Tuesday, June 30
Medicaid Agreement Reached
Around 11 p.m. last night, House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, announced from the House floor that the special budget committee has reached an agreement with Gov. Haley Barbour on the …
Lawmakers Pass Another Tobacco Tax
After years of not raising taxes on cigarettes, yesterday Mississippi lawmakers approved the second cigarette tax hike this year. Even more surprising, Gov. Haley Barbour, a former tobacco lobbyist who …
Monday, June 29
Millsaps Named ‘Best Buy'
[verbatim] Millsaps College is one of only 24 private colleges nationwide and the only college in Mississippi named a "Best Buy" in the 2010 edition of Fiske's Top Financial Finds …
Legislative Special Session Underway
The Mississippi House and Senate are desperately hammering out an agreement on a state appropriation bill one day after Gov. Haley Barbour finally called a special session. Barbour had initially …
Hood Provides Microsoft Settlement FAQs
Subsequent to Mississippi's $100 million anti-trust settlement with software giant Microsoft June 10, Attorney General Jim Hood has posted a list of frequently asked questions on the Attorney General Web …
Johnson to Hold Public Forums
As part of the incoming mayor's transition to Jackson's top spot after his July 3 inauguration, Harvey Johnson Jr. and his transition team will be holding a series of public …
Sunday, June 28
Michael Jackson Charity Scam Circulating Via Email
Donation Required If Possible.
I got this email in my spam folder, and I thought I'd give everyone a heads-up about this scam. If you get this in your inbox, delete it:
Billy Mays Dead at 50
OxiClean, Orange Glo, Mighty Mend-It... who do you think of when you hear the names of these products? A bearded guy with a loud voice named Billy Mays who sold …
Media: Dialing Up New Shows
"The Morning Vent" debuts on 930 AM on Monday at 7 a.m. It replaces "Out of Bounds," which is moving to the Jackson-area's new sports talk station.
Friday, June 26
[Evans] A New Model for Cutting Medical Costs
Word is that Harvard Professor Dr. Atul Gawande's article on McAllen, Texas, is required reading in the White House. Published in the June 1, 2009 issue of The New Yorker, …
Making Weekend Plans?
It's Friday, y'all, and you know what that means: It's time for weekend planning. As always, the Jackson Free Press is here to let you know what's happening, who's in …
Governor Adamant About Port Expansion
Despite pleas to reconsider his earlier decision to divert money from funds designated for rebuilding housing on Mississippi's Gulf Coast, Gov. Haley Barbour told reporters yesterday that he's not changing …
Thursday, June 25
Deaths of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon
May they all rest in peace. I will add links in a moment, but I wanted to get the news out first.
UPDATE 2: Here is more information about Michael Jackson:
Governor Chides Lawmakers for Unfinished Business
Gov. Haley Barbour took time off from nationwide GOP fundraising efforts to announce that he has no plan to call a special session to address the state's non-existent budget just …
Unemployment Rate Jumps Again
The unemployment rate in Mississippi increased a full percentage point from April to May, inching toward 10 percent once again, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. That one …
Soccer: Brilla Tries To Beat Heat
Mississippi Brilla has moved its final three regular-season games to Clinton High School's Arrow Field because heat concerns.
Barbour Takes Top RGA Spot
In the wake of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's untimely departure from the Republican Governors Association, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is taking over the organization's leadership. Barbour had already accepted …
No Budget ‘Disastrous' for Medicaid Patients
[Verbatim from Mississippi Hospital Association President Sam Cameron]
Because of the Governor's refusal to call a Special Session of the Mississippi Legislature, it appears the Division of Medicaid will cease to exist after midnight on June 30, 2009. …
Wednesday, June 24
Barbour Rejects Medicaid Deal
Gov. Haley Barbour took advantage of his more powerful position in state budget negotiations on Monday by rejecting a tentative budget agreement forged less than 24 hours earlier.
Justice
The Tangled Web of Hate
The Southern Poverty Law Center counts the Council of Conservative Citizens as a "Neo-Confederate" hate group, which, like the more radical League of the South, fights for the rights of …
Raised Garden Bed
Growing your own food is back in style. The popularity of books like "The Omnivore's Dilemma" shows that people are more concerned about where their food comes from.
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
NBA basketball, NBA draft (6:30 p.m., ESPN): America's next group of young Americans awaits a call from the Association. Major League Lacrosse, Toronto at Boston (6 p.m., ESPN2): The Nationals …
Uptown Hate
When the 2000 election devolved into chad-counting in South Florida, I headed down from New York City to cover the mess for the Village Voice. And with all the talk …
Protesting Poverty
As the sun beams above her, Wilma Irving, a resident of Kenner, La., fans herself and begins to tell me the purpose of her journey to Jackson.
City Pays Melton's Legal Fees
During a June 16 City Council meeting, the council votedwithout issue or debateto pay the late Mayor Frank Melton's $37,500 attorney fee in connection with his federal trial for demolishing …
Banking on PRIYDE
Sixteen-year-old Laurin Paris is using her fashion sense to get her to college.
Call A Special Session, Barbour
The budget wars between the two chambers of the state Legislature are nothing new.
[Stiggers] Converter-Box Conspiracy
Brotha Hustle: "Ghetto Science Television presents the premiere post-digital transition edition of "The Hustle Report." It's been one week since the digital television transition deadline. Did you get your analog-to-digital …
[Kamikaze] Jackson's Savior Complex
Everyone seems to be an expert on crime these days. Sit around any barbershop or bar, and you'll hear all the "pundits" explain how they would handle crime.
[O'Keefe] Giving Up Prejudices
While waiting for a high-school football game to begin, a group of fans from the community gathered at the park across the street. From a distance, I could see a …
Jed Oppenheim
Although his parents were activists, Jed Oppenheim says he first realized the inequalities of race and class systems during the 1992 riots in his hometown of Los Angeles.
Cover
Guess Who's Coming To Jackson
Gordon Baum, the chief executive officer of the Council of Conservative Citizens, can tell a good story.
DOJ weighs in on JATRAN
The U.S. Department of Justice has intervened on a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Jackson, buttressing accusations of the inaccessibility of Jackson's public bus system. The lawsuit, filed …
Salad Daze: Avoiding Lettuce Burnout
I enjoy few things as much as feeding people, but the heat in Mississippi can shrivel the will of even an enthusiastic cook. When summer rolls around, I'll take any …
Renita Full of Hope
Mississippi native Renita Martin will venture from New York City to Jackson this weekend to perform her one-woman show "Five Bottles in a Six Pack" at New Stage Theatre. Martin …
Untangling Funk
The New Yorker editor and novelist Ben Greenman's new book, "Please Step Back", tracks the life and career of funk-rock star Robert Franklin, a.k.a. Rock Foxx, a fictional character based …
'First Understand Mississippi
In her book, "Historic Photos of Mississippi", Anne B. McKee highlights nearly 200 photos from history archives and private collections.
Fresh and Easy
Daniel Guaqueta, tall and dark-headed with a half-grown mustache and goatee, is sitting in the control room at the WLEZ radio station and unwrapping a CD as quickly as he …
Jubilee!JAM Photos Posted
Yes, it was a scorcher, and that seems to have affected attendance, but there were also some exceptional performances for those who braved the heat. Check out these wonderful photos …
It IS the Heat
We've all heard the old saw: "It's not the heat; it's the humidity." Well, during this extended early heat wave in Mississippi, the heat really is the thing to watch …
Dems Play "Where's Waldo?" with Barbour
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour seems to be almost anywhere but in the state of Mississippi these days, a fact that hasn't escaped the attention of the state's Democratic Party leadership. …
Muscle Meets Bivalve
John McGowan and McGowan Working Partners laud the city of Jackson's economic benefit of the Two Lakes plan, a proposed project that would dam the Pearl River and create a …
Tuesday, June 23
Unsealed Suit Reveals Diaz Suing Lampton
U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge James C. Sumner signed a June 22 order denying a motion to seal a suit against former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz and his wife …
Mississippi Soldiers Ship Out Today
The U.S. Army Reserve's 296th Transportation Company ships out today for final training in Wisconsin before heading to Iraq. The Mississippi company of 169 men and women, which was last …
Gambling Revenue Up Again
The Mississippi State Tax Commission says that winnings in the state's 30 casinos was up in May by $19.2 million more than in April, according to Forbes, but revenues are …
Monday, June 22
Barbour Refuses Special Session, Vows Fight
[Verbatim from Gov. Haley Barbour] Yesterday an "agreement in principle" on Medicaid issues was announced by Medicaid negotiators, but this so-called "solution" has a huge, fundamental flaw: It would give …
Lawmakers Closer to Balanced Budget
State legislators have reached a budget compromise, ending a months-long impasse days before the end of the fiscal year. House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement late Sunday on a …
Allen and Others To Host McLemore Reception
Acting Mayor Leslie McLemore will soon retire from both academia and politics. In honor of his work and dedication to the city of Jackson, Ben Allen, President of Downtown Jackson …
Guv Candidate Looking Across Aisle?
Not surprisingly in a state where innuendo can be more common than facts, rumors are swirling around connections that a Democratic contender for the governor's mansions might have. This time, …
CARA Desperately Seeking Donations
[Verbatim from CARA] Today, CARA was impacted by the extreme heat everyone in the Jackson area is experiencing. "We need three 40" box fans to add to the shelter to …
Saturday, June 20
Jubilee Jam - Friday Highlights
The first day of Jubilee! Jam 2009 was sincerely hot and sticky with temps hovering in the high 90s til way after dark. Still, a sweat soaked crowd turned out …
Friday, June 19
2009 Gulf Dead Zone May Hit Record Size
Imagine an area the size of Hinds County with virtually no life: you can't drink the water; seeds rot in the soil; and only cockroaches can breathe the air. It's …
Cookie Dough Recall Announced
Nestlé USA announced today that it is voluntarily recalling its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products after the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control notified the company it was …
This Weekend: Mississippi Civil Rights Martyrs' Memorial
The 45th Annual Mississippi Martyrs' Memorial Service and Conference takes place this Saturday and Sunday in Neshoba County. A one-mile "March for Justice" kicks off the event, in commemoration of …
Stewart v. Huckabee on Abortion: What do you think?
After growing up Southern Baptist— and spending a good bit of time on the opposite side of the spectrum when I was in college— I've had a number of different …
It's Time to JAM, Y'all
You might have noticed the downtown streets blocked off as you came to work this morning. But just in case you've been hiding out, been out of touch or been …
Johnson May Pull the Plug on ‘First 48'
Also see: JFP June 10, 2009 Editorial: 'First 48': This Is Transparency?
Thursday, June 18
Mayor-elect Announces Transition Team
Tonight Mayor-elect Harvey Johnson Jr. gave the Jackson Free Press a list of his diverse transition team members that will investigate the current condition of city administration and prepare reports …
Former Justice Fights Death Penalty
Oliver Diaz says his first vote on the Mississippi Supreme Court was to "kill an innocent man." The man he's talking about is Kennedy Brewer, wrongfully convicted of the rape …
Irby Trial Postponed Eight Months
Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Tomie Green granted a continuance for Karen Irby today, postponing her trial until March 29, 2010, reports The Clarion-Ledger. Irby, 38, faces two counts of …
Cold Case Advocate to Meet with Holder
Alvin Sykes, longtime advocate for the victims of civil rights era cold cases, will meet with the nation's "top cop," U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, to discuss the Department of …
Council Votes No to Raises; Yes to Legal Fees
Members of the Jackson City Council reversed themselves on a number of decisions during Tuesday's council meeting, June 16. The council agreed to pay the legal fees of the city's …
Wine to Go
Beginning July 1, that unfinished bottle of wine at your restaurant table can go home with you, thanks to the Mississippi Legislature. No more will you have to decide between …
Wednesday, June 17
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Golf, U.S. Open (9 a.m. and 4 p.m., ESPN, and 2 p.m., Ch. 3 on Thursday and Friday; 1 p.m., Ch. 3, Saturday and Sunday): Tiger Woods heads to Bethpage …
Whose River Is it?
In the past weeks, the Jackson Free Press has spent some time looking into the Two Lakes plan for flood control and economic development on the Pearl Rivera plan that's …
Boon For The budget?
State Auditor Stacey Pickering could complicate the state's recent $100 million settlement with Microsoft Corp.
Pearl Wetlands Worth Saving?
The wetland area just east of Jackson has seen better times.
Gloria Norris and her Mississippi Road
With her Nikon FE camera in tow, Mississippi native and noted author Gloria Norris drove down Highway 51 through Mississippi capturing the fleeting images of the state that characterized her …
[Stiggers] Hypocritical Health Care
Nurse Tootie McBride: "What happens when a financially challenged individual without health insurance needs immediate medical attention for a large knot on the forehead?"
[Royals] God And Abstinence
At the Mississippi Department of Human Services' May 16 summit entitled "Abstinence Works: Let's Talk About It," we didn't talk about abstinence. But we sure did chant, cheer, dance, pray …
Scott Davidson
While some look forward to Jubilee!JAM for the chance to see their favorite musicians perform, or to peruse the Arts Fair, Scott Davidson looks forward to seeing each year's official …
Cover
Taking Back Rock: The JFP Interview With Joan Jett
As a 4-year-old little girl, I watched the tv screen with a gaping mouth, focusing on the black-haired woman yelling about loving rock 'n' roll.
The Great American Jam Bands
The Jackson Arts and Music festival Jubilee!JAMhas brought the city world-class acts since the 1980s. They continue the tradition this year with a host of national and local musicians and …
Artists To Watch
Not only are there incredible musicians and performers coming to Jubilee Jam, there are some up and coming artists that are quite making a scene. Here are some that you …
The Day the Music Died
Many of us carry around tiny, flat devices that hold hundreds or thousands of songsthe equivalent of hauling around crates upon crates of albums or CDs. How did we get …
Trekking Hallowed Ground
Steve Cheseborough delves into the complex history of the blues in his third edition of "Blues Traveling: The Holy Sites of Delta Blues" (University of Mississippi Press, 2008, $22).
Stress: Causes And Cures
As I walked down St. Charles Street in New Orleans after a Mardi Gras parade, I heard a loud horn honking behind me. I turned and threw an irritated look …
Tweaking Sound
"Perfecting Sound Forever: An Aural History of Recorded Music" (Faber & Faber, 2009, $35) is a book for music nerds and casual fans alike. In it, Greg Milner explains sound …
Today: Housing Fair at the Medical Mall
You still have time to head over to the 2009 Housing Fair, sponsored by the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, until 2 p.m. today. Included on the agenda is information about …
A Call for Unity ... But No Pictures
A June 15 event billed as a huge show of unity for Mayor-elect Harvey Johnson Jr. turned into a debate over transparency after organizers barred photographers and electronic media from …
Hinds Drops Regional Jail
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 last Tuesday to end its efforts to build a regional jail, after spending more than $400,000 on acquiring land and designing the …
Tuesday, June 16
Transparency Means Transparency
Well, we tried.
Organizers of a event heralded as a unity event for Mayor-elect Johnson barred cameras at the last minute. This was a mistake and a signal to Johnson to ensure transparency.
Jackson City Council Votes Down Living-Wage Increase
At the Tuesday evening meeting tonight, the Jackson City Council voted down a proposed ordinance establishing a living-wage requirement for employees of the city of Jackson by a 3-3 vote. …
Kennedy: Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Beck Spread Hate
Speaking to reporters last Friday after his keynote speech at the memorial for slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers in Jackson, Robert Kennedy Jr. said some right-wing broadcast hosts feed …
Police Union: No Agreement
The city of Jackson has not reached an agreement with the Jackson Police Officers Association regarding limiting the number of officers allowed to complete the sergeant's exam processcontrary to what …
Sleep Inn Breaking Ground Downtown
J. R. Jones, managing member of minority investment and development organization The LEAD Group, LLC, is partnering with Jackson attorney Robert Gibbs in opening a new 64-room hotel on Gallatin …
CARA Reaches Out for Donations
Community Animal Rescue and Adoption, Jackson's largest no-kill animal shelter is running dangerously low on funds. The shelter is "filled to the brim with unwanted, abused and stray dogs and …
Hmph!
When I made the decision to leave Ole Miss and venture down to Jackson, MS, I was admittedly scared.
Taking breaks from epic Halo 2 battles and scourging fraternity pledges, I'd caught breaking news flashes of Jackson's zany mayor busting into residential buildings and wearing Kevlar vests.
Legislators Remain Stuck on Budget
With 14 days remaining in Mississippi's 2009 fiscal year, lawmakers continue their struggle to reach a consensus on next year's budget. The special negotiating team, which consists of three House …
Jones Named Ole Miss Chancellor
The University of MississippiOle Missannounced the appointment of Dr. Dan Jones as its new chancellor yesterday. Jones succeeds retiring Robert Khayat July 1, to oversee the University, including the University's …
Monday, June 15
College Baseball: Texas 7, Southern Miss 6
The Golden Eagles face North Carolina in an elimination game on Tuesday (1 p.m., ESPN2, 930 AM).
Southern Miss suffered a tough loss in its College World Series debut on Sunday night, losing to Texas, 7-6.
Murrah High Makes Top High Schools List
[verbatim] Newsweek magazine has named Murrah High School to its 2009 America's Top Public High Schools list. The schools are ranked on the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and/or …
Tonight: It's a Movie and a Benefit
Be honest. It's too hot to do much of anything but stay inside and watch a movie, right? Here's a perfect way for you to combine your love of the …
Conflict of Interest: Big Insurance and Big Tobacco
Have you ever wondered why health insurance companies don't cover smoking cessation programs? Such programs seem like a natural fit given the amount of acute and chronic disease that could …
Free HIV Testing Tomorrow
[verbatim] On Tuesday, June 16th, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the nation's largest non-profit AIDS organization, will partner with Building Bridges, Inc. to provide free HIV testing at Hinds Comprehensive Health …
Budget Impasse Will Affect Agencies
State agencies could be shutting down soon if the Mississippi Legislature can't come to an agreement on the state budget. A small contingent of lawmakers made up of three House …
Friday, June 12
Seale Appeals to U.S. Supreme Court
Attorneys for James Ford Seale, convicted in 2007 on federal kidnapping and conspiracy charges related to the 1964 killings of two 19-year-old African Americans, have appealed to the U.S. Supreme …
Supreme Court Disbars Former D.A. Peters
The Mississippi Supreme Court has permanently disbarred former Hinds District Attorney Ed Peters by accepting the law license he turned over to the Mississippi Bar Association in January. Peter's action …
Mississippi: You should probably move here
With sadness that I will not be in attendance for the Writer's Spotlight in Jackson this Saturday, I decided to show my love for my home state in the following …
Hot Stuff This Weekend
The weather isn't the only thing hot this weekend. Here are a few options, courtesy of the JFP Event Calendar, Best Bets and Music Listings.
State Paid 9,300 People in Error
Mississippi's Medicaid program paid Part B Medicare premiums for approximately 9,300 ineligible people, possibly since 2003, according to WAPT. Those payments were made after the state determined the recipients were …
Minority Contractors Win Arbitration Award
[verbatim] An American Arbitration Association panel awarded minority contractor Fish & Fisher $1,283,351 in a dispute with white owned L & T Construction. The dispute arose over work performed by …
Thursday, June 11
Mississippi to Receive $100 Million in Microsoft Settlement
The Mississippi Legislature may have a new tool to work with in straightening out the state's fiscal woes. Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood announced at a June 11 press conference …
Jackson Uniting to Retire Johnson's Debt
A group of diverse citizens who supported varied candidates in the recent mayoral elections in Jackson are putting aside their differences and joining together to help retire the accumulated campaign …
PSC Creates New Hurdles for Coal-Burning Plant
The Mississippi Public Service Commission met last Friday to consider multiple motions submitted by Mississippi Power, the Sierra Club, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and others regarding Mississippi Power's proposed …
Earth to Northside Sun, Ledger, etc.: Stop Making Sh*t Up
It is simply remarkable to watch the media in Jackson that lost their mayoral endorsement go to the same tired, *false* well so quickly after Harvey Johnson Jr. won back …
UMC Closing School for Autistic Children
The fate of Jackson's autistic children will be in the hands of the public schools this fall, raising concerns for parents, according to a report from WLBT. Last week, parents …
Mississippi Energy Policy Institute Formed
Gov. Haley Barbour has announced the formation of a group dedicated to coming up with energy policy for the state. The group, the Mississippi Energy Policy Institute, will be part …
[At The Mic] Writer's Spotlight
There's something profoundly moving about listening to an artist express themselves, revealing his or her hidden self through art. Not only is the experience rewarding for the listener, but it's …
[In Celebration] "Juneteenth Celebration"
Since 1965, African Americans have celebrated June 19 as the emancipation of slaves. Originating in Galveston, Texas, the day is an outpouring of joy in the black community and emphasizes …
Wednesday, June 10
'First 48': This is Transparency?
Jackson's legal department is putting the finishing touches on a contract with the Arts & Entertainment Network reality cop show, "The First 48." The show, which makes docu-dramas out of …
Chick Jam
For the last five years, the Jackson Free Press and women community leaders have joined forces to put on the JFP Chick Ball. In addition to providing a stellar music …
Men We Love
The thing we like most about Jackson's men is that they've got so much soul. You kind of need it when you live in the city with soul.
Laurel Miller and Price Donahoo
Mississippi State University senior, Price Donahoo was working in the library when sophomore Laurel Miller sat down at the computer across from him.
The Bachelorettes Headline Chick Jam Benefit Friday at Hal & Mal's
See you Friday!
The first of several events scheduled around this year's 5th Annual JFP Chick Ball is this Friday night in the Red Room at Hal & Mal's. The Bachelorettes will bring …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Southern League baseball, Birmingham at Mississippi (7:05 p.m., Pearl, 103.9 FM): The slightly improving M-Braves open a series against the Barons, one of the SL's best, on Thirsty Thursday. Drink …
'Racism,' In Context
You've surely heard the heads exploding by now. "She's a racist!" "Maria, er, Sonia Sotomayor said she's smarter than white men!" She made "an unambiguous statement of bigotry."
State Agencies Silenced on Lake Plans?
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks remains strangely silent and without comment on two plans to partially inundate a state park stagger drunkenly forward.
The Saga of the No-Budget-Bill
Although he isn't an official party in the Mississippi Legislature's budget negotiations, Gov. Haley Barbour is still wielding his influence. The regular session ended last week with House and Senate …
McLemore Launches Beautification Project
Operation Keep Jackson Beautiful, a citywide project that launched Monday, June 1, includes several initiatives, including trash removal, an anti-litter campaign and the seeding of vacant lots with flowers and …
Recycling the Yellow Pages
The organization Keep Jackson Beautiful is kicking off its annual telephone-book recycling program this month in collaboration with AT&T The Real Yellow Pages and Recycling Services of Jackson.
JPD Wrestles Garage Gator
Officers from the Jackson Police Department and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife captured an alligator in a garage on Ashley Circle in Ward 2 early this morning, police said.
[Stiggers] Blame a Black Man
Mr. Announcement: "In the ghetto criminal justice system the people are represented by associate-in-training Sista Encouragement and two members of the McBride family: police officer and part-time security guard at …
[Kamikaze] Time for the Pink Slip
Many of you work a regular 9-to-5 job. Even those who work part-time, odd hours or odd days understand the premise of hustling for a paycheck.
[Hutchinson] Just the President
The only problem with New York Congressman Charles Rangel's quip that President Obama had better bring his ID to East Harlem is that he limited it to East Harlem.
Karmichael Spiller
"Sometimes things (will) be going through my mind in my sleep," 46-year-old Jackson native Karmichael Spiller says. "It's like I'm always awake.
Suspect in Holocaust Museum Shooting is White Supremacist
The Associated Press is reporting that a shooter opened fire in the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., just before 1 p.m. today, fatally wounding a security guard before he was …
Books
Crime & Punishment
When a best-selling author comes to Jackson, it's news. When three best-selling authors come in one exclusive event, it's historic.
Thoreau's Fire
True story: On April 30, 1844, Henry David Thoreau began the fire that eventually burned 300 acres of forest outside his home in Concord, Mass. He was never prosecuted for …
Archie's Cigar Box Blues
For three years, Archie Storey had been on a steady diet of Mississippi blues and was looking for a way into the music. The longtime BeBop Records employee listened to …
[Herman's Picks] Vol 7., No. 39 (Fearless Edition!)
We are edging closer to the middle of the summer, which means the sultry sun is taking its toll on our sizzling skin. Outdoor music festivals and backyard barbecue jams …
Fiat Signs Deal with Chrysler
When the US Supreme Court told plaintiffs yesterday that they did not prove the court needed to intervene, they removed the final obstacle for the company's partial sale to Italian …
JPD Goes Reality TV
Jackson's 14 homicide detectives are about to get a taste of the limelight. As early as next month, field producers for the cop show "The First 48" will begin following …
Tuesday, June 9
Barbour Talks Party Line on Cap & Trade
In a speech yesterday at the Southern Growth Policies Board, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour repeated the GOP's party line about the Obama administration's proposed cap and trade energy policies, repeatedly …
Board of Ed Names Interim Replacement for Bounds
The Mississippi Board of Education has named an interim education superintendent to replace Hank Bounds, who is the preferred candidate for the post of higher education commissioner, a position overseeing …
Monday, June 8
Signs Point Cautiously to Recession's End
Slowing job losses is one sign of the economy's impending recovery. The bottom is just ahead, according to economists, which means things will start looking up soon.
[Tobin] We Need Fair and Just Immigration Reform
The history of immigrant labor in the U.S. is as old as the country itself. Given political or economical expediency, immigrants were given legal protection and a path to citizenship, …
Governor Leads Southern Energy Conference
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour joins Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens today in Biloxi to lead a two day energy summit titled "Southern Energy: Abundant, Affordable and American." according to the …
College Baseball: USM Going To Omaha; Ole Miss At Home Again
Southern Miss made history on Sunday by winning a spot in the College World Series. Meanwhile, Ole Miss continued its unfortunate history of losing at home in a Super Regional.
Friday, June 5
Future of the Newspaper? You May Use a ‘Home Computer' To Read It
(Hat tip to Dave Johnson from his blog.)
This classic newscast from 1981 is too good to pass up. Major newspapers putting their stories online -- without the fancy photos "and the comics." But would they every really …
Ward 1 Voters Stayed Consistent: No to Johnson
Voting patterns in last Tuesday's general elections tell a story about Jackson: Citizens were tired of voting, and the city's whites and blacks don't necessarily agree on who should be …
Working for the Weekend?
It's hard to believe that it's the first weekend in June, isn't it? If you're looking for things to do, places to go and people to see, though, this is …
Brown: Governor Will Cut School Funding
State Rep. Cecil Brown is warning that Mississippi's children will be the ultimate losers in the current budget battle if the governor gets his way. In an e-mail sent to …
Thursday, June 4
FEMA Offers Hurricane Victims Trailers for $1
Four years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast, and a month after the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it was going to end its temporary housing program …
Budget Stalled Again
Mississippi lawmakers failed yet again to come up with a budget for the 2010 fiscal year. A small budget committee has been working overtime to come to an agreement, but …
Tweeting Pivotal Moments in World History
It seems like everyone has a Twitter account these days. Aging Politicians. Pro Athletes. Even MC hammer has gotten into the mix. But what about the historical icons of the …
EEOC Finds Racial Discrimination at MDPS
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has found evidence that the Mississippi Department of Public Safety engaged in discriminatory practices against black state troopers. In a June 1 letter, EEOC …
Flu Cases Now at 50
The Mississippi State Department of Health reports that the number of confirmed H1N1 swine flu cases in the state hit 50 yesterday. The bulk of the cases remain on the …
Mississippi Lags in Internet Access
In a report released yesterday, Mississippi has the lowest rate of Internet access in the U.S., with 52.8 percent of households connected. The report, from the U.S. Census Bureau, shows …
Wednesday, June 3
Trouble at Hinds Youth Detention Center
A Hinds County supervisors suggests a "cover-up" at the Hinds County Youth Detention Center.
Campfire Reads
"Campfire Cuisine: Gourmet Recipes for the Great Outdoors," by Robin Donovan (Quirk Books, 2006, $15.95)
Park Camping
You're itching to put your nature skills to use at a campsite, but where do you go? Mississippi has hundreds of cultivated campgrounds in every corner of the state for …
Camping Survival 101
Before you leave on your camping trip, pack accordingly (see "What to Pack For Camping," link) so you'll be prepared for unforeseen challenges. Then, let a responsible person know exactly …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
NBA basketball, Orlando at Los Angeles Lakers in NBA Finals (8 p.m., Ch. 16): Will this be the year that LA's Kobe Bryant finally wins a title without the help …
Blues Legend Koko Taylor Passes Away
Koko Taylor, a Chicago blues icon who was scheduled to appear at this year's Jubilee!JAM, died today of complications following surgery on May 19th. She was 80 years old. More …
For Louis
Last week, my husband, JP, was leaving our house to go to work when he saw something huddled in the bushes. Just as soon as I had heard his key …
Learning With A Legend
Young people from around the state will gather June 5 in Indianola for the ninth annual B.B. King Blues Workshop.
Budget Deadlock Continues
State lawmakers remain deadlocked on a budget for the 2010 fiscal year beginning July 1, raising the possibility of a special session to settle the matter.
Entergy Seeking Friendlier Court
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate said last week that he would rule within three weeks to 30 days on a motion for venue change requested by Entergy Mississippi.
Taxpayers Deserve to See Pearl Study
In 2003, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District agreed to begin a three-year feasibility study to update the cost …
[Stiggers] The New GM
"It's Rev. Cletus Car Sales Church radio broadcast, live and in listening color! Before I begin with the show, I must do a couple of shameless plugs. I want to …
[Hightower] Seven Seconds in Hell
You've got to give Mancow credit. He did it. Erich "Mancow" Muller manned up and rode "the liquid pony," as waterboarding is euphemistically called.
[johnson] Drowning Jackson
When you look at it abstractly, Two Lakes developer John McGowan makes an easy villain: an old, wealthy white landowner intent on taking public lands for private profit with the …
Art For All
As 36-year-old Karla Pound talks about the opening of Twenty-Nine 06 Studios, she notices a small group of people entering the gallery.
Conversation of Movements
"I started practicing Capoeira because I was fascinated with its harmony," says Ivory "Magia" Harris, instructor of the summer Capoeira classes at Butterfly Yoga in Fondren.
It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop
Chickity-check yourself before you wreck yourself. On June 13, the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi will host the second annual Mississippi Youth Hip-Hop Festival at Tougaloo College.
Cover
2009 Summer Arts Preview
With summer right around the corner, Jackson is heating up with opportunities to get out and engage in events around the city.
FBI: Crime Dropped Nationwide in 2008
The FBI released its Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report on Monday, stating that violent crimes dropped by 2.5 percent nationwide, and non-violent property crimes saw a 1.6 percent decline last …
Jackson Announces Amnesty Days
In effort to clear thousands of outstanding warrants, the City of Jackson will waive penalties on overdue fines for two days, city officials announced today. The initiative, called "Amnesty Days," …
Adopt a Stimulus Project
With the U.S. spending $27 billion in infrastructure projects as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ProPublica wants to know how those projects are doing. The independent, non-profit …
Lawmakers Facing Midnight Deadline for Budget
With the deadline for reaching a consensus creeping closer by the day, the Mississippi Legislature has until midnight tonight to agree on the state's 2010 budget before Gov. Haley Barbour …
Starting Over
We've heard a lot of talk about change the past couple of years from a political standpoint. However, my approach to change is more personal - and probably long overdue.
Tuesday, June 2
Time to Hit Re-set, Jackson
As I sit waiting for the returns on election night, I can't help but reflect on the mess that was the last four yearsand what got us there. As much …
[JFP Photos] Following Harvey Johnson
Photography intern Bryant Hawkins followed Harvey Johnson today in his final day of general electioneering. Check it out at http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/photos/category/76.
Oxford attorney explodes gun lie about Sotomayor
Up in Oxford, Tom Freeland is taking on the morons who are passing along the myth that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor wrote her Princeton thesis about gun control. Tom …
Do Lake Plans Endanger Indian Mounds?
Pre-historic Native American settlements are among the obstacles faced by any plan to inundate the wetlands along the Pearl River, including the already-controversial "Two Lakes" project. Pam Lieb, chief archeologist …
Jackblog
How Do You Think Conan Did?
I grew up wanting to be Johnny Carson -- I thought he was a comedic genius and I watched more religiously than I imagine most teens did in the 80s. …
Get Out and Vote, Jackson
Read the JFP Endorsements
Read Candidate Interviews, Opinions and More on the JFP Politics Blog
Arkansas Shooter Pleads Not Guilty After Confession
This morning, Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, 24, a Little Rock man formerly known as Carlos Bledsoe, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and 15 counts of engaging in terrorist activities. Muhammad …
5th Annual JFP Chick Ball *Weekend* Coming July 25-26
The 5th Annual Chick Ball will be Saturday, July 25, and will again benefit the Center for Violence Prevention. We bought them a new mini-van last year; this year our …
College Baseball: Eagles, Rebels Advance To Super Regionals
Southern Miss and Ole Miss were winners in NCAA Regionals on Monday night.
Monday, June 1
Pro Basketball: WNBA Really Getting Desperate
A WNBA team is selling out. Couldn't they get Chico's Bail Bonds to be a sponsor?
McLemore to Retire, Sort of
Jackson City Council President and Acting Mayor Leslie McLemore, who has taught political science at Jackson State University for nearly 40 years, will soon retire from both politics and academia. …
Tuesday's Votes Will Decide Three City Posts
Read the JFP Endorsements.
Jacksonians will be going to the polls for the third time in four weeks tomorrow, casting their votes for mayor and city council seats. In the race for mayor, Harvey …
Jackson Clinic on Alert
The Jackson Women's Health Organization is on high alert today after an assassin gunned down Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider in Kansas yesterday. The Jackson clinic is the only …
College Baseball: Rebels, Eagles In Do-or-Die Games
Ole Miss and Southern Miss both lost NCAA Regional games on Sunday. They must play winner-take-all games on Monday. The prizes is a trip to the Super Regionals.
