Good morning, Hattiesburg.

Christian Services in Hattiesburg hosted a winter coat giveaway Thursday afternoon to help residents stay warm.

Volunteers distributed over 1,500 coats, jackets, blankets, gloves, and socks collected during a WDAM 7 and Jack’s Family Restaurants holiday drive, and extra items will be donated to local churches.

Federal prosecutors unsealed charges Thursday for a college basketball gambling scheme that included former Southern Miss player Mo Arnold (a Picayune native) among 20 men alleged to have intentionally underperformed in games, with further investigations underway.

The Hattiesburg Arts Council named new executive director Elizabeth Henry—a Shreveport native who has called Hattiesburg home for four and a half years—and she will lead a paper lantern workshop on Jan.

24 at the Rebecca Stark Johnson Community Arts Center at 9 a.m.

Mardi Gras is coming soon to Hattiesburg with four festive events scheduled.

The lineup features a parade and block party downtown on Feb. 6, a pub crawl on Feb. 7 at noon, a scholarship ball at Lake Terrace Convention Center on Feb. 13, and a Midtown parade on Feb. 7.

Construction is underway on a new art building at William Carey University (6,400 sqft) that will house painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics and sculpting classes.

The building is expected to complete by the end of June at the corner of Cherry Street and Tommy King Drive.

Toyota of Hattiesburg donated $10K to Pearl River Community College Foundation for Start Your Future scholarships after rounding up funds from the Dec.

13, 2025 Jingle All the Way 5K Run (its third annual event).

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.