Good morning, Hattiesburg.

The 12th annual Craft Beer Festival will be held this Saturday, March 14, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Community Arts Center on Main St. — Tickets cost $45 for general admission and $85 for VIP, with proceeds supporting downtown beautification.

An 85-year-old man reported missing from Alabama was found safe in Petal when police spotted his tag on Evelyn Gandy Parkway before he was brought to the station to be reunited with family (he suffers from Alzheimer’s disease).

Mississippi gas prices jumped 45 cents since March 2, reaching $3 a gallon on Monday amid rising international oil prices driven by conflict in Iran — although prices remain below the national average.

House members revived a teacher pay raise proposal today that would offer a $5,000 raise for teachers plus $3,000 for special education and ease rules for retired teachers returning to the classroom.

Local educators welcomed the proposal as it heads to the Senate.

Education advocates pushed for the return of year-long civics classes starting in 2027-28, but the bill passed the Senate and died in the House, leaving the push unresolved in Mississippi.

City leaders are upgrading key roads to ease flash flooding and improve traffic flow.

A $4.6M water, sewer + stormwater project along North 25th, West 7th and Grace Avenue is underway, repaving on Old Highway 11 began Sunday, and MDOT plans US 98 repairs in 2 months.

MDOT has temporarily closed I-59 South and U.S. 49 South ramps near Hattiesburg for scheduled maintenance — officials advise drivers to use alternate routes during the work.

Local fans can vote once per hour for the Clarion Ledger Mississippi girls high school athlete of the week contest for March 2-7 and the poll will close at noon Friday with nominees including standout performer Marley Clayton from East Union.

Mississippi State baseball is now ranked No. 3 and Southern Miss baseball is rated No. 7 after both teams swept their weekend series.

Mississippi State will play Tulane in Biloxi on Tuesday while Southern Miss hosts Ole Miss on Tuesday.

Mississippi's lone representative, Josh Hubbard (the sole honoree), was named to the All-SEC team for the third straight season, marking his continued success as recognized by the SEC postseason awards.

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.

Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram - The Hard Road Tour

7:30-9 p.m. — Hattiesburg Saenger Theater — $43.30- $74.25 — Experience the dynamic sound of blues with Kingfish's innovative musical journey.