Daily
Hattiesburg
Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
Good morning, Hattiesburg. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 2nd of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Students, family and community members gathered today at USM for a candlelight vigil honoring 21-year-old Delta State student Trey Reed, who was found hanging from a tree on the DSU campus on Sept. 15. Authorities ruled his death consistent with suicide—his family is pursuing an independent autopsy funded by Colin Kaepernick amid growing social media controversy. SM2 Media
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Kayleigh Clark, a 20-year-old native from Sumrall, got a four-chair turn on NBC’s 'The Voice' after singing Sugarland’s 'Stay' on Monday night—she was raised on a chicken farm in Lamar County—and now she joins Team Niall in Nashville. WDAM
- ➤ The Hattiesburg Alliance For Public Art is seeking artists for the fourth phase of its utility box series, which started in 2020 and now features over 40 boxes across Hub City. Twenty boxes in this phase—each earning a $500 stipend per finished piece—will be painted by selected artists, and applications are due by noon Friday. WDAM
- ➤ The Mobile Street Festival in downtown Hattiesburg celebrated its legacy this past weekend by reviving the historic Mobile Street, which once supported black-owned businesses during segregation, with booths, music, and vendors that brought the community together—fostering education and shared heritage. Founded 20 years ago, the event honored a vital part of local history while continuing its mission to uplift the community. SM2 Media
- ➤ Yesterday, Hattiesburg’s Pocket Museum opened a new exhibit called A Pocket Full of Posey: Plague Doctors and Peculiar Cures that shows how medieval doctors used odd cures like bloodletting and vinegar baths to treat the plague. The free exhibit runs through Halloween and helps visitors see how far modern medicine has come—highlighting eerie treatments from a 400-year-old era. WDAM
- ➤ MS Latinx Art Association hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month event in Hattiesburg despite national cancellations—local musicians played Latino inspired music at Lucky Rabbit, City Hall Fountain, and Creators Plaza. The event celebrated Hispanic and Latino culture and aimed to recognize community contributions amid immigration concerns. SM2 Media
- ➤ The annual Mississippi Peanut Festival will return to Collins this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, and booths for jewelry and clothing, and families can join again on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.—multiple musical artists will perform; Mitchell Farms, which has hosted the festival for 15 years, charges $20 per ticket. WDAM
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Legislative appropriations in the 2025 session have provided nearly $3M to pay for tuition and licensure for 201 teacher candidates at nine universities—expanding the teacher residency program from 35 to 236 participants and offering test prep, mentorship and professional development for those serving in critical shortage areas. Mississippi Today
- ➤ The University of Southern Mississippi was awarded a $14.5 million contract to launch the Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center that will train 10 graduate students each year in cardiovascular and public health research. The center will offer summer research methods training, year-round mentorship and workshops — connecting the program with local health priorities. WJTV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The state did not have to redraw its Supreme Court district lines because the Fifth Circuit paused the appeal for 60 days while similar cases are pending before the U.S. Supreme Court — a move that may change the redistricting plans. An earlier order had required new boundaries to help Black voters have a fair chance to elect their candidates. WLBT
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Mississippi Association of Coaches announced the rosters for the Mississippi vs Alabama All-Star Football Classic on Oct. 1—the game will take place at noon on Dec. 13 at M.M. Roberts Stadium on Southern Miss—while also revealing the Bernard Blackwell Classic teams for the 77th game scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 20 at Milner Stadium in Gulfport. Hattiesburg American
- ➤ Luke Clanton, a former top-ranked amateur, learned to be patient after missing the cut in his PGA Tour debut and is set to compete in the Sanderson Farms Championship today in Jackson—where veteran players advised him to stick to his routine. He has improved his play with five top-70 finishes and is aiming for his first win as he adjusts to the professional circuit. Hattiesburg American
- ➤ Ole Miss golfer Michael La Sasso, the NCAA champion who set a record with a 69.48 average at Ole Miss, is playing in his first Sanderson Farms Championship today at the Country Club of Jackson—he aims to use his strong momentum from college golf while embracing the local support even though he is from North Carolina. Hattiesburg American
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Hattiesburg Zoo Boo
6-9 p.m. — Hattiesburg Zoo — Ticket information not provided — Experience a glowing Halloween wonderland filled with dazzling lanterns and fun activities.
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Day of the Dead Parade
3 PM — Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center — Free entry — Celebrate Mexican heritage with a vibrant parade featuring costumes, music, and community spirit.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.
~ James Clear
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