WDAM TV - Channel 7 - Hattiesburg and Mississippi NewsViewpoints

At the height of the Cold War, the United States had more than 12,000 deployed strategic nuclear weapons.More >>

It is sad when it is big enough news to draw headlines when a performer doesn't somehow screw-up or denigrate the national anthem at a major sporting event like the Super Bowl. It is equally appallingMore >>

Newly inaugurated Governor Phil Bryant said goodbye yesterday to the last of the trustees to serve at the Mississippi Governor's mansion.More >>

Not since Fidel Castro emptied the prisons of violent criminals along with political dissidents in Cuba in 1980 during what has become known as the Mariel boatlift, have so many undesirables been unleashedMore >>

When Governor Elect Phil Bryant takes the oath of office on January 10th the torch will be passed from 2-term Governor Haley Barbour. We wish our new governor the best as he takes over as the head ofMore >>

Whatever happened to the "truth in sentencing" law in Mississippi that was supposed to see to it that criminals served something like 85% of their sentence before they could be considered for release?More >>

December 19, 2011 This coming Saturday on Christmas Eve the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles will be playing Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu. We wish the team great success andMore >>

December 5, 2011 2011 was a championship season for Southern Miss…let us count some of the ways. Saturday's dominating win over number six Houston propelled them to the C-USA championship. For the firstMore >>

Perhaps you saw the story last week on our 6 o-clock news about the initiative started by the Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association called "Shift Your Shopping".More >>

November 15, 2011 So what's the deal with the Occupy Wall Street folks? I mean, what is it going to take for them to go home and take a bath? Frankly, is anybody really sure precisely what the messageMore >>

Friday of this week is Veterans Day. It is a time to honor all those who have served our nation wearing the uniform of our Military. Whether in time or war…or while keeping the peace…no nation can surviveMore >>

WORDING OF INITIATIVE  #26 November 3, 2011   As we count down the final days to next Tuesday's election, the discussions, advertising both for and against, and political endorsements both for and againstMore >>

In our last Viewpoint we went over the Initiative on Eminent Domain that will be on the November ballot. There will be two more Initiatives to vote on and this time we will discuss the Personhood Initiative.More >>

Something I have observed in life is that if someone sees themselves as a hero…they probably aren't one.More >>

September 11, 2001…ten years ago this Sunday…the finger of Hell reached out and touched America in the name of radical Islam.  In New York, Washington and a quiet pasture in Pennsylvania…3000 innocent men, women and children were killed…incinerated in a most horrible way by a handful of Islamic jihadist.  For no reason other than hatred. More >>

We'd like to congratulate Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree for winning the nomination as the gubernatorial nominee for the Democrat party.More >>

August 18, 2011 Here is a reminder that the 2nd primary runoff will be this coming Tuesday August 23rd. There will be both state and local party runoffs in many districts. The general election betweenMore >>

August 10, 2011 Columbus discovered this part of the Earth a little over 500 years ago. It took us almost 300 years after that to form a sovereign nation, founded on the amazing and revolutionary ideasMore >>

July 22, 2011 Every new election cycle brings us the same rhetoric as the last. Whether they promise to put people to work, cut taxes, cut spending, work with the other side, or put us on the right path,More >>

July 13, 2011 It's summertime in South Mississippi. If you have lived here a while, you know what that means. If you just moved here…you are in the process of finding out. It is hot and it is humidMore >>

July 6, 2011 As Ontario Richardson reports tonight we have a total of five unsolved homicides in our part of the Pine Belt that have occurred within just the past few weeks. One of those was a doubleMore >>

June 28, 2011 I have always been proud of the fact that Mississippians rank consistently at—or near—the top every year in charitable giving. Our state is full of people with big hearts and a willingnessMore >>

June 16, 2011 Last week in a Viewpoint, I mentioned in passing that a public school teacher had recently told me that the teaching of history was being virtually ignored in our school systems, especiallyMore >>

A DEFICIT OF CHARACTER June 7, 2011 It's hard to believe that New York Representative Anthony Weiner can salvage his career after admitting that he lied to cover up a lengthy behavior of sending lewdMore >>

June 1, 2011 Today marks the beginning of a season that all of us who live near the Southern or Eastern seaboards hate to see arrive. Hurricane season begins today and lasts until the end of November.More >>

I guess we all are somewhat guilty of stereotypical misconceptions.  You know, the assumption that all New Yorkers are rude and uncaring and all Southerners are hospitable.More >>

There are no words to express how proud and thankful we are for the giving spirit of the people of Mississippi.More >>

April 29, 2011 In the aftermath of the devastation of the record tornados that ravaged six Southern states including Mississippi…with the death toll expected to top 300 in the region and entire communitiesMore >>

April 21, 2011 The battle lines are drawn between the President and the Republican controlled House of Representatives over how best to address the deficit. The Republican plan would not increase taxes,More >>

There has been no shortage of coverage this week about the so-called budget compromise between the Democrats and Republicans.  There was no shortage of vitriol preceding the passage…and no shortage of sanctimonious self-congratulatory back patting afterward.More >>

April 8, 2011 As I write this editorial, I don't know whether the government will be shut down because the Democrats and Republicans can't agree on a budget or not. Regardless, they've been operatingMore >>

President Obama went before the American people earlier this week in a belated attempt to explain what we are doing in Libya. His explanation for why America and its allies should confront the dictatorMore >>

March 31, 2011 President Obama went before the American people earlier this week in a belated attempt to explain what we are doing in Libya. His explanation for why America and its allies should confrontMore >>

MARCH 12, 2011 Here's a thought for all you students about to get out of school for Spring Break. I know spring break is a time to celebrate being young and carefree and having fun….or just goofing offMore >>

March 2, 2011 In the wake of Libyan dictator and psychopath in chief, Muammar Kaddafi, killing large numbers of his own people—along with other unspeakable atrocities—the United Nations has taken theMore >>

February 25, 2011 As Seven on Your Side reported last night, Howard Industries in Laurel was fined—and paid— two and a half million dollars after pleading guilty to a single count of conspiracy in connectionMore >>

February 17, 2011 There is a lot of talk about a bill before state lawmakers that would give Mississippi's 150 judges pay raises of up to 38%. District Attorneys would get raises as well. The moneyMore >>

February 4, 2011 I am often skeptical when either federal or state lawmakers start passing laws. In my humble opinion too many laws are made to restrict freedom and give the government more control overMore >>

The troubled youths sent to the Forrest County Juvenile Detention Center are there for a reason. They have made mistakes or committed crimes. The stated goal of the center is to rehabilitate them andMore >>

January 19, 2011 To paraphrase the legendary Will Rogers: "If you tip the nation on its side all of the nuts will fall in Southern California". Its truer today than it was in his day and a great manyMore >>

Based on all the available evidence, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner's shooting rampage in Tucson last Saturday was the act of a mentally disturbed man. Congresswoman Gabriel Gifford's and others---More >>

There's only a couple more weeks left in the year to make charitable donations in time to be able to count them as deductions for your 2010 income taxes. If you need help in setting up a fund or contributionMore >>

December 7th is Pearl Harbor Day…the day our country was plunged into World War II by the sneak attack by the Japanese on our navy at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Many have compared September 11th and the attackMore >>

President Obama took a good first step to address the nation's federal debt when he proposed a two year pay freeze for federal civilian workers. The plan, which must be approved by Congress would saveMore >>

Can there possibly be anyone in this country who doesn't know by now that smoking cigarettes can lead to a premature and very unpleasant demise—not to mention a number of very terrible diseases and conditions?More >>

November 8, 2010 It's not a day that is celebrated as broadly with holidays and cookouts and such as Memorial Day, but this Thursday is Veteran's Day. A day to remember all those who have served ourMore >>

Any way you care to look at it, tomorrow's election will be an historic one. Not perhaps as historic as the one 2 years ago that swept our first African-American president, Barack Obama, into office…butMore >>

In yesterday's web poll, Seven On Your Side asked respondents whether or not they thought the United States should bring the troops home from Afghanistan. This week we have had stories on the homecomingMore >>

October 8th, 2010 Conditions are extremely dry, and at times windy, in Mississippi and that makes the entire state a potential tender box. Tuesday of this week, there was a forest fire near Camden inMore >>

As we have mentioned, the political race that is generating the most interest throughout much of South Mississippi is the one for the 4th District Congressional seat. Long time Democrat incumbent GeneMore >>

I have to admit…doing another editorial urging people to register and vote...is not the most exciting subject to tackle. But frankly, I don't know when there has been as much concern, and even alarm,More >>

September 23, 2010 I have to admit…doing another editorial urging people to register and vote...is not the most exciting subject to tackle. But frankly, I don't know when there has been as much concern,More >>

Sometimes it's really tough being the boss. That is especially true during the toughest economic downturn in our lifetime. You may have seen our story featuring Southern Miss President, Dr. Martha SaundersMore >>

The leader of the 50 member church in Florida who has somehow garnered world wide attention with his plan to burn the Quran this Saturday on the anniversary of the 9/11 attack by Muslim extremists shouldMore >>

Governor Barbour has called a special session of the legislature for this week. The main issue at stake is something that could help catapult some part of our state forward economically creating approximatelyMore >>

The United States has an illegal immigrant problem, of that there can be no doubt. A porous border to our south, mismanaged by self-serving politicians of both parties, ensures that the issue will, noMore >>

AUGUST 20, 2010 The United States has an illegal immigrant problem, of that there can be no doubt. A porous border to our south, mismanaged by self-serving politicians of both parties, ensures that theMore >>

August 2, 2010 It took a little longer than I thought…but after all the positive comments I did begin to get some negative comments on my viewpoint that the Choctaws in Jones county be allowed to decideMore >>

At last we have some good news to report regarding the BP oil spill in the Gulf. According to top officials of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, since the flow was finally stoppedMore >>

It goes by cool sounding names like Spice, Mojo, Genie, and K-2. It looks like marijuana. For the time being it is still legal in many places…though law enforcement is catching on fast. It is usuallyMore >>

Didn't Mississippi pass a "truth in sentencing law" some years back? Basically people were fed up with criminals being given justifiably harsh sentences for heinous crimes only to be back on the streetsMore >>

Those pesky Choctaws have been causing inconveniences since we immigrated over here. Granted they didn't do a very good job of controlling their borders, and they were not an overly warlike nation.More >>

Former University of Southern Mississippi grad and world known singer, song writer and entertainer, Jimmy Buffet will be doing his part to help the Gulf Coast region affected by the BP oil spill. ThisMore >>

One thing that is amazing about our country is that sometimes the individual can have more power than the big organizations. Otis McDonald moved to Chicago from Louisiana when he was 17 during the largeMore >>

It's been called the "Forgotten War". It was also the first war for America that had no clear cut winner or loser. The Korean war started 60 years ago today in 1950. North Korea wasMore >>

This coming Sunday is father's day. While I don't know the history of either one…I'll bet Mother's Day was established first. For one thing it always comes before father's day. For another—everyone lovesMore >>

Growing up in South Mississippi, few things were more exciting than the declaration, "Let's go to the Coast!" For those of us living up here in the Piney Woods area that is now known as the Pine BeltMore >>

After years of striving and waiting, I am delighted to say the WDAM is now on the DISH satellite network in the Hattiesburg/Laurel area.More >>

I think it is despicable the way the state of Arizona is being vilified by not only the media establishment but administration officials as well for passing a law to protect themselves when the FederalMore >>

We had an unusual occurrence in Mississippi this week. Two men who had been on death row for a very long time were finally executed back to back on Wednesday and Thursday. Paul Woodward, 62, wasMore >>

For the second time in the last few weeks a local hero has given his life in the military service of our country. Twenty-nine year old Army Sergeant Anthony Magee, a native of Hattiesburg, was servingMore >>

In the dictionary, next to the word gentleman, there should be a picture of Tony Dungy. When a man has coached two NFL football teams and gone on to be a top-notch commentator on network televisionMore >>

This week is national crime victim's week. Observances and ceremonies are being held across the nation and across the state To bring attention to those who have been the victims of crime and, where appropriate,More >>

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) - With the surge in Afghanistan taking up much of the war news these days, we mustn't lose sight of the fact that we still have men and women in uniform serving - and dying - inMore >>

This time last week we talked about the importance of filling out and sending in your census form. Well today was designated census day as a way of reminding everyone to do just that. So far only 52%More >>

You should have received a census form in the mail. You've also, no doubt gotten at least one reminder about filling it out and sending it in. Well, consider this another reminder. There has been aMore >>

To use a football analogy…I guess you could say that healthcare reform is 4th and goal on about the 8 or 9-yard line with Nancy Pelosi calling the signals. The Democratic leadership seems determined toMore >>

Just a couple of days ago Viewpoint said that Nancy Pelosi and other leaders of the Democratic party wanted to pass health care reform in it's present state of incomprehensible bureaucratic length andMore >>

Hometown radio stations here in Mississippi and those across the nation are facing a threat that could put a lot of them out of business—particularly the smaller locally owned stations. The threat isMore >>

Can you believe Nathan's Law is actually in danger of dying in a House committee? The law that was passed overwhelmingly by the State Senate to toughen the law regarding people who pass school buses whileMore >>

Hats off to State Representative Percy Watson of Hattiesburg. As Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Watson is allowing a bill that deserves to die to do so by not bringing it up forMore >>

For those of us old enough to recall the television series "The A Team" you may remember that they had a saying when everything worked out. The leader, the late George Peppard, would always quip, "I loveMore >>

A week ago today WDAM made a channel change to greatly increase our coverage area. This was needful because after the Big Switch to digital back in June left us with a somewhat more diminished coverageMore >>

Methamphetamine arrests last year surpassed those for both crack and powdered cocaine alike. In some ways it can be compared to the white-lightening of by-gone days. It is a relatively cheap. It isMore >>

By now you have no doubt seen the imagines and heard the description of the tragedy wrought by the earthquake in Haiti this week. As the most charitable state in the nation, and the most charitable nationMore >>

The criminals won't take a furlough…but prosecutors may have to. That is one of the proposals for trimming expenses in the State Budget. There is talk of investigators and assistant D.A.'s being forcedMore >>

Criminals won't take a furlough but prosecutors may have to. That is one of the proposals for trimming expenses in the State Budget. There is talk of investigators and assistant D.A.'s being forced toMore >>

Last Thursday we ran a story about the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program being in need of help. This is the program where the Salvation Army publicizes the needs of children—in fact we assist them inMore >>

Several months ago I received an email from Reggie Favre, transportation director for the Forrest County schools. His concern was for a dangereous practice he said was occuring virtually every day. PeopleMore >>

Circuit Judge Bob Helfrich invited WDAM News Director Randy Swan and myself to the graduation ceremony and celebration of the 12th Circuit Adult Drug/DUI Court Monday afternoon at the convention center.More >>

The National News is filled with stories on the down economy and jobless rates on a daily basis.More >>

Unfortunately, Nidal Malik Hasan—the Radical Islamic terrorist responsible for killing 13 and wounding 29 in last week’s blood bath at Fort Hood—has awakened and is talking. I’m sure, given what we’veMore >>

All of us have items in our storage room or garage we really don’t know how to get rid of properly. I’m talking about household hazardous waste like aerosols, pesticides, batteries, paint thinner, herbicides,More >>

Thanks to the efforts of dedicated survivors, and family members of those who's loved ones were claimed by breast cancer, October has become synonymous with breast cancer awareness month. Pink ribbonsMore >>