Good morning, Hattiesburg.

A local church taught youth key lessons on leadership and faith through interactive activities—designed to help them build practical skills for the future.

The program plans to offer more sessions as the church continues its youth ministry efforts.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded at 5 p.m. on Saturday to a domestic shooting in Foxworth at Highway 586 and Mount Sinai Road—officers found a woman dead from a gunshot wound and the suspect, discovered in the woods with an apparent self-inflicted injury, was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

In 1964, Klansmen killed civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner near Philadelphia, Mississippi as they worked to register Black voters+ the FBI later located their bodies and one man was convicted in 2005.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed unemployment held at 4.2% in May and weekly earnings rose 3.9% to about $1,243, yet many Hattiesburg jobs paying the minimum wage remain unsustainable—workers are kept under the poverty threshold.

A recent report ranked the 50 lowest-paying jobs in the area, listing roles such as parts salespersons and psychiatric aides based on May data—highlighting ongoing challenges for low-wage workers.

Mississippi is set to receive about $374 million from opioid settlement funds through 2038—an extra $41 million is expected if Purdue finalizes its deal—with lawmakers now controlling $56 million for the general fund.

Local governments have received around $750,000 so far, and a state advisory council will meet July 9 to develop a grant process for these funds.

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.