NAACP Joins Redistricting Fray
The Mississippi NAACP today asked a federal court to stop state legislators from running in their current districts in August because they are not representative of black voters.
Speed Returns to MDA
A familiar face is returning to the Mississippi Development Authority. Jackson real-estate developer Leland Speed is temporarily taking the reins of the MDA as executive director until January 2012, the remainder of Gov. Haley Barbour's term in office.
City Pushes Public-Arts Initiative
The city of Jackson is seeking community partners to support a public-arts initiative that will provide opportunities for artists and youth to create art installations in the city.
Catherine Sherer Bishop
A random Thursday night at Fenian's Pub in 1998 sparked a long-term love of Irish dance for Catherine Sherer Bishop. That night, Bishop saw the Jackson Irish Dancers, then a newly formed group, performing and asked to join in their next dance. Although they discouraged her, saying that the dance was not for the faint of heart, she quickly learned the steps and performed it perfectly that night.
Fewer States Trying Kids As Adults
Read the report here.
States are examining their laws for trying children as adults for certain crimes. More than 20 states have reformed or are reforming their policies in the last five years, according to a Campaign for Youth Justice report released yesterday.
Finding Beauty
Walking into the Mississippi Museum of Art's "The Orient Expressed: Japan's Influence on Western Art, 1854-1918," you may kind of know what to expect, but you won't anticipate seeing 10 or so black rectangles lining the wall.
Protesting Music
St. Patrick's Day and surrounding festivities are nearing, and you wouldn't mind blasting some Irish-sounding music in the background as you're getting ready for your day, but you're just not down with traditional bagpipes and the Irish flute.
The Jackson Irish Blues
This week is spring break, but I'm busy preparing for the ton of fun and music going on this St. Paddy's Day weekend in Jackson, including the third largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the United States.
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Doctor S sez: You might as well throw away your NCAA Tournament bracket now. You may already be a loser. Stupid office pool.
Keeping Faith
In 1969, P.W. Underwood, then head football coach at the University of Southern Mississippi, convinced a 6-foot-3-inch lanky kid from Swainsboro, Ga., to come to the University of Southern Mississippi as a free safety and punter. That kid is Ray Guy.
Restraint and Love
Ordering "bangers and mash" is cooler than asking a waiter for sausage and mashed potatoes. Way cooler. Kind of like it's cooler to get fish and chips instead of fried fish and French fries, but that's another story, and we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings over at Cock of the Walk.
Clean Green
In one of his books, Dr. Seuss says, "I do not like green eggs and ham." As a child, I often celebrated St. Patrick's Day by having my parents inject green food dye into that morning's protein source: scrambled eggs. While that was fascinating in my childhood, the thought of green eggs now absolutely disgusts me.
Feelin' Green? Perfect!
"A friend in need is a friend indeed," the Irish proverb admonishes, and everyone knows you have a friend in the JFP. So, instead of trying to figure out how you'll celebrate St. Paddy's in style, we have a few suggestions for you.
The Rest of ... The Story
Back in 2005, a Canadian TV producer asked me if he could film Mississippians working for the Jackson Free Press investigating a civil-rights cold case in Franklin County for a documentary.
MPB Moves Toward Self-Sufficiency
Big underwriters with deep pockets could save Mississippi Public Broadcasting. To find those generous companies, MPB employees preoccupied with periodic membership drives need time to make convincing sales pitches. To free up that time, MPB says an independent consultant might handle its next fundraising drive.
Our Voices Will Be Heard
When Greenwood resident Sandra Stringfellow was diagnosed with HIV 16 years ago, she felt isolated and alone. Her neighbor flagged down Stringfellow's visitors to tell them that Stringfellow was positive and that they shouldn't associate with her.
Stadiums and Sticky Hands
Jackson State University will be the new owner of Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium if Gov. Haley Barbour agrees.
Redistricting: Get Moving
The Mississippi House of Representatives did the right thing this week by stapling its Senate-rejected redistricting plan onto the Senate's own redistricting map. Both chambers must approve each other's redistricting map to complete the new districts by the June 1 deadline to qualify for House or Senate elections this year.
[Stiggers] Smart Dummies
Mr. Announcement: "In the ghetto criminal justice system, the people are represented by two members of the McBride family: police officer and part-time security guard at the Funky Ghetto Mall, Dudley ‘Do-Right' McBride; and attorney Cootie McBride of the law firm McBride, Myself and I. This is their story."
[Kamikaze] Do the Right Thing
Let's be honest. I'm sure all parents agree that kids need discipline. Kids need to learn respect; kids need to learn tolerance. But what happens when a kid feels like he doesn't see those qualities exemplified by the adults around him, adults who are charged with instilling in them those same values?