Shakiya Ingram and Vandell McGill, undergraduate students in The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) Oceanography and Ocean Mapping program, recently returned from a life-changing ocean-mapping research cruise aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s vessel, Nancy Foster, in Charleston, S.C.

So, we’re nearing the midway point of the football season, and it’s been an interesting one so far. Local colleges are rolling along quite well; local high schools, not so much. Maybe that has something to do with the nicknames/mascots—we’ll get into that in a minute.

The Mississippi Tourism Association recognized the impact and accomplishments of the state’s tourism industry at its annual Tourism Awards Program, held during the Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Vicksburg Convention Center in Vicksburg, Oct. 1-3. The annual educational and professional development event brought together approximately 250 tourism industry professionals from across the state, as well as tourism partners from the surrounding region.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) anthropology students partnered with Pass Road Elementary School and the Historical Society of Gulfport to help clean and preserve the historic Mississippi City Cemetery during a recent community service event.

GAUTIER—Coastal Mississippi offers a wide variety of experiences on many different stages, but only Eco-Tours of South Mississippi can offer an up close and personal tour of the beauty and serenity of the wild and undeveloped waterways of Jackson County.

For years, Mississippi’s name showed up at the bottom of too many lists. Poverty, health, income — we’ve heard it…

I moved from Mississippi to Massachusetts on September 7, 2025. Eager to finally embark on a new journey, I did not know how much of a cultural shock I would experience. Below are three of the first differences I have noticed within nearly a month of arriving. 

PASCAGOULA—While some cities try to hide their mysterious, weird or strange stories, Pascagoula celebrates its crazy, dresses it up and even hosts a special annual celebration to commemorate the story that has been told for more than 50 years.

When one walks into the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs, the odds are that they will immediately be met by the museum’s own Ginny Garlotte. A native of D’Iberville, Mississippi and long-time patron of the arts, Garlotte is not only the face of visitor services and inquiries at the front desk of WAMA, but she is also one of the Gulf Coast’s most humble visual artists. A well-read and passionate researcher,  Garlotte has created a theme of artwork that is both strong in beauty and amusement.  

PASCAGOULA—Whether you are a competitive kayaker or a leisurely kayaker enjoying scenery, the Pascagoula River Paddle Battle has something for everyone on its 11.5-mile course.

The world lost one of the most influential conservationists of the past century with the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall. Her love of the natural world and subsequent call for us to champion a balance in the way we view nature began with her ground-breaking research on chimpanzees in the forest of Tanzania, Africa. She was a household name, right up there with Mr. Rodgers, and Big Bird. She carried herself with dignity and was a forceful voice for the creatures and places she loved.

This beautiful autumn weather is the perfect time for enjoying a nice, long car ride along the back roads and byways of our scenic state.

PASCAGOULA—What started 29 years ago to celebrate antique, classic and hot rod vehicles, nostalgic music and related events with only 374 registered participants in Biloxi. It has now spread from state line to state line with block parties all along the entire Gulf Coast. Cruisin’ the Coast 2025 is revving its engines for a week of vintage cars, music and parades from October 5 to 12 and expecting to surpass its 9,961 registered cars.

What started as a small benefit concert in 2016 has grown into a three-day music festival that not only celebrates local talent but also raises vital funds for animal shelters across the Coast. Frets for Pets, founded by Dimitri Curtis, once began as a humble “Show Us Your Cans” food drive and has since blossomed into one of the area’s most unique charitable events.

You might not think of apples as a native crop to Mississippi. Yet, our ancestors, living on homesteads from the Delta to the Gulf Coast, would have enjoyed apple varieties adapted to their specific climate. Your great-great-grandparents would never have seen or recognized today’s popular apples, such as Red Delicious or Granny Smith. Thanks to fruit explorers and orchardists, some of Mississippi’s heirloom apples are making a comeback. 

PASCAGOULA—Zonta…it isn’t just a festival, but to the Jackson County community, Zonta is synonymous for a fun day of shopping…