MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC COUNCIL

Apr 30 2026EDUCATION

Graduation Speakers Light Up Mississippi Universities in 2026

Mississippi’s graduation season is fast approaching, and each campus has lined up a mix of leaders, scholars, and celebrities to inspire new graduates. Alcorn State University will open its ceremony on May 9 with Pelicia E. Hall, the executive vice president of ViaPath Technologies, who will shar

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Apr 29 2026WEATHER

Mississippi braces for another stormy week

Mississippi isn’t done with rough weather yet. After days of storms, another round of severe weather is expected on Tuesday, April 28, this time bringing the risk of large hail, strong winds, and possible tornadoes. Nearly the entire state is under some level of warning, with the highest risks—Level

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Apr 25 2026WEATHER

Mississippi braces for stormy weekend ahead

Mississippi is getting ready for some rough weather starting Friday. Multiple storm systems will sweep through the state over the next few days, bringing strong winds, hail, and possible tornadoes. The National Weather Service has warned that these storms could pack winds up to 60 mph, hail as big a

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Apr 19 2026EDUCATION

Mississippi’s Reading Revival: A Blueprint for Change

Mississippi once hovered at the bottom of national reading rankings, but a shift began in 2013 when new leadership embraced a science‑based approach to literacy. The plan moved beyond simple phonics; it involved overhauling standards, assessments, and accountability to focus on the most struggling s

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Feb 17 2026WEATHER

Mississippi's Recent Tornadoes: What We Know and What's Next

Mississippi has seen a series of tornadoes recently, but the good news is that no one was hurt. There were five tornadoes confirmed, and they were not very strong. Most of them were rated EF-1, with wind speeds between 100 and 110 mph. One was an EF-0, with winds up to 85 mph. These tornadoes hit i

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Jan 28 2026FINANCE

Mississippi's Cannabis Cash Conundrum: Where Should the Extra Money Go?

Mississippi is facing a unique situation with its medical cannabis program. The state has been collecting more money than expected from taxes on medical cannabis sales. This has led to a question: What should be done with the extra cash? The Mississippi Attorney General has weighed in on this issue

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Jan 09 2026TECHNOLOGY

Mississippi Welcomes a Giant Tech Project with Open Arms

Mississippi is buzzing with excitement as Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, plans to invest a massive $20 billion to build a data center in Southaven. This is a big deal for the state, as it's the largest private investment ever made there. The new data center, named MACROHARDRR, will be the third one in

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Jan 09 2026HEALTH

Unlocking Local Change: How Councillors Use Research for Better Communities

Councillors in England hold significant power over local services. Yet, there's a big question: how do they use research to make decisions that affect people's health and well-being? This is where the Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) come in. These groups were set up to help local

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Jan 09 2026EDUCATION

Mississippi's Education Showdown: Senate vs. House

Mississippi's lawmakers are split on how to improve education. The Senate wants to give teachers a raise. The House wants to give students more school choices. Both want to change how students can switch schools. The Senate wants to give teachers and professors a $2, 000 raise. They say it's hard t

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Jan 06 2026BUSINESS

Economic Forecasts for 2026: What's the Buzz?

Economic predictions are often off the mark. Take 1929, for example. A well-known economist confidently declared that stock prices had hit a "permanent high. " Just two weeks later, the market crashed, kicking off the Great Depression. Fast forward to today, and economic forecasters still struggle.

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