AGP Executive Report

Mississippi River Mystery Solved: Investigators have identified a long-unidentified “Jane Doe” found in the Mississippi River in 1975 as 15-year-old Cheryl Lynn Edwards, with forensic genetic genealogy confirming the homicide case after more than 50 years. 4th of July Gulf Coast Plans: Kara Kimbrough shares Beau Rivage’s America 250 weekend vibe—patriotic décor, holiday meals, entertainment, and fireworks—perfect for a Mississippi Gulf getaway. Softball Coaching Hire: Mississippi Delta Community College named Davis “Doc” Beaver head coach of the Trojans, bringing 25+ years of experience and a track record of building championship programs. Aviation Event in the Region: Mt. Vernon will host the 2026 Air Race Classic finish with a free Kids’ Day Saturday (June 27) featuring Young Eagle rides and meet-the-pilots activities. College Sports Rule Change: The NCAA approved “5 years to play 5 seasons” for Division I athletes, aiming to reduce eligibility confusion and litigation. Local Sports Recruiting: Tupelo OL Antonio Berry committed to Ole Miss football, a key 2027-class addition. Dance Performance: SHIFT~ presents “Wayfind-ing (for one)” Saturday in Winona with a free outdoor solo dance at Prairie Island Campground.

College Sports Shake-Up: The NCAA approved a new Division I eligibility model: athletes can play five seasons across five years, starting with full-time enrollment or the academic year after turning 19, whichever comes first—aimed at cutting down waivers and eligibility fights. Recruiting Chaos: Ole Miss DL Ben’Jarvius Shumaker flipped to Colorado for less than a day, then reversed back to Ole Miss, calling it a “process” that reaffirmed his choice. Mississippi Youth Sports Fallout: An Oktibbeha County deputy had his badge stripped after a viral fight with a 14U baseball umpire; both were arrested and the deputy was banned from Grand Slam events. Arts & Community: Mississippi state parks are rolling out America’s 250th birthday events across seven parks, with concerts, fireworks, and family activities. Local Spotlight: A Magee reception honored Parks and Recreation leader Jimmy Zila as he steps down. Entertainment Pick: Prime Video is set to remove several movies soon—here are five worth streaming before they leave. Music Festival: Blues from the Top returns June 26-28 in Winter Park with a big lineup including Vanessa Collier and Los Lobos.

Jewish Arts & History: Shaarey Zedek is set to host “Jewish Notes in America’s 250-Year Song,” a July 1 concert tracing Jewish contributions to the U.S. through cantors and pianist Cliff Monear. Film & Youth Storytelling: Mississippi’s Walter Anderson Museum of Art launched the Fish Eye Film Festival, spotlighting student environmental one-minute films and new voices. Public Art: Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans debuted “ChamäleTuna,” an interactive installation that shifts colors based on visitors. Mississippi Main Street Wins: Meridian Main Street took home two statewide awards for creative fundraising and a public arts tunnel mural. Local Culture Spotlight: Park City Film’s America the Beautiful series brings documentaries to Mississippi-themed stories, starting with “Natchez.” Sports Recruiting: Ole Miss target Ben’Jarvius Shumaker flipped to Colorado, while Auburn landed Prattville WR Deshawn Hall. Music: CLOUDSAVE’s pop-culture groove continues to draw attention, and Jason Eady is releasing Tulsa Sound-inspired music with “Tulsa Turnaround.” Community Pages: Coffeeville held its first Miss Juneteenth Pageant, celebrating heritage and young leadership.

Community Pride: Kerry Blalock keeps Dobbins Gap Road clean in Marshall/Jackson County, picking up hundreds of gallons of trash and maintaining the cleanup every two weeks. Local Arts & Culture: Meridian students met NYT graphic novelist John Jennings during a summer arts camp, and his “Build Your World” exhibit opened at The MAX. Mississippi Music Spotlight: “Mississippi Moonshine” gets a new music video from American Blonde. Sports (Mississippi ties): The Men’s College World Series all-time champions list highlights Ole Miss’s 2022 title and Mississippi State’s 2021 win. Public Safety & Trust: In Senatobia, family and civil-rights attorney Ben Crump renewed demands for release of video after the fatal shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley. Myth vs. Law: A Mississippi fact-check says rumors about legal home distilling up to 5 gallons are false—unlicensed spirit distilling remains a felony. Weather Watch: Jackson’s 911 line faced technical issues due to storms; residents were told to call an alternate number.

Mississippi Arts & Culture: The LSU Museum of Art landed a $25,000 Art Bridges grant to launch wellness-focused community programming tied to its new Folk Art Gallery opening June 30, with works on loan from the American Folk Art Museum. Local Entertainment: Oxford’s Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts is staging “State Fair” June 26-27, with local singer-songwriter Ryan Miller leading the cast and families filling out the community-centered lineup. Mississippi Music: Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience is out as a collaborative album celebrating 100 years of blues, with a first single featuring Taj Mahal covering “Death Letter Blues.” Mississippi Community Events: Picayune kicks off America250 on June 27 at Crosby Commons with live music, food trucks, a kid’s zone, a time capsule, and a first-ever laser light show. Mississippi Faith & Community: Laurel pastor Matt Olson reportedly preached a 96-hour sermon at FBC Sharon, livestreamed with support teams and medical monitoring. Mississippi Sports Spotlight: Jackson Academy’s Caden Moss will announce his college commitment June 26, with Ole Miss among his final six.

America250 Spotlight: Mississippi’s own trick rider Olivia Jones will perform at Rodeo 250 on the National Mall as part of the 250th anniversary celebration, bringing “gymnastics on a free-running horse” to the big stage. Arts & Community: USM’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is seeing record growth, with 822 members across Hattiesburg and Gulf Park, and summer classes running through July 31. Music News: Morgan Freeman is stepping into the music world with a debut blues album rooted in Mississippi Delta history, releasing a first single ahead of the full project. Local Summer Fun: Indianola organizer Kris Jackson Jr. launched a City League Kickball program to keep Delta kids active and connected this summer. Mississippi Flood Update: MEMA continues county-by-county updates as Tropical Storm Arthur remnants recede, with officials reporting road damage and ongoing storm threats. Fair Season: Neshoba County Fair’s Monday schedule highlights blues, horse races, art contests, and the official opening.

Mississippi Media Lab: Missy Pace Callero and Chris donated $50,000 to the University of Mississippi’s Mississippi Media Lab, backing student-produced journalism and pushing back on misinformation. America 250 Music Night: Mississippi marked the Declaration of Independence anniversary with a Coliseum concert in Jackson featuring statewide performers, with Gov. Tate Reeves and First Lady Elee Reeves spotlighting unity through music. Miss Volunteer America: The Miss Volunteer America 2027 crown went to Amanda Higginbothom (Miss Texas Volunteer), with the event also honoring founder Allison DeMarcus at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson. Local Arts & Culture: The MAX announced a new exhibition featuring Mississippi graphic novelist John Jennings, adding to the state’s growing arts momentum. Community & Faith: A Mississippi pastor in Sharon reportedly preached for 96 hours straight, and Mississippi’s Juneteenth events kept rolling across the region with music-led celebrations. Sports Spotlight: Mississippi State softball transfer Delainey Everett committed to Oklahoma State, while rodeo and college sports coverage continues to heat up statewide.

Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience: Meridian’s MAXX unveiled “John Jennings: Build Your World,” spotlighting worldbuilding, representation, and fiction—plus a panel with the Mississippi native behind comics and Marvel work. Juneteenth Across the Region: Mississippi’s America250 celebration at the Coliseum drew nearly 300 volunteer singers and a live tribute program, while Juneteenth events kept rolling—Ruston’s Louisiana Tech gathering pulled in visitors from MS and AR, and a Mississippi native blues musician performed at Nebraska’s Malone Center celebration. Sports & Local Talent: Mississippi State pitcher Charlie Foster confirmed he’s transferring to Ole Miss, and former MSU lefty Delainey Everett committed to Oklahoma State after a standout season. Community & Culture: Neshoba County Fair’s flea market saw a strong turnout despite rain, and the fair’s Sunday schedule highlighted live music, worship, and family-friendly events. Weather & Resilience: Flooding tied to Tropical Storm Arthur led to a kitten rescue in Perkinton, as Mississippi also reported flash-flood threats and road damage. Entertainment Spotlight: Morgan Freeman announced a blues album, “Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience,” set for Aug. 7 with a Juneteenth single featuring Taj Mahal.

Local Theater Spotlight: A guest column argues that “support local theater” is a real escape from today’s stress, pointing to recent shows at Little Theatre and Gesa Power House Theatre and looking ahead to summer performances at Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater. Mississippi Music & Culture: Morgan Freeman announced “Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience,” a 12-track blues journey releasing Aug. 7, with a Juneteenth single “Death Letter Blues” featuring Taj Mahal—Freeman says he first heard the blues on his Mississippi Delta grandmother’s porch. Sports (Ole Miss Baseball): Mississippi State pitcher Charlie Foster confirmed he’s transferring to Ole Miss. Community & Events: Paddle the Bay in Pass Christian raised money for the Rotary Club mission, mixing live music, food, and Gulf Coast paddling. Mississippi News (Public Safety): Senatobia’s officer Hunter Foster was identified as the shooter in the fatal killing of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley during a Walmart shoplifting response, as calls for accountability and transparency continue. Retail Watch: Dollar General plans to open about 450 new stores in 2026, leaning into small towns and rural areas.

Senatobia Police Accountability: A 1-year-old, Kohen Wiley, was killed after officers responded to a Walmart shoplifting call, sparking protests and renewed anger over police treatment of Black residents; the mayor is urging calm and promises transparency as investigators withhold key details, while FOX13 reports the officer involved is Hunter Foster and a fundraiser has raised thousands for the family. Juneteenth & Mississippi Culture: Morgan Freeman announced his blues album Symphonic Blues Experience (Aug. 7), releasing “Death Letter Blues” for Juneteenth, and Mississippi’s country-music roots get a spotlight on the state’s “Birthplace of American Music” legacy. Books & Local Authors: Woodrow Wilkins will sign his new Delta novel Innocent Souls in Leland, and a Donna Tartt mystery review questions whether The Little Friend ever fully lands its purpose. Community Events: America 250 Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks lineups are rolling out across South Mississippi, plus Mississippi State’s Summer Scholars On Stage debuts Face the Music(Fest) June 26-27. Tech & Daily Life: Mississippi identified a driver’s license scanning problem and offers free replacements for affected residents.

Blues Spotlight: Morgan Freeman announced his “Symphonic Blues Experience” album, a 12-track journey releasing Aug. 7, with Juneteenth single “Death Letter Blues” featuring Taj Mahal. Juneteenth in Mississippi: Meridian’s Juneteenth Heritage Festival is set to proceed as planned, and the state’s events calendar keeps rolling with festivals, food, music, and museum programming. Downtown Arts & Community: Meridian Main Street won two Mississippi Main Street Awards for the PuttPutt Palooza fundraiser and the 26th Avenue Tunnel Mural. Local Gallery News: Pacesetter Gallery in Flowood marks its fifth anniversary July 24 with a ribbon-cutting and art-making featuring Mississippi artists. Sports (Recruiting): Riverdale QB Gavin Hampton committed to Mississippi State for the 2027 class. Sports (Honors): Former MSU pitcher Jeff Brantley and Jackson State’s Dave Clark were named to the College Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2026. Public Safety & Tensions: Senatobia’s community is still reeling after the fatal police shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley, sparking renewed calls for accountability.

Weather & Community Safety: Tropical Storm Arthur’s remnants are still driving a serious flood threat across the Gulf Coast and parts of the South, with a Level 4 high-risk rainfall alert covering areas including Mississippi, and reports of deadly cleanup work and evacuations. Local Justice & Accountability: Senatobia’s community is still reeling after a police shooting killed 1-year-old Kohen Wiley, with the child’s mother saying she tried to show officers the baby was in the vehicle before shots were fired, as protests flare. Arts & Culture: Jackson held a Juneteenth line dance extravaganza at the Jackson Convention Complex despite rain, keeping the focus on youth learning, culture, and freedom. Mississippi Entertainment Spotlight: Commissioner Andy Gipson announced Flo Rida as the headliner for the 2026 Mississippi State Fair, plus new patriotic attractions under the “Let Freedom Ring!” theme. Sports & College: The Protect College Sports Act cleared a key Senate hurdle, aiming to stabilize college athletics with limits on transfers and rules around coach moves. Music on the Airwaves: WFIU’s “Afterglow” is airing a color-themed Great American Songbook episode, from “Red Sails in the Sunset” to “Deep Purple.” Family Fun: Neshoba County Fair’s Friday schedule includes afternoon music, a closing jam, and PRCA rodeo night events.

Mississippi Arts & Community: Oxford Pitch Competition handed out $24,000 to Mississippi entrepreneurs, including Munchies Chicken and Waffles (food truck concept) and Easy Offer Acquisitions (wholesale real estate), with winners selected across traditional/lifestyle and high-growth tech tracks. Local Arts Call: Mississippi Earthtones Festival is taking submissions for paid entryway banner artwork for its Sept. 19, 2026 event in Alton, with organizers stressing original work (no AI). Youth Creativity: Mississippi’s 2026 Youth Art Contest drew 1,500+ student entries, with first-place winners announced by the MDWFP. Music Release: Paula Cole announced a two-volume box set, Sonic Memoir: Demos 1989-1998, plus a This Fire: 30 tour celebrating her breakthrough album. Weather & Safety: Tropical Storm Arthur’s remnants continue to bring heavy rain and flash-flood risk across southern Mississippi and the Gulf Coast; MSDH also closed multiple county health department locations due to flooding. Sports Spotlight: Former LSU pitcher Lloyd Peever was elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Tropical Storm Arthur: Forecasters say the first Atlantic storm of the season is weakening but its remnants could still bring days of heavy rain and life-threatening flash flooding across parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida panhandle, with Entergy Mississippi crews on standby for possible outages. Public Safety in Mississippi: A 1-year-old boy was shot dead by a Senatobia officer during a Walmart shoplifting response, triggering protests and calls for transparency as the officer faces administrative leave and an independent review. Rural Healthcare: A new report flags Mississippi among the states with the most rural hospitals at risk of closure, pointing to financial strain and limited reserves. Ole Miss Baseball: Five Ole Miss players (plus two signees) earned invites to the 2026 MLB Draft Combine ahead of the July draft in Philadelphia. Music & Culture: Craft’s Bluesville reissue of Albert King’s “I’ll Play the Blues for You” gets a standout review for keeping the blues raw and dangerous. Juneteenth & Delta Events: Higher Purpose Fest returns to Clarksdale Aug. 6-8, and Mississippi’s Juneteenth events guide highlights celebrations statewide. Sports Schedule Watch: SEC releases 2026 football timeslots, with Auburn’s home games heavily featured in early and afternoon windows.

Public Art & Environment: Legendary marine artist Wyland is set to unveil a new conservation-themed mural at Surf Style’s Clearwater Beach store on Father’s Day, continuing his push to protect oceans after a Dallas Whaling Wall controversy. STEM for Mississippi Kids: Sparklight awarded a $2,500 Dream Bigger STEM grant to the Leland–Stoneville Rocketry Lab at Leland High School, funding hands-on rocketry for students ages 8–15. Mississippi Spotlight in Culture: Jane Granberry talks her Miss Mississippi 2026 win and how she reworked her talent with “young Jane” in mind for the stage. Pageant & Community Pride: The Miss Mississippi crown is also reflected in coverage of the 2026 competition and finalists’ journeys. Gulf Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Arthur has formed and is expected to bring heavy rain and possible tornadoes across parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and beyond—plan for disruptions. Music & Heritage: The National Folk Festival announced new Jackson-area performers with Mississippi roots, including Annie & The Caldwells and Mavis Staples. Choctaw Indian Fair: The 76th Choctaw Indian Fair lineup previewed major entertainment, with Busta Rhymes headlining July 14–18 (plus pre-fair events).

Blues Spotlight: MPB is premiering a new documentary, “King of the Chitlin’ Circuit,” honoring blues legend Bobby Rush—tracking his rise from Delta juke joints to international stardom, debuting Aug. 10 on MPB Television. Main Street Momentum: The Mississippi Main Street Association handed out its 2026 Annual Awards in Jackson, celebrating downtown revitalization wins across the state. Local Arts & Culture: Monticello brought back its lumberjack roots with the first-ever Heritage Day along the riverfront, with reenactments and stories tied to the Mississippi logging era. Art in Venice: Tougaloo’s connection to Mississippi shows up in Torkwase Dyson’s Venice installation “Tougaloo,” built from soundscapes and Murano glass. Community Events: Jackson County’s legislative update with Rep. Hank Zuber also teased new public art sculptures coming to Ocean Springs later this summer. Sports (Mississippi ties): Ole Miss and Mississippi State women’s SEC opponents were announced for 2026-27, and the Lady Vols’ schedule also includes matchups with both Mississippi schools.