AGP Executive Report

Meta Settlement Plan: Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch unveiled how the state will spend its $189M share of the national Meta lawsuit, with $18M a year split across three agencies over 10 years. Magnolia Bowl Security & Game-Day Changes: Oxford is beefing up security for LSU’s visit and Lane Kiffin’s return, including mounted help from Mobile and New Orleans, plus new “Tap and Go” mobile ticket rules and tighter parking around The Grove. Roots & Live Music: Eden Brent headlines an intimate “Night of Roots” on Oct. 3, and the Mississippi Delta Blues powerhouse is bringing boogie-woogie, soul, and juke-joint energy. Mississippi Music Spotlight: A Clarion Ledger series highlights four under-the-radar Mississippi acts—gospel, soul, and funk—beyond the usual legends. Crime & Community Response: Police say more arrests are expected in the death of Tasia Fortune, after Jarques Ratliff was charged; coverage also continues to spark debate over “modern-day lynching” claims. Reality TV: NBC’s “The Traitors: New Blood” returns with an all-civilian cast, premiering Sept. 17. Sports (Local): LSU-Ole Miss rivalry week heats up as Ole Miss serves court papers in its lawsuit tied to former players’ contract buyouts.

Ole Miss–LSU Rivalry: Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford is bringing major GameDay hype and even talk of extra security as Mississippi beefs up police presence and officials plan for “all scenarios” around Saturday’s top-10 matchup. Fan Fun (and Flight Paths): An Ole Miss supporter turned trash talk into a sky message—his plane flew a “Come to the Sip” route over Louisiana ahead of the game. Music Calendar: The 17th annual Mississippi Songwriters Festival kicks off with four days of events across Ocean Springs and Gautier, including a Hall of Fame induction and performances by major names. Coast Blues: Win tickets for the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest (Sept. 18–19) at LeClaire Park in Davenport, with all-day music plus youth clinics and a community jam. Arts & Culture: “By Any Means” hits theaters with a 1960s Mississippi FBI investigation story, mixing buddy-cop energy with civil-rights-era tension. Community Spotlight: Pet Vet House Calls by Dr. Jeffrey Levy lands in November 2026, sharing decades of urban house-call care and the bond between people and pets.

Magnolia Bowl Security: Ole Miss is beefing up public safety patrols and coordinating with Oxford police and the sheriff’s office for Lane Kiffin’s return as LSU visits Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday, with extra mounted patrols and heightened attention due to big crowds and events. LSU-Ole Miss Preview: LSU defensive stars Whit Weeks and Princewill Umanmielen say the atmosphere will be “rowdy” and “hostile,” while Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy downplays any relationship with Kiffin and keeps focus on the game plan. Mississippi Music Spotlight: The National Folk Festival is coming to Jackson Nov. 13-15, spotlighting Mississippi’s music and culture as part of the America250 theme. Coast Sailing Event: Ocean Springs is hosting the 2026 Hobie 16 International Championship through Sept. 25, drawing competitors from 11 countries and multiple world-champion sailors. Local Sports Loss: Independence High School announced the death of 17-year-old boys basketball player Kentavious Doyle. Arts & Entertainment: “The Traitors” returns on NBC this Thursday with an all-civilian cast for Season 5, “New Blood.”

College Football Spotlight: Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford as No. 7 LSU visits No. 8 Ole Miss for a primetime SEC opener Saturday, with security and hostile fan chatter making headlines alongside Kiffin’s insistence the game is about preparation, not him. Sports Media & Policy: ESPN is set to feature NAACP president Derrick Johnson on “SportsCenter” Tuesday after backlash over giving Sen. Ted Cruz a platform on “College GameDay” to push the Protect College Sports Act. Local Arts & Culture: David Porter, “The Soul Man” of Stax, visited GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland to discuss his new memoir/book “The Soul Man.” Film in Mississippi: Production is underway for the feature adaptation of David Magee’s best-selling memoir “Dear William,” shooting in Greenwood with additional scenes in Oxford and on the Ole Miss campus. Community & Events: Ridgeland’s Madison County Conference Center was approved to move forward, paired with a Dolce by Wyndham hotel at Prado Vista. Hispanic Heritage Month: The Dairy Alliance is spotlighting Hispanic and Latin American food traditions—like café con leche and tres leches—through real dairy celebrations starting Sept. 15. Civic Life: The Congressional Black Caucus Institute launched a new midterm turnout effort focused on low-propensity Black and rural voters, with Mississippi and Georgia in the spotlight.

Mississippi Music & Culture: The Mississippi Songwriters Festival returns to the Coast this week, kicking off Thursday in Ocean Springs and expanding to Gulfport for the first time, with multi-venue sets running through Sunday. Coastal Sports & Events: Ocean Springs businesses are gearing up for the Hobie 16 International Championship and the festival crowd, with local shops adding staff and rentals for visiting sailors. Oxford Entertainment/Community: Oxford Treatment Center promoted Kate Bell to Outpatient Clinical Manager, highlighting a recovery-focused outpatient program and her long path from patient to clinical leader. Civil Rights & Civic Life: Mississippi is honoring Flonzie Brown-Wright with Sept. 15, 2026 as statewide voter registration day, celebrating her legacy in the fight for voting rights. Arts in Mississippi: Mississippi State’s Bulldogs in Recovery lounge added a new mural created by senior art majors, bringing fresh color to a free, student-focused recovery space. Local Music Star: Mavis Staples will perform Oct. 15 at Ellis Theater in Philadelphia, MS, featuring songs from her latest album and a career rooted in gospel, soul, and activism. Sports Spotlight: Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford sets the stage for LSU vs. Ole Miss, with the week’s buzz centered on pressure, rivalry energy, and a highly anticipated matchup.

College Football Spotlight: Texas’ 24-23 comeback over Ohio State vaults the Longhorns to No. 1 in the AP Top 25, while Oregon drops hard after a loss to Oklahoma State. Ole Miss & LSU Buzz: ESPN’s College GameDay heads back to Oxford for Ole Miss vs. LSU on Sept. 19, with Lane Kiffin returning to Vaught-Hemingway as the Rebels host the Tigers. Mississippi State Momentum: Kamario Taylor shines as Mississippi State rolls past Minnesota 38-13, fueling optimism for a tougher SEC stretch. SEC Talk: A new SEC Unfiltered note says the league’s early nonconference results look strong, even as expulsion chatter around LSU keeps simmering. Music & Culture: Valerie June’s “Brighter Blue” EP brings fresh takes on “I’ll Fly Away,” blending gospel roots with a funky, grounded sound. Local Arts/Community: Jackson’s Gordon Martial Arts Super Show draws fighters of all ages, with discipline and character front and center. Wellness Watch: The Mississippi Gulf Coast wellness scene is seeing more GLP-1 interest, plus growth in IV and preventative ultrasound services. Copyright & Radio: ASCAP seeks a six-figure judgment in a radio music licensing fight, asking a judge to bar stations from playing its music without a license.

College Football Buzz (Ole Miss): Ole Miss is set to host ESPN’s College GameDay in The Grove for the first time since 2021, ahead of a Week 3 showdown with LSU on Sept. 19. SEC Rankings Shake-Up: Texas’ 24-23 comeback over Ohio State vaulted the Longhorns to No. 1 in the AP Top 25, while Oregon fell to No. 21 and Michigan returned at No. 19; Ole Miss sits at No. 8 and Mississippi State is among “others receiving votes.” Bulldogs on the Rise: Kamario Taylor powered Mississippi State’s 38-13 rout of Minnesota, giving the Bulldogs momentum as they head into a tough SEC slate. Local Shopping Upgrade (Jackson): Goodwill’s rival Mega Thrift is taking over a closed Family Dollar spot in Jackson, with 41,000 pounds of clothing, $1.79 price tags, and a planned Oct. 1 opening. Entertainment Spotlight (X-Men): Inde Navarrette is teasing how she’ll nail Rogue’s Southern accent in the X-Men reboot, tying it to her Texas upbringing and Mississippi roots. 9/11 Commemoration (Mississippi-built ships): The US Coast Guard commissioned a new Fast Response Cutter built by Bollinger Shipyards in Mississippi, honoring 9/11 first responders.

College Football Buzz: Week 2 delivered major chaos, with the Big Ten taking a hit after Ohio State’s collapse to Texas and Oregon’s shock loss to Oklahoma State—setting up a big early narrative swing for the SEC vs. Big Ten debate. Ole Miss Home Opener: No. 9 Ole Miss looked sharp in a 41-9 win over Charlotte, with Trinidad Chambliss running an efficient offense and Kewan Lacy adding punch. South Carolina Notes: South Carolina beat Towson 45-9, highlighted by two punt-return TDs from Vicari Swain and a heavy rushing game led by Matthew Fuller. Mississippi State Spotlight: Mississippi State rolled Minnesota 38-13 behind Kamario Taylor’s big passing day and Fluff Bothwell’s ground impact. Arts & Culture: A Chicago exhibit imagines “If Emmett Till Lived,” shifting the focus to joy and legacy. Local Events: The Jazz Museum’s River Festival celebrated the Mississippi with music and history, and Indianola hosted a hands-on science festival at the B.B. King Museum. Community & Safety: Jackson police say more arrests are expected in the death of Tasia Fortune, following the murder charge arrest of Jarques Ratliff.

Local Sports Spotlight: Mississippi State rolled past Minnesota 38-13 as Kamario Taylor threw for 227 yards and three first-half TDs, with Fluff Bothwell adding 113 rushing yards and two scores. Ole Miss Game Night: Ole Miss hosts Charlotte at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, with the matchup set for ESPN2 and ESPN Unlimited. Entertainment & Pop Culture: X-Men’s Inde Navarrette says she’s working to nail Rogue’s Southern accent—calling out Mississippi as part of her preparation. Music & Community: The Mississippi Songwriters Festival returns Sept. 17-20 across the Gulf Coast, with a new future home planned in Gautier. Arts & Culture: A Jimmy Buffett exhibit opens in Mobile, spotlighting the “Son of a Son of a Sailor” experience at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf. Civic Notes: Mississippi police say more arrests are expected in the death of Tasia Fortune, after a man was charged. Outdoor: Teal season kicks off Saturday, with cooler fronts expected to help waterfowl movement.

Mississippi Crime: Jackson police say the death of Tasia Fortune, a mother of four found hanging from a tree behind a vacant home, has been ruled a homicide and a suspect, Jarques Ratliff, has been arrested; officials stress the case is still active and more arrests may follow. College Football (MSU): Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor is getting major hype ahead of the Bulldogs’ Week 2 trip to Minnesota, with Nick Saban calling him a “big-time surprise” after Taylor’s 4-TD opener. College Football (Ole Miss): Photos and coverage continue around Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss sideline moments as Week 2 ramps up. Sports on TV: Multiple guides list where to watch key games, including MSU vs. Minnesota (CBS) and other SEC matchups. Local Arts & Culture: Biloxi’s Biloxi Box Set Music Festival is underway at the South Beach Hotel and Suites, bringing Jimmy Buffett–inspired trop rock to the Coast. Science/Local Interest: The Academy of Natural Sciences museum is closing, but attention is on its massive specimen collection and what happens next.

College Football (Mississippi matchups): Ole Miss hosts Charlotte Saturday night (ESPN2), while Mississippi State travels to Minnesota for a 2:30 p.m. CBS game—both matchups are drawing heavy betting and TV attention. Arts & Culture (Mississippi): Two Mississippi Museums’ History Happy Hour gets a new headliner: award-winning blues guitarist Dexter Allen steps in for comedian Rita Brent; the free event also includes flash tours of the Mississippi Made exhibit. Fashion/Film (Mississippi roots): Sergio Hudson joins the documentary Love, Patrick: Nothing Is Impossible as executive producer, spotlighting Mississippi-born designer Patrick Kelly’s legacy. Exhibit (Black history): If Emmett Till Lived at the Museum of Contemporary Photography reframes Till’s story around joy and imagination. Community & Sports (Mississippi): Mississippi State welcomes its 14th Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program cohort, adding 36 new teacher scholars. Public Safety (Mississippi): Jackson police arrested Jacques Ratliff in connection with the homicide investigation into Tasia Fortune’s death.

Mississippi Delta TV Buzz: Starz confirmed P-Valley Season 3 is set for Dec. 4, with two episodes kicking things off and the Promised Land Casino looming over Chucalissa. Mississippi Gulf Coast Music: Amanda Shaw returns to the coast for a 7 p.m. Saturday show at Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi, promoting her new album Rhythm of My Roots. Oxford Arts & Culture: Square Books keeps its reputation as a community hub with free, public author events—plus a look at how the store plans each semester’s lineup. Mississippi Entertainment Spotlight: LeAnn Rimes brings her tour stop to the UT Tyler Cowan Center on Sept. 26 after major renovations. Local Community Giving: Spyder Moving and Storage in Oxford formalizes its giving with an annual commitment, including Move for Hunger. Sports on the Big Stage: Week 2’s SEC vs. Big Ten talk heats up with a Mississippi State–Minnesota matchup in the spotlight.

SEC/LSU Update: SEC presidents and chancellors met by video but didn’t vote on LSU’s membership after LSU finalized its roster without two NFL signees tied to Lane Kiffin’s recruitment. Mississippi Sports Spotlight: Mississippi State and Minnesota square off Saturday in a rare SEC vs. Big Ten matchup, with Bulldogs’ Kamario Taylor drawing major buzz. Movie Buzz (Mississippi-set): “By Any Means” brings Mark Wahlberg and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to a 1966 Mississippi civil-rights backdrop, sparking debate over how it portrays Vernon Dahmer’s story. Local Campus Culture: Mississippi Valley State University hosted a B.B. King Day Symposium exploring blues, preservation, and AI’s role in music culture. Arts & Community: The Mississippi Book Festival is coming, and MSU’s Institute for the Humanities is rolling out fall events mixing poetry, music, and Southern history. Family-Friendly Swim Growth: Water Wings Swim School opened its first franchised location in Cypress, Texas, signaling a bigger national pipeline. Health/Wellness: A Gulfport clinic highlights how structured morning routines can help adults with attention difficulties.

Movie Review: “By Any Means” lands in 1966 Mississippi with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as an FBI agent chasing the murder of civil rights activist Vernon Dahmer, but the film can’t decide between buddy-cop banter and darker true-crime tension, leaving it uneven. Sports/Entertainment: Arch Manning and Dante Moore headline a 2027 NFL mock draft, while college football fans get a Week 2 TV schedule and gameday buzz. Arts & Culture: Mississippi-born jazz icon Cassandra Wilson dies at 70, remembered for a smoky contralto and genre-blending hits; plus Counterpublic’s big St. Louis art show returns with performances across parks and museums. Mississippi Local: USM football’s home stadium gets a new name—Renasant Stadium—after a 10-year deal. Community/Outdoors: Dale Sanders, 91, becomes the oldest person to finish the Appalachian Trail. Mississippi Business: Mississippi’s tech sector grows as the state works to keep and attract skilled workers.

SEC/LSU Drama: LSU’s president says the SEC dispute is “moot” after the Tigers locked their 105-man roster without adding former NFL signees Dae’Quan Wright or Zxavian Harris, while an SEC expulsion vote and a federal hearing have both been delayed. Mississippi Sports Spotlight: Mississippi State and Minnesota kick off a fresh SEC vs. Big Ten matchup in Minneapolis after big Week 1 wins, and MSU’s Kamario Taylor’s record-setting offensive surge is setting the tone for the Bulldogs’ road test. Softball Schedules: Mississippi State and Ole Miss unveiled their 2027 SEC slates—this time, the rivals won’t meet in an SEC series. Arts & Culture (MSU): Water Valley textile artist Coulter Fussell is in residency at Mississippi State for Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, with an exhibition running through Sept. 11 and a Sept. 10 reception. Poetry (MSU): Prize-winning poet Joy Priest brings her “Horsepower” collection to MSU Sept. 21 for readings, Q&A, and a craft talk. Film/Entertainment: WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan has landed a role in the psychological thriller “Ping,” with production underway in Mississippi. Food/Local Flavor: Auburn students launched “Bird & Batter,” a chicken-and-waffles concept, through the Hey Day Market incubator.

Mississippi Arts & Film: “By Any Means” brings a 1966 Mississippi civil-rights thriller to theaters, with local-set authenticity in metro Atlanta and two Mississippi-focused reviews debating how the movie balances violence, history, and the work of activists. Mississippi Sports: Ole Miss baseball released its 2027 SEC slate, starting March 19-21 vs. Arkansas at Swayze Field, with key in-state dates at Mississippi State and a home series vs. Oklahoma. College Football Watch: The SEC’s potential move to expel LSU over eligibility fights could put the Ole Miss–LSU Week 3 game in jeopardy, with a Sept. 10 vote among SEC presidents looming. Public Health: A CDC report says HPV vaccination among teens has stalled for four straight years, while Tdap and meningococcal coverage dipped—rural teens lagging urban peers. Food Safety: A berry recall expanded to include Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend at Walmart, linked to an E. coli outbreak. Community & Wellness: Stronger Mental Health Counseling Services opened in Walker County, adding more local support for trauma, grief, addiction, and life’s hard moments.