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On this map you can explore changes in the four components of the index: employment, housing starts, housing prices and industrial production, each shown as a percentage change from a year earlier. (The change in housing prices will be updated at the end of the quarter.) Roll over a state to see its numbers. Click on a state to see details for its metro areas.

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New pap test guidelines: start later, have fewer

For the second time in a week, medical experts are revising the advice given women on cancer screenings. Now women are being told that they should get their first screening for cervical cancer -- including a Pap test -- at age 21.

The Oprah Winfrey Show to end in 2011

After being on air for 25 years, Oprah Winfrey is ending her daytime TV reign: The Oprah Winfrey Show is scheduled to stop production in 2011.

Biloxi casino plans expansion

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 10:14 AM ET BILOXI, Miss. (AP) - The Biloxi Planning Commission has approved the expansion project of Palace Casino Resort.

Viewpoint : DTV signal increase on the way

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A message from WDAM General Manager Jim Cameron about digital TV.

Miss. man gets 10 years in sex trafficking case

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 7:44 AM ET KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Mississippi man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole for attempting to have sex with...

Labeled for life: Part 4

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Kevin Wheeler speaks with another sex offender in this final installment of "Labeled for Life."

Sumrall man dies in traffic accident

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 6:34 AM ET HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - A two-vehicle accident involving a tractor and a cement truck claimed the life of a 24-year-old Sumrall man.

Teacher charged with pot growing at home

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 6:24 AM ET ST. MARTIN, Miss. (AP) - A teacher at St. Martin High School is out of jail on bond following his arrest on a multiple drug charges, including...

Man convicted in 2005 capital murder

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 6:14 AM ET BILOXI, Miss. (AP) - A Harrison County jury deliberated for 30 minutes before convicting 32-year-old Mark Kee Brown of capital murder in the July...

2 women face sentencing in identity theft case

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 5:34 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Two women faced federal sentencing Friday in scheme in which 1 of them stole the identity of someone she met at a women's...

Miss. high court tosses out wrongful death award

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 5:34 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A $75,000 award to a family who claimed Lisa Williams' death resulted from Laurel police officers' failure to arrest...

Houses to be auctioned

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 5:34 AM ET BILOXI, Miss. (AP) - About 166 properties - many of them on the Mississippi Gulf Coast - will be auctioned Saturday at Treasure Bay Casino in...

EPA removing “public health threat” in Wiggins Video included

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The federal EPA is removing tons of contaminated soil from the site of an old wood preserving plant in Wiggins. The work is happening on the westside of town, just off College Avenue. EPA on-scene coordinator, Stephen Ball, says the clean-up involves removing tons of hazardous soil and replacing it with clean fill dirt. The work will continue through next month.

Viewpoint - Veteran's Day

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It is with a mixture of pride and sense of sadness that we celebrate Veteran’s Day today. Of course we have tremendous pride in all the men and women who have served our country honorably in uniform over

Watchdog recommends suspension for Lamar County judge

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JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A judicial watchdog has recommended the state Supreme Court publicly reprimand and temporarily suspend a justice court judge in Lamar County. The Mississippi Commission on Judicial

Barbour weighs in on health care reform

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In Washington, Senate democrats unveiled their plan on healthcare reform. Hear what Haley Barbour thinks about it.

Forrest County Fire truck flips injuring two

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Two Forrest county volunteer firefighters responding to a car fire found themselves the center of a rescue operation when their fire truck flipped over while in route. It happened just after 1:00 Thursday

Southern Miss student killed in Lamar county

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A 24 year old USM student from Sumrall was killed Wednesday night when a cement truck crashed into the rear of the farm tractor he was driving. Troopers say Cole Beilmann, who was pulling a bushhog with

Local job corps program encourages success

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Monique Edwards has been busy working for the Hattiesburg online company, Waites and Associates, for the past three years. Recently she's been participating in a program with the Christian Women's Job Corps.

Miss. proposal to merge black schools draws fire

Associated Press - November 19, 2009 3:14 PM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Talk of merging Mississippi's three historically black universities has created a tense atmosphere in a state with a...

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to remodel Hattiesburg house

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Mayor Johnny DuPree made the announcement Thursday morning that Ty Pennington and his crew of construction workers will arrive in Hattiesburg on December 3 and knock on the door of one lucky family.

Laurel Mayor to take questions Friday morning on WDAM

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Friday morning, starting at 6 a.m. on News 7 Today, Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack will be our guest all morning. He will be answering questions from the public.

Body found in Meridian creek

Associated Press - November 19, 2009 9:44 AM ET MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) - Meridian police are working on the death of a man whose body was found in a creek.

Mammography: what to do now?

When a U.S. government task force recommended that women wait until they're 50 to get their first mammogram to check for breast cancer, reaction was swift.But what will doctors who see female patients day after day suggest they do?

La., Miss. share $2.3M labor grant

Associated Press - November 19, 2009 7:24 AM ET BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Advocate of Baton Rouge reports that Louisiana will get most of a $2.3 million federal labor grant, to be shared with...

WLOX Editorial

How would you cut the state budget? Video included

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To put it in simple terms, Mississippi is spending more money than it is bringing in. That is why Governor Haley Barbour has proposed a long list of cuts and consolidations, including a 12 percent reduction for most state agencies.

Teacher faces hearing on sexual battery charge

Associated Press - November 19, 2009 6:44 AM ET SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (AP) - Joey Johnson, charged with sexual battery for off-campus incidents with two 16-year-olds, will have a preliminary hearing...

465 FEMA trailers up auction

Associated Press - November 19, 2009 6:14 AM ET LUMBERTON, Miss. (AP) - The federal government is continuing its auctions of travel trailers left in the Pine Belt area following Hurricane...

Man charged in sex crimes

Associated Press - November 19, 2009 5:54 AM ET GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) - Police say multiple counts of sexual battery and molestation filed against a Gulfport man involve a 12-year-old...

Presidents react to budget cuts Video included

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Budget cuts create stir at University Presidents meeting.

More cuts proposed for Mississippi's 2-year colleges Video included

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Community and junior colleges are one place where the state continues to see revenue growth. But they're also on the governor's radar for budget cuts. Further reductions could end up hurting enrollment numbers.

'It's going to affect everybody personally,' warn lawmakers about future budget cuts Video included

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Every state agency should brace for more cuts and the pain could be felt by every Mississippian. That's the warning from Mississippi lawmakers as they discussed ways to survive the budget crisis. Just days ago, Governor Haley Barbour unveiled his proposal to cut as much as $715 million from the budget. As Trang Pham-Bui tells us, several lawmakers say all state services will be scrutinized.

Man accused of touching women found guilty

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A Covington County man was found guilty in a matter of seconds on a charge of simple assault, stemming from a Collins convenience store.

New Pepsi, Dr Pepper bottling plant opens in Miss.

Associated Press - November 18, 2009 5:24 PM ET HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - A new facility in Hattiesburg will bottle 350,000 cases of Pepsi and Dr Pepper products a week.

Are we recovering yet?

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Use this interactive map to compare and contrast how different areas of the country are fairing during the recession. Click here to head to the map.

Miss. Governor's Mansion gets nearly $50K touchup

Associated Press - November 18, 2009 3:54 PM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Mississippi Governor's Mansion is getting a small facelift. The state is spending $49,675 for a private...

Police find grenades, weapons in vehicle in Miss.

Associated Press - November 18, 2009 2:54 PM ET PEARL, Miss. (AP) - Authorities in the central Mississippi city of Pearl say they've arrested an Arizona woman after allegedly discovering...

2-year-old in north Miss. helps mom deliver baby

Associated Press - November 18, 2009 2:34 PM ET OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. (AP) - A 2-year-old in north Mississippi has done something few toddlers can: He helped his mother give birth to his...

Barbour's budget would blend some state agencies

Associated Press - November 18, 2009 12:54 PM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Proposals to merge some universities or consolidate school districts have grabbed most of the attention since Mississippi...

5 indicted in alleged scheme to steal police guns

Associated Press - November 18, 2009 10:54 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Five people have been indicted on federal charges related to an alleged conspiracy to steal guns from the Tchula Police...

Jackson receives $1.7M stimulus grant

Associated Press - November 18, 2009 6:34 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Clarion-Ledger reports Wednesday the city of Jackson has been awarded a $1.7 million federal stimulus grant to make its...

Yazoo City man faces child porn charge

Associated Press - November 18, 2009 5:34 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Attorney General Jim Hood says a Yazoo City man faces charges of possession of child pornography.

Southern Miss tops Loyola New Orleans 73-62

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 11:44 PM ET Corrected Version HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Maurice Bolden scored 29 points as Southern Mississippi...

Budget Proposals draw mixed Pine belt reaction

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Governor Haley Barbour's proposal to merge five state institutions of higher learning as part of his budget recommendations for fiscal year 2011 is an option state lawmakers like Senator Billy Hudson and Representative Toby Barker aren't ruling out.

Labeled for life: Part 2

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Seven on your sides Kevin Wheeler continues is special series of "Labeled For Life."

Disaster declaration for farm losses in 5 states

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 5:04 PM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Federal agriculture authorities have declared disaster areas in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and...

Barbour's university merger proposals could falter

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 4:44 PM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Some Mississippi House members say Gov. Haley Barbour's more politically sensitive budget ideas might be dead on arrival -...

US casino revenue slips 5.5 percent in 3rd qtr

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 1:44 PM ET LAS VEGAS (AP) - The head of the American Gaming Association says U.S. commercial casinos made $7.94 billion in revenue in the third quarter, 5.5...

Tea Party petitions for GOP-led Miss. voter ID

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 1:34 PM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Gov. Haley Barbour's brother is going to Meridian Tuesday night to accept a batch of signatures gathered on...

Rural Miss. church mourns stabbing death of pastor

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 1:14 PM ET HOLCOMB, Miss. (AP) - Members of a church in the Mississippi Delta are mourning the loss of their pastor, who was found stabbed to death in his...

Labeled for Life: Sex Offenders in the Pine Belt

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Kevin Wheeler visited many local homes asking neighbors about sex offenders living next door.

Official: School mergers should be local decision

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 10:04 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The head of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents says school consolidation should be a local...

Undocumented workers impact Mississippi's economy Video included

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In a time of high unemployment, Three On Your Side is taking a look at how illegal immigration fits into the economic picture.

Substitute teacher accused of sexual battery

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 6:44 AM ET HORN LAKE, Miss. (AP) - Officials say a 23-year-old substitute teacher working at Lake Cormorant High School has been charged with sexual battery...

Farmers make progress in delayed harvest

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 5:34 AM ET NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Farmers took advantage of the drier weather to make headway on their rain-delayed fall harvest.

Barbour announces blues marker for Woodville

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 5:34 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Gov. Haley Barbour has announced the site of the next Mississippi Blues Trail marker.

Lawsuit: Inmate died after he was denied water

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 5:34 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A federal lawsuit claims an inmate who died while on a work detail in Quitman County in June was denied water while picking...

Woman sues RR for injuries while taking pictures

Associated Press - November 17, 2009 5:34 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Helen Gable was taking pictures on the railroad tracks in Tupelo in 2006 when a train nearly cut off her leg as she tried...

Columbia manufacturing plant to close

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Orleans Furniture of Columbia will close the doors on their manufacturing plant and layoff 75 employees effective Friday. The plant has been a mainstay

Barbour: Some universities may have to merge

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Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour says the state should consider merging some of its universities to save money. Barbour, in announcing his budget recommendations Monday.

Orleans Furniture Company to end manufacturing

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Orleans Furniture Company will be shutting down its manufacturing facility, resulting in the loss of 75 jobs.

Lawyer: Accused Fort Hood gunman may be paralyzed Video included

The Army psychiatrist accused in the fatal shootings at Fort Hood may be paralyzed from the waist down after being shot multiple times during the attack, his attorney told The Associated Press on Friday.

2 found stabbed to death in rural Grenada County

Associated Press - November 16, 2009 11:54 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Grenada County sheriff says a retired police investigator and his caregiver were found stabbed to death Sunday in the...

Missing USM student found dead

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The body of a missing Southern Miss freshman has been found dead. Steven McGehee, 21, was found dead in his car Friday afternoon in Yalobusha County near a road construction site. 

Louisiana seeing busy fall filming season

Associated Press - November 16, 2009 10:14 AM ET NEW ORLEANS (AP) - With hurricane season ending, film and TV production in south Louisiana is picking up, and New Orleans is on track to break...

Man killed in motorcycle wreck

Associated Press - November 16, 2009 6:34 AM ET SEMINARY, Miss. (AP) - A Seminary man has died in a traffic accident in Covington County. Coroner Greg Blackwell said 41-year-old Shawn...

USA Today Top 25 Poll

Associated Press - September 28, 2009 5:24 AM ET The USA Today Top 25 football coaches poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Sept.

The AP Top 25

Associated Press - October 19, 2009 5:24 AM ET The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Oct.

AIDS activists to Obama: Send funds to the South

Associated Press - November 16, 2009 5:34 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - People with AIDS, activists and health care professionals want the Obama administration to provide more money to combat the...

Ex-pastor Ted Haggard holds home prayer meeting

Former evangelical pastor Ted Haggard says a well-attended prayer meeting at his home wasn't the start of a new church, but a sign of his resurrection three years after he was forced to resign amid a sex scandal.

Victims set to testify at evangelist's sentencing

Several of the child "wives" who helped convict evangelist Tony Alamo of federal sex charges were expected to return to the witness stand on Friday during his sentencing hearing.

2 vie for Miss. House seat in coastal district

Associated Press - November 15, 2009 3:24 PM ET BILOXI, Miss. (AP) - A nonpartisan special election Tuesday will determine whether Patrick Collins of Gulfport or Scott DeLano of Biloxi will...

Teenagers' STDs a growing health problem in Miss.

Associated Press - November 15, 2009 12:34 PM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Teenagers make up almost 40 percent of those diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases in Mississippi.

Oct. rainfall was at or near record in Mississippi

Associated Press - November 15, 2009 12:04 PM ET TUPELO, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi just had 1 of its wettest Octobers of the past century. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports...

USM becomes bowl eligible

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For the eighth straight season, Southern Miss becomes bowl eligible after defeating Marshall 27-20 Saturday night.

Lamar County man killed in wreck

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A Lamar County man was killed in a single vehicle accident Friday evening.

Body of missing student found

Associated Press - November 14, 2009 5:24 PM ET COFFEEVILLE, Miss. (AP) - The body of a missing University of Southern Mississippi freshman has been found.

'Call of Duty' sells $310M in N Amer, UK in 24 hrs

First-day sales of Activision Blizzard Inc.'s "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" broke records, raking in an estimated $310 million in North America and the United Kingdom alone.

NYC trial of 9/11 suspects poses legal risks Video included

In the biggest trial for the age of terrorism, the professed 9/11 mastermind and four alleged henchmen will be hauled before a civilian court on American soil, barely a thousand yards from the site of the World Trade...

Obama's hesitancy on war buildup sends messages

President Barack Obama's drawn-out decision-making on Afghanistan is sending messages. To the Afghan government: Clean up your act. To the Pentagon: I'm no rubber stamp. To the American public: More troops can't be the sole...

Alleged pool scammer sentenced to five years

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PETAL, MS (WDAM) - The troubles for alleged pool scammer Jason Howard continue to mount. The Petal Pool contractor was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to home repair fraud. He

Hattiesburg police searching for missing teen

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Erica Herring, 16, was last seen earlier this week.

Pine Belt volunteer firefighters release calendar to raise money

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The eight volunteer fire departments in Forrest County will be featured in an upcoming calendar designed to help raise money for their organizations.

Teenager struck by car dies

Associated Press - November 13, 2009 6:24 AM ET GREENWOOD, Miss. (AP) - An 18-year-old girl died at Greenwood Leflore Hospital after being hit by a car on U.S. Highway 82.

Glen man charged in child porn case

Associated Press - November 13, 2009 6:14 AM ET GLEN, Miss. (AP) - An Alcorn County man faces a pair of felony child pornography charges after being arrested by investigators with the...

USM Gulf Park celebrates return of TLC Video included

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A program that reaches out to children and adults with disabilities is back at the USM campus in Long Beach. On Thursday, Southern Miss celebrated the re-opening of the Technology Learning Center. Trang Pham-Bui shows us how the program can improve the quality of life for all Mississippians with special needs.

Beaumont woman receives transplant operation

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Seven on Your Side learned Thursday morning that Wonda Hatcher of Beaumont received her small intestine transplant operation Wednesday night at an Indianapolis transplant center.

FBI involved in rape investigation

Associated Press - November 12, 2009 4:24 PM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - FBI agents assisting Hinds County authorities in an alleged rape have searched the home of Ricky Lavert Franklin, who has...

Miss. high court reverses Scruggs' fees ruling

Associated Press - November 12, 2009 3:54 PM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Richard "Dickie" Scruggs involvement in a judicial bribery scandal had nothing to do with a fees dispute involving...

 

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