Mississippi
Former Mississippi Medicaid director may soon lead the federal program
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A Mississippian could soon take a top health-related spot in the Trump administration.
Drew Snyder left his post as Director of Mississippi’s Division of Medicaid at the end of October. Now, a Politico report indicates he may be waiting in the wings to assume the role of leading the federal program.
The news comes just as lawmakers are starting the new legislative session which leaders have said will include another attempt at extending Medicaid coverage to more Mississippians. Senator Brice Wiggins praised Snyder’s work at the state level.
“If he does get that position, I think it would be a boon for Mississippi,” noted Wiggins.
It’s been no secret that the next steps on Medicaid legislation this session are hinging on what the feds say under the new administration.
“All bets are off until we see which direction they want to go,” said Speaker Jason White ahead of the session.
The Governor and Speaker are praising Snyder but not going into any detail on whether they knew about the potential appointment. But leaders have all referenced in the last month that they’re starting conversations.
“I’m having the same conversations with people that will be in those positions to make sure that whatever we decide on will be approved at the national level,” said Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann in December. “And we’re getting some guidance on those.”
Wiggins was a conferee on last year’s bill that didn’t make it across the finish line. We asked how a Mississippian at the top of the federal program could impact this year’s efforts.
“I certainly think the amount of phone calls and the amount of persuasion would be lessened because he’s heard all of our arguments in the first place,” explained Wiggins. “He knows all the legislators. Knows all the statewide officials. I think none of that would come new to him. So, if we in the legislature can make that happen, you know that I would think that it would have some certainly smoother sailing.”
Snyder did not have a comment when we reached out Wednesday.
We received the following statements about the potential position for Snyder.
“Drew Snyder is sharp and, having served as Mississippi’s Director of Medicaid for nearly seven years, certainly understands the subject matter well. I am always proud of talented Mississippians who are earning opportunities on the federal or national level making our state look good.” – Speaker Jason White
“Drew Snyder is a professional. In my conversations with the incoming administration…I’ll just tell you that I don’t know what the President is going to do. The President will make this decision and certainly his picks to lead HHS. But they couldn’t find a more intellectual, smart, conservative leader of any agency including Medicaid and CMS than Drew Snyder.” – Governor Tate Reeves
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Mississippi
Mississippi College Baseball Wins Series vs. West Florida for First Time
Mississippi College baseball has won the series against West Florida for the first time ever
The Choctaws have been playing UWF since 2015
MC won the first two games and put on a bit of a comeback in game 3
Next: GSC at Delta St., then Conference Tournament
Mississippi
George County High School senior killed in Highway 26 crash, MHP says
GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) — A George County High School senior is dead after an SUV hit him while bicycling on Highway 26 Friday night.
Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) officials said at 8:15 p.m. the MHP responded to a fatal crash on Highway 26 in George County.
Those officials said a Ford SUV traveling west on Highway 26 collided with 18-year-old Tyree Bradley of McLain, Mississippi, who was bicycling.
Bradley was fatally injured and died at the scene, MHP officials said.
The crash remains under investigation by the MHP.
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Copyright 2026 WLOX. All rights reserved.
Mississippi
Mississippi State Drops Series Opener at Texas A&M Despite Late Chances
Some losses feel like they drag on longer than the box score suggests, and Mississippi State’s 3-1 opener at Texas A&M fits that category.
It wasn’t a blowout. It wasn’t a game where the Bulldogs looked outmatched.
It was just one of those nights where the early mistakes stuck around and the offense never quite found the swing that could shake them loose.
The frustrating part is how quickly the hole formed. Two solo homers and a wild pitch in the first two innings put Mississippi State behind 3-0, and that was basically the ballgame.
Against a top tier SEC team on the road, spotting three runs that early is a tough ask. The Bulldogs didn’t fold, but they also didn’t cash in when the door cracked open.
“I liked our fight. I think we’re really just working through some things offensively, and trying to stay together,” Mississippi State coach Samantha Ricketts said. “This team still believes, and we’re going to battle and fight every chance we get, and I think I saw a lot of that. I’m encouraged for what that means for us moving forward, but, you know, they’re a good hitting team, and we’ve got to be able to shut them down early. I don’t think Peja [Goold] had her best stuff, but she continued to battle out there and find ways to get outs.”
They had chances. Two runners stranded in the fifth. Two more in the sixth. Another in the seventh. Des Rivera finally got the Bulldogs on the board with an RBI single, but the big hit that usually shows up for this lineup never arrived.
It wasn’t a lack of traffic. It was a lack of finish.
If there was a bright spot, it came from the bullpen. Delainey Everett gave Mississippi State exactly what it needed after the rocky start.
“That was just a huge relief appearance by Delaney to keep us in it,” Ricketts said. “It’s really good to have her back and healthy these last few weeks because these are the moments where we really need her and rely on her. We know that she’s going to be a big part of the remainder of the season going forward as well.”
Three hitless innings, one baserunner, and a reminder that she’s quietly putting together a strong stretch.
There were individual positives too. Nadia Barbary keeps climbing the doubles list. Kiarra Sells keeps finding ways on base.
But the bigger picture is simple. Mississippi State is now 6-10 in the SEC, and the margin for error is shrinking. Nights like this one are the difference between climbing back into the race and staying stuck in the middle.
They get another shot this morning with the schedule bumped up for weather. The formula isn’t complicated.
Clean up the early innings, keep getting quality relief, and find one or two timely swings. The Bulldogs didn’t get them Friday. They’ll need them today.
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