Mississippi
Hollywood brings smiles to patients as Children's of Mississippi's first facility dog – SuperTalk Mississippi
Children’s of Mississippi has welcomed an adorable furry friend as the hospital’s first facility dog.
Hollywood, a 67-pound male golden retriever, is embarking on a journey to bring joy and comfort to patients. Born and educated at Canine Assistants in Milton, Ga., Hollywood has been on the job at the state’s only children’s hospital since September 24.
According to a press release from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the newest Children’s of Mississippi team member can help stabilize blood pressure and reduce anxiety, pain, and fear.
“Hollywood isn’t just a dog – he’s a vital part of our Child Life team,” said Cara Williams, child life manager and Hollywood’s handler “He truly is the best dog. His demeanor is so calm, and the way he loves patients, families, and staff is something that can’t be replicated. He is so gentle and truly wants to be with people. He loves a good belly rub and will lean all the way in for a pet.”
Williams further added that Hollywood’s bedside manner can sometimes be the best form of medication for patients and their families.
“Hollywood meets patients where they are. He doesn’t expect anything from them and simply loves them,” the golden retriever’s handler said. “He allows them to be distracted from whatever is happening and gives them a sense of normalcy.”
Hospital facility dogs like Hollywood are similar to therapy dogs, experts say, but have the skills to react to the emotions of patients and their families and bring them a sense of calm. These dogs work with handlers throughout the day and go home with them at night.
Hollywood gets his name from the Hollywood Bowl since his litter’s naming inspiration was iconic music venues. His litter mates are named Fillmore, Red, Radio, Sydney, Bluebird, and Opry.
Before heading to the children’s hospital for a day of hospitality, Hollywood starts things off with a walk or a backyard game of fetch before breakfast. He then is brushed and takes a nap before it’s time to put smiles on the faces of young people and their families.
Once in the workplace, the friendly canine is sure to greet staff and patients as he heads up to his handler’s office. From there, Williams makes note of those who would benefit greatest from Hollywood’s warm presence.
“Having Hollywood simply adds an extra layer of goodness,” Williams said. “Everyone he meets or even just walks by smiles a little bigger. The reactions are priceless and have only been positive. Animals can reach people in a way that sometimes staff can’t. The experience here at Children’s will continue to be brighter with Hollywood here.”
Patients and their parents have especially raved about Hollywood, adding that the service dog brings about an air of glee to hospital stays and grueling recovery exercises that would otherwise be dreadful.
Mississippi
Thompson defeats Turnage to highlight U.S. House primaries in Mississippi – SuperTalk Mississippi
Political newcomer and Capitol Hill attorney Evan Turnage proved no match for longtime U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, who defeated him and one other challenger to earn the Democratic nomination for Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday.
Some politicos thought Turnage – who went to Yale and later worked for some of Thompson’s Democratic colleagues, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) – wouldn’t necessarily win but could make waves as one of the more viable candidates to challenge Thompson in recent years. However, that wasn’t the case as Thompson garnered approximately 85% of the vote when the race was called.
Thompson, 78, is seeking an 18th term. The civil rights leader who chaired the Jan. 6 Committee was first elected in 1993 and serves as a ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee. He will face either Ron Eller or Kevin Wilson on the Republican side, a race yet to be called as of late Tuesday night, and independent Bennie Foster in November’s general.
All of Mississippi’s U.S. House seats are up for grabs this year.
In the 1st Congressional District, Republican Rep. Trent Kelly ran unopposed, while civil rights attorney and University of Mississippi School of Law professor Cliff Johnson beat former state lawmaker Kelvin Buck in the Democratic primary. Libertarian challenger Johnny Baucom awaits Kelly and Johnson in the general.
In the 3rd Congressional District, both Republican Rep. Michael Guest and Democrat Michael Chiaradio ran unopposed. They will meet Libertarian Erik Kiehle in the general.
In the 4th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Mike Ezell had over 80% of the vote when his race was called against former Mississippi Department of Marine Resources officer and political staffer Sawyer Walters. State Rep. Jeffrey Hulum easily won the Democratic nomination over Paul Blackman and D. Ryan Grover. Ezell and Hulum will face independent Carl Boyanton in the general.
Arguably the most watched races of the night occurred in the state’s lone U.S. Senate seat in this year’s cycle. Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith had no problem with Ocean Springs doctor Sarah Adlakha, seeing her name bolded around 30 minutes after the polls closed. It wasn’t long after that when Lowndes County District Attorney Scott Colom was announced the winner of the Democratic primary over Priscilla Till and Albert Littell. Independent Ty Pinkins will meet Hyde-Smith and Colom in the general on Nov. 3.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mississippi
Mississippi First Congressional District Primary 2026: Live Election Results, Buck vs. Johnson
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Staff
Sunday, March 15, 2026
1. (tie) “The Irish Goodbye,” Beth Ann Fennelly, Norton; and “Vigil,” George Saunders, Random House
2. “Theo of Golden,” Allen Levi, Atria Books
3. “The Widow,” John Grisham, Doubleday
4. “The Correspondent,” Virginia Evans, Random House
5. “When It’s Darkness on the Delta,” W. Ralph Eubanks, Beacon Press
6. “Eradication,” Jonathan Miles, Doubleday
7. “Neptune’s Fortune,” Julian Sancton, Random House
8. “The Dean,” Sparky Reardon, The Nautilus Publishing Company
9. “Kin,” Tayari Jones, Random House
10. “Brawler,” Lauren Groff, Riverhead
Children and young adults
1. “The Bear and the Hair and the Fair,” Em Lynas, Little Brown
2. “The Hybrid Prince,” Tui T. Sutherland, Scholastic Press
3. “One Mississippi,” Steve Azar,Sarah Frances Hardy (Illustrator), The Nautilus Publishing
4. “If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone,” Gideon Sterer, HarperCollins
5. (tie) “Fancy Nancy: Besties for Eternity,” Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator), HarperCollins; and “The Dark is For,” Jane Kohuth, Simon and Schuster
Adult events (Sunday, March 15–Saturday, March 21)
Amy McDowell in conversation with Jodi Skipper for “Whispers in the Pews,” 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Off Square Books, 129 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2262
Tayari Jones on Thacker Mountain Radio Hour for “Kin,” 6 p.m. Thursday, Off Square Books, 129 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2262
Children’s events (Sunday, March 15–Saturday, March 21)
No Cap Book Club (kids 10-13) will be reading “A Kid’s Book About…,” 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Square Books Jr., 111 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2207
Storytime, “Clifford: Dream Big,” 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Square Books Jr., 111 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2207
Chapter Captains Book Club (kids 6-9) will be reading “Princess in Black: Bathtime Battle,” 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Square Books Jr., 111 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2207
Storytime, “What a Small Cat Needs,” 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Square Books Jr., 111 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2207
Story Time, “Very Hungry Caterpillar” Day! 10 a.m. Saturday, Lemuria Books, 202 Banner Hall, 4465 I-55 North, Jackson, 601-366-7619
— Sales and/or Events Reported by Lemuria Books (Jackson); Lorelei Books (Vicksburg); Square Books (Oxford).
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