Whisky Barrel honoring frontline workers tonight

A Coast performance and event venue is paying tribute to frontline workers ahead of its grand opening Saturday with a special night exclusively for those who have not only served South Mississippi during the COVID pandemic, but are always there to help. News 25’s Grace Boyles is in Bay St. Louis with more. Categories: Local News, News Tags: Whiskey Barrel

Residents ‘chop it up’ with Gulfport police

The Gulfport Police Department created a unique event that brings the public and the police department together to discuss issues and important topics within the community. The barbershop is a way to bring people together from different backgrounds to hear opinions and have open conversations. So, to help bridge the gap between the Gulfport Police Department and the community, the…

FEMA offering funeral assistance for COVID-19 deaths

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families and FEMA wants to help ease the burden on families. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplement Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan, FEMA will now provide financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20th, 2020. FEMA will begin to implement the COVID-19 funeral…

Meet and Greet Gautier’s political candidates

They’re setting the stage in Gautier for a candidates’ forum tonight. All of the city’s political candidates, including incumbents, have been invited to a meet and greet candidates forum set to be held tonight starting at 7 p.m. at the Gautier-Vancleave American Legion Post 1992 located off Old Spanish Trail. The public is invited to attend this free event where…

Waveland Civic Association St. Patrick’s Day Parade

If you missed out on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, no worries! Just head over to the City of Waveland this weekend. The Waveland Civic Association St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 21st at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at the corner of Bienville-Beach Blvd and turn on to Coleman Avenue and take a left on…

Gulf Coast Equality Council hosting auction

The Equality Council’s motto is ‘unify our community, celebrate our diversity.’ They’re a nonprofit mainly comprised of LGBTQ+ members. The Gulf Coast Equality Council will be hosting an auction Friday night to raise money for future events, outreach activities, and programs. They way the auction works is the highest bidder will win a date with select guys and gals. This…

CDC releases new safety guidelines for schools

The CDC has just updated its guidelines for social distancing in schools. The agency now says staying three feet apart while wearing masks is enough. The recommendation comes after a study was published last week comparing COVID-19 cases among students and staff in Massachusetts public schools. It showed transmission rates in districts that required physical distancing of six feet were…

Town Hall for municipal candidates in Gulfport

Tonight, candidates for local offices in Mississippi’s second largest city gathered to meet voters and outline their plans for the next four years if elected. The Municipal Town Hall for Gulfport mayoral and city council candidates was held at the Isiah Fredericks Community Center. Current officeholders running for re-election as well as other city council hopefuls answered questions from the…

Jackson County Rotary Clubs encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations

Now that everyone 16 and up is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Mississippi, Jackson County community members are joining forces to help get more people vaccinated. Today in Pascagoula, one Jackson County leader finally received his vaccine and is encouraging the community to do the same. ‘Sleeves up! Mississippi Vaccinate,” is a new effort put together by four…

Gulfport Community Cleanup this Saturday

In efforts to beautify Gulfport, community leaders are calling for volunteers this Saturday to help clean up Hewes Avenue. The continued partnership with Gulfport police and community leaders has increased volunteerism in Gulfport. The goal of the 12-month community cleanup program is to unify the neighborhood and encourage a sense of pride when living in a cleaner environment. To volunteer,…

COVID-19 vs. Seasonal Allergies: How can you tell the difference?

Spring allergy season is in full bloom here in South Mississippi as evidenced by all the yellow pollen likely coating your vehicle right now. Did you know allergy symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms have quite a few similarities? How can you tell the difference? We put that question to a local doctor who specializes in allergy treatment. Dr. Mark Murray said,…

Keesler Medical Center hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Keesler Medical Center is committed to quickly and safely vaccinating as many eligible military personnel and their families as possible. In just four months Keesler Air Force Base has put over 10,000 Pfizer COVID vaccines into the arms of military personnel and their beneficiaries. On the third floor of the Keesler Medical Center, an underutilized wing of the hospital was…

First United Pentecostal Church destroyed in Sunday morning fire

First United Pentecostal Church on North Main Street in Poplarville is trying to move forward after the church caught fire on Sunday just before church service. This past Sunday morning everything was going as usual for Pastor Colby Meadows at First United Pentecostal Church. “It was about 10:15 and we were in there practicing and of course we were playing…

Weekly unemployment increased

The number of new applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose to a one-month high of 770,000 in the middle of March. According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Labor Department, initial jobless claims increased by 45,000 in the week ending March 13th. Economist had forecast new claims would fall to a seasonally adjusted 700,000. In Texas, jobless claims surged…

Live Local: Giraffe and Elephant statues on HWY 49

If you drive on Highway 49 you’ve probably noticed the elephant and giraffe hanging out in front of Maxem Health Urgent Care. They’ve become beloved icons to the city. For this week’s Live Local, News 25’s Lorraine Weiskopf shares their story. There are huge circus animal statues sitting in front of the Maxem Health Urgent Care on Highway 49. Why?…

COVID-19 vaccine appointments open at CVS March 19th

CVS Health will begin to administer COVID-19 vaccines on Sunday, March 21st to eligible populations at select CVS Pharmacy locations in Mississippi. Seven locations will be administering vaccines in six counties: Jackson, Pontotoc, Hinds, Rankin, Madison, and Desoto. Appointments for the latest allocation of doses will start to become available for booking on Friday, March 19th. Patients must register in…

MSDH reports 322 new COVID-19 cases and two new deaths

The Mississippi State Department of Health has reported 322 new COVID-19 cases and two new deaths. The statewide total stands at 301,924 cases and 6,938 deaths. Here’s a look at the cases by county in our area: Hancock County has 3,599 cases and 82 deaths Harrison County is at 17,177 total cases and now 296 deaths Jackson County has 12,893…

Statewide assessments returning for students

With the state department of education’s announcement that state assessments for students will be returning, teachers and administrators are hard at work preparing their kids. COVID-19 has brought many changes to education over the past year and statewide testing is one area that has felt an impact. Assessments were canceled for the 2019-2020 school year in Mississippi, but this spring…

St. Patrick’s Day on the Seabee Base

The Gulfport USO is in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. On the Seabee Base in Gulfport, USO volunteers hosted a St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Celebration. Over 20 military families signed up for the drive-thru event, collecting free lunch including a sandwich, dessert, chips, and a mini pot of gold. USO Volunteer Kim Bethea said, “We shut down a year ago,…