State News
Monday, May 4, 2026 · Poplarville
Mississippi Rolls Out $10M Tech Incentives for Rural Boom
The Mississippi Development Authority has greenlit $10 million in tax credits and grants to lure tech firms to rural counties, aiming to spark jobs and growth beyond urban hubs. From Madison County's AWS hyperscale data centers to emerging projects in Lauderdale, the Magnolia State is betting big on high-tech expansion. Officials say this package builds on record investments, positioning Mississippi as a Southeast tech contender.
Mississippi Stars Shine in Hattiesburg All-Star Football Clash
Hattiesburg's M.M. Roberts Stadium lit up as 100 top Mississippi high school seniors battled Alabama counterparts in the 2025 All-Star Classic. Scholarships dangled for elite performers amid fierce regional rivalry. Local talents from across the Magnolia State seized the spotlight.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Mississippi Guard Mobilizes 1,000+ for 2026 Hurricane Drills
With the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season looming, over 1,000 Mississippi National Guard members launched statewide preparedness drills to combat rising coastal flood risks. Gov. Tate Reeves' declaration of Hurricane Preparedness Week underscores the urgency after last year's active storm season. Mississippians from Gulfport to Jackson are urged to ready their kits now.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Beau Rivage Breaks Ground on $250M Biloxi Tower, Eyes Tourism Boom
Biloxi's Beau Rivage Resort & Casino has launched construction on a towering 42-story hotel addition, promising 400 new rooms and millions in tourism revenue. The $250 million project signals renewed growth for Mississippi's Coast casino hub amid competing developments. Local leaders hail it as a game-changer for jobs and visitors.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Mississippi Teachers Score $2K Raise After Cuts in Budget Deal
Mississippi lawmakers slashed ambitious teacher pay raise plans to a modest $2,000 one-year boost amid Medicaid funding shortfalls from federal cuts. The compromise, finalized in weekend negotiations, prioritizes fiscal prudence over larger hikes sought by the House and Senate. Educators in Jackson and beyond hope it's a starting point to combat shortages.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Chevron's $500M Pascagoula Boost Eyes 200 Jobs, Bigger Output
Chevron's $500 million expansion at its Pascagoula refinery promises 200 construction jobs and positions the facility as a Gulf Coast powerhouse. The upgrade, rooted in post-Katrina recovery, ramps up gasoline production to over 6 million gallons daily. Mississippi's energy hub stands to gain as the refinery climbs to fifth-largest in the U.S.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Southern Miss Softball Eyes Repeat Glory After Strong 2025 Sun Belt Run
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles softball team surged to the 2025 Sun Belt regular-season title with a gritty 4-1 win over Texas State, igniting pride across Hattiesburg. Finishing 33-23 overall with 14 conference wins—their best since 2016—they fell short in the tournament but set the stage for a dominant 2026 campaign. Now hosting the Black and Gold Challenge, the Eagles from Mississippi's Piney Woods are poised for postseason redemption.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Ole Miss Rebels Fall Short in 2025 SEC Baseball Title Game
The Ole Miss Rebels' dream of an SEC baseball tournament championship ended in heartbreak, dropping a 3-2 decision to Vanderbilt in the 2025 finals at Hoover Met. Despite advancing to the semifinals with a gritty 5-3 win over the Commodores earlier, No. 7 seed Rebels couldn't overcome Vanderbilt's pitching in the decisive Sunday matchup. Mississippi fans watched their team fight to the final out, limited to just three or four hits.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Jackson Trio Busted in Robbery Spree, $6M Bonds Set
Jackson police shattered a violent crime wave with the arrest of three suspects tied to a string of armed robberies, home invasions and assaults. Graig Bradley, Daja Logan and Curtavious Simpson face a barrage of felony charges after a routine traffic stop exposed their reign of terror on the capital city's streets. Victims, including Hispanic and Indian residents, can now breathe easier as authorities lock in $6 million bonds each.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Mississippi Medicaid Expansion Stalls Amid Federal Cuts, Reeves Veto
Mississippi's long-debated Medicaid expansion for 200,000 working adults has hit a wall, with top Republicans citing federal funding cuts under President Trump's policies. Despite past legislative pushes, including HB 1725's veto-proof passage, the effort is dead for now. Hospitals and rural clinics brace for the fallout as coverage gaps widen.
Monday, May 4, 2026