HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding Authenticates Keel of Destroyer Thad Cochran (DDG 135)
HII.com
HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding authenticated the keel today of Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Thad Cochran (DDG 135). The ship honors Thad Cochran, a Navy veteran and former U.S. senator who represented Mississippi from 1978 to 2018. Ceremony attendees included Cochran’s wife and ship sponsor Kay Webber Bowen Cochran and Ingalls shipbuilders. Thad Cochran was an unwavering supporter of the U.S. military. Throughout Cochran’s career, he championed critical national security priorities, secured essential defense funding for shipbuilding nationwide and in Mississippi, and held a pivotal role in delivering billions in recovery aid to Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
SEC Network’s TrueSouth visits Ocean Springs
SEC Sports
The eighth season of Emmy Award-winning TrueSouth presented by YellaWood hits the road to Ocean Springs, Miss. and the Mississippi Gulf Coast on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. ET. The series revolves around two food stories told from one place, which TrueSouth sets in conversation to make larger points about Southern beliefs and identities.
Cruisin’ the Coast drives major economic boost for coast
WLOX
https://www.wlox.com/2025/10/19/cruisin-coast-drives-major-economic-boost-mississippi-tourism
Cruisin’ the Coast, which ended a week ago, generated a significant economic impact for Mississippi with record-breaking attendance numbers, according to Visit Mississippi Chief Marketing Officer Katie Coats. The annual event registered 10,334 cars from 42 states and four countries outside the U.S. An economic impact study on Cruisin’ the Coast is done every five years. The most recent from 2021 showed the event generated $36.1 million for the state, up from $28 million in 2016.
Gulf Coast Tourism revival as Mardi Gras train service reconnects Mobile, AL, and New Orleans, LA
Travel and Tour World
Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service, which launched on August 18, 2025, marks the triumphant return of passenger rail service to the Gulf Coast after a twenty-year hiatus following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This iconic route now connects Mobile, Alabama, to New Orleans, Louisiana, offering both scenic coastal views and a glimpse into the resilient recovery of communities along the Gulf Coast. A short ride from Mobile brings the train to Pascagoula, a quaint town known for its shipbuilding industry and peaceful waterfront parks. Here, visitors can explore the scenic Lighthouse Park or enjoy a walk through the charming downtown area filled with local shops and restaurants. A visit to Ocean Springs, a nearby beach town, offers a chance to experience the area’s artistic community and local food scene. For those looking to dive deeper into the region’s natural beauty, a kayaking tour along the Pascagoula River offers a peaceful escape through the saltmarshes and an opportunity to learn about the long-lasting effects of Hurricane Katrina on the area’s environment. Many visitors find the chance to reflect on the resilience of these coastal communities both powerful and inspiring.
Coast restoration projects under review ahead of 2026 session
The Gulf Coast Restoration Fund Advisory Board is meeting Tuesday in Gulfport to continue its work of narrowing down projects proposed to be funded in 2026 through the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund The fund is part of the BP Oil Spill settlement received by the state of Mississippi. Started in September 2018, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Restoration Fund has provided funding to businesses and organizations looking to bring increased economic activity to the Gulf Coast region.