RHCJC

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.

Mississippi airports race to secure federal funds before 2026 deadline

Samuel Hughes, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet • June 23, 2025

With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law set to expire in 2026, Mississippi airports are rushing to lock in federal dollars before time runs out. The funding, which began flowing in 2022, offers airports across the country the chance to tackle long-delayed improvements.

Junior Auxiliary helps meet needs of underserved families in George County

Morgan Gill, Alexa Hatten, Sameen Chand and JC Roberts • June 23, 2025

In a rural corner of Mississippi, where more than 5,000 residents struggle with food insecurity and nearly three-quarters of public-school students live in poverty, a small group of women is stepping up to fill the gap — one Easter basket, book and life skill lesson at a time.

Permanent skateparks? Coast skaters say it’s time

Justin Glowacki, Nischit Sharma and Sami Jordan • June 16, 2025

Pete Taggard never expected skateboarding to save his life. But when a doctor warned that Type 2 Diabetes was threatening his health, he returned to something he hadn’t done since his teenage years: skating.

Faithful Farms offers rural, faith-based school alternative

Samuel Hughes, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet • June 16, 2025

A one-room schoolhouse opening this August is offering a faith-based, agriculture-centered alternative to public education — and positioning itself for Mississippi’s evolving school choice landscape.

With little aid, sober homes fill vital recovery need

Samuel Hughes, Cadence Renfro and Rochak Basnet • June 9, 2025

Mississippi continues to fall behind neighboring states when it comes to sober-living housing, a critical step in long-term addiction recovery. Sober-living housing often follows the Oxford House Model, a community-based approach to recovery that emphasizes peer support, shared responsibility and sober living

Lumberton High unveils mural honoring late teacher

Whitney Argenbright, Sameen Chand, Nischit Sharma and Rochak Basnet • May 29, 2025

Students, faculty and family members gathered Thursday at Lumberton High School to unveil a mural in memory of Susan Copeland, a longtime science teacher who died in a car crash on Jan. 31, 2024.