Budget Wars Whimper to a Close
The Jackson City Council's approval of a 75-cent per hour raise for city employees making less than $17,000 per year may not make it into the city's final budget for fiscal-year 2012, which starts Oct. 1.
Putting a Price Tag on Voter ID
The debate surrounding voter ID in Mississippi has focused on political and historical arguments, rather than funding. While its proponents have lauded voter ID as essential for preserving the democratic process, opponents have claimed it is an effort to discourage African Americans and other minorities from voting—especially those old enough to remember Jim Crow-era tactics such as poll taxes.
Getting it Right
Jannette White, 51, has lived on the same plot of land on Smith Robinson Street in the Virden Addition for the majority of her life. In 1987, White built a house next to her mother's house so that she could be her caretaker. Her mother died in 2006.
Pick Better Battles
Jackson city government could be a prime example of democracy in action. The Jackson City Council and the administration of Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. could see their roles as they are designed, working hand-in-hand within democracy's intentional system of checks and balances.
[Stiggers] Hump Day Disco
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm proud to announce Clubb Chicken Wing's Weekly Hump Day Job Network Session and Disco. Every Wednesday night, the hopeless will become hopeful with the Back Room Resume Writing Workshop and Job Counseling Rap Session.
[Kamikaze] Stop Waiting; Start Working
In past columns I've spoken about what has been coined the "savior complex," the tendency of a group, party or race to expect one individual to be the answer to all that ails it. It's the thought that by electing or appointing the perfect person to a position of power, we can sit back and watch as they magically make everything better with the stroke of a hand.
[Garrott] The ‘Other' Fan
Football gives us something better to chat about in elevators other than, 'It's hot' or 'It's really, really hot.'
Chase Meets Otis
Author and illustrator Loren Long created a book with a farm setting and a tractor as a super hero in "Otis and the Tornado" (Philomel, 2011, $17.99), the follow-up to his 2009 book, "Otis."
The Football Fanatics Book Shelf
From Friday nights at small-town high schools to Monday evenings in NFL stadiums, fans around the country are ready for some football.
Ballet Irish
For the first time ever, Ballet Mississippi joins the festivities at the 20th Annual CelticFest Sept. 9-11. The dancers will perform two selections from the Irish-themed ballet, "As An Céilí." The title means "from the céilí," or "from the party with music and social dancing."
JFP 2011 College Football Preview
Before Sept. 1, every college football fan anticipates the new season with hope and optimism. No matter what any publication says, these diehard fans believe their team will beat the odds and have a great season.
Lewis Prepares for the Future
A party atmosphere filled the Convention Complex Friday night as supporters celebrated the victory of Tyrone Lewis, set to become Hinds County's first black sheriff since Reconstruction.
DuPree Aims to Win
Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree proved that grass-roots organizing matters more than cash when it comes to winning the Democratic Party nomination for governor. Now, many voters are wondering about the likelihood of DuPree winning the governor's race against Republican Phil Bryant on Nov. 8.
Rick Cleveland
Rick Cleveland steps out of the melting Mississippi heat and into Sneaky Beans in Fondren. "It was a mistake to walk here," he says. "I hate this heat, and I hate Yazoo clay."
Learning to Win
Near the end of August every year, I start getting jittery. Yes, I'm ready for cooler temperatures. I also like being a Libra and having an October birthday--the big 5-0 this time!--and I love the crispness and smell of Autumn air. Football weather, I call it, just like my daddy did.
Living Out Loud
Pryor Graeber calls herself a "colorist," somewhere between an impressionist and an abstract artist. Her signature paintings of two-dimensional rows of trees burst with large strokes of color within a chosen palette.
Meeting Focuses on Crime Solutions
Local law enforcement officials, justice advocates, clergy members and Jackson residents came together last night to discuss solutions on tackling crime in Jackson.
Lewis Campaign Manager Arrested Sunday for DUI
Clinton police arrested Aaron Banks, Sheriff-elect Tyrone Lewis' campaign manager, Sunday night for driving under the influence. Banks was charged with first-offense DUI after he was involved in an accident on Clinton Parkway in which alcohol was present, said Don Byington, Clinton chief of police. He has also been charged with contempt of court for failure to appear in court for an earlier traffic citation, Byington said. There were some injuries in the accident, Byington told the Jackson Free Press, although he did not know the extent because the police report was not ready as of today.
Downtown to Get More Sidewalks
By early 2012, downtown Jackson will have additional sidewalks and improved green space, Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced today.
Fashion and Football
A new boutique, now open in Canton, is bringing more fashionable clothing options to plus-size women in the Jackson area.