Magnolia Mornings: September 17, 2026

Magnolia Mornings: September 17, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 17, 2026.

Key points

• The Mississippi Lottery Corporation confirmed last week that it has transferred $10, 762, 463.61 to the State of Mississippi for the month of August.
• The August transfer means the Mississippi Lottery's total contributions to the State now exceed $839 million since ticket sales began in November 2019.
• That brings the total transferred during the first two months of the fiscal year to $21, 158, 350.09.
• Last season, Fobb was named the 2026 TABC Division I Assistant Coach of the Year and recognized as one of the nation's rising assistant coaches.
• Victims recovered as part of the operation received treatment and services from the Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Transformation Garden, and Tabernacle Southaven.

Magnolia Mornings: September 17, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 17, 2026. By: Magnolia Tribune – September 17, 2026.

Significant state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion to start your day informed. 1. School bus crash in Lowndes County leaves 16 students injured.

WJTV reports that sixteen students and two adults were injured during a crash involving a school bus in Lowndes County on Tuesday on Highway 45 around 3: 15 p.m.

"According to troopers, a 2025 Honda Civic, driven by Michael Kunkle, 27, of Columbus, was traveling east on Artesia Road when it collided with a school bus, driven by Damon Snead, Jr., 44, of Columbus, that was traveling north on the highway, " WJTV documented. "Investigators remarked the school bus was part of the Lowndes County School District and was occupied by 22 students at the time of the crash. According to MHP, 16 students sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe. The age ranges of the students were from six to 11-years-old."

In practice, the crash remains under investigation by MHP. 2. Mississippi Lottery sends $10.7 million state in August.

In practice, the Mississippi Lottery Corporation confirmed last week that it has transferred $10, 762, 463.61 to the State of Mississippi for the month of August.

Meanwhile, the August transfer means the Mississippi Lottery's total contributions to the State now exceed $839 million since ticket sales began in November 2019. National News & Foreign Policy. 1. Johnson sends House home early.

According to Politico, "Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday he is canceling planned Thursday votes and sending members home for a seven-week recess a day earlier than expected."

"The decision lops another day off a preelection legislative schedule that Johnson had already truncated by two weeks. It additionally allows members to avoid having to take a vote on an impeachment resolution introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) targeting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. It would have hit the floor no afterwards than Thursday under House rules, " Politico noted. "Johnson called the idea of impeaching Hegseth 'ridiculous' Wednesday."

"It's a publicity stunt by someone who wants attention, " he remarked, per Politico. "It will immediately be tabled, of course, but we probably won't do that today. We'll probably do it when we come back. But it's a stunt. Secretary Hegseth has done an extraordinary job." 2. Kirk family accuses UVU of security failures.

For context, the New York Times reports that "the family of the slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk has accused the Utah university where he was killed last year of 'stunning' security failures that made him an easy target for a rooftop assassin."

"In a legal notice filed this month, lawyers for Mr. Kirk's wife, parents and children remarked that Utah Valley University did not have a written security plan or hold a security briefing before Mr. Kirk arrived for an open-air debate last September that drew a crowd of thousands, " NYT documented. "They additionally stated the university's police chief had failed to address reservations raised by Turning Point USA, the conservative activist group founded by Mr. Kirk, regarding how easily residents could climb onto the rooftops that overlook the sunken plaza where he was shot."

NYT continued, "The accusations came in a 'notice of claim' that lawyers for the Kirk family sent to the state of Utah earlier this month and created public on Wednesday. Mr. Kirk's family has not yet sued, but the notice is a potential precursor to a wrongful death lawsuit against the public university or the state." 1. USM's Fernandez earns individual title at JT Poston Invitational.

Benjamin Fernandez earned the individual title as the senior led Southern Miss to a fourth-place finish at the JT Poston Invitational on Tuesday.

Notably, the Golden Eagles carded their best 54-hole score since the Hal Williams Collegiate.

Fernandez secured the individual title by carding a collegiate career low of seven-under 64, marking his first collegiate title and lowest career round. The Paraguay native shot the course's lowest three-round score of 196, edging out the previous record by four strokes. Fernandez, who began the day tied for third, birdied four of his first five holes and continued an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole to turn in a 6-under 29 on the front nine, then closed out his round to secure his 17-under 196 and the individual title.

2. Fobb joins Ole Miss as assistant basketball coach.

Anthony Fobb has been named an assistant coach for the Ole Miss men's basketball program, head coach Chris Beard confirmed Tuesday.

Fobb joins the Rebels after spending the last three seasons on Chris Mudge's staff at Sam Houston.

Last season, Fobb was named the 2026 TABC Division I Assistant Coach of the Year and recognized as one of the nation's rising assistant coaches. He supported guide Sam Houston to a 22-12 overall record, a 13-7 mark in Conference USA play and a berth in the 2026 NIT. Picked ninth in the CUSA preseason poll, the Bearkats finished second in the league. Fobb additionally recruited and coached Kashie Natt. This person was named the 2026 CUSA Defensive Player of the Year. 1. Rate hike to further strain U.S. Households.

CNBC reports that "the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate at the conclusion of its September meeting after consumer prices rose again in August amid the war with Iran – and despite continued pressure by President Donald Trump to bring rates down."

"In a bid to tame inflation, the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee, led by Chairman Kevin Warsh, raised the federal funds rate by one quarter percentage point to a target range of 3.75% to 4.0%. The move is projected to ripple throughout the economy, with consequences for everything from credit cards and car loans to savings accounts, " CNBC documented. "In general, short-term consumer borrowing rates are closely tied to the prime rate. It is typically 3 percentage points higher than the federal funds rate. Longer-term interest rates are driven more by inflation expectations and broader economic conditions."

CNBC continued, "This quarter-point hike – the first since July 2023 – will correspond with a rise in the prime rate and immediately send financing costs higher for many forms of consumer borrowing, putting some U.S. Households under increased financial strain." 2. Chevron Pascagoula Refinery has doubled production since January.

WLOX reports that the Chevron refinery in Pascagoula has processed Venezuelan crude oil for decades, but 2026 has brought significant expansion.

"The coker at the refinery gives the plant the ability to process the heavy crude coming from Venezuela. Since January, the coker's production has more than doubled, with the Pascagoula refinery processing up to 100, 000 barrels of crude oil a day. Authorities say that production could rise further as details of the Venezuelan accord become clearer, " WLOX noted.

"We've done up to 100, 000 barrels a day, which is a lot of crude, but we can do more, " remarked Marissa Badenhorst, Pascagoula Refinery Director informed WLOX. "I think we're forecasting doubling our production in Venezuela over the next year or two." Regarding the Author(s). This article was produced by Magnolia Tribune staff. Elections Frank Corder September 16, 2026. Caldwell won't seek third term as Northern Transportation Commissioner.

Meanwhile, the Republican incumbent remarked as the Northern District Commissioner he is "reaching a point of diminishing returns." More From This Author. News Magnolia Tribune September 16, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 16, 2026. News Magnolia Tribune September 15, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 15, 2026. News Magnolia Tribune September 14, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 14, 2026. News Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press September 16, 2026.

Federal Reserve hikes key rate for first time in 3 years, defying Trump demands for a cut. News Anne D'Innocenzio, Associated Press September 16, 2026.

Retail sales rise a better-than-expected 1.2% in August after shoppers pulled back spending in July.

Consumers may be griping regarding higher costs at the pump and elsewhere, but they keep spending, helping to power the economy, according to the latest administration snapshot. News Jeremy Pittari September 15, 2026.

Seven human trafficking victims discovered in Southaven as part of AG's participation in nationwide operation.

Victims recovered as part of the operation received treatment and services from the Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Transformation Garden, and Tabernacle Southaven. News Frank Corder September 16, 2026. Duffs again create Forbes list of world's richest billionaires. News Jeremy Pittari September 16, 2026. Leake County School District published from desegregation order. News Frank Corder September 16, 2026. State Senator Younger announces bid for Northern District Transportation Commissioner. Business Frank Corder September 15, 2026. Hitachi Energy brings largest U.S. Investment to date to Mississippi. Business Frank Corder September 10, 2026.

General Atomics confirmed second expansion this year, bringing 125 more jobs to Shannon. Business Frank Corder September 10, 2026.

C Spire expanding fiber network with new high-capacity corridor between Jackson and Olive Branch. Culture Alistair Begg September 17, 2026. Casting all your cares. Culture Richelle Putnam September 16, 2026. Storyteller Anne McKee: The Rose on the Hill. Culture Alistair Begg September 16, 2026. I want to see. Opinion Sid Salter September 16, 2026.

Despite plenty of statutory protections, there is no clear constitutional right to clean water. Opinion Russ Latino September 15, 2026. Sydney Sweeney Novig Ad: Body positivity's double standard. Opinion Merle Flowers September 10, 2026. Mississippi does not have pharmacies to spare.

Taken together, the developments around magnolia Mornings: September 17, 2026 point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.