Melton to File Another Lawsuit ... Against Donelson?
Mayor Frank Melton seems to be in a litigious mood this week. First, he filed a lawsuit against The Clarion-Ledger that many believe is frivolous (reported first by the JFP). …
Ladd's Barbara Blackmon Show Spot Re-Airs Wednesday
This show is re-airing on Public Access in Jackson Wednesday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m.
BREAKING: Frank Melton Sues Clarion-Ledger
Melton told the JFP Friday that he was planning to file a lawsuit against the paper.
April 18, 2006—Sources tell the Jackson Free Press tonight that Mayor Frank Melton has filed a civil lawsuit against The Clarion-Ledger for damages in the Hinds County Circuit Court. He …
Council Rejects Melton Budget; Stokes Drops Coup Effort
More details soon ...
Just got word that the City Council has rejected the Melton adminstration's new budget with its $3 increase in garbage fees. Also, Kenneth Stokes has withdrawn his coup attempt to …
BREAKING: Melton Responds to "Batman" Release
The man that Mayor Frank Melton admits being "obsessed" with has been released from jail tonight. He, along with brother Terrell Donelson and James Benton, were acquitted last week of …
Cover
On The Road Again with Frank Melton
On Sunday, April 2, photographer Jaro Vacek and I went to Frank Melton's home on 2 Carters Grove to meet with the mayor's Mobile Command Center crew for a night …
Gunning For Guns
In a new war on guns in Jackson, Mayor Frank Melton said Sunday that he is preparing an executive order outlawing gun shows in the city limits of Jackson.
'Batman' Acquitted; Melton 'Arrests' Own Witness
Last week saw a whirlwind of activity from Mayor Frank Melton surrounding the trial of three Wood Street Players—a group of alleged criminals that he calls his "obsession."
JUST IN MONDAY: Key Witness Turns Self in to Melton
Monday, 9:30 p.m.: According to Mayor Frank Melton tonight, Christopher "Smiley" Walker turned himself into the mayor tonight and is now in custody. Melton refuses to publicly disclose Walker's whereabouts, …
UPDATED: ‘Batman' and Gang Acquitted
Alleged Wood Street Players gang members Albert "Batman" Donelson, Terrell Donelson and James Benton were acquitted on charges that Albert Donelson ordered the murder of Aaron Crockett on May 10, …
Batman and Melton Return
A showdown of sorts between District Attorney Faye Peterson and Mayor Frank Melton occurred on Monday in Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter's courtroom, during motions in the trial of alleged …
Sunday In The Parking Lot With Bullets
A night of cruising went wrong Sunday night for two 21-year-old identical twins from Flora, when a bit of boisterous gun play left one of them dead and the other …
Now Online—The JFP Interview with Frank Melton
The wait is over. Almost. Frank Melton's JFP Interview. Part I.
Former D.A. Ed Peters to Prosecute Nudity Cases
Just in/verbatim from city:
At the request of the City Attorney, Sarah O'Reilly-Evans and pursuant to court order, former Hinds County District Attorney Ed Peters will begin prosecution of the January 29th cases involving …
House Concurrent Resolution 114 To Resurrect Bills
[verbatim] House Concurrent Resolution 114
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE DEADLINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND PASSAGE OF CERTAIN BILLS THAT DIED IN CONFERENCE.
Clarion-Ledger Whining About ‘Tort Reform' ... Again
Gov. Haley Barbour's media partner in "tort reform" is now whining about Mississippi's position on the U.S. Chamber's state legal climate ranking, now asking the question they should have asked …
Abortion Ban Attempt Dies in Conference
More details as they develop ...
Tonight, the 8 p.m. bill deadline came and went at the Mississippi Legislature without an agreement out of conference. Thus, the abortion ban bill died.
Barbour Vetoes ‘Partnership' Bill
GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE FOR HOUSE BILL 1115 -March 27, 2006-
I am returning House Bill 1115: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-403, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS IN THE HEALTH CARE TRUST FUND LAW; TO AMEND SECTION …
New Orleans Saints to Play in Jackson in August
[verbatim] For the second time in as many years, the New Orleans Saints are bringing NFL football to Mississippi, playing the Indianapolis Colts at Jackson's Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on …
JFP Lounge Thursday Night!
Come on out and join us at the monthly JFP Lounge Thursday night, March 23, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. in the Oyster Bar at Hal & Mal's. Just a …
Diocese Settles with 'Alleged Victims'
After many years of pain, suffering and litigation, 19 victims of priest sexual abuse are seeing some degree of closure in their fight with the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.
We Won't See If We Don't Look
The New York Times today present a "grim portrait" of the prisoner abuse committed by the U.S. in a secret unit in Iraq:
The Real Reason for the Iraq Invasion? Guess.
According to a New York Times book review, Kevin Phillips' new book, "American Theocracy," warns not only about the dangerous policies of the current administration—but of the American trends that …
Mary Johnson: Where's My House?
The Clarion-Ledger had a good story yesterday about Mary Johnson, to whom Frank Melton promised a new house if she would tear down her old one. The problem, of course, …
Open Chick Thread: Let ‘Er Rip!
This one's for whatever chick-related item is on your mind. And, yes, guys (or, at the least the ones who respect chicks) can post here, too. (Tom?)
Shop, Girl: Oooo, Raspberry Purses!
OK, grrls, here's your open thread for shopping this week. One can't talk about politics and philosophy all the time, you know.
‘My Mama's In the Jackson Free Press'
I just found the coolest posting ever on the blog of our new writer, Tiffany Fitch. The whole thing is delightful—and love her props to Rebekah's cover—but nothing beats this …
JFP Debuts New Chick Blog
te_images/chick_websize.jpg" "width="60"align=right>
Announcing our brand-new Chick Blog, a fun and serious collection of writings and blogs by and about women. You won't just find stories about lip gloss here, but you'll find …
Jackson Catholic Sexual Abuse Cases Settled
Today, attorneys announced that 19 plaintiffs suing the Catholic Diocese for past sexual abuse have settled with the church. The PDF of the announcement is posted here.
FBI Presents DA with Report on Emmett Till
The Associated Press is reporting:
The long awaited report into the 1955 killing of Emmett Till concludes no federal charges will be filed in the case, but District Attorney Joyce L. Chiles will make the …
St. Paddy's & SPQ Photos in JFP Galleries!
All, be sure to check out the JFP Galleries for several packages of photos of last year's St. Paddy's madness in Jackson. We'll be out and about again this year …
Barbour Vetoes Tobacco-Grocery Tax Bill
Following is Gov. Haley Barbour's statement today vetoing the popular effort to raise the tax on cigarettes and lower the tax on on groceries. Note that he is repeating his …
Cecilia Reese Bullock
Every time I'm in the presence of Cecilia Reese Bullock, a construction-company owner and real-estate mogul, some guy tries to pick her up. At least one. Usually more.
Generals Telling Truth About ‘Dash to Baghdad'
As Iraq teeters on a civil war the U.S. cannot control, the New York Times has an in-depth story about what happened with generals who protested the U.S.' initial rush …
Ledger Scrutinizes Melton's Bahamas Trip
It's great to see The Clarion-Ledger follow up our tip from last Friday about Melton and his two bodyguards flying to the Bahamas. This is the way local media should …
‘I Will Cream You Personally'
Looks like we left the press conference too soon yesterday! The Clarion-Ledger is reporting today that Mayor Frank Melton threatened one of their reporters:
Melton: Police Taking Over Court Services; No Crime Stats to Media
UPDATE March 16, 2006: This is now a full transcript of the mayor's press conference, addressing many issues—from crime stats to his pursuit of the Wood Street Players.
Bush Helps the Gautier Family Rebuild
And did I mention condescending?
This is so incredibly offensive.
Bill Minor Rips Sid Salter, The Chipper, et al
Columnist Bill Minor rips the Ledge's Sid Salter a well-deserved new one over his playing into the partisan Mississippi-vs.-Louisiana rhetoric. This has been one of the toughest political games to …
Testimony of Gov. Haley Barbour about Katrina - March 7
Testimony of Governor Haley Barbour to U. S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
Thank you for this opportunity to join you today to discuss the worst natural disaster in our nation's history, Hurricane Katrina. First, we in Mississippi greatly need and genuinely appreciate …
Lott, Cochran Introduce Bill for Offshore Gulf Drilling
[verbatim statement] A bill to direct revenues to Mississippi and other Gulf states, generated by the expansion of deepwater oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico, was introduced …
Pack Up and Get Out!
Video still courtesy of WAPT-TV 16
What a week. As our last issue went to press, Mayor Frank Melton was in the middle of a tantrum about alleged "Wood Street Gang" associate Vidal Sullivan going free …
Mississippians to Protest Abortion Bill TODAY
[verbatim] Alright! Tuesday, March 7, 2006 @ 2:00-3:30 all activists who are outraged with the latest attempts to ban ALL abortions in MS, join us at the MS state capitol …
Mississippi ACLU Outraged at ‘Irresponsible' Abortion Bill
ACLU OUTRAGED IN THE IRRESPONSIBLE ACTION OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Jackson, MS-- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of MS is outraged by the recent vote of the Mississippi House of Representatives to ban abortions in the state. Not only …
