Mississippi Politics & Courts: A top Mississippi Insurance Department official, Chad Bridges, was placed on leave after a federal lawsuit alleges he and his wife diverted more than $90 million from the Jackson Area Federal Credit Union for luxury purchases and other personal spending. Local Governance: Madison County residents frustrated by skyrocketing water bills will get a new voice on the Canton Municipal Utilities board after a new state law lets counties appoint members when a big share of service territory sits outside city limits. Energy & Cost of Living: Mississippi electric bills are rising fast as cooling costs climb and incomes lag, leaving more households struggling to keep homes at safe temperatures. Public Health & Safety: The FDA upgraded a recall of Alfredo sauce sold in 41 states to its highest risk level over potential Salmonella contamination. Civil Rights & Community: A Mississippi Freedom Trail marker honoring slain activist Benjamin Brown was unveiled at Jackson State University as part of the Gibbs–Green Commemoration. Labor & Transit: J-Tran workers in Jackson voted to authorize a strike if contract talks with MV Transportation stall, with a mid-July strike possible. Tech & Environment: The DOJ backed xAI in a NAACP lawsuit over alleged Clean Air Act violations tied to natural gas turbines at its Southaven data center. Weather: Flood watches and a major flash-flood threat stretch from Texas into central Mississippi as a heavy-rain system could also develop into the Atlantic’s first tropical storm. Business & Industry: Cypress Creek Energy secured $3.5 billion for a major solar-plus-battery project in Mississippi County, aiming to cut outage risks and support local jobs.