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Gulf Coast Amtrak: Vote scheduled to decide fate of route

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Vote scheduled to decide fate of Gulf Coast Amtrak route

A federal board has scheduled its vote on whether Amtrak’s service will return to Mississippi’s Gulf Coast with a route from Mobile to New Orleans. 

The Surface Transportation Board, a federal body made up of presidential appointees, announced Friday it will vote on the future of the passenger route on Dec. 7. The contested route has been under the board’s review for over a year, with Amtrak and the track’s freight-company owners presenting their own cases about its viability. 

There will be a final set of November hearings ahead of the vote. 

“Amtrak is preparing for the next hearing, confident in our case for Gulf Coast access and optimistic our service will begin next year,” spokesman Marc Magliari said in a statement. 

Read more: Amtrak breaks ground for new Gulf Coast platform, though route still uncertain

Amtrak has maintained the route can handle the added passenger train traffic, while companies CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company say it could negatively affect businesses that rely on the Port of Mobile to move freight. 

The hearings, beginning Nov. 17, will focus on models that predict train traffic. 

Amtrak hasn’t run a Gulf Coast route since Hurricane Katrina. The proposed route would run two trains daily in the morning with stops in Bay St. Louis, Pascagoula, Gulfport and Biloxi. 

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: August 22-24

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www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-08-22 07:20:00

SUMMARY: This weekend (August 22-24) in Mississippi offers diverse events across Central Mississippi and the Pine Belt. In Jackson, enjoy concerts like Starlito x Don Trip and The Step Brothers 4 Life Tour. Art lovers can explore exhibits such as The Garden of Earthly Delights in Natchez and Hurricane Katrina: Mississippi Remembers in Jackson. Family-friendly activities include the Mississippi Children’s Museum exhibits and the Farmer’s Markets in Jackson, Natchez, and Vicksburg. Notable events include the Black Men’s Health Equity Conference, The Boss T.E.A. Party, and the 15th Annual Leadership Natchez Kickball Tournament. In the Pine Belt, Southern Miss hosts the SMAC Welcome Back Festival and Pride Preview, while Laurel features The Color Purple musical and a chess social.

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Gymnast who sparked FBI sex abuse inquiry into coach tells AP she’s proud to come forward

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www.wjtv.com – Ryan J. Foley – 2025-08-21 13:59:00

SUMMARY: Finley Weldon, 18, bravely spoke out about abuse by her former gymnastics coach Sean Gardner, recently arrested on child sexual exploitation charges. Gardner, who worked at the renowned Chow’s Gymnastics Academy, allegedly targeted young gymnasts since 2004. Weldon endured manipulative and abusive behavior starting at age 11 but persevered to join Iowa State’s gymnastics team. Though many teammates quit due to Gardner, Weldon emphasizes breaking the cycle by coming forward. Investigations by SafeSport, local police, and the FBI uncovered hidden-camera evidence. Despite a slow legal process, Weldon hopes her courage helps protect future young athletes from similar abuse.

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Zelenskyy, Trump express hope for talks with Putin to end war

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www.wjtv.com – The Associated Press – 2025-08-18 11:02:00

SUMMARY: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump met with European leaders at the White House to discuss potential three-party peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Trump expressed support for NATO-like security guarantees for Ukraine but stopped short of committing U.S. troops. Zelenskyy showed openness to talks, emphasizing the need for lasting peace and a strong Ukrainian army. European leaders seek durable security assurances and pressure on Russia to cease fighting. Discussions followed Trump’s recent meeting with Putin, who reportedly demands control of the entire Donbas, a condition Zelenskyy rejects as unconstitutional.

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