Friday, January 31
Crime
Are Violent-Crime 'Strike Forces' Worth It?
One of the keystones of Gov. Phil Bryant's legislative agenda passed a hurdle as Judiciary B Committee of the Mississippi State Senate approved a bill to create a system of …
Crime
U.S. Seeks Death Penalty for Marathon Suspect
The announcement by federal prosecutors that they will seek the death penalty against the man accused in the Boston Marathon bombing came as no surprise to people who lost limbs …
Person of the Day
Play of the Week: "New Beginnings"
Mark Henderson, chairman of the Speech and Theater Department at Jackson State University and artistic director of MADDRAMA, focused his play, "New Beginnings," on eight stereotypes society tends to hold …
Olympic Host Russia Coming Out of Doping Doghouse
When the world last came together for the Winter Olympics, Russia was in the doghouse because of doping.
Air Force: 92 Implicated in Nuke Cheating Scandal
Top Air Force officials described a persistent culture of "undue stress and fear" that led 92 out of 550 members of the military's nuclear missile corps to be involved in …
Obama Asks CEOs for Help Hiring Long-Term Jobless
President Barack Obama is asking major corporations for their help in putting the long-term unemployed back to work.
Bill Would Ban Destruction of Guns in Buy-Back
Mississippi cities and counties would be banned from buying and destroying guns, under a proposal lawmakers are considering.
Thursday, January 30
Diy Guides
DIY Oyster Shell Necklace
Oyster shells, with their natural shimmer, strung on a simple chain can add a touch of new life with an everyday outfit.
Health Care
New BCBS Policy Raises Alarm
Physicians are alarmed about a new Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi policy that could take effect as early as Feb. 1. The insurance giant proposes to end prescription …
National
Wash., Colo., Have Few Ways to Stop Carry-On Weed
Among the many oddities that have arisen from marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado is this: It can be easier to get through airport security with a bag of weed …
Person of the Day
Bill of the Day: Mississippi Youth Concussion Law
During the Super Bowl this Sunday, the topic of concussions is bound to come up at some point. Contact sports have come under fire in the last few years over …
House Leaders to Outline Immigration Principles
House Republican leaders plan to outline broad immigration principles, including legalization for the 11 million immigrants living here illegally, to the GOP rank and file as they look to revive …
New Treatment Could Reduce Kids' Peanut Allergies
An experimental therapy that fed children with peanut allergies small amounts of peanut flour has helped more than 80 percent of them safely eat a handful of the previously worrisome …
Israeli Official Seeks to Allay EU Boycott Fears
Israel has the tools to limit the damage of any economic boycott, a senior official said Thursday, dismissing new warnings that the economy would suffer badly if U.S.-led peace talks …
Report: Syria Government Has Razed Neighborhoods
The Syrian government used controlled explosives and bulldozers to raze thousands of residential buildings, in some cases entire neighborhoods, in a campaign that appeared designed to punish civilians sympathetic to …
Miss. House Panel Passes Insurance Disclosure Bill
Lawmakers could require insurers to disclose how much they collect in premiums and how much they pay in claims in each ZIP code.
Wednesday, January 29
Food
Mr. Houston's Merroir
Jesse Houston, Jackson's resident mad scientist chef, is ready to pull a crabbit—yes, crabbit—out of his hat. He's hard at work planning for the opening of his new eatery, an …
The Slate
Are you planning a Super Bowl menu? If you are a Broncos fan, pot roast should be on the table. If you're a Seahawks fans, you should invest in a …
Bryan's Rant
Bryan’s Super Rant, XLVIII Style
The last time we saw the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl, John Elway (now the team's executive vice president of football operations) was walking into the sunset with his …
Sports
Big Bowl Expectations
This is a Super Bowl of opposites: The awe-shucks Peyton Manning and the Broncos against the young, brash and trash-talking Seahawks.
Music
At Home with The Delicate Cycle
While the domestic life may seem like it has no place for rock 'n' roll, Gordon and Joy Garretson dig into their experiences as a couple and as parents to …
Music
2013: Music in Review
My favorite release of 2013 is Jason Isbell's "Southeastern." The first time I played the album, its lyrical beauty floored me. The songs feel like short stories chock-full of characters …
Art
Danny Simmons Brings Dreams to JSU
In an effort to bring more awareness to art, Jackson State University and Gallery 1 are hosting Danny Simmons the month of February.
Film
Rebooted ‘Jack Ryan’ Stands on Loose Footing
Chris Pine puts on a decent performance in “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” but the film falls short of captivating.
Style
‘Black Flag’: An Immersive Expansion
The impressive experience of “Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag” makes an admirable case for more nautical adventures in video games.
Girl About Town
What Was She Thinking?!?
Blame the "Real Housewives," blame social media, blame society for conditioning us to feel better about ourselves by putting others down ... or blame ourselves.
Cover
Gulf Drilling Saga Almost Over?
A controversy that started more than two years ago, during the waning days of Gov. Haley Barbour's final term in office, sparking a lengthy legal battle between environmentalists and state …
Cover
Unfair Share: How Oil and Gas Drillers Avoid Paying Royalties
In 1982, in a landmark effort to keep people from being fleeced by the oil industry, the federal government passed a law establishing that royalty payments to landowners would be …
Labor Rights, Civil Rights
A group of workers, preachers and activists traveled from Mississippi to Detroit recently to proclaim what should be a core issue of 2014. "Labor rights are civil rights," Open Door …
Drilling, One Lake Need Real Public Airing-Out
We oppose the state's plan to lease parcels in Mississippi's magnificently pristine sound to exploration and oil and gas drilling.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Lady Mayor'
While gender (or race or class) certainly has a place in some political and policy discussions, whether Zimmer is a lady or a man has absolutely nothing to do with …
This Is Their Story
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, Dudley …
City & County
Legislative Update: Heart of the City
In addressing the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership's annual meeting last Wednesday, Bryant spoke frequently about the capital city.
Crime
Death for Sex Crimes Against Children?
Two Republican state lawmakers want to pass laws to impose the death penalty for certain crimes against children.
City & County
Council Hears Zoning Issues; Certifies Election
Jackson City Council members heard opposing views on zoning issues on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and some briefly called into question the results of Jan. 14 vote to approve a 1-percent …
Jacksonian
Pam Anglin
Pam Anglin doesn't quite know how she got into the antiques business. The job just fell into her lap.
Music
Pat Metheny Brings Jazz to Jackson
Few jazz musicians' resumes can parallel that of fusion and post-bop guitarist Pat Metheny.
Fed is Expected to Further Trim Bond Purchases
The Federal Reserve is expected Wednesday to further reduce its stimulus for the U.S. economy even though that prospect has unsettled global financial markets.
Republicans Say Obama Can't Do Much Without Them
Congressional Republicans swiftly and sharply rejected President Barack Obama's vow to act on his own if lawmakers won't help him create jobs and narrow the nation's yawning income gap, insisting …
Syria Talks in Geneva Make 'Positive' Step Forward
Syrian negotiators discussed the establishment of a transitional government body for the first time Wednesday, an opposition delegate said, describing it as a "positive step forward," a day after talks …
U.S. Intel Confirms N. Korea Nuke Reactor Restarted
U.S. intelligence says North Korea has followed through on its threat to advance its nuclear weapons program.
Bill Would Finance New UMMC Med School Building
Lawmakers are advancing a $31 million bond bill to finance a new medical school building at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Tuesday, January 28
States Consider Reviving Old-Fashioned Executions
With lethal-injection drugs in short supply and new questions looming about their effectiveness, lawmakers in some death penalty states are considering bringing back relics of a more gruesome past: firing …
Cuba's Castro Calls for Integration Free of U.S.
Cuban President Raul Castro called on Latin American and Caribbean leaders Tuesday to work together on pressing regional problems at a gathering of all Western Hemisphere nations except the U.S. …
Politics
Dems Push for Fair Pay
Democrats in the state Legislature are advocating a number of bills that put equal pay for women in the forefront.
Biz Roundup
JSU Opens New Apple Store, Starbucks
Tiger Tech @ JSU, an Apple Authorized Campus Store located on the first floor of the Jackson State University Student Center, will host its grand opening Jan. 31 at 10 …
Person of the Day
Judy Meredith
James Meredith isn't the only one in his family working to change society. His wife, Judy, has been elected to the Fulbright Association's National Board of Directors and Diversity Task …
Obama Speech to Challenge Congress on Minimum Wage
Challenging lawmakers to help him create greater economic opportunity, President Barack Obama will use his State of the Union address Tuesday to announce he's raising the minimum wage for new …
Ousted Egyptian Leader Defiant in Second Trial
Egypt's toppled President Mohammed Morsi stood alone in a soundproof glass-encased metal cage at the start of a new trial Tuesday wearing a white prison uniform, pacing and shouting angrily …
Southerners Warned of Icy Mess in Days Ahead
Across the South, residents stocked up on fuel and groceries, schools and offices closed, and road crews were at the ready as a storm moved in Tuesday from the central …
Lawmakers Asked to Decide Tuition Plan's Fate
After 16 months of studying whether to reopen the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program, the board that runs it wants the Legislature's opinion.
Monday, January 27
Domestic Violence
New Oversight for Domestic-Violence Funds?
Several lawmakers have proposed bills that would establish an interpersonal-violence commission to monitor and distribute funds to domestic-violence shelters.
State
Snow, Sleet Predicted for Parts of Mississippi
Portions of southeastern Mississippi could see an accumulation of snow and sleet Tuesday into Wednesday morning, according to National Weather Service predictions.
Person of the Day
Museum of the Day: Smith Robertson Museum
Recently, CNN recognized Jackson's Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, which explores the African American experience in the south.
Events
Community Meetings and Events
The Best of Mississippi 2014 Cook-off is Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Old Capitol Inn from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Obama Address an Opening Salvo for 2014 Elections
There's only so much that President Barack Obama can do to help his party this year. Six years in, he's less popular than before, and aside from fundraising, his value …
Egypt's Generals OK el-Sissi Presidential Bid
The official news agency says that Egypt's top generals have endorsed a presidential run by the army chief who led the ouster of the Islamist president last summer.
Tense Session Breaks Up Over Syria Transition
The first meeting meant to discuss the contentious issue of a Syrian transitional government broke up less than an hour after it began Monday following a tense session that one …
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Saturday, January 25
Community Colleges Seek to Pay Tuition for All
Community college leaders are pushing a plan to pay costs not covered by existing financial aid for recent high school graduates who enroll full time.
Friday, January 24
Development
JSU: Domed Stadium Not Dead
Vivian Fuller, the athletic director for Jackson State University, says that plans for the domed venue for the college are still very much alive.
Civil Rights
Meridian COFO Building Demolition Gets Final Approval
A building in Meridian that once served as a gathering point for those working to register blacks to vote and planning of civil rights activities in East Mississippi in the …
Person of the Day
Heather McTeer Toney
Last week U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy announced that Heather McTeer Toney is President Barack Obama's selection for regional administrator for EPA's regional office in Atlanta.
Pakistan's Musharraf Wants Heart Treatment Abroad
Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf wants to leave the country to undergo medical treatment for a heart condition abroad, defense lawyers in his high treason trial said Friday.
FDA Says Nutrition Facts Label Will Get a Makeover
After 20 years, the nutrition facts label on the back of food packages is getting a makeover.
Hagel Vows to Get to Bottom of Nuke Missile Ills
It began with his brief mention last fall of "troubling lapses" in the nuclear force. Weeks later Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel turned up the heat a notch by paying a …
Syrian Govt Threatens to Walk Out of Peace Talks
Syria's government handed an ultimatum to a U.N. mediator hoping to broker peace in the country's civil war, vowing to leave if "serious talks" do not begin by Saturday.
Miss. House Seeks August Pay for School Employees
State lawmakers say they've got a plan to ensure teachers get paid in August, but school board leaders say they don't believe the fix is legal.
Miss. Craft Brewers Want to Sell Beer at Breweries
Mississippi lawmakers are considering whether to take sides in a beer battle that pits small breweries against big distributors.
Thursday, January 23
Immigration
Pro-Immigrant Agenda Unveiled at Capitol
During MIRA's Civic Engagement Day, attendees walked from the MIRA office on North State Street to the state capitol.
Education
What Mississippi's Lawmakers Are Proposing for Education
Lawmakers in Mississippi have proposed more than 200 education laws for the 2014 session, in what is poised to be the second consecutive legislative session with a heavy focus on …
Iran 's Heavyweight Absence Hangs Over Syria Talks
It's the regional heavyweight that few want at the table, but without it any attempt to end the Syria war may be futile. Iran's backing is crucial for President Bashar …
Va. AG: State Marriage Ban Unconstitutional
Following a seismic political shift in Virginia's top elected offices, the new attorney general has concluded that the state's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional and he will no longer …
Egypt's President: Police State Has Ended
Egypt's military-backed interim president said Thursday that the country's uprisings have put an end to the police state and to abuses, part of a campaign to rebrand the security forces …
Immigrants' Group Seeks Expanded In-State Tuition
The Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance is asking lawmakers to approve in-state college tuition for children who graduate from high school in Mississippi after being brought to the U.S. by parents …
Bryant Discusses Safety and Jobs in State of State
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says in his State of the State speech that he wants to hire more Highway Patrol troopers, focus on job development, improve the budget process and …
Wednesday, January 22
Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman Gives Democratic Response to Bryant 'State of the State'
Mississippi Democrats call for unity to fix problems: "These problems are too big for any one party or any one idea to fix. But I know that if we can …
Gov. Bryant's 'State of the State' speech
Gov. Phil Bryant delivered his State of the State address this evening. Here it is.
The Slate
This season has only one meaningful football game left. After Super Bowl XLVIII, no more football games until next fall—but the NFL Draft is coming in April to whet our …
Diy Guides
DIY Kids
Kids like to do things for themselves. And ultimately, we as parents want them to learn to be independent, resourceful and self-reliant adults. One way to do this is to …
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson 2014: Food & Drink
While it might seem like 2013 was the year of new Fondren, with fresh shops, restaurants and bars making the area arguably the hippest place in Jackson, Walker's Drive-In has …
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson 2014: Urban Living
One sign of a great tourist attraction is its ability to generate repeat visits—especially from the locals. It doesn't hurt if it is reasonably priced, either.
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson 2014: Music & Nightlife
One might not expect Jackson to be home of a talented New Orleans-style brass band. But with influences including Rebirth Brass Band and Soul Rebels Brass Band—two influential groups from …
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson 2014: Community & Culture
Nate West and Tim Murphy can make a morning commute a lot more fun with the Showgram Show on Y101.
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson 2014: People
Jeff Good wears a lot of hats, sometimes literally, in the creative and colorful ads he stars in for the three restaurants he co-owns.
Business
A Vision for Jackson’s Future
To be a competitive, thriving and, yes, happy city, Jackson needs to address two categories of infrastructure: the one that moves things between people, and the one that moves things …
Editorial: Shop Local, Shop the Best
When we launched the Best of Jackson reader poll back in 2002, we did it in part because we wanted people to fully grasp all of the wonderful and unique …
Education
Speak Up, and Show Up, for Jackson Public Schools
Recently, on a frigid winter night a dozen or so advocates for education, including students, sat around a table at the Eudora Welty library and discussed the issues facing public …
Politics
This Can’t Be Life
Every other week, Victoria Phillips drives three and a half hours from her Raleigh home to visit her husband, who is incarcerated at Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman.
City & County
Natural Gas: The Natural Choice?
The purchase of three new squad cars for the Jackson Police Department breezed through approval last month, but some city leaders are calling for the city to take a new …
Politics
Model for Drug-Testing Bill Controversial
Gov. Phil Bryant has mined Florida for many of his bigger ideas, and his recent the drug-testing bill is no exception.
City & County
Jackson Hospitals Expanding
The University of Mississippi Medical Center will soon have a downtown presence. The only question is how long it will take and how big of an impact it will have.
Jacksonian
Lee King
When legendary performer James Brown called to offer Lee King a job, King hung up on him. Twice.
Editor's Note
Lean In to Greatness, Jackson
Jackson is judged unfairly, it is called names and, when we stand up for ourselves to people who want us to shut up and comply (ahem, Legislature), the pushback gets …
Bryan's Rant
Recent Coaching Hires
If you haven't noticed, three recent coaching hires are shaking up area colleges and universities. Mississippi College, Belhaven and Jackson State have all made coaching changes.
Syrian Peace Talks Stuck Over Assad's Future
Peace talks intended to carve a path out of Syria's civil war got off to a rocky start Wednesday as a bitter clash over President Bashar Assad's future threatened to …
Violence Across Syria as Peace Conference Begins
Syrian forces and opposition fighters clashed Wednesday in different parts of Syria as a peace conference to end its nearly three-year conflict began in Switzerland, activists and state media said.
Cochran, Wicker Back Easing Concealed Gun Limits
Mississippi Republican Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker are co-sponsoring a bill that would require most states to recognize permits other states issue that allow people to carry concealed firearms.
Wright Emphasizes Preschool and Teacher Training
New state Superintendent Carey Wright is emphasizing more money for state-funded preschool and to improve literacy instruction in early grades.
Tuesday, January 21
Syria Peace Talks: Hyped as Crucial, Downplayed
In nearly the same breath, the world's most powerful diplomats have talked about the importance of this week's peace conference on Syria and downplayed expectations for a breakthrough.
State Victories Create Dilemma for Abortion Foes
Opponents who have chipped away at abortion with state-level restrictions are facing a dilemma in some of the places where they have been most successful: Do they continue with that …
Education
Rally: Schools Budget Gap an 'Injustice'
The Mississippi Adequate Education Program lays out the bare minimum that schools need to operate, but lawmakers almost never follow it.
Biz Roundup
Monroe's, Brain Drain, Amada and Community Development
On Friday, Jan. 17, Monroe Jackson, owner of Monroe's Donuts and Bakery, officially opened a new location on the ground floor of downtown's Capital Towers.
Halliburton Manager Gets Probation in Gulf Spill
A former Halliburton manager was sentenced Tuesday to one year of probation for destroying evidence in the aftermath of BP's massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Ricin Letters Suspect Guilty of Fondling
The man who pleaded guilty last week to sending poison-laced letters to President Barack Obama and other officials has now pleaded guilty to unrelated fondling charges.
Person of the Day
Catherine Lutz
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gluckstabt held a funeral Monday for Major General Catherine Lutz, the first woman to command the Mississippi National Guard, who died last week at age …
Israeli Opposition Chief Doubts Netanyahu's 'Guts'
Israel's opposition leader said Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully appreciates the wisdom of making peace with the Palestinians. He's just not sure he has the "guts."
Russia, Iran Criticize Tehran Snub for Syria Talks
Russia and Iran on Tuesday criticized the U.N. chief's decision to withdraw Tehran's invitation to join this week's peace conference on Syria, as diplomats said a new report on Syrian …
Groups Rally for More Money for Teachers, Schools
It's not a new message, but teachers and others hope that 2015 proves more fruitful in their push for higher pay and increased state aid to public schools.
Monday, January 20
State
Wives Resist Conjugal Visit Ban
Wives and family members of incarcerated men serving time in Mississippi prisons are urging state corrections officials to rethink the recent elimination of conjugal visits.
National
Lawmakers Move to Restore Voting Rights Act
Four states—Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas—would again have to get approval from the Justice Department before making any changes in the way they hold elections under a bipartisan bill introduced …
U.S. Officials: Iran Not Eligible for Syria Meet
Iran has still not met the criteria to participate in an upcoming international conference on Syria hosted by the United Nations, and its invitation to attend must be withdrawn unless …
EU Lifts Some Sanctions on Iran
The European Union has voted to lift some economic sanctions on Iran after getting word that high-level uranium enrichment there was suspended earlier in the day.
Some Obama Spy Changes Hampered by Complications
Several of the key surveillance reforms unveiled by President Barack Obama face complications that could muddy the proposals' lawfulness, slow their momentum in Congress and saddle the government with heavy …
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Saturday, January 18
Miss. Wants Suit Against Entergy in State Court
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood is asking a federal judge to return the state's lawsuit against Entergy Mississippi to Hinds County Chancery Court.
Friday, January 17
Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Ricin-Tainted Letters
A Mississippi man has pleaded guilty to sending poison-laced letters to President Barack Obama and other officials.
City & County
Charlayne Hunter-Gault Headlines MLK Event
After Charlayne Hunter-Gault integrated the University of Georgia in 1961, she was naturally swept up in the tumult of the Civil Rights Act and wanted to join her fellow student …
City & County
State Developments Help to Grow Downtown
The vacancy rate of offices in the downtown Jackson area will soon drop, thanks to two moves from state-level government entities.
National
Obama Proposes New Limits on NSA Phone Collections
President Barack Obama on Friday called for ending the government's control of phone data from hundreds of millions of Americans and immediately ordered intelligence agencies to get a secretive court's …
Person of the Day
Dan Aykroyd
To say that actor Dan Aykroyd, 61, is a modern-day Renaissance man might be an understatement.
Syria Says Ready for Cease-Fire, Prisoners Swap
Syria's foreign minister said Friday his country is prepared to implement a cease-fire in the war-torn city of Aleppo and exchange detainees with the country's opposition forces as a confidence …
Europe Launches RoboEarth: 'Wikipedia for Robots'
Expectations are high for RoboEarth, a new European-funded system to speed the development of human-serving robots. Scientists from five major European technical universities have gathered in the Netherlands this week …
State Approving New Common Core Courses and Tests
The details of Mississippi's transition to Common Core are becoming clearer.
Medical Group: Teach Children Good Health Habits
The president of the Mississippi State Medical Association says teaching children about exercise and proper nutrition could help reverse some of the state's terrible health trends.
Thursday, January 16
Politics
Dems: Drug-Testing Bill 'Narrow-Minded'
The biggest fight of the young legislative session ended last night with the approval of a bill that would require random screenings of people applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy …
Film
'Hustle,' 'Gravity' Lead Oscars With 10 Nods Each
The Academy Awards appear to be the three-horse race many expected they would be, with "Gravity," ''American Hustle" and "12 Years a Slave" all receiving a heap of nominations.
Official: Egyptian Voters Have Backed New Charter
An overwhelming majority of Egyptians who voted on the country's new constitution backed the draft charter, a senior Egyptian official said Thursday, despite criticism from an international monitoring group of …
India Police Close in on Homeless Men in Gang Rape
Indian police said Thursday that they were closing in on six homeless men in the gang rape of a 51-year-old Danish tourist in New Delhi, a case that highlights the …
Nigerian Leader Fires All Military Commanders
In a major shakeup of the high command of Nigeria's military which is battling Islamic insurgents, President Goodluck Jonathan fired all his service chiefs Thursday and appointed an air force …
Universities Seek $20M to Fund Aid Formula
The board that oversees state-run universities in Mississippi says it needs more money to complete the transition to a new formula for dispensing funds to the state's eight public universities.
Wednesday, January 15
Miss. House OKs Drug Testing for the Poor
A proposal to randomly test some recipients of federal-state assistance passed the Mississippi House of Representatives just after 6 p.m.
JFP Top 25: Final College Football Poll
After Florida State's win over Auburn, the college football season and the BCS both came to a final conclusion. The Seminoles and the Tigers put on a show in the …
The Slate
I now believe that making a deal with the devil is real. How else am I supposed to explain why Lane Kiffin keeps getting fired and promptly hired into posh …
Bryan's Rant
Sports-World Thoughts
Now that the holidays are over, I figured I would take some time to deliver my scattered thoughts on sports-world developments over the last few weeks.
Music
Jackson, Shhh ...
As Thalia Mara Hall undergoes its facelift this winter and with the reopening of the Iron Horse Grill—along with the many great clubs and restaurants—the sky is the limit for …
Events
Monster Trucks, Loud and Fast in Jackson
The Monster X Tour is coming to the Mississippi Coliseum (1207 Mississippi St., 601-353-0603) Jan. 17 and 18.
Art
Clay Hardwick Turns Up the Arts
Clay Hardwick doesn't name his canvas creations. Instead, each piece carries the year, a season and a sequential number: "2012-fall-08," for example.
Food
More Picky Vegetarian
The one type of "sandwich" that lends itself well to almost any ingredient or lifestyle is a quesadilla.
Food
La Finestra: A Little Italy in Downtown
Chef Tom Ramsey's first restaurant venture could have been a burger joint, but, thanks to a judicious son, he went in for an Italian restaurant in the Plaza Building at …
City & County
The Battle for Downtown, Part 2: What Should Farish Become?
Nothing rivals the level of disappointment over what has happened on Farish Street, the historic area on downtown Jackson's periphery designated as the future site of an entertainment district.
I Am Not Impressed With Dr. King
I was not one precious little bit impressed with the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C. I was stunned at just how unmoved I was.
Give Teachers Raises
As long as we have had a public-education system, we have debated how much public-school teachers deserve to paid. The answer is simple: a whole lot more than they're earning …
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Hip-Hop'
The list of hip-hop artists who attended college is quite long, as is the list of prestigious American colleges and universities that now offer courses in hip-hop studies.
Gov. Winter and the New Mississippi
Charles C. Bolton's "William F. Winter and the New Mississippi" covers the life of Mississippi's 57th governor, who began in politics as a driver for James O. Eastland during his …
National
King Cake Season
We've officially gone past the 12th day of Christmas, bringing the holiday season to a close. That holiday season, anyway.
City & County
Pulling the Trigger on a Gun Ordinance
Jackson City Council President Charles Tillman's effort to ban firearms in certain public areas is encountering new obstacles that could ultimately sink the measure.
City & County
The Blueprint
The capital city wants legislative funding to pay for emergency services the city provides to state buildings and agencies, to move to elected school-board members and the ability to appoint …
Crime
In Prison Reform, Will Racism Persist?
Mississippi is going to make its criminal-justice system work better. That's how newly minted House Corrections Committee Chairman Tommy Taylor, R-Boyle, started a joint meeting of the Mississippi House Corrections …
Question o' the Week: After the ups and downs Farish Street has seen in the past several years, what do you think the area needs to thrive?
After the ups and downs Farish Street has seen in the past several years, what do you think the area needs to thrive?
City & County
Jackson Gives Local-Option Sales Tax a Resounding 'Yes'
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba had plenty of reasons to be happy when he took to the podium at The Room Tuesday night—700,000 reasons, to be exact.
Media
Experts Stress Online Safety for Teens
Parents must be aware of how their children are interacting in an era of instant communication, and they must exercise control over spaces where nothing ever disappears—even when it's not …
Jacksonian
Lizzie Cooper
It was in 1990 that Lizzie Cooper, a Jackson native, opened up Double Trouble, a center for those afflicted with drug addiction and mental disorders in the Jackson area.
Publisher's Note
I Was Wrong About Farish
Design your neighborhood for locals ... and you'll entice the tourists as well.
Film
Jewish Cinema Mississippi: The Road to Sukkot
"(Sukkot) is a handbook for how to live, breathe and act as a truly free people," says the description on the Facebook page of the film "Road to Eden: Rock …
Officials: Obama Likely to OK Phone Record Changes
President Barack Obama is expected to endorse changes to the way the government collects millions of Americans' phone records for possible future surveillance, but he'll leave many of the specific …
Danish Tourist Gang-Raped, Indian Police Say
A 51-year-old Danish tourist was gang-raped near a popular shopping area in New Delhi after she got lost and approached a group of men for directions back to her hotel, …
House Ready to OK Government-Wide $1.1T Budget
Shunning the turmoil of recent budget clashes, Congress is ready to approve a massive $1.1 trillion spending bill for this year, a compromise financing everything from airports to war costs …
Economist: Government is Top Employer in Miss.
Government is Mississippi's largest employer these days, state economist Darrin Webb told lawmakers Tuesday.
Tuesday, January 14
City & County
Questions Loom for Jackson, JSU Football
JSU announced Dec. 18 that it would replace Rick Comegy and, less than one month later, unveiled Harold Jackson.
Dozens Arrested for Being Gay in North Nigeria
First the police targeted the gay men, then tortured them into naming dozens of others who now are being hunted down, human rights activists said Tuesday, warning that such persecution …
Dozens of Trade-Offs in $1.1 Trillion Budget Bill
A massive $1.1 trillion spending bill, aimed at funding the government through October and putting to rest the bitter budget battles of last year, is getting generally positive reviews from …
Clashes Kill 11 on First Day of Egypt Vote
A referendum on a new constitution laid bare the sharp divisions in Egypt six months after the military removed the elected Islamist president. Pro-army voters lined up Tuesday outside polling …
Biz Roundup
Whole Foods, Fondren Nails, H&M and Belhaven
On Jan. 10, Whole Foods Market issued a press release announcing the opening date for the new store opening in Highland Village. The doors will open Tuesday, Feb. 4, at …
Person of the Day
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A great man once said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." That man was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The great civil …
More in W.Va. Cleared to Use Water After Spill
Downtown businesses and restaurants began to reopen after water was declared safe to drink in portions of West Virginia's capital, but life has yet to return to normal for most …
Egypt Holds Key Vote on Country's New Charter
Egyptians voted Tuesday on a new constitution in a referendum that will pave the way for a likely presidential run by the nation's top general months after he ousted Islamist …
Phone Firms Balk at Proposed Spy Data Shift
Telephone companies are quietly balking at the idea of changing how they collect and store Americans' phone records to help the National Security Agency's surveillance programs.
Gunn: Teachers Deserve Salary Increase
Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn on Monday repeated his support for an across-the-board teacher pay raise this year.
Monday, January 13
City & County
JSU Taps Harold Jackson as Football Coach
It didn't take long, but Jackson State University named a new head football coach today.
National
After 5 Days, W.Va.'s Water Crisis Nears its End
For the fifth straight day, hundreds of thousands of people in West Virginia had to wash, cook and brush their teeth with bottled water, but officials promised the ban on …
Person of the Day
Susan Hughey Hogan and Paul Hughey
When Paul Hughey died at age 75, he left behind an old possession in his Gulfport home that would fuel a powerful goal for his daughter, Susan Hughey Hogan.
Events
Community Meetings and Events
The Monster X Tour is Friday, Jan. 17 and Saturday, Jan. 18 at Mississippi Coliseum.
Thai Protesters Block Roads in Bid to Shut Capital
Anti-government protesters seized key intersections across Thailand's capital on Monday, blockading major roads into the heart of Bangkok's downtown districts at the start of a renewed push to derail elections …
Swedish Doctors Transplant Wombs into 9 Women
Nine women in Sweden have successfully received transplanted wombs donated from relatives and will soon try to become pregnant, the doctor in charge of the pioneering project has revealed.
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Saturday, January 11
Kemper Plant Opponent Cleared of Using State Money
Mississippi's state auditor and a legislative watchdog committee say there's no merit to allegations that an opponent of Mississippi Power Co.'s Kemper County plant misspent state money.
Friday, January 10
Education
Poor Schools Struggle to Fill Funding Gaps
JPS Superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray and other school superintendents say that because Mississippi isn't fully funding its education formula, their districts have fewer classroom aides, larger class sizes, outdated computers …
Health Care
Amid Abortion Debate, the Pursuit of Science
For the last decade or so, Tracy Weitz has been one of the most prominent abortion researchers in the United States.
Person of the Day
Marathon of the Day
Running and blues music don't really go together—that is, unless you're either listening to the blues while running, or you're one of the participants in the Mississippi Blues Marathon and …
India Asks US Embassy to Remove 1 of Its Officers
India asked the United States on Friday to withdraw a diplomat from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, the latest retaliation in a smoldering diplomatic dispute touched off by the …
C. African Republic President, PM Stepping Down
Michel Djotodia, the rebel leader who seized control of Central African Republic only to see the desperately poor country tumble toward anarchy and sectarian bloodshed, agreed to resign Friday along …
Israel Says It Will Build New Homes in West Bank
Israel announced plans Friday to build 1,400 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territory the Palestinians claim for their future state.
Superintendents Say Funding Gap Pinches Schools
School superintendents say that because Mississippi isn't fully funding its education formula, their districts have fewer classroom aides, larger class sizes, outdated computers and aging buses.
Thursday, January 9
City & County
JFD Battles Downtown Fire
What fire officials are calling a "major" industrial fire is burning in downtown Jackson.
Justice
Prison Recs Give Judges More Power
A joint meeting of the Mississippi House Corrections and Judiciary B committees took the first step towards grappling with the growing prison population that policymakers believe is needlessly costing state …
Person of the Day
Keenan Lewis
When the New Orleans Saints won their first on-the-road playoff game in franchise history against the Philadelphia Eagles, it seemed like one injury was going to take away the victory …
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Drugs'
Since Bryant oversees the agency that administers TANF, if there are people receiving benefits who are not working, it's his administration that's not following the law.
Republicans Promote Ways of Helping the Poor
Faced with an empathy gap before the 2014 midterm elections, Republicans are trying to forge a new image as a party that helps the poor and lifts struggling workers into …
Obama, Congress Locked in Iran Sanctions Dispute
The Obama administration enters the year locked in a battle with Congress over whether to plow ahead with new economic sanctions against Iran or cautiously wait to see if last …
National
Obama Ponders Limiting NSA Access to Phone Records
President Barack Obama is expected to rein in spying on foreign leaders and is considering restricting National Security Agency access to Americans' phone records, according to people familiar with a …
Hiring Policies Make Job Hunt Tough for Ex-Inmates
Mississippi lawmakers say they want to reduce the number of former inmates who return to prison after serving time. However, one state representative said ex-felons could have trouble finding jobs …
Wednesday, January 8
Bryan's Rant
Run, Saints, Run
The last time the New Orleans Saints faced the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Playoffs was historic. Seattle was the first team with a losing record to win a playoff …
The Slate
The New Orleans Saints won their first road playoff game in franchise history this past Saturday. Their reward is a trip to Seattle to play the Seahawks in one of …
Film
The Sex, Drugs and Wolves of Wall Street
“The Wolf of Wall Street,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill, is a maniacal roller coaster of excess.
Art
Inside the Watercolor Society
Though watercolor isn’t an easy medium, members of the Mississippi Watercolor Society are working to change the misconceptions about the art form.
Food
Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad
This recipe continues our Wellness month feature on healthy vegetarian meals, which began in issue 17.
Food
Georgia Blue: Just Like Memaw’s Kitchen
Georgia Blue hangs its hat on the daily lunch special served on the iconic blue plate.
Wellness
Hit the Road, Jackson
If you really wish to boost your health, wellness and state of mind this new year, I offer a simple prescription: Spend more time outside.
City & County
The City-Focused Push
Christmas has come and gone, but Jackson leadership is hoping the Mississippi Legislature will find a little room to stuff a few more much-needed gifts in the city's stocking.
City & County
The Influencers
Lobbyists remain one of the most formidable forces in Congress and under capitol domes around the nation. Lobbying, which the U.S. Constitution protects as a form of free speech, has …
Trayvon, Black Manhood and Love
I want to be loved by an unreasonable love that knows the only reason we're still here, breathing, imagining, fighting, wandering and wondering is because of the unreasonable work of …
Make Prison Reform Real
Our story last week about the Mississippi Department of Corrections' decision to end its longstanding practice of allowing conjugal visits has been getting a lot of attention in and outside …
Surviving Joblessness
"With support from the Ghetto Science Team's Save the Jobless, Broke and Frustrated Financial Safety Net Program, the Compensatory Investment Request Support Group will execute a series of self-help sessions …
Question o' the Week: What do you hope to see our legislators accomplish in 2014?
What do you hope to see our legislators accomplish in 2014?
City & County
Rick Hill Brings It Home
Rick Hill retired last week after working 41 years with the city and an emotional goodbye following an honor from the Jackson City Council.
City & County
JRA Lawsuit Heating Up
A couple of key motions in the lawsuit the Jackson Redevelopment Authority brought against its former Farish Street leaseholder are set to be ruled upon this week.
Jacksonian
Cecil Brown
Just as Switzerland hasn't always practiced neutrality, Rep. Cecil Brown, a north Jackson Democrat since 2000, says the Legislature hasn't always been as polarized as it is now.
Editor's Note
My ‘News’ Year Resolutions
By the time you read this, the 2014 regular session of the Mississippi Legislature will be underway. And there's a good chance, by then, we'll all already be kind of …
Music
A Father to a Son
Big Bill Morganfield does not take his role in the history of blues music lightly.
Gov't Offers New Approach to Classroom Discipline
The Obama administration is issuing new recommendations on classroom discipline that seek to end the apparent disparities in how students of different races are punished for violating school rules.
Benefits Debate is First Volley of Election Year
The struggle in Washington over whether to renew expired jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed is as much about providing aid to 1.3 million out-of-work Americans as it is about …
UN Warns of Humanitarian Threat in Western Iraq
Iraq's prime minister urged al-Qaida-linked fighters who have overrun two cities west of Baghdad to give up the battle, vowing Wednesday to press forward with a push to regain control …
Miss. Lawmakers Must Balance Spending and Demands
Mississippi lawmakers gaveled their 2014 session to order at noon Tuesday.
Tuesday, January 7
Rolling Fork Mayor Indicted for Fraud
The mayor of a small town in the Mississippi Delta has been indicted on false pretense and wire fraud charges related to invoices for grants to rehabilitate houses.
New Prospects in 2014 for an Immigration Overhaul
His agenda tattered by last year's confrontations and missteps, President Barack Obama begins 2014 clinging to the hope of winning a lasting legislative achievement: an overhaul of immigration laws.
Sandusky Tries to Get His Penn State Pension Back
A handcuffed Jerry Sandusky testified by video link for nearly three hours Tuesday as Pennsylvania's public pension agency considered his request to restore retirement benefits canceled because of his child …
Politics
Legislators Return to Jackson
Legislators from across Mississippi are gathering in Jackson today for the beginning of the 2014 legislative session, and Jackson's leaders are going to be there to welcome them.
Biz Roundup
ardenland, UMMC and Nissan
On Jan. 1, Arden Barnett, founder of entertainment company ardenland, finalized a long-term lease with building owner Mike Peters of Peters Development for Duling Hall in Fondren.
Person of the Day
Elvis Presley
If Elvis Presley was still alive, he'd be 79 years old tomorrow, Jan. 8.
Unemployment Benefits Bill Clears Hurdle
White House-backed legislation to renew benefits for the long-term unemployed unexpectedly cleared an initial Senate hurdle on Tuesday, clearing the way for bipartisan negotiations in the opening days of an …
Lawmakers Put Finishing Touches on Spending Bill
Negotiators trying to put the finishing touches on a $1.1 trillion spending bill reported Tuesday that they have made major progress in recent days in advance of a meeting of …
RNC Starts Negative Ads in 40 Media Markets
The Republican National Committee began running ads in 40 media markets Tuesday, mostly targeting incumbent senators who supported President Barack Obama's health care program. Billionaire former New York Mayor Michael …
Miss. Lawmakers Face Long Agenda in 2014 Session
Mississippi lawmakers start their three-month session at noon Tuesday, and they face a long agenda. They'll write a budget, seek ways to control prison costs, debate education policy and argue …
Nurse Sentenced in Cancer Clinic Fraud Case
A woman was sentenced on Monday to house arrest and probation for failing to report a crime at a Mississippi cancer clinic that was shut down over unsafe practices and …
Monday, January 6
City & County
McQuirter Picked Hinds Board Prez
During an at-times testy Hinds County Board of Supervisors meeting, supervisors elected a new president and changed the board's policy for choosing presidents and vice-presidents in the future.
Health Care
Thousands Waiting for Medicaid Coverage Are Stuck in Limbo
For years, Obama administration officials talked about how the health law's online marketplaces would offer a seamless shopping experience for consumers looking for health coverage.
Person of the Day
Resolution of the Day
Now that it's 2014, most of us have probably set resolutions to try to get healthier. It's easy to talk about getting healthier, but often we set our goals too …
Fed Chair, Unemployment on Tap as Congress Returns
Back to work on Monday, Congress faces a hefty list of unfinished business and a politically driven agenda in an election year that will determine control of the House and …
Palestinians Express Reservations on Kerry's Ideas
A Palestinian official says the Palestinians have reservations about some of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's ideas for the outlines of a peace deal with Israel, particularly on the …
'Polar Vortex' Pushes Subzero Temps into Midwest
A whirlpool of frigid, dense air known as a "polar vortex" descended Monday into much of the U.S., pummeling parts of the country with a dangerous cold that could break …
Saturday, January 4
Expansion of Mississippi Medicaid Unlikely in 2014
Mississippi lawmakers appear unlikely to do an about-face and vote to expand Medicaid this year.
Friday, January 3
City & County
City Gearing Up For Referendum Vote
If you hear a knock at the door between now and Jan. 14, you could be receiving a visit from supporters of the proposed 1 percent sales tax.
Health Care
Many Spanish Speakers Left Behind in First Wave Of Obamacare
In the 36 states that rely on the federally run insurance exchanges, including Texas and Florida, Latinos until recently couldn't enroll online in Spanish.
City & County
Salvation Army Thrift Store Burns
The Jackson Salvation Army Thrift Store on Presto Lane is destroyed after an early morning fire today.
Person of the Day
John Bland
Mississippi College officially named John Bland the new head coach of the Choctaws during a ceremony Thursday, Jan. 2, in the Rebounder's Room of MC's A.E. Wood Coliseum.
Events
It's the Weekend!
On Sunday, the BankPlus Racing Vehicle Extravaganza is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Mississippi Trade Mart.
Iraqi Troops Press Battle in West with al-Qaida
Under siege by government forces, al-Qaida militants tried to strengthen their hold on two of Iraq's main Sunni cities Friday, telling residents that they were defending them against the Shiite-led …
Prague Locals Want to Oust Palestinian Embassy
Relations between Palestinians and the Czech Republic took a nosedive Friday after residents voiced concerns over the discovery of illegal weapons found at the Palestinian embassy complex where a booby-trapped …
4 Dead After Cambodian Police Fire on Protesters
At least four people were killed Friday when police outside Cambodia's capital opened fire to break up a protest by striking garment workers demanding a doubling of the minimum wage, …
Winter Storm Brings Snow, Kills at Least 9
A winter storm that dropped nearly 2 feet of snow just north of Boston, temporarily shut down major highways in New York and Pennsylvania and forced airlines to cancel thousands …
OIG Audit Questions Use of Katrina Money in Miss.
A new federal report says Mississippi officials accepted unsupported population growth estimates in developing a plan to use $653 million in federal Hurricane Katrina recovery money for water and wastewater …
Thursday, January 2
Diy Guides
The 14-Minute Fix
If you are like me, your home feels a little ... less after the holiday decorations are packed up and put away.
The Slate
This is a great week in sports, what with the wildcard weekend of the NFL Playoffs and bowl games that lead up to the final BCS National Championship Game. This …
Bryan's Rant
Road to the Super Bowl
The road to Super Bowl XLVIII goes through Seattle in the NFC—seems only fitting that the one-seed Seahawks are all the way across the country.
Music
God’s Grace and Good Marketing
For Jackson-based Seeker & Servant, pushing above the shifting stream of current trends is a matter of putting musical preferences to work and nonstop effort into spreading the word.
Music
City Music
The Mississippi Museum of Art and St. Andrew's Cathedral will partner Jan. 7 for another edition of the "Music in the City" series.
Film
Doin’ the Hustle
Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) and Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) make a cunningly irresistible pair in “American Hustle.”
Art
Tree Lovers
Self-proclaimed "urban loggers" David Dill, 30, and Paul Purser, 29, planned to become architects, but have become so much more.
Food
Mexican Meals on Wheels
Tito Gutierrez, 33-year-old entrepreneur and Mississippi Air National Guard pilot, is the owner of Tito's Taco's, Jackson's best Mexican restaurant on wheels.
Food
Eat Your Vegetables
The first step to being a healthy vegetarian is deciding what you do and don't want to eat. Many people don't realize the term "vegetarian" means different things to different …
Wellness
Tips for Beginning Runners
If one of your goals for 2014 is to hit the ground running (literally), consider these tips from Jeremy Jungling.
Food
Recipes for Picky Vegetarians
Making smoothies can be a daunting task. To make it work, you have to understand how to order things.
Wellness
Start Where You Are
Every journey has a beginning. Trying to start in the middle—or at the end—is unrealistic and can leave us frustrated and defeated, even with a healthy dose of positive thinking.
Environment
Climate Coverage Soars in 2013, Spurred by Energy, Weather
Coverage of climate change issues jumped in 2013, fueled by reporting on energy issues—fracking, pipelines, oilsands—and a heavy dose of wacky weather worldwide.
Health Overhaul Benefits Take Effect with New Year
After a troubled rollout, President Barack Obama's health care overhaul now faces its most personal test: How will it work as people seek care under its new mandates?
Texting, Dialing While Driving Raises Crash Risk
A sophisticated, real-world study confirms that dialing, texting or reaching for a cellphone while driving raises the risk of a crash or near-miss, especially for younger drivers.
Israel Official: Jordan Valley Must Remain Border
A senior Israeli Cabinet minister and more than a dozen hawkish legislators poured cement at a construction site in a settlement in the West Bank's Jordan Valley on Thursday, in …
Passengers Rescued from Icebound Antarctic Ship
A helicopter rescued all 52 passengers from a research ship that has been trapped in Antarctic ice since Christmas Eve after weather conditions finally cleared enough for the operation Thursday.
Wednesday, January 1
Officer Joseph Maher Released from the Hospital
Tupelo officer Joseph Maher who was shot while trying to stop a bank robber last week, has been released from the hospital.
