City of Diamondhead preparing to launch municipal police department
Diamondhead is preparing to hire a police chief this month as the city moves closer to launching its own municipal police department. Kristen Kaylor with the Roy…
Author: Roy Howard Community Journalism Center
City of Lucedale ending fluoridation in municipal water system
Lucedale is set to officially end fluoridation in its municipal water system next month. The change takes effect May 15 after years of fluoride levels falling below…
Law enforcement using license plate cameras
More Mississippi law enforcement agencies are expanding their reach with license plate cameras. It’s a growing trend that law enforcement says helps departments operate more efficiently. Justin Glowacki with the…
Safety exchanged zone installed at Poplarville Police Department
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER- Poplarville now has a safety exchange zone where residents can meet up to complete online purchases or custody exchanges. The zone is in…
Residents excited for growth in Gautier as construction continues on Legacy Park
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM-Residents in Gautier say they’ve been watching closely as construction ramps up during the final year of the Legacy Park Development.…
New community center being built in George County
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER- People in the Barton Basin community will soon have a new place to gather close to home. George County leaders are building a…
Flint Creek Water Park in Wiggins upgrading amenities
WIGGINS, Miss. (WXXV)- Flint Creek Water Park and Campground in Wiggins is upgrading amenities to improve the visitor experience. The park features a 700-acre lake, water park, and…
Jackson County School District prepares for rezoning
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER- Attendance district rezonings in the Jackson County School District are set to take effect this year as new housing developments continue to grow in…
Mississippi lawmakers considering bill to limit public access to bridge reports
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER- Mississippi lawmakers are considering a bill that would change whether certain roadway safety reports can be released to the public.…
Update on new microchip scanning stations in Pearl River County
PEARL RIVER COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- Pearl River County now has two new tools aimed at helping lost pets get home faster. Kristen Kaylor with the Roy…
Bill aiming to create skilled workers
Mississippi employers say they need skilled workers, but too many adults say they can’t afford the training. That gap in the state’s workforce is what a new bill aims to…
Tips for cleaning up after Mardi Gras parades
What’s often left behind after our Coast Mardi Gras parades roll is raising concerns among some in the community. This year, volunteers who help with clean up are…
Mississippi has the highest rate of uninsured drivers
Mississippi has the highest rate of uninsured drivers in the country. That’s why lawmakers are revisiting a policy they scrapped nearly a decade ago. Justin Glowacki with the…
Bus driver shortage in some Mississippi school districts
Mississippi schools are facing a shortage of bus drivers, leading to delayed routes, lost classroom time, and added stress for families. Bibhas Pantha with the Roy Howard Community…
One woman shares her story of human trafficking in Mississippi
A Mississippi woman is sharing more about the moment her life changed and how she became a victim of human trafficking. Her story is an example…
Buddy Ball offers community for all
A nonprofit on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is providing equal opportunities to individuals with special needs at no cost. It started in 2010 with 20 participants, but has blossomed into…
Concerns impacting small towns across southeast Mississippi
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER-As lawmakers debate priorities during the 2026 legislative session, leaders in small towns across southeast Mississippi say statewide decisions can have outsized impacts. Kristen Kaylor…
South Mississippi oyster growers hopeful for new legislation
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER-Mississippi is leading by example when it comes to the future of seafood farming in the United States. As Congress considers new legislation aimed…
Aging infrastructure begins biggest challenge in Lucedale
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER-In Lucedale, city leaders say rapid growth has made aging infrastructure the city’s biggest challenge. Mayor Al Jones says traffic congestion and water lines dating…
Diamondhead city leaders looking to shape growth
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER- Diamondhead is one of Mississippi’s youngest cities, incorporated just over a decade ago. City leaders say that gives them a rare opportunity to shape…
2025 was a better year for Christmas tree farms in Mississippi
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER-After Mississippi endured its worst drought in 50 years during 2023 and 2024, improved weather gave Christmas tree farms a stronger…
Population growth putting pressure on roads in Harrison County
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER- Harrison County leaders say rapid growth is putting pressure on roads across the county, especially in rural areas that weren’t built for…
Coast mayors talk 2026 legislative priorities
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER-Coast mayors say they’re pushing for funding this year that supports growth, from tourism to storm recovery and long-term infrastructure. Kristen Kaylor with the Roy Howard…
City of Poplarville seeing issues with mail
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER- Millions of packages were being delivered across the country during the holiday season. In Poplarville, residents say what hasn’t been delivered is a promise,…
City of Gulfport fighting litter issues
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER- Gulfport is rolling out new “$1,000 No Dumping” signs and asking residents to report violators. It’s part of a renewed push to tackle litter. Makiya…
State leaders discuss workforce development
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER-Mississippi leaders say thousands of skilled workers will be needed in the coming years. Governor Tate Reeves wants the state to take more control over how they’re…
Hancock County beach set to return to original width
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER-Along the Hancock County shoreline, years of erosion have chipped away at the community’s first line of defense against storms. Now, a $30…
Southern Turnings spearheads community growth in Wiggins
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER- When Southern Turnings opened in Downtown Wiggins, few businesses were operating along Pine Avenue. Nearly a decade later, the shop has expanded and the…
State of blueberry farming in Mississippi
ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CENTER- Mississippi’s blueberry farms are shrinking and fewer farmers are entering the field. One farm in Poplarville is trying to change that, hoping to turn the…
Mississippi shrimpers continue push for clearer seafood labeling
Mississippi shrimpers say their years-long push for clearer seafood labeling is finally gaining traction, not just across the Gulf Coast, but in Congress. Justin Glowacki with the Roy…
