Mississippi

Childhood obesity found to be ‘prevalent’ in Mississippi

Published

3 months ago

November 21, 2025

Childhood obesity found to be ‘prevalent’ in Mississippi

SUMRALL, Miss. (WDAM) – Obesity among the youth of Mississippi is a state health issue.

“According to the Mississippi State Department of Public Health, nearly a quarter of our high schoolers are obese, so we see that this is prevalent in Mississippi”, said Dr. Jamie Lou Rawls, who practices family medicine at Sumrall Medical Center.

Healthier food options can tend to be more expensive while processed food tends to be cheaper, but Rawls laid out a list of what children should be eating per meal.

“Children need 2 to 3 ounces of meat per serving,” Rawls said. “Half the plate needs to be fruits and vegetables of variety.”

Healthy living starts at home with parents, Rawls said, with conversations including talk of a healthy lifestyle, not diets and exercise.

“The focus should be healthy choices and healthy lifestyles, and not diets and losing weight, as that can negatively impact children’s social and emotional health,” Rawls said. “So, the conversation could be like, ‘We are doing this to be healthier, healthy choices and to protect our health as we get older,’ can be really beneficial.”

Rawls said that getting in exercise as a family, like walking outside after dinner or playing in a park for an hour a day can be beneficial to the health of children as well as adults.

For low-income families, some federal government programs such as Women, Infants and Children’s Nutrition Program, offer nutrition classes to teach parents how to shop and cook healthier foods on a budget.

Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Source link

Click to comment

Mississippi

Mississippi House of Representatives passes bill to make NIL earnings non-taxable

Published

1 hour ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi House of Representatives passes bill to make NIL earnings non-taxable

NIL money comes with a price. More specifically, a tax bill.

The Mississippi legislature is trying to reduce that burden for college athletes who play there.

Via Bea Anhuci of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, the Mississippi House of Representatives has passed a bill that would exempt NIL earnings from state income tax.

It’s a recruiting tool for Ole Miss and Mississippi State, one that would put the Mississippi schools on equal footing with other states that host SEC universities. Florida, Tennessee, and Texas have no state income tax, and Arkansas carved out NIL earnings from the state’s income tax burden in 2025.

Mississippi currently charges a four-percent tax on anyone making more than $10,000 per year.

NIL earnings remain subject to federal income tax.

The bill will have to also pass the Mississippi Senate, and the governor would then be required to sign it into law.

Source link

Mississippi

Why Rebels are keeping pace for Mississippi State CB commit Brandon Allen Jr

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Why Rebels are keeping pace for Mississippi State CB commit Brandon Allen Jr

Ole Miss is working to eventually flip Mississippi State cornerback commit Brandon Allen Jr. (Atlanta, Ga.). Ahead of a packed spring travel schedule, visiting multiple programs, Allen speaks on his current recruitment with Rebels247.com.

Source link

Mississippi

Carpenter Pole and Piling invests $5M in Mississippi, creating 10 jobs

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Carpenter Pole and Piling invests M in Mississippi, creating 10 jobs

Staff
| Mississippi Clarion Ledger

A Mississippi wood products manufacturer is investing nearly $5 million in an expansion.
Carpenter Pole and Piling’s project is expected to create 10 new jobs in Wiggins.
The expansion includes a new treatment plant and an additional 20 acres for storage.
Construction is anticipated to be completed by September 2026.

A wood products manufacturer is set to create new jobs as part of a major expansion.

Carpenter Pole and Piling is investing nearly $5 million into its Wiggins, Mississippi, operation.

The expansion will add 10 new positions and support long-term growth in the region.

“Carpenter Pole and Piling is a true Mississippi success story, and we’re proud to see the company continue investing right here at home,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said.

“This expansion in Stone County is creating new opportunities for hardworking Mississippians while strengthening a company that has long contributed to our state’s economy,” Reeves said. “When Mississippi businesses grow, our communities grow with them, and we remain committed to fostering a business environment where companies can thrive.”

Carpenter Pole and Piling produces utility poles and pilings for marine and foundation use.

The project includes construction of a new treatment plant, investment in a 2,600-cubic-foot autoclave and an alternative treatment option to improve production capacity.

The company is also clearing and preparing an additional 20 acres for a new pole storage yard.

Stone County is also contributing to the project.

The company expects to complete construction by September 2026.

The new roles are expected to be filled by January 2027.

Carpenter Pole and Piling specializes in the production of utility poles. It also manufactures foundation and marine pilings.

The new autoclave will increase production and add an alternative treatment option.

This story was created by business and development writer Ross Reily, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.

Source link