(Photo by Bryce Mitchell)

Animal shelters offer numerous benefits to communities, including providing a haven for homeless animals, reducing pet overpopulation, and promoting responsible pet ownership. They also play a crucial role in animal rescue, rehabilitation, and finding loving homes for animals in need. Regional animal shelters can have a positive impact on local economies and contribute to community well-being. 

Bass fishing’s most prestigious tournament series is coming to Columbus, the only Mississippi stop on the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series schedule. From March 26–29, the nation’s top professional anglers will compete on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, marking only the second time the Elite Series has ever cast a line in Mississippi.

A new digital tool aims to make it easier for southeast Mississippi residents to stay informed, engaged and connected to what matters most in their communities.

Ready or not … it is time for Mississippi kids to head back to school. 

Of course, that also means it is time to buy new clothes and school supplies. For parents that can be a daunting, expensive, time-consuming task. But for grandmothers like me, shopping for school supplies is a yearly adventure filled with laughter, good food, and lots of cash. 

A dozen local children will soon sleep more soundly thanks to a collaborative effort between Sparklight® and the Jackson County chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP). During a volunteer event held July 18 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, 30 Sparklight associates and family members worked alongside SHP volunteers to build beds for children who previously didn’t have one of their own.

Bargain hunters, collectors, and curious passersby will soon have a reason to roam the streets of Hattiesburg’s historic district neighborhood. The Avenues Wide Yard Sale is set to return on August 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM, bringing with it a full day of community charm and front-yard finds. Stay updated on their official Facebook page. 

Mississippi knows how to make an impression—and now the rest of the country is catching on. Tucked in the rolling hills of Oktibbeha County, the vibrant city of Starkville has just been named the No. 1 Small Town to Visit in the South by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. That’s right—Starkville topped the list, and anyone who’s ever spent a Saturday strolling through downtown or cheering on the Bulldogs knows exactly why.

Nothing says summer like ice cream! National Ice Cream Day, celebrated annually on the third Sunday in July, was officially declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. He also proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month. This action aimed to recognize the popularity of ice cream and the importance of the dairy industry. The day is now widely celebrated with various ice cream promotions and events. 

The Hattiesburg Zoo is rolling out three new animal experiences which allow guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with several unique species.  New experiences are the Anteater Feeding Experience, the South America Yard Experience and the Giraffe Experience.  

Integer Technologies and the University of Southern Mississippi announce the Office of Naval Research has awarded their team a $25 million ceiling contract, with a fully funded initial base period of $4.3 million. The applied research contract supports the development of novel software to help the U.S. Navy maintain maritime dominance and increase its seabed warfare capabilities.

In the heart of Yalobusha County, where small-town charm meets Southern celebration, Water Valley is gearing up once again for one of Mississippi’s most beloved summer traditions—the Watermelon Carnival, now in its 51st year. Always set for the first Friday and Saturday in August, this iconic event transforms historic Main Street into a lively festival that draws an estimated 20,000 visitors annually.

The University of Mississippi is looking to catch learning disabilities sooner and expand educational resources in north Mississippi through a new Early Learning and Evaluation Center.

Nestled in the storied hills of Oxford, Mississippi, sits one of Mississippi’s most intriguing homes, Rowan Oak. The antebellum-style home was built in 1844 by Irish immigrant Colonel Robert Sheegog and is most popularly known as the longtime residence of Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner.

Mississippi State University is in Money’s recently released list of the 2025 Best Colleges in America.

MSU is one of 732 four-year U.S. public and private nonprofit institutions making this year’s list after the national financial news outlet analyzed a pool of 2,400 schools.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Center for Fisheries and Research Development (CFRD) and the Mississippi Aquarium are gearing up for Shark Weekend, set for Saturday July 26, and Sunday, July 27. CFRD has collaborated with the Aquarium on this fin-tastic event since the Aquarium opened five years ago.