Jeanne Luckett
Jeanne Luckett has a contagious enthusiasm for studying and preserving Mississippi's civil-rights legacy. She put her passion and energy to use helping to plan the 50th anniversary Freedom Riders reunion in Jackson from May 22 through May 26.
Pot's Simmering, Gumbo's Ready
By day, the men are schoolteachers and repairmen. But by night, the gentlemen of Southern Komfort Brass Band bring New Orleans-style brass-band music to Jackson.
‘Grey Skies' Clearing
Brad "Kamikaze" Franklin, aka Kaz, is many things to many people: husband, father, advocate for Jackson, columnist for this paper, rapper, business owner, activist and a member of the Kiss Army. Wait, what?
The Conservative "War on Math," Part One
LED BULBS HIT 100 WATTS AS FEDERAL BAN LOOMS
Look, I get it. People want someone to blame, and you've got Obama right there. But this exchange on Facebook (names changed) the other day was a bit too much for me:
Council Battles Over Zoning
Jackson City Council members agonized over how to classify newly annexed city property during a lengthy zoning meeting yesterday.
Restaurant Makeover
Belhaven mainstay Keifer's Restaurant is set to move to a new building in late September. Assistant general manager Jeff Stricklin told the Jackson Free Press today that the restaurant is aiming for a Sept. 24 opening at its new location in a new building being constructed on the opposite side of Poplar Boulevard.
Shaunti Dennis
With the help of the community, The Journey Ministries Coordinator Shaunti Dennis is raising money for church members to take a mission trip to Tanzania, Africa, this summer. The goal of the mission is to help young girls who are victims of human and sex trafficking.
Keep Current Maps, Says Court
Read the court's decision (PDF)
City Eyes $6M in Upgrades
City Eyes $6M in Upgrades
The city is moving ahead with funding $5.8 million in contracts with Johnson Controls Inc. and Siemens Building Technologies Inc. this week.
Witnesses Praise Edwards' Leadership
Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards has made major improvements to the school district but still needs more time, witnesses in the hearing on Edwards' contract said today. Vicki Davidson, the district's director of advanced academic programs, praised Edwards "hands-on" managerial style, which she said was responsible for the improved morale and greater collaboration she sees among district staff.
Ermea Russell
On May 23, Ermea Russell will begin her term as a Mississippi Appeals Court judge. Gov. Haley Barbour appointed her last week.
Community Events and Public Meetings
Introduction to SCORE. Learn more about a nonprofit that helps small businesses grow and succeed. Free; call 601-540-5415.
Burton: Schimmel Pushed Edwards' Ouster
George Schimmel, member of the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees, drove the board's consideration of whether to replace Superintendent Lonnie Edwards, said Otha Burton, his fellow board member, today. Testifying at an ongoing hearing on Edwards' contract, Burton said that he did not see adequate reasons for replacing the superintendent when his contract expires at the end of June.
In Jackson, ‘Always Something to Do'
Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center Manager Pam Junior dashed arguments that there is little to do in the city of Jackson.
Abigail Susik
With less than 24 hours before The Plant on Highway 80 is transformed into a participatory arts event with more than 40 projects, FIGMENT Jackson Lead Curator Abigail Susik is calm as she helps artists set up their projects.
It's the Weekend
Unleash the animal within this Friday at Zoo Brew, starting at 6 p.m. at the Jackson Zoo. Sample more than 40 specialty beers from Capital City Beverage, margaritas by Paco's Mexican Restaurant and chicken wings from participants in the Tyson's Wing Cook-off competition. The Sole Shakers will perform. Admission to the event is $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Park and ride from Coffee Bus at Highland Village (4500 Interstate 55 N.) or Barnes and Noble at Renaissance for $10. Show your ticket stub for free admission to the 9 p.m. after-party at Underground 119 (119 S. President St.). Or, film-enthusiasts and foodies alike can head to Rainbow Whole Foods Co-Operative Grocery (2807 Old Canton Rd.) for dinner and a movie. Enjoy the Oscar-winning film "Inside Job" and a vegetarian dinner from High Noon Cafe. Later in the evening, catch the funk group Good Enough for Good Times at Martin's at 10 p.m., or hurry your caboose over to a live performance by California pop-rock trio Train at 8 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex. Tickets for Train range from $30-50 and can be purchased by calling 800-745-3000. For more music listings, see the JFP Music Listings.
$20 Million Hold-up on Capitol Green?
Old Capitol Green developers cannot take advantage of $20 million in state bonds for infrastructure work because the state and city have not committed to the bonds.
State's African Americans See Higher Unemployment
Like many things in Mississippi, the hardship of unemployment during the Great Recession has fallen unequally on the state's population. African American workers in Mississippi experienced an 18 percent unemployment rate over 2010, according to the national think tank Economic Policy Institute report issued April 28.
Michael Hrivnak
Michael Hrivnak has spent the past few days sending miniature rubber ducks on a test swim through Smith Park's fountain in downtown Jackson. This weekend, more than 300 ducks will race to raise money for Stewpot Community Services during the Arts Alive! festival.
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Doctor S sez: Y'all quit playing Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks." Now is not the time.