Yolanda Cruz
Digital Content Producer
Biloxi, MS
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/raycom/bb463855-c974-4524-a50d-03aabf56ad03.png)
Yolanda Cruz is a Biloxi native with a journalism degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Before coming to WLOX, Yolanda worked at the Sun Herald, taking on many roles including web producer, video producer and real-time reporter.
She previously worked at WLOX’s sister station WDAM in Laurel as a digital content producer and is excited to join the news team that inspired her passion for journalism.
Yolanda loves to travel and often reminisces to her month studying abroad in London and past family trips to Orlando, Florida.
Yolanda is a self-proclaimed Netflix addict and nerd, with an interest in Harry Potter and comics, both DC and Marvel.
If you have a news tip, you can contact Yolanda on Twitter @_YolandaCruz_ or email her at ycruz@wlox.com.
Updated: Mar. 19, 2023 at 9:44 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Over 35 years ago, two prominent Biloxi figures were found dead in their home, leading to multiple arrests, prison sentences and the uncovering of a national scam.
Updated: Oct. 26, 2022 at 3:01 PM CDT
|By Amber Spradley, Yolanda Cruz and WLOX Staff
A Jones County woman accused of killing a beloved rooster in Ocean Springs was found guilty of misdemeanor animal cruelty Wednesday.
Updated: Apr. 21, 2021 at 5:49 PM CDT
|By Andrés Fuentes and Yolanda Cruz
Even though he’s been with the school district for over half a century, people might not know much about Mitchell King, Harrison County School District’s incoming superintendent.
Updated: Apr. 3, 2021 at 11:53 AM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
WLOX received multiple reports of a shooting inside the Treasure Bay casino late Friday night.
Updated: Mar. 2, 2021 at 9:20 PM CST
|By John Fitzhugh and Yolanda Cruz
Registered nurses from Memorial Hospital at Gulfport have been consistent with one message: Continue wearing a mask despite the improving statistics.
Updated: Sep. 26, 2020 at 7:11 AM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
LTC facilities in South Mississippi reported 150 cases in staff members, 195 cases in residents and 25 resident deaths related to COVID-19.
Updated: Sep. 19, 2020 at 8:57 AM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
LTC facilities in South Mississippi reported 156 cases in staff members, 209 cases in residents and 26 resident deaths related to COVID-19.
Updated: Sep. 12, 2020 at 7:01 AM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
LTC facilities in South Mississippi reported 188 cases in staff members, 302 cases in residents and 36 resident deaths related to COVID-19.
Updated: Sep. 5, 2020 at 7:18 AM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
LTC facilities in South Mississippi reported 219 cases in staff members, 319 cases in residents and 39 resident deaths related to COVID-19.
Updated: Aug. 29, 2020 at 8:01 AM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
LTC facilities in South Mississippi reported 221 cases in staff members, 299 cases in residents and 39 resident deaths related to COVID-19.
Updated: Aug. 23, 2020 at 9:43 AM CDT
|By Akim Powell and Yolanda Cruz
In preparation for the possible tropical weather, self-serving sandbag locations are available.
Updated: Aug. 22, 2020 at 8:18 AM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
LTC facilities in South Mississippi reported 222 cases in staff members, 265 cases in residents and 36 resident deaths related to COVID-19.
Updated: Aug. 15, 2020 at 2:51 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
LTC facilities in South Mississippi reported 207 cases in staff members, 246 cases in residents and 26 resident deaths related to COVID-19.
Updated: Aug. 7, 2020 at 7:17 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Twenty-one LTC facilities reported cases of COVID-19 in residents and staff this week in the six southernmost counties.
Updated: Jul. 10, 2020 at 2:10 PM CDT
|By Lindsay Knowles, John Fitzhugh and Yolanda Cruz
Moss Point Mayor Mario King, 33, and his wife, Natasha R. King, 32, appeared Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert H. Walker on over a dozen wire fraud charges.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2020 at 9:11 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
The Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives both approved on Sunday to create a commission to redesign the state flag and order the current one be brought down.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2020 at 8:55 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
The Mississippi House and Senate both voted on Saturday to suspend rules, allowing for a vote to take place to change the current state flag.
Updated: Feb. 26, 2020 at 4:53 PM CST
|By John Fitzhugh and Yolanda Cruz
The five juveniles accused of participating in a fatal Biloxi robbery had their initial appearances Wednesday.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2020 at 3:17 PM CST
|By Yolanda Cruz
Reeves’ budget recommendations highlight areas such as a teacher pay raise, increasing the number of National Board Certified teachers and investing in workforce development and rural healthcare.
Updated: Jan. 30, 2020 at 9:25 PM CST
|By Sarah Liese and Yolanda Cruz
Charles Bowman arrested on a charge of murder after his wife’s remains were found at their home. He fled but was later arrested in Utah.
Updated: Jan. 17, 2020 at 3:33 PM CST
|By Yolanda Cruz
Small businesses on the Gulf Coast negatively impacted by the blue-green algae bloom can now apply for disaster assistance loans.
Updated: Dec. 28, 2019 at 6:42 PM CST
|By Annie Johnson and Yolanda Cruz
The incident happened near exit 75, Franklin Creek around 6 a.m.
Updated: Dec. 12, 2019 at 4:06 PM CST
|By Annie Johnson, Lindsay Knowles and Yolanda Cruz
Two suspects are in now custody after officers were called to the Goose Point neighborhood to investigate a burglary in progress just before 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Updated: Nov. 20, 2019 at 5:01 PM CST
|By Yolanda Cruz
A warrant has been issued for Adam Anthony Shaw in connection with a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 single cab truck stolen from St. Martin High School.
Updated: Nov. 10, 2019 at 9:00 AM CST
|By John Fitzhugh and Yolanda Cruz
Recently, a producer with ABC’s Good Morning America shared Willow Cannan's story with the network’s national audience, hoping to bring more attention to Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency.
Updated: Oct. 10, 2019 at 8:30 PM CDT
|By Chet Landry and Yolanda Cruz
Nearly two months after the fatal Moss Point shooting, the family of Toussaint Diamon Sims has now seen the police body camera video of the moment their loved one died.
Updated: Oct. 6, 2019 at 2:07 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Sunday is the first official day of Cruisin’ the Coast, and that means traffic is on the minds of everyone traveling the Gulf Coast this week.
Updated: Oct. 4, 2019 at 8:49 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality lifted water contact warnings Friday for all 21 standard beach segments in South Mississippi.
Updated: Sep. 28, 2019 at 4:01 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Authorities confirmed one person is dead and another injured after a wreck in Jackson County Saturday morning.
Updated: Sep. 22, 2019 at 6:45 AM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Hundreds of motorcyclists joined Gov. Phil Bryant Saturday for the Sixth Annual Governor's Ride to benefit the Wounded Warriors of Mississippi.
Updated: Aug. 11, 2019 at 3:16 PM CDT
|By Annie Johnson and Yolanda Cruz
Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley promises to be transparent and as timely as the investigation into a deadly officer-involved shooting allows.
Updated: Aug. 10, 2019 at 10:53 PM CDT
|By Mike Lacy and Yolanda Cruz
Carlos Moore, an attorney and municipal court judge in Clarksdale, traveled to Moss Point after learning his relative, Toussaint Diamon Sims, was fatally shot.
Updated: Aug. 9, 2019 at 2:49 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Religious officials from across Mississippi released a joint statement Friday regarding recent raids at food processing plants by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Updated: Jul. 27, 2019 at 5:47 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
The Mississippi governor took to social media Saturday morning to lament the choices made by three Ole Miss students that came to light earlier this week.
Updated: Jul. 13, 2019 at 7:19 PM CDT
|By Annie Johnson and Yolanda Cruz
Tropical Storm Barry made landfall over Louisiana Saturday afternoon, but that doesn’t mean South Mississippi didn’t see any action from the weather.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2019 at 8:05 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Tony Alexander Williams, 29, was arrested Thursday on charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery in connection to the death of Delfred Lewis Jr.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2019 at 7:34 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
With a definite date in place, the Mississippi Lottery Corporation is now accepting proposals for authorized vendors to implement and operate instant ticket lottery games.
Updated: Jun. 24, 2019 at 10:52 AM CDT
|By Joyce Philippe and Yolanda Cruz
Creole Creamery/PJ’s Coffee in Bay St. Louis, Pearl River Community College Hancock Center in Waveland, Tiki Delivery in Diamondhead and Broke Spoke in Kiln area/Hancock County were all selected.
Updated: Jun. 1, 2019 at 9:26 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Harrison County Deputy Coroner Brian Switzer identified the victim as 27-year-old Kiwuan Hamilton. He was pronounced on scene by American Medical Response.
Updated: May. 26, 2019 at 3:05 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Harrison County Deputy Coroner Brian Switzer identified the victim as Sandra Hardy, 77, of Long Beach.
Updated: May. 22, 2019 at 9:40 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania said he didn’t want the alligator to cause a crash. What happened when he tried to prevent that from happening can only be described as internet gold.
Updated: May. 22, 2019 at 2:29 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
A Devin Booker line of Nike Air Force 1 shoes will be available beginning June 8 and will feature a nod to Booker’s origins with a tongue that reads “Made in Moss Point.”
Updated: May. 19, 2019 at 7:42 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Gulfport Police confirmed one person drowned in the Biloxi River Sunday evening in the area of Dedeaux Park.
Updated: May. 16, 2019 at 3:26 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Planet Fitness is inviting teenagers ages 15 – 18 to work out for free at any of its more than 1,700 Planet Fitness locations from May 15 through Sept. 1 as part of the nationwide Teen Summer Challenge initiative.
Updated: May. 13, 2019 at 8:16 AM CDT
|By Annie Johnson and Yolanda Cruz
After hours of flooding, many roads in South Mississippi have become impassable. Emergency rescue crews have been working non stop rescuing residents from high-rising water.
Updated: May. 12, 2019 at 5:53 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Gov. Phil Bryant Sunday declared a State of Emergency for all affected areas in the state from recent storms.
Updated: May. 12, 2019 at 2:47 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
Clayborne Mitchell, 18, and Braden Pavlik, 17, are held at the Jackson County jail on three charges each of aggravated assault, use of a deadly weapon causing serious bodily harm.
Updated: May. 12, 2019 at 1:56 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz
A T-shirt honoring Biloxi Police and Fire departments will be sold for $20 each at the visitor’s center beginning May 13. Proceeds will go to the family of Officer Robert McKeithen.
Updated: May. 10, 2019 at 9:39 PM CDT
|By Annie Johnson and Yolanda Cruz
Mississippi Highway Patrol identified the victim as 54-year-old Timothy Joseph Moran from McHenry, MS.
Updated: Apr. 24, 2019 at 5:03 PM CDT
|By Yolanda Cruz and Annie Johnson
The death of Shawn Martin is being investigated as a homicide by the Moss Point Police Department.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JAHXMFVYCJDPPIKVFOI4BOCSTA.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NVF7EP5S4RAO7LML3LHUHND5SA.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/V7SA2YA57BCKFCDCFE6DRDWPEQ.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FOTYGQSITZFJZGJ5IXLGZHZDSA.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HFCAEP2VSFG77HJOT7LSHMHNBY.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5DIG3EGLRJEQNPUQNTYCRQFLCQ.PNG)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FFXFQIB5GNFQZDOOWBAE5PISKM.bmp)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QJLXXS2RTJAMLO2FEAJAH5ZPSE.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/36DTPTJS6FGXDLSKXIX7HNSRGA.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SLWZZP2VWZGAFC4O3WJKT5KZKA.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HUQZNSJPCNCSNPF3DQM6FD3WXQ.jpg)