Good morning, Hattiesburg.

Extra Table Feeds held its sixth annual March of the Mayors Pine Belt Packing Party in February.

Mayors and volunteers from Pine Belt cities, including Ellisville which collected 19,000 granola bars, packed over 2,000 boxes of food for families in need.

A sneak peek event offered a preview of exhibits at the Oseola McCarty Museum (official opening planned soon) in Hattiesburg today.

Mississippi lawmakers plan to pass Senate Bill 2294 to improve math skills in grades 2-6 with more math coaches and revised testing standards.

Sen. Nicole Boyd said the new approach should boost student confidence and open more career paths statewide.

Teacher pay raise bills failed to pass on March 3 after disagreements over the school choice bill derailed efforts to boost salaries, while legislators continue to advance a measure to fund school resource officers.

Gov. Tate Reeves is expected to sign House Bill 565 + a law that requires most health insurance plans to cover biomarker testing after its unanimous Senate passage last Wednesday.

The legislation, named in memory of Jill Eure, will apply to policies renewed on or after July 1.

Dr. Bert Beisel of Forrest Health advises locals to combat spring allergies with intranasal steroids + non-drowsy antihistamines.

He recommends staying indoors with filtered AC as pollen levels rise in the Pine Belt.

The Mississippi House & Senate passed bills to ensure opioid settlement funds are spent solely on addiction prevention initiatives, with local governments now guided to use the money for the crisis.

Lawmakers will negotiate final changes before the bill is sent to Gov. Reeves.

Dance Gala Concert

7-9 p.m. — Mannoni Performing Arts Center — Tickets available — Experience the premiere dance event of the season amidst a vibrant atmosphere.