News

As Tropical Storm Francine moves closer to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Department of Transportation advises all south Mississippi residents to prepare now for possible storm impacts, including blocked roadways, flash flooding, and power outages. Tips on how to prepare can be found in MDOT’s free Hurricane Evacuation Guide and Hurricane Emergency Checklist, available…

By Edwin Smith Of the thousands of businesses launched every year, a large percentage fail within the first couple of years. However, aspiring entrepreneurs can dramatically improve their odds for success by following some fundamental steps, two University of Mississippi experts advise. “A few absolute necessities that one must have when starting a business are…

By Susan Collins-Smith, MSU Extension Service Extracurricular activities offer many benefits for children and teens, but parents should help young people set important boundaries when it comes to these activities. “Participating in sports, music, dance and other activities not only helps children learn life skills, like time management and interpersonal skills, but also teaches them…

By Sid Salter As noted in prior writings on this topic, only Walmart employs more Mississippians than what Mississippians have since 1938 known as Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula (now formally Huntington Ingalls Industries) – but the pay and benefits for shipbuilding are far better for those 11,000 Mississippi employees than at the big box store.…

By Eddie Smith, MSU Extension Service Yellow-flowering plants have always captivated me with their bright, cheerful hues. They bring warmth and energy to the garden, instantly lifting the mood and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Whether it’s the vibrant pop of color they add to a landscape or the way they attract pollinators with their radiant…

Mississippians can correct inaccuracies on the state broadband map from now until Sept. 2. The Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) is overseeing this process before making final plans for $1.2 billion in federal funding to expand broadband service in the state. Residents lacking reliable high-speed internet are asked to visit the…

By John Carney Citizen input on the City of Hazlehurst’s budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year will be received during a special meeting Aug. 20. Aldermen recessed the regular meeting Aug. 6 and will present a proposed budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year at the special meeting. There will be an opportunity for citizens…

By Edwin Smith During election years, it seems that new political polls come out every week, often with conflicting results. But voters can make better sense of exactly what different polls mean by paying attention to how they were conducted and what they measure, a University of Mississippi professor advises. “Remember, polls serve many purposes…

By Eddie Smith, MSU Extension Service I’ve always been a fan of butterfly bushes; so in my garden, I have both regular-sized varieties and a couple of dwarf varieties. My favorites are the dwarf ones. They are compact and known for their fragrant blossoms and ability to attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.…