🌱 Local Businesses Bring Autism Awareness + Free Textbooks At WCU

Hello there, Hattiesburg. I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 94 Low: 75.
• Wednesday: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 93 Low: 73.

Here are the top three stories today in Hattiesburg:

1. The Author Shoppe and Paper Boat Autism Library have partnered together to help spread autism awareness. By hosting a monthly book-lending event to provide reading material for those on the spectrum and those seeking to learn more, they’re hoping to make autism a normalized conversation. The program allows Hattiesburg residents to check out books and return them once finished. You can learn more by visiting their Instagram here. (WDAM)
2. The First Saturday art event has helped to unite artists across Mississippi. Hub City Saturday recently hosted an art market bringing together arts and crafts vendors for a day of marketing and connecting. Some of the vendors included 25-year-old Riley Richardson, a local jewelry designer, and 24-year-old Bethany Morris, a professional painter. The market brought customers from all over the United States and is helping local artists to grow their businesses. (WDAM)
3. Attending William Carey University this fall? Undergraduate students will be receiving free textbooks! There will also be a 40 percent scholarship fund increase for freshmen, transfers, and international students at William Carey University. The university has strived to make attending college more affordable and less of a financial burden through a recent school initiative. (WTOK)

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Today and tomorrow in Hattiesburg:

Tuesday, July 4

• Paul B. Johnson State Park Fireworks Show & Festival At Paul B. Johnson State Park (8:00 AM)

Wednesday, July 5

• Lloyd Munn And The Amigos At Hattiesburgers And Blues (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• With all of the Fourth of July festivities, City Hall and other related buildings will be closed today and public works will be running a different pickup schedule. See this week’s pickup for garbage, trash, and recycling by clicking here. (City of Hattiesburg-Government via Facebook)
• Is feeding a giraffe on your bucket list? The Hattiesburg Zoo is hosting giraffe feedings for $5! Zoo tickets can be purchased online but feeding tickets must be purchased under the Giraffe Pavilion. Please note: The zoo is closed today for the fourth. (Hattiesburg Zoo via Facebook)
• Beat the summer heat at the Hattiesburg Zoo splash pad! The splash pad is open during regular zoo days from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can find tickets online here, and the last available ticket time is 3:30 p.m. (Hattiesburg Zoo via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! See you all soon for another update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.