- Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion to start your day informed.
In Mississippi
1. Miss. State fans set world record for simultaneous cowbell ringing
Mississippi State Bulldogs set a new world record at Saturday’s football game with 41,819 cowbells ringing simultaneously.
The university’s cowbell tradition has a history spanning nearly a century and has become one of MSU’s most iconic symbols, with beloved bells passed down through alumni generations.
“There is nothing in college sports quite like the sound of Mississippi State’s cowbells. For generations, they have rung loud and clear on game days and for life’s most important occasions, from graduations and weddings to birthdays and reunions. This world record honors a tradition that is deeply woven into the fabric of our university and demonstrates the extraordinary pride Bulldog fans have in Mississippi State. We are grateful to the MSU Student Association and everyone who helped make history in Davis Wade Stadium tonight,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said.
More than 50 trained volunteers made an official count to confirm the world record at Davis Wade Stadium as the Bulldogs hosted the Missouri Tigers.
2. MDOT reminds candidates about political signs
The Mississippi Department of Transportation reminded political candidates on Friday that campaign signs are not permitted within right-of-way on state highways according to Section 63-3-317 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated.
The width of highway right-of-way varies by location and includes the driving lanes, shoulders and mowed areas; the right-of-way can potentially reach distances of 300 feet or more from the centerline of driving lanes.
To maintain traffic safety, MDOT asks candidates to observe the following:
- Illegally placed campaign signs contribute to our state’s multi-million-dollar litter problem that spoils Mississippi’s natural beauty.
- Any illegally placed signs will be removed.
- Keeping the right-of-way clear prevents safety hazards and interference with the traveling public along roadways.
- Signs with steel or wooden posts pose potential hazards that may cause harm to roadside workers, may damage roadside equipment and may become projectiles if hit by mowers.
- Signs are not permitted within areas necessary for clear vision at intersections; signs must not interfere with the sight distance of a driver.
- No signs are allowed in limited access right-of-way.
- Typically, the right-of-way is larger near roadway intersections.
- Signs removed by MDOT crews will be kept for two weeks at a local MDOT maintenance facility before being discarded.
- Candidates may retrieve signs from MDOT without penalty.
National News & Foreign Policy
1. Sen. Kennedy says officials shouldn’t have buildings named for them while still alive
The Hill reports that U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (La.) said Sunday “that public officials should not have buildings named after them while they are alive, as President Trump fights to rename the Kennedy Center after himself.”
“During an interview on CBS News’s ‘Face the Nation,’ Kennedy said public officials, including Trump, should not ‘spend public money on private ads for themselves,'” The Hill reported. “The Louisiana Republican made his remarks as a new ad promoting Trump — which was funded with taxpayer money — appears on multiple networks.”
The Hill continued, “The Republican senator then took it a step further, saying it should be illegal for public officials to have a building named after them while they are alive.”
2. U.S., China pledge to lower tariffs
As the New York Times reports, “China and the United States have agreed to lower tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods, from fishing hooks to medical devices, following a visit to Washington last week by China’s top leader, Xi Jinping.”
“The world’s two biggest economies announced separate lists of nonsensitive goods worth $30 billion each that they planned to cut tariffs on, in a bid to ease economic tensions,” NYT reported. “Washington’s list of Chinese imports eligible for reduced tariffs contained 77 items, including Christmas toys and ornaments, hunting and recreational goods such as fishing hooks and skeet targets, tableware and home appliances, and car seats. Beijing’s list had 1,619 products, including frozen meat from primates and reptiles, live animals such as whales and dugongs, agricultural products including corn and vegetables, and medical devices like X-ray machines, pacemakers, ultrasound equipment and surgical robots.”
NYT added, “Missing from both countries’ lists, unveiled on Sunday, were raw materials and products each side deems sensitive, including rare earth minerals and technologies critical to advancing artificial intelligence. Some of those products are now subject to export controls.”
Sports
1. Ole Miss drops to No. 9, Miss. State up to No. 16
The Ole Miss Rebels dropped 5 spots to No. 9 in this week’s AP Top 25 poll after a big 52-28 loss at Florida on Saturday. The win bumped the Gators up to No. 8.
Ole Miss gets a breather this week, as they won’t play on Saturday. Their next game is in Nashville versus Vanderbilt.
Mississippi State, on the other hand, saw its stock rise after a 31-24 win over No. 19 Missouri. The Bulldogs rose 8 spots in this week’s AP Top 25 poll, from No. 24 to No. 16.
State will not host No. 7 Alabama on Saturday in a battle of the unbeatens.
2. JSU remains undefeated.
Undefeated Jackson State powered its way to a 35-17 victory over rival Southern on Saturday night at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The win was Jackson State’s eight consecutive win over Southern.
Jackson State travels to Mobile for the Gulf Coast Challenge next weekend at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Tigers will take on Alabama A&M.
Markets & Business
1. Merchants & Marine Bancorp now TownBridge Bank
Merchants & Marine Bancorp, Inc. announced Friday that its wholly owned bank subsidiary, Merchants & Marine Bank, will change its legal name to TownBridge Bank, effective Monday, September 28.
The company noted that the name change does not reflect a sale, merger, acquisition, or change in ownership or leadership.
Beginning September 28, the Company’s community banking brands will operate as:
- Merchants & Marine Bank, a division of TownBridge Bank
- Mississippi River Bank, a division of TownBridge Bank
- Farmers-Merchants Bank, a division of TownBridge Bank
Beginning September 28, the Company’s ancillary brands will operate as:
- Canvas Mortgage, a division of TownBridge Bank
- CannaFirst Financial, a division of TownBridge Bank
- Voyager Lending, a division of TownBridge Bank
“TownBridge represents an important next step in the evolution of our company, but it doesn’t change who we are or how we serve our communities,” said Clayton Legear, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Merchants & Marine Bancorp, Inc. & TownBridge Bank. “We believe deeply in hometowns, small towns and Main Streets, and in the value of local bankers who know the people, businesses and communities they serve. TownBridge gives our Family of Brands a clearer common identity and a stronger foundation from which to continue growing.”
2. Futures fall to open week as oil jumps
Stock futures fell early Monday, CNBC reported, “weighed down by a jump in oil prices and Treasury yields to start the week.”
“Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 242 points, or 0.5%. S&P 500 futures lost 0.5%. Nasdaq-100 futures were 1% lower,” CNBC reported. “Brent crude traded more than 4% higher at $108.68 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate futures gained around 4% as well to $96.30, after President Donald Trump rejected conditions for a ceasefire presented by Iran. Treasury yields build on last week’s sharp moves. The benchmark 10-year Treasury note yield traded above 5.2%. The 30-year bond yield topped 5.5%. Both traded around multiyear highs.”
CNBC also noted, “Rates will be in focus again this week, with a slew of key economic data on deck. The August personal consumption expenditure price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, is due out Wednesday. New U.S. manufacturing numbers are due Thursday, while the closely watched September jobs report is set for release Friday.”
3. Mortgage rates surpass 7% dragging down housing market
The Wall Street Journal reports that the “average 30-year mortgage rates hit 7.03% this week, the first time they have surpassed 7% since the beginning of last year, according to Freddie Mac.”
“The threshold doesn’t hold any particular economic significance, but it is psychologically important for buyers,” WSJ reported. “Economists say that with mortgages above 7%, more potential buyers are likely to stick to the sidelines, dragging down a housing market that is in its fourth year of stagnant sales.”
WSJ went on to report, “With mortgage rates above 7%, alternative mortgages with lower initial monthly payments will likely become more attractive to buyers despite their risks. Adjustable-rate mortgages offer a lower fixed rate for a period of time—usually between three and 10 years—before readjusting to whatever rates are at the time that period ends. That makes sense if you are confident that rates will at some point fall, but that isn’t a very safe assumption, said Homes.com chief residential economist Brad Case. Interest-only mortgages also offer a lower monthly payment initially but carry the risk that if the house price falls, the owner could end up in negative equity.”
