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. Dirt could be moving in all seven of Jackson's wards on various infrastructure-improvement projects as soon as the first quarter of 2015, according to Mayor Tony Yarber.
2. Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann plans to push in the 2015 Legislature to remove voters' birth dates from poll books from poll books, saying they are sensitive information that's no longer needed now that Mississippi voters must show photo identification before voting.
3. For far too many children in the United States, there is such a significant academic regression during the summer months that studies have shown it is responsible for most of the achievement gap between poor and middle-class students.
4. In looking to relocate to the Jackson area, Costco is not making an altruistic overture, bestowing a gift on the people of the capital city and expecting nothing in return.
5. Recently, Gov. Phil Bryant told federal officials that Mississippi would no longer accept children through the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
6. Mississippi Public Broadcasting Executive Director Ronnie Agnew decided to replace PBS' "POV" documentary series "After Tiller" with other programming due to its controversial nature.
7. Ward 4 Councilman De'Keither Stamps said that making the discharge of a firearm within the city limits a misdemeanor is aimed at curbing such practices as shooting into the air during New Year's Eve and Independence Day celebrations.
8. Derek Emerson, award-winning chef and owner of Walker's Drive-In and Local 463, has opened a new business in Miso's former location.
9. A major Republican power player who helped Mayor Tony Yarber win his current position is in line to be the City of Jackson's next lobbyist.
10. The Mississippi Public Service Commission agreed Tuesday afternoon to provide a 60-day utility deposit waiver for people who are certified as victims of domestic violence by a shelter.

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!)