Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Verizon retailer to give away free backpacks at multiple Mid-South locations
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - If you missed any of the back-to-school giveaways over the weekend, there’s still a chance to grab free supplies! At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, the Round Room, a Verizon retailer, will give away $3 million worth of free backpacks...

USC star JuJu Watkins' latest photodump elicits reactions from Kateri Poole and Rian Forester
USC Trojans star JuJu Watkins has been rehabilitating from her torn ACL sustained during the 2025 NCAA Tournament against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. According to an ESPN report, Watkins has been tabbed to miss a big portion of the 2025-26...

Destination Driftless: Area communities seek to continue growing local tourism
A recent Wall Street Journal article touted Dubuque as “the place to be this summer,” but local tourism leaders already knew this to be the case. The city continued to bolster a significant tourism sector since the launch of Dubuque Greyhound Park...
Mississippi bucket list: 3 travel options for a great summer vacation
Mississippi bucket list: Moon Travel Guides lists 3 ways to have a great summer vacation

Mile High Denver: A Guide to Colorado’s Hip Capital
Denver's downtown skyline catches the evening light, with the city's mix of glass towers and green parkland showcasing why Colorado's capital draws visitors year-round. Photo courtesy of Visit Denver Exploring Denver, Colorado People are often...

Tornado debris can travel surprisingly far after a violent storm
The radar image above shows the debris fallout from a violent tornado in southern Mississippi on April 12, 2020. A powerful EF-4 tornado damaged or destroyed thousands of structures along its 110-kilometre path. Special technology embedded in...
Ryan Coogler travels the Blues Trail
Ryan Coogler announced himself as a filmmaking force to be reckoned with 2013’s Fruitvale Station, his emotionally gripping, based-on-a-true story directorial debut. In 2015, he revitalized the iconic Rocky franchise with Creed which cemented his...

Travel like a European by taking an open-jaw journey
The great American road trip is a summer travel staple. But for many, the lasting impression might be the seemingly endless serenade of “Are we there yet?” With efficiency borrowed from European travelers who’ve mastered open-jaw travel — flying...

Family-Friendly Vacation Spots To Visit Before The Kids Head Back-To-School
A few spots that suitable for families to explore As another school year rolls around, families are gearing up for one last opportunity to bond and chill. Before the kids jump back into academic mode, some parents are on a quest for...

Mississippi mission team brings VBS to isolated Dakota community
ENEMY SWIM, S.D. – The Choctaw Baptist Association in Ackerman, Miss., led its first combined mission trip last month when 21 adults and youth drove for two days to partner with an isolated church in remote South Dakota. The team consisted of...

Mississippi Has the 2nd Highest STD Rate in the Country
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)—also referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—remain a persistent public health challenge in the United States, affecting millions of people each year. The Centers for Disease Control and...

Iowa mayor starts campaign to get state's first Buc-ee's travel center
Norwalk wants a Buc-ee's and is asking for the public's help to make it happen. The city's mayor and Economic Development Department are asking the travel center chain to consider making Norwalk home to what would be Buc-ee's first Iowa location....

Traveling hours to see a doctor in Kansas
In western Kansas, rural hospitals have been closing or are perpetually understaffed, leaving residents to drive anywhere from an hour to multiple hours for doctors appointments. Plus: Scientists are working on a new framework that factors climate...

DeSoto County updates property assessments: What you should know
DeSoto County property assessments were updated to move them closer to fair market value. The change, mandated by the Mississippi Department of Revenue, will likely increase property taxes for many homeowners. Homeowners can dispute assessments...

Assignment Editor
Job Title: Broadcast Assignment Editor Location: WXXV-TV Department: Newsroom Reports To: News Content Manager Employment Type: Full-time Position Overview: The Broadcast Assignment Editor plays a key role in our fast-paced newsroom environment,...

America's Most Underrated Road Trip Pit Stops
The U.S. has a deeply ingrained road trip culture as home to the largest network of roads in the world. The driving country has 4.2 million miles of highways, interstates, and public roads. But when talking about classic American road trips,...

Travel time rose post-Dobbs in states limiting abortion, with AZ seeing surge from Texas
WASHINGTON – In 14 states that made abortion all but impossible to obtain after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, women seeking to end a pregnancy had to drive four times further on average – 11.3 hours, up from 2.8 hours. “People are...
Swimming not recommended at 13 Iowa state beaches this week due to E. coli levels
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. More than a dozen Iowa state beaches have posted swim warnings this week due to high E. coli levels found in the water. Iowa Department of Natural...
What are brain-eating amoebas? Could they be in Mississippi waters?
A South Carolina boy died after swimming in a freshwater lake due to Naegleria fowleri, known as the brain-eating amoeba. Infections from the amoeba are rare but almost always fatal, occurring in warm freshwater sources like lakes, ponds, and...