Mississippi’s Gulf Coast | Sea, Space & Everywhere in Between

Mississippi’s gulf coast offers a diverse lineup of fun-filled activities for sun seekers, tourists, star gazers and gamblers alike. Home to charm-filled towns, casino resorts, the world’s longest manmade beach and the Stennis Space Center, the Mississippi coast is nestled between New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama. We’ll spend time in Bay St Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Ocean Springs. And visit the state’s aquarium, several museums and historic sights and see the sun set from Deer Island and other spectacular spots along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. I’ll show you some hotels worth considering and some eateries you might not find on your own.

World’s best Airbnbs offer amazing experiences

From Iceland to Australia, I’ve stayed in nearly fifty of Airbnbs. They changed the way I travel in 2015, allowing me to think outside the hotel box, opening up a world of possibilities that’s enriched my travel experience in unimaginable ways. I’ll show you some of the incredible places I’ve stayed and tell you about the superhosts who’ve more than earned that name. I hope this guide helps as you plan your next trip. Airbnbs mentioned in this video are in: Rome, Isle of Skye, Scotland, French Polynesia, Utah, Maui, the Big Island, Amsterdam, Orlando, Sydney, London, Penzance, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Mallorca, Honolulu, Kauai and Idaho. 

Kentucky's Workhorse Battalion Puts Skill to Work for Special Needs Kids in Mississippi

The Kentucky Army National Guard’s 201st Engineer Battalion was charmed by a little girl, nourished by a chef and inspired by the dream that brought them and thousands of other Army, Air Force and Marine guard and reserve to Mississippi to build Camp Kamassa, a 326-acre summer camp for kids and others with special needs. More than 300 soldiers from Kentucky’s “Workhorse Battalion” spent two weeks at the massive construction site just outside Crystal Springs, Mississippi, building cabins and moving dirt, while gaining valuable experience constructing a complex facility in a remote area. It’s all part of the pentagon’s innovative readiness training, known as IRT. Learn more about Camp Kamassa at http://mtkfound.com. 

Sikorsky Helicopter Replaces Massive Flagpole on Old Mississippi River Bridge in Vicksburg

River and rail traffic on and beneath the Old Mississippi River Bridge at Vicksburg comes to a halt as a giant Sikorsky helicopter removes and replaces a massive flagpole atop its steel superstructure.

Fondren | A Small Town in a Big City

A small town in a big city, that’s Fondren, a racially and economically diverse area in the heart of Jackson, Mississippi that has become the capital city's arts, entertainment and cultural hub.

The Story of Rooster's | Celebrating 35 Years in Jackson

Rooster's, a mainstay in Fondren for 16 years, celebrates its 35th anniversary in metro Jackson. The popular burger and chicken restaurant opened on Roach Street in downtown Jackson in 1984, the year Wendy's launched its "Where's the Beef" commercials. Rooster's new mesquite burgers were a crowd pleaser at a time when beef was king. Tim and Nathan Glenn tell the Rooster's story in this video. | http://glennfoods.com

BankPlus presents Enchanted Evening | The Greatest Show

A camel, a monkey, the big top, a bevy of great chefs and Got Groove, an awesome New Orleans band, makes "BankPlus Presents Enchanted Evening" the greatest show on Earth. The event benefits Friends of Children's Hospital. 

Ian Cochran Gets MasterChef Experience at Basil's & CAET

A Mississippi teen battling brain cancer inspires family and friends to celebrate life as his obsession with food grows. Losing his sense of taste during treatment opened up a world of culinary adventure, including new restaurants, expansive menus and binge watching cooking competition shows. Ridgeland chefs Nathan Glenn and Derek Emerson serve up their best for MasterChef Ian Cochran. #ianstrong

Basil's & Beyond | Touring CAET with Chef Derek Emerson

Derek and Jennifer Emerson bring CAET, an upscale yet casual seafood and oyster bar dining experience, to Renaissance at Colony Park. Friend and Basil's creator Nathan Glenn joins Derek for a tour of the sprawling Ridgeland, Mississippi restaurant and bar. | http://caetseafood.com | http://eatbasils.com

Central Mississippi Record Convention | It's Mississippi Cool

The growing popularity of vinyl records—especially among younger people—is music to the ears of vendors and long-time collectors at the Central Mississippi Record Convention. Created by two friends with large collections of their own, the event is on the first Saturday in December at Duling Hall in Jackson's Fondren neighborhood. | http://mississippi.cool

Big Eater Mike Takes Rooster's Stupid Burger Challenge

For Big Eater Mike, the Stupid Burger Challenge at Rooster's in Jackson, Mississippi's Fondren neighborhood is made to order. The super sized meal includes Rooster's signature burger, two orders of fires and a banana pudding chaser. It costs $50 to enter and requires a 24-hour notice. If the entire five pound meal--burger and fries--is eaten in 30 minutes without a break, it's free and the challenger receives a $50 gift card. Call Rooster's at 601-982-2001 for more information or to set up the challenge. The massive five pound burger is also great for parties.

Gulf Coast Culinary Society Hosts 'Bourbon & Pearls' at Biloxi's White Pillars

The Gulf Coast Culinary Society's inaugural event, Bourbon and Pearls, reunited chefs from Mississippi and Alabama at Biloxi's historic White Pillars Restaurant and Lounge to raise money and awareness for Feeding the Gulf Coast. The food bank distributes 20 million pounds of food annually to a 24-county service area in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

Delta Supper Club Serves Up the Mississippi Delta's Vibrant Culture

The Delta Supper Club is a members-only social culinary circle that provides once-in-a-lifetime taste experiences. The goal is to preserve and celebrate the rich culture that the Mississippi Delta has to offer.  Members eat fabulous food prepared by an acclaimed chef, drink paired libations from brewmasters/distillers/sommeliers and attend these special events hosted at culturally significant sites somewhere along the plains of the Mississippi Delta.  

Air Force Reserve Builds Camp Kamassa for Special Needs Kids

Air Force reservists from across the country are gaining essential skills while helping to build a massive special needs camp for Mississippi children and adults just outside of Crystal Springs. Their role in the camp's construction is part of the military's Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) which teams reservists with needed infrastructure projects in communities nationwide. Learn more about Camp Kamassa at http://mtkfound.org. | Produced by Jim Albritton

Higher Truth | The Art of Frances Fortner

Just months after the death of Jackson Academy senior Frances Fortner, her parents, Tom and Laurilyn, are hosting a month-long show of her art at Cups in Fondren. Focusing on teen anxiety and depression, the show features colored pencil portraits of her friends. Proceeds from prints, note cards, T-shirts, coffee mugs and other items featuring Frances’ work benefit Fondren Renaissance Foundation art education programs. The Fortners also have established scholarships in Frances’ memory at Jackson Academy and Ballet Mississippi. “Higher Truth: The Art of Frances Fortner” continues at Cups in Fondren in Jackson, Mississippi throughout August.