Heat Alert: A heat dome is expected to push into the Mississippi Valley and parts of the mid-Atlantic and Southeast ahead of Labor Day, with daytime highs 10–15 degrees above normal and some areas flirting with near-100° temperatures. Local Education: Pineville Elementary in Harrison County earned a Mississippi Department of Education “Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading” recognition for its early reading instruction approach. School History: Monticello’s district marks 170 years since its first classes began in 1856, starting with the Monticello Academy’s early-term plans and tuition. USDA + Tech in Agriculture: USDA and Auburn University are collaborating on drone and AI research aimed at improving scouting and field operations for farmers. Gulf Environment: Researchers measured the northern Gulf of Mexico’s 2026 hypoxic zone at about 1,332 square miles, the second-smallest on record, tied to nutrient runoff dynamics and storm effects. Scam Watch: BBB Scam Tracker reports show multiple Mississippi cities—like Picayune and Ocean Springs—tied for top ranks in July scam reports, mostly driven by online purchase schemes. Dolly Parton in Mississippi: Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams pushed back on lowering flags for Parton, arguing the gesture should be reserved for major national figures and events. Justice Update: A federal grand jury indicted an Illinois man accused of threatening witnesses in the Nolan Wells case.