Good morning, Hattiesburg.

Several Hattiesburg organizations are joining the National Association of Letter Carriers’ 'Stamp Out Hunger' food drive tomorrow — residents should fill a grocery bag with healthy, nonperishable food items and leave it by their mailbox so letter carriers can pick them up for local pantries, including Christian Services, the Edwards Street Fellowship Center, The Salvation Army and The Children’s Feeding Task Force amid rising demand.

Serengeti Springs at the Hattiesburg Zoo will reopen on Memorial Day Weekend.

The water park is adding new cabanas, upgraded VIP areas, and indoor games for kids during storms while hosting family and teen nights to serve growing crowds.

Local events offer a fun weekend in the Pine Belt featuring an adult spelling bee in Hattiesburg, family-friendly music and art markets at the zoo and in local districts, and festivals in Jackson and Laurel — each event promising unique community activities for different ages.

Jim Dutton from Carriere spent nearly $100,000 on solar panels from Tren Solar that were installed in three days without proper utility approval and have raised safety concerns—he now says the company has vanished and he has hired an attorney to address the issue.

State Auditor Shad White alleged in a report released Monday that three nonprofits received over $850,000 in federal grants for HIV prevention from 2021 to 2024 but performed just 35 HIV tests—funds that were later used on expenses like alcohol, rideshares, and nightclub rentals.

The health department said the spending did not meet its standards and has hired new leadership to improve grant oversight.

Madea Seed Mother’s Day Brunch

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — RICHBURG COMMUNITY CENTER — Special gift for moms — Celebrate amazing mothers with brunch and a chance to win a $250 gift!

38th Anniversary of the Mothers' Day Blues Festival

2-10 p.m. — Forrest County Multipurpose Center — $47-$75 — Celebrate Mother's Day with live blues music at the festival in Hattiesburg.

Haunted Tavern Experience

6-7:30 p.m. — The Social — Tickets required — An immersive cocktail evening featuring ghostly tales and handcrafted drinks in one of Hattiesburg's most haunted venues.

Cade Ortego Live in Hattiesburg

8-10 p.m. — Brewsky's — $13.10 — Catch the lively performance by Cade Ortego and The Mood Swings for a night of great music.

Yonder – Featuring Works by Ricardo Moody

12-2 p.m. — Prospect On Main — Free entry — Enjoy a FestivalTalk with featured artist Ricardo Moody and an exclusive viewing of his commemorative artwork.