No Pomp, Lots of Circumstance
Today marks my last day of online classes at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where I've spend the last three years studying graphic design. I won't fly to Pittsburgh next month for the graduation ceremony, but I'll be pleased as punch when my associate's degree arrives in the mail.
‘Sunshine Law' Pushes Costs Up
By the time the legislative session ended in early May, lawmakers had passed two controversial bills that are likely to result in expensive legal battles. One requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at local hospitals and be certified obstetrician-gynecologists, and another formally adopts the voter-identification constitutional amendment passed last fall.
Summer Festival Guide
As the temperature ratchets up and the youngsters (and not-so-youngsters) taste the sweet freedom of the school year's end, it begins to "officially" feel like summer. To me, summer just means great music festivals. If you didn't get out to those we covered earlier in the month, fear not - - Mississippi still has plenty of festivals for the rest of us.
Downtown Projects Move Ahead
New York-based developer Full Spectrum South is working on plans to purchase the property for the first phase of the Old Capitol Green project from the state by the end of June.
Team of the Day: Rice Owls
The Conference-USA Baseball Championship comes to Trustmark Park in Pearl for the second year in a row. The championship starts today (Wednesday, May 23) until the championship game Sunday, when the best of C-USA will be on display.
Snakes Infest Jackson Cul-de-sac
Two Jacksonians have a dangerous problem most city residents rarely come across: snakes. Monday, they went to the City Hall to ask for help with the slithering pests.
Catholics Sue Over Birth Control Rule
Jackson's Roman Catholic diocese, along with a dozen other Catholic organizations, have joined in a lawsuit with dozens other dioceses and groups nationwide contesting President Barack Obama's administration's rule to most health insurance plans to include birth control without a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible.
Persons of the Day: Mayor's Youth Council
A group of Jackson high-school students recently traveled to the nation's capital to learn about government and safe-driving policies.
JPS Accreditation Hearing Underway
Less than an hour after signing the contract to become Jackson Public Schools' next superintendent, Cedrick Gray was sitting in a hearing to determine whether or not the district will lose its accreditation.
Gray Signs Contract with JPS
Jackson Public Schools finally has a new superintendent. Dr. Cedrick Gray signed a contract this morning to take over as superintendent effective July 1.
Gas in, Saggy Pants Out at Supervisor's Meeting
Everybody knows the price of gasoline is too darn high, but Hinds County District 5 Supervisor Kenneth Stokes believes some gas station owners are also "cheating us."
Lynn House
The State Board of Education named Lynn House, Ph.D., interim State Superintendent of Education Thursday. Superintendent Tom Burnham will retire June 30.
Community Events and Public Meetings
Eighth Annual JFP Chick Ball July 28, 6 p.m., at Hal & Mal's (200 S. Commerce St.). The fundraising event benefits the Center for Violence Prevention, and this year's goal is to start a rape crisis center. For ages 18 and up. Seeking sponsors, auction donations and volunteers now. More details: jfpchickball.com and follow on Twitter @jfpchickball. Get involved, volunteer, and donate art, money and gifts at [e-mail missing]. $5 cover; call 601-362-6121, ext. 16.
Melton Bodyguard is Sheriff's Internal Affairs Chief
The person in charge of rooting out corruption inside the Hinds County Sheriff's Department is Marcus Wright, a former Jackson police officer and bodyguard to late Jackson Mayor Frank Melton.
Stadium of the Day: Smith-Wills Stadium
Baseball and fast-pitch softball fans should be excited this weekend. The high school baseball and fast-pitch softball state championships will be on the line this week.
It's the Weekend!
Research shows that low-income youth suffer significantly from a loss of academic skills over the summertime, resulting in losses that contribute to an achievement gap that can make the difference between whether students set out on a path for college or decide to drop out of high school. Saturday, May 19 at 12 p.m., Operation Shoestring and community partners are working against this trend by providing parents and students with fun activities to promote summer reading at the Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), supplying the materials to continue these activities at home throughout the summer, and helping parents and students navigate the JPS Summer Reading Manual. There will be snacks, library card registration, story-telling time, and more. This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Robin Walker at 601-353-6336.
Nick Hanauer's 'Controversial' TED Talk–Tax the Rich?
Then it's interesting to look around you at the economy and think... Huh.
Available in its entirety on YouTube, Nick Hanauer's 6-minute TED talk has proven controversial because TED doesn't want to post it. While some call it "political," it may simply be a clear, concise refutation of the idea that the "rich" are "job creators" that ought not be taxes. It's particularly poignant when you see where middle-class salaries have gone over the last 30 years of our Great Trickle-down Experiment, and where effective tax rates are.
Sagging Pants: Unsightly, sure, but illegal?
The City Council in Columbus passed an ordinance this week banning sagging pants, the Clarion-Ledger reported. The ordinance is a revision to the city's current indecent exposure policy and carries a penalty between $75 and $250.
Curious Louise
Louise Borden was looking through a copy of Publisher's Weekly in 1995 when she learned a curious fact. A short article mentioned that children's authors H.A. Rey and Margret Rey had escaped the Nazi occupation of France on bicycle carrying the first manuscripts of what would be "Curious George."
Bryant Signs Voter ID Bill
Despite Gov. Phil Bryant signing the voter-identification bill recently passed in the Legislature, the measure isn't law just yet. The federal government still has to OK the controversial measure before it can take effect.