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Karli Matthews, a middle school student at Lee Academy in Clarksdale, has been named Mississippi’s state champion for the National Civics Bee®. 

Labor Day is right around the corner, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that a break is very much needed. Thankfully, you can spend your Labor Day weekend exploring one (or more) of the greatest destinations Mississippi has to offer. Here are the top five destinations I’d recommend. 

On Friday, August 22, 2025, a powerful reminder of community compassion will unfold as Operation Warm Heart donates 40 comfort kit boxes to the Biloxi Fire and Police Departments. Twenty kits will be presented to each department during a special ceremony that will bring together first responders, local officials, and community leaders.

A comprehensive master plan has been recently completed for a new 15-acre district featuring a boutique hotel, restaurants and retail stores on the land between the MSU campus and the Cotton District, developers announced Aug. 20. It is to be named the Crossroads District.

Regardless of the scorching temperatures in Mississippi, it is never too early to start discussing fall fashion and daydreaming about our future fabulous fall outfits. Each new year brings in new fashion trends and endless styling possibilities. Below are five fashion trends to look out for this fall.

The 2025 CrossFit Games have concluded, crowning the Fittest Man and Woman on Earth. But the quest for the fittest in the world isn’t over. The Teenage CrossFit Games 2025 (athletes aged 14-17) will be held in Columbus, Ohio, from August 21-24, at the Columbus Convention Center, along with the Masters CrossFit Games (athletes aged 35 and older), organized by Legends. Mississippi will be sending an athlete in two categories to compete against athletes of their age from around the world. 

In case you have not figured it out yet, balloon arches are a must-have item for all celebrations and important events. 

Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a baby gender reveal, a wedding shower, a graduation party, or a corporate event, the appropriate balloon arch is the piéce de résistance.

Back to school means back to fast-paced schedules and dinner plans staying up in the air. Even though today’s busy lifestyle makes eating together a challenge, it’s worth the effort, even if it’s a few times a week. Studies show that eating with others offers numerous benefits, including nutritional, health, social, and mental advantages. When it’s families that gather around the table together to eat regularly, research supports that it can reduce the risk of depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse, while increasing self-esteem and resilience in children.

Mississippi’s education ranking has climbed to 16th in the nation – the state’s highest ranking ever – according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book released this summer. 

Mississippi may be daydreaming of pumpkin spice and cool breezes, but don’t pack up those fans and umbrellas just yet. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, fall 2025 in the Magnolia State is shaping up to be a scorcher—with a twist of unpredictability.

The St. Martin High School girls’ flag football team recently won the inaugural Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) state championship. They defeated George County High School in the final game, which was part of the first-ever MHSAA flag football season. The team, along with several of its seniors, has been recognized for its historic achievement and its impact on the sport in Mississippi. 

Sending kids back to school is a bittersweet time of the year. Yes, moms and dads are ready for the return to a school-based routine. (A lot of kids are too, if the truth is told.) But the loss of that slower, relaxed schedule and the reality of less time together as a family is sad. Plus, summer is just fun, filled with comfy clothes, outdoor fun, and more spontaneity.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.