AGP Executive Report

Food Safety: The FDA says a salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs from Midwest Poultry Services has sickened 98 people and hospitalized 26 across 17 states, including Mississippi, with more than 19 million eggs recalled and sold under brands like Kroger and Brookshire’s. Agriculture & Weather: Mississippi corn looks strong and is maturing weeks early, but heat stress is still a concern as USDA and Pro Farmer condition reports show sharp declines in some regions. Aquaculture Support: USDA plans Section 32 purchases of surplus catfish, including $20M for farm-raised catfish, aiming to ease pressure on producers in Mississippi and other top catfish states. Energy & Permitting: Environmental groups, including Savannah Riverkeeper, sued the U.S. Army Corps over a pipeline approval program that they say sidesteps key water and species protections. Power Grid Watch: The DOE flagged electricity emergencies across 17 states as extreme heat strains grids, giving operators more backup-power authority. STEM & Workforce: Ole Miss selected inaugural STEM teacher leaders in Mississippi, part of a push to strengthen classroom science and math leadership. Community & Education: Mississippi farmers markets launched a back-to-school supply drive to help students prepare for the new year.

Oil & Energy: W&T Offshore set its Q2 2026 earnings release for Aug. 5 and a call Aug. 6, as Gulf producers keep watching crude swings. Food Safety: FDA announced a voluntary recall of nearly 1.6 million dozen cage-free eggs tied to Salmonella Enteritidis; affected cartons (plant codes P-1950 or 0840962, Julian dates 157–184) were sold at Kroger and Brookshire stores across Texas, Louisiana, and also Mississippi. Water & Coastal Economy: A U.S. congressional roundtable Tuesday will focus on Bonnet Carré Spillway impacts to the Mississippi Sound and related Corps permitting issues. Tourism & Local Business: Visit Hot Springs named Devin Heath as CEO, aiming to build a new destination strategy with local operators. Manufacturing & Logistics: FBR expanded its North American push with a Mantis welding robot distribution deal via Louisiana-based Industrial Robotics, targeting Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and more. Infrastructure: MDOT shared progress on South Mississippi road projects, including Highway 11 bridge work and widening/expansion updates across multiple counties. STEM & Workforce: Mississippi State’s Space Cowboys rocketry team won first place at an international competition, celebrating 20 years since the program began. Community & Health Facilities: Dubard School for Language Disorders is advancing at the Gulf Park campus ahead of next year’s opening.

Food Safety: The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate salmonella enteritidis outbreak tied to eggs from Midwest Poultry Services (Indiana), prompting a voluntary recall of nearly 1.6 million cartons (about 19 million eggs) sold under brands including Kroger and Brookshire’s across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Mississippi and more; officials say 98 people are sick and 26 hospitalized, with no deaths reported, and consumers are urged to check plant codes P-1950/0840962 and Julian dates 157–184. Energy & Costs: AAA reports U.S. gas prices have climbed back above $4 a gallon as crude oil volatility linked to renewed U.S.-Iran conflict tightens supply. Infrastructure: Mississippi DOT says progress continues on South Mississippi road work, including traffic shifts on the Highway 11 bridge in Pearl River County and ongoing widening and safety upgrades on I-10, Highway 49, Highway 57 and Highway 63. Community & Education: Gulf Park construction is advancing on the Dubard School for Language Disorders campus, and Oxford dedicated a memorial recreational area honoring Dr. David B. Sanders Jr.

Food Safety: The FDA says a multistate Salmonella outbreak sickened 98 people in 17 states, with 26 hospitalizations, and points to recalled shell eggs from Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. as a likely source; the recall covers about 19 million eggs sold under multiple brands, and officials say the investigation is ongoing because the eggs may not explain every illness. Energy & Weather: A heat wave is baking the central U.S., pushing power demand higher as grids face record-stretching temperatures and humidity. Infrastructure: MDOT shared progress on South Mississippi road work, including traffic shifts on the Highway 11 bridge in Pearl River County and continued widening and safety improvements across I-10 and Highway 49 corridors. Local Business/Finance: Keesler Federal Credit Union marked a decade under CEO Andy Swoger, highlighting major growth in assets, membership, and branch expansion in Biloxi and beyond. Public Health/Research: University of Mississippi researchers warn that cheaper knockoff GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may carry health risks because compounded products aren’t reviewed the same way as FDA-approved medicines.

Food Safety: The FDA says a salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened at least 98 people and hospitalized 26 across 17 states, with investigators pointing to Texas-based Midwest Poultry Services as the likely source; consumers are urged to check for affected white and brown shell eggs sold at Kroger and Brookshire Grocery stores in Mississippi and surrounding states. Public Health: The FDA also flagged a separate recall of 184,200 cans of Amy’s Organic Lentil Soup due to a spoilage risk from a manufacturing defect. Aviation & Regional Growth: Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Mississippi has opened its $12 million terminal expansion, adding a larger waiting area and jet bridge to support more business travel and future development. Manufacturing & Defense Jobs: ND Defense says it has landed a Navy contract to build a helicopter bridge crane at its West Point facility, aiming to retain skilled trade workers and add hiring for welders and technicians. Energy & Costs: AAA reports the national average regular gas price rose to $4.09, with crude oil volatility tied to the Strait of Hormuz keeping pressure on summer fuel costs. Education & Workforce: Researchers at the University of Mississippi warn that cheaper knockoff weight-loss drugs made via compounding may carry health risks compared with FDA-approved options.

Food Safety: The FDA says a Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened at least 98 people across 17 states, with 26 hospitalizations, and points to Midwest Poultry Services shell eggs sold at Kroger and Brookshire stores including in Mississippi—check carton codes and dates and don’t eat affected eggs. Public Health: CDC and FDA are also tracking a Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce and associated Taco Bell cases, with Taylor Farms issuing an expanded recall and pausing central Mexico sourcing. Energy & Industry: The White House expanded its Ratepayer Protection Pledge for AI data centers, with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and Entergy attending, as utilities and developers add signatories. Aerospace & R&D: NASA will run New Glenn rocket component testing at Stennis Space Center under a Space Act agreement with Blue Origin, supporting future Artemis work. Economic Development: Golden Triangle Regional Airport held a ribbon-cutting for its terminal expansion and new jet bridge, touting a $275 million economic impact. Local Growth: Madison is seeing a new seven-building retail development along U.S. 51 with initial tenants including a dance studio and veterinary clinic. Workforce & Education: Lamar County Schools outlined how it plans USDA-compliant menus and sources whole foods while preparing for the new school year. Community: Mississippi Farmers Market drives are collecting school supplies for We Will Go Ministries. Sports & Culture: Mississippi Sports and Outdoors Show opened at the state fairgrounds with hunting, fishing, ag products and family events through July 26.

Ratepayer Protection Pledge Expands: President Trump says more than 200 utilities, data center developers and states have signed on to a voluntary pledge meant to keep AI-driven electricity costs from spiking for households, adding major energy sellers and data center firms. Food Safety Watch: The FDA is warning shoppers about a salmonella recall of about 1.6 million dozen eggs from Midwest Poultry Services tied to Texas farms, with Kroger and Brookshire distribution reaching Mississippi and several other states. Public Health—Lettuce Outbreak: CDC expanded its cyclosporiasis investigation to nine states, adding Illinois and others, after a Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce recall tied to Taco Bell exposure. Local Industry & Infrastructure: Mississippi catfish producers could benefit as USDA plans to buy up to $20 million in farm-raised catfish for food assistance. Transportation Liability: C.H. Robinson disclosed a $604 million advisory verdict in a negligent carrier selection case tied to a fatal Mississippi crash, with the company saying it plans to appeal. Mississippi Roads: Highway 77 in Arkansas’ Mississippi County will close for about 120 days starting Monday for bridge construction.

Food Safety: FDA says Midwest Poultry Services is recalling nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs from Texas after routine testing flagged possible Salmonella Enteritidis; products were sold at Kroger and Brookshire stores across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi, with no illnesses reported. Energy & Industry: The White House expanded the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, saying data center developers must cover generation and infrastructure costs so bills don’t rise; it claims the pledge now covers 80% of U.S. power delivered to homes and businesses, including Entergy–Amazon benefits in Mississippi. Education & Workforce: Mississippi’s new financial literacy, computer science and civics requirements took effect July 1 under Senate Bill 2294, with classroom rollout phased in over coming years. Infrastructure & Construction: Crews repairing Arkabutla Dam rescued hundreds of turtles trapped in the work area, relocating them to a nearby lake while SES Constructors worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Aviation Manufacturing: GE Aerospace and CFM’s LEAP engine program got a major boost as IndiGo signed for 1,000+ LEAP-1A engines, supporting jobs across multiple states including Mississippi.

Food Safety Alert: Midwest Poultry Services is voluntarily recalling 1,589,577 dozen eggs after possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination tied to Texas farms; the recall covers white shell and brown cage-free eggs sold under brands including Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Country Morning and Sunups, with affected cartons identified by plant codes (P-1950 or 0840962) and Julian date ranges (157–184). Consumer Guidance: FDA says no illnesses have been reported, but shoppers should not eat the eggs and should return them for a refund. Public Health Access: Delta Health Center reopened close-to-home care in Rosedale, filling a gap left when the prior Bolivar County clinic closed, aiming to cut travel burdens for west Bolivar County residents. Agriculture & Jobs: USDA will purchase up to $20 million in farm-raised catfish through Section 32, a move expected to support Mississippi producers via food bank and nutrition channels. Wildlife Management: Mississippi wildlife officials are urging higher deer harvests as chronic wasting disease spreads and trophy-buck numbers decline. Local Business: Goodwill Industries of Mississippi opened a new Ridgeland Supercenter with a career center and donation drive-thru. Defense Industry: ND Defense won an Ingalls Shipbuilding contract to support helicopter handling crane work for the future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133) under construction in Pascagoula.

Mississippi Workforce: The Mississippi Department of Public Safety is hosting a multi-agency job fair Saturday in Hattiesburg, with openings across Highway Patrol, Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Narcotics, and roles in dispatch, forensics, and administration. Roads & Construction: MDOT shared progress on major South Mississippi projects, including I-10 widening in Harrison and Hancock counties and a large State Route 57 expansion in Jackson County, both aimed at easing congestion and improving safety. Agriculture & Food Safety: The CDC says cyclosporiasis linked to a lettuce outbreak has spread to 41 states, with Mississippi among those reporting first cases this week, keeping pressure on growers and retailers to manage supply-chain risk. Energy & Prices: GasBuddy reports show Mississippi fuel prices still moving week to week, including the lowest E85 deal in Grenada County and continued statewide averages for diesel and regular gas. Defense & Federal Funding: U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith was appointed to the Senate Defense Appropriations panel after Lindsey Graham’s death, as Congress weighs supplemental funding for agriculture and national security.

Gulf Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, and is expected to bring 2–4 inches of rain (isolated higher), tropical-storm-force winds, and coastal flooding risk across parts of Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. Food Safety: The FDA says a “false positive” briefly clouded the Taylor Farms cyclospora investigation, but the recall remains in effect as the outbreak count reaches at least 1,644 illnesses across 27 states, including Mississippi. Manufacturing Jobs: SIP Manufacturing announced a $100M expansion in Southaven, creating 187 jobs as the beverage co-packer adds production, packaging, and shipping capacity. Local Housing: A fence has gone up at Blossom Apartments in Jackson after a receiver was appointed; the property has faced water shutoffs and ongoing court action tied to unpaid bills. Education & Workforce: SR1 College Preparatory & STEM Academy in Canton adds fourth grade for 2026–27, citing strong early reading results and continued grade-by-grade growth. Community Governance: Pearl River County residents are collecting signatures for a countywide liquor referendum that could put alcohol sales on the ballot.

Food Safety & Agriculture: Ole Miss researchers warn that cheaper compounded knockoff GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may carry serious health risks, as demand rises and FDA has flagged some compounded products with unapproved or mismatched ingredients. Public Health: Mississippi is among states affected by a 27-state iceberg lettuce recall tied to a Cyclospora outbreak, with FDA clarifying that some test results were false positives while the voluntary recall remains in effect—so consumers should check product labels and “best if used by” dates. Workforce & Education: Mississippi Delta Community College is expanding workforce training in Greenville with new Industrial Electricity Technology, Cybersecurity Technology, and HVAC programs starting Aug. 17. Local Infrastructure: Hattiesburg city council approved $16M in financing for airport upgrades and emergency bridge repairs, aiming to keep projects “shovel-ready.” Energy & Logistics: The Army Corps is repairing miter gates at Lock and Dam 9 on the Upper Mississippi River to keep commercial barge traffic moving safely. Business: Cal-Maine Foods reported sharply lower fourth-quarter and fiscal 2026 results, citing major sales and profit declines.

Food Safety: A Cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms de Mexico has triggered a voluntary recall of certain iceberg lettuce products distributed to 27 states, including Mississippi. FDA says some earlier positive tests were false positives, but the recall remains in effect—experts say most lettuce in stores isn’t part of the affected chain, and whole heads of romaine/leaf varieties are generally considered safe. Agriculture & Research: Mississippi State named Jay McCurdy head of the Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection, strengthening entomology, plant pathology and weed science leadership. Waterways & Logistics: ERDC researchers are expanding deployable mobile trailer tech to improve lock-and-dam messaging for safer inland navigation. Energy & Prices: Oil futures rose on tighter supply expectations amid renewed U.S.-Iran tensions, pushing U.S. gas back above $4 a gallon. Severe Weather Readiness: Tropical Storm Bertha is strengthening over the Gulf as heat advisories expand across Mississippi and the region, raising flood and power-outage concerns. Livestock Economics: The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will host a free Aug. 10 workshop on building high-margin, resilient livestock systems.

Gulf Coast Growth & Infrastructure: D’Iberville says it’s seen the fastest population growth on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 2010 and is ramping up investment in roads, utilities, and waterfront upgrades to keep pace. Workforce Safety: With heat advisories in the Jackson metro, MDOT and local contractors are pushing PPE, early starts, hydration, and safety huddles for road and bridge crews. Food Industry & Public Health: Mississippi officials report cyclosporiasis cases and urge residents to buy local and know sourcing as Taylor Farms expands a 27-state iceberg lettuce recall; FDA later said a prior positive test was a false positive while the recall stays in effect. Energy & Prices: GasBuddy data shows Mississippi premium and midgrade prices hovering around the mid-$3 to mid-$4 range for the week ending July 11, while national prices are back near $4 amid renewed Iran-related oil market pressure. Local Governance & Data Centers: Jackson Mayor John Horhn tells a federal judge there’s no approved data center plan for the Lake Hico site, calling any talks “very premature” amid concerns about JXN Water impacts. Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Bertha is forming in the Gulf with flooding as the main threat, and Chevron is adjusting Gulf operations ahead of the system.

Energy & Shipping: U.S. strikes on Iran entered a 10th straight night aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran retaliated across the Gulf; the renewed pressure is pushing crude higher and helping drive U.S. gas prices back above $4 a gallon. Food Safety: FDA walked back an earlier cyclospora call tied to Taylor Farms lettuce, saying the positive was a false positive, even as the company’s 27-state recall remains in effect and testing continues. Agriculture: USDA’s weekly crop report showed corn and spring wheat ratings slipping slightly while soybeans improved, reflecting hot, dry conditions in parts of the West. Construction & Workforce: Gulf South Roofing expanded career pathways on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with construction management internships through Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Local Industry/Environment: Toyota’s North American footprint is tied to a large pollinator habitat program, with Mississippi operations maintaining extensive habitat areas at its Blue Springs site. Weather Risk: Tropical Depression Two is organizing in the Gulf and could become Tropical Storm Bertha, with watches expanding along the Gulf Coast including the Mississippi River mouth.

Economic Development: A new Grow NELA website breaks down how Meta’s Hyperion construction is driving sales tax gains across northeast Louisiana, with Richland Parish pulling in $38.7M in Q1 2026. Food Safety & Agriculture: FDA says a Cyclospora-linked lettuce sample tied to Taylor Farms was a false positive, even as Walmart and Taco Bell continue pulling certain Taylor Farms iceberg products tied to the broader outbreak. Public Health & Rural Infrastructure: A Belzoni family’s tragedy highlights how the closure of a nearby hospital left Humphreys County without emergency care, fueling calls to reopen or replace rural services. Gaming & Tourism: Mississippi casinos reported $194.6M in June revenue. Workforce & Industry: Bollinger Shipyards opened an advanced workforce training center in Gulfport to expand the maritime industrial base. Energy & Cost of Living: Gas prices stayed volatile in Mississippi, with multiple GasBuddy reports showing the lowest regular and diesel prices by county for the week ending July 11. Local Business Revitalization: Downtown Pascagoula’s “ghost town” era is fading as new hotels, apartments, and Chandeleur Depot draw visitors off the Amtrak stop. Manufacturing/Permitting: Mississippi regulators approved key environmental permits for a Lafayette County asphalt plant after months of public pushback.