MSDH reports 2,764 new COVID-19 cases and 24 new deaths across the state

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 2,746 new COVID-19 cases and 24 new deaths across the state. The statewide total stands at 170,672 confirmed cases and 4,041 deaths. Here are the numbers in our area: Hancock County has 1,410 cases and 45 deaths Harrison County is now at 8,140 total cases and 117 deaths Jackson County has 7,123 cases…

Man struck and killed by train in Biloxi

A pedestrian was killed while crossing train tracks in Biloxi late this morning. Police tell News 25 a man was walking across the tracks on the intersection of Eisenhower Drive just before 11 a.m. when the train fatally struck him. The train came to an emergency stop shortly after the incident, prompting closures of railroad intersections at Eisenhower Drive and…

Frank Janca Art Exhibit on display at the MGCCC JC Campus

Attention all art lovers, there’s a new exhibit on display at MGCCC’s Jackson County campus. It’s featuring the work of Frank Janca, a Biloxian and internationally renowned artist. The name of the exhibit is ‘Mississippi and the French Connection.’ Janca picked this name because he has painted subjects in both France and Mississippi, yet the way he expresses light in…

Jackson-George Regional Library System returning to curbside services

The Jackson-George Library System is changing their services for the safety of their patrons. After the state released an advisory about having gatherings inside, it was decided that they needed to reduce their service. They’re now providing only curbside services and computer by appointment. You can still access multiple library services online like the new Overdrive Library program which provides…

Former Biloxi official Fredrick Cliff Kirkland indicted on sex crime charges

A Harrison County grand jury found enough evidence to indict former Biloxi city official Fredrick Cliff Kirkland on nine sex crime charges. According to our media partner the Sun Herald, Kirkland was initially arrested on December 17th, 2019 on two counts of touching of a child for lustful purposes. After hearing evidence in the case, the grand jury indicted him…

Waveland Police Department welcomes Mako

The Waveland Police Department recently added a new furry officer to its ranks: Mako, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois. Mako will help the department apprehend felons, do building checks, and sniff out drugs in the area. While Mako may be new to Waveland, he’s no stranger to the Coast. The K9 also served at Pass Christian Police Department until he was…

Boy Scouts welcoming new members

The pandemic has taken its toll on plenty of organizations and functions in the past year, including the participating numbers in the Boy Scouts. In an effort to change that, Pack 301 of Gulfport held a round up event earlier this evening to recruit young boys from kindergarten to fifth grade to join. While the pandemic forced Pack 301 to…

Make-A-Wish grants local teen’s wish

Today kicked off 12 days of holiday wishes for one brave South Mississippi teen battling cancer. Kaleq and his family received the full Mississippi Aquarium experience and even a few big surprises. They say wishes do come true and for 13-year-old Kaleq Jefferson that’s especially the case. Kaleq’s sister Korde Jefferson said, “It’s good to know that other people support…

Mississippi Maritime Museum announces first executive director

The Mississippi Maritime Museum announces Lorren West as their first executive director. West has an extensive background in college education management. She’s worked in colleges across the country and served as president of one for 18 years. She’s hoping to utilize her management skills as well as her passion for all things sea-faring. West has been working with the museum…

Gulfport-Orange Grove Rotary Club annual Christmas for Kids event

Thirty-one years and going strong, that’s just how long the Gulfport-Orange Grove Rotary Club has been providing gifts for young people here in South Mississippi. Members of the Gulfport-Orange Grove Rotary Club work year-round to help out our local community, setting up little free libraries and hosting dictionary giveaways at South Mississippi schools, but they’re turning a new page on…

Getting ready for 2021 Mississippi Legislative session

There will be a few changes when Mississippi lawmakers return to the state capitol in Jackson for the 2021 legislative session. Face masks will be required when legislators return in January for the 2021 session. According to lawmakers, they will continue with measures put in place this past year including social distancing and being in separate rooms, but it looks…

State auditor returns nearly $500,000 to Mississippi

State Auditor Shad White announced his office returned nearly $500,000 to taxpayers across Mississippi after previous investigations showed public funds were stolen or misused. Amounts were returned from cases involving the City of Columbus after former Chief Financial Officer Milton Rawle was arrested for embezzlement in August. The Auditor’s Office has now recovered $242,951 for the city. Auditors also issued…

Long Beach High moving to virtual learning through December 18th

Long Beach High School announced they will move to virtual learning for the next two weeks. LBHS had 14 students test positive for COVID-19 and 135 plus students have been identified as close contacts. In an announcement on their website, they stated that “in an abundance of caution to keep students, staff, and community as safe as possible, LBHS will…

Second Liners cancel 2021 Mardi Gras events

Another Gulf Coast club announces the cancelation of the 2021 Mardi Gras events as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. For the first time since Hurricane Katrina, the Second Liners Mardi Gras Club of Biloxi canceled all eight of their upcoming Mardi Gras festivities. The events included a parade, fundraisers, and more. President Anthony Mitchell says the cancelation was made official…

FDA will approve Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use authorization

Newly released documents suggest the FDA will approve Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use authorization on Thursday. The documents posted on the agency’s website state the vaccine meets its criteria for success. Research data shows the vaccine was 52 percent effective after the first dose and 95 percent effective after two doses. The vaccine also did not raise any specific…

Saints Report: Saints stay perfect in NFC South

The New Orleans Saints have experienced an incredible amount of success throughout the Sean Payton era and yet Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons put them in position to do something they’ve never done before. On the strength of their ninth straight victory, the Saints are now 5-0 in the division. One more win over the Carolina Panthers in week…

Deadline to request meals for Feed the Needy is December 14th

With Christmas just 18 days away, Harrison County’s Feed the Needy program is gearing up for its last meal distribution of the holiday season. Thirty-one years and still going strong, Harrison County’s annual holiday meal distribution program Feed the Needy has faced some unprecedented challenges trying to get food to those in need. However, even COVID-19 isn’t stopping the spirit…

Remembering the life of Molly Lee

The Gulfport community, along with students and staff at Gulfport High, are mourning the loss of student Molly Lee, who passed away last Friday. For Bailey Smith, the loss of her friend Molly Lee, is hard to digest. “It’s heart wrenching. It really makes my stomach hurt. It’s like my heart is shattered.” Molly died following a car accident last…

Enrolling in AmeriCorps program

Climb CDC, a local nonprofit, betters the youth in our community by helping them with workforce training. This gives them a skill set that they can use for their careers and not just temporary employment. They’re enrolling in their AmeriCorps program, which helps participants by providing them with an educational award worth around $3,000. It also helps get them involved…

MS 2021 legislative session set to reconvene January 5th

State legislators are scheduled to meet at the capitol in Jackson on Tuesday, January 5th for the opening of next year’s legislative session, but there is some talk that date could possibly be delayed due to COVID concerns despite the January 5th reconvening is constitutionally mandated. No official word yet on whether the January 5th reconvening date will be rescheduled….