PETROGNANO, TUSCANY— Since 2017, over 1,350 people have traveled with me on more than 55 trips to seven European countries and 40 European cities. What started as a single, one-off trip hosting a few people interested in the people and places I had discovered in Tuscany has turned into a second busi
Sniffles and sneezes are an inevitable part of growing up. But if your child has a lingering runny nose and cough – or both appear around the same time each year – it could be seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies typically happen in the spring, summer, and early fall.Symptoms of seasonal allergie
It’s no secret that at the foundation of Coastal Mississippi’s success is gaming, government contracts, and military bases.The casinos in Harrison and Hancock counties rake in around $1.6 billion annually, employing thousands with over 9,000 direct jobs and another 18,000 or so tied to the ripple ef
Since I retired as a media CEO and started digging into Coastal Mississippi’s future on my SuperTalk Mississippi show, I’ve had over 1,400 conversations that keep me fired up and more focused on the potential of our region.So many of those conversations have been really important – statewide leaders
In virtually every political poll of current times, it has become impossible to beat an incumbent who has been there for more than one term unless the opponent has solid name recognition.Several questions have been raised about new candidates who are attempting to run for city positions in the upcom
Attention to detail – a phrase used in classrooms, locker rooms, and workplaces across the world. The basis of the phrase is if you pay attention to the little things, the big things will come together and work out as intended.Detail was not paid attention to by someone, or multiple people for that
Agriculture is the backbone of Mississippi’s economy and the lifeblood of many of our small, rural communities. Our farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses produce a vast array of food and forestry products. They are not just providing food, fiber, shelter, and fuel for consumption in the U.S.; they a
The last time I wrote about our future, I felt it: Coastal Mississippi teetering on the edge of something massive. We’re already an economic engine for this state, but our region is bursting with untapped potential.Thriving ports, new jobs, and our incredible cities – each with its own unique pulse
As the world watches America’s next moves, Senator Roger Wicker stands ready to play a pivotal role. As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Republican from Mississippi brings a wealth of experience and a steady hand to a moment of significant global uncertainty. With President Donal
Despite successfully administering the 2024 Presidential Election just a few months ago, Mississippi has shifted full steam ahead into the 2025 municipal elections. While the presidential election routinely garners tremendous attention, our local municipal elections are often drastically overlooked
In my role with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, I’ve seen firsthand the unique challenges facing students and the critical role public charter schools play in addressing many of them. I have gained insight into different charter school sectors across the country and have witnessed
Trying to solve problems is a large part of the job of being the Mississippi Legislature. Sometimes we overthink it and the product we produce isn’t what is needed or at least reasonable people can disagree if the choice is the best path forward.I serve as a public defender in Tishomingo County and
As a former conservative newspaper CEO and publisher (I was center-right, but there weren’t many of us), I was slow to come back on board with President Donald Trump this time for a host of valid reasons.In the lead-up to the 2016 election, I actually wrote a piece about why I believed Trump would g
After a series of bad news headlines about the seafood served at restaurants in Coastal Mississippi, the push for seafood labeling has never been more critical. The House has spoken, overwhelmingly passing a seafood labeling bill. The Senate now stands as the gatekeeper of this vital legislation. It
On January 16, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a sweeping tax reform bill. House Bill 1, the “Build Up Mississippi Act,” includes numerous adjustments to the overall tax structure in our state, including phasing out the individual income tax.Below is a run-down of what exactly HB1 wo
I absolutely love this place. I’ve dedicated my heart and soul to Coastal Mississippi for most of my life, and I’m proud of what we have accomplished, especially since Hurricane Katrina. Yet, as we stand on the brink of a new chapter, I feel a growing sense of urgency about our future. I wish I coul
As a state whose roots run deep in the soil, Mississippi’s agriculture isn’t just an industry here – it is the foundation of our state’s economy, producing over $7 billion annually and accounting for 18.6% of our state’s economy. Our farmers are facing challenges which threaten their livelihoods, re
When I first told my extended family I was moving to Japan, my sister was excited for me, but my stuck-in-her-ways mother exclaimed, “But they eat raw fish over there.” I said, “Yes Mom, they call it sashimi and I am told it is delicious and so fresh that it doesn’t taste too fishy at all.”As I have
I have spent almost 30 years on the proverbial couches of licensed therapists and in the offices of various pastors, as well as a week at an emotional healing retreat called Onsite, outside Nashville, where I received intensive therapy. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, here are 10 things I
In 2011, as your Secretary of State, when I proposed a new policy to protect your vote — and the integrity of our elections — I was told repeatedly that Mississippi’s newly enacted Voter ID law would not pass constitutional muster. The U.S. Department of Justice will single out Mississippi, they sai
The view from my desk is inspirational. I’ve been in the same office for 27 years. There are no windows, but I have surrounded myself with things that inspire me and things that I love.There are a lot of photos of family all over the room. There are also a lot of photos of the Beatles. There are odd
For many young professionals, the question of “Where do you see yourself in five years?” can be daunting.For me, it was especially challenging to answer after moving to a new state, jumping into an unfamiliar job market, and learning to call the Mississippi Gulf Coast home all in the early stages of
My advice to upcoming graduates: You are a few years away from beginning your professional life, but you are only weeks away from planning for it. The decision you make about your professional life should be the easiest decision you ever make — your career should be about one thing: passion.It’s not
It’s true that there’s no place like home, and I deeply and dearly love my hometown of Hattiesburg and my home state of Mississippi. I could live other places, but I never will. My roots are in South Mississippi. I am a seventh generation citizen of the Pine Belt and I am Mississippi to the core. Te
