TEC lowers long distance rates for residences, businesses

BAY SPRINGS — TEC has decreased its residential and business non-day long distance rates by 17 percent. The rate decrease is retroactive to May 1. “As part of our vision, TEC’s focus is to make a positive impact on our customers, our employees and our community,” said Joey F. Garner, executive vice president of TEC.…

• State House recognizes Bomgar founder business success
• ATK first module to NASA made completely from composites
• iPad spurs disruption in point-of-sale payment industry 
• Hattiesburg Clinic pioneers new diagnostic scanning procedure
• Security solutions for your data center
• NASA conducting more testing of J-2X engine at Stennis

Deadline nearing for SBA drought-related disaster loans

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes that June 14 is the filing deadline for federal economic injury disaster loans available in Mississippi as a result of the drought and excessive heat that occurred…

• Fitch withdraws ratings on MDOC bonds for prison projects
• Community Trust to break ground for two new banking centers
• Patterson, longtime CEO of BancorpSouth, to retire
• July sentencing set for Jennifer White in Brandon bank fraud

Appeals Court rules against VT Halter in Navy-trade secrets lawsuit

PASCAGOULA — Federal prosecutors say the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has vacated a $1.4 million judgment against the Navy for allegedly disclosing trade secrets on the design of a military craft to a rival. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten says the appellate court has ruled against United States Marine Inc. and…

• BREAKING NEWS: Brent Christensen named new head of the Mississippi Development Authority
• ATK first module to NASA made completely from composites
• Ingalls Shipbuilding completes helicopter hangar for Navy
• MNI reports state’s industrial workforce grew by half-percent

TVA increasing its fuel adjustment charge in June

NORTH MISSISSIPPI — The Tennessee Valley Authority is increasing its fuel adjustment charge by 0.7 percent in June. According to the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times Free Press, a typical household power bill will rise 80 cents for the same amount of use. TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said the mild winter that was beneficial to customers allowed…

• Lower river allows Lexaria to begin early work on oil wells
• Natural gas vehicles, like the Toyota Prius, face the chicken-and-egg syndrome
• Entergy warns utility customers of billing scam
• Grand Gulf refueling taking longer than expected

Prosecutors say medical kickback charges shouldn’t be dismissed

OXFORD — Federal prosecutors say the owner of a nursing services company acknowledged paying a hospital executive for “procuring business” and a judge should not dismiss the corruption charges against him. Earnest Levi Garner Jr. of Batesville was convicted in March on charges including conspiracy and embezzlement related to work at Tri-Lakes Medical Center in…

• Hattiesburg Clinic pioneers new diagnostic scanning procedure
• Natchez Regional, UnitedHealthcare form network partnership
• Cancer center fraud trial delayed as prosecutors mull more charges
• River Oaks physician performs new surgery for first time in state

Supervisors turn down CVB’s offer to join tourism promotion group

JACKSON COUNTY — Jackson County supervisors have turned down the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau offer to add Jackson County representatives to their board to form a tri-county entity in support of Mississippi Coast tourism. Supervisor John McKay said yesterday he supported the move because it’s important for the Coast to speak with…

• Warrior Dash re-ups for 2013, may add a second day
• Yuki Northington to star in HGTV’s “Design Star”
• Big plans proposed for Harbor Town Casino
• Report: Jackson tourism revenue tops $294 million

Officials approve sale of land after checking with Ethics Commission

SOUTHAVEN — Southaven officials have approved the contract to buy 10 acres of property for $1.9 million after learning that the purchase did not violate any state ethics laws because Mayor Greg Davis’ cousin is one of the owners of the land. In a 5 to 2 vote, The Commercial Appeal reports the board agreed…

• Coast city to appeal judge’s decision on proposed annexation
• After 114 years, researchers finally complete soil study of entire state
• Redevelopment Authority seeking proposals for riverfront development
• City Council approves development plan for Centennial Plaza

School superintendent’s resignation accepted during emergency board meeting

GREENVILLE — Harvey Franklin Sr., superintendent of the Greenville Public School District, has resigned. The Delta Democrat Times reports the school board accepted the resignation during an emergency meeting today. Franklin’s resignation is effective immediately Deputy superintendent Leeson Taylor II has been named “acting interim superintendent” until June 30, the end of the district’s fiscal…

• Bounds: MVSU president shouldn’t be affected by unsucessful job bid
• Audit shows USM’s athletic department’s debt nearly doubled in one year
• After 114 years, researchers finally complete soil study of entire state
• Some improvement in low Mississippi science scores

Favorable weather allows early planting of cotton

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Warm spring weather sent cotton farmers to the fields as early as the first week of April, and cotton stands are ahead of normal and looking good. As of May 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Statistics Service estimated the state’s cotton was 68 percent planted and 45 percent emerged. The…

• After 114 years, researchers finally complete soil study of entire state
• City-run farmers’ market on hold in Oxford
• Construction to begin tomorrow on new $6.5M cotton gin
• Warm weather allows early planting of soybean crop