AGP Executive Report

Missing Persons Law: Mississippi’s new HB 377 bars police from forcing a waiting period to start a credible missing-person investigation and sets clearer requirements for handling missing and unidentified people, spotlighting the long-unsolved Angela Freeman case. Health & Rural Burden: A new national analysis presented at a respiratory conference argues COPD deaths now rank above breast and prostate cancer deaths, with rural Americans carrying the heaviest load. AI & Inequality: Reporting on the AI boom warns adoption is concentrated in wealthier cities, boosting stock gains for affluent households and raising fears AI could widen the income gap. Clean Energy Grid: Wisconsin residents are pushing back on a proposed 190-mile, $1.2B 765-kilovolt transmission line tied to future power demand, including data centers, with concerns focused on farmland and the Driftless region. Lower-Carbon Steel: Hyundai Steel broke ground on a $5.8B Louisiana electric-arc-furnace mill aiming for 2.7M tons/year and major emissions cuts versus traditional blast furnaces. STEM in Mississippi: The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is bringing “Animal Super Powers” to life with LEGO-built animals starting Sept. 26.

AI for battlefield care: Ukrainian and U.S. teams are building AI tools to guide trauma response when medics aren’t nearby, using photo-based injury triage and step-by-step protocols. Uncrewed cargo aviation: The FAA tested a hybrid-electric, pilotless cargo aircraft in Louisiana that can take off vertically and carry 500+ pounds—an early step toward faster deliveries without runways. Mississippi Gulf Coast wildlife: Researchers documented manatees living and mating in Mississippi waters for the first time, using drone surveys and animal markings. Materials + AI R&D: A team using data and AI is designing next-generation organic electronic materials, supported by NSF and Canadian research funding. Workforce training: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College joined the Lowe’s Foundation’s skilled trades coalition to expand construction and electrical training and connect learners to employers. Education outcomes: New data shows Oktibbeha County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Hispanic/Latino students reached 63.3% by 2024.

Industrial Expansion: Hyundai Steel broke ground in Donaldsonville, Louisiana on a $5.8B electric arc furnace mill targeting 2.7M tons a year, with low-carbon flat steel for automakers and an expected start of commercial production in 2029. Workforce & Skills: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is joining Lowe’s Foundation’s Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition to expand training and connect students to employers in construction and electrical trades. STEM Pathways: AAMU graduate Taylor Pippins completed a second Army SPARK research fellowship in Vicksburg, working on robotics and sensor integration. Mississippi Research & Nature: Coastal One Health researchers documented manatees living and mating in Mississippi waters for the first time, including three newly identified animals. Education Outcomes: New data highlights six-year bachelor’s completion rates in Oktibbeha County for Black students and in Lowndes County for Black students, underscoring persistent gaps. AI & Society: A report on xAI’s Memphis data center describes community complaints about noise, fumes, and rising power demand as data centers outpace local rules. Local Learning: Co-Lin’s Institute for Learning in Retirement announced fall workshops, including an AI technology class.

Data Centers & Health: A U.S. war veteran in Memphis says Elon Musk’s xAI data center (Colossus II) is harming her with constant noise, fumes, and higher power bills—fueling a broader fight over how fast data centers are outpacing local rules. Energy & Power: A new analysis finds retrofitting non-powered dams could generate up to 15.2 terawatt-hours annually, enough for 1.4 million homes, using open-source modeling tied to real river data. Carbon-to-Chemicals Research: University of Mississippi researchers report a low-cost way to mass-produce a catalyst that turns captured carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, a building block for fuels, plastics, and medicines. Renewables Policy Watch: A national review of 2026 state energy siting bills finds most proposals aimed to restrict renewable buildout, even as enacted measures skew more permissive—setting up a contentious 2027. Mississippi Education & Workforce: Rust College hosted a Nissan-sponsored Kids Discovery International Math Camp, while Copiah-Lincoln’s Institute for Learning in Retirement added an AI class to its fall lineup. STEM Recognition: Two Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College students earned $1,000 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise scholarships in mechanical engineering. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Mississippi State announced 2026 Davis Wade Stadium upgrades, including stronger cell service and a bigger light show.

Para-Cycling in Alabama: The 2026 Para-Cycling Road World Championships kicked off in Huntsville, with Mississippi fans traveling to cheer on athletes tied to Ocean Springs. AI in courtrooms: A federal judge in Mississippi sanctioned lawyers after they cited made-up legal precedents generated by AI, underscoring how tech shortcuts can backfire in real cases. PFAS accountability: A new look at 3M’s PFAS cover-up centers on a scientist’s blood tests that flagged “forever chemicals” years before the public learned the scale of contamination. Carbon-to-chemicals research: University of Mississippi and Texas A&M researchers report a way to mass-produce a low-cost catalyst that turns captured carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, a building block for fuels and plastics. Energy policy watch: A national review of 2026 renewable siting bills finds most proposals aimed to restrict projects, while analysts expect 2027 to bring the biggest fight yet as data centers grow. Mississippi education data: New federal figures highlight degree-completion gaps in Oktibbeha and Lowndes counties, alongside separate reporting on reading test failures in Benton County. STEM outreach locally: Rust College hosted a Nissan-sponsored Kids Discovery International Math Camp with hands-on “Math Worlds” and visiting educators from Germany, Japan, and St. Lucia. Broadband push in Hinds County: The county is offering free digital literacy and broadband adoption training for residents, with a focus on practical skills and scam awareness.

Carbon-to-chemicals breakthrough: University of Mississippi and Texas A&M researchers report a way to mass-produce a low-cost catalyst that turns captured carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, a key ingredient for fuels, plastics, and medicines. Energy siting policy watch: A new national analysis finds most 2026 renewable energy siting bills were restrictive, but enacted measures skew permissive—researchers expect 2027 to be the “biggest year yet” as data centers and affordability concerns keep pressure on statehouses. Local broadband push: Hinds County announced free, beginner-friendly Digital Literacy & Broadband Adoption Training, covering internet safety, telehealth access, and troubleshooting, with feedback meant to shape future broadband investments. AI in health care: Federal agencies are rolling out AI for nursing home safety and virtual clinical training, including UMMC’s AI-enhanced virtual nursing home monitoring for fall-risk alerts. Mississippi legal fight: Willie Jerome “Fly” Manning’s attorneys argue Mississippi courts mishandled racial bias claims in jury selection, seeking another chance at post-conviction relief. Community safety tech: Great Lakes invasive carp barrier work resumes after a stop-work order was lifted, using electric, acoustic, and bubble deterrents. Workforce development: MDES marks Workforce Development Month with job-seeker programs and a “Navigator” device aimed at improving access to workforce tools across Mississippi.

Mississippi Tech & Policy: Mississippi’s death investigation process is under national scrutiny after misinformation spread online, including a fake AI-made toxicology report tied to Nolan Wells’ case, raising fresh questions about the Mississippi Crime Lab’s backlogs and standards. STEM & Education: NASA announced an accessible virtual Artemis webinar (Oct. 2) with an RS-25 engine test audio-described for blind and low-vision audiences, featuring a Stennis Space Center leader in Bay St. Louis. Workforce & Health Tech: Federal health agencies are rolling out AI for nursing home safety and virtual clinical training, including an AI camera-based fall-risk alert pilot at UMMC. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Jackson paused $650,000 lighting plans for Grove Park baseball fields over security concerns about stolen wiring, with work targeted for 2027. Mississippi Leadership: Mississippi State alumnus Adam Telle was named acting U.S. Army secretary, moving from Army Corps of Engineers civil works oversight to top civilian leadership. Community Tech in Action: East Central Mississippi’s Crisis Intervention Team highlights how trained responders connect people in mental health crises to care, aiming to reduce harm during police calls.

Mississippi Education & Equity: New federal data show Claiborne County’s Alcorn State completion rate for Black students is 51.6% (up from 43.5% for the prior cohort), while Lowndes County’s Mississippi University for Women posts a 47.5% six-year bachelor completion rate for white students—well below the statewide 69.9%. Public Health & Data: UMMC and the Mississippi Public Health Institute are launching a project to track maternal mortality beyond the six-week postpartum window, aiming to connect communities to prevention supports. Cyber & Privacy: A USA TODAY database lets Mississippi residents check whether their license plate appears in Flock Safety audit logs, including which agencies run the most searches. Healthcare Tech: U of Mississippi researchers unveiled spin-coated, surface-eroding implants designed to release medication doses on precisely programmed schedules. Coastal Resilience: Biloxi’s Camp Wilkes replaced a failing wooden bulkhead with a living shoreline, with an EPA-backed analysis estimating about $73,000 in savings over 60 years. STEM in the Classroom: Mississippi Valley State’s B.B. King Day symposium ties blues history to technology and preservation. Food Security: Mississippi may face up to $75M in added SNAP costs as pantry demand rises. National Tech Policy: A judge blocked parts of HHS’s teen pregnancy prevention overhaul after finding the agency relied on studies that appear not to exist.

Mississippi Senate Race: Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is seeking reelection against Democrat Scott Colom and independent Ty Pinkins, with analysts pointing to turnout and the risk a third candidate could siphon votes. Maternal Health Tech: Mississippi doctors and partners are building a tool to track maternal mortality data beyond the usual postpartum window, aiming to connect communities to prevention efforts. Virtual Care Leadership: Ochsner Health named Lisa Birdsall Fort, MD, MPH vice president of virtual care transformation, overseeing virtual ICU and other inpatient services. Drug-Delivery Implants: University of Mississippi researchers unveiled spin-coated, surface-eroding implants designed to release medication in precisely timed pulses. Cybersecurity: A new ThreatsDay bulletin highlights human-targeted intrusions using Teams impersonation, fake login flows, and remote access tricks. Shipbuilding Jobs: Gulf Ship plans a $43.8M Gulfport expansion with 121 new jobs and automated manufacturing upgrades. Coastal Mapping: Near Space Labs and USM’s Gulf Blue are mapping Gulf Coast shorelines from about 45,000 feet to track erosion and storm-driven change. Conservation Funding: Mississippi secured $3M for dam and spillway repairs at Neshoba County Lake, with construction slated for early 2027.

Coastal Mapping for Storm Season: Near Space Labs teamed with USM’s Gulf Blue to map Gulf Coast shorelines from about 45,000 feet, covering wetlands, ports, barrier islands and inland areas across roughly 772 square miles—aimed at helping planners track erosion and storm-driven change. Mississippi Jobs in Shipbuilding: Gulf Ship is expanding Gulfport operations with nearly $44 million in modernization, adding 121 jobs and bringing in advanced manufacturing tech, with state and county support. Cyber-Physical Safety in Mississippi Retail: Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch says a statewide sweep (Operation Stronghold) checked 2,000+ card terminals at 421 stores and recovered three skimmers, warning that Bluetooth-enabled skimmers can drive major fraud losses. Education-Research Gap: Southport CoLAB founder Dr. Benjamin Powers argues schools need capacity-building on both sides of research and classroom practice, not just new “engineering” approaches. Health Policy Watch: A new review finds menopause is largely missing from public prison policy documents, with Mississippi among the states that address it—though not with comprehensive care plans. STEM Spotlight: Mississippi State aerospace engineering student Gracie Crowe won a $2,500 scholarship and will intern at Northrop Grumman through a Co-op program.

Cybersecurity & Fraud: Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch says a statewide sweep of more than 2,000 card terminals at 421 stores turned up three credit card skimmers, with investigators warning Bluetooth-enabled theft can drive huge losses—especially when stolen data hits SNAP users. Campus Tech & Student Services: At the University of Mississippi, ASB leaders outline fall plans including an Uber credit program for students and a proposed “UM 10” discount initiative for Oxford businesses. Coastal Mapping & Resilience: Gulf Coast shorelines, wetlands, ports, and barrier islands are being mapped from about 45,000 feet after Near Space Labs partnered with USM’s Gulf Blue, aiming to track erosion and storm-driven change. Aerospace & Drones: Elroy Air says it completed the first uncrewed autonomous cargo flights under the USDOT/FAA eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, with Gulf Coast logistics and defense cargo in view. Economic Development (Mississippi): Gulf Ship will invest $43.81 million in Gulfport to modernize shipbuilding and steel fabrication, creating 121 jobs. Health & Community: Meridian’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s returns Oct. 24 at City Hall Lawn, as local organizers push awareness and fundraising.

AI in Legal Education: Mississippi Christian University’s law school dean, John P. Anderson, was named a 2026 “Top 50 Legal Innovator in Academia” for requiring first-year students to complete an AI-and-the-law certification, backed by the school’s Center for AI Policy and Technology Leadership. Conservation & Local Science: A Mississippi county is seeing a rare win for wildlife: nearly 500 dusky gopher frogs are being released after years of habitat restoration, with experts warning the comeback could still be fragile. Mississippi in the Gulf Energy Supply Chain: Subsea7 won a $50m–$150m U.S. Gulf tieback package tied to the Who Dat development, covering risers, controls, and offshore work planned for 2028. Public Health & Tech Leadership: Ochsner Health named Dr. Alexander Fortenko vice president of innovation, tasking him with scaling responsible AI and data science across clinical operations. STEM in the Classroom: LSU’s Gulf Scholars cohort wrapped summer projects, including lab work on crawfish oxygen tolerance tied to coastal environmental science. Community Tech & Safety: A multi-agency search using GPS/satellite tools and surveillance ended with an 81-year-old found safe after three days near the Mississippi River.

Flood resilience in Meridian: The city council approved $75,000 to fund Willis Engineering’s flood-damage evaluation from April 2026, using LiDAR and home-by-home data collection to map creek and ditch blockages and recommend next steps. Public safety and tech in the field: Yalobusha County investigators say a crash led to discovery of a suspected clandestine drug lab, including pseudoephedrine and chemical supplies, with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics assisting. Health research with Mississippi ties: A new study in Neurology Open Access links optimal midlife vascular health to up to 12.6 extra dementia-free years, tracking adults including participants from Mississippi. SpaceX AI infrastructure shake-up: SpaceX reorganized data center leadership for xAI after reliability issues tied to rapid, makeshift cooling/power setups, with Michael Nicolls taking over oversight of AI infrastructure. Mississippi healthcare operations: UMMC is taking over Greenwood Leflore Hospital to expand access to specialized care across the Delta. Wetlands science grant: LSU and URI won a $4M NSF grant to build AI-enhanced coastal wetland planning tools and connect ecological and economic data. Local industry growth: Solero Technologies is expanding in Water Valley with new manufacturing lines and upgrades, adding 86 jobs.

Mississippi Higher Ed Tech: The University of Mississippi is rolling out new classroom technology for the 2026–27 year, including large interactive displays and remote management tools to help instructors get support faster. Energy & Industry: ONE Nuclear Energy is advancing “Project Cayman” near Louisiana’s RiverPlex MegaPark, pairing a 2.88 GW natural gas plant with large-scale battery storage—aimed at powering nearby industrial growth. Mississippi Manufacturing Jobs: Solero Technologies is expanding in Water Valley, adding 14 manufacturing lines and more than $14 million in investment, with 86 new jobs and upgrades to electrical, IT, HVAC, and production systems. STEM Research in Mississippi: Mississippi State University geologist Adam Skarke and a doctoral student are joining a deep-sea mission to study methane emissions off the Atlantic seafloor and how they affect Gulf ecosystems and climate models. Public Health & Climate: A new forecast says El Niño is likely to bring a warmer-than-normal fall across much of the U.S., with parts of the Mississippi Valley marked as uncertain on temperatures. Environment & Conservation: NFWF and partners announced nearly $5 million in grants to restore forests and wetlands in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Workforce & Small Business Tech: Mississippi’s SBDC network has completed a statewide rollout of Catalyzer to modernize how advisors deliver services and track program impact.

Data Centers & Power: SpaceXAI cut power from 11 temporary turbines at its Southaven site and began steps to remove the 69 turbines, shifting toward a permanent 1.2 GW power plant while facing noise and environmental lawsuits. Cybersecurity Leadership: Mississippi State named George Trawick interim director of its Center for Cyber Innovation, aiming to grow defense and national-security partnerships. Defense Manufacturing: Raytheon completed a $50M Mississippi expansion for next-gen electronic warfare/radar work, adding jobs and scaling production. Maritime Tech & Jobs: Ocean Aero is expanding in Gulfport with a ~$4M project and 45 new jobs to boost manufacturing of its TRITON autonomous vehicles. Energy & Industry Planning: ONE Nuclear Energy announced Louisiana’s “Project Cayman” near RiverPlex, pairing a large natural gas plant with major battery storage. Environment & Public Health: A study highlights how air conditioning saves lives but can worsen climate impacts; meanwhile, invasive carp barrier work in the Great Lakes was paused after carp were found closer to Lake Michigan. STEM in Mississippi: MSU hosted a public lecture announcement featuring Oxford’s Simon Horobin, and UM students are back with campus events and mental-health awareness efforts.

Defense & Manufacturing: Raytheon finished a $50M expansion at its Forest, Mississippi plant, adding capacity for airborne electronic warfare and radar and targeting 100 high-skilled jobs by 2028. Maritime Tech & Jobs: Ocean Aero is expanding in Gulfport with a ~$4M project that will convert storage space into production-ready manufacturing for its TRITON autonomous vehicles, creating 45 jobs. AI Infrastructure & Community Impact: A report on an East Coast AI data center alleges unpermitted gas generators are being run, raising federal compliance and air-pollution concerns. Data Centers & Noise: Reporting from the Memphis–Mississippi border highlights how xAI’s Southaven campus is bringing persistent noise alongside emissions, with few rules in place. Health Research: A new trial is testing letrozole, a breast-cancer drug, as a potential treatment for uterine fibroids. STEM in Mississippi Classrooms: Pineville Elementary was named a Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading School for 2026–27. Agriculture Tech: USDA and Auburn University are collaborating on drone and AI research for farming. Online Safety Policy: A major federal rural health program faces transparency questions, while separate coverage tracks growing scrutiny of how states handle child-safety rules for social media.