Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion
In Mississippi
1. AG announces Medicaid fraud sentencing
Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced Monday the sentencing of Shawncee Vassar-Cunningham for one count of Medicaid wire fraud.
“When you defraud Medicaid, you steal from taxpayers and from the vulnerable Americans who depend on those benefits,” said Attorney General Fitch. “We are sending a clear message that here in Mississippi, you will be held accountable. We are committed to fighting waste, fraud, and corruption.”
On October 20, 2026, Madison County Circuit Court Judge Dewey Arthur sentenced Cunningham to five years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), with two years to serve and three suspended, and five years of supervised probation. She was ordered to pay full restitution in the amount of $538,828.91 to the Mississippi Division of Medicaid.
This sentence is a part of Attorney General Fitch’s work during the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) National Health Care Fraud Takedown this summer.
2. Old Capitol expands visiting hours
The Old Capitol Museum has expanded its visiting hours. The museum is now open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reservations are preferred and visitors are encouraged to schedule their visits in advance by emailing ocmscheduling@mdah.ms.gov.
Built in 1839, the Old Capitol is Mississippi’s most historic public building and the site of several pivotal moments in the state’s history. These include passage of the Married Women’s Property Act of 1839, Mississippi’s secession from the Union in 1861, and the drafting of the state constitutions of 1868 and 1890.
Designated a National Historic Landmark, the Old Capitol is also recognized as one of the nation’s premier examples of Greek Revival public architecture. When completed in 1839, its massive limestone exterior, copper dome and grand interior spaces made it the most distinguished building in Mississippi.
National News & Foreign Policy
1. Will replace vote to replace Netanyahu today?
As reported by the New York Times, “Israelis headed to the polls in large numbers on Tuesday in an election that many see as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. By midday, five hours after polls had opened, voter turnout was 31.5 percent, higher by that time than in any Israeli general election since the 1970s, according to the Central Elections Committee.”
“The election is Israel’s first since the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, upended the nation and ignited three years of war. It also has the potential to be one of the most consequential in the country’s history,” NYT reported. “Voters have a choice between two blocs offering starkly different visions. Mr. Netanyahu is seeking re-election at the helm of the most far-right government in Israeli history. His coalition of nationalists and ultra-Orthodox Jews faces a fractious group of opposition parties loosely led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff whose son was killed in the Gaza war.”
NYT added, “Both sides are framing the election as a make-or-break moment for the country.”
2. Trump says trade war with Canada will be over soon
The Hill reports that “President Trump said Sunday his trade war with Canada will be over ‘soon,’ as the dispute poses ongoing political problems for Republicans in the midterms.”
“During a rally in Port Huron, Mich., Trump reiterated his view that Canada ‘has been ripping off’ the U.S. ‘for years,'” The Hill reported. “The president used that justification in imposing 50 percent tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of goods from Canada in August. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney matched those levies ‘dollar for dollar,’ with no public signs of a deal between the two sides.”
“I had to do it. We’ll have that settled pretty soon,” the president said Sunday, referring to the trade war.
Sports
Hubbard named to Cousy preseason watchlist
Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard tucked away a spot on the prestigious Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watch List for the third straight season announced Monday by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
The annual Bob Cousy Award, named after the Class of 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard, celebrates its 24th season by highlighting the top point guard in Division I men’s college basketball.
Before Hubbard, Tolu Smith III now playing for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, was listed on the 2023-24 Malone Award preseason list.
Markets & Business
1. Fed expected to hold rates steady
CNBC reports that “Federal Reserve officials enter this week’s policy meeting amid a critical debate over what the centraL bank can, should and will do to address an inflation problem that shows no immediate sign of going away.”
“When the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee does release its decision Wednesday, markets overwhelmingly expect no change in benchmark interest rates following September’s quarter percentage point rate increase,” CNBC reported. “Investors will be looking closely, though, for clues about future moves from policymakers, and Chairman Kevin Warsh in particular.”
CNBC continued, “Brett Ryan, senior U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank, said he’ll be watching what Warsh will signal about future policy moves — something the Fed chairman has said he is highly reluctant to do as he seeks to move the Fed away from the “forward guidance” practice of most of the 21st century.”
2. Coke posts $4 billion profit on higher volumes, prices
The Wall Street Journal reports that “Coca Cola raised its forecast for the year after higher volumes and prices lifted results in the latest quarter.”
“The beverage conglomerate on Tuesday posted a third-quarter profit of $4.06 billion, or 93 cents a share, compared with $3.68 billion, or 86 cents a share, a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share were 91 cents, compared with analyst estimates of 88 cents, according to FactSet,” WSJ reported. “Revenue grew 7% to $13.38 billion, compared with analyst estimates of $12.92 billion. Organic revenue growth was 7%, driven by increased concentrate sales and higher prices.”
WSJ noted, “Unit case volume rose 5%, with growth in trademark Coca-Cola as well as in Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke. Sparkling flavors and water volumes also rose.”
-- Article credit to the staff for the Magnolia Tribune --
