Poll indicates Reeves ahead in MS

A new Mississippi Today/Siena College poll indicates incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is leading Democratic nominee Brandon Presley by 11 points ahead of the November general election. 

The poll, which surveyed 650 likely Mississippi voters between August 20-28, found 52% of respondents would vote for Reeves, while 41% would support Presley. Six percent of respondents were undecided, and 1% said they were not going to vote. Magnolia State Live 09/03/23) Poll: Tate Reeves leads Brandon Presley by 11 points in governor’s race - Magnolia State Live | Magnolia State Live

The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4%, which means adding 4% and detracting 4% from each candidate to get the widest results of the poll.

Editor's Note: Example - Reeves -4% to 48% vs +4% to Presley for 45% ... or Reeves +4% to 56% and -4% to Presley for 37%. 

Methodology at ms-todaysiena-august-2023.pdf (documentcloud.org)

Solex gets $2.6M: Gives up oil lease

BILLINGS, Mont. - Solex LLC, a Baton Rouge, La.-based company will receive $2.6M to relinquish the last remaining oil and gas lease on U.S. forest land near Montana's Glacier National Park that is sacred to Native Americans, government officials and attorneys involved in the deal said Sept. 1. 

The deal would resolve a decades-long dispute over the 10-square-mile O&G lease in the mountainous Badger-Two Medicine area of NW Montana. 

Solenex founder Sidney Longwell, who died last year, bought the 10-square-mile lease in 1982 but never drilled on the site because of federal bureaucracy. 

The site is on the site of the creation story for the Blackfoot tribes of southern Canada and Montana's Blackfeet Nation. Tribal members bitterly opposed drilling. 

In exchange for giving up the lease, Solenex will get $2.6M, according to David McDonald with the Mountain States Legal Foundation, which represented the company. 

The government will pay $2M. The Wyss Foundation, a charitable group founded by Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss, will provide the remaining $625,000.

The Solenex lease was cancelled in 2016 by U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell - at the request of the Blackfoot tribes and conservation groups. 

But U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ordered the lease reinstated last year. (The AP 09/02/23) Company gets $2.6M to give up oil lease on sacred land | News | nola.com 

Eaton: CNC Machinist @ Jackson

CNC Machinist -2nd Shift in Jackson, Mississippi, United States - Eaton Jobs

Sept. 2 in history: Japan surrenders

 In 1945, 

Aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan formally surrenders to the Allies, bringing an end to World War II. By the summer of 1945, the defeat of Japan was a foregone conclusion. The Japanese navy and air force were destroyed. The Allied naval blockade of Japan and intensive bombing of Japanese ... read more  In 1969, First ATM opens for business.  In 1789, Congress founds U.S. Treasury. In 1666, Great Fire of London begins. In 2013, Diana Nyad, 64, makes record swim from Cuba to Florida. In 1944, Navy aviator George H.W. Bush and his squadron attacked. In 1969, Vietnamese president and communist icon Ho Chi Minh dies. In 1945, Vietnam declares independence from France.  (History.com 09/02/23) What Happened on September 2 | HISTORY

La. Notes: Energy hub & Biscuit

* Could Central Louisiana be a new energy hub? Officials hope new project signals bright future. New methanol plant brings hope to Central Louisiana | Business News | nola.com 

* How an Instagram Account Dedicated to NO Potholes Is Actually Fixing Them (Tulane University 08/28/23) How an Instagram Account Dedicated to NO Potholes Is Actually Fixing Them - Biz New Orleans 

* Biscuit, a decades-old African tortoise, rescued from Ascension canal (NOLA.com 09/01/23)

Steel Dynamics seeks port property

Steel Dynamics Inc., with plans to build a greenfield state-of-the-art recycled aluminum flat rolled mill in Columbus, Miss., is hoping to close a deal to purchase 90 acres on the Lowndes County Port Authority's east bank by Oct. 1. 

LCPA Attorney John Crowell said the port is waiting to see a finalized version of a contract from SDI before finalizing a sale. A purchase price has not been disclosed. 

Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins told The Dispatch the company is now working on a finalized contract with LCPA to build its own on-loading and off-loading operations at the port. (The Dispatch 09/01/23) 

Additional Mississippi news

* Some Mississippi counties face insurance crisis because of heavy losses (WAPT 09/02/23) Humphreys County insurance crisis affects sheriff's office patrols, MHP called in to assist (wapt.com) 

* Ready to start a family business? Wanting to strengthen your investment? Don’t miss this annual symposium! (Magnolia State Live 09/02/23) Ready to start a family business? Wanting to strengthen your investment? Don’t miss this annual symposium! - Magnolia State Live | Magnolia State Live 

* No info lost in online phishing attack to NMHS: TUPELO, Miss. - A phishing attack in early July did not result in the online theft of financial or personal information, North Mississippi Health Services announced Sept. 1. (WTVA 09/01/23) No personal information stolen in July phishing attack, NMHS says | News | wtva.com0

'Margaritaville' master has died

 The Gulf Coast's own Jimmy Buffett died Sept. 1 at age 76. 

The Margaritaville master "passed away peacefully ... surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many,” a statement confirming Buffett’s death on his official website said. 

James William Buffett was born on Christmas day 1946 in Pascagoula, Miss., and raised in the Mobile, Ala. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and went from busking the streets of New Orleans to playing six nights a week at Bourbon Street clubs. (The AP 09.02/23) ‘Margaritaville’ singer Jimmy Buffett, who turned beach-bum life into an empire, dies at 76 (wlox.com) 

Clarion Ledger Jimmy Buffett, 'Margaritaville' musician and mogul, dies at 76 (clarionledger.com)

Aramco: Historic share offering?

Aramco, Saudi Arabia's state-controlled oil company, is considering offering $50B in shares, which would be the largest offering in the history of global capital markets, according to unnamed Wall Street Journal sources. 

No official date has been set, if it happens at all, but the offering is expected to take place before the end of 2023. 

If the offering proceeds, it would be listed on the Riyadh stock exchange to avoid legal risks associated with an international listing. 

Aramco is the world's most valuable oil company. In March, the company announced a record-breaking $161B in profit, making it the highest net income ever recorded by an energy company. (Press Rundown 08/31/23) Aramco of Saudi Arabia reportedly considering $50B stock sale, potentially largest ever (pressrundown.com)

DoD regional contracts Sept. 1

* Lockheed Martin, Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $67,811,401 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-5151 to exercise options for ship integration and test of the Aegis Weapon System. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey (41%); San Diego, California (10%); Bath, Maine (9%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (9%); Norfolk, Virginia (8%); Devesulu, Romania (5%); Redzikowo, Poland (5%); Washington, D.C. (3%); Mayport, Florida (2%); and various places each below one percent (8%) and is expected to be completed by September 2024. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance, Navy funds in the amount of $6,596,592 (50%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy funds in the amount of $1,924,093 (15%); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy funds in the amount of $1,236,487 (9%); fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy funds in the amount of $1,143,884 (9%); fiscal 2023 defense-wide procurement funds in the amount of $1,002,009 (8%); fiscal 2023 other procurement, Navy funds in the amount of $576,892 (4%); fiscal 2022 other procurement, Navy funds in the amount of $277,020 (2%); fiscal 2015 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy funds in the amount of $267,691 (2%); and fiscal 2013 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy in the amount of $138,420 (1%), will be obligated at time of award, of which $6,596,592 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. 

* Aptim Federal Services LLC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was awarded a $10,000,000 modification (P00006) to contract W912DY-22-F-0271 for minor and emergency repair. Work will be performed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Diego Garcia, United Kingdom; and multiple locations and military installations in Japan, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.  

* General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was awarded a $48,273,698 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-5603 to exercise options for the sustainment of the Littoral Combat Ship Integrated Combat Management System and associated combat system elements. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (85%); San Diego, California (14%); and Mobile, Alabama (1%), and is expected to be completed by August 2024. Fiscal 2023 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $757,093 (44%); fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $683,387 (34%); and fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $434,607 (22%), will be obligated at time of award, of which $683,387 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Aug. 30, 2023) [DoD 09/01/23]

Sept. 1 history: NOLA mayor's SOS

Sept 1 in history 

In 1939, World War II began as Nazi Germany invaded Poland.

In 1715, following a reign of 72 years, King Louis XIV of France died four days before his 77th birthday.

In 1807, Aaron Burr acquitted of treason.

In 1864, Atlanta falls to Union forces during Civil War.

In 1942, U.S. District Court Judge Martin I. Welsh, ruling from Sacramento, California, on a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Fred Korematsu, upheld the wartime detention of Japanese Americans as well as Japanese nationals.

In 1945, Americans received word of Japan’s formal surrender that ended World War II. (Because of the time difference, it was Sept. 2 in Tokyo Bay, where the ceremony took place.)

In 1969, a coup in Libya brought Moammar Gadhafi to power.

In 1983, 269 people were killed when a Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 was shot down by a Soviet jet fighter after the airliner entered Soviet airspace.

In 1988, fed regulation makes automobile airbags mandatory.

In 2005, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin issued a “desperate SOS” as his city descended into anarchy amid the flooding left by Hurricane Katrina. (The AP 09/01/23)

MS Plan 4 for restoration, comment

The Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group has released its draft resolution plan #4 and Environmental Assessment: Restoration of Wetlands Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats, Nutrient Reduction and provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities (PDF, 377 pages) for public review and comment through Oct. 2. 

The plan proposes seven projects for implementation with a combined cost of about $26M.

The draft restoration plan is consistent with the Trustees’ Programmatic Restoration Plan. 

The 30-day public review and comment period ends on Oct. 2. We will accept public comments via https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=118527. 

WH OKs direct mil.sales to Taiwan

The Biden administration has approved funding for the first-ever transfer of US military equipment to Taiwan under a program typically saved for sovereign nations, according to a notification sent to Congress on Aug. 29. 

The package – part of the State Department’s foreign military financing (FMF) program - totals $80M to Taiwan that will be paid by US taxpayers. 

“Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act (America's) longstanding one China policy, which has not changed, the United States makes available to Taiwan defense articles and services necessary to enable it to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability,” the a State Department spokesman told CNN. 

The US has a vested interest in the stability of the Taiwan Strait, which is critical to regional and global security and prosperity, according to the spokesperson. 

The development in US support for Taiwan has drawn an angry response from China, which claims the self-governing island as its own. 

The US has sold weapons to Taiwan before under Foreign Military Sales. The FMF program provides grant assistance to Taiwan in order to make the purchases for such capabilities as air, coastal, ballistic missile and cyber defenses; plus, drones, military training, soldier protective gear and ammunition. 

It likely will take years for the military support to actually get to Taiwan because the equipment will be folded into future equipment buys by the Pentagon. 

Under the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act passed last year, the US is authorized to spend up to $2B annually in military grant assistance to the island from 2023-27. (CNN 08/31/23) US approves first-ever military aid to Taiwan through program typically used for sovereign nations | CNN Politics

Skin bacteria may detract skeeters

Heads up regional viewers, new research at New Scientist suggests bacteria living on our skin could play a role in warding off mosquitoes. 

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, known to spread infections, may be put off by certain odors produced by the bacteria. The finding opens the possibility of developing a mosquito repellent spray that alters the skin microbiome to contain more of these bacteria. 

Currently, synthetic repellents like DEET are commonly used to prevent mosquito bites.

However, these repellents wear off after a few hours and can sometimes cause skin irritation. 

The discovery that bacteria-produced odors can repel mosquitoes may offer a more long-lasting and potentially safer alternative. 

The study involved collecting samples of bacteria from the skin of individuals who were attractive or unattractive to mosquitoes. 

It found that individuals who were less attractive to mosquitoes had a higher abundance of certain bacteria on their skin. 

By identifying these bacteria and understanding the specific odors they produce, scientists hope to develop a spray that can be applied to the skin to repel mosquitoes. (Press Rundown 08/30/23) Skin microbiome influences mosquito attraction (pressrundown.com)

ICC celebrates 75th anniversary

On Sept. 1, 1948, 114 students began freshman coursework at Itawamba Junior College along with 170 veterans who were enrolled in college. Now, Itawamba Community College is celebrating it's 75th anniversary (Itawamba Times 09/01/23) 75 years of educating: ICC set to celebrate 75th birthday | News | djournal.com

Dewatering of Old River structure

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,' New Orleans District has awarded a $34.2M contract to McMillen, Inc. of Boise, Idaho, for construction of a steel system to allow dewatering of the Old River Low Sill Control Structure in Concordia Parish. 

Dewatering is scheduled to occur in late summer and fall of 2024 when the river is traditionally at low water stages. 

“This effort to inspect and repair the Low Sill structure will help ensure the integrity and successful operation of the complex for years to come,” said Col. Cullen Jones, commander to the New Orleans District.

USACE will dewater the Old River Low Sill Control Structure to inspect submerged project features, to conduct subsurface investigations of the foundation material and to undertake any needed rehabilitation or maintenance work. 

It will be0he first dewatering of the structure since repairs and modifications were undertaken in 1987. (USACE 08/31/23) Contract awarded for Old River Low Sill Control Structure Dewatering > New Orleans District > News Releases (army.mil) 

Background: The Old River Control Structure is a floodgate system in a branch of the Mississippi River in central Louisiana. It regulates the flow of water from the Mississippi into the Atchafalaya River, preventing the Mississippi River from changing course. Completed in 1963, the complex was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in a side channel of the Mississippi known as "Old River", between the Mississippi's current channel and the Atchafalaya Basin, a former channel of the Mississippi River.

Ports' board meetings for Sept.

* The monthly Port NOLA board meeting will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26. (Port NOLA 09/01/23)

* The Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission's monthly meeting (via Zoom) is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. from the Robert Kane Administrative Center in Kiln, Miss. To participate via Zoom, e-mail DRubio@HCPHC.ms no later than the Friday prior to the scheduled meeting. A Recess Commission Meeting is slated for 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 11. (HCPHC 09/01/23) 

* The Mississippi State Port Authority board of commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. Sept. 28 in the Port’s Administrative Office on the 14th floor of the Hancock Bank Plaza, located at 2510 14th Street in Gulfport. (MSPA 09/01/23)

Reade named entrepreneur of year

BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana chapter of Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO) has awarded Louisiana-based tech entrepreneur Christopher Reade the 2023 Marshall Klein Entrepreneur of the Year Award. 

His respect for individuals of all backgrounds led Chris to create the Ada Lovelace Awards, honoring the contributions of exceptional women in technology.

Reade began his first funded company in 1995 using software he created to provide outsourced email services.

Since relocating to New Orleans in 2000, the company, now called Carrollton Group, has more than 150 employees, split up into sister companies.

His work with Carrollton Enterprise Services focuses on disaster recovery work, finance, insurance, and healthcare operations in Louisiana and across the nation.

Reade also serves as a senior technical advisor for several startups. (Biz New Orleans 08/31/23) Christopher Reade Named 'Entrepreneur of the Year' - Biz New Orleans

MS electrics on way to Fla., Ga.

LAUREL Miss. - Florida is starting to recover from Cat 3 Hurricane Idalia. Now, Mississippi cooperatives - and Mississippi Power - are stepping in to help. There are still more than 18,000 outages throughout Central Florida Electric Cooperative in need of repair.

“We’ll have to replace poles, replace lines, build services back, reconstruct main feeders, along those lines,” Dixie Electric Power Association line foreman Adron Presley. “Mutual aid is a great thing. We’re honored to go help them. They come and help us all the time when we need help.” 

Electric cooperatives across Mississippi are packing and traveling to Florida to aid those who were affected by the hurricane Idalia. For many, this will be not their first rodeo helping another cooperative after tragedy strikes. 

Over the past three decades, personnel have gone to help others with "some type of storm,” Dixie Electric line construction supervisor Tommy Ulmer said.

Some of those going to Florida recall Hurricane Katrina and remembering having neighboring cooperatives come to help. Dixie Electric will be in Florida for seven to 10 days. 

More than 150 crew members from Southern Pine Electric Power Association and Pearl River Valley Electric have departed for Florida. 

Additionally, more than 200 workers from Mississippi Power were sent to Georgia. (WDAM 08/31/23) 

Comeback Coolers packed in Mississippi for Florida hurricane victims: Comeback Coolers delivering items to help people affected by Hurricane Idalia (wlox.com) 

Jackson Red Cross to aid hurricane victims: Red Cross volunteers from Jackson area assisting Hurricane Idalia victims (wlbt.com)

Leach honor for season opener

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Former Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach coached the Bulldogs for three seasons before his death last December. He will be honored during Sept. 2's season opener against Southeastern Louisiana, the school announced Aug. 28. Leach coached MSU to three bowl games during his tenure and seven wins over AP Top 25 opponents, the third-most ranked wins by a coach in program history. The father of the Air Raid offense, Leach went 19-17 during his tenure at MSU. (The Dispatch 08/31/23) Mississippi State to honor former head coach Mike Leach during Saturday’s season opener - The Dispatch (cdispatch.com)

Entergy NOLA peeps avoid rate hike

Entergy New Orleans customers are poised to avoid a regular rate increase on their electric bills after the utility agreed to a deal to lower its proposed hike and have the rest offset by credits.

The City Council will vote on the agreement Sept. 7. If approved, residential customers would see rates stay around $143 per month for a typical customer starting in September 2024. 

Entergy’s residential gas customers, however, would see a roughly $5-a-month increase to their bills, according to the filing. 

Separately, customers of Entergy Louisiana may see bills rise $8 a month on average starting next year, if the Public Service Commission approves the proposed rate increase. 

Logan Burke, executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, said it’s a win for customers not to see another shock to their bills. 

But the organization is concerned about the increase to gas customers’ bills and Burke said programs should be set up to help switch low-income customers from gas to electric heating and cooking systems. 

Separate from the rate agreement filed this week, a $1B plan proposed by Entergy New Orleans to bolster the electric grid is still pending. (NOLA.08/31/23) Entergy New Orleans electric customers to avoid rate hike | News | nola.com