New program benefits new military members

Keesler AFB (WXXV)- Military One Coast and Keesler Air Force Base have announced a new program. That new program is called Military One Coast Home Away From Home. This program aims to support first term service members by pairing them with community host families. This will provide mentorship, companionship and a welcoming environment off base. Families along the Gulf Coast…

Biloxi Police announce return of D.A.R.E. program, rebranded as Keepin’ It REAL

Biloxi, Miss. (WXXV)- The Biloxi Police Department is announcing the return of the D.A.R.E. Program for all Biloxi schools. Now it’s rebranded as Keepin’ It REAL. The program focuses on teaching students decision making for safe and healthy living. There will be no more lectures, instead students will have interactive learning that gives students real-world tools. The program targets 5th…

Pet of the Week: Meet Appalachian!

South Mississippi (WXXV)- Every other Wednesday morning, we feature a pet up for adoption at the Humane Society of South Mississippi. Joining us is Bianca Janik to tell us about News 25’s pet of the week: Appalachian. Categories: Pet of the Week Tags: adoption, HSSM, Humane Society of South Mississippi, pet of the week

Tim Pierce sworn in as mayor of Long Beach

Long Beach, Miss. (WXXV)- Incoming Mayor Tim Pierce as well as the city’s Board of Aldermen and city clerk were sworn in Tuesday afternoon in font of a packed house of family members, friends and other community leaders. Pierce unofficially won the mayoral race back in April, receiving 80% of the vote in the Republican Party Primary. He faced no…

Mississippi seafood law has taken into effect, MS Commissioner Andy Gipson visits the Coast

BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV) – As of July 1st, Mississippi’s Seafood Labeling Law has taken effect. All seafood sold in Mississippi must be clearly labeled as either imported or domestic. Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson visited the coast to advocate for the importance of American seafood that’s harvested, raised, and processed in the US.  This is the very…

07/02 Ryland’s “Weather Kid” Wednesday Forecast

Today we meet Ryland, this week's WXXV Weather Kid guest forecaster!

This week’s WXXV Weather Kid guest forecaster is Ryland! Ryland is a big fan of weather, loving how quickly it can change and how powerful it can be. He loves watching weather videos from storm chasers, and hopes to go on his first with his uncle later this year. On nice days, Ryland is all about working in the yard,…

Gulfport named a spot on Southern Miss Football’s 2025 Summer Tour!

Can’t wait two months for College Football to begin? Southern Miss Football is coming to this coast this month! Southern Miss Athletics and the Alumni Association announced the sites for the 2025 Summer Tour featuring Head Coach Charles Huff, with Gulfport being the second stop on the list. The event will provide fans, alumni, and supporters with an inside look…

7/1 – Sam’s “Warm and Humid” Tuesday Evening Forecast

After strong and severe storms this afternoon, we are setting up for a much quieter night, although there are still storms around the area. Overnight, temperatures will drop to the mid and lower 70s with a 20-30% chance for coastal showers, and then slightly higher rain chances heading into Wednesday afternoon. Rainfall totals will fall between .25″ and .50″, except…

Future of Job Corps is uncertain

The Labor Department has announced it plans to shut down 99 job corps center around the country, including the Gulfport Center. The Department of Labor cited financial challenges, including a $140 million deficit in 2024 and a lack of results. Job Corps provides a no-cost education and vocational training program that helps young people improve their lives by providing them…

Amtrak announces starting date for new Mardi Gras Service

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- There have been signs of progress as our South Mississippi cities prepare for Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service. Earlier Tuesday, press conferences regarding Amtrak happened all over the Coast. Topics discussed at these press conferences included the expected start date, train schedule, ticket costs, and more. Excitement was in the air as people showed up at Biloxi City…

Gulf Coast Community Foundation awards grants to animal-welfare agencies

South Mississippi (WXXV)- The Gulf Coast Community Foundation is awarding six animal-welfare agencies $150,000 in grants to support FIXED For Life. That is a no-cost spay and neuter program in its second year. Counties benefiting from this include George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone Counties. Services relating to spay and neuter procedures – that includes surgery, rabies vaccination,…

Gautier K9 receives body armor donation

Gautier Police Department received a donation of body armor sponsored by Lincolnwood Training Club for German Shepard dogs. These vests are both bullet and stab protective, keeping the K9 officers safe. Vests are being delivered from Chicago and are expected to make it to the Mississippi Coast within ten weeks. The program is certified with law enforcement and related agencies….

Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo kicks off this week

Richard Valdez joins us in studio. He’s here to talk about the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. The 77th annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo takes place this week. The action kicks off Thursday, July 3 at Barksdale Pavilion as anglers from across the state come together for four days of everything seafood, from competitive fishing to local vendors, live music,…

America’s Best Looking Cruiser Contest

State troopers across the country are vying for the best cruiser. Landon Orozco with Mississippi Highway Patrol joins us in studio to talk about this year’s ‘Best Looking Cruiser’ contest. The Mississippi Highway Patrol is featuring their 2024 Ford Mustang. The Highway Patrol is using Clarksdale as a backdrop this year, featuring the state’s role in blues music. Ground Zero…

App to report suspected human trafficking comes to Mississippi

Jackson, Miss. (WXXV)- Attorney General Lynn Fitch announces a human trafficking reporting app has made its way to the state. The app is called “Simply Report”, allowing citizens to anonymously report suspected human trafficking in the state. The app provides a tool for users to recognize and report indicators or trafficking directly to appropriate authorities. The app is free and…

Institute for Marine Mammal Studies looking for Fall 2025 interns

Gulfport, Miss. (WXXV)- The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies’ Research Department is seeking interns for Fall 2025. Those interested would study Bottlenose Dolphins in the Mississippi Sound. The program itself is designed for students and early-career scientists interested in marine science. Applicants must be 18 or older, the deadline to apply is July 31st. You can click HERE for more…

Grocery tax decrease begins July 1

Going into effect today is the new grocery tax. Beginning July 1, the grocery tax state-wide will decrease from 7 to 5 percent. This includes food and drinks eligible for purchase with food stamps, but it excludes alcohol sales, vitamins, pet food, and more. This comes after House Bill 1 was passed allowing grocery taxes to decrease while increasing tax…

Dolphin rescued by IMMS finds forever home in Florida

Gulfport, Miss. (WXXV)- The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies shares some exciting news. A rough-toothed dolphin named Dagny – rescued by IMMS back in 2018 – has found her forever home at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida. Dagny came to IMMS following Hurricane Michael, the organization receiving a call about a dolphin in distress in Biloxi. The team worked…

Hugh Keating sworn in as Gulfport mayor

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- In the City of Gulfport Monday, incoming Mayor Hugh Keating and members of the City Council were sworn into office. They were joined by family members, friends, other Coast leaders, and plenty of residents in the chapel at Centennial Plaza. Each official took an oath of office, promising to fulfill their duties in the interest of the…