Good morning, Hattiesburg.

Monday morning, the 20th Annual MLK Ecumenical and Scholarship Breakfast honored community members and students at USM’s Thad Cochran Center, with Vandarel (Van) Jones delivering a keynote and several awards being presented.

The event also granted book scholarships and announced a $25,000 donation to create new USM opportunities.

An electric cooperative completed its Day of Service at Worthy Stables in Petal today, helping with stable upkeep and building local ties — the event may lead to more community projects soon.

Gov. Reeves announced Monday that Mississippi opted into a federal tax credit program that lets donors receive a dollar for dollar credit for contributions up to $1,700 toward private school scholarships starting in tax year 2027.

His office will soon select organizations to distribute these credits.

Nearly $330,000 from the state trust fund has been awarded for two outdoor projects in the Pine Belt—a permanent wharf and floating dock at Sportsman Lake in Richton and a pedestrian bridge for Gordon’s Creek Linear Park in Hattiesburg.

Funding includes a county match & local city support.

A polar vortex will bring extreme cold and a mix of freezing rain, sleet, and possible snow to Hattiesburg this weekend (lows in the teens), so residents should prepare for icy roads and power outages.

Evelyn Gandy from Hattiesburg broke barriers by becoming Mississippi’s first elected female lieutenant governor and pushing key legislation for education and welfare.

Her legacy lives on via the Evelyn Gandy Parkway — a tribute to her lifetime of public service.

Mississippi Marketplace enrollments dropped 8% as 307,000 selections were made by Jan.

3, down from 330,000 last year after enhanced subsidies expired. Experts warn more may cancel coverage when faced with higher premiums now that open enrollment ended Jan. 15.

Indiana finished first in the final AP football poll after winning the College Football Playoff championship game on Monday, Jan.

19, while Ole Miss ranked third & achieved its highest final ranking since 1962.