Good morning, Hattiesburg.

Hancock High student Cooper Burke used his Eagle Scout project to collect donations for Elijah’s Closet (a charity that aids foster children) and will continue to support the organization in helping local kids in foster care.

The Hattiesburg Zoo is building a new entrance and relocating animal exhibits, including servals, lemurs, birds of prey, and a petting zoo (with four new spider monkeys arriving) in 2026.

Marion County NAACP launched a three-day celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday — a parade on Saturday in Columbia was followed by plans for a gospel musical today at John the Baptist Church at 2 p.m. and a commemorative program Monday at 11 a.m.

The Mississippi House introduced a bill to limit cell phone use in public school classrooms by requiring school boards to set age appropriate policies that make classes cell phone free (exceptions apply for medical needs).

The bill, authored by DeSoto County Representative Kimberly Remak, awaits committee review before it could take effect on July 1.