Area News

  The Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), announces the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) will provide assistance for eligible Mississippians during the Medicare Open Enrollment period that runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. During this enrollment period, Medicare recipients have an opportunity to review and adjust…

By Toni Miles The 2026 midterm elections, set for November 3, will determine representation in Congress and other offices across the country.  Mississippi’s statewide and congressional races include positions for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.   Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.  Harrison County’s published election schedule lists polling hours from…

  So far in 2026, there have been 65 fire deaths in Mississippi. There were no working smoke alarms in at least 40 of those cases. Compare that to the 75 residential fire deaths in 2025, when there were no working smoke alarms in 41 of the cases. That means that smoke alarms weren’t working…

By Hank Zuber   Every morning, more than 11,000 Mississippians pass through the gates of Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula. They are master welders, pipefitters, electricians, and engineers building the backbone of the U.S. Navy. From Jackson County, these skilled workers construct Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, America-class amphibious assault ships, and San Antonio-class transport docks. Ingalls…

By Guest Columnist Renee Rayburn, LBPL Youth and Technology Services   Hello, Long Beach! There is much to report as we head into November.  The Long Beach Public Library is now officially part of the Harrison County Library System, so in the next few weeks you should notice changes taking place. Here are some of…

  Sparklight®, a leading high-speed internet and mobile provider, is accepting applications for its Fall 2026 Charitable Giving Fund, offering nonprofit organizations across the company’s 24-state service area an opportunity to apply for a grant. KEY FACTS Sparklight’s Fall 2026 Charitable Giving Fund application period runs from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2026. Eligible applicants…

By Toni Miles   Proposed annexation of the Long Beach Industrial Park and surrounding properties raises questions about economic growth, tax revenue, public services and the impact on residents, an issue that will ultimately be decided by a court of law. The City of Long Beach is pressing forward with an effort to annex approximately…

By Toni Miles     There’s a traitor in “the Family,” someone plotting to overthrow the Godfather of the local mob. Who could it be?   That’s a question for patrons at the upcoming MS SOFIA Mafia Murder Mystery Dinner to figure out, but attendees, beware! The production’s catch phrase is “You’ll die laughing!” The…

  The Long Beach Historical Society invites the community to its Cemetery Tour on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Long Beach City Cemetery, located off Girard Avenue. The tour offers an opportunity for residents and visitors to explore Long Beach’s history and learn about the people whose lives helped…

By Toni Miles     I met him as the Godfather, Father G, the boss of an Italian mob family. He and a number of his and other Catholic parishioners in South Mississippi were my co-stars in the 2022 Murder Mafia Mystery Dinner fundraiser, hosted by the Mississippi Society of Italian Americans (MS SOFIA) back…