This time of year, I almost always get asked the same question: where have all the pelicans gone? For many of us that frequent beaches and coastal bayous, we enjoy watching pelicans and the many other coastal birds that live there. It wouldn’t be the coast without the sounds and sights of Brown Pelicans and Laughing Gulls that are hard to miss most of the time.  

“I am a student. I am here to learn.” These nine words marked the earliest moments of my childhood and ultimately shaped the trajectory of my life. Let’s face it—more often than not, people don’t think very highly of Mississippi’s education system. Whether you agree with this sentiment or not, I think we can all acknowledge that learning in Mississippi is a beautifully unique experience that cannot truly be put into words—although I will do my best to convey it in this article.

Brunch is nice. So are flowers. But according to thousands of moms, what they’d really love this Mother’s Day is a break – a proper “momcation.”

“I am not a teacher, but an awakener.”

These words from Robert Frost aptly describe one of my family’s favorite teachers, Holly Bailey. 

Currently a career coach with Create Foundation’s Toyota Wellspring, Holly Bailey taught various levels of science to students at Tupelo and East Union for over three decades. 

Petal native, Cole Blalock has been practicing magic for over 20 years. Like many, his passion began as a hobby.…

Kellea Newton has been an educator for 21 years.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi, she began her career at Resurrection Catholic School (RCS) where she taught 5th grade and up. She is currently the 6th grade math teacher at Trent Lott Academy in Pascagoula.

Genesis Larsen of Pascagoula has been a teacher for over two decades. She started her career in education in 2002.…

Teachers are not just educators but mentors, guides, and role models who profoundly impact students’ lives. For many teachers, the educator profession feels more like a calling, a strong internal motivation to work to have a positive and lasting impact on students’ lives. Not all teachers understand that calling until life allows them to experience the impact potential.

Scientists with Mississippi State University are playing a key role in an exciting new fossil discovery that’s close to campus, a discovery that may represent the largest mosasaur ever found in the state.

The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) recently celebrated a significant milestone with the ribbon cutting of its newly constructed, state-of-the-art therapy playground, funded by a generous grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation.

Tatum Elise Brown has only been a teacher for two years but already she has found her calling. She is the 2nd grade reading comprehension teacher at Holly Springs Primary School in Holly Springs, Miss.

In the Hub City, the calendar is filling up.

From trivia nights and pop-up concerts to farmers markets and zoo events, businesses and community groups are turning weekdays into shared experiences. With support from city tourism leaders and a wave of independent creativity, these efforts are reshaping Hattiesburg into a year-round destination for entertainment, connection and culture.

Special Education teacher Amanda Black of Pascagoula has been teaching within the Pascagoula-Gautier School District for 13 years.

The truth is that every single day is the day for teacher appreciation. After all, every other job is made possible, in part, by a teacher. So, yes, we should always be thankful for our amazing Mississippi teachers.

Today, let’s begin by thanking one family that truly is filled with teachers: Jeff and Lisa Tally have literally spent a lifetime teaching and loving on the students of Mooreville, Mississippi. 

Until I moved to the Gulf Coast in 1992, hot sauce was just not a part of my culinary world. In fact, there was almost nothing spicy in my diet, and I thought a jalapeno pepper was about as hot as it got. Silly me. The Coast really does have its own culinary micro food culture, from po-boys to gumbo, and hot sauce is a big part of it.

Spring brings a flush of new green leaves to our landscape, in every shade and hue. But these young leaves do not keep their pristine shapes for long, because an army of hungry caterpillars race to eat them as fast as they can. The timing is no accident. It is an ongoing tit for tat between plants and insects that has driven evolution of both groups for millennia.