USM Student Balances School, Restaurant Ownership

Luis Carvajal was only 17 years-old and still in high school when he became a restaurant owner alongside his brother. Despite his new responsibilities, he planned to continue his education. “I didn’t just want to finish there in high school,” he said. “I still wanted to pursue a degree.”...

A “Rich” History of USM’s Powerhouse

Have you ever spent time in the courtyard in front of the Cook library? If so, you may have noticed the smokestack attached to the building that houses Panda Express. Perhaps you found it out of place and wondered why a restaurant would need a smokestack. To answer that, we...

Businessman Thomas Duff speaks at Lamar County Republican Dinner

LAMAR COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - One of Mississippi’s most prominent businessmen and a possible 2027 governor candidate spoke to Lamar County Republicans Tuesday night. Thomas Duff, co-founder and co-owner of Duff Capital Investors, was the keynote speaker for the Lamar County Republican Dinner at Canebrake Country Club. Duff spoke...

Brenton Breland joins Pearl River County MSU Extension Office

The Mississippi State University Extension Service is pleased to welcome Brenton Breland as the new Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Pearl River County. Breland officially began his new […]

Hattiesburg Restaurant Week gets ‘On A Roll’ with creative dishes, support for local businesses

Hattiesburg Restaurant Week gets ‘On A Roll’ with creative dishes, support for local businesses.

Georgia-Pacific Monticello completes $110 million log line improvement project

Georgia-Pacific’s containerboard facility in Monticello, Mississippi, recently commissioned a $110 million log line modernization project — upgrades that reduce truck unloading times and strengthen the mill’s status as an industry […]

As hurricane makes landfall, Pine Belt power crews stand ready to respond

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - As a hurricane approaches the Gulf Coast, electric companies across the Pine Belt are making sure their crews are ready to respond if the lights go out. At Dixie Electric in Laurel, crews spent Friday loading equipment, checking their trucks and preparing for possible power...

$20,500 grant funds improvements at five Poplarville businesses

Five Poplarville businesses are making improvements to their properties with help from a $20,500 grant.  Main Street Poplarville received the funding from Mississippi Power and Coast Electric in January to […]

Power companies across the Pine Belt ready to respond to outages from hurricane

‘Excessive amount’ of gas odor detected in Columbia; no threat to public, Delta Utilities say

COLUMBIA, Miss. (WDAM) - Officials responded to reports of a natural gas odor in parts of Columbia Wednesday. According to Delta Utilities, crews responded after receiving reports of the odor and began investigating the possible source. The gas company said an “excessive amount of odorant,” a substance added to natural...

The Lucky Rabbit Supports Local Businesses

The Lucky Rabbit in downtown Hattiesburg has become a community staple and a destination for tourists. Filled with retro items and quirky knickknacks, the store offers visitors a trip through time. Its changing themes throughout the year add to its appeal. The Lucky Rabbit hosts events inspired by holidays, popular...

This Little Mississippi Bookshop Keeps Going Deeper Than Its Storefront, With Hours Of Used Books To Browse

Some of the best afternoons start with a quick peek through a shop window. In Mississippi, there is a small bookstore that looks tiny from the sidewalk but keeps stretching farther back the moment you step inside. Shelves of used books, quirky reading gadgets, and friendly conversation wait around every...

Rising rates put Picayune metro’s vacation homes in focus

With mortgage rates climbing to 7.28% this week—their highest level in nearly three years—and fresh reporting highlighting mounting pressure in vacation-home markets, there’s a growing question about which communities have […]

Request for Proposals – Accounting Services | Downtown Hattiesburg Association

The Downtown Hattiesburg Association (DHA) is currently seeking proposals from qualified accounting firms in the Hattiesburg area to provide accounting and financial services for our organization. Attached is our Request for Proposals, which includes information about the scope of services, expectations, and submission requirements. We invite local firms to review...

Faces of Success: Natalie Guess

Natalie Guess is an innovation and economic development leader, entrepreneur, author and community advocate who has built her career around connecting people, ideas and opportunities to create meaningful impact. Q: Tell us about yourself and the impact you’re making. A: As assistant director of innovation and impact at The...

$6B data center planned for Jefferson Davis, one of the poorest counties in the country

A $6 billion data center is being planned for Jefferson Davis County. The developer, Eagle Rock Partners, hosted an informational meeting on Tuesday to talk with people about their concerns and answer questions about the project, which is called the Big Woods Technology Park. Construction could begin as early as 2027.