Jackson Free Press

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:

1. Christopher Epps, the long-tenured commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and former Rankin County School Board President Cecil McCrory were arraigned on a 49-count indictment alleging that Epps accepted more than $700,000 in bribes from McCrory.
2. Love him or hate him, Bill Maher is informed. Between having a network news editor for a father and a double-major bachelor's degree in English and history from Cornell University, he's articulate on a wide range of topics.
3. Since August, more than 200 lots in Jackson have been declared menaces to public health, safety and welfare.
4. At close to 5 p.m. on Sept. 24, water spouted high into the air from a 12-inch water main into the air, flooding Capitol Street in downtown Jackson.
5. The Matt Devenney Emergency Shelter, which provides housing to homeless women and children for 14 days, as well as Billy Brumfield Emergency Shelter, are scheduled to close Nov. 15.
6. On Tuesday, Mayor Tony Yarber announced that the city would look to end the practice of asking about applicants' criminal records and to encourage public and private employers to do the same.
7. Jackson will soon be the newest home of 1 Million Cups, a national program to engage, educate and connect local businesses.
8. The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted to form an ad hoc committee to assess the condition of the Raymond Detention Center and to develop a plan for alleviating its lingering problems. District 5 Supervisor Kenneth Stokes, who has long advocated for the construction of a new county jail, objected to forming the committee and its proposed makeup.
9. Though the word "revolution" ordinarily indicates an intention to dramatically change things, Seafood R'evolution actually seeks to preserve and honor Mississippi's seafood culture and heritage.
10. While some focus only on the opportunities ahead, Edward Saint Pe', founder and director of the Mississippi International Film Festival, is paving the way for emerging moviemakers right now.

Remember: Check the JFP Events planner for everything to do in the Jackson metro area. You can also add your own events (or send them to [email protected])! See JFPEvents.com

Read staff and reader blog posts at jfp.ms/weblogs (yes, you can register on the site and start your own blog!)