |
| Congressman Steven Palazzo issued a statement Wednesday in support of an amendment to restore postal service funding and prevent the closure of two South Mississippi facilities. "Since the decision to close our Gulfport and Hattiesburg processing facilities was first announced several years ago, I have been demanding a justification for these actions and fighting their closure," he said. "The U.S. Postal Service is in desperate need of improvement; however, refusing to address its structural and management problems as jobs and businesses are ripped out from under our communities is not, and never will be an option." The amendment passed, preventing the closure of 82 facilities across the nation. |
| Charleston Shooting Suspect Identified by FBI as Dylann Roof, 21 | |
 | The alleged gunman police say is responsible for killing nine people in a Charleston, South Carolina, church Wednesday night has been identified as Dylann Roof, 21, FBI sources say. Charleston police also identified Roof, of Lexington, South Carolina, as the suspect. The suspect opened fire on a bible study group at the historic predominantly black Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street, killing eight people in an "unfathomable" act of violence. One other person was rushed to the hospital and died. Police originally said two people were hospitalized. Police said the alleged gunman, whom the mayor called a "horrible scoundrel," was inside the church attending the prayer meeting with worshipers for almost an hour. |
| Pope Francis Aligns Himself With Mainstream Science on Climate | |
 | The new papal encyclical on the environment is a ringing call to action, a critique of consumerism and a prophetic warning about the dangers of ignoring what Pope Francis calls "the ecological crisis." But amid all his soaring rhetoric, did the pope get the science right? The short answer from climate and environmental scientists is that he did, at least to the degree possible in a religious document meant for a broad audience. If anything, they say, he may have bent over backward to offer a cautious interpretation of the scientific facts. The pope's careful calibration of the scientific facts was no accident, of course. The Vatican has been consulting for many months with leading experts. |
| 'Average' dead zone predicted for Gulf in 2015, scientists say | |
 | This year's low oxygen "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico along the Louisiana and Texas coast lines is likely to be "average" in size, but still as large as the state of Connecticut, according to a study by university and federal scientists, including researchers at Louisiana State University. The dead zone is a name used to describe very low oxygen conditions that are created when nutrients from fertilizers on farmland and other uses, mostly in the Mid-West, flow down the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers into the Gulf each spring. Between July 28 and August 4, a research cruise headed by scientists with the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium will take measurements of oxygen in the Gulf to estimate the actual size of this year's low-oxygen zone. |
| Guilty plea expected in Ole Miss noose case today | |
 | A former student is scheduled to appear in court Thursday to plead guilty to a charge related to a noose left on a statue marking the University of Mississippi's integration. Federal court filings show Graeme Phillip Harris will plead guilty to using a threat of force to intimidate African-American students and employees at Ole Miss. |
| Oxford looks at temporary road shift on University Avenue for study | |
| The Oxford Board of Aldermen will get a look tonight at a plan to narrow a city street to increase bicycle and pedestrian traffic. The plan calls for the temporary narrowing of University Avenue between the University of Mississippi Museum and Grove Loop. The road would be narrowed to one lane each direction and would include a left turn lane. Bike lanes will be placed on both sides of the roadway and a shared bike-motorist turning lane would be in place in some areas. A pedestrian walkway will also be put in. The temporary change will allow officials to study the impact it will have on traffic through the area. |
| Former Itawamba Community College president to serve interim role | |
| Former Itawamba Community College President W.E. Boggs of Saltillo will serve as the college's interim vice president of instructional services beginning July 1, according to an announcement Wednesday by President Mike Eaton. Boggs will fill the position currently held by Sara Johnson, who is retiring at the end of June. "Mr. Boggs brings a lifetime of service to education and Itawamba Community College to this position," Eaton said. |
| U. of Alabama trustees to consider tuition increase, new president | |
 | The University of Alabama board of trustees is set to consider the selection of the next UA president and modest tuition increases for the fall at its Tuscaloosa and Birmingham campus and when it meets today and Friday. The board will meet at 11 a.m. at the Bryant Conference Center to consider the nomination of Louisiana State University Provost Stuart Bell to be the 29th president of the University of Alabama. Bell was named the sole finalist to be presented to the board by the UA System last week. The finance committee agenda includes a modest increase in tuition and fees at UA and UAB for the 2015-16 school year beginning this fall, according to the system office. |
| Auburn University receives federal honor for outreach and community engagement | |
 | For the fourth consecutive year, Auburn University has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, a recognition of the nation's leading colleges and universities for their dedication to civic engagement, service-learning and outreach. This is the highest federal recognition an institution of higher education can receive for its service work in the community. The Honor Roll is administered by a federal agency, the Corporation for National and Community Service, or CNCS, on behalf of the President of the United States. Auburn is one of five universities from the state of Alabama to be named to the Honor Roll in general, and one of only two to have received the Honor Roll with Distinction designation. |
| U. of Florida in line for $30 million in performance funding | |
 | The University of Florida is poised to get $30.6 million in performance funding next year -- more than any other state university -- provided the Florida Legislature approves its budget plan. The Board of Governors Budget and Finance Committee approved the performance funding allocation, contingent on legislative approval and the signature of Gov. Rick Scott. The Legislature is scheduled to vote on the $80 billion budget Friday. The state budget provides $100 million in performance funding for the second year in a row, or $220 million since the initiative was first initiated in 2013. |
| City planners, U. of South Carolina want changes from developer of student housing tower | |
 | Tennessee-based developers of a proposed 15-story, $60 million downtown student housing tower agreed Wednesday to meet again next week with city planners skittish over its size, and the university raised the prospect of offering an alternate site. The University of South Carolina will offer EdR "alternatives," USC spokesman Wes Hickman said, including changes in the design, scope and possibly a different location for the tower that is proposed for near the Horsheshoe. Hickman did not elaborate. The Columbia Design Development Review Commission was uncomfortable enough with the proposed tower at Main and College streets that it withheld final approval of the project June 11, remanding the dispute to a subcommittee for further study. |
| UGA officials considering purchase of electric buses | |
 | University of Georgia bus stops might soon become considerably less noisy and more environmentally friendly. UGA officials are considering replacing part of the university's bus fleet with electric buses. Such a bus visited the UGA campus Monday and Tuesday as a kind of demonstration while on a promotion tour throughout the Southeast. With a couple of exceptions, driving the 40-foot New Flyer Xcelsior was just about like driving any other UGA bus, reported student driver Dustin Tilley, who drove the bus on the UGA orbit route Monday. |
| Some Louisiana universities to test new admission standards | |
 | After three meetings and hours of debate, the state Board of Regents on Wednesday agreed to test new admissions standards for some of Louisiana's universities. The new policy isn't as far-reaching as some had been aiming for, but supporters say it could help more students go to college. "The goal is to get more graduates," said Regents chairman Roy Martin, of Alexandria. Under the new policy, four-year regional institutions will be able to admit students who require a developmental, or remedial, course. Currently, a student who scores on the ACT below an 18 in English or a 19 in math can't enroll at the state's public universities without a waiver because he or she would have to take a remedial course at a two-year college. The standards are a minimum, so individually, colleges could opt out of the new provision. |
| U. of Arkansas Uses $3.5M in Gifts to Create New Endowed Dean's Chair | |
 | The College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas is creating an endowed dean's chair thanks to a gift of $1.5 million from Palmer and Marie Hotz of Foster City, California, and a $2 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation. The chair is being named in honor of Palmer and Hartman Hotz's father, Henry G. Hotz, who was the college's fourth dean for nine years. "This remarkable gift from the Hotz family and the Walton Family Foundation will rightfully honor a very influential person in the history of the college," Chancellor G. David Gearhart said in a news release. The college's current dean, Tom Smith, will be the first holder of the chair. |
| U. of Arkansas Maritime Transportation Center Receives $923,700 Federal Grant | |
| The Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center, based at the University of Arkansas, has received a federal grant of $923,700, according to the UA. The center, known as MarTREC, is a consortium of researchers focused on maritime and multimodal transportation research. It has received $3.7 million since 2013. The latest grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will support research and programs through September 2018. Joining the UA in the consortium are Jackson State University in Mississippi, Louisiana State University and the University of New Orleans. |
| U. of Missouri Panhellenic Association develops sexual violence education plan | |
 | The University of Missouri Panhellenic Association has introduced a sexual violence education plan to be implemented in sororities beginning in the fall semester. The Panhellenic Association has been working on the plan since March. Janna Basler, MU director of Greek Life, said the association wanted to introduce the plan before a Saturday summit that Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin plans to have with Greek leaders and members on ideas to prevent sexual assaults on campus. "We wanted to keep it separate and let people know this isn't a response to the summit and also show that students are working on a plan and can develop something themselves," said Carolyn Welter, vice president of public relations for the association. |
| U. of Arizona to emphasize status as land-grant, research institution with online program | |
 | The University of Arizona, the last holdout in a state investing heavily in distance education for undergraduates, will this fall join the state's other public universities in offering online bachelor's degrees, as UA Online opens its virtual doors. UA's in-state competitors -- Arizona State and Northern Arizona University -- have already established themselves in that market. UA, for its entry into the market, plans to emphasize its status as a land-grant and research institution to set itself apart from online education providers inside and outside the state. "I don't personally spend a lot of time thinking about other institutions in relation to this," said Vincent J. Del Casino, vice provost for digital learning and student engagement. |
| The Watchdogs of College Education Rarely Bite | |
 | Most colleges can't keep their doors open without an accreditor's seal of approval, which is needed to get students access to federal loans and grants. But accreditors hardly ever kick out the worst-performing colleges and lack uniform standards for assessing graduation rates and loan defaults. Those problems are blamed by critics for deepening the student-debt crisis as college costs soared during the past decade. Last year alone, the U.S. government sent $16 billion in aid to students at four-year colleges that graduated less than one-third of their students within six years, according to an analysis by The Wall Street Journal of the latest available federal data. |
| Universities Ban Smart Watches During Finals | |
 | Some Australian universities warned students this month not to wear wristwatches during final exams, amid concerns that increasingly popular wearable technology, like the Apple Watch, could foster cheating. La Trobe University, in Melbourne, and the University of New South Wales, in Sydney, both issued warnings at the start of their final-exam periods that students would have to remove their watches before testing began. The University of New South Wales required students to put all wristwatches in clear bags under their desks. La Trobe students could place traditional watches on their desks while taking exams, but they could not have smart watches in an exam room. Such policies are likely to be in place soon at American universities, said Eric Klopfer, director of the Scheller Teacher Education Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. |
| BOBBY HARRISON (OPINION): Insurance exchange idea passed from governor's car to a gnarl | |
| The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal's Bobby Harrison writes: "It was a warm, late summer day in 2007, riding at break-neck speed in the back of a Mississippi Highway Patrol Crown Victoria cruiser between Blue Mountain and Hickory Flat, the first time I heard a politician talk in any depth about health insurance exchanges. Then-Republican Gov. Haley Barbour running for re-election against Jackson attorney John Arthur Eaves Jr. wanted to make health insurance exchanges a centerpiece of his second term in office. Barbour, who has a knack for making complicated issues easy-to-understand in that slow Southern drawl, explained the concept in the backseat of the cruiser along the winding rural highways of north Mississippi. It was difficult to take notes on the curvy, hilly road, Mississippi Highways 2 and 5, but the point was clear." |
SPORTS
| Transfer Johnson will have key role to play for Mississippi State | |
| Roshunda Johnson knows the power of social media. That knowledge was part of her motivation for the tweet that served as her unofficial welcome announcement to the Mississippi State women's basketball team. On Tuesday, Johnson and MSU's other four newcomers had their first chances as a group to speak with members of the media at Mize Pavilion at Humphrey Coliseum. Johnson, 6-foot-7 center Teaira McCowan, 6-3 center Zion Campbell, 5-8 guard Jazz Holmes, and 6-foot forward Jazmine Spears are all enrolled in the first session of summer school in an effort to ease the transition in their first school year as Bulldogs. |
| HUGH KELLENBERGER (OPINION): Never too early to rank top SEC games | |
| The Clarion-Ledger's Hugh Kellenberger writes: "There's going to be 56 Southeastern Conference football games this fall. That does not seem like a lot, right? We spend every day from January to September thinking about the fall, and all we get is 56 games? ...So, with that in mind, here's a ranking of the top-10 games and then the bottom-five, based on the DVR "series priority" scheduling philosophy. Great matchups are created equal, but mediocre ones can sink or swim based on the weekend it happens to fall. ...3. Ole Miss at Mississippi State, Nov. 28: Dak Prescott's last regular-season game is at home and against Ole Miss. That's enough right there, but you have to add in the rivalry, that it's Year 4 between Dan Mullen and Hugh Freeze, and the chance there's more at stake besides the Golden Egg." |
| Michael Oher says 'The Blind Side' hurt his NFL career | |
 | "The Blind Side" may have impressed critics, but the 2009 Oscar-winning film is not a favorite of its subject, Carolina Panthers left tackle Michael Oher. On Wednesday, Oher said the movie has been a detriment to his football career. Oher has long said his character in the 2009 Sandra Bullock movie was inaccurate and not just because his character in the movie is portrayed as a rather simple-minded kid. Oher takes particular issue with the film's depiction of him as a football novice until he was taken in by the Tuohy family, who is credited in the film as shaping Oher into the Ole Miss player who became a first-round draft pick in 2009. |
| Completion for U. of Alabama's Sewall-Thomas stadium on schedule | |
| With each passing week progress continues on Sewell-Thomas Stadium on Bryant Drive. The roof has gone on, and if you look closely you'll see a tip of cap to the state of Alabama's rich baseball past, as the roof resembles the style of roof at historic Rickwood Field, the oldest baseball park in the country. The $42 million major renovation continues to come along and University of Alabama Director of Athletics Bill Battle said so far so good. "As far as I know it's on schedule and on budget," Battle said. "It's really exciting to watch it come up. It's going to be a great stadium." |
| U. of Tennessee confirms July 1 Nike unveiling - GoVolsXtra Story | |
 | Tennessee confirmed Wednesday on its official website and Twitter account that it plans to unveil some of its new Nike uniforms and gear during a July 1 show that will be broadcast on UTSports.com. The announcement came with an image featuring the date "7.1.15" and a simple message: "tune in at noon." Details of the unveiling have not been revealed to this point, but Fox college football analyst Charles Davis -- a former All-SEC defensive back for the Vols -- and Maria Taylor of ESPN and SEC Network announced on their personal Twitter accounts that they will be co-hosting the online broadcast. |
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