AGP Executive Report

Iran Talks & Strait of Hormuz: U.S. forces carried out fresh defensive strikes after shooting down four Iranian one-way drones and hitting a ground control station near Bandar Abbas, as President Trump pushes that Iran is “negotiating on fumes” and says midterms won’t change his approach—while the Strait of Hormuz remains a pressure point for global energy prices. Mississippi Federal Work: Greenville’s new federal courthouse is nearing completion, with federal operations still running out of the current Main Street site as officials await an opening date. Sports Betting Rules: A bipartisan coalition of 41 state attorneys general, led by Ohio AG Dave Yost, urged the CFTC to keep sports-related prediction markets under state gambling jurisdiction, arguing they function like sportsbooks. College Sports Overhaul: Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell are advancing a bipartisan “Protect College Sports Act” aimed at stabilizing NIL and transfers, including a “Lane Kiffin Rule.” Mississippi Defense Tech: The Pentagon is seeking to build a drone testing ground in Mississippi at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, expanding an “Autonomous Warfare Proving Ground.” Local Health & Community: UMMC AirCare plans to expand its fleet with a fixed-wing aircraft and hire 10 more medical staff, while Mississippi Lottery says a Memorial Day night Match 5 ticket in Pontotoc won $750,000. Agriculture & Workforce: Delta State celebrated 10 graduates from its Agricultural Aviation Operations Career Pathway program, training the next wave of ag aviation professionals.

Navy & Food Services: The U.S. Navy is rolling out a shore food service transformation pilot at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport starting May 29, adding rotating ethnic food stations and expanding how sailors can use meal entitlements at nearby restaurants. Aviation Safety: Two Navy T-45C aviators ejected safely before their jet crashed on private farmland in Mississippi; the cause is under investigation. Mississippi Delta Manufacturing: Rosedale Distilling Company is opening in the Delta with a $17 million investment to redevelop historic buildings and create 57 jobs, targeting bourbon and rye for national markets. Workforce & Training: Delta Technical College announced 2026 high school scholarship winners, awarding $354,800 to 122 students across the Mid-South for skilled-trades pathways. Local Business Growth: Dutch Bros Coffee is coming to Pearl, with its first Mississippi location slated to open this summer. Logistics & Ports: A “pitch and catch” Army logistics exercise at the Port of Gulfport is demonstrating rapid ship-to-shore handoffs for large-scale equipment movement. Transportation Disruption: A Kit Kat bar trailer overturned in Brandon, Mississippi, closing a highway on-ramp; no injuries reported.

AI Power & Pollution Fight: NAACP says Elon Musk’s xAI built and ramped up a gas-burning power plant in Southaven, Mississippi, without community input, as turbines reportedly grew from 27 to at least 46; the group is in federal court seeking an injunction, warning of major health costs for nearby Black neighborhoods. Energy Policy Clash: Georgia AG Chris Carr urges the U.S. Supreme Court to toss a Boulder County climate lawsuit, arguing one city can’t set national energy policy. Grid & Industry Watch: U.S. energy storage hit a record start to 2026 with 9.7 GWh added in Q1, while the UP–Norfolk Southern rail mega-merger faces another regulatory hurdle. Mississippi Local Notes: Delta State University is renovating Ward Hall with a $10M plan; Mississippi’s grocery affordability is also getting attention in a new national ranking. Food & Travel: Memorial Day gas prices remain elevated in many states, with AAA projecting record travel.

Supreme Court Energy Clash: Georgia AG Chris Carr urged the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a Boulder County lawsuit that would let one local government effectively set national energy policy through “global climate change” claims—arguing it’s unconstitutional and would raise costs and threaten jobs. Voting Rights Update (Alabama): A federal three-judge panel temporarily blocked Alabama from eliminating a second Black-opportunity congressional district, keeping the 2024 map in place for now while the legal fight continues. Online Child Safety Probe: Connecticut AG William Tong announced a multistate investigation into Roblox after reports of child exploitation, saying the inquiry will focus on what the company knew and what it did to protect kids. Mississippi Spotlight: A Pontotoc ticket won the $750,000 Mississippi Match 5 jackpot, and the next drawing resets to about $50,000. Local Infrastructure Concern: Jackson residents are pushing back on a Pearl River widening/dam proposal, warning it could be costly and environmentally harmful.

Port & River Logistics: Guntersville Marine says its office expansion is nearly done, while boaters on the Mississippi are bracing for delays after the Army Corps won’t open the auxiliary lock at Lock and Dam 14 for weekends, pushing recreational traffic behind barge priority. Road & Construction Impacts: Greene County’s $12M bridge bond is underway, with Old Highway 24 over Little Creek closed for weeks and Old Avera Road at Four Mile Creek also replaced—detours are longer than some residents expected. Sports Spotlight: Mississippi State’s softball is headed to the WCWS after a historic run, and ESPN will carry the full event from Oklahoma City; on the men’s side, Auburn earned the No. 4 NCAA baseball seed. Energy & Prices: Diesel remains volatile, with Mississippi’s statewide average around $5.05 for the week ending May 16, and local lows reported in multiple counties. Politics & Security: Trump says an Iran framework is “largely negotiated,” but Republicans like Sen. Roger Wicker are pushing for a tougher finish. Education: New state dyslexia laws show mixed results, with reading gains not consistently following policy changes.

Iran Diplomacy Fallout: President Trump says an Iran peace framework is “largely negotiated,” but criticism is already spreading inside his own party—Sen. Roger Wicker warns any deal that leaves Iran room to regroup could undo U.S. gains, while other Republicans and Democrats question whether the talks are moving fast enough or far enough. Mississippi Weather Watch: A flood watch stays up through Monday evening for parts of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi as storms can dump quick-hit downpours and worsen drainage problems. Energy & Grid Demand: Mississippi Southern District PSC Commissioner Wayne Carr says rising electricity needs—from data centers, EVs, and growth—will require a diverse generation mix, with nuclear options still years out. River & Freight Pressure: Low Mississippi River water is raising shipping costs for farmers as barge operators cut loads to avoid shallow spots. Local Business & Community: Jackson’s Fondren venues (The Pearl, Capri Theater, Fondren Yard) close May 24-28 for new food management, reopening May 30. Sports Spotlight: Mississippi State softball is headed to its first-ever WCWS after shutting out Oklahoma 6-0 in Game 3. Diesel Prices: Forrest County diesel hit $4.79 at the low end for the week ending May 16, with Mississippi’s diesel average at $5.05.

Fondren Food Reset: Jackson’s Fondren Business District is closing The Pearl, The Capri Theater, and Fondren Yard May 24-28 as new food manager Joe Cravens (Walker’s Drive-In) takes over, with menus revamped and venues reopening May 29-30. Energy & Power: Entergy CEO Drew Marsh says nuclear—whether big reactors or small modular options—could be part of Arkansas’ energy future as demand surges. Business Aviation: New FBO and terminal upgrades are rolling out for private aviation, including SkyShare’s planned hangar expansion near Salt Lake City and NetJets’ exclusive-use terminal at Augusta. PFAS Legal Pressure: Minnesota is suing 3M again over PFAS pollution tied to its Cottage Grove facility, arguing harm to water and health. AI, Air, and Accountability: The NAACP is suing Elon Musk’s xAI over gas turbines powering a Memphis-area data center, saying nearby Black communities face added pollution risk. Gas Prices Hit Everyone: Average U.S. gas clears $4 nationwide, with analysts warning summer could push toward $5 if Strait of Hormuz disruptions persist.

Markets & Energy Security: S&P 500 perpetual futures jumped to a record high as investors weighed a potential U.S.-Iran ceasefire extension, even as Trump said the U.S. won’t “rush into a deal” and the Strait of Hormuz plan remains under negotiation. Immigration Detention Scrutiny: A federal audit is targeting DHS’s ICE warehouse purchases tied to Kristi Noem’s detention overhaul after reports they were bought above market value. Mississippi Policy Watch: Gov. Tate Reeves says Mississippi will redraw district lines, citing “one man, one vote” and communities of interest, and he renewed calls to reshape the 2nd Congressional District. Workforce Safety: A new state-by-state fatality map shows Wyoming’s workplace death rate far higher than the national average, with risk concentrated in resource-heavy industries. Local Mississippi Business: Clinton’s College Street sidewalk project is headed to bids, with construction likely starting in late summer. Food Safety: Whole Foods recalled minestrone soup in 17 states, including Mississippi, over undeclared shrimp allergens.

Workplace Safety Watch: Wyoming topped the nation in 2024 with 13.9 worker deaths per 100,000—about 13 times Rhode Island’s 1.1—highlighting how risk clusters in oil, mining, trucking, agriculture, and other resource-heavy work. Gulf Coast Business: Prime Dumpster expanded porta-potty and portable sanitation services in Biloxi, aiming to match demand from construction, casinos, military installations, and year-round events. Memorial Day Fuel Pressure: AAA says Memorial Day travel is set to hit record levels even as gas sits near four-year highs, with prices tied to global oil shocks and Strait of Hormuz uncertainty. Mississippi Spotlight: FAA approved over $20M for safety upgrades at 24 Mississippi airfields, including Brookhaven-Lincoln County Airport. Local Economy Hit: Ninth Street construction in Lawrence has already forced two restaurants to close and is cutting sales for others. Food Safety: Whole Foods recalled minestrone soup in 17 states (including Mississippi) due to undeclared shrimp.

Food Safety Recall: Whole Foods has recalled its 24-ounce Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup in 17 states plus Washington, D.C., after undeclared shrimp was found in a cup; lot code 1762181 and use-by May 27, 2026 are affected, and no illnesses have been reported. Mississippi Spotlight: “Broccoli Guy” (Jim Stewart Allen) is turning into a Mississippi State softball good-luck ritual, showing up with broccoli pom-poms at postseason games, including the May 22 super regional win over Oklahoma. Road Risk Watch: A new report ranks Montana as the most dangerous for Gen Z drivers, with Mississippi among states facing broader youth-crash concerns. Fuel Watch: Diesel prices are easing in parts of Mississippi—Coahoma County’s low hit $5.14 (week ending May 16), while Jackson County’s low was $4.57. Workplace Safety Map: A new nationwide look at 2024 workplace deaths shows Wyoming’s fatality rate far above the safest states, underscoring how risk clusters in certain industries.

Mississippi River Boating Disruption: The Army Corps says Lock and Dam 14’s secondary small-boat lock won’t run at all this summer, and Lock and Dam 15’s will be weekdays only, blaming staffing shortages and pushing recreational boaters to the main locks. Food Safety: Whole Foods shoppers in 17 states (including Mississippi) are being told to return Kettle Cuisine Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup after a recall over a possible undeclared shrimp allergen. Port Funding: Jefferson County’s Port Authority missed a $25M federal grant deadline but plans to reapply. Memorial Day Pressure: AAA expects record travel even as gas hits a four-year high nationally—Mississippi’s average is reported near $4.01. ATV Safety: Mississippi remains among the states with the highest ATV death rates; two fatal crashes in Hinds County are under investigation. Iran Tensions: Sen. Roger Wicker warns Trump is “ill advised” on Iran, while officials say talks show “some movement” but a “Plan B” remains.

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.