AGP Executive Report

Mississippi Civil Rights Memory: Moss Point will commemorate its Freedom Summer role with a memorial project tied to the Mississippi Freedom Trail, with additional sites planned for McComb, Jackson and Drew. Election Law in the Spotlight: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s five-day mail ballot receipt grace period, dealing another blow to Trump’s push to restrict vote-by-mail and prompting reaction from state election officials. Local Governance & Storm Recovery: Kenner residents questioned whether drainage pumps worked during Tropical Storm Arthur’s remnants; parish officials say the rainfall overwhelmed the system, reviving concerns after Hurricane Francine. Public Safety & Health Workforce: A new national workforce outlook warns rheumatologist shortages will hit nonmetropolitan areas hardest, raising access concerns for rural Mississippi patients. Community Finance Update: Southern Bancorp announced it will rebrand as Uplift Bank, expanding its mission focus across Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas and Oklahoma. Higher Ed: Rust College announced a new Bachelor of Arts in Religion program aimed at faith, scholarship and leadership. Fire Season Warning: U.S. Forest Service chief Tom Schultz said this year’s wildfire totals are up sharply versus the 20-year average, underscoring risks for crews.

Supreme Court & Mississippi Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s absentee ballot grace period, letting states count mail ballots received after Election Day if postmarked on time—an outcome that undercuts President Trump’s push to tighten federal control over election rules. Public Safety in Mississippi: Jackson Mayor rolled out a four-point plan aimed at curbing a recent uptick in violent crime after a shooting killed three. Courts & Schools: Mississippi’s Supreme Court declined to take up a case involving a principal fired for reading the book “I Need a New Butt!” to elementary students, leaving the appeals court’s reversal in place unless further review is sought. Police Accountability: An independent autopsy in the Senatobia case involving 1-year-old Kohen Wiley says the bullet entered from right to left, raising new questions about the official account of the Walmart parking-lot shooting. Disaster Relief: FEMA approved Mississippi’s major disaster declaration for May tornado damage, unlocking Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for multiple counties. Hinds County DA Transition: A Hinds County judge appointed Brad McCullouch as temporary Attorney Pro Tempore after Jody Owens’ resignation.

Medicaid & Planned Parenthood: With a GOP Medicaid ban set to expire July 4, states will decide whether Planned Parenthood clinics can again bill Medicaid for routine care, after the prohibition forced many centers to close and left tens of thousands without services like cancer screenings. Mississippi laws take effect July 1: New rules include tougher gun penalties that let some teens be tried as adults, expanded death-penalty eligibility for certain child sex battery cases, and changes affecting public retirement and teacher pay. Jackson airport takeover trial: Federal testimony continues in the challenge to Mississippi’s 2016 Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport takeover law, focusing on who controls the airport board and the impact on local authority. Hinds County DA transition: After Jody Owens’ federal bribery plea and resignation, a temporary appointment keeps cases moving while Gov. Tate Reeves prepares a formal replacement. Voting by mail upheld: The U.S. Supreme Court backed Mississippi’s rule allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received within five business days. Safe Haven Baby Box in Picayune: A Safe Haven Baby Box was installed at the fire station, pending final activation, offering parents in crisis an anonymous legal surrender option. School strip-search lawsuit: Families sued Attala County School District alleging strip searches of children after a vape suspicion, with claims that no contraband was found.

Supreme Court & Mississippi Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s late-arriving absentee ballot rule in Watson v. RNC, saying federal election-day statutes don’t require ballots to be received by Election Day, allowing postmarked-by-Election-Day ballots to be counted if they arrive within five business days—an outcome that keeps grace periods alive in multiple states and frustrates Trump’s push for tighter mail-ballot limits. Local Government & Public Safety: Pass Christian is upgrading every public railroad crossing with new gates, flashing signals, and warning equipment in a roughly $4 million safety project funded through state and federal programs. Mississippi Courts & Accountability: In Senatobia, protesters marked the killing of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley after police fired into a moving car; the family says an independent autopsy challenges officers’ account and demands transparency. Mississippi Economy & Growth: New data shows population growth concentrating in Gulf Coast cities and Jackson-area suburbs, while much of the state continues to lose residents. Defense & Industry: Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula began fabrication of the future USS John F. Lehman (DDG 137), with distributed work across partner yards including Mississippi. Mississippi Business/Tech: Anduril’s rocket motor test in Mississippi ended in an explosion, delaying prototype testing while the company says production remains on schedule. State Policy & Voting Rules: Arizona officials say the Watson ruling doesn’t change Arizona’s stricter early-ballot receipt deadline, urging voters to use drop boxes or vote in person.

Mississippi Election Law: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s “grace period” for mail-in ballots, ruling states can count absentee ballots received after Election Day if they were postmarked by then—an outcome that keeps late-arriving votes in play for the 2026 midterms and limits the Trump administration’s push to tighten voting rules. New Mississippi Laws (July 1): A slate of changes takes effect statewide, including a rebuttable presumption of equal custody in many child custody cases, teacher pay increases, new immigration-related rules (including limits on local “sanctuary” policies), and a new state misdemeanor for entering Mississippi without legal authorization. Gun Law: Senate Bill 2710 raises the stakes for minors accused of certain firearm offenses by sending more cases to adult court and increasing penalties tied to stolen guns. Federal Aid for Storm Damage: President Trump approved an $11 million disaster declaration for Mississippi after the May 6 storms, including tornado damage in multiple counties. Data Center Politics: In the Memphis area, xAI/Starlink is offering local internet discounts and no-upfront hardware as AI data centers face growing scrutiny over power and neighborhood impacts. Public Health Warning: Mississippi health officials are among those urging caution as flesh-eating bacteria risks rise during the July Fourth weekend.

Mississippi Politics & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court’s final term rulings delivered a major blow to President Trump’s birthright citizenship push, rejecting limits on citizenship for children born in the U.S.; the decision has direct ripple effects for Mississippi’s immigrant communities. Elections & Voting Rules: In Watson v. RNC, the Court upheld Mississippi’s ability to count certain absentee ballots received after Election Day if they’re postmarked by Election Day and arrive within the state’s five-business-day deadline—an outcome that keeps election administration rules in place while fueling national fights over “Election Day” meaning. Public Safety & Accountability: Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens pleaded guilty to a federal bribery conspiracy and resigned, following an FBI sting tied to alleged influence over a Jackson airport/convention-center hotel project. Civil Rights & Community Response: About 100 protesters marched in Senatobia demanding transparency after the fatal police shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley, including release of video from the incident. Mississippi Policy Watch: Questions are rising ahead of Mississippi’s July 1 ban on abortion pills, with concerns about how enforcement will work if medication remains accessible through telehealth. Local Government & Infrastructure: The Port of Gulfport cleared a key step toward a $548 million ship channel expansion after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed the Chief’s Report, setting up potential congressional authorization. Statehouse/Implementation: New Mississippi laws taking effect July 1 include changes to casino child-support intercepts, youth gun case handling, driver education requirements, online safety education for schools, and election security steps requiring voter citizenship verification.

Alzheimer’s Coverage Starts July 1: Mississippi insurers must begin covering Alzheimer’s biomarker blood testing starting tomorrow, a move aimed at catching the disease earlier when treatment can matter most. Supreme Court on Mail Ballots: In Watson v. RNC, the U.S. Supreme Court (5-4) upheld Mississippi’s grace period, letting absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day be counted if received within five business days—dealing a blow to Trump and GOP efforts to require ballots in hand by Election Day. Election Law Pushback: Utah Sen. Mike Lee renewed pressure for the SAVE America Act after the ruling, arguing Congress must tighten rules to restore trust. Mississippi Politics & Policy: New Mississippi laws take effect July 1, including education pay raises, expanded classroom requirements, tougher penalties for certain crimes, and new healthcare and retirement changes. Health Access Fight: Mississippi’s insurer expanded PrEP coverage after complaints tied to “alternate lifestyles” remarks by the state’s insurance commissioner. Courts and Power: The same Supreme Court term also expanded presidential power to fire independent agency officials, while leaving other major disputes in limbo.

Supreme Court Mail-Ballot Ruling: In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s law letting absentee ballots be counted if they’re postmarked by Election Day and arrive up to five business days later, rejecting the GOP’s push for a strict “received by” deadline and preserving state election control. GOP Pushback / SAVE Act: President Trump seized on the ruling to renew pressure for the SAVE America Act, while admitting it’s “probably not going to happen” in the Senate. Mississippi House Special Elections: Gov. Tate Reeves set Nov. 3 special elections for two vacant House seats after the deaths of Reps. Bo Brown (D) and Price Wallace (R), with qualifying ending Aug. 20 and runoffs possible Dec. 1. Hinds County DA Fallout: Jody Owens pleaded guilty to conspiracy tied to the Jackson bribery scheme and resigned as Hinds County district attorney; Reeves must appoint a replacement within 10 days. Tribal Economic Development: The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians became the first Mississippi organization to earn AEDO certification, a new milestone for economic development leadership. MSU Leadership: Mississippi State named Julie Jessop director of the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering effective July 1.

Immigration Enforcement in Mississippi: A new Mississippi law set to take effect Wednesday would let the state Department of Public Safety compile a list of “illegal aliens” in the state, including names, addresses, country of origin, adult or minor status, criminal history, and deportation proceedings—information that could be shared with state and local authorities, with the measure neither requiring nor banning sharing with ICE. Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings soon on major Trump power cases, including whether he can remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, plus election-related disputes and a crackdown on transgender athletes. Election Administration Pressure: A report highlights that Mississippi poll workers face high stress and low pay, contributing to high turnover—raising concerns about election staffing and scrutiny. Campaign After Redistricting: Alabama’s District 1 candidate Austin Sidwell says redistricting forced a shift in focus to new counties for an August special primary, but he insists the mission is unchanged. Mississippi Retirement Math: New data suggests Mississippi seniors face about a $160,000 retirement savings shortfall, with life expectancy and costs driving the gap. National Context: AP reports Iran says $6B in frozen assets held by Qatar will be released, while U.S. strikes and regional attacks keep tensions high.

Immigration Enforcement: A new Mississippi law will let the Department of Public Safety compile a list of “illegal aliens” in the state, including names, addresses, countries of origin, and criminal history, with information potentially shared with state and local authorities—an approach immigrant advocates fear could be used to target people ahead of broader federal deportation efforts. Supreme Court Watch: As the term nears its end, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue major rulings on Donald Trump’s presidential powers, election rules (including a Mississippi mail-ballot timing issue), and transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports. State Politics: At the Neshoba County Fair, Gov. Tate Reeves and other leaders signaled redistricting is likely to come via a special session, while candidates jockeyed for 2027 and beyond. Economy & Jobs: Reeves says Mississippi hit a record in May with 1.19 million non-farm jobs and strong growth in job openings. Courts & Backlogs: A Mississippi legal column argues crowded chancery dockets are pushing more cases toward settlement and delaying trial dates. Public Safety/Weather: A dangerous heatwave is building ahead of the Fourth of July, with high humidity making conditions feel worse.

Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court is nearing the end of its term with major Trump-power and election-related rulings still pending, including cases tied to birthright citizenship and election rules, plus a crackdown on transgender athletes. Election Security: USA TODAY reports internal National Association of Secretaries of State documents say states don’t expect the federal government to reliably share election threat information in 2026, raising fears of “cracks” in how intelligence is handled. Immigration & State Law: A new Mississippi measure will let the Department of Public Safety compile a list of immigrants living in the state illegally, including names and addresses, and share it with state/local authorities—sparking alarm from advocates. Civil Rights Backlash: A national story highlights families of voting-rights martyrs saying the Voting Rights Act’s weakening has them watching hard-won protections slip away. Local Government & Economy: Biloxi dedicated “Fred Haise Landing” on Highway 90, while Rosedale held a ribbon cutting for its new distillery in the Delta. Environment & Health: Gary residents say US Steel is jeopardizing jobs and air quality by not installing modern furnaces.

Mississippi Politics & Courts: A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to obtain Michigan voter data, keeping limits on access to sensitive voter information in place. Mississippi Governance: Gov. Tate Reeves is set to call special elections after two Mississippi House seats were left vacant by deaths, with dates and next steps moving through the state’s election process. Local Government & Public Safety: A new Mississippi law starting Wednesday lets juveniles charged with violent crimes while possessing a firearm be prosecuted in circuit court as adults, a major shift from youth court. Press & Accountability: The Mississippi Press Association elected Peter Imes as board president for 2026-27, as the group continues pushing open government and education initiatives. Legal Dispute: Panola County Sheriff Shane Phelps and his wife sued a Columbus Substack writer for libel, alleging a sustained campaign of defamatory claims.

Mississippi Politics: Gov. Tate Reeves set special elections for two Mississippi House seats after Rep. Price Wallace and Rep. Bo Brown died earlier this month, with District 70 in northeast Jackson and District 77 covering parts of Rankin and Simpson counties. Redistricting & Elections: Mississippi lawmakers are again weighing redistricting plans, with Reeves signaling he may call a special session and Democrats plotting their 2027 strategy amid Republican chatter. Local Governance: Monticello residents pressed city leaders over a fast-moving data center proposal, saying they don’t trust the process and want a pause while zoning rules are drafted. Public Safety & Community: The Army Corps of Engineers held a Louisiana-focused summit with state officials to speed permitting and projects—an approach Mississippi readers will watch as federal infrastructure rules shape local timelines. Military: Naval Air Station Meridian welcomed a new commanding officer after a change of command at the base. Culture & Civic Life: Mississippi’s 7th annual Girls’ Day drew more than 100 girls to the State Capitol, highlighting women’s leadership and representation.

Mississippi Politics: Gov. Tate Reeves announced special elections for two Mississippi House seats after Rep. Price Wallace and Rep. Bo Brown died in June, setting Nov. 3 votes for District 77 (Rankin/Simpson) and District 70 (Northeast Jackson). State Government: A new batch of Mississippi laws kicks in July 1, including pay raises for judges, changes to the state employee retirement system, teacher pay increases, and criminal justice updates tied to immigration enforcement and certain death-penalty eligibility. Elections & Voting: The SHIELD Act will change voter registration by checking new voters against a federal citizenship database. Local Governance: In Monticello, residents packed City Council to press for more trust and transparency in the data center debate, urging a pause while zoning rules are drafted. Public Safety: Mississippi is bracing for a multiday heat surge with “feels-like” temperatures above 110°F heading into the holiday week. Community & Culture: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive day-use fees at more than 2,800 recreation sites July 3-5 for America’s 250th.

Voting Rights Fight in Mississippi: Organizers in Jackson are planning a voter-protection rally ahead of America 250, responding to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act and opened the door for more aggressive map changes. 2027 Mississippi Politics: At the Neshoba County Fair, state leaders laid out priorities for the next legislative session, with redistricting and congressional maps topping the list, alongside sharp disagreements over education reform and government size. Courtroom Update—Biloxi Casino: A federal circuit judge upheld Mississippi Gaming Commission approval for the Tullis Gardens Hotel and Casino site in East Biloxi, rejecting challenges over whether the waterfront property met casino-development rules. Mississippi Democrats’ 2027 Prep: Party officials say Mississippi Democrats are building candidates and infrastructure for statewide races, but won’t announce a slate yet amid limited resources and competing national and congressional races. Mississippi Legal/Policy: Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and others introduced a food supply chain resiliency bill to make USDA programs permanent and expand regional hubs for local producers. Local Human Interest: Citizens National Bank donated $1,300 to Loaves and Fishes of Lowndes County to support weekly meals for the Northeast Mississippi soup kitchen.

Mississippi Politics & Courts: A federal judge ruled against efforts to create majority-Black DeSoto County districts, saying plaintiffs didn’t prove vote dilution under the Voting Rights Act after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Callais decision weakened the standard. Neshoba County Fair Politics: Gov. Tate Reeves and other statewide leaders used the fair to push their agendas, while local officials highlighted major projects like the Highway 19 South four-lane expansion. Jackson Airport Takeover Trial: Day four featured testimony from former Gov. Office staffer Robert “Bobby” Morgan, as the case weighs whether Senate Bill 2162 was policy-driven or racially motivated. Mississippi Elections: A new Mississippi voting law takes effect July 1, adding to the state’s election-policy churn heading into summer. Local Government & Community: Citizens National Bank presented Loaves and Fishes of Lowndes County with a $1,300 check to support weekly meals. Public Safety & Environment: At Camp Shelby, Army Reserve partners with conservation groups to protect endangered gopher tortoises during Operation Sentinel Justice. Economic Development: 7 Brew announced a Petal location expected to create 75–80 jobs. Business/Industry: A controversial aluminum recycling plant in Benson is scrapped for now, with the company pointing to differences with some state officials.