Mississippi
MS Auditor: State-level DOGEs could find millions in waste
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Americans spent four years watching Joe Biden throw billions of dollars down the drain and give out tax dollars like candy to all of his left-wing activist buddies.
Compare that to the historic leadership President Trump has displayed with his creation of the Department of Government Efficiency. We finally have a president who makes an effort to save trillions instead of lighting it on fire.
DOGE is a benefit because it’s not only doing real work to make our federal government more efficient, but it’s also inspiring state government officials around the country to start state-level DOGE efforts.
I have the privilege to serve as Mississippi’s State Auditor, and we have spent the last few years finding similar sorts of examples of waste in state government. We even jokingly started calling ourselves MOGE (the Mississippi Office of Government Efficiency) and have released an 800-page MOGE report with tons of detail on how state taxpayer money is going down the drain.
For example, in Mississippi’s Medicaid program, we found the state paid over $600,000 in a year to cover dead folks who were still on the program rolls.
We also found that in any given year, anywhere from 5-7% of people on Medicaid appear to be making too much money to be eligible for the program. That costs taxpayers anywhere from $60-$144 million in wasted funds, depending on the year. And the specific examples of what we found were insane: one couple was living in a 7,000 square foot home valued at over $1 million, and Mississippians were paying for their healthcare via Medicaid.
The Medicaid number is large, but we find smaller examples of waste that add up over time. Mississippi spends about $340,000 every year on cell phones for state employees that are never turned on. State agencies here entered into IT contracts to pay $5,800 each for TV screens (while the federal government bought the exact same TV screens for $2,200). Politicians use the state plane to fly to out-of-state baseball games.
Another area I’ve been excited to see DOGE look into is the massive amount of tax dollars being spent on DEI across our government. Here in Mississippi, my office found that over a four-year period, Mississippi universities spent over $23 million on DEI programs. One university has 20 DEI staffers.
Their head DEI staffer makes more than the governor and the lieutenant governor of Mississippi combined. And when asked what they did with all this money and manpower, that DEI office produced a document showing one of their accomplishments was handing out a grant to study equity-based social justice yoga for preschoolers (it sounds fake, I know).
We’ve found state taxpayer money going to purchase books for public libraries that teach kids that “whiteness is a bad deal.” We have taxpayer funding for left-wing degree programs in universities that teach classes like “Gender and Zombies.” We see grant money going to non-profits for community gardens that don’t exist or paying the speeding tickets of the non-profit’s managers.
Which leads me to this point: all of these left-wing activist ideologies are being promoted even here in Mississippi, the last state you’d imagine you’d find this garbage. This makes starting a state-level DOGE in every state even more important.
I’ve been Mississippi’s State Auditor for seven years now, and I’ve learned a lot during my tenure. I’ve learned that sometimes government waste happens because a bureaucrat is just lazy and isn’t being efficient with other people’s money. But other times, the waste is deliberate. Other times, the waste is there on purpose because it benefits someone powerful or well-connected.
This explains why Democrats spend all their time attacking DOGE and Elon Musk. I’ve had my fair share of attacks from establishment politicians over my office’s findings, too — some from my own party. Most politicians and government bureaucrats have no interest in weeding out the waste and some of them actually depend on it. They will attack and slander anyone who attempts to put a stop to it.
But I know that President Trump and Elon Musk won’t let that stop them. That’s the attitude you must have to go after the pet projects, and it’s what I’ve had to do here in Mississippi as the state auditor. My prediction is DOGE will inspire a new generation of leaders who know how to stand up to the left-wing bureaucratic ideologues and the establishment politicians to finally get a good deal for taxpayers.
— Shad White is the 42nd State Auditor of Mississippi.
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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