Good morning, Hattiesburg.

On June 19, Orlando May was convicted for capital murder in the killing of Southern Miss football player MJ Daniels and sentenced to life without parole with concurrent sentences of 20 years for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and 10 years for vehicle theft—accomplices testified that Daniels was found asleep in his car at Ivy Row Apartments before May fired—and the jury upheld the charges.

A Forrest County jury convicted Orlando May of capital murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and vehicle theft—the charges stemmed from the 2024 shooting death of Southern Miss football player MJ Daniels—and Judge Bob Helfrich sentenced him to life in prison without parole along with additional concurrent terms.

The state board voted Thursday to remove the U.S. history test for high school graduation starting this fall & said this change would save money, while students will still have to pass history classes to earn their diplomas & complete the course.

House Corrections Chairwoman Becky Currie says inmates in Mississippi prisons are suffering from treatable illnesses such as Hepatitis C and cancer because staff repeatedly deny essential medication.

She found that the department withheld $2M from VitalCore and later requested an extra $4M to cover a shortfall—raising concerns about the quality of inmate healthcare.

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.