AGP Executive Report

Gas Prices & Energy: AAA reports gasoline averages easing nationwide, with California’s regular down 10 cents to $5.97 and the national average down 18 cents to $4.24, as crude stays under $100 and demand/supply figures shift. Mississippi Community & Local Economy: Jackson volunteers joined the Jackson Rising Corridor Clean-Up Series on Terry Road, with city leaders linking blight removal to safety and attracting new businesses. Workforce & Defense Training: Mississippi State’s engineering and CAVS Extension are partnering with industry on an Integrated Logistics Support curriculum to strengthen shipbuilding workforce training. Gaming Law Watch: “Casino sweepstakes” platforms face tightening state rules; the legality depends on where you live, with California moving to ban dual-currency models starting 2026. Food Safety: FDA issued a Class I recall for Alfredo sauce tied to a dry milk ingredient over potential salmonella contamination. Mississippi Spotlight: Jane Granberry was crowned Miss Mississippi 2026, pursuing an MBA and a literacy-focused platform. Local Culture: Poplarville’s Blueberry Jubilee returns for its 42nd year, drawing 10,000+ visitors and boosting vendors.

Defense & Training: At Camp Shelby, two Army Reserve field feeding teams—the 771st and 786th—have combined to feed Soldiers during Operation Sentinel Justice, juggling extreme heat, relocations, and UAS countermeasures while being evaluated as a unit. Local Health Services: Oktibbeha County is weighing whether to keep Medstat EMS or shift to another provider after Medstat’s contract ends, with residents and officials citing big differences in response times versus Pafford EMS. Workforce & Education: East Mississippi Community College’s Adult Education program received a $10,000 Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant for updated materials, software, and gas cards for students. Energy & Aquaculture: Dauphin Island Sea Lab says it has harvested its first redfish from an offshore aquaculture platform off Fort Morgan, a small-scale Gulf project now moving past permit delays. Public Finance & Infrastructure: Mississippi County’s solar push continues as Cypress Creek Energy secured $3.5 billion for the Steel River Energy Center project. State Business Climate: Jackson’s proposed AI data center is drawing debate over electricity and water strain versus expected tax revenue for city, county, and schools. Policy & Benefits: The Social Security Administration is ending paper checks later in 2026, pushing most recipients to direct deposit or Direct Express cards.

AI & Local Economy: Jackson is weighing a proposed AI data center, with residents split over electricity and water strain versus promised revenue and ad valorem tax gains for city, county and schools. Workforce Development: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and J. Allen Automotive Group launched a Diesel Technician Apprenticeship Program, pairing classroom training with on-the-job experience. Energy Investment: Cypress Creek Energy secured $3.5 billion for the Steel River Energy Center in Arkansas’ Mississippi County—major solar and battery storage capacity expected to support heavy industry and generate local tax revenue. Social Security: A new SSA update says paper checks are being phased out later in 2026, while another report warns the trust fund could trigger a 22% cut by 2032—an issue Mississippi families are watching closely. Community & Culture: Monticello’s first Heritage Day celebration runs today at West Bridge Park, and Biloxi’s historic Saenger Theatre reopened to bring more events and tourism back downtown. Public Safety & Finance: A former JAFCU leader is sued for allegedly embezzling $91M, and a Memphis man was sentenced to 17+ years for robbing three Mid-South banks at gunpoint.

Banking & Housing: First State Bank promoted Lindsey Kilpatrick to mortgage loan originator, expanding her role across the home-lending process. Local Business & Community: Toyota of Meridian cut the ribbon on a new dealership on Highway 39, highlighting long-term investment by the Duff brothers. Transportation & Infrastructure: MDOT shared updates on central Mississippi projects, including progress on the $97.4 million State Route 19 expansion in Neshoba County and bridge work on U.S. 51. Workforce & Education: A Mississippi State University-linked scholarship from Fox Weather named Jake Kasitz, a meteorology student, for an internship and mentorship. Energy & Environment: AAA reported gas prices falling for a third straight week, with the national average down to about $4.13. Public Safety & Courts: Philadelphia police arrested seven people after a year-long narcotics investigation with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department. Sports & Culture: Meridian businesses are hosting World Cup watch parties for Team USA’s opener, aiming to bring fans together.

Energy & Finance: Cypress Creek Energy secured $3.5B financing for the Steel River Energy Center in Mississippi County, targeting 2.45 GW of solar and 2.9 GW of battery storage by 2029. Local Business & Safety: Hattiesburg is suing Cook Out after police say the Hardy Street location saw about 50 calls for service over two years, including fights and shootings, with officials saying the goal is safety improvements, not a shutdown. Workforce & Training: MDMR is offering a free 2026 ServSafe course for Mississippi seafood industry workers in Biloxi on July 7, with certification required for businesses that prepare, hold, transport, or serve food. Legal & Governance: The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled State Auditor Shad White can’t sue to recover welfare funds; the Attorney General has sole authority to file recovery litigation. Community & Food Access: Downtown Hattiesburg Farmers Market says all produce vendors participate in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, helping seniors buy fresh fruits and vegetables weekly. Tech & Environment: NAACP and environmental groups updated their xAI Southaven noise/air pollution case, alleging turbine counts rose to 57 and seeking to stop unpermitted emissions.

Carbon Capture Leadership: CapturePoint promoted Kris Roberson to President and COO, positioning the carbon management and CO₂ infrastructure firm for its next growth phase. Clean Energy Financing: Cypress Creek Energy locked in $3.5B financing for Phase 1 and 2 of the Steel River solar+storage megaproject in Arkansas, a deal that underscores how fast big power builds are moving through capital markets. Coastal Risk & Courts: A webinar on Chevron v. Plaquemines Parish says Louisiana coastal erosion lawsuits are now “gratuitously complicated,” with dozens of cases likely headed for new venue fights in federal court. Mississippi Workforce Pipeline: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and J. Allen Automotive Group launched a diesel technician apprenticeship program aimed at getting students into paid, job-ready roles. Port of Gulfport Expansion: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended dredging for Congressional authorization, a step toward deepening and widening the channel to keep Gulfport competitive. Data Center Pressure: A report from Earthjustice and Environmental Advocates Mississippi estimates Entergy Mississippi customers have already paid $38M for data-center-related costs, projecting $74M by year-end. Local Business Spotlight: Toyota of Meridian held a ribbon-cutting for its new dealership on Highway 39. Food Safety Training: Mississippi’s DMR is offering a free ServSafe course in Biloxi for seafood industry workers.

Data Center Legal Fight: Southaven residents filed a class-action against xAI and SpaceX over “near-constant” noise and vibrations from a nearby power plant/data center complex, alleging sleep disruption and property-value harm. Energy & Permitting: Mississippi’s PSC commissioner is pushing for stronger data-center oversight as local governments weigh rules; meanwhile, a separate report highlights how AI data centers can create localized “data heat island” effects. River Shipping Watch: Mississippi river workers are warning that a renewed pause/waiver of the Jones Act could threaten jobs and safety by letting foreign carriers compete on U.S. waterways. Education & Workforce: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hoseman touts teacher pay gains and flags a 27% chronic absentee rate as a key barrier to building Mississippi’s future workforce. Community & Business: Two Mississippi Museums will host a Juneteenth celebration with free admission June 19-21, sponsored by Ingalls Shipbuilding. Local Economy: Lumberton is moving toward allowing liquor sales inside city limits, aiming to spur jobs and growth.

AI Data Center Legal Fight: Mississippi residents sued Elon Musk’s xAI and SpaceX in federal court over “omnipresent and inescapable” noise from a Southaven power plant, alleging public nuisance, health harms and property-value damage; the class case seeks damages and profit disgorgement. FCC & Local Radio Compliance: SPB’s Greenwood station WABG is asking the FCC to reconsider a one-year license renewal tied to public file upload violations, arguing the miss happened shortly after a consent decree. Copyright Enforcement: ASCAP filed federal suits against four radio groups, including a Mississippi broadcaster, alleging they kept playing ASCAP music after licenses were terminated for nonpayment. Energy & Power Markets: New data says solar hit a milestone—first time in May it supplied a larger share of U.S. electricity than coal—despite political push for coal. Workforce & Security Tech: C Spire was named Arctic Wolf’s 2026 Southeast Partner of the Year for security operations support. Education Funding: The Mississippi Lottery transferred $9.618M in May, bringing FY26 transfers to about $117.9M, with more than $37.9M already directed to education programs. Local Economy Watch: GasBuddy reports Yazoo County’s lowest regular price at $3.97/gallon for the week ending May 30.

AI Data Center Legal Fight: Residents in Mississippi have filed a proposed federal class action against xAI, SpaceX and MZX Tech, alleging gas-turbine noise from a Southaven power plant is “omnipresent and inescapable,” harming health and home values; the suit seeks damages and names more than 10,000 potential class members, with Elon Musk not listed as a defendant. Port & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has formally recommended deepening and widening the Port of Gulfport navigation channel, a key step toward congressional authorization for the $548 million project. Energy & Power Markets: Solar continues to surge nationally—new data shows it supplied a larger share of U.S. electricity than coal in May—while Mississippi residents keep tracking local gas prices via GasBuddy reports. Local Business & Banking: First State Bank promoted Lindsey Kilpatrick to mortgage loan originator, expanding its home-lending team. Community & Tourism: Clinton marked the ribbon-cutting for a major Amazon data center project, while Hancock County’s Bobbofest raised funds for cancer care and weekend meals. Education Snapshot: A new KIDS COUNT report ranks Mississippi last overall for child well-being, with education lagging as a major concern.

Home Care Finance Expansion: PRN Funding says it’s expanding its home care invoice factoring footprint from Pennsylvania into Ohio, Minnesota, Florida and Missouri, aiming to help agencies turn outstanding claims into faster cash for payroll, staffing and growth. Port of Gulfport Update: The Port of Gulfport cleared a key federal step toward deepening and widening its channel, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommending the project for congressional authorization; plans call for deepening from 36 to 46 feet and widening from 300 to 350. Ole Miss Construction Contract: Roy Anderson Corp, a Tutor Perini unit, won an about $114 million contract for the University of Mississippi’s Jones Hall Project, a new four-story academic building for the Patterson School of Accountancy. Mississippi Education Scorecard: The 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book keeps Mississippi at 16th for education but ranks the state last overall for child well-being, with major concerns in health, economic well-being and family/community. Workforce & Banking: Huntington reported strong returns tied to its Texas strategy and expects up to $500 million in cost savings and revenue synergies from Cadence Bank integration. Local Business & Jobs: AWS opened its fourth Mississippi data center in Clinton, with local leaders saying it could bring more than 100 jobs and support nearby businesses. Community & Culture: The State Games of Mississippi kicked off in Meridian with a parade of athletes and weekend competition across Lauderdale County.

Mississippi Housing & Homelessness: A new report shows nearly 20% more homelessness in Mississippi, and local providers say the surge is already hitting Meridian and nearby communities, driven by rising rents, low wages, and mental health pressures. Workforce & Connectivity: Jones County’s Glade community is getting new fiber internet service through Dixie Electric Fastlink, with service expansion rolling out in new areas every two weeks. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy price checks for the week ending May 30 show regular gas averaging about $3.90 statewide (with Coahoma County’s low at $3.84) and premium averaging about $4.74 (with Monroe County’s low at $4.58). Business & Industry: International Paper is partnering with CPKC on a 468,000-square-foot packaging facility in Rankin County, targeting operations in Q4 2027. Corporate Leadership: Austal USA named Gene Miller president, confirming him effective May 28, as the shipbuilder expands its leadership team. Local Economy: Hancock Resource Center appointed Jordan Bradford III as its next president and executive director, effective July 1. Public Safety & Community: Pascagoula investigator Lt. Darren Versiga is retiring after decades of cold-case work. Health Policy Watch: CMS released an interim final rule on Medicaid work requirements, while House appropriators advanced its FY 2027 Labor-HHS funding bill.

Leadership & Values: A former University of Mississippi chancellor, Dr. Dan Jones, is reflecting on moral leadership and the “cost of conscience” after his 2015 removal amid national debate over diversity and inclusion and academic freedom. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show Mississippi’s prices stayed volatile but generally eased: Hancock regular hit $3.54/gal (week ending May 30), Tunica midgrade hit $4.69, Perry premium hit $4.59, and Marshall diesel hit $4.73. Gaming & Tourism: Meridian is gearing up for America 250 on July 4 with a parade, ceremony, concert, and fireworks—backed by local business partners. Lottery: Mississippi Lottery is ending sales for a dozen scratch-offs on July 8, with a 2nd Chance drawing Oct. 13. Workforce & Growth: Mississippi State and partners won federal Sentinel Landscape designation for East Mississippi, linking military readiness with working lands conservation. Local Business: Edgewater Piano Company opened at Edgewater Mall in Biloxi, adding acoustic piano sales and lessons to the Gulf Coast.

Regulatory Update: Mississippi’s State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering is taking public comments through June 22 on temporary rules that could affect health, safety, and business standards after the 2024 merger of the boards. Education & Workforce: A new KIDS COUNT Data Book says child wellbeing fell from 2019 to 2024, with reading and math proficiency dropping in 47 states—an issue Mississippi families and employers feel as skills gaps widen. AI & Economic Readiness: The Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), housed at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, is highlighting growing AI literacy and workforce training efforts, including recognition at the Gulf Coast Business Council. Local Business & Tourism: The Shuckers Gulf Coast Championship drew hundreds of baseball teams and families across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, boosting hotel rooms and restaurant traffic. Energy Costs (Gas Prices): GasBuddy reports show volatile fuel pricing across Mississippi in the week ending May 30, including some of the lowest midgrade and diesel prices in multiple counties, with statewide averages still hovering around the mid-$4 range for midgrade and just under $5 for diesel. Infrastructure: Mississippi Power scheduled a road closure on Rippy Road in Gulfport (Creosote Rd to Cuandet Rd) Monday for pole replacement, with detours via Three Rivers Road and Airport Road.

Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show Mississippi drivers saw some of the week’s lowest prices in select counties: midgrade hit $4.39 in Coahoma, premium hit $4.59 in Leake, diesel hit $4.79 in Yazoo and Yalobusha, and regular dipped to $3.69 in Perry. Infrastructure & Utilities: Mississippi Power scheduled a Rippy Road closure in Gulfport (Creosote Rd to Cuandet Rd) from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 8 for pole replacement, with Three Rivers Rd and Airport Rd as detours. Legal/Politics: The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to clarify whether Election Day means ballots must be received by the deadline, not just postmarked—an issue tied to Mississippi’s 2020 absentee-ballot law. Insurance: Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney discussed homeowners insurance rate expectations for 2027 and a roof mitigation program offering up to $10,000 for qualifying Gulf Coast homeowners. Tech & Energy: A Business Insider analysis says U.S. data centers permitted through 2025 could drive major electricity demand growth, with Amazon’s planned Ridgeland complex cited as an example of the boom. Local Business: Magee’s Chamber held a ribbon-cutting for K & D Dog Grooming, a new small-business opening in town.

Insurance & Housing Costs: Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said Gulf Coast homeowners should see stable rates in 2027, with the windpool offering more flexible coverage choices, and highlighted a roof mitigation program that could pay up to $10,000 for qualifying homes (with homeowners covering costs above that). Healthcare Real Estate: CMS data shows Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg (for-profit) was owned by QHG of Forrest County and QHG of Hattiesburg during Q1 2026, earning a five-star overall rating with no fines or penalties. Energy Infrastructure: An EV driver shared what looks like a new model for charging—an EV-only “gas station” with a canopy, convenience store, restrooms, and a big price sign—aimed at making charging feel more routine. Economy & Prices: A national report says inflation is rising again (3.8% in April), and argues it’s not a “red vs. blue” story—gas and shipping costs are driving prices nationwide. Community & Business: The Magee Chamber welcomed K & D Dog Grooming with a ribbon-cutting for the new small business. Tourism & Leisure: Golfweek ranked two Mississippi golf courses among the nation’s best modern designs, boosting the state’s golf travel appeal. Deadline Watch: Mississippi’s Tidelands Trust Fund portal opens for applications starting June 2026, with the portal closing July 1.

Energy & Consumer Costs: GasBuddy price checks for the week ending May 30 show Mississippi fuel staying volatile but generally easing versus earlier peaks, with multiple county “lowest” deals reported across regular, midgrade, and diesel. Examples include regular as low as $3.65 in Itawamba County and $3.67 in Simpson County, premium lows like $4.14 in Jones County and $4.44 in Pike County, and diesel lows such as $4.53 in Rankin County and $4.67 in Hancock County. Coastal Funding: The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources opened applications for Tidelands Trust Fund projects starting June 2026, with the portal closing July 1; eligible work is limited to Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties and must fit conservation, reclamation, preservation, acquisition, education, or public access goals. Downtown Revitalization: Downtown Natchez Alliance named Chesney Doyle executive director effective June 1, tasking her with leading administrative and strategic revitalization work with city and Main Street partners. Community & Food Security: Extra Table FEEDS launched its statewide “Good on the Go Tour: Extra Table Feeds Awards,” taking nominations through June 15 to recognize people and organizations fighting hunger. Business Leadership: A.Y. McDonald is starting a transition to a new Dickeyville foundry, signaling operational change for the company’s manufacturing footprint.