Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Richton splash pad delayed to 2026, town plans daily fee 

Justin Glowacki, Sami Jordan and McKenna Klamm • September 1, 2025
Months after town leaders promised a new splash pad, families are still blocked by locked gates. Now, the town estimates it won’t open until May 2026 — more than a year behind schedule — and residents will have to pay to use it. 

Jackson County K-9 brings closure to families, fills a critical gap in disaster response

Samuel Hughes, Kristen Kaylor and Sameen Chand • September 1, 2025
Joe Ladnier went missing on Dec. 24, 2023. His wife said local authorities searched for four days before calling off the effort.

Wiggins businesses tap grants to refresh downtown district

Morgan Gill, Alexa Hatten, Jaydon Koss and Sameen Chand • September 1, 2025
Downtown Wiggins is getting a new look, thanks to $50,000 in grants helping local businesses repair, repaint and revive storefronts. Leaders of the Stone County seat said upgrades are drawing more visitors and energy to the small city’s two-street business district. 

Mississippi auto insurance rates begin to stabilize after years of increases 

Samuel Hughes, Kristen Kaylor, Nischit Sharma and Sameen Chand • August 25, 2025
After years of steady hikes, Mississippi auto insurance rates are showing signs of stabilizing, with more than a dozen companies approving decreases this year that could affect 80% of drivers. 

Lumberton’s first food pantry to open in 2026 

Morgan Gill, Alexa Hatten, Sameen Chand and Jaydon Koss • August 25, 2025
In a city where nearly 4 in 10 residents live in poverty, Lumberton will open its first food pantry in early 2026.

Judge blocks Mississippi oyster reef leasing plan

Justin Glowacki and McKenna Klamm • August 22, 2025
Mississippi’s plan to lease 80% of its public oyster reefs to private companies is on pause after a Harrison County judge temporarily blocked the program Monday.

‘We’re doing this from the heart’: Communities respond to Mississippi foster home needs

Samuel Hughes, Cadence Renfro, Sameen Chand and Rochak Basnet • August 18, 2025
Monica Robinson begins her day at 5:30 a.m., driving a school bus before starting her full-time job as a social worker for a Mississippi school district. After work, she heads home to another gig: caring for her three foster children as well as her biological son. 

Mississippi leads nation in deadly heartworm infections

Justin Glowacki, Sami Jordan and Nischit Sharma • August 18, 2025
“We diagnose about 1 in every 8 dogs with heartworm disease,” said Tamara Huff, shelter director of Hub City Humane Society. “Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes … it just takes one bite from one mosquito for your pet’s life to change.”

Ampact tutors strengthen skills in Hub City schools

Morgan Gill, Alexa Hatten, JC Roberts and Sameen Chand • August 18, 2025
As Hub City students settle into a new school year, tutors from Ampact, a national nonprofit, are once again working alongside the city’s public school teachers to help students succeed.

No board, no clarity: Beauty educators stuck in licensing transition

Justin Glowacki, Sami Jordan and Nischit Sharma • August 11, 2025
For six years, Asheena Woods taught barbering students state laws, walked them through the licensing process and gave them structure, support and transparency.

Pascagoula Public Library to reopen after $4.2M renovation

Samuel Hughes, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet • August 11, 2025
After 14 months and $4.2 million in renovations, the Pascagoula Public Library will unveil its upgraded facilities to the public on Aug. 18. 

Lack of legal venues leaves racers and cities at odds 

Morgan Gill, Cadence Renfro, Jaydon Koss and Sameen Chand • August 4, 2025
As legal racetracks close across Mississippi, some racers are turning to city streets — a trend drawing both safety concerns and debate about access to controlled racing environments. 
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