Magnolia Mornings: October 28, 2026

Magnolia Mornings: October 28, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: October 28, 2026.

Key points

• The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) published the new classifications on Monday for the 2027-2029 school years.
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon has appointed Ocean Springs High School Principal Jacob Dykes to the National Assessment Governing Board.
• While U.S, International benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.7% to $114.68 per barrel.
• It will involve a 50, 000-square-foot, weather-protected transit warehouse strategically located between the barge slip and the Port Bienville Railroad.
• Quarterback Kamario Taylor will miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to a foot injury that requires surgery.

Magnolia Mornings: October 28, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: October 28, 2026. By: Magnolia Tribune – October 28, 2026.

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

1. Ocean Springs principal appointed by Education Secretary to National Assessment Governing Board.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has appointed Ocean Springs High School Principal Jacob Dykes to the National Assessment Governing Board. It sets policies for the Nation's Report Card.

Dykes is a principal at a Mississippi gulf coast high school. It has earned recognition for achievement, student opportunities, and athletics. He additionally has served on the Mississippi Department of Education Accountability Task Force and as an elementary school principal and science teacher, bringing deep experience to his role on the 26-member Governing Board.

Meanwhile, the Board determines which grades and subjects to assess on the Nation's Report Card, additionally known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress or NAEP; what content to include; how achievement levels should be set; and ways to produce the Nation's Report Card results meaningful and relevant to the public. 2. Port Bienville receives $6 million grant.

Port Bienville in Hancock County has been awarded $6 million to construct an intermodal facility.

Meanwhile, the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant funding will allow the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission to move forward with the construction of its Site 4 Intermodal Facility Project. It will involve a 50, 000-square-foot, weather-protected transit warehouse strategically located between the barge slip and the Port Bienville Railroad.

"This amounts to a game-changing investment to improve the efficiency and capacity of Port Bienville by creating a secure intermodal buffer facility to eliminate a longstanding storage bottleneck. Once completed, it will allow for the immediate transfer of moisture-sensitive cargo between water and rail through a secure intermodal buffer facility, " remarked U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.

According to Hyde-Smith's office, the grant is being funded, in part, through a $103.3 million appropriation for discretionary PIDP grants in the FY2026 T-HUD Appropriations Bill, which Hyde-Smith shaped as chair of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations Subcommittee. National News & Foreign Policy. 1. No clear winner as Israel continues counting votes.

According to the New York Times, "Israelis are bracing for what could be weeks of political gridlock after exit polls showed no clear winner in a national election that many have described as a make-or-break moment for the country."

"If neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-line alliance, nor a bloc of opposition parties led by Gadi Eisenkot, win enough seats to form a government, both would need to find support from outside their blocs for backing as prime minister, " NYT documented. "By late Wednesday morning, election authorities had counted more than 60 percent of ballots. The exit polls – which have a spotty record in Israel – suggested that scenario was probable to play out. Some of Mr. Netanyahu's allies are floating the idea that he could join Mr. Eisenkot and other centrists to form a broad unity administration. For Mr. As long as he remained on top.", netanyahu, who remains as a caretaker prime minister until a administration is formed, that would be a comfortable scenario.

NYT observed, "Turnout in Tuesday's election, widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right administration, was the highest in at least a quarter-century. It was the first election since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks ignited three years of war." 2. Cruz to Supreme Court?

For context, the Hill reports that "President Trump joked Tuesday that Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) would be his pick for the next Supreme Court vacancy, saying the senator could obtain unanimously confirmed as lawmakers in both parties would jump at the chance to obtain rid of him in Congress."

"During a midterm rally in Lubbock, Texas, the president praised Cruz as a 'brilliant lawyer' before suggesting he had found a way around the often-contentious Supreme Court confirmation process, " The Hill documented.

"I picked three Supreme Court justices, and it's very hard to get them approved, " Trump remarked, referring to his appointments of Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. "I said, 'Look, I have an answer to it.' Ted is a brilliant guy, brilliant lawyer, brilliant all that, " he remarked.

Trump continued, "Went to law school, top student, everything, top credentials. I remarked, 'I have an answer to not being able to secure it past the Democrats or the Republicans together.' I would pick Ted Cruz to be the next Supreme Court justice."

Meanwhile, the Hill continued that "Trump predicted that in an unusual move, Democrats would '100 percent' support the nomination because 'they hate the guy and they want to get rid of him.'". 1. Taylor out for rest of season.

Mississippi State confirmed Tuesday that quarterback Kamario Taylor will not return this season due to injury.

"Quarterback Kamario Taylor will miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to a foot injury that requires surgery. He is projected to produce a full recovery and return to 100 percent, " MSU Athletics noted. "Kamario is one of the most dynamic players in college football, and he will remain an significant part of our team as he begins his recovery. Thank you, Bulldog Family, for your continued backing of Kamario and his family."

Taylor additionally issued a statement saying, "Missing the rest of this season is hard to accept, but I know God has a plan."

"There's a lot of football left, and I'm all in with my guys, " Taylor remarked. "Starkville is home, and I can't wait to be back playing the game I love." 2. Southern Miss to renovate Pete Taylor Park.

Southern Miss Athletics confirmed Tuesday its vision for a transformational renovation of Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field, launching the public fundraising phase of an initiative designed to preserve the tradition of one of college baseball's most distinctive venues while positioning the home of Golden Eagle Baseball for the future.

Notably, the initiative, "Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow, " outlines a comprehensive vision for the future of Pete Taylor Park that includes significant enhancements to the fan experience, premium seating and hospitality, baseball operations and ballpark amenities. The ballpark was originally constructed in 1984.

Notably, the announcement additionally marks the beginning of a fundraising effort to assist bring the proposed improvements to life. Southern Miss Athletics will engage alumni, fans, and donors through philanthropic giving, naming opportunities and other investment opportunities tied to the project. 3. MHSAA announces new classifications.

For context, the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) published the new classifications on Monday for the 2027-2029 school years.

MHSAA reclassifies every two years, placing schools in 1A through 7A based on student population.

5A, 6A and 7A consist of 24 schools each, with 7A being the largest classification. 2A, 3A and 4A have 40 schools each while 1A has 48 schools.

Tupelo is the largest school and Mississippi School for the Blind is the smallest. MHSAA will determine new districts shortly. 1. Oil jumps after attack on Saudi Arabia's largest refinery.

CNBC reports that "Oil prices climbed Wednesday as investors weighed the prospect of a prolonged and widening Middle East conflict after Tehran-backed Houthis attacked Saudi Arabia's largest refinery."

While U.S, "International benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.7% to $114.68 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 1.42%, to $101.32 per barrel, " CNBC documented. "The Houthis said on Tuesday they had attacked Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura refinery with a ballistic missile, raising worries of an escalation in the regional conflict."

CNBC further documented, "Trump, meanwhile, said that the war with Iran would end on his terms, while insisting that Tehran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons." 2. Trump ending Biden-era methane rule that cost energy producers billions.

FoxBusiness reports that "President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration is ending a Biden-era rule aimed at reducing methane emissions from oil and gas drilling."

"The president confirmed the move during a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, in backing of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton, saying it would save consumers and energy producers $45 billion and unlock 210 million barrels of oil, " FoxBusiness documented.

"Tonight, I'm officially terminating Biden's expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs, unlock vast quantities of Texas natural gas and produce 210 million barrels of oil, " Trump remarked.

FoxBusiness continued, "The rollback comes as Trump pushes to growth domestic energy production against the backdrop of high fuel rates and the U.S. War with Iran. Methane is the main component of natural gas and a major source of greenhouse gas emissions." Regarding the Author(s). This article was produced by Magnolia Tribune staff. News Cass Rutledge October 27, 2026. Trump rallies backing for Hyde-Smith, Republicans ahead of November 3 election.

"I'm here today in Mississippi for a very special reason – to stop a Marxist, radical left, Soros district attorney from being elected to the United States Senate, " President Donald Trump remarked Monday evening in Corinth. More From This Author. News Magnolia Tribune October 27, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: October 27, 2026. News Magnolia Tribune October 22, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: October 22, 2026. News Magnolia Tribune October 21, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: October 21, 2026. Elections Frank Corder October 27, 2026.

Pinkins pressed to drop out of Mississippi's U.S. Senate race. The Independent notes he won't withdraw. News Cass Rutledge October 27, 2026.

Fifth Circuit allows Mississippi's anti-DEI to take effect, calling Wingate's injunction sloppy and an embarrassment.

Judge Smith, in the Fifth Circuit majority opinion, called Wingate's proceedings a "botch job, " saying that he "carelessly exercised his Article III power by issuing sloppy edicts based on falsehoods and fabrications." News Jeremy Pittari October 27, 2026. Mississippi parents advised to protect children from lead exposure.

In short, magnolia Mornings: October 28, 2026 is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.