- 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. Former Guntown Alderman, Public Works Director arrested for fraud
State Auditor Shad White announced Tuesday the arrest of former Guntown Alderman William Daniel Davis and his cousin, former Public Works Operator Robert Lee Davis, for alleged fraud or embezzlement in public office.
The Auditor said that between October and November 2024, the pair allegedly conspired to defraud the City of Guntown through billing the city for the installation of a residential sewage line at a private residence belonging to Daniel Davis, causing a loss of $9,950.
William Daniel Davis and Robert Lee Davis each face up to 10 years in prison and $5,000 in fines if convicted.
2. Ezell introduces measure to modernize Marine Mammal Protection Act
Fourth District Congressman Mike Ezell, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, said Tuesday that he has introduced legislation to modernize the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, improve regulatory certainty, and ensure federal permitting decisions are based on the best available scientific data.
The legislation would update requirements governing the incidental take of marine mammals during otherwise lawful activities, including maritime operations, infrastructure development, and other projects in coastal waters. By clarifying regulatory standards and streamlining the permitting process, the bill seeks to reduce unnecessary delays while maintaining protections for marine mammal populations.
Ezell said the Marine Mammal Protection Act plays an important role in conserving marine mammal populations. However, its permitting requirements can also affect maritime construction, port improvements, offshore operations, and other activities important to coastal economies.
3. Historic Tax Credit supports Mississippi jobs, economic activity
The National Park Service released state-specific findings from its Annual Report on the Economic Impact of the Federal Historic Tax Credit for Fiscal Year 2025 on Monday. The Federal Historic Tax Credit encourages the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historic income-producing buildings by helping attract private investment to preservation projects.
In Mississippi, the agency said the program supported $44.1 million in rehabilitation investment during Fiscal Year 2025, which included supporting 920 jobs, contributing $30.7 million to the state’s gross domestic product, and generating $13.1 million in total tax revenues.
The Federal Historic Tax Credit helps make the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings financially feasible. Projects supported through the program can transform vacant, underused, or deteriorated properties into housing, businesses, community facilities, and other productive uses while preserving the character and history of local communities.
National News & Foreign Policy
1. Zacharia’s first White House press briefing draws criticism
As reported by The Hill, “White House press secretary Katie Zacharia was met with a barrage of criticism following her first briefing in her new role, leading some to question the future of her tenure shortly after she was tapped for the job.”
“Zacharia on Tuesday delivered a roughly 14-minute briefing and took questions from only three outlets. She notably broke news when she told a reporter the administration asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign from her role as U.S. ambassador to Greece, but she wrapped the briefing shortly thereafter,” The Hill reported. “One former White House official characterized Zacharia’s performance as ‘fine,’ noting ‘it was clear that this was just a warmup.’”
The Hill further reported, “Critics were quick to note Zacharia looked visibly nervous during the briefing and said it looked like she ended it prematurely… Zacharia replaced former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who announced she was leaving the administration earlier this year.”
2. Will 88-year-old Waters lead House Financial Services Committee if Dems win majority?
Politico report that “House Democrats are poised to face a polarizing choice on the other side of the midterm elections: Shove aside one of the most prominent Black progressives in their party in favor of a middle-aged white guy with similar policy views, or potentially hand one of the most powerful chairmanships in Congress back to a nearly 90-year-old as their base clamors for generational change.”
“It’s poised to be one of the most contentious and high-profile fights for Democrats when they return to Washington, as Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois prepares to try to topple Rep. Maxine Waters of California in a race for the party’s top spot on the House Financial Services Committee. Casten’s likely move against Waters sets up a momentous clash over the coveted spot on the panel, which has wide-ranging jurisdiction over banking, housing, crypto, the Federal Reserve and more,” Politico reported. “Casten’s bid starts as a long shot, but Waters is not without vulnerabilities. And her biggest is one she can do little about: her age.”
Politico continued, “At 88, Waters would be the oldest House Financial Services chair ever if control of the chamber flips. Democrats appear increasingly hungry for generational change in the wake of Joe Biden’s collapsed 2024 re-election campaign, with some in the party calling for an end to the so-called gerontocracy. House Democratic caucus rules impose no term limits on committee leaders, and Waters has led her side of the panel for 14 years, including two terms as chair.”
Sports
1. Week 8 on tap for Mississippi JUCO football
The 2026 season is winding down in Mississippi community college football. Here are the Week 8 matchups on tap for Thursday night:
- Jones at Southwest
- No. 7 Co-Lin at No. 14 Hinds
- Northeast at Pearl River
- Coahoma at MS Delta
- No. 2 MGCCC at East Central
- No. 8 Itawamba at No. 6 Northwest
- Holmes at No. 10 East MS
2. Valley wins 2 in a row
Mississippi Valley State University football has now won two consecutive games, storming back from a 17-point deficit on Saturday to defeat Texas Southern 38-34 at W.W. Thorne Stadium in Houston.
The Delta Devils (3-4, 2-1 SWAC) scored 24 points in the final quarter, including the game-winning touchdown with just 42 seconds remaining, to secure their second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference victory under second-year head coach Terrell Buckley.
Josh Brown delivered a standout performance, accounting for all five of Mississippi Valley State’s touchdowns. The quarterback completed 19 of 39 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns while adding 100 rushing yards and three scores on 19 carries.
Markets & Business
1. Home sales rose in September for first time since May
The Wall Street Journal reports that “home sales in September rose for the first time since May, with buyers taking advantage of a plateau in mortgage rates over the summer before the surge in recent weeks.”
“Sales of existing homes increased 1.5% over the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal expected a decline of 0.8%,” WSJ reported. “The September sales largely reflect purchase contracts signed in July and August when mortgage rates were in the mid-6% range. The increase in sales marks a slight rebound from August when home sales fell 3.2% from the prior month.”
WSJ added, “Still, August and September marked the two slowest months for home sales this year, NAR said. September sales were also down 2.2% year-over-year.”
2. Futures up as investors await inflation report
CNBC reports that “U.S. stock futures rose Wednesday, as investors awaited the release of September’s consumer inflation report, due later in the session.”
“S&P 500 futures were up 0.2%, while Nasdaq-100 futures hovered around the flatline. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures climbed 213 points, or 0.4%,” CNBC reported. “Investors are awaiting the September reading of the U.S. consumer price index Wednesday morning. Economists polled by Dow Jones anticipate inflation to have risen by 3.6% on a year-over-year basis, up from 3.4% in the prior reading.”
CNBC noted, “The report arrives as oil prices remain elevated and consumers pay more for gasoline, which is averaging at $4.34 a gallon, compared to $3.08 per gallon a year earlier, according to AAA.”
