Important state and national news, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered fast.
In Mississippi
1. Former Biloxi City Councilman Deming Sentenced to Prison
According to WLOX, former Biloxi City Councilman Robert Deming III was sentenced to six years in a federal prison after pleading guilty to a federal drug offense.
“In May, Deming pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess narcotics with intent to resell as part of a settlement with prosecutors. After pleading guilty, he announced his resignation from the Biloxi City Council,” WLOX reported. “As part of the settlement in the case, Deming gave up a yellow Ford F-350 monster truck and over $1.9 million.”
WLOX added that officials said Deming will turn himself in to the Federal Bureau of Prisons if it asks him to do so. He will be required to serve three years of supervision after his release.
2. Ellisville, Soso flow into Mississippi Main Street
The city of Ellisville and the community of Soso are new associate members of the Mississippi Main Street Association, WDAM reports.
WDAM reported that in Ellisville, “the group is working with Jones College and the city of Ellisville to promote economic development,” while in Soso, Mayor Mike Moore said that “collaborations with other cities” can help develop the many businesses mushrooming in the area.
“Both communities will have access to resources and training, as well as connections to other cities in Mississippi,” notes WDAM.
National News & Foreign Policy
1. Walz agrees to debate with Vance
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, has agreed to a debate with U.S. Senator JD Vance, running mate of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
CBS News suggested dates and shared them on X, whereupon Walz reposted them, writing, “See you October 1st, JD.”
The Trump-Vance campaign has not yet officially agreed on a date or format, but Vance told FoxNews’ Laura Ingraham, “We will definitely debate Tim Walz.”
“We just found out about it three hours ago. So we’re going to talk to them and find out when we can debate,” Vance said.
2. Is Kennedy looking for a cabinet post?
As the Washington Post reports, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sought a meeting with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris last week to discuss the possibility of serving in her administration, perhaps as a Cabinet secretary, if he supports her campaign and she wins, according to Kennedy campaign officials.
“Kennedy’s outreach through intermediaries followed a meeting in Milwaukee last month between Kennedy and Republican candidate Donald Trump that discussed a similar policy role and support but failed to reach an agreement,” WP reported. “In those talks, Kennedy spoke of advising Trump on health and medical issues in a second term.”
WP adds that people familiar with the conversations with Harris’ campaign say the vice president and her advisers “have neither responded with an offer to meet nor expressed interest in the proposal.”
Sports & Entertainment
1. Dart on the Johnny Unitas watch list
Jaxson Dart, a quarterback last year at Ole Miss football, was named to the preseason watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation announced Wednesday.
According to Ole Miss Athletics, Dart is one of 63 signal-callers nationwide and one of 11 in the SEC on the waiting list for the Unitas Golden Arm Award, given annually to the best senior or upper-class quarterback graduating from his class.
Dart – already on the candidate lists for the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and Davey O’Brien Award – led Ole Miss to its first 11-win season in program history in 2023. He finished the season 233 of 358 (65.1 percent) for 3,364 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions (also the fewest in Ole Miss history with at least 200 attempts in a single season).
Mississippi State Athletics celebrates the school’s 125th anniversary of college football.
“Over the course of the coming year, MSU will recognize the players, teams and moments that have shaped the course of Bulldogs football history,” said Joel Coleman, senior writer for MSU Athletics. “State supporters will have the opportunity to actively participate in the festivities in a variety of ways. Fans are encouraged to submit personal photos that showcase their own exciting experiences with MSU football. From game-winning celebrations to tailgating party memories, all submissions are welcome and could appear in content during the 2024 season.”
Bulldogs fans can also help determine the greatest moment in state football of all time. A single moment will be chosen from a list of some of the best wins and most iconic events, while fans nominate, vote for and ultimately elect the greatest moment since the program’s inception. Click here to submit your favorite moment for consideration.
Markets & Business
1. Mortgage rates are falling, but home ownership remains out of reach for many
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, mortgage rates are at their lowest level in over a year. But much more is needed for millions of Americans to be able to afford a home.
“Despite the recent decline, mortgage rates are unlikely to return anywhere close to the levels they were at before the Fed began raising rates in early 2022. They may not move enough to make much of a difference anytime soon, leaving homebuyers grappling with record home prices, limited supply and renewed recession fears,” the WSJ reported.
As the WSJ notes, “The average interest rate on a standard 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell below 6.5% last week, its sharpest decline of the year. That was more than a percentage point lower than its peak last year of nearly 8%.”
2. Biden administration announces negotiated drug price reductions
The Biden administration has released prices for the first 10 prescription drugs that were the subject of groundbreaking negotiations between drugmakers and Medicare, CNBC reports.
“The government estimates that the renegotiated drug prices will result in net savings of about $6 billion for the Medicare program in 2026 alone, when they officially take effect. That is based on the estimated savings the prices would have brought when they take effect in 2023, senior administration officials told reporters on Wednesday,” CNBC reported. “The Biden administration also expects the new prices to save Medicare beneficiaries $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 alone.”
CNBC has published the following list of price information:
- Eliquis, manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb – $231.00 negotiated price, $521 list price
- Jardiance, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly – $197.00 negotiated price, $573.00 list price
- Xarelto, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson – $197.00 negotiated price, $517.00 list price
- Januvia, manufactured by Merck – $113.00 negotiated price, $527.00 list price
- Farxiga, manufactured by AstraZeneca – $178.50 negotiated price, $556.00 list price
- Entresto, manufactured by Novartis – $295.00 negotiated price, $628.00 list price
- Enbrel, manufactured by Amgen – $2,355.00 negotiated price, $7,106.00 list price
- Imbruvica, manufactured by AbbVie and J&J – $9,319.00 negotiated price, $14,934.00 list price
- Stelara, manufactured by Janssen – $4,695.00 negotiated price, $13,836.00 list price
- Fiasp and NovoLog, manufactured by Novo Nordisk – $119.00 negotiated price, $495.00 list price
— Courtesy of the Magnolia Tribune Editors —
