RHCJC

Mississippi looks to reverse brain drain with jobs, education

Morgan Gill, JC Roberts and Sameen Chand • June 30, 2025

For Stephanie Rodriguez, Mississippi offers safety, affordability and a quieter lifestyle, but for Gunnar Hamm, it was a place he couldn’t wait to leave. Their stories reflect the growing divide in how young adults view life in the Magnolia State — and what’s driving many to look elsewhere for opportunity.

Mississippi airports race to secure federal funds before 2026 deadline

Samuel Hughes, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet • June 23, 2025

With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law set to expire in 2026, Mississippi airports are rushing to lock in federal dollars before time runs out. The funding, which began flowing in 2022, offers airports across the country the chance to tackle long-delayed improvements.

Businesses adjust to seafood labeling law taking effect July 1

Justin Glowacki, Sami Jordan and Nischit Sharma • June 23, 2025

With Mississippi’s new seafood labeling law set to take effect July 1, restaurant owners and seafood sellers are trying to understand how to comply — and what could happen if they don’t.

Junior Auxiliary helps meet needs of underserved families in George County

Morgan Gill, Alexa Hatten, Sameen Chand and JC Roberts • June 23, 2025

In a rural corner of Mississippi, where more than 5,000 residents struggle with food insecurity and nearly three-quarters of public-school students live in poverty, a small group of women is stepping up to fill the gap — one Easter basket, book and life skill lesson at a time.

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.

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.