The Mudcat Report Episode 2 Guest List: The Friendly City Outlook

The Mudcat Report was an idea developed a few years ago, inspired by the Mississippi flathead catfish, with a touch of tradition added about the blues, government, and local community news. Decades of experience will be given to adopt the idea created in this podcast.

HOST: Hunter Dawkins - Owner/Publisher of the award-winning newspaper - The Gazebo Gazette, SuperTalk Mississippi News contributor, Congressional Staffer, Public Relations for the Attorney General's Office

PRODUCER: Jeff Clark - Award-Winning Journalist, Multimedia/Podcast Host, Director for the Harrison County Senior Services

GUESTS:

• District 120 (Long Beach, Gulfport) State Representative Richard Bennett. Representative Bennett is Chair of the Public Property Committee and has served since 2008.
• Long Beach Mayor Tim Pierce was elected in March 2025. Former NASA Stennis Space Center employee, 1998-2025. Former Long Beach School Board President for 20 years.
• Elvis Gates, Long Beach State Farm Insurance Agent. Worked for State Farm for over 40 years, represented the Mississippi Gulf Coast out of his office since 2001.

HOST: Hunter Dawkins - Owner/Publisher of the award-winning newspaper - The Gazebo Gazette, SuperTalk Mississippi News contributor, Congressional Staffer, Public Relations for the Attorney General's Office

PRODUCER: Jeff Clark - Award-Winning Journalist, Multimedia/Podcast Host, Director for the Harrison County Senior Services

GUESTS:

• District 48 (Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport) State Senator Mike Thompson-R. Thompson is the powerful Chairman of the Ports & Marine Resources Committee in the State Legislature, who was elected in 2019. Thompson is a lawyer and former tugboat captain.
• The city of Pass Christian Ward 1 Alderman Barry Dreyfus-R. Barry Dreyfus Jr., CEO of United States Marine Inc. (USMI), doesn’t keep the recipe to his company’s success a secret. In fact, it’s displayed plainly for all to see on the homepage of USMI’s website: family, integrity, and quality. These have been cornerstones of the 36-year-old firm, today regarded as one of the nation’s premier military small craft builders. Headquartered in Gulfport, Miss., with a maintenance/repair facility in Chesapeake, Va., USMI is a fully integrated manufacturer of military, patrol, and special warfare boats available in lengths from 21 feet to 90 feet. The company is capable of designing, building, and testing all of its vessels in-house.