Census Data Show Increase in Poverty
New U.S. Census data released yesterday reveals that the poverty rate in Mississippi rose from 15.6 percent to 22.9 percent in 2009, The Mississippi Economy Policy Center reports.
Hinds Election Sparring Continues
Read Dennery's announcement
New Caterer Opens Downtown
The Copper Iris Catering Co. Inc. (115 N. State St.) has been open for less than two weeks, but its owners are already talking about changing, perfecting and adding variety to the menu.
Ivan Rider
Ivan Rider returns to Jackson to direct "Driving Miss Daisy," opening tonight at New Stage Theatre.
"It's the theater of my heart," Rider told the Jackson Free Press this morning. "I'm delighted to be back."
Conference for Advocacy Groups Scheduled
The William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi is hosting a conference for progressive service and advocacy groups Sept 22.
Tired of empty strip malls? Me too.
Last week I spent some time learning about the Mississippi Development Authority's new plan to revitalize old, ugly strip malls, called the Retail Center Revitalization Program. (Read more here or in our print edition Wednesday.) MDA brings up a good point: While the Mississippi Main Street and others have made much-appreciated strides in making downtown areas beautiful places, many of the arterial roads leading into town are littered with drab concrete rectangles made even less attractive by the addition of for-sale signs that won't budge. The building's original owners and tenants have long ago moved on to a newer strip mall, leaving a stubborn suburban blight that diminishes the beauty of other parts of town that the community is rightfully proud of.
Advocates Gear up For Personhood Battle
Anti-abortion advocates celebrated a Mississippi Supreme Court ruling last week that OK'd a Nov. 8 ballot initiative asking voters whether the state Constitution should define when life begins, but the battles over the proposed amendment are far from over.
Upcoming Parkway CEO will Remain in Florida
The incoming CEO of Jackson-based real estate company Parkway Properties plans to remain in Florida after he takes the reins in January.
Jennifer S. Love
Jennifer S. Love, a Mississippi native and Jackson State University graduate, is the new assistant director of the FBI's Security Division. Love most recently served as acting assistant director of the FBI's Inspection Division.
Community Events and Public Meetings
Fall Community Enrichment Series, at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.). Most classes start the week of Sept. 19 and fall into the categories of arts and crafts, computer, dance, health and fitness, heritage and history, home and garden, language and literature, money and business, music, personal development and special offerings. Contact the Continuing Education office for a list of classes. Fees vary; call 601-974-1130.
JFP is Turning 9—What's Your Favorite JFP Memory?
I'll include a couple to get us going:
We need your help, JFP Nation. Our 9th birthday issue publishes this week, and we want to include favorite JFP-related moments (funny or serious) from staffers, readers, freelancers, etc. Please post below. We'll put what we can in the print edition. Thanks, all!
Barbour to Raise Funds for Republican PAC
Gov. Haley Barbour has joined American Crossroads, a well-funded conservative Political Action Committee that heavily influenced the 2010 elections, The Washington Post reported last week.
‘Bullish' Gas ‘Fracking' Could Prove Boon for State
Recent, and controversial, advances in drilling technology have put the state in a unique position to attract new industry and create new energy-related jobs, natural-gas industry leaders yesterday told a packed forum at the Jackson Convention Center. The state is prime to benefit from the recent natural-gas boom due to our extensive pipeline system, our potential to store natural gas in underground "salt" domes and even possibly from our own deposits of shale—the drilling industry's new favorite place to find untapped reserves of both natural gas and oil.
JPS Board Members Question Music Funding
Some members of the Jackson Public School board said the district is spending too much money on its strings program at a board meeting Tuesday night. The program will get a funding increase of almost $33,000 this year.
Capt. Ken Chapman
Capt. Ken Chapman claims he taught Aretha Franklin how to do the Bankhead bounce for a performance at the opening ceremony for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She was going to sing "Respect," and he thought the move would work great when she got to the "sock-it-me, sock-it-me, sock-it-me" part.
American Jobs Act: Why Obama is Right and Wicker Is Wrong
Make no mistake: The American Jobs Act introduced by President Obama last night in a fiery speech last night in Congress is one thing -- stimulus. It's exactly what we need and, finally, it's exactly what we're getting out of this president.
Davis Drops Out of Supervisor's Race
Republican candidate Roger C. Davis confirmed this week that he is dropping out of the race for Hinds County District 1 supervisor against incumbent Robert Graham.
City to Host 9/11 Memorial Events
Several events are scheduled today to honor the victims of 9/11 as the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks approaches.
Supreme Court OKs Ballot Initiatives
Read the personhood ruling
Council Adopts Budget with Raise Compromise
Jackson City Council adopted the city's $317 million budget for fiscal year 2012 today after debating how to balance the budget and provide additional raises for the city's employees.