AGP Executive Report

Memorial Day pressure on fuel: AAA says Memorial Day gas prices hit a four-year high as 45 million Americans hit the road—national regular averages $4.56, with Ohio among the priciest at $4.76. Mississippi diesel snapshot: GasBuddy reports Lee County’s lowest diesel at $4.63 (week ending May 16), while the statewide diesel average fell to $5.05. Federal funding for waterways: The House Appropriations Committee advanced the FY27 Energy & Water bill, including about $9.8B for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and new inland waterway construction funding tied to Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River lock projects. Local business moves: Five Star Breaktime Solutions is acquiring West Chester Vending to expand service routes in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. Food safety alert: Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup is recalled in multiple states, including Mississippi, over possible undeclared shrimp. Workforce hiring: Ingalls Shipbuilding will host an on-site skilled trades hiring event June 6 in Pascagoula.

Data Center Tension in Jackson: Jackson City Council is weighing a six-month moratorium on new data center construction as residents warn the city can’t “protect y’all” once projects move in—amid broader Mississippi growth driven by state tax incentives and legal fights tied to AI power use. Military Funding Win: Michigan lawmakers approved $152M for Selfridge runway work, unlocking $792M in federal military construction for new aircraft platforms. Aviation Safety: The U.S. Air Force paused its entire T-38 Talon training fleet after a May 12 crash in Mississippi; inspections are expected to start soon. Weather Watch: The Ohio Valley and Mid-Mississippi River Valley brace for a more active, unsettled pattern with multiple rain chances over the Memorial Day stretch. Mississippi Business/Tech: ProSat Networks expanded in Mississippi to add professional Starlink installation plus managed IT and wireless networking. Gas Prices: Diesel remains uneven across the state, with some counties reporting sub-$5 lows in the week ending May 16.

Mississippi AI Push: Gov. Tate Reeves unveiled a statewide AI framework that maps AI skills from K-12 through workforce leadership, aiming to keep human judgment central while building training aligned to Mississippi industries. Medical Rules Update: The Mississippi Board of Pharmacy rolled out a new medical device establishment license and broadened what counts as a “device,” with initial licensure required by 7/1/2026. Energy & Jobs Watch: Ford’s Kentucky battery-storage push is tied to CATL tech, raising fresh questions about Chinese firm involvement inside U.S. manufacturing. Bills Cost Pressure: A new doxo report finds household bill costs vary wildly by state—top-cost states can spend far more than the most affordable—fueling affordability anxiety. Local Safety/Access: Mississippi law still bans ATVs/UTVs and golf carts on public roads statewide unless cities opt in for specific low-speed rules. Community Notes: A 120-foot cross is set for installation next week between McLain and Lucedale, after local fundraising and land donation.

National Politics: Trailblazing liberal lawmaker and gay-rights pioneer Barney Frank has died at 86, remembered for landmark financial reforms and for being the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay. Mississippi Business & Jobs: International Paper broke ground on a $225 million Brandon facility focused on sustainable packaging, aiming to modernize operations and serve customers within a 300-mile radius. Local Growth & Infrastructure: Starkville is moving toward a new $100M high school campus with bids expected this summer and a target opening in 2028. Public Safety: An animal shelter in Jackson says it’s been burglarized three times in a week, losing about $30,000 worth of supplies. Cost of Living: Gas remains a strain nationwide, and a new affordability map shows the biggest burden hitting states like West Virginia and Mississippi hardest because lower incomes make each fill-up costlier. Agriculture: USDA and Trump officials are pushing to lower fertilizer prices as global supply tightens.

ICE/CBP Funding Fight: Congressional Republicans are accused of slipping about $1 billion of taxpayer money into security costs tied to the Trump administration’s ICE/CBP “slush fund,” even as critics say the agencies already sit on $103B in unobligated funds. Redistricting Warning: Maury Blackman argues mid-decade redistricting is “breaking” representative democracy by manufacturing outcomes instead of reflecting communities. Food Safety: Sugar Foods is recalling Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons in 17 states, including Mississippi, over possible salmonella linked to contaminated milk powder. Local Tech Debate: Jackson County officials are weighing concerns after a proposal that may be an AI/data center near Highway 231 surfaced at a board meeting. Mississippi History: Archaeologists opened a rare cast-iron casket at the Mississippi asylum cemetery, seeking to identify remains. Politics/Legacy: Former Rep. Barney Frank died at 86, remembered for Dodd-Frank reforms and pioneering gay rights in Congress.

NAACP Boycott Push: The NAACP launched its “Out of Bounds” campaign Tuesday, urging Black athletes and fans to withhold ticket, merchandise, and recruiting support from public universities in eight Southern states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas—arguing recent redistricting moves are meant to “erase Black political power” after the Supreme Court narrowed the Voting Rights Act. Local Governance: Jackson City Council tabled a proposed data-center moratorium after a procedural fight over whether it counts as zoning, delaying action while attorneys weigh the rules. Energy & Travel: Gas prices are hitting the highest Memorial Day levels since 2022, with AAA forecasting a record-busy holiday weekend despite the higher pump cost. Food Safety: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons were recalled in 17 states over possible salmonella linked to recalled dry milk powder. Community & Culture: Mississippi Pickle Fest is coming to Jackson in June, turning the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum into a weekend of pickle food, music, and local vendors.

Food Safety Alerts: Sugar Foods is recalling Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons in 5-ounce pouches across 17 states, including Mississippi, after possible salmonella contamination tied to recalled milk powder; no illnesses reported so far. Public Health & Compliance: FDA says it inspected one company in a Wayne County-area city in 2025—Mar Jac Poultry MS, LLC—with “No Action Indicated.” Mississippi Education: SR1 College Preparatory & STEM Academy in Canton reports 69% of kindergarteners reading at or above benchmark on its spring assessment. Energy/Industry Watch: The NAACP is pushing for emergency action over alleged unpermitted air pollution from xAI’s Memphis-area power setup, arguing it violates the Clean Air Act. Local Economy & Growth: Rosedale Distilling Company—Mississippi’s first fully legal distillery—moves toward bottling its Rosedale Red and Rye this week. Travel Pressure: Mississippi Highway Patrol is ramping up patrols for Memorial Day weekend, targeting speeding, distractions, and impaired driving.

Mississippi Distilling Breakthrough: Rosedale Distilling Company is set to become the state’s first fully legal distillery, with bottling of Rosedale Red and Rosedale Rye starting Tuesday—an old-town revival built on local roots and moonshiner history. Memorial Day Readiness: The Mississippi Highway Patrol is ramping up patrols for the holiday rush, targeting speeding, distractions, and impaired driving as gas prices near $4 a gallon. Food Safety Watch: Sugar Foods has recalled Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons over possible Salmonella contamination tied to milk powder. Local Industry Spotlight: Smithsonian innovation director Eric Hintz is coming to Jackson in June for a free talk at Two Mississippi Museums, with a Mississippi-made exhibit running alongside. Health & Compliance: FDA inspection results show no action indicated for Mississippi companies in multiple counties, including a Marshall County veterinary firm. Business Signals Beyond MS: Toyota’s $2B “Project Orca” in San Antonio isn’t a done deal yet, hinging on incentives and site selection.

Yazoo Pumps showdown: The Army Corps now says the Mississippi Delta’s long-fought Yazoo Pumps project will cost about $2.3 billion, with critics charging the federal government still hasn’t finished a clear economic case as planning work tops $58 million this year. Coastal health alert: Mississippi’s DEQ says don’t swim at Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, and Biloxi beaches after tests found higher-than-normal enterococci, with updates promised as sampling continues. Public safety: A Memphis fugitive was sentenced to 87 months after a Hernando traffic stop turned up seven firearms. Tech + education: SIU Edwardsville’s Sinan Onal was named an Illinois Innovation Network fellow to tackle how AI changes competency-based teaching and assessment. Trade + jobs: Uniti Wholesale announced new fiber and colocation deals in Jackson, Birmingham, and Tulsa, signaling continued data-center buildout momentum. Space: NRL successfully launched Glowbug-2, a gamma-ray detector aimed at catching short cosmic bursts.

Mississippi Policy Watch: At a post-legislative briefing in Biloxi, lawmakers highlighted Gulf Coast priorities after the 2026 session, including renewed Gulf Coast Restoration Fund support, mitigation for insurance help, and the Strengthen Mississippi Homes Act aimed at roof reinforcement grants for about 1,500 homeowners a year. Coastal Growth: Gautier Mayor Casey Vaughan pointed to momentum from Town Commons to Legacy Park and the new Songwriters Museum, plus more concerts at The Sound Amphitheater through flexible promoter partnerships. Industry Expansion: Azuria Water Solutions is expanding in Batesville with an $80M PVC pipe facility expected to create 50 jobs, with operations targeted for early 2027. Road & Weather: In Mississippi County, MoDOT plans lane reductions on I-57 for repairs late May into early June; meanwhile, First Alert-style storm threats are active in the region, with strong wind and hail the main concern. Today in History: May 18 marks the start of the Siege of Vicksburg and the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption.

Coastal Policy Update: Mississippi lawmakers met in Biloxi for a post-session briefing, highlighting Gulf Coast Restoration Fund wins that were left unfunded in 2025, plus approval of insurance mitigation and the new Strengthen Mississippi Homes Act (roof reinforcement grants for about 1,500 homeowners a year). Port & Infrastructure Focus: Speakers also pointed to the port’s role as Hancock County’s economic engine, while lawmakers discussed remaining infrastructure priorities for South Mississippi. Industry Expansion: Azuria Water Solutions is expanding in Batesville with an $80M Fusible PVC Pipe facility expected to create 50 jobs and begin operations in early 2027. Road Work Alert: MoDOT plans a lane reduction on I-57 in Mississippi County for pavement repairs from May 26 to June 5. Food & Health: USDA added more frozen pizza and snack items to a public health alert tied to a dairy recall, urging consumers not to eat affected products.

Food Safety Watch: USDA expanded a public health alert for frozen pizza and snack foods tied to a dairy recall, adding more regional items and warning shoppers to throw away or return affected products. Local Food Economy: Genuine MS Farmers Market opened in Brandon, giving shoppers a Saturday 8 a.m.-noon stop for Mississippi-grown produce, honey, flowers, and local goods. Sports & Momentum: Texas A&M used a full-team push to beat Mississippi State 7-6, helping the Aggies lock in a No. 3 seed for the NCAA Tournament. Civic Finance: Starkville plans to halt its Power of Change utility donation program after a 2023 AG opinion raised legal concerns, while a separate $101M Starkville High bond could mean higher property taxes for homeowners. Health & Youth: UC San Diego research links childhood cannabis use to weaker cognitive development, adding to the debate over teen use risks.

Youth & Cannabis: UC San Diego’s long-term study links childhood cannabis use to weaker cognitive development, including verbal memory and learning—raising fresh alarm as teen use stays common. Sports & Local Pride: Jackson’s Tyson Robinson just committed to Michigan, while MUW hired veteran coach Bernard Hopkins to lead men’s basketball after its best season. Public Finance Shock in Starkville: The city will halt its “Power of Change” utility donation program after a 2023 AG opinion, and a $101M Starkville High bond could push property taxes up by hundreds for many homeowners. Economic Development Watch: South Mississippi’s Eagle One mega site got a $750K infrastructure boost for water and sewer planning. Health & Safety: A Chalmette refinery blast didn’t trigger air-quality concerns in follow-up monitoring, officials say. Mississippi Culture: A Gulfport restaurant opens from a beloved food influencer, and Meridian Community College celebrated the Class of 2026 with four commencements.

Felony Charges: A former coach at Forrest County Agricultural High School, Thomas Chambliss, was charged with felony embezzlement; he confirmed he’s no longer employed by the district and bond was set at $7,500, with no case details released yet. Mega-Site Momentum: South Mississippi’s Eagle One mega site got a $750,000 boost for infrastructure work, including preliminary engineering for water and sewer, as leaders push to speed projects to market. Public Safety Consolidation: Mississippi’s Department of Public Safety headquarters is moving from a multi-office setup toward a four-unit structure, with the consolidation becoming official in late July. Health & Compliance Watch: A report highlights how some non-nurse midwives assisting home births operate illegally in certain states, as demand for home births rises. Workforce & Mobility: Greene County commissioners approved a partnership with Carnegie Mellon to pursue an Appalachian Regional Commission grant for on-demand transportation. Energy & Environment: Air monitoring after a Chalmette refinery explosion found no detections of monitored harmful chemicals, while the cause remains under investigation.

Opioid Fallout: Delaware’s AG says the $7.4B Purdue Pharma/Sackler settlement is now legally effective, with funds flowing to communities and victims and a permanent bar on the Sacklers selling opioids in the U.S. Mississippi Watch: Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch filed motions to end long-running federal court oversight of the state’s child welfare system tied to the 2004 Olivia Y. case. River & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $5.5M contract for Lower Pool 10 restoration near Guttenberg, Iowa—stage 3 work starting summer 2026 and aimed at rebuilding islands and habitat. Boating Safety: The Corps is marking National Safe Boating Week with reminders to give tows room, avoid anchoring in channels, and watch for restricted zones. Energy & Travel: AAA says Memorial Day gas prices are set to be the highest in four years, with the national average around $4.53. Local Culture: A Mississippi Jellystone Park in Pelahatchie placed No. 5 nationally in USA TODAY’s 10Best readers’ choice.

Road Funding Breakthrough: MDOT says it’s locked in money to widen I-55 in Madison County to six lanes (plus lighting) and Highway 25/Lakeland Drive in Rankin County to six lanes with roundabouts—two fixes aimed at daily bottlenecks for about 90,000 drivers combined. Local Infrastructure: Hinds County is also moving forward on repaving Old Canton Road, with a $3.2 million grant backing sidewalks and drainage upgrades. Energy Bills, Schools: TVA’s School Uplift program is sending funds to cut energy costs at southeast schools, including $210,000 for Lewisburg Elementary. Civil Rights Memory: A new Mississippi Freedom Trail marker honors Benjamin Brown, killed during Jackson protests in 1967. AI Backlash: A fresh Gallup poll finds 70% of Americans oppose AI data centers near them, citing water and energy strain. Business Expansion: Gowan Milling completed an $8.7 million Blytheville expansion, projecting 34 new jobs over five years.