- 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. $44 million awarded for DeSoto County road expansion
U.S. Senator Roger Wicke announced Monday a $44 million federal award to improve roadways and traffic systems in DeSoto County. Wicker’s office said he worked with DeSoto County officials and the Mississippi Department of Transportation to secure the competitive grant.
The funding is from the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects (INFRA) program, which was funded in the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“DeSoto County has posted impressive growth numbers for years, and this roadway funding is an investment in its continued success,” said Senator Wicker. “By improving infrastructure, we attract job creators, facilitate tourism, and boost local businesses. I will continue working with local and state leaders to bring federal support to projects all over the Magnolia State.”
Wicker’s office said the funding will help expand a corridor of I-55/I-69 in DeSoto County that runs from Church Road to one mile north of SR 302. Today, the corridor is four lanes. It will be expanded into a ten-lane thoroughfare by adding three travel lanes in each direction and modifying the interchanges at Church Road and SR 302, specifically by adding ramp lanes, turning lanes, and lengthened acceleration and deceleration lanes.
2. Fitch urges Mississippians to check eligibility for generic drug settlement
Attorney General Lynn Fitch is urging Mississippians to check their eligibility for compensation for certain generic drug purchases and to submit a claim for compensation here.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut granted preliminary approval of a plan, filed by Attorney General Fitch and 47 other state and territory attorneys general, to distribute settlement funds paid by generic drug manufacturers in exchange for settlement of claims that those companies illegally conspired to raise the prices of generic drugs.
If you purchased a generic drug listed here between May 2009 and December 2019, you may be eligible for compensation. To determine your eligibility, call 1-866-290-0182, email info@AGGenericDrugs.com or visit www.AGGenericDrugs.com.
National News & Foreign Policy
1. President announces first mega-steel mill construction in U.S. since 1960s
The Hill reports that “President Trump unveiled plans for a Minnesota company to build a new $15 billion steel mill in Iowa, kicking off the week with a dose of positive economic news as the GOP contends with weakening polls just five weeks out from the midterms.”
“Trump made the announcement alongside executives from Mesabi Metallics, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Republican Iowa Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson, who are facing competitive races for House reelection and for Senate, respectively,” The Hill reported
“There’s a company known as Mesabi,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “And they’re going to make a big investment in a place called Iowa. I love Iowa. I won Iowa every time. Today, we’re thrilled to announce that Mesabi Metallics will be building the largest steel plant in American history in the great state of Iowa.”
The Hill noted that “the White House said the mill would be the first mega-steel plant to be built in the U.S. since the 1960s. It is expected to begin operating in 2030 and eventually create 1,750 jobs in Iowa.”
2. More fraud concerns in Minnesota?
According to FoxNews, “As Minnesota’s massive fraud problems continue to gain nationwide attention, an audit is now sounding the alarm about potential fraud in a new area in the state related to contracts doled out by the city of Minneapolis in response to the death of George Floyd.”
“More than 100 contracts were handed out to community groups as alternatives to policing in 2020 and the lax oversight of those contracts, according to a Minnesota Star Tribune report, was found by an audit to be susceptible to fraud and favoritism,” FoxNews reported. “The new Neighborhood Safety Contract Management Audit Report, which reviews spending from 2020-2025, shows the city is ‘not providing sufficient contract oversight or managing contracts effectively’ in order to properly manage the more than $36 million that has been spent since 2023 on five major violence-prevention programs.”
FoxNews continued, “The report warns that Minneapolis’ weak contract controls created a heightened risk of fraud and improper payments. Auditors found contractors often submitted invoices with limited supporting documentation, while the city sometimes continued making payments despite missing records or unresolved concerns. The department is also said to have lacked a standardized process for conducting and documenting site visits to verify that contracted services were actually being performed.”
Sports
1. SEC Nation coming to Starkville
SEC Network’s weekly, traveling pre-game show, SEC Nation Presented by Regions Bank, is heading back to Starkville for this weekend’s festivities headlined by No. 16 Mississippi State taking on No. 7 Alabama.
The show will broadcast live from the Junction from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, on SEC Network.
Now in its 13th season, SEC Nation has expanded into a three-hour program. The weekly broadcast kicks off SEC Network coverage at 8 a.m., featuring hosts and analysts Matt Barrie, Chase Daniel, Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Tim Tebow and Marion Crowder delivering pre-game insights and analysis.
2. Four Shuckers named to Southern League All-Star Team
Minor League Baseball has announced that Biloxi Shuckers players Blake Burke, Jesús Made, Josh Adamczewski and Andrew Fischer have been named to the 2026 Southern League All-Star Team.
Blake Burke was named the Southern League Most Valuable Player, becoming the third Shucker to win the award and the first since Jakson Reetz in 2022.
Jesús Made was also named the league’s Top MLB Prospect and an All-Star at shortstop.
Josh Adamczewski wad named an All-Star in left field, and Andrew Fischer was named an All-Star at third base.
The four All-Star selections tie the franchise record, set in 2023.
Markets & Business
1. U.S. Canadian import ban goes into effect
CNBC reports that “the White House banned imports of some Canadian vehicles, dairy and alcohol products on Tuesday, as officials sent mixed signals on the prospect of a trade deal.”
“The long list of impacted goods includes motorcycles and mopeds with petrol engines larger than 800cc, whey products and molasses, and a slew of alcoholic beverages — mainly those packaged for direct consumption — from beer and cider to wine, whiskey and vodka,” CNBC reported. “The products are estimated to total around $19.9 billion of Canadian imports by the American Action Forum.”
CNBC further reported, “Canada has imposed tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on CA$27.6 billion worth of a slew of U.S. goods, including steel, dairy, agricultural equipment, paper, household appliances, furniture, clothing and electronics. It said these were a ‘dollar for dollar’ response to Washington’s 50% tariffs on goods including cement, wine, hockey sticks and more, imposed in August.”
2. Raytheon awarded $20.7 billion missile contract from Dept. of War
Raytheon will accelerate production of AMRAAM missiles to record-setting levels under the terms of a five-year multi-year contract with two option years valued up to $20.7 billion awarded as part of the Department of War’s Arsenal of Freedom.
The company said the contract follows the landmark agreement between Raytheon and the Department of War announced earlier this year, which supports the annual production of at least 1,900 AMRAAM missiles.
Now in its fifth generation, AMRAAM operates on 14 platforms and is fielded by 44 countries, achieving more than 7,000 successful live fires in test and combat.
