JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A Mississippian could soon take a top health-related spot in the Trump administration.

Drew Snyder left his post as Director of Mississippi’s Division of Medicaid at the end of October. Now, a Politico report indicates he may be waiting in the wings to assume the role of leading the federal program.

The news comes just as lawmakers are starting the new legislative session which leaders have said will include another attempt at extending Medicaid coverage to more Mississippians. Senator Brice Wiggins praised Snyder’s work at the state level.

“If he does get that position, I think it would be a boon for Mississippi,” noted Wiggins.

It’s been no secret that the next steps on Medicaid legislation this session are hinging on what the feds say under the new administration.

“All bets are off until we see which direction they want to go,” said Speaker Jason White ahead of the session.

The Governor and Speaker are praising Snyder but not going into any detail on whether they knew about the potential appointment. But leaders have all referenced in the last month that they’re starting conversations.

“I’m having the same conversations with people that will be in those positions to make sure that whatever we decide on will be approved at the national level,” said Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann in December. “And we’re getting some guidance on those.”

Wiggins was a conferee on last year’s bill that didn’t make it across the finish line. We asked how a Mississippian at the top of the federal program could impact this year’s efforts.

“I certainly think the amount of phone calls and the amount of persuasion would be lessened because he’s heard all of our arguments in the first place,” explained Wiggins. “He knows all the legislators. Knows all the statewide officials. I think none of that would come new to him. So, if we in the legislature can make that happen, you know that I would think that it would have some certainly smoother sailing.”

Snyder did not have a comment when we reached out Wednesday.

We received the following statements about the potential position for Snyder.

“Drew Snyder is sharp and, having served as Mississippi’s Director of Medicaid for nearly seven years, certainly understands the subject matter well. I am always proud of talented Mississippians who are earning opportunities on the federal or national level making our state look good.” – Speaker Jason White

“Drew Snyder is a professional. In my conversations with the incoming administration…I’ll just tell you that I don’t know what the President is going to do. The President will make this decision and certainly his picks to lead HHS. But they couldn’t find a more intellectual, smart, conservative leader of any agency including Medicaid and CMS than Drew Snyder.” – Governor Tate Reeves

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STARKVILLE — One of Mississippi State football’s top tacklers won’t return for the 2025 season.

Stone Blanton, the Bulldogs starting linebacker, declared for the NFL draft on Wednesday. He made the announcement with a post on social media.

“After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, I am humbled and excited to declare for the 2025 NFL draft,” he wrote. “This journey has been filled with unforgettable moments, lessons and blessings.”

Blanton was second on the team and tied for 10th nationally with 124 tackles this season. The junior had one year of eligibility remaining.

It’s the second significant roster move of the day for MSU after Georgia wide receiver Anthony Evans III announced his commitment in the transfer portal.

What Stone Blanton declaring for NFL draft means for Mississippi State football

Blanton, a Jackson native, transferred to MSU after two seasons at South Carolina. Although MSU struggled defensively, he was one of the few bright spots. He also had 3.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

His departure leaves a hole in Mississippi State’s defense that doesn’t have an obvious replacement. Fellow linebacker Nic Mitchell is returning and so is sophomore Zakari Tillman, who showed flashes as a playmaker. Five linebackers have transferred out of MSU, but most of them were depth pieces. Two have transferred in, headlined by Tennessee’s Jalen Smith, an All-SEC freshman.

The Bulldogs signed four-star Winona linebacker Tyler Lockhart in the 2025 recruiting class.

Safety Isaac Smith, MSU’s leading tackler, is returning next season.

MORE: Should Mississippi State basketball be concerned with Josh Hubbard’s shooting slump?

Feb. 7 is the deadline for players to opt out of the draft and return to college.

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

‘Some of this air is actually coming from all the way back to Siberia. You’re definitely going to get some very cold temperatures.’

A blast of cold air is moving into the U.S. and is forecast to reach down into Mississippi. All of the state will be affected and some areas will see temperatures plummet into the mid-teens.

“This is going to be a significant cold air outbreak,” said Eric Carpenter, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson. “It’s coming out of the Arctic regions.

“Some of this air is actually coming from all the way back to Siberia. You’re definitely going to get some very cold temperatures.”

The cause of it is a shift in the Arctic jet stream.

“The jet stream is allowing it to drop down into the U.S.,” Carpenter said. “The Arctic jet stream is a lot farther South than usual.”

Temperatures in much of the state are predicted to drop into the teens and even the Gulf Coast is expected to see below-freezing temperatures. And as cold as that seems, it may get colder than the current forecast.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the forecast trended colder as we get closer,” Carpenter said. “So, I would continue to monitor the weather.”

Here are the expected temperatures across the state from Saturday, Jan. 18, through Friday, Jan. 24, according to AccuWeather as of 3 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Jackson temperatures

• Saturday: High 67, low 29
• Sunday: High 43, low 20
• Monday: High 38, low 18
• Tuesday: High 36, low 20
• Wednesday: High 37, low 21
• Thursday: High 47, low 27
• Friday: High 50, low 29

More: Rain, snow coming to US soon. What will Arctic blast from polar vortex bring Mississippi?

Southaven temperatures

• Saturday: High 50, low 24
• Sunday: High 34, low 17
• Monday: High 28, low 16
• Tuesday: High 27, low 20
• Wednesday: High 33, low 25
• Thursday: High 43, low 27
• Friday: High 45, low 32

More: Mississippi is home to one of the best bakeries in the nation, according to NYT. See where

Corinth temperatures

• Saturday: High 53, low 25
• Sunday: High 38, low 14
• Monday: High 28, low 13
• Tuesday: High 28, low 15
• Wednesday: High 32, low 16
• Thursday: High 43, low 22
• Friday: High 47, low 27

Oxford temperatures

• Saturday: High 53, low 24
• Sunday: High 38, low 14
• Monday: High 31, low 13
• Tuesday: High 29, low 17
• Wednesday: High 33, low 18
• Thursday: High 45, low 23
• Friday: High 46, low 27

Greenville temperatures

• Saturday: High 60, low 28
• Sunday: High 37, low 19
• Monday: High 34, low 19
• Tuesday: High 32, low 19
• Wednesday: High 38, low 21
• Thursday: High 44, low 28
• Friday: High 49, low 33

Starkville temperatures

• Saturday: High 63, low 29
• Sunday: High 39, low 16
• Monday: High 37, low 14
• Tuesday: High 34, low 18
• Wednesday: High 38, low 19
• Thursday: High 45, low 24
• Friday: High 49, low 25

Vicksburg temperatures

• Saturday: High 68, low 30
• Sunday: High 39, low 19
• Monday: High 38, low 21
• Tuesday: High 33, low 19
• Wednesday: High 37, low 20
• Thursday: High 47, low 29
• Friday: High 49, low 33

Meridian temperatures

• Saturday: High 69, low 35
• Sunday: High 44, low 19
• Monday: High 37, low 18
• Tuesday: High 35, low 19
• Wednesday: High 43, low 18
• Thursday: High 47, low 24
• Friday: High 50, low 28

Natchez temperatures

• Saturday: High 67, low 31
• Sunday: High 41, low 23
• Monday: High 39, low 21
• Tuesday: High 31, low 18
• Wednesday: High 35, low 20
• Thursday: High 48, low 27
• Friday: High 49, low 31

Hattiesburg temperatures

• Saturday: High 68, low 38
• Sunday: High 46, low 22
• Monday: High 43, low 20
• Tuesday: High 39, low 20
• Wednesday: High 43, low 24
• Thursday: High 48, low 26
• Friday: High 52, low 29

Biloxi temperatures

• Saturday: High 64, low 46
• Sunday: High 57, low 32
• Monday: High 42, low 28
• Tuesday: High 44, low 29
• Wednesday: High 45, low 30
• Thursday: High 49, low 34
• Friday: High 55, low 39

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.