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The voice of and for USM students

SM2

The voice of and for USM students

SM2

The voice of and for USM students

SM2

A Hattiesburg vape shop window.

Mississippi Limits Sale of Unauthorized Vapes

Gabrielle Cox | September 10, 2025

Mississippi has restricted the sale of disposable vapes, e-liquids and refillable vapes that aren’t authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a move that could affect availability for both...

Florida Vaccine Move Sparks Debate in Mississippi

Zaria Gordon | September 10, 2025

Florida became the first state in the nation to remove school vaccination mandates on Sept. 4, a decision that has raised concern and questions from parents and educators nationwide. Dr. Joseph Ladapo,...

Mississippi Teacher Shortage Worries USM Education Majors

Charmarion Daniels | September 10, 2025

Students enrolled in education programs at the University of Southern Mississippi are raising concerns about the state’s ongoing teacher shortage as they enter classrooms this semester. Dr. Thomas Lipscomb,...

Mississippi Law Could Impact LGBTQ+ on College Campuses

Rosainys Almonte | September 10, 2025

Mississippi lawmakers this year banned diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across state institutions, calling them “divisive” and “progressive.” The law prohibits certain resources and...

Mississippi Ranks High in Adult Obesity

Gabrielle Cox | August 27, 2025

Mississippi’s adult obesity rate ranks among the highest in the nation, with more than 40 percent of adults classified as obese, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. The state is...

Mississippi State Capitol

Amended Bill Provides Legal Immunity for Reporting Sexual Abuse

Kaelyn Fox-Thomas, Multimedia Journalist | March 12, 2025

An amended Mississippi bill aims to provide legal protection for individuals who report sexual abuse on behalf of others, even in cases where they may be seeking medical assistance for themselves or someone...

Mississippi Bill for Public Funds in Private Schools Stalls

Mississippi Bill for Public Funds in Private Schools Stalls

Kaelyn Fox-Thomas, Multimedia Journalist | March 12, 2025

Mississippi Bill for Public Funds in Private Schools Stalls By Kaelyn Fox-Thomas A bill that would allow some Mississippi parents to use taxpayer money for private school tuition has stalled in the state...

President Joe Biden faces towards the end of a street after giving a speech in Rolling Fork, Mississippi on March 31, 2023.

President Biden Offers Support to Mississippi

April 3, 2023

As the sun rises on the razed city of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, the destruction left from the March 24 EF4 wedge tornado that leveled buildings, threw vehicles and killed thirteen residents comes to light....

“Never Been Afraid”: An Interview with Raylawni Branch

JaTerrica Wilson, SM2 Staff | February 25, 2023

Raylawni Branch, born in 1941, is one of the first Black students to enroll at The University of Southern Mississippi. Branch is a professional nursing educator as well as a US Air Force Reserve officer. Out...

The USM Volleyball Team plays a recent match at the Wellness Center on the Hattiesburg campus. | Sean Smith, SM2 Photo Editor

USM says it’s ‘deeply troubled’ by TANF funds used to build volleyball gym

SM2 Media Staff, reporter | November 3, 2022

The University of Southern Mississippi stated it was “deeply troubled” by the situation involving the volleyball gym that was built with welfare and TANF funds for needy families. In a statement released...

USM Student Collects Bottled Water for Jackson Residents

USM Student Collects Bottled Water for Jackson Residents

Simeon Gates, SM2 reporter | September 14, 2022

As the Jackson water crisis continues, residents still struggle to access safe water sources. Seeing this, student Bethal Miles stepped up to help. Miles has collected over 200 cases of water to distribute...

Protesters gathered outside of U.S. Supreme Court

Anti-Abortion ban of U.S. Supreme Court’s effect on Mississippi

June 24, 2022
On Friday June 24, the United States Supreme Court voted in favor of overturning Roe vs. Wade. With new laws across the country slowly being integrated into societal norms, U.S. citizens are forced to come to terms that abortions will become illegal in most states.
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