Wednesday, August 31
Jackson Power May Be Out for Weeks
The Clarion-Ledger reports today that the 75 percent of Jackson resident still without power could face weeks in the dark:
Remarks by Haley Barbour and Thad Cochran Today
Here are the transcribed remarks of Gov. Haley Barbour and Sen. Thad Cochran at today's MEMA press conference in Jackson. They only answered a few questions; Adam said an alarm …
UPDATED/URGENT: Take Food to St. Andrews
All, Rev. Connolly just wrote again about food that is needed in the Jackson shelters. Please do what you can:
Thousands May Be Dead in N.O.; 50 in Hancock County
AP is reporting:
Hurricane Katrina probably killed thousands of people in New Orleans, the mayor said Wednesday - an estimate that, if accurate, would make the storm the nation's deadliest natural disaster since …
Message Board for Families Seeking Information
One of the JFP blog members, based in North Mississippi, has set up a message board for families seeking information on loved ones:
USM Postpones Opener
The Southern Miss-Tulane game, which was scheduled for Sunday in Hattiesburg has been postponed due in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Tuesday, August 30
Individuals Post Katrina Photos on Flikr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/katrina/
Over 2000 photos have the tag "Katrina" on the Flikr service, where folks make their photos available to everyone on the Web. Obviously some photos tagged Katrina might not be …
Also Hit Hard: Hattiesburg
Another place that hasn't gotten a lot of play in the national news (Weather Channel, CNN, etc.) is Hattiesburg, which was right in the path of Katrina and reportedly has …
Boil Water Notice in Effect
The City of Jackson Public Works Department has issued a "boil water" notice for residents in Jackson. If you use municipal water for consumption or cooking, it's recommend that you …
Biloxi Sun-Herald: Printing in Ga.; Blogging From Biloxi
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/
According to a story in Editor and Publisher the Biloxi-based Sun Herald is still without power, but is being produced and printed by sister paper (Knight-Ridder owned) Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in …
CL: Barbour Heads to the Coast
The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that Governor Barbour plans to take a helicopter to the Gulf Coast and tour the damaged areas; according to Barbour, up to 80 people are thought …
Sunday, August 28
Pray for the Big Easy and the Magnolia State
AP reports:
"We are facing a storm that most of us have long feared," Mayor Ray Nagin said in ordering the mandatory evacuation for his city of 485,000 people, surrounded by suburbs …
Thursday, August 25
Study: Race Disparity During Traffic Stops
The Bureau of Justice Statistics did not want this study published.
Wednesday, August 24
No Minors Allowed
I had only eaten half of my French fries at Fenian's one night when they asked me to leave. I was in the back watching Fatman Squeeze with some friends. …
[New Release] Sufjan Stevens "Illinois"
— Alex Slawson and Herman Snell
Sufjan Stevens — "Illinois" Sufjan Stevens, a singer/songwriter from Michigan by way of New York, devised a lofty goal to create an album for each state in the union. The …
[Greggs] Why Ask Why
A few days ago I got an e-mail asking if I could write a column about "college" due to the theme of this week's paper. I decided it probably wouldn't …
[Kamikaze] Racists Win Again
Excuse me if I'm a little cynical when it comes to the American judicial system. Any system run by human beings is going to be flawed. Being that we are …
[New Release] Esthero "Wikked Lil Grrls"
Esthero — "Wikked Lil Grrls" My first time ever seeing Esthero was on ABC's "The Jimmy Kimmel Live Show." The title track from her latest album, which she performed, was …
[Stiggers] Tips From Hair-Did University
Boneqweesha Jones, the president of Hair-Did University's Schools of Cosmetology, Hair Styling and On-the-scene reporting, addresses the freshman class: "To each member of the freshman class, I'm pleased that you …
[BeerTalk] Beyond Cheap Brews
Most students tend to stop at the suitcases of beer and seldom venture into the possibilities that are out there for the thrifty (but not necessarily cheap) spender who seeks …
Battling The Freshman 15
For many freshmen, something happens when they're not looking, but it surely gets noticed on that first trip home, four to six weeks after classes start. Little sis says, "Hey, …
Just Wait 15 Minutes
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton rode a "no new taxes" bandwagon into the office that he took over July 4. "I'm not going to burden you with more taxes. I'm just …
Almost Legal: In Jackson, Are 18- to 20-Year-Olds Just Screwed?
Sometimes, being under 21 in Jackson is like serving a term under house arrest.In February, when the Crossroads Film Society managed to secure a copy of "The Ramones, End of …
MVP: Jackson Area Students Strut Their Stuff
To celebrate the new year, we've chosen two students from Millsaps College, Mississippi College, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College and Belhaven College who really exemplify what their school has to …
Taxing Your Grub
In an era of "no new taxes" pledges, you will soon find a stealthy tariff lurking on your cafeteria tray.
Questions For Newbies
My new laptop's got a sweet wireless Internet connection? Where can I surf the net for free?
Making The Grade
Cassandra Williams, principal of Davis Magnet Elementary School, had good reason to be smiling Aug. 17. Williams announced at a ceremony that day that Davis Magnet, on North Congress Street …
Theon Johnson
Theon Johnson's name fits, with both parts ending melodiously with the word on, as in "on the job." In Johnson's case, that means finishing his studies, earning a dual degree …
Tupelo Writer Comes Out ... As AP Voter
Gregg Ellis of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal writes about what it's like to be a voter in The Associated Press college football poll. Good luck, Greg.
Tuesday, August 23
Barna: Jackson Has Nation's Highest Percentage of Born-Again Christians, Nation's Most Christian-Ori
Interesting news from the Barna Group. Money quotes:
Orenda Fink of Azure Ray Solo CD
Orenda Fink: Invisible Ones (Saddle Creek; August 23). "One of the reasons that I chose to make a solo record was that I was ready to take a different approach …
Wednesday, August 17
Formality - A Necessary Evil
You're out to dinner, and you order a bottle of wine. The waiter brings the bottle and starts going through the motions of formal wine service at the table. For …
How I Stay Healthy
Carla Gayle Simpson, 24, is a fourth-year dental student at the University Medical Center. She takes classes six hours a week and sees patients from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. …
Paying The Price: As Soldiers Are Buried, America Tunes Out
Thunder rumbles over Fort Carson as Pamela Knott weeps inside the Army base's chapel. Minutes later, she tells television and newspaper reporters that the pouring rain soothed her during the …
Honoring Our Soldiers: Are Mississippi Lawmakers Doing Enough?
Mississippi is paying dearly with our soldiers' lives in the Iraqi War. Since the war began in March 2003, at least 37 servicemen from Mississippi have lost their lives. In …
Guilty By Default?
When Mayor Frank Melton held the post as head of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, he leaked a memo containing accusations against MBN employees that were later disproved by the …
Robbed At The Pump
Gas prices at the pumps hit an all-time high last week, but even before the price whacked $2.46, some gas station workers said theft was already on the rise.
[Gospel] All In The Familly
In an industry that is home to stellar artists such as Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin, another male vocalist has stepped over the threshold—Dathan Thigpen.
[Jacktown] Rumors And Releases
What's up, Jackson? I have been out grinding, hitting the pavement and making some power moves, as your favorite rapper's favorite rapper would say. I want to start this column …
House Of Duchovny
Here's a surprise: Dour, dry David Duchovny's directorial debut, "House of D," is more weepy than creepy, a conventional coming-of-age story that flashes back to 1970s New York City.
[McLemore] Say It Ain't So, Raffe
On March 17, Rafael Palmeiro pointed his finger at the U.S. Congress and emphatically stated his position. Of all of the baseball greats there that day, Palmeiro came off as …
[Stiggers] Stuck Like Chuck On The Side Of The Road
The Ghetto Science Team's Department of Transportation presents Transportation Secretary and Head Mechanic of Rev. Cletus Car Sales, Deacon O.D. Mann, promoting his transportation program for financially challenged commuters.
[Damiani] From One Iraq Extreme To The Other
Today, after you've had your first cup of coffee and stumbled out of your home to join society, walk up to somebody and say, "What do you think of when …
Where The Pavement Begins
On a recent Tuesday a bunch of folk gathered for a cookout outside John Lawrence's place. It was kind of like the stoop cookouts we used to have when I …
Ro Sanchez
Ronel "Ro" Sanchez, 32, is nothing short of a movie buff. Seated on the couch near the front door of Video Café, he takes a look around at the vintage …
Thursday, August 11
[Ali] Bootstrap Fury
I was attempting to have a nonviolent "discussion" with my conservative father the other day when he said the phrase, "Pulling themselves up by their bootstraps." After quickly looking around …
Wednesday, August 10
Going To Hell In Style
A Review Of Romance Of The Three Kingdoms X
I'm screwed. Really. Maybe it's because I constantly overwork my entire population of peasants into revolt, or because I flip a coin to decide if I execute the enemy officers, …
All Things English
You know how it is, some teen-aged girls have flaming crushes on celebrities—mainly musicians, actors and athletes. Way back when I was a teen-ager, most of mine had one characteristic …
Dealing With The Bad Guys
Precinct 4 COPS meetings have proved a reliable format for city figures to meet with concerned residents and discuss problems facing the community, particularly infrastructure and crime issues. The Aug. …
Crash of The Blue Screen
The Help America Vote Act of 2002, passed in response to the troubled 2000 presidential elections, requires each state to have up-to-date voting machines installed and ready by Jan. 1, …
[Kamikaze] Pump It Up
I've been an athlete all my life. Since I can remember, I've participated in organized sports, whether it was soccer in elementary school; baseball, basketball and track in junior high …
But Earth, Which Is His Due
At the Neshoba County Fair this year, I had gotten up close to the lectern so I could take a close-up picture of Gov. Haley Barbour's face during his annual …
Crystal Carter
One trip to Emory School University of Atlanta was a lifetime experience for 16-year-old Jacksonian Crystal Carter. The Jim Hill High School junior was qualified as an attendee for the …
[Stiggers] Bring Back The Hustle
Brotha Hustle: "Greetings, fellow hustlers and ghetto economists. I've come to realize that we live in a society of racketeering. Gone are the days of Hustle-Utopia (a.k.a. legitimate hustling society), …
No. 46 August 11-17
<b><em>Here For Ya</b></em>
I just read the cover story (reprint of JFP's "I Want Justice, Too") in the Colorado Springs Indy and followed links to the JFP. WOW! Great journalism. My heart pours …
SOS Announces ‘Voter-Verified Paper Trail'
It seems the secretary of state's office is trying to respond to concerns about the new voting machines such as the JFP reported more than a month ago:
Cover
JFP Interview: Education Governor William Winter
<b>*The JFP Unabridged Web Edition*</b>
The Neshoba County Fair this year was like a tale of five governors on Thursday, traditionally the hottest political fire-breathing day. In a way though, it was the story of …
Can Education Be Saved? More Cuts May Be Ahead.
Pontotoc County Superintendent John Simmons has been in his position for only two years, but already knows how strapped for money his county schools are. "Some of our history books …
Tuesday, August 9
19 Ethiopians turn their cameras onto their own lives
Nineteen Ethiopians turn their cameras onto their own lives and invite you to share their very personal perspectives. From diverse backgrounds and different parts of the country, their photographs give …
New Nickel Creek Out Now
Grammy-Winning Band's Third Album Offers Further Folk-Pop Innovations. Nickel Creek is set to release their third album, Why Should The Fire Die?, on August 9, 2005. Working with producers Eric …
Monday, August 8
Mississippi Blues Living Legends Highlight Native Sons Concert Series
Filming of Three-Part Blues Special a Sequel to Blues Divas. They were born in Shaw and Belzoni, Mississippi and helped craft some of America's original musical sounds. At the age …
Sunday, August 7
A Lunch To Grow On
Our lazy summer days are coming to an end, and school is around the corner. Cafeteria food might taste good, but those steak fingers and fries do not have much …
Wednesday, August 3
Melton Wants All JPS Students Drug-Tested
WLBT is reporting:
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton wants students to be able to pass one test in particular... a drug test. Announcing his commitment to improve Jackson's public schools, Melton wants officials to …
"Oscillons from The Anti-Sun," Stereolab
Since their inception in 1991, Stereolab have taken a rather simple formula for making music and have polished it to such a degree that they are almost as influential as …
"Dol-Goy Assist," Quinoline Yellow
Some record labels are legendary for consistently great output and SKAM [U.K.] is certainly among them, especially when it comes to Leftfield/Abstract/IDM/Ambient soundscapes. Since signing Luke Williams, better known as …
[D.I.Y.] Be A Spoken Word Poet
In the past decade, a resurgence of the poetry known as spoken word has emerged and has become an outlet for expression for many people. Poets are drawn to the …
How to Beat the House
On July 15, the Mississippi Legislature finished up a 90-minute special session in record time and with plenty of smiles. Both the Senate and the House passed similar bills providing …
Sex Shop Shenanigans
When Mayor Frank Melton and two detectives raided an adult novelty store last Thursday, the incident raised a few questions. Disparate reports by local media WLBT-TV and The Clarion-Ledger offered …
Crime Plan Faces Reality Check
Last week Mayor Frank Melton announced a number of methods to combat crime in the city. "I'm making a change in leadership at the municipal court, and Gayle Lowery, a …
Mayor Tries to Clean House
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton, elected July 4, was already looking to shake the system July 27, calling for the resignation of city board and commission members. In a press release, …
[Wine] Keeping It Cool
I'm not usually one to talk much about the weather, but lately who can help it? WOW—is it ever hot. When the temperature's up, people's dispositions tend to go sour, …
Take the Time to Do It Right
Last Sunday two Clarion-Ledger columnists expressed dismay at Mayor Frank Melton's string of public proclamations that turned out to be more hype than good, legal policy—telling city board members to …
[Geek] Don't Ask "Y": A Vision Of The Unmanned World
I have to profess an undying affection for "what if" stories—what if the British had won the Revolutionary War, what if Napoleon had not lost at Waterloo—and the comic book …
[Music] The Love Doctors
Once upon a time, heartthrobs made up groups such as New Edition, Jodeci, and Boyz II Men. They sang ballads that made lovers swoon by appreciating every asset, every touch …
Grand Hotel: Does the King Edward Have a Glorious Future?
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton attempted to put some gas behind the renovation of the King Edward Hotel July 22 when, through the media, he gave his staff about a month …
[Mangum] Every Child, One Voice?
"Hey, FAGGOT!" Not exactly what you want to hear starting the school day, right? But I can't tell you the number of days of my Mississippi junior high school life …
Ricardo Jacobs
Ricardo Jacobs, 24, may not be a native of Jackson, but it's obvious that he loves the city he's called home since the sixth grade. "Jackson is a nice place …
[Stiggers] Poor Kids' Hoop Dreams
Let's hear a message from the Ghetto Science Team's school superintendent. Grandma Pookie: "Under-funded schools in poor communities anticipate the elimination of athletic programs, which could disable a poor student's …
August 4 - 10, 2005
<b>What About Sex?</b>
I found Ali Gregg's column "Why Not Just Turn Gay?" (July 28-Aug. 3, 2005) somewhat humorous. She listed her 10 reasons why she wouldn't make a good lesbian. Most of …
Tuesday, August 2
Protect The Vote
Just as President Bush has nominated a potential U.S. Supreme Court justice who may further roll back federal voting-rights protections, the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP is announcing a …
Monday, August 1
Johnny Cash Box Set
NEW COLLECTIONS HIGHLIGHT THE LEGENDARY RECORDING CAREERS OF JOHNNY CASH and JUNE CARTER CASH. Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY BMG Music Entertainment, is gearing up for the impending releases of …
