Good morning, Hattiesburg.

New data shows Mississippi residents spend 10.57% of their income on groceries—even with some of the nation's lowest prices at an average annual cost of $5,805.

Grocery costs increased by 5.7% from last year, deepening the strain on household budgets.

Mississippi is holding special legislative primary elections today for 14 seats after a federal court ruled that redistricting diluted Black voting strength.

Voters in Chickasaw County, the Hattiesburg area, and DeSoto County can cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.—if no candidate wins outright, a runoff will be held on September 2 with the general election scheduled for November 4.

On Monday, Hattiesburg Police Chief Hardy Sims presented his department’s fiscal year 2026 funding requests to boost officer retention by proposing a raise in starting salary from $50,000 to $55,000, new patrol vehicles, and youth prevention programs—efforts aimed at stopping officer departures to other agencies as Mayor Toby Barker confirmed public safety will remain the city’s top budget priority while funds are carefully stretched across departments.

Today, a new Hattiesburg pharmacy held its ribbon cutting — kicking off National Health Week and marking a step forward in local health services.

An Army veteran said he found relief from PTSD at the Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary in Perkinston when a spider monkey named Louie hugged him last fall.

He explained that his bond with the animal helped ease the effects of long-term trauma.

More than 900 customers of the Mt. Gilead/Improve Water Association are under a boil-water notice as officials test water quality and advise residents to boil their tap water until the issue is resolved.

Fredo Bang Live at Nostalgia for Southern Miss Season Opener

9 p.m. — Nostalgia Lounge & Bar — Tickets available online and at the door — Kick off the Southern Miss football season with a live performance from Louisiana’s own Fredo Bang.