Good morning Hattiesburg! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why was the scarecrow given an award? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. This Hattiesburg business had six violations in one health inspection (sunherald.com) — One Hattiesburg-area restaurant, school, or food facility received a failing health inspection grade in September, continuing a pattern of periodic failures across Forrest and Lamar counties. State data show fluctuating numbers of failed inspections this year, giving local diners a snapshot of how often area kitchens fall short of Mississippi's safety standards.
2. Children's Book Festival Registration (usm.edu) — Registration is now open for the 2027 Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival hosted by Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, with discounted early-bird rates before regular pricing begins January 1. Local educators, librarians, and students can choose from several registration tiers, including special USM community pricing and optional ticketed luncheons spread across the three-day event.
3. Breast Cancer Awareness Month highlights early detection (wjtv.com) — In Hattiesburg, a Forrest General diagnostic radiologist and a local breast cancer survivor are urging women to prioritize regular screenings and self-exams during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They explain common warning signs, why mammograms typically start at age 40, and how earlier screening may be recommended for those with a strong family history.
4. Community packs the patches of Mitchell Farms for 16th Annual MS Peanut Festival (wdam.com) — Families from across the region are spending the weekend at Mitchell Farms in Collins for the 16th Annual Mississippi Peanut Festival, which continues today. Organizers say many visitors make a full trip of it by staying in Laurel and touring historic Laurel, Hattiesburg, and Collins, turning the festival into a broader Pine Belt getaway.
5. Shad White Says Delta 'Deserves Better' Than Bennie Thompson (mississippifreepress.org) — Mississippi lawmakers are weighing new legislative and congressional maps after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakened Voting Rights Act protections, sparking tense debate over Rep. Bennie Thompson's Delta district. During a statewide listening tour that included a stop at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, residents and civic leaders warned that early redistricting could roll back recent gains in Black representation.
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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: "Why was the scarecrow given an award?" — Because he was outstanding in his field! (Thank you Teresa M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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