Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

Richton splash pad delayed to 2026, town plans daily fee 

Justin Glowacki, Sami Jordan and McKenna Klamm • September 1, 2025
Months after town leaders promised a new splash pad, families are still blocked by locked gates. Now, the town estimates it won’t open until May 2026 — more than a year behind schedule — and residents will have to pay to use it. 

Wiggins businesses tap grants to refresh downtown district

Morgan Gill, Alexa Hatten, Jaydon Koss and Sameen Chand • September 1, 2025
Downtown Wiggins is getting a new look, thanks to $50,000 in grants helping local businesses repair, repaint and revive storefronts. Leaders of the Stone County seat said upgrades are drawing more visitors and energy to the small city’s two-street business district. 

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.

‘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. 

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. 

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. 

Harrison County group proposes ‘Baby DJ’s Law’ to help locate endangered children faster 

Samuel Hughes, Whitney Argenbright, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet • July 21, 2025
One year after 4-month-old Denilson Elligson died during a medical crisis while the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services tried to find him, a Harrison County committee is pushing for a new law and stronger community partnerships they hope could prevent similar tragedies.

Vancleave Live Oak Choctaw work to revive traditions without recognition

Samuel Hughes, Whitney Argenbright, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet • July 21, 2025
The Vancleave Live Oak Choctaw Tribe, based in Jackson County, is working to preserve and revive its language, ceremonies and cultural identity — despite lacking recognition from both state and federal governments.

Rolling library brings books, Wi-Fi to underserved areas 

Morgan Gill, JC Roberts and Rochak Basnet • July 21, 2025
A van filled with books, laptops, Wi-Fi and job tools is closing access gaps in south Mississippi — one parking lot at a time.

Ward 5 residents lead the way in Hattiesburg change

Morgan Gill, JC Roberts and Alexa Hatten • July 14, 2025
Streetlights are getting fixed, debris is being cleared faster and neighbors who once felt ignored are now sitting at the table with city leaders. 

Aging on the Coast: How Hancock County is preparing for a retirement-ready future

Morgan Gill, JC Roberts and Sameen Chand • July 7, 2025
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is aging faster than the rest of the state, and Hancock County sits at the center of that demographic shift. 

New vet clinic brings care closer for rural Mississippi farms

Samuel Hughes, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet • June 30, 2025
For years, pet owners and cattle producers in this small Mississippi town have relied on at-home remedies and long-shot emergency calls. 
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