AGP Executive Report

Nolan Wells Legal Fight: Attorneys for three of Nolan Wells’ friends sent a presuit demand letter to Rev. Al Sharpton, demanding an apology and retraction of alleged defamatory statements tied to Wells’ Horn Island death; Sharpton says he welcomes a lawsuit. Mississippi Redistricting: A Mississippi public redistricting hearing schedule continues across the state, with organizers urging Black voters to stay engaged as maps are redrawn. Local Housing/Planning: In St. Tammany Parish, developers are still reeling after subdivisions vetoes, underscoring how growth battles can stall new home construction. Coast After Katrina: Gulfport’s beachfront still shows Katrina-era scars, with many empty lots lingering even as some new builds and sales pick up. Tech + Air Pollution Backlash: xAI’s Memphis-area data centers face renewed scrutiny over unpermitted gas turbines, including the Southaven, Mississippi site. Weather: Magnolia remains under dangerous heat with highs near 100+. Sports: Tyler Junior College opened its 100th season with a 30-20 win over Georgia Military College.

Mississippi Politics: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann announced a new cybersecurity select committee after warning that more than $100 million a year is being stolen from Mississippi residents and businesses, with state Sen. Scott DeLano and Sen. Jeremy England named to the panel. Elections & Voting Rights: A federal court protected Mississippi’s only majority-Black voting district ahead of the November election, keeping the district intact for voters. Redistricting Watch: Mississippi’s redistricting process is underway, with Lt. Gov. Hosemann pulling Sen. Derrick Simmons from a redistricting committee due to a critical letter. Legal Fallout (Nolan Wells): Attorneys for Nolan Wells’ friends sent a presuit demand letter to Rev. Al Sharpton, alleging defamation and demanding a retraction and apology. Disaster Preparedness: U.S. Reps. Mike Ezell (R-MS) and Troy Carter (D-LA) backed a bipartisan push for $100M a year for fortified roof and other storm-mitigation programs to reduce future FEMA costs. Local Community: Pass Christian’s Hook’em for Heroes returns Sept. 11–12 with a fishing tournament and a free block party supporting veterans and first responders.

Cybersecurity Push: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann announced a Mississippi cybersecurity select committee aimed at tackling a reported $100M+ in annual losses from hacks, with a focus on where victims should go and how state prosecution can follow. Disaster Mitigation Funding: U.S. Reps. Mike Ezell (R-MS) and Troy Carter (D-LA) backed a bipartisan $100M-a-year fortified-roof proposal to reduce storm damage and lower future FEMA payouts. Redistricting Tension: Hosemann removed Sen. Derrick Simmons from the Legislature’s joint redistricting committee after Simmons co-authored a letter urging narrower map changes tied to Voting Rights Act compliance. Courts & Voting: A federal court protected a Mississippi majority-Black voting district for the upcoming November election. Public Safety: Lauderdale County deputies launched a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over crackdown with sobriety and safety checkpoints through Labor Day. Education/Health: Mississippi’s employment hit a record 1,196,200 total jobs in July, while separate coverage highlights how Medicaid changes could strain hospital finances in the region. Higher Ed Naming: Southern Miss approved renaming M.M. Roberts Stadium to Renasant Stadium after the former namesake’s admitted racism. Local Spotlight: Natchez was named Mississippi’s prettiest town by Architectural Digest.

Legal Fight Over Voting Maps: A federal judge refused to block Mississippi’s new majority-Black judicial voting district in DeSoto County, letting the district stand for the November election and rejecting arguments that it would cause emergency harm. Public Safety Crackdown: Lauderdale County deputies are stepping up DUI and safety enforcement for the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, using sobriety and safety checkpoints through Labor Day and noting a July 1 law change on handing over driver’s licenses. Redistricting Tension: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann removed Sen. Derrick Simmons from the Legislature’s joint redistricting committee after Simmons co-authored a letter urging a narrower approach tied to Voting Rights Act compliance. Courts and Accountability in Nolan Wells Case: Wells’ friends’ attorneys sent a pre-suit demand letter to Rev. Al Sharpton seeking an apology and retractions, while Sharpton says he welcomes litigation. State Politics and Economy: Gov. Tate Reeves touted a record July employment total of 1,196,200 jobs, calling it part of Mississippi’s “unprecedented momentum.” Education Policy Watch: A national look at third-grade reading retention highlights Mississippi’s role in shaping other states’ policies and the mixed research on whether retention helps.

Mississippi Politics & Courts: A federal lawsuit challenges DeSoto County’s upcoming election for new judgeships created after redistricting, arguing the changes violate voting rules—part of a wider Southern push to roll back Black voting districts after the Voting Rights Act was weakened. Nolan Wells Case: Nolan Wells’ mother has filed fresh subpoenas seeking Sea Tow and Ward Marine communications tied to the July 4 response near Horn Island, requesting calls, recordings, dispatch records, and procedures covering hours from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Energy & Industry: TVA approved new wholesale rate rules for data centers across its region, including central Mississippi, removing data centers from a customer class and phasing in higher charges over three fiscal years. Public Health & Safety: The FDA upgraded a recall of nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs to a Class I warning after a Salmonella outbreak sickened at least 98 people in 17 states. Healthcare Funding Watch: Groups say the $50B Rural Health Transformation Program needs more transparency as states may not be proactively sharing how funds are used. Statewide Weather: Dangerous late-summer heat continues in the Magnolia area with an Extreme Heat Warning for Columbia County.

Nolan Wells Case: Nolan Wells’ family is pressing for answers after more subpoenas were filed tied to Sea Tow and Ward Marine Services over the July 4 incident near Horn Island, with the teen’s cause of death still pending. State Courts: The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld Carly Gregg’s life sentences for killing her mother and attempting to kill her stepfather, rejecting her insanity defense and other appeal claims. Attorney General Race: Mississippi DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell announced he’s running for attorney general as Lynn Fitch eyes a 2027 governor bid. Public Safety & Justice: A multi-state drug trafficking and money-laundering takedown linked to Detroit and West Virginia also named a Mississippi man among 28 indicted. Disaster Aid: The SBA opened disaster loan applications for Pearl River County and nearby areas after Tropical Storm Arthur, including low-interest physical damage and economic injury loans. Cybersecurity: Federal agencies say Medusa ransomware has hit 500+ organizations, with healthcare among the hardest struck. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported the lowest regular gas in Wilkinson County at $3.57 and the lowest premium in Stone County at $4.19 for the week ending Aug. 15.

Mississippi 2027 Election Watch: WLBT reports Mississippi’s next election season is already heating up, with strategists expecting major turnover in statewide offices and primaries (including likely runoffs) to drive the timeline. Public Safety & Law Enforcement: Mississippi Highway Patrol and other agencies are stepping up DUI enforcement for Labor Day under “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” with extra patrols aimed at impaired drivers. Healthcare Costs: Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney is pushing short-term health plans through the state’s risk pool portal for 2027, positioning them as a cheaper bridge for people between jobs. Nolan Wells Case: The Congressional Black Caucus is pressing for a federal Justice Department review in the Horn Island death investigation, as the family and prosecutors continue to dispute how Wells’ phone should be examined. State Government & Politics: Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell launched a campaign for Mississippi attorney general, setting up another 2027 statewide race to watch. Workforce Development: A Baton Rouge scaffolding certification push is preparing workers for nuclear and industrial outage projects across Louisiana and Mississippi, including dispatch training tied to upcoming work.

Attorney General Race: Mississippi Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell formally launched his 2027 bid for attorney general in Gulfport, pitching his experience across the state’s justice system. Public Safety: The Mississippi Highway Patrol and other agencies kicked off the Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown, warning drivers to plan a safe ride home and target impairment signs beyond just a .08 BAC. Courts & Voting Rights: A federal judge declined to block DeSoto County’s new majority-Black judicial subdistricts from taking effect for the upcoming election, though the case continues. Nolan Wells Investigation: Jackson County DA Angel Myers McIlrath said the probe will proceed before a grand jury and won’t go public, as Wells’ family and civil rights attorneys press for more access and a forensic review. Local Government & Taxes: Madison County denied Amazon’s valuation appeal for Canton data centers, preserving millions in expected tax revenue. Public Health: CDC data shows kindergarten vaccine coverage slipping and exemptions hitting a new national high. Environment: Mississippi wildfire risk is rising with heat and drought, and at least 10 counties are under burn bans.

State Politics & Courts: Mississippi’s Nolan Wells case keeps escalating, with the Jackson County DA again saying she can’t publicly discuss details of an active death investigation after Wells’ family criticized how the probe is being handled. Public Safety Leadership: Mississippi DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell announced he intends to run for attorney general, setting up a 2027 statewide race as AG Lynn Fitch eyes the governor’s seat. Utilities & Accountability: A state judge appointed a receiver for the troubled Holly Springs Utility District, but the Mississippi Public Service Commission is pushing back over the receiver choice and whether it truly fixes management problems. Economic Development: Lee County, Mississippi, received a top-tier “A” rating for a BDO zone, positioning the area for biobased industrial investment backed by river, rail, and utility access. Housing & Federal Aid: SBA disaster loans are now available for Mississippi residents and businesses hit by Tropical Storm Arthur, while HUD data shows mixed public-housing counts across Mississippi cities. National Policy Impact: The Trump administration directed federal agencies to stop funding gender-transition procedures for people under 18, a move that could affect federally funded providers in Mississippi.

Mississippi Supreme Court: Gov. Tate Reeves filled two vacancies, bringing the court to its highest-ever share of women—Amanda Jones Tollison and Celeste Embrey Wilson join the bench. Housing & local government: HUD data shows small shifts in public housing counts across Mississippi—Maben added units, Brooksville added one, Jackson held steady, and Gulfport’s total dropped to 40 in 2025. Disaster response: After Tropical Storm Arthur, FEMA Disaster Service Centers opened in South Mississippi, and officials urged flood survivors to apply for Individual Assistance. Public safety & courts: The Nolan Wells case continues to draw national attention, with supporters planning prayer events and pushing for faster, joint forensic review of his phone. Federal policy with Mississippi ties: Rep. Trent Kelly backed a bipartisan bill to expand the H-2A agricultural guest worker program, aiming to reduce costs and administrative burdens for farmers. Energy costs: Gas prices ticked up nationally, with Mississippi-area reporting showing continued volatility in both regular and diesel prices. National politics: The Trump administration directed federal agencies to stop funding gender-transition procedures for people under 18.

Nolan Wells Investigation: The NAACP says it’s joining the legal team seeking answers in the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, calling for transparency and accountability as federal and national civil-rights pressure grows. Federal Oversight Push: The Congressional Black Caucus has asked the DOJ to review Wells’ death, citing unanswered questions and sealed case materials. Local Governance: Lincoln County supervisors reviewed a proposed $41.7M budget for FY 2026-27, recommending no change to the county tax levy rate while the school levy would drop slightly due to higher property assessments. Public Safety & Elections: Mississippi’s political calendar also includes a spotlight on candidates and races, including a push to unseat an incumbent U.S. senator in the state. Health Policy: A new federal directive says agencies must stop funding gender-transition procedures for people under 18, immediately affecting federally funded providers. Education & STEM: Society for Science selected 100 educators for its 2026–2027 Advocate Program, awarding $326,000 to expand student access to science research and competitions.

Mississippi Politics: Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell says he’s running for Mississippi attorney general in 2027 and plans to step down from his DPS post to focus on the campaign. U.S. House Race (MS-3): WDAM aired full 1-on-1 interviews with District 3 candidates Michael Guest (R), Michael Chiaradio (D), and Erik Kiehle (Libertarian) ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, midterms. Flood Control: Madison County cleared a key federal step for the Bear Creek flood project in Canton, with USDA/NRCS authorizing the design phase after an environmental assessment and “no significant impact” finding. Workforce & Economic Development: A new Mississippi Business Alliance group is convening city and county leaders in Starkville through its Business Forward Tour to share what’s working and tackle workforce growth. Local Governance: Meadville called a special election Aug. 25 on a 3% hotel/motel/B&B room-rental tax to fund tourism promotion and parks. Housing Costs (HUD data): Public housing rent snapshots show Amite County averaging $297/month (2025) and Alcorn County averaging $317/month (2025). Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show midgrade and premium price swings across Mississippi counties in the week ending Aug. 8, with some single-station “lowest” deals.

Federal Courts & Privacy: U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves ruled in a Mississippi case that “tower dump” warrants are per se unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment, striking at broad cell-tower data grabs in gang investigations. Immigration & Oversight: Democrats plan a Maine field hearing on the July 13 deadly ICE shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, with Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson among the conveners and Gov. Janet Mills set to open. LGBTQ Policy: The Trump administration directed federal agencies to stop funding gender-transition procedures for people under 18 at federally funded hospitals and schools, reversing prior HHS rules challenged by a Mississippi pediatric clinic. Public Safety & Military: The Army awarded Airbus a $115.4m contract for up to 12 more UH-72B Lakota helicopters, with work tied to Airbus’s Columbus, Mississippi facility. Mississippi Justice: The FBI arrested Gregory Henderson Jr. in Mississippi—one day after adding him to the Ten Most Wanted list—alleging he led an Indianapolis gang tied to international drug trafficking and dogfighting. Elections: A new push to fortify election processes is underway as states prepare for possible federal interference. Mississippi Economy: Gas prices eased slightly, with Mississippi’s regular average reported at $3.60 per gallon for the week ending Aug. 8.

Federal Courts & Privacy: U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves ruled in a Mississippi case that “tower dump” warrants are per se unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment, striking at a method that can pull location data for everyone connected to a cell tower. Federal Policy & Health: The Trump administration directed federal agencies to stop funding gender-transition procedures for people under 18, with the policy tied to federal funding and taking effect immediately. Education & Childcare: A proposed Head Start overhaul would put more than 1,400 regulatory provisions on the chopping block, raising alarms that the program could shift away from anti-poverty support. Mississippi Military & Public Safety: Mississippi Gulf service members were honored this week ending Aug. 22, and Mississippi updated active-shooter training as schools prepare for the new year. Law Enforcement: The FBI arrested “Ten Most Wanted” fugitive Gregory Henderson Jr. in Mississippi, one day after his addition to the list. Energy & Local Economy: GasBuddy reported the week ending Aug. 8 saw low regular prices in Jasper County ($3.36) and Tippah County ($3.44), alongside broader statewide averages easing to about $3.60. Housing Data: HUD figures showed public housing household income in Jefferson ($14,454) and Neshoba ($18,044) counties in 2025, with rent typically around a quarter to a third of income.

Federal Courts & Voting Rights: A federal judge refused to block DeSoto County’s majority-Black judicial subdistrict for the November election, citing plaintiffs’ failure to meet the standard for last-minute changes and warning against election disruptions. Public Safety: Mississippi is rolling out updated active-shooter training for schools using ALERRT, emphasizing faster care for wounded victims. Civil Liberties: In a Mississippi case over cell-tower “tower dump” warrants, Judge Carlton W. Reeves ruled the practice is per se unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment. Education Politics: Sonja Shaw, a California school-board president, is using anger over COVID-era rules to launch a bid for state superintendent. Economic Development: The Lumber Manufactory is establishing a $15 million sawmill operation in New Albany, expected to create 50+ jobs. Local Government: Biloxi’s planning commission set a Sept. 3 public hearing on zoning and master-plan changes. Transportation Safety: Amtrak’s Gulf Coast “Mardi Gras” route is seeing strong ridership growth while leaders confront deadly rail-crossing crashes. Housing & Community: Gas prices and public housing occupancy updates continue across counties, including Mississippi’s Lee County public housing at 95% occupied in 2025.

Federal Courts & Voting Rights: A federal judge refused to block DeSoto County’s majority-Black judicial subdistrict for the November election, rejecting last-minute efforts that would have stripped Black voters of their only meaningful chance to elect judges. Public Safety: Mississippi is rolling out updated active-shooter training for schools using ALERRT, with a focus on faster medical care for the wounded. Rural Health: Gov. Reeves says Mississippi will receive nearly $206 million for its rural health transformation program’s first year, including telehealth expansion and behavioral health pilots. Civil Liberties & Policing Tech: In a Mississippi case, a judge ruled “tower dump” warrants are per se unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment, challenging broad cell-tower data sweeps. Local Government: Water Valley’s police budget fight is heating up ahead of an Aug. 18 meeting, with proposed cuts raising alarms about staffing, pay, and response times. Public Health: The FDA upgraded a salmonella egg recall affecting about 19 million eggs to its highest-risk class, with dozens sickened and many hospitalized. Housing: New occupancy snapshots show mixed trends across counties, including Lee County, MS at 95% occupied and Lauderdale County, MS down to 77%. Energy Costs: Gas prices eased in multiple Mississippi counties in the week ending Aug. 8, with Clay County midgrade hitting $3.88 and Lauderdale diesel reaching $4.80.