Good morning, Hattiesburg.

USM honored retired utility worker Richard Gaines with a plaque unveiling ceremony at the campus Powerhouse building — community leaders and officials joined to mark his decades-long work in building campus systems.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s exploratory program offers support for undecided students to explore different fields and get advice from faculty.

Fewer than five percent of first-years use the program, with many declaring a major after completing general education coursework.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Digital Humanities is hosting a six-week summer residency from June 15 to July 24 for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors from Mississippi two- or four-year schools.

Applicants must apply by March 31 to work on projects that use digitization tools (enhancing research skills and storytelling).

The Upskill Mississippi grant will offer tuition-free education for skilled trades students in construction and physical labor at community and junior colleges.

The grant is still under revision to add more funding options and online courses and aims to ease workforce shortages in rural areas.

AccuWeather forecasts Mississippi faces high risk of tropical weather impacts this hurricane season beginning June 1 (a developing El Niño may limit storm counts but not severe hits).

Residents in Hattiesburg are urged to prepare for rapid storm intensification.

Forrest County officials are asking residents to stop littering to keep our shared spaces clean.

New community outreach and warning signs (set up around the county) will be introduced soon.

Forrest Health Foundation broke ground on an expansion at Asbury Hospice House in Hattiesburg yesterday to add larger family areas, a children’s activity space, a new on-site pharmacy, and an outdoor pavilion—set to enhance care for families.

The project, with over $3 million in local support, will complete next spring.

Anglers fishing today at Barnett Reservoir are catching big crappie in 12-14ft deep water, using tungsten jig heads & natural shad-colored lures, while experts predict the fish will move to 10-14ft flats for spawning in about 10 days if warm weather persists.

Southern Miss football began spring practice on March 24 at Joe P.

Park Practice Field under new head coach Blake Anderson & a mostly new roster. The team will prepare for the Spring Showcase on April 18 and a season opener on Sept. 5.

Mississippi State defeated Southern Miss 12-0 in a seven-inning game at Dudy Noble Field Tuesday evening, snapping the Golden Eagles' two-game winning streak.

Aidan Teel led with a two-run homer and three singles, helping Mississippi State even the season series.

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.

Downtown Crawfish Jam 2026

10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. — Walthall Park — $40-$50 — Enjoy live music and all-you-can-eat crawfish at this family-friendly festival.