Local educators react to potential pay raise

Good news for educators in the state of Mississippi as the Senate Education Committee kept the pay raise issue alive by amending House Bill 852. It would give most teachers a $1,000 pay raise during the year that begins July 1st. Newer teachers would get $1,100. Teacher shortages and low salaries are just some of the issues for Mississippi educators….

Mississippi Aquarium holding book drive

Mississippi Aquarium is looking for local support for their growing educational library. Starting today, in honor of ‘Read Across America’ Week, the Aquarium is offering $2 off entry for those who donate March 2nd to the 4th. The books will be used for educational programming as well as resources for the aquarium’s team. They are accepting books about local plants,…

Gulf Coast residents react to mask mandates being lifted

Along with Governor Reeves’ latest executive order comes opposition as well as approval from Gulf Coast residents. Locals are voicing their opinions on social media about the mask mandates being lifted. While many are happy to see the change nearly a year after the COVID shutdown, some believe this change is coming too early. Wendy Wagner, who had COVID-19 and…

Mrs. Mississippi American 2020 reads to first graders virtually for ‘Read Across America’ Day

‘Read Across America’ Day is also being celebrated in classrooms across Mississippi virtually this year. Mrs. Mississippi American 2020 Jamiee Dorris may not have been able to read to a room full of first graders due to the pandemic, however, she still found a way to share one of her favorite Dr. Seuss stories with students across the state. In…

Singing River Pediatric celebrates ‘Read Across America’ Day

Do you like green eggs and ham? The Pediatric Office of Dr. Harper celebrated ‘Read Across America Day’ with her patients while honoring the late Dr. Seuss. Dr. Tamara Harper, a pediatrician at Singing River Gulfport, read the childhood novel ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ to her patients in honor of ‘Read Across America Day.’ She dressed up as Dr. Seuss…

Proposed Restaurants Act provides $25B in relief if U.S. Congress approves

A devastating number of small, locally-owned restaurants have not been able to withstand the financial storm unleashed by COVID. Mississippi’s United States Senator Roger Wicker has set the table for some possible much needed relief for restaurants and other similar establishments through the Restaurants Act U.S. Congress is now considering. COVID’s effects have been far-reaching, something South Mississippi business owners…

Black Beach Weekend rescheduled to August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the rescheduling of another annual event. Black Beach Weekend has been a major event on the Gulf Coast since 2014. Events usually kick off the second week of April, but due to COVID-19, organizers say all events are now scheduled for August 27th, 28th, and the 29th. The new dates come with a new name…

Gulfport School District vaccinating teachers

With Mississippi teachers becoming eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, the Gulfport School District distributed vaccines to teachers with the help of their community partners. Gulfport Central Middle School Teacher Haley Whittermore said, “I got the vaccine today on my arm. It was great to get it because we have been waiting on it. All of the teachers…

Body of missing Pascagoula boater found

After almost 48 hours, authorities have found the body of the missing boater in Pascagoula. Fifty-four year-old Grady ‘Buck’ Williams was last seen Sunday when he reportedly lost control of his boat near Pascagoula Point Park and went missing after attempting to swim back to it. The Department of Marine Resources located his body in Yazoo Bayou which runs into…

OSSD employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations

Employees with the Ocean Springs School District are excited to partner up with Singing River Health System Thursday to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. More than 200 Pfizer first dose COVID vaccines will be administered to those who signed up. Now, convenience is key when it comes to the vaccinations. That’s why the time slot is from…

Rep. Steven Palazzo accused of ethics violations by the Office of Congressional Ethics

Mississippi Representative Steven Palazzo is accused of ethics violations by the Office of Congressional Ethics. According to our media partner, the Sun Herald, the Office of Congressional Ethics says there is ‘substantial’ evidence to suggest that U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo converted campaign finance funds for personal use. In a report released March 1st, 2021 by the OCE, Palazzo is accused…

Preparations underway for Fort Bayou Drawbridge closure in Ocean Springs

Ocean Springs is preparing for the impending Fort Bayou Drawbridge closure which is scheduled to take place at the mid-point of this month. MDOT has announced the bridge will be closed to replace bridge shafts and is expected to last around 45 days. In the meantime, the city is notifying residents of detour routes through Highway 57 and Highway 90…

NOAA considering earlier official start date for hurricane season

The official start of hurricane season could be earlier this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced they will consider an earlier official start date. Hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin usually runs from June through November. The revised season would begin May 15th. Devastating early storms in the last nine years are driving NOAA to take a look…

Teachers, first responders now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Teachers and first responders joined the line to get their COVID vaccinations today. Today marked the first day teachers and responders were added to the those eligible to get the COVID vaccination throughout the state in Mississippi. Leaders of the Coast Coliseum tell News 25 the process has been going pretty smoothly since they opened up part of the coliseum…