Magnolia Mornings: August 27, 2026

Magnolia Mornings: August 27, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: August 27, 2026.

Key points

• Culture Eddie Pells, Associated Press, Eric Olson, Associated Press August 26, 2026.
• The two-and-a-half-year project will include two 45-day periods where traffic along I-20 will be closed during the summers of 2027 and 2028.
• Mississippi Valley State opens the 2026 season against Nicholls on Thursday, August 27.
• Judge Robert Thompson ruled against House Bill 2100 – signed into law by Maryland Gov.
• The tax was put in place more than 40 years ago specifically to backing the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, additionally known as Visit Jackson.

Magnolia Mornings: August 27, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: August 27, 2026. By: Magnolia Tribune – August 27, 2026.

Significant state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion to start your day informed. Jackson raising dining, lodging tax.

WJTV reports that "dining and lodging costs could soon go up in Jackson after city council members unanimously approved a resolution to raise the city's tourism and convention tax."

"The tax was put in place more than 40 years ago specifically to backing the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, additionally known as Visit Jackson. It was established in 1983. According to Visit Jackson authorities, the tax hasn't gone up since then, " WJTV noted. "The Jackson City Council's unanimous vote on Tuesday would add an extra sales tax to restaurants and hotels in the capital city. While the hotel tax would rise by one percent.", under the proposal, the restaurant tax would growth by a half percent.

"You just spent $20 on a meal, " Rickey Thigpen, president and CEO of Visit Jackson, remarked, per WJTV. "Instead of your tax on your bill being $2.10, now, it's going to be $2.30. Wow. What an investment. And if you stay in a hotel and your hotel bill is $200, instead of being $202, it's going to be $204." National News & Foreign Policy. 1. Social Security cliff is here.

As documented by Politico, "A sudden cut to Social Security checks – long seen as a far-off doomsday – is now an imminent problem for the next president and whomever voters send to Congress in the coming years."

"The trust fund that bankrolls monthly checks to retirees is due to be drained of reserves in late 2032. As well as children and widowed spouses who obtain survivor benefits after the death of a family member, would see their monthly payments shrink by more than 20 percent – or an average of regarding $500 a month – unless Congress and the president act, " Politico noted, that means tens of millions of Americans age 62 and older. "Capitol Hill saw a noticeable surge this summer in the sense of urgency to enact a fix, and alliances have began forming between prominent Republicans and Democrats rallying for a solution. But President Donald Trump and congressional leaders have yet to join the calls to action or back any of the numerous bipartisan bills aimed at preventing benefit cuts."

"This train wreck is going to happen, " Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) remarked in an interview with Politico. "So as early as six years from now, we're going to have to have a plan. And of course, I'm a major believer that we need to agreement with it now, or we need to start the process of dealing with it now." 2. Judge block Democrat redistricting efforts in Maryland.

Notably, the Hill reports that "a Maryland judge Wednesday blocked an effort that would have proposed a constitutional amendment to redraw the state's congressional districts to residents, marking another setback for Democratic redistricting efforts."

"Judge Robert Thompson ruled against House Bill 2100 – signed into law by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Aug. 5 – calling the wording in parts of the proposed ballot question 'intentionally misleading, and this should disqualify the ballot question as at present written, '" The Hill noted.

"The court has no choice but to enjoin the board of elections from including ballot Question 3 on the general election ballot for November 3, 2026, " Thompson wrote.

"H.B. 2100 would have asked voters in the Old Line State regarding a proposed constitutional amendment that 'clarifies. Standards' around congressional redistricting, " The Hill went on. "The bill would require each congressional legislative district to be 'given to natural boundaries and the boundaries of political subdivisions.'".

1. Ole Miss' Cunningham, Miss. State Womack named to Freshman of the Year watchlist.

Notably, the Maxwell Football Club confirmed their preseason watch list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award on Wednesday, naming Ole Miss wide receiver Caleb Cunningham and Mississippi State safety Bralan Womack to the 37-member list.

One of the nation's top recruits coming out of high school, Cunningham came to Ole Miss as a five-star prospect according to 247Sports and On3 industry rankings. He was ranked as the No. 21 overall recruit in his class and No. 2 wide receiver in the nation by ESPN, and was the top player coming out of Mississippi according to ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports. Cunningham saw action in three games during 2025 with Ole Miss, grabbing one reception for 19 yards.

Womack, a standout true freshman from Brandon, Mississippi, enters his rookie campaign with the Bulldogs after a stellar prep career at Hartfield Academy, where he was rated as a five-star prospect by the 247Sports composite rankings and earned Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Known for exceptional ball skills and defensive playmaking, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound safety looks to be a contributor in the Bulldogs' secondary this fall. 2. Valley kicks off 2026 season with matchup tonight against Nicholls.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. In Thibodaux, Louisiana, with the game available nationally on ESPN+.

Nicholls participated in the first game played in the United States last year in the Week 0 win over UIW, and the Colonels will once again obtain college football underway as one of the first games to be played on opening day.

Valley went 2-10 last season while Nicholls wasn't much better at 4-8.

It is Valley Head Coach Terrell Buckley's second season leading the Delta Devils. 1. Fed chairman Warsh in spotlight as inflation remains high.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports that "Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh faces his biggest audience this week with one question above all hanging over him: Is inflation high because of one-off shocks such as tariffs and a war, or because the economy is simply running too hot?"

"The question determines whether interest rates will go up. It's additionally splitting Warsh's colleagues. Three authorities voted last month to raise rates, and others have signaled they are open to joining them. Warsh hasn't remarked where he comes out, part of a new policy of communicating less, " WSJ noted. "When Warsh speaks Friday at the Kansas City Fed's annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyo., investors will be listening for an account of how Warsh reads this economy and what would create him move. So will plenty of of his colleagues in attendance."

WSJ continued, "Softer cost data for the past two months have, for now, eased the pressure to raise rates at the Fed's next gathering in September. But they haven't resolved whether interest rates are restrictive enough to keep inflation headed lower, especially with the Iran war, new tariffs and the AI build-out threatening sustained upward pressure on rates." 2. Nvidia earnings boost Nasdaq futures.

According to CNBC, "Nasdaq-100 futures were higher Thursday as the latest earnings reports from Nvidia and other well-known technology companies boosted sentiment."

"Futures tied to the tech heavy index rose 1%. S&P 500 futures advanced 0.4%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were marginally lower, " CNBC documented. After it beat analyst expectations and forecast solid revenue expansion, "Nvidia shares jumped 7% in premarket trading on Thursday. Notably, the chipmaker's fiscal second-quarter revenue more than doubled and surpassed forecasts by its largest amount in two years."

CNBC observed, "Nvidia stands to break its recent pattern of seeing stock declines despite posting stronger-than-anticipated reports." Concerning the Author(s). This article was produced by Magnolia Tribune staff. News Jeremy Pittari August 26, 2026.

MDOT announces "The Big Fix, " a multi-year project in the Jackson metro area.

Notably, the two-and-a-half-year project will include two 45-day periods where traffic along I-20 will be closed during the summers of 2027 and 2028. More From This Author. News Magnolia Tribune August 26, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: August 26, 2026. News Magnolia Tribune August 25, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: August 25, 2026. News Magnolia Tribune August 24, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: August 24, 2026. News Jeremy Pittari August 26, 2026.

Miss. Dept. Of Education to hold statewide meetings to support parents boost literacy in K-3 children. Culture Kristin M. Hall, Associated Press August 25, 2026.

Dolly Parton, music star, actor and beloved figure who spanned generations, dies at 80.

Born in Tennessee, she rose from humble beginnings to become a country music icon. News Jeremy Pittari August 25, 2026.

Mississippi foster home focused on hard to place youth receives $3.4 million renovation grant.

Notably, the funding is being provided by the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act Coronavirus Relief program. News Frank Corder, Jeremy Pittari August 26, 2026.

Mississippi to receive almost $200 million over 10 years in "landmark" settlement with Meta. News Paul Wiseman, Associated Press August 26, 2026.

U.S. Economy expanded at sluggish 1.5% pace in second quarter, on par with earlier estimate. News Cass Rutledge August 26, 2026.

Johnson, Baucom hope to unseat heavily favored incumbent Kelly in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District. Business Cass Rutledge August 20, 2026. Solero Technologies announces $14 million expansion in Water Valley. Business Frank Corder August 18, 2026. New Director coming to Port Pascagoula. Business Frank Corder August 18, 2026. Marathon Cheese expanding in Booneville, creating 39 jobs. Culture Alistair Begg August 27, 2026.

SEC joins Major Ten in banning pros from returning to college, including basketball players. Culture Susan Marquez August 26, 2026. 'Hamilton' sensation Leslie Odom Jr. To open MSU's Lyceum Series. Opinion Sid Salter August 26, 2026.

Supreme Court to rule on 2020 Census results that negatively impacted Mississippians. Opinion Roger Wicker August 21, 2026. Amtrak's Mardi Gras line boosts jobs, tourism. Opinion Sid Salter August 19, 2026.

Taken together, the developments around magnolia Mornings: August 27, 2026 point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.