Important state and national news, market and business news, sports and entertainment, presented quickly
In Mississippi
1. State Fire Academy announces improvements to facilities
The Mississippi State Fire Academy (MSFA) is undergoing significant improvements, the Department of Insurance announced Tuesday. The improvements are supported by approximately $2.2 million in legislative funding.
“The Mississippi State Fire Academy is the best in the country and to continue to produce the best firefighters, we must make improvements to the academy,” Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney (R) said in a statement. “Thanks to our friends in the legislature, we have the funds to move these projects forward. The improvements will benefit MSFA students and benefit their communities when they return from training.”
Improvements include:
- Improved Burns Training Facilities: Upgrade and replace the primary burns training facilities.
- Auditorium upgrades: A new roof and various other improvements to the main large event facility.
- Enhanced administrative platform: The system will streamline internal processes, improve training registration, simplify individual and departmental access to credentials and certificates, and provide more effective billing solutions that align with city and county budget planning.
2. Hosemann appoints Turner to Mississippi Industries for the Blind
Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann (R) announced the appointment of Sabrina Turner to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind (MIB) Board of Directors. In a statement, Hosemann said Turner’s extensive experience in marketing and commitment to the community make her a valuable addition to the board, where she will play a critical role in supporting MIB’s mission.
Mississippi Industries for the Blind is committed to providing training and employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired people, enabling them to achieve independence and self-sufficiency in all areas of their lives. With multiple manufacturing locations throughout the state, MIB provides employment opportunities at all levels of the organization, enabling people to reach their full potential.
Turner is Director of Brand Strategy at The Cirlot Agency, where she is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing all branding and marketing activities for some of the agency’s largest clients.
3. Foreign Minister warns of possible scams by fraudulent charities
An increase in fraudulent charity activity in Mississippi has prompted Secretary of State Michael Watson (R) to urge Mississippians to be cautious when donating to charities or participating in fundraisers.
“We know that Mississippians are some of the most generous and welcoming people in the nation, but it’s important to always verify the authenticity of a charity before donating. Unfortunately, scammers continue to solicit donations in our state, especially in person, so we encourage you to do your research and ask questions before donating your hard-earned money,” Secretary Watson said in a statement.
Mississippians are encouraged to question the credibility of organizations soliciting donations. Watson said legitimate organizations should be willing to communicate and register with the Secretary of State’s office.
National News & Foreign Policy
1. Obamas occupy the DNC stage and attack Trump as a racist and crook
Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, took the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday to boost his party and rally support for presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Speaking back-to-back over the course of an hour, the Obamas reminded Democrats of a bygone era of hope and change while galvanizing a convention after a ceremonial roll call nominated Vice President Kamala Harris for president and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota for vice president,” the New York Times reported.
The Obamas launched attacks against Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump. The former first lady said Trump benefited from the “positive discrimination of generational wealth” and the “grace of failure forward.”
“She described him as a racist and misogynist who preys on fears and lies, a crook and hate preacher who is still playing ‘the same old con game’ with America,” the NYT reported, adding: “In his subsequent speech, Obama continued the attack, comparing Trump to ‘the neighbor who runs his leaf blower outside your window every minute of the day’ and who is constantly obsessed with his own needs, his own desires, his own hardships, and not those of the people he claims to represent.”
2. Walz’s record in focus when he takes the DNC stage on Wednesday
The Wall Street Journal reports that despite Tim Walz’s two terms as governor of Minnesota and more than a decade as a moderate in Congress, “the progressive record he has built in roughly five months could undermine Harris’ campaign strategy of choosing a folksy, outspoken Midwesterner to help her win over more independent voters.”
“But when he takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, the party faithful gathered here will be cheering Walz’s leadership of the liberal 2023 agenda — and many hope he can help extend it to the rest of the nation,” the WSJ reported, adding, “In less than five months, Walz has enacted a series of liberal priorities, helping to propel Minnesota’s governor to national prominence. So much Democratic orthodoxy has been enacted that some local progressive activists have openly pondered whether they have additional work to do in the legislative sessions to come.”
Laws mentioned by the WSJ include:
- Guarantee tuition-free study for students from low-income families, including undocumented migrants.
- Enabling migrants without a residence permit to obtain a driving license
- protect broad access to abortion
- Restoration of voting rights for felons
- Increase in state capital gains taxes for the rich
- Create protections for transgender patients seeking gender reassignment treatment and for those who provide that treatment
Sports & Entertainment
1. Former Bulldog Ginn called up to MLB
Mississippi State Athletics announced Tuesday that former Bulldogs baseball player JT Ginn has been called up to the Major Leagues and is joining the Oakland Athletics.
According to MSU, Ginn is the 70th Diamond Dawg player to make the major leagues and the second to make his MLB debut this season, joining Justin Foscue, who made his debut with the Texas Rangers on April 5.
Ginn is scheduled to join the team in Oakland for the series against the Tampa Bay Rays. He is expected to become the 17th Diamond Dawg to make his MLB debut since 2016.
2. Southern Miss announces youth sports day at The Rock
Southern Miss Football has announced that the September 14 game against South Florida will be Youth Sports Day in Hattiesburg.
Youth sports teams can purchase senior tickets for $15. Participating teams can walk the Eagle Walk with the football team, sit in the halftime tunnel, and have their team photo shown on the video board and read by the stadium announcer.
All teams must register by September 9th to participate.
Markets & Business
1. Federal judge overturns Biden’s ban on non-compete agreements
CNBC reported that a federal judge in Texas on Tuesday blocked the implementation of a U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule that would have banned agreements that typically require employees not to join their employer’s competitors or form competing companies.
“U.S. District Judge Ada Brown in Dallas said the FTC, which enforces federal antitrust laws, does not have the authority to ban practices it sees as unfair competition methods by adopting sweeping rules,” CNBC reported. “Brown had temporarily blocked the rule in July while she considered an attempt by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest business lobby, and tax consulting firm Ryan to overturn it entirely. The rule was set to take effect Sept. 4.”
“The Commission’s lack of evidence as to why it chose to impose such a broad ban … rather than targeting specific, harmful non-compete agreements makes the rule arbitrary and capricious,” Brown wrote, according to CNBC.
2. Labour market statistics could be revised significantly downwards
FoxBusiness reports that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is expected to release on Wednesday “a significant downward revision that could potentially reduce job growth in the year through March by at least 600,000 jobs.”
“In addition, the Fed in Atlanta cut its forecast for third-quarter U.S. GDP to just 2%,” FoxBusiness reported. “The next jobs report, with data for August, will be released on September 6.”
— Courtesy of the Magnolia Tribune Editors —
