Stories for August 2008 | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Stories for August 2008

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Sunday, August 31

Gustav

More Housing Needed in Jackson Metro for Gustav Evacuees

Also see: Jackpedia: Hurricane Gustav to get/post vital information.

Gustav

Evacuees Saying Contraflow in Mississippi ‘a Joke'

On the Gambit Weekly blog, New Orleans evacuees are complaining that the contraflow plan fell apart in Mississippi today. "Huck" wrote:

Gustav

Barbour: ‘We're Geared Up for a Major Storm'

Also see: Jackpedia: Hurricane Gustav to get/post vital information.

Gustav

MEMA Sends 100 School Buses to Coast to Pick Up Residents

(Verbatim) PEARL – The Mississippi Department of Education has deployed more than 100 school buses for people who need to evacuate the Gulf Coast today. People living in FEMA travel …

Gustav

MDOT: Traffic Contraflow to End Sunday Night

(Verbatim from MDOT) JACKSON, MISS., --- The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) announces the following traffic information. Officially LA/MS Hurricane Gustav Contraflow operations for Interstates 55 and 59 will terminate …

Gustav

McCain Announces Scaled-Back Convention Due to Gustav

John McCain campaign manager Rick Davis is announcing now that the Republican Naitonal Convention will officially begin at 3 p.m. Monday for "business of the day," but no politics. He …

Gustav

Where Is Emergency Housing for Gustav Evacuees?

Are you fleeing Gustav and looking for housing? You can find a list of emergency shelters in Mississippi here. Print a Red Cross evacuation plan here. Here's a checklist of …

Gustav

How to Volunteer to Help Gustav Victims

If you want to volunteer to help victims of Hurricane Gustav, please see this Jackpedia page, where you can also start posting about needs for specific volunteers. If you're available …

Gustav

Deadly Storm Surges Likely for Louisiana and Mississippi

As you're tracking the storm, don't just focus on where the eye of Gustav will make landfall. As we all learned during Katrina, the storm surge is one of the …

Gustav

McCain, Palin Coming to Jackson Sunday for Gustav Face Time

The Associated Press is reporting that the McCain-Palin campaign is coming down to Gustav territory:

Saturday, August 30

Gustav

Governor: Contraflow Traffic Begins 4 a.m. Sunday in State

[Verbatim] August 30, 2008—The State of Mississippi is assisting Louisiana with contraflow operations for Interstate 59 and Interstate 55. This means all lanes will be dedicated to northbound traffic beginning …

Gustav

Barbour Declares State of Emergency Due to Gustav

[Verbatim from Office of Governor] (JACKSON, Mississippi)--Today Governor Haley Barbour issued a State of Emergency for the State of Mississippi due to the threat posed by Hurricane Gustav, which has …

Gustav

JFP Opens Hurricane Gustav Info Wiki on Jackpedia

As we did for Katrina in 2005, the Jackson Free Press will provide staff- and user-generated communications for resources needed in the wake of Hurricane Gustav to help connect people …

Friday, August 29

Tease photo Politics

Obama's Explosive Acceptance Speech: The Transcript

Even as the country spent a minute saying "who the hell is Sarah Palin," Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is basking in the glow (and poll numbers) of a remarkable …

Tease photo Jackblog

McCain Chooses Alaska 'Hockey Mom' as Running Mate

The New York Times reports that Sen. John McCain has chosen a 44-year-old conservative, pro-life governor who called herself a "hockey mom" as his running mate:

Gustav

W-P: GOP Considers Postponing Convention

Faced with the prospect that Hurricane Gustav would make landfall on or shortly the GOP convention begins, the Washington Post is reporting that the GOP is considering a delay for …

Jackblog

Watching History Unfold

My mind is going in so many directions right now that I'm surprised that I'm not dizzy.

First, yesterday was the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington. Whenever I saw clips of his speech, I would …

Wednesday, August 27

Tease photo Cover

The Katrina Effect: Politics After the Storm

Nobody had ever seen anything like Katrina. "When Katrina came, we knew we were in for an entirely different kind of animal," said Capt. Louis Skrmetta of Gulfport.

Tease photo Talk

Hurricane Green: Who Profited?

By now, it should be clear who is making the big bucks on Katrina recovery: contractors and consultants. The storm's victims haven't fared so well.

Gustav

The Katrina Effect: National and State Politics After the Storm

Read Adam Lynch's in-depth analysis of how the inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina on Mississippi's Gulf Coast and in New Orleans—and the fact that so many people still leave in …

Tease photo Talk

Suburban Bootleggers?

Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham said a preliminary audit suggests the cities of Madison and Ridgeland have been bootlegging Hinds County's 800 MHz Motorola digital radio system with the help …

Tease photo Books

Disaster: A Growth Industry

"The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism" (Picador USA, 2008, $16), is so well written and researched that you will find it as difficult to put down as anything …

Tease photo Music

No Room for Doubt

For aspiring college bands, the arduous choice between school and a professional music career is a common one. But few people ever face that crossroads with a future music legend. …

Tease photo Music

[Rob In Stereo] Still Fighting

Few artists have the kind of a story to tell about the fragility of life as Alejandro Escovedo. He has used his previous two albums—2006's "Boxing Mirror" and the recently …

Tease photo Dish

Bob Moser: 'Reclaiming the South'

Bob Moser, who has reported for The Nation and Rolling Stone, and served as the editor of the tough Independent Weekly in North Carolina, has written a book on the …

Feature

[Pass The Mic] I Made You a Tape

Rob Gordon, the quintessential über music snob in Nick Hornby's "High Fidelity," sums it up best: "You gotta kick off with a killer, to grab attention. Then you got to …

Body+Soul

Taking Risks

All risks are not unhealthy ones, like having unprotected sex with a stranger. Risk-taking can be a normal, healthy part of life.

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Southern League baseball, West Tenn at Mississippi (7 p.m., Pearl, 1590 AM): The M-Braves open their final homestand of the season. Junior college football, Northeast at Hinds (7 p.m., Raymond): …

Tease photo Jacksonian

Kaarlon Mann

If you have never seen a stray cat in Belhaven Heights, there's a pretty good chance Kaarlon Mann has something to do with it. She says her neighborhood has been …

Editor's Note

Yes, They Can

Last Friday, several interns sat in front of their computers, refreshing their e-mail inboxes. They also had their cell phones at the ready, impatiently waiting for the big text message …

Tease photo Politics

Hood Drops Barbour's Defense

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood says he will not defend Gov. Haley Barbour in a Hinds County Chancery Court case, saying his defense would conflict with other branches of government.

Tease photo Frank Melton

Melton: 'I'm At Peace'

Mayor Frank Melton praised Jackson's economic progress and outlined some of the city's persistent problems in his State of the City address Thursday morning, Aug. 21, at the TelCom Center.

Tease photo

Ban the Paddle?

Minority and special education students are more likely than their peers to receive a paddling, according to a recent report by the Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties …

Tease photo Editorial

Start Asking Questions

Community response to the proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Flora brings to mind a question every mother has asked an irresponsible teenager since time immemorial: "If 'everyone' jumped …

Politics

[Kamikaze] The Media Fix Is In

Some of you may know that in a former life I was a journalist. Yes, your friendly neighborhood mad-rapper turned concerned-citizen was once an aspiring cub reporter trying to put …

Politics

[Rayburn] Time to Enfranchise Youth

The average American citizen has access to more information than ever before. Candidates are waging and winning political campaigns through grass-roots outreach efforts to Joe and Jane Citizen, and few …

Politics

Barbour and Hospitals Battle Before Judge

Attorneys for Gov. Haley Barbour and the Mississippi Hospital Association swapped arguments today before Hinds County Chancery Court Judge William Singletary. The Mississippi Hospital Association and a group of about …

Jackblog

The Code Returns

The Code

Fondren Radio's Daniel Guaqueta and the guys at The Code, an online music broadcast featuring Southern artists, just released their fifth episode. The new show features Jackson's own Red Hill …

Politics

[Sue Doh Nem] Rise of the Ghettocratic Party

Nurse Tootie McBride: "Brothers, sisters and ghettocratic delegates, welcome to the first Ghettocratic convention, held at the Clubb Chicken Wing Multi-Purpose Complex."

Tuesday, August 26

Sports

State Hall Of Fame To Induct Six

Two former Southern Miss football coaches will be among the six inductees in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2009.

Politics

U.S. Attorney: 595 ‘Illegal Aliens' Arrested

[verbatim from U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton] LAUREL, Miss.— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents executed a federal criminal search warrant yesterday at Howard Industries, Inc., an electric transformer …

Tease photo Music

Northwest Cool Meets Jackson Soul

West Coast transplant Johnny Bertram, best known as the leader of indie synth-pop band Synthar, came to Jackson to help kids, but stayed to make music.

Monday, August 25

Sports

Football Schedules

When is your favorite team playing? Find out here.

Fly

[FLY] Guys: How to Be ‘Indy'

The Indiana Jones theme has become nearly as iconic as the film's protagonist himself. At the sound of the lively Raider's March cadence, one can't help but conjure images of …

Sunday, August 24

Jackblog

Who Can Read This?

Why is The Clarion-Ledger in so much trouble? Here's a good hint: Top editor Ronnie Agnew's column today starts this way:

Friday, August 22

Talk

UPDATED: Government Ignores Own Bio-Lab Safety Studies

Alert: The government's deadline for comments on the bio-lab facility is Monday, Aug. 25. See below for contact info.

Politics

BREAKING: Mississippi Supreme Court Censors Dissenting Opinion

The Mississippi Supreme Court censored the dissenting opinion (PDF, 456 KB) of Justice Oliver Diaz yesterday, a possibly "unprecedented" move "in the history of American jurisprudence," according to Diaz.

Jackblog

"USA Today: Mississippi Edition"? The ‘Nuclear Option'?

Gannett blogger Jim Hopkins writes:

Things are so bad in the Gannett world (including layoffs nationwide, and 5 percent of The Clarion-Ledger staff, and dropping revenue and see-saw stock prices) that rumors are flying about …

Jackblog

Fare thee well, mes amis

Today is my last day here at the Free Press. Tomorrow I have to go back to Oxford for my final year at Ole Miss. I've been in the office …

Thursday, August 21

Tease photo Politics

Melton's ‘State': ‘A Bit Of Hyperbole'?

Mayor Frank Melton praised Jackson's economic progress and outlined some of the city's persistent problems in his State of the City address this morning at the TelCom Center.

Jackblog

Congress Does the Right Thing

From the Environmental Working Group's EnviroBlog (verbatim):

Jackblog

Ed Peters Making a Deal with the Feds ... Or Not?

Patsy Brumsfield is reporting on the deal-or-no-deal confusion at The Daily Journal. (Hat tip to Folo.):

Jackblog

First black woman to serve as representative of Ohio dies

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones died of an aneurysm Wednesday. She was 58. From CNN:

Wednesday, August 20

Tease photo Editorial

Something to Hide, Mississippi?

The Jackson Free Press recently submitted an information request to the city of Jackson for some fairly modest figures.

Tease photo Talk

JPD's High Gas and Low Morale

The Jackson Police Department's 330 patrol vehicles are constantly on the move, requiring engines and components designed for longer idle periods and higher speeds than standard car models.

Tease photo Jacksonian

Juan Joseph

Juan Joseph, 20, did not plan on being a starting quarterback for a college football team. In fact, he did not even plan on playing football in college. But plans …

Editor's Note

Magic of the Game

Some people are true sports fans. They venture out to every game, rain or shine, regardless of the projected excitement of the matchup; they tear up at the end of …

Tease photo Talk

[Gig] Rick Klein: 'Never Boring'

In January 1982, Rick Klein and his wife moved to Jackson, where the Louisville, Ky., native began working as a producer/director at Mississippi Public Broadcasting.

Tease photo Talk

Redefining Pregnancy

You're a woman who has been raped, and you're terrified that your rapist made you pregnant. You ask your doctor for emergency contraception, but she refuses to give it to …

Tease photo Crime

Recycling Crime

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate has put the clamps on an effort to change a new state law regulating the metal-recycling industry. The law specifically demands scrap buyers keep all …

[Sue Doh Nem] 'Slave Ship Enterprise'

Cholly Bossman: "CEO's log in the year of 2008 and 2/3: A couple of corporate supervisors and I made a surprise inspection of Crunchie Burga World's Food Distribution Warehouse, a …

Tease photo Letters

Vol. 6, No. 49

United Hypocrisy

The presumptive Republican candidate for president, John McCain, commenting on the Russian invasion of the country of Georgia, said: "In the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations."

[Queen] Raising a Man

As a single mother attempting to raise an astute son, I find that I am never sure what I'm doing.

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Doctor S

Sports

A Dandy Dozen Plus One

Thirteen must-see Mississippi football games this fall.

Tease photo Cover

2008 College Football Preview

Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder summed up what's going on in Mississippi college football when he sang: "It's evolution, baby."

Tease photo Dish

Reggie Collier: ‘The Ultimate Compliments'

On July 31, 2008, the University of Southern Mississippi announced its plan to retire Reggie Collier's #10 jersey. Collier, a former USFL Birmingham Stallion and NFL Dallas Cowboy, spoke with …

Tease photo Fly

[Guy] Translations

The ultimate [FLY] Guy, in addition to being well-read, well-kempt and well-muscled, is also well-prepared.

Tease photo Fly

[Guy] Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse

A lot of things keep people up at night these days: terrorism, recession, environmental catastrophe. But these aren't the things I worry about. No, I worry more about zombies and …

Tease photo Music

[Herman's Pick] Vol. 6, No. 49

The weekend gets kicking Thursday night at Martin's with Spoonfed Tribe and Zoogma.

Tease photo Ear to the Beats

] The Album Formerly Known as the 'N' Word

David Dennis, Jr.

Nas always seems to be at the center of intense debate. Respected for his lyricism and creation of "Illmatic" (widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all …

Diy Guides

Coffee Toss

Isaac Newton would be grinning in his grave at the sight of such antics. He, too, was known to pull an extreme stunt in the name of discovery, such as …

Jackblog

Coxwell Not Representing Melton

According to a report by WLBT, Merrida "Buddy" Coxwell has filed a motion informing the court that he and the mayor haven't "reached terms" and that he would no longer …

Tuesday, August 19

Tease photo

BREAKING: Jackson Loses Grant for Fire Truck

The Jackson City Council learned Monday that the city may have dropped the ball for a federal grant worth up to $800,000. The grant, according to Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret …

Melton Pulls Reeves' Nomination

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton pulled his nomination Monday of former Rep. John Reeves, a Jackson Republican, for a Municipal Court position. Melton instead asked the council to consider putting Reeves …

Monday, August 18

Cooking

[FLY] Guys Kan Cook

Look [FLY] Guys, we already know you can grill a hamburger and boil spaghetti. We've known that since seventh grade Home Economics. Why not show us some real skills in …

Tease photo

Commission Scrutinizing Entergy Rate Hikes

Consumer advocates criticized Entergy for not investing in energy conservation this week during a series of Public Service Commission meetings.

Jackblog

Shoot to Kill—Store Clerk Shoots Robber

So WAPT is reporting that a store clerk shot a man who had attempted to rob his store for a case of beer. This guy is facing murder charges since …

Jackblog

To: Employees of The Clarion-Ledger

To: Employees of The Clarion-Ledger

As you may have read in our newspaper or web site earlier today, The Gannett Company has announced a reduction of approximately 1000 jobs or 3 percent of the company …

Sunday, August 17

Jackblog

Adventures with the camera, audio recorders and microfilms

At the beginning of my internship with Jackson Free Press, I excitedly signed up to learn video and podcasting. There was a reason behind my eagerness: I'm horribly clumsy and …

Saturday, August 16

Jackblog

ARTICLE: Calif. mom gives birth on front lawn by herself

Nothing surprises me any more. Nothing. From USA Today:

Friday, August 15

Jackblog

Nationwide Layoffs Announced Today at Gannett

An "undated memo" sent to publishers in the Gannett chain of daily newspapers confirmed something that was suggested two weeks ago when we learned that the Clarion-Ledger was laying off …

Sports

Aug. 15, 2008 - Friday

Southern League baseball

Jackson Nationals (7 p.m., Jackson Speedway, Byram)

Thursday, August 14

Jackblog

Work excursion ... or an excuse for an all-girl road trip?

Last Thursday and Friday, three interns (including myself), one former intern and Donna took a field trip to South Mississippi for a story. Several stories, actually, but none of them …

Sports

Mo Goes To Cleveland

Former Murrah star Mo Williams has been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Wednesday, August 13

Tease photo

Taxpayers $3 Million Short?

State Auditor Stacey Pickering filed an Aug. 5 motion in Hinds County Circuit Court for summary judgment in the 2005 Mississippi WorldCom settlement case that could prove costly.

Tease photo Talk

We Were Walking Downtown

Sweat pours down my brow as I'm walking on President Street in late July. The weatherman predicts at least 100 degrees, but with concrete surrounding me, it already feels like …

Tease photo Art

'People Appear Ghostly'

After years of taking photographs as a hobby, Andrew Willis has recently begun to devote more time to his art.

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Olympic men's basketball, U.S. vs. Greece (7 a.m., USA): The Redeem Team faces one of the teams that beat them in Athens.

Tease photo Cover

Jackpedia 2008

Have you ever sat at home on a lazy Saturday wondering what in the world you could be doing with your time in this buzzing metropolis? No worries, Jackpedia is …

Fly

Repurposing Style

Ever get the feeling that all clothes look the same? Ever worry that you'll show up at that big party in the same dress three other people are wearing? Are …

Art

Eye For Detail

Thomas Beck, 41, says he's a late bloomer. Growing up, he never had an interest in art, and at the University of Mississippi he majored in English and history.

Sports

Start A Revolution

Jeremy Polk and Paula Pellegrin wheeled Nelson Gibson's rusty, circa 1967 Schwinn twin bicycle from their large truck and began working on it. Spending about 12 hours over the course …

Editor's Note

Smells Like Team Spirit

When interns show up at the Jackson Free Press, they come through the door a tad nervous, hoping to get some sort of experience. They have a foggy idea that …

Tease photo Talk

Playing Disaster Politics

Mississippi Secretary of State Mike Chaney is disputing that Attorney General Jim Hood does not deserve credit for the recent State Farm settlement with Mississippi. Hood announced last week that …

Tease photo Editorial

Judge Discrimination Must Stop

Jackson attorney Dennis Sweet is calling attention to a recent change in Hinds County Circuit Court that should alarm every county resident, regardless of race. Hinds County Chief Judge Swan …

[Sue Doh Nem] A Good Purse Beat-Down

Nurse Tootie McBride: "It's 'The Nurse Tootie Factor' television show on the Ghetto Science Team Cable Network. And you have entered the 'Spin Zone'—plus 'Rinse and Wash' cycles.

Politics

[Kamikaze] Dear Whiners

This column is dedicated to the whiners. Loyal readers, I suggest you copy and paste this column into an e-mail message to all the naysayers, cynics and haters of Jackson.

[Kinnison] 'Motivate and Delegate'

This summer, after I crossed Interstate 10 and returned home after graduating from Loyola University, I showed up at the Jackson Free Press again. I had first interned at the …

Tease photo Jacksonian

David Butler

David Butler, a senior at Millsaps College, took an atypical route to his final college decision. However, since his arrival at Millsaps, he has never looked back.

Jackblog

Chris Joyner, Gotcha Journalist?

Meantime, I'll get Adam to try to sort it out and report back to y'all.

The Clarion-Ledger has a "big" story today that reeks of incomplete, gotcha journalism. Essentially the story is accusing David "Pops" Watkins, and perhaps others, of lying about investors in Farish …

Tease photo Crime

Bell Denies Responsibility

Robbie Bell says she was not home on Trawick Drive when her son, George Bell III, raped and then bludgeoned Mary Heather Spencer with a flashlight the night of Sept. …

Eating Out

Good Friend

When Jim and Jane Hudson realized that there were no other French Bistros serving Country French cooking in town, they wanted to introduce Jackson residents to the food that they …

Jackblog

What's up with the Entertainment Industry?

Is it just me or have we decided involuntarily to accept any and all things thrown at us by artists and radio? I am just stunned to see that so …

Tuesday, August 12

Tease photo Politics

Sweet Alleges Bias Against Hinds Judges

Jackson attorney Dennis Sweet claims Hinds County Senior Judge Swan Yerger violated the U.S. Constitution when he barred the county's black circuit court judges from hearing more serious cases.

Tease photo Politics

Pickering Move to Cost State $3 Million?

State Auditor Stacey Pickering filed an Aug. 5 motion in Hinds County Circuit Court for summary judgment in the 2005 Mississippi WorldCom settlement case that could prove costly. Pickering contends …

Politics

State Democrats Slam McCain

Mississippi Democrats used the birthday of the 70-year-old Social Security program to attack presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain last week, accusing the Arizona senator of wanting to privatize the …

Jackblog

WLBT: Mary Hawkins-Butler Rallies…at Starbucks?

According to WLBT, the Madison Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Hawkins-Butler rallied at the Madison Starbucks, which is slated for closure:

Jackblog

Edison-Walthall Soon the ‘Roberts Vista' Hotel

The Roberts Companies, the family owned-and-operated holding company of local television station CW34 and radio station 97.7FM WRBJ, announced today that its Roberts Hotels Group has acquired the 80-year old …

Monday, August 11

Fly

[FLY] Guys Decorate [with found objects]

It all began with a wheel. And some glass. And one infamous fight scene between newly cohabitating love birds.

Sunday, August 10

Jackblog

Isaac Hayes: 1942-2008

After blogging about Bernie Mac's death yesterday, I wish I was kidding. From CNN:

Tease photo Talk

Of Lady Killers and 'Good Behavior'

Citizens can feel secure knowing that the men in green and white stripes working on the road crews are not rapists or murderers. Mississippi law says that violent criminals are …

Publisher's Note

Dear Larry: Jackson More Than a 'Market'

The Clarion-Ledger's current publisher Larry Whitaker announced in a staff memo last week that Mississippi's state-wide Gannett property will lay off 20 employees on top of the hiring freeze it …

Saturday, August 9

Jackblog

Bernie Mac: 1957-2008

The famous comic actor had been battling sarcoidosis and said he was getting better, but pneumonia is what took his life today. From CNN:

Friday, August 8

Jackblog

99% Honest and John Edwards

This begs the question - what is with these guys?!?

John Edwards' has recently admitted to an affair of some length with a paid campaign advisor.

Tease photo Art

Ballet Magnificat! To Perform in International Festival

Jackson's Ballet Magnificat! Alpha Company has been chosen to represent the United States at the Festival Internacional de Ballet in Colombia.

Politics

DOJ Not Pursuing Bribery Charges Against Stevens

An attorney handling the appeal of Paul Minor noted a sharp contrast between how the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted Minor and how it is chasing Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens. …

Thursday, August 7

Sports

Are The Olympics Doomed?

The Summer Olympics officially begin Friday in China. What could possibly go wrong?

Sports

Jet Favre

Brett is a Jet: Favre goes from Green Bay to Gang Green.

Wednesday, August 6

Tease photo Dish

Jennifer Gillom: 'Feeling of Pride'

This past weekend, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum inducted six new members, including Jennifer Gillom. Originally from Abbeville, Gillom, 44, played for Ole Miss after high school …

Tease photo Jacksonian

Anna Walker Crump

Two days before Anna Walker Crump worked with the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Heather Spencer's boyfriend murdered her on Sept. 11, 2007.

Tease photo Politics

Justice For Sale

Almost immediately after his appointment to U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi in late 2001, Dunnica Lampton began to investigate key Mississippi Democrats.

Tease photo Talk

Funny Math At The Fair

The Neshoba County Fair was calm this year. There are no candidates fighting for state-wide races, leaving many politicians free to make jabs at national candidates like presumptive Democratic presidential …

Tease photo Politics

DOJ: No Break For Minor

The U.S. Department of Justice wants Mississippi attorney Paul Minor to stay in jail, despite his wife's imminent death. The DOJ filed a motion last week opposing Minor's motion for …

Talk

Digging Up Bodies?

For the first time since 1995, Mississippi will have a full-time medical examiner who is not Dr. Steven Hayne.

Tease photo Cover

Where There's Smoke, There's Haley Barbour

During his long tenure in Washington, Haley Barbour was known for his love of Maker's Mark bourbon, good cigars and Republican politics, not necessarily in that order.

Anatomy Of

Backpack Couture

I remember the first day of kindergarten when my mom packed my red Hello Kitty backpack. Stuffed with all the essentials I needed, I toted the bag proudly down the …

UPDATED: Dee-Moore Families Sue County for Colluding with Klan

Read full complaint here. (PDF)

Tease photo Books

Steven Wells Hicks: Writing For Sock Monkeys

Steven Wells Hicks was a creative advertising director for 35 years before becoming a novelist. Born in Omaha, Neb., Hicks has lived in Jackson since July, 1974 and calls himself …

Tease photo Culture

In Twilight

Perhaps the South will rise again someday. Until then, it's a photographer's feast.

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

NFL preseason football, New Orleans at Arizona (7 p.m., ESPN): The Saints and Cardinals meet in the exhibition opener for both. Many of the players you see won't be around …

Politics

Attorney General Settles With State Farm

Attorney General Jim Hood just sent the following statement, verbatim:

Biloxi, MS-Attorney General Jim Hood announced the settlement of the state's breach of contract suit against State Farm, which was filed after State Farm refused to comply with a January, …

Tuesday, August 5

Jackblog

New Polling Numbers Show National 'Lead' for Obama

This doesn't mean much in the actual presidential contest (thanks in part to the Electoral College and its role of subverting the will of the American people), but it looks …

Jackblog

Is Clarion-Ledger Comatose at the Wheel?

I am simply astounded to see that, right this second, the top "breaking news" on the Ledger's site is this by Chris Joyner (who is about to be promoted to …

Frank Melton

Moore Demands 'Cover-up' Evidence from DA

In response to several desperate motions filed by Sharrod Moore's defense attorney requesting that the DA provide "any and all evidence in his possession regarding a police cover-up," Hinds County …

Greenwood Teen Settles Cop Suit, ‘No Pun Intended'

James Marshall, a Greenwood teenager who scuffled with a police officer in 2006, has settled his lawsuit against Officer Casey Wiggins, the city of Greenwood, Greenwood Public Schools and others …

Organic Living

[FLY] Guys Are Green

I know I'm going to get fingers wagging when I say that guys like to be at the forefront of all things technological. Over-generalization? Maybe. But every dude I currently …

Jackblog

How Do You Save Money?

they are saving money.

In light of the recession blues, high gas prices, and drop in house values, how do you save money? Let's let this be a forum for folks to collaborate on …

Monday, August 4

Jackblog

Help keep small cosmetics companies in business!

We've all heard stories of founders of large cosmetics companies who started out by mixing concoctions at the kitchen table. Carol's Daughter and Burt's Bees are two good examples. A …

Jackblog

No More Autopsies for Steven Hayne

Radley Balko at Reason Magazine and WLBT are reporting that Mississippi's long-time de facto medical examiner, Steven Hayne, will no longer be doing autopsies in the state. Balko writes:

Tease photo Politics

Barbour Gives Relief to 4 ‘Domestic' Killers, of 5 Total

Bobby Hays Clark murdered on-again, off-again girlfriend Veronica Conner in 1996 by shooting her in the neck with a 25-caliber automatic, hitting her carotid artery. Now, his record is clear, …

Jackblog

A Hall of Fame Weekend

This weekend the MS Hall of Fame inducted six new members: Will Clark, Jennifer Gillom, Coach Paul Covington, Reggie Collier, Hill Denson, and Coolidge Ball. In a time when athletes …

Tease photo

Morgan Freeman Seriously Hurt in Car Accident

From MSNBC:

Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman was seriously injured in a car accident in Mississippi on Sunday night according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Sunday, August 3

Jackblog

So, When Did Barbour Have a Change of Heart on Pardons?

Hmmm. When you poke just a little at Barbour's history on and attitudes about pardoning criminals—even men like Cory Maye who shot a police officer who burst into his home …

Jackblog

Did Melton and Bluntson ‘Sponsor' Fairview Boys Camp ... or Not?

Boys II Kings Summer Camp Aims to Uplift

This morning, I Google-Newsed Frank Melton to see if anything new had happened while I was in Florida. An WLBT story summary popped up. Here it is verbatim:

Friday, August 1

Tease photo Media

C-L To Lay Off 20 Staffers

Editor and Publisher magazine is reporting the contents of a memo circulated by the Clarion-Ledger's current publisher, Larry Whitaker, to his staff. The memo was leaked earlier in the day …