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Continued Coverage
Study rates best, worst states for military retirees
With May being Military Appreciation Month and significant military pension changes having taken effect last year, the personal-finance website WalletHub has released its report on 2019’s Best & Worst States for Military Retirees, as well as Memorial Day facts.
Lumberton mother holds domestic violence awareness walk, vigil in honor of daughter
Walking through the streets of Lumberton, community members came together to stand for one cause on Sunday.
Mississippi Highway Patrol pay respects to fallen troopers
The Mississippi Highway Patrol honor troopers who lost their lives in the line of duty Sunday afternoon.
Hattiesburg to celebrate “Historic Preservation Week”
The City of Hattiesburg is hosting a variety of events and activities to highlight the importance of historic preservation.
First steps taken toward new pre-arrest diversion center
A meeting was held at the Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center on Friday morning to discuss the first steps of building a new pre-arrest diversion center.
Historic alumna to deliver keynote speech to WCU graduates
William Carey University students are preparing to cross the stage and enter the next chapter of their lives after commencement.
Expungement clinic to be held Saturday in Heidelberg
A free expungement clinic will be held Saturday in Heidelberg.
Hattiesburg Hundred hosts annual sworn officer appreciation banquet
A Hattiesburg organization that provides emergency financial support for police officers and firefighters, or their families, in times of extreme need hosted an annual banquet Thursday night.
Living Word Church rebuilds after 2017 tornado
For the last two years Living Word Church has been rebuilding after the original church was destroyed by a tornado.
Businesses honor fallen officers in Hattiesburg
HUB City activities honoring law enforcement go through Saturday
Local Domino’s stores to celebrate Armed Forces Day
The store locations in the Pine Belt participating are in Hattiesburg and Petal.
Hundreds under boil water advisory in Jones County
Around 500 customers in the J.P. Utility District in Jones County are under a boil water advisory, the utility company announced Thursday afternoon.
LeBron James collaborates with Walmart to invest in education, fight hunger across the US
LeBron James and Walmart have formed a partnership aimed at improving education and reducing hunger in communities throughout the country.
Retirees landing in Hattiesburg
There is a slight increase in the population of retirees living in the Hub City this year.
Pine Belt celebrates National Women’s Health Week with free screenings
Women in the Pine Belt had the chance to learn more about themselves at the Women’s Health Center in Hattiesburg.
Mississippi extends duck hunting season
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks recently extended the dates for duck hunting season and added special hunting dates for youths, veterans and active duty military.
Waynesboro voters pass 1% restaurant, bar and hotel tax
People in Waynesboro will soon be charged an extra penny on the dollar for all restaurant sales, beer and liquor sales and hotel stays.
Fallen officers honored at annual Hattiesburg Police Memorial
Members of law enforcement agencies in Forrest and Lamar counties gathered with local residents Wednesday morning to remember law officers who’ve given their lives in the line of duty.
WDAM Investigates: Contractor troubles
When James and Lisa Cowart found their new home in Perry County, they were hoping a remodel would be simple. More than $25,000 later, the remodel is far from done.
Columbia Fire Department receives class 5 rating
The Mississippi State Rating Bureau gives the Columbia Fire Department a class 5 rating.
Sullivan’s on Main Street is closing for remodeling
Sullivan’s Grocery store located at 1224 North Main Street in Hattiesburg is closing for remodeling.
Hattiesburg places mosquito traps to test for diseases
The City of Hattiesburg plans to combat mosquito season by placing traps throughout the city to test for diseases.
Pine Belt residents embark on new journey after drug court
Nearly 40 people from Forrest and Perry counties were given a fresh new start after graduating from drug court at the Lake Terrace Convention Center Monday.
Hattiesburg Fire Department wrapping up spring training
The Hattiesburg Fire Department is almost done with it’s fire training course for the spring.
WATCH: Biloxi says goodbye to Officer Robert McKeithen
Thousands of people are expected to pay tribute to slain Biloxi Police Officer Robert McKeithen on Monday as the city says its final farewell.
Meet the newly crowned Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen
Mississippi has crowned a new Miss Outstanding Teen and she's from right here in the Pine Belt.
Laurel celebrates mothers with 32nd Mother’s Day Blues Festival
Hundreds of mamas came out to the Laurel Fairgrounds for the 32nd Mother’s Day Blues Festival Sunday.
Funeral service, procession to reflect respect, love for slain officer
It will be one of the biggest funeral processions the city of Biloxi has seen in years, as Officer Robert McKeithen is celebrated and laid to rest.
Hattiesburg proclaims Police Week
The City of Hattiesburg has proclaimed this week as Police Week to pay tribute to officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to recognize police for their efforts in keeping our communities safe.
Jurassic Adventure educates kids about dinosaurs
The Forrest County Multipurpose Center is hosting the Jurassic adventure experience.
Hattiesburg hosts 4th annual Train Day
Saturday in the city of Hattiesburg was a day devoted to trains.
Camp Shelby hosting Florida, Alaska brigades for busy summer training
Camp Shelby is gearing up for a busy summer of annual training.
Hattiesburg nurse recognized for National Nurses Week
Waitr recognized Amber Richardson, an ICU nurse at Forrest General Hospital, this week in honor of National Nurses Week.
NFL running back returns to Southern Miss to walk for graduation
The Oakland Raiders running back received his diploma Friday from Southern Miss President Dr. Rodney Bennett in front of family and a packed Reed-Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg.
Hattiesburg Fire Department tests fire hydrants
The Hattiesburg Fire Department is conducting its annual fire hydrant checkups.
South Mississippi songwriter wins 1st prize at 2019 County Line Music Festival
A Mississippi man who has a way with words has brought home the first place prize from the 2019 County Line Music Festival.
Parrot helps Miss. woman recover speech after brain bleed
Sheron Dunaway has been able to fully recover her speech with the help of her special friend, Precious.
New Lumberton Chief of Police talks department goals
The city of Lumberton is welcoming in a new chief of police. Adam Jones has been with the Lumberton Police Department for the last two years. He said he has always wanted to have a career in law enforcement. (Source: WDAM)
Hub City remembers fallen officers Deen and Tate 4 years after deadly shooting
The Hattiesburg community remembers officers Benjamin Deen and Liqouri Tate four years after they were killed in the line of duty.
Southern Mississippi awarding degrees to nearly 1,800
The University of Southern Mississippi is saluting nearly 1,800 graduates.
Hattiesburg passes to-go cup ordinance for District at Midtown
The city of Hattiesburg is adding a leisure and recreation known as the Midtown Social District. The ordinance was passed by city leaders on Tuesday.
Pine Belt Federal Credit Union opens Perry County branch
A bright, new business is drawing much attention in New Augusta.
Lumberton names new police chief
Adam Jones was named chief of the Lumberton Police Department after serving as interim chief since March.
Jackson VA Med Center hosts Hattiesburg Town Hall
Representatives of the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center spoke with Pine Belt veterans Wednesday at the Sherrill Community Center in Hattiesburg during a Veterans Town Hall and Outreach Meeting.
Record number of “Shining Star” awards presented at annual tourism luncheon
Dozens of employees in the Hattiesburg hospitality industry were recognized for their outstanding work during an annual gathering Wednesday hosted by VisitHATTIESBURG
Laurel police identify boy killed in tragic accident
Laurel police have identified the young boy killed in a tragic accident Monday night.
Hundreds gather to remember Officer McKeithen and pray for his family
Hundreds gathered Tuesday evening outside Biloxi Police Department, joining hands to remember the life of Officer Robert McKeithen.
Salvation Army hosts “Night at the Shelter”
The Laurel Salvation Army hosted an open house event to raise awareness to its contribution to the community.
Columbia officials, community leaders react to sales tax vote
A new sports complex is one step closer to reality after voters in Columbia gave their thumbs up to a 3 percent tourism tax.
City of Laurel accepts generous flag donation
The City of Laurel will look a little more patriotic after accepting a generous flag donation.
West Marion band submits video for $100K grant
The West Marion High School Band is hoping pop music legend Barry Manilow will give them $100,000.
Pine Belt officers talk about being part of the ‘thin blue line’
Within just a few days, WDAM has reported two instances where gunfire has been exchanged between law enforcement officers and suspects.
Free health screening offered for women in the Pine Belt
WDAM sat down with a nurse practitioner from Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative Inc. to talk about the upcoming National Women's Health Week where all women are invited to a, "free check-up day."
Columbia 3% tax referendum passes with 76% of vote
Residents in the city of Columbia headed to the polls on Monday to vote to raise the sales tax for restaurants and hotels by three percent.
Hellfighters’ mission helps battle addiction
Eleven years ago, Richard Headrick and his wife felt people battle addiction needed a place to get the help they needed so, they created Hellfighters.
3rd annual Kids Prom held in Laurel
Children in Laurel showed up and out for the 3rd annual Kids Prom.
Columbia to hold special election on tourism tax
Voters in Columbia will decide whether the city will have a new tourism tax.
Bad weather forces early end to 30th Okatoma Fest
Saturday’s bad weather brought an early end to Covington County’s 30th annual Okatoma Festival.
Hattiesburg School District hosts job fair
The Hattiesburg School District hung out the “help wanted” sign Saturday morning.
Red Cross, firefighters install free smoke detectors in Hattiesburg homes
The American Red Cross and the Hattiesburg Fire Department teamed up Saturday to install free smoke detectors in dozens of Hub City homes.
HHS hosts first “College Sign In” for scholarship recipients
Dozens of Hattiesburg High School’s graduating seniors who are getting college scholarships were honored in a first-ever ceremony Friday.
Experts encourage routine checks of HVAC units
The weather is warming up, which means it's the time of year for routine heating, ventilating, and air conditioning unit check-ups.