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Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Infographic titled “Road to Active Baby Box” shows a winding road with nine numbered milestones illustrating the process of bringing a Safe Haven Baby Box into service. Steps include meeting with community leaders, signing contracts, manufacturing the box, installation, unveiling, alarm testing, personnel training and final activation, when the baby box becomes available for parents in crisis.
Picayune installs Safe Haven Baby Box, awaiting final activation
Alexa Hatten July 2, 2026
The box is located at the Central Fire Station, which is staffed 24/7.
Promotional poster for the River City Kids Mental Fitness Camp featuring a lotus flower, yoga-themed graphics and a nature-inspired background. The poster includes the camp title, location, dates, times and registration information in shades of dark green and teal.
New mental fitness camp aims to build confidence, resilience
Michelle Pinto July 1, 2026
The River City Kids Mental Fitness Camp will be held July 6-9 at the Family Education Center, formerly West Elementary School.
Map of parking and traffic plans for Hattiesburg’s Star-Spangled Celebration at The Commons at Gordon’s Creek. The map identifies 12 public parking, accessible parking in the West Pine Street parking garage, golf cart parking on the garage’s top floor, street closures along Hardy Street and West Pine Street, vendor and stage locations, the kids’ zone, and the designated fireworks drop zone where parking is prohibited.
Hattiesburg releases parking, road closure details for Star-Spangled Celebration
Alexa Hatten June 30, 2026
The free event begins at 6 p.m. Thursday and will feature live music, food vendors, a kids' zone and a fireworks show. 
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Dale Lucas stands at the front of a meeting room holding documents while presenting evidence of vandalism during a Longleaf Trace board meeting. Attendees are seated in the foreground, and security camera images are displayed on a projection screen.
Longleaf Trace board approves restroom security upgrades, discusses additional safety measures
Whitney Argenbright July 2, 2026
he board approved about $12,600 for electronic locking systems to be installed at the trail's restroom buildings.
Several bottles of Beaver Creek Distillery spirits sit on a wooden display shelf.
Lumberton liquor ordinance remains unfinished despite previously announced July 1 start date
JC Roberts and Whitney Argenbright July 1, 2026
Lumberton's proposed liquor ordinance has not been adopted despite the city's previously announced July 1 start date, leaving the timeline for liquor sales in the city uncertain.
White sign with red lettering listing Richton splash pad admission prices, card-only payment requirements and a no-refunds-due-to-weather policy.
Richton shares splash pad funding, operations details
Sami Jordan and Whitney Argenbright June 19, 2026
The splash pad, located at 500 Front St., officially opened June 1. Town officials said weather delayed a planned May 26 opening by several days. 
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What Is True?

Cut through the noise with fact-checked reporting from the RHCJC. We investigate rumors, viral claims and misinformation affecting southeast Mississippi — so you can stay informed with confidence.

Media Literacy

Learn how to spot misinformation, evaluate sources, and think critically about the news you consume. Our resources help communities navigate the complex media landscape.

A DVD copy of Disney’s “Song of the South” is displayed for sale on a shelf at Beauvoir in Biloxi, alongside books and gift shop merchandise, including titles about American history and the Civil War.
Questions surround Beauvoir’s ‘Song of the South’ sales, screening
Walker Scott and Ame Posey July 2, 2026
Because of longstanding criticism of the film's portrayal of race and plantation life, Disney has never released “Song of the South” on home video in the United States. 
A sign marks the entrance to Highland Community Hospital in Picayune, Mississippi. Rural hospitals across Mississippi continue to face financial pressures, although estimates of how many are at risk of closing vary depending on the methodology used. (RHCJC News)
Why estimates of Mississippi rural hospitals at risk differ
Salauddin Ahmed June 30, 2026
The claim that “more than half” of Mississippi’s rural hospitals are at risk is supported by at least one credible methodology. However, the claim doesn't explain what “at risk” means.
A zoning map shows the proposed location of a 230-acre data center complex in northwest Jackson, Mississippi.
Blocked or paused? Jackson leaders debate fate of AI data center
Molly Gill June 25, 2026
Concerns center on the facility’s potential impact on city infrastructure and surrounding communities.
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Tina Brown speaks during an interview about her family's experience with suicide and her own past suicidal thoughts.
Mississippi firefighter suicides bring focus to mental health
Morgan Gill June 29, 2026
New state data show Mississippi's suicide rate remains above the national average as first responders, mental health professionals and families call for earlier intervention.
A backpacker walks beside a busy highway on a sunny day with cars passing in adjacent lanes.
Man walking outline of the U.S. reaches South Mississippi
Justin Glowacki and McKenna Klamm June 26, 2026
Kadis has built an Instagram following of about 130,000 by posting daily videos documenting his journey around the country's perimeter. 
A baby scale rests on a wooden changing table next to diapers, wipes and other supplies. Storage baskets are beneath the table, and a sink is located to the right.
United Healthcare updates lactation reimbursement policy
Morgan Gill June 24, 2026
In practice, the change affects how some providers are reimbursed when a breastfeeding consultation involves assessments of both the mother and infant during the same visit.
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