Mississippi
Why Mississippi State Basketball Fans Should Keep an eye on the Kentucky Coaching Search
On the eve of the national championship game, the college basketball world and sports universe as a whole received stunning news that was almost unbelievable.
Kentucky head coach John Calipari is leaving the Wildcats to become the next head coach at the University of Arkansas.
Sources: John Calipari is finalizing a five-year deal to become the next coach at Arkansas. The deal is expected to be completed in the next 24 hours.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 8, 2024
Rumors began trickling out that this was a possibility Sunday afternoon, but at the time it seemed like nothing more than unfounded message board fodder. Why on earth would a coach leave arguably the best college basketball job in the country to take a job multiple tiers worse? To be clear, Arkansas is a very good job, but it’s nothing compared to Kentucky.
Well, those rumors turned out to be reality. Calipari was in fact leaving Lexington and heading to Fayetteville. And as stunning a decision as it was, there’s understandable reasoning behind it.
Cal’s tenure at UK had turned sour over the last few seasons. The lack of recent postseason success at a program that expects national championships had Cat fans ready to run him out of town. It was somewhat surprising he wasn’t fired following this year’s first round defeat at the hands of 14-seed Oakland.
The decision had been made to bring him back for the 24-25 season, but Cal saw the writing on the wall. Next season was likely to be his last in Lexington. So he chose to take a solid opportunity to restart the clock on his career at an Arkansas program that, yes, has high expectations but is no where close to as pressure-filled as UK.
Now, the fallout from this move begins. Kentucky is the bluest of blue bloods. It’s a job unlike maybe any other in the sport. And that means the list of candidates will be as star-studded as you can find. There’s a chance a sitting head coach from an elite program leaves their current gig to take over the Wildcats.
If that happens, the domino effect on the rest of the sport will be significant. And it’s why Mississippi State basketball fans need to keep a close eye on the Kentucky coaching search and subsequent moves that follow.
Because there’s a chance their coach ends up riding along the coming coaching carousel.
Let’s get this out of the way at the start. Chris Jans will not be a candidate for the Kentucky head coaching vacancy. He doesn’t fit the mold of what Big Blue Nation is looking for in a head coach.
He hasn’t had major postseason success, he isn’t an elite recruiter, and simply put, he’s just not a big enough name to be the splash hire expected in Lexington.
Jans is an excellent coach. He’s a great program builder who gets the absolute most out of his teams. He’s among the best defensive coaches in the country. And he’s shown the ability to work the transfer portal, an important quality to have in this era of the sport.
But he’s not what Kentucky wants, so there’s no concern about him leaving Starkville for Lexington. However, there’s potential that the domino effect from this search would lead to Mississippi State basketball’s head man getting looks elsewhere.
Though Chris Jans won’t be under consideration for Kentucky, he might be considered by programs that are impacted by Kentucky’s hire.
Kentucky will likely make make an attempt at coaches currently not in college basketball such as former Villanova HC Jay Wright or current Chicago Bulls and former Florida HC Billy Donovan. Those are massive names that fit what they want. And if either of them are the hire, then there wouldn’t be any trickle-down impact on the rest of college basketball.
But the chances at those coaches saying “yes” seem slim. In all likelihood, UK is going to pull a sitting HC from a major college basketball program. And if that happens, you’ll see major impacts across the sport.
Coaches like Baylor’s Scott Drew, Alabama’s Nate Oats, Gonzaga’s Mark Few, and Houston’s Kelvin Sampson could all get looks. If any of those coaches leave for Kentucky, there will suddenly be another very attractive job open that would likely land a sitting head coach. And if they pulled a sitting head coach, guess what? That means yet another job would open.
Yes, we’re playing the hypothetical game here, but it’s valid. More than likely, there will be a run of good jobs opening across the sport, and if that happens, don’t be surprised if Chris Jans gets consideration for them.
Jans is well-respected in the coaching industry with college basketball insiders naming him as someone to watch who could soon be in line for a high-profile job. Since last season, his name has been tied to vacancies at Wichita State, SMU, and Arkansas. Other programs have taken notice, and they will come calling.
To be clear, I still expect Chris Jans to be Mississippi State’s HC next season. But if in the coming weeks we see some major jobs come open, it would not be shocking to see Jans named as a candidate elsewhere. That simply comes with the territory of having a successful HC.
Hopefully, Mississippi State can do what is necessary to keep Chris Jans in Starkville for years to come. There’s great momentum being built up behind the program right now. We’ll see if they can keep it rolling.
Mississippi
Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 25, 2026
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 25, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 25 drawing
01-06-09-13-23
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 25 drawing
Midday: 3-3-8, FB: 5
Evening: 4-0-8, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 25 drawing
Midday: 2-8-3-2, FB: 5
Evening: 5-0-3-2, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 25 drawing
Midday: 01
Evening: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Mississippi
Mississippi Legislature will talk school choice, redistricting in 2027
See video of MS Lt. Gov. Hosemann speaking on redistricting
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann speaks on redistricting during the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, MS, on June 24, 2026.
PHILADELPHIA — When asked about his campaign plans for the statewide elections in November 2027, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann has avoided giving a straight answer. Usually, he tells the media that his next focus is a long checklist of priorities to tackle next legislative session.
The governor’s race next year, the first this decade without term-limited incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves, is rumored to feature a crowded field. For current officeholders, even those who don’t work directly with the state Legislature, the bills that they can endorse and urge across the finish line are often the feathers in their cap touted on the campaign trail.
During the two days of political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair, Hosemann and other state leaders gave attendees a clearer view of what their goals are for those 60 days of debate.
Redistricting
One of the priorities common to most speakers was legislative and congressional redistricting in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that prohibited drawing voting districts on the basis of race. Reeves initially called a special session on redistricting, specifically regarding the state Supreme Court districts, but he later canceled it.
The governor opted to cancel the session, he said, because Mississippi had already had its primary. Instead, he charged Hosemann and House Speaker Jason White, the leaders of each chamber, with navigating the process during the next legislative session.
Through their redistricting committees, both said at the Neshoba County Fair, they are preparing to do exactly that.
“The Democrats used [prior Supreme Court rulings] to make sure they elected Democrats and not the people that you wanted. Now the Supreme Court has changed that, and we’re back to ground one where we should be,” Hosemann said. “We’ve appointed a committee, they’ll be out in Mississippi … looking at who do you want to represent you and how is your district to be set up? It’s coming back to the people where it was before, where it should be today.”
Mississippi Rep. Scott Bounds and Sen. Lane Taylor, both of whom represent the Neshoba County area, are on their respective redistricting committees. Both promised that redistricting is among the first issues that the Legislature plans to take up in January, with Bounds adding that the focus is on redrawing the state legislative districts.
“I believe the best way to enact common sense, conservative policies is by electing Republicans to office,” Jason White said. “The Mississippi House of Representatives stands for that, and we will examine redistricting and elect more Republicans to local, state and federal offices.”
Reeves confirmed that he “would not be surprised” if there is a special session before the next legislative session begins in January, but that even without it, the Legislature “would definitely have redistricting done” before the statewide elections in November 2027. Reeves has the power to call a special session at any point.
K-12 and higher education
Hosemann and White took, if not opposite perspectives, then at least different approaches to improving the state’s public and higher education systems.
White’s primary focus, he said in his speech, lays again with school choice. He told the crowd that, while lawmakers were still drafting legislation, Mississippians could expect to see a similar attempt this upcoming year as representatives put forward in January.
“I think you’ll see most statewide candidates for governor fully endorsing the idea of school choice and pushing it forward. I think the reason they will do that is because they’re smart, they’ve been polling, they’re spending their money to see what issues are important to people,” White said after giving his speech. “They’re finding out that when you get outside of the room and have a real conversation with parents, they want those choices.”
The 500-page, sweeping bill from last year primarily proposed using state money to fund vouchers for students to attend private and charter schools. It passed the House, where it originated, in a narrow vote before getting a resounding “no” vote in the Senate education committee.
“I wish the Senate would come forward and say, ‘Look, we don’t want to go through all that again. Here’s what we would do,’” White said. “I wish there would be a way to find a win-win, but to this point, they’ve been unwilling to have a conversation. That makes it tough politics for me when they’re unwilling to even have a conversation.”
Hosemann has loudly opposed state-funded vouchers, and he took the dais to advocate for more funding in public schools. One of his education priorities for the next year, he told the crowd, was opening more special-purpose schools for children with disabilities and developmental disorders such as autism.
Where Hosemann and White have agreed is that Mississippi’s education systems are bloated. Hosemann spoke specifically about higher education, telling reporters after his speech that some institutions graduate fewer than 25% of their enrollment. He touted the benefits of performance-based funding in ensuring that schools are motivated to educate high-performing students, and Mississippians could likely see changes to the funding formula in 2027.
White has largely focused, for the moment, on K-12 public schools. He formed a committee on school consolidation that has zeroed in on small schools and districts, and top officials with the state education department have asked for the Legislature to draft a framework for closing schools in the coming years.
How big should the government be?
Maybe the only thing that every Republican speaker agreed on was that Mississippi’s government needs to be smaller, but they phrased reform in different ways.
Reeves promoted artificial intelligence that makes workflows more efficient and decreases the number of state employees needed to do a certain job. White urged the government to decrease property taxes, because the burden makes property owners “feel like they rent the property that they own.”
Hosemann pointed to a Senate committee on efficiency and transparency that has moved to eliminate 17 government committees and boards he described as useless. White formed a similar special committee on government efficiency that has met over the summer to weigh cost-cutting measures.
While details on which departments could be downsized and precise estimates of potential savings have not been publicly outlined, nearly every state official, member of the Legislature and candidate who spoke at the Neshoba County Fair promised significant reform next session.
Bea Anhuci is the state government reporter for the Clarion Ledger. She has covered Mississippi politics since the start of 2026. Email her at banhuci@usatodayco.com.
Mississippi
Where to see fireworks and celebrate Fourth of July in, near Jackson
Celebrate the Fourth of July at these free events with fireworks displays in the Jackson area.
How to help your dog deal with July 4 fireworks
The loud bang of fireworks causes anxiety for dogs. Here’s how to help your pet on July 4.
Independence Day is always an exciting holiday in Mississippi with burgers and hot dogs sizzling on the grill and the dazzling displays of fireworks.
This year is even more special as America celebrates its 250th birthday. It is a celebration of a milestone not to be missed and the fireworks displays will be spectacular.
If you live in the Jackson area there are plenty of events to choose from and not all of them are on Saturday, July 4, so you can go and enjoy more than one. To make them even better, the events are free.
So, here are some of the area events that include fireworks where you can celebrate America 250.
Jackson Fireworks Extravaganza
- When: 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 1
- Where: Smith Wills Stadium, 1200 Lakeland Drive, Jackson
- Admission: Free
The City of Jackson is hosting its Fireworks Extravaganza starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, at Smith Wills Stadium.
Before the fireworks, guests can enjoy local food vendors and live entertainment. The event also will include a kid zone with water slides, bounce houses, face painting and games.
Independence Celebration at The Rez
- When: Saturday, June 27, 5-9 p.m.
- Where: Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore and Old Trace Park
- Admission: Free
Celebrate Independence Day Rez-style at the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The event takes place the Saturday before the Fourth of July at Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore and Old Trace Park.
Live music, kid zones, food vendors and beer will be on hand. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. No outside coolers are allowed.
Freedom Fest
- When: 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, July 3
- Where: Brandon Amphitheater, 8190 Rock Way, Brandon
- Admission: Free
Brandon’s complimentary Freedom Fest will be a kick-off to the holiday weekend celebrations. The event will include inflatables for the kids, a Cornhole tournament, face painting, food trucks and will close with a patriotic concert and fireworks display.
Red, White and Blue Fest
- When: 4 p.m., Saturday, July 4
- Where: Soccer Row, Traceway Park, Clinton
- Admission: Free
The 36th annual Red, White and Blue Fest in Clinton starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.
Local live music, food and games lead up to the fireworks finale at 9 p.m. Live music performances include blues prodigy John Clayton White at 5:30 p.m. and The Fountain City Players at 7:15 p.m.
Brian Broom has been reporting on and photographing Mississippi for more than 35 years. He can be reached at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
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