Morning Business Report: January 19, 2026
Categories: Business
Façade grant checks presented to businesses in Wiggins
WIGGINS, Miss. (WXXV)- Many businesses in Wiggins are getting a fresh new look, including Hilltop Daiquiri and Taco Bar in the downtown business district. It’s all thanks to a downtown revitalization project led by the Stone County Economic Development Partnership and Mississippi Power Foundation. The Stone County Economic Development Partnership and Mississippi Power Foundation presented a check for more than…
CASA of Southeast Mississippi looking for volunteers
CASA of Southeast Mississippi is looking for everyday members of the community that want to make a difference in a foster child’s life. As a CASA volunteer, you can help children in foster care navigate a traumatic and difficult situation while helping make sure they have a stable future. The only requirements to volunteer are you must be over 21…
Golf Cart renewal deadline approaching in Ocean Springs
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WXXV)- The City of Ocean Springs’ annual golf cart renewals are underway. The deadline to renew is January 30. You can renew your registration at city hall Monday through Friday during normal business hours. You’ll need to bring your drivers license, golf cart insurance, and golf cart for inspection. The fee is $51 is you’re paying with…
MGM Resorts Foundation and Beau Rivage announce community grants are available
BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV)- The MGM Resorts Foundation and Beau Rivage are seeking proposals from nonprofits providing direct services to people living in the communities where Beau Rivage employees live and work for the 2026 Community Grant Fund Program. Funding will be awarded to local nonprofit agencies that provide services focused on affordable housing, economic opportunity, workforce development, education, family services,…
01/19 Ryan’s “Frosty” Monday Morning Forecast
Expect frosty starts for the next couple of mornings before things warm up a bit ahead of our next rainy day.
We had some rare wintery weather over the weekend with some early morning flurries Sunday, but now it’s just frosty for the next couple of mornings. In fact, today and tomorrow will be very similar in temperature and wind speed. This afternoon’s high will climb into the mid 50s under sunny skies with another frosty night ahead, with light cloud…
1/18-Cold Temperatures Monday Morning
Brynne's Sunday Night Forecast
Clear and cold conditions this Sunday night with lows around 29°. MLK Day starts off in the 30s, but the afternoon brings plenty of sunshine and more comfortable temperatures with highs near 55°. Monday night stays mostly clear, with the potential for widespread frost as temperatures cool to about 35°. This cold trend seems likely to continue for the next…
South State Duals take over Mississippi Coast as high school wrestling continues to grow
VANCLEAVE, Miss. (WXXV) — 12 high school wrestling teams across boys and girls divisions competed for the South State Duals title in Vancleave on Saturday. The Vancleave Bulldogs won their fourth boys title in what’s fittingly become known as “Wrestletown,” taking down Picayune by a score of 56-22. Both teams — as well as third-place St. Martin and fourth-place Oak…
Ole Miss cheer teams reach UCA National Finals
ORLANDO, Fla. (WXXV) — The Ole Miss all-girls and coed cheer teams reached the National Finals at UCA, competing in two of the toughest divisions at their level. The all-girls team elevated itself in the rankings following the semifinals on Saturday, ultimately placing sixth in the nation. The coed team received its placement just before midnight ET, finishing seventh overall….
Pearl River Community College cheer wins UCA Game Day National Championship
ORLANDO, Fla. (WXXV) — Pearl River Community College is officially bringing gold back to the River following a busy and successful weekend at the UCA National Championship in Orlando. The Wildcats won the UCA Game Day National Championship for the second year in a row on Saturday. This is also the team’s fourth title in program history. Additionally, PRCC finished…
Wiggins Fire Chief graduates from leadership course
The Wiggins Fire Department is congratulating Chief Steven Purvis on completing a leadership course at the State Fire Academy. The course is called ‘Exercising Leadership through Difficult Conversations.’ Chief Purvis was at the academy from January 12 through the 14, pushing to better himself and the Wiggins Fire Department. The department says they are proud of Chief Purvis for his…
Pascagoula Gautier School District shares renderings of future middle schools
JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- The Pascagoula Gautier School District shared renderings of its future middle school. The Colmer and Gautier middle schools will have upgrades for new school entrances, fencing, and canopies. The crews will start breaking ground during the upcoming spring break.
Absentee voting in primary elections begins soon
With Mississippi’s primary elections set for March 10, absentee voting begins on January 26. You can request an absentee ballot through your circuit or municipal clerk’s office ahead of the election. If you can’t vote in person on election day, you can also request an absentee ballot by mail, just be sure it is postmarked by March 10. You can…
Mississippi Dept. of Archives and History accepting summer internships
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is now accepting applications for their 2026 summer internships. This is a paid internship offering hands-on experience across the administration, archives, and record services, and more. Each internship is carefully designed to help students gain in-depth insight into public history and preservation. Undergraduate and graduate students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply….
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 with the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center shows us how challenges in small towns reflect much broader concerns. McLain is home to fewer than 600 people, but Mayor Steve McCluskey says…
Hancock County School District sees graduation rate growth
HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- The Hancock County School District is sharing exciting news about their graduation rate. The 2025 graduation rate has risen to almost 91 percent, up from almost 89 percent in 2024. School staff saying the growth reflects an effort from students, staff, families, and community. The staff saying this growth also comes from strong relationships, expanded learning…
Gulf Coast Research Lab looking for interns for summer program
Now is the time to get your application in to turn your summer into an ocean adventure! Spend summer 2026 learning at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Lab summer field program. From shark biology and marine mammals to conservation and oceanography, this program gives students hands on field experience alongside expert scientists on the Mississippi Gulf Coast….
Lt. Eric Dedeaux retiring from Gulfport Fire Department
GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- The Gulfport Fire Department is seeing one lieutenant retire after 30 years of service. The department says Lt. Eric Dedeaux demonstrated professionalism, leadership, and commitment to the safety of the community and members of the department. The department also extends their gratitude for his service and wishes him continued success and fulfillment in his retirement. Categories: Local…
Ocean Springs High School band honored with Blue Ribbon award
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WXXV)-The National Band Association announced the recipients of their Blue Ribbon award. The Ocean Springs band and director Kevin Shira took home the honor. The Blue Ribbon award recognizes quality programs at all levels, these programs and educators must challenge students and promote standards of excellence. This is also the first year a band program from Mississippi…
MDWFP announces 2026 Youth Art Contest
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks invites students across the state to participate in the 2026 Bob Tyler Fish Hatchery Youth Art Contest. Each student must submit a portfolio including entry form and artwork to the visitor education center by May 10. Winners in the four age categories will have their work published in the Mississippi Outdoors magazine…
USM, blue economy leaders test new technology
Southern Miss researchers on the Coast recently partnered with a few aquatic technology companies to test out new autonomous technologies. Representatives from USM, Blue IQ, Seatrac, and more recently went out on a Southern Miss research vessel to showcase acoustic sensors on these unmanned vessels. The technology will be used moving forward to improve situational awareness for robotic vessels, to…
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 at expanding aquaculture, oyster growers along the Coast are already showing what’s possible. Justin Glowacki with the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center reports. Just off the coast of Deer Island, Mark Havard…
Three Ocean Springs School District teachers receive national board certification
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WXXV)-The Ocean Springs School District congratulates their three newest national board certified teachers. Being board certified is an advanced teaching credential. The program itself is said to have a direct impact on students. Students with a national board certified teacher are likely to learn more. Those teachers are at the upper elementary, the middle school, and the…
Informational event on pathways into teaching profession
GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- The George County School District is partnering with the University of Southern Mississippi to share pathways into the teaching profession. Those interested should head out on January 22 from 4 to 5:30 that afternoon. This program takes place at the school district office’s multipurpose room on Corwart Street. This is an informational event that helps you…