AGP Executive Report

Health Care Policy: President Trump says the federal government will issue $500 refunds for Obamacare “user fee” overcharges to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states using the federal exchange, including Mississippi—checks are set to start in October. Public Safety & Consumer Protection: Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch joins a 48-state push urging the FCC to tighten rules against illegal robocalls, including stronger “Know Your Upstream Provider” requirements and tougher STIR/SHAKEN enforcement. Tech & Energy Infrastructure: SpaceX disclosed a new AI compute hosting deal worth more than $1 billion a month, adding to prior agreements that include capacity in Mississippi—another sign data-center demand is reshaping the state’s business landscape. Local Business: Oxford moving company Spyder Moving and Storage formalized its giving-back program, expanding annual support for Move for Hunger and other community partners. Transportation & Costs: AAA reports diesel prices topped $6 nationally, with Mississippi averaging about $5.66—another pressure point for freight and delivery-heavy businesses. Defense & Economic Development: A Gulf Coast Defense Catalyst initiative aims to connect Navy commands (including Mississippi-area sites) with private-sector partners to tackle defense challenges.

Obamacare Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Mississippi, will get $500 rebates in October after the Biden administration allegedly overcharged consumers through federal exchange “user fees.” Higher Ed Cybersecurity: Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning is investigating a network security incident that affected the Office of Student Financial Aid; officials say applications can still be submitted via the MAAPP portal while outside cybersecurity experts review whether any sensitive data was accessed. NOAA Research Boost: NOAA selected Mississippi State University to host a new Cooperative Institute in the Northern Gulf of America (up to $100 million over five years), expanding coastal resilience and environmental research. Workforce & Industry: HII highlighted workforce pipelines at Delta Fest 2026, pointing to long-running Ingalls Shipbuilding training programs and new work-based learning efforts. Local Business & Growth: Brookhaven approved water and sewer rate hikes starting Oct. 1, while Pascagoula unveiled a new Lighthouse Park pathway tracing nearly 300 years of city history. Consumer Watch: Walmart expanded a frozen berry recall to Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold in 16 states, including Mississippi, due to possible E. coli contamination.

Mississippi Tech & Workforce: A new report highlights how Mississippi’s tech sector is growing as the state pushes to keep and attract skilled workers, with universities preparing students for technology careers. Banking & Community Finance: Renasant is positioning itself as a bridge between big-bank tech and community banking, emphasizing digital tools plus local, relationship-driven service. Labor Policy Watch: Georgia ranks No. 3 in an ALEC labor policy report, with Mississippi at No. 2 and Georgia’s score tied to right-to-work and limits on public-sector collective bargaining—useful context for Mississippi’s own business climate debate. Local Business Spotlight: Granny’s Corner in rural Franklin County keeps drawing customers for decades with classic comfort food and a true community gathering vibe. Immigration Detention Shift: ICE is scrapping plans to convert some warehouse detention centers as lawsuits mount, including major reversals in Georgia and Utah. AI & Youth Mental Health: A new survey finds more teens and young adults using AI for problem-solving, raising privacy and safety concerns. Mississippi Gulf Coast Tech: The Gulf Blue Navigator adds CNMOC as a partner, aiming to connect students to naval oceanography and forecasting careers. Sports Business Note: Southern Miss’ football stadium gets a new name—Renasant Stadium—under a 10-year naming rights deal. Mississippi Lottery: A Gulfport man wins $1 million on a Millionaire Maker scratch-off, planning a new vehicle and savings.

Housing Market Cooling: Realtor.com says home prices are slipping as mortgage rates stay elevated, with the median listing price per square foot down 1.8% nationwide in August from a year earlier—10 straight months of annual declines, led by “boomtown” metros giving back pandemic gains. Public Health & Vaccines: Greenville leaders are pushing back on low vaccination rates ahead of respiratory season, hosting a Vaccine Day after WalletHub ranked Mississippi last for overall vaccination uptake. Local Budgets: Columbus City Council is working to finalize its FY 2027 budget without raising taxes, weighing staffing additions, equipment purchases, and a proposed 3% pay increase for city workers. Housing Assistance Rankings (HUD): Mississippi counties show wide variation in HUD-assisted units—Harrison County ranks No. 2 statewide in total HUD programs (5,927) and also No. 2 in 202/PRAC (85), while Lowndes County is among the top in 202/PRAC (No. 8, 39) and Hancock County is No. 10 in Housing Choice Vouchers (612). Fire Protection Funding: Mississippi’s Fire Rebate Fund is sending money to local departments and municipalities for training and equipment, including Neshoba ($162k+), Leake ($127k+), and Kosciusko/Philadelphia (~$52k each). Agriculture Politics: Mississippi Rep. Vince Mangold announced his bid for agriculture commissioner and commerce, pledging to oppose foreign purchases of farmland and strengthen food labeling and inspection enforcement.

Energy & Industry Dealmaking: Frontieras North America signed an LOI with Illinois’ Cora Terminal for phased FASForm™ solid carbon fractionation plants at the Mississippi River-linked site, starting with an 85-acre lease and scaling to a second plant. Power & Tech Infrastructure: PowerCompute reported August output of 7.9 net Bitcoin and said seasonal heat-related curtailment at its Oklahoma and Mississippi sites helped generate about $132,000 in energy sales. Utilities & Cost Pressure: A new report highlights how data centers are reshaping electricity bills, while residents worry about rising rates and whether they’ll be stuck paying for AI growth. Ag & Food Supply: The catfish industry faces rising costs and foreign competition, and USDA announced nearly $20 million in catfish awards. Local Business & Community: Kosciusko is inviting public input on tree planting plans tied to Jason Niles Park and Lower Elementary through the TREES MS program. Mississippi Policy Watch: Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch is drafting how the state will spend its $189 million Meta settlement, with legal experts questioning whether children’s mental health will be prioritized. Campus & Workforce: Mississippi State University students launched a new weather startup, Will Bratton Weather (WBWX), built on social media and led by MSU meteorology students.

Steel Investment: Hyundai Steel is moving ahead with a $5.8 billion electric arc furnace mill in Louisiana’s RiverPlex MegaPark near the Mississippi River, targeting 2029 operations and about 2.7 million metric tons of steel sheets annually—an expansion that could boost regional supply chains and port activity. Local Development: Madison County has given final approval for a $120 million conference center and Dolce by Wyndham hotel at Prado Vista, including a 50,000-square-foot venue for up to 1,800 attendees and a public-private structure that routes about $18.9 million in tourism rebate proceeds back to the county for debt repayment. Workforce & Business Support: USDA is buying up to $20 million in surplus wild-caught shrimp for schools and food banks under its Section 32 program—Hyde-Smith says it’s meant to relieve pressure on the shrimp industry. Retail Jobs: Target plans to open eight new stores this fall, including in Mississippi, with more than 2,000 jobs expected nationwide. Public Finance & Accountability: Sen. Daniel Sparks says he would investigate state contracts if elected Mississippi state auditor. Disaster Relief: SBA reminds Mississippi businesses and residents to apply by Oct. 3 for low-interest disaster loans tied to Tropical Storm Arthur. Food Safety: Walmart is recalling a frozen triple berry blend sold in 16 states, including Mississippi, tied to an E. coli outbreak. Tech Infrastructure: C Spire is expanding its Mississippi fiber network with a new Jackson-to-Olive Branch corridor aimed at supporting the “AI economy.” Health Fraud: A DeSoto County medical services owner was sentenced to five years and ordered to repay $3.19 million in Medicaid fraud restitution.

Water & Rates: Jackson-area residents could see JXN Water rates jump another 10% in spring 2027, according to a court-filed financial plan, after a prior ~12% increase in 2026 aimed at stabilizing cash flow and long-term system needs. Public Power Reliability: Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Chris Brown says a Sept. 21 town hall will dig into frequent Attala County outages, with Entergy citing limited grid redundancy in the north. Data Centers & Local Control: Mark Cuban urged towns considering their first data center to negotiate tougher, enforceable terms—covering water use, noise limits, independent oversight, and decommissioning funds—before signing off. Higher Ed Value: Mississippi University for Women is ranked No. 14 in the South and No. 185 nationally by Washington Monthly, highlighting affordability and outcomes. Workforce Prep: Greenville-based Jumpstart Test Prep visited Washington School to boost ACT readiness, reporting last year’s participants improved by 2.75 points on average. Business Climate: Mississippi’s next governor race is framed as a chance to keep momentum from education gains and new investment while making the state more attractive to families, workers, and businesses. Safety & Crime: Gulfport police say an AT&T shooting left an employee and customer dead; suspect Samuel Jermone Andrews faces first-degree murder charges.

Data Centers & Noise Lawsuits: Residents say Microsoft and xAI data centers in Wisconsin and Mississippi are harming homes and property values, with plaintiffs arguing standard dBA monitors miss low-frequency noise from cooling systems. Utility Affordability: Mississippi’s Central District Public Service Commissioner De’Keither Stamps is pushing to let SNAP benefits cover water bills after fellow commissioners rejected the idea, aiming to prevent shutoffs and health risks. Workplace Safety: A new Labor Day look ranks the deadliest jobs, with logging topping fatality rates and the overall 2024 U.S. workplace death toll still high. Local Business & Tourism: Labor Day crowds kept Bay St. Louis businesses busy, while Gulfport and the coast looked ahead to fall visitation. Education & Workforce: Jumpstart Test Prep visited a Greenville school to boost ACT readiness, citing last year’s improvement results. Crime: Two people died in a Gulfport AT&T shooting; a suspect was arrested and held without bond. Agriculture: Corn prices are rising into harvest, but economists warn costs and global uncertainty may limit profits.

Labor Day Gas Prices: Americans head into Labor Day with the highest gas prices on record, with AAA putting the national regular average around $4.15 per gallon—about $1 higher than a year ago—after crude and shipping disruptions kept fuel costs elevated. Food Safety Recall: Walmart shoppers in 16 states, including Mississippi, are urged to check freezers as a Chilean supplier expanded an E. coli recall to Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (UPC 7874211226; lot 6040 01-6; best-if-used-by Feb. 9, 2028). Mississippi Workforce & Training: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is joining Lowe’s Foundation’s Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition to expand skilled-trades training and connect employers with workers. Skimming Crackdown: Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch says a statewide anti-skimming operation recovered three skimming devices, following inspections of more than 421 businesses and nearly 2,150 point-of-sale terminals. Local Business Spotlight: Bay St. Louis is seeing holiday weekend visitors drawn by the community’s “people, place, music” and coastal atmosphere. Energy & Industry: SpaceXAI/xAI is planning a Doosan combined-cycle power plant in the Memphis area, aiming to supply stable electricity for AI infrastructure.

Mississippi Workforce & Training: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is joining Lowe’s Foundation’s Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition, adding to its $1.7 million in prior Lowe’s grants to expand construction and electrical training and connect students to employers. Economic Development & Jobs: Congressman Michael Guest highlighted Aurora Flight Sciences’ expansion in Lowndes County, saying the aerospace investment will create jobs and support national defense. Public Safety: Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch says a statewide anti-skimming “Operation Stronghold” recovered three skimming devices after inspecting 421 businesses and nearly 2,150 point-of-sale terminals, with the effort also targeting SNAP/EBT theft. Local Business Climate & Fraud: A Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker update shows Brookhaven logged one scam report in July, tying it for 40th among Mississippi cities, while national fraud losses topped $12.5 billion in 2024. Consumer Watch: A Walmart frozen-berries recall expanded to Great Value products in 16 states due to possible E. coli contamination, with no illnesses reported for the specific Walmart item. Sports & Media (Mississippi): Ole Miss opens its season Sunday night vs. Louisville in Nashville, with SuperTalk Mississippi radio and ABC TV coverage.

Minimum Wage Debate: A new op-ed argues the federal minimum wage’s $7.25 level since 2009 is widening the gap with today’s costs, pushing working people into poverty and boosting inequality. Insurance Affordability: The Insurance Information Institute’s new index ranks Louisiana as the least affordable state for both auto and homeowners insurance, highlighting how insurance costs can hit household budgets hardest. Retail Expansion & Politics: Buc-ee’s CEO says the chain may favor “conservative business-friendly” areas after opening in Benton, Arkansas, framing local leadership and workforce as key to expansion decisions. Mississippi Mental Health Reminder: NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley urges residents to save 988 during Suicide Prevention Month, emphasizing 24/7 crisis support by call or text. Workforce & Community: Jackson State fans packed a HOPE Labor Day Classic tailgate, with HOPE Credit Union pitching HBCUs as an economic engine. Housing Safety: A Jackson-area tenant says he AC condenser was removed and left her without cooling for days, raising concerns about property maintenance and accountability. Big Industry Move: Hyundai Steel and POSCO broke ground on a $5.8 billion electric arc furnace mill in Louisiana, signaling major investment and job creation tied to U.S. steel capacity. Local Economy Watch: Mississippi State opened its season with a 62-13 rout of Louisiana-Monroe, a reminder of how sports drive local spending and attention.

Housing & Health: A Jackson-area tenant says her AC condenser was removed and she spent four days in 90-degree heat while management didn’t respond. Energy Costs: AAA reports Labor Day gas prices are on track for a record, with Mississippi among the higher-cost states. Space & Jobs: Cowboy Space is leasing a large Kent, Washington facility to build hardware for AI satellite data centers, with plans for about 300 jobs. Local Business/Community: Pass Christian is moving ahead with plans for a new performing arts center after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the old auditorium, with an estimated $9.5M–$11M price tag. Tech & Power Debate: SpaceXAI is offering half-price Starlink service in Memphis and Southaven, but critics continue to question power generation and environmental impacts tied to AI operations. Research & Industry: University of Mississippi researchers are working on scaling a catalyst to turn captured carbon dioxide into chemicals—aiming to make carbon capture more practical for fuels and plastics. Legal/Professional Standards: A Mississippi case highlights courts cracking down on lawyers who cite fabricated AI-made precedents.

Mississippi Policy & Education: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann is already looking ahead to the 2027 legislative session, saying education remains a top priority and renewing calls for a cellphone ban in classrooms, plus work on prescription drug costs and affordable housing. Public Safety & Accountability: Senatobia’s police chief Harold Vanderford was fired after controversy tied to alleged racist private texts and the fatal June shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley, with the officer placed on administrative leave while the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation reviews the case. Workforce & Training: Mississippi is rolling out UPSKILL grant activity for adult education and in-demand careers, with state leadership highlighting apprenticeship and workforce development efforts. Regional Business Growth: Hyundai Steel broke ground on a $5.8 billion electric-arc furnace steel mill in Louisiana near the Mississippi River, a project projected to create thousands of jobs and expand automotive steel supply chains. Food Safety: Walmart shoppers in Mississippi are among those affected by a recall of frozen berry products tied to an E. coli outbreak, with regulators urging freezer checks by lot code.

Steel Investment: Hyundai Steel-POSCO Louisiana Steel broke ground Sept. 4 on a $5.8 billion electric arc furnace mill near Donaldsonville, targeting 2.7 million metric tons of steel annually by 2029 and projecting 1,300 direct and 4,100 indirect jobs. Workforce & Training: Mississippi’s MDES kicked off Workforce Development Month, highlighting job-search support, the Navigator device, and upcoming campaigns for older workers. NIL & Scholarships: Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss announced a Mama Justice NIL partnership funding $225,000 in scholarships over five years for students in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. Public Safety & Trust: Senatobia fired its police chief after reporting alleged racist slurs in private texts, following the fatal shooting of a Black infant during a shoplifting call. Food Safety: Walmart and Publix shoppers in multiple states were told to check freezers after recalls tied to a Chilean frozen-berry supplier connected to an E. coli outbreak with 17 illnesses. Transportation Funding: Western states, including California, are weighing alternatives to the gas tax as EV adoption and lower fuel use strain highway budgets. Local Business Climate: Gulfport saw new scam-report rankings in BBB Scam Tracker data, underscoring ongoing fraud risk for consumers.

Mississippi Health Insurance: Mississippi’s insurance commissioner is proposing short-term health insurance plans as a cheaper option after more than 200,000 residents left the ACA marketplace as costs rose and federal subsidies ended. Mississippi Economy & Jobs: A Pelican Institute survey says Louisiana’s economy grew faster than Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi last quarter, citing income-tax changes and major data center investment momentum. Data Centers & Local Spend: In Northwest Louisiana, STACK Americas says more than half of subcontractor and vendor contracts for its AI data center developments have gone to local firms. Coastal Resilience in Mississippi: Camp Wilkes in Biloxi replaced a failing wooden bulkhead with a living shoreline, with an EPA analysis projecting about $73,000 in savings over 60 years. Local Business Boost: Greenwood is preparing for film production tied to David Magee’s “Dear William,” with local leaders expecting hotel, restaurant and contractor demand. Energy Prices: Gas prices are surging ahead of Labor Day, with AAA reporting a national average around $4.14 a gallon. Politics & Voters: Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith faces Scott Colom and independent Ty Pinkins in Mississippi’s Senate race, with turnout and debate access shaping the campaign.

Workforce & Economic Development: Mississippi won U.S. approval for its Workflex Plan, letting MDES streamline WIOA rules and better align training with employer needs. Shipbuilding Jobs: Gulf Ship will invest $43.81M to expand and modernize its Gulfport operations, creating 121 new jobs by 2028 and targeting completion by late 2027. Public Works & Water Infrastructure: Mississippi secured $3M for major repairs at Neshoba County Lake, with construction planned to start in early 2027 after engineering and planning. Consumer Safety: A Walmart recall expanded to Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend in 16 states, including Mississippi, due to potential E. coli contamination; affected items include UPC 7874211226, lot 6040 01-6, best-by Feb. 9, 2028. Legal/Consumer Protection: Indiana AG sued four tree companies, including Mississippi-based Garrison McKinney Tree and Bridge, alleging storm-related overcharging of residents after a derecho. Retirement & Cost of Living: A new analysis estimates how long $750,000 plus Social Security can last by state, with Mississippi included in the nationwide comparison.