Good morning, Hattiesburg.

Mississippi residents will soon enjoy bright Christmas light displays that offer both drive-through and walkable experiences—bringing festive cheer to communities across the state.

Hattiesburg Zoo’s Lights of the Wild will run December 5-7, December 12-14 and December 19-23 with big animal scenes and fun rides, while other displays in Brandon, Canton, Cleveland, Gulfport, Meridian, Oxford, Pearl and Southaven will shine through early January.

Alcorn alumna Alisha Johnson attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thursday and felt proud as she watched the Sounds Dyn-O-mite perform—she said the event highlighted fine arts opportunities for students.

Her words underscored how familiar faces in the crowd reinforced a positive view of the university and state.

State Treasurer McRae said one in seven residents have unclaimed property held by the state after five years of inactivity—this property comes from old bank accounts, insurance payments, and retail rebates.

In October, the Treasury distributed over $1.3 million and now offers a modern online claim process that can take about eight weeks once all documents are submitted.

Mississippi lawmakers will reintroduce a bill in the 2026 session that would require hunters to report each deer harvest via a mobile app — similar to the state’s system for wild turkeys.

The measure is aimed at providing detailed data to help manage about 275,000 deer harvested annually and track chronic wasting disease, with fines set for noncompliance.

The Mississippi High School Athletic Association released the schedule for the 2025 state football championships to be held at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville+ Hattiesburg’s Class 6A team will face Warren Central on December 5 at 7:30 p.m. while six other matchups are set between December 4 and 6.

After a 38 to 19 Egg Bowl win on Nov.

28th, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss filed an NCAA waiver to extend his eligibility by seeking a retroactive redshirt from his limited Division I play. He said he expects a decision next week—if approved, he will return for one more season in 2026.

Lane Kiffin will hold a press conference today after the Egg Bowl where he is expected to announce his decision among coaching roles at Ole Miss, LSU, or Florida.

Ole Miss nearly secured a College Football Playoff spot yesterday and now awaits a move that could bring significant salary raises and increased NIL investments—a decision to reshape the season.

Do The Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

4:30-9 p.m. — Grill and Grocery — Tickets required — Celebrate the festive season in your most outrageous holiday attire with games, contests, and a jolly good time.

Ragin' Cajuns at Golden Eagles Women's Basketball

7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Reed Green Coliseum — Cost info not available — Southern Miss faces off against Louisiana-Lafayette in a competitive Sun Belt matchup.

The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company

7-8:30 p.m. — Hattiesburg Saenger Theater — Tickets required — Experience the magic of Christmas with a stunning ballet performance featuring Tchaikovsky's beloved score.

World Ballet Company - The Nutcracker

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Hattiesburg Saenger Theater — Tickets available — Experience a magical holiday classic with breathtaking performances and enchanting storytelling.