‘Hopefully, this will make it much simpler when people pull up to signs and try to figure out which permits you need.’

• The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has simplified its fee structure for state lakes, reducing the number of permits from 20 to 13.
• The new fees, which include guests for annual permits, mark the first increase in fishing and boating fees in 20 years.
• Daily permits for fishing without boat launching are $5, while those including boat launching and skiing are $9.

Spring is fast approaching and with warmer weather, a lot of people are thinking about camping and fishing. If you decide to camp and fish at one of Mississippi’s state lakes, you may notice a change in the fees.

“Basically, we simplified the permits,” said Jerry Brown, Fisheries director at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. “Where we used to have maybe 20 permits, we reduced it down to 13.”

State lakes offer a variety of opportunities beyond just fishing. Camping, skiing, pavilion rentals and other activities are offered at them. Some of the fees have been increased this year.

“It is probably worth noting that it has been 20 years since we went up on any fishing and boating fees,” Brown said.

Some fees have simply been restructured. Previously, a person with an annual boating, fishing and skiing permit was required to pay extra for a guest. While the fee of that permit has been increased, it now includes guests.

“Hopefully, this will make it much simpler when people pull up to signs and try to figure out which permits you need,” Brown said.

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What are the fees at Mississippi state lakes?

Daily permits

• Youth fishing ages 15 and under: Free
• Fishing, no boat launching: $5
• Boat launching, fishing, skiing: $9

Annual permits

• Boat launching, fishing, skiing ages 16-61: $125
• Exempt boat launching, fishing, skiing: $100
• Fishing, no boat launching: $55
• Exempt fishing permit, no boat launching: $35

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Camping and pavilion rental permits

• Camping, one day, ages 21-61: $25 *
• Exempt camping, one day: $22 *
• Camping, 30 days, ages 21-61: $500 *
• Exempt camping, 30 days: $360 *
• Primitive tent camping, one day, no electricity: $20
• Pavilion rental, one day: $53, reservations required

Exempt permits are for persons ages 62 or older, 100% disabled, active service members or military veterans.

* These camping permits include fishing and boat launching for registered campers not to exceed eight people.

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

• The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which provides scholarships to students attending HBCUs for agriculture-related studies, has reopened its application process.
• The program, suspended in February, was reinstated and is accepting applications until March 15.
• The scholarships cover full tuition, fees, books, room, and board, with opportunities for work experience at various USDA agencies.
• Nineteen HBCUs across the country participate in the program, which aims to increase diversity in agricultural fields.

The USDA has reinstated a scholarship program that gives students from underserved communities money to attend HBCUs for specific training, and the time to apply is now.

The 1890 Scholars Program was suspended in February, “pending further review.” The USDA later released a statement saying current recipients “over 300 — regardless of matriculation date, was retained to finish their studies and complete their work with the Department.”

The move was part of a directive by President Donald Trump to freeze, then review federal spending.

Last week, the site for the program was updated to say that the application process is open through March 15.

The program gave $19.2 million to scholarships for 94 students in fiscal year 2024. Per the USDA, it provided “full tuition, fees, books, room and board” to recipients.

Here’s what we know about the 1890 scholarship program.

What does the 1890 National Scholars Program do?

The funds, managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), go toward increasing the number of students studying agriculture and related majors, animal science, botany, forestry and more. Nineteen 1890 land grant colleges, all Historically Black Colleges and Universities, are part of the program.

“The scholarship may also include work experience at USDA. The program is a crucial part of USDA’s Next Generation efforts,” the site for the program reads.

Which Mississippi HBCU is in the scholarship program?

Alcorn State University in Lorman is part of the program. It’s the country’s oldest land-grant HBCU.

According to a December news release from the school, a dozen students were selected to be part of the 1890 Scholars Program.

“As an 1890 Scholar, I’ve had an incredibly enriching experience that has provided me with unique opportunities for academic and personal growth,” Vinterrious Hunt said in the news release. “My most rewarding aspect has been the opportunity to network and work with like-minded peers and mentors, as well as obtain a job with USDA Farm Service Agency as a student trainee during school and as a full-time employee after I finish my BS degree. This program has not only enhanced my educational and career experience but also instilled a sense of purpose and confidence in my future endeavors.”

According to the release from Alcorn, students in the program could get the chance to work with several agencies, including:

• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
• Agricultural Research Service.
• Farm Service Agency.
• National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service.
• Rural Development.
• U.S. Forest Service.
• Office of the Chief Financial Officer.

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Which HBCU schools get 1890 scholarships from the USDA?

According to the USDA, these 19 HBCUs are part of the program:

• Alabama A&M University.
• Alcorn State University, Mississippi.
• Central State University, Ohio.
• Delaware State University.
• Florida A&M University.
• Fort Valley State University, Georgia.
• Kentucky State University.
• Langston University, Oklahoma.
• Lincoln University, Missouri.
• North Carolina A&T State University.
• Prairie View A&M University, Texas.
• South Carolina State University.
• Southern University, Louisiana.
• Tennessee State University.
• Tuskegee University, Alabama.
• University of Arkansas Pine Bluff.
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
• Virginia State University.
• West Virginia State University.

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How old is the 1890 scholarship program?

The program was created in 1992.

“As we work to build a future agriculture workforce that represents American society, USDA NIFA’s 1890 Scholarships Program is a critical component for success. Since the program was authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, NIFA has invested $92 million to support 3,274 scholarships to help recruit, engage, retain, mentor and train undergraduate students at the 19 1890 Land-grant Universities.”

National Institute of Food and Agriculture Director Dr. Manjit Misra, in an October 2024 news release

When is the deadline to apply for the scholarship?

According to the site, people must submit their applications by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time Saturday, March 15.

Go to the 1890 National Scholars Program site to apply or get more information.

Who could qualify for the 1890 scholarships?

The program is open to high school seniors and rising sophomores and juniors at the college level. The application process was originally slated to be open through March 1.

The funds could be renewed each year, depending on academic performance.

According to the USDA, applicants had to meet the following criteria:

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Have a 3.0 GPA or better (4.0 scale).
• Have minimum test scores of 21 on the ACT or 1080 on the SAT.
• Be accepted to attend or already be attending an 1890 land-grant university.
• Major in one of the required topics.
• Have a history of leadership, community service.
• Submit an official high school transcript.
• Write two essays on specific topics.

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What are the essay questions?

Students have to write two 250-500 word essays for both of these questions, according to the USDA site:

• “How will the USDA 1890 National Scholarship support your career aspirations? If there is a particular mission area within USDA that also supports your career aspirations, please indicate that mission area.
• “What factors have influenced your decision to pursue academic studies in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or a supporting discipline (such as economics, computer science, accounting, etc.)?”

What do you have to study to qualify?

The USDA said scholars must study one of these majors:

• Agriculture.
• Agricultural Business/Management.
• Agricultural Economics.
• Agricultural Engineering/Mechanics.
• Agricultural Production and Technology.
• Agronomy or Crop Science.
• Animal Sciences.
• Botany.
• Food Sciences/Technology.
• Forestry and Related Sciences.
• Home Economics/Nutrition.
• Horticulture.
• Natural Resources Management.
• Soil Conservation/Soil Science.
• Farm and Range Management.
• Other related disciplines, (e.g. non-medical biological sciences, pre-veterinary medicine, computer science).

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

Stargazers in Mississippi will be busy this month with a few celestial events to celebrate.

A rare “blood moon” lunar eclipse will be visible over Mississippi in mid-March. It happens on the night of the full Worm Moon, but you might need to drink some coffee because it’ll be pretty late before the total eclipse period.

For a few days this month, sky watchers will be able to see Venus twice a night. That chance might not come around again for eight years.

And the equinox will kick off spring later in the month.

Here’s what you need to know about the best times to see this super rare total lunar eclipse, when you can see the planet of love and when the equinox will usher in springtime.

March 2025: When is the full Worm Moon?

Friday, March 14, 2025, is when the full Worm Moon wriggles its way into the night sky. That’s also the date of a total lunar eclipse for the Americas, according to NASA. (Download Sky Tonight app, and you can see when celestial events will happen in your location.)

The moon’s phases in March are:

• 🌓 First Quarter: March 6.
• 🌕 Full Moon: March 14.
• 🌗 Last Quarter: March 22.
• 🌑 New Moon: March 29.

March 2025 full moon also a total lunar eclipse

North America will experience a total lunar eclipse the night of Thursday, March 13, and early on Friday, March 14, writes NASA.

According to timeanddate.com, there are phases of the eclipse that will be visible from Mississippi. The whole thing will take about six hours, but the time for total eclipse will range from around 1:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. with a peak around 2.

Times are in Central:

• 10:57 p.m.: Penumbral eclipse – Earth’s penumbra starts touching the moon’s face.
• 12:09 a.m.: Partial eclipse – moon starts getting red.
• 1:26 p.m.: Total eclipse – total eclipse starts, moon is totally red.
• 1:58 a.m.: Maximum eclipse – moon is closest to center of shadow.
• 2:31 a.m.: Total eclipse ends.
• 3:47 a.m.: Partial eclipse ends.
• 5 a.m.: Penumbral eclipse ends.

What will the total lunar eclipse look like?

The moon will be dimmer than normal and have a red-orange tint for a few hours.

The spectacle will be on display while the moon moves through Leo and Virgo.

Do you need special equipment to see the eclipse?

No. Lunar eclipses can be viewed with the naked eye. They don’t require special protective glasses like a solar eclipse.

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Why is it called the Worm Moon?

It was once believed the Worm Moon’s name was derived from earthworms wriggling through March’s warming soil, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, which heralded the first signs of spring as birds returned to feast on them. Perhaps the full moon in March should’ve been called the “Robin Moon.”

However, more research revealed the name likely originates from notes taken by Captain Jonathan Carver, who in the 1760s visited Native American tribes and wrote that the “Worm Moon” refers to a species of beetle larvae that emerged from thawing bark around this time.

What are other names for the March full moon?

Other names for March’s full moon from Native American tribes include the Crow Comes Back Moon, the Eagle Moon and the Sugar Moon.

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What time is the full moon in March 2025 in Mississippi?

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, moonrise for the Jackson area will happen by roughly 6:48 p.m. Thursday, March 13 and set at at 6:58 a.m. Friday. You can check moonrise and moonset times for your zip code by visiting the Old Farmer’s Almanac online.

The full moon’s peak will be at 1:54 a.m.

How rare are lunar and solar eclipses?

A partial solar eclipse will be on March 29. It will be visible from parts of the U.S., but Mississippi is not one of the states that will see it. (If you get to watch from somewhere it’s visible, be sure to use the proper eye protection.)

Another total lunar eclipse will happed on Sept. 7 but won’t be visible from the Americas.

The next visible eclipses in Mississippi, according to timeanddate.com, will be a total lunar eclipse in March 2026 and a partial lunar eclipse in August 2026.

We won’t see a solar eclipse until January 2028, and it’ll be a partial.

The next total solar eclipse visible from Jackson will be on Aug. 12, 2045.

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Spring Equinox 2025: March 20

Spring began on March 1, for meteorological purposes and will start on March 20 for astronomical purposes.

According to Earthsky, the equinox marks the sun crossing above the equator, bringing the Northern Hemisphere spring. Autumn also starts in the Southern Hemisphere.

The sun will cross the celestial equator at 4:01 a.m. CT March 20.

March 18-21: Dual visibility of Venus

Venus, the brightest plant in the Solar System, will be visible twice in the same 24 hours for three days this month.

It will appear as the “Morning Star” before sunrise and again as the “Evening Star” after sunset on March 18-21. Check times it will appear near you at Stellarium.

To see it, find somewhere with a clear view of the horizons to the east and west without light pollution or obstructions. After the sun sets, look to the west, and Venus should be very bright. In the morning before the sun rises, look east.

According to Starwalk, this won’t happen again until 2033.

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Which planets are easiest to see?

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are the brightest, according to NASA. Uranus can be seen without equipment on a dark night if the person has good eyesight. But Neptune is so far out in the solar system, a telescope is necessary.

When can I see the planets normally?

Mars Jupiter and Saturn are often visible, per NASA. But seeing Venus or Mercury without a telescope is notable.

Venus can only be seen for a few months at a time just before sunrise or after sunset.

Mercury can be seen for a few days or weeks at a time, also around the time the sun rises or sets.

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When is the full moon in April 2025?

The Pink Moon should reach peak illumination by Sunday, April 13, 2025.

Need help finding stars, planets and constellations? Try these free astronomy apps

The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations.

Contributing: Brandi D. Addison and Eric Lagatta

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.