AGP Executive Report

Data Centers in Mississippi: Clinton is set to welcome a $1 billion AWS investment by repurposing the long-vacant former Delphi plant, aiming to create at least 100 skilled jobs and build out new tech infrastructure. Higher Ed, Workforce Pipeline: Mississippi Christian University and Alcorn State University signed a 4+1 accelerated Master of Accountancy partnership, shaving a year off the path to graduate training. Public Health & Heat Risks: As extreme heat continues, Amana window and through-the-wall air conditioners are recalled over fire/burn hazards, while Mississippi health officials are also warning about “flesh-eating” Vibrio vulnificus in warm coastal waters ahead of July Fourth. STEM Research & Community Safety: A Jackson State professor’s new book, “Protect the House,” focuses on practical severe-weather preparedness for vulnerable communities across Mississippi. Transportation Funding: Mississippi is getting $51.1 million in federal Build Grant money for safety and capacity upgrades in Brandon (US 80), freight improvements near the Hancock County Welcome Center, and lane/intersection upgrades on Mallett Road in D’Iberville. Environmental Cleanup: Minnesota awarded $20 million in PFAS-related habitat restoration grants tied to 3M settlement funds, including river access and aquatic improvements downstream of Mississippi River impacts.

Extreme Heat Watch: A dangerous heat dome is pushing record-breaking temperatures across the Eastern U.S., with extreme heat warnings stretching into the Mississippi Valley and beyond through the Fourth of July. Mississippi Health Policy: Medicaid coverage for routine non-abortion care at Planned Parenthood is set to resume as a GOP ban expires, shifting decisions to states. Mississippi Courts & Tech: The federal trial over Mississippi’s 2016 airport takeover law centers on internal records and testimony about state control of the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport board. Digital Forensics in the Pine Belt: Southern Miss opened a Rural Digital Forensics Initiative lab to help rural agencies process phone and computer evidence faster and reduce statewide backlogs. Medical Device Trial Milestone: Xeltis says it hit 50% enrollment in a U.S. pivotal trial for a vascular access implant for hemodialysis, supported by FDA Breakthrough status. STEM Education Spotlight: A Murphy High School teacher was recognized by the Atlanta Braves for hands-on hurricane modeling lessons funded through a classroom grant partnership. Transportation Tech Funding: Mississippi is receiving $51M+ for road and parking upgrades, including a real-time truck parking availability system. Bugs & Biodiversity: Joro spiders are spreading farther north, with maps placing them as far as Baltimore—experts say they’re mostly harmless.

Education Policy: Mississippi lawmakers have so far resisted joining other Republican-led states that fund private school vouchers or homeschool expenses, keeping the state’s approach more restrictive. Clean Energy Research: A University of Louisiana at Lafayette team is exploring agrivoltaics—using the same land for solar panels and crops—arguing the two uses can work together. Weather & Public Trust: WDSU named Scot Pilié its new chief meteorologist, bringing a familiar Gulf Coast face back to the station and leaning on his accessible forecasting style. STEM for Kids: Mississippi-area families can look for hands-on science programming, including outdoor STEM camps and farm-focused learning opportunities. Public Health: Mississippi reported its first human West Nile Virus case in 2026, with officials urging mosquito-avoidance steps. Healthcare Tech: Ochsner launched “Decoded,” a podcast and video series where physicians break down medical innovations and emerging technologies for patients. Defense Industry: Ingalls Shipbuilding began fabrication of the future USS John F. Lehman (DDG 137), with distributed partners across several states including Mississippi. Space/Connectivity: Starlink is offering half-priced internet in parts of the Memphis area, with a privacy “catch” tied to data use.

Biofuels & Crops: Canola acreage is set to hit a new U.S. record in 2026, with growth spreading into the Delta and other southern states as renewable diesel demand rises. Public Health: Mississippi is among places warning about Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria that can turn deadly after exposure through open wounds, with officials pointing to climate-driven pathogen spread and federal prevention cuts. Water & Environment: Friends of the Mississippi River will start a feasibility study on the future of St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam sites, as navigation declines and invasive-species concerns shape decisions. Workforce & Education: Georgia Pacific is expanding a Jones College scholarship endowment to support training in welding, electrical and other technical fields. Local Tech & Policy: Biloxi’s municipal conference spotlights AI use for city problem-solving and data-driven collaboration. Mississippi Research: MSU graduate student Nate McGregor is using drone surveys to build better baseline counts of migratory waterfowl along the Mississippi Flyway. AI in Courts: A new study says AI-related filing mistakes in U.S. courts are accelerating fast, with fabricated legal citations showing up more often. Higher Ed Pathways: USM and the Army/Air Force ROTC are creating a reserved-seat pathway for nursing degrees for qualified cadets. Ports & Shipping: The Port of Gulfport cleared a key step toward a $548M ship channel deepening project to boost access for larger cargo vessels. SpaceX & Connectivity: SpaceX is offering Memphis-area residents half-price Starlink, tied to its expanding AI infrastructure in the region.

Mississippi Tech & Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly upheld birthright citizenship, blocking Trump’s order aimed at children of undocumented or temporary visitors—an outcome with direct ripple effects for Mississippi families and election politics. AI & Data Centers: A new report alleges a China-backed influence campaign targeting U.S. AI data centers, while in the Memphis area SpaceX/xAI is pushing back with a “half-price” Starlink deal for eligible addresses near its Colossus campus—despite local noise and pollution complaints. Local Tech in Action: Mississippi municipalities leaders met in Biloxi with AI on the agenda, and the Port of Gulfport cleared a key step toward a $548M ship-channel expansion that could boost regional logistics. Research & STEM: MSU grad student Nate McGregor is using drones to survey migratory waterfowl along the Mississippi Coast, building a baseline for understudied species. Community Science & Learning: Meridian’s Soulé Steam Museum opens a Smithsonian “Spark! Places of Innovation” exhibit July 4, running through Aug. 15.

Alzheimer’s Care Access: Mississippi’s insurers must start covering Alzheimer’s biomarker blood testing on July 1, a shift that could speed early diagnosis beyond costly PET scans and spinal taps. Clean Air vs. AI Power: The NAACP’s Clean Air Act fight against Elon Musk’s xAI data center in Southaven heads to court as the Justice Department seeks dismissal, arguing national security concerns tied to methane gas turbines. Election Tech & Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can count mail ballots arriving after Election Day, upholding Mississippi’s “postmarked by Election Day” grace period. Rural Health Reality Check: A Mississippi fact-check finds claims about rural hospitals “at risk” are mostly supported, but the definition of “at risk” is fuzzy. STEM in Mississippi Schools: Pascagoula-Gautier schools won $1.2M for CTE expansion, including a new aquaculture program and health sciences simulation upgrades. Heat Safety: A heat dome is pushing extreme heat and humidity across much of the South and Mid-Mississippi Valley, with HeatRisk alerts in effect. Engineering Leadership: Mississippi State named Julie Jessop director of its Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, effective July 1.

Heat Safety: A heat dome is pushing extreme heat across much of the Eastern U.S., with heat alerts for tens of millions and overnight cooling expected to be limited, raising heat-index risks in the South and Mid-Mississippi Valley. Mississippi Education & Tech: Mississippi State named chemical engineering professor Julie Jessop as director of the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, signaling new leadership for research and industry ties. Workforce & Health Training: Pascagoula-Gautier School District won $1.2M for Career and Technical Education, including a new Gautier High aquaculture program and health-sciences simulation upgrades. Medical Imaging: Copiah-Lincoln Community College added advanced radiologic technology equipment via a $316,000 grant, giving students hands-on practice with modern imaging systems. Sports Science: South Mississippi athletes tested nationally verified speed, power, and agility metrics at the Rookie 2 Recruit combine, aiming to strengthen college recruiting profiles. Public Health & Community: Mississippi firefighter suicides are spotlighting first-responder mental health as the state’s suicide rate stays above the national average. Supreme Court Voting Rules: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s law allowing late-arriving mail ballots (postmarked by Election Day) to be counted, a win for voting access. Local STEM/Community Learning: MSU Extension is running a hands-on strawberry jam canning workshop in Poplarville, pairing safe food preservation with practical science.

Heat & Safety: A dangerous heat wave is set to scorch much of the central and eastern U.S., with millions under heat alerts and forecasts hinting at record highs. Wildfire Response: On the Colorado–Utah border, fast-moving wildfires killed three firefighters and injured two others as drought and extreme conditions persist. Mississippi Elections: Mississippi’s election officials are recruiting poll workers, but a University of Maryland study warns that high stress and low pay are driving turnover among election staff. AI in the Real World: Rideshare companies are using AI to match Colorado riders and drivers, showing how quickly machine learning is moving into everyday services. Workforce Training: A push to expand U.S. apprenticeships toward one million new registered apprentices faces a funding and infrastructure gap. Local Tech/Industry: Kirby Corporation announced its 2026 second-quarter earnings date and webcast, a reminder of how Mississippi’s river and chemical logistics ecosystem ties into national business cycles.

Workforce & job-search policy: A new look at unemployment insurance highlights how Mississippi’s shorter benefit window (12 weeks, up to 20 in downturns) contrasts with states that pay far more and for longer, raising the tradeoff between generous support and faster reemployment. Local business & construction: Gainey’s marks 45 years in Gulf Coast precast concrete, expanding into heavier custom projects and wastewater systems across Mississippi and Louisiana. Mississippi tech & public safety: Multiple reports focus on Mississippi’s push toward AI-enabled traffic enforcement, with officials trying to calm concerns about how the tools will be used. Education & research access: Mississippi’s higher-ed community continues to publish updates on honors and student achievement, while a separate national story spotlights a Mississippi doctoral student’s Chrome extension supporting researchers worldwide. Environment & health monitoring: Air-quality disputes in the Memphis area show how neighborhood monitoring gaps can turn into trust fights between residents, health officials, and researchers. Space & local legacy: Biloxi dedicated the “Fred Haise Landing” along Highway 90, honoring the Apollo 13 astronaut and Biloxi native.

Election Security: Internal documents say states don’t expect the federal government to reliably share election threat information in 2026, pushing officials to build alternative channels. Industrial Air Quality: Gary residents say U.S. Steel is jeopardizing jobs and air quality by failing to install modern furnaces, with community health concerns tied to pollution exposure. Bird-Safe Design: A Chicago exhibit, “Flyway City,” explores how architecture can protect migratory birds and reshape cities around wildlife. Data Center Debate: A new argument against data centers warns hyperscale growth could create stranded assets and local nuisance problems. Mississippi Space & STEM: Biloxi dedicated “Fred Haise Landing” along Highway 90 to honor the Apollo 13 astronaut and Biloxi native. Education & Training: Delta State will host a free financial literacy workshop for K-12 educators using the Stock Market Game simulation. Public Health Monitoring: Memphis-area officials dispute neighborhood air monitoring results, highlighting trust gaps between residents, health departments, and researchers. STEM Career Pathways: Mississippi’s workforce push includes training to build and operate data centers, including a mobile data center effort at Holmes Community College.

Sleep & Pets: Experts say sleeping with pets can be fine for many people, but it can also raise exposure to germs and parasites (and may worsen sleep if the animal disrupts you). Air Quality Trust Clash (Memphis): Shelby County health officials dispute a South Memphis neighborhood pollution report based on low-cost PurpleAir monitors, while researchers argue the real issue is the lack of close, local monitoring near industrial sites. Workforce + K-12 Skills (Policy): U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar outlined a workforce development push tied to apprenticeships and “Future of Work” training, aiming to lift K-12 achievement. Mississippi Education & Finance: Delta State will host a free Stock Market Game workshop for K-12 educators, and the University of Mississippi released its spring 2026 chancellor’s honor roll. STEM in the Region: ExxonMobil’s first female engineer, Barbara Kerr Beckmann, is retiring after 65 years, and Mississippi Aquarium released two turtles back into the water, including a loggerhead. Public Health Watch: H5N1 bird flu continues to hit poultry and dairy herds across many states, including Mississippi.

Mental Health Access: Mississippi State University is partnering with Uwill to give students free, confidential, 24/7 telehealth mental health support and on-demand wellness tools starting July 1. AI in Public Safety: Mississippi DPS is backing AI traffic cameras aimed at catching cellphone use and seat belt violations, even as officials try to calm fears about how the tech will be used. Data Centers, Local Trust: Monticello residents are pushing back on data center plans, arguing the city is moving too fast and not being transparent enough as zoning rules take shape. Energy Planning: Minnesota lawmakers approved a study on whether new nuclear power should play a role in the state’s future grid. Health Tech in Women’s Care: Ascension Center for Women’s Health in Gonzales, Louisiana, is rolling out Emsella, a non-invasive chair-based pelvic floor treatment. Agriculture & Disease: H5N1 bird flu continues spreading across U.S. poultry and dairy, with Mississippi among the affected states. STEM in Mississippi: MSU also highlighted a new mental health support layer for students, while the University of Mississippi released its spring 2026 chancellor’s honor roll.

Mississippi Higher Ed & Tech: Mississippi State University is rolling out free, confidential 24/7 telehealth mental health support via Uwill, starting July 1, adding licensed crisis access and on-demand wellness resources to existing counseling services. AI in Daily Life (Mississippi): Mississippi’s AI traffic camera push is back in the spotlight as officials try to calm fears about enforcement—while DPS backs the concept for catching cellphone use and seat belt violations. Research Tools (MSU): An MSU doctoral student built a free Google Chrome extension, “NotebookLM to Zotero,” that automates moving citations and research outputs into a reference manager, reaching 1,000 installs in under 90 days. Data Centers & Community Trust (Mississippi region): A Monticello city council debate over data center development is intensifying, with residents asking for slower timelines, more transparency, and even a temporary moratorium. Health & Safety: A new report links dangerous humid heat days across the Gulf South—including Mississippi—to worsening conditions since the 1970s, raising heat illness risk. STEM/Environment: The Gulf of America Alliance is investing $2.2M in NOAA coastal management work to boost regional resilience, coastal planning, and environmental education.

MLB Draft Overhaul: Owners are pushing rules that would bar high school players from signing with MLB and raise the draft age, reshaping pathways for teens and shifting leverage toward colleges. Mississippi Data Centers & Training: Holmes Community College in Ridgeland is hosting a mobile data center lab to train students on servers, fiber, and power systems—aimed at filling Mississippi’s growing tech workforce needs. Local Tech Policy: Mississippi’s AI traffic camera plan is still under debate, with DPS backing the concept while officials say it should focus on safety, not ticketing. Food Supply Resilience: U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith helped introduce legislation to make USDA food-supply resilience funding permanent and expand regional food hubs—explicitly citing Mississippi’s RFSI grants. Environment & Public Health: Mississippi Aquarium released two rehabilitated turtles back into the Gulf, while a new report warns many retirees will outlive savings in 41 states, highlighting rising long-term care costs. Politics & Governance: The Jackson airport takeover trial continues as witnesses testify about how the state board was planned and whether the move was discriminatory.

Workforce & Infrastructure: Holmes Community College in Ridgeland hosted a one-day mobile data center lab, giving students hands-on practice with servers, fiber optics, and power systems as part of a free four-week training push for data center operations and fiber installation. Public Safety Tech: Elgin, Mississippi’s fire chief says the city won’t change its outdoor emergency siren system after residents questioned activations during storms, urging people to seek shelter first and then get more information. AI & Data Centers in Mississippi: A Mississippi workforce push is also tied to the broader data center boom, with training and planning efforts showing up as communities weigh what comes next. Environment & Conservation: At Camp Shelby, an Army Reserve partnership with The Nature Conservancy is protecting endangered gopher tortoises during “Operation Sentinel Justice,” blending habitat management with military readiness. STEM Education: Mississippi students returned as National History Day winners, including an MSMS student placing fifth internationally and others earning Smithsonian-related recognition. Local Tech Literacy: AT&T donated $38,000 and 125 laptops to MSU Extension’s 4-H program to boost digital literacy across Mississippi. Legal/Policy Watch: A Jackson airport takeover federal trial continued with testimony about how a 2016 awareness of the airport board bill unfolded, as both sides argue intent and policy rationale.

AI Traffic Enforcement in Mississippi: The state DPS has pulled back on an AI-powered camera trailer plan after privacy and enforcement concerns, even as officials say the tech is meant for high-crash areas and not to issue tickets from camera feeds. Workforce for the AI Data Center Boom: Holmes Community College and partners are training Mississippians to build and run data centers via an Amazon Web Services mobile lab, aiming to fill a growing operator workforce gap. Local Governance Meets Big Tech: Jackson held the latest community meeting on data centers, focusing on power and water demands and what residents should ask for as proposals expand. Public Safety and Cost of Crime: A Mississippi State Auditor report puts a price tag on violent crime, arguing that adding officers could reduce homicides while highlighting recruiting and retention hurdles. Health Watch: Lyme disease risk is spreading beyond traditional hotspots, with tick-bite emergency visits rising in newly affected states. STEM Education: Mississippi State University leaders were selected for national Farm Foundation programs, boosting the state’s agriculture research and policy reach. Weather Reality Check: Tropical Storm Arthur is framed as a sign that extreme storms can form and hit the Gulf region in more unpredictable ways.