Stories for January 2018 | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Stories for January 2018

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Wednesday, January 31

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EDITORIAL: City Contracting Is a Mess, Must Be Repaired

It didn't take two women who can't get payment for hauling nasty sludge from a wastewater-treatment plant to convince the Jackson Free Press that the City's contracting system is a …

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OPINION: The Battle for Clear Water and Control in Jackson

Recently, the Jackson City Council dropped its appeal to block the West Rankin Utility Authority from building its own wastewater facility in lieu of using Jackson's Savanna Street treatment plant. …

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Fresh Eyes on the Capital City

When dancers in the USA International Ballet Competition refer to the competition in Jackson (which, by the way, is the only one of its kind in the U.S.), they simply …

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OPINION: Jackson is the ‘Sole’ of Mississippi

Jackson is the only city in Mississippi referred to as the "capital," the only one with a star or some symbol that indicates its presence on a map, the largest …

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A Story of Healing and Hip-hop

Jackson rapper 808 tha BASS performs his one-man show, “My Story,” on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Russell C. Davis Planetarium.

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A Super Bowl for the Super Hungry

Here are just a few places in the capital city where you can grab a bite to eat, a beer to drink and a good seat for Super Bowl LII …

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Good Faith, Bad Faith: City Contract Controversies Explode ... Again

Arneedra Smith-Gaddis seemed nervous when she stepped to the microphone in City Hall on Jan. 3, but Bridgette Gandy looked more composed. The two women subcontractors were there, separately, to …

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State Gets ‘B’ for Trafficking Laws

Pearl Assistant Police Chief Dean Scott pulled out his phone in the Mississippi Capitol on Jan. 17 to show just how easy it is to solicit sex from likely trafficked …

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Cops Learn to Help Mentally Ill Mississippians

The celebration was small, but the impact is likely to be large. On Friday, Jan. 26, nine local law enforcement officers who work in Hinds County graduated from week-long mental-health …

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An Immigration Fight on Multiple Fronts

The City of Jackson's anti-profiling ordinance will stay on the books, as far as Chokwe A. Lumumba is concerned.

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Charles Jett

Charles Jett, owner of Empty Coffin Studios, has been part of the Jackson art scene for many years. His studio has been in the North Midtown Arts Center for four …

Tuesday, January 30

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Mississippi Bill Would Ban Most Abortions After 15 Weeks

Mississippi could become the first U.S. state to try to ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, setting up a possible court challenge.

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Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour Arrested with Loaded Handgun at Security Checkpoint in Airport

Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour arrested with loaded handgun at security checkpoint in airport.

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Unnamed Officers on Paid Leave for Shooting of 21-Year-Old Driver

Early Saturday morning, two Jackson police officers shot at 21-year-old Crystaline Barnes during a traffic stop in response to a report that Barnes may have forced another motorist off the …

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Entrepreneur Quarterly at Sal & Mookie's, Metrocenter Closing and Shipley Do-Nuts

Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint is partnering with Mantle. City Club to launch a series of meetings and networking opportunities for local entrepreneurs titled Entrepreneur …

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David Baria

Rep. David Baria of Bay St. Louis, the Democratic leader in the Mississippi state House, says he is considering running for U.S. Senate this year.

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Mississippi Vaccine Exemption Bill Not Coming Up for Vote

Mississippi lawmakers will not vote this year on creating a religious exemption to Mississippi's vaccination requirements, a committee chairman says.

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Mississippi Senate Plan Steps Back from Medicaid Changes

The Senate Medicaid Committee on Monday advanced a version of Senate Bill 2836 removing earlier proposals to cut payments to health care providers and require all Medicaid spending to be …

Monday, January 29

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Drugmaker to Pay Mississippi $33 Million in Pricing Lawsuit

Attorney General Jim Hood says a drugmaker will pay Mississippi $33.4 million in a lawsuit over drug pricing.

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Hinds County DA Robert Smith's Criminal Trial Delayed Again Until March

Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith was supposed to be in front of a Rankin County judge this morning to begin the trial for two counts of domestic violence, …

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'Nonpartison' School-board Election Reform on Legislative Agenda

Sen. Kevin Blackwell, R-Southaven, has introduced legislation to standardize all school-board elections for districts that already elect school-board members.

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Quinndary Weatherspoon

Quinndary Weatherspoon scored a team-high 20 points as Mississippi State defeated Missouri 74-62 on Saturday night.

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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.

Friday, January 26

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'Anti-Gang' Bill Heads to Full House to Expand Policing Powers

Rep. Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, called the "Mississippi Anti-Gang Act" one of the most significant pieces of legislation the Legislature could pass in 2018. The bill would make "criminal gang activity" …

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Mississippi Blues Marathon Comes Back

The sound of blues music and sneakers hitting the pavement will fill the streets of Jackson on Saturday, Jan. 27, during the Mississippi Blues Marathon.

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Noah Barbieri

Noah Barbieri, a senior at Millsaps College, became a Rhodes Scholar in November 2017 and received a full scholarship along with travel expenses to attend the University of Oxford in …

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Mississippi Sues Over Mail-Order Shipments of Wine, Liquor

Mississippi officials are suing four mail-order wine sellers, saying they illegally shipped wine and liquor into the state.

Thursday, January 25

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No More Rallies Inside Mississippi Capitol, Leaders Say

Top Mississippi lawmakers said Thursday that they take full responsibility for an event that violated a policy against rallies being held inside the state Capitol.

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Re-entry Reform Hits Wall, But Kids No Longer Face Death Penalty

Rep. Joel Bomgar, R-Madison, had a tough time convincing the House Corrections Committee to pass additional re-entry criminal-justice reforms on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

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Boy, 13, Indicted for Armed Robbery, Forced to pay $100,000 Bond, Gun Missing

A Neshoba County grand jury has indicted a 13-year-old African American boy on armed-robbery charges, and he is now out on $100,000 bond.

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Shonte Hailes

The University of Southern Mississippi women's basketball team is hoping to make its second consecutive appearance in the postseason, and sophomore guard Shonte Hailes is helping lead the way.

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UPDATED: The Drum of Royal Thunder

Drummer Evan Diprima may provide a lot of the “thunder” of hard-rock band Royal Thunder, but he is actually the one of two later additions to the Atlanta four-piece. Guitarist …

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Mississippi Town Seeks to Nearly Double its Land Area

One Mississippi college town is proposing an annexation to nearly double its land area. Oxford aldermen could vote March 6 on the plan, which would take 12 sq. miles (31 …

Wednesday, January 24

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Best of Jackson 2018: Urban Living

We here at the Jackson Free Press like to keep our focus on local: local people, local business, local food--you get the idea. There's nothing to us more local than …

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Best of Jackson 2018: Music and Nightlife

We here at the Jackson Free Press like to keep our focus on local: local people, local business, local food--you get the idea. There's nothing to us more local than …

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Best of Jackson 2018: Food and Drink

We here at the Jackson Free Press like to keep our focus on local: local people, local business, local food--you get the idea. There's nothing to us more local than …

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Best of Jackson 2018: People

We here at the Jackson Free Press like to keep our focus on local: local people, local business, local food--you get the idea. There's nothing to us more local than …

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Best of Jackson 2018: Community and Culture

We here at the Jackson Free Press like to keep our focus on local: local people, local business, local food--you get the idea. There's nothing to us more local than …

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OPINION: Reform for a Broken System

The Salas family is one of many in Mississippi and the U.S. caught in the madness of the immigration debate and politicians' failure to pass real and meaningful reform to …

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OPINION: Time to Work Across Aisle on Ed Funding

After lawmakers went home in April 2017, there were no public meetings, hearings or presentations to offer clues as to whether the Republican supermajority planned to use all, part, some …

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OPINION: Be an Urban Warrior in and for Jackson

Regardless of how you feel about politics at a national level, we all love seeing Jackson grow and improve. The one thing many people don't realize is that we can …

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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Celebrating Local Urban Warriors for 16 Years Now

In the first-ever full issue of the Jackson Free Press in October 2002, we had a Best of Jackson ballot, with plans to reveal the winners the following January—just as …

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Monique Ealey

Mississippi Children's Museum Outreach Coordinator Monique Ealey sees the facility as a resource for families and educators around the state, so for her, it's important that the museum has outreach …

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City of Jackson Wants to Sue Siemens

The City's water-meter issues stem back to the 2012 contract with Siemens that came about when the council during Mayor Harvey Johnson's era gave Siemens the authorization to audit the …

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What’s in ‘UPS’ Ed Formula, What’s Not?

The Mississippi House Education Chairman, Rep. Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach, repeatedly told House members that the Mississippi Adequate Education Program is too complicated to understand and not reliable for school …

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Hood Opens Meetings of Mental Health Task Force to Reporters

Reporters will be welcome from now on at meetings of a task force convened by Attorney General Jim Hood to examine Mississippi's mental health system.

Tuesday, January 23

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Sessions Interviewed by Mueller Team in Russia Investigation

Attorney General Jeff Sessions was interviewed for hours last week in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, the Justice Department confirmed Tuesday. He's the highest-ranking Trump administration official and first …

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University Funding Cuts Prompt Talk of Tuition Hikes, Consolidation

Most of the state's public university and college presidents crowded into the Mississippi House of Representatives' appropriations room on Monday with a united message.

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Fondren Renovations, Skinny Sips and 1 Million Cups' New Season

Jackson's Fondren neighborhood recently began an overhaul as part of the Fondren Streetscape Project, which will reconstruct sidewalks throughout the Fondren Business District.

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Abram Orlansky

Attorney Abram Orlansky has been the director of Jewish Cinema Mississippi for the past three years.

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Breach at Testing Vendor Exposes Mississippi Students' Data

Mississippi education officials say a data breach at a testing vendor exposed information from 663 students in Tupelo and Jefferson County.

Monday, January 22

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JPS Reopens Despite 27 Schools With Little to No Water Pressure

In what seems like old news, Jackson's water issues persist into this week. Except this time students have returned to schools with little to no water pressure, and the Jackson …

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Vouchers Could Extend to Any Public School Student Under New Bill

Just before Gov. Phil Bryant declared Jan. 21-27 "School Choice Week," Sen. Gray Tollison's, R-Oxford, voucher-expansion bill dropped. The legislation would vastly expand the use of vouchers—a way to use …

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Sally Doty

A Mississippi state lawmaker who has pushed women to run for office is now entering a congressional race herself.

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Analysis: Lawmakers Must Make Decisions on Oil Spill Money

Nearly eight years after an explosion unleashed millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi's elective representatives still must decide how to spend part of the compensation …

Sunday, January 21

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'Resistance' Movement and Women's March Look to 2018 Midterm Elections

The idea first came to Teresa Shook, a Hawaii retiree, in the hours after Donald Trump was elected. Perhaps, she suggested to a few friends on Facebook, women could march …

Friday, January 19

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Jackson's 'Deplorable' Pipes Still Bursting, Causing School Closures

The City of Jackson is somewhere between praising its public-works department for its hard work this year and quickly patching the aging infrastructure and pipes so that all citizens and …

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Percy King of the Jackson Zoo Killed in Double Homicide

Jackson Zoo's 'Snake Man,' Percy King was killed in a double homicide Friday, January 19, 2018.

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President Trump Steps to Forefront of Anti-Abortion Movement

He once called himself "pro-choice." But a year into his presidency, Donald Trump is stepping to the forefront of his administration's efforts to roll back abortion rights.

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JPS Board Starts Supe Search, May Re-organize District

The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees voted this week to begin the search for a new superintendent, starting with issuing a request for proposals to hire a consultant to …

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JSU HBCU Film Screening, Tougaloo Receives Award, USM Nutrition Training

Jackson State University is partnering with Mississippi Public Broadcasting to host a free screening of the documentary "Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities" on …

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Fletcher Cox

In the divisional round, the Eagles found ways to control the Atlanta Falcons' offense. One of the biggest reasons for Philadelphia holding the Falcons to just 10 points was defensive …

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Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason to Employees: 'Get out of My Way'

Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason wrote a memo to his employees Thursday basically saying they need to get on board with his leadership or "get out of my way." In …

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Ever-Changing Grade System for Public Schools in Flux Again

Mississippi's system for assigning A-to-F letter grades to public schools keeps changing, and it looks like the state may have to reset the scale again in 2018.

Thursday, January 18

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New Trump Office Would Protect Conscience Rights of Doctors

Reinforcing its strong connection with social conservatives, the Trump administration announced Thursday a new federal office to protect medical providers refusing to participate in abortion, assisted suicide or other procedures …

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Governors Ask Trump, Congress to Do More on Opioid Crisis

Less than three months after President Donald Trump declared the U.S. opioid crisis a public health emergency, the nation's governors are calling on his administration and Congress to provide more …

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House Votes to Scrap MAEP, Rewrite Ed Formula By 12-Vote Margin

After four hours of debate and 17 rejected Democratic amendments, the Mississippi House of Representatives voted mainly along partisan lines to scrap the Mississippi Adequate Education Program in favor of …

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City Hall and Schools Reopen as Pipe Repairs Continue

The City of Jackson and Jackson Public Schools reopened today after being closed this week in the face of the wintry weather in Jackson and beyond.

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Better Sans Ezra

Better Than Ezra fans will hear plenty of hit songs when the band's frontman, Kevin Griffin, performs solo on Jan. 19 in Jackson. However, not all of those familiar tunes …

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Trump Adds Confusion to Government Shutdown Concern

Injecting confusion into already perilous shutdown negotiations, President Donald Trump undercut his own administration's stance by tweeting Thursday that a children's health insurance program should not be part of a …

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Three Republicans Now in Race for US House Seat in Mississippi

Three Republicans have now qualified to run for an open congressional seat in Mississippi.

Wednesday, January 17

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OPINION: A Student of Life

Truth is the truth whether you sugarcoat it or not. It doesn't change the facts if you write it down on a notepad with hearts and smiles, won't change the …

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EDITORIAL: Tell the Truth Now, Politic Later

Ever since Gov. Phil Bryant gave his "State of the State" address, and "Mississippi Today" chose to factcheck it but not the Democratic respondent, the media circuit around the capitol …

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'Vampire Bill': House Expected to Vote Quickly on New Ed Formula, MAEP Rewrite

As snow swirled outside on Tuesday, Jan. 16, the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee passed House Bill 957, which aims to rewrite the State's education-funding formula, the Mississippi Adequate Education …

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Fermenting in Tradition

After mingling over goodies such as sauerkraut, mustard and kimchi, and a sampling of sake (Japanese rice wine), we began a sake and wine fermentation workshop at Sweet & Sauer's …

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OPINION: Project EJECT: A War On Jackson

Project EJECT is not original, and it is not a novel way to combat violence. It is the failed "war on drugs"; it is New York's unconstitutional "Stop and Frisk" …

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House Passes Road Bill, Discusses Ed Formula

EdBuild's contract with the Legislature is long over, but three staff members came back to the Mississippi Capitol last week to run numbers in their education-funding recommendations for representatives.

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Rosie L.T.P. Johnson ‘Loved All Things Jackson’

A commissioner of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Board, Rosie L.T.P. Johnson, passed away late last week. The current JMAA chairman, James L. Henley, Jr., issued a statement on Jan. …

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Simplifying Entrepreneurship in City

On Fridays an assortment of City workers situate themselves in a small conference room with a large wooden table and several cushy wheeled office chairs on the second floor of …

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Charles Tate

Charles Tate's favorite quote to live by is, "Whenever you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will become successful," from motivational speaker Eric Thomas.

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The Push to Expand Vouchers in 2018

EdChoice defines the vague phrase "school choice" as " allow(ing) public education funds to follow students to the schools or services that best fit their needs—whether that's to a public …

Tuesday, January 16

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Reps. John Lewis, Bennie Thompson to Attend Grand Celebration of Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

U.S. Reps. John Lewis and Bennie Thompson are attending the Grand Celebration and Gala at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum on Feb. 23 and 24. Both will receive awards.

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Fannye Cook

Mississippians may often hear Fannye Cook's name in discussions of the state's history. Those who are not involved in the natural-science community may not know as much about her, however, …

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Mississippi Senate Votes to Reserve BP Spill Money for Coast

The Mississippi Senate is advancing a plan to reserve oil spill settlement money for use on projects along the Gulf Coast.

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Three Mississippi Insurers Broaden Coverage for Autism Services

Three insurance companies in Mississippi have agreed to provide more extensive coverage of services for people with autism and other developmental disorders.

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Some Criticize Fast Track for Education Funding Revision

Some Democrats say the public needs more time to study a proposal to rewrite Mississippi's education funding formula.

Monday, January 15

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Free Admission to 2 Museums in Honor of MLK Day Through Tuesday

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the second annual National Day of Racial Healing, Mississippians can enjoy the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi …

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Victoria Vivians

Mississippi State's Victoria Vivians and Teaira McCowan scored a bunch of points and grabbed a bunch of rebounds, just like they do almost every game.

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Trump Defends Himself Anew Against Charges That He is Racist

President Donald Trump is defending himself anew against accusations that he is racist, this time after recent disparaging comments about Haiti and African nations.

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France vs. Fake News Offers Test Case for Democratic Dilemma

Can a democratic country outlaw fake news? France is about to find out, after President Emmanuel Macron ordered a law to quash false information disseminated around electoral campaigns.

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Southern States Join to Promote Civil Rights Tourism

Southern states that once fought to maintain racial segregation are now banding together to promote civil rights tourism at sites including the building where the Confederacy was born and the …

Friday, January 12

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OPINION: Support Other Women

“What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.” —Oprah Winfrey, Golden Globes 2018

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English Rocker to Play Steve's Deli

Marty Willson-Piper sat in a booth at the back of Steve’s Deli in downtown Jackson, lifting a finger to trace a line between the records on the wall. He owns …

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Lawmakers Could Shift Existing Money into New School Formula

The $53 million needed to pay for the first year of a proposed new Mississippi public school funding formula could come from other money currently going to education.

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Jackson Schools to Re-Open on Tuesday with Make-up Days Ahead

Frozen pipes mean more than low water pressure for local public schools: the district is closed until Tuesday, Jan. 16.

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House Passes $100 Million Transportation Legislation In Bipartisan Vote

The Mississippi House of Representatives voted to use approximately $108 million in tax revenue for roads and bridges on Thursday in a bipartisan vote. House Bill 722 will divert 35 …

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'Mississippi Burning' KKK Leader Killen Dies in Prison at 92

Edgar Ray Killen, a 1960s Ku Klux Klan leader who was convicted decades later in the "Mississippi Burning" slayings of three civil rights workers, has died in prison at the …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Meeko the Moon Bear

The Jackson Zoo announced on Dec. 18, 2017, that a new animal had recently arrived: Meeko the moon bear.

Thursday, January 11

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Trump: Why Allow Immigrants from 'Shithole Countries'

President Donald Trump questioned Thursday why the U.S. should permit more immigrants from "shithole countries" after senators discussed revamping rules affecting entrants from Africa and Haiti, according to three people …

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Walmart Boosts Starting Pay, Closing Dozens of Sam's Clubs

Walmart confirmed Thursday that it is closing dozens of Sam's Club warehouse stores across the country—a move that seems sure to cost jobs—on the same day it announced that it …

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Governor Pushes Vouchers, Praises Trump in 'State of the State'

The governor made sure to mention President Donald Trump's visit to Jackson in his "State of the State" address on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

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Maurice Rivers

The JSU Tigers have righted the ship since entering 2018 and are currently on a four-game winning streak. One bright spot throughout the season has been forward Maurice Rivers.

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West Rankin's Water, Sewer Lawsuit Against Jackson Continues

Water and sewage are at the heart of dueling legal efforts the City of Jackson and a coalition of west Rankin elected officials brought against each in recent years.

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City Boil-Water Alerts: Updated Regularly

A live document tracking the City's water crisis

This is a live document tracking the City's water crisis that began in the first couple days of the month. Check back for updates.

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New Formula Seeks $107M More for State Aid to K-12 Schools

Leaders in the Mississippi House are seeking a new education funding formula that would require $107 million more than the state is spending this year to aid K-12 schools.

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Another GOP Governor Seeks Exclusion from Drilling Proposal

Opposition to the Trump administration's plan to expand offshore drilling is mounting as Democrats from coastal states accuse President Donald Trump of punishing states with Democratic leaders and a second …

Wednesday, January 10

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The Most Intriguing of 2017

The last year was a crazy one, to say the least, but crazy often means that intriguing people came out of the woodwork. Here are some of the local people …

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OPINION: Why The Silence on Project EJECT?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. understood that at a certain point, silence becomes betrayal. Nearly 50 years later, too many individuals are still unwilling to break away from the shackles …

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Keeping China’s Traditions Alive

Theater-goers who attend a Shen Yun performance will experience the marriage of classical Chinese dance and original orchestra works, but what people may not anticipate is a deeply embedded and …

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The Pasta Stepping Stone

In February 2017, Chaz Lindsay began a business he thought was much needed in his hometown: the Belhaven Pasta Company.

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EDITORIAL: Water Successes, Public Information Losses

The new year ushered in a freezing cold front that put our pipes and infrastructure to the test. Seeing that we're in the second week of the year and also …

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Crises in the Capitol: Infrastructure, Crime Lab, Not Enough Money to Cover Needs

It's hard to prosecute someone for a violent crime if you do not know how the victim died. The Mississippi Legislature is grappling over that question in the new session; …

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EDITOR'S NOTE: #TIMESUP for Sexual Harassment

The women who wore black at the Golden Globes and called men out are right. It's time we stopped being OK with gender inequality and sexual harassment, and those micro-aggressions …

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Dismantling the Last Debtors’ Prisons

Corinth police officers arrested Sammy Brown on Dec. 1, 2017, and charged him with public drunkenness. Brown sat in jail for several days because he could not afford the $600 …

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Fixing Jackson's $7 Million HUD Debt

A $7-million debt to the Department of Housing and Urban Development caused contention at the first Jackson City Council meeting of the new year, bringing recurring HUD headaches back to …

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Chris Myers

Architect Chris Myers, who is a principal at the Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons architectural firm, has worked on a number of major projects in Jackson. But one of the most …

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Democratic Report Warns of Russian Meddling Across Europe

A new report by Senate Democrats warns of deepening Russian interference throughout Europe and concludes that even as some Western democracies have responded with aggressive countermeasures, President Donald Trump has …

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Judge Blocks Trump decision to End Young Immigrant Program

A federal judge on Tuesday night temporarily blocked the Trump administration's decision to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation.

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Making Healthy Changes

We often get caught up in wanting to look a certain way, and can easily be discouraged when we don't reach our goals overnight. I encourage my patients to strive …

Tuesday, January 9

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Bannon to Exit Breitbart News Network After Break with Trump

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is stepping down as chairman of Breitbart News Network after a public break with President Donald Trump.

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Boil-Water Order Could End Thursday in Mississippi City

A boil-water order might end by Thursday for water customers in Mississippi's capital city.

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Ex-Arizona Sheriff, Trump Ally Joe Arpaio Running for Senate

Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was spared a possible jail sentence last year when his political ally President Donald Trump pardoned his criminal conviction for disobeying a judge's order, announced …

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Tate Reeves: Huge Tax Cuts Will Stay, Expand School Vouchers

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves will not budge on the state's massive tax cuts, and he wants more school vouchers enabling families to use public funds to send their children to …

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Wasabi Township, VIBE Sports Grill and Mazda of Jackson

Wasabi Sushi & Bar, which has been in operation in Jackson Place for seven years, will soon expand with the opening of a new location called Wasabi Township at The …

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Molly May

In Molly May's 23 years of life, she has had to overcome obstacles that most people her age probably did not think could happen to someone so young.

Monday, January 8

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Lt. Gov. Reeves Talks Up Mississippi Economy and Population

When it comes to Mississippi's economy and population growth, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday that things aren't so bad.

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JPS Still Closed, But Many of City's 'Peanut Brittle' Pipes Repaired

While Jackson has suffered a staggering 116 water-main breaks in the last week, Director of Public Works Bob Miller is assuring citizens that the number of new breaks has fallen …

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US Ending Special Protections for Salvadoran Immigrants

The Trump administration said Monday it is ending special protections for Salvadoran immigrants, an action that could force nearly 200,000 to leave the U.S. by September 2019 or face deportation.

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Winfrey Says 'Time is Up' for Abusive Men in Globes Speech

Oprah Winfrey earned multiple standing ovations at Sunday's Golden Globes as she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award with a moving speech referencing civil rights and the #MeToo movement, declaring …

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Victory for HB 1523, Governor as U.S. Supreme Court Declines Review

Opponents of LGBT rights in Mississippi enjoyed a legal victory this morning when the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would not review a challenge to the controversial House Bill 1523, …

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Teaira McCowan

Teaira McCowan was out of position and out of sorts in the first half of No. 5 Mississippi State game with LSU Sunday, but the 6-foot-7 junior center reasserted herself …

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Justices Won't Step into Mississippi Gay Rights Legal Fight

The Supreme Court is refusing to intervene in a legal fight over a Mississippi law that lets government workers and private business people cite their own religious beliefs to deny …

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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.

Friday, January 5

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Coast Lawmaker Named Mississippi House Education Chairman

Republican Richard Bennett of Long Beach was named chairman Friday by House Speaker Philip Gunn. Bennett succeeds Republican John Moore of Brandon, who resigned in December facing sexual harassment claims.

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UPDATED: Frozen Pipes Cause Delays, Closures at Jackson Universities

Millsaps College posted to its website yesterday, Jan. 4, that it is delaying the start of on-campus activities for the spring semester, including all athletic practices, by one week due …

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Workforce Readiness, Infrastructure Top Business Priorities in Mississippi

Infrastructure funding and workforce development are the two primary legislative goals for the state's business community, Mississippi Economic Council Chairman William Yates said at the organization's "Capital Day" on Thursday, …

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Rep. Gregg Harper

Rep. Gregg Harper of Mississippi was first elected in 2008. He said Thursday that he never intended to make a career in Congress, and "10 years will be long enough."

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AP Source: Trump Had Lawyer Urge Sessions Not to Recuse Self

President Donald Trump directed his White House counsel to tell Attorney General Jeff Sessions not to recuse himself from the Justice Department's investigation into potential ties between Russia and the …

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Public Breakup with Trump Costs Bannon a Key GOP Backer

The acrimony surrounding former White House adviser Steve Bannon's very public break with President Donald Trump is escalating, suggesting a permanent split between the president and the pugilistic strategist who …

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Some Mississippi Lawmakers Trained Against Sexual Harassment

Mississippi House members are taking training against sexual harassment, and Senate leaders are suggesting senators do the same.

Thursday, January 4

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'We're the Pigs': House Jumps the Gun(n) on Transportation Funding

While few House members seemed ready to begin work on legislation, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, three House committees met and passed five transportation-funding related bills, which Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, …

Tease photo Crime

Victims' Family Speak to Man Sentenced for 2013 Triple Homicide

Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Jeff Weill Sr. sentenced Javondus Beasley to life in prison for capital murder plus two consecutive 40-year sentences for second-degree murder today.

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Breeland Speaks

Another player is leaving the University of Mississippi football team. This time, however, it is not a player transferring to another school due to the recent NCAA sanctions against the …

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AP NewsBreak: Sessions to End Policy That Let Legal Pot Flourish

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is rescinding the Obama-era policy that had paved the way for legalized marijuana to flourish in states across the country, two people with knowledge of the …

Wednesday, January 3

Tease photo Health Care

Medicaid Meltdown?

Medicaid is arguably one of the more disliked state agencies in the Republican supermajority Legislature—constantly berated for eating up almost a sixth of the state's $6-billion budget in the last …

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Manafort Sues Mueller, Justice Department Over Russia Probe

President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman sued special counsel Robert Mueller and the Justice Department on Wednesday, saying prosecutors had overstepped their bounds by charging him for conduct that he …

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Starry Skies and Sneakers

If you know me, you probably know that Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers are one of my most favorite things in the world. I have probably about 10 to 15 pairs. …

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Fighting Like a Woman in 2018

Like many women, I grew up in a world where our careers were already subject to the approval of the men who tend to run and fund stuff, and if …

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Indie Music Week Growing in Third Year

Now, in its third year, the week-long Jackson Indie Music Week festival is held across Jackson in various venues. It features showcases, industry panels, award shows and other events, and …

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Honey, We Shrunk the General Fund: Medicaid, Education, Gang Debates Loom in 2018

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee, made up of lawmakers, adopted a budget that cuts the State's general fund by $66.1 million or 1.3 percent. The legislators' plan includes small increases …

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EDITORIAL: Equity, Transparency in Ed Formula Re-Write

From kindergarten to colleges and universities, education expenses make up more than half of the state's proposed budget.

Tease photo City & County

Council OKs Municipal Judges, Debates Bonds

June Hardwick, a Hinds County municipal judge under the first Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, returned to that post in late December after the Jackson City Council confirmed her and re-confirmed two …

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UPDATED: Top Jackson, Hinds Officials Fight Charges, Settle Lawsuits for Harassment, More

The "Weinstein era" of exposing sexual misconduct has launched many powerful and high-profile men out of their career posts and into the spotlight for their raunchy and violating behaviors in …

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Constance Hare Shelby

Perfect Fit Nutrition owner Constance Hare Shelby wants to show people the importance of a healthy lifestyle and that they can find health and nutrition outside of fad diets.

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Trump Boasts of 'Nuclear Button' but Doesn't Really Have One

President Donald Trump boasted that he has a bigger and more powerful "nuclear button" than North Korean leader Kim Jong Un does — but the president doesn't actually have a …

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Homeland Chief: Wait and See on Citizenship for Immigrants

The Trump administration would consider immigration legislation that includes a pathway to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of young people, the U.S. Homeland Security secretary said Tuesday, while emphasizing no …

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Mississippi Gay Marriage Law Affects College Baseball

College baseball is affected by a Mississippi law that lets government clerks or private business people cite their own religious beliefs to deny services to same-sex couples.

Tuesday, January 2

Tease photo National

Utah's Hatch to Retire, Opening Door to Possible Romney Run

Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said Tuesday he will not seek re-election after serving more than 40 years in the Senate, opening the door for former GOP presidential nominee …

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Mississippi Lawmakers Beginning 3-Month Session

The Mississippi Legislature has started its 2018 session with plenty of issues to consider.

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Hinds Judge Jeff Weill Sr. Will Not Seek Re-election

On the last day of 2017, Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Jeff Weill Sr. announced that he will not seek re-election to a third term in 2018. Weill was elected …

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New Interim Police Chief Anthony Moore ‘Familiar’ with National Trends

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba appointed Anthony Moore as the interim chief of the Jackson Police Department today. Moore fills former Chief of Police Lee Vance's spot, as he retired suddenly …

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Andy Kennedy

Style points were not the top consideration for the Mississippi Rebels and head coach Andy Kennedy Sunday night. The top consideration was opening the Southeastern Conference schedule as the Rebels …

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Allstate Helping Hands Grant, Downtown Fitness and Brookwood Country Club

Jackson Allstate agency owner Steven James recently joined with financial specialists and volunteers in the Jackson metro to obtain a $103,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grant to benefit breast cancer …

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Trump Accuses DOJ of Being Part of 'Deep State'

President Donald Trump accused the Justice Department Tuesday of being part of the "deep state" and urged prosecution against a top aide to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and …