RHCJC

Broadband expansion moves ahead in Pearl River County

Kennedi Drake • April 21, 2025

Rural Mississippi is seeing significant growth in broadband internet infrastructure, and communities in Pearl River County are among those set to benefit. The expansion aims to improve internet access for homes, schools and businesses, while also strengthening emergency communication systems.

Pascagoula diners help serve up parks, fields, fun

Justin Glowacki, Mallory Strickland, McKenna Klamm and Pragesh Adhikari • April 21, 2025

Charlotte Jerde remembers her granddaughter’s first birthday at Beach Park — watching her run through the splash pad, laughing and chasing water jets.

Ocean Springs bridge closure raises questions over missed warnings

Justin Glowacki, McKenna Klamm and Pragesh Adhikari • April 14, 2025

The sudden closure of the Davis Bayou Bridge on Hanshaw Road has left residents detouring, buses rerouting and local officials pointing fingers not just over the bridge’s crumbling support structure but over who knew what — and when.

Biloxi’s Saenger Theatre prepares for an encore

Samuel Hughes, Mallory Strickland, Rowan Luke, Nischit Sharma and Hailey Perkins • April 14, 2025

Biloxi is meticulously restoring the theater to its former grandeur, with plans to make it a modern performance venue while preserving its historic character.

Worn building, strong mission: The Arc keeps serving

Morgan Gill, Miracle Jennnings, Rasheed Ambrose, Nischit Sharma and Javion Henry • April 14, 2025

At small repairs — flickering lights, broken toilets and a growing list of maintenance needs — are a daily challenge. Amid the wear and tear, the nonprofit organization remains focused on what matters most: supporting individuals with disabilities.

Old gear, tight budgets: Rural fire crews make do

Justin Glowacki, Sonya Woods, McKenna Klamm, Pragesh Adhikari and Evan Baronich • April 7, 2025

The jacket Thomas Muffler wears to fight fires is 13 years old. Many hanging on the rack at the McHenry-Sunflower Volunteer Fire Department in Stone County are even older.

Hattiesburg West Seventh project brings both dust and hope

Morgan Gill, Miracle Jennnings, Rasheed Ambrose, Nischit Sharma, Javion Henry and Evan Baronich • April 7, 2025

After years of sewer backups, flooding and road deterioration, residents along West Seventh Street in Hattiesburg are finally seeing progress.

Jackson County schools expand training for skilled trades

Samuel Hughes, Mallory Strickland, Rowan Luke, Gerome Webster, Hailey Perkins, Aidan Tarrant and Evan Baronich • April 7, 2025

As Mississippi grapples with a deepening workforce shortage, leaders in Jackson County are looking to high school classrooms for solutions.

‘Lord, have mercy’: Food aid cuts leave Mississippi families hungry for help

Samuel Hughes, Mallory Strickland, Rowan Luke, Gerome Webster and Hailey Perkins • March 31, 2025

After a busy morning, more than 20 cars stretched down Main Street in Poplarville as over 300 people waited for their monthly grocery pickup from Jacob’s Well Recovery Center.

With water park opening, Leakesville eyes tourism boost

Morgan Gill, Miracle Jennnings, Rasheed Ambrose, Nischit Sharma and Javion Henry • March 31, 2025

Mikel Franks has spent years watching storefronts open and close in Leakesville, a small city where steady jobs are hard to come by and economic growth always seems just out of reach.

Volunteers power emergency response in Stone County

Justin Glowacki, Sonya Woods, McKenna Klamm and Pragesh Adhikari • March 31, 2025

In Stone County, it’s not just career firefighters who race toward danger — volunteers do, too, leaving behind jobs, dinner tables and daily routines when the alarm sounds. Anna Mills, a registered nurse and volunteer firefighter, joined the service after a personal emergency.

Steel plant scrapped, Perry County left in limbo

Justin Glowacki, Sonya Woods and Pragesh Adhikari • March 24, 2025

Plans for an anticipated steel plant in Perry County have silently ended, leaving local residents unaware of what comes next.