Reporting the news overseas

To be a foreign correspondent is to be a witness. To be a clear voice in a world that is often marred by violence and misinformation. Our work and responsibility should not be taken lightly.

But I stand before you tonight not to speak about my achievements, but rather to tell you about the humans I’ve met along the way. And about the brave journalists who are risking their lives to tell the realities around them.

So let me begin by acknowledging the fearless and tenacious Palestinian journalists in Gaza who do not have the luxuries we are afforded to simply leave when the story becomes too dangerous. May we not forget their sacrifice and contributions to our industry.

Let me also reiterate the position that international journalists must be given independent access to Gaza to report.

This work does not feel like a job to me, but rather a mission and a purpose to go to the places that others won’t go and tell the stories that otherwise wouldn’t be told.

To places like Israel, speaking with the hostages who were released from Hamas captivity after surviving a brutal terrorist attack or to Syria hearing from the mothers we met at the infamous Sednaya prison who continue to look for their children or to Ukraine interviewing President Zelenskyy on the eastern front lines, our work will continue to focus on the experience of humans amid conflict.

We must continue to speak loudly and fairly, even when it is unpopular to do so. We must hold governments and militaries accountable for their actions. And we must continue to be a voice for the voiceless.

Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst upon receiving the Prize of Excellence at the annual Foreign Press Awards

Change made with MSU football

Davis Wade Stadium

A familiar face will reportedly return to Starkville.

UPDATE: The future of Ole Miss football

Entering Tuesday, there was speculation the College Football Playoff committee could move Ole Miss down in the rankings because of Lane Kiffin’s departure. The committee did just the opposite, moving the Rebels up one spot to sixth. The final rankings to solidify the playoff bracket will be released Sunday. It is almost a lock for Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to host a first round playoff game.

Also, the university on Tuesday announced new head football coach Pete Golding would hold a news conference Wednesday afternoon, giving reporters their first opportunity to talk to him. Then came word late Tuesday he had changed his mind.

That focus on the team was mentioned by the coach when he addressed the crowd at the Ole Miss basketball game Tuesday night.

Tennessee election brings back Mississippi memory

You may be aware of today’s special election for the U.S. House in Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District. It’s getting plenty of attention because the race between a Democrat and a Republican is believed to be much closer in a district that usually goes big for the GOP.

Chris Cillizza’s preview of this election included a look back by Decision Desk HQ of previous congressional special elections, and it included a huge upset locally in 2008 that got a lot of attention at the time. That’s when Prentiss County Chancery Clerk Travis Childers, a Democrat, defeated Southaven Mayor Greg Davis, a Republican, for the U.S. House seat in North Mississippi. The seat in Mississippi’s First Congressional District came open when Representative Roger Wicker was selected to replace Senator Trent Lott, who had retired.

Even if the Democrat wins the special election in Tennessee, it still would not be as big of an upset as Childers defeating Davis 17 years ago to represent the region in Congress.

What some do to get the interview

Sometimes as a reporter, you have to go above and beyond to get the story. I can’t help but laugh at what ESPN’s Marty Smith shared about how he got to Lane Kiffin on the tarmac before leaving Oxford for Baton Rouge. You can watch it at the bottom of this post.

Lane Kiffin leaves Ole Miss for LSU

Lane Kiffin announced online Sunday afternoon he is leaving Ole Miss for LSU. Look below for his announcement and the latest developments on the fallout from his move from Oxford to Baton Rouge:

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Lane Kiffin spoke with ESPN’s Marty Smith before leaving for Baton Rouge.

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Bruce Feldman’s 2019 profile of Pete Golding when he was at Alabama.

2:37 pm

Ole Miss makes the announcement about its new football coach. CLICK HERE TO READ

2:25 pm

The LSU announcement. CLICK HERE TO READ

2:17 pm

Audio from the team meeting with Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter and Chancellor Glenn Boyce.

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Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports with her column on Lane Kiffin’s departure:

Lane Kiffin’s messy departure from Ole Miss shows he has not changed at all

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Nothing changes for Ole miss in the latest AP Top 25 just out.

1:03 pm

Florida makes its announcement on a new football coach. The university says Jon Sumrall will finish out the season with Tulane.

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Reaction from NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach and The Athletic’s Chris Vannini:

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Memphis loses its football coach to Arkansas.

Meanwhile, Florida reportedly is expected to fill its opening for a football coach by hiring Tulane’s Jon Sumrall

12:04 pm

Team meeting that was originally set for 9 am is scheduled for 1 pm.

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Also from Outkick-Fox senior reporter for college sports Trey Wallace:

At least some Ole Miss staffers tied to Kiffin can’t tell players not to take their finals because it binds them into the school.

Somewhere, Ed Orgeron might be on cell phone

10:10 am

Auburn turns to South Florida for its new football coach.

10:01 am

ESPN’s Matt Barrie is joined by Paul Finebaum to discuss the fallout from Lane Kiffin’s expected move from Oxford to Baton Rouge.

12 am

Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde: Ole Miss should ask its team leaders what path gives them the best shot at a national title: keeping Kiffin in place or naming an interim. CLICK HERE TO READ

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From Football Scoop’s John Brice: LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry deployed former LSU national championship-winning coach Nick Saban, who would add six additional crowns during his tenure at Alabama, to speak with Kiffin on more than one instance about the benefits of the LSU job, sources said on multiple occasions.

Additionally, LSU officials arranged for Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to speak with Kiffin by phone in what sources said was a lengthy conversation.

CLICK HERE TO READ