AGP Executive Report

Mississippi Rural Health: Mississippi rolled out the first initiatives for its Rural Health Transformation Program, targeting more than $1 billion in federal funds over five years, but providers warn the fast timeline could squeeze planning and contracting. University Research & Facilities: Southern Miss announced a 93,000-square-foot science research facility backed by $87.5 million from the legislature, with labs aimed at medicine, biotechnology, and public health. STEM Funding & Training: Mississippi State students were selected for the Ronald E. McNair Summer Research Program at Ole Miss, while MSU also hosted a Fulbright networking session for faculty and staff. Energy & Clean Tech Research: A University of Mississippi researcher won an NSF CAREER award to study nanoscale reactions for cleaner fuels, highlighting Mississippi’s growing research pipeline. Infrastructure Watch: Lincoln County is considering long-life fiberglass culverts as a durability upgrade, and a statewide snapshot flags that 14% of major roadways are in poor condition. Climate & Coasts: A new satellite-based study reports mangrove forests are rebounding globally, though sea-level rise could still overwhelm gains.

Corporate Accountability: Seagate agreed to a proposed $175M settlement over claims it concealed sales of hard disk drives to China’s Huawei, with Mississippi pension funds among the lead plaintiffs. Public Health Research: Ole Miss researchers published a new review finding air pollution can harm heart health even when it stays below EPA limits, adding pressure for tougher standards. HIV Prevention: A University of Mississippi study created a prevention gap index to pinpoint where HIV testing and PrEP access lag behind need across the South, with Mississippi flagged as high-incidence. AI in Mississippi: The Mississippi AI Collaborative held a community luncheon focused on building confidence, protecting personal data, and encouraging practical, skeptical use of AI. Education & Workforce: SRESA’s Making Connections Conference drew 1,100 educators to share classroom tools and new approaches. Local Tech/Health Infrastructure: A new Health One facility in Picayune aims to expand sleep studies, specialty care, and medical equipment access. Agriculture Leadership: Mississippi State named Michael Cox head of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, citing decades of soil health and precision agriculture work.

AI Politics: A new look at the “techlash” finds AI-exposed workers are concentrated in specific places, with political leanings varying by where those jobs are. Road Safety: AAA says the Memorial Day-to-Labor Day stretch is the “100 deadliest days” for teen-driver fatalities, urging safer habits during peak travel. Mississippi Agriculture Leadership: Mississippi State names Michael Cox as head of the Plant and Soil Sciences department, citing decades of work on soil health, nutrients, climate trends, and precision agriculture. STEM in Mississippi: Pearl River Community College students Lakeveon Causey and Elijah Powell earn Mississippi Space Grant Consortium STEM stipends. Local Tech & Industry: Subsea7 wins a U.S. Gulf contract tied to Mississippi Canyon 431 work for Murphy, with offshore operations slated for 2027. Education Tech Policy: More states are moving toward cellphone limits in schools, as new research questions whether bans deliver the promised benefits. Startup Push: Oxford’s Pitch Competition hands out $25,000 to Mississippi and Mid-South entrepreneurs, feeding Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Accelerator.

School Tech Policy: A new wave of cellphone limits is spreading across states, with researchers and a Surgeon General advisory questioning whether “phone-free” rules deliver the promised learning and well-being gains. AI & Work: A new guide lays out competing ideas for handling AI-driven job disruption, from “tax the robots” proposals to training and safety-net approaches. Mississippi AI in Government: The Mississippi AI Innovation Hub says student teams built an AI proof of concept to help the Secretary of State’s Office with regulatory research and statutory review. Rare Earths: Colorado School of Mines and ElementUSA won $67M from the U.S. Department of Energy to recover rare earth elements from alumina tailings in Louisiana—an effort aimed at boosting domestic critical-mineral supply. Gulf Energy Tech: Subsea7 won a multimillion-dollar U.S. Gulf tie-back contract tied to Murphy’s String Music development, with offshore work planned for 2027. Public Health & Care: CMS updates highlight nursing-home performance across Mississippi counties, including several top-rated facilities (4–5 stars) and others with low ratings and reported fines/penalties. Local Water Courts: A federal judge temporarily limits a state takeover of Jackson’s water system, keeping tight restrictions while the case proceeds. STEM Recognition: Mississippi State honored spring graduates as Stephen D. Lee Scholars, including Cullman’s Sarah Kate Dockery, an aerospace engineering student.

Mississippi Turkey Science & Conservation: MDWFP says the 2026 spring turkey season hit a record 17,907 birds reported through Game Check, topping the 2024 mark and the highest since mandatory reporting began in 2019; the new Mississippi Wild Turkey Stamp sold to 31,177 hunters is funding habitat work and conservation science. Invasive Species Watch: MSU Extension warns residents after a hammerhead worm was found in Warren County, urging people not to handle it bare-handed and to report sightings through the state’s early detection system. Local STEM in Action: Two Batesville students presented research at Mississippi State’s Undergraduate Research Symposium, including work on how autistic traits affect visual complexity and how history shaped Mississippi’s curriculum. Hurricane Season Prep (Mississippi): A developing system off the Carolinas and possible Gulf energy could bring locally heavy rain to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, with dangerous rip currents possible. Health Policy Shift: CMS rules could add work, education, or community engagement requirements for many Medicaid expansion adults starting Jan. 1, 2027, with major exemptions for groups like pregnant people and people with disabilities.

Rural Health Funding: Mississippi is set to open applications mid-June for its first round of rural health grants, with over $1B in federal money over five years aimed at capital upgrades, telehealth expansion, and health technology improvements (June 15–July 15). AI in Government Training: Anthropic Day Mississippi at Gulf Coast Community College’s Harrison County campus gave public employees hands-on practice with Claude and related tools, pushing “up-skilling” for government, education, and workforce needs. Workplace Safety Focus: A Mississippi-linked safety workforce story highlights how EHS/safety managers are dealing with expanding OSHA requirements and more compliance workload. Invasive Species Alert: MSU Extension in Warren County warned residents about a newly captured hammerhead worm—don’t touch it without gloves, dispose of it whole, and report sightings. Local Research Spotlight: Mississippi State student Ella Kate Boothe presented biochemistry research at MSU’s Undergraduate Research Symposium, part of a broader push to showcase student science. Data Center Debate: Jackson developer Gabriel Prado proposed an AI-based data center, while opponents raised transparency and community impact concerns. Seaweed on the Coast: Gulf Coast beaches are seeing heavy sargassum washups, with researchers warning it could worsen through June. Flood-Control Fight: Jackson-area residents are pushing back on a new Pearl River flood-control plan, arguing it prioritizes development over protecting families. Corporate Tech & Accountability: Seagate agreed to a $175M settlement tied to alleged concealed sales of hard drives to Huawei, raising fresh questions about export controls.

Health Costs in Mississippi: A new WalletHub ranking says Mississippians spend about 9.18% of median income on health care—among the highest shares in the U.S.—as out-of-pocket costs rise faster than inflation. Workplace Safety Staffing: Another report highlights Mississippi’s 14th-best safety manager ratio, underscoring how EHS roles are expanding as OSHA rules tighten. Data Center Debate in Jackson: Local developer Gabriel Prado is eyeing a metro data center and touts jobs and school revenue, while opponents press for more transparency and question potential community impacts. Education Spotlight: WDAM’s “Top of Class 2026” features Magee High and Seminary High students, including plans in electrical technology and computer engineering. AI and Housing Scams: A HomeLight/FBI-focused roundup warns that AI is supercharging real estate fraud, including impersonation and scam messaging. Seagate Settlement: Seagate agreed to a $175M settlement over claims it concealed export-control violations tied to hard-drive sales to Huawei. Air Safety Update: The Air Force lifted a fleetwide pause for the T-38 Talon after a May crash near Columbus AFB, with inspections now underway. Mississippi Mail-Ballot Case: The Supreme Court is set to revisit election rules, including a pending case involving Mississippi mail ballots. Hurricane Prep: MEMA urges Mississippians to build emergency plans and kits as Atlantic hurricane season begins.

STEM in Mississippi: Two Mississippi State University students—Madelyn “Sloan” Berry (aerospace engineering) and India “Alex” White (biomedical engineering)—were named Astronaut Scholars, earning up to $15,000 and joining a national mentor network. Health & research: A new Nature-linked study reports rising cannabis use is causally tied to an exponential increase in “hole in the heart” birth defects (atrial septal defect), with Mississippi cited among high-rate states. Public health convening: The Mississippi Health Disparities Conference heads to Biloxi June 17–18, with free registration and pre-conference workshops on R/Python and obstetric emergency training. Climate tech: New Orleans engineers are digitizing flood defenses with Bentley software, building a digital twin of the 17th Street Canal Pump Station to improve real-time storm response. Policy watch (elections): The U.S. Supreme Court may soon rule on Mississippi mail-ballot counting rules and limits on coordinated campaign spending, with decisions expected by late June.

Health & Research in Mississippi: The Mississippi Health Disparities Conference heads to Biloxi June 17-18, with free public access and hands-on pre-workshops on R/Python and rural obstetric emergency training. STEM Talent: Two Mississippi State University students—Madelyn “Sloan” Berry (aerospace engineering) and India “Alex” White (biomedical engineering)—earned Astronaut Scholar recognition. Election Tech & Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to reshape midterm politics, including a Mississippi mail-ballot case and limits on coordinated political spending. AI in the Classroom: A Central Bucks English teacher isn’t banning AI; he’s building lessons around transparency and student voice. Military Tech Integration: Congress is moving to formalize deeper U.S.-Israel defense technology cooperation, including research, co-production, and data-sharing concepts. Environment & Infrastructure: New Orleans engineers are using Bentley digital tools to digitize flood defenses as sea levels rise. Archaeology in Mississippi: UM Medical Center’s Asylum Hill project uncovered a rare 200-pound cast-iron casket that could help identify a long-unknown burial. Jobs & Manufacturing: Batesville is seeing major growth with Lockers Manufacturing expansion and Azuria Water Solutions’ new PVC pipe facility.

Mississippi Jobs & Industry: Lockers Manufacturing is expanding in Batesville with a $9.7M investment and 25 new jobs, while Azuria Water Solutions broke ground on an $80M, 72,000-square-foot Fusible PVC Pipe plant in Batesville creating 50 roles. Rural Health & Education: Gov. Tate Reeves launched the Mississippi Rural Health Transformation Program Office and website to coordinate rural healthcare upgrades, and the Mississippi Council on Economic Education received a BlackRock grant to expand K-12 financial literacy training statewide. STEM & Research: Mississippi State biologist Matthew W. Brown helped publish new findings showing Leishmania parasites can swap DNA through hybridization, reshaping how scientists think about disease spread and drug resistance. Workforce Access: Coahoma Community College partnered with AT&T Mississippi and Digitunity to distribute free laptops to help close the digital divide in the Delta. Local Tech-Ready Sites: Vicksburg’s Mississippi River Inland Port Complex was selected for Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s “Site Ready” program, earning Silver certification. Policy Watch: A new House NDAA provision would deepen U.S.-Israel military integration, including defense tech cooperation.

Mississippi Public Health & Safety: Stone County and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality teamed up for a free household hazardous waste drop-off Saturday (May 30), giving residents a safe way to dispose of items like paint, batteries, pesticides, and motor oil. Higher Education Leadership: Jackson State University’s new president, Denise Jones Gregory, is starting with a year of outside leadership training—an unusual step meant to stabilize a period marked by turnover and community strain. STEM & Research in Mississippi: Mississippi State named two engineering students—Madelyn “Sloan” Berry and India “Alex” White—as Astronaut Scholars, adding national recognition and mentorship to the state’s science pipeline. Weather & Preparedness: WLOX’s “Hurricane Season 2026, Prepare Mississippi” special highlights new forecasting tools and practical readiness steps for Gulf Coast families. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Winona’s Riverfront Trail project is moving through state and federal review, with plans to connect Levee Park to Lions Park and later tackle a marina crossing. Science Storytelling: A Mississippi case study on histoplasmosis shows how lab testing guided treatment when symptoms didn’t fit the usual pattern.

Mississippi Education & STEM Talent: MSU-Meridian honored seven outstanding graduates at spring commencement, highlighting working adults earning advanced degrees while balancing careers and family. Local Leadership & Higher Ed: Jackson State’s new president, Denise Jones Gregory, is set to receive outside leadership training as she steps into a role marked by rapid turnover and institutional challenges. AI Infrastructure & Water Stress: A new look at AI data center expansion shows water is becoming a siting constraint, with projects in drought-prone regions seeking massive cooling water and straining local systems. Public Health & Air Monitoring: A community air monitoring effort in South Memphis reports residents are regularly exposed to unsafe pollution levels, pushing for stronger, more consistent monitoring as more industrial and data center activity grows nearby. Mississippi Tech & Research Pipeline: University of Mississippi is partnering with the state on a critical minerals extraction initiative aimed at future economic development. Wildlife & Biosecurity: A northern snakehead “Frankenfish” was recently found in Mississippi, raising concerns because the invasive fish can survive out of water and spread through new waterways. Tech in Everyday Life: Oura Ring 5 rolls out smaller hardware plus new health-tracking features, including live workout metrics and expanded health monitoring.

AI Data Centers in Mississippi: DeSoto County residents are weighing a proposal to rezone land for a major AI data center powered by a natural gas pipeline, with supporters pitching jobs and tax relief while critics raise concerns about water use. Mississippi Critical Minerals: The University of Mississippi will partner with the state to access and extract lithium and other critical minerals from the Smackover Formation, aiming to build a new energy-storage supply chain. Kids Online Safety Fight: Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch joined a coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would preempt state protections for minors online while backing the Senate’s KOSA approach with a duty-of-care. Broadband Affordability Focus: A national Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment discussion highlighted performance monitoring and compliance, including Mississippi connectivity gains tied to new entrants and satellite expansion. Maternal Health Gaps: A new national report card gives the U.S. a C on maternal mental health supports, pointing to persistent clinical and structural shortfalls. MSU STEM Recognition: Mississippi State named two engineering majors as Astronaut Scholars, adding to the state’s momentum in aerospace and research. PFAS Legal Pressure: A Prince Edward Island family sued over “forever chemicals” in well water, underscoring how PFAS litigation is spreading beyond the U.S. Local Tech in Schools: Greene County schools outlined a USDA-funded distance learning and telemedicine plan to cut chronic absenteeism and boost achievement.

Public Health: A new CDC report says the U.S. birth rate fell 1% in 2025 to 53.1 births per 1,000 women ages 15–44, with declines strongest among ages 15–19. Mississippi Education: Ole Miss named students to its Fall 2025 Chancellor’s and Dean’s Honor Rolls, highlighting academic performance across math, biology, dietetics, and education. Civic Tech & Voting Rights: A Mississippi ballot initiative remains stalled years after lawmakers vowed to restore it, while a new NAACP push targets college sports revenue as a lever for voting rights reform. Defense Tech: The U.S. Army tested a resupply drone fitted with a rocket launcher capability, aiming to expand what logistics drones can do. STEM in the Classroom: Students in Muscatine used data science to develop proposals for Towhead Island, turning classroom work into community planning. AI & Society: A study ranks states by AI attitudes and adoption, with Washington leading on workplace use and AI/data-center jobs. Safety Tech: Margaritaville Resort Biloxi plans to deploy an assisted active-shooter detection platform.

Critical Minerals Push: Mississippi’s Development Authority released a 39-page plan to build a domestic critical-minerals industry, focusing on lithium-rich brines in the Smackover Formation. Military Tech in Mississippi: U.S. Special Operations Command is seeking an “Autonomous Warfare Proving Ground” near the Mississippi Gulf Coast, expanding drone testing at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. Research Momentum: LSU’s flagship hit $601M in annual research spending for FY 2024–2025, a fifth straight year of record growth. Education Leadership: Mississippi Delta Community College named Dannielle Taylor dean of student services, with oversight spanning Title IX, campus police, housing, and its Law Enforcement Training Academy. Invasive Species Alert: The Asian needle ant is spreading, with experts warning of painful stings and possible severe allergic reactions. Local History & Learning: Two Mississippi Museums will host a free June 17 discussion on the “Mississippi Burning” case, spotlighting community efforts that helped crack the 1964 murders.

AI & Courts: California trial courts are testing an AI assistant to draft orders and research memos, raising concerns about transparency and whether litigants should know when AI is used. Internet Safety Policy: Mississippi’s neighbors are pushing back on the federal KIDS Act, with state attorneys general arguing it would weaken state authority and let Big Tech avoid meaningful duty-of-care rules for kids online. Mississippi Education: A new report says Mississippi’s early-grade reading and math gains weren’t a “miracle,” but the result of nearly two decades of systems work, support, and consequences for low performance. STEM & Research in Mississippi: Southern Miss’s Gulf Blue Navigator Demo Day showcased coastal resilience tech from its latest cohort, connecting startups with field testing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Energy Storage: A national update finds U.S. energy storage installations hit a record in Q1 2026, with Mississippi among states showing strong growth. Agriculture Tech: Wayne-Sanderson Farms backs a new modular poultry feed mill at Mississippi State, aimed at research trials and hands-on student training. Space Science: An NRL sounding rocket experiment studied how plasma turbulence evolves in space, improving understanding of space weather risks to satellites.