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In Mississippi
1. PSC hosting Energy Workforce and Education Summit
The Mississippi Public Service Commission is hosting a Energy Workforce & Education Summit on Thursday, April 2 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Commissioners plan to address the evolving needs of Mississippi’s workforce and education energy sector while exploring strategies for preparing the next generation of skilled workers.
The forum will take place at the Commission’s Jackson courtroom. It will also be streamed LIVE on the Commission’s YouTube Channel.
2. Gipson commends federal action to offer relief to farmers, truckers
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson commended the Trump Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week for taking decisive action to address ongoing issues with Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems that he says have burdened farmers, truckers, motor coach operators and other diesel equipment operators nationwide.
“This is exactly the kind of commonsense leadership America’s farmers and truckers need,” said Commissioner Gipson. “By removing the DEF sensor requirement for all diesel equipment, costly DEF system failures will be less of a concern. By cutting unnecessary red tape, the Trump Administration is putting hardworking Americans first and helping keep our agriculture industry moving.”
According to the EPA, most on-road diesel trucks and many types of nonroad equipment, such as tractors and construction machinery, have used selective catalytic reduction systems that inject DEF into exhaust streams to reduce NOx emissions. When DEF ran out or there was an unexpected mechanical failure, systems forced a vehicle to drastically reduce speed or become inoperable. In many cases, vehicles were limited to as little as five miles per hour within hours of a DEF-related fault. This caused needless frustration, operational delays and real economic hardship for operators.
Under the Trump EPA’s August 2025 guidance, major changes were undertaken. Heavy-duty trucks should now only receive a warning light for 650 miles or 10 hours after a fault is detected. Following that time, the engine will only mildly derate, allowing trucks to operate normally and without speed limits for up to 4,200 miles or two work weeks. Only after about four work weeks does the speed drop to 25 mph until repairs are made.
National News & Foreign Policy
1. President to address nation on Iran tonight
The Hill reports that President Donald Trump “will address the nation this evening on the Iran war as his approval rating has taken a nosedive over the past few weeks amid growing opposition to his handling of the conflict.”
“White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will provide an ‘important update’ to the country at 9 p.m. EDT. She did not provide additional information on what he plans to discuss,” The Hill reported. “The address will be Trump’s first time directly addressing the country from the White House since the war started more than a month ago and comes as the president appears to be at a decision point in week five of the war.”
The Hill continued, “A considerable amount of uncertainty remains about the administration’s plans on the war. Trump has repeatedly threatened a significant escalation in targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure and hasn’t ruled out sending troops in for a ground invasion while touting U.S. negotiations with Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed that approach in a press briefing on Tuesday, saying the U.S. wouldn’t rule out taking any particular course of action.”
2. SCOTUS takes up birthright citizenship; Trump to be first sitting President to court arguments
As reported by the New York Times, “The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear a landmark case testing whether President Trump can limit birthright citizenship, the long-held principle that nearly all children born in the United States are automatically citizens.”
“The case focuses on the constitutionality of an executive order signed by Mr. Trump last year that would end citizenship for babies born on U.S. soil to undocumented immigrants and temporary foreign visitors. A ruling in favor of the Trump administration could redefine what it means to be an American. It could also have sweeping practical consequences, stripping citizenship from more than an estimated 200,000 babies born in the United States each year to undocumented immigrants,” NYT reported. “A decision is expected in the case by the end of June or early July.”
NYT noted, “Mr. Trump raised the stakes for the court by telling reporters during an event at the White House on Tuesday that he planned to attend Wednesday’s arguments in person. No sitting president has attended a Supreme Court argument…”
3. Artemis II mission set for launch today
After over 50 years, NASA is sending astronauts on a flyby around the moon today in preparation for future landings.
The spacecraft will travel farther than the moon’s orbit, with the Integrity crew planned to set the record for the farthest any humans have ever traveled from Earth.
Lauch countdown is ongoing today at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Planned launch time is 6:24 p.m. ET / 5:24 p.m. CT with a 2-hour launch window.
Watch the countdown and launch via NASA on YouTube above.
Sports
1. Miss. State, Ole Miss pick up midweek wins; Southern Miss falls
Mississippi’s Big 3 were back on the diamond Tuesday for midweek contests. Here is a rundown of the games:
- No. 4 Mississippi State run-ruled Grambling 12-0 to extend its winning streak at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville to 20 games dating back to last season. Next up for Mississippi State, No. 5 Georgia comes to Starkville for a three-game series starting Thursday at 6 p.m. on SEC Network+.
- No. 8 Southern Miss got in its own way Tuesday, losing 5-1 to Southeastern Louisiana in Hattiesburg. Southern Miss now travels to Old Dominion for a Thursday through Saturday series. Games get underway Thursday at 5 p.m. on ESPN+.
- Ole Miss picked up a solid 7-4 victory over Little Rock Tuesday in Oxford on Kid’s Day. Ole Miss now travels to take on No. 21 Florida for a three-game series starting Thursday. First pitch for game one is slated for 5:30 p.m. CT and will be streamed on SEC Network+.
2. Jones named Gulf South Conference Player of the Week
Delta State University Baseball’s junior outfielder Tucker Jones has earned this week’s Gulf South Conference Player of the Week honors as announced by the conference office.
Jones batted .500 last week, going 10-20 with 10 runs driven in with a double, triple and a home run.
The Brandon native is batting .357 this season with a team high six home runs and 41 runs driven in. He is leading the Gulf South Conference with 20 stolen bags on 20 attempts.
Markets & Business
1. Chevron Pascagoula Refinery gets new Director
Marissa Badenhorst has been named Refinery Director of the Chevron Pascagoula and Pasadena Refineries, effective May 1, 2026. The company said Badenhorst most recently has served as Chevron’s Chief Health, Safety and Environment Officer and Badenhorst has deep experience in downstream operations.
Badenhorst is replacing Tim Potter, who is retiring after 36 years of Chevron service, the company announced Tuesday.
“I’m excited to be returning to the Pascagoula Refinery and to also lead the Pasadena Refinery,” said Badenhorst. “Pascagoula has long been a special place for me, not just because of the scale and complexity of the operation, but because of the people who make it run safely and reliably every day.”
The Pascagoula Refinery is the company’s largest wholly owned refinery, with a capacity of 369,000 barrels per day and produces motor gasoline, jet fuel, diesel and premium base oil. The Pasadena Refinery in Texas processes 125,000 barrels per day, with enhanced flexibility to handle lighter Permian crudes and produce a broader slate of products, including jet fuel.
2. Investors hoping end of Iran conflict is near
CNBC reports that “stock futures rose on Wednesday, while oil prices declined to start the month, as hope grew that an end to the U.S.-Iran war was on the horizon.”
“Futures linked to the S&P 500 were last up 0.8%, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 1%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures added 371 points, or 0.8%,” CNBC reported. “Late Tuesday, President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that he expects the U.S. military forces will leave Iran in ‘two or three weeks.’”
CNBC added, “Oil prices eased following that comment. West Texas Intermediate futures shed 2% to above $99 per barrel. Brent crude futures slipped nearly 2% to above $102. Traders also increased positions in U.S. Treasurys, sending yields lower, on expectations that inflation will be kept in check.”
