The closure of Poplarville’s historic downtown post office in early 2022 set off a long and complicated process — one largely governed by federal procedures rather than local decision-making.

After severe termite damage forced the U.S. Postal Service to shut down the building, responsibility for evaluating repairs, selecting a replacement site and determining construction timelines remained with USPS. City officials say they advocated for solutions and updates, but had limited authority over how quickly decisions moved forward.

In this episode of Matter of Fact, we go behind the reporting of two Roy Howard Community Journalism Center stories: “Poplarville’s long-overdue wait for a city post office is over” and the follow-up, “USPS delivered Poplarville false promises on post office plans, residents say.”

Student reporter Alexa Hatten and reporter Morgan Gill join host Hilawe Tibebe to explain how their team tracked a multi-year federal process, verified what fell within USPS jurisdiction and documented how communication gaps affected residents and postal workers alike. The episode explores the challenges of navigating large federal systems — especially for small, rural communities seeking clarity and timelines.

Through the voices of residents, local officials and journalists, listeners hear how service disruptions can reshape daily life, even when no single decision-maker is acting alone.

Plus, in our What Is True? segment, Media Literacy Coordinator Walker Scott breaks down how to verify claims about federal projects, government timelines and public services — and why long stretches without official updates can lead to confusion or misinformation.

At its core, this episode looks at access, process and the realities of how public services move — slowly and carefully — through federal systems.

It can start quietly — with joint pain that won’t go away, bloodwork that raises concerns or exhaustion that feels harder to shake with each passing year. For hundreds of thousands of Mississippians, those early signs often lead to a much larger diagnosis tied to obesity and chronic disease.

Across the state, about 1.2 million adults — roughly 40 percent of the population — are classified as obese. Projections show that number could climb to 57 percent by 2030. Health officials call it an epidemic, one linked to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and rising infant mortality. And for many families, the crisis is shaped as much by access and affordability as it is by biology.

In this episode of Matter of Fact, we go behind the reporting of the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s story, “Mississippi expands obesity response as rates continue to climb.” Student reporter Makiya Jackson joins host Hilawe Tibebe to talk about what she learned while interviewing a young woman navigating weight loss, medical barriers and stigma — and how her personal story reflects a much broader public health challenge.

You’ll hear from Dr. Rasheedah Hall, a family physician treating obesity on the front lines in Hattiesburg, and from Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney, who explains how childhood obesity is shaping the state’s long-term health outlook. We also explore how new efforts — from Medicaid coverage for anti-obesity medications to interactive health education in schools — are part of a growing statewide response.

Plus, in our What Is True? segment, Media Literacy Coordinator Walker Scott breaks down how misinformation surrounding diets, weight-loss drugs and so-called “miracle cures” spreads online — and the tools listeners can use to separate credible medical guidance from misleading claims.

At its core, this episode isn’t just about weight. It’s about access, stigma, prevention and the systems that shape health long before someone ever steps into a doctor’s office.

To read the full story and explore related reporting, visit rhcjcnews.com.

It starts with a moment many of us know well — standing in a doctor’s office, handed a form we’re expected to read and sign without hesitation. But for thousands of Mississippians, that moment brings something else: uncertainty, embarrassment and the fear of getting something wrong.

Across the state, an estimated 700,000 adults struggle with functional illiteracy. They can read words on a page, but understanding them — court orders, medical instructions, job applications, even recipes — becomes a daily obstacle. And until recently, adults in the Pine Belt had few options for getting help.

In this episode of Matter of Fact, we go behind the reporting of the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s story “Hattiesburg nonprofit tackles Mississippi’s adult literacy crisis with new program.” Reporter Sami Jordan joins host Hilawe Tibebe to share how she discovered one of the first adult literacy initiatives in the region, what she learned from the people behind it and why this issue is so often overlooked.

You’ll hear how a routine interaction in the child support office revealed a much deeper problem — and how one Hattiesburg nonprofit, RISE, is working to fill a decades-long gap in literacy services. Through conversations with program leaders, adult learners and reporters, we explore what it takes to teach adults to read, the certification required for instructors and how literacy shapes everything from economic mobility to generational opportunity.

Plus, in our What Is True? segment, media literacy coordinator Walker Scott breaks down how reading comprehension plays a role in identifying misinformation — and the early warning signs anyone can use to stay informed.

At its core, this episode isn’t just about literacy. It’s about dignity, access and the power of giving adults the tools they need to understand the world around them.

If you’d like to learn more about RISE’s program or explore literacy resources near you, visit rhcjcnews.com.

It started with a simple letter in the mail — the kind most people might toss aside without a second glance. But for residents of Oak Grove, Mississippi, it sparked a question that reached far beyond the tap: Should the North Lamar Water Association stop adding fluoride to its drinking water?

What began as a maintenance issue quickly turned into a community-wide debate about safety, cost and trust. Some residents argued that keeping fluoride in the water protects public health and helps prevent tooth decay. Others questioned the expense, the equipment needed to keep levels consistent and whether people should have a choice in what’s added to their water.

In this episode of Matter of Fact, we go behind the reporting of the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s story “North Lamar weighs ending water fluoridation.” Reporter Kristen Kaylor joins host Hilawe Tibebe to share how her team first learned about the issue, what it was like to verify scientific claims and how the story unfolded as they spoke with residents, health experts and state officials.

You’ll hear how something as small as a broken fluoride machine revealed a bigger story about how small-town decisions get made — and how journalists work to build trust while covering them. Through the voices of residents, reporters and experts, we explore what this local debate says about communication, transparency and the shared responsibility of keeping communities informed.

Plus, in our What Is True? segment, media literacy coordinator Walker Scott breaks down the facts about fluoride — what’s naturally in the water, what’s added and how to find reliable information about your own water system.

At its heart, this episode isn’t just about fluoride — it’s about connection, curiosity and the process of telling stories that matter.

What to see what's in your water? Click here for the CDC's My Water Fluoride database.