We, the Unhealthy
Last year, Mississippi ranked No. 1 overall for the unhealthiest citizens in the U.S. and No. 49 in the number of physicians per capita. A quarter of our 2-year-olds haven't …
Will Senate Allow Stimulus Discussion?
Last week, the Mississippi House passed a resolution to override Gov. Haley Barbour's decision to reject some of the stimulus funds for the state. Barbour has stated that he will …
Resuscitating Voter ID
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant wants the voters to decide whether the state should require Voter ID
Hood Warns of Stimulus Scams
[verbatim from the Mississippi Attorney General's office]
Attorney General Jim Hood, along with the Federal Trade Commission, is warning consumers about bogus web sites and emails promising to help them qualify for a payment from President Obama's …
Calls Needed This Weekend
[verbatim from Mississippi Health Advocacy Program]
On Thursday, the State Senate debated and passed the Medicaid Technical Amendments bill, H.B. 105. Thanks to your support and calls, the bill was amended to include language that would …
Bill for Pardon and Parole Accountability on Hold
Yesterday, the Mississippi Senate passed a bill that would make the governor's right to pardon convicted felons more accountable to their victims and to the communities where they committed their …
Melton Behind on Taxes, Again
Full JFP Melton Archive/Blog Here
2009 JFP Interview with Melton, Part I
Partnership for Prescription Assistance in Jackson
[verbatim] The 'Help is Here Express' bus tour will be stopping in Mississippi the week of March 9-13 at various cities throughout the state in order to help uninsured and …
Supreme Court Upholds Drug Lawsuit
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of consumers and against drug makers, upholding a $6.7 million award to a musician who had her arm amputated following an injection.
State Jobless Rate Tops 9 Percent
The Mississippi unemployment roles swelled in January to 9.2 percent, a rate higher than the national average of 8.5 percent. In December, the state reported a 7.6 percent rate.
Nissan to Expand Canton Plant
Despite declining auto sales worldwide, Nissan announced plans today to expand its Canton, Miss. plant to produce a new commercial vehicle, according to a release:
Wicker Seeks to Deny Funding for U.N. Agency
Yesterday, Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker announced in a release that he has introduced an amendment to bar U.S. funds from the United Nations Population Fund. The Obama administration's $410 …
Lewis Leaves City Job, Seeks Council Seat
Jackson City Council President Dr. Leslie McLemore has confirmed that former Community Improvement Division Code Enforcement head Joe Lewis left his city job as of last Friday to pursue the …
The Ledger's Overblown Blustering on Earmarks
Politicians and mainstream media, especially Republicans and other opponents of the new administration, are all aflutter concerning the earmarks in President Obama's first budget. This morning, The Clarion-Ledger declared: "Candidate …
One in 69 Mississippians Behind Bars
A new study from the Pew Center on the States reveals that one in 38 adult Mississippians is in prison or jail, or on probation or parole. The state's ranking …
Study Reveals Conservatives Prefer Porn Online
A new study published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives indicates that eight of the top 10 "red" statesstates that identify themselves as more conservative and religious than others, and …
House Passes Jackson Sales Tax Increase
The Mississippi Legislature has passed a bill designed to give the city of Jackson additional funds for road repair and additional police and fire fighters.
Whitlow to Announce Candidacy
Rick Whitlow, former sports director and anchor at WJTV, will formerly announce his intention to run for mayor of Jackson tonight.
Mississippi's Gain is Michigan's Loss
Gov. Haley Barbour announced yesterday that United Chair, owned by Haworth, Inc. of Holland, Mich., is adding 125 jobs at its Bruce, Miss., location. The addition of jobs in north …
Bluntson Collapsed at Groundbreaking
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton told the Jackson Free Press that city Councilman Frank Bluntson, Ward 4, collapsed during a groundbreaking this morning.
Is the Federal Budget a Moral Issue?
In my Jackson Free Press column of Feb. 18, "It Starts at Home," I wrote about how the nation's reprioritizing for prosperity needs to begin in our own back yard. …
Meet Jackson's Democratic Mayoral Candidates
[verbatim] On Saturday, February 28, 2009, Young Democrats of Mississippi (YDMS) will host a candidate forum for all Democratic mayoral candidates in Jackson. The forum will be at 1:00 p.m. …
FEMA Extends Housing Deadline
March 1 was to be the deadline when victims of Hurricane Katrina had to leave the temporary housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. After nearly five years, some …
Mississippi Gambling Recession-Proof?
Casino gambling revenue in Mississippi exceeded $221 million in January, reports Forbes.com, an increase of 8 percent over December, though statewide revenues were down $3 million over January 2008.
Fresh Start 2009 Career & College Fair
[verbatim] Are you looking for a new job for the New Year or are you ready to take the next step to getting that degree? Then the Jackson Medical Mall …
Alternative Schools Fail on Education
[verbatim]ACLU Report Reveals Breakdown In Mississippi Alternative Schools
JACKSON, MS – Alternative schools in Mississippi are not adequately helping struggling students to succeed academically, leaving too many of the state's children to drift toward dropout and failure, according …
HB 561: Frozen Embryos are Children
Last week, Mississippi Rep. John Mayo, D-Clarksdale, sent an e-mail to his constituents concerning House Bill 561, the "Human Embryo Adoption Act." In his e-mail, Mayo disparaged the fact that …
Judge Questions Jurors as Deliberations Continue
- Kenya Hudson's Melton-Recio trial photos here.
Barbour Still ‘No' on Federal Funds
Gov. Haley Barbour reportedly renewed his criticism of the Obama administration's economic bailout package during the National Governors Association winter meeting in Washington, D.C. this past weekend.
Repubs 'Slapping Themselves on the Back'
Every Friday morning, Daily Kos compiles stats showing how the folks in Washington are doing according to the people. Despite Republicans tripping over themselves to take credit for the economic …
Schools to Receive Federal Aid
Millions from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go toward Mississippi's struggling public education system, according to WXVT 15 in the Delta.
Be a Beekeeper
Have you been looking for a green hobby? Check into beekeeping.
The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce has announced the dates of upcoming workshops that will recruit, educate, and increase participation for new beekeepers in Mississippi.
FBI Seeks Cold Case Info
[verbatim]In February 2006, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) enacted an initiative to identify and closely examine all unsolved hate crimes resulting in death that occurred prior to 1970. A …
Legislators Honor Lasalle
The Mississippi Legislature honored soul singer and Belzoni native Denise Lasalle today with a "resolution saying she had made a 'lasting impact' on rhythm and blues music," according to the …
Barbour Mum about Federal Stimulus Funds
As of Wednesday morning, Gov. Haley Barbour has yet to announce whether he will accept funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which could provide Mississippi with $2.3 billion …
House Approves Draft Budget
The Mississippi House passed the first draft of the $5 billion state budget for the coming year on Tuesday, according to an AP report appearing on News Channel 3, WREG …
Obama Pushes Stimulus Transparency
In signing the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act today, President Barack Obama has embarked on what could be the defining action of his young presidency.
Small Business Loan Clinic
[verbatim] SBA Loan Clinic Available To Entrepreneurs Seeking Financing JACKSON, MS – The U. S. Small Business Administration's Jackson District Office will conduct a Loan Clinic on Tuesday, March 3rd …
JPS Names Teacher of the Year
Jackson Public Schools has named Murrah High School English teacher Stacey Donaldson as Jackson's Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009.
Saints Release Deuce
It seems not even professional football is immune to the economy.
Earlier today, the Associated Press announced that the New Orleans Saints have released running back Deuce McAllister "in a move that reduced the team's payroll as free agency approaches."
McDonald's Customer Survey Scam
[Verbatim from the Attorney General's office] Attorney General Jim Hood warns Mississippi citizens of a fraudulent email circulating in a form that claims to be a McDonalds Customer Satisfaction Survey. …
House Approves Medicaid Hospital Measure
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journail is reporting that the Mississippi House has approved a $45 million assessment on hospitals in a compromise to cover part of the $90 million shortfall …
Southern Miss Players Arrested
Police arrested two University of Southern Mississippi football players Sunday night in Hattiesburg, according to an AP report appearing on the Sports Illustrated Web site.
House Outlaws Traffic Cameras
The Mississippi House sent a bill to the Senate today that will effectively outlaw red-light cameras. HB 1568 will restrict local law enforcement's use of cameras to assist in traffic …
Mississippi Mourns Two Journalists
In recent days, two outstanding Mississippi women journalists have died.
Mildred Dearborn was the long-time editor of The Carthaginian until two years ago, when she suffered a stroke. Dearborn died on Feb. 11.
Senate Kills Public Records Access Bill
The Mississippi Senate shelved a bill designed to make public records more accessible to the public, according to The Greenwood Commonwealth,
Handy Hardware Coming to Mississippi
[verbatim from the Governor's office]
Jackson, Mississippi - Governor Haley Barbour announced today that Handy Hardware, a member-owned hardware buying group, will open a distribution center in Meridian. The company plans to employ more than …
"Give Kids a Smile" Today
[verbatim from the Jackson Medical Mall] Some Jackson students are going to see the dentist for the very first time, thanks to the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation and the University …
