- Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion to start your day informed.
In Mississippi
Loveless sentenced to 40 years for child exploitation
Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced Monday the recent sentencing of Kenneth Dewayne Loveless, 54, of Hattiesburg for one count of distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office, with assistance from the Illinois Office of Homeland Security, the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
On August 6, 2026, Forrest County Circuit Court Judge T. Michael Reed, sentenced Loveless to 40 years, with 20 years to serve followed by 5 years of post-release supervision and 15 years of probation, in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). He was ordered to pay $1,000 to the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund, and $1,000 to the Mississippi Children’s Trust Fund. Loveless must also register as a sex offender.
National News & Foreign Policy
1. Trump executive order on childhood vaccines draws critics
As reported by The Hill, “The president of the American Medical Association on Monday said President Trump’s new recommendations on childhood immunizations put ‘children’s health at risk,’ joining the chorus of medical experts criticizing the executive order.”
“Vaccines are among the most thoroughly studied, effective tools we have to protect children from serious vaccine-preventable diseases,” Dr. Willie Underwood III said in a release. “Decisions about how and when vaccines are used should be driven by rigorous scientific evidence, patient safety, and independent medical and public health expertise… Altering a proven vaccination schedule without credible evidence risks weakening public confidence and putting children’s health at risk.”
The Hill continued, “Trump on Monday signed an executive order recommending pediatricians split up the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) across three separate visits for children. His order also split vaccines into categories: those recommended for children, recommended for children at high risk of infection or recommended after consultation with a physician.”
2. Democratic socialist stars staying out of Wisconsin governor race so far
Politico reports that “progressives believe they are on the cusp of another major victory against the establishment in the Wisconsin governor primary Tuesday — one that could pave the way for the movement in 2028 and beyond.”
“But so far, many national progressive leaders want nothing to do with the race,” Politico reported. “A win by front-runner and democratic socialist Francesca Hong over Gov. Tony Evers’ handpicked successor David Crowley would be a major shockwave, setting up a key opportunity for the progressive movement to show its brand of politics can succeed in one of the most cutthroat battleground states. Some progressive organizers also argue that a Hong win serves as a test run of sorts for potential 2028 presidential contenders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).”
Politico added, “But the stars of the left like Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have not endorsed Hong despite having hit the trail for other prominent candidates, including Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.”
Sports
1. MSU’s M-Club Hall of Fame ceremony announced
MSU Athletics has announced the 2026 M-Club Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which is set for September 25.
The prestigious class of eight Bulldog greats will be officially enshrined during the annual gala on Friday, September 25, 2026, ahead of Mississippi State’s home football game against Missouri.
The 2026 M-Club Sports Hall of Fame Class includes:
- Mario Austin (Men’s Basketball, 2001-2003)
- Johnthan Banks (Football, 2009-2012)
- Daniel Boyd (Football, 1990-1992)
- Fletcher Cox (Football, 2009-2011)
- Kathe Kingston (Women’s Golf, 1982-1985)
- Ted Milton (Baseball, 1969-1972)
- Kunshinge Sorrell-Howard (Women’s Basketball, 1986-1988)
- Aimee York Strickland (Volleyball, 1989-1992)
General public tickets can be purchased online. Active M-Club members receive discounted tickets. Access to these discounted tickets will be sent via direct communication.
2. Ole Miss to honor Archie Manning with statue
One of the most iconic figures in Ole Miss and collegiate football history, Rebel legend Archie Manning will be further immortalized with a statue outside of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the Ole Miss Athletics Department announced on Monday.
In conjunction with sculptor Dr. Kim Sessums, Ole Miss Athletics said they will erect a statue south of the football stadium and north of the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center, all surrounded by campus roads with speed signs honoring Archie and Eli Manning.
The statue is set to be complete leading up to the 2027 football season.
Markets & Business
1. Treasury yields move higher Tuesday
CNBC reports that “treasury yields moved higher on Tuesday as tensions in the Middle East continue to weigh on energy prices and investors look ahead to inflation data due later in the week.”
“The yield on the 10-year Treasury note — the main benchmark for mortgages, auto loans and credit card debt — increased 3 basis points to 4.7334% in early trade,” CNBC reported. “Shorter- and longer-term yields also moved higher. The yield on the 2-year Treasury note, which typically tracks short-term Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, was up by more than 2 basis points at 4.2597%.”
CNBC noted, “The 30-year Treasury yield, which is typically more sensitive to geopolitical events, rose more than 3 basis points to 5.2790%.”
2. What’s behind slow job growth?
According to the Wall Street Journal, “This past week’s anemic employment report rekindled a burning question for the U.S. economy: How many new jobs does it actually need?”
“The Labor Department on Friday reported that the U.S. shed 23,000 jobs in July, and lowered its May and June figures. With that, the data now shows the economy added 44,000 jobs a month over the past six months. That isn’t as weak as the back half of last year, but it is a far cry from what people used to think of as healthy,” WSJ reported. “Yet the unemployment rate has fallen from 4.4% to 4.1% this year. That is an indication that the U.S. might not need to generate that many jobs to keep up with a dwindling supply of new workers.”
WSJ further reported, “The youngest of the baby boomers are turning 62 this year—eligible for Social Security retirement benefits—while there is a low supply of younger, U.S.-born workers to take their place. Meanwhile, President Trump’s immigration crackdown has limited the supply of foreign-born people entering the workforce. Some economists expect more of the same in the months ahead.”
