If you are among the hundreds of thousands of Mississippians who reach for tobacco – especially cigarettes – to cope with stress, please know that the habit is doing more harm than good. While nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, can create temporary feelings of relaxation, it also increases your heart rate and blood pressure, mimicking the body’s stress response. And once nicotine’s effects wear off, you’re worse off than when you started, as withdrawal symptoms, in

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Good news, grown-ups, even though most of the screens at your local theater are probably still devoted to “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” there’s a decent option for adults in one of the other houses. I’m convinced that “The Drama” has stayed in the top three at the domestic box office for the past two weekends by reeling in parents who don’t want to watch Mario with their kids, but don’t want to leave the theater. Or it could be good advertis

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com You want your way. And that is normal. But getting others to want to do what you are asking? Sometimes that’s just not very easy. Forcing them usually doesn’t make you a winner. In their eyes or in your own. A normal person will usually admit they don’t enjoy having to use bad tactics to win. They just can’t figure out another technique. And they are right; there are other means to get your way. For example, you may be bigger and str

A small business is bringing energy, economic impact, and community connection to the Pearl community. Vintage Market Days® of Mississippi, owned and operated by past Rankin County residents Chris and Jana Fuss, returns to Pearl April 17 - 19, 2026, at the Clyde Muse Center with a three-day, vintage-inspired community market that supports small businesses and tourism. While Vintage Market Days® is nationally recognized, this event is independently owned.  “This event goes bey

By Misty Strieff Prine                 “Some people are going to reject you because you shine too bright for them. That’s okay. They don’t pay your light bill. Keep shining!” – Unknown.                 I have learned this in such a BIG way in my life, even as of late. There’s always going to be someone within your inner circle that just simply doesn’t like your…” brightness”. They don’t like the attention your kindness attracts, the happiness that it ignites like a spark arou

By Bob Garver               2023 brought audiences “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” by far the most successful cinematic adaptation of a video game ever. It was a wonder how appealing the property was with vibrant, colorful animation and respect for both its source material and its audience. I couldn’t bring myself to recommend the film, as the story, action, characters, and humor never really “came together” for me, but it was definitely a step in the right direction.         

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (MMNS) invites visitors to explore, discover, and celebrate the great outdoors at the Museum's annual signature event, "NatureFEST!" on April 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This iconic event returns for another action‑packed day of hands‑on fun at the Museum located in LeFleur's Bluff State Park. A festival, nature outing, and a museum visit all rolled into one, "Na

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Living in a desert in the summertime, a real actual desert, you have to learn to make choices. Choices that can make or break how well you thrive in this rather harsh environment. You can focus your thoughts and attention on the unrelenting ‘cook your soul’ heat in the summer, or you can anticipate the six months of near perfect temperatures in winter time. You can easily resent the burning hot sand and jagged rocks, or instead, you

By Alistair Begg, Magnolia Tribune God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” – Exodus 3:14 In some cultures, the meanings behind names don’t matter much. We choose a name because we like the sound of it, or because it’s precious to our particular family. In other cultures, though, a name itself may carry great significance. Its meaning can establish something about the person who bears it or the hopes of th

In honor of Native Plant Month, the Mississippi Farmers Market will host its Native Plant Fest event on Saturday, April 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.    “April is Native Plant Month, and we are excited to celebrate our great state’s beautiful and diverse collection of native plants,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “We encourage everyone to come out to the Mississippi Farmers Market this Saturday to learn more about the vital role native plants pl

By Alistair Begg, Magnolia Tribune A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. – Isaiah 42:3 The great political leaders of ancient times relied on might to rule. (Many today still do.) Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, was described as trampling people into oblivion and treading on them as a potter might tread on clay (see Isaiah 41:25). Yet at the same time Isaiah prophesied of the Servant to come—o

Misty Strieff Prine A simple, whispered prayer can move even the biggest mountain. So many today are grieving over the loss of loved ones, have loved ones in the hospital, dealing with unanswered questions or are simply fighting battles that just seem almost too much to bear. I’ve been amid trials in my life before where I forgot to pray because my earthly body and strength were just too weak to see past the hurt or pain. However, it is in those times when the Lord says to dr

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB In 2019’s “Ready or Not,” Grace MacCaullay (Samara Weaving) won the deadly game of Hide and Seek that ended the lives of the entire La Domas family. It all tied into a Satanic ritual that frankly didn’t make much sense. Now she has to play another, also-deadly game of Hide and Seek against four other families that hold high standing in the Satanic cult. The twist this time is that she has her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) in tow. Fol

April is recognized as Oropharyngeal (mouth/throat), Head and Neck Cancer Prevention Month, and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is spreading awareness that many of these cancers are largely preventable. Of the roughly 560 Mississippians diagnosed with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers each year, about 140 die, a mortality rate of about 25 percent. The strongest risk factors for these cancers are tobacco and alcohol use, and human papilloma virus (HPV), a

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com A man, who had already lost his beloved wife to an illness that had taken her life a few months earlier, had only one child. An adorable blonde-haired dark-eyed baby girl they had named Leslie Raynelle. Leslie was understandably the light of her dad’s life. Everything he did, everything he worked for, was focused on what was best for his little daughter. But then a catastrophic day came. The day when the man’s entire beloved hometown

By Jessica Breazeale Have you ever found yourself standing at the base of a mountain, feeling like the journey ahead is insurmountable? Or maybe you’ve looked at a steep slope and thought, “This could be a thrilling ride down.” It all depends on perspective . Let’s start with the mountain. For some, it’s a treacherous climb—a series of obstacles demanding strength, gear, and perseverance. Yet, from a different vantage, that same mountain could look like a joyful slope, full o

By Misty Strieff Prine Now just sit back and think about the magnitude of that question for a second. Wow. So how about it? Would you like you if you met you? Would you come across as humble and kind or as one of those people who thinks they are above others and are selfish and self-centered? You see, we all need to step back and ask ourselves this question because it will, or at least should, help us to see the importance of our behavior when it comes to those around us. Whe

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB It has been just over ten years since viewers were first introduced to the work of sci-fi author Andy Weir with Ridley Scott’s “The Martian.” In that film, a scientist (Matt Damon) was stuck on a planet millions of miles from Earth and forced to use his wits to survive against near-insurmountable odds, often punctuating his actions with smart-aleck remarks that only he could hear. New Weir adaptation “Project Hail Mary” is different. In this f

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Have you ever noticed that those rigid rules you insist your kids obey rarely bring about long-term enthusiastic obedience? “Mom told us to not do that. Yay!!!” Instead, rebellion later on is usually the result. When your back is turned. When your kid is turned loose on his own. When you are not there playing policeman. When they get to a place in their life that allows a teen to make a few of their own choices, often a young person

By Kara Kimbrough   It’s not a “pretty” dish, but Dirty Spaghetti is a tasty alternative to traditional red sauce pasta. (Photo by Kara Kimbrough)   The month of March is shaping up to be a great one, filled with some of my favorite things: Daylight Savings Time; a few day trips, culminating with a few stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast; new food and treasure finds; spring break courtesy of a school-related job and of course, the advent of spring itself. In no particular