IHL conference aims to overcome challenges, foster growth in Mississippi

IHL conference intends to overcome. IHL conference intends to overcome challenges, foster expansion in Mississippi.

Key points

• District Judge Henry Wingate placed an indefinite injunction against HB 1193 last year.
• Rodgers II, vice president of community development research at Federal Reserve Bank of St.
• While the event is offered at no cost, registration is required and limited to the first 100 individuals.
• Former Ole Miss Chancellor Jones files amicus brief opposing Mississippi's anti-DEI law.
• State argues Fifth Circuit should remand Mississippi's anti-DEI law case to different judge.

Conference attendees will hear the findings from research focused on Mississippi's health, education, tax policies, and the state's human capital.

Research conducted throughout the state on the long-term challenges impacting Mississippi will be presented as part of the 11th annual Advancing Mississippi Conference presented by the University Research Center (URC), a division of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.

While creating better economic conditions for all Mississippians, planners remarked the goal of the conference is to uncover productive ways to overcome challenges and foster expansion in Mississippi.

Notably, the conference is set for September 25 at 9 a.m. It is being held at the Mississippi Children's Museum.

Dr. William M. Rodgers II, vice president of community development research at Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will be this year's keynote speaker during the conference luncheon. He is a former professor at Rutgers University and a published researcher. His previous research work centered on compensation, economic mobility, labor markets and trends in the economy.

During the luncheon, Rodgers is projected to speak concerning Mississippi's young adult population, particularly those not enrolled in a higher education program and without employment.

Meanwhile, the low workforce participation rate in the state has been a topic of conversation over the past a number of years. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Mississippi's workforce participation rate for residents 16 and older was 54.9% in July of this year. State lawmakers have passed a number of bills over recent years to provide further workforce training and employment opportunities to the state's residents in a bid to combat the low workforce participation rate.

Meanwhile, the conference is geared toward higher education faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and any researcher who does not have university affiliation. Regarding the Author(s).

Jeremy Pittari is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. Born and raised in Slidell, La., he moved to South Mississippi in the early 90s. Jeremy earned an associate in arts from Pearl River Community College and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor's of arts in journalism. A week after Hurricane Katrina, he began an internship as a reporter with the community newspaper in Pearl River County. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position at that news outlet where he covered the recovery process post Katrina in Pearl River and Hancock Counties. For almost 17 years he wrote concerning local administration, education, law enforcement, crime, business and a variety of other topics. Email Jeremy: [email protected].

News Cass Rutledge, Frank Corder September 4, 2026.

In his brief, Dr. Dan Jones states that the challenged portions of HB 1193 "create a minefield for school boards, administrators, and teachers." The law restricts the employ of DEI when making decisions concerning school employment, academic opportunities, and student engagement in Mississippi public schools and universities. More From This Author. News Jeremy Pittari September 4, 2026.

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U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate placed an indefinite injunction against HB 1193 last year. His employ of AI to draft the order, and the inaccuracies contained therein, triggered concern all the way up to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. News Jeremy Pittari August 27, 2026.

Mississippi State University dedicates plaza for first black student to attend the institution.

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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. News Cass Rutledge September 8, 2026.

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Opinion Roger Wicker September 8, 2026. U.S. Must remain vigilant. Opinion Mike Chaney September 3, 2026. Mississippians deserve more affordable health insurance options. Opinion Sid Salter September 2, 2026. For over 40 years, Mississippi workers have exceeded expectations at Raytheon.

For now, IHL conference aims to overcome challenges, foster growth in Mississippi remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.