Good morning, Hattiesburg.

Two Ellisville families with the same last name had triplets delivered by Dr. Joe Washburne less than six months apart — one set born at 31.5 weeks and the other at 32.5 weeks — marking a rare event in this small town just in time for Father’s Day.

The mothers connected through Facebook for support during their journeys, and all babies and moms fared well.

Sixteen-year-old Marlena rescued her four sisters from foster care after their mother was deemed unable to keep them safe—she later secured a housing voucher and a job as a nursing assistant to help support the family.

Despite reuniting, the siblings continue to face challenges with mental health and limited support from the system.

A special exhibit called Essence of the Crown will debut this summer at Hattiesburg’s Historic Eureka School—part of the Sixth Street Museum District—and will run on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. from June 27 until August 30, with an opening reception on June 26 at 6:00 p.m. and a closing Hair Show on August 29. The exhibition will showcase art and historical pieces that highlight Black hair’s cultural impact on fashion, beauty, and politics.

MIT’s living wage calculator shows Mississippi residents need higher earnings than the $7.25 minimum wage to cover basic living expenses.

In Hattiesburg, one adult with no kids requires about $20.44 per hour while a single parent with three children needs about $50.53 per hour — leaving many households falling short.

A SmartAsset study shows that earning $440,744 places a person in Mississippi's top 1% of incomes, which is much lower than the threshold in states like Connecticut and California.

The report also notes that Hattiesburg's own billionaires, James Duff and Thomas Duff, rank globally as the state has one of the lowest benchmarks for wealth—highlighting a lower cost of living overall.

Mississippi State football added Ocean Springs offensive tackle Jayden Ross to its 2026 recruiting class on June 16; Ross, a three-star prospect who is 6—foot-6 and weighs 315 pounds, chose the Bulldogs over offers from Baylor, Colorado and Texas Tech.

His commitment brings the team's total to 12 players for next season.

Whitney: Always Love You - FestivalSouth

7:30-9 p.m. — Hattiesburg Saenger Theater — $45/adult; $20/child — Celebrate the iconic voice of Whitney Houston with a night of her timeless hits and spectacular performances.

Star-Spangled Celebration on the River

6-10 p.m. — Chain Park — Free admission — Celebrate the Fourth of July with family-friendly activities, live music, and a spectacular fireworks display over the Leaf River.