Thursday, September 30
Mississippi Hosts Anti-Bullying Conference
Jervia Powell, 12, cried last year in history class. Some mean girls relentlessly bullied her. She still remembers their taunts.
Farm Bureau Submits Eminent Domain Signatures
Mississippians will likely vote on restricting the use of eminent domain to procure private land only for public economic development projects next November. Supporters of a ballot initiative limiting eminent …
Robert Myrick
As a state archeologist, Robert Myrick often gets questions about finding gold and dinosaur fossils. But unlike the fictionalized Indiana Jones, Myrick plays a large role in preserving Mississippi's history.
Voter Registration Deadline Saturday
Citizens must register to vote by Saturday to cast their ballots in the Nov. 2 judicial and congressional elections.
Wednesday, September 29
Sharing Food
I love to eat. I like old favorites and new culinary adventures, but it's not just the eating I enjoy: It's the sharing. Something special happens when you sit down …
It's an Outdoor Thang
Organizing an outdoor movie night at your house is easy. It's a great way to bring together neighbors, community, friends and family. You'll need just a few items and a …
Hello, Neighbor
On a recent visit to Oktoc, Miss., my aunt showed me a relic from my family's past. If this archaic machine could talk, it would tell stories about a community …
Copy-Cat Immigrant Law Costly
Jackson City Attorney Pieter Teeuwissen said he was confident that the city could be exposed to considerable legal liability if legislators pass a bill mimicking a controversial Arizona law, which …
Conservative Agenda Fueling Medicaid Numbers?
Republican governors in states including Mississippi and Nebraska may be using inflated cost figures for Medicaid in order to help a movement to roll back recent health-care reform.
Madison: Gated City?
Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler's recent strategy to keep outsiders from attending a city festival is consistent with the city's history of enforcing strict neighborhood covenants and zoning regulations that …
Reject FAIR's Immigration Agenda
Mississippi has a golden opportunity to become a nationwide leader, while putting to rest some of its not-too-distant hateful past.
[Stiggers] Teabonics and Wii the People
Miss Doodle Mae: "These days my boss, Jojo, is happy because the hot summer has transitioned into the cool fall. And he's ready to please critically thinking and financially challenged …
[Kamikaze] Madison: Beware the Karma
So, what do we do? Do we just lie down and concede defeat? Do we turn a deaf ear to the detractors? Or do we say nothing and become what …
[Hendry] Crash
At first all I heard was a crash. I looked up and saw a young woman carrying a child. I saw the Kroger grocery buggy's contents going in her direction, …
Community Connections: Bringing neighbors and friends together
In every neighborhood, it can be tempting to remain busy and disconnected, without investing time to befriend your neighbors. Though it may require some effort, communities are better off when …
Conflicts
Whether it's whose dog is barking too much or where a tree falls on a property line, when your home is only a few feet away, sooner or later you …
Meet Your Neighbors
"Welcome to the neighborhood!" How rare is it to hear or say those words anymore? More often it seems that face-to-face interaction with the people living next door to you …
Who You Gonna Call?
Once upon a time, moving into a new neighborhood meant greetings from all the neighbors. When I was growing up, the Welcome Wagon would stop by to provide all the …
Neighborhood Associations
Neighborhood association members in Jackson are all bound by one commonality: intense pride in and concern for their neighborhoods. They view their neighborhoods as their personal investment and want to …
Community Organizing 101
After 42 years of ministry at the Farish Street Baptist Church, the Rev.Dr. Hickman Johnson has seen the iconic Jackson neighborhood through its most prosperous and most trying years.
Viva La Sharalution!
As a kid, I remember my mother sending me next door or down the street every now and then to borrow a cup of sugar or flour from a neighbor. …
Know Your Ward
In addition to creating a better Jackson, these civil servants are here to help to move and improve the capital city. They represent each area of Jackson in it's pursuit …
How to Renovate a Park
This month, community leaders broke ground for Fondren's Cherokee Heights Park renovation.
How to: Get your Neighborhood in Shape
Showing solidarity in a neighborhood often comes from sports. Every year, neighbors spend more time watching sports with one another than actually tossing the pigskin with one another.
NAACP President: Target Companies, Not Immigrants
See: JFP Immigration Coverage
Mississippi NAACP President Derrick Johnson criticized a panel of legislators today for not giving enough oversight on companies that import and hire immigrant workers to pay low wages and avoid …
Doggie Do's and Don'ts
Here in America, we love our dogs. But because an Amber Alert doesn't cover dogs, we often find ourselves at a loss if our own pals go missing or if …
Community Building Non-Profits
Communities help the city to flourish, and to create culture and life. They also help to improve life and the environment which we live in. Here are a few who …
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GOOD Community & Neighborhoods
Over the last few weeks, Jackson Free Press freelancers and reporters have asked various community members the following question: What makes your neighborhood special?
Hearts on Wax
When Sherman Green—known as S. Green in the music business—was in graduate school at Mississippi State working on a degree in counselor education, he fell in love.
The Summer of ‘64
The 1960's remains pivotal in Mississippi's bloody road to ethnic equality. Had it not been for a group of college students and a handful of volunteer organizations, though, Mississippi's leap …
Things we don't know
The Civil War can be a tumultuous topic. Perhaps because it's the source of anguish for some and shame for others, southerners often avoid talking about it at all. The …
Fairytales and Folk Art
A few miles north of Vicksburg on Highway 61 stands a maze of white, red and yellow cinder block towers and hand-painted signs with biblical messages. On top of an …
The ‘Bedroom-Police' of Pearl
Read the Ordinance (PDF, 604 KB)
Walking for Pierce
Pierce lay motionless in her arms, with his little Mohawk hair, dark brown and full. "I got to see his face," says Leah Helms, 33, about what she remembers most …
Maggie Middleton
"When I was 5, I told my mom that I wanted to be three things: I wanted to be a lawyer, a cheerleader and an actress, and they're kind of …
Tuesday, September 28
Public Safety Head: Anti-Immigration Bill Too Costly
The state may not have the finances or manpower to cover new mandates that would result from a proposed Mississippi bill to copy a controversial Arizona law imposing immigration enforcement …
Bizz News: Grants, Collaboration, New Salon
Mississippi has received almost $5 million for assessing broadband coverage and planning to increase high-speed Internet access across the state. The grant, from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, part …
Sue Else
In an effort to end domestic violence, Sue Else is working to put the issue in the national spotlight.
[Balko] How to Record the Cops
This summer the issue of recording on-duty police officers has received a great deal of media attention.
Monday, September 27
Supreme Court Settles Jackson Water Contract
Last week, the Mississippi Supreme Court put to end to a two-year battle over the Jackson water contract when it ruled that a new company, United Water, has the right …
Legislature to Hold Hearings on Anti-Immigration Bill
Read more on immigration myths and realities
Community Events and Public Meetings
6 p.m., Young Leaders in Philanthropy Advisory Council Meeting at United Way (843 N. President St.). Council members and the YLP Executive Board meet monthly to strategically discuss upcoming YLP …
George Berry
George Berry loves woodcarving so much he will do anything to help educate future Mississippi craftspeople--even if that means shedding his clothes.
Schools Waiting on $17M Reimbursements
State Medicaid officials are optimistic that a long-delayed program to help school districts with some of their administrative costs could begin reimbursing schools soon. Speaking at a budget hearing last …
Jackson Launches Fall Garden
On Friday, Sept. 24, students at Walton Elementary School began planting a fall garden on Tougaloo Street behind their school. The garden is part of the city's urban garden program, …
Friday, September 24
Madison Plans For Residents-Only Festival
Officials from Franklin, Tenn., a city Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler cited last week as a model for keeping outsiders from attending a Madison festival, claim their city has never …
Fresh Air and Fun This Weekend
Today, start things off by dusting off your 10-speed and going to Rainbow Whole Foods (2807 Old Canton Road) at 6 p.m., to meet with bikers who will gather for …
Jerel Levanway
For the past couple days, Jerel Levanway has been sharing his hometown with Hollywood. As assistant location manager for "The Help" in Jackson, Levanway has coordinated filming locations for the …
New Health Care Provisions Go Into Effect
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Study: 16,000 Auto Deaths Caused By Cell Phones, Texting
If one definition of "wellness" is "avoiding death," then this story should give some readers pause. Reuter's reports the results of a study at the University of North Texas that …
Thursday, September 23
JPD Adding Officers By End of Year
Read this week's crime report
Racism, sexism… "hairism"?
A Vicksburg High School student was told by the principal that he could not be a homecoming escort unless he cut off his dreadlocks. From WAPT:
State Overestimating Health-Care Costs?
The Mississippi Department of Medicaid's high estimates of what the federal health-care legislation will cost the state are overstated, Mississippi Health Advocacy Program Director Roy Mitchell said today.
Dr. Danielle Hollar
Dr. Danielle Hollar gets excited when she talks about organs--but these aren't your typical body parts. These life-size models, like Sid and Kid the Kidney brothers and Pepto the Stomach, …
Jackson Roads Close for Filming
The city of Jackson released the following statement about street closures during the filming of "The Help" in Jackson: (verbatim statement)
[Dennis] Our National Family
Among the 42 brand-new and very proud American citizens at the swearing-in ceremony in Vicksburg National Military Park, Friday, Sept. 17, was one special lady of Argentine descent who I …
Wednesday, September 22
Anything but Ordinary: Adam and Allison Hudson
Adam and Allison Hudson are not your ordinary couple. In fact, they "despise the ordinary" so much that they made it their motto for life and business. So it makes …
Good and Friendly
When I was 10, my mother was matron-of-honor in a wedding. I remember it vividly and would love to say the thing I remember most was seeing her beautiful dress, …
Jackie's Slimdown
My Dad called me "Slim." As a high school senior, I was 5 foot, 5 inches, and 118 pounds. Years passed, and after birthing and breast-feeding two wonderful sons, my …
Nibbles after the Nuptials
Wedding guests arrive and take their seats. They chatter quietly as the flower girl and ring bearer come down the isle. They "ooh" and "aah" about the bride's dress. They …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Doctor S sez: Things are bad for Ole Miss. They're about to get worse.
The Night the Sky Didn't Fall
As a former history major and a sports guy, I found the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, with its many exhibits and stories about the past, a fascinating place to …
Sanctuary City
Stop the presses. They're calling Jackson a "Sanctuary City." The only one in Mississippi. Pass the Champagne!
New Law Targets Neglectful Owners
The city will put more energy into Capitol Street's dilapidated properties and will have a new state law to help out, Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said this week.
Homeless Connect Week Begins
During the fourth annual Project Homeless Connect Week, Jacksonians have the opportunity to address the issue of homelessness on several fronts.
Money Games
Mississippi leaders experienced a rare moment of agreement last month on the frequently rancorous topic of education funding.
‘Ain't Got Justice, Yet'
It was tragic when a man raped and killed Eva Gail Patterson in 1979 in Forrest County, says Emily Maw. It was horrific, Maw says, that the real perpetrator let …
Overturned Sentence Spotlights Judge, DA
The case of Quintez Hodges is a rare one. Efforts by the Innocence Project and others have vacated death sentences and exonerated an increasing number of wrongfully convicted men, but …
No More Innocents Punished
The news was almost unsurprising: Last week, DNA evidence exonerated three more Mississippi men—one of whom died in 2002—imprisoned for three decades for a rape and murder none of them …
[Stiggers] Decoding the Code
Boneqweesha Jones: "Welcome to the early morning edition of ‘Good Morning Ghetto'. My guest is Brother Hustle, Ghetto Science Team senior business and economics consultant."
On the Anchor Baby Trail
Ulises Hernandez Rincon, 21, listened furtively to the cries of outrage and angry applause from people in the community center's bleachers, his eyes darting around the room like two dragonflies …
No Rough Edges
"One Came Home," the first feature film from Rolling Fork native Willy Bearden, is about an idyllic rural community in Mississippi called Magnolia, where all the mamas are nice, all …
Small Town, Big Mystery
Critics have hailed Tom Franklin's latest novel, "Crooked Letter Crooked Letter" (William Morrow, 2010, $24), as his best and most accessible work to date.
One Man's Journey
Bruce Machart's debut novel "The Wake of Forgiveness" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010, $26) is a journey down a path of loss and pain, into the emergence of hope and peace.
] Getting It Done
About a month ago, I admonished up-and-coming artists to embrace the concept of free music. The argument was simple: Free music makes it easier for artists to disseminate their product …
James Gray
When performing at a blues venue in Jackson, James Gray, known as "Rock," is almost always stylishly dressed and sporting a fedora, shuffling and twirling pretty women around with his …
City Passes Anti-Profiling Ordinance
Jackson's Anti-Profiling Ordinance (PDF, 224 KB)
Changing the Face of Highway 80
In 10 years, the Highway 80 corridor will look nothing like it does today if the city of Jackson has its way.
Get Roy Adkins Out of Jail
I went to see him, and he's holding up pretty well. He slipped me a note through the bars that he wanted me to share with the rest of you. …
Tuesday, September 21
Mississippi Schools Cut 2,000 Jobs
Mississippi school districts have cut more than 2,000 employees over the last year to manage their shrinking budgets, state Superintendent for Education Tom Burnham told a panel of legislators yesterday. …
Time to Recommit
I have allowed myself to become a victim to a couple of common phenomenon: I messed up, so f*ck it; and I over-committed, so I'm not doing anything.
Jackson Targets Neglected Property
The city has a new weapon against dilapidated and abandoned property thanks to a new state law that will make it easier for the city to collect fines on those …
[Balko] The Case for Bifurcated Trials
In July, the Texas Forensic Science Commission found that arson investigators used flawed science in the trial of Cameron Todd Willingham. Willingham was convicted of setting a 1999 fire that …
Patrick Payton
Patrick Payton made his way to Smith Park this morning in hopes of getting a free haircut, but ended up putting on a parking-attendant vest and directing traffic for this …
Fondren Makeover; Sushi and More
A new upscale sushi restaurant is set to open this December on Capitol Street. Wasabi Bistro is a collaboration between owner Lina Lynn, who also owns Ding How Asian Bistro …
Set Do-Able Goals
My main goal on the Road to Wellness has been to turn trips to the gym into a habit -- instead of a chore. That's tough for a guy who …
Doctors Oppose Barbour's Health-Care Lawsuit
The health-care reform advocacy group Doctors for America is speaking out against Gov. Haley Barbour for joining a 20-state lawsuit against the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act.
I Did It (Sort Of…)
They say that if you do something 21 days a row, it becomes a habit. For me, if I actually remember to do something three times, it's a miracle. I'm …
Monday, September 20
Bumps in the Road
My Road to Wellness started all uphill but positive and has somehow taken a nosedive into procrastination, health issues, and sweets. What the heck happened and how did it all …
‘He Will Be Missed': Herman Snell, 1969-2010
"A secret turning in us makes the universe turn. Head unaware of feet, and feet head. Neither cares. They keep turning." - Rumi
Andre Jordan
Twenty-three year-old Andre Jordan is a Mississippi virgin. That will change today, though, as the crew and cast of "Legally Blonde," in which Jordan stars, roll into Jackson for the …
Hinds Supes Approve Eco-Devo Authority
In a move aimed at increasing the county's economic competitiveness, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted today to convert the county's economic development district into an economic development authority. …
Community Events and Public Meetings
Project Homeless Connect Week Sept. 20-24. The week of events is designed to educate, empower and connect those affected by homelessness in the metro area. Events include the photography exhibit …
BP Seals Well; Gulf Coast Still Struggles
Federal officials confirmed that BP has permanently sealed the well at the site of the April 20 Deepwater Horizon oil-rig explosion, The Sun Herald reported yesterday.
Friday, September 17
Johnson Places Priorities on Hwy. 80 and Capitol Street
Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. touted his plans this morning for expanding Metrocenter Mall to contain office and retail space that would model life-style centers in Ridgeland and Flowood.
Jackson Advocates Call for Less Rhetoric; More Action
Community leaders called for an audience of more than 250 to move from rhetoric to action and to help shape a better future for Jackson's youth during Operation Shoestring's "A …
Kelly Boutwell
For the past five years, diners at BRAVO! have had Kelly Boutwell to thank for the restaurant's exemplary wine list. The Millsaps graduate, 27, is leaving her post as sommelier …
It's the Weekend, Baby
The old WJMI slogan "It's the weekeeeeeeend, baby!" fits in well with all there is to do in Jackson in the next few days. First, get away from your personal …
Hood To Appeal Judges' Death Sentence Dismissal
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood will appeal a federal order throwing out the death sentence of Quintez Hodges who was convicted of capital murder in 2001 for killing his ex-girlfriend's …
Thursday, September 16
Clash in the Cage
As an extreme sports fan I am always looking for different venues to get my fix. Sometimes living in the Jackson area it is hard to find events besides just …
Two Men Freed After 30 Years
Forrest County Circuit Judge Bob Helfich set two men free today who were convicted 30 years ago for a rape and murder they did not commit.
Supreme Court May Hear Seale Appeal
Reputed klansman James Ford Seale has appealed his case to the U.S. Supreme Court in what will probably be his final chance to have his 2007 kidnapping and conspiracy convictions …
State Wrongly Fired Whistleblower
Read Johnson's Ruling (PDF, 224 KB)
Dr. Jorge Salazar
When heart surgeon Dr. Jorge Salazar performed a first-time procedure on Zavin Arellano's tiny heart last month, he took his job seriously, knowing that the baby's parents trusted him to …
County Can't Afford City Curfew for Minors
The Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center does not have the resources to house children picked up for violating a proposed curfew reinstatement, county officials told the Jackson City Council Planning Committee …
Wednesday, September 15
Taco Nirvana
Who doesn't like a good taco? Whether it's a 69-cent American version or an authentic Mexican taqueria-style, tacos are good any way you eat them.
Lost in Translation
If Spanish is not your first language, you may find it intimidating to stand in line at your local taqueria or taco truck and order off the menu. Here are …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Doctor S sez: Attention fickle Jackson State fans, the Tigers appear to be for real.
Small Schools, Big Talents
Mississippi schools have been a source of great football talent for a long time. While players at the major universities and colleges get most of the attention, smaller schools have …
Feliz Cumpleaños
Parties are nice, but a themed party will have your guests talking for a long time coming, if you do it right.
‘Working Together Works'
It happens that in the same week that the JFP is celebrating its eighth anniversary, the Fondren Association of Businesses (FAB) celebrated its own milestone--the second-annual members' meeting, this time …
Fondren Green Space Gets Renovation
Fondren will soon have a pavilion, playground, walking trails and a community garden in Cherokee Heights Park. City officials, Fondren community leaders and neighborhood children broke ground on the park's …
Above and Beyond
Washington Koen Media along with local and outreach partners invite citizens of cities across the nation to a public conversation they're calling "Beyond the Bricks," which promotes advocacy on behalf …
Courts Going Digital
A dash of transparency could be coming to Hinds County's court system in 2011 along with some newly elected judges. Mississippi Electronic Courts, a pilot program offering attorneys and members …
Bond Commission Grants City's $6 million Bond
The standoff between the city of Jackson and members of the State Bond Commission over $6 million in interest-free loans for city water infrastructure repairs seemingly has ended.
Demand Up, Money Down
Despite seeing an increased demand for library services, Jackson-Hinds Library System Executive Director Carolyn McCallum said it will struggle to maintain services and hours for Jackson residents in the upcoming …
Do It for Jacksonians
Over the last several years, the Jackson Free Press has followed a tradition of celebrating our birthday every September by dedicating the issue to the city's progress. Our birthday cover …
[Stiggers] Same Process, New Taste
Bill "Munchie" Wilson: "Greetings, Crunchie Burga World customers. I'm Crunchie Burga World's head dietician, here to introduce you to our new fall processed-foods menu. The dietary staff and I worked …
[Kamikaze] Do It for Bralynn
Bralynn Jamila Franklin turned 6 months old this past week. And as her mother and I prepare to celebrate our first wedding anniversary, I've found my thoughts have turned more …
[Skipper] Our Jackson
"I am Jackson." It's emblazoned on a T-shirt sold at F. Jones Corner on Farish Street. And it's a motto for the growing force of Jacksonians working to make Jackson …
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A Boom of Our Own
When a tree grows, it marks the passing of each year in distinct rings—thick rings represent the fat years when it grew quickly; thin rings for the leaner years when …
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Progress, Progress, Progress
The Jackson Redevelopment Authority is working to finance the initial construction of the Old Capitol Green project this month.
Scott Sisters Rally Draws Hundreds to Capitol
Hundreds gathered on the south steps of the state Capitol today to rally in support of Jamie and Gladys Scott, two Scott County women serving life sentences for a 1993 …
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Waiting for the Convention Center Hotel
Capital City Center, the long-awaited convention center hotel and multi-use development planned for four blocks of Pascagoula Street, could begin construction by the end of this year if developer MJS …
Each One, Paint One
Not only does Ginger Williams-Cook, 29, do portraits, abstract paintings, figure drawings and even artwork for restaurant tables, she is also a dedicated volunteer.
Rivaling Slavery
Most dystopian novels are cautionary tales. Michelle Alexander's "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" (The New Press, 2010, $27.95) reads like a dystopian novel, but …
Truth Music
Jackson rapper and producer Marcus Rashad Battle, aka Rashad Street, and his business manager, Damon Amos, aka Debonair Ways, marveled at the King Edward renovation during a recent visit. "You …
[Herman's Pick's] Vol. 9, No. 1
Whether you seek the symphony and high arts or aristocrunk, this fall promises something for everyone, as we amp up for the cooler State Fair temperatures.
Peace in the MPB Valley?
After being absent from Mississippi Public Broadcasting offices for at least two weeks, Executive Director Judy Lewis resigned Sept. 8. A news release that afternoon announced her decision to leave …
Hinds Sheriff Forced to Cut Jobs
Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin said he was not happy with the fact that almost all of the furloughs required by county supervisors to balance the fiscal year 2011 budget …
Neil Polen
Neil Polen vowed that once he graduated from Mississippi State University, he would move away from the state and never return. But during his last year at MSU's School of …
Tougaloo to Host National Education Conversation
Ashington Koen Media along with local and outreach partners invite citizens of cities across the nation to a public conversation they're calling "Beyond the Bricks," which promotes advocacy on behalf …
Tuesday, September 14
Council Passes Budget Without Tax Increase or Pay Raises
Despite Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes' request, the Jackson City Council approved a city budget for fiscal year 2011 this afternoon without a tax increase or a blanket pay raise …
Courthouse Vandals Target Obama
An act of vandalism that occurred on the front of the new U.S. federal courthouse on Court Street in Jackson may have threatened President Barack Obama.
Filming, Cupcakes and Marketing
Filming for DreamWorks Studios' "The Help," the adaptation of Jackson native Kathryn Stockett's bestselling debut novel, has largely taken place in Greenwood, but the production is coming to Fondren Sept. …
State Lacks Affordable Legal Services
The state needs attorneys to donate their legal services in order to overcome a shortage of free civil legal service aid for residents, Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Jesse Dickinson told …
[Balko] Killed on a Technicality
In 1994 Eddie Lee Howard was convicted of raping and murdering 84-year-old Georgia Kemp. Firefighters found Kemp dead in her Columbus, Miss., home after a neighbor noticed smoke coming from …
JFP Persons of the Day: Jamie and Gladys Scott
For their supporters, Jamie and Gladys Scott have become emblematic of a broken criminal-justice system in Mississippi. Jamie, 36, and Gladys, 38, were 19 and 21 respectively when they were …
Jackson to Host Amnesty Days
The city of Jackson's Municipal Court Services is giving citizens an opportunity to pay tickets, court imposed fines and court costs while waiving warrant and administration fees for each violation.
Monday, September 13
JFP Wins 3 First-Place Reporting Awards, Second for ‘Two Lakes' Work
At its 60th annual Green Eyeshade banquet near Atlanta, Ga., Saturday night, the Society of Professional Journalists awarded the Jackson Free Press three first-place reporting awards and second-place public service …
Health Exchanges Could Help Small Businesses
The state will have to make several key decision regarding health-insurance exchanges in the next few years, Joy Johnson Wilson, health policy coordinator for the National Conference of State Legislatures, …
Community Events and Public Meetings
at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), in the Hederman Cancer Center. In this support group for men with prostate cancer, you and your loved ones can gain encouragement …
David Rae Morris
When photojournalist David Rae Morris began to document the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he thought he could emotionally detach himself from the destruction, but instead his photographs captured his personal …
JPS Receives Accountability Results
Three Jackson public elementary schools earned the Mississippi Department of Education's "Star School" status—the state's highest rating for school performance—in accountability results MDE released Friday.
Saturday, September 11
Barbour Instigating Doubt About Obama's Religion?
Atlanta Constitution Journal columnist Cynthia Tucker wrote an interesting blog post on Sept. 8 about Gov. Haley Barbour's response to a reporter's question regarding the public's growing perception that President …
Friday, September 10
Standoff Ends: State to Release $6 million to City for Water Repairs
Also see: Reeves Defends State Bond Allocations
City Finds Funds for Library System
When Jackson-Hinds Library System Executive Director Carolyn McCallum received the news this morning that the city had come up with an additional $150,000 in funds for the library system in …
Hinds DA: Castle Doctrine Has Gray Areas
Mississippi's "castle doctrine" law, which allows for the use of deadly force in certain self-defense situations, has some gray areas, Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith acknowledged in a …
TGIF
Start your weekend with a little culture during your lunch break today with a stop at the Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.) for a peek at the …
Éamonn de Cógáin
Éamonn de Cógáin has just one piece of advice for anyone timid about dancing in this weekend's CelticFest Céilí Mór: If you can walk, you can dance.
Jackson Events Honor 9-11 Victims
Former Mississippi Gov. William Winter honors victims and emergency responders of the Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorist attacks at noon today during St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral's 9-11 memorial service.
Thursday, September 9
Library System Predicts Shortfall
The Jackson Zoo and the Jackson Public School District will not request an increase in funding for fiscal year 2011 from the city; however, the Jackson-Hinds County Library System is …
Leslee Foukal
Leslee Foukal has high hopes for the section of Fondren west of State Street.
Neighborhood Patrol Collaborates With JPD
Read JPD's weekly crime report (PDF, 564 KB)
Countdown to Game One
The wait is almost over. After all the minicamps, training camps and preseason games, the NFL starts real football tonight.
Wednesday, September 8
Art
Fall Arts Preview 2010
Four times a year, the Jackson Free Press presents an arts and events preview issue packed with listings of what is happening over the next three months in and near …
Happiness in a Shell
Scallops are one of those decadent delicacies that never fail to satisfy me—the silky texture, the milky color, the smell, just like the beach after a rainstorm—just perfect. And they …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Doctor S sez: There are losses and then there's what happened to Ole Miss against Jacksonville State. That's all for the Rebels, folks.
‘Tell Me a Story'
I was born into a family of storytellers. Both sides, though they couldn't be more diverse—one rural Minnesota farmers of Swiss-German descent, and the other Mexican-Americans that hopped between Texas, …
MPB Director Resigns
Mississippi Public Broadcasting Executive Director Judy Lewis has resigned, Mississippi Authority for Educational Television Chairman Bob Sawyer said today in a press statement.
Restoring the City's Soul
For Farish Street Baptist Church Senior Pastor Dr. Hickman Johnson, Jackson's Renaissance isn't just about rebuilding homes and businesses, but restoring the city's soul.
Will JATRAN Sustain Budget Reduction?
Jackson residents had the opportunity to weigh in on the city's proposed fiscal year 2011 budget during a Sept. 7 public hearing. While the city will not increase property taxes …
Years to Go on BP Suit, Hood Says
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood said it could take years to assess the extent of harm the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico caused.
Shame on JPD and the Media
In August, a 13-year-old Jacksonian was charged with aggravated assault for shooting a 17-year-old friend in the head. Thankfully, the friend lived.
[Stiggers] Taken My Blues
Chief Crazy Brother: "I always thought no one would mess with history. I truly believed that history is absolute like science and math.
Change is Here
Change is a good thing, but it can be a hard thing to do. When you are stuck feeling like you are spinning your wheels, then it is time to …
[Dennis] Politics in 3-D
Disclaimer: The following article is a bizarre exploration briefly documenting my own thought processes as I, a self-proclaimed Rankin County Republican, daytime computer geek and mediocre math student, attempt to …
Time to Make a Change
If you know only one thing about Buddhism, it probably has something to do with peace or Zen, and that's perfect. If you know a lot about Buddhism, that's perfect. …
Simple to Urban
Visual Arts Chairwoman Martha Hamburg opened the eyes of some Power APAC students last winter during an arts project.
Inspiration Bites
Robert Holleman's art is anything but ordinary. The artist's brilliantly colored wood-block prints of tarot cards are like an occult version of the Walter Anderson alphabet prints, which Holleman cites …
Hailey Gets Sentimental
Josh Hailey, a well-known and loved Jackson mixed-media artist, is moving to Los Angeles, Calif. But before he goes, he wants to showcase his work and send out a big …
The Art of Reading
Despite oil spills, crazy politicians, unemployment and a host of other bad news, this year has been a good one for books on one of my favorite subjects: art. In …
Fletcher Cox Negotiates with Nature
Fletcher Cox is finishing a pair of doors when I visit his shop on a rainy Wednesday. They're the last in a set of 13 pairs that he's been commissioned …
Senator Warns of Hinds District Loss
Jackson Sen. Hillman Frazier called upon city residents to crowd the halls of Hinds County Circuit Court this month to voice their concerns about redistricting.
Hospitals Feud Over Equipment
As the state's only teaching hospital, the University of Mississippi Medical Center occupies an awkward position. Its reputation as central Mississippi's charity hospital is sometimes at odds with its new …
A Taste of Something Sweet
My earliest memories come to me in pictures. The drawings and etchings in the huge old book of German fairy tales my grandmother read to me are clearer in my …
Lorenzo Miller
Lorenzo Miller sports a beard and a broad, engaging smile as he stands in front of his artwork inside the Eudora Welty Library. The walls of this otherwise dull white …
Controversial Ordinances Back in Committee
The Jackson City Council failed to approve two controversial ordinance changes this morning, despite overall favorability for the ordinances among a majority of the council.
Tuesday, September 7
Got An Idea for GOOD?
The JFP's fall GOOD issue is right around the corner, and the success of the our next issue depends on residents on Jackson. We are focusing on neighborhoods and wards …
Julep Fried Chicken, Oh How I Love Thee
I would love to say that I have been good. I would REALLY love to tell everyone this. But, in order to keep a clean conscience and for the sake …
Hinds Hires New Administrator; Debates Voting Machines
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted today to hire Carmen Davis as its new county administrator. Davis replaces interim Administrator Ray Bryant, who had held the position since March.
Business Round Up
Rainbow Whole Foods Inc., which has operated as an agricultural association since opening in 1980, became a consumer cooperative Sept. 1. The new designation allows members to obtain shares of …
Colendula Green
If you've been downtown in the last few years, chances are you've seen Jackson Police Department Officer Colendula Green riding her segway with a smile while keeping a watchful eye …
Community Events and Public Meetings
5:30 p.m., Town Hall Meeting at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The meeting at center stage is sponsored by the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities. Call …
[Balko] Trust Me: You Can Trust Us
In April I wrote a column about the secretive habits of three large police departments in Virginia's Washington, D.C., suburbs: Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington. As Connection Newspapers reporter Michael …
Au Revoir to French Fries
I have made a decision: I'm giving up french fries for at least 30 days.
I have a love/hate relationship with french fries: I love them, they hate my gut. No, not my guts. My gut. The one that's there hiding my waist.
Eating with a Little Self-Respect
Over the long Labor Day weekend we headed up to the Ozarks to see Donna's brother and sister in law. For decades they've been great eaters -- purposeful, careful eaters …
I Made Up My Mind
Last time, I mentioned that I was going to focus on one goal for a while so I wouldn't fail miserably at all of them. Well, I decided to focus …
Mississippi Roadways Improve
Mississippi ranks 16th overall in the nation for highway performance and cost effectiveness, the libertarian think tank Reason Foundation reported in a study released Sept. 1.
Monday, September 6
I Blame it On the Weather
I've finally found a workout routine and I'm blaming in on the weather.
The amazing fall weather is not too hot and not too cold. Fall is my favorite season because I crave balance and as the muggy long summer days fade, I …
Friday, September 3
Jackson Maintains Staff and Taxes Despite Smaller Budget
Despite a $10 million smaller budget for the city's proposed 2011 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, the city will not increase property taxes or lay off employees, but instead reduce …
Watkins Pushes for JPS Diversity
Former Jackson Public School Superintendent Earl Watkins said today that Jackson Public Schools' success begins with destroying misconceptions about races and ethic cultures.
Eddie Cotton
Bluesman Eddie Cotton Jr. grew up with gospel music in his daddy's Clinton church, Christ Chapel True Gospel Church of God In Christ, where he's known to sit at the …
It's Labor Day Weekend, Relax
Kick off Labor Day weekend by heading to Farish Street tonight for the Farish Street Heritage Festival. This event continues through Saturday with performances by 601, Big V Walker, Eddie …
Maddow Fact Checks Barbour's Version of History
Rachel Maddow, host of "The Rachel Maddow Show" reported last night that Gov. Haley Barbour exaggerated his claims of attending integrated schools in Mississippi.
Thursday, September 2
College Football Previews
Mississippi College and Millsaps College have met on the gridiron 48 times. The first meeting was in 1920, when Millsaps fielded its first football team.
BP Funded Microbe Study
Last week, major news outlets ran with headlines about how scientist have found a new microbe eating up BP's oil and how microbes have degraded the hydrocarbons so efficiently that …
Amber Boardman
A distorted picture of Amber Boardman appears on the screen as the sound of distant voices accompany a melody of instruments. In her video "I Wish I Could See You," …
Shopping Fondren After 5
It's a good day to shop Fondren. Fondren After 5 kicks off as soon as work is done, and there are plenty of shops to duck your head into. Some …
DMR Sample Finds Majority of Oysters Dead
When Mississippi Department of Marine Resources officials dredged a sample of oysters from the Pass Christian Harbor yesterday, approximately 80 to 90 percent of those oysters were dead, The Sun …
Wednesday, September 1
Autumn Accents
Many people do their best dressing in the fall and winter months. This year should be no different, as trendiness is pretty easy to get a handle on. This year's …
Lott's Girls
"You don't mistake Sami Lott when you see it. Sami's a genius; I don't know what else to say about it." says Jonah Monet, who shares work space with designer …
FASHION PROFILE: Mae
If you perused the silent-auction tables at the 2010 Chick Ball in July, you had the opportunity to bid on Jewels by Mae pieces by local jewelry designer Myrtlena Alice …
Footworks
When you're looking for shoes for the fall season this year, whether you're at Maison Weiss, Material Girls or Lipstick Lounge (just a few of FLY's favorite places to shop), …
Coast Snapshots
The end of August marks the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Coast residents have built new houses and rebuilt businesses and other structures, and, though Mississippi's Gulf Coast looks different …
Cold Soup on a Hot Day
Cold gazpacho just might get us through this hot summer. It quenches that seasonal thirst for tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and onions blended and marinated in vinegar and olive oil. …
Keep Them Coming Back
It all started as a way to save some time and money while making teachers' gifts. BethAnn Handelman's comeback salad dressing was such a hit that people kept telling her …
Sneaky or Natural?
Watching my 3-year-old daughter "cook" in her play kitchen makes me smile. She is constantly pulling bowls out of the plastic oven and trying to feed everyone her invisible goodies.
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Doctor S sez: It's here, it's finally here—the second event in the PGA's FedEx Cup. Oh, yeah, and major college football begins, too.
Cents & Sensibility
There are some pieces—no matter the fads of the day—that every wardrobe requires. Every fashion guru has his or her own list of essentials, but they all basically say the …
The Effect of Immigrants on U.S. Employment and Productivity
The evidence is overwhelming that immigrants (including ones many like to label as "illegals") are not a drag on the U.S. economy and may even help it. Here is an …
Same Picture, Different Frame
Friday, the rain wouldn't stop as I drove down Highway 49 South. I wondered where the sunshine or a rainbow was. "Stories about hope and inspiration always have sunshine and …
JRA Considers Latin Festival, Parking Robots
The city of Jackson may host a new Latin and Caribbean-culture festival in September if the Jackson Redevelopment Authority and Novia Communication & Media Group can agree on using Union …
Council Round Up
At the Aug. 24 Jackson City Council meeting, council members voted and passed several actions.
Communication, Please
Melvin Priester Sr. believes better communication can make the Hinds County judiciary more efficient.
Finding the Facts
Researchers attempt to trace historical effects of oil industry in neighboring communities
Since the mid-1990s, the U.S. Department of Interior's much-maligned Mineral Management Service (MMS) has sponsored projects to examine the history of the Gulf. Research teams from the University of Houston …
There's Oil In Them Trees
In a special session Aug. 27, the Mississippi Legislature passed a $45 million bond issue that will allow the state to loan $75 million to KiOR, a Houston-based startup that …
What's the Real Cost?
Last week, Gov. Haley Barbour called a special legislative session to have Mississippi lawmakers vote on a $45 million incentive package for KiOR, a company that produces a crude-oil substitute.
[Stiggers] Troubled Land
Boneqweesha Jones: "This is the Labor Day edition of ‘Qweesha Live 2010.' During the last eight weeks of summer, America and the world have experienced more drama than the soap …
[Kamikaze] Old Wounds
It's five years post Hurricane Katrina, and I'm still angry. Old images of the disaster dominated my TV screen and the Internet this past weekend: old images of Mother Nature …
[Purvis] Accidental Inspiration
I drove down to the Coast last week. I needed to see for myself what my home of four years looked like. I hadn't seen anything that made me feel …
Southbound, Upward Bound
Southbound may be a new band name, but its members--who hail from Jackson, Philadelphia, Sebastapol and Union--are seasoned musicians who've played all over Jackson, Nashville and everywhere in between for …
[Herman's Picks] Vol. 8, No. 51
What better reason to get your music and drink on than to celebrate the ending of August and a long Labor Day weekend. Soon the oppressive heat will be gone. …
The Lingering Effect of Dispersants
Even though the Federal Drug Administration and other U.S. agencies remain confident that oil and dispersants are not tainting Gulf seafood, the jury is still out, according to some tests …
A Katrina Story
"I guess we'll have to catch the bus to school tomorrow," I thought when I spotted a dim red spot in the water that was our family Chrysler Concorde. From …
Cover
State Of The Coast
Betty Maerker often visits Ocean Springs' shoreline right before a storm, where she watches the waves rise and fall, and gathers her thoughts. But for the past five years, her …
Hinds Judge in the Hot Seat
Houston Patton may have a busy docket as Hinds County Court judge, but he must also contend with an increasing number of cases that feature him as a defendant.
Gene Young
Photographs and newspaper clippings from the civil-rights era surround Dr. Gene Young as he tries to remember just how many times police have shackled him in handcuffs. One side of …
Standard Life Re-opens Today
After undergoing a $33.5 million restoration, the 1929 Standard Life Building on Roach Street in downtown Jackson re-opens its doors today to new residents.
