[Editorial] We Like ‘Obamacare'
With the U.S. Supreme Court considering health-care reform, we thought we'd mention that (a) our health-insurance rates are down, (b) we appreciate the tax credits for our small business, and (c) we've already seen cases where pre-existing conditions or gaps in coverage—which used to keep employees from getting insurance—are no longer barriers to coverage.
We Like ‘Obamacare'
With the U.S. Supreme Court considering health-care reform, we thought we'd mention that (a) our health-insurance rates are down, (b) we appreciate the tax credits for our small business, and (c) we've already seen cases where pre-existing conditions or gaps in coverage—which used to keep employees from getting insurance—are no longer barriers to coverage.
[Brown] Mississippi Students Deserve Better
As we approach the final weeks of the legislative session, House and Senate budget chairmen have begun to allocate funds among the various needs. The largest budget item is spending for K-12 public education. This budget, which was more than $2 billion last year, is funded through the Mississippi Adequate Education Program formula.
[First Person] March for Equality
Despite his young 18 years, Bob Gilchrist is not one to back down from a cause. The organizer of Fondren's March for Gay Equality scheduled the event for Thursday, March 1. However, when the group gathered to march from Fondren to the state Capitol, they were stopped by Jackson police, who cited a lack of liability insurance to march on Jackson city sidewalks.
[Halkias] Taking Jackson With Me
Though I am in love with Austin, I think about Jackson every day.
Why Local Matters
A 2010 report by Michigan State University assessed the economic advantages of shopping at locally owned businesses and, like researchers around the nation, found immense benefit to keeping as many dollars as possible in the local economy.
A Glimpse at History
Having just had to sell one of my children to pay for entry into the Insectarium in New Orleans, I'm all about a free museum, and we are blessed to have a good one right here in Jackson. The Old Capitol Museum, located at the intersection of Capitol and State streets downtown, is well worth visiting on a regular basis.
Come Together
Musician and Jackson State University student Andrew Dillon felt a hole in his heart growing during the induction ceremony for the university's new president, Carolyn Meyers, last Friday. That hole was because of Nolan Ryan Henderson III, who was murdered March 24 allegedly at the hands of his cousin.
JSU International Week
This is the 22nd year that Jackson State University will devote five days to celebrating cultural diversity and promoting education about other countries. From April 9 through April 13, the university's Division of International Studies presents International Week with events designed to promote cultural awareness.
A Darker Oz
"The Hunger Games" portrays a futuristic nightmare where indentured masses, working in 12 districts, feed and entertain a parasitic society. The powers-that-be leech anything of consumptive value from the districts and hover-craft it into the Capitol, the central city of Panem.
Running for Their Lives
With his first book, Mississippian Bobby Cole delivers a fast-paced thriller that pits a man and his daughter against a group of truly sadistic thugs in a night-long wilderness chase.
A New Spin in Town
Drew McKercher has played music since high school with about four different bands including Roosevelt Noise and Spacewolf. Spacewolf is his main and most recent band; he has played with the group for two years.
What's on My Nightstand?
"11-22-63" by Stephen King (Scribner, 2011, $35). Stephen King is far more than a "horror writer." He's an excellent author who can tell a brilliant story. I loved "Under the Dome," and "11-22-63" has been just as captivating.
Making The Connection
In my 10 years of living in California, I never once heard anyone play the "Name Game" with another Californian. Yet, within my first day back in Mississippi, I was part of a conversation that takes place in thousands of variations on any given day around here.
Listening Differently
Cassandra Wilson and Rhonda Richmond want Jackson to listen to music differently. Wilson, a Grammy Award-winning vocalist, and Richmond, a multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter, have opened Yellow Scarf, a new kind of music venue for the city.
City Awards $67,000 to Local Businesses
The Jackson City Council approved more than $60,000 in small-business grants to seven area business in March. Since 2009, Jackson has awarded $684,681.20 to local businesses through the grant programs.
Progress in South Jackson
When Jackson Square Shopping Center was built in 1968, it was the largest shopping center in the capital city. With 350,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space on 40 acres, it is still the city's largest outdoor center.
Home, Brain, Home
How Local Businesses Lure Best, Brightest
Strengthening the local business community is no small part of building a better Jackson.
State Segregating Mentally Ill
One night last fall, Watson Dollar became angry when his mother would not let him drink from her water bottle. At the time, Pam Dollar was fighting a cold and did not know how to explain to Watson why he couldn't drink after her. Watson has limited language capabilities due to the autism he developed at age 2.
JPS' Accreditation Woes
Jackson Public Schools is facing a hearing to determine whether it will lose its accreditation over failure to comply with changes to its special-education program recommended by the state, but district officials seem optimistic about the outcome.