Mississippi
'MOGE' audit uncovers nonprofits' 'incredibly wasteful' spending of taxpayer funds: state official
EXCLUSIVE: An audit by Mississippi state auditor Shad White found several instances of “incredibly wasteful” expenditures of state HIV/AIDS grants, as President Donald Trump has been criticized for cutting similar funding via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
White said his report shows funds meant for HIV/AIDS issues were spent by some recipients on a “Queer-ceanara” – a “Latinx pride month event” based off the Spanish term “Quinceañera” for a girl’s 15th birthday celebration.
“We’ve been following the model that President Trump and DOGE set in digging into taxpayer funds here in Mississippi,” White told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview about updates to what is being called “MOGE,” or Mississippi’s version of Elon Musk’s DOGE government efficiency work.
“We’re particularly looking now at grants that are being passed from state agencies over to nonprofits, and our latest findings are really just a slap in the face to taxpayers, unfortunately,” he said.
MISSISSIPPI MUSK: STATE AUDITOR’S ‘MOGE’ REPORT FINDS $400M IN GOVERNMENT WASTE
“So what we started doing is digging into grants that were designed to pay for tests, to test people for HIV/AID – and so those grants were flowing through the Mississippi Department of Health… And when you dig into how [some] nonprofits are spending the money, you see that it’s incredibly wasteful.”
White said taxpayer funds meant for constructive means were also spent on cab rides in the overnight hours 1,000 miles away in New York City over a several-day period.
“[That] looked like bar-hopping,” he said.
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Elon Musk, left, and Mississippi state auditor Shad White. (Reuters/IMAGN)
White remarked that if that kind of funding “abuse” could happen in a red state like the Magnolia State, it may only be the tip of the iceberg compared to more financially permissive blue states.
“Our audit shows that when you dig into how this money is actually being spent, it’s not actually helping people with HIV/AIDS. It’s not helping to test folks for HIV. It’s instead just being wasted.”
At the same time, the Trump administration’s National Institutes of Health has been under fire for similar cuts in its own DOGE efforts, with one CNN report citing a critic claiming “people will die.”
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The network looked into changes made in a Health and Human Services database, and one source said they had been getting texts from concerned people.
Back in Jackson, White said the HIV/AIDS funding audit is only the latest in his office’s wide-ranging efforts to curb waste or fraud in terms of state taxpayer monies.
“DOGE has highlighted in particular how grants passed down from the federal government to state governments, and then to non-profits, are really a massive, massive fraud risk,” he said.
“Our audit here proves that the craziest kind of stuff that you see at the federal level and the craziest stuff that may see in California or New York is happening in red states too. Every single state needs to be following President Trump’s lead.”
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 Jan. 3, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
01-04-07-15-34
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 4-5-3, FB: 6
Evening: 3-9-1, FB: 0
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 5-3-4-4, FB: 6
Evening: 9-9-0-0, FB: 0
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 12
Evening: 09
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.
The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (1-12) head into a road matchup with Tae Davis and the Oklahoma Sooners (9-3) at Lloyd Noble Center on Monday, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
We provide more details below, and that includes how to watch this game on SEC Network+.
Here is everything you need to prepare for Monday’s college hoops game.
Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State: How to watch on TV or live stream
- Game day: Monday, December 29, 2025
- Game time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Norman, Oklahoma
- Arena: Lloyd Noble Center
- TV Channel: SEC Network+
- Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch college basketball on Fubo!
Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State stats and trends
- With 86.9 points per game on offense, Oklahoma is 46th in the nation. At the other end, it gives up 72.7 points per contest, which ranks 174th in college basketball.
- The Sooners are grabbing 34.8 boards per game (111th-ranked in college basketball) this season, while allowing 30.5 rebounds per contest (156th-ranked).
- Oklahoma is averaging 16.7 dimes per game, which ranks them 76th in college basketball in 2025-26.
- The Sooners are forcing 11.6 turnovers per game this season (214th-ranked in college basketball), but they’ve averaged just 9.3 turnovers per contest (20th-best).
- This season, Oklahoma is making 10.2 three-pointers per game (45th-ranked in college basketball) and is shooting 34.6% (143rd-ranked) from three-point land.
- The Sooners are giving up 8.6 treys per game (281st-ranked in college basketball) this season, while allowing a 35.2% three-point percentage (285th-ranked).
- Of the shots attempted by Oklahoma in 2025-26, 53.7% of them have been two-pointers (66.6% of the team’s made baskets) and 46.3% have been threes (33.4%).
Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State Odds and Spread
- Spread Favorite: Sooners (-44.5)
- Total: 152.5 points
NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 2:47 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Watch college basketball on Fubo!
Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.
The powers-that-be have put college football coaches and players in very awkward spots with the transfer portal.
For roughly 68-70 FBS teams, there’s a stretch of time between its regular season finale and bowl game where important decisions have to be made.
Coaches have to be fired and hired. Coaching staffs have to be adjusted or changed entirely. Players have to make decisions about staying or going, whether via the portal or NFL Draft.
It leads to awkward moments with players announcing plans to enter the transfer portal and opting out of their team’s bowl game. There are good arguments to be made for all sides, too.
For example, fans may hate it, but if a player knows they’re entering the transfer portal then it’s a smart business decision to not play in a bowl game. (Playoff games are different.)
But not all players planning to enter the transfer portal are opting out of their team’s bowl game. Just like not all coaches are keeping transferring players at home for bowl games.
In those instances, it’s a good display of coaches and players having good relationships.
That brings us to today’s news that Mississippi State quarterback Luke Kromenhoek is going to be with the Bulldogs for their Duke’s Mayo Bowl game against Wake Forest on Friday.
“He is with us and will be available,” Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby announced Sunday morning. “So, appreciative of him staying with us, going through this, being a great teammate, and excited for what he’s going to be able to go do next.”
Kromenhoek has already announced his intention to enter the transfer portal after one season in Starkville. He played in two games (earning a redshirt) and threw only four passes, but his availability is important.
Blake Shapen started 11 of 12 games for Mississippi State this season before true freshman Kamario Taylor was handed the starting job in the Egg Bowl. Shapen is no longer with the team, as Lebby confirmed earlier this month.
That left some question as to who the No. 2 quarterback in the bowl game would be. With Kromenhoek planning to enter the transfer portal, the only other quarterbacks were Taylor and fellow true freshman Parker Puckett.
Taking just Taylor and Puckett to Charlotte would be a big gamble that Taylor doesn’t miss any plays. But Kromenhoek will be available, easing those concerns.
More than 20 Mississippi State players have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal when it opens January 2. But Kromenhoek is the only one that’ll be available for the bowl game.
“The situation is exactly what it is, and I totally understand where (Kromenhoek’s) coming from, and that’s college football these days,” Lebby said. “Luke’s got a chance to be a great player, really talented and really intelligent.
“I think for us, that’s really the only one that has said he’s going to go in that is going to be with us.”
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