Meeting the artist behind two sculptures in Ocean Springs
A South Mississippi sculptor has returned home to bring the work of one of his favorite artists to life. Justin Glowacki with the Roy Howard Community Journalism…
Author: Roy Howard Community Journalism Center
Plans unveiled for skate park in Jackson County
Jackson County has unveiled plans for a permanent skate park in St. Martin that could become the largest in Mississippi. Local skaters say the park would give them…
City of Moss Point planning stormwater park to reduce flooding
The City of Moss Point is planning a new stormwater park to help reduce neighborhood flooding and improve water quality. The project would turn a vacant…
Pearl River Community College seeks Pell eligibility for short term job training
For people looking to change careers, the cost of training can be a barrier. Now, Mississippi’s community colleges are getting $8.5 million in federal funding to prepare…
George County Firefighters Rodeo builds community connections
Volunteer fire departments across George County are benefiting from money raised through a local rodeo, but firefighters say the event also helps them connect with the communities they serve.…
Harrison County School District supporting students learning English
For students learning English, passing state tests comes with an additional challenge, learning the material while also developing their English skills. The Harrison County School District is beginning…
Pass Christian School District looking into building new performing arts center
Pass Christian students sing, act, and rehearse in cafeterias, gyms, and other shared spaces. That’s because the district hasn’t had its own auditorium since Hurricane…
Hancock County moving forward with plans for new animal shelter
Hancock County is moving forward with plans to replace its aging animal shelter. Overcrowding, drainage problems, and poor ventilation are putting a strain on the facility.…
Stone County Correctional Facility offers program that prepares inmates for re-entry
The Stone County Correctional Facility has developed a waitlist for inmates interested in a program designed to prepare them for life after incarceration. JC Roberts…
Mississippi LIFT helping with education across the state
Mississippi LIFT is taking educational resources on the road. Its mobile units are traveling across the state to connect rural families with free learning materials. Sami Jordan with…
Free Gulfport program helps nursing home residents stay connected through technology
A free Gulfport program is helping nursing home residents use technology to stay connected with family and friends. Gulf Coast Connection Services provides one-on-one technology…
New state law changing attendance policy in public schools
A new Mississippi law is changing how public schools handle student absences. But some parents, educators, and healthcare providers are concerned about what the changes could mean…
Mississippi oyster reefs show signs of growth
Mississippi’s oyster reefs are showing signs of growth ahead of the 2026-2027 season. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources estimates surveyed reefs hold nearly 400,000 sacks of oysters, up…
City of Diamondhead planning drainage and erosion project
A nearly $4 million drainage project is about to begin in Diamondhead. The city says the work will protect homes and yards by deepening Duck Pond and stabilizing…
Rotary Club partners with nonprofit to build beds for children in Jackson County
JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- Dozens of children in Jackson County go to sleep without a comfortable place to rest their heads each night,…
Harrison County leaders adjust to continued growth
Harrison County officials say continued growth and development are increasing demands on infrastructure and public services. Michelle Pinto with the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center explains how the county…
Sewer lift station upgrades complete in Waveland
WAVELAND, Miss. (WXXV)- The City of Waveland completed a roughly $3.5 million project to upgrade ten of its largest sewer lift stations. That work includes ten new pumps and…
Sunshine Sips brews new opportunities for adults with disabilities
A new coffee shop on the Coast is helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities get ready for the workplace. Sunshine Sips will give participants hands-on training…
Mississippi law enforcement agencies revamp active shooter training
Mississippi law enforcement agencies are changing how they respond to active shooters as officials apply lessons learned from past attacks. Morgan Gill with the Roy Howard Community Journalism…
Mississippi lawmakers approve changes to youth court system
Mississippi lawmakers have approved sweeping changes to the state’s youth court system after a lapse in state law threatened access to confidential court records. The new law restores…
Stone County organizations working to help Hood Industries employees after mill closure
More than 250 workers are expected to lose their jobs when Hood Industries permanently closes its Wiggins plywood mill at the end of August.…
Mississippi middle schoolers to learn financial literacy under new state law beginning in 2027
Mississippi middle school students will soon be required to learn budgeting, saving, and other financial skills under a new state law. Allyson…
Growth seen throughout the City of D’Iberville
D’Iberville has grown faster than any other city on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 2010. City leaders say they are investing millions in roads and utilities to keep that…
Project commemorating Freedom Summer coming to City of Moss Point
Moss Point will soon commemorate its role in the Civil Rights Movement through a memorial project. ‘The Witness: The Freedom Memory Project’ is led by the…
Concerns over flooding in the City of Pascagoula
When roads flooded near Highway 90 and Market Street in Pascagoula last month, residents started asking a familiar question: is the city dealing with a drainage problem or…
Mississippi researchers join effort to help U.S. produce own seafood
Mississippi researchers are joining a new national effort to help the United States produce more of its own seafood. Justin Glowacki with the Roy Howard Community…
Work begins on phase two of new Pascagoula police substation
Pascagoula is starting work on phase two of a $3.5 million project to expand police services in the eastern half of the city. That substation is…
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…
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…
