Hey there, Hattiesburg! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Artists @ The Author Shoppe and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a tail, but no body? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Main Squeeze gets new Hattiesburg owners, plans Pine Belt expansion (rhcjcnews.com) — A Main Squeeze Juice Co. store in Midtown Hattiesburg has new local owners, the Sakota family, who plan to open two additional Pine Belt locations by 2028. The shop on South 31st Avenue remains Mississippi's only Main Squeeze for now, offering cold-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls and more while the owners scout sites for the new stores.
2. We Ranked The 8 Best Italian Spots In Mississippi That Serve Incredible Chicken Parm, And Here's Who Made The Cut (takingthekids.com) — Two Hattiesburg favorites, Mario's Italian Restaurant & Bar and Tabella, both earn spots on a statewide list of Mississippi's best chicken parmesan. The write-up praises Mario's classic parm and friendly vibe on Carlisle Street, while Tabella on Hardy Street gets credit for scratch cooking and house-made pasta that help anchor Hattiesburg's growing food scene.
3. Vernon Dahmer's family fights to protect his legacy (wjtv.com) — Vernon Dahmer's family in Hattiesburg is speaking out to ensure his civil rights legacy is portrayed accurately, especially in light of a new film they say distorts key facts. A recent screening of the documentary "Killed by the Klan" at USM offered residents and students a chance to learn Dahmer's real story and why his fight for voting rights still matters today.
4. Mississippi tops states in student loan defaults as borrowers struggle to repay (wtok.com) — From Hattiesburg, a new report shows Mississippi has one of the nation's highest student loan default rates, with more than a quarter of borrowers in default. Local students and experts link the problem to low wages and unfinished degrees, while state leaders roll out new financial literacy requirements in schools and universities to help future borrowers make smarter decisions.
5. Mississippi receives $104M for rural healthcare (wjtv.com) — Mississippi is directing over $104 million to upgrade rural healthcare, and several sizable grants are headed to Hattiesburg Clinic and Forrest County General Hospital. These awards will bolster cybersecurity, electronic records, AI documentation, and telehealth tools, meaning Hattiesburg-area patients should see more reliable systems, better protected data, and easier access to specialty care over time.
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Ok Hattiesburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Coin (Thank you John W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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