Friday, September 30
Money, Medicaid, Social Justice Dominate Black Caucus' Town Hall
The state budget, expanding Medicaid and social-justice issues were hot topics at a town-hall meeting the Hinds County members of the Legislative Black Caucus hosted Thursday at the Mississippi Capitol. The group focused on key policy issues the caucus hopes to address in the upcoming legislative session.
JPD, Fair Commission Say No Payment, Security Problems This Year
The Jackson Police Department and the Mississippi State Fair Commission say they are confident there will not be a repeat of last year's litigious ending to a disagreement about overtime pay for police security at the fair.
Claude Stuart
Comedian Claude Stuart, a Greenville, Miss., native currently residing in Los Angeles, is returning to Mississippi for the first time in four years to put on a show at The Hideaway tonight, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m.
Jackson Police Chief Says Officer Fired After Bribery Charge
A Jackson police officer has been fired after being indicted on a federal bribery charge.
Thursday, September 29
Robert Shuler Smith Reinstated as Hinds District Attorney, Despite Indictment
Robert Shuler Smith is the District Attorney of Hinds County again, effectively immediately after the Mississippi Supreme Court today overturned an order barring Smith from his duties.
JPD Needs Almost $1 Million for Overtime, Council Approves Funds
The Jackson City Council approved adjustments to the final 2017 City budget today, including an additional $996,173 for the police department to cover overtime on the last paychecks of 2016.
Cycling for a Cure
Lori Newcomb was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer in 2013. She says that while stage III is pretty far along to be diagnosed, it is not uncommon among ovarian-cancer patients because the symptoms are difficult to detect.
Patrick Kelly
Vicksburg-native fashion designer Patrick Kelly's mission was to make people smile. His designs were whimsical and playful, often including elements such as multi-colored buttons and bows.
Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Receives $17 Million in Grant Funds
The FAA through the Airport Improvement Program and MDOT awarded grant funds to support airfield construction projects at both the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) and Hawkins Field Airport (HKS).
Judge Lets Pro-Charter School Groups Join Lawsuit Over Money
A Hinds County judge will let three groups that favor charter schools intervene in a lawsuit challenging whether such schools can legally receive Mississippi education money.
Wednesday, September 28
The Slate
Sunday produced two shocking bits of news in the sports world. First, LSU fired head football coach Les Miles with a 2-2 record, and second, golf great Arnold Palmer passed away.
Fair Schedule
2016 Mississippi State Fair schedule
Don’t Go Fair-Food Crazy
Like most state fairs, the Mississippi State Fair isn't exactly the place where you can always find the healthiest food. But why would you want to? Most people go for a day or two, and they want to have fun and not worry about their waistbands or health.
Interesting Foods to Try at the Mississippi State Fair
Fairs tend to attract people from all over the nation, and many of them have interesting foods to try.
Keeping Things Local
David Raines, a professional chef in Madison with more than 14 years of experience in restaurants around the United States and the world, decided to go into business as a butcher with the opening of The Flora Butcher on Aug. 1.
How America Sees ‘Them’
With the recent extrajudicial killings, i.e. murders, of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Paul O'Neal, Tyre King, Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott, as well as the attempted murder of Charles Kinsey, the unpleasant reality of the one-sided relationship between criminal justice and the black community was once again thrust to the forefront of the national consciousness.
Save the Arts, Save the Arts Council
By cutting funding to the Greater Jackson Arts Council, the City of Jackson administration ends a 35-year-long legacy of providing access to funding and support for those with the least amount of exposure to the traditionally white-only art network. Barring a major shift by the administration, Jackson has to develop ways to buttress the arts community or prepare to do without.
Define Your Scar
We all have scars. I know mine is a physical scar, and others' might be mental, but it's there. My scar is a source of strength, power and love of self. I defined my scar. What's your scar, and what does it give you?
The State of Mississippi’s Debt, Finances
The State of Mississippi is in an $8.4-billion financial hole, a new report based on the State's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, or CAFR, shows.
The Comeback: Adult Education on the Rise
Former famed attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs says he found purpose in prison by helping educate his fellow inmates. In federal prisons, any inmate without a high-school equivalency diploma is required to take classes toward earning one.
Is Mississippi Too Selective with Charters?
Some parents in Mississippi who don't want to send their children to district schools or private schools have another option: charter schools. But as these publicly funded, privately run schools have proliferated across the nation, Mississippi's charter-school growth has been relatively sluggish. Only three charter schools exist in the state, all of which are in the Jackson area.
FBI Director: Database Coming on Police Use of Deadly Force
The FBI will have up and running within two years a database that tracks instances of police use of deadly force, FBI Director James Comey told members of Congress on Wednesday.
It Started With Ramen
I had real ramen for the first time last year at one of the Mississippi Museum of Art's Museum After Hours events. And I don't mean the instant kind. I was so excited that I took a photo of it and then quickly devoured it.
Susan Olmsted
Cathead Distillery Marketing Manager Susan Olmsted says one of the reasons she has always been drawn to small business is because the people in it have to rely on each other more than in larger businesses.
A Merry Land
The Center Players Community Theatre, an organization that operates in the Madison Square Center for the Arts, will do a production of "The Wizard of Oz" Sept. 29 through Oct. 2.
Building Great Shapes
For Texas-based indie pop-rock quartet Great Shapes, the band was something of a happy accident.
Arts Council’s Future Uncertain, Some Cry Foul
In uncertain financial times for the City of Jackson, some council members worry that the mayoral administration could deploy departmental cuts, such as the defunding of the Greater Jackson Arts Council, as political salvos.
Henley-Young Increases Mental Health Care
Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center will soon be able to offer mental-health assessments and treatments after a court-appointed monitor's report led the county to allocate $190,000 to expand the facility's staff.
Tuesday, September 27
Alleged Smith-Turner Connection Revealed in Case 16-120
The connection between Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith and Darnell Turner, a criminal defendant named in one of the six counts that Smith faced originally, has been something of a mystery.
Penguin Closed for Good, UMMC Child Health Initiative, More on Local 463
The Penguin Restaurant & Bar, originally slated to reopen this fall after closing for renovations on Friday, July 8, posted a message to Facebook on Sept. 24 stating that the restaurant will not be reopening.
Robert Hicks
"The Orphan Mother" has been a long time coming for Franklin, Tenn.-based novelist Robert Hicks. Even in the author notes of his 2005 New York Times bestseller, "The Widow of the South," Hicks recounted his fascination with the story of ex-slave Mariah Reddick, whose former owner, Carrie McGavock, was the titular "widow" in his first novel.
Monday, September 26
Youth Court Judge Sues Hinds County Over Budget
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors finds itself caught between two judges in their efforts to address issues at the Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center.
Mississippi Subsidizes Advanced Placement Test Fees
Historically under-served students will have increased access to advanced-placement tests, thanks to a $189,781 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Jerry Rice
In sports, the word "greatest" gets thrown around a lot. Just do a quick Google search, and you will find articles from the greatest football quarterback to the greatest badminton player.
Houston Authorities: 6 Wounded in Shooting; Suspect Dead
Houston authorities say a gunman who wounded six people at a strip mall on the city's southwest side before dawn Monday is dead.
Mall Shooting Suspect: 'Creepy,' Multiple Arrests, Disputes
The 20-year-old man suspected of killing five people with a rifle at a Macy's makeup counter was described by a neighbor as so "creepy, rude and obnoxious" that she kept a Taser by her front door. He also had a string of run-ins with the law in recent years, including charges he assaulted his stepfather.
Debate Night: Clinton, Trump Set for High-Stakes Showdown
After months of tangling from afar, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will confront each other face-to-face for the first time in Monday night's presidential debate, laying out for voters their vastly different visions for America's future.
Charlotte Ends Curfew Imposed After Black Man Shot by Police
Charlotte lifted its midnight curfew, signaling movement toward normalcy after a state of emergency was imposed following the shooting death of a black man by police last week that brought National Guard troops and armored vehicles to downtown street corners.
Doubts Remain After Charlotte Police Shooting Video Released
Charlotte police released dramatic video Saturday that shows officers with guns drawn surrounding a black man with his hands at his side before shots are fired and he buckles and falls. It's unclear if there was anything in the man's hands in the footage, which has done little to assuage his relatives.
Sunday, September 25
Ole Miss Chancellor Calls Student's Online Comment 'Racist'
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The University of Mississippi chancellor on Friday condemned a student's online comment about lynching as "racist, offensive and hurtful" after dozens of other students said the chancellor's initial response to the comment was weak and insensitive to African-Americans.
Les Miles is Out, Orgeron Head Coach at LSU
LSU fired coach Les Miles and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron on Sunday, and promoted defensive line coach Ed Orgeron to interim head coach.
Saturday, September 24
Analysis: As Prison Closes, State Still Reckons with Debt
If you've got to keep paying for something, you might as well use it. That, more than anything, might be the logic behind the announcement from Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Marshall Fisher last week that the state prison system intends to seek new uses for the recently closed Walnut Grove Correctional Facility.
Friday, September 23
Rule Changes to Civil Service Commission Under Fire
The City of Jackson Civil Service Commission reinstated an employee of 25 years, who had been laid off before others with less tenure, raising questions about an Aug. 11 change to rules outlining how the administration chooses which employees leave first. The layoffs are part of the City's budget-cutting efforts, but some feel they are targeting the wrong employees.
Study: Mississippi Has 'Two School Systems'
Mississippians in the highest income-tax brackets have enjoyed the limited economic growth the state has seen since the Great Recession, according to a recent report by Loyola University in New Orleans.
Tracy DeVries
In February, the Women's Foundation of Mississippi hosted a fundraising event called SMART Party to raise money for the organization. The fundraiser drew in crowds of people willing to donate and support the cause. Tracy DeVries was among them.
Civil-Rights Session for Mississippi Teachers Set for Oct. 8
A workshop next month will show north Mississippi teachers how to develop lessons about local civil-rights history.
Thursday, September 22
Sheriff: Volunteer Deputies on Bikes to Patrol Downtown 'Transients'
Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason wants to sweep away the "transient" population downtown with a bike-and-foot patrol comprised of reserve officers, all without expense to the county.
Ridgeland, HUD Reach Settlement in 'Shifting Demographics' Dispute
Just a few months after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development filed a complaint against the City of Ridgeland for alleged violations of the Fair Housing Act, it announced a conciliatory agreement with that city yesterday.
Scott Stricklin
Mississippi State University needed a new athletic director in 2010 after Greg Byrne left to take the position of vice president of athletics at the University of Arizona. He made a couple of homerun hires in head football coach Dan Mullen and head baseball coach John Cohen during his two years as the athletic director for the Bulldogs.
Charlotte Under State of Emergency in 2nd Night of Protests
Authorities in Charlotte tried to quell public anger Wednesday after a police officer shot a black man, but a dusk prayer vigil turned into a second night of violence, with police firing tear gas at angry protesters and a man being critically wounded by gunfire. North Carolina's governor declared a state of emergency in the city.
Wednesday, September 21
Planned Parenthood Pushes Challenge of Mississippi Law
Planned Parenthood is asking a federal judge to quickly rule in its favor and overturn a Mississippi law that bans Medicaid spending with any health care provider that offers abortion.
City of Ridgeland Agrees to Stop Seeking Removal of Apartments
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi city has agreed with federal officials to stop trying to zone 1,400 apartments out of existence.
14 Great Things About Jackson
The Jackson Free Press has officially been in business for 14 years this week. Yay, us! A lot has changed for the JFP since the early days in a one-bedroom apartment on Fortification Street, and much has changed in Jackson since our first issue celebrating the "Rise of the Creative Class" here.
The Slate
Former MSU quarterback Dak Prescott has been impressive in his first two NFL starts. On Sunday, Sept. 18, Prescott got his first NFL win with a 27-23 victory over Washington.
I’m a Mississippian by Choice—Twice
Wait, you were out of Jackson ... and you came back?" The man's face was incredulous. He couldn't understand why someone would leave Jackson, Miss., and then consciously return. But then again, I had spent the last 15 minutes hearing him rant against our capital city.
Help Kids with Action and Planning, Not Ego
It's a tough time for children in Jackson, and in Mississippi overall. Truthfully, at least when it comes to poor children, the state has never been especially kind or helpful to them.
A Stranger in a Foreign Land
My heart skipped a beat and then pounded so hard that I thought it was coming out of my chest. What had the pretty little French store clerk said? My worst nightmare!
Cuts to City Budget Hurt, Surprise
Patricia Phillips bought a white 2014 Mazda 6 last November because she felt confident in her steady paycheck and supervisor position at an early-childhood care center with the City of Jackson.
Fostering Children on a Faith-based Fast Track
Children in the State of Mississippi's custody have few options when the new Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services remove them from their homes. The Jackson metro area and a few surrounding counties together have 272 foster homes—but 1,099 kids who need a place to go. Almost half those foster kids live in Hinds County.
Eric Knapp
Pastor Eric Knapp says that on Mother's Day in 2001, God finally made it clear to him what his vocation would be.
The Right to Be Politically Incorrect
As I saw all the anger that mostly white people were hurling at Colin Kaepernick for simply taking a knee to make a point, I could see how much his protest really mattered.
State Stiffs After-School Programs
In addition to project-based learning, SR1 kids travel statewide and compete in robotics tournaments and visit college campuses. They perform well on state-testing assessments across all subject areas, not just math. Even their parents get help from SR1on how to advocate for them as students.
First Steps, Big Strides
Growing as a musician has been a rapid process for Seth Power. While many Jacksonians know him from performances at this year's Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival and the American Cancer Society's Giving Hope a Home event, it wasn't long ago that a music career was far from a priority for the Brandon-based singer-songwriter.
Bringing Gumbo (Girl) to the People
In 1999, Marilyn Kithuka fed her curiosity about gumbo, making her first pot from a box of Zatarain's mix. She loved it so much that she began sharing the dish with her family, and later, she decided she should create her own recipe.
Preppin’ for November: ‘Y’all Vote’
With the presidential election drawing near, Mississippians who are registered to vote can change their addresses up until the day before the election due to new rules the Mississippi Legislature passed last session.
Tuesday, September 20
The DA’s Puzzling Accusations
A week after Special Judge Larry Roberts ordered files unsealed in the wide-ranging charges against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for allegedly improperly trying to help a defendant, the files were still not in public view as at press time.
JSU Spokeswoman: No Foul Play Suspected in Student Death
A Jackson State University spokeswoman says there's "no evidence of foul play" in the death of a student whose body was found in a men's dormitory.
One Eastover Center, Community Garden, Charlie Graingers and Local 463
On Sept. 7, the developers of The District at Eastover, a multi-use development in northeast Jackson, acquired One Eastover Center from Eastover Jackson, LLC. One Eastover Center is a Class A office building and parking garage.
Donald Trump Jr. Likens Syrian Refugees to Poisoned Skittles
Donald Trump Jr. has posted a message on Twitter likening Syrian refugees to a bowl of poisoned Skittles.
Monday, September 19
Census: Child Poverty Rose in Mississippi in 2015, Now Almost One-Third
Mississippi was the only state where the number of children in poverty increased in 2015, while child poverty rates are declining nationally or remaining constant in other states. More than 31.3 percent of the state's children still live in poverty, a University of New Hampshire analysis of Census Bureau data show.
Hinds Supervisors Want Consortium for Continental Tire Hiring
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors wants a business consortium to help prepare and promote local contractors for Continental Tire projects, but passed the work of clarifying the organization's details on to the Hinds County Economic Development Authority.
Barbara Turner Bankhead and Laverne Greene Leech
In 1966, Columbus college freshman Diane Hardy enrolled at Mississippi State College for Women, along with her two friends Barbara Turner Bankhead and Laverne Greene Leech. They were the first black students to ever do so.
World Leaders at UN Approve Plan for Refugee Crisis
With more people forced to flee their homes than at any time since World War II, global leaders on Monday approved a declaration aimed at providing a more coordinated and humane response to the refugee crisis that has strained resources and stoked divisions from Africa to Europe.
More Than 800 Immigrants Mistakenly Granted Citizenship
The U.S. government has mistakenly granted citizenship to at least 858 immigrants who had pending deportation orders from countries of concern to national security or with high rates of immigration fraud, according to an internal Homeland Security audit released Monday.
Minnesota Mall Stabbing Could Be Realization of Terror Fears
Authorities are investigating the stabbings of nine people at a Minnesota mall as a potential act of terrorism, a finding that would realize long-held fears of an attack in the immigrant-rich state that has struggled to stop the recruiting of its young men by groups including the Islamic State.
Congress Struggles to Finish Zika Aid, Prevent Shutdown
Congressional negotiators on Monday pressed to wrap up a must-do spending bill to prevent an election-season government shutdown and finally provide money to battle the threat of the Zika virus, but numerous sticking points remain.
Saturday, September 17
USM to Cut Nonresident Tuition in Bid to Boost Enrollment
The University of Southern Mississippi is cutting tuition for students from outside the state in a bid to boost enrollment and revenue.
Friday, September 16
Education Chief Touts Wraparound Services in Mississippi
Ask Arlesia Gilson, a sixth-grader at Carver Elementary School, how her school changed in recent years and she says, "It got harder." But four years into a five-year, $30 million grant, U.S. Secretary of Education John King said he believes education in Indianola has gotten better.
Feds Order William David "Butch" Dickson to Pay $5.4 Million
William David Dickson, aka "Butch" Dickson, 60, of Jackson, was ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Tom S. Lee to pay restitution to the bankruptcy estate of Community Home Financial Services, Inc., in the amount of $5,442,004.58, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis, Acting U.S. Trustee Henry G. Hobbs, Jr. of Region 5, FBI Special Agent in Charge Donald Alway and U.S. Marshal George White.
JSU Research: Confederate Symbols Could Disrupt Heart Rates, Physiology
A federal judge last week struck down a lawsuit a Mississippi man brought against the Confederate emblem in the Mississippi state flag, saying plaintiff Carlos Moore did not prove that the flag had injured him. But new pilot research from Dr. D'Andra Orey and his team at Jackson State University could prove that Confederate imagery can have an adverse affect on a person's physiology.
Land Auction Underway in Georgetown Area
Out of the more than 3,000 tax-forfeiture properties the State of Mississippi holds in Jackson, 375 are up for grabs in two active online auctions.
Shaka Senghor
Shaka Senghor is a living example of how a person can turn a difficult life around. He is a former convicted murderer turned college lecturer, author and director's fellow of the MIT Media Lab.
Trump Finally Says President Obama Was Born in the US
After five years as the chief promoter of the false idea that President Barack Obama wasn't born in the United States, Donald Trump admitted on Friday that the president was — and claimed credit for putting the issue to rest.
Mississippi Sets New Score Levels for A-to-F School Grades
Mississippi's public schools and districts have a new scoring system in place for assigning A-to-F grades after a series of dustups that started last month.
Thursday, September 15
Walnut Grove Prison is Officially Closed
The Walnut Grove Correctional Facility in Leake County closed today after years of allegations of sexual abuse, illicit drugs and physical abuse of inmates by correctional officers, which eventually led to the removal of youth from the facility.
Court Denies Virginia GOP's Challenge on Felon Voting Rights
Virginia's highest court on Thursday rejected Republican lawmakers' latest challenge to Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe's efforts to restore voting rights to thousands of felons who have completed their sentences.
Hearing Set for Mississippi Man Charged With Killing 2 Nuns
A man charged with killing two nuns in Mississippi is scheduled for a court hearing Friday, where prosecutors will present some evidence before the case goes to a grand jury.
13-Year-Old Boy With a BB Gun Killed by Police in Cleveland
A black boy. A white Ohio police officer. A pellet gun that looked like a real weapon. And a deadly shooting.
Detectives: Suspect in Florida Mosque Fire Confessed
An ex-convict who posted anti-Islamic rants online confessed to setting fire to a mosque that the Orlando nightclub shooter occasionally attended, and said he was embarrassed by the crime, according to an arrest affidavit released Thursday.
State Fund Mismanagement Threatens Afterschool Programs Like Shoestring
A month after the Mississippi Department of Education announced it would slash 21st Century Community Learning Center grants, kids at Operation Shoestring, a nonprofit afterschool program in Jackson, still make time to learn and play.
HB 1523 Brings Gov. Bryant Another Award, Group Says Not 'Anti-Gay'
The Heritage Foundation awarded Gov. Phil Bryant a Conservative Leadership Award in Washington, D.C., earlier this week, for signing House Bill 1523 into law in April.
Margaret Walker
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Margaret Walker's book "Jubilee," the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University is hosting a symposium and reception on Friday, Sept. 16.
John Maxwell
For the second time, New Stage Theatre is performing "Steel Magnolias." This year's production began on Sept. 13 and is directed by John Maxwell, best known for his play, "Oh, Mr. Faulkner, Do You Write."
Judges Mull Jackson Developer's Appeal of Securities Ruling
Mississippi Court of Appeals judges are considering whether a Jackson developer who was ordered to pay more than $600,000 for securities violations must post an appeals bond while he tries to overturn that ruling.
Wednesday, September 14
Mayor: City Closing Grove Park Golf Course
The City of Jackson's Department of Parks and Recreation on Wednesday, Sept. 14, began the process for planning the closure of the Grove Park Golf Course and identifying personnel cuts in response to the City Council's changes to the fiscal year 2016-2017 city budget.
Authorities: Arrest Made in Arson Fire at Florida Mosque
An arrest has been made in the arson fire that heavily damaged the Florida mosque Orlando nightclub gunman Omar Mateen occasionally attended, a law enforcement official said Wednesday.
Attorney Seeks to Revive Lawsuit Against Mississippi Flag
A Mississippi attorney is trying to revive his lawsuit challenging the Confederate battle emblem on the state flag.
Update from Clinton's Doctor: Democrat is 'Fit to Serve'
Hillary Clinton is "recovering well" from pneumonia and remains "fit to serve as President of the United States," her doctor said in a letter released Wednesday by her campaign.
The Slate
It was a great day for NFL football on Sunday, unless you had a fantasy team on ESPN. The sports network's fantasy football site and app crashed before the noon games started.
On Post-9/11 Unity
When people recall the events of 9/11, they generally view it as a day of immense tragedy. Yes, heroic actions took place that no billion-dollar comic-book movie will ever be able to emulate, but 9/11 is judged as a day rife with death, paranoia and fear. However, the days following 9/11 will always be looked upon as days of unity—as long as you were not "A-RAB," "Muzzlim" or displayed "foreign" features, of course.
Don’t Let Up on the State Flag: It Must Change
Mississippians have attempted to change the state flag in several venues: ballot initiatives, lawsuits and petitioning lawmakers to pass legislation. So far, nothing has worked.
Normalizing White Supremacy
Upon reading an article that author David Edwards wrote about an interview on CNN where host Soledad O'Brien had a few things to say about the network "profiting off the hate speech that has fueled Donald Trump's political rise," I began to think.
When State Agencies Lose Their People
The Mississippi Department of Health can have a hard time keeping nurses because they can earn more if they go to work for other hospitals, an attrition problem that afflicts many state agencies and, ultimately, Mississippi taxpayers.
Where Did the City Tax Revenue Go?
Deborah Williams, a 911 dispatcher with the City of Jackson, spoke before the Jackson City Council on Sept. 2, admonishing the administration for freezing 11 vacant positions in her department.
Banking on Justice: Climbing Out of Poverty in the Mississippi Delta
In the Mississippi Delta, one of the poorest regions in the United States, buying a home is often out of reach. And lenders have a history of unfairness to African Americans. As a result, it's been difficult for Delta residents to build any assets.
Looking for Leaders, Equitable Thinking
For years, I figured I'd like to go through Leadership Greater Jackson, but it "wasn't the year" for me—not enough time to commit or money or both—but this year, when I learned someone was willing to nominate me, I asked around and got good feedback from former participants, so I took the plunge.
Elaine Maisel
From crafting matching outfits for her Barbie dolls as a child to painting gnomes for her garden as an adult, Elaine Maisel's fascination with the miniature world has manifested itself in some way or another throughout her life.
Analysis: The DA’s Role in Freeing Defendants
Last week, a Hinds County grand jury indicted District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith, along with one of his assistant district attorneys, for felony charges for hindering the prosecution of Christopher Butler, essentially replacing the State's earlier misdemeanor charges against the DA, which were dropped earlier the same week.
Narrowing the Private vs. Public Prison Debate
In May 2012, a correctional officer at the Adams County Correctional Center in Natchez died in a 250-inmate riot at the facility. Prisoners at the facility were upset with the low-quality food and medical care, as well as correctional officers they considered disrespectful.
A Two-Soul ‘Soliloquy’
As objects, clouds and crayons aren't exactly an obvious combination—a few miles do separate the two, after all. For Jackson music duo Clouds & Crayons, on the other hand, collaborating just made sense.
Tuesday, September 13
UPDATE: Despite Mayor's Protests, Council Cuts Yarber's Office Budget, Travel
The Jackson City Council today approved cuts to travel for all departments, as well as cuts to the mayor's office and the chief administrator's office, to push back against the closing of the City's Americorps program, which focuses on community improvement projects by youth. It was slashed in order to balance the City's proposed budget.
New Deep South Pops, Brent's Anniversary, Baker Donelson and Cuba Business Seminar
Deep South Pops (1800 N. State St.), an artisanal shop that sells organic ice pops made with local ingredients, in addition to coffee, gelato, baked goods and more, will open a new location at Highland Village in two weeks.
Kelly Jacobs
Community activist and four-time Democratic National Convention delegate Kelly Jacobs recently received the honor of having one of 10 dresses she made in support of President Barack Obama put on display at the New York Historical Society Museum.
Mississippi Charter Board Rejects Plan for 3 Jackson Schools
Mississippi's Charter School Authorizer Board Monday rejected an application from an Ohio-based group to open three elementary schools in Jackson, meaning the board will approve no new charter schools this year.
Mississippi Gospel Singers Perform for Members of Congress
A gospel choir and a soloist from the Mississippi Delta are preparing to sing for members of Congress.
2 in Runoff for Jackson-Area Seat in Mississippi House
A runoff election will fill a vacant seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives.
Monday, September 12
Judge Unseals All Documents Related to District Attorney Saga
Special Judge Larry Roberts ordered all the documents related to the case against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith unsealed, and set hearing dates to settle motions with a tentative trial date of Dec. 19, 2016.
Vote Synarus Green For District 72 Tuesday, Sept. 13, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
We encourage registered votes in Mississippi House District 72 to vote for Synarus Green in Tuesday's run-off special election.
Chad Kelly
Playing just five days after an emotional loss to Florida State, quarterback Chad Kelly threw for 219 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Rebels to a 38-13 victory over Wofford of the Football Championship Subdivision level.
Groups: Mississippi's C-Section Rates Too High
Just because a mother has had a C-section for a previous birth does not mean she has to have one in her subsequent births. That was a primary message Saturday when more than 100 people gathered in Fondren Saturday for the 2016 Improving Birth Rally and Family Expo, sponsored by several local businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Judge Argues Against Unsealing Mystery Case Without Redactions
By the end of today, the public might regain access to sealed court documents concerning the recent charges against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith, although one of the judges thinks that the DA's allegations are "unsupported by the actual documents and hearing transcript" for one sealed case, No. 16-120.
Pneumonia Diagnosis Fuels Questions About Clinton's Health
For weeks, Hillary Clinton dismissed questions about her health as little more than a conspiracy theory, part of a "wacky strategy" cooked up by rival Donald Trump as he embraced an "alternative reality."
Video Shows Man Approaching Florida Mosque Before Fire
Someone set fire to the mosque once attended by Omar Mateen, the man who opened fire at an Orlando nightclub in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, authorities said Monday. No one was injured.
Friday, September 9
DA’s ‘Adversarial’ Relationship with Judge Weill, Turner Details Surface in Motion
District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith showed up in the chambers of Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill on May 11 of this year to get a cell phone back, then sent two “threatening text messages” to the judge later that day.
Public-School Rankings Present Concerns for Districts, Families
Even though Davis Magnet International Baccalaureate Elementary School in the Jackson Public School District is ranked an A by the Mississippi Department of Education—and the best elementary school in the state by SchoolDigger.com— principal Dr. Kathleen Grigsby says it is too early to celebrate.
Eastover Line Project Comes Under Scrutiny
The Eastover Drive water-line replacement project is drawing attention to the methods engineers have used while overseeing the project, causing some in City government to take notice.
Don Penzien
Don Penzien, founder and director of CelticFest Mississippi, started the annual event 25 years ago to help familiarize Mississippians with Scottish and Irish traditions, especially those who may have Scot-Irish roots and aren't aware of it.
House Conservatives Serve Notice to Ryan and Clinton
House conservatives have wasted no time since returning from their summer recess showing just how tough they can make life for Speaker Paul Ryan—and for Democrat Hillary Clinton if she becomes president.
On Russia-Backed TV Network, Trump Doubts Russian Influence
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump told a Russia-funded television network that "it's probably unlikely" that Russia is trying to influence the U.S. election.
Thursday, September 8
State Flag Lawsuit Dismissed, But Judge Leaves Door Open for Future Case
U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves dismissed Grenada-based attorney Carlos Moore’s lawsuit today, which challenged the constitutionality of the Mississippi state flag.
Eli Manning, Wife, Pledge $1M to Mississippi Pediatric Care
The University of Mississippi Medical Center says New York Giants quarterback and Ole Miss alumnus Eli Manning is pledging $1 million to its campaign to improve neonatal and pediatric care.
'Staff Error' Turns into 1.6-Percent Cut to Most State Agencies
Mississippi is only two months into the new fiscal year, and Gov. Phil Bryant has announced that he will reduce or "adjust" the state budget by $56.8 million to account for a "staff error" that state lawmakers admitted back in May.
Jackson Elementary School Ranked Best In State
SchoolDigger.com, a popular school-ranking website, has rated Davis Magnet International Baccalaureate Elementary School the best elementary school in the state of Mississippi.
Mike Tramp
From the flag-clad troubadour on its posters, to its rock-heavy lineup, to the title of the event itself, Freedompalooza is clearly going all in on its all-American theme. However, that doesn't mean that everyone performing for the event will actually be American.
Lochte Banned Through June 2017, Loses $100,000 in Bonuses
Ryan Lochte is banned from swimming through next June and will forfeit $100,000 in bonus money that went with his gold medal at the Olympics, part of the penalty for his drunken encounter at a gas station in Brazil during last month's games.
Clinton Blasts Trump's Comments on Military Generals, Putin
Hillary Clinton blasted Donald Trump Thursday for his condemnation of American military generals and his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying her Republican opponent had "failed" at proving he can be commander in chief.
Mississippi Officer Back at Work Weeks After Fatal Shooting
A white police officer is back at work in northeast Mississippi, weeks after a grand jury declined to indict him in the shooting death of a black man who ran from a traffic stop.
Wednesday, September 7
UPDATED: Indictment Snares Attorney Previously Used to Defend DA Smith
Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith was the high-profile name listed in a three-count felony indictment today. But the other is an assistant district attorney who Smith’s attorney claims can help prove that the state attorney general’s office has ulterior motives in pursuing the local prosecutor.
Mississippi Governor Cuts Spending 2 Months into Budget Year
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is cutting $56.8 million from the $5.8 billion state budget to make up for an accounting error.
Hinds DA Indicted, Arrested for Hindering Prosecution, Two Felonies
JACKSON— Attorney General Jim Hood announced today that a Hinds County grand jury has indicted Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith on two felony charges, accusing Smith of conspiring with an assistant DA to hinder prosecution of a criminal defendant.
The Slate
It will be a long time before anyone forgets MSU's and UM's blown leads to South Alabama and Florida State, and USM's 34 unanswered points in a comeback win over Kentucky.
Indigo Girls: Lost Days, Found
For nearly three decades, folk musicians Emily Saliers and Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls have been near-household names for their work in the music industry and in activism.
Nine Rules of Brain-Healthy Eating
Over the years, neuroscientist and brain-imaging expert Dr. Daniel Amen has refined nine rules of brain-healthy eating.
City Cuts to Meet Falling Tax Revenue
The Jackson City Council is dealing with another cut to the proposed budget since the administration announced it must strip away another $500,000 in expenditures for fiscal-year 2017.
LaDaryl Watkins
LaDaryl Watkins says she's always been active and loves people, and wanted to combine the two. She is currently a co-coordinator in The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi's health and wellness department.
‘Fairer, Flatter’: State GOP Craves New Tax Code
A "fairer, flatter tax code" is the goal for Republicans who are leading the tax-policy panel, made up of the most powerful politicians in the statehouse. The group has started its self-assessment of Mississippi's tax structure and is soliciting opinions from outside the state as well.
What Makes Ole Miss Special
With the University of Mississippi's decision to discontinue the use of "Dixie" at athletic events, the all-too-predictable uproar of those who site "heritage," "tradition," and "political correctness" surfaced in Internet comments and letters to the editor.
City Must Pick Up the Pieces, Move On
The City of Jackson needs to do whatever it takes to keep from being ruled and stagnated by rumors and lawsuits. And let's be honest, after the lawsuits filed against Mayor Tony Yarber and the administration, a lot of rumors are flying around.
A Topsy-Turvy World
I didn't make it to the recent Donald Trump rally in Jackson, but I'm sure my ears would have perked up as soon as the Republican presidential candidate began attacking NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
Perfecting Flight
Terrence and Rotoniya Kendrick, Mississippi natives and owners of Perfect Flight White Dove Releases, have started giving events a special touch.
Giving Hope With Hats and Wigs
Just a little ways from the entrance to the Cancer Center at Merit Health Central in Jackson is the Magnolia Garden, a boutique that gives cancer patients a chance to find peace and feel better about themselves.
Why You Should Report Sports Injuries
Underreporting sports injuries can lead to athletes' injuries worsening.
Plan Your Meals
For many people, part of eating healthy means doing a lot of planning, which can seem daunting. Luckily, many apps on the market can help. Here are a few.
City Council Braces for More Lawsuits
Jackson City Council members are left wondering how many more lawsuits they will have to deal with in the coming months, and how those could affect the City's woeful budgetary position.
Raining Paper Cats and Dogs
Inside Cassandre Connolly's Siwell Middle School art class on a recent Thursday morning, it was raining paper cats and dogs.
Tuesday, September 6
Trump, Bryant Stooping for Nervous White Vote
You can't make it up. The governor who is fighting to enact an anti-LGBT law in Mississippi is working diligently to get the Ku Klux Klan's choice for president elected to the White House. And that isn't even the amazing part.
DA Smith’s Charges Go to Grand Jury
A Hinds County grand jury will decide whether Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith should be charged with assisting defendants.
Study: 'Glaring Inequality' in Juvenile-Justice System Fines and Fees
The juvenile-justice system can pose financial burdens on youth depending on their economic background and the color of their skin. A new study, conducted by the Juvenile Law Center, found that juvenile court fines and fee structures more severely affect poor families and exacerbate racial disparities in the juvenile-justice system.
City Announces Water Bill Payment Plan
The City of Jackson is offering a payment plan to those that wish to chip away at water bills that Mayor Tony Yarber referred to as “monstrous.”
Ritzy Rags, Brow Bar By Incense and New Chef at Fratesi's
Last week, Pam Fratesi, owner of Fratesi's restaurant, brought in her son-in-law, Nick Secoy, as the restaurant's new head chef.
Nick Mullens
Nick Mullens ran for two 1-yard touchdowns—including the go-ahead score late in the third quarter—and passed for two TDs as Southern Miss scored 34 unanswered points to upset Kentucky 44-35 in its season opener on Saturday night.
Saturday, September 3
City of Jackson Begins Layoffs to Balance Budget
The city of Jackson has laid off 28 employees in preparation of creating a balanced budget.
Friday, September 2
Few Law Firms Pitch to Defend Lawsuits Against the City of Jackson
The Jackson City Council heard short, three-minute presentations from local law firms for the contract to represent Jackson in the recently filed discrimination lawsuits.
Mayor, City Asks for Patience on Sales-Tax Projects Like Potholes
Mayor Tony Yarber kept his comments uncharacteristically short during the Thursday-night public-information session about the 1-percent sales-tax projects, telling a small crowd in Thalia Mara Hall to be patient as the repairs work their way across the city.
Hispanic Teen Stabbed, Crime Down in Precinct 4
Central Mississippi has seen a spate of violent crime against the growing Hispanic and Latino community in recent months, notably the front-yard robbery and murder of Daniel Omar Gomez and Eli Nunez during a weekend cookout on Westhaven Drive with loved ones.
Slain Nuns Being Honored in Funerals in Kentucky, Wisconsin
Two nuns who devoted their lives to helping the needy are being remembered in funerals, a week after they were stabbed to death in their home in a poverty-stricken Mississippi county.
Kaepernick, 49ers Teammate Kneel During National Anthem
While a naval officer sang the first notes of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and dozens of military members unfurled an oversized flag on the football field, Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid dropped to one knee on the San Francisco 49ers' sideline.
Baptist Hospital Groups in Mississippi and Memphis May Merge
Leaders of two Baptist hospital systems say they're exploring a merger.
Thursday, September 1
Florida Braces for 'Life-Threatening' Hurricane Hermine
Tropical Storm Hermine strengthened into a hurricane Thursday and steamed toward Florida's Gulf Coast, where people put up shutters, nailed plywood across store windows and braced for the first hurricane to hit the state in over a decade.
Two Racial Discrimination Lawsuits Filed Against Metro Police
Two lawsuits pending in the Jackson metro area involve racial discrimination, one by a black Madison County officer and another by a white officer against the Jackson Police Department.
Gov. Bryant Has Problem with Universities Taking Down the State Flag
Gov. Phil Bryant told reporters Tuesday that he is concerned over state universities taking down the state flag, though, mainly due to concerns about following state law.
Javancy Jones
In the three seasons he has been on the field for JSU, Jones has terrorized opposing offenses.
Health Officials Confirm First West Nile Virus Death of 2016
Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) confirms the death of a Hinds County resident from West Nile virus (WNV), the first WNV human death of 2016.
Poll: More Voters Trust Clinton on Health Care
From Medicare to medical costs, more voters trust Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to do a better job on health care issues facing the nation, according to a poll out Thursday. But they're not holding out hope for big improvements.
10,000 Syrian Refugees Find New Home in US
On Sunday, Nadim Fawzi Jouriyeh participated in a ceremony in Amman, Jordan, to mark the United States hitting its target of taking in 10,000 Syrian refugees in a year-old resettlement program. On Wednesday, the 47-year-old former construction worker and his family were walking grocery aisles, stocking up on roasted chicken, milk and lemons for their new home outside San Diego.
Trump Retreats from Vow to Deport All Living in US Illegally
Donald Trump is retreating from his vow to deport everyone living in the United States illegally, even as he sticks with an aggressive tone on illegal immigration and remains committed to building a physical wall along the U.S. border with Mexico.
Michelle Owens
Gov. Phil Bryant has nominated a Jackson physician to serve on the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure.