Fuel Your Day
When you are on the go, it can be difficult to find portable and healthy foods that still satisfy your hunger. Planning ahead and packing smart solve the dilemma.
Rochelle Culp
When Rochelle Culp couldn't walk a few miles in a walk for charity in her 20s, she felt it was time for a change. "I struggled to do the walk, but it should have been easy," she says. "I wanted to live a life of joy and be active. I knew if I didn't make a change, my health may affect that."
Developing the Best Jackson
In about two months of working the city beat for the Jackson Free Press, the thing I have run into and reported on more than any other is proposed development. And development is something Jackson needs, desperately.
After Fiery Debate, Voter ID Passes
Following one of the hottest Senate debates of recent weeks, Mississippi's constitutional amendment to require would-be voters to prove their identities at the polls, inched closer to realization this morning.
Mayor: Cuts Could Hurt City
Federal cuts to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program could hurt several areas of Jackson, from small businesses to sewage lines to services for victims of domestic violence.
Kristy Johnson
Kristy Johnson is one of the capital city's newest ambassadors. As Jackson's Miss Hospitality for 2012, she will greet conventions and participate in events throughout the year to promote tourism in Jackson.
Gov. Bryant Signs Craft Beer Bill
Beer lovers in Mississippi can finally raise their glasses and pour out some liquor for the state's antiquated beer laws. This morning, Gov. Phil Bryant signed a bill that could significantly increase the state's beer variety.
Districts Get More Sex-Ed Options
Mississippi school districts that want to adopt abstinence-plus sex-education programs now have more options--and the federal grant money that comes with them.
Tonja Robinson-Murphy
While legislators were debating charter schools and school budget cuts, the Jackson Public Schools' Parent of the Year was working with the schools and providing for the children.
Community Events and Public Meetings
AARP Tax Aide Volunteer Service. The service is available to low- and moderate-income taxpayers with special attention to those ages 60 and older. Bring all necessary documents. No appointment required. Free.
Civil Rights Museum Planners Collecting Stories
It has been 50 years since James Meredith became the first African American student to attend the University of Mississippi. Until recently, Mississippi had no central location for celebrating this type of event, and so many others of its kind.
Diane Ward
Diane Ward began writing in 2009, when she was just 15. Now, the home-schooled high-school senior from Brandon is an award-winning author.
It's the Weekend!
Today, KidFest! Kicks off at 9 a.m. at Freedom Ridge Park (235 W. School St., Ridgeland); continues through April 7 and April 14-15. $10, children under 2 free; call 601-853-2011. The nonviolence concert in honor of Nolan Ryan Henderson is at 5 p.m. at F. Jones Corner. Performers include Jesse Robinson, PyInfamous and the Bailey Brothers. Free. Luke Bryan and Jerrod Niemann perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Coliseum. $29.50-$39.50; call 800-745-3000. Wine, Women and Wisdom kicks off at 8 p.m. at Yellow Scarf (741 Harris St., Suite E) with performances from Rhonda Richmond and Tawanna Shaunte. Cassandra Wilson and Mystic Warriors perform April 7 at 9 p.m. $25 April 6, $35 April 7, $50 both nights; call 866-308-9226. TTOCCS REKARP Productions hosts the Free Form Concert at 9 p.m. at The Commons. Performers include daniel johnson and Jonathan Sims. $5; call 601-352-3399 or 601-540-1267. Need more options? See our Best Bets.
Heartbeat Bill Not Quite Dead?
An anti-abortion "heartbeat bill" died in committee Tuesday, but this might not be the last we see of it.
Workers' Rights Again in Focus
Mississippi workers got a mix of good and bad news in the past couple of days.
Rick Cleveland
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum lost the only executive director in its history when Michael Rubenstein passed away in early December. Since the museum opened July 4, 1996, Rubenstein was the guiding hand and public face of the hall. Finding another person as passionate about Mississippi's sports history was the top priority in naming a new executive director.
Baseball's Loss, Music's Gain
Carl Jackson was just 14 years old when he got his big break in the music business. The Louisville, Miss., native was jamming backstage following a Virginia Boys concert in 1967 when he so impressed the musicians with his guitar and banjo playing that bluegrass legends Jim and Jesse McReynolds asked him to join the band.
Home Boy Brian Fuente Back in Jackson
Ridgeland native Brian Fuente moved to Nashville in 2007 to follow his dream of being a singer. Not long after his arrival, he started the rock band Newmatic and toured as the band's frontman for four years.
TTOCCS REKARP'S Top 10 Playlist
In no particular order, here is a list of some songs, albums and Internet radio stations that I've been listening to recently.
Get Your Free Form On
Six years ago, when W.C. Don's was still open on South State Street next door to Martin's Restaurant and Lounge, a few Jackson-area musicians got together for what they thought would be just a night of jamming with good friends. They dubbed the event Free Form, but had no setlist or any idea of what would take place—or even if anyone would show up.