AGP Executive Report

U.S. Supreme Court: The Court revived a Mississippi death-row inmate’s Batson challenge, ruling the state courts improperly rejected his claim that prosecutors used race to strike jurors. Mississippi Politics & Courts: The decision is a major win for Terry Pitchford, tied to a 2004 murder conviction in a case where only one Black juror sat on the panel. Ole Miss Academics: The University of Mississippi named students to its Fall 2025 Honor Roll, including Lauren-Paige Johnston to the Dean’s list and multiple students to the Chancellor’s Honor Roll. College Sports (MS): Mississippi State softball is leaning into a “Broccoli Guy” good-luck tradition at the Women’s College World Series, while the Bulldogs are set to open against Texas Tech. Local Economy: Hattiesburg and Starkville are projecting big spending from NCAA baseball regionals, with tens of millions in total impact expected. Business: Cornerstone Building Brands is rebranding its Fortify Building Solutions stores to Mueller, with conversions planned across Mississippi through 2026. Everyday Life: Social Security and SSI June 2026 payment dates are confirmed, with SSI due June 1.

Voting Rights in Jackson: Thousands rallied in Jackson for a “Day of Action for Voting Rights,” marching from the Old Capitol to the Jackson Convention Center and holding a strategy session at Mt. Helm amid fallout from the Louisiana v. Callais ruling that weakened parts of the Voting Rights Act. Flood Watch: Gov. Tate Reeves says Mississippi is monitoring rivers and creeks in Forrest, Hancock, Lamar, Pearl River and more, with the Leaf River near McLain and Chickasawhay River at Leakesville expected to crest later this week. College Sports Overhaul: U.S. senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell unveiled a bipartisan “Protect College Sports Act” aimed at NIL chaos, transfer limits, and coach-movement rules, including a “Lane Kiffin Rule.” Iran Tensions: The U.S. carried out defensive strikes after downing Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz, as President Trump again said Iran is “negotiating on fumes.” Local Community & Health: In Brookhaven, a children’s mental health conference drew major turnout even after a tornado, highlighting the long tail of trauma for kids. Sports (Mississippi in the Spotlight): Mississippi State is set for the Women’s College World Series, with the Bulldogs among the field after a big run. Business/Jobs: AMP launched a campaign urging Trump to end a Jones Act waiver, arguing it hurts maritime jobs in states including Mississippi.

Mississippi Flood Tragedy: A 36-year-old mother, Rachel Floyd of Oak Grove, died after flash flooding swept her SUV in Petal near Hattiesburg, with officials reporting at least one other death on the Gulf Coast during Memorial Day storms. Public Safety & Crime: A Mississippi man, Darrian Cortez Johnson, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life without parole for the 2024 capital murder of Terrell police officer Jacob Candanoza. College Sports Overhaul: Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell unveiled a bipartisan plan to stabilize college sports—regulating player payments, limiting transfers, and creating a “Lane Kiffin Rule” for coach movement. Online Child Safety Fight: Mississippi AG Kwame Raoul joined a coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state authority and leave big tech with too little accountability. Local Economy & Jobs: Rosedale Distilling Company is opening in the Delta after a $17 million investment to redevelop historic buildings and create 57 jobs. Energy & Growth: Mississippi’s hiring demand remains elevated since 2020, with a new national map ranking the state among the biggest job-opening gainers.

Afghanistan & child exploitation: A BBC report titled “Selling children to survive” spotlights Afghan fathers allegedly forced to sell daughters amid aid cuts, but critics say it leans on sympathy while dodging deeper accountability questions. Mississippi energy & AI backlash: In Southaven, MS, xAI’s gas-burning power plant tied to its data center has drawn fresh fire after a NAACP lawsuit, with concerns about pollution hitting nearby Black neighborhoods across the state line. Local power construction: Kentucky’s “Liberty Station” groundbreaking marks new natural-gas generation work underway near the Mississippi River corridor. Defense training: Michigan’s NADWC is set to host a Department of War drone dominance qualifying event in June. War diplomacy: President Trump is meeting with Cabinet as Iran deal talks face criticism over whether any settlement leaves Iran emboldened. Mississippi Lottery: May 26 Match 5: 09-20-26-32-35; Cash 3 midday 2-0-2, evening 8-9-8. Education & kids online: Mississippi AG Brown joins a coalition opposing the KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state protections for children online.

Online Kids Safety Push: Connecticut AG William Tong says Roblox is under investigation after reports of child exploitation, joining a broader push for stronger online protections. Weather & Flooding: More than a foot of heavy rain has flooded parts of Mississippi’s coast and Hancock County, with officials warning the ground is saturated and more storms could worsen conditions. Housing & Debt Pressure: New data shows household debt hitting a record $18.8T, while mortgage delinquency trends are “broadly stable” nationally—still a sign budgets are tight. Politics & Voting Rights: A federal court blocked Alabama’s plan to eliminate a second Black-opportunity congressional seat, a temporary win after Voting Rights Act setbacks. Local Odds & Ends: A Pontotoc Match 5 ticket won $750,000, and an I-20 crash in Brandon spilled about 11,000 pounds of KitKat bars. Sports Business: Several Mississippi community colleges reported women’s and men’s basketball spending in 2024 that generally lagged state averages.

Severe Flooding Tragedy: A Mississippi woman died after flash flooding in Petal swept her SUV away while she was still inside; witnesses tried to rescue her as the vehicle flipped and was carried through a culvert, with officials citing rapid water rise after heavy rain. More Storm Damage: Forrest County also reported a separate fatality tied to flooding, as flash flood warnings remained in effect. Local Infrastructure: Greene County’s $12 million bridge replacement project is driving detours, including a closure on Old Highway 24 over Little Creek for weeks and another bridge replacement expected to take months. Voting Rights & Redistricting: Mississippi’s redistricting fight is intensifying after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that critics say weakened the Voting Rights Act, reshuffling how challenges are argued and raising concerns about representation. Sports—Kentucky: Malachi Moreno made it official he’s returning to Kentucky for 2026-27, posting “BBN, I’m home” and saying “Job isn’t finished.”

Memorial Day & Weather Watch: Alabama is bracing for rounds of rain and heavy storms that could bring a flood threat over the holiday weekend. Local Infrastructure: A rural levee district tied to the Mississippi River and Big Muddy is getting four new relief wells after a $300,000 USDA zero-interest loan to reduce underground pressure and protect levee integrity. Jackson Area Updates: Fondren’s The Pearl, the Capri Theater, and Fondren Yard are temporarily closing May 24–28 as new food management takes over, with reopening planned for May 30. Mississippi Coast: The 2026–2027 shrimp season in state waters opens at 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, with new rules and dockside checks available. Politics: The Supreme Court is set to wrap up a term with major election and presidential-power rulings, while Iran-deal talks keep sparking sharp Republican in-fighting. Sports: NCAA baseball brackets are set to be announced Monday, with Mississippi’s Southern Miss among the host sites.

Energy Policy: Entergy CEO Drew Marsh says nuclear power is back on the table for Arkansas, weighing everything from big reactors to small modular designs as AI-driven demand and data centers reshape the grid. Sports—NCAA Baseball: The NCAA named regional host sites, bringing the spotlight to Hattiesburg (Southern Miss) and Starkville (Mississippi State), with Lincoln hosting for the first time since 2008. Sports—Softball: Mississippi State punched its first-ever WCWS ticket by shutting out No. 1 Oklahoma 6-0, while Southern Miss’ baseball seeding picture still hinges on selection Monday. Politics—Iran: Trump’s team says an Iran deal is “largely negotiated,” but GOP hawks and Democrats are attacking it as too weak, with talk of a short countdown and a possible 60-day path to final terms. Mississippi Lottery: May 24 results: Match 5—03-08-13-24-31; Cash 3 Midday—0-8-0 (FB 1), Evening—3-0-9 (FB 0). Community & Culture: Bay Fest returns May 30 in Bay St. Louis, spotlighting local food and artists with proceeds benefiting Gulf Coast charities.

Iran Diplomacy Sparks GOP Backlash: President Trump says a U.S.-Iran deal is “largely negotiated,” urges negotiators “not to rush,” and says the Strait of Hormuz would reopen—while Republicans like Ted Cruz and Thom Tillis warn the plan could restore Iran’s leverage without forcing major nuclear concessions. Redistricting Pressure Builds Across the South: The fight over voting power keeps heating up as states move to redraw maps after court rulings, with critics warning the changes could wipe out Black representation. Surveillance Debate Escalates: Cities are pushing back on AI camera networks, with reports putting the U.S. total near 97,000 license-plate reader cameras, mostly tied to one vendor. Mississippi Coast & Weather Watch: Coastal Mississippi is in for more summer rain and storms, with multiple days of unsettled conditions. Local Angle: A UTC study finds more people are moving to Chattanooga from California than from any other state.

Workplace Safety: Wyoming topped the nation for worker deaths in 2024, hitting 13.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers—far above Rhode Island’s 1.1—highlighting how risk concentrates in certain industries and regions. Politics & Free Speech: A new push to protect First Amendment rights is back in the spotlight after coverage of a Trump-era order aimed at stopping federal officials from pressuring speech. Iran Talks & Shipping: Trump says a U.S.-Iran deal is “largely negotiated” and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, but Republicans are warning it could look like weakness while Iran disputes the framing. Memorial Day Costs: AAA is forecasting heavy travel even as gas prices stay near historic highs, with fuel costs tied to Middle East uncertainty. Local Notes: Prime Dumpster expanded porta potty rentals in Biloxi; two Ninth Street restaurants closed as construction continues; and Mississippi Lottery results for May 23 were posted.

Memorial Day security jitters: Cities and beach towns are beefing up patrols and readiness after warnings that social-media-fueled teen takeovers could spark violence and strain police this summer. Mississippi culture on stage: The MAX in Jackson is set to open “John Jennings: Build Your World” June 20, an immersive exhibit spotlighting the Mississippi-born comic artist’s work and how creators of color reshape history and the future. Local business lift: Peoples Bank promoted Janna Stringer to SBA Operations Officer, expanding support for the bank’s small-business lending work. Road-trip buzz: Buc-ee’s is rolling out new locations in six states, including an Arizona opening June 22 and an Arkansas opening Aug. 17. Coast watch: Mississippi officials are still dealing with sewage-related bacteria advisories that can keep some beaches under swim warnings. Politics backdrop: The Voting Rights Act fight keeps heating up after the Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais decision, with redistricting battles spreading across the South.

Iran Tensions: Retired Navy Cmdr. Kirk Lippold says renewed U.S. combat operations against Iran are “a matter of when,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio points to “a little bit of movement” in talks and rejects Iran’s Strait of Hormuz “tolling” plan. Mississippi Politics: Three Republican senators say Mississippi’s redistricting fight is still early—no new maps yet—arguing lawmakers must use data, not viral graphics. Local Weather: A First Warning Impact Day is underway with heavy rain and isolated severe storms; a tornado warning was issued for the west side of Jackson. Cybersecurity: WLBT reports UMMC may have missed federal privacy notification deadlines after a February ransomware attack. Food Assistance: Tennessee’s SNAP access dropped sharply after federal changes, with Mississippi also seeing enrollment declines. Sports & Culture: Universal debuts a new “Sinners” haunted house for Halloween Horror Nights, and the SEC baseball tournament’s new automatic ball-strike system sparked a viral Ole Miss–Missouri social media back-and-forth.

SNAP rules tighten in Louisiana: Starting May 26, Louisiana SNAP recipients will only be able to use EBT cards for in-state purchases and in nearby border ZIP codes in Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas—out-of-area buys will be blocked, with short-term travel exemptions available through LDH. Mississippi politics on deck: The Neshoba County Fair released its 2026 political speaking schedule, with candidates and statewide leaders set to take the stage June 24-25. Local jobs push: Ingalls Shipbuilding will hold an on-site skilled trades hiring event June 6 in Pascagoula, offering on-the-spot talks with hiring managers and contingent offers for qualified workers. Food safety alert: Kettle Cuisine is recalling 24-ounce Whole Foods Kitchen Minestrone Soup cups due to undeclared shrimp allergens, with no illnesses reported. Arts & history: A Mississippi Museum of Art exhibit spotlights photography’s role in the Black Arts Movement from 1955-1985.

Redistricting showdown in Jackson: Thousands rallied downtown Wednesday, marching past the Old Capitol and Gov. Tate Reeves’ home to protest new legislative maps they say would dilute Black voting power—echoing Mississippi’s civil-rights history and warning of protests and court fights ahead. NAACP pressure on sports: The NAACP launched its “Out of Bounds” campaign urging Black athletes and fans to boycott major college programs in states accused of weakening voting rights through redistricting, drawing debate over whether the burden should fall on athletes. Local fallout and fixes: South Jackson residents say another store closure is worsening grocery access, while FEMA approved nearly $3 million for temporary hospital modules in Rolling Fork after the 2023 tornado disaster. Jackson data-center debate: The City Council is weighing a six-month moratorium on large data centers, as residents warn about rushed deals and ask for clearer rules. Business and community notes: ProSat Networks expanded Starlink installation and IT services in Mississippi, and Meridian expects a busy Memorial Day weekend for tourism.

Cost-of-Living Pressure: A new doxo report says household bill costs vary wildly by state, with the most expensive places hitting about 38% above the national median ($2,892 vs. $2,095), while the cheapest regions spend roughly 47% less ($1,116). Mississippi Education: Gov. Reeves’ office released a statewide AI Framework laying out AI skills from K-12 through careers, with 11 skill domains aimed at boosting judgment, ethics, and real-world use. Voting Rights Fight: The NAACP’s “Out of Bounds” campaign is pushing Black athletes and fans to boycott certain SEC and ACC schools tied to states facing redistricting backlash. Public Safety: Mississippi’s Public Safety Summit drew 900+ first responders and leaders for training and mental wellness talks. Local Justice: Former Reservoir police officer Rodney Jernigan was sentenced to 20 years for child exploitation. Community Calendar: Jackson is set for the BAPS Charities Walk-Run on May 30, with about 300 participants expected.

Meridian Dumpster Crackdown: Business owners in Meridian are fed up with dumpster divers overturning bins and leaving messes, with one resident even trying locks—yet the problem keeps growing. City crews say it’s the worst they’ve seen in a year, and officials are asking for security footage and tips to identify the culprit. Voting Rights Fight: Thousands of Mississippians rallied in Jackson against redistricting after the Supreme Court gutted key parts of the Voting Rights Act, with speakers warning Black political power is at risk. Childcare Boost: Mississippi’s human services agency says it’s adding $5 million in TANF money to expand childcare help for about 800 families. Barney Frank Dies: Liberal icon and gay-rights trailblazer Barney Frank, 86, died this week, remembered for major Wall Street reforms and for being the first openly gay member of Congress. Sports & Local Headlines: LSU’s season ended in the SEC Tournament, while Ahmad Hardy—shot earlier this month—shared an update as he begins rehab. Animal Shelter Break-Ins: An animal rescue in Jackson says it’s been burglarized three times in a week, losing about $30,000.