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2 months ago
Photo special to the Pine Belt News from Southern Miss Athletics.
Southern Miss softball head coach Natalie Poole says for the program to take the next step, performance must improve from years past.
“We’ve taken some really good steps in the program since I’ve been here,” Poole said. “But there’s some elevation that has to happen performance-wise for us to be able to do it.”
Poole, who was named head coach in the fall of 2022, enters her fourth season with a 67–82 overall record.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months ago
Photo by Amanda D. Lee, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The Pine Belt News recognizes the 2026 class of 20 Under 40. Read about Hunter White here and see the special section publishing on January 29 to read about all of this year's honorees.
By Christina Pierce on
2 months ago
The phrase “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey” has probably been tossed about the last few days around our state. Believe it, or not, that saying supposedly comes from more than just “toilet humor.” I’m told its origin, though I’m doubtful, comes from the Napoleonic Wars where naval ships had a brass tray to hold cannonballs. When it would get cold enough, the brass would shrink quicker than the iron balls, thus making them slide off the tray and giving us one of the greatest phrases ever to describe cold weather.
By Ben Smith on
2 months ago
Below is a press release from the Mississippi National Guard:
The Mississippi National Guard (MSNG) activated 500 service members across the state to conduct general support, fueling operations, and aerial logistics packaging of food and other needed supplies following a major winter storm Jan. 23-26, 2026.
By Press Release - Mississippi National Guard on
2 months ago
Photo by Amanda D. Lee, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The Pine Belt News recognizes the 2026 class of 20 Under 40. Read about Maggie Monroe here and see the special section publishing on January 29 to read about all of this year's honorees.
By Christina Pierce on
2 months ago
Photo by Jacob Brumfield, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Matthew Russo (above) during the 2025 Hattiesburg Regional (Photo by Jesse Johnson)
If you’ve been wondering where I have been over the past several weeks — the truth is I’ve been in hibernation.
No, not hibernation from the cold weather, but hibernation from distractions while I wrote the 2026 Pine Belt Baseball Preview Magazine, which you should have in your hands very soon.
Anytime we get notifications on our phones about potentially dangerous cold weather, it only means that for all of us in the South, baseball season is right around the corner.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months ago
Photo by Amanda D. Lee, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The Pine Belt News recognizes the 2026 class of 20 Under 40. Read about Amanda Lee here and see the special section publishing on January 29 to read about all of this year's honorees.
By Christina Pierce on
2 months ago
Photo by Jacob Brumfield, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
It’s hard to encapsulate more than 40 years and 800 wins in a single moment. Yet, somehow, William Carey managed to do so.
From former All-Americans to former champions and starters from the early 1980s, generations gathered in Hattiesburg to honor their head coach, Steve Knight, for reaching 800 career wins. The school presented him with a plaque, and behind him stood lifelong Crusaders — all coached and mentored by Knight.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months ago
Photo by Amanda D. Lee, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The Pine Belt News recognizes the 2026 class of 20 Under 40. Read about Tyra Idom here and see the special section publishing on January 29 to read about all of this year's honorees.
By Christina Pierce on
2 months ago
Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion
By Magnolia Tribune Staff on
2 months 1 week ago
Part 2
Rock and roll didn’t just appear fully formed one day. It grew out of a mix of musical traditions—blues, rhythm and blues, country, and gospel—that blended in places where life was loud and real. Long before anyone put a label on it, musicians were already creating the sounds that would become rock. That’s why when people talk about how many genres rock contains, the answer is a range—thirty to fifty recognizable genres and subgenres, depending on how closely you listen.
By Cathy Eaker on
2 months 1 week ago
Small lawns are easiest
Most gardeners are being faced this month, like it or not, with a hard choice regarding winter weeds in the lawn. No matter your preferred approach of weed-free, wildflowery, or doing bits of both in different areas, your lawn is changing weekly and it is time to decide and manage which way it goes.
By Felder Rushing on
2 months 1 week ago
Every possession mattered for the Pearl River men's basketball team Tuesday night as the Wildcats survived a back-and-forth showdown with East Mississippi, 76-65.
With the victory, Pearl River opens MACCC play 3-0 for a third consecutive season.
"We preach about every possession being the most important. The first possession is just as important as the last," head coach Chris Oney said. "They really mattered down the stretch. East Mississippi went to the 1-2-2 zone with three minutes to go and it caught us off guard — my guys really bailed us out there."
By Dylan Dunaway on
2 months 1 week ago
It is fitting that Bob Weir's last moments on stage on August 3, 2025 were in the throes of admiration for his years of work in the Grateful Dead. As the band always says, what a long strange trip it has been. There he was in Golden Gate Park, the site of many of the free concerts that established the Dead to the burgeoning Haight-Ashbury community in the Sixties. When the Dead originally played to the hordes coming into San Francisco from across the country, they envisioned it as their own Utopia.
By Mik Davis on
2 months 1 week ago
The leading Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate in Mississippi is noticeably absent from a list of potential pickups shared by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Senate Democrats believe they have a path to regain the majority in the U.S. Senate in this midterm cycle, but Mississippi is noticeably absent from the list of potential pickups shared by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 1 week ago
Left to right: Joe Campbell, MD Anesthesia; Rocco Barbieri, MD Orthopedic Surgeon; Fred Daniels, Supply Chain Manager
Forrest Health announces three team members of The Orthopedic Institute have been honored with three prestigious awards. These awards recognize individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to clinical humanitarian initiatives, leadership, and exceptional care and support for those who look after our patients.
By Staff Report on
2 months 1 week ago
NEW ORLEANS, La. – After nearly two months away from competition, the William Carey University swim teams made a strong statement in their return to the pool, highlighted by the Crusader men's decisive 129–97 victory over Loyola University. The Lady Crusaders split their matchups on the day, defeating Loyola 148–57 while falling to the University of West Florida 129–86.
By Kevin Rosiere on
2 months 1 week ago
Photo by Dima Mixon, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
With just 25 days until opening day, Christian Ostrander made it clear Tuesday that Southern Miss baseball is entering the 2026 season energized, competitive — but very much unfinished.
The Golden Eagles returned from break last week refreshed after the offseason, and while several pieces of the roster appear close to settled, Ostrander emphasized that the next three weeks will determine how this team ultimately takes shape.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months 1 week ago
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The professional organization, Sales & Marketing Professionals, is celebrating the work of five of Mississippi’s leaders and Businesses and/or organizations, and community events with the prestigious, Mississippi Pinnacle Award on Tuesday, April 14, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg. In addition to the Mississippi Pinnacle Awards, the Hattiesburg-based organization will celebrate the accomplishments and work of five humanitarians and their years of dedicated work and achievements.
By Staff reports on
2 months 1 week ago
Orlando, Fla. – The William Carey Cheer program made history at the 2026 UCA College Nationals, earning silver medalist honors in the Open Small Coed Game Day Division—the highest finish in program history.
Head Coach Laura Lightsey praised her team's performance and perseverance throughout the competition.
"I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of this team," Lightsey said. "This performance was their best, and it was a great feeling knowing that the judges agreed and awarded them the silver medal. It is a great day to be a Crusader."
By Kevin Rosiere on
