4 November 2026
Remains found in north Wayne County are human, sheriff says (Wayne County). The skeletal remains found Monday afternoon in northern Wayne County belong to a person, Sheriff Jerry Mosley told WDAM on Tuesday. The remains were found between Shubuta and Hiwannee. Anthropologists collected what they could find, and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation’s crime scene unit helped. The state Crime Lab will run DNA tests to learn who the person was. The sheriff has not released a cause of death. Pine Belt Guide is seeking details on the timeline for the DNA results.
Ezell wins third term in Congress (Pine Belt). U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell, a Republican, won re-election Tuesday in Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District, which covers the Pine Belt and the Gulf Coast, WDAM reported. He beat Democrat Jeffrey Hulum III and independent Carl Boyanton. This will be his third term. Before going to Washington, Ezell spent more than 40 years in law enforcement, including as Jackson County sheriff.
Ben Smith wins Lamar County school board seat (Lamar County). Ben Smith won the District D seat on the Lamar County School Board, WDAM reported Tuesday night. Smith spent about 20 years at William Carey University, first as an assistant baseball coach and later as an administrator, and has taught history there. He told WDAM that student safety and security top his list. He also said he hopes to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars. Vote totals were not posted.
Bolton leads Perry County school board race (Perry County). LaSasha Bolton had 64.7% of the unofficial vote over Tammie McLain in the Perry County School Board District 5 race, WDAM reported. The county still had 98 affidavit ballots to count Wednesday. That is fewer than Bolton’s lead, so the outcome should not change. Official results were expected around noon Wednesday.
Covington County supervisor race heads to Dec. 1 runoff (Covington County). No one won a majority in the eight-candidate special election for District 2 supervisor, so the top two will meet again Dec. 1, WDAM reported. Gary Deen led with 24.8% of the vote. Robert Aultman was close behind at 23.7%. The county has 18 affidavit ballots left to count, but they will not change who makes the runoff.
Bruhl projected to win circuit judge seat (Lamar and Marion counties). Ryan Bruhl appears to have won Place 2 in the 15th Circuit Court District with 56.1% of the vote and 99% of ballots counted, WDAM reported. Affidavit and absentee ballots were still out. Bruhl, a Tylertown native, practices law in Columbia and served 12 years as a justice court judge.
Jones County DA Brad Thompson projected to win judgeship (Jones County). Unofficial results show Jones County District Attorney Brad Thompson with 74.9% of the vote for Place 1 in the 18th Circuit Court District, WDAM reported. Thompson has been district attorney for four years. He told WDAM his goal is “to ensure each case is judged from an unbiased and fair perspective.” It is not yet clear who will lead the district attorney’s office if he takes the bench. Pine Belt Guide is seeking details on that.
Hattiesburg council starts talks on a kratom ban (Forrest County). Hattiesburg City Council Vice President Jeffrey George brought a draft kratom ordinance to Monday’s work session, WDAM reported. Nothing has been voted on. Forrest County Coroner Lisa Klem told the council her office has seen more kratom overdoses in the last couple of years. The city is looking at what other Mississippi towns have done before deciding how far to go.
Christian Services pantry running low (Forrest County). The food pantry at Christian Services in Hattiesburg is short on canned food, peanut butter, rice, beans, potatoes, cereal and bottled water, WDAM reported. The ministry serves about 4,000 meals a week through its soup kitchen and Meals on Wheels. “When gas prices go up, donations go down,” said Austin Smith, director of ministries. To help, call 601-582-5683 or visit christianserve.org.
Oak Grove quarterback named Player of the Week (Lamar County). Oak Grove quarterback Kellen Hall is WDAM’s Player of the Week after Oak Grove beat Northwest Rankin 38-7, the station reported. Hall, an Old Dominion commit, completed 14 of 17 passes for 210 yards and had four total touchdowns. “For my sophomore, junior, and senior years, this is the most fun I’ve had,” Hall said.