Thursday, March 31
NAACP Pushes Federal Investigation of Greenwood Hanging
Brenda Carter-Evans said an inconclusive state autopsy on her son, Frederick Jermaine Carter, raised sufficient doubt about his death to require the involvement of federal law enforcement. Speaking at Mississippi …
Reeves to Rule on Redistricting
U.S. District Court Judge Carlton Reeves will preside over a controversial redistricting suit brought by the NAACP against the state of Mississippi. Judge Daniel P. Jordan, originally assigned to the …
Keba Ambrose
Jackson State University student Keba Ambrose is always ready to take on a new challenge. After hearing about a summer institute on public policy at New Jersey's Princeton University, she …
Legislature Agrees on Budget
Mississippi House of Representatives and Senate budget negotiators came to an agreement yesterday on the 2011 budget that pays the state's education department $14 million less than it did in …
Wednesday, March 30
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Doctor S sez: You can hear Southern Miss baseball on 1590 AM this season. Check it out. John Cox always calls a good game.
The South And SXSW
Anna Kline is one busy girl. The Jackson singer, songwriter, writer and Crossroads Film Festival member also serves as special projects officer for the Mississippi Development Authority.
Spring Equals Strawberries
For me, the official sign of the shift to a warmer season is the Strawberry Lady. Each year she brings her ripe, juicy Louisiana strawberries to my husband's business, and …
Strawberry-Banana Ice Cream
Prepare this recipe using your ice cream maker of choice. I recommend the KitchenAid mixer attachment—it's simple, easy and doesn't require hand cranking that old-fashioned ice cream makers do.
Spring Flower Power
Spruce up for springtime with all the spiffiness the season has to offer. Spring cleaning isn't just about airing out your space and your life. It's also all about cleaning …
Jackson Emerging
As I walked through the parking lot in front of the Mississippi Museum of Art on a cold, wet Monday morning, it was hard at first to visualize the same …
Rocking Crossroads
The competition at this year's Crossroads' Regional Music Video Showcase will be fierce. Throughout the past year, local filmmakers and musicians have spent hours filming, editing and producing videos aiming …
The Superintendent Staredown
If the JPS Board of Trustees decides that it does not want Superintendent Lonnie Edwards to return next school year, it will have very little time to find a replacement.
Former Jackson TV Personality Dies
When he was 84, Jobie Martin was still working as a substitute teacher, but long before that, Martin was well known for hosting James Brown, Joe Louis and Mahalia Jackson …
Changing Perceptions
It can be hard to understand why someone would move to Jackson looking only through the window of local media's barrage of crime and blight coverage.
State Losing Millions to Tax Dodgers?
Mississippi could be losing incalculable millions in revenue through legal corporate tax-dodging.
Sure, ‘Rebrand,' But Don't Stop There
A group of city and county leaders got together this week to hear a South Carolina company explain how it is going to spend three days talking to citizens and …
[Stiggers] Forget the Mess
"Don't allow the troubles of this world to ruin your peace of mind. All you need is a comfortable exercise mat or your favorite blanket, and your imagination."
[Kamikaze] Jackson, Waking Up
Some of you may be familiar with the tale "The Emperor's New Clothes." It's a short story written in the 1800s by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen that gives …
[Head] Rebels Without a Cause
It's difficult to effectively address a racism issue by sweeping the subject of race under the rug.
A Legislative Extension?
A session extension or a special session is on the horizon after the Mississippi Legislature went past a critical March 26 budget deadline without adopting a budget. House leaders refused …
2011 Spring Flings
One of the best things about dressing for spring is that we have the chance to carry over a few of our favorite fall pieces to a new season. Even …
Parchman's Past, Prison's Future
It's a strange month when the Parchman Farm comes out looking better than a county jail. On March 10, a federal judge finally dismissed the bulk of Gates v. Collier. …
Robby Piantanida
Just over five years ago, Belhaven University art student Robby Piantanida borrowed a camera and equipment to shoot a short film for his college film festival. Today, the 23-year-old makes …
Crossroads Film 2011 Reviews
The Crossroads Film Festival is screening dozens of movies April 1-3 at Malco Grandview Theatre in Madison, in addition to holding workshops, after-parties and other related events all over town. …
Bryan Opposes Jackson's Sales-Tax Increase
Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, said he could not support a 1-cent sales-tax increase in Jackson to fund infrastructure repairs because the tax is too regressive, costing low-income residents proportionally more …
Tuesday, March 29
Hinds County to ‘Rebrand' Itself
In an effort to improve the image of Hinds County and attract new residents and visitors, the Hinds County Economic Development Authority has contracted an urban planning firm to rebrand …
Arizona-Style Immigrant Bill Dies
Mississippi law will not require local and state law enforcement to stop Latinos and inquire about their immigration status this year. An Arizona-style bill forcing law enforcement to adopt federal …
Teresa Nicholas
I've never met writer Teresa Nicholas, but I'm getting to know her quite well. My buddy JoAnne Prichard Morris (who is also an editor of the Jackson Free Press) strongly …
[Balko] How Drug Cops Go Bad
If you browse the website of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), you will notice a conspicuous theme: The war on drugs is corrupting America's cops.
April Fool's Day, Y'all
Enjoy the day!
Monday, March 28
Barbour Wants $100 Million Cuts in Education, Mental Health
Gov. Haley Barbour wants to cut more than $100 million from education, mental health and other state services.
Community Events and Meetings
Free Tax Counseling and Filing. IRS/AIM or AARP volunteers will do electronic filing. Bring all necessary documents. Joint filers must come together. Free.
Report Calls for Drug-Law Reform
Reducing Mississippi's incarceration rate, which is the second-highest in the United States, depends on reforming many aspects of the state's criminal justice system, a report released this month says.
Maura Johnson
Throughout her childhood, Maura Johnson met her family around the dinner table to not only share a meal together but to talk about specific historical facts. They always read the …
Why do people move to/stay in Jackson?
OK, I promised. Here is the next user-generated list in our quest to educate ourselves about why people leave/stay. Please add your reasons (or reasons you've heard people give whether …
Navy to Name Ship After Jackson
A future Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship will honor the city of Jackson, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Friday.
Sunday, March 27
7th Annual JFP Chick Ball July 9, 2011—Save the Date!
The JFP Chick Ball committee is busy collecting sponsors and silent-auction donations, as well as reaching out for more volunteers and committee members. (This year, we're starting a "rooster" support …
Saturday, March 26
Parade Weekend Schedule
Bawdy, loud, and down-right crazy. Zippity-Doo-Dah's annual parade might leave you breathless, but don't worry. The JFP's gotcha covered of when and where what's gonna happen.
Friday, March 25
Giving credit where it's due
I've been quite critical of some posts on the Downtown Jackson Partners blog in recent days as in-depth discussions about why people stay/leave Jackson have unfolded on our website. But …
JPS Hearing Reveals Edwards' Failure to Communicate
Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards has consistently failed to communicate about major issues facing the district, JPS Board President Kisiah Nolan testified today. Nolan was the board's first witness …
Negative Perceptions an Obstacle for Jackson
Communicating positive messages about Jackson's progress and ending negative perceptions about crime is important to attract new residents to the city of Jackson, Jackson State University professor B. D'Andra Orey …
Why do people leave Jackson?
OK, I have an idea. Let's try an experiment. Let's start a list of the various reasons, positive or negative, that people might move out of Jackson proper. You can't …
Tiara of the Day: Bluebird Crown
This year, the Sweet Potato Queens, in shiny new over-the-top outfits, sashay through Fondren in the first annual Zippity Doo Dah Parade. Boss Queen Jill Conner Browne says she has …
It's the Weekend
If last weekend's St. Paddy's Parade and associated frivolities have you hankering for more, this weekend won't disappoint. The first annual Zippity Doo Dah Weekend in the Fondren neighborhood began …
Drama and hysteria don't change the world
After getting sucked into a couple different JFP conversations about the (over)reaction to recent Census numbers (the most recent one here), I've been thinking a lot about drama and the …
Edwards Fights for JPS Job Today
Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards makes his case today for an extension of his contract. The JPS Board of Trustees voted Dec. 7 not to renew Edwards' contract, which …
Thursday, March 24
Corporations Dodge Taxes While Schools Suffer
Public education suffers while many of the state's largest corporations pay no state taxes, children's advocates said yesterday.
$7.75M Housing Development Breaks Ground
Workers break ground this afternoon on a new $7.75 million affordable housing development near Northside Drive. The project, called Holly Hills, will use low-income housing tax credits to construct 60 …
Rosemary Maxey
Rosemary Maxey likens her office to a museum of the Jackson Convention Center's history. A picture on her wall displays the 2006 groundbreaking, in which city leaders shoveled sand on …
Wednesday, March 23
Sal & Mookie's Street Carnival 2011
Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint has been a local favorite since opening its doors in 2007. For the past three years, the restaurant has brought …
Fondren's Parade
"Fondren is a well-oiled machine," says Boss Queen Jill Conner Browne, the original Sweet Potato Queen, of the place she chose to be the home of her upcoming Zippity Doo …
All Hail the Queens
When I first moved back to Mississippi, I had no idea what a Sweet Potato Queen was. Then I attended the Mal's St. Paddy's Parade and received a front-row education …
Mini-Floats for Fondren
The Zippity Doo Dah parade is a special opportunity for the Jackson community to come together and raise money for the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children. For the first …
‘Deer Camp On Estrogen'
Once a year, a group of women make a pilgrimage across the country to Jackson. Mostly middle-aged, they come decked out from head to toe in sequins, feathers and anything …
(Re)Learning to Breathe
To watch an infant sleep is to witness one of the most deeply peaceful processes. With every soft rise and fall of the baby's small belly, a natural expansion and …
Nonna's Recipes
It's time for a night out, and your taste buds are craving Italian. You're pining for cherry-red tomato sauce and al dente pasta, or maybe you're more in the mood …
Old Is Young Again
A friend recently tweeted that Metallica's "Black Album" is now considered classic rock and wondered if this means he's old. We all have those moments when something makes us pause …
Ode to Fondren
I moved to Jackson because of Fondren. (I can hear a few of you cursing Fondren now.) More specifically, it was because of Rainbow Whole Foods, which a friend of …
Kerry-ed Away
I'll never forget the first time I saw Kerry Thomas, known as KT on stage, perform live at Dreamz JXN for Forever Friday. It was Sept. 10, 2010. Alone on …
Insurance and Excise Taxes
Avoiding buying car insurance will get a little harder with new legislation passed last week. The Mississippi House of Representatives and the Mississippi Senate agreed on a bill requiring motorists …
Cultural Remodeling
Artist Jennifer Dixon's life-size tree installations fill the interior Bergen Park in Seattle, Wash. The five trees, made of various materials such as clay, metal, fossils and glass, are attached …
The Home Front
If Morgan Freeman is Clarksdale's most recognizable resident, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Luckett may be its second. An attorney and developer, Luckett runs two of his high-profile business ventures with …
Attract Creative Class With Art
The city of Jackson took a significant step forward last week when City Human and Cultural Services Director Michael Raff announced a public-art initiative. Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. has …
[Stiggers] Good Deeds, Bad Events
"As your elected congressman and public servant, I am here to let you know that crap, mess, drama, trouble, gloom, despair and agony happens, and they are a part of …
[Our Turn] A Call for Understanding
Taking more accurately the universal message of the Civil Rights Movement to heart, this letter is not a call for silence, as that would be antithetical to the Movement as …
Breaking The Rules
Like many 12-year-old girls, DeAsia Scott tries to maximize the amount of hot pink she can wear on a daily basis. She loves oatmeal-raisin cookies, has a crush on Justin …
Mystical Alligator Wrestling
When I first picked up "Swamplandia!" (Knopf, 2011, $24.95), I was skeptical at best. As a Florida native, I was excited to read a book set in my home state, …
Poet's Progress
Plain spoken and impassioned, poet Nikki Giovanni's body of work is a testament to the power of words to fulfill and inspire.
[Hill] Healing Words
What impresses me is that he did not call them "bad" or label them "thugs."
Candidate
The JFP Interview With Dave Dennis
In 1995, then-Mississippi Gov. Kirk Fordice announced his re-election campaign from the Gulfport home of Dave Dennis. Dennis had a lot in common with the governor. Both made their fortunes …
Redistricting Hits the Courts
Gov. Haley Barbour's crusade for more Republican districts in the Mississippi House of Representatives is putting him at odds with the Mississippi NAACP, which wants the U.S. Department of Justice …
Barbour's Press Pass
Watching Gov. Haley Barbour seize the national media spotlight feels a bit like seeing a bully from high school making it big. "I knew him when he was fat and …
Erica Speed
by J. Ashley Nolen March 23, 2011 The bold, red door to Erica Speed's Fondren home is a fair indication of what's inside: Local artwork and colorful fabric designs cover …
Council Members Likely to Keep Offices
Mississippi lawmakers have aligned with Jackson City Council members to see that council members keep their offices in City Hall.
The Best in Sports in 7 Days
Doctor S sez: College basketball is winding down to clear the way for MLB's Boys of Summer.
What Happened to Gloomy Predictions?
Economic reports show that most job growth in our country this year has come from small-and medium-size businesses. That trend will only accelerate, according to the recently released Small Business …
Tuesday, March 22
Fish and Funds Face Council
Fishing and financing are on the Jackson City Council agenda this week as the council considers reopening Livingston Park Lake for youth recreation and refunding a chunk of city debt.
Consignment and New Eats
After last winter's tornadoes damaged Vacita Jones' consignment shop "I'm Back" in Pearl, she decided to open another shop in Fondren's Duling School.
Pinetop Perkins
Mississippi native Pinetop Perkins, whose boogie-woogie blues piano playing backed up generations of blues legends before he took a turn in the solo spotlight, died Monday at his home in …
[Balko] Getting Forensics Right
by Radley Balko March 14, 2011 After countless scandals in recent years, the problems with America's forensics system are finally getting some national attention. In December, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) …
Freedom Rider to Speak at Millsaps
Civil Rights activist and original Freedom Rider Hank Thomas will speak about Rabbi Perry Nussbaum and the Freedom Riders March 25 at Millsaps College.
Monday, March 21
Confusion Over Jackson 2020
Last month, The Clarion-Ledger reported that a group of community citizens had formed a group called Jackson 2020 to combat Jackson's population shift and work on rebranding the city to …
Roadside Food Service Needed, Says Whitwell
Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell is chasing puppy mills and food trucks this week. Whitwell has submitted two ordinance changes for the March 22 council agenda: one discouraging roadside animal …
Hinds Ends Interest-Rate Swap
A multi-year financial transaction will provide Hinds County a final payment of $1.52 million next month. The transaction, an interest-rate swap on two bond issues, has saved the county money …
JFP Freelancer of the Month: Tom Ramsey
While Jacksonians may know him best for his culinary creations, writer and consulting-chef Tom Ramsey considers himself a storyteller above all else.
Community Events and Public Meetings
Free Tax Counseling and Filing. IRS/AIM or AARP volunteers will do electronic filing. Bring all necessary documents. Joint filers must come together. Free.
Highways to Honor Black Leaders, Military Figures
Mississippi will name several state highways after black leaders and honorable military figures.
Gov. Haley Barbour signed a bill last week to change the names of many of the state's highways. Mississippi Highway 552 will be named after longtime Alcorn State University educator …
Friday, March 18
‘Save Our Office,' Council Says
Jackson City Council members want to keep their full-time City Hall offices. Today, they passed a resolution in support of a proposed law change.
New Outfits for Sweet Potato Queens
The Sweet Potato Queens will stuff themselves into new costumes for the Zippity Doo Dah Parade next week.
Census Shows Jackson's ‘Flight Problem'
Also see: Ward Schaefer: Jackson 'White Flight' Slows In Last Decade
Jay Losset
For the past six years, Jay Losset and members of the Umlaut Standing Krewe have arrived at the corner of Capitol and Congress streets as early as 8 a.m. to …
Weekend Events
As you gear up for one of the most anticipated weekends in Jackson, don't forget to pick up this week's JFP issue to guide you through the Mal's St. Patty's …
City to Honor Homeless Program Participants
The City of Jackson will honor participants from its Homeless Transitional Job Program this afternoon. The 15 participants have completed the program and transitioned from homelessness to stable housing or …
Thursday, March 17
NAACP Joins Redistricting Fray
The Mississippi NAACP today asked a federal court to stop state legislators from running in their current districts in August because they are not representative of black voters.
Speed Returns to MDA
A familiar face is returning to the Mississippi Development Authority. Jackson real-estate developer Leland Speed is temporarily taking the reins of the MDA as executive director until January 2012, the …
City Pushes Public-Arts Initiative
The city of Jackson is seeking community partners to support a public-arts initiative that will provide opportunities for artists and youth to create art installations in the city.
Catherine Sherer Bishop
A random Thursday night at Fenian's Pub in 1998 sparked a long-term love of Irish dance for Catherine Sherer Bishop. That night, Bishop saw the Jackson Irish Dancers, then a …
Fewer States Trying Kids As Adults
Read the report here.
States are examining their laws for trying children as adults for certain crimes. More than 20 states have reformed or are reforming their policies in the last five years, according …
Finding Beauty
Walking into the Mississippi Museum of Art's "The Orient Expressed: Japan's Influence on Western Art, 1854-1918," you may kind of know what to expect, but you won't anticipate seeing 10 …
Wednesday, March 16
Protesting Music
St. Patrick's Day and surrounding festivities are nearing, and you wouldn't mind blasting some Irish-sounding music in the background as you're getting ready for your day, but you're just not …
The Jackson Irish Blues
This week is spring break, but I'm busy preparing for the ton of fun and music going on this St. Paddy's Day weekend in Jackson, including the third largest St. …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Doctor S sez: You might as well throw away your NCAA Tournament bracket now. You may already be a loser. Stupid office pool.
Keeping Faith
In 1969, P.W. Underwood, then head football coach at the University of Southern Mississippi, convinced a 6-foot-3-inch lanky kid from Swainsboro, Ga., to come to the University of Southern Mississippi …
Restraint and Love
Ordering "bangers and mash" is cooler than asking a waiter for sausage and mashed potatoes. Way cooler. Kind of like it's cooler to get fish and chips instead of fried …
Clean Green
In one of his books, Dr. Seuss says, "I do not like green eggs and ham." As a child, I often celebrated St. Patrick's Day by having my parents inject …
Feelin' Green? Perfect!
"A friend in need is a friend indeed," the Irish proverb admonishes, and everyone knows you have a friend in the JFP. So, instead of trying to figure out how …
The Rest of ... The Story
Back in 2005, a Canadian TV producer asked me if he could film Mississippians working for the Jackson Free Press investigating a civil-rights cold case in Franklin County for a …
MPB Moves Toward Self-Sufficiency
Big underwriters with deep pockets could save Mississippi Public Broadcasting. To find those generous companies, MPB employees preoccupied with periodic membership drives need time to make convincing sales pitches. To …
Our Voices Will Be Heard
When Greenwood resident Sandra Stringfellow was diagnosed with HIV 16 years ago, she felt isolated and alone. Her neighbor flagged down Stringfellow's visitors to tell them that Stringfellow was positive …
Stadiums and Sticky Hands
Jackson State University will be the new owner of Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium if Gov. Haley Barbour agrees.
Redistricting: Get Moving
The Mississippi House of Representatives did the right thing this week by stapling its Senate-rejected redistricting plan onto the Senate's own redistricting map. Both chambers must approve each other's redistricting …
[Stiggers] Smart Dummies
Mr. Announcement: "In the ghetto criminal justice system, the people are represented by two members of the McBride family: police officer and part-time security guard at the Funky Ghetto Mall, …
[Kamikaze] Do the Right Thing
Let's be honest. I'm sure all parents agree that kids need discipline. Kids need to learn respect; kids need to learn tolerance. But what happens when a kid feels like …
More Redistricting Fireworks Ahead?
The battle over African American-majority legislative districts continues this week in the state capitol after a confusing series of dueling redistricting proposals failed to stick--two from the Mississippi House of …
[Dickerson] Dances with Panthers
Suddenly, the big cat began moving toward me, slowly at first, then faster...
Anatomy Of
St. Paddy's 2011 Schedule of Events
Whether you party hard or hardly party, there's plenty for you to do this weekend for Mal's St. Paddy's Parade.
Who's Who
The Mal's St. Paddy's Parade comes with 29 years of history and traditions old and new, so a cheat sheet is helpful. Here are a few of the key players …
Marching for a Cause
I'm always looking for any excuse to don a costume, so naturally, I love a parade. This month packs in two of them: The Mal's St. Paddy's Parade, led by …
The History of the Mal's St. Paddy's Parade
In the early '80s, Malcolm White had been throwing yearly St. Patrick's Day parties at the bar and restaurant he managed, George Street Grocery, the present location of the Ole …
Parade Pet Survival Guide
When the body senses a stressor, it acts to protect itself. Stored fuels (sugars and fats) release a burst of energy, breathing rate increases sending more oxygen to the blood, …
Enjoying the Parade with Wee Ones
If you're planning to spend an afternoon at the Mal's St. Paddy's parade with small children, you probably want to do some planning. Here are some suggestions of the things …
St Paddy's Shopping Guide
Before you head out to strut your stuff at the Parade this Saturday, why not spend some green at some of Jackson's finest, and generate some green for the city?
Stylish St. Paddy's Costumes
At the Mal's St. Paddy's Parade, you will see families in jeans, college students in sundresses, and a wide variety of people wearing outlandish costumes. Just about anything goes. To …
O' Me, O' My, O' Tux
I hate to admit it, but I've been marching with a krewe for about 15 years, and I've never taken the time to learn its origin story. So when my …
Verde Do Krewe
As a child, one's only real responsibility is to have fun, and obey our parents and other authorities. As we get older, though, things change. Careers, mortgages, families and countless …
Parade Recovery Tips
Many folks consider the Mal's St. Paddy's Parade the best day of the year in Jackson, and we all want to make the most of it. However, after all the …
Jackson ‘White Flight' Slows In Last Decade
The release of 2010 Census data earlier this year may have been a gut-check for Jackson's leaders, but the numbers were hardly surprising. News reports, however, were quick to seize …
Donovan Childress
Donovan Childress sits relaxed across the table, scratching his beard and looking ahead with an expression that regularly breaks into a wide, affable smile.
Murrah Coach off the Hook, For Now
Murrah High School Basketball Coach Marlon Dorsey will not face simple assault charges for whipping basketball players with a weight belt, a Hinds County Judge ruled yesterday.
Tuesday, March 15
State Economic Picture Improves
In light of an improved economic outlook, a panel of state lawmakers agreed today to adopt slightly higher estimates for state revenues in the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years.
Workshops and Financing
Clarence Chapman, developer of the Timber Falls housing subdivision in south Jackson, expects a health clinic and small grocery store to be among the first commercial tenants of his multi-stage …
Mark LeVaughn
Mississippi Medical Examiner Dr. Mark LeVaughn was ice-cool at his introduction ceremony yesterday. Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Albert Santa Cruz officially announced LeVaughn as the state's new chief …
[Balko] Leviathan's Lawyers
Attorney General Eric Holder's announcement last month that the U.S. Justice Department's Office of the Solicitor General would no longer defend the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act in federal court …
Barbour Spokesman Resigns
Gov. Haley Barbour accepted the resignation yesterday of Press Secretary Dan Turner. Turner's resignation comes after a Politico blog entry about daily e-mails Turner sent out to the governor's staff …
Monday, March 14
Flood Study Cost Increase Spurs Finger Pointing
Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District Board Chairman Gary Rhoads said today that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is to blame for cost increases in a multi-million-dollar …
Mandatory Sex Ed: Almost There
The Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives are awaiting the governor's signature on a bill forcing all local public-school boards to adopt a policy to add "abstinence-only" or "abstinence-plus" education …
Jackson Addiction Treatment Facility to Close
A Jackson alcohol and drug treatment facility that houses approximately 28 patients without insurance or ability to pay for treatment is expected to close its doors tomorrow.
Nikki Giovanni
It's fitting that Nikki Giovanni's appearance at Jackson State University next week is in honor of the JSU Student Government Association's "Women's Emphasis Week," celebrating women's achievements. For more than …
Community Events and Public Meetings
Free Tax Counseling and Filing. IRS/AIM or AARP volunteers will do electronic filing. Bring all necessary documents. Joint filers must come together. Free.
Barbour Takes on National Economy
As the Mississippi Legislature gears up for a battle over the state's 2012 budget, Gov. Haley Barbour heads to Chicago today where he is expected to criticize President Barack Obama's …
Friday, March 11
Bryant: Voting Rights Act Rigs Elections
Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant spent the better half of a March 8 public forum mischaracterizing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as a former president's lingering attempt to influence southern …
School Funding Takes Hopeful Turn
An upcoming revised revenue estimate for Mississippi could give public-education advocates and supporters some breathing room. The state Legislature's Revenue Estimating Committee met this week, and Mississippi Parents' Campaign Executive …
Tom Harmon
"Art is a very important part of community. You can't have too much," artist Tom Harmon says.
Weekend Events
If you didn't get tickets to the now sold-out Kid Rock concert at the Mississippi Coliseum tonight, don't worry; you still have plenty of options for entertainment in Jackson. The …
Key AG Bills Headed to Barbour
<i>Verbatim Statement</i> :
Five of the Attorney General Jim Hood's key legislative bills are now headed to the Governor for his signature.
Thursday, March 10
Bryant's Redistricting Plan Fails
The Mississippi Senate struck down Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant's controversial substitute redistricting plan, which would have diffused black voting power in Hattiesburg, with a 35-to-16 vote today.
HIV/AIDS Advocates Speak Out
Donna M., a homeless Jackson woman infected with HIV, threw away her medicine while living with family members, fearing that they would find out about the disease that she was …
Appeals Court Gives Hinds Judge Immunity
Read the court's ruling (PDF).
Darion Warren
Every aspect of the physical world breaks down into numbers. A malfunctioning LED traffic light costs a certain amount of money to repair or replace. To keep traffic flowing, an …
MS Senate Keeps Ed Funding
A Senate Appropriation Committee's amendment that would have reduced Mississippi's K-12 education funding by $81 million failed yesterday in the Senate's 29-22 vote.
Genre-Bending Rock
Kid Rock brings his blend of rock, rap, country and blues to the Mississippi Coliseum Friday, March 11, for a tour stop in support of "Born Free," his seventh studio …
Have the Grammys Really Changed?
This year's Grammy awards on Feb. 13 marked the 20-year anniversary of Public Enemy's boycott of the 1991 ceremony. It was the third year in a row that the group …
Wednesday, March 9
Always a Bridesmaid ...
After choosing the wedding gown, selecting a bridesmaid's dress should rank high on a bride's to-do-list. Ideally, a bridesmaid dress complements the wedding gown, flowers and the women wearing them, …
Let the Madness Begin
Every year, millions of American's fill out NCAA Tournament brackets for money, prizes or for fun, then they hope not to get their brackets busted.
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Doctor S sez: Perfection is a rare thing in sports. So congratulations to the undefeated Lanier High girls basketball team on the MHSAA 5A state championship.
Bringing Healthy Back
I have literally been working my butt off since the first of the year in an attempt to lose my "baby weight." The phrase is becoming less acceptable by the …
Simple Health
It's been a while since we made our resolutions for 2011. Good health and wholesome eating habits are goals that many of us share, but, no doubt, some of our …
Classic Style, Modern Sensibility
As the saying goes, "Everything old is new again," and that most certainly rings true of Jackson's renaissance. It's true of cool, old spaces and hotspots and neighborhoods across town, …
Back in the Saddle
Like many of us, I started off the new year so well. I actually began an intensive fitness makeover at 6 a.m. on Dec. 30--just so that I would have …
Redistricting Fight Comes Home
Hinds County's redistricting woes are not over, yet. One week after the county Board of Supervisors voted to approve new district maps, the board faces a possible lawsuit over its …
Commissioner Opposes Plant, Despite Ruling
Mississippi Power Company customers may be paying for up to $2.88 billion in costs for the new experimental coal-burning power plant, based on a Harrison County Chancery Court judge's decision.
Transparency and Head Trips
State agencies will have to put their spending and contracts on a website for public scrutiny if the Mississippi House of Representatives and Senate work out their differences with a …
Reject the Partisan Posturing
Politics are getting uglier by the day.
Politics are getting uglier by the day.
[Stiggers] The Greatest Thing
"He understands the law of cause and effect: If you make workers give up their pension, accept lower wages and settle for the life their great-grandparents had, they will go …
Men: Start Now, Not Never
A few weeks ago, I went to visit my dad, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. It's a cancer that most men "die with, not from," but to …
[Head] Immigrants vs. Profit
There is a story that U.S. citizens often hear about undocumented Latino workers. It is fiction.
Do or Die
Vicki Mason says half the battle on the road to a healthy lifestyle is acquiring knowledge by using the resources that are widely available to all of us. She's serious …
Is Surgery Necessary?
Every day, women's lives are saved and improved thanks to the work of surgeons. They rid patients of cancerous tumors and right malfunctioning body parts; they stitch up wounds and …
One Heart's Fasting
When my pastor invited our congregation to take part in a 21-day fast, I was thrilled with the idea. "What a great way to start the year off right," I …
Detoxifying through Fasting
Pesticides. Additives. Preservatives. These chemicals are in the foods most of us consume every day. Detoxification diets or fasts may prove helpful in ridding the body of these toxins; however, …
Health Tips for Dudes
Men are often seen as individuals who ignore their health altogether. Here are some tips that, while not exclusive to men, appeal to my maleness.
A Mind/Body Bookshelf
Wellness is more than just the absence of illness. It incorporates the whole being, body, mind and spirit. Physicians and psychiatrists have studied and written about wellness for decades (at …
Speaking in Laughter
Everyone loves to laugh. Like many things, though, we completely take it for granted. If you really think about it, laughing is, well, weird. What biological function does laughing serve?
Etude of an Artist
When he was 5 years old, Lorenzo Gayden loved cars. He played with and drew them and, eventually, imagined designing them. But unlike most of us who abandon our childhood …
Drifting in the Groove
You've probably never heard of Daniel Lanois, but you've certainly heard his work. He has quite an impressive resumé: producer of CDs recorded by Bob Dylan, the Neville Brothers, Emmylou …
Whimsy On George Street
In 2006, National Public Radio's Robin Hilton named David Dondero one of the best living songwriters ever. He shared that distinction with the likes of Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and …
Itawamba Student Sues District Over Rap
A year ago, the Itawamba County School District made national news for electing to cancel Itawamba Agricultural High School's prom rather than allow lesbian student Constance McMillen to bring her …
Bilal Hashim
Bilal Hashim is intentional and calm as he welcomes me to the recently relocated StudioOM Yoga studio in Fondren inside the Woodland Hills Shopping Center. Wearing a moss-green shirt and …
Bryant Complicates Redistricting
The state redistricting process will likely see fireworks in the coming days. On Tuesday, the Mississippi Senate Elections Committee killed a redistricting map approved by the House of Representatives.
Tuesday, March 8
Jackson Sales Tax Up; Enough for Shortfalls?
The City of Jackson's first-quarter 2011 budget offered a mixed bag to the City Council yesterday. The city is looking at an increase in sales-tax revenue for the first time …
Farish and a Dollar (General) More
Developer David Watkins said yesterday that he is "a hundred percent convinced" that the B.B. King Blues Club will sign a lease to anchor the Farish Street Entertainment District. The …
Robby Scucchi
When he was a child growing up in Greenville, Robby Scucchi looked forward to visits from Junior Auxiliary volunteers who read C.S. Lewis books at his elementary school. Now, more …
MPB Eyes Self Sufficiency
The Mississippi Public Broadcasting board voted this morning to start considering where to make budget cuts in response to threats to end its state funding.
[Balko] You Can Have Sex With Them; Just Don't Photograph Them
In the spring and summer of 2006, Eric Rinehart, at the time a 34-year-old police officer in the small town of Middletown, Ind., began consensual sexual relationships with two young …
Monday, March 7
GOP Official Threatens Hinds With Lawsuit
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors may face a lawsuit over its decision to hire Mississippi NAACP President Derrick Johnson to oversee its redistricting process. Hinds County Republican Party Chairman …
Carson to Run for Jackson House Seat
Jackson attorney Dorsey Carson announced over the weekend that he is running for the Mississippi House of Representatives seat for District 64, which Jackson Republican Bill Denny currently occupies.
Community Events and Public Meetings
Free Tax Counseling and Filing. IRS/AIM or AARP volunteers will do electronic filing. Bring all necessary documents. Joint filers must come together. Free.
Col. Paul Willis
Last year, approximately 86 percent of students who gradated from Jackson Public Schools Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps went on to receive higher education. As the JPS Director of Army …
American Heart Association Launches Nutrition Month
The American Heart Association is urging Mississippians to improve their health during nutrition month this March.
Friday, March 4
Trail to Connect Cities
The local Museum to Market Bike Trail project suffered a slight setback after it was denied funding from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries toward the end of last …
FIGMENT Organizers Call for Participation
Organizers of the May 14-15 FIGMENT art festival will host a party to rally support and participation for the event this weekend. At Koinonia Coffee House's Friday Forum this morning, …
Henry Murphy
Whatever shape journalism takes in the future, there's a good chance Henry Murphy will be a part of it.
Do Some Good This Weekend
Escape the Friday night drizzle at Salsa Mississippi's Mardi Gras Dance Party. Festivities include a silent auction, Nepali crafts for sale and, of course, lots of dancing. The party starts …
Children's Health Study Kicks Off
Hinds County will serve as one of more than 100 locations across the nation to host the National Children's Study, which organizers say is the largest long-term children's health study …
Thursday, March 3
Republicans and ‘ConservaDems' Suffer in Redistricting
<i>UPDATED March 3, 2011</i>
Redistricting in Mississippi as a result of the 2010 Census will likely target Republican and conservative Democratic seats in the state House of Representatives, legislators say.
Eli Evans
Author Eli Evans, who served as a speechwriter for President Lyndon B. Johnson, is heading to Jackson this weekend to help the Beth Israel Congregation celebrate its 150th anniversary.
Community College Boost Awaits Barbour's Pen
Mississippi's community colleges could get an extra $15 million if Gov. Haley Barbour signs off on a funding bill approved by both chambers of the state Legislature. The version of …
Amnesty Today and Tomorrow
Save money today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the city of Jackson's Municipal Court Services annual amnesty program.
A Museum Split?
The total cost of a proposed Mississippi civil-rights museum could depend on its location. While Gov. Haley Barbour and a majority of the state House of Representatives have backed a …
Wednesday, March 2
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Doctor S sez: Get ready for an entertaining weekend of hoops at the Big House.
[Twelve-Bar Blues] Heaven When I Die
In the documentary "M is for Mississippi," James "Son" Thomas says: "Daddy always told a joke. He said, ‘There's lots of ways you can have the blues. If you're broke, …
Something's Fishy
I was introduced to fish ‘n' chips on that trip. I remember expecting something like a McDonald's Filet-O-Fish and Lays potato chips, and was surprised when I got fries. I …
[New Restaurant] Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cooking
Opened as a part of the new Oriental Supermarket, Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cooking brings a new style of Chinese cuisine to Jackson. Inside, you'll find well-known dishes such as …
A Jackson Mardi Gras
The closer you get to the Gulf Coast, the bigger the Mardi Gras celebration you'll find. Around these parts, you'll find king cake, maybe a little live New Orleans-style music …
Barbour's Cross to Bear
In 1968 in Yazoo City, Police Chief Ardis Russell Sr. arrested a black mother, LeBertha Owens, for trying to take her young daughter, Gloria, to the public library for materials …
Barbour's Bad Education Math
If Gov. Haley Barbour gets his way, Mississippi public schools may end up short-changed by $65 million because of a vanishing pot of federal money.
‘They're Taking Daddies Away'
Colonial Terrace Apartments resident Angella Rector speaks with a slow southern drawl that drips of mobile home and Larry the Cable Guy. The redhead married her husband, Juan Espanoza, two …
Sex and Pay Raises
The Mississippi Tea Party tried to target immigrants once again in a bill that would have charged $5 for out-of-country wire transfers exceeding $500, plus 1 percent of the amount …
Judging Carefully
For Judge Leslie King, serving on the Mississippi Supreme Court is a natural career move, if not necessarily one he expected. Last week, Gov. Haley Barbour appointed King to the …
Improve Jackson for Jacksonians
Jackson shares a perception problem with the rest of the nation, and media are manipulating that perception with the recent Census data. Why is it taking so long for the …
[Stiggers] ‘Face the Music'
I guess we all have to face the tune of change and learn how to adjust to things like cold-hearted people, global warming, price gouging, selfishness, greed and the trickle …
[Kamikaze] Spring Cleaning Jackson
Babies change you. They change the way you think, the way you act, even your outlook on life. It's funny how something so small can loom so large when you're …
[Gregory] Ready, Boots? Start Marching!
History proves that no matter the legality of abortion, someone will perform them. Let me say that one more time for the men sitting in the cheap seats: "No matter …
Cover
Integrating Yazoo: Race and Change in Haley Barbour's Hometown
Gloria Owens froze with fear as a German shepherd barreled toward her at the entrance of Yazoo City Junior High School on a fall morning in 1968. "Get that n*gger," …
Of Fairytales and Drama
Many children (and a few adults) wish their favorite children's story would come to life. Imagination is fun, but sometimes they just want to live the fairytales. Imagine no more, …
Storytelling
Diane Williams is a neo-griot, along the lines of the storytellers from times gone by when oral historians were crucial to maintaining black folks' history because book publishers didn't believe …
Musical Merrymaking
Mother Nature sure has spoiled me these last two weeks with gorgeous weather, and she's made my music-festival fever go into overdrive. I'm sure everyone has their calendars marked March …
Taking the Side of Unions
Some Mississippians are taking sides on Wisconsin state employees who are protesting Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget that would eliminate state employee unions' collective bargaining rights.
Rubye Forrest-Mickel
"As a traffic officer, every day brings something interesting," Rubye Forrest-Mickel says, sitting on her porch on Barrett Avenue, enjoying the early spring weather. As she reclines in her chair, …
Barbour Testifies at Health-Care Hearing
During a U.S. House of Representatives health-care reform hearing yesterday, Gov. Haley Barbour argued against the law's mandatory requirement for states. President Barack Obama, however, endorsed a bipartisan Senate bill …
Tuesday, March 1
Hinds County Gets New District Plan
Hinds County Board of Supervisors picked a new county redistricting plan Monday night, even as critics complained that the board did not make all of the maps under consideration available …
Promise Burrell
The Women's Fund of Mississippi's newest member, Promise Burrell, has valuable real-life experience. She hopes those experiences speak to the barriers Mississippi women often face.
Taco Truck Coming; Fondren Biz Shuffle
A few months ago when Sid Scott was craving fresh and simple Mexican food, he wished that Jackson, like the majority of cities, had a traveling taco truck.
Barbour Signs AG's Domestic Violence Bill
<i>Verbatim statement:</i>
A domestic violence related bill sponsored by Attorney General Jim Hood has been signed into law. Gov. Haley Barbour signed SB 2426, which makes it a misdemeanor for someone to …
