Mississippi
La Niña watch is officially on: When will Mississippi feel its impact?
(NEXSTAR) – El Niño has officially ended, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center said Thursday, and its cooler counterpart could be just around the corner. La Niña conditions are predicted to take hold over the Pacific Ocean as soon as July, setting the stage to affect our weather here on land.
The Climate Prediction Center issued a La Niña watch Thursday. The group of national forecasters say there’s a 65% chance La Niña forms between July and September. Chances increase even more as we move later into the year.
Odds are La Niña will be with us as we move into peak hurricane season. La Niña years are associated with more hurricanes and more damaging storms in the Atlantic basin.
This year appears likely to follow that pattern. Experts are predicting a record-breaking “hyperactive” 2024 season of tropical storms and hurricanes.
“The likelihood of a La Niña coupled with record warm sea surface temperatures is the reason the National Hurricane Center is forecasting an extraordinary hurricane season,” said Kathie Dello, North Carolina’s state climatologist. “States from Texas to Maine are making preparations for an active year.”
La Niña typically reaches its peak in the winter. That’s when it will likely have the strongest impact on weather patterns.
A La Niña winter usually means dry, warmer-than-average conditions across the southern half of the country. Past La Niña years have contributed to severe drought conditions in California and the Southwest.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest and Ohio Valley tend to get more precipitation, and northern states can see extra-cold weather.
When we’re in a La Niña, water along the Pacific coast is also colder and more nutrient dense, according the National Ocean Service. That’s also good news for marine life, like salmon and squid, that live along the West Coast.
Between now and whenever La Niña officially takes over, we’re in a situation described as “ENSO neutral,” meaning neither El Niño nor La Niña is in place. With or without La Niña in effect, national forecasters are expecting an abnormally hot summer for nearly all parts of the U.S.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mississippi
Utah blows double-digit lead in 78-73 loss to Mississippi State
The Utah Runnin’ Utes suffered a hard-fought loss to Mississippi State, falling 78-73 in the Mid-South Showdown on Sunday night in Southaven, Mississippi. Despite leading by 11 points at halftime, the Utes couldn’t hold off a second-half surge from the Bulldogs, led by standout performances from Josh Hubbard and KeShawn Murphy.
Hubbard scored a game-high 23 points for Mississippi State, with Murphy adding 18 points and dominating the boards with 14 rebounds. Cameron Matthews was also pivotal, scoring 12 points and converting 8 of 10 free throws, including several clutch shots in the final moments. Ryan Kugel contributed 12 points and delivered a critical offensive rebound late in the game, which helped seal the victory for the Bulldogs.
Utah started strong, controlling the tempo in the first half and building an 11-point advantage by halftime. The Utes’ balanced attack featured Ezra Ausar with a team-high 15 points, Mason Madsen contributing 14, and Keanu Dawes adding 13 points and 12 rebounds. Miro Little also chipped in with 10 points, hitting two key three-pointers during Utah’s dominant stretch late in the first half.
However, Mississippi State roared back in the second half, led by Hubbard and Murphy. They erased the deficit and took a six-point lead with just over 13 minutes remaining. Utah responded with a rally of its own, creating a back-and-forth battle with seven lead changes in a span of three minutes.
Down the stretch, Mississippi State’s execution proved decisive. Matthews knocked down critical free throws, and the Bulldogs’ ability to capitalize on Utah’s misses and turnovers secured the win. Despite the loss, Utah displayed resilience and strong performances from several key players.
The Runnin’ Utes will look to bounce back when they host Utah Tech on Friday, Nov. 22, at 5:30 p.m. ET, in a game that will be streamed on ESPN+. This matchup provides an opportunity for the Utes to regroup and build on their promising moments from Sunday night.
Mississippi
Mississippi College set to undergo name change, discontinuation of football program
CLINTON, Miss. (WLOX) – After reviewing and preparing for the college’s 2026 bicentennial, the Mississippi College Board of Trustees approved a name change for Mississippi College.
Starting in 2026, the college will be known as Mississippi Christian University. The decision underscores MC’s status as a comprehensive university and allows the college to retain its logo and identity.
Officials with the college say the name change is a strategic decision that reiterates leadership’s commitment to fulfilling the private university’s vision statement – to be known as a university recognized for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ.
Along with the decision to approve the name change, the college also announced the discontinuation of the football program, which will allow the school to “further its commitment to excellence in Division II play across its remaining 17 sports and pursue needed facility upgrades”.
“Discontinuing our football program is a difficult decision. We acknowledge the program’s legacy and the deep connection to the many student-athletes, alumni, and supporters of the football program. I want to emphasize that we will always consider them as part of our MC Family,” Athletic Director Kenny Bizot said.
“We will support our current student-athletes as they seek to continue their education at MC as well as those who wish to transfer,” Bizot added.
The changes were based on recommendations from a task force of university trustees, which were developed in consultation with university leadership and approved by the Board of Trustees.
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Mississippi
The Final Horn: State 78, Utah 73 – Mississippi State
THE BOTTOM LINE: Mississippi State is off to a perfect 4-0 start this season courtesy of a determined second-half surge that carried MSU past Utah 78-73 at the Landers Center in Southaven on Sunday. The Bulldogs trailed 39-28 after the first 20 minutes of play but used a 22-5 run out of halftime to gain a six-point edge before fending off the Utes down the stretch. Utah tied the game at 71-all with only 1:40 remaining, however State locked down defensively and scored seven of the game’s final nine points to secure victory.
KEY NUMBERS: Individually, Josh Hubbard scored 20 of his team-high 23 points in the second half to lead State’s surge, while KeShawn Murphy did a little of everything for the Bulldogs with 18 points, 14 rebounds, a couple of blocks and an assist. Riley Kugel and Cameron Matthews also reached double figures in scoring for State as each tallied 12 points. Matthews also collected a pair of steals, surpassing the 200-mark for his career. Collectively though, the biggest difference in the game was State’s second-half offensive resurgence. After shooting just 22.9 percent from the field as a team in the opening period, including only making one of 13 shots from three-point range, MSU shot 50 percent as a group the rest of the way and made five of its final 12 tries from deep.
SOCIAL MEDIA SCENES:
.@the_shawnjr5 ☝️#HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaN0plb (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/3w38DhYEnv
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024
Hustle play three and the Landers Center comes alive! #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/jYxj2aDrdv
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024
JOSH HUBBARD X2!
State opens up the second half on a 15-5 run and force the Utes to take a timeout!
𝗗𝗔𝗪𝗚𝗦 » 43
Utes » 44 #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/xXOJoMewDG— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024
11 Points in the second half so far for @jhubb_3! #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/3tJdvNG6EC
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024
FIRE US UP, @MelendezRamses!!
RK TO RJ and the Dawgs lead by 3! #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/JAZJQ9hjYa
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024
Comeback Complete.
𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐆𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍!!#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/fxqsemRSRh
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024
NEXT UP FOR THE DAWGS: Mississippi State faces a true road test as MSU battles SMU at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 22. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed via ACC Network Extra.
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