Good morning, Hattiesburg.

The Dixie Sports Complex nears completion and will soon serve as an outdoor space for sports and community events behind the walking trace at the Dixie Community Center.

It features a tennis court + four pickleball courts, a softball/baseball field, and a soccer/football field.

The Fieldhouse for the Homeless is opening two 24-hour warming stations on U.S. 49 and at Loftin House for women and children this Thursday through Saturday, with coffee, hot chocolate, food, and winter supplies available for anyone needing to escape the cold.

Verizon says its engineers are working to fix widespread call issues after customers in Mississippi experienced service problems, with over 150,000 reports nationwide (especially in northern Mississippi and along the Gulf Coast).

No resolution time was given and updates are expected soon.

The Eagle One Mega Site project (in the Pine Belt) is progressing with over $30 million invested at the 2,100-acre site near U.S. 11.

Developers plan to build essential infrastructure next to attract manufacturers and create thousands of jobs.

Southern Miss will host the JROTC State Drill Championship tomorrow at The Rock on campus, where nearly 500 cadets from 17 high schools will compete from 8 a.m. to about 3 p.m.—the opening ceremony features a march along the Eagle Walk with remarks from university leaders.

Proposed federal loan caps will limit graduate nursing students’ borrowing to $100,000 starting in July, a move experts say may worsen workforce shortages in Mississippi and hinder access to advanced education for disadvantaged students.

The House Education Committee voted 14 to 11 on House Bill II, which offers a broader school choice package that would let students use public funds for private tuition and modify charter school rules.

The measure now heads to the full House — further debate is planned later this week.

Dr. Zhe Qiang at Southern Miss received a $60,000 Scialog Fellowship on Wednesday to develop sustainable multilayer film materials (designed to improve recyclability) and is partnering with Virginia Tech to advance eco-friendly polymer research.

Glendale Utility District customers west of I-59 must boil water for one minute after a main water line broke on Mini Farm Road; about 550—600 homes are affected.

After a zip line accident in summer 2024 left him paralyzed, a Mississippi hunter began his recovery with an electric trackchair that let him get around rough terrain+he felt alive when he harvested a doe and later two bucks during a season that marked his comeback.

Mississippi teen Gatlin Ainsworth of Petal harvested a 10-point buck today after tracking it for two years + adjusting his hunting schedule to the buck’s midday movements.

He prayed for his late grandfather before taking his shot, marking an achievement that was both exciting and bittersweet.

Hattiesburg Renaissance Festival

12:00 – 11:30 p.m. — SwitchYard — $15 – $20 — Experience the magic of medieval celebration with crafts, music, and festivities in the heart of Hattiesburg.

Vision Board Party: Vision and Vibes Social

12-3 a.m. — 101 Shadow Lake Dr, Hattiesburg, MS — Included with ticket — Connect with like-minded individuals while creating vision boards and enjoying poetry vibes and food.