Cleveland, Mississippi is known for many things, among them a desegregation case decades after Brown vs. Board. Education in Cleveland, Mississippi, was forever changed in 2016 when the U.S. District Court consolidated two high schools. With so many positive and negative aspects arising after the consolidation, Cleveland students, parents, and teachers ask: Was the consolidation a good idea? And is white flight to private schools representing inevitable segregation? Writer Adair Gaines and producer Jose Brevil explore these questions and what they mean in context to Cleveland ..read more

This podcast shares viewpoints on the many “lack of” statements discussed by local residents from the rural area of Cleveland, MS and the small town of Columbus, MS. The podcasters and the residents all voice their opinions on what needs to change and how their hometowns could evolve and better the citizens only if there weren’t issues such as the lack of quality jobs, city officials who do poor jobs, and poor city development. Podcast by Gavin Weatherspoon and Antanae Shelton.   ..read more

Hurricanes regularly hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast, resulting in many homes being destroyed, yet people continue to build more and more houses on the coast. These homes are also built out of weak materials such as wood that is easily destroyed by hurricanes; this has also resulted in ever-high insurance prices that many homeowners can’t afford, which leaves them homeless. This podcast is meant to be a warning and advice for living right next to the beach it is not to be a discouragement of living in/near the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Written and produced by Dowson Aguilar ..read more

From tainted taps to unappealing pay, young adults in Mississippi often find it hard to defend a place where they have resided their entire lives because there are so many underlying problems within the state.   To really see a difference in student outcomes, the state needs economic initiatives that boost the life quality of its residents. Recognizing that outside factors go hand-in-hand with student outcomes in classrooms and communities is the first step toward moving Mississippi out of last place.  Written by Maurice Hun ..read more

Oysters have been an essential part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Environmentally and financially, oysters are one of the most important organisms on the Gulf Coast. However, in recent years, oyster populations have been rapidly declining due to hurricanes, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the Bonnet Carré Spillway way. Written and produced by Teddy Lai ..read more

This podcast offers a take on why Mississippi has the highest percentage of single mothers and teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. and examines the ramifications of Mississippi’s failed laws, tracing it all back to what is and isn’t taught in Mississippi high schools today. Written by Domini Jha and produced by Miniya Thurman ..read more

For many years, Mississippi has ranked as one of the top states for STDs and teen pregnancy. This sad truth can be directly linked back to the state’s lackluster sex education and the failure of House Bill 999. This podcast dives into the issues that this bill causes,  the gaps in student’s knowledge on sex that it causes, and how these same students can take charge and advocate for their right to a proper sex education. Co-written and co-produced by CharLese Shields and Naomi Simpson ..read more

Mississippi is definitely not the first place that comes to mind when one thinks about competitive robotics. However, Mississippi is home to a decently sized and thriving robotics environment. In this episode, Lilly Adcock details the successes and impact of the FIRST Tech Challenge program in Mississippi, as well as the factors that make Mississippi robotics teams unique. Podcast produced by Daniel Van ..read more

High school students Cratin Quinnelly and Carys Peden explore the overlooked drug crisis in rural towns like Farmington, Mississippi. They delve into the intersection of expansionism, police corruption, and poverty, shedding light on how these factors fuel drug usage. Despite the challenges, the episode offers hope by highlighting potential solutions, urging action to address systemic issues and create a brighter future for communities. Tune in to uncover the hidden truths shaping rural Mississippi's communities ..read more

The Slugburger is a southern delicacy that originated in Corinth, MS during the Great Depression and managed to stick around all these years. It's so locally loved that there's an annual summer festival held to celebrate it and the town that it's a vital part of. This Real Mississippi Podcast episode explains what the Slugburger is, where it came from, and why it still matters today. Written by Morgan Smith and produced by Alex Gabitov ..read more