AGP Executive Report

Ole Miss & LSU Football Buzz: ESPN confirmed College GameDay is headed to Oxford for the Sept. 19 matchup, with Lane Kiffin’s return adding extra heat to the Magnolia Bowl. Ole Miss QB Focus: Trinidad Chambliss is aiming for a more “pro” style as he refines his game ahead of his final season. LSU Coaching Shake-Up: Will Wade’s return is set to trigger a major roster overhaul, with transfer portal spending and new talent acquisition expected to reshape the Tigers. High School Football Scoreboard: Leake Academy rolled past Simpson Academy 28-6 after a big second-half push. Mississippi Arts & Community: The MAX in Meridian hosted “A Day for Artists,” bringing together 100+ creatives to share how to build sustainable careers in Mississippi. Local Music & Art: Moss Point unveiled the “River City Guitar” sculpture and kicks off a free Levitt AMP music series on the riverfront. Remembering a Life: A Mississippi woman found hanging in a tree will be laid to rest this weekend as investigators await medical examiner results.

Mississippi Arts & Entertainment: Moss Point unveiled the “River City Guitar” sculpture on its riverfront, tying into the town’s blues and timber roots, and kicks off the free Levitt AMP Moss Point Music Series at Riverfront Park with concerts running Saturdays through Oct. 31. Local Creative Careers: At The MAX in Meridian, “A Day for Artists” brought more than 100 Mississippi creatives together, with local artists sharing how to turn talent into sustainable careers. College Football Spotlight: ESPN confirmed College GameDay is headed to Oxford for the Sept. 19 Ole Miss vs. LSU matchup, putting the Magnolia Bowl rivalry back in the national spotlight. Jackson Culture & Community: Ground broke on a pedestrian bridge in Jackson’s LeFleur’s Bluff area to connect museums, parks, and trails—aimed at making the Museum Trail easier for walkers and cyclists. Mississippi Sports Media: Jackson State and Millsaps previewed fall camp and 2026 expectations at JXN Football Media Day. Mississippi History on Display: Meridian’s Historic Black Business District celebrated the restored Hotel E.F. Young Jr. sign, with the Holbrook building set to become a museum and event venue.

HBCU Sports Leadership: Texas Southern University named Ashley Robinson its new athletics director, bringing a championship-and-academics track record from six years at Jackson State, where he led 19 championships and earned NACDA Athletics Director of the Year honors. Mississippi Arts Spotlight: The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (MAX) is bringing a red-carpet event to Meridian on Oct. 3 to celebrate Mississippi’s entertainment legacy, including BET founder Robert L. Johnson, with tickets now available. Local Football Buzz: Jackson-area fans get an early look at 2026 season expectations at JXN Football Media Day, with Jackson State and Millsaps sharing plans for fall camp and conference goals. Music & Culture: David Banner is set to appear at the Virginia Black Expo in Richmond this Saturday, highlighting Black-owned business and community-focused entrepreneurship. Entertainment Rankings: WalletHub’s “most fun states” list puts California first, Florida second, and Illinois third, with Mississippi near the bottom—an easy conversation starter for weekend plans. Weather & Safety: A new report weighs how climate change may be affecting tornado patterns, noting Mississippi and the broader South show notable clustering—while scientists say the link is still complex.

Mississippi Arts Spotlight: The MAX is bringing a red-carpet event to Meridian on Oct. 3 to celebrate Mississippi entertainment history, including BET founder Robert L. Johnson, with a focus on inspiring the next generation of local creators. Music Release: American Blonde is set to drop its six-song EP Delta Home on Oct. 2, led by the track “Mississippi Moonshine,” with a Delta Blues-infused Southern country-rock sound. LEGO Fun in Jackson: Mississippi’s first-ever Brick Convention lands Sept. 26-27 at the Mississippi Trade Mart, with LEGO masters, hands-on building, and vendors selling rare minifigures and retired sets. Local Sports & Community: Mississippi State’s Shad White asks the state Supreme Court to weigh in on a defamation lawsuit tied to his 2020 comments about Ole Miss professor James M. Thomas. Big Picture Entertainment: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood reveals its best new food and drink picks for the 2026 season, including “Mississippi Delta” barbecue-themed items.

Cost of Living Check: SmartAsset’s 2026 analysis says Mississippi is the most affordable state for a family of four, with a “live comfortably” income of $187,533, while a single adult needs about $86,070. Sports + Sponsorships: Progressive is boosting its college football presence this fall with logo placement on 13 fields, including Ole Miss and Georgia. Mississippi Community Spotlight: A Jackson block party hosted by comedian Rita Brent pushed for affordable healthcare, with free screenings, live music, and advocacy through “One Nation Overcharged.” Local Arts + Music: Logan Mac brings an honest, classic-country-leaning debut to the Redbird Listening Room, sharing the bill with Will Overmann. Entertainment on the Coast: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indiana stages “Ring of Fire,” featuring a cast that includes Mississippi native Mary Catherine Fehernbacher. Sports Law Watch: A Louisiana court order gives some NFL-signed players a shot at returning to college athletics, adding more uncertainty to eligibility rules.

College Sports Legal Twist: A Louisiana court issued a temporary restraining order that could let several athletes— including NFL-rostered players like ex-Ole Miss starter Dae’Quan Wright—return to college sports, as NCAA eligibility fights keep spilling into the courts. Ole Miss Football Buzz: Oxford is gearing up for Lane Kiffin’s Sept. 19 return to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, with fans already calling it one of the most loaded dates of the season. Women’s Basketball Schedule: Vanderbilt released its 2026-27 slate, featuring a big nonconference test vs. Iowa and a SEC/ACC Challenge rematch vs. Notre Dame. Mississippi Sports Recognition: Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss landed on the preseason Coaches All-SEC first team, while South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart and other SEC standouts earned spots. Local Entertainment & Community: Martin’s in Jackson is teaming up with Southern Sky Brands on a new vape collection, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast is set for a fresh nightlife push. Remembering Nolan Wells: Wells’ family marked his 19th birthday with an emotional message as the investigation continues under public pressure.

Ballroom Mississippi: Ridgeland welcomed Ukrainian ballroom pro Oleksiy Pigotskyy for a beginner masterclass as the nonprofit pushes to grow dance sport training in Mississippi. Music on the Gulf Coast: The Walter Anderson Museum of Art and Moss Point Main Street launch the free Levitt AMP Moss Point Music Series with seven Saturdays of live shows at Riverfront Park, including Parker Barrow and Luther Dickinson. Winery Anniversary: Duplin Winery marks its 50th anniversary with the Sept. 12 Grape Stomp, featuring grape picking, stomping competition, live music, and a debut of its Christmas wine lineup. College Football (Mississippi ties): USA TODAY’s preseason All-America team includes Mississippi RB Kewan Lacy as a unanimous first-team pick, while AP preseason honors also keep spotlight on MSU’s Kelley Jones. Local Arts & Community Events: Thibodaux’s Treasures on the Bayou returns Sept. 11–12 with antiques, art, and gifts under one roof. Food & Reading: A local “Out of the Oven and onto the Page” roundup highlights how cooking inspires books, from Stanley Tucci to Alton Brown. Housing Reality Check: A new analysis finds home prices rose faster than incomes in every state, widening the affordability gap nationwide.

MSU Sports: Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones keeps stacking honors, landing on the AP preseason All-America second team and earning watch-list buzz for the Jim Thorpe and Bronco Nagurski awards. Local Arts & Community: Laurel artist Adam Trest brings his Venice Biennale experience to an Art Talk at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, with the museum also rolling out ARTful Yoga and a September music night. Mississippi Entertainment & Nightlife: Birdcall opens its first franchise location in Starkville, placing the new spot next to the historic State Theatre and kicking off more downtown energy. Library & Arts Programming: Meridian Museum of Art opens registration for fall after-school art classes (Sept. 3–Nov. 19). Music Spotlight: Lil Wayne brings Carter classics to a sold-out Mississippi Coast Coliseum, while Hook’em for Heroes in Pass Christian lines up JJ Grey & Mofro and Marc Broussard. Big Story: Prayer vigils and an online service are planned for Nolan Wells’ birthday as questions linger after his death.

College Football Hype: The AP preseason Top 25 is out, with Ohio State No. 1 and Oregon No. 2, while the SEC flexes with nine ranked teams—Ole Miss lands at No. 9 and Mississippi is right in the mix. SEC Quarterback Buzz: A new SEC QB ranking puts Mississippi’s Trinidad Chambliss at the top, arguing the Rebels’ signal-caller is the league’s star. Mississippi Sports Spotlight: The Frontier League’s Wild Things keep rolling—Andrew Czech earns Player of the Week after a huge Mississippi week, and the team heads into a key series. Local Arts & Community: Parke teams up with ’47 for a back-to-school collegiate apparel drop launching Aug. 25, including officially licensed gear for Ole Miss. Health Watch: The American Cancer Society reports Mississippi has the highest adult physical inactivity rate (30%), a reminder that movement matters for cancer risk. Business/Books: Barnes & Noble College expands First Day Complete to 263 campuses for Fall 2026, aiming to make course materials easier and cheaper for students.

Mississippi Politics: Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell says he’s running for attorney general and plans to step down from DPS to focus on the campaign. Mississippi Court & Community: Benoit’s new municipal judge, Assma Ali, is facing online backlash over her religion, but legal experts say Mississippi and the U.S. constitutions bar disqualifying officials for faith. Mississippi Sports & Legacy: Mississippi State basketball and SEC broadcaster Joe Dean Jr. has died at 71; he played for the Bulldogs, coached at multiple schools, and became known for the “String Music” call tied to his father. Mississippi Music: Country star Lainey Wilson is set for two shows at the Ellis Theater in Philadelphia, Mississippi on Oct. 20. Starkville Concert: HARDY will perform at Humphrey Coliseum Oct. 2, just before MSU-Alabama weekend. Arts & Family Fun (Gulf Coast): Humane Society of South Mississippi held a “Paw Patrol” themed pet adoption event at Premiere Lux Cinema in Biloxi. National Sports Buzz: Ohio State and Oregon open the season 1-2 in the AP preseason Top 25, with Mississippi listed among the ranked teams.

Netflix YA Buzz: Netflix is expanding its teen lineup with “Sid & Zoey,” a supernatural mystery-romance from Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Bad Robot, set in Mississippi, plus “Sunshine Girls,” debuting in December. Mississippi Arts & Theater: Laurel Little Theatre returns to the Arabian Theatre with “Once on This Island - The Musical,” directed by Dr. Katrina Cox, the first Black director there last year. Local Sports Spotlight: Pass Christian 11-year-old Charlie Magee won the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship for his age group, firing a bogey-free 5-under final round. Mississippi River Finds: With the Mississippi River running low, people along the banks are uncovering fossils, artifacts, and old pottery—turning a low-water moment into a real-life history hunt. College Football Season Prep: A guide to making the most of college football’s fall slate highlights big Week 1 matchups, including Clemson at LSU and Louisville vs. Ole Miss. Music Culture: A roundup looks at what makes the greatest guitar solos of all time truly unforgettable.

Mississippi Sports Spotlight: Boise State punter Oscar Doyle made the Ray Guy Award preseason watch list, with Ole Miss punter Oscar Bird also named—another sign of SEC special teams talent to watch. Ole Miss Football Buzz: National media chatter is split on Ole Miss’ championship odds as QB Trinidad Chambliss returns after an NCAA appeal, with expectations ranging from “high” to “hesitant.” NFL Roster Moves: Za’Darius Smith is expected to come out of retirement and rejoin the Cleveland Browns after a tryout impressed coaches. Local Culture & Music: A new biography review spotlights Mahalia Jackson’s civil rights impact, while coverage also revisits Elvis Presley’s 1977 death and how his fame shaped his life. Community & Entertainment: Netflix orders supernatural YA mystery romance series “Sid & Zoey,” teaming J.J. Abrams with Bad Robot and Blumhouse. Mississippi Gulf Coast Resilience: Paul Davis Restoration highlights storm-season prep on the Coast, including local crews and backup resources. Food & Local Meat: Opinion and reporting push back on federal meat rules and a vetoed bill affecting small Mississippi farmers selling locally.

Local Food & Community: LAN Farms in Copiah County is delivering locally raised, locally processed beef to Jackson-area customers, with buyers praising fresh cuts and “clean tasting” flavor. Books & Culture: Out West Books highlights fresh reads including Kathryn Stockett’s The Calamity Club, set in Oxford, Mississippi in 1933. TV & Streaming: J.J. Abrams’ new Netflix supernatural YA series Sid & Zoey is being pitched as a mix of gothic mystery and teen drama. Music & Arts: The Walter Anderson Museum of Art and local partners unveiled a three-year arts partnership, while Mississippi Aquarium’s “Toxic Beauty” exhibit turns pollutants into masterpieces. Sports (Coast Focus): Ocean Springs Greyhounds open fall camp with early-morning practices and a younger roster stepping into starting roles. Public Safety: Mississippi is rolling out updated active-shooter training for schools ahead of the 2026-27 year. Justice & Accountability: The Nolan Wells Sea Tow audio controversy continues as new claims raise fresh questions about what was shared online.

Local Arts & Environment: The Mississippi Aquarium is debuting “Toxic Beauty: Plastic’s Hidden Cost,” turning Gulf Coast trash into art pieces by local artists and schools, running through Sept. 9. Community & Education: Mississippi is rolling out updated active-shooter training for schools ahead of the 2026-27 year, using ALERRT to focus on faster medical care for victims. Public Health: Mississippi’s health officer says a Trump executive order on childhood vaccines won’t change Mississippi school requirements, since the state sets its own rules and exemptions. Sports & Talent Pipeline: Mississippi State punter Ethan Pulliam is giving back with $4,000 for school supplies in Starkville, and Arkansas added Mississippi-area baseball talent with Levi Abrego’s commitment. Culture & Music: Tupelo singer-songwriter John Murry returns to Mississippi for an intimate Columbus show at Munson and Brothers Trading Post. Sports Media: SEC Network is bringing AVTF program alum Beth Hicks to camera-operate at Mississippi State football games this fall.

Politics & Power: A Baton Rouge vote on the planned Omni New Orleans convention center “headquarters” hotel hit a snag after Senate President Cameron Henry said the Bond Commission shouldn’t approve it next week, citing missing financing and an incomplete deal. Community & Culture: In Jackson, the International Museum of Muslim Cultures and local churches urged Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson to retract “divisive” Sharia-law remarks after backlash and threats tied to the appointment of Muslim judge Assma Ali in Benoit. Mississippi Sports (Football): Mississippi’s college football kickoff dates are set for Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Jackson State, Alcorn State and more. Arts & Music: Red’s Blues Lounge in Clarksdale earned a top dive-bar nod, while a Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival (free) spotlights Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Local Spotlight: The Lumber Manufactory opened a New Albany sawmill, investing $15M+ and creating 50+ jobs. Environment: A Mississippi River carp die-off near Alton is blamed on extreme heat and low oxygen, raising invasive-species alarms. Youth & Hobbies: Wyatt Kurts won gold at a national 4-H shooting competition.

Local Politics & Faith: Mississippi leaders are urging gubernatorial candidate Andy Gipson to remove social media posts calling for a ban on Sharia law, after threats targeted Benoit’s Muslim judge Assma Ali—Gipson says he won’t back down. Sports & Leadership: Alcorn State hired former NBA scorer Monta Ellis as men’s basketball general manager, betting on a championship culture. Football Eligibility Watch: Mississippi State says Jahron Manning and Malick Sylla are back at practice after a preliminary injunction, even as the NCAA appeals their extra year. Community & Education: West Bolivar’s school board hit a crisis as a quorum failed during a special meeting amid superintendent leadership gaps and state scrutiny. Arts & Culture: Jackson’s Smith Robertson Museum faces renovation delays as failing HVAC and leaks stall national exhibits. Music & TV: Netflix ordered the teen gothic romance series “Sid & Zoey,” set in an idyllic Mississippi town. Public Safety Law: Mississippi expanded the death penalty to include sexual battery of a child under 12, drawing criticism over deterrence and victim barriers. Entertainment Weekend: Folsom Powerhouse’s lineup blends ’80s energy, island sounds, and blues with Eden Brent closing out the weekend.