State
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR HOUSING AUTHORITY
WXXV
There’s a new leader in charge of the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority Number Eight. He plans to build the organization up even higher.
https://wxxv25.com/2017/08/11/new-executive-director-housing-authority/
Planned Vicksburg tech center unveiled
AP
VICKSBURG, Miss. – Developers in Vicksburg, Mississippi, are planning to convert a former industrial building into a technology transfer center that would serve the central part of the state.
http://wjtv.com/2017/08/12/planned-vicksburg-tech-center-unveiled/
Forest ranger discusses pine beetles
Enterprise-Journal
Warm winters and unthinned pine stands are among the reasons for this year’s outbreak of Southern pine beetles in the Homochitto National Forest, a U.S. Forest Service official said.
http://www.enterprise-journal.com/news/article_2656ebc6-7fdb-11e7-8552-7bd75080e8be.html
Fulton board drops plans to borrow funds for water project
Daily Journal
Fulton aldermen have decided to pass on a couple of hefty loans that would have funded the next two phases of a project to provide better water service along John Rankin Highway.
http://www.djournal.com/news/fulton-board-drops-plans-to-borrow-funds-for-water-project/article_5f20070c-7b9c-5683-ab03-b4104371fa17.html
Regional
Tiny insect thought to be killing coastal cane might only be part of problem, scientists say
The Advocate
When scientists began noticing Roseau cane dying near the mouth of the Mississippi River last year, it took months to find the likely culprit. Eventually, they concluded that a tiny insect known as the Roseau cane scale had made its way from Asia to south Louisiana and was feasting on the grassy cane that forms a major component of the marsh ecosystem.
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/environment/article_41d8e20c-7e12-11e7-91d1-6355b593bf29.html
Shelby board to rewrite rules to protect Memphis Sand aquifer
Commercial Appeal
Less than a year after the Tennessee Valley Authoritywon approval to use pristine aquifer water to cool a power plant, a Shelby County board this month will review proposed regulatory changes that could restrict similar projects from tapping drinking-water sources in the future.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2017/08/11/shelby-board-rewrite-rules-project-memphis-sand-aquifer/555411001/
National
Manchin eyed as potential pick for Energy secretary: report
The Hill
White House and Republican officials are floating the possibility of appointing Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) as Energy secretary, Bloomberg reported Friday.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/346264-manchin-floated-as-potential-pick-for-energy-secretary-report
How federal regulators can reform ObamaCare without help from Congress
The Hill
Like the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) or not, it’s impossible to deny that many exchanges — and consumers — are facing down a crisis. According to HHS, the number of participating insurers is down 38 percent this year. Just this month, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield announced it was leaving Nevada’s exchanges, and insurance companies nationwide are struggling with uncertainty over whether the Trump administration will pay out billions in expected federal subsidies.
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/346438-how-federal-regulators-can-reform-obamacare-without-help-from
