Skip to content 
Continued Coverage
Senate approves bill allowing Petal sales tax referendum
Petal residents may soon get the chance to vote on a proposed 3% sales tax increase on restaurants in the city.
Agreement reached to allow Hattiesburg bar to remain open
The agreement would allow Nostalgia Lounge & Bar to remain open if bar owners meet the conditions of the agreement.
Hattiesburg metro status at risk under proposed change to population requirement
Hattiesburg could lose its status as a Metropolitan Statistical Area under a new population requirement proposed by the federal government.
COVID-19 relief bill offers help for small businesses
Small business owners in Hattiesburg are looking forward to the assistance offered by the COVID-19 relief bill.
MOST RECENT
Weekend community cleanups removing trash from Dist. 5 Covington roads
Two recent community clean ups have removed a lot of trash along roads in District 5 in Covington County.
CEO of Covington hospital reflects on one-year anniversary of pandemic
March 11 marks the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Mississippi, which was in Forrest County.
Woman launches business after surviving attack
Ashton Tisdale was working in her beauty shop four years ago when two gunmen entered the building and opened fire on her.
Hattiesburg metro area unemployment rate approaching pre-pandemic level
It’s been 11 months since unemployment rates skyrocketed in the Hattiesburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Laurel veterans museum to reopen to public
The Veterans Memorial Museum in Laurel is about to reopen its doors to the public.
Turbine transport prompts road closures in downtown Hattiesburg
Some roads are being closed in and around downtown Hattiesburg this weekend, because Hattiesburg Police are assisting in the transport of of a large turbine.
Hattiesburg Zoo hosting 4th annual Renaissance Festival
The Hattiesburg Zoo is welcoming Spring by hosting an annual celebration of European art and culture from the 14th-17th centuries.
Road closures announced for Hub City weekend turbine transport
All motorists in the area or anyone who is preparing to travel in the area is advised to make alternate plans if necessary.
Amtrak set to return to Gulf Coast in 2022 with 4 stops in South Mississippi
Amtrak is moving ahead with plans to begin service next year from New Orleans to Mobile with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula.
PIB replacing terminal roof with federal grant
There’s a lot of activity on the roof of the terminal at Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport these days.
Nearly 3,000 Southern Pine Electric members remain without power after storms
Three counties in the Pine Belt had a total of 394 outages.
Southern Pine Electric continues restoring power to members
Southern Pine Electric hopes all members will have power by Sunday night.
Keith’s donates $34K to William Carey for student testing, vaccinations
The funds will be used for testing students and staff for COVID-19 and vaccinations when they become available.
Report: Hattiesburg No. 2 in job growth during pandemic
Hattiesburg placed just behind Fond Du Lac, Wis. and ahead of Knoxville, Tenn.
Realty Executives makes annual donation to Habitat for Humanity
One Hattiesburg company is celebrating 20 years of support for Habitat for Humanity.
Sec. of State Watson speaks to Jones County GOP Women
Watson addressed a monthly luncheon for the organization at the Laurel Country Club.
Major construction projects at PRCC making progress
A $13 million residence hall project on the Poplarville campus of Pearl River Community College is nearly complete.
MDOC launches recruitment drive for new corrections officers
Officials with the Mississippi Department of Corrections are making their way across the state, hoping to hire hundreds of new corrections officers.
Restaurant kicks off fundraiser for American Heart Association
Throughout February, Mugshots is selling "hearts" for $1 in all of its 20 locations.
Pine Belt restaurants hoping for COVID-19 relief
Restaurants still struggle with debts and new expenses as the pandemic continues.
USM online degree program gets high ranking from U.S. News & World Report
An online degree program at Southern Miss has been ranked as the best in Mississippi and among the top 40 in the country.
USM Veterans Center gets $10K grant for food gift cards
The center is providing dozens of gift cards for military students and veterans.
Mississippi Raiders prepare for the season with orientation
Games will be played in the Forrest County Multipurpose Center in Hattiesburg.
Senate bill could allow alcohol delivery to your front door
A Hattiesburg beer store owner believes the bill would be good for business.
Main Street Columbia gets $6K donation from Experience Columbia
Main Street Columbia Inc. received a $6,000 donation Thursday from Experience Columbia.
Mississippi Music pays employees for time donating plasma
The company adds time donating plasma to employees' paychecks.
C Spire invests $1B in Miss., Alabama over next 36 months
The governor said this investment will rank Mississippi 12th in the nation when it comes to access to fiber.
Belk to file for bankruptcy, enters agreement with majority owner to reduce debt
Belk previously furloughed workers in March and laid off several of its employees back in July due to the pandemic.
Hattiesburg Zoo to get giraffes, will seek accreditation in 2021
2021 is shaping up to be a big year for the Hattiesburg Zoo.
Columbia to begin $150K project to replace water lines
The city of Columbia is about to start a $150,000 upgrade of main water lines in the east part of town.
Hattiesburg passes new food truck ordinance
The ordinance extends food truck permits to year-round operation and allows for more locations.
Gov. Reeves names new head of MDA
His choice is John Rounsaville, who has served as interim director since May.
Eureka centennial part of busy 2021 for Sixth Street Museum District
There are some new things happening in Hattiesburg’s Sixth Street Museum District in 2021.
PRVEPA launching Internet service for customers
The service will provide broadband speed and capabilities, as well as phone service.
Waynesboro community reacts to Scotch Plywood mill fire
The Waynesboro community is reacting to a fire that destroyed the 50-year-old Scotch Plywood Company mill.
C-Spire Foundation commits $1 million for computer science education in Miss.
The Mississippi Legislature is expected to consider computer science education legislation during this session.
Peco Foods closing 3 plants in Mississippi
Peco Foods is shuttering three of its Mississippi locations.
Five exhibits to be featured at LRMA in 2021
2021 will be a big year for exhibitions at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art.
Restaurants preparing to serve black-eyed peas, cabbage, cornbread on New Year’s Day
One New Year’s tradition is taking on new significance as we bid farewell to a tumultuous 2020.
Fireworks sales booming during New Year’s holiday
2020 sales have been booming compared to previous years.
Gyms prepare for new year rush amid pandemic
With the new year, a lot of gyms see new membership as people make resolutions to get active and healthy.
Last-minute Christmas shoppers look for bargains at Turtle Creek Mall
Some shopping centers in the Pine Belt were busy Thursday with last-minute Christmas shoppers.
Pine Belt small businesses thankful for holiday business after trying year
Locally-owned businesses are a great place to find unique last-minute gifts.
Pine Belt businesses team up for delicious stocking stuffer
Hot chocolate bombs are flying off the shelf as shoppers look for last-minute stocking stuffers.
Transportation commission awards contracts for maintenance projects in Miss.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation will supervise seven projects that will maintain and improve the transportation framework across the state.
Great-grandson of Bassfield founder accepting artifacts for time capsule
The great-grandson of the founder of Bassfield needs your help to tell the story of life in that Jefferson Davis County town.
Comcast launches new, faster internet service in Laurel
Comcast announces it has unveiled three new tiers of internet service offerings in Laurel.
New sawmill to bring 135 jobs to Lumberton
A new sawmill is coming to Lumberton thanks to an Idaho-based lumber producer.
‘Crossroads’ exhibit closes after six weeks in Mount Olive
An exhibit in Mount Olive focusing on life in small-town USA has closed to the public, after being on display for six week.
Just a few days left to see ‘Crossroads’ exhibit in Mount Olive
You have just four more days to see a unique traveling exhibit on small-town USA that’s on display in Mount Olive.
New Holiday Inn Express coming to Hub City
The Holiday Inn Express is set to make its debut in the Hub City in 2022.
PRVEPA General Manager Randy Wallace to retire
Matthew Ware, will take over duties as general manager following Wallace’s departure.
Pine Belt Holiday Expo gives shoppers new options for gifts
Pine Belt residents were invited to “shop small” Saturday during the annual Pine Belt Holiday Expo & Christmas Market.
Old-fashioned Christmas celebrated at Landrum’s in Laurel
Saturday’s activities included demonstrations from Civil War re-enactors and several live musical performances.
Collins’ Christmas in the Park to begin its 17th year
The Covington County Chamber of Commerce is hoping an upcoming, annual display of lights in Collins will bring in new visitors to that city.
ADP raising $4 million as part of new strategic economic plan
The Area Development Partnership will be officially unveiling a new, five-year strategic economic development plan in January.
PSC receives 200K “Zap the Gap” calls so far
Mississippi Public Service Chairman Dane Maxwell has gotten a big response to his “Zap the Gap” program, which was initiated over the summer.
Restaurants, shops to stay open late for ‘Christmas in Collins’ Dec. 4
Merchants in downtown Collins are getting ready to host an annual Christmas event that they hope will bring in lots of new holiday business.