Friday, July 31
Tougaloo Prez Says Museum Funding Up to Barbour
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/v3/images/uploads/beverly_hogan_small.jpg
Bobby DeLaughter
Former Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter, 55, resigned his job and pled guilty to misleading authorities yesterday. The former judge had five counts against him, all representing various …
Auditorium Now Home to Films, and a Cooking Show
The Auditorium's Executive Chef Nathan Glenn is a busy man, and is only becoming busier and busier. On Aug. 25, Glenn will film a pilot for a cooking show that …
Thursday, July 30
U.S. Supreme Court Asked To Hear Seale Case
A federal appeals court has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case of James Ford Seale, who was convicted in 2007 for kidnapping and conspiracy for his role …
Haley Barbour Recalls Reagan in Neshoba County Fair Speech
Neshoba County Fair/July 30, 2009/Verbatim
Thank you. It's great to be back at the Fair; there's no place like it. A little mud on your boots never should bother anybody over here. This is my …
Chick Ball Brings In Nearly $16,000 to Fight Abuse
The money is (almost) counted for the 5th Annual Jackson Free Press Chick Ball weekend, and so far the effort has piled up close to $16,000 for the Center for …
Technology Upgrades Slated For JPD
The council voted Monday to approve a federal COPS grant request that could award $750,000 to the city of Jackson for hardware sand software upgrades, including 50 precision computer mounts …
Christopher Miner
Fondren resident Christopher Miner is one of 10 artists appearing in the Mississippi Invitational, an exhibition opening at the Mississippi Museum of Art today. A panel including New York-based art …
College Football: Here's Your Grid Sked
Here's this year's Mississippi college football schedule for you to print out and post next to your bookie's phone number, er, next to your TV remote.
Wednesday, July 29
Photos Up From 2009 Chick Ball
Photographer Pat Butler was on hand for the 2009 Chick Ball and got some great photos which we've gotten up in an online gallery. Enjoy:
Feed Your Brain
Dawn R. Dugle
There may come a day when I don't recognize you. We could be best friends, have had great adventures and long conversations about everything under the sun. But I won't …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Major League Baseball, Atlanta at Florida (6 p.m., SportSouth, 620 AM): The Braves still have a chance in the NL East, but they need a big trade and a long …
Think Local First
I'm currently reading the book "Big Box Swindle" by Stacy Mitchell, who wrote our cover story this week. The book argues that much of what we believe about big-box developmentthat …
JPS Tutoring Flaws Not Unique
The troubles of a federally funded tutoring program in Jackson Public Schools have a precedent in other states. The program, known as Supplemental Educational Services, promises to boost students at …
"I'm Sorry, But ..." Isn't Exactly What I'd Like to Hear
Youth Media Project
The hardest fact about life, I guess, isn't finding a purpose. Rather, it's trying to find this purpose while experiencing every type of rejection possible.
Creating Kid Art
Bryson Williams, a stocky 7-year-old, is devoted to glitter. He grabs handfuls of the stuff from a paper plate and drops it onto a plastic one, his eyebrows pushed together …
One Veggie at a Time
On July 1, the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Johnson Foundation ranked Mississippi the No. 1 most obese state in the nation. The year before, CQ Press named …
Public Money, Public Accountability
Last week, reporter Ward Schaefer revealed what could be serious problems with the allocations and tracking of federal tutoring funds provided to public schools under the No Child Left Behind …
[Stiggers] Public Option Pledge
Smokey "Robinson" McBride: "Welcome to the Ghetto Science Team's Public Option Healthcare Rally, Picnic and Disco. It looks like change has opened Pandora's box of hypocrisy, seasoned with bigotry and …
[Kamikaze] Let Vick Play
After a maturation that included a confession, sentencing and then jail time, it seems that Michael Vick will once again be allowed to ply his trade on the gridiron.
Wink, Wink: The ShopLocal Scam
When the Jackson Free Press launched our Web site and published our first print edition in September 2002, we immediately started urging our readers to "Think Global, Shop Local." The …
How To Invest in the Community
For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 stays in the local economy. That is the finding of a study by Civic Economics, which found that shopping at …
Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend
If you're in the market for back-to-school clothes and shoes, this coming weekend is the time to make your purchases.
Heather Ivery
On their way to a local shelter for lunch, a steady flow of homeless people stop to greet Heather Ivery, who is sitting on a wooden bench in Smith Park.
Love Conquers Hate
I'm no Tony Bourdain, but I consider myself an adventurous eater. I'll try most anything once, and if my first impression doesn't include the words "epi-pen" or "health code violation," …
Metallic Melodies
Light spills through the large windows of the open, predominantly bare room in the Commons Gallery. Brown paper covers the walls, lending a crafty, unfinished look to the space. The …
[Rob In Stereo] Not Loud Enough
You need three main ingredients to make a great rock documentary: great music, lively stories and musical emotiveness from those playing.
Cover
The ‘Local' Lie
The International Council of Shopping Centers is pouring millions of dollars into television ads urging people to "Shop Local"at their nearest mall.
JPS May Log Pristine Wetlands
The Jackson Public Schools board may be picking a logger in the next few weeks to clear-cut some wetlands at the end of Westbrook Road in north Jackson. The area, …
Jimmie Travis
During the violent, bloody days of the civil rights movement in Mississippi, Freedom Rider Jimmie Travis nearly lost his life. In February 1963, Travis, then 20, was driving a car …
Jackson Crime Stats for July 20-26
Jackson police reported 252 major crimes last week, an increase of 5 percent over the previous week, according to statistics (PDF) released at a Jackson Police Department meeting this morning. …
DeLaughter to Plead Guilty to Misleading Feds
Suspended Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter is expected to plead guilty tomorrow in U.S. District Court in Aberdeen. The plea will likely spell an end to a five-count …
Fondren's Cosmo Tots Expanding
Swanky children's apparel store Cosmo Tots will soon expand to include clothing and accessories for women. The boutique, which carries designer clothing and accessories for babies and children, opened in …
Last Day
I can not believe that my last day at the JFP is tomorrow. It seems like yesterday that I came in on June 1, and got right to work doing …
SUMMER SLAM II
Round 2, Obi Wan Kenobis. Here is another list of music crashing the party waves. Still waiting for some gala to reach Studio 54 proportions and blast every other late-nite …
NFL: Things That Make You Go Hmmm, Brett Favre Edition
Brett Favre's announcement Tuesday that he won't return to the NFL is being greeted with skepticism.
Johnson Forms School Board Transition Committee
Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced yesterday that he is forming a diverse transition committee to "examine the organization and policies of the Jackson Public School District," according to a …
Tuesday, July 28
NFL: Favre Staying Retired
Brett Favre won't come out of retirement to join the Minnesota Vikings. Allegedly.
[Balko] What No One Bothered to Ask Sotomayor
Confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor included much of what we expected. Almost entirely left out of the discussion was a subject you might think has some relevance …
Civil Rights Museum in Trouble?
Rumors are circulating that Tougaloo College may have to abandon site development of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum near the college's campus because of funding issues.
Nunnelee Files Campaign Paperwork
Last year, conservative Democrat Travis Childers blew the socks off Republicans by winning one of the most conservative districts in the nation. Republicans saw Childers' victory over Republican Greg Davistwiceas …
Plans for Tunica Hybrid Plant Move Forward
A start-up company that is seeking to build hybrid cars in Tunica County is moving forward after settling a lawsuit with a former business partner. According to court documents, Southaven-based …
Dr. Samuel Okoye
Jackson physician Dr. Samuel Okoye received national recognition when the Congressional Medal of Honor Society awarded him the Above & Beyond Citizen Honor on March 25. The award is remarkable …
Jackson has Lowest Average Gas Price
In a survey of gasoline prices released by the company Lundberg Survey earlier this week, Jacksonians currently pay the lowest prices at the pumps, nationwide. With the average price across …
Monday, July 27
City Using ‘Old' Money for Paving Efforts
The city is moving forward with a massive repaving effort as crews grind out and cover sections of some of the city's most beleaguered roadways. The road work, touching down …
This Week's Jackson Public Meetings
Monday, July 27
* Jackson City Council work session at 4 p.m. in City Hall council chambers, 219 S. President Street.
South Jackson May See Overcrowded Classrooms
An influx of new students in South Jackson could prompt a disorienting shuffle of students between area elementary schools. Officials for Jackson Public Schools are projecting an enrollment of 30,933 …
Minimum Wage Increase Affects Thousands in Mississippi
Last Friday, the federal minimum wage increased by 70 cents an hour, going from $6.55 to $7.25. The increase will affect thousands of workers in Mississippi, according to Bureau of …
Fred Harris
Last night, Jim Hill High School students in Jackson gathered to honor and remember Fred Harris, the school's assistant principal and boy's basketball coach. Harris, 47, died unexpectedly Sunday of …
Back-to-School Tax Holiday This Weekend
If buying back-to-school clothes and shoes are on your agenda, this coming weekend is the time to make it happen. On Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, clothing and …
Friday, July 24
Johnson Sends ‘First 48' Packing
"First 48," an A&E network program that follows police for the first 48 hours of a murder investigation, won't be shooting in Jackson if Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. has anything …
Video: ‘Mississippi Edition' Interview with Middleton and Wagner of Center for Violence Prevention
Here are the multimedia feeds from this morning's interview by Karen Brown of Mississippi Edition on MPB.
Cultural Expressions Opens
The building that housed Seven*Studioz is reopening, under new ownership and a new name: Cultural Expressions. Dora Lowe confirmed that she has owned the building, formerly rented by Seven*Studioz manager …
Domestic Violence Victim
She could be anyone you know. She is white, African American, Latina, Asian or Native American. She might live in the Virden Addition, but then again, she could have a …
Convicted Judge Whitfield Appeals to 5th Circuit
Attorneys for Harrison County Circuit Judge John Whitfield, convicted of bribery alongside Mississippi attorney Paul Minor, filed a motion for review with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday, …
The Fifth Annual Chick Ball Weekend—Friday and Saturday, July 24 and July 25
Friday night "Scutley Papers" play + singer/songwriters, $15 at Hal & Mal's door
Call 601.362.6121 ext. 16 to sponsor or arrange for donation pickup.
Unemployment Hits 20 Percent in Mississippi County
The rate of unemployment in the Magnolia State either dropped slightly or rose slightly, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, depending on how you count the numbers. Adjusting …
Thursday, July 23
Youth Media Project 1st Webisode
The Youth Media Project's Introductory Webisode
Mississippi Museum of Art - ArtRemix Photos Posted
Y'all, we got some great photos from the ArtRemix event at the Mississippi Museum of Art thanks to photographer Pat Butler. Click here to check out his online gallery.
Ledger Spreads Bad Info About Columbus Daily
The Commercial Dispatch in Columbus was surprised to learn yesterday that it was changing format from a daily newspaper to a weekly "advertiser" format. Except that it wasn't true. Turns …
Advocates Unveil Program to Curb Domestic Violence
In a noon press conference today in the Mississippi Capitol, Sandy Middleton, executive director of the Center for Violence Prevention in Pearl, former Appeals Court Judge Mary Libby Payne, Madison …
Scurlock's Donuts To Open Downtown
Local breakfast hero Mark Scurlock is opening a second location for his donut shop, Scurlock's Donuts, in the heart of downtown Jackson. Beginning the last week of August, the un-sugared …
Mississippi Casinos Feeling the Pinch
Casinos, which economists once thought were "recession proof," are feeling the slump along with the majority of other businesses across the country. The state Tax Commission reports that Mississippi casino …
Wednesday, July 22
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
International League baseball, Norfolk at Gwinnett (6 p.m., CSS): Do you ever wonder how some of your favorite former M-Braves are doing up at AAA Gwinnett? Here's your chance to …
Bethany Boteler and Josh Sabins
In January 2005, when Bethany Boteler was 17 and a senior in high school, she went with a friend to meet a boy at McAlister's Deli in Richland.
No Rate Increases for Coal Plants
Mississippi Power Company is denying the Mississippi Sierra Club's Miller's interpretation of the PSC decision against hiking electricity bills to pay for pre-construction costs of a planned $1.8 billion experimental …
Change Meets Fear at JSU
Members of committees affiliated with Jackson State University are worried that the university will cut programs in a curriculum reorganization.
MySpace v. Domestic Abuse
Pussy for Peace is a married 25-year-old woman from Tehran. The MySpace page she manages is a sprawling hive of women's news and thoughts with a Middle East flavor. When …
2009 Chick Ball Auction Guide
With the 5th Annual Chick Ball just days away, we are excited to celebrate the triumphs of domestic violence survivors, as well as the creative talents of women artists and …
2009 Chick Ball Schedule
Along with the incredible art showing at the Chick Ball, tune your ears to these fabulous women of entertainment. These ladies will move and groove your soul, and rock your …
Take a Stand on Violence
This week, the Center for Violence Prevention will announce a new paradigm for curbing domestic violence in the Jackson area, bringing the Duluth Model to the metropolitan area. Batterer's intervention …
[Stiggers] Complexion Vexation
Mr. Announcement: "In the ghetto criminal justice system, the people are represented by three members of the McBride family: Dudley 'Do-Right' McBride, Nurse Tootie McBride, and attorney Cootie McBride of …
A Man's World
I'm disappointed in women, particularly myself. Check out the opinion section of any local or national newspaper. Where are the women?
Emily Sanford
"I know I want to help people, and I can do the science," she thought, "but for me, my heart isn't into this."
Cover
Chicks We Love
Chicks like these are rare. They are intelligent, strong, influential women who are making the face of Jackson look a little brighter. And we love them.
Red Hot Tamales
On July 19, 2008, the JFP Chick Ball was in full force when a group of lovely ladies took the stageupright bass, fiddle, guitar and ukulele in tow. For 20 …
[Herman's Pick] Vol. 7, No. 45
The weekend starts early this week with lots of fun options for Thursday night. T-Bird and the Breaks bring the blue-eyed-soul-meets-'60s-funk to Ole Tavern, and jazz/funk trio LBC play at …
Area's First Batterer's Intervention Program Coming to Jackson
Domestic violence. It's such a bland, vanilla euphemism for some of the most brutal and damaging pain that people inflict on one another. Brutal, of course, because peoplemostly women and …
Jackson Gets a Taste of the Caribbean
The hungry downtown crowd has spicy new option for lunch, thanks to husband and wife duo Richard and Chandra Higgins. The two opened up Taste of the Island Caribbean Take-Out …
Jackson Crime Stats for July 13-19
Major crimes in Jackson dropped last week, according to a weekly report (PDF) released by the Jackson Police Department this morning. Precinct commanders reported 22 fewer property crimes than the …
Howard McMillan
Howard McMillan, dean of Millsaps College's Else School of Management, will serve as acting president of the Jackson school beginning next month. He takes the place of Dr. Francis Lucas, …
[Gregory] Lori Ponders Mamahood
I've never felt more prepared to write a "chick" column than now as I'm currently checking yet another "womanly" role off my list. Daughter? Check. Wife? Check. Mother? Check.
JPS Cited For Handling of No Child Left Behind Funds
The Jackson Free Press has obtained Mississippi Department of Education documents that raise concerns about how Jackson Public Schools spent nearly $1.3 million in federal No Child Left Behind funds. …
Pardon Me? Chickfest Honors Rep. Brandon Jones
When Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour suspended the sentence of convicted domestic murderer Michael Graham last summer, citizens of Pascagoula were outraged. As shocked and furious as his community, freshman Rep. …
Jackson City Government Broken, says Mayor
Information from Mayor Harvey Johnson's transition team meetings is slowly trickling in, and Johnson said preliminary reviews are showing the city suffers from a broken chain of command.
Stop the ‘Boys Will Be Boys' Attitude; It Kills Women
As we approach Chick Ball weekendstarting with a poignant one-woman show about a victim of domestic abuse and ending with a celebration of women and their artI urge everyone to …
Tuesday, July 21
Remembering Uncle Walter
You might not remember Walter Cronkite, who retired from the CBS Evening News in 1981 after 19 years on the air. I grew up with him, though. Cronkite was news …
CNN's Black In America 2 Watch Party July 22-23 @ Hal and Mals
Wednesday and Thursday July 22-23, CNN continues its investigation of the most challenging issues facing African-Americans with "Black in America 2." Soledad O'Brien reports on people who are using ground-breaking …
Mayor Reveals ‘Dire' State of Jackson's Budget
Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. confirmed Monday what many City Council members already knew: that the city's financial situation is "dire."
Kenneth Stokes
The Jackson City Council voted earlier this month to appoint individuals that historically sided with former Mayor Frank Melton to lead them under the new administration. Ward 4 Councilman Frank …
Theater
‘Holding Up the Mirror'
"The Scutley Papers," winner of the 2009 Eudora Welty New Play contest at New Stage Theatre, premieres Friday night as part of the JFP Chick Ball Weekend.
[Balko] SWAT Gone Wild
In pushing back against the abuse he suffered at the hands of the Prince George's County police department, Berwyn Heights, Md. Mayor Cheye Calvo is helping expose a more widespread …
Look at All the 2009 Chick Ball Art and Prize Donors!
With the 5th Annual Chick Ball just days away, we are excited to celebrate the triumphs of domestic violence survivors, as well as the creative talents of women artists and …
Update: Mayor Tables Farish Zoning Request
Yesterday, the Jackson Free Press reported that the Jackson City Council, particularly Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon, was worried that a zoning request for the Farish Street Entertainment District could …
Hinds Director to Retire after 48 Years
Hinds County's Director of Emergency Management Larry Fisher announced yesterday that he will retire at the end of October. Fisher said he would work until Oct. 31 to see the …
Monday, July 20
Final Transition Forum Tonight
Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr.'s transition team will hold the last of five public forums tonight at City Hall. The topic of tonight's meeting, which starts at 6 p.m., is human …
Council Anxious Over Farish Street Zoning
Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon is nervous about potential rezoning efforts connected to the Farish Street Entertainment District. Renovation of the Farish Street project has been ongoing for about a …
Jackson Public Meetings This Week
Monday, July 20
Johnson Transition Forum: Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr.'s transition team invites the public to a forum concerning human and cultural services. 6 P.M. City Hall, 219 S. President Street
Viking to Open Ridgeland Cooking School
Viking Culinary Group, a division of Viking Range Corporation, is opening a cooking school in Ridgeland next month, kicking off with a class titled "Classic Steakhouse" on Friday, August 21. …
Anna Tadlock
On Saturday, Anna Tadlock of Brandon, 23, was crowned Miss Mississippi at the culmination of three days of pageant events in Vicksburg. According to her profile, the Mississippi State University …
Mississippi Foreclosures Increase, Maybe
A California-based company that tracks foreclosures, RealtyTrac, reported last week that Mississippi has seen a huge jump in foreclosures last month. The company currently lists 1,893 foreclosed properties in the …
Saturday, July 18
Miss Ya-Ya and a Brand New Car
Yesterday was one of my fullest, weirdest, most interesting days as an intern. I usually work Monday through Thursday, and I wonder if all Fridays at the JFP are like …
Have you ever had a day like this?
If I had a nickel for every time I went through something like this, I'd be a wealthy woman.
Friday, July 17
Have Fun, Network and DON'T Procrastinate!
Youth Media Project
Now that I am in college I realize how great high school is and how things you do now (small or big) will affect you in the future. I know …
Never Meeting a Stranger
Do you remember when you were in kindergarden, when you teacher asked you to introduce yourself for the first time to everyone? Well, interning at the Jackson Free Press has …
Mississippi School Board Picks New Interim Superintendent
The State Board of Education replaced interim state superintendent Judy Rhodes yesterday, following a legal opinion from the Attorney General's office that found her technically unqualified for the position. Because …
Person of the Day
Dan Blumenthal
Fast cars have been a passion for Dan Blumenthal since he was a little kid. He inherited the bug from his father, and was reading Road &Track magazine at age …
Hood: Governor's Vetoes Improper
Two of Gov. Haley Barbour's recent budget vetoes violate the Mississippi constitution, according to Attorney General Jim Hood. The non-binding opinion points out that the constitution does not allow vetoes …
Thursday, July 16
Minors, Music, Identity
Youth Media Project
I had nothing against the teacher personally, but music meant so much more to me than English class at that time. When I felt bad, my English teacher wasn't there …
This Doesn't Look Like Home
Youth Media Project
So I have finally entered the blogosphere. For so long I have questioned its relevance and did not want to get involved. That was until I met Twitter.
What Is There for the Youth to Do in Jackson?
We need to spread the word to young people about things to do during the summer! These activities range from skate-boarding to theatrical plays.
The Real World Kinda Sucks
Youth Media Project
Don't you dare try to put Sarah Rutland in a corner, she'll come claws-out and aim for the jugular. I may not have the money to do everything I want …
Wife Says Pickering's Affair Ended Career, Two Marriages
Leisha Jane Pickering, estranged wife of former Republican U.S. Rep. Charles "Chip" Pickering, filed a complaint in Hinds County Circuit Court this morning against Elizabeth Creekmore-Byrd for alienation of affection. …
City Council Tables Additional Funds for Attorneys
This morning, Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes pulled a resolution he submitted along with Jackson City Council President Frank Bluntson encouraging the city to approve up to $240,000 in extra …
'Glories of Summer' Opens Downtown Tonight
An exhibition of artwork celebrating the season of heat and leisure opens tonight at the Gallery 119, formerly known as Highlands Fine Art Brokers.
Additional Shot Required for Mississippi Students
Students enrolled in Magnolia State schools will need to have had two chicken pox vaccines when they begin classes this fall. Known as the varicella vaccine, the requirement was waived …
Wednesday, July 15
Perkins Named Johnson's Chief of Staff
BREAKING NEWS: Mayor Harvey Johnson's office has confirmed that Sean Perkins, 35, formerly a branch manager for Regions Bank and director of 100 Black Men, has been named as the …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Golf, British Open (6 a.m., TNT): Will wee Padraig Herrington win a third-straight British Open? Or is Tiger Woods ready to pounce? The battle for the claret jug continues through …
The Dawn of a New ‘Daily'
This past week we flipped the switch on a new "product" that's been brewing in the JFP labs for the better part of six months: JFP Daily.
Vying For The Ball
The air is thick with humidity, and beyond the buzz of cicadas and crickets, the July night is quiet except for the intermittent sound of Pearl River players idly conversing …
Enforce the Smoking Ban
On Feb. 1, 2009, a smoking ban went into effect for the city's restaurants. After an initial flurry of objections, the air in most of city's restaurants and clubs became …
[Stiggers] A New Work Force
BoneQweesha Jones: "I know that pink slip was a hard pill to swallow. Six months later, the anxiety and stress of landing a decent job in this economy has forced …
An Open Letter to Brad White
Sen. Lydia Chassaniol's enthusiastic participation in the recent annual conference of the Council of Conservative Citizens calls attention to a problem that is much bigger, and much more dangerous, than …
Officer Colendula Green
As I approach Smith Park, I spot a woman standing in a black long-sleeved JPD uniform, gun on belt, badge on shirt and dark shades over eyes.
Art
A Dark Touch
Mathew Puckett's workspace on the second floor of One to One Studio is full of oil paintings of variations on his image.
The Key Ingredient
Cooking with love. That's the philosophy of Pat and Gina Neely, married co-hosts of Food Network show "Down Home with the Neelys," which they tape in their Memphis home.
The Neelys in My Kitchen
"Down Home with the Neelys: A Southern Family Cookbook" is more than just a book filled with recipes. Pat and Gina Neely share family photos and personal stories throughout the …
'A Richer Sense of Being Alive
There isn't a simple way to characterize someone as complex as Frank Owen; consciousness-explorer, Celtic spirituality facilitator, travel guide and Jungian all come to mind. But to stop there would …
Big, Gay and Christian
James Hannaham's novel "God Says No" chronicles the coming-of-age of Gary Gray, a man who loves Jesus and Disney World in almost equal measures. But he loves his college roommate, …
Funk Evolution
While some bands these days slap on a guitar or two and find someone to play drums, Austin-based T-Bird and the Breaks realized it needed more to complete its sound.
[Rob In Stereo] The Man In The Mirror
I recently had an hour to kill in the airport, so I indulged myself and picked up a few tabloid magazines inundated with Michael Jackson stories. In the weeks following …
An Apple or a Yogurt a Day?
It all started with a cold, then a cough. By the time I saw my physician, I realized that this gunk had taken hold of my physical being.
Rad Balloon
On a blistering July 2 evening, I strolled around the Fondren business district, searching for complementary beverages during "Fondren After 5," and attempted to look as if I were a …
Consultants Threaten JSU Programs, Alumni Fear
Members of committees affiliated with Jackson State University are worried that the university will be cutting programs in a curriculum reorganization. Associates of the Hinds Chapter of the Jackson State …
JPD Teaming Up On Home Invasions
Jackson police are reaching out to postal carriers, among others, in response to a spate of home invasions in Northeast Jackson. Precinct 4 reported two home invasions last week on …
Chris Mims
Director of communications is one of the first administrative positions that Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. filled when he took office earlier this month. His choice for the job was Jacksonian …
Jail: My Experience
Last week I was arrested for a charge I am legally not old enough to commit. I was transfered to the downtown jail in a car that the officer was …
Jackson Lake Plans and Eminent Domain
Jackson Realtor Bob Ridgway is president of a 100-year-old exclusive hunting and fishing spot about a half mile from where County Line Road dead ends at Old Canton Road. Mule …
Tuesday, July 14
Hood v. Salter: Battle Going Extra Rounds?
Enmity between Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and Clarion-Ledger Perspective Editor Sid Salter is obvious this week, as the two hammer each other over disagreements regarding the facts around a …
Sports
Sports Hall of Fame to Induct Six in 2009
The Mississippi Sport Hall of Fame is inducting six new members at a banquet to be held at the end of the month.
Governors Association To Meet In Biloxi
Governors from all 50 states will convene in Biloxi this weekend for the National Governors Association's Annual Meeting. The meeting, which brings together governors to share policy ideas, begins on …
[Balko] The El Paso Miracle
By conventional wisdom, El Paso, Texas, should be one of the scariest cities in America. Surprisingly, it's actually one of the safest.
Judy Lewis
Mississippi Public Broadcasting's board of directors unanimously appointed Judy Lewis, 59, as its new executive director last week. Lewis, a native Mississippian from Morton, holds a doctorate in higher education …
Shenanigans Magic Show
Describing himself as "America's corporate conjuror," Atlanta-based magician Joe M. Turner customizes illusions and other sleights of hand for business and community audiences around the country. And he is good!
Mississippi Swine Flu Cases Over 200
The Mississippi State Department of Health reports that H1N1 flu, known as swine flu, continues to spread rapidly in Mississippi. Since the first confirmed case May 15, the count has …
Come All Ye Faithful
This week marks the unofficial start of the college football season. The Big Three will host their annual preseason parties in Jackson. Coaches, cheerleaders and others will be on hand …
Monday, July 13
Some Soldiers Ineligible for GI Benefits Under New Bill
For many people, having access to GI benefits after serving their country is a primary factor behind joining the service. But some guard members are finding out that they're not …
How Often Should You Give?
My driving routine involves the same streets just about everyday. One day I was approaching the traffic light on Adkins Boulevard preparing to cross over to Beasley Road when I …
New Club, King Edward to Open Downtown
Even in the midst of an economic downturn, enterprising entrepreneurs take advantage of opportunities. A new downtown club and the reopening of a venerable Jackson landmarkafter decades of abandonment and …
Amani Floyd
For students at Jackson's Bailey Magnet School, Amani Floyd's dedication as a teacher has paid off well. Floyd, a student in the Mississippi Teacher Corps program at the University of …
No Downside to Pullout, Hinds County Supervisor Says
Hinds County is following through with a January decision to pull out of the Pearl River Basin Development District, removing itself from the auspices of the District regarding upkeep along …
This Week's Public Meetings in Jackson
Monday, July 13
Jackson Public Schools board, special meeting, 5:30 p.m., school board meeting room, 621 S. State St.
New Orleans Frequently Downgrades Rape Charges
In the wake of the much-touted FBI Uniform Crime Rankings for violent crime, the way New Orleans police report rapes highlights the reasons why the FBI warns the media against …
Peace, Love and Murder
The Mississippi Murder Mysteries actors always deliver a quirky, fun and intriguing show, and "Peace, Love and Murder" promises to offer more of the same.
Friday, July 10
Lawmakers Approve Compromised PSC Funding
State lawmakers passed appropriations bills for the state Public Service Commission and Public Utilities Staff this morning, completing the Legislature's work for this session. The House and Senate agreed on …
Leaks Caused JPD to Dump Sergeant Exams
Civil Service Commission members said questions from the Jackson Police Department's recent sergeant's exam might have found their way to the officers prior to testing, causing the city to trash …
Utilities Battle Raging Today in Special Session
The opening salvo in Mississippi's legislative special session goes to the Democratic-majority House of Representatives, with the House Appropriations Committee approving funding for the Public Service Commission this morning. The …
Clarion-Ledger Publisher Explains 20 Layoffs
Following a directive from its corporate owner, Gannett, The Clarion-Ledger laid off 20 people Thursday7 percent off its already-depleted staffin addition to freezing the positions open from recent resignations. Three …
Justice
Minister Blasts Mississippi Senator's Connections
Also see JFP cover story: Guess Who's Coming to Jackson, June 24, 2009
Opening Saturday: F. Jones Corner on Farish Street
When Adam Hayes and Daniel Dillon bought 303 Farish St., the building was in terrible shape: The ceiling was falling, it had neither a kitchen nor plumbing, and to top …
Jerzy Leszczynski
Jackson State University professor Dr. Jerzy Lesczcynski is one of 22 educators in the nation to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. President Barack …
An Open Letter
Over the past months our city has gone through some drastic changes, from the death of our beloved and sometimes hated mayor Frank Melton to the inauguration of our new …
Special Session Agenda: Utility Watchdog Agencies
The Mississippi Legislature is back in Jackson this morning for another special session, this time to decide the fate of the state's utility watchdog agencies. Lawmakers were unable to get …
Thursday, July 9
When Goliath Stumbles
A couple of days ago I wrote a blog concerning just a few of the problems facing major daily newspapers these days, and why independent and alternative publications have considerably …
Reeves Lends Weight to Mosque Opposition
A former Jackson attorney says he sees parallels between his representation of Madison citizens against a proposed mosque and the plight of his own former home in south Jackson.
Beth Kander
In response to the news that state Sen. Lydia Chassaniol was the "surprise speaker" at the recent Council of Conservative Citizens meeting in Jackson in June, Jackson playwright Beth Kander …
Jackson Crime Stats For June 29 – July 5
Major crimes in Jackson dropped by almost 9 percent last week, according to a weekly report (PDF) released at yesterday's command staff meeting for the Jackson Police Department. The city …
Public Safety Forum Tonight
Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and his transition team will hold a public forum tonight at 6 p.m. on the subject of public safety. The forum will take place in …
Mississippi Port Expansion Project Begins
Today at 2 p.m., the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport will hold a ground-"making" ceremony, kicking off a $570 million expansion project. Gov. Haley Barbour, who diverted the funds …
Journey Stories
A Smithsonian Institute traveling exhibit, "Journey Stories" examines physical, mental and emotional journeys that have crafted American history.
Wednesday, July 8
First Lady Fashion
"Behind every great man is a great woman." That quote, which became popular during the feminist movement, certainly seems to be true of Betty Mallett and Kathy Johnson, the city …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Women's golf, U.S. Women's Open (1 p.m., ESPN): Will an American win? Unlikely. It continues through Sunday.
A New Era in Jackson
"Responsibility." That was Mayor Harvey Johnson's word for what we should all vow to take as the city moves into its next era.
McLemore: Always a Player
"I'll have a glass of your finest Merlot," Leslie McLemore told the bartender at the University Club last week. "I don't know what it is, but I'll take it," he …
Lemurs and Tigers and Cats
In celebration of its 90th anniversary, the Jackson Zoo has spent millions of dollars on renovations. New benches, trash receptacles, improved fencing and new landscaping are some of the improvements …
Support State Watchdog Agencies
Last week, the Mississippi Senate shut down talks with House conferees over the funding of the Mississippi Public Service Commission.
[Stiggers] Gone But Not Forgotten
Miss Doodle Mae: "It's been a very rough couple of weeks for the staff of Jojo's Discount Dollar Store. The people we have known, respected and honored are gone.
[Kamikaze] Black America's Real Heroes
Throughout history, the African American community has had its share of stellar athletesmen who have transcended sport and race.
Micajah Sturdivant
Micajah Sturdivant stands on a sun-dried deck behind the MMI Management building gazing across a small lake and laughing about the number of geese bathing in the water.
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Johnson's Back!
"I, Harvey Johnson, Jr, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully ... discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, so help me God."
The Long and Short(cake) of It
Let's get a few things straight: The perennially "fresh" dessert shells stored next to the berries in the produce section aren't shortcake. Those flavorless pucks of kitchen sponge are the …
Parting The Curtain
Mississippi Values: It sounds innocuous, even noble; yet under the pens of Alex A. Alston Jr. and James L. Dickerson, the phrase takes on an ominous ring. Magnolia State residents …
Imperfect Heroes
"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.Martin Luther King, Jr. It wouldn't be fair to describe John Dittmer's "The Good Doctors" …
Delta Rockabilly Pioneer Keeps Rolling
Rockabilly Mac Allen Smith's musical education began in the 1940s when he was a small boy visiting his grandfather's home outside Carrollton.
[Herman's Picks] Vol. 7, No. 43
Sonorous indie-folk comes cheap this Thursday night when Washington, D.C.-based Frau Eva puts on its delayed ambience at the Eudora Welty Commons, 7 p.m., free.
Budget Battle Shows Barbour's Mettle
The state budget negotiations were like a summer blockbuster: expensive, full of strong language, boring and too long. Gov. Haley Barbour played a starring role, and like any diva, he …
Mississippi Special Session Starts Friday
It's official: Gov. Haley Barbour has called state lawmakers back to Jackson for another special session to deal with the 2010 state budget. The session begins on Friday, July 10, …
[Opinion] Jackson Loves Jackson
When I made the decision to leave Ole Miss and venture down to Jackson, I was admittedly scared. While taking breaks from epic "Halo 2" battles and scourging fraternity pledges, …
Jackson City Council Gets New Leadership
Ward 4 Councilman Frank Bluntson and Ward 5 Councilman Charles Tillman will now serve as president and vice president, respectively, of the Jackson City Council. The two nominated one another …
Report Predicts Slow Recovery for Mississippi
The June 2009 issue of the "Mississippi Economic Review and Outlook," a twice-yearly report authored by Marianne Hill, senior economist for the Institutions of Higher Learning, says the state's recovery …
Landfall Hurricanes Likely on Mississippi Coast
Since 1900, 16 hurricanes have hit the Mississippi coast, nine of them category 3, 4 or 5, making them "major" storms. That means that of the 40 total Gulf hurricanes …
Tuesday, July 7
Letting It All Out
Have you ever been completely consumed with something that you begin to obsess over it? Then the obsessing causes you to act out toward others ... and in turn you …
Bluntson is Jackson City Council President
With a unanimous vote from the new Jackson City Council, Ward 4 Councilman Frank Bluntson was installed as council president this afternoon, with Ward 5 Councilman Charles Tillman as his …
New Jackson Council Meets Today
The new Jackson City Council will be meeting for the first time today at 4 p.m. Leaving the council this year is former Council President and Ward 2 Councilman Leslie …
Barbour to Testify Against Clean Energy
Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee begins major hearings exploring how to reduce global warming and build a clean energy economy. The Waxman-Markey bills and related legislation is …
Music Awards Honor Local Artists
The 35th annual Jackson Music Awards, hosted by WLBT sports anchor Rob Jay, recognized a talented selection of Jackson's finest musicians and entertainers last night at the Jackson Marriott downtown. …
Wright Sentencing in September
Marcus Wright, former bodyguard for the late Mayor Frank Melton, is set to face sentencing Sept. 4 for his role in the 2006 demolition of a private home. Wright pled …
Jackson Eateries Win Awards; Night Spot to Close
Broad Street Baking Company & Café and Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint have received awards in this year's "Best of Mississippi" issue of Mississippi magazine. …
Economy Blamed for Postponing Mayor's Meeting
Organizers for the Gulf Coast Black Mayor's Conference, originally scheduled for July 12–15 in Baton Rouge, are pointing to the recession for postponing the meeting, according to the Sun Herald. …
Mississippi Opens New Burn Center
Crossgates River Oaks Hospital in Brandon opened the doors of the first burn center in the state since 2005, when a Greenville facility closed its doors, reports WLBT. With the …
Deleted Scenes and Death
Hello JFP readers, Katie Eubanks here. Editorial intern with a few "deleted scenes" to share from my internship experience. I know, I know: Deleted scenes aren't always the best part …
Monday, July 6
Jackson Music Awards Tonight
Join the fun at the 35th Annual Jackson Music Awards tonight at Marriott Hotel starting at 6 p.m. Tonight's program, "Music, Its Magic," honors the best of Southern soul and …
Panther Mentality with a White Fist
I find myself agreeing with about 100% of what the original Black Panther Party stood for, after the black nationalist platform was abandon. Do not confuse this with the "New …
Requiem for the Dailies
At the outset of this summer, I had two interning possibilities before me. I could either take an Associated Press internship with a daily newspaper or I could take one …
Hood Says Power Companies Forced PSC Shutdown
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and power industry watchdogs suspect power companies shut down a state regulating agency expressly to remove a new means of regulation from the table.
Fondren Business Happenings
Despite the looming recession threatening to disrupt and weaken local economies all across the nation, the Fondren business district is flexing its muscles.
McNair: The Darker Side of the Dream
Former National Football League Most Valuable Player Steve McNair lived what many would see as a dream life. Born in the Mississippi town of Mt. Olive, McNair began his football …
McNamara Dead at 93
Robert McNamara, U.S. Secretary of Defense under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, died this morning at his home in Washington, D.C. He was 93.
Second Special Session Starts Friday
Gov. Haley Barbour plans to call a second special session of the Mississippi Legislature for Friday, reports NEMS360. The session, which will begin at 10 a.m., will deal with funding …
Sunday, July 5
Football: Memories of McNair
Former NFL MVP and Alcorn State legend Steve McNair was found shot to death along with a young woman on Saturday in downtown Nashville. On Sunday, Nashville police ruled McNair's …
Saturday, July 4
QB, Mississippi Native Steve McNair Found Dead
The Associated Press is reporting that former NFL quarterback Steve McNair, formerly of Mount Olive, Miss., is dead:
Out-of-School Boredom
Youth Media Project
I believe it is said best on the theme song of the popular cartoon, "Phineas and Ferb": "There's 104 days in summer vaction, and school comes along just to end …
Summer Job Dilemma, Teen Advocate Edition
Youth Media Project
I could never picture myself flipping burgers and delivering food for the entire summer. Serving the community burgers and fries is different from holding a rally for LGBTQ issues.
Friday, July 3
‘I Just Have to Type My Thoughts Out'
Youth Media Project
What makes me most happy is that once I was just getting my thoughts out about things that are important to me, but now I am actually DOING something about …
Sarah Palin to Step Down as First-term Governor
Gov. Sarah Palin announced suddenly today that she will step down as governor of Alaska on July 26, only 30 months into her first term. The Washington Post:
Year 2: ‘Being the Media'!
Youth Media Project
The Jackson Free Press is thrilled to host the second summer of a joint youth media effort by public and private school teens in Jackson. last year, they critiqued the …
It's a Capital 4th
You won't have to look far for activities this Independence Day weekend. Today, start your holiday by celebrating the inauguration of Mayor Harvey Johnson Junior. The activities began early with …
Utility Watchdog Employees Furloughed
Among the budget bills that failed to get to the governor's desk earlier this week were appropriations to fund the Public Service Commission and the Public Utilities agency. Without funding, …
Thursday, July 2
Should the state of Rhode Island change its official name?
The official name is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, which gives the smallest state in the U.S. the longest name in the U.S. However, the state legislature may remove the …
Karl Malden, 1912-2009
"American Express Traveler's Checks. Don't leave home without them." The character actor known for this catchphrase as well as his role in movies such as "Pollyanna" and "A Streetcar Name …
Governor Vetoes Appropriations
Gov. Haley Barbour has vetoed a number of appropriation bills and parts of bills, leaving some doubt as to what the next steps will beor even whether there are next …
Johnson Welcomes Public to Inaugural Events
Tomorrow, July 3, marks the official inauguration for acting Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., with public events starting as early as 8 a.m. and continuing throughout the day until midnight. …
Mississippi No. 1 in Obesity, Again
At 44.4 percent of children and 32.5 percent of adults, Mississippi leads the nation in obesity. According to the 2009 edition of "F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are …
Wednesday, July 1
Anger: Confusing the Story With Reality
A few years ago, I nearly got into a war with one of my housemates.
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
College football, Ole Miss at Florida replay (6 p.m., CSS): Rebel fans can relive one of the great moments in UM football history during this replay of the 2008 game.
Where Should I Volunteer?
Whether you have to volunteer for school or you just want to do it just for fun, Jackson has numerous places to donate your time, money and knowledge.
The Long, Eaten Path
Knowing where food and clothing comes from is important to many consumers.
Grow This
Community gardens have sprung up across the city in recent months, offering Jacksonians the opportunity to learn about what they put into their bodies and how to grow it.
Operation Give
Freedom isn't free. Throughout the course of our nation's history, men and women have given the ultimate sacrifice to represent the United States in times of war.
Death of Affirmative Action?
In an unexpected move, the U.S. Supreme Court this week strayed from precedence to rule against a race-based hiring practice. Overturning an affirmative-action decision by an appellate panel, the Court …
Ruth Oguhebe
As she walks into the empty school library, 17-year-old Ruth Oguhebe smiles and reaches out for a hug before sitting down at a table and taking off her shoes.
Medicaid Deal Just In Time
State legislators were poised to pass a Medicaid agreement Tuesday evening, ending a months-long impasse over funding and removing the last major obstacle to a state budget, one day before …
Mayor Wants 'Responsibility'
At a June 25 meeting at Koinonia Coffee House, Mayor-elect Harvey Johnson Jr. told Ward 5 residents that the theme for the city during his third term as mayor will …
DOJ Weighs in on JATRAN
The U.S. Department of Justice has intervened in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Jackson, buttressing accusations of the inaccessibility of Jackson's public bus system.
Precinct 4 to Relocate
The Jackson City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to move Jackson Police Department's Precinct 4 office from its current location on North State Street to the plaza across from Mikhail's about …
Energy Overkill?
The former mayor of Tupelo is heading a new energy advocacy group that critics say is pushing for a prohibitively expensive lignite coal plant and expansions of the Grand Gulf …
Fend Off the Alligators
When hungry alligators surround you, so the joke goes, you might forget that your objective is to drain the swamp.
[Stiggers] Get on the Bus
Congressman Smokey "Robinson" McBride: "Despite reports of a world economic downturn, political unrest in Iran, pop celebrities ridiculing and beating up each other, and the divorce of John and Kate …
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Donate Yourself
Although the idea of donating your body tends to have an edgy ring to it, it's easy to change your mind once you think of the good it can bring …
Sweet Meets Savory
I have had this idea for a while about opening a pie shop in town similar to one I visited once upon a time in Seattle. This shop would serve …
The Myth of Yazoo Blues
John Pritchard is a Mississippi native whose newly released novel, "The Yazoo Blues," chronicles the adventures of a Delta man named Junior Ray Loveblood.
Jihad, Defined
Casual readers may view "How to Win a Cosmic War" (Random House, 2009, $26), the second book by acclaimed religious scholar Reza Aslan, as a defense of Islam. In part, …
The Kids of Freedom Summer
In 1964, Tracy Sugarman began participating in and covering the Freedom Summer with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. His reporting and illustrations are captured in "We Had Sneakers, They Had …
Tennis: Britton Turning Pro
Ole Miss tennis player Devin Britton, who won the NCAA singles title in May, is turning pro after one season in Oxford.
Music Reviews
Olympic Records act, the Da Vincis, make exactly the music teenage boys should make. Their loose, jazzy pop songs possess a purity free from the baggage that comes with age …
[Rob In Stereo] Spirit of '94
New-age punk rock, for better or for worse, can be tied to 1994. It was during this year that the genre re-emerged from music's doldrums and experienced a renaissance.
Fat Poppies and Malbec
On a Tuesday night, I picked up a bottle of malbec at Kats Wine Cellar and drove to the clubhouse on the reservoir where artist Karen Blake teaches art classes …
Dee, Moore Lawsuit Goes Forward
Read the JFP's Dee-Moore archive here for background and complete stories.
Diaz Calls on D.C.
Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz outlined allegations of political persecution last week at a Washington, D.C., forum. The Sarah McClendon Group, a government and media watchdog association, held …
Home away from home
I have been coming to Jackson for about two years now, and I mean on a regular bases. In the last year I have only had one weekend away from …
Welcome to FY 2010: Where's the Budget?
At around 8 p.m. last night, the Mississippi House approved a $60 million hospital tax promoted by Gov. Haley Barbour to fund the state's Medicaid program, after a nearly two-and-a-half …
Closing the Clean-Up Deal
The city may have brought to a close the troubled business relationship between local debris-removal contractor Garrett Construction Company and Pearl River, Miss.-based Nungesser Industries.
