Update: Raising MS river sill

By late September, saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico may overtop an emergency sill built on the bottom of the Mississippi River to protect Belle Chasse, La.'s, water plant intake, an Army Corps of Engineers official said Sept. 13. 

The Corps is also trying to determine whether the saltwater could move far enough upriver to threaten drinking water in St. Bernard Parish or even New Orleans. 

Corps models show the saltwater sill "will be overtopped in the mid- to end of September range," said Dana Ray, acting chief of the Corps' New Orleans District office of emergency management.

The leading edge of saltwater moving north from the GoM was just nine miles south of the sill, according to the Corps' website. 

A Corps spokesperson said increasing the ability of the sill to block saltwater moving upriver would be discussed at a Sept. 15 news conference, which is to include Corps, Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. 

Discussions will "provide updates on the steps taken to address the emergency and plans moving forward." (NOLA.com 09/14/23)

UPDATE: FRIDAY PRESS CONFERENCE

Saltwater from the Gulf moving up the Mississippi River will cause the Army Corps of Engineers to add to the height of an underwater levee it built this summer to protect water supplies for Plaquemines, St. Bernard and New Orleans, the Corps announced the morning of Sept. 15 at a news conference. 

The earthen sill built in July near Alliance will be elevated so its top will only be 30 feet below the water surface. But that still may not block saltwater from contaminating water supplies upriver, officials warned, in part because a deep notch will be included in the elevation project to allow shipping to continue. 

"(I)f no action is taken, you potentially could see the saltwater wedge all the way up to the French Quarter," said Col. Cullen Jones, commander of the Corps' New Orleans District. "But we have no intention of not taking any action." 

The sill, now 45 feet high and built in an area where the river is 90 feet deep, will be extended outward beyond its present 1,500-foot length. (NOLA.com 09/15/23) Saltwater in Mississippi River will require a higher sill | Environment | nola.com 

Carbon kingdoms on rise in La.

The Illinois-based fertilizer manufacturing company CF Industries is considering building a second $2B “blue” ammonia production facility in Ascension Parish, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) announced Sept. 14. 

CFI could rule the roost with a $4B low-carbon ammonia kingdom in Ascension within the next 20 years. 

Th latest plant announced is being co-developed alongside South Korea steelmaker POSCO Holdings at CFI’s proposed Blue Point Complex on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Ascension Parish. 

It’s the same site of another proposed $2B “blue” ammonia plant it is developing with Mitsui & Co. of Japan. LOTTE Chemical Corp. is also helping with that project. 

Industrial projects are considered “green” when they use renewable energy and “blue” when they add carbon capture to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions. 

Louisiana offered CFI a $3M grant for infrastructure costs, and the company is expected to apply for state tax incentives for the project. 

Both ammonia projects are undergoing front-end engineering design studies. The POSCO project should be completed in the second half of 2024 and a final investment decision should follow shortly, according to LED. 

The Mitsui study is still underway, A final investment decision on that project is expected later this year. Each project should take about four years to build once the final decisions are reached. 

CF Industries isn’t the only firm looking at Louisiana for low-carbon ammonia. (NNOLA.com 09/14/23) CF Industries planning another ammonia plant in Ascension | Business News | nola.com

Scheuermann joins BSS Global

BSS Global, HQ'd in Ridgeland, Miss., announced that Patrick Scheuermann, former director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Stennis Space Center, has joined the consultancy firm. 

Scheuermann has had supporting critical missions across government agencies and streamlining operations to compete in the marketplace. He is knowledge about aerospace initiatives; scientific transportation; managing large scale infrastructure and personnel; and driving digital transformation in organizations. 

At BSS Global, he will focus on business development for aerospace initiatives; space and science transportation activities; IT modernization; and cybersecurity. 

Scheuermann served in executive leadership and strategic advisory roles at digital transformation companies Sev1Tech and Geocent and he will continue to work with Sev1Tech’s board of directors as a senior advisor. 

He served as director of Marshall Space Flight Center in north Alabama, where he managed a $2.5B budget and nearly 6,000 employees and contractors. Prior to Marshall, he served as director of the Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss., from March 2010 until his appointment to Marshall.^[ 

Earlier in his NASA career, he served as legislative fellow to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott.

Scheuermann earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Orleans and was named UNO’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2001. NASA had recognized him with the agency’s Presidential Rank Award, Outstanding Leadership Medal and Exceptional Service Medal. (Daily Journal 09/14/23) Scheuermann joins BSS Global | Mississippi Business Journal | djournal.com

UAW to strike against 'Detroit Three'

A breakdown in negotiations late night on Sept. 14 has led to the UAW calling for its automotive industry members to strike against the three largest automotive manufacturing companies. 

UAW, the labor union representing hundreds of thousands of auto industry workers, called a strike when the deadline to make a new deal passed at 11:59 p.m. (ET), leading to 13,000 members walking off the job. 

The "Stand Up Strike," as union leaders call it, is set to potentially become one of the largest in the industry's history, targeting the "Detroit Three," the largest automotive manufactures in the country.

With workers from at least three states joining the picket line, the ripple effect is expected to be felt far and wide. Here is what we know so far about the 2023 UAW strike. (USA TODAY 09/15/23) What is the UAW? Why auto workers are on strike and what they demand (clarionledger.com) 

The factories directly affected by the strike include a General Motors assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri, a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan, near Detroit, and a Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio.

OSB Services moving HQ to Miss.

JACKSON, Miss. - OSB Services, a commercial and industrial building modernization company, is moving its HQ from Memphis to Olive Branch, Miss., that will be creating 116 jobs. The project represents a corporate investment of $9M+.

OSB Services provides mechanical, electrical, plumbing and elevator services. It also provides structural steel components and prefabricated piping. 

The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX. The city of Olive Branch and DeSoto County also are assisting with the project. (Mighty Mississippi 09/15/23) OSB Services LLC relocating headquarters to Olive Branch | Mighty Mississippi

Miss. aero/aviation job posts

* CBA - Aircrew Survival Equipment Mechanic (ALSS) -AIMD @ Vertex in Meridian, Miss. (Contingent) CBA - Aircrew Survival Equipment Mechanic (ALSS) -AIMD Meridian (Contingent) Job in 150 Fuller Rd at Vertex Aerospace | Ziprecruiter 

* 8 Airbus Jobs in Columbus, Miss. $56-$84/hr Airbus Jobs in Columbus, MS (NOW HIRING) Sep 2023 (ziprecruiter.com)

La. firm's $84M corps contract

B&K Construction Company LLC, Mandeville, Louisiana, was awarded an $84,427,775 firm-fixed-price contract for general maintenance work including metal work, painting and fencing. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Laplace, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of June 11, 2027. Fiscal 2023 civil construction funds in the amount of $84,427,775 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity. (DoD 09/14/23)

Venture-Hughes supply deal

Venture Global LNG, a major provider of liquefied natural gas, has unveiled an expansion plan to increase its production capacity. The company aims to raise its nameplate LNG export capacity from 70M metric tons per annum to over 100 MTPA. 

The undertaking will require the installation of additional liquefaction train systems and power island systems across Venture Global's future LNG export projects. 

To support this expansion initiative, Venture Global has entered into an expanded master equipment supply agreement with energy technology company, Baker Hughes of Houston. 

The agreement ensures the timely delivery of the necessary equipment for Venture Global's upcoming LNG projects in Louisiana. 

The announcement of this extended partnership was made during the Gastech conference in Singapore. 

Venture Global LNG is a long-term, low-cost producer of North American liquified natural gas with export facilities at Calcasieu Pass, Plaquemines LNG, CP2 LNG and Delta LNG, in Louisiana, supplying the world’s growing demand for low-cost, clean and reliable North American energy. (Work Boat 09/13/23) Venture Global and Baker Hughes supply agreement | WorkBoat 

Nov. 11: Stennis on the Bay

Stennis Day in the Bay is coming to the grounds surrounding the Historic Hancock County Courthouse in Bay St. Louis, Miss., from 12 Noon to 5 p.m. on Nov. 11. 

Local restaurants will feature special drinks and menu items and merchants will decorate their stores and offer special space related promotions to welcome visitors during this festive event. 

Featured events include:

• Interactive exhibits on space
• Kickoff at Noon honoring veterans
• A “Space Themed” BUD N BURGER Competition
• The 90th Birthday of Apollo 13 Astronaut Fred Haise

This event will give attendees an opportunity to meet face to face with people who work at Stennis Space Center, NASA as well as many of its 40 federal, state, academic, private and technology-based tenants. 

There are 5,000-plus employees and if counted as a single workforce, Stennis Space Center would rank as one of the Top 10 largest businesses in the State of Mississippi. Mark your... - Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission | Facebook

International doctor pipeline

NEW ORLEANS - The University of Queensland and Ochsner Health have extended a unique partnership pledging to grow the world’s physician pipeline in a joint transnational Doctor of Medicine program through 2030.

Officials from the organizations signed a contract Sept. 11 renewing the joint venture, the University of Queensland Ochsner Doctor of Medicine program.

The UQ-Ochsner MD program welcomed its first class in 2009 and continues to educate medical students across two continents.

Students spend their first two years at UQ’s Brisbane, Australia campus, before completing two years of clinical immersion in Ochsner’s facilities here. 

Upon completion of the MD, graduates are qualified to enter U.S. residency and Australian internships. The collaboration allows students to broaden medical training and experience of educational opportunities offered by both. 

UQ-Ochsner has graduated 856 medical students since 2009 with approximately 30% remaining in Louisiana. The UQ-Ochsner MD program averages an impressive 95% match rate through the National Residency Match Program. The UQ-Ochsner MD program also has national impact, as graduating physicians are practicing in 46 states and 24 specialties. (Oschner media release 09/14/23) Ochsner Extends Partnership with University of Queensland - Biz New Orleans

Judge removes chains from MPSD

JACKSON, Miss. - Federal U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate released the Meridian Public School District (MPSD) from federal supervision stemming from a decades-old desegregation lawsuit, which included a 2013 order for the district to improve disciplinary practices that disproportionately affected Black students. 

Wingate approved Meridian schools leaving federal oversight, ruling the majority-Black district has eliminated the effects of past segregation. He praised the district for reducing the number of suspensions that led some students to drop out of school. 

The judge's approval was the final step in an agreement that had been reached and filed with the court four years ago between the school district, the U.S. Justice Department and private plaintiffs, who had complained of racial discrimination in the district’s student disciplinary practices and contended they amounted to a “school-to-prison pipeline.” 

Attorneys for the Justice Department, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, one of the private parties, were on hand for the hearing and said they had no objection to Wingate granting unitary status to the Meridian school district. 

The unitary status designation shows the district has eliminated vestiges of prior segregation to the extent possible and no longer needs federal supervision. (Meridian Star 09/1e/23) Judge releases MPSD from desegregation order | News | meridianstar.com

Shelby's alternative ed challenge

Youth ChalleNGe, located at Camp Shelby in south Mississippi, is an alternative education program for 16- to-18-year-old youth struggling in high school or no longer attending. 

The program offers participants an opportunity to earn a high school diploma is 22 weeks with tuition, and room and board expenses covered. Male and female applicants are welcome.

Youth ChalleNGe's focus is on job training, social skills and self-discipline. College classes are also available.

For an application or more information call 1-800-507-6253 or visit msyouthchallenge.org.

2050 Louisiana's climate risks

Louisiana may be the state most at risk from climate change. The year 2050 could prove to be an inflection point as seas rise and more land is lost. 

Explore interactive data to see projected land loss, damage and flood depths both statewide and by parish. Louisiana 2050: Rising seas will upend life. Time is running out to limit the impact. 

Projections in the interactive data are based on data from Louisiana's Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority. (NOLA.com 09/14/23)

Rice's whales' rules hearing

NOAA Fisheries will hold a virtual public hearing and extend the public comment period related to the proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the endangered Rice’s whale under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

The rescheduled public hearing on the proposed rule will be held online Sept. 28 from 2-4 p.m. (CT). 

The public comment period has been extended and closes on Oct. 6. 

Join the virtual public hearing, as specified on this website: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8354248111052852059

MSU, Korean group talk composites

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University is marking a new partnership with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology. 

A delegation from the Korean research institute is in Starkville this week to explore potential collaborations and to learn more about MSU’s capabilities, particularly related to advanced composite materials.

The two institutions held a ceremonial signing for a memorandum of understanding to promote education and research collaborations. (MSU 09/13/23) Mississippi State signs MOU with Korea Institute of Science and Technology | Mississippi State University (msstate.edu)

Sept. 14 history: Prez McKinley

Sept. 14 history 

In 1814, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem “Defence of Fort McHenry” (later “The Star-Spangled Banner”) after witnessing the American flag flying over the Maryland fort following a night of British naval bombardment during the War of 1812. 

In 1847, during the Mexican American War, U.S. forces under Gen. Winfield Scott took control of Mexico City.

In 1861, the first naval engagement of the Civil War took place as the USS Colorado attacked and sank the Confederate private schooner Judah off the coast of Pensacola, Fla. 

In 1867, the first volume of “Das Kapital” by Karl Marx was published in Germany.

In 1901, President William McKinley died in Buffalo, NY, of gunshot wounds inflicted by an assassin. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him. 

In 1940, with the Nazi army sweeping across Europe, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Selective Service Act, which required all men between 26 and 35 to register for the military draft. The decision also meant that Black men - unlike in the past - could join all branches of the U.S. military. 

In 1959, a Soviet Union rocket crashes into the moon’s surface, becoming the first man-made object sent from Earth to reach the lunar surface, and prompting effort by the United States to develop its own space program.  

In 1964, writer John Steinbeck was presented the U.S. Medal of Freedom. Steinbeck had already received numerous other honors and awards for his writing, including the 1962 Nobel Prize and a 1939 Pulitzer Prize for Grapes of Wrath. 

In 1982, Princess Grace of Monaco, formerly film star Grace Kelly, died at age 52 of injuries from a car crash the day before. 

In 1994, on the 34th day of a strike by players, Acting Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced the 1994 season was over. 

In 2001, Americans packed churches and public squares on a day of remembrance for the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. President George W. Bush prayed with his Cabinet and attended services at Washington National Cathedral, then flew to New York, where he waded into the ruins of the World Trade Center and addressed rescue workers in a flag-waving, bullhorn-wielding show of resolve.

In 2009, death claimed “Dirty Dancing” star Patrick Swayze at 57. 

In 2012, fury over an anti-Muslim film ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad spread across the Muslim world, with deadly clashes near Western embassies in Tunisia and Sudan, an American fast-food restaurant set ablaze in Lebanon, and international peacekeepers attacked in the Sinai.

In 2018, Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh denied an allegation of sexual misconduct from when he was in high school, saying, “I did not do this back in high school or at any time.” (Kavanaugh would later be confirmed by the Senate.) 

(The AP 09/14/23)

Down to the wire: UAW strike?

The United Automotive Workers (UAW) union is threatening to strike if contract negotiations with the Top 3 automotive manufacturing companies haven't reached an agreement by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sept. 14. But the strikes would be targeted to a small number of factories per company. It would be the first time in the union's 80-plus-year history that it struck all three companies at the same time. (The AP 09/13/23) Auto workers union ready to strike as UAW chief says Detroit automakers' offers are not enough | AP News

Study: AI bot's effective diagnoses

A recent study conducted by Dutch researchers found that an AI bot (ChatGPT) may be just as effective at diagnosing patients in emergency care compared to real doctors.

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, uses advanced language models and has previously demonstrated success in passing medical exams and displaying a better bedside manner than human doctors. 

In the study, researchers analyzed the performance of the bot in an emergency department. They anonymized details of 30 patients treated at Jeroen Bosch Hospital's emergency department in 2022.

They inputted physicians' notes on patients' signs, symptoms and physical examinations into two versions of ChatGPT. The AI bot was asked to generate a list of possible diagnoses for each patient, which were compared to the doctors' lists. 

The results showed an overlap of around 60% between the shortlists generated by ChatGPT and doctors. 

In 87% of cases, doctors had the correct diagnosis within their top five compared to 97% for ChatGPT version 3.5 and 87% for version 4.0. (Pressrun 09/13/23) AI bot outperforms doctor in diagnosing patients in emergency room (pressrundown.com)

Repeat politics: Speedy CR

The U.S. Senate voted 85-12 vote this week to advance a three-bill “minibus” funding package, which combines its Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-VA and Transportation-HUD measures. 

Leaders aim to pass that package in a display of unity, in stark contrast to the House GOP conference. 

In the face of a government shutdown, Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said before the vote, it's called compromise. 

With federal cash set to dry up at the end of Sept. 30, the Senate’s minibus would do nothing to stave off a government shutdown. But leaders still want to move the package through with the goal of gaining leverage in the broader spending standoff with the House. 

Both the House and Senate will ultimately have to consider a continuing resolution (CR) that wards off a shutdown Oct. 1 to buy time for bipartisan talks on a government funding deal for FY 2024. Billion$ in disaster relief are at stake in negotiations over the CR, in addition to billion$ in aid for Ukraine. 

Final passage of the 3-bill minibus could come as early as next week, but the Senate will have to agree on a speedy process, likely necessitating votes on a number of messaging amendments that aren’t likely to succeed. (Politico 09/12/23) The Senate easily overcame the first hurdle to passing a nearly $280 billion government funding package. - Live Updates - POLITICO

La. suing FEMA today; roof grants

NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge holds a hearing Sept. 14 in a case over the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) new Risk Rating 2.0 system that determines flood insurance rates. 

Louisiana is one of nine states suing FEMA over RR 2.0, which has driven insurance premiums to near-astronomical levels for homeowners in south Louisiana. It calls on FEMA, which oversees the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), to halt the changes and return to the drawing board. 

The hearing will examine the states’ request for a preliminary injunction halting the new policy and FEMA’s call to dismiss the case. It will be held in New Orleans' federal court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, though an immediate ruling appears unlikely in the complex case. Flood insurance hikes set for scrutiny in key court hearing | Environment | nola.com 

Raising and fortifying roofs in La.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says that on Oct. 2, state will begin accepting grant applications for a new fortified roof program that will make roofs stronger and (allegedly) lower homeowners' insurance premiums.

About 132,000 people who have homeowners policies through Louisiana’s insurer of last resort (Citizens) will be eligible to apply for $10,000 grants to strengthen their roofs. 

Only 500 grants will be given away in Round #1 of funding. They expect nearly every grant will be for the maximum amount because strengthening roofs typically cost a lot more than that. 

The Legislature set aside $30M for the program (so, about 3K policyholders could benefit). Half will go to Citizens' policyholders. Want to fortify your roof? Louisiana program begins Oct. 2 | Business News | nola.com (NOLA.com 09/14/23)