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Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

A raccoon stands alert in this undated file photo. Mississippi law allows raccoon trapping only during designated furbearer season and under specific conditions.

Trapping raccoons in Mississippi comes with clear rules

Walker Scott and Joshua Wilson July 14, 2025
Think you can trap raccoons whenever they show up? Not in Mississippi. State law sets strict limits on when, where and how raccoons can be trapped.
A customer uses a contactless debit card at a point-of-sale terminal in this undated file photo. A “What Is True?” investigation by the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center found that criminals do use skimmers to steal card data at gas pumps and ATMs — often placing the devices inside the machines. However, the team rated as false the claim that RFID scanners can steal credit card information from 15 to 20 feet away. Experts say contactless cards are encrypted and not vulnerable to long-distance scanning.

Criminals use skimmers, not long-range RFID

Walker Scott and Joshua Wilson July 7, 2025
Skimming at the pump is real — but are criminals really stealing your card info from 20 feet away with an RFID scanner? The “What Is True?” team investigated two viral claims about payment fraud. One holds up. The other doesn’t.
A vehicle navigates the roundabout on Hardy Street near downtown Hattiesburg on June 27, 2025. Despite claims that roundabouts offer no safety benefits, federal reports show they significantly reduce crash severity and frequency compared to traditional intersections.

Despite public skepticism, roundabouts cut crashes

Matthew Martin and Joshua Wilson June 30, 2025
Despite what some say, roundabouts do make roads safer. Our “What Is True?” team dug into the data — and the claim that they offer no safety benefit? False. Here's why.
An apple sits on a stack of books beside blocks and pencils in this file photo.

Low pay, high insurance costs squeeze Mississippi teachers

Mamunor Rashid and Joshua Wilson June 23, 2025
True and troubling: Mississippi teachers earn the South’s lowest pay — and costly family health insurance cuts even deeper into their checks.
A cardboard sign reading “Help” is placed among blankets and closing in this file photo.

Hattiesburg homelessness claim distorts facts, context

Sherin Farhana Moni and Joshua Wilson June 23, 2025
Misleading numbers and a false narrative: Our “What Is True?” team fact-checked two viral claims about homelessness in Hattiesburg.
THC-infused seltzers are displayed in a convenience store in southeast Mississippi, Wednesday, June 12, 2025. The drinks contain the main psychoactive compound in cannabis and are legally sold throughout the state without age restrictions.

THC drinks raise concern — but facts are mixed

Walker Scott and Joshua Wilson June 16, 2025
A viral post claims THC drinks can get kids high — but that oversimplifies the issue. These legal, unregulated drinks lack age limits, but there’s little proof they’re being marketed to children.
A weathered trash can is marked with peeling white paint in this file photo.

No ongoing waste options? The full story says otherwise

Matthew Martin and Joshua Wilson June 9, 2025
Forrest and Lamar counties offer year-round options for disposing of certain bulky items like appliances, electronics and yard debris.
A voter casts a ballot in this file photo.

Abrams was not given $2B in public funds for elections

Joshua Wilson June 9, 2025
A public official posted this claim on Facebook: “Stacey Abrams was given $2 billion by the Biden administration to spend on elections.” Our rating: False.
A row of speakers is displayed in this file photo.

Claim that Hattiesburg ignores noise law is false

Mohammad Asaduzzaman and Joshua Wilson June 9, 2025
The Hattiesburg Police Department responds to noise complaints and issues citations or warnings.
Center Note: ‘What Is True?’ continues to serve the community

Center Note: ‘What Is True?’ continues to serve the community

Joshua Wilson June 2, 2025
We’re reminding our community about “What Is True?” — the community-driven fact-checking service from the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center.
A pair of subterranean termites move across a surface. These wood-destroying insects are most active in warm, humid conditions and often swarm in spring and early summer. This photo is from the National Pest Management Association.

Yes, warm, humid weather triggers termite swarms in Mississippi

Walker Scott and Joshua Wilson June 2, 2025
Experts confirm that rising heat and humidity — especially after rain — do trigger termite swarms in Mississippi each spring and early summer.
A snake rests in the grass. While some people try to deter snakes using mothballs, experts say the method is ineffective — and illegal if used outdoors.

Do mothballs repel snakes — and is it illegal to use them in your yard?

Joshua Wilson May 12, 2025
We can verify mothballs are not proven to repel snakes — and using them outdoors in this way is a violation of federal pesticide law.
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