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Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Southeast Mississippi Planner

What’s happening in your county?

Our new community bulletin board goes live soon — helping you stay connected with local events, public meetings, volunteer opportunities and updates from trusted sources across the region. Submissions are open now, so share your news today.

Shelves filled with cases of canned vegetables and beans at a food pantry.
Lumberton’s first food pantry to open in 2026 
Morgan Gill, Alexa Hatten, Sameen Chand and Jaydon Koss August 25, 2025
In a city where nearly 4 in 10 residents live in poverty, Lumberton will open its first food pantry in early 2026.
"From Pascagoula's Sunny Bay" is quoted on a wall above glass and black metal doors under a skylight ceiling.
Pascagoula Public Library to reopen after $4.2M renovation
Samuel Hughes, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet August 11, 2025
After 14 months and $4.2 million in renovations, the Pascagoula Public Library will unveil its upgraded facilities to the public on Aug. 18. 
Gulfport Dragway’s starting tent and race lights facing down an empty drag strip.
Lack of legal venues leaves racers and cities at odds 
Morgan Gill, Cadence Renfro, Jaydon Koss and Sameen Chand August 4, 2025
As legal racetracks close across Mississippi, some racers are turning to city streets — a trend drawing both safety concerns and debate about access to controlled racing environments. 
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Heavy traffic on U.S. 98 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with cars, trucks and SUVs filling multiple lanes near a Walgreens.
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. 
An officer with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources checked oysters on a boat at the Pass Christian Harbor.
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.
Toys sit on a house’s porch.
‘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. 
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What Is True?

Cut through the noise with fact-checked reporting from the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center. We investigate rumors, viral claims and misinformation affecting southeast Mississippi — so you can stay informed with confidence.

Tap water image
“I Voted” stickers are shown in this file photo. The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center recently fact-checked several common claims about Mississippi voting laws, including rules on voter ID, absentee ballots and party switching during runoffs.
What’s true — and what isn’t — about voting in Mississippi
Walker Scott and Jaydon Koss August 4, 2025
Confused about Mississippi voting laws? From voter ID rules to party switching in primaries, our “What Is True?” team breaks down nine common claims — and what the law actually says.
Water flows into a green glass at a kitchen sink in this file photo. In Long Beach, recent social media claims about dangerously high chlorine levels in the city’s tap water are not supported by five years of official water quality reports.
Chlorine levels in Long Beach tap water remain within safe range
Mohammad Asaduzzaman, Mamunor Rashid, Walker Scott and Joshua Wilson July 21, 2025
A viral post claims Long Beach’s tap water contains dangerously high levels of chlorine. But official reports show chlorine levels remain well within safety limits.
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.
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