Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Mississippi sheriffs push to use radar to curb speeding

Morgan Gill, Ashlyn Joyner and Sameen Chand • September 29, 2025
Mississippi has one of the nation’s lowest percentages of traffic deaths tied to speeding, yet sheriffs say they need radar guns — a tool currently banned for county law enforcement — to help curb dangerous driving on rural roads.

After years of uncertainty, Mississippi teen sees drug approval for Barth syndrome

Samuel Hughes, Kristen Kaylor and Nischit Sharma • September 22, 2025
Seventeen-year-old Christopher Pena has spent his life battling Barth syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that weakens the body. On Friday, he learned the drug he credits with giving him strength to jump, carry heavy items and keep up in school won accelerated approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Neighbors build network of free food boxes in Hub City

Justin Glowacki, Makiya Jackson, McKenna Klamm and Michelle Pinto • September 22, 2025
Three “mini pantries” in the Hub City — on a university campus, at a community center and in a church driveway — form a network of neighbors fighting hunger.

‘A voice for the child’: Mississippi’s first appropriation for court advocates supports rural youth courts

Samuel Hughes, Kristen Kaylor and Nischit Sharma • September 15, 2025
The organization fills a gap in youth courts, where judges often lack time and staff to investigate every aspect of a child’s situation. Volunteers act as the court’s eyes and ears, focusing solely on what’s best for the child.

Mississippi considers SNAP limits, nutritionists weigh food swaps 

Justin Glowacki, Sami Jordan, McKenna Klamm and Michelle Pinto • September 15, 2025
Mississippi families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could soon face limits on what foods they can buy, including soda and candy. 

Contract standoff sends Lucedale inmates to other counties

Justin Glowacki, Sami Jordan, McKenna Klamm and Makiya Jackson • September 8, 2025
A contract dispute over who pays for Lucedale inmates housed at the George County Regional Correctional Facility has led the police department to transport detainees to neighboring counties.

Mississippi lawmakers weigh return of storm damage mitigation initiative

Samuel Hughes, Kristen Kaylor and Nischit Sharma • September 8, 2025
The Mississippi insurance commissioner is pushing to restart a hurricane damage mitigation program lawmakers cut off after only one year.

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. 

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.
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