Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
All content by Joshua Wilson
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Mississippi researchers investigate growing tick-borne allergy to red meat

Joshua Wilson, Kennedi Drake, Gretta Graves, Evan Baronich and Nischit Sharma
February 10, 2025
A gavel is displayed on a white marble backdrop.

Bounty programs for reporting undocumented migrants do not currently exist

Joshua Wilson
February 3, 2025
U.S. Census Bureau forms are displayed in 2020.

No, ‘Internal Affairs employees’ won’t check for ‘valid ID’ for the ‘upcoming census’ and somehow steal your house

Joshua Wilson
January 27, 2025
A Bible is displayed, Jan. 23, 2025.

No, the president is not required to place his hand on a Bible during the inauguration

Joshua Wilson
January 23, 2025
Misattributed natural disaster footage causes confusion in Mississippi

Misattributed natural disaster footage causes confusion in Mississippi

Joshua Wilson
December 20, 2024
Roy Howard Community Journalism Center staff members include, bottom row, left to right, Morgan Gill, reporter and producer; Joshua Wilson, community liaison; and Jada Austin, administrative lead; and second row, left to right, Justin Glowacki, reporter and producer; Nichole Cyprian, director; Samuel Hughes, reporter and producer; and Whitney Argenbright, managing editor.

Roy Howard Community Journalism Center to launch in January

Joshua Wilson
November 6, 2024
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