AGP Executive Report

Mississippi Tech & Industry: Ocean Aero is investing $4 million in Gulfport to expand production of its TRITON autonomous underwater and surface vehicles, aiming to add 45 jobs and convert storage space into manufacturing. Public Safety Tech: Long Beach firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to locate a hidden lightning-caused apartment fire, limiting damage and speeding up the search for hot spots. STEM & Education: Mississippi State University unveiled a renovated fifth floor at Mitchell Memorial Library, adding more study space and reservable rooms for student collaboration. Space & Learning: The McNair Davis Planetarium in Jackson is reopening later as the city hands operations to the Mississippi Museum of Art, with new digital displays and a 60-foot dome centerpiece. Health & Research: Mississippi Christian University will host a two-day dyslexia conference focused on evidence-based literacy therapy and strategies for educators and families. Cybercrime: A Nigerian man was extradited to Mississippi to face federal charges tied to the 2022 death of Starkville teen Walker Montgomery after a sextortion scheme. Data Centers Policy: A Legislative Research Council draft issue memo lays out how “hyperscale” data centers are defined by power use and scale, warning lawmakers about unknown future demand for electricity and water.

Defense Manufacturing in Mississippi: Raytheon finished a $50M, 17,000-square-foot expansion at its Forest plant, boosting production and integration for airborne radar and electronic warfare, including Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band; the site now totals about 445,000 square feet and is expected to add 100 skilled jobs by 2028. Energy & Rates: Entergy says data-center revenue helped keep Entergy Mississippi rates flat this summer, avoiding a projected July increase, and it’s tied to its Fair Share Plus Pledge. Tech Policy & Education: MIT released an AI report warning that AI is reshaping how students are assessed and how campus social learning works, urging curriculum and teaching changes. Digital IDs: Apple Wallet Digital ID launched in Virginia, but most states still lack a clear timeline for joining. Public Health & Access: Mississippi-area health news includes new rural maternal-health funding efforts tied to telehealth and mobile care. Community & Safety: A viral debate over high-speed e-bikes is pushing some stores to stop selling them to kids as child injury visits rise. Local STEM/Research Events: Mississippi researchers will present findings at the Advancing Mississippi Conference in September.

Defense & Manufacturing: Raytheon finished a $50M expansion at its Forest, Mississippi plant, adding 17,000 sq. ft. to boost radar and electronic warfare production, including Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band pods, with 100 high-skill jobs expected by 2028. Rural Health Tech: Arkansas’ Rural Health Transformation Program is rolling out nearly $150M in first-round grants—$93.6M for PACT specialty care and telehealth coordination and $55.7M for THRIVE telehealth, remote monitoring, and emergency response—part of a plan aiming for about $1B over five years. Digital Identity: Virginia launched Apple Wallet Digital ID at TSA checkpoints and participating businesses, but the report notes no clear timeline for other holdout states, including New York, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Public Health Screening: Mississippi advocates are pushing to expand lung cancer screening beyond age and smoking history to include asbestos-exposed workers and veterans. Education & Research: Mississippi State recognized top faculty for major teaching honors, while the University Research Center is set to host the 11th annual Advancing Mississippi Conference on Sept. 25.

Online Child Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay about $17B and add child-safety rules for Instagram and Facebook after a multi-state trial, with Mississippi set to receive about $189M—another sign regulators are pushing platforms to change how teens use social apps. AI Data Centers Under Scrutiny: A New Jersey AI datacenter is accused of violating federal law after drone footage allegedly showed dozens of unpermitted gas generators running near schools, adding to the growing backlash over power, pollution, and permitting. Mississippi Workforce Pipeline: AccelerateMS and ToolingU-SME launched PowerPath, helping North Mississippi students earn industry credentials and connect with advanced manufacturing employers while still in high school. Mississippi Research Recognition: MSU’s John Ramirez-Avila won two national Soil and Water Conservation Society awards for watershed and water-quality work tied to Mississippi watersheds. Public Health Funding Watch: A federal rural healthcare program faces transparency concerns, raising questions about oversight as states move quickly to spend funds. Agriculture & Climate: Mississippi Delta rice producers report major losses tied to weather and quality hits, while research continues on whether modern farming erosion is sustainable.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Mississippi is set to receive about $188.98 million over 10 years from a landmark multistate deal with Meta over alleged addictive design harms to minors on Facebook and Instagram, with the total potentially rising to about $270.4 million if other platforms match the terms; the agreement also requires tighter teen controls like daily time limits, forced breaks, nighttime access limits, and stronger age-assurance and parental tools. Space & Industry in the Gulf: SpaceX unveiled plans for a $100 billion Starbase Louisiana on Pecan Island in Vermilion Parish, aiming to support Starship launches and AI satellite activity starting with construction next year and an initial launch target in 2029. Mississippi Infrastructure: MDOT announced “The Big Fix,” a $400 million interstate upgrade to repair bridges and pavement on I-20 and I-55 in the Jackson metro area. Local Science Watch: Mississippi State University researchers are tracking the spread of an invasive Asian longhorned tick, asking residents to help spot it even though no confirmed cases are reported in Mississippi yet. Public Health: Measles deaths were reported in Pennsylvania as cases surge nationwide, underscoring the importance of vaccination.

Big Tech Child Safety: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B in a multistate settlement and roll out sweeping Instagram/Facebook protections for minors, including age checks, default limits, overnight feed shutdowns, and reduced school-hour notifications. Mississippi Education Policy: The Mississippi Department of Education is pushing Attendance Awareness Month in September, spotlighting new compulsory attendance enforcement rules aimed at cutting chronic absenteeism. Mississippi Research Spotlight: Mississippi State physicist Wenliang “Bill” Li published a Science perspective on new STAR Collaboration results that challenge how protons carry their identity. Gulf Coast Climate Leadership: MSU atmospheric sciences expert Jamie Dyer was named director of the Northern Gulf Institute, a NOAA-linked research and outreach consortium. Workforce & Manufacturing: Solero Technologies will invest $14M in Water Valley, adding 86 jobs with new manufacturing lines and facility upgrades. Adult Career Training: Mississippi launched the UPSKILL Mississippi Grant to help adults cover tuition and fees for in-demand certificates and associate degrees at public community colleges. Space & Federal Service: NASA Stennis welcomed Jeret Howard as a civil servant logistics specialist, continuing a long career supporting propulsion testing. Health Tech Funding: The American Heart Association opened applications for its 2026 Health Tech Competition, backing real-world tools for cardiovascular and neurologic care. Local STEM/Arts: Mississippi State’s Department of Music announced its fall concert lineup, including free performances featuring Jesse Robinson and MSU ensembles.

Space & Defense in Louisiana: SpaceX unveiled a $100B Starbase Louisiana on Pecan Island, a 125,000-acre “self-sustaining” spaceport for Starship and AI satellite launches, targeting a first launch in 2029 and thousands of flights a year, with methane propellant, power, deep-water shipping, and vehicle processing planned. Local Impact & Public Scrutiny: Nearby residents in Pecan Island say they’ve been kept in the dark, citing secrecy and concerns for marsh habitat and migratory birds. Mississippi Infrastructure: MDOT announced “The Big Fix” for the I-20/I-55 Jackson metro freight corridors—$400M to repair 36 bridges and upgrade 121 lane miles starting September 2026. STEM & Research Funding in Mississippi: MSU engineering faculty won NSF CAREER awards—one for AI-driven human-robot emergency response simulation and another for distributed radio astronomy networks. Health & Biotech: UMMC launched a maternal health initiative to consolidate data and target 30 Southern Mississippi counties to reduce maternal mortality, including chronic conditions and mental health support. Agriculture & Biosecurity: MSU Extension is warning Mississippians to help detect an invasive Asian longhorned tick, confirmed in nearby states but not yet in Mississippi. Education & Workforce: Pascagoula’s College and Career Technical Institute marked 50 years of hands-on training, with students earning certifications and career-ready skills. Transportation Tech: Oklahoma is testing AI-enabled screening for commercial trucks on I-35 so vehicles can be evaluated at highway speeds before weigh-station exits. Climate & Winter Risks: Maps tied to a strengthening “Super El Niño” suggest heavier-than-usual winter snow risk across parts of the South, including Mississippi.

Data Centers & Land Rights: A Southaven, Mississippi family says a power plant tied to Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI Memphis-area data centers has drowned out their historic, multigenerational property—sparking a petition with 1,400+ signatures over noise and air concerns. Agriculture & Trade Policy: Mississippi cattle farmers are alarmed by a plan to import subsidized foreign beef at 25% below market for 90 days, warning it could depress local prices after drought-driven herd losses. Healthcare Costs: A new 50-state analysis finds Mississippi among the highest healthcare cost burdens relative to income (ranked 5th). Maternal Health Tech: Hospitals in Mississippi and beyond are adopting postpartum silicone wristbands (“I Gave Birth”) to flag emergency risks after delivery. STEM & Aviation: Mississippi State’s Raspet Flight Lab is pushing “Jetsons phase one” research toward automated air-taxi takeoff/landing for unmanned regional mobility. Education & Reading: Mississippi test results show science gains but fifth grade struggles, while local literacy efforts continue to target early reading. Arts in the Delta: Delta State received grants to expand arts education, including cheaper school matinee tickets. Space Law: A free Lexington workshop will tackle future space governance, led by a University of Mississippi space-law director.

Mississippi Mental Health Funding: Gov. Tate Reeves announced $3.375 million to expand mental health services for young people through Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi, including upgrades to trauma-informed residential treatment spaces and new healing arts programming. Mississippi Research Under the Sea: Mississippi State geologist Adam Skarke and a doctoral student will join a Navy expedition using the Alvin deep-sea vehicle to study methane emissions off the Atlantic seafloor and how they affect ocean chemistry and climate models. STEM in Mississippi Classrooms: Mississippi State Online marks 40 years of distance learning, now serving about 3,200 students across 180+ programs—an education tech milestone for the state. Local Tech & Infrastructure Leadership: HDR named Erin Hunt as president and COO, with prior leadership roles across Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi, including the firm’s water practice. Public Health Tool in Hospitals: A growing U.S. initiative uses “I Gave Birth” silicone wristbands to flag postpartum risks for emergency responders, with Mississippi among the states adopting it. Education Policy & AI: The University of Chicago Law School bans devices in first-year classes and adds live oral defenses to its AI-era strategy.

AI for Mississippi SMBs: Madison’s Pixel Narratives says it’s helping small and midsize businesses adopt AI via automation, training, and marketing/web services. Ocean methane research: Mississippi State geologist Adam Skarke and doctoral student Ramon Kalski join a Navy expedition using the Alvin deep-sea vehicle to sample Atlantic seafloor methane sources and impacts. Water safety (rural wells): A well-water expert warns that AI and online advice can miss iron problems caused by bacteria, leading homeowners to waste money on the wrong filters. Snake study in Mississippi: Researchers used cameras to study gray ratsnakes drawn to an abandoned shed, tracking how the structure shapes their behavior. Agriculture economics: A Mississippi-focused analysis asks whether yield gains have kept up with sharply higher input costs. Mississippi education & reading: Commentary highlights how states, including Mississippi, are using “science of reading” approaches to improve early literacy. Tech policy at Ole Miss: The university is rolling out department-specific AI policies with guidance for generative, agentic, and assistive AI use in courses. Local wildlife monitoring: A DNA-in-water study in the Ozarks shows how environmental sampling can reveal fish presence, including hard-to-detect cave species.

Space & Coastal Impacts: Residents in Louisiana’s Vermilion Parish are bracing for a possible SpaceX spaceport near Pecan Island, but say state officials have kept details secret and locals fear damage to undeveloped marsh and migratory bird flyways. UM AI Governance: The University of Mississippi is rolling out department-by-department AI policies this semester, with rules for generative, agentic, and assistive AI use in course work and annual renewals. Public Health Data Confusion: A new look at COVID tracking shows CDC modeling suggests rising infections in most states while wastewater readings rate activity “very low,” highlighting why people see mixed signals. Mississippi Education Results: Mississippi’s 2025-26 academic assessment shows science gains (64% proficient/advanced) while English holds steady and math dips slightly; accountability grades are due Oct. 15. Local Tech & Environment: xAI’s Memphis-area data center backlash is intensifying over unpermitted gas turbines and alleged air-quality impacts on nearby neighborhoods. Health & Workforce: UMMC hosted Mississippi high school students to explore healthcare careers, aiming to help address the state’s physician shortage. Mississippi Cancer Milestone: UMMC performed what’s described as Mississippi’s first liver transplant for a rare bile duct cancer case. Manufacturing Growth: Solero Technologies plans to expand in Water Valley, adding 86 jobs with a $14M investment. Safety & Enforcement: A crash in Yalobusha County led to a possible clandestine drug lab discovery, including pseudoephedrine and chemical precursors.

Education & Workforce: Mississippi’s Academic Assessment results show science gains (64% proficient/advanced), while English holds steady and math dips slightly; Bay-Waveland and Ocean Springs districts again land top-10 marks across all three subjects. Health & Research: UMMC says it performed what it calls Mississippi’s first liver transplant for a rare hilar cholangiocarcinoma case—highlighting how transplant capacity can expand cancer options. Local Tech & Industry: Solero Technologies plans a $14M Water Valley expansion with 86 new jobs, adding 14 manufacturing lines and facility upgrades. Space & STEM: Stennis Space Center welcomes Joseph Schuyler as deputy director, while UMMC hosted high schoolers exploring healthcare careers. Community Learning: The Fannie Lou Hamer Digital Driving Tour launches with short videos and virtual access to key Mississippi civil-rights sites. Environment & Public Health: Scientists report microplastics moving through food webs in Great Lakes work, and a pesticide-linked Parkinson’s risk review adds to growing concerns about chemical exposure. Data Centers & Power: xAI’s Memphis-area Colossus facilities face backlash over unpermitted gas turbines and alleged air-quality violations. Weather: Magnolia stays under dangerous heat through Tuesday, with highs near 101 and heat indexes above 105.

Mississippi Education: The state released 2025-26 Mississippi Academic Assessment Program scores, with science showing the biggest jump (64% proficient/advanced) while English stayed flat and math dipped slightly; Bay-Waveland and Ocean Springs led the top-10 sweep across all three subjects. Healthcare Pipeline: UMMC hosted hundreds of high school students for Exploring Health Care Pathways, highlighting nursing, dentistry, medicine, admissions and scholarships as Mississippi pushes to grow its health workforce. Cancer Care Breakthrough: UMMC performed what’s described as Mississippi’s first liver transplant for a rare hilar cholangiocarcinoma case, underscoring how transplant and multidisciplinary cancer teams can expand options. Space & STEM Careers: NASA’s Stennis Space Center named Joseph R. Schuyler deputy director, and a separate profile spotlights a NASA human performance engineer balancing space-suit testing with a high-earning voiceover side hustle. Local Tech/Industry: Solero Technologies plans to expand in Water Valley with $14M and 86 new jobs, adding manufacturing lines plus upgrades to electrical, IT, HVAC and compressed air. Civic Infrastructure: Jackson broke ground on a pedestrian bridge for the Museum Trail, aiming to connect downtown museums and trails with safer walking and biking access. Renewables Misinformation: A Louisiana solar project was blocked after AI-generated misinformation spread online, showing how tech-fueled falsehoods can derail real-world clean energy plans.

Mississippi Medicine: UMMC performed what’s believed to be the first liver transplant in the state for a rare bile duct cancer, highlighting how transplant and multidisciplinary cancer teams can expand options for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Mississippi Manufacturing Jobs: Solero Technologies is expanding in Water Valley with a $14M investment and 86 new jobs, adding 14 manufacturing lines plus upgrades to electrical, IT, HVAC, and other systems. Mississippi Education & STEM: South Mississippi districts posted strong MAAP results, with Ocean Springs and Bay-Waveland ranking top 10 statewide in multiple subjects, including science. Mississippi Agriculture: MSU Extension says 2026 soybean yields could hit a record, helped by early planting and timely rainfall. Mississippi Tech & Space: Stennis Space Center named Joseph R. Schuyler as deputy director, reinforcing its role in rocket propulsion testing for Artemis-era missions. Civic Tech & Infrastructure: Jackson broke ground on a pedestrian bridge to connect the Museum Trail between major museums and parks, aiming to make downtown access easier for walkers and cyclists. Local History & Culture: A revamped Fannie Lou Hamer Digital Driving Tour adds new videos and stops across the state, funded through Mississippi Humanities Council and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

NASA & Space: Stennis Space Center named Joseph R. Schuyler its new deputy director, tasked with helping run the center’s rocket propulsion testing and multi-agency operations near Bay St. Louis. Education & Literacy: Mississippi’s literacy push is back in the spotlight as national attention grows around whether third-grade reading retention helps or hurts, with new reporting pointing to mixed research and the role of tutoring. K-12 Results: South Mississippi districts including Ocean Springs and Bay-Waveland again posted top-10 statewide scores across subjects in the latest Mississippi Academic Assessment Program results, while other districts earned top-10 science rankings. Agriculture & Research: MSU Extension says Mississippi soybeans are on track for record yields after early planting and timely rain, and MSU researchers highlighted organic vegetable pest management challenges for growers. STEM in the Community: Mississippi’s Fannie Lou Hamer Digital Driving Tour launched with short videos tied to voting-rights sites across the Delta. Tech & Infrastructure: Meta’s $50B Hyperion data center expansion in Louisiana is drawing environmental concern, while Jackson broke ground on a pedestrian bridge to connect museums and trails as part of a broader “Museum Trail” plan. Public Safety: Corinth police arrested a driver after a crash injured a driver and a 7-year-old, with toxicology confirming a high blood alcohol level.

Mississippi Literacy Push: Pineville Elementary in Pass Christian was named a 2026-27 Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading School, spotlighting teacher training in phonics and phonemic awareness plus an “all hands on deck” intervention block for K-3 students. Digital IDs: Apple Wallet is expanding mobile driver’s license support, with Kentucky’s launch tied to Idemia and Mississippi listed among states exploring programs—another step toward phone-based state IDs. Defense Tech in Mississippi: The U.S. Navy ordered $42.9M in EMALS and AAG spare parts, with Tupelo set to handle 61% of the work through 2034. Early Childhood Funding Scrutiny: A $50B rural healthcare program faces transparency complaints, while proposed changes to Head Start rules and wages raise alarms about impacts on childcare access. Cybersecurity: Medusa ransomware has hit 500+ organizations in critical infrastructure, according to a new federal advisory. STEM & Community Science: Mississippi joins the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, inviting residents to count bees and other pollinators this weekend.