Voter Shenanigans Could be Costly
A curious exchange took place between Rep. John Hines, D-Greenville, and Republican Speaker Philip Gunn of Clinton over the weekend, as the Legislature hammered a budget for state agencies.
Laughing All Over Again
Fans of the original Mel Brooks movie "Young Frankenstein"—or anyone who is just looking for a good time at the theater—should check out the Broadway musical coming to Thalia Mara Hall May 8 and 9. W. Kessler Ltd.
Cinco de Mayo: The Kid Version
If taking your kids out for virgin margaritas on May 5 isn't quite what you had in mind, consider attending the second annual Cinco de Mayo event at the Mississippi Children's Museum.
Forgotten Lore
"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, / Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore," begins Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven."
Celebrating Jerry Clower
My first brush with Jerry Clower was in 1971 when I was in an Army barracks in Baumholder, Germany. Two of my platoon mates (still friends some 40 years later) were listening to a scratchy record on a portable, battery-operated record player.
It's Not Too Late to Plant
For those who have been thinking "I'd like to start an organic garden this year," it's not too late. Lots of folks plant during the first week in May.
What's in a Label?
When food shopping, how do you know what you're buying? You may be surprised at the misleading information on labels.
[Brown] Moving Forward
On May 5, Democrats from across the Third Congressional District of Mississippi will meet at the Golden Moon Resort in Philadelphia to elect their slate of leaders for the next four years.
[Brown] Why Charter Schools Died
It appears that all of the charter-school proposals are dead for this legislative session. These bills were defeated by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans in the House with the support of hundreds of school-board members, administrators, teachers, parents and civic leaders across the state.
[Barkley] Power of the Purse and the Pill
Women's personal economies have always been tied to their ability to control their reproduction.
Apron Strings to Executive Chef
Nick Wallace told me stories as we drove to Edwards in April. There were gardens to see and people to meet, and all of them had a history.
Medical Corridor: Almost a Plan
The steering committee of the Jackson medical corridor, a proposed project that would stretch the length of Woodrow Wilson Avenue between Interstates 55 and 220, will soon have the first draft of the strategic plan for the project.
The Great American Grump Out
The official Great American Grump Out is today, May 2, and participants must vow not to be grumpy for the next 24 hours. Can you handle it?
JPS Accreditation Still Uncertain
Jackson Public Schools will have to wait a bit longer to find out whether it will lose or retain its accreditation status.
Beauty, Pain of Womanhood
Sometimes when people find that the play "For Colored Girls..." is going to be performed in their town, they think of the Tyler Perry adaptation. "I already saw the movie," they think. Perhaps they didn't like it and assume they won't like the choreopoem play either. But like the song by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell says, "Ain't nothing like the real thing."
Jayce Powell
Jayce Powell believes in the power of the bicycle to change lives. He considers himself "a lifestyle consultant" in his job as the store manager of Indian Cycle in Ridgeland. "We are passionate about cycling," he says.
Board Picks Gray for JPS Superintendent
The Jackson Public Schools board announced last night that it had selected Dr. Cedrick Gray to lead the district as its next superintendent.
That'll Do, Pig. That'll Do
I sat in my driveway, in my running car, staring at the thermostat. A week ago I'd been complaining about the cold snap and rain interfering with my ability to run. Now, after having missed the chance that morning, I was staring down the barrel of Ninety-Four degrees.
AG Lambastes Sunshine Bill
Here's the statement from Hood's office on the House's adoption of the bill's conference report:
The Mississippi House again debated a bill aimed at rolling back the powers of the state attorney general. And again, it passed. Dubbed the Sunshine Act, HB 211 lets state agencies circumvent the AG's office, who normally handles the state's legal affairs, and hire their own lawyers whenever the agency perceives a conflict of interest is present. Republicans who've pushed the bill claim that transparency is needed in the process of hiring private law firms to do contract work. To that rationale, Democrats say poppycock -- the bill is all about neutering the state's last Democratic statewide officeholder, Jim Hood, who doesn't always play nice with the state's Republican officeholders. Or, at least Hood doesn't always play how the GOP wants him to play. This morning, the House adopted the negotiated conference report on the bill. The Senate is still considering the conference report. If it's adopted, it will go to Gov. Phil Bryant's desk, where he's likely to sign it faster than you can say "Satan wins."
Two Pearl Police Officers Injured, One Killed
Three Pearl police officers were shot, leaving one dead and two injured, while they served a search warrant in building 25 of Colony Park Apartments Tuesday. Investigator Michael T. "Mike" Walter died at 11:56 a.m. at University of Mississippi Medical Center from gunshot wounds.