Updated Dec 22, 2022

If You’re Sick, These 10 Hospitals In Mississippi Are The Best In The State

Lists the top 10 hospitals in Mississippi based on overall health ratings and specific death rates.

Updated Dec 22, 2022

Written by

Daniella DiRienzo

State Pride|Need to Know

Published Jan 23, 2024

Prepare Your Ears For Millions Of Cicadas In Mississippi This Spring

Published Jan 23, 2024

Written by

Jackie Sutherlin

Some sounds are just so representative of summer, and cicadas are one of them. This year, though, we are looking at a massive emergence of these little flying maracas that haven't been seen in over 200 years. Here's what you need to know about the cicadas in Mississippi for 2024:

There are 3,390 types of cicadas across the globe, including 190 varieties in North America.

alt — Ed Reschke/Stone Collection via Getty Images

Many confuse these with locusts, but it's important to know that they are two different species. The cicadas that live in the United States are unique in that they spend most of their lives underground.

These periodical cicadas emerge from the ground every 13 or 17 years, and they all rise from the ground at the same time. While it is a cool party trick, there’s actually a method to the madness. The idea is that if they all emerge from the ground at the same time, it would be intimidating for predators. Predators can’t possibly catch them all, ensuring a good number can survive to reproduce.

Two different broods are going to rise up from the ground this year, Brood XIX (the 13-year cicadas) and Brood XIII (17-year cicadas).

alt — Derek Dailey/500px Prime Collection via Getty Images

Brood XIX is expected to emerge this spring for most of the south including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The last time these guys saw daylight was in 2011.

Brood XII is expected to emerge in parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The last time this group emerged was 2007.

There are a couple of states that will have an overlap of both broods.

alt — Al Loo/500px Collection via Getty Images

Good luck, Indiana and Illinois!

You’ve probably seen the exoskeletons on trees before.

alt — Yi-Fu Ke/ 500px Collection via Getty Images

It’s one of the first things they do when they come top side. They’ll shed their exoskeletons and then start serenading until a female answers back.

Why are they so loud?

alt — McKinneMike/iStock Collection via Getty Images

They’re doing their best Marvin Gaye impression. Yep, the sounds we hear are males trying to attract females. Once they mate, the males will die and the females will go off to lay eggs in tree branches before eternally clocking out themselves. The eggs will hatch sometime between late July to early August when they’ll fall to the ground and burrow underground and that’s where they’ll stay for 13 (or 17) years.

So, when’s this going to happen?

alt — John K. Goodman/ Moment Collection via Getty Images

The ground has to reach 64 degrees, so it’s a waiting game until that temperature is reached. Don’t worry, these things are so loud there’s no way you’ll miss it. It should happen around mid-May through late June.

The good news is, other than being extremely loud neighbors, cicadas pose no threat to humans or pets. They’re here for a good time, not a long time. Get yourself a good pair of earplugs, you're going to need them! Or, start planning a road trip over to the West Coast if you want to avoid them entirely.

State Pride|Need to Know

Published Aug 14, 2023

There’s A Deadly Plant Growing In Mississippi That Looks Like A Harmless Weed

Water hemlock is a highly toxic plant found in wet areas of Mississippi, dangerous to both humans and animals.

Published Aug 14, 2023

Written by

Jackie Sutherlin

We all know to stay away from poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, and that’s a lesson most of us end up learning the hard way. But one of the most poisonous plants in Mississippi is water hemlock, and you’ve probably seen it before and not known how toxic it can be. Since we often find ourselves outdoors in areas where it’s prevalent, I think it’s a good idea to give a brief description of this poisonous plant so you can be on the lookout for it.

This is water hemlock.

Water hemlock grows in wet soil, so you can expect to find this perennial around marshes, riverbanks, streams, ponds, and even ditches... so you could very well have some growing in your neighborhood.

It’s also called cicuta, cowbane, or poison parsnip.

Whatever you call it, just don’t touch it.

While those white flowers may be pretty, I’d steer clear of smelling them, touching them, or plucking them.

alt — Juan Francisco Moreno Gamez/ iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

Touching the plant can cause severe skin inflammation and even a rash. If you (or your pet) ingest it, you’re looking at nausea and vomiting if you're lucky... Seizures, respiratory failure, and even death if you’re not.

Symptoms from touching this plant can happen as quickly as 20 minutes, but sometimes folks don’t notice until up to three hours later.

alt — Hossein Basirat/iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

By that time, you may have completely forgotten about your encounter with water hemlock.

Water hemlock is toxic to both humans and animals, so you want to be able to identify this plant to make sure your fur baby doesn’t accidentally brush up against it or take a bite.

alt — Elenakirey/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

If you find that you do have water hemlock growing in your yard and you'd rather it not, be sure you’re wearing very thick gloves and take extra precautions when handling this plant.

While these plants are beautiful, they're best observed from a distance.

Stay safe out there, y’all! Especially if you’re exploring some of our many waterfront hiking trails.

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State Pride

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If You’re Sick, These 10 Hospitals In Mississippi Are The Best In The State

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Prepare Your Ears For Millions Of Cicadas In Mississippi This Spring

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There’s A Deadly Plant Growing In Mississippi That Looks Like A Harmless Weed

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All Stories

The Battle to Save a Historic Witch Trials Home Near Salem, Massachusetts Is Worth the Fight

This Secluded Airbnb Cabin in Northern California Is the Perfect Place for a Digital Detox

Skip the Crowds: Explore Washington’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

We Found the Ultimate Game Day Stress Relief at This Alabama Comfort Food Sports Bar

I Visited This New Alabama Boutique Hotel That Honors Its Community’s Historic Local Spirit