2 months 4 weeks ago
The state agency will ask lawmakers for $15 million to cover an increased state share for program administration and nearly $10 million for better income and asset verification tools.
Changes are coming to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that are expected to affect Mississippi financially if the current error rate stays in place.
By Jeremy Pittari - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Chis Kastner, HII president and CEO, said shipbuilders at Ingalls and Newport News are committed to continuing their work in lock step with the Navy to expand the U.S. Fleet.
A new class of American-designed battleships was announced on Monday by President Donald Trump (R).
Speaking alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, the president said the new “Trump class” battleships will be the most lethal surface combatant ever constructed.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Chis Kastner, HII president and CEO, said shipbuilders at Ingalls and Newport News are committed to continuing their work in lock step with the Navy to expand the U.S. Fleet.
A new class of American-designed battleships was announced on Monday by President Donald Trump (R).
Speaking alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, the president said the new “Trump class” battleships will be the most lethal surface combatant ever constructed.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Southern Studies Professor Aims to Change the World One Film at a Time
Angela Tucker to screen film about U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan in February on campus
Published on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Below is an opinion column by Donna Akers:
Dr. Donna Akers says if Mississippi truly wants to prepare students for lifelong success, we need to recognize that no single approach will fit every learner.
After more than 30 years in Mississippi’s public schools, I’ve seen the classroom change in ways I never imagined. When I first started teaching, education was about discovery. Students explored, asked questions, and learned to love learning. Somewhere along the way, that joy disappeared.
By Donna Akers - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Photo by Amanda D. Lee, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Five cities. Two counties. This first week of 2026 The Pine Belt News looks back at some of the top events from 2025, beginning with this story originally published February 27, 2025
Coney Island Café, a staple of downtown Hattiesburg’s culinary scene, will close its doors for the final time on Feb. 28. The restaurant cites rising food costs and other variables as the main contributors to the decision. The diner, with a history nearly as old as Hattiesburg itself, started with humble beginnings of the American Dream.
By Amanda D. Lee on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Delvin Francisco Rodriguez, a 39-year old Nicaraguan man being detained by immigration authorities, has died in a Natchez, Mississippi hospital.
In the months leading up to his death on Dec. 14, Rodriguez had been held in the Adams County Correctional Center, which is run by Core Civic Inc.
By Mukta Joshi - Mississippi Today on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Delvin Francisco Rodriguez, a 39-year old Nicaraguan man being detained by immigration authorities, has died in a Natchez, Mississippi hospital.
In the months leading up to his death on Dec. 14, Rodriguez had been held in the Adams County Correctional Center, which is run by Core Civic Inc.
By Mukta Joshi - Mississippi Today on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Mississippi Today health reporter Allen Siegler and health editor Laura Santhanam give an update on the state’s plan to spend its initial pot of opioid lawsuit settlement money. Siegler’s in-depth reporting has chronicled some issues and raised serious questions about how the state and local governments are spending the money, which is supposed to help address the scourge of opioid addiction, which has cost at least 10,000 lives in Mississippi since 2000.
By Geoff Pender, Allen Siegler and Laura Santhanam - on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Mississippi Today health reporter Allen Siegler and health editor Laura Santhanam give an update on the state’s plan to spend its initial pot of opioid lawsuit settlement money. Siegler’s in-depth reporting has chronicled some issues and raised serious questions about how the state and local governments are spending the money, which is supposed to help address the scourge of opioid addiction, which has cost at least 10,000 lives in Mississippi since 2000.
By Geoff Pender, Allen Siegler and Laura Santhanam - on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Mississippi Today health reporter Allen Siegler and health editor Laura Santhanam give an update on the state’s plan to spend its initial pot of opioid lawsuit settlement money. Siegler’s in-depth reporting has chronicled some issues and raised serious questions about how the state and local governments are spending the money, which is supposed to help address the scourge of opioid addiction, which has cost at least 10,000 lives in Mississippi since 2000.
By Geoff Pender, Allen Siegler and Laura Santhanam - on
2 months 4 weeks ago
These Mississippians faced challenges, spoke out, made art and launched innovative projects in 2025. Our reporters wrote about their experiences – whether positive or negative – as part of our commitment to elevating the voices of everyday Mississippians, holding those in power accountable and shining a light on the state’s dark places.
By Mississippi Today Staff on
2 months 4 weeks ago
These Mississippians faced challenges, spoke out, made art and launched innovative projects in 2025. Our reporters wrote about their experiences – whether positive or negative – as part of our commitment to elevating the voices of everyday Mississippians, holding those in power accountable and shining a light on the state’s dark places.
By Mississippi Today Staff on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Below is a political opinion column by Bobby Harrison:
Unless Congress reverses course, Mississippians will pay much more for ACA marketplace insurance in 2026.
Mississippians have benefitted more from the enhanced subsidies provided for the federal Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance policies than the people of almost any other state.
By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Below is a political opinion column by Bobby Harrison:
Unless Congress reverses course, Mississippians will pay much more for ACA marketplace insurance in 2026.
Mississippians have benefitted more from the enhanced subsidies provided for the federal Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance policies than the people of almost any other state.
By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Sen. Nicole Boyd, R-Oxford, takes notes during a presentation by Mississippi Department of Child Services Commissioner Andrea Sanders, during a study group on women, children and family, held at the State Capitol, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
State lawmakers and leaders of Mississippi’s public colleges and universities are examining ways to increase the number of adults who complete some form of education after high school, land a job and earn a living wage.
The initial conversations, held Wednesday and Thursday during a joint meeting of the state House and Senate committees on universities and colleges, will likely continue during the 2026 legislative session.
Here are four key takeaways from the committee meetings.
By Candice Wilder - Mississippi Today on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Once Upon a Time at a Zoo not-so far-away, a STORYTIME event was being held for free - every Friday in January. The Zoo’s education team decided to announce the book lineup for each Friday in advance so that if young listeners see a favorite author or book in the schedule, they will be able to make plans to attend.
January 3rd Little Mouse's New Friend - Jo Parry
January 10th I Will CHOMP You - Jory John
January 17th Steve the Dung Beetle: On a Roll - Susan R. Stoltz
January 24th Edward the Emu - Sheena Knowles
By Lisa S. Conn on
2 months 4 weeks ago
For much of Thursday night’s Sugar Bowl showdown with Georgia, it looked as if Ole Miss’ dream football season was careening toward a rude wake-up call.
Luckily for Rebel fans, Trinidad Chambliss found the snooze button.
The Ole Miss quarterback put together a performance for the ages, passing for 362 yards and two touchdowns to rally his team to a stunning 39-34 win over the SEC Champion Bulldogs.
By Tyler Cleveland - Mississippi Today on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Photo by Joaquin Chavez, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The transfer portal is officially open and will continue through Jan. 16. This is the first year of the single, condensed 15-day period, with no separate spring window, aiming for more order in college football.
While that may seem far-fetched — because college football is as crazy as ever — Southern Miss is going to be very active in this portal window, giving fans an early glimpse of Blake Anderson’s first team.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Photo by Joaquin Chavez, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The transfer portal is officially open and will continue through Jan. 16. This is the first year of the single, condensed 15-day period, with no separate spring window, aiming for more order in college football.
While that may seem far-fetched — because college football is as crazy as ever — Southern Miss is going to be very active in this portal window, giving fans an early glimpse of Blake Anderson’s first team.
By DIMA MIXON on