News

By Nathan Gregory, MSU Extension Service Wildlife photographers of all ages and skill levels have a venue to showcase their camera eye in an insect photo competition. The Crosby Arboretum BugFest Photo Competition is accepting entries until Sept. 14 for photos of arthropods. These include centipedes, millipedes, insects, spiders, and scorpions on land and barnacles,…

With hurricane season heating up, the Mississippi Department of Transportation reminds residents that contraflow could be implemented in the event of a powerful hurricane, typically a Category 3 or greater. In Mississippi, contraflow turns all four lanes of I-59 and I-55 traffic northbound from Louisiana through just south of Hattiesburg and Brookhaven, respectively, to aid…

By John Carney Approval for renovations to the administration building of the Hazlehurst City School District was rescinded during the Aug. 1 meeting of the board because of an irregularity with the bid. For work over a certain amount, the district is required to use contractors from a state-approved list. An approved contractor submitted a…

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson recently announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will begin accepting a new round of applications for its Wild Hog Control Program Aug. 1. The application period will close on Thursday, Aug. 15. All Mississippi counties are eligible for the application period. Through the program, the…

By Elizabeth Canales, MSU Extension Service Mississippians with a quality food product looking to scale up their business are invited to take advantage of a series of one-hour webinars and a one-day, in-person workshop to learn ways to navigate different markets. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is offering “Food as Business: Scaling up from…

By Sid Salter, Good Ole Boys Syndicate The Neshoba County Fair political speaking program last week made plain two facts moving toward the 2027 statewide elections in Mississippi. First, the field of candidates in the race to succeed two-term Republican Gov. Tate Reeves may be broad, and second, the 2027 race will be hard-fought and…

Earlier this year, the Copiah County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance governing the control of dogs and other dangerous animals in the county. The ordinance makes it unlawful to knowingly possess a dangerous animal, including dogs, that are not in proper enclosures or otherwise controlled. Dangerous dogs include those who chase or exhibit an…

By Bonnie Coblentz, MSU Extension Service Gardeners who want to improve their own skills and give back to their communities can take advantage of an online training and certification opportunity this fall. Registration for the next class of Master Gardeners opens Aug. 13 and closes Sept. 12. Participants can begin their training Oct. 1, and…

The Mississippi Public Service Commission has been made aware of a scam targeting utility customers in our state. A caller is impersonating a Public Service Commission employee, claiming to collect bank account numbers to deposit overcharges from their utility company into their account. Last week, the Mississippi Public Service Commission (MPSC) received a phone call…