Latest news with #TateReeves
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Tech group asks Supreme Court to block Mississippi law on age verification for social media
Technology trade group NetChoice is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stop Mississippi from enforcing a law that requires age verification for users of social media. The group filed an emergency application Monday, days after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the Mississippi law could take effect. While NetChoice has sued other states over age-verification laws, the Mississippi case is the first to reach the nation's high court. NetChoice argues that Mississippi's law violates privacy and constitutionally protected speech, while state officials who support the law say it aims to protect children from harm online. 'Social media is the modern printing press — it allows all Americans to share their thoughts and perspectives,' Paul Taske, co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, said in a press release Monday. 'And, until now, Mississippians could do the same free from government interference.' In April 2024, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act, which unanimously passed the Legislature and was named for a teenager who took his own life after sextortion online. The law says a minor must have permission of a parent or guardian to have a social media account and requires digital service providers to make 'commercially reasonable efforts' to verify users' ages. It also says social media companies could not collect, sell or share minors' personal information and tech companies must have strategies to prevent minors from accessing 'harmful material.' NetChoice members include Google, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and X. The group sued Mississippi in June 2024 to try to prevent the law from taking effect, arguing that families, not the state, should determine how children interact with social media. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in July 2024 to prevent Mississippi's law from taking effect. Last week, the New Orleans-based appeals court granted the state's request to lift that injunction. In papers filed with the appeals court, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, a Republican, argued that the law 'imposes modest duties on the interactive online platforms that are especially attractive to predators.' ___ This story was originally published by Mississippi Today and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fairbanks Morse Defense Completes Acquisition of Critical Naval Manufacturing Capabilities from Rolls-Royce
Milestone event at Pascagoula foundry draws Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and key stakeholders to mark defense industry and regional economic growth BELOIT, Wis., July 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (Arcline), has finalized its acquisition of the Rolls-Royce Naval Propulsors business. This milestone was celebrated at the newly acquired Pascagoula, Mississippi, foundry, where Governor Tate Reeves, Fairbanks Morse Defense CEO Steve Pykett, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation Deputy Director Mary Martha Henson, and other community and industry leaders gathered to recognize the significance of the acquisition to both national security and regional economic growth. Click HERE for photos from the event. The Fairbanks Morse Defense Pascagoula facility is the only privately owned foundry in the United States capable of casting large Navy-standard propulsor systems, making it a critical component of the maritime defense supply chain. Now operating through a naval-focused defense contractor, the facility is being fully integrated into Fairbanks Morse Defense's broader portfolio of naval technologies. The strategic shift is designed to boost support for the U.S. Navy through enhanced responsiveness, increased investment, and continued innovation, while also preserving skilled jobs and strengthening Mississippi's industrial economy. "This acquisition represents a strategic investment in sustaining the United States' defense manufacturing capabilities and ensuring we remain prepared to meet mission-critical demands," said Steve Pykett, CEO of Fairbanks Morse Defense. "The Pascagoula foundry, in particular, plays a vital role in supporting the Navy's maritime dominance, and its continued operation expands our capacity to serve as a trusted partner to the U.S. military. Integrating these highly skilled workforces into Fairbanks Morse Defense strengthens our ability to deliver on our mission of supporting warfighter readiness at home and abroad." Event guests had a rare opportunity to tour the foundry and directly engage with leaders who are committed to advancing both national security and Mississippi's manufacturing economy. During his opening comments, Governor Reeves underscored the broader economic impact of the foundry on the state's economy. "The acquisition of the Pascagoula foundry by Fairbanks Morse Defense is a strategic win for Mississippi and our nation's defense," said Governor Reeves. "This move reinforces our state's commitment to supporting the defense industrial base. Mississippi stands ready to provide the skilled workforce and robust infrastructure necessary to ensure our defense partners have the resources they need to succeed." Jackson County Economic Development Foundation Deputy Director Mary Martha Henson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value of local resources and community commitment. "Fairbanks Morse Defense is joining a community that knows how to get the job done," Henson said. "Jackson County has the infrastructure, workforce, and partnerships to help defense manufacturers thrive because we're focused on building a regional hub that strengthens our economy and supports national security. We look forward to working with Fairbanks Morse Defense to grow local opportunity and ensure their success here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast." The Pascagoula site is one of several key assets included in the Rolls-Royce Naval Propulsors' business acquisition. Fairbanks Morse Defense also gains a manufacturing campus in Walpole, Massachusetts, to produce critical propulsor systems for the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and allied naval fleets. Additionally, Fairbanks Morse Defense is in the process of acquiring Rolls-Royce's facility in Peterborough, Ontario, where it will support handling systems and undersea technology, including the Mission Bay Handling System used in the Global Combat Ship programs of the U.K., Canada, and Australia. About Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) builds, maintains, and services the most trusted naval power and propulsion systems on the planet. For nearly a century, Fairbanks Morse Defense has been a principal supplier of a growing array of leading marine technologies, OEM parts, and turnkey services to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. FMD stands ready to rapidly support the systems that power military fleets without compromising safety or quality. In times of peace and war, the experienced engineers, sailors, and technicians of FMD demonstrate our commitment to supporting the mission and vision of critical global naval operations wherever and whenever needed. FMD is a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management. To learn more, visit View source version on Contacts Fairbanks Morse Media Contact: Mercom CommunicationsMichelle HargisTel: 512-347-0300fairbanksmorse@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
20-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Mississippi partners with tech giant Nvidia for AI education program
The state of Mississippi and technology giant Nvidia have reached a deal for the company to expand artificial intelligence training and research at the state's education institutions, an initiative to prepare students for a global economy increasingly driven by AI, Gov. Tate Reeves announced Wednesday. The memorandum of understanding, a nonbinding agreement, between Mississippi and the California-based company will introduce AI programs across the state's community colleges, universities and technical institutions. The initiative will aim to train at least 10,000 Mississippians using a curriculum designed around AI skills, machine learning and data science. Mississippi now joins Utah, California and Oregon, which have signed on to similar programs with Nvidia. 'This collaboration with Nvidia is monumental for Mississippi. By expanding AI education, investing in workforce development and encouraging innovation, we, along with Nvidia, are creating a pathway to dynamic careers in AI and cybersecurity for Mississippians,' Reeves said. 'These are the in-demand jobs of the future — jobs that will change the landscape of our economy for generations to come. AI is here now, and it is here to stay.' The agreement does not award any tax incentives to Nvidia, but Reeves said the state would provide funding for the initiative. Still, he did not foresee having to call a special legislative session in order to pay for it. Reeves said officials and Nvidia were still determining the exact dollar figure the project would require, but the state would spend as much as it took to reach its goal of training at least 10,000 Mississippians. Some of the funding may come from $9.1 million in grants to state institutions of higher learning through the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program, which Reeves announced last week. Nvidia designs and supplies graphics processing units (GPUs), and the Mississippi program will focus on teaching people to work with GPUs. The company has seen growing demand for its semiconductors, which are used to power AI applications. Now the world's most valuable chipmaker, Nvidia announced in April that it will produce its AI supercomputers in the United States for the first time. Louis Stewart, head of strategic initiatives for Nvidia's global developer ecosystem, said the Mississippi program is part of a larger effort to bolster the United States' position as the global leader in artificial intelligence. 'Together, we will enhance economic growth through an AI-skilled workforce, advanced research, and industry engagement, positioning Mississippi as a hub for AI-driven transformation to the benefit of its communities.' ___ This story was originally published by Mississippi Today and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Three Mississippi-based HBCUs look to expand AI Education
The post Three Mississippi-based HBCUs look to expand AI Education appeared first on ClutchPoints. A $9.1 million higher education grant awarded to the state of Mississippi will help three HBCUs to increase entrepreneurship, job training, and artificial intelligence (AI) education. Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, and Alcorn State University will benefit from the multi-million-dollar grant. Governor Tate Reeves announced the funds through the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program (MAI-TAP) on June 12, 2025, with the goal of bolstering the state's workforce and economic future, according to WJTV 12 News. To increase its influence, each institution will look for private financing and resources in addition to public assistance. 'This is another bold step forward for Mississippi,' Reeves said. 'We're not just preparing for the future—we're building it. This investment will help to ensure that Mississippians are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.' The Executive On Roster (XOR) program, which will spearhead a statewide effort to introduce students, educators, and entrepreneurs to emerging technology through experiential learning, was granted $1.3 million to Jackson State University, administered by AccelerateMS. Consulting teams of Jackson State students will also strive to provide small firms AI-powered assistance. 'We are grateful for this investment in Jackson State University's mission to expand access to emerging fields,' JSU Interim President Denise Gregory, Ph.D., said in a news release. 'This grant affirms the quality of our faculty and programs and allows us to give students the knowledge and experience to navigate and contribute to the world they are entering. It's another step forward in our work to serve students and communities through innovation and opportunity.' According to WJTV, Tougaloo College received $1.08 million to create a fund to provide students in all disciplines with access to AI-related ideas and employ new faculty members in the fields of AI and machine learning. $1.15 million was awarded to Alcorn State University to train people in southwestern Mississippi in digital literacy and artificial intelligence and to use its School of Nursing to implement telehealth tools to increase access to healthcare in underprivileged rural areas. The University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and Mississippi College were among the other state universities that received awards. The funding comes in the wake of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on April 23 that 'established' a White House Initiative to support HBCUs' excellence and innovation.' Expanding access to federal and state grants, supporting institutional and workforce development in sectors like technology, health care, manufacturing, and finance, and establishing an annual White House HBCU Summit to establish partnerships and set goals are all part of the initiative's mission to improve educational quality through private-sector partnerships. 'HBCUs are essential to fostering opportunity, economic mobility, and national competitiveness, serving as engines of success for American students,' a White House press release stated. 'HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to the general welfare and prosperity of the United States while producing many leaders in business, government, academia, and the military. Nearly 300,000 individuals annually pursue their dreams at HBCUs throughout the United States. These institutions generate $16.5 billion in annual economic impact and support over 136,000 jobs, strengthening communities and the nation.' Related: 'Love Island' winner nabs role in HBCU series on Keke Palmer network Related: Marva Johnson officially named 13th president of Florida AM
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How common are pardons in Mississippi?
JACKSON, Miss (WJTV) – As a Mississippi death row inmate awaits his fate amid his upcoming execution next week, some wonder how often pardons and sentence commutations occur in the state. Mississippi's oldest and longest-serving death row inmate, Richard Jordan, is set to be executed on Wednesday, June 25. Jordan has been on death row for 48 years. According to Mississippi's Constitution, the governor exclusively holds the pardon power. However, the governor and the legislature hold the clemency power. The governor's power is broad; in contrast, the legislature may only commute a defendant's sentence due to good behavior. Mississippi Supreme Court denies rehearing for death row inmate Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) data reveals that 21,360 inmates are in state custody. That is a more than 1.5% decrease compared to six months ago. Numerous governors in the last 50 years issued pardons or commutations of sentences. However, such measures have stopped in the last two gubernatorial administrations. Recent hesitation to issue either likely stemmed from former Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.). He pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 200 people before he left office in January 2012. This included 10 blanket pardons for people convicted of murder. His successor, Gov. Phil Bryant (R-Miss.), did not issue any pardons during his two terms as governor. Since becoming governor in 2020, Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) has not issued any pardons or sentence commutations. The state's last execution was in December 2022. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
