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[Editorial] Stop the City Council Game-Playing

Here we go again. When the Jackson Free Press started 10 years ago, the City Council members from Ward 1 (Ben Allen) and Ward 3 (Kenneth Stokes) were constantly at each other's throats. It wasn't an intellectual disagreement with occasional laughs; they made the city look like a laughing stock with their constant insults of each other.

[Your Turn] Movement for Education

The link from education to the economy, health and crime is easy to see, and Blueprint Mississippi 2011 makes this compelling case with fresh data. As a teacher at one of Jackson's public high schools, I work mostly with low-income students, and I believe education is the best way to intercept the cycle of poverty. Yet even innovative policy solutions will only make incremental change without the grassroots support of the communities they seek to serve.

Movement for Education

The link from education to the economy, health and crime is easy to see, and Blueprint Mississippi 2011 makes this compelling case with fresh data. As a teacher at one of Jackson's public high schools, I work mostly with low-income students, and I believe education is the best way to intercept the cycle of poverty. Yet even innovative policy solutions will only make incremental change without the grassroots support of the communities they seek to serve.

[Your Turn] Bring Net Metering to Mississippi

Mississippi is on the verge of being the last state in the union to adopt a net-metering policy. I have tried for about two years to bring the topic of net metering to the attention and action of our state legislators. Others in our state have been trying longer than I have.

Bring Net Metering to Mississippi

Mississippi is on the verge of being the last state in the union to adopt a net-metering policy. I have tried for about two years to bring the topic of net metering to the attention and action of our state legislators. Others in our state have been trying longer than I have.

[McGowan] The Attack on Republicanism

Recently, a radical minority of Republicans has brought our entire concept of government under fire.

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The JFP Interview With Rep. Bennie Thompson

Bennie G. Thompson has worked for the government his whole life. Born and raised in the small town of Bolton, located 20 miles west of Jackson, he worked as a high school civics teacher before becoming the first black mayor of his majority-black hometown where he still lives today.

Project Cocoon

In a couple of weeks, Jacksonians will have an opportunity to participate in an international art event: Cocoon Jackson.

Art-House Offerings

"The Artist," this year's Academy Award winner for the really big awards of Best Picture, Director and Actor, started out as an art-house offering. Quite understandably, its makers did not believe that a black-and-white silent film with a funny little dog would appeal to a mainstream audience. But the originality of the film, the quality of the performances and the brilliant marketing strategy of the Weinstein brothers caused this film to cross from a niche market to popular success.

Cooper-Stokes Making Waves

Newly minted Ward 3 Councilwoman LaRita Cooper-Stokes walked into the City Council chambers at City Hall on Friday ready to make changes. The first thing she noticed was that council members' chairs had been rearranged since her last visit.

Duckworth Finalizes Bid for Eastover ‘District'

A deal to redevelop the old Mississippi School for the Blind site is finally coming to fruition.

Fit for a King

My mother was one of the best cooks in the world. On any given day, she could make a meal fit for a king. Mother had her own natural rhythm, her own unique swag. She would sing the hymns and praise God while simultaneously cooking for 15 people, me included.

Debi Green

Debi Green's job is to bring businesses together to improve the economy and quality of life for the greater Jackson area. Green began working with the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership in 1985 and is now the executive director of membership, sales and retention for the partnership.

Personhood Resolutions Die in Committee

Four anti-abortion personhood resolutions introduced into the Legislature have died in committee.

Who Says There Are No 40-Year-Old Underwear Models?

I'm standing in front of my mirrored closet door, in nothing but athletic shorts and my running shoes, practicing my pose for a "before" picture. Yes, I said "before," meaning, down the road there should be an "after" picture, and I'm hoping there will be obvious results. As I round out my shoulders, shift my weight to the right hip and suck in ever so slightly, I'm not mortified with what I see, as long as I ignore the one love handle still peaking around my left side.

S.C. Republicans Want ‘Purity Pledge' from Candidates

In what sounds like a piece of political satire worthy of Steve Holland, a group of Republicans in South Carolina wants to make GOP candidates sign a "purity pledge" to promise marital fidelity. (I'll pause a moment to let you consider how many high-profile politicians of both parties this would disqualify.)

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JRA Approves $10.2 Million Farish Street Agreement

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority voted to move ahead with a non-binding agreement with the Farish Street Group at a meeting Monday. If approved by the City Council, the Farish Street Group will receive a $10.2 million loan via a bond issue.

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Arty, Flying Tacos

There's a saying that in the Spanish language, "The sopa isn't soap, the ropa isn't rope and the butter's meant to kill ya." That's because sopa is soup, ropa means clothing and the word for butter is mantequilla. But apparently, the butter-based mantequilla sauce at Jaco's Tacos (318 South State St.; 601-405-0499) is to die for.

Carolyn Jolivette

Since she became the interim executive director of Parents for Public Schools of Greater Jackson, Carolyn Jolivette has indulged herself in her job. "This is the type of job where you have to be invested," she said. Since se took over the post in January, Jolivette has been busy overseeing all activities, programs and fundraising for the organization.

Deadline for Committee Action Today

By the end of the today, any bills that don't make it out of committee in the house where they originated die.