Stories for October 2007 | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Stories for October 2007

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Wednesday, October 31

Talk

State Probes Melton's Lawn Crew ... Finally

Seven months after the Jackson Free Press revealed details about Mayor Frank Melton's young lawn crew, WLBT broke the news last week that the state auditor's office has requested materials …

Jackblog

The (Il)logic of ‘Illegal'

After reading my column this week, "La Nueva Estrategia del Sur," check out Lawrence Downes' hilarious and poignant column in The New York Times: "What Part of 'Illegal' Don't You …

Editor's Note

Endorsements, of a Fashion

The Jackson Free Press has a tradition of endorsing candidates in our election issues. And considering that we never, ever endorse based on who we think is going to win, …

Music

Record Crowds Turn Out for Voodoo

[Press release] More then 150,000 concert-goers turned out to Worship The Music in New Orleans ' City Park for this weekend's VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE. This record-setting number for the ninth …

Food

The Meat Mystery

To tell it true, ground meat makes Lunch Lady nervous. Ever since a friend told her that the beef at a certain delicious fast-food place is designated Grade D by …

Theater

Judge Not the Hairy Paw

The Fondren Theatre Workshop will take over the former Radio Shack space at Meadowbrook Mart this weekend for a production of Charles Ludlam's camp-Gothic penny dreadful "The Mystery of Irma …

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Men's college basketball, Wesley at Tougaloo (7 p.m., Jackson): This matchup of metro-area rivals should be more interesting than the typical season opener. … Women's college basketball, Tougaloo at Jackson …

Justice

Willis Fires Back

Former Parchman inmate Cedric Willis is suing the city of Jackson, the police department, and officers Gerald Jones, Ned Garner, Jim Jones and Joe Wade for $36 million for wrongful …

Talk

Clear-Eyed Optimist

Many Mississippians view former Gov. William Winter as one of the few great progressive leaders of the state. Winter is a partner at the law firm of Watkins, Ludlam, Winter …

Talk

Voter FAQ

The only stupid question about voting is the one you don't get answered before Nov. 6. With a little help from the League of Women Voters of Mississippi's Web site, …

Talk

Coalition Pushes for Smoke-Free Venues

Smoke-free Jackson, an anti-smoking coalition, is on a mission to have smoking banned from all Jackson businesses, including restaurants and bars, to protect Jackson's workers. Jackson City Council President Leslie …

Talk

What is Violence?

What is violence? What can be done to change the attitudes of men and boys?

Editorial

Melton's Budgetary Confusion

When writing an editorial, it's important to hit on a few high points. Generally, you want to relate some recent occurrence in the news to a trend that the newspaper's …

[Stiggers] Dear Jackson Free Press Readership

As of today I am relocating to Atlanta to help take care of my mother, Mrs. Ruby Stiggers. This is something I must do because for many years "Miss Ruby" …

Your Turn

I CARA, do you?

I've never been much of a volunteer. My high school required a certain amount of volunteer hours to graduate, which I completed, however grudgingly. My college sorority's charity of choice …

[Saldaña] La Nueva Estrategia del Sur

In Mississippi's first elections since the explosive national immigration bill debate, candidates across the political spectrum are lining up to take their best shot at undocumented immigrants. It's a no-holds-barred …

[Agnew] Voters with Disabilities

"My mom won't take me to vote, but I want to go," a young woman says to me as I take questions from her group. I ask her if she …

Jacksonian

Shandra Wilson

Between her son, her full-time job and life coaching, Shandra Wilson, 35, says her biggest challenge is "having time to do everything."

Cover

Mr. Washington Comes To Mississippi

Photos by Jaro Vacek and Roy Adkins

When Democrats speak of Gov. Haley Barbour, it's usually either with some degree of admiration or a great deal of venom.

Cover

The Reality Of Tort Reform

Photos by Darren Schwindaman and Roy Adkins

On Aug. 31, 1999, 73-year-old McComb obstetrician Edsel Stewart signed a pack of Prudential Life Insurance papers that he believed gave him a million dollars worth of life insurance for …

Cover

Election 2007 - Major Races

<b><em>Governor</em>

This year, conservative voters in the state have two clear choices—Haley Barbour, the corporate conservative who helped perfect the national GOP's "southern strategy," or John Arthur Eaves Jr., a Democratic …

Sports

O, What A Mess

Ole Miss defensive end Greg Hardy (the SEC leader in sacks and tackles for a loss) has been suspended indefinitely for "missing meetings, weight-lifting and other things." His mother says …

Tuesday, October 30

BREAKING: Tyrone Lewis Promoted to Deputy Chief

[Verbatim from the mayor's office] Mayor Frank E. Melton announced today that Commander Tyrone Lewis has been promoted to the position of Deputy Chief of Training and Standards for the …

Fly

won't you be my neighbor?

Here are some DIY ideas for improving Jackson one person, one neighborhood at a time.

As we are thinking about the upcoming elections and the changes we want to see in our city, state and world, I think that we should follow Gandhi's famous advice …

BREAKING: Mother of George Bell Indicted

More details as they emerge.

The Jackson Free Press has confirmed that Robbie Bell, the mother of a young man accused of bludgeoning his girlfriend, Heather Spencer, to death, has been indicted in the case …

Frank Melton

Melton to Fire Officer for Rolling Eyes at Him?

In an interview with Howard Ballou of WLBT, Mayor Frank Melton said he plans to fire Jackson police officer Mike Braxton, who made public a police report (PDF, 1013 KB) …

Monday, October 29

Frank Melton

Frank Melton's $6 Million Dollar Plan

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton told a doubtful city council today that he believes his administration has located $6 million in extra reserve funds in the Department of Public Works. Melton …

Frank Melton

Police: Melton Contaminates Crime Scenes

WAPT is reporting that the Jackson Police Officer Association is complaining to the City Council about the mayor's disruptions in the department, and blaming his interference for low morale among …

Jackblog

Eaves Launches Anti-Barbour Web site

The John Arthur Eaves campaign just e-mailed a link to a new Web site devoted to giving what they call the real story on Haley Barbour's record. The site opens …

Jackblog

Meet ‘Culture,' Clarion-Ledger Style

Just clicked into The Clarion-Ledger's new "culture" blog. This is what I found as the top post, I sh!t you not:

Sports

The Mississippi Miracle

Jim Rome is talking about this as I type ...

ESPN has posted video of the fantastic final play of Saturday's Trinity-Millsaps game. Trinity won 28-24 by scoring a touchdown on the final play of the game that featured numerous …

Cedric Willis Sues City of Jackson

Cedric Willis, who served 12 years in prison until he was exonerated last year, has announced that he is suing the city of Jackson for $36 million for wrongful arrest. …

Sunday, October 28

Sports

Instant Replay: College Football, Oct. 27-28

Central Florida 34, Southern Miss 17: Kevin Smith and turnovers kill the Golden Eagles.

Jackblog

Johnny Cash Flower-Pickin Festival Nov. 2-4

I'm a big fan of the Man In Black, and so I am happy to report that something cool is happening in Starkville this weekend. The Johnny Cash Flower-Pickin Festival …

Saturday, October 27

Sports

Full Contact? Do You Swear?

The lovely Capital City Rollergirls are going to host a session of Full Contact Musical Chairs on Nov. 10 at Hal & Mal's in the Big Room. Tickets are $10, …

Friday, October 26

Thursday, October 25

Sports

Hornets Cut Johnson

The New Orlean Hornets waive former Jackson State basketball star Trey Johnson.

Sports

Harsh Words

This is not merely bad. This is ineptitude on a staggering, world-historical scale. … it's simply impossible to describe how awful this performance is.

Fly

better than lincoln logs

Welcome to FlyBlog, home of the hip and handy, the fun and funky.

My interest in carpentry and building probably began in the womb, since my father is the ultimate handyman. When I was growing up, he helped me design, construct and build …

Fly

Music to Set the Spooky Mood

Say you have trick-or-treaters coming to your house this year. You have a nice outdoor speaker system and would like to really set the mood for all the little pirates, …

Fly

Cocktails That Make You Go ‘Boo!'

To scare up a formidable Black Cat, pour 1 ounce vodka and 1 ounce cherry brandy into a highball glass over ice. Fill with equal parts Coke and cranberry juice.

Fly

Halloween Party

When you're looking for items to decorate your space for Halloween, pick a handful of pieces around which to center the rest of your décor. For my space, I picked …

Diy Guides

Sculpting the Gourd

I have carved pumpkins since I was a child. As kids, my sister and I carved the typical triangles and jagged mouth for a traditional jack-o'-lantern. A few years in …

Frank Melton

State Investigates ‘Lawn Service' Contracts

Better late than never. It looks like the state and the media are finally playing catch-up on investigating the city's allocation of money to Frank Melton's "lawn service" contracts to …

BREAKING: City Council Has Standing Against Mayor

The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled today that the Hattiesburg City Council has standing to seek a writ of mandamus against Mayor Johnny DuPree.

Wednesday, October 24

Culture

Fly: Mean, Green Halloween

This Halloween as you walk through your neighborhood after dark, flashlight in hand, think about what you are using to power that flashlight. If you have not yet made the …

Food

Fly: Recipes For The Plug-In Cauldron

Halloween lore has it that witches stirred potions in their cauldrons constantly, breaking rhythm only to wipe dripping saliva from the corners of their mouths with wart-covered hands, or to …

Culture

Fly: Spooking

Mississippi

Candlelight Ghost Tour of Cedar Grove Mansion (Vicksburg), Oct. 26-31, 5-10 p.m. $6 adults, $4 children. 601-661-6100.

Culture

Fly: Halloween Pet-Cessories

Dressing your pet for All Hallows' Eve has never been easier with the wealth of retail stores and Web sites dedicated to the "chi chi" canine or feline. Indeed, some …

Theater

Rocky Horror Picture Show Virgin's Guide

In Rocky Horror Picture Show parlance, a "virgin" is anyone who's never seen RHPS (that's "Rocky Horror Picture Show," the movie) in a theater. Seeing it on TV doesn't count …

Cover

Fly: Come Fly With Us

Welcome to Fly, the seasonal supplement to your Jackson Free Press fix, designed especially for the hip and handy, and those who wish they were. Flip through Fly for hot …

Jackblog

U.S. House Probing Diaz, Minor Prosecutions

The idea that the prosecutions of Justice Oliver Diaz and attorney Paul Minor may have been politically motivated by a George Bush administration is gathering steam in the nation's capitol, …

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Junior college football, Hinds at Pearl River (7 p.m., Poplarville): It wasn't so long ago that these teams seemed to meet in the state title game every year. Both will …

Jacksonian

Ed Blount

Ed "The Prezs" Blount, 38, wants to form a new type of neighborhood association. Working as a bartender at the Upper Level by night, and driving a Head Start school …

Editor's Note

Real-Life Horror Stories

John Grisham says Haley Barbour should sign a moratorium on executions in Mississippi. "Absolutely. If I had my way, we'd stop all of them," Grisham said.

Strike Three For Melton

Mayor Frank Melton has backed out of his tax proposals for the third time since he became mayor in 2005. City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly Evans told the city council on …

Talk

Eaves Pushing For Prayer

In a Tuesday press conference at the state Capitol, Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Arthur Eaves introduced a plan to legally re-introduce prayer into public schools.

Talk

Jackson Resident Claims Racism

Jackson resident Robert Shoulders is suing Utility Constructors Inc. and its owner Terry Lovelace for racial harassment.

Talk

The AG's Race: Hoodwinking the Voters?

The race for attorney general is boiling down to two relevant choices: Do voters want a state lawyer who tries to distance himself from lawyers, or a lawyer who embraces …

Editorial

Mystery Ballots

Leading up to Election day, we've heard a lot of semi-hysteria regarding voter fraud in Mississippi. Certain politicians have latched onto this chimera as the wedge issue for 2007, while …

[Stiggers] Thin Line Between Love and Hate

Mo'tel Williams: "It's the showdown round of Negro-Rigged Jeopardy! Contestants are anxious to answer questions in the category 'African Americans: Love or Hate.' First question:

[Kamikaze] When Will They Learn?

It's another "biting-off-our-nose-to-spite-our-face" episode in the city of Jackson. I just read that rapper-turned-author C-Miller (formerly C-Murder)—brother of the "great opportunist" Master P—was in town to promote a new work …

[Tucker] The Mean Season

Well, I guess it's official: The Mean Season is upon us.

Jackblog

Todd's New Book Is Out!

JFP Publisher Todd Stauffer's new book, "How to Do Everything with Your Web 2.0 Blog," is out! You can order the book online at Powell's and other outlets. It should …

Shrinking JPD Springs a Sex-Toy Sting

So, the city can manage to find money to do sting operations in order to seize dildos. What a relief. Clarion-Ledger is reporting:

Tuesday, October 23

Frank Melton

Ladd Profiles Frank Melton in Reason Magazine

JFP Editor Donna Ladd writes about Mayor Frank Melton's shenanigans for Reason Magazine. The piece starts:

Jackblog

It's Best Of Time Again!

Alrighty all you proud Jacksonians. It's time once more to vote for the Best of Jackson. The first 2008 ballot is scheduled to appear in next week's issue (Oct. 31) …

Jackblog

My Story on Melton in Reason Magazine

Read the piece.

The libertarian Reason magazine today published a piece they asked me to write about Frank Melton and his shenanigans to date. Check it out here (note that a couple of …

Jackblog

Going away party for John Lawrence and Melody McAnally

And hey, Memphis is just a bigger version of Jackson anyway, right?

John Lawrence was mentioned in the story last week about Jacktoberfest -- the "teach a man to fish" guy who was a driving force behind Jubilee!JAM and Jacktoberfest. He is …

Jackblog

Shame on Us

I literally shouted expletives at my TV yesterday morning as I drank my coffee and watched the morning news. In an appalling display of hypocrisy, first lady Laura Bush landed …

JFP, Other Alts Stand with Phoenix New Times

The Jackson Free Press is proud to stand up today, alongside our sister papers in the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies against the efforts of elected officials in Phoenix, Ariz., to …

Monday, October 22

Jackblog

Ledger Publishes Old News on Michael Taylor

Oddly, The Clarion-Ledger today published a news story about Frank Melton's young friend, Michael Taylor, pointing out that new D.A. Robert Smith will have a conflict prosecuting him. This is …

Jackblog

Icky: ‘Heritage' Operative on Barbour's Staff

Just when you thought that the past was another half-mile behind us, something like this comes to light. The Associated Press reported:

Jackblog

ARTICLE: The Smoking Scourge Among Urban Blacks

Why do more than half of poor, young blacks smoke cigarettes, mainly Newport menthol cigarettes, and flavored cigarillos like Black and Mild, something I never heard of until I had …

Legislative Black Caucus Foils Plan to Unseat McCoy?

Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, told the Jackson Free Press Friday that the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus adopted a position on Thursday against the candidacy of Columbus Rep. Jeffrey Smith's run …

Sunday, October 21

Sports

Instant Replay: College Football, Oct. 20-21

Southern Miss 33, Marshall 24: The Golden Eagles, powered by Damion Fletcher's three touchdown runs, move into a tie for first place in the CUSA East.

Jackblog

With Due Respect, Mr. Agnew ...

It's hilarious that The Clarion-Ledger is trying to position itself in front of the FBI investigation of Frank Melton even though they have followed, if they even bothered to do …

Friday, October 19

Sports

Major League Hijinks

Doctor S knows that it's football season, but the news out of major league baseball is just too good:

Jackblog

JacktoberFest Today: Bands, Beers and Brats

Jacktoberfest was conceived in the near-death experience of another Jackson music fest tradition: Jubilee!JAM. "It was in the wake of a JAM meeting, where the Board had voted to put …

Sports

Instant Replay: College Football, Oct. 18

North Alabama 28, Delta State 17: The Lions hand the Statesmen their first loss of the season. UNA is the last unbeaten team left in the GSC.

Thursday, October 18

Sports

Torre Says Bye Bye To Bronx

This is the official story. Here's what really happened:

Frank Melton

The Melton Tapes: Donna Ladd's Interviews with Frank Melton

In spring 2006, Mayor Frank Melton broke his 14-month silence toward the Jackson Free Press, after refusing to give an interview to the newspaper after critical coverage of his campaign …

Melton Announces Progress: ‘Crime Is Down'

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton released this statement (PDF, 257 KB) yesterday touting "progress" in the City of Jackson.

Mayor Re-instates, Discredits JPD Promotion Exams

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton announced today that the police department will again administer police officer promotion exams to officers currently serving in acting sergeant and lieutenant positions because the city …

Jackblog

Does This Make Sense?

The Clarion-Ledger has a story about D.A.-elect Robert Smith not showing up for a docket call and needing to resolve his pending cases before he takes office in January. The …

Wednesday, October 17

Talk

The Politics of Voter ID

Photos by Adam Lynch and Kate Medley

Candidates tend to look for issues to separate themselves from their opponents. It's a tough order in conservative Mississippi, where many nominees on both sides of the political spectrum agree …

Food

31 Pounds of Cheese

When most people bust out statistics like "the average American eats more than 31 pounds of cheese each year"—give or take a few pounds, depending on your source and the …

Theater

Dreaming Through Adversity

"What happens to a dream deferred?" asks Langston Hughes in his poem "Harlem." "Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?/Or fester like a sore—/And then run?"

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

College football, Delta State at North Alabama (7 p.m., Florence, Ala., CSS/930 AM): Something has to give when the GSC's last two undefeated teams meet on Thursday night.

Jacksonian

Jim Kopernak

As I approach the industrial-looking Old House Depot on Monroe Street, I hear the robust sound of Ella Fitzgerald's voice. Jim Kopernak, 61 (but looking 10 years younger), emerges from …

Editor's Note

The Good Book and Politics Don't Mix

Mississippians are viewed as a "different breed" for a number of good reasons: our take on the second person plural, the affinity toward things like sweet tea and caramel cake, …

Talk

Council Blocks Pay Raises for Bodyguards

On Monday, the Jackson City Council halted Mayor Frank Melton's scheme to use drug-seizure money to fund recent police salary raises. The administration proposed taking $192,101 from the $400,000 drug-forfeiture …

Talk

Debate Highlights Party Loyalties

Photos by Adam Lynch

Republican State Auditor Phil Bryant and Democratic Rep. Jamie Franks sparred before a modest crowd of about 200 at Biloxi's Saenger Theater last Wednesday. The event was more a locked-down …

Editorial

Don't Blame (It All on) Melton

Leland Speed, whose family enthusiastically supported Frank Melton in his mayoral run, is going around saying something amusing about the beleaguered mayor in recent days as rumors fly about possible …

[Stiggers] Somebody's Watching Me

Crunchie Burga World CEO: "Welcome fellow Crunchie Burga World employees to a farewell banquet honoring the hard work and dedication of Miss Wanda, our beloved part-time senior greeter and fry …

Letters

No. 38, October 17

<b><em>Too Crazy to Make Up</b></em>

The words that fall out of our government representatives' mouths are sometimes just too incredible to be made up.

[Dickerson] How Much Justice Can You Afford?

Have you ever purchased an insurance policy, confident that your check (and the insurance agent's pledge that "you're now covered") would be enough to protect you?

Cover

What's In A Label?

Photos by Katrina Hercules, Jaro Vacek, Darren Schwindaman, and Nate Glenn

It's a Thursday evening in late August. For some reason, the AC's on the fritz, but who cares? Hal & Mal's Red Room is slammed. Through open doors, overflow—sound and …

Jackblog

Little Big Store picnic this Sunday, Oct. 21

The Little Big Store's monthly backyard picnic is this Sunday, October 21. All ages, free, bring your own food/pets/kids. These are cool, unique opportunities to get the family out of …

Tuesday, October 16

Frank Melton

Cops Vow to Air Dirty Laundry

The day after City Council refused to fund the promotions of Mayor Frank Melton's bodyguards, a local police union said today that talks with the mayor about the appointments were …

Monday, October 15

Frank Melton

Melton: Who, Me?

"I don't know anything about that. I can't imagine what I've done," Melton said.

The Jackson rumor mill is on overdrive today about federal indictments of Mayor Frank Melton coming down in the wake of an FBI investigation that pulled several members of his …

Jackblog

Wake Up Jackson meeting this Thursday, October 18, at 6:00 PM

The meeting will be at the ACLU Mississippi office at 964 N. Jefferson Street, which is next to Fenian's Pub.

Oxford Cop Killer Pleads Down to Manslaughter

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting:

Sunday, October 14

Jackblog

VIDEO: Bob Ross - Why I Don't Paint People

This YouTube tribute to Bob Ross captures the essence of who he was as an artist and a person.

Saturday, October 13

Jackblog

Libertarian Magazine Probes State Medical Examiner

Over the last week, an investigative story in Reason magazine by Radley Balko probing Mississippi medical examiner Steven Hayne has attracted national attention, even drawing an editorial in the Wall …

Friday, October 12

Sports

Instant Replay: College Football, Oct. 11

Delta State 35, Valdosta State 31: The Statesmen move atop the GSC standings with a stunning victory over the Blazers.

Jackblog

Get the Lead Out

According to a recent ABC News report, several brands of lipstick contain lead, including popular brands such as Cover Girl and L'Oreal:

Jackblog

And the Nobel Peace Prize goes to…

...Al Gore, who is sharing it equally with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Thursday, October 11

Jackblog

Mychal Bell back in jail

He has to spend 18 months in a juvenile facility for violating his probation. However, the charges are old and weren't brought up until now, so Sharpton and others see …

Sports

High Anxiety At JSU

This week's Jackson State at Southern football game at Baton Rouge seems to have an unusual amount of pregame drama. First, JSU coach Rick Comegy said he had heard about …

Frank Melton

Doris Shavers' Family: Melton Lied

Shalandria Shavers, the 21-year-old daughter of domestic-violence victim Doris Shavers, and James Hopkins, Shavers' brother, served notice today to the city of Jackson and Mayor Frank Melton of a wrongful-death …

Music

Bob Mould News

Anti- is pleased to announce the signing of living legend and alternative rock trailblazer Bob Mould. Mould's vital new studio album, District Line – the latest in his esteemed, twenty …

Thirteen-story Ridgeland High Rise Passes 4-3

The Ridgeland Board of Aldermen voted 4-to-3 in favor of the construction of a 13-story office building. Ridgeland codes currently limit building heights to four stories, so developer Buster Bailey …

Jackblog

Learn Something New

Every so often, I come across something really useful on the Internet that isn't trying to sell me anything. If you're like me, it's even better if it tells me …

Frank Melton

Federal Grand Jury Probing Frank Melton?

The Jackson Free Press has gotten reports over the last week that people high up in the Melton administration are appearing before a federal grand jury this week to testify …

Wednesday, October 10

Body+Soul

Vannessa And The Carafe

Pranic healing removes the pain of burns.

Wellness

Lazy Bum Off the Couch!

Let's backtrack to Jan. 1. You swore you'd stick to your diet and finally rid yourself of that layer of fat that has come between you and your two-piece for …

Culture

A Comfortable Trust

As the recipient of dozens, perhaps hundreds of massages, one of the first things I always "look" for is the personal energy a masseuse projects. I've had therapists who were …

Culture

My Big Fat Problem

At 6 every morning I awake to the sound of the alarm. Most days I groggily get out of bed and go about the daily routine of getting my son …

Food

You Are What You Eat

Learning how to cook is always such a hit-and-miss experience. It requires patient and tolerant people who are willing to wait long, hungry hours while you figure out just how …

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

College football, Delta State at Valdosta State (7 p.m., Valdosta, Ga., CSS/930 AM): The Statesmen and Blazers are both undefeated heading into their annual grudge match. … Pro baseball, Colorado …

Jacksonian

Dexter Morton

After 14 years of driving trucks and training other people to drive trucks, Dexter Devon Morton left the road with a 46-inch waistline and weighing 360 pounds. Today, Morton, 38, …

Editor's Note

Good Times with Recio & the Gang

Michael Recio was big and hulking and provided decent cover for a reporter who wasn't used to walking up to people's homes unannounced in the middle of the night. I …

Talk

Man of Iron

As a young boy, Shad Ireland wanted to be a professional athlete when he grew up. But at the age of 10, he was diagnosed with Membranoproliferative nephritis, which causes …

Talk

'Blue Dot in a Red Sea'

Democracy for America Chairman Jim Dean endorsed Democratic candidate Gary Anderson for Mississippi Insurance Commissioner last week during a visit to Anderson's campaign headquarters.

Justice

ACLU Worker Arrested For Observing Police

Police arrested ACLU Field Coordinator Brent Cox for surveying a police interdiction last month, though Cox said he was fulfilling his constitutional duty in observing the activity.

Talk

Eaves' Health-Care Plan Touches Nerve

Photos by Kate Medley, Roy Adkins, & Adam Lynch

Brookhaven resident Washuma Murphy faces more than $3,500 in medical bills every year, without the benefit of medical insurance. Doctors diagnosed her 12-year-old son, Devon Murphy, with Sturge-Weber Syndrome at …

Editorial

Recio Promotion Insult to JPD

Last week Mayor Melton appointed his bodyguard, a 15-year police officer with little supervisory experience, to the position of assistant chief, granting him a $31,000 raise and, presumably, a considerable …

[Stiggers] Somebody's Watching Me

Grandpa Pookie: "Welcome to the first annual Ghetto Neighborhood Safety Fair, Picnic and Disco—organized by the Ghetto Science Team Neighborhood Protection Agency, Aunt Tee Tee Hustle, Nurse Tootie McBride, Senior …

[Kamikaze] Lapel Pins of Our Countrymen

America needs an enema. Symbolic "patriotism" is blocking the very strides that we are supposed to be making as a "progressive" country. It is giving us mental constipation. Real action, …

[Mott] Fake It 'til You Make It

"A governor, a senator and then me. I think I may be the comic relief," I quipped before my brief statement at the Fourth Annual Interfaith Dinner on Oct. 4. …

Cover

Chicken Little & My Sauconys' Marathon

Last January, I snuggled under a warm velour throw on my plump sunroom sofa, with junk food and remote within arm's reach. Dozing off, I congratulated myself on excellent "no-moving-except-to-switch-TV-channels" …

Cover

Random Wellness: Try This At Home

1. Valerian might be a great sleep aid, but use it in moderation. Long-term use overstresses the adrenal glands.

Jackblog

Eaves Makes Front Page of NY Times

In a story headlined In Mississippi, Democrat Runs in G.O.P. Lane, reporter Adam Nossiter explores John Eaves' run to Haley Barbour's right on social and religious issues:

Jackblog

Noose Found on Door of Black Columbia Professor

Well, if anything, the Jena 6 situation is going to expose the racism and bigotry in our midst—all of our midst. And that is a damn good thing. We've got …

Jackblog

Feds Might Buy Gulf Coast Homes

Did you guys see this? (AP) The federal government is considering buying out as many as 17,000 homes along the Mississippi coast and remaking the land into a vast hurricane …

Tuesday, October 9

Jackblog

Barbour Attacks Eaves for Suing the Military; Eaves Responds

In recent TV ads, Gov. Haley Barbour feigns outrage at his opponent for suing the military as a trial attorney. Eaves responds in an e-mail and TV spot that indicates …

Jackblog

He Fired a 9mm and They Didn't Check His Background?!?

What!?! Just because a man is a "homeowner" firing at apparent "thugs" with his semiautomatic, the JPD doesn't check his background? Good Lord. There goes another Clarion-Ledger front-page hero.

Jackblog

JFP Registration Announcement

If you have registered for the JFP site recently, please go try your user name and password to see if you've been approved (you may not get an e-mail back …

Monday, October 8

Jackblog

NAMIWalks 2007: another successful year!

Our team raised $129.93, and my T-shirt design won 3rd place. Also, two team members won door prizes. What a great day!

Sunday, October 7

Jackblog

Mea Culpa from Ledger's Hampton ... Sort of

But notice that his only solution to the problem of newspapers' decreasing coverage of "complex" political issues is finding more bloggers for the Ledger's site. Sigh; it's sad to watch …

Saturday, October 6

Jackblog

"State of the Nation" Art and Performance Festival Starts Today

"State of the Nation" Art and Performance Festival Oct. 4-6, starting at 7 p.m. every night at the F.D. Hall Music Center at JSU. Featuring Teo Castellanos, Uprooted: The Katrina …

Friday, October 5

Capitol

Hope overcomes frustration

Thursday, October 4

Jackblog

Lobbyist: Barbour Has No Ties to Firm

Bobby Harrison is reporting in the Daily Journal that Lanny Griffith has issued a statement about Haley Barbour's current status with his (former?) lobbying firm.

Jackblog

GAO: FEMA Favored Mississippi Over Louisiana

The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office has confirmed that FEMA favored Mississippi over Louisiana after Katrina, concurring with the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general who criticized FEMA for awarding "the …

Wednesday, October 3

Sports

Instant Replay: College Football, Oct. 3

Rice 31, Southern Miss 29: The Owls upset the Eagles (20-point favorites) in C-USA's Battle of the Birds. Talk about an ugly-ass loss.

Culture

Eco-Campus

On cold Virginia evenings at the College of William and Mary, mittened passers-by on the sidewalk below my second-story dorm room window could see me wearing my favorite lightweight striped …

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Junior college football, Copiah-Lincoln at Hinds (7 p.m., Raymond): Both of these teams are in desperate need of a win. … Pro baseball, New York Yankees at Cleveland in AL …

Jacksonian

Larry And Dee Nixon

Shortly after relocating to Jackson from South Carolina, Larry and Dee Nixon established the Cure Sickle Cell Foundation to raise awareness of SCD and support families affected by the disease.

Editor's Note

Crossing Gallatin

So the JFP celebrated its fifth birthday a couple of weeks ago. I have long exercised the privilege of celebrating my birthweek and birthmonth, rather than just a flimsy day, …

Talk

JPS Moves Ahead in Bond Projects

Minority make-up was the point of interest for school board members in an Oct. 1 special meeting of the Jackson Public School Board. The meeting, which ran into the wee …

Talk

City Pulls $3 Mil From Reserves, May Need More

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton and the city administration got their wish from the council in a 3-to-2 vote in favor of raiding $3 million from the city's $7 million budget …

Talk

Innocence Project Comes to Mississippi

The Mississippi Innocence Project is looking to put down permanent roots in Mississippi and is kicking off its effort through an Oct. 22 fund raiser. Award-winning novelists John Grisham and …

Jackblog

Bishop Phillip Coleman: R.I.P.

Bishop Dr. Phillip Coleman, Sr., Th.D., pastor of Greater Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church, died Tuesday from cancer. He was 81.

Talk

Lawyers Needed

Herding cats. That's the unwritten job description for soft-spoken Shirley Williams, executive director of the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project. Formed in 1982, the MVLP is one of a handful of …

Domestic Violence

Good News for Victims

Announcing some good news on the domestic violence front, Attorney General Jim Hood says that the Domestic Violence Division has made significant progress in educating the state's law enforcement, judges …

Domestic Violence

It's Time to Save Lives

Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which started Monday, has taken on a new urgency this year. Given the recent spate of domestic murders in Jackson that might have been prevented, it's …

[Stiggers] Common Trauma Ward

Judy McBride: "Allow me to provide you with a glimpse of mental-health conditions seldom recognized by the general public. Let's take a brief journey through Ward 6 and 3/5, also …

[Hightower] Inescapable TV Ads

I yearn for the good ol' days when a TV was a device under my control. It sat quietly in my home, doing nothing until I beckoned it to perform. …

[Dickerson] Can You Handle the Truth?

For a long time, I wanted to ask President Bush why, if the Dixie Chicks knew there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, he couldn't figure it out …

Cover

Beat It? The JFP Interview With Michael Jackson Chaney

Photos by Roy Adkins

Michael Jackson wants to be your insurance commissioner. Yes, Sen. Michael Jackson "Mike" Chaney is running for Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance on the Republican ticket, and facing Democrat Gary Anderson, …

Tuesday, October 2

Hood: State Auditor Disrupted Beef Plant Sting

Attorney General Jim Hood confirmed Monday that State Auditor Phil Bryant had interrupted investigative efforts to obtain evidence against beef-plant owners. Hood's written statement to the media came after lieutenant …

Monday, October 1

Jackblog

Theater of the Beef-Plant Absurd

Can we just call the beef-plant debacle what it is: a foolish bipartisan embrace of a corporate-welfare scheme gone awry? Both Dems and Republicans pushed for it, and Barbour wrote …

Jackblog

Jamie Franks: ‘I'm Being Attacked'

Jamie Franks today sent out an e-mail to supporters, responding to the state (and national?) Republican Party's "liberal"-baiting campaign—"Too Liberal for Mississippi"—against him. Here is Franks' verbatim statement: