SUMMARY: Families crowded metro-area shelters during Hurricane Katrina, overwhelming facilities like the Mississippi Coliseum and local churches. Shelter director Latt McInnis of Richland recalled how spaces meant for short stays became weeks-long refuges, exhausting volunteers. Some churches have since scaled back, while others, such as First United Methodist Church in Brandon, are expanding efforts. McInnis, now leading a metro shelter program, is planning for future storms. Jackson has been designated a high-risk city by the Red Cross, receiving more supplies and training volunteers. Still, McInnis stresses families must prepare themselves, as aid cannot cover everyone in another Katrina-level disaster.

16 WAPT News takes a look back at coverage of Hurricane Katrina a year after the storm devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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SUMMARY: Mary Ford, Sales Manager at Holiday Chateau in Ridgeland, describes the senior living community located on South Pear Orchard Road. The community focuses on helping seniors stay active, healthy, and socially engaged. Over the past two years, Holiday Chateau has undergone extensive renovations, updating common areas, rooms, and adding new amenities like a library, fitness area, game rooms, and activity spaces. Residents enjoy three daily meals prepared by a chef, weekly housekeeping, and a variety of activities including yoga, tai chi, art classes, and movie nights. The community also offers on-site physical therapy and hosts outside instructors. Contact: (601) 956-1331.

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SUMMARY: The inaugural fundraising luncheon featured Morgan Freeman, Chief Vision Officer of the Edna Foundation, a key funder of the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance (MELA). Freeman spoke about his love for Mississippi and his commitment to improving outcomes for children from birth to age five. MELA focuses on early education, childcare, health, and development, aiming to create a collaborative ecosystem involving all organizations impacting children’s lives. The goal is to unify voices to advocate for systemic changes that support healthy, strong, and capable future generations of Mississippians. The event highlighted the importance of investing in early childhood initiatives statewide.

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