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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.

A water tower stands next to the North Lamar Water Association office building.
North Lamar weighs ending community water fluoridation
Samuel Hughes, Kristen Kaylor and Nischit Sharma September 29, 2025
The North Lamar Water Association is considering ending community water fluoridation, citing costs, equipment problems and operator safety. The system has not met recommended federal fluoride standards since 2020.
Computer rendering of two planned buildings at the Pearl River County Technology Park.
After 30 years, technology park takes shape in Picayune
Morgan Gill, Alexa Hatten, Ashlyn Joyner, Sameen Chand and Jaydon Koss September 15, 2025
Construction is underway on the Pearl River County Technology Park across from the Picayune Municipal Airport — a development local leaders say will give residents better access to well-paying jobs close to home. 
Partially built Jack’s Family Restaurant with construction materials and equipment on site.
First restaurant planned in Leakesville’s Basila District
Morgan Gill, Jaydon Koss, Alexa Hatten, Sameen Chand and Ashlyn Joyner September 8, 2025
The Basila District, a planned hub of businesses and green space, is the centerpiece of a push to keep young people in Greene County and attract new jobs.
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A Hattiesburg Police officer stands on the roadside using a radar gun to check vehicle speeds within city limits.
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.
A teenage boy wearing a “#Barth Strong” shirt stands outdoors with his hands in his pockets.
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.
A tan cabinet filled with canned food, pasta and toiletries stands in a church parking lot in Hattiesburg.
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.
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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
Cribs and toys line the walls of Bettie’s infant room. Like other classrooms in the center, the nursery operates under strict state child-to-staff ratio limits — which affects how many children the facility can enroll.
Mississippi’s infant mortality is rising — but not because of vaccines 
Molly Gill and Walker Scott September 22, 2025
While vaccines, like any medical treatment, carry rare risks, health experts agree they are not the cause of Mississippi’s rising infant mortality rate.
Exterior view of a T.J. Maxx store with cars parked in front under a partly cloudy sky.
No, T.J. Maxx isn’t closing all stores September 2025
Walker Scott September 15, 2025
Posts on TikTok and other social media platforms claim that T.J. Maxx will close all of its stores worldwide on Sept. 23, 2025.
Black cow standing protectively near her calf in a grassy field, with more cattle in the background.
What’s true about lab-grown meat in Mississippi? Not the cancer claims.
Walker Scott September 8, 2025
A viral post claims lab-grown meat, which has been banned in Mississippi, contains cancerous cells. But scientific research shows the product does not pose the cancer risk suggested online.
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