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RHCJC

Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Reporting What Matters

RHCJC



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Litter collects in the grass around a gas station in Wiggins. Local officials say major corridors like Highway 49 often see the worst of the problem. (RHCJC News)
Trash trouble: Litter lines Mississippi highways
Morgan Gill, Kennedi Drake, Nischit Sharma and Javion Henry April 21, 2025
Litter is piling up along the Magnolia State’s rural roads, and the state is struggling to keep up. According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the state’s litter rate along rural highways is 30% higher than the national average.
Workers on West North Street in Poplarville install underground broadband infrastructure as part of a federally funded effort to expand high-speed internet in rural Pearl River County.
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. 
Beach Park in Pascagoula features a splash pad, playground, and picnic areas — all upgraded with support from the city’s 2% restaurant tax. (RHCJC News)
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.
The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center has filed a public records complaint with the Mississippi Ethics Commission to gain access to bridge inspection records withheld by the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
Center files complaint over denied access to bridge inspection records
Joshua Wilson April 24, 2025
The RHCJC is challenging Mississippi officials for withholding Davis Bayou Bridge inspection records, pressing for public access to critical infrastructure safety information.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas Collins delivers the keynote speech, calling the new home a chance for veterans to stay connected to their communities. (RHCJC News)
New veterans home brings Gulf Coast families closer to care
Samuel Hughes, Mallory Strickland, Gerome Webster and Pragesh Adhikari April 21, 2025
With flags waving above the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s newest long-term care facility, veterans, state leaders and community members recently gathered in the Tradition community to celebrate the opening of the Vito J. Canizaro Veterans Home.
Image of nine mobile sports betting apps on cell phone.
House attempts to keep mobile sports betting alive
Justin Glowacki, Matthew Martin, McKenna Klamm and Pragesh Adhikari March 10, 2025
For the second consecutive year, an attempt to legalize mobile sports betting in Mississippi collapsed in the Senate Gaming Commission as House Bill 1302 failed to advance on March 4. Despite overwhelming support in the House, where it passed 89-11, the bill met the same fate as last year’s proposal, dying in committee without reaching the Senate floor.
Despite social media rumors, a Texas Roadhouse location in Hattiesburg is not currently in the works, according to company officials. (Texas Roadhouse Press Image)
Rumor rolls in, truth says ‘neigh’: No Texas Roadhouse in Hattiesburg
Joshua Wilson April 1, 2025
Is a Texas Roadhouse restaurant coming to Hattiesburg? No, according to company officials — despite repeated social media rumors.
Fiber-optic networks play a key role in expanding broadband access to rural Mississippi.
Does a Trump order halt broadband funds for Mississippi?
Joshua Wilson March 13, 2025
A reader recently asked “What Is True?” if a Trump administration executive order would halt federal funding aimed at expanding broadband internet access to rural portions of Mississippi.
Emotions drive the spread of false and misleading information — and the results can be disastrous. Programs like the “What Is True?” fact-checking service at the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center can provide clear, fact-based answers.
Misinformation spreads fast — but we can stop it together
Joshua Wilson March 10, 2025

Misinformation spreads faster than ever. A single post, video or manipulated image can travel across the internet in seconds, reaching thousands...