Not This, Not That
In her newest book, Karen Armstrong expands on a premise I first came upon in her 2001 book, "The Battle for God," in which she wrote that religious fundamentalism is …
Charter Schools Bill Passes Senate
In a 29 to 14 vote yesterday, the Mississippi Senate passed a bill allowing for the creation of new charter schools in the state starting in 2011, reports GulfLive.com. The …
House Voted to Sell Jet
On the Mississippi House list of ways to deal with the state's budget crunch is selling the state's jet used by Gov. Haley Barbour. Last week, House lawmakers voted to …
Bill Advocates School Bus Ads
In a 94-21 vote last week, Mississippi House members voted to allow advertising on school buses as a measure to offset some of the state's budget belt-tightening, reports The Sun …
Former Choctaw Chief Hospitalized
Phillip Martin, the former chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, has been hospitalized at St. Dominic's Hospital in Jackson. Martin, 84, held the democratically elected post of the …
Phil Speaks: Six More Weeks of Winter
Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil of weather-prediction fame came out of his Pennsylvania hole this morning to give the world bad news: we're in for six more weeks of winter. Phil, who …
A Lottery for Mississippi?
State Rep. Alyce Clarke, D-Jackson, has introduced a bill allowing voters to decide whether the Magnolia state will institute a lottery to help pay for college scholarships, reports WAPT. The …
Monday: School District Merger Meeting
Monday, Feb. 1, the Commission on Education Structure will hold its second meeting to discuss how best to achieve school district consolidation in Mississippi. The meeting is scheduled for Room …
Mississippi Unemployment Tops Double Digits
The average unemployment rate for the Magnolia state was 10.3 percent in December, slightly higher than the national average of 9.7 percent. For Mississippi, that percentage translates into 133,700 individuals …
2010
<b>The Royal Treatment<b/>
What better way to honor our local businesses, nonprofits and personalities than with a huge Best of Jackson awards issue every January?
2010: Beyond Jackson
<b>Best Casino for Gaming and Best Casino for Restaurants</b>
The chiming of slot machines welcomed me with their happy mantra: "Win money. Win money." No, I wasn't in Las Vegas, but at the Ameri star Casino Hotel in Vicksburg. …
Best of Jackson 2010: Food & Drink
<b>Best Restaurant and Best Place to Impress a Date:</b>
If this were a question on the SAT, it might read: "Andre Previn is to the orchestra pit as Derek Emerson is to the (a) kitchen, (b) dining room, (c) …
2010: Urban Living
<b>Best Locally Owned Business</b>
Jeff Good and his business partner, Dan Blumenthal, know the secret to success in the restaurant business, and it's not rocket science: Provide top-notch service and delicious quality food every …
Filmmaker Behind ACORN Scandal Arrested
The FBI in New Orleans has arrested James O'Keefe, 25, the amateur filmmaker whose film is the basis of the scandal that decimated ACORN last year. O'Keefe and three others …
Stokes to Propose Pay Raises
Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes will propose $2-per-hour pay raises for employees of the city's Public Works Department reports WAPT. Stokes is aiming the raises at those who have worked …
Jackson Water Update
Parts of the city of Jackson served by its well-water system continue to be subject to a boil-water notice, according to a release issued this morning. Pressure has now risen …
Ballet Competition Names Mitchell
The USA International Ballet Competition has named Arthur Mitchell as the honorary chairman of the 2010 Jackson competition scheduled for June 12 through June 27, 2010. Mitchell is the founding …
Pickering in Court Today
Former U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering will appear in Madison Municipal Court this afternoon at 1 p.m., along with youth soccer coach Christopher Hester. Pickering and Hester filed simple assault complaints …
Franks Responds to Barbour's State of the State
[verbatim] Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Franks today released the following response to Gov. Barbour¹s State of the State address:
State of the State Tonight
Gov. Haley Barbour will deliver the twice-delayed Mississippi State-of-the-State speech tonight at 6 p.m. The speech, postponed because of water issues in Jackson, will air live on Mississippi Public Broadcasting …
Weekend Events
The water's back on and there's no freezing in the forecast. It's time to get out of the house and enjoy the weekend! Be sure to patronize the local Jackson …
Currier Named Top Health Officer
The state Board of Health named Dr. Mary Currier as Mississippi's state health officer on Wednesday. Currier has been fulfilling the role for the Department of Health since her predecessor, …
Barbour Again Reschedules Speech
Gov. Haley Barbour has rescheduled the annual state-of-the-state speech, originally scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 12, for Monday, Jan. 18. The governor postponed the speech last Monday for tonight due to …
Jackson Water Crisis: Day 3
Gov. Haley Barbour extended the state of emergency for Jackson in the wake of more than 100 water-main breaks in the city, spilling roughly 22 million gallons of water. Parts …
Beth Smith
Beth Smith will puncture holes in any preconceived notion you might have about women who serve in the Mississippi Army National Guard. Pretty, petite, bursting with energy, a non-stop smile …
Water Emergency Closings
Numerous schools and businesses will close early or remain closed throughout the day due to water main breaks around the city of Jackson. Call ahead to find out whether your …
Barbour to Deliver State of the State
Gov. Haley Barbour will deliver the annual Mississippi State-of-the-State speech tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. from the state capitol. The speech will be broadcast live by Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
City Issues Boil Water Notice
[Verbatim from the City of Jackson] The City of Jackson Water/Sewer Utilities Division has issued a precautionary boil water advisory until further notice for all customers on the City's well …
Weekend Happenings
For intrepid souls, this weekend's big thing is the third annual Mississippi Blues Marathon, kicking off at 7 a.m. Saturday at Capitol and State streets. Come out and show your …
Commission Denies Allstate 65 Percent Hike
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney sent a letter yesterday denying a request from Allstate Property and Insurance Co. to more than double rates for 51,000 residents state-wide, reports the Associated …
JFP Giraffe of the Day: Ruby
Dec. 8, 2009, was a banner day for the Jackson Zoo and for its resident reticulated giraffes, Diamond and Casper. On that Tuesday, Diamond gave birth to her seventh calf, …
Jackson Prepped for Frigid Temps
The Jackson area will see temperatures drop below freezing by around 6 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service, and won't see anything above 32 degrees until Sunday. With …
Hood Offers Census Cautions and Tips
Attorney General Jim Hood is cautioning Mississippians to take care when revealing information in the upcoming 2010 census. Although he urges everyone to cooperate with census takersthe census determines levels …
‘Chopper Bob' Rall
"Chopper Bob" Rall, Mississippi's only helicopter traffic reporter, and the "Skycopter" have been staples in the Jackson skies since 1997. Rall was 12 when he moved to Jackson in 1954 …
German Manufacturer Coming to Tunica
At a press conference yesterday, Gov. Haley Barbour announced that German company, Wilh. Schulz GMBH, has selected Tunica, Miss., just south of Memphis, for a new pipe manufacturing facility. The …
Barbour Again Seeks More Budgetary Power
Gov. Haley Barbour, in a letter addressed to Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and House Speaker Billy McCoy, has again asked for additional power to cut Mississippi's state budget. Citing lagging …
Casting Call Saturday
Paramount Pictures will be in Jackson Saturday, Jan. 2, looking for a young actress to star in the new Coen Brothers' film, "True Grit," which will begin shooting in spring. …
Barbour Wants 68 Percent Cuts to Ed Programs
Gov. Haley Barbour is recommending cutting education programs for gifted, special and vocational programs by 68 percent, reports WLBT. Making such deep cuts to state funding for the programs would …
‘Tough Times' in Mississippi
The non-profit Center for Social Inclusion released a new report "Tough Times in Mississippi: Housing and Poverty," last week showing that the Magnolia state is one of the hardest hit …
Alabama Dem Switches to GOP
In a move that some Democrats find unsurprising, first-term Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith announced yesterday that he was switching his party affiliation from the Democrats to the GOP. In a …
State Ranks High for Happiness, Religion
In separate nationwide reports, Mississippi gets high scores in happiness and religion. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta released a report ranking the states for happiness. The …
Mark Scurlock
Donut entrepreneur Mark Scurlock is delivering Christmas a few days early for Jackson. This morning, Scurlock celebrated the grand opening of his new location at 125 S. Congress St. at …
Senate Health-Care Bill Clears Crucial Hurdle
The U.S. Senate won a victory early this morning in the health-care debate, reports The Washington Post. In a 1 a.m. 60-to-40 vote, Senators approved the first of three procedural …
Weekend Happenings
News for procrastinators: Only five more days 'til Christmas! If you're still looking for a perfect, one-of-a-kind gift, head to the artists open house at the North Midtown Arts Center …
College Tuition Increases Possible
One of the things the Mississippi College Board is considering to offset the decrease in state funding is to increase tuition for students. During yesterday's meeting at the state Institutions …
Scott Rallies State Workers
Brenda Scott, president of the Mississippi Alliance of State Employees CWA/AFL-CIO, is spreading the word about Gov. Haley Barbour's proposed cuts to the state budget. Those cuts could affect not …
