Local volunteers build beds for children in need

JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s legacy of service, local volunteers spent the morning building beds for children in need. Sleep in Heavenly Peace joined rotary clubs from across the coast at the event. Seventy volunteers gathered at the Jackson County Fairgrounds to build 20 beds for children who currently sleep without one. Organizers say this…

Two charged for false pretense in Picayune

PICAYUNE, Miss. (WXXV)- The Picayune Police Department is sharing details about two suspects accused of attempting to withdraw money using fraudulent checks. The incident was discovered on Friday just before noon. Officers were called to Bank Plus after a person attempted to withdraw money from an account opened with a fraudulent check. Officers met with Joseph Rice III, Rice was…

William Carey University announces plans for new art studios

A major addition is coming to William Carey University. The university’s art department announced plans for a new Carey Art Studios on Friday, set to open in the summer of 2026. Construction is already underway with site work and early development visible on campus. This new facility will strengthen the art program, giving students more room to create and showcase…

Wild Wonders – Turtle Rehab

Ryan spoke with Dr. Alexa Deluane with the Mississippi Aquarium about the aquarium’s mission to rehab and return endangered turtles to the wild and how you can help! Find out more here . Categories: Wild Wonders Tags: dr. alexa deluane, Mississippi Aquarium, Ryan Mahan, turtle rehab, turtles, wild wonders

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…

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…