- Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion to start your day informed.
In Mississippi
Southern Miss Alumni to induct 7 into Hall of Fame
The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association said this week that it will induct seven alumni who bring favor and distinction to the University into its Hall of Fame during Homecoming festivities this fall.
The 2026 inductees include:
- Jeff C. Bowman ’93 of Hattiesburg, Miss.
President, CEO of Cooperative Energy - Shea Kidd Brown ’02 of Winston-Salem, N.C.
Vice President for Campus Life at Wake Forest University - Louis V. Ehrlich, II ’81 of Austin, Texas
CEO of Ehrlich Capital LLC
Retired CIO, Chevron Corporation - J. Todd Gregory ’81 of Covington, La.
Retired Senior Vice President of Cintas - Nelson Haskin Jr. ’13 of Hattiesburg, Miss.
Restauranter, JR Forty LLC - Missy Warren McGee ’90, ’93 of Hattiesburg, Miss.
Mississippi State Representative, District 102 - Russell Willis ’89 of Hattiesburg, Miss.
Associate Provost for Student Success and Assistant Teaching Professor at
The University of Southern Mississippi
“This year’s class is an incredible lineup of alumni who have led their communities and organizations while staying true to their Southern Miss roots,” said Tucker Sappington, executive director of the Alumni Association. “We are incredibly proud of their significant professional accomplishments and contributions, and I look forward to welcoming them home in October to celebrate!”
National News & Foreign Policy
1. Trump-backed Graham, Mazzei win in SC, OK
As reported by the Washington Post, “President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate won in a high-profile South Carolina Senate primary on Tuesday — a victory not only for Sen. Darline Graham, but for Trump, who invested both time and money to turn around his streak of losing endorsements. And across the country, another Trump-endorsed candidate won Tuesday night, although narrowly, in a primary runoff for Oklahoma governor.”
“Graham, whom Trump backed for a six-year term after her brother Lindsey Graham unexpectedly died last month, beat Rep. Ralph Norman in a runoff election that had sharply divided Republicans in South Carolina and beyond, despite the president weighing in,” WP reported. “In Oklahoma, Trump-backed Mike Mazzei, a former state senator, beat Attorney General Gentner Drummond by a razor-thin margin. Drummond has at times criticized Trump on issues like tariffs and beef imports.”
WP continued, “The president’s efforts to help get Graham over the finish line ultimately paid off — and they far exceeded what he has done for most other candidates he has endorsed in primaries. It showed that while the power of Trump’s mere endorsement has slipped, the president can still wield significant sway over GOP voters if he is willing to make an in-person appeal.”
2. Congressional GOP faces heavy agenda after recess
The Hill reports that “Republicans in both chambers are staring down a September sprint after returning from August recess, with a jam-packed legislative agenda and little time to clear their biggest remaining priorities before the midterm election crunch.”
“At the top of the House’s list is passing a short-term stopgap spending measure — also known as a continuing resolution (CR) — to avert a potential shutdown and keep the government funded past the Sept. 30 fiscal deadline,” The Hill reported. “What will likely be more of a headache for the GOP in both chambers is trying to push through a third reconciliation package that President Trump has been clamoring for.”
The Hill added, “The lower chamber returns next week, only to leave Washington again the week after, while the upper chamber isn’t slated to return until Sept. 14. That leaves Republicans in the House and Senate with roughly three weeks to work on their top priorities before leaving for another monthlong recess in October.”
Sports
1. Chambliss named to Manning Award watchlist
The Allstate Sugar Bowl announced their preseason watch list for the 2026 Manning Award this week, given annually to the top college quarterback in the nation, selecting Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss.
Created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Manning Award honors the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning.
A finalist for the 2025 Manning Award, Ole Miss Athletics said Chambliss is among the top returning quarterbacks in the nation after throwing for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 527 and eight scores on the ground last year.
He has already earned a handful of recognition entering the 2026 season, as he was selected to the preseason watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award, tabbed a preseason first team All-American by numerous outlets, and named to preseason all-SEC teams by the conference coaches, media, Athlon, and Phil Steele.
2. JUCO football kicks off Thursday
Mississippi’s community colleges will open their 2026 football season on Thursday. Here is a rundown of the games on tap this week:
- MS Delta at No. 8 Co-Lin
- East Central at Northeast
- Itawamba at Hinds
- Holmes at Pearl River
- No. 11 East MS at Southwest
- No. 3 Northwest at Jones
- Coahoma at No. 5 MGCCC
3. SAA coaches preseason poll ranks Millsaps 4th
The Millsaps College football team finished last season with a 6-4 overall record and ranked fourth in the conference standings. The Majors look to build on that success after tying for fourth in the 2026 Southern Athletic Association (SAA) football preseason poll.
Announced by the league office following a head coaches’ vote, Trinity University was selected to finish first with 54 points and five first-place votes. Berry College earned the second spot with 52 points and three first-place votes.
Markets & Business
1. Mortgage rates at highest level in three weeks
CNBC reports that “mortgage interest rates moved even higher last week, causing demand for loans to weaken yet again.”
“Total mortgage application volume dropped 1% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index,” CNBC reported. “The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances of up to $832,750 increased last week to 6.78% from 6.77% the prior week, with points increasing to 0.66 from 0.65, including the origination fee, for loans with a 20% down payment. That is the highest level in three weeks.”
CNBC noted, “Applications to refinance a home loan, which are most sensitive to weekly rate moves, fell 2% for the week. They were 17% lower than the same week one year ago, when rates were 9 basis points lower.”
2. Walmart rolls out tap-to-pay in stores
According to FoxBusiness, “Walmart is rolling out tap-to-pay technology across its U.S. stores, giving shoppers another way to make purchases with contactless cards, smartphones and smartwatches.”
“The retail giant said the payment option will begin appearing at select Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations starting Aug. 24, with plans to expand it to all U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026,” FoxBusiness reported. “Walmart also plans to bring tap-to-pay capabilities to its fuel stations by mid-2027.”
FoxBusiness added, “The checkout expansion comes as Walmart increasingly focuses on convenience across its physical and digital businesses.”
