Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC
Reporting What Matters

RHCJC

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. 

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.

Mississippi auto insurance rates begin to stabilize after years of increases 

Samuel Hughes, Kristen Kaylor, Nischit Sharma and Sameen Chand • August 25, 2025
After years of steady hikes, Mississippi auto insurance rates are showing signs of stabilizing, with more than a dozen companies approving decreases this year that could affect 80% of drivers. 

Cotton prices down, costs up: Mississippi farmers face harsh decisions 

Justin Glowacki, Sami Jordan and Nischit Sharma • July 14, 2025
Mississippi cotton farmers are losing money — and some are preparing to abandon the crop altogether due to falling prices, extreme weather events, rising input costs and trade tensions. 

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.

Stone County hires new economic director to drive growth

Morgan Gill, Alexa Hatten, Sameen Chand and JC Roberts • June 16, 2025
Stone County is looking to jump-start its economic future with the appointment of Layla Essary as the new director of its Economic Development Partnership.

Rising insurance premiums push homeowners to the edge

Samuel Hughes and Nischit Sharma • May 19, 2025
Nita Hope, 62, has lived in the same home since 1990.  Now, she’s boxing up her life, painting the walls and putting it up for sale.

‘Let’s get it rolling’: Mississippi coast ready for passenger rail

Justin Glowacki • May 19, 2025
In this artsy coastal town, the familiar rumble of trains will soon carry a new significance. Trains that once transported cargo will begin carrying passengers again — something residents and local businesses hope will bring new life to the downtown economy.

Mississippi tourism faces seasonal staffing strain

Samuel Hughes, Rowan Luke, Gerome Webster, Hailey Perkins and Kennedi Drake • April 28, 2025
As the summer travel season approaches, Mississippi’s tourism businesses are facing a familiar challenge: not enough workers.

With water park opening, Leakesville eyes tourism boost

Morgan Gill, Miracle Jennnings, Rasheed Ambrose, Nischit Sharma and Javion Henry • March 31, 2025
Mikel Franks has spent years watching storefronts open and close in Leakesville, a small city where steady jobs are hard to come by and economic growth always seems just out of reach.
A sign detailing the proposed clean hydrogen hub in Perry County, Mississippi, which will no longer move forward.

Steel plant scrapped, Perry County left in limbo

Justin Glowacki, Sonya Woods and Pragesh Adhikari • March 24, 2025
Plans for an anticipated steel plant in Perry County have silently ended, leaving local residents unaware of what comes next.
Load More Stories