Mississippi
MDE to present policy to State Board of Education to ensure compliance with new anti-DEI law
- The Mississippi Department of Education plans to propose the new policy to the Board and then allow for public comment.
A policy that would ensure Mississippi’s public schools are in compliance with the state’s new law prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices is expected to be presented to the State Board of Education this month.
This legislative session, lawmakers passed HB 1193, a bill that prohibits DEI practices in the state’s public K-12 schools as well as in Mississippi’s public colleges and universities.
The legislation aims to prohibit those education institutions from utilizing DEI practices when making decisions concerning school employment, academic opportunities, and student engagement. Such decisions are to be based on an individual’s merit and qualifications rather than a person’s race, color, sexual orientation, or gender.
Governor Tate Reeves (R) signed the bill into law on April 17. It took effect upon passage.
This week, Magnolia Tribune reached out to the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) to request information on plans to ensure compliance with the new law. An emailed response from MDE stated that the department will introduce a proposed policy on the matter to the Board at the May 15 meeting.
“MDE plans to propose a policy (that would need to go out for public comment) to the State Board of Education later this month as a result of the new law,” a MDE spokesperson stated.
When pressed for specifics of that policy, the spokesperson said, “We need to wait until the proposed policy is presented to the board.”
MDE did not say how long the public comment period would remain open, but the department typically provides for a public comment period of 30 days.
While the contents of the proposed policy are unknown, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, State Senator Dennis DeBar (R) expects MDE to form a policy that meets the requirements outlined in the legislation.
“I foresee a policy that complies with state law and I except that the department will hold those districts that violate the policy accountable,” DeBar told Magnolia Tribune.
House Education Committee Chair, State Rep. Rob Roberson (R) wants to see a policy that will ensure all students are treated equally.
“I hope the MDE would hold steadfast to historical accuracy and encourage ethical treatment for all students without prompting a woke agenda that harms all children regardless of their color or gender,” Roberson told Magnolia Tribune. “DEI in my estimation does the opposite of what Dr. [Martin Luther King, Jr.] spoke about when he dreamed of a day the content of one’s character was far more important than the color of one’s skin… or gender, identity or whatever alphabets of the day.”
Roberson added that MDE’s policy should ensure students receive a proper education that avoids instruction resulting in one group of people feeling less than others, while also not placing guilt on other groups.
“I believe this is the policy we are striving to accomplish while staying true to historical truth and guiding young minds to be accepting of each other and the melting pot that makes this country the strongest and most free country in history,” Roberson added. “We should not forget the mistakes we have made; however, we must remember and rise above.”
The State Board of Education is set to meet at 10 a.m. on May 15. It will be livestreamed here.
Samantha Ricketts credits Mississippi State’s ‘grit’ for rally vs OU softball in Game 1
OU softball alum and Mississippi State coach Samantha Ricketts talks about the Bulldogs’ 11-9 comeback win Friday in Game 1 of the NCAA Norman Super Regional.
By nearly every metric, Mississippi State softball was the underdog in its NCAA Tournament super regional matchup with Oklahoma.
The No. 3 seed Sooners (51-9) hadn’t lost a super regional game since 2015. That is until the Bulldogs (42-18) came back to beat Oklahoma 11-9 on May 22 at Love’s Field in Norman. Mississippi State scored nine runs in the final two innings to win.
The Bulldogs’ win seemed unlikely for a number of reasons. They were playing in just their second super regional while the Sooners were playing their 19th. Mississippi State had never even won a super regional game. Oklahoma had won 18 straight and hadn’t lost one since 2015.
Entering the day, Oklahoma had lost just one game at home this season. Mississippi State was 0-11 against the Sooners all-time, and eight of those losses came under coach Samantha Ricketts, who was an All-American at Oklahoma.
Even Oklahoma’s uniform combination was a recipe for success. The Sooners were 11-0 when wearing white tops and red bottoms.
As if the odds against Mississippi State entering the first game of the best-of-three series weren’t stacked high enough, the statistical improbability of the Bulldogs’ win appeared to grow as the game went on.
According to ESPN, since 2000, the Sooners were 77-0 when leading by four or more runs in a regional or super regional game. Oklahoma led 5-1 in the third inning and 6-2 in the fourth.
This season, Oklahoma was 14-0 when leading after six innings. Mississippi State was 1-15 when trailing after six innings. The Sooners led 9-6 entering the sixth inning thanks to a three-run home run hit by star freshman Kendall Wells.
They were also 42-2 when scoring at least six runs and 31-1 when totaling at least 10 hits. Wells’ home run was hit No. 11.
Still, the Bulldogs found a way to buck all of these trends to take Game 1. Now, Mississippi State has a chance to qualify for the Women’s College World Series for the first time if they recreate this same magic in Game 2 May 23 (noon CT, ESPN).
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.
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 May 21, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from May 21 drawing
06-08-17-20-29
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from May 21 drawing
Midday: 6-5-2, FB: 1
Evening: 4-7-5, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from May 21 drawing
Midday: 3-9-8-8, FB: 1
Evening: 2-9-4-2, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 21 drawing
Midday: 05
Evening: 05
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.
HOOVER, AL — Mississippi State baseball had a chance to bust a myth in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals against Georgia.
MSU hasn’t had issues beating the bad and average teams but has struggled to get wins against the top teams.
A win for No. 8 seed MSU over No. 1 Georgia could’ve extinguished that, but Georgia (44-12) won 5-3 on May 21 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium to eliminate MSU (40-17).
That leaves Mississippi State 9-14 in Quad 1 games, the type of matchups it will need to win to make a run to the College World Series. And four of those Quad 1 wins are against Ole Miss. Mississippi State is 31-3 in Quads 2-4.
“Their spirits are up,” Mississippi State coach Brian O’Connor said. “Obviously they’re disappointed about today. But they really, really believe in each other. And I feel like this team has the skill and want-to to play for a long time.”
Mississippi State had three weeks to prove it can consistently win against elite teams. Its last three series of the regular season were all Quad 1 — at Texas, home against Auburn and at Texas A&M.
Mississippi State lost all three of those series but didn’t get swept in any of them.
However, Mississippi State has been competitive in just about every game. It’s only been run-ruled once, May 9 against Auburn. Six of the 14 Quad 1 losses are by one run and three of them are by two runs.
“We’re playing well,” Mississippi State designated hitter Noah Sullivan said. “We’re all excited. We want to play at home, and hopefully that does happen. But I mean, this game, it is what it is. We didn’t do enough on both sides, and it just is what it is. We’ll move forward, get back to work and see what happens.”
Brian O’Connor believes Mississippi State will host regional
O’Connor said after the loss to Georgia that he believes Mississippi State will be one of the 16 NCAA Tournament teams to host a regional.
D1Baseball had Mississippi State as the No. 14 national seed before the loss to Georgia, and Baseball America projected Mississippi State as the No. 13 seed.
“I hope on Sunday the committee feels that we are worthy of that,” O’Connor said. “I know our fan base and the community of Starkville will do an incredible job hosting a regional welcoming the other teams. And I believe this team has earned the right to be able to do that.”
MSU hasn’t hosted a regional since 2021, the year it won the program’s only national championship.
The regional hosts will be announced May 24 before the full bracket reveal on May 25.
“We’re right there,” O’Connor said. “We just need to be a little bit better starting next weekend in those tight ball games.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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