Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

No complaints, no action: MDEQ says no sewage violations on Pascagoula River

Justin Glowacki • June 16, 2025
Despite public concern and warnings from the state’s marine resources director, Mississippi’s top environmental agency said it hasn’t received a single complaint in the past five years about houseboat sewage on the Pascagoula River — and has taken no enforcement action as a result.

Permanent skateparks? Coast skaters say it’s time

Justin Glowacki, Nischit Sharma and Sami Jordan • June 16, 2025
Pete Taggard never expected skateboarding to save his life. But when a doctor warned that Type 2 Diabetes was threatening his health, he returned to something he hadn’t done since his teenage years: skating. 

Stone County hires new economic director to drive growth

Morgan Gill, Alexa Hatten, Sameen Chand and JC Roberts • June 16, 2025
Stone County is looking to jump-start its economic future with the appointment of Layla Essary as the new director of its Economic Development Partnership.

Faithful Farms offers rural, faith-based school alternative

Samuel Hughes, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet • June 16, 2025
A one-room schoolhouse opening this August is offering a faith-based, agriculture-centered alternative to public education — and positioning itself for Mississippi’s evolving school choice landscape.
A measuring tape next to a deterorating wooen support piling in river water shows how much width has been lost.

Ocean Springs bridge reopens after emergency repairs

Justin Glowacki • June 12, 2025
After three months of detours and construction, the Davis Bayou Bridge on Hanshaw Road is set to reopen following the completion of emergency repairs.

Raw sewage, murky oversight: Who’s policing the Pascagoula?

Justin Glowacki, Whitney Argenbright, Alexa Hatten, Jaydon Koss and Nischit Sharma • June 9, 2025
Raw sewage is leaking into the Pascagoula River — at least, that’s the concern raised by the leader of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. But as state agency staff members split on the scope of the problem, some communities are already taking action to keep their waters clean. 

With little aid, sober homes fill vital recovery need

Samuel Hughes, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet • June 9, 2025
Mississippi continues to fall behind neighboring states when it comes to sober-living housing, a critical step in long-term addiction recovery. Sober-living housing often follows the Oxford House Model, a community-based approach to recovery that emphasizes peer support, shared responsibility and sober living

Animal clinics urge spaying, neutering to curb pet overpopulation 

Morgan Gill, Nischit Sharma, Alexa Hatten and Kiran Silwal • June 2, 2025
Animal advocates across Mississippi are launching a statewide awareness campaign to promote spaying and neutering, hoping to reduce shelter overcrowding, animal abandonment and one of the highest euthanasia rates in the country. 

Shortage threatens timely care in Mississippi

Samuel Hughes and Cadence Renfro • June 2, 2025
Across the state, residents are commonly referred to physical therapists to regain function after injuries, surgeries, falls and chronic pain. But a national study warns that some patients may soon face longer wait times — or longer drives — to get the care they need. 
A girl in a blue dress cuts a red ribbon with support from a man in a floral shirt as others stand beside them in front of a colorful science-themed mural.

Lumberton High unveils mural honoring late teacher

Whitney Argenbright, Sameen Chand, Nischit Sharma and Rochak Basnet • May 29, 2025
Students, faculty and family members gathered Thursday at Lumberton High School to unveil a mural in memory of Susan Copeland, a longtime science teacher who died in a car crash on Jan. 31, 2024.
A University of Southern Mississippi student listens as Joshua Wilson presents the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s “Ask Me What Is True?” media literacy training on April 15.

Free media literacy session set for June 6 at Gulf Park

May 23, 2025
A free media literacy training will be held Friday, June 6, at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.

Rising insurance premiums push homeowners to the edge

Samuel Hughes and Nischit Sharma • May 19, 2025
Nita Hope, 62, has lived in the same home since 1990.  Now, she’s boxing up her life, painting the walls and putting it up for sale.
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