- Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion to start your day informed.
In Mississippi
1. Retired Circuit Judge Helfrich dies at 72
Retired Circuit Judge Robert Helfrich of Hattiesburg died on March 31 at Forrest General Hospital. He was 72.
Judge Helfrich served in the U.S. Coast Guard and earned his undergraduate degree from George Mason University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law. He served as a public defender in Hattiesburg before becoming an assistant district attorney. He was elected to the 12th Circuit Court on November 2002, and took office on January 2003.
Judge Helfrich served as Circuit Judge of the 12th Circuit District of Forrest and Perry counties for more than 22 years. He officially retired on June 30, 2025, but continued to work without salary, presiding over the drug intervention court that he created shortly after he took office in 2003.
The State Judiciary said Judge Helfrich was a leader in drug intervention courts. He was among the earliest to create separate tracks for veterans and DUI offenders within drug court. He was appointed in 2009 to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, which later became known as All Rise. He served on the State Intervention Courts Advisory Committee for 12 years.
2. Teen contest announced to promote litter prevention, cleanup
The Mississippi State University Extension Service has announced the “Art Doing Its Part” contest for 9th–12th graders. The teens can lead the way in encouraging Mississippi residents and visitors to take pride in the state and actively participate in litter reduction, prevention, and cleanup.
“Art Doing Its Part” invites teens to develop a piece of artwork, a slogan, and a short reflection that raise awareness about the connection between local litter and waterway pollution.
Winners will be selected from the seven regions of the state, and the teens’ work will be featured in a statewide marketing campaign, including on billboards, T-shirts, a traveling art exhibit, outreach materials, and a beach beautification project.
Check here for details, contest rules, and additional information about Art Doing Its Part here.
3. Future USS George M. Neal launches at Ingalls
Ingalls Shipbuilding announced a successful launch of future USS George M. Neal (DDG 131) on Wednesday, marking a major construction milestone for the fourth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to be built at the shipyard.
DDG 131 is named for George M. Neal, a Korean War veteran and an aviation machinist’s mate third class who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions while attempting to rescue a fellow service member under enemy fire.
As a Flight III Arleigh Burke‑class destroyer, Ingalls said DDG 131 represents the next generation of surface combatants for the U.S. Navy, featuring the Flight III AN/SPY-6 (V)1 radar system and the Aegis Baseline 10 combat system, designed to counter threats well into the 21st century.
National News & Foreign Policy
1. Trump addresses nation as Iran conflict continues
The Washington Post reports that “President Donald Trump defended the increasingly unpopular conflict Wednesday night but assured the nation that the military operation in the Middle East was ‘nearing completion.’”
“In a speech from the White House, Trump said the United States was on track to complete all of its military objectives ‘shortly, very shortly’ but first there would be a period of military buildup: ‘We’re going to hit them extremely hard,’ he said. ‘Over the next two to three weeks, we’re going to bring them back to the stone ages,’” WP reported.
WP continued, “The president’s defense of his actions, and his direct entreaty to the American people, comes as the White House tries to contain the consequences of a conflict that has sent gas prices soaring and soured Americans’ feelings about Trump and the economy, six months before the midterm elections.”
Watch the full speech here.
2. Bondi on the way out?
According to the New York Times, “President Trump has discussed firing Attorney General Pam Bondi in recent days as he grows frustrated with her leadership at the Justice Department and her handling of the Epstein files, according to four people familiar with the conversations.”
“Mr. Trump has floated the idea of replacing Ms. Bondi with Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the people said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations by the president,” NYT reported. “Mr. Trump has not made a final decision, and Ms. Bondi’s allies pointed to photos of her and the president traveling to the Supreme Court on Wednesday to dispute the notion that the president is planning to fire her.”
“Attorney General Pam Bondi is a wonderful person and she is doing a good job,” Mr. Trump said in a statement to The New York Times. A spokesman for Ms. Bondi referred to Mr. Trump’s statement.
Sports
1. Ole Miss’ Raesner has record RBI day
Ole Miss softball’s Cassie Reasner etched her name in the record books this week as the Ole Miss softball program rolled to a 10-0 victory at Memphis on Tuesday evening at the Tigers Softball Complex.
Reasner set a new single-game record with seven RBI on the day, as part of a two home run game.
Persy Llamas added a career-high four hits for the Rebels (24-15, 2-10 SEC) while Lilly Whitten threw a complete game shutout to stifle the Tigers (11-25, 2-10 AAC).
2. MSU’s McPhaul heads to Lilly Women’s College All-Star Game
Mississippi State senior Destiney McPhaul has been selected to participate in the 2026 Lilly Women’s College All-Star Game on Saturday, April 4 at Grand Canyon University. The game will tip off at 12 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
The school said McPhaul, a guard from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just completed her final season in the Maroon and White. She facilitated the Bulldog offense, as she averaged 9.4 points and a team-high 4.2 assists, while also swiping 1.6 steals per game.
McPhaul was one of 20 players to be selected to the final rosters of the All-Star game and one of six players in the SEC to be selected. McPhaul will compete with Team Lieberman, coached by Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman.
Markets & Business
1. Stocks tumble after Trump’s speech on Iran conflict
CNBC reports that “U.S. stock futures tumbled on Thursday after President Donald Trump indicated that the Iran war would continue, sending oil prices higher as well.”
“Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 628 points, or 1.3%. S&P 500 futures declined 1.4%, and Nasdaq 100 futures lost 1.7%,” per CNBC.
“Over the next two to three weeks, we’re going to bring them back to the stone ages where they belong,” the president said.
CNBC added, “His comments also led to a surge in oil prices. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were last up 7.9% at $107.98 a barrel, while Brent crude futures advanced 7.3% to $108.59.”
2. Healthcare jobs driving economy
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, “Factory work used to be Americans’ most reliable ticket to the middle class. Office jobs offered another dependable route. But as automation, globalized manufacturing, and now artificial intelligence threaten or narrow some of these paths, healthcare jobs have become the surest bet. At a time of uncertainty in the labor market, nursing offers not only stability but, for some, a pathway to real prosperity.”
“The median annual wage for registered nurses in the U.S. is $93,600, compared with $49,500 for all occupations, according to the Labor Department. For nurse practitioners and others with advanced degrees, it is $132,050,” WSJ reported. “Healthcare has generated some of the most consistent job growth of any U.S. profession since the early 1980s, thanks to soaring healthcare spending and the aging population. Total jobs in the industry overtook those in the manufacturing and retail sectors in the early 2000s, and the gap has continued to widen since then, according to an analysis of federal data released by the University of Chicago.”
WSJ noted, “The sector was the largest source of job creation in the U.S. last year, as many other industries cooled or contracted. That trend continued in January, though employment in the sector dropped in February, partly because of nursing strikes in New York City and elsewhere.”
3. M&M Bank completes merger with Farmers-Merchants
Merchants & Marine Bancorp, Inc. in Pascagoula has announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition by merger of Farmers-Merchants Bank & Trust Company in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.
FM Bank will continue to serve clients under its existing branding as “FM Bank, a Division of Merchants & Marine Bank.” Longtime FM Bank leader Fred Mills has joined the Company as FM Bank Divisional President & Chief Executive Officer.
This acquisition results in consolidated Company assets of approximately $1.3 billion, gross loans of approximately $691 million, and deposits of approximately $951 million (unaudited totals excluding merger-related adjustments). The acquisition expands the Company’s Family of Community Banking Brands to include seven unique community banking brands operating in diversified niches throughout the Southeast.
