Discover our full collection of audiobook episodes, sharing voices and stories from across Southeast Mississippi.
Disclaimer: These audiobooks were generated using AI.
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State officials recommend avoiding water contact during and for at least 24 hours after significant rainfall.
Data from Mississippi's air quality monitoring stations shows an upward trend over the past decade in moderate or worse pollution days in southeast Mississippi, increasing the risk that Mississippians will develop respiratory conditions.
Construction on phase two of the East Pascagoula Police Substation is expected to begin within the next several weeks, with completion targeted for early 2027.
Tomaston Medical Park is planned for about 18 acres near North Oaklawn Lane, where city-approved plans call for two medical buildings, an office building, parking and a commissary.
For Hattiesburg barber Bonnie Holloway, the process marks a sign of progress after two years of uncertainty following the state’s merger of its cosmetology and barbering boards.
The Poplarville School District is shifting from a fully appointed board to a fully elected board beginning July 1.
The Health One multipurpose medical facility is expected to include about 9,800 square feet of medical and commercial space.
Residents said a local fitness option could help residents improve their health, especially in a community where transportation and cost can make driving to another town difficult.
The idea began after Bray and her husband saw a large, lighted cross with a crown of thorns while driving through Batesville at night.
The U.S. Congress is debating adding rotisserie chicken to the list of approved SNAP benefit items. What else is currently denied under the program?
Bamboo can be a beautiful addition to your yard, but don't let the wrong variety take over.
At the Jackson rally, some demonstrators connected the current redistricting debate to Mississippi’s history of voter suppression and the long struggle for Black civil rights.
As warmer weather brings more motorcycles onto Mississippi roads, state officials and riders are urging drivers to stay alert during a season when motorcycle crashes tend to increase.
Grant, a graduate of Lumberton High School and a college football national champion with the University of Alabama, said the camp is the first of his kind in Lumberton.
The new law increases penalties for possessing, selling or transferring stolen firearms, especially if those guns are later used in violent crimes.
The projects are expected to ease overcrowding, expand student opportunities and improve learning environments across the district.
The 363 names added this year include 109 officers who died in 2025 and 254 officers who died in previous years.
One potential area for improvement is adult-focused treatment. While there are resources in the state for both children and adults with autism, Williams said adults have far less support.
In Pearl River, Jackson, Forrest, George and Stone counties, local officials said the money will support projects including emergency facilities and infrastructure upgrades.
For families dealing with rare diseases, those decisions can mean leaving Mississippi for appointments.
Supporters of the bill said the goal was to reduce teen driver fatalities in the state.
Creating a city police department has always been part of the long-term plan, but it was not financially viable when Diamondhead first incorporated.
The senators have discussed ways to make birth certificates free or expedited for low-income Mississippians who may need them to provide citizenship.
Hattiesburg police officers Benjamin J. Deen and Liquori Tate were killed in the line of duty in 2015 in a fatal shooting.
The state requires Lucedale to either restore fluoride to optimal levels or formally discontinue fluoridation so the public record reflects the system's current status.
Organizers expect the first phase of trail development to be ready by summer 2026, with expansion planned for 2027 and full completion in 2028.
The program will be available only to Mississippians recovering from opioid addiction during the pilot phase.
More than 90 Mississippi communities received grants through the America250 Mississippi Grants Program.
This is the first school year under the revised system, which raised the district cutoff for an A by 15 points. State reporting says the 2025-26 grades will be released in fall 2026 and will set a new baseline for future comparisons.
Clinic leaders said a rent increase tied to federal funding cuts is forcing the nonprofit to raise new money so it can keep seeing patients.
The annual competition recognizes broadcast and digital journalism work from television and radio organizations, journalism programs and professional journalists across Mississippi.
Inspectors consistently found “advanced section loss” in timber piles supporting the bridge, largely tied to marine borer damage and decay.
Leaders involved in the effort said that support could include workforce development, networking, promotion and other practical resources for business owners.
In recent years, society members have worked to track down and recover those items, encouraging residents and families to return pieces of the county's past.
The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center presents ConnectED, a series of workshops on data journalism, AI, and networking held at The University of Southern Mississippi this April.
RaceWay opens a major new location in New Augusta, Mississippi, promising job growth, improved infrastructure for truck drivers, and competitive fuel options along the busy Highway 98 corridor.
Gulfport launches a $1,000 fine for illegal dumping and urges residents to report violators as city leaders tackle a persistent litter problem affecting property values and community pride.
Rumors claiming phone companies will record all calls over 10 minutes starting in 2026 are false. Experts confirm no such laws or policies exist in the U.S. or U.K.
Picayune's Shay Park introduces the Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial, a collaborative community art project providing a heartfelt space for residents to honor and grieve their beloved deceased pets.
Founded by Tina Brown after Hurricane Katrina, Kamp Joy celebrates 20 years of helping Mississippi children and adults develop emotional resilience and coping skills through play-based learning and community support.
Construction begins on George County's $1.9 million Barton-Basin Community Center, a multipurpose facility designed for large gatherings, emergency staging, and improved community accessibility by early 2027.
Lucedale Police join the trend of using AI-powered license plate readers. While officials tout their effectiveness in finding missing people and stolen cars, residents voice concerns over privacy and accuracy.
Damascus Moffett’s struggle to aid his aunt highlights Mississippi’s diabetes crisis. High costs and systemic barriers force residents to rely on community networks for life-saving medical supplies and care.
Mississippi families face uncertainty as pandemic-era child care funding expires, leading to decreased summer camp enrollment and rising costs for essential childcare services across the state.
Lumberton residents launch The Lumberton Post, a grassroots print newspaper designed to bridge the digital divide and provide reliable local information to the entire community beyond social media platforms.
Navy veteran John “Dr. G” Gardner expands his Carriere specialty food business with a new indoor coffee and beignets cafe, featuring unique airplane-themed decor and family recipes.
Kids Markets seeks to expand into Mississippi, offering children ages 5-17 unique opportunities to build confidence, money management, and communication skills through their own pop-up business ventures.
Mississippi becomes the first state to ban lab-grown dairy, but local farmers argue that deregulation and better market access are more critical for the survival of small-scale agriculture.
Greene County is building a new, hardened emergency services annex to protect 911 dispatch from severe weather, featuring next-generation technology and infrastructure designed to withstand 250 mph winds.
In Hattiesburg, district leaders said their own updated strategic plan reflects many of those same priorities.
The idea gained urgency after a father and daughter were killed during a Facebook Marketplace exchange.
So far, 13 cabins and one bunkhouse have been remodeled with new paint, flooring, appliances and furniture.
For many residents, the project represents something Gautier has lacked for years — new development.
The American Cancer Society estimates about 18,000 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in Mississippi this year. The most common types include prostate, lung and bronchus, and breast cancers.
District officials said more than 50 families could be affected by the rezoning, which aims to balance enrollment between schools serving the St. Martin and Vancleave communities.
The partnership between Cornerstone Counseling and Venture Church marks the organization's fifth counseling center since 2012 and its first in South Mississippi.
If approved, black bear hunting would return to Mississippi for the first time since 1932.
The wooden building, constructed in 1929, once operated as the Kiln Colored Public School for African American children in rural Hancock County.
The Perry County School District Education Foundation will host a car show and fish fry fundraising event Saturday, April 25, at McCoy Park in New Augusta.
House Bill 1660 failed to advance out of a Senate ommittee before the March 3 deadline, ending the measure for the 2026 legislative session.
The Lumberton Main Street Association is forming a grant committee to pursue new funding for downtown businesses, beginning with a $10,000 facade grant as its first test case.
House Bill 1466 would allow restaurants to use menu symbols paired with a clearly visible legend instead of labeling each seafood item individually.
Mississippi has eliminated its hands-on licensing exam for cosmetology and barbering, allowing students to enter the workforce faster while enabling instructors to focus more on individual skill development.
Mississippi lawmakers are considering House Bill 1660, which seeks to exempt critical roadway and bridge safety inspection reports from public disclosure, potentially limiting government transparency on hazardous infrastructure conditions.
Investigation reveals claims linking Lifetouch to Epstein files are false. While an owner had financial ties, no evidence suggests student data was compromised or shared with third parties.
Hattiesburg residents are exploring a 24-hour childcare facility to support overnight workers, though local providers warn that staffing shortages and rising operational costs remain significant hurdles for round-the-clock operations.
Join the Gulf Coast Community Foundation's 228 Day campaign this February to support South Mississippi nonprofits and potentially qualify for state tax credits through local charitable giving.
Mississippi legislators are pushing bills to restrict public access to safety records and personal information, threatening government transparency and the citizens' fundamental right to know about public business.
Rouses Markets has taken over the last remaining Winn-Dixie location in Mississippi, marking the grocery chain’s sixth store in the state.
Petal is replacing the aging South George Street Bridge with a modern culvert-style design, enhancing vehicle safety and creating vital pedestrian links to Hattiesburg for local residents.
The closure was part of an effort to address repeated damage at the crossing, which city leaders said was caused by heavy equipment moving through the area.
The bill is designed to address gaps in the state’s workforce by helping adults complete certificates or associate degrees aligned with Mississippi’s priority occupations.
The proposal would bring the Long Beach Industrial Park into the city’s tax base, but because of how the area is laid out, more than 40 nearby homes would also be annexed.
Our researchers were able to create several meals within the suggested USDA price point, but it wasn’t as simple as just walking in the grocery store.
Mississippi lawmakers have advanced legislation aimed at supporting honeybee education and conservation as environmental threats continue to challenge pollinator populations critical to the state’s food supply.
Mississippi’s Senate advances SB 2046 to create property rights over name, likeness and voice, letting people sue over AI-generated misuse and seek injunctions and damages.
Mississippi Gulf Coast cleanup groups report large parade litter — especially plastic beads — urging prevention, trash access, and bead recycling to protect waterways and wildlife.
Widespread opposition from farmers, hunters and landowners likely halted House Bill 828, the Mississippi Fair Chase Act, over concerns it would restrict hunting, depredation protections and property rights.
Mississippi’s new vape law reshaped what’s on store shelves — but many users may not realize what they’re inhaling has changed. A lab-made nicotine alternative is raising red flags.
Survivors and advocates urge communities to recognize trafficking often begins with trust and manipulation, not violence, as Mississippi reports rising cases and gaps in awareness and prosecution.
Mississippi’s health care system faces new strain as federal cuts take effect, leaving patients, hospitals and insurers bracing for a wave of tough choices.
Coastal growth, housing demand and infrastructure funding shape Hancock County leaders’ priorities for the 2026 legislative session.
Local leaders in Lamar County share public safety and infrastructure priorities for the 2026 session.
Population growth is driving Lucedale leaders to focus on traffic, utilities and long-term planning ahead of the 2026 session.
As the 2026 session approaches, Forrest County leaders focus on growth, infrastructure upgrades and regional partnerships across the Pine Belt.
Greene County leaders outline priorities ahead of the 2026 legislative session, focusing on grant funding, public safety and basic infrastructure needs.
From beach restoration to roads and public services, Harrison County leaders share priorities for the 2026 legislative session.
Leaders across southeast Mississippi outline their priorities for the 2026 legislative session, highlighting shared challenges facing local governments.
Small towns in Pearl River County face mounting costs and infrastructure strain as lawmakers prepare for the 2026 session.
After years of drought, a Richton Christmas tree farm is seeing renewed growth as families return for traditions and hands-on learning.
Hancock County will restore eight miles of shoreline to a 200-foot width with a $30M project funded partly by the federal government to bolster protection, habitat and tourism.
Despite federal promises, no progress has been made on rebuilding Poplarville’s main post office. Locals say postal workers are sorting mail outdoors, raising concerns over safety and working conditions.
Mississippi oyster growers and researchers urge passage of the MARA Act to streamline permits and expand U.S. aquaculture, showcasing successful local oyster farming initiatives.
Real or fake — what’s the greener tree? A holiday fact-check cuts through the needles and the noise.
Mississippi's obesity epidemic threatens health and infant mortality; officials push coordinated policies, education, medications and community investments to prevent worsening outcomes.
A viral post claims Chick-fil-A milkshakes contain a chemical found in gasoline — but is it true? Here’s what we found.
Mississippi may mandate hunters to report every deer harvest via app to improve population management, track chronic wasting disease, and inform local hunting regulations.
Mississippi shrimpers say years of pressure on lawmakers are finally paying off — with new federal labeling proposals aimed at protecting the domestic seafood industry.
Mississippi is testing new classroom strategies to improve adolescent literacy. See how one district is helping students in grades 4–8 better engage with reading across subjects.
Mississippi is testing new classroom strategies to improve adolescent literacy. See how one district is helping students in grades 4–8 better engage with reading across subjects.