Magnolia Mornings: September 9, 2026

Magnolia Mornings: September 9, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 9, 2026.

Key points

• The case was investigated by the Mississippi Attorney General's Office and the Mississippi Division of Medicaid Program Integrity, and prosecuted by the Mississippi Attorney General's Office.
• In 2023 and 2024, Smith, former owner of KLS Medical Services, LLC in DeSoto County, knowingly submitted false claims for Medicaid services that she did not provide.
• Mississippi Valley State continued its early-season road stretch Saturday evening, falling to 0-2 on the season after losing 52-0 to Sacramento State at Hornet Stadium.
• Madison County Circuit Court Judge Steve Ratcliff sentenced Smith to five years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC).
• Mississippi Valley State will look to regroup as it prepares for the 2026 Chicago Football Classic.

Magnolia Mornings: September 9, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 9, 2026. By: Magnolia Tribune – September 9, 2026.

Significant state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion to start your day informed. 1. Sentencing handed down in $3M healthcare fraud scheme.

Attorney General Lynn Fitch confirmed Tuesday the sentencing of Katricia Smith for one count of wire fraud.

Madison County Circuit Court Judge Steve Ratcliff sentenced Smith to five years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). She was ordered to pay full restitution in the amount of $3, 190, 017.93 to the Mississippi Division of Medicaid.

Meanwhile, the case was investigated by the Mississippi Attorney General's Office and the Mississippi Division of Medicaid Program Integrity, and prosecuted by the Mississippi Attorney General's Office. 2. $120M Madison County conference center project receives approval.

Madison County has given final approval for the Madison County Conference Center, a project that is more than two decades in the making.

For context, the conference center will be paired with a privately financed 250-room Dolce by Wyndham hotel at Prado Vista.

Madison County leaders say that 50, 000-square-foot Madison County Conference Center will be the first dedicated conference center of its kind in the county and will accommodate up to 1, 800 attendees.

For context, the public-private structure of the project directs approximately $18.9 million, essentially 100% of the project's tourism rebate proceeds, back to Madison County to accelerate repayment of conference-center construction debt.

Notably, the combined investment totals approximately $120 million, with the conference center financed through an urban-renewal bond structure and the Dolce hotel financed privately by PraCon. National News & Foreign Policy. 1. 'Trumpapalooza' to kick off in Dallas today.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Republican Party will throw a two-day, Trump-centered pep rally in Dallas to kick off the peak campaign season, reports the Washington Post.

"'Trumpapalooza, ' as the Republican National Committee chairman calls it, will put the party's chief communicator and his administration's record at the center of the party's case as he fights an unpopular war, presides over an uneven economy and faces historical headwinds to preserving a GOP majority, " WP documented. "Originally projected as the event's grand finale, Trump is now scheduled to headline the first night and speak again on Thursday. An official involved in the planning remarked Trump wanted to 'set the tone.' Vice President JD Vance will anchor the second night, burnishing his image as the heir apparent. The other most buzzed-about potential successor, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is not scheduled to speak."

WP continued, "Democrats, the president and his advisers reasoned, would try to turn the midterms into a referendum on Trump with or without his support. Trump has informed his supporters to vote as though he were on the ballot, and party strategists recognize they need him to deliver base voters who might otherwise sit out a nonpresidential election." 2. Trump hands out $45K gifts to West Wing employees.

For context, the New York Times reports that "President Trump provided a 'cash gift for the holidays' to three White House aides last year, handing out $45, 000 each to his executive assistant Natalie Harp and two other employees who work in the West Wing, according to financial disclosure forms."

"The women are among Mr. Trump's closest aides. Besides Ms. Harp, the funds went to Margo Martin, his communications adviser; and Chamberlain Harris, the deputy director of Oval Office operations, " NYT noted. "In an official note posted on social media, the White House remarked Mr. Trump has a 'longstanding practice of giving Christmas gifts to individuals in his orbit. The gifts at matter here have nothing to do with any of these individuals' official administration duties, and, therefore, are entirely permissible under relevant legal and ethical standards.'".

NYT observed, "Administration employees are generally prohibited from accepting outside salaries. The women's salaries are $150, 000 a year, according to the disclosures." 1. Week 3 for Mississippi JUCOS.

Mississippi's community colleges enter Week 3 of the football season with key games on tap for Thursday night. Here is a roundup of this week's games. 2. Valley falls to 0-2.

Notably, the Delta Devils produced 104 yards on the ground and forced two Sacramento State turnovers, but the Hornets capitalized on favorable field position and a number of explosive plays to take control of the contest.

Mississippi Valley State will look to regroup as it prepares for the 2026 Chicago Football Classic. The Delta Devils will face Lincoln University (Pa.) on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m. Inside Soldier Field in Chicago. 1. Data center tax breaks being revisited in some states.

Some state lawmakers around the U.S. That approved incentives for data centers now "want to repeal the sales-tax exemption and renegotiate past deals with companies such as Amazon.com, Meta Platforms and Alphabet's Google that secured exemptions for decades by signing contracts with the state, " reports the Wall Street Journal.

As legislators or governors in more than 10 states, including Illinois, New Jersey and Washington, have slammed the brakes on the tax breaks, "A similar dynamic is playing out nationwide. The reversals underscore how state leaders who once welcomed the facilities powering the AI boom as an economic engine suddenly treat them like a political liability, " WSJ reported, adding, "In a number of states, the exemptions for tech giants have exceeded $1 billion annually."

"They seem to have more money than God and they're able to build without the need for these types of incentives, " remarked Ohio Democratic Rep. Tristan Rader, who is proposing new data-center taxes and requirements that developers pay more for power and electrical infrastructure, per WSJ. 2. Oil tops $100 a barrel for first time since July.

CNBC reports that "stock futures traded lower on Wednesday after a losing day in the previous session, as oil prices continue their ascent."

"Oil rates rose as escalating tensions between the U.S. And Iran fuel worries over further disruptions to Middle East energy supplies. Futures for Brent crude, the international benchmark, continued more than 2% to break $100 a barrel for the first time since July, " CNBC noted. "Oil's rise follows a session advance in crude that put downward pressure on the three major averages in their first session of a holiday-shortened trading week. The stock market was dark on Monday in observance of the Labor Day holiday."

CNBC further documented, "The Dow dropped 1.2% on Tuesday, marking its worst day in almost three weeks. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite slid 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively." Regarding the Author(s). This article was produced by Magnolia Tribune staff. News Cass Rutledge September 8, 2026.

Fifth Circuit upholds dismissal of lawsuit against Jackson over lead contamination allegations.

"The Constitution does not provide redress for every governmental wrongdoing. Rather, the remedy for Plaintiffs' injuries lies in pursuing tort claims, electing representatives who will better manage the public-water system, and petitioning their representatives for other remedies, " the majority opinion stated. More From This Author. News Magnolia Tribune September 8, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 8, 2026. News Magnolia Tribune September 4, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 4, 2026. News Magnolia Tribune September 3, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 3, 2026. News Jeremy Pittari September 8, 2026. IHL conference intends to overcome challenges, foster expansion in Mississippi.

DC Matthew Daly, Associated Press September 4, 2026.

EPA seeks more public comments as it struggles to devise water rule that limits scope on wetlands.

For context, the request comes almost a year after the agency proposed a rule in November defining "waters of the United States, " based on a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that removed federal protections for vast areas. News Jeremy Pittari September 4, 2026.

MDA, HUD update covenants for recipients of Hurricane Katrina Homeowner Assistance Program.

Meanwhile, the changes are projected to produce real estate transactions less cumbersome for affected property owners. News Eddie Pells, Associated Press September 8, 2026.

Southeastern Conference leaders to discuss kicking LSU out of league over player eligibility dispute. News Jeremy Pittari September 8, 2026.

Insurance Commissioner announces AI assistant "Janie" to support public when filing complaints. News Frank Corder September 8, 2026.

Hopson won't seek re-election to state Senate or run for Attorney General. Business Frank Corder September 3, 2026. Mississippi middle of the pack in State Tax Competitiveness Index. Business Frank Corder September 2, 2026. Gulf Ship investing $44 million to expand Gulfport shipyard. Business Frank Corder August 28, 2026. Ocean Aero creating 45 jobs with $4 million expansion in Gulfport. Culture Alistair Begg September 9, 2026. Culture Meredith Biesinger September 8, 2026. Elvis '56 Returns: Tupelo celebrates a historic homecoming. Culture Alistair Begg September 8, 2026. The Lord be with you.

Opinion Sid Salter September 9, 2026. Adam Telle's appointment makes Mississippi's robust defense influence even stronger. Opinion Lesley Davis September 8, 2026. The socialist takeover isn't so quiet anymore. Opinion Roger Wicker September 8, 2026. U.S. Must remain vigilant.

For now, magnolia Mornings: September 9, 2026 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.