Collins preparing for 6th helping of ‘Christmas in the Courtyard’

LAUREL, Miss. (WDAM) - Families in Jones County are being fed spiritually and physically, thanks to a local church. Bethlehem Community Church in Laurel is wrapping up the final day of its two-night ‘Convoy of Hope’ event. During the Convoy of Hope, any family who attends service either...

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - The way was officially cleared Tuesday night to allow beer and light wine sales in the City of Purvis. The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to pass the city’s ordinance regarding alcohol sales in the city’s limits. The city’s businesses now can apply...

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A man who was allegedly killed by a 15-year-old who a judge described as “one of the most dangerous” suspects he had ever seen was the father of two girls and an “avid hunter,” says his family. William Douglas Wood was killed...

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Students at the Forrest County campus of Pearl River Community College are enjoying a new option when it comes to catching a quick bite between classes. A new food truck operated by PRCC and Aladdin Campus Dining has begun serving hamburgers, tacos, chicken tenders and Philly...

FORREST COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - The Forrest County Sheriff’s Office held a farewell ceremony Wednesday for one of its furry officers, Abby Jo. After eight years of loyal service to the department, the search and recuse bloodhound is retiring from active duty. A younger bloodhound, Juno, will now be...

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The Simpson County School District has agreed to change a policy that prohibited a 3rd-grade student from wearing a face mask with the phrase “Jesus Loves Me” on it. According to a press release, the student, Lydia Booth wanted to peacefully share her views...

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - Get ready for the Greatest Show on Dirt!. The 37th annual University of Southern Mississippi/Coca-Cola Rodeo will be riding into town this weekend, set for Friday and Saturday shows at the James Lynn Cartlidge Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center, 962 Sullivan Drive, Hattiesburg. Advance tickets can...

LAUREL, Miss. (WDAM) - The Laurel Arts League has just announced that applications are open for the organization’s scholarship programs for high school and college students. Two scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded to college students majoring in a visual fine arts degree program at a public or private college or university. Four scholarships of $500 will also be awarded to area high school students.

PETAL, Miss. (WDAM) -Only three weeks into 2023.. and already, The Pine Belt already has seen two, First Alert Weather days. Minimal damage was reported across the Pine Belt, but one lighting strike reportedly touched the ground. Over the past few weeks, we have seen hundreds of lightning strikes across...

FORREST COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - The Forrest County Sheriff’s Office reported it found $10K worth of tools inside an SUV that was reported stolen. However, the owner of the SUV said the tools were not his. FCSO said it received the report of a stolen vehicle from a Forrest...

BROOKHAVEN, Miss. (WLBT) - It’s a day many in Mississippi thought would never come, but it has happened: The first medical marijuana products were purchased in the state on Wednesday. The sale occurred in Brookhaven at The Cannabis Company. The shipment came in around 1 p.m., yet before the...

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The Hattiesburg Police Department needs your help identifying two people wanted for vandalizing property. According to a video uploaded to HPD’s Facebook page, two people are seen who are believed to have spray-painted multiple sections of walls in the 200 block of Forrest Street on Monday, Jan. 23.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The City of Hattiesburg’s Parks and Recreation Director Chris McGee will retire Friday after. “My time working for the City of Hattiesburg has been tremendously rewarding, from making great strides in programming offerings to working alongside our community partners to expand our public facilities,” said McGee. “Our city is experiencing a lot of momentum, and I’m proud to have played a role in it.”

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - Local, state and federal law enforcement executed three search warrants on Thursday, Jan. 26, at Candy Shop & Kratom locations around Hattiesburg. According to the Hattiesburg Police Department (HPD), agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HPD, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Forrest and Lamar county sheriff’s departments, FBI and Mississippi Attorney General’s Office are involved in the investigation.

Southern Miss happy to have Neftali Alvarez back in the fold. Southern Miss happy to have Neftali Alvarez back in the fold. The sheriff's department said it's making sure the community is safe but also keeping its fellow deputies safe as well. Human Trafficking Summit at USM. Updated: 5 hours...

JONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - Forest rangers will conduct prescribed burns in Jones County on Friday, Jan. 27. The controlled burns will take place over 1,952 acres in the Chickasawhay Wildlife Management Area, around 3 miles northeast of Ovett. Crews will be working along Forest Service Roads 201 and 205.

COLUMBIA, Miss. (WDAM) - Construction of phase one of the new Columbia Sportsplex is nearing completion. Columbia Mayor Justin McKenzie said the build-out of the first part of the facility is about 85% complete. He said local youth league baseball play should begin on April 1. The sportsplex will have...

LAUREL, Miss. (WDAM) - Laurel High School students got a chance Thursday to explore potential jobs at a career fair. Representatives from local businesses to government agencies were in attendance to present students with different career paths after graduation. Thursday’s was the first career fair sponsored by the Jones County...

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - “He shouldn’t walk again in the free world. He don’t deserve that. We’ll never get past this. Me and my family are broken and torn.”. A Jackson family is still devastated and heartbroken after losing the person they called “the life of the family.”