Stories for February 2019 | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Stories for February 2019

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Thursday, February 28

Tease photo Politics

GOP Kills Tort Reform Amendment Requiring 'Reasonable' Safety Efforts

Businesses no longer would have to "take reasonable steps" to prevent violence on their premises after Republicans defeated a proposed amendment to a "tort-reform" bill working through the Mississippi Legislature, …

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Youth Courts, Detention May See Reforms from Mississippi Legislature

A record 459 children were in custody in 2015 in Hancock County on Mississippi's Gulf Coast—the highest number of children in detention facilities per capita in the state.

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Richard Sun, Mississippi Coding Academies

While Richard Sun spent most of his working life maximizing shareholder value, he says Mississippi Coding Academies, of which he is a co-founder, is about maximizing human capital.

Wednesday, February 27

Tease photo Crime

Bryant: GOP Would've 'Hollered' If Obama Pushed Criminal Reform

"You're the only president that can do this," Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says he privately told President Trump last year, as he urged the fellow Republican to support criminal-justice reform.

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Walker Powell

The University of Southern Mississippi was able to take game one of a three-game series against Mississippi State University in Starkville on Friday, Feb. 22, with help from right-handed pitcher …

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Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Bill Advances to Mississippi House

Mississippi lawmakers are inching forward with a proposal that could become one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation.

Tease photo National

Cohen Says Trump Knew About WikiLeaks Email Dump Beforehand

President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer told Congress on Wednesday that Trump knew ahead of time that WikiLeaks had emails damaging to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, and he testified that …

Tuesday, February 26

Tease photo Education

Hosemann Talks River Floods, Jackson Water, Yearly Teacher Pay Raises

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann expounded Monday on a lawsuit against the federal government over flooding along the Mississippi River, but said his office would not "wade into" issues …

Tease photo Civil Rights

Charles E. Cobb Jr.

Veteran civil rights activist, journalist and author Charles E. Cobb Jr. will be the featured speaker March 14 at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.

Tease photo Biz Roundup

Holy Crab Coming to Jackson, Arts Day at the Capitol and "Visual Voices"

The Mississippi Museum of Art will host a traveling exhibition called "Visual Voices: Contemporary Chickasaw Art" from March 2 to June 2, 2019, in the Gertrude C. Ford and Donna …

Monday, February 25

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District Attorney to Run as Dem for Mississippi Governor

Robert Shuler Smith, the third-term district attorney for Hinds County, recently announced that he has filed with the state Democratic party to run for governor.

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Mississippi Players Kneel During Anthem in Response to Rally

Eight Mississippi players kneeled during the national anthem in response to a Confederacy rally near the arena before the Rebels' 72-71 victory over Georgia on Saturday.

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Mike Espy Boosts Young House Candidate With Endorsement, Data

Brandon Rue, president of a student organization at the University of Southern Mississippi called Common Causeto, plans to run as a Democrat for Mississippi House District 102, the state legislative …

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Analysis: Mississippi Lawmakers Reject College Aid Changes

There could have been a shift in how Mississippi helps students pay for college after findings showed one program benefiting many affluent families doesn't appear effective, while less affluent families …

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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, February 22

Tease photo National

R. Kelly Charged With 10 Counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse

R. Kelly was charged Friday with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse, after decades of lurid rumors and allegations that the R&B star was sexually abusing women and underage girls.

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After Death in Madison Jail, Family Files Lawsuit Against County

What exactly happened in the last 24 hours of Harvey Hill's life is uncertain, but his family is charging that he died due to excessive force in the Madison County …

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"Unframed Images" at MSU, Millsaps College Players at the Arts Center and Edible Book Festival at USM

Mississippi State University Libraries is partnering with Tuskegee University in Alabama and the Southern Literary Trail to host "Unframed Images," an art exhibition honoring the work of African American photographer …

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House Dems Introduce Measure to Revoke Trump Border Edict

House Democrats on Friday introduced a resolution to block the national emergency declaration that President Donald Trump issued to fund his long-sought wall along the U.S-Mexico border.

Thursday, February 21

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Hattiesburg Ex-Mayor DuPree Running for Secretary of State

Johnny DuPree, the former mayor of Hattiesburg who was the Democratic nominee for Mississippi governor in 2011, is now running for secretary of state.

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Voucher Program Helping Seg Schools Should Go, Education Advocates Say

On Valentine's Day, a voucher program that subsidizes private schools for special- needs children got the gift of four more years from the Mississippi Senate—even though many private schools in …

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McKinely West

Senior sprinter McKinely West of the University of Southern Mississippi showed up and showed out at the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championship when he dominated at the 60-meter …

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Feds: Coast Guard Lieutenant Compiled Hit List of Lawmakers

A Coast Guard lieutenant who was arrested last week is a "domestic terrorist" who drafted an email discussing biological attacks and had what appeared to be a hit list that …

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Police: 'Empire' Actor Turns Self in to Face Charge

"Empire" actor Jussie Smollett turned himself in early Thursday to face accusations that he filed a false police report when he told authorities he was attacked in Chicago by two …

Wednesday, February 20

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Top 9: Melvin Robinson

Melvin Robinson is a local podcaster, videographer and entrepreneur that you can always find out and about, whether shooting something for 242 Creative or just hanging out at Offbeat. Here …

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Courtnie Mack: Paving Her Own Path

Courtnie Mack started singing when she was 7 and has been belting out cover songs of R&B, soul and gospel greats such as Kim Burrell, Tori Kelly, Priscilla Renea, and …

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Slave Exhibit Recreates Horrors of Transatlantic Trade

The "Spirits of the Passage" exhibit, which the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Fla., is lending the Two Mississippi Museums, will be up at the Mississippi Civil Rights …

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King (Cakes) for a Day

If you live anywhere in or near the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Alabama, chances are king cakes are pretty prevalent. Here is where you can enjoy some of the …

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Mississippi: The Battleground for Roe v. Wade’s Future?

Red states, emboldened by the Trump regime, are passing hardline anti-abortion laws aimed at triggering a reconsideration of Roe at the nation's highest court—laws like the fetal heartbeat bills the …

Tease photo City & County

EDITOR'S NOTE: Moving Forward in #TheNext200

Previous iterations of TEDxJackson commemorated areas such as Mississippi's space program and the state's bicentennial, but instead of looking at the last 200 years, this year's TEDx focused on the …

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Legislative Update: Tort Reform, Heartbeat Bills, Teacher Pay Moves Forward

On Feb. 13, the House and Senate passed "fetal heartbeat" bills, which ban abortions after a heartbeat is detected. Doctors can detect heartbeats as early as six weeks, making it …

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A Waiting Game: What’s Next with ‘One Lake,’ Flood Control?

Despite multiple roadblocks and open questions, the controversial plan to create a large lake along the Pearl River for flood control and potential development in the Jackson area continues to …

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EDITOR'S NOTE: A Woman’s Life in the Mississippi Minefield

It's tough being a woman in Mississippi. In fact, it's probably the most difficult state for women to speak our minds and publicly engage on political and policy fronts, and …

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Spencer Thomas

Jackson native Spencer Thomas, singer and drummer for local band Young Valley, says that his upcoming solo record, "Hangin' Tough," is built around the theme of perseverance in the face …

Tuesday, February 19

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James Anderson

JACKSON, Miss. (AP)—Well-known African-American physician and civil rights activist Dr. James Anderson has died. He was 82.

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Senate Passes $1,000 Teacher Pay Raise, Seeking To Address Teacher Shortage Crisis

Mississippi teachers would get a $1,000 pay raise over the next two years if a bill the state Senate passed last week becomes law.

Tease photo Biz Roundup

New Restaurant at The District, Startup Weekend Jackson and Heavenly Sweetz

Brandon native Regina Wallace opened Heavenly Sweetz Bakery inside The Hatch in midtown in October 2018. The bakery offers cupcakes, tiered cakes, pies, cookies, sheet cakes and standard cakes in …

Friday, February 15

Tease photo Person of the Day

Tommy Gollott

Republican Sen. Tommy Gollott of Biloxi, the longest-serving state lawmaker in Mississippi history, says he is not seeking re-election this year.

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EDITORIAL: State Should Not Shield Names of Officers Who Shoot, Kill

Members of the Mississippi Legislature have jumped into the middle of serious and historic problem that the City of Jackson has grappled with over the last year—whether or when law-enforcement …

Tease photo Education

Duvalier Malone at Tougaloo, International Percussion Festival and Margaret Tullos Field Symposium

Community activist, motivational speaker and author Duvalier Malone spoke at Tougaloo College on Wednesday, Feb. 13, as part of its "Real Talk" spring semester series.

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County Jail Agrees Inmates Can Receive Nonreligious Books

A south Mississippi county has agreed to allow inmates to receive non-religious reading materials, ending a lawsuit.

Tease photo National

Trump Says He's Declaring Emergency to Build Border Wall

President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will declare a national emergency to fulfill his pledge to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Thursday, February 14

Tease photo Personhood

Dem Lt. Gov. Hopeful Voted for Abortion Ban So White Dems Don't Go Extinct

Hit with a wave of anger from his own party after he voted for a bill that essentially bans abortions after six weeks, Mississippi House Rep. Jay Hughes offered a …

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Chelsea Causey

Senior forward Chelsea Causey kept Jackson State University's winning streak going over the weekend with her play against Alcorn State and Southern universities.

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US Judge Orders Remap of a Mississippi State Senate District

A federal judge ruled Wednesday that one of Mississippi's 52 state Senate districts violates the Voting Rights Act because it does not give African-American voters an "equal opportunity" to elect …

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Mississippi Advances Ban on Abortion After Fetal Heartbeat

Mississippi is working toward enacting one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation, in a race with other states to push a legal challenge to the more conservative U.S. …

Wednesday, February 13

Tease photo Politics

Tate Reeves Spoke at Event Where 'Yankees' Were Compared to 'Nazis'

Surrounded by cotton and Confederate flags, Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves praised the Sons of Confederate Veterans at their national reunion in Vicksburg in July 2013.

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Mississippi Ban on Tanning Beds for Those Under 18 Advances

Children younger than 18 would be banned from using tanning beds in Mississippi under a measure passed Wednesday by the state Senate.

Tease photo City & County

State May Block Naming Jackson Officers Involved in Shootings

The public-transparency efforts of the City of Jackson in the last year may be for naught if legislation working through the Mississippi Legislature to protect identities of officers who shoot …

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Delinquent Water Customers Seeing Turn-offs As City Copes With Deficits

This week the City of Jackson started making good on recent warnings with water shut-offs for approximately 20,000 customers who are late paying their water bills, many resulting from problems …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Anne Moody

The Mississippi legislature passed a bill to name a stretch of highway in Wilkinson County after Anne Moody, a civil-rights activist who wrote a memoir titled "Coming of Age in …

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Two Mississippi Governor Candidates: No Blackface or KKK Robes

Two top candidates for Mississippi governor say they have never worn blackface or costumes such as Ku Klux Klan uniforms.

Tuesday, February 12

Tease photo Biz Roundup

Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society Show, Mississippi Scholastic Art Awards and Reunion Golf & Country Club

The Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society will hold its 60th annual show at the Mississippi Trade Mart Feb. 23-24.

Tease photo Politics

Hood: Judge Tate Reeves for 'Rebel Flags,' Not Frat's College Blackface

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood "did all kinds of stupid things in college," but he is "sure" wearing blackface is not one of them, he told a crowd in Jackson …

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LaDavius Draine

LaDavius Draine scored a career-high 22 points as Southern Miss narrowly beat Louisiana Tech 73-71 in overtime on Saturday.

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Budget Deal Allows Far Less Money than Trump Wanted for Wall

Congressional negotiators reached agreement to prevent a government shutdown and finance construction of new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, overcoming a late-stage hang-up over immigration enforcement issues that had threatened …

Monday, February 11

Tease photo Politics

'Landowners' Tort Reform Bill Would Mean 'Safe Zones' for Crime, Critics Say

Mississippi senators delighted the business community last week when they passed a bill to cut down on lawsuits against property owners, but strong opposition remains among law enforcement, advocates for …

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Jackson Ups Water Shutoffs Amid Millions in Unpaid Bills

Officials in Mississippi's capital say they've increased water shutoffs for customers delinquent on bills from roughly 30 a day to 200 a day to address years of issues affecting the …

Tease photo State

Mississippi Sues Federal Government Over River Flooding

The state of Mississippi is suing the federal government for $25 million or more, claiming a dam that keeps the Mississippi River from changing course is harming state land.

Tease photo 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.

Friday, February 8

Tease photo Politics

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves' Fraternity Wore Black Face, Hurled the N-Word at Black Students

As a college student at Millsaps, Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves participated in a fraternity known for blackface, racial epithets and Confederate dances, a Jackson Free Press examination of Millsaps …

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Mississippi Considers Limiting Property Owners' Liability

Mississippi senators are advancing a bill that would limit people's ability to sue property owners for injuries or other problems.

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City's Plan for Zoo: Bring in St. Louis Operator, Keep in West Jackson

The Jackson Zoo likely will get a new operator, and one with no intentions to move the facility from its long-time home in west Jackson to eastern edge of Jackson.

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Frank Laws

Belhaven University recently named Frank Laws, a 1991 graduate of the university, as its new director of advancement and alumni relations.

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Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network, Black History Month at USM and Science Night at the Museum

The Center for Creative Leadership and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation recently named two Jackson State University professors, Robert Luckett and Byron Orey, as participants in the WKKF Community Leadership Network.

Thursday, February 7

Tease photo Personhood

Fetal Heartbeat Ban 'A Direct Challenge to Roe,' Activists Warn

Abortion-rights activists are warning that Mississippi's fetal-heartbeat bills, and others like them, are part of an effort to instigate a U.S. Supreme Court case that could overturn constitutional protections for …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Reggie Perry

Reggie Perry, a Thomasville, Ga., native, is the second five-star recruit to sign with the Mississippi State University Bulldogs under Head Coach Ben Howland.

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House Seeks College Graduate Tax Breaks, but Could be Costly

Mississippi could become the latest state to begin offering incentives to recent college graduates who remain in or move to the state, as lawmakers seek to stem the state's falling …

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US Judge Hears Arguments in Mississippi Redistricting Case

A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday about whether African-American voters in part of Mississippi have a chance to elect a candidate of their choice in a state Senate district with …

Wednesday, February 6

Tease photo National

OPINION: Ralph Northam: No Second Chance

Today, if a politician is confronted with evidence of their racism, they simply apologize or attempt to deflect blame in order to stay in office, despite having demonstrated that they …

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DIY Upholstered Headboard

I wanted to give my bedroom a facelift for the new year, and I decided the perfect start would be a glam new headboard. The whole thing came together for …

Tease photo Music

Shenandoah: Ready & ‘Reloaded’

When the Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo returns to Jackson from Feb. 7 through Feb. 13, another southern institution will be returning with it: Grammy Award-winning country act Shenandoah.

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Trendy Times

Some wedding trends never end, and some are timeless, like white dresses, destination weddings, churches and more. We want them to stay, but there a few trends that are new …

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Love, Life and Local Events

This Valentine’s Day, celebrate by supporting local businesses and restaurants, and attending local events.

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OPINION: Talking About ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’

For those of you who have read the book "If Beale Street Could Talk," the film is as heart-wrenching and depressing as the book. For those of you who have …

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Beyond Angry Tweets: Robert Foster on Why He is Running for Governor

Mississippi House Rep. Robert Foster is running for governor in the Republican primary, running against current Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican from Florence, Miss., among others.

Tease photo City & County

Behind the Badge: Two JPD Officers Who Shot Multiple People in Jackson

After about a year of asking, the Jackson Free Press learned the names, current status and in eight out of nine cases, the details of officer-involved shootings since Mayor Chokwe …

Tease photo Politics

#MSLeg: Broadband, Abortion, Prison Reform

On Jan. 31, legislators in the Mississippi House Education Committee advanced to the House floor a bill designed to help prepare schools for the worst: the possibility of gun violence.

Tease photo Jacksonian

Beth Morgan Cowan

Beth Morgan Cowan, a 41-year-old Greenwood, Miss., native and current Jackson resident, turned her dream of empowering women while owning her own business into reality in 2007 with the founding …

Tuesday, February 5

Tease photo City & County

EDITOR'S NOTE: Doing Good Things in JXN

In a 2008 study, researchers at Harvard University found that doing good deeds raises a person's level of happiness. Other studies have shown that happiness can create a positive feedback …

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Mississippi Bill Would Ping Companies That Boycott Israel

Mississippi lawmakers could ban the state from investing in companies that boycott Israel. The state House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday passed House Bill 761 , which would set the ban. …

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Study Finds 'One Lake' Project Poses Costly Public Health Risks

The "One Lake" proposal has hit another major hurdle. A report commissioned as part of the project's draft study has found the project poses serious public and environmental health risks.

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Jackson Cop Involved in 3 Shootings; Teen Shot 2 Times in Back, Family Says

Officer Anthony Veasey was involved in three separate shootings in Jackson in 14 months since November 2017, including an exchange of gunfire that hit an 18-year-old two times in the …

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Mississippi Won't Reinstate Law Allowing No-Judge Seizures

Mississippi lawmakers won't allow police to resume seizing cash, guns and vehicles without going before a judge.

Tease photo Biz Roundup

2019 Governor's Arts Awards and TEDxJackson

The sixth annual TEDxJackson will take place on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the Craig H. Neilsen auditorium at the 2 Mississippi Museums complex.

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Mississippi Lawmakers Reject Move to Let Farmers Grow Hemp

Mississippi lawmakers are turning back an attempt to legalize growing industrial hemp in the state.

Monday, February 4

Tease photo Civil Rights

OPINION: Hate Crimes Are Still a Problem. Lawmakers Could Help.

Within the past few weeks, hate crimes have been splashed across cable news and newspaper headlines.

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School Safety Act Includes Mental Health, School Surveillance Provisions

Mississippi's children go to school in places "of potential violence," Gov. Phil Bryant lamented in his State of the State address last month, as he called on lawmakers to craft …

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Proposal Would Make Mississippi Voter ID Law Stricter

A proposal would set a shorter deadline for Mississippi voters to show photo identification if they forget it on Election Day.

Tease photo 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.

Friday, February 1

Tease photo Person of the Day

Kenny Griffis

A new justice has been sworn in to serve on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Kenny Griffis of Ridgeland was surrounded by family Friday as he took his oath from the …

Tease photo Immigration

Mississippi Immigrant Rights Group Calls for Action from Lawmakers

Members and supporters of the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance held a rally to urge lawmakers to pass legislation to make life better for the state's documented and undocumented immigrants.

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MSU Idea Shop, Emerge Exhibit at Belhaven and Millsaps Internship Program

The Mississippi State University Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach recently named Michael Lane, who graduated from MSU in December 2018 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, as program coordinator …

Tease photo National

US Pulls Out of Cold War-Era Nuclear Treaty, Blaming Russia

The United States announced Friday that it was pulling out of a landmark nuclear arms control treaty with Russia, accusing Moscow of violating the Cold War-era pact with "impunity" by …