State sends drone site proposal to FAA

JACKSON — Mississippi is bidding for one of six sites nationwide to test unmanned aerial vehicles. A Mississippi Development Authority spokeswoman says the state submitted its proposal to the Federal Aviation Administration on Monday. State officials say the FAA should choose Mississippi because it has three manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as a…

• NVision expands through new agreement with QinetiQ
• The Accelerator adds three new tenants, including GE Aviation
• Newspaper recognizes tech company for excellent workplace
• New plant means more active partnership with university
• Senator quizzes NASA administrator about test stand
• Economic developer: 4G network will boost county

Deadline approaching for post-tornado loans from SBA

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations of the deadline to submit disaster loan applications for damages due to the severe storms and tornadoes April 11-12. The deadline to apply for physical damage is June 17. Low-interest disaster loans are available in the following counties: Noxubee County…

• Bank opens new Texas office, expands Houston footprint
• Check-cashing firm buys 10 more stores across Miss.
• Bank prices initial public offering at $24 per share
• Federal White Paper sets stage for payday lending deposit curbs

Study says Nissan subsidies total $1.33B; MDA says overestimated

CANTON — A study paid for by the United Auto Workers finds state and local governments may provide Nissan Motor Co.’s Mississippi plant with nearly $850 million in tax breaks over 30 years, plus $400 million in cash aid. The report estimates Mississippi will pay $90 million in interest on money borrowed to aid Nissan,…

• Shipbuilder gets massive floating dock as part of expansion
• Meat-slicing facility laying off 100 workers
• Manufacturer unveils $11M expansion; adding jobs
• Shipbuilder to hold ceremony for Coast Guard cutter

Senator claims Obama has cost TVA hundreds of millions of dollars

NORTH MISSISSIPPI — Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) says President Barack Obama’s plan to consider selling the Tennessee Valley Authority has already cost hundreds of millions of dollars — even if the nation’s largest public utility is never sold. The Tennessee Republican said TVA bonds lost about $500 million in value after the president’s announcement last…

• Panel rejects appeal in global warming/Katrina lawsuit
• Senator: Is federal bioenergy program undercutting foresters?
• Biotech group sends letter to Cochran urging mandatory funding
• State leaders ask Washington for more offshore drilling

Budget writer: Medicaid taking away from education funding

JACKSON — Funding for education is falling short because Medicaid is devouring a larger share of state money than it did a few years ago, a top Mississippi budget writer says in a letter to teachers and school administrators. House Appropriations Committee chairman Herb Frierson, R-Poplarville, wrote that expanding Medicaid would create more uncertainty about…

• Abortion clinic fighting closure; urging patients to help
• WCU, Tradition unveil health care zone plans
• Dems crafting Medicaid proposal ahead of possible special session
• Judge denies bond in doctor/lawyer murder-for-hire case

Defunct casino to be moved; cost could rise depending on ‘crud’

VICKSBURG — By late August, Vicksburg’s downtown City Front will be without a floating casino for the first time since 1993 if the winning bidder at an auction April 25 for the former Grand Station Casino follows through on a bankruptcy court-ordered sale of the vessel. What happens to the spot beyond late summer is…

• Casinos on the watch for thieves, cheats and scams
• Browse through the May 10th digital edition
• Social media marketing allows casinos to give – and take
• Southern Gaming Summit: Tribal gaming growing in the South

Commission eyeing unauthorized changes to historic structures

GREENVILLE — Historic preservationists are trying to figure out how to keep the owners of historic buildings in Greenville from making unauthorized changes. The discussion was sparked by the unauthorized removal of the stucco facade of a downtown building earlier this month, the Delta Democat Times reports. Owners didn’t get a city permit or consult…

• City, state to hold second sale of tax-forfeited property
• Commission wants home to be national landmark
• Real estate company paying $1M for compromising wetlands
• Defunct casino to be moved; cost could rise depending on ‘crud’

Board could name state education superintendent by fall

JACKSON — Mississippi could choose its new state superintendent of education by October. The state Board of Education agreed to take applications for the post from early June through early September, with plans to interview finalists in late September and reach a contract with a new leader by October. The department has been led by…

• Board to ask lawmakers for additional $30M for 2015 budget
• Another community college raising its tuition next year
• Budget writer: Medicaid taking away from education funding
• IHL launches effort to aid minority businesses land contracts

Undersecretary: ‘I understand the frustration’ over catfish inspections

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) has received word that the U.S. Department of Agriculture could complete a final rule for implementing a catfish inspection program by this October, Cochran reports in a release. Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, USDA undersecretary for food safety, today told Cochran the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is committed…

• Federation president praises lawmakers for Farm Bill effort
• Port lets dredging contract, clearing way for wood pellets
• Plywood mill coming, bringing 200-plus jobs
• Catfish farmers challenged by markets lost to imports