AGP Executive Report

Mississippi Pageantry: Miss Mississippi 2026 Jane Granberry is already in “go mode” after her Vicksburg win, heading to Miss America in late August, while Miss Mississippi’s Teen Madalyn Sullivan pushes her autism-focused Service Initiative, Millie’s Mission. Coast Entertainment: The Mississippi Coast Coliseum unveiled major lighting and security upgrades, including a color-changing LED exterior debuting during the Fourth of July America 250 celebration. Music & Community: Canton Music Fest returns after 20 years with the Canton Spirituals taking the Historic Canton Square stage July 4, plus Tim Rogers and the Fellas and the Brown Four. Sports (Ole Miss): Ole Miss’ College World Series run ends after a 12-8 elimination loss to Troy, while North Carolina beat West Virginia 5-2 to set up the next matchup. Baseball Prospect Buzz: Brewers prospect Cooper Pratt is reportedly headed to Milwaukee after a strong Triple-A season and a Top-100 prospect track record. Arts & Film: “Jacob’s Stepladder” premieres June 16-18 at Jerusalem’s Khan Theater, with playwright Art Feinglass drawing on his own single-father experience. Local Spotlight: A Laurel Karate Club duo wowed shoppers with kata practice, with one teen set for a World Championship team run. Travel/Outdoors: Seattle’s World Cup hosting and new UK flight access are fueling a fresh “mini-vacation” style itinerary.

Mississippi Coast Coliseum upgrades: The venue unveiled a new color-changing LED exterior plus brighter, safer parking-lot lighting—set to debut during the Coast’s America 250 Fourth of July celebration. Ole Miss baseball in the spotlight: Ole Miss will start Hunter Elliott in its College World Series elimination game vs. Troy, while earlier action had North Carolina beat Mississippi 6-2 behind Colin Hynek’s late homer. Mississippi pageantry: Jane Granberry was crowned Miss Mississippi 2026 in Vicksburg, winning Health and Fitness and taking the crown after the preliminary round. Local arts & culture: “Jacob’s Stepladder,” a new comedy-drama by Art Feinglass, heads to Jerusalem’s Khan Theater June 16-18, exploring identity and family across 20 years. Music on the move: Big K.R.I.T. brought his “World Is a Parking Lot” tour to the House of Blues, kicking off in Meridian and building a fanbase through self-produced releases. Community calendar pick: Mississippi Pickle Fest returns to Jackson with more vendors, youth pickle contests, and a bigger lineup after a record 2025. Food safety note: The FDA flagged a high-risk Alfredo sauce recall affecting 913 cases distributed across 41 states, including Mississippi. Human-interest: A baby girl born at 25 weeks in Memphis is still fighting in the NICU after doctors said she wouldn’t survive.

Mississippi Pageantry: Jane Granberry was crowned Miss Mississippi 2026 in Vicksburg, winning Health and Fitness and taking the title from Miss Mississippi 2025 Anna Leah Jolly; she’ll represent the state at Miss America in West Palm Beach this September. Mississippi Sports & Community: The Mississippi Pickle Fest returns to Jackson with record momentum, more vendors, and new youth pickle-eating and costume contests. College Baseball (Ole Miss): Ole Miss opens its College World Series run with Taylor Rabe starting vs. North Carolina, with the Rebels aiming to ride strong late-season pitching. College World Series Buzz: West Virginia surged early in the CWS Jello Shot Challenge with help from Pat McAfee, while Georgia and Texas kicked off their CWS paths in a highly watched matchup. Local Outdoors: Ocean Springs Elks Lodge hosted its 38th annual Junior Fishing Rodeo, a free family event for kids with prizes, music, and giveaways. Arts & History: Kosciusko’s L.V. Hull Legacy Center opened Phase 1, expanding public access to the folk artist’s museum and programming. Entertainment & Media: Free-streaming picks for June highlight new and returning movies on Tubi, Pluto TV, and Kanopy.

College Baseball (CWS): Texas opens the Men’s College World Series tonight against Georgia in an all-SEC matchup in Omaha, with both teams riding strong momentum from their super regionals. Mississippi Pageantry: Miss Mississippi 2026 prelims wrapped with Friday night awards—fitness winners included Morgan Nelson (Miss Starkville), Jane Granberry (Miss Capital City), and Jaycee Drew Janzen (Miss Barnes Crossing), while Kayla Braswell (Miss New South) took talent. Arts & Culture: LSU Museum of Art hosts the touring South Arts Southern Prize & State Fellowships for Visual Arts exhibition through Sept. 6, spotlighting Southern artists with prize money and residencies. Local Spotlight (Elvis): Tupelo’s youth tribute artists are keeping Elvis alive with authentic performances at the Tupelo Elvis Festival. Community & Heritage: A Miss Mississippi preliminary awards recap and America 250 pageantry moments keep Mississippi’s spotlight on tradition and local talent.

Mississippi Pageantry: Miss Mississippi 2026 kicked off at the Vicksburg Convention Center, with Nataleigh Nix (Fitness) and Jane Granberry (Talent) taking night-one awards, and two Ole Miss students later tied for Health & Fitness while McKenzie Cox won Talent on night two. Gulf Coast Arts: Biloxi’s historic Saenger Theatre officially reopened with “The Homecoming: A Celebration,” bringing the marquee glow back downtown. Live Music & Culture: Riverdance 30 rolled into the Beau Rivage for four shows, mixing updated choreography and tech with the troupe’s classic roots. Community Events: The Flip Biloxi Trade Show returned bigger than ever, packing 150+ vendors and 365+ tables for sports cards, pop culture, Pokémon, and more. Music Spotlight: Samantha Fish announced her first-ever live album, “Paper Doll Live,” plus the “Rusty Razor Live” single. Music Tourism: Jackson is in talks to host a National R&B Hall of Fame, with plans for VR exhibits, holograms, education, and live entertainment. Mississippi Outdoors: The Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Festival drew crowds in Leland, blending conservation education with Crawfish Festival and FrogFest fun.

College Baseball Buzz (Mississippi): Ole Miss fans are already making noise in Omaha’s College World Series Jello Shot Challenge, jumping out to an early lead with 1,437 shots on the board after buying 1,000 at the start. Local Arts & Entertainment: Northwest Mississippi Community College’s Heindl Center announced its fall 2026 lineup, including Bill Engvall (Aug. 7), Danny Gokey (Aug. 21), and the Four Tops (Sept. 9). Music & Community: Memphis’ new $10.4 million Flyway opened at Tom Lee Park, adding an elevated, ADA-accessible riverside walkway designed for photos and family moments. Sports Culture: Meridian soccer fans are gearing up for World Cup watch parties at local spots like The Island 601 and Threefoot Brewing. Mississippi Fair Hype: Flo Rida is set to headline the 2026 Mississippi State Fair on Oct. 15, with new attractions like high-dive and chainsaw carving shows. Pageantry: Miss Mississippi 2026 prelims continue in Vicksburg, with fitness and talent awards announced in round two.

Mississippi Pageantry: Miss Mississippi 2026 prelims in Vicksburg kept the spotlight on talent and service, with winners including Nataleigh Nix (Health & Fitness) and Jane Granberry (Talent), plus more Quality of Life finalists named after night two. College Baseball (Mississippi on the national stage): The Men’s College World Series tips off in Omaha with Mississippi set to face North Carolina, while the field leans heavily SEC and includes first-timers Troy and West Virginia. Community & Sports: Meridian Flyers is opening homeschool football for ages 11–18, with home games planned at East Mississippi Community College and a volunteer, faith-based coaching staff. State Fair Music: Flo Rida is slated to headline the 2026 Mississippi State Fair in Jackson under the “Let Freedom Ring!” America250 theme. Legal/Policy (Mississippi courts): The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled the Attorney General has sole authority to sue to recover welfare funds, halting State Auditor Shad White’s efforts in the Favre-related fight. Local Food & Safety: Hattiesburg is taking legal action against Cook Out over alleged public nuisance concerns tied to repeated violent incidents at a Hardy Street location. Music/Streaming Buzz: Netflix’s Taylor Sheridan western “Lawman: Bass Reeves” is drawing major attention after landing on the streamer.

Local Arts on TV: FestivalSouth’s “Stars and Steps Forever!” is set for 7-10 p.m. Saturday at USM’s Mannoni Performing Arts Center, and CNN will film it for America 250 coverage. Film Spotlight: Jackson’s JXN Film Festival (July 26-31) just picked up the small-format thriller “Harmless,” shot on Kodak film, with rights still available for partners. Community Festival: Poplarville’s 43rd annual Blueberry Jubilee runs Friday-Saturday with vendors, live music, a 5K, and a theme tied to America’s 250th. Sports & Pride: The Mississippi Supreme Court sided with AG Lynn Fitch in the Favre money fight, ruling the attorney general controls recovery lawsuits. College Baseball Buzz: The College World Series field is set for Omaha, with Troy and West Virginia among the first-timers, and Mississippi’s own matchup schedule already drawing attention. Health Watch: New air-quality data shows more moderate-or-worse pollution days in southeast Mississippi, raising respiratory risk. Music & Culture: A history explainer traces how “redneck” evolved from older European roots to a Mississippi Valley slur turned country-music staple.

Mississippi Pageantry: The Miss Mississippi preliminary competition kicked off at the Vicksburg Convention Center, with 38 delegates taking the stage for talent, fitness and more—setting the tone for the crown chase. Juneteenth in Mississippi: Two Mississippi Museums announced a free Juneteenth celebration June 19-21 with museum flash tours, live music, spoken-word performances, food trucks, and family activities—plus free admission thanks to Ingalls Shipbuilding. Comedy & Local Roots: Tig Notaro’s tour stop highlights how her creative upbringing traces back to Mississippi, where her mother turned the home’s outside walls into an art canvas. Sports on TV: SEC kickoff windows for 2026 are out, including Ole Miss home game time ranges and Auburn’s remaining schedule—helpful for planning fall viewing. Community & Culture: Mo’s Movement continues fentanyl awareness work through community projects like the Empty Chair Project, honoring lives lost to addiction.

College Sports Drama: The Big 12 is pressuring Texas Tech to drop quarterback Brendan Sorsby after a judge granted a temporary injunction, even as Georgia and Nebraska say they won’t schedule Tech—setting up a high-stakes integrity showdown. Mississippi Education & Arts: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College named Adrienne Cocco-Eaves its first female head band director, while MGCCC also hosted a Gulf Coast Dance Summer Intensive featuring MTV VMA-nominated choreographer Maya Taylor. Local Music & Culture: Water Valley’s Dial Back Sound is launching an artist residency, “From Water Valley To The World,” aiming to bring visiting musicians to the studio and spotlight the town. Sports Medicine in Mississippi: Ole Miss announced a new Sports Pharmacy Conference and certificate program to help pharmacists give evidence-based guidance on supplements, injuries, recovery, and performance. Media & Copyright: ASCAP sued four radio groups, including a Mississippi station, alleging they kept playing music after licenses were terminated for nonpayment. Community Events: Jackson’s Mississippi Pickle Fest returns June 13–14 with food and family entertainment. Scam Alert: New Albany police warned of a fake “law” circulating online about felony charges for speeding over 15 mph.

Space & Tech: Mississippi residents filed a federal lawsuit against xAI and SpaceX over alleged 24/7 turbine noise tied to AI datacenters near Southaven, claiming health harm and property-value damage. Local Arts & Community: Grenada’s Thunder on Water returns June 10–14 with carnival rides, arts vendors, a barbecue cookoff, balloon glows, fireworks, and a kids’ fishing rodeo. Mississippi Spotlight: Miss Mississippi delegates are in Vicksburg for prelims, with contestants previewing talent, fitness, and on-stage segments ahead of the competition. Music: ASCAP is suing four radio groups, including Taylor Communications in Mississippi, alleging prolonged unauthorized use of members’ music. Sports (Mississippi-linked): Pascagoula’s Sean Smith Jr. is headed to the College World Series with West Virginia after a sweep in the Morgantown Super Regional. Entertainment TV: Starz confirmed P-Valley Season 3 is coming in 2026, with fans getting fresh teasers as filming wraps up. Health: MSDH highlights Alzheimer’s prevention steps during Brain Awareness Month, noting Mississippi’s high death rate.

MLB Debut: Former Madison Central star Braden Montgomery has been called up by the Chicago White Sox, setting up his big-league debut after a strong minor-league season. State Games Spotlight: The 2026 State Games of Mississippi kicked off in Meridian with a festive opening ceremony, torch lighting, fireworks, and competitions across Lauderdale County. Beauty Pageant Buzz: The Miss Mississippi Parade rolled through downtown Vicksburg with 38 delegates and 25 teen contestants riding convertibles ahead of weekend finals. Public Safety Update: Two brothers were arrested after a manhunt tied to the shooting of Covington County Deputy Yates Rodney; the deputy is reported stable. Arts & Community: The MAX in Meridian hosts a free documentary screening and discussion on Medgar Evers, with youth civic engagement activities before the film. Mississippi Creativity: “Art Doing Its Part” invites 9th–12th graders to create art or slogans connecting local litter to waterway pollution, with statewide campaign features for winners. Sports Culture: Loyola University New Orleans is set to return to NCAA Division II competition via the Gulf South Conference starting Fall 2027.

Mississippi Hotel Fire Follow-Up: Fans are still pressing Liberty Mutual to act on the nearly year-old Heirloom hotel blaze in Laurel, spotlighted through Erin and Ben Napier’s HGTV “Home Town: Inn This Together.” Coast Sports & Community: Biloxi’s Lucedale and the Gulf Coast keep rolling—Lucedale is celebrating 125 years with its famous scratching post, while the Mississippi Billfish Classic in Biloxi has a 509-pound blue marlin leading the leaderboard. Local Events: Poplarville’s Blueberry Jubilee returns June 12-13 with live music, crafts, a blueberry pageant, and family-friendly fun. Arts & Culture: Pass Christian Library hosts a June 16 gallery reception and talk for “My Silk Road” photographic exhibit. Music Loss: Avant-garde electric guitarist James Blood Ulmer has died at 86. Sports Spotlight: Georgia punched its ticket to the College World Series with an 11-9 extra-inning win over Mississippi State, and tennis participation in Mississippi keeps climbing.

Aviation & Community: Mt. Vernon will host the 2026 Air Race Classic finish on June 26, with a free Kids’ Day at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport on June 27 featuring Young Eagle rides, aviation activities, and women pilots. Local Arts & Culture: Biloxi’s Edgewater Mall welcomed Edgewater Piano Company, offering acoustic piano sales and lessons plus free trial classes. Mississippi History & Reflection: Natchez marked the Rhythm Night Club Fire commemoration with HR supervisor Diana Hunter sharing a message tied to mental health and the 1940 tragedy’s lasting impact. Civil Rights Anniversary: Jackson events commemorated the 60th anniversary of James Meredith’s March Against Fear, as new voting-rights battles loom. Literary Spotlight: Mississippi State lecturer Christie Collins co-edited a new anthology amplifying disabled writers’ voices and pushing for more inclusive creative writing spaces. Music & Youth: Tupelo’s Elvis Festival youth tribute artists are keeping the King’s legacy alive with authentic performances in jeweled jumpsuits. Sports (Regional): Georgia baseball punched its ticket to the College World Series after a super regional win over Mississippi State.

College Baseball (Mississippi vs. Georgia): Georgia’s Daniel Jackson hit a two-run homer in the 10th to beat Mississippi State 11-9 at Foley Field, sending the Bulldogs to the College World Series for the first time since 2008. Mississippi LGBTQ+ Community: Capital City Pride hosted a Jackson gathering with food and performances, creating a safer space for connection and acceptance. Miss Mississippi 2026: Thirty-eight delegates arrived in Vicksburg for rehearsals and prelims ahead of the Saturday crowning at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Arts & Culture: A new Emmett Till exhibit, “From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85,” opens in Chicago with mixed-media works that spark conversations about race and justice. Local Business/Media: Oxford-based Hunt marketing brought home nine Telly Awards for regional TV and video work. Sports on the Move: The Shuckers Gulf Coast Championship drew hundreds of baseball families to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

NCAA Baseball: Georgia rallied from a 7-run hole to beat Mississippi State 13-12 in Game 1 of the Athens Super Regional, setting up a win-or-go-home Game 2 as both teams try to steady their pitching after a homer-heavy slugfest. Mississippi Arts & Culture: A new Emmett Till-focused exhibit, “From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85,” opens in Chicago with mixed-media work that imagines Till’s life beyond tragedy and pushes conversations about race and justice today. Southern Miss Research: The University of Southern Mississippi will add a $30 million state-of-the-art science research facility in Hattiesburg, expanding work across biological, biomedical, and environmental sciences. Local Creativity: Nuestro Arte in Hattiesburg hosted a free beginners screen-printing workshop, teaching participants to build their own screens using Puerto Rican and Mexican symbols. Mississippi History Spotlight: A roundup highlights key civil rights sites across the state, from Biloxi beach protests to Canton’s Freedom House, and how Mississippi’s events helped drive national change. Entertainment Film Buzz: Mark Wahlberg’s trailer for “By Any Means” shows his dramatic transformation for a 1960s Mississippi-set crime thriller about civil rights-era murders.