Good morning, Hattiesburg.

Entergy Mississippi announced a $300 million plan called Superpower Mississippi to upgrade its power grid and cut outages over the next five years—its work will not raise customer bills because new businesses bring extra revenue.

Skydweller Aero tested its solar-powered unmanned aircraft at Stennis International Airport in Hancock County on Wednesday— the carbon fiber plane has a 747-sized wingspan, carries up to 800 pounds, and is set to support long-duration missions as the Navy leads its future contracts. The company plans to use local resources to eventually produce more planes on the Gulf Coast.

A former USM student says he was hurt badly during a 'Hell Night' hazing—he went to the emergency room, could not walk after, and is suing USM and the fraternity for not stopping the hazing even after past injuries were known.

Mississippi state education rankings released Thursday showed that school performance declined as 80% of schools earned a C or higher compared to nearly 86% last year.

State officials are investigating the drop and will review support strategies and update the accountability system to secure new funding for math and literacy programs.

The Mississippi Department of Education today released the 2024-2025 Accountability Scores for Pine Belt schools showing mixed results—Petal School District earned a Grade A with 768 points after a 23-point drop, while Laurel School District had the lowest ranking despite a slight increase; most rural schools maintained their letter grades with small fluctuations.

Seminary and Northeast Jones face off for the first time at 7 p.m. Friday at Northeast Jones as both teams enter with records of two to two (Tigers coach Ryan Milner said his team will rely on sophomore Eli Maxey after quarterback Kade Mozingo was injured) while Bulldogs coach Mitch Evans expects a tough, physical game.

Shrek The Musical by Picayune Theatre Company

7-8:30 p.m. — Hattiesburg Saenger Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience a full-scale musical adventure with Shrek and friends in this vibrant community production.

Shrek - The Musical

7-8:30 p.m. — Hattiesburg Saenger Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience a larger-than-life fairytale adventure with a talented cast in this high-energy musical.

Hocus Pocus Movie Night Experience

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Hattiesburg Saenger Theater — Special event price — Experience a magical night with costume contests and themed treats at this enchanting screening.

Taste Of The South Food Truck Festival

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. — Fairley's Wings & More — Free entry — Experience a delicious gathering of food trucks and live music showcasing the best flavors from the South.

Rainbow Kitten Surprise: Thanks For Coming Tour

7:30-9 p.m. — The Lawn at Lake Terrace — Ticket prices vary — Experience genre-defying music with Rainbow Kitten Surprise's electrifying performance.

47th C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference

8 AM – 12 PM — The University of Southern Mississippi — $25 confirmation fee — Engage in dynamic discussions and targeted workshops to enhance leadership skills.