Mississippi
NASA Funding Cuts: Space advocates rally in Washington to save Artemis Mission | – The Times of India
In response to proposed budget cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration, space advocates and community leaders from South Mississippi and across the nation rallied in Washington, D.C., to protect crucial NASA programs. At the heart of the advocacy are the Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi, and the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, two of the Gulf Coast’s largest employers and vital contributors to the Artemis program. With the future of the Artemis Campaign potentially at risk, these advocates are urging lawmakers to ensure continued funding to support America’s ambitions in space exploration.
Stennis and Michoud: NASA’s crucial space facilities
The Stennis Space Center and the Michoud Assembly Facility are critical to the development of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually reach Mars. The Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, both essential components of Artemis, are built and tested at these facilities. Any funding cuts could severely impact operations, jobs, and the broader economy of South Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana, where these centers are located.“These programs don’t just represent exploration, they represent thousands of skilled jobs and future opportunities for our region,” said Tish Williams, executive director of Partners for Stennis and Michoud.
Advocacy for NASA funds in Washington
Tish Williams, along with over 100 members of Citizens for Space Exploration from 25 states, traveled to Washington to voice concerns directly to lawmakers. The group met with congressional leaders to stress the need to maintain NASA funding at no less than Fiscal Year 2024 levels. Their message was clear: cutting funds now, after only three Artemis flights, would be a major setback for America’s space ambitions.“If there’s any cut to the Artemis programs after only having three flights, that would be devastating,” Williams emphasized. “We need full funding to maintain momentum and meet strategic goals, including reaching the Moon before China.”
Political support and legislative momentum
Despite the challenges posed by the presidential budget proposal, Williams said there is optimism on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers are already drafting language aimed at preserving funding for NASA’s Artemis-related programs. Mississippi’s congressional delegation has reportedly played a key role in pushing for continued investment in the space sector.“This is the president’s proposal,” Williams noted. “But Congress ultimately decides the budget. The good news is that many legislators understand what’s at stake, not just for Mississippi, but for the country’s position in global space leadership.”
A critical crossroads for space exploration
Industry experts believe it will take at least another eight years of consistent investment to fully realize the technological advancements needed for long-term space missions. Advocates argue that now is not the time to scale back.With continued collaboration between NASA, local communities, and federal lawmakers, space advocates hope to secure the necessary funding and ensure that America remains at the forefront of space exploration with Stennis and Michoud leading the way.
Eight Mississippi public schools are being recognized for their support of military families and children of those who serve in the U.S. armed forces.
The Mississippi Department of Education acknowledged the following educational facilities as new Military Star Schools for 2026-28:
- Hattiesburg High School
- Callaway High School
- Jim Hill High School
- Baxterville School
- Lumberton Elementary
- Sumrall High School
- New Hope Lower Elementary
- Ocean Springs High School
According to the department, Military Star Schools must meet specific requirements that address the unique needs of military students and families. These include appointing a dedicated school liaison for military families, providing student-led transition services and peer support, ensuring professional development for staff to respond to the needs of military students and families, and publicly recognizing service members and their families.
Gov. Tate Reeves established the Military Star School program in February 2022, making Mississippi one of 31 states at that time with a formal program to recognize schools that support military families. In 2025, 18 schools earned the designation for 2025-27.
The Military Star School program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school and keep them on track to be college, workforce and life-ready. “Military-connected” refers to children of service members on active duty and in the National Guard and Reserves.
The Military Star School designation remains in effect for two years. Schools can reapply to maintain the designation. New schools can apply to receive the designation between Dec. 1, 2026, and Feb. 15, 2027. There are now 103 Military Star Schools in Mississippi. The full list can be found here.
East Nashville defensive back Ke’Vontae Pitts committed to Mississippi State football after his official visit on June 14, he announced on X.
Pitts, a 6-foot, 175-pound junior, picked the Bulldogs over offers that included Memphis, Arkansas State, East Carolina, Charlotte and Austin Peay.
It was a swift recruitment from Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby’s staff, which had just offered Pitts on June 9.
Pitts does not have a ranking with 247Sports but has 12 offers from FBS and FCS programs.
Pitts intercepted four passes in 2025 while helping East Nashville reach the TSSAA football Class 2A state quarterfinals. He also had 60 tackles and three punt returns for touchdowns.
He was scheduled to take an official visit to Memphis on June 19.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
He also contributes to The Tennessean’s high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.
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 June 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 14 drawing
Midday: 1-1-2, FB: 9
Evening: 8-9-8, FB: 0
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 14 drawing
Midday: 7-6-6-0, FB: 9
Evening: 1-5-0-7, FB: 0
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 14 drawing
Midday: 04
Evening: 04
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.
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