House Stalls on Domestic Violence GPS
Monitoring domestic violence suspects out on bond is apparently a controversial issue in the Mississippi House of Representatives. The House spent most of yesterday tackling an unofficial list of non-controversial legislation. Left off that list was a bill sponsored by Rep. Brandon Jones, D-Pascagoula, that would give judges the option of requiring a defendant accused of domestic violence to wear a GPS-equipped tracking device.
Wyatt Emmerich's ‘Welfare' Chart Dissected by The New Republic
With a hat-tip to Jay, we bring your attention to the story From Mississippi to ‘The Corner': A Tale of Right-Wing Wrongness, where our star is none other than Northside Sun publisher Wyatt Emmerich.
Council: Metrocenter or Bust; Only Residents Allowed
Only Jackson residents will be able to serve on the city's boards, commissions and authorities, the Jackson City Council voted 4-to-0 today.Currently, the mayor appoints potential board members, and the council confirms appointments. However, the new ordinance restricts the mayor from appointing people who live outside the city limits. Furthermore, each board, commission or authority member must continue to live inside city limits during their term. If the board member moves outside city limits at any given time during the term, the city must immediately consider the appointment terminated and deem the board position vacant.
More Art, Crafts, Cannoli, Retail
A children's fountain, outdoor dining, garden rooms, performance stage and expansive art installations are just a few of the design elements The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art will feature when it opens in August.
[Balko] The Anti-Cop Trend That Isn't
Between Jan. 20 and Jan. 25, 13 police officers were shot in the U.S., five of them fatally. Two officers in St. Petersburg, Fla., were killed while trying to arrest a suspect accused of aggravated battery. Two more were killed in Miami while trying to arrest a suspected murderer. An officer in Oregon was seriously wounded, and another in Indiana was killed after they were shot during routine traffic stops. The Indiana assailant had a long and violent criminal record. The suspect in Oregon is still at large. In another incident, four officers were injured in Detroit when a man about to be charged in a murder investigation walked into a police station and opened fire.
Dowell Taylor
Jackson State University Director of Music Technology Dowell Taylor faces a hefty challenge: He has 48 hours to pull together Jackson Public Schools' annual All-City High School Band Festival.
Everybody Deserves Smoke-Free Air
Everybody deserves smoke-free air. Pediatricians have first-hand experience about what happens when children and babies breathe second-hand smoke.
Barstool Quarterbacking
A weekend of cocktails, friends...oh, and I think there was a football game.
Investigation: Medical Examiners Put Living at Risk
In detective novels and television crime dramas like "CSI," highly trained medical professionals equipped with the most sophisticated tools of 21st-century science staff the nation's morgues. Operating at the nexus of medicine and criminal justice, these death detectives thoroughly investigate each and every suspicious fatality.
Supes Scrutinize Elections Employee
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted today to extend the contract of a county Elections Commission worker whose employment has stirred controversy. Supervisors voted 3-0 to extend voting-machine technician Pat Wilson's contract through the November general election, despite opposition from Election Commissioner Bobbie Graves.
A.M.E. Logan
Remaining fearless and determined even into her late 90s, civil rights activist A.M.E. Logan would frequently attend community meetings and drive herself around Jackson delivering Avon products to her clients.
Community Events and Public Meetings
Community Blood Drives. The Mississippi Blood Services Donor Coach will be in the parking lot. Donors must be at least 17 (16 with signed parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and have valid ID. All donors will receive a T-shirt and be registered for a chance to win a 2011 Ford Fiesta. Donations welcome; call 800-817-7449.
Supreme Court Grants Death Row Inmate Reprieve
Read the court's decision (PDF)
Ice Leads To Five-Hour Gridlock on the ‘Stack'
On a day that many Jacksonians suffered long commutes, Rodney Cuevas still had an exceptional evening. Cuevas left his job at the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for his home in Brandon a little before 4 p.m. on Thursday.
Senate Passes Total Texting While Driving Ban
The Mississippi Senate wants to expand a ban on texting while driving to include everyone in the state.
Edward Dacus
Although Edward Dacus has only had his new title of Mississippi Opera Chorus Master since Jan. 26, he has not wasted any time starting new opera projects. Dacus, who is currently preparing the all-men chorus spring show, "The Barber of Seville" for April 9 at Thalia Mara Hall, values the importance of male and female vocals and is also working to establish an additional performance that will showcase the ladies chorus.
Mississippi Players in the Super Bowl
Mississippi has provided the NFL with its fair share of players. In Super Bowl XLV, the Magnolia State is represented by Mike Wallace of the Steelers and Donald Lee and Donald Driver of the Packers. Wallace played for Ole Miss, Lee played for Mississippi State, and Driver played for Alcorn State.
It's The Weekend!
With Valentine's Day rapidly approaching, brave the weather and head to circa (2771 Old Canton Road) for Valentine's Date Night tonight at 5 p.m. for inspiration and gifts. The Jackson Free Press is the sponsor of the event which includes catering from Bon Ami, wine, champagne, artwork by Christy Henderson and music by Pam Confer and Jazz Beautiful; free. Complete your date night with a trip to the Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.) to see "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" at 8:50 p.m.; $9. If you're' in the mood for some late-night entertainment, head to Martin's (241 S. State St.) afterward to see Frank and the Meltones with Danny Choctaw and the Death March. For a list of the area's hottest weekend events and entertainment, check out the JFP Music Listings and theBest Bets pages.
Bill Targets Barbour's Jet Use
The Mississippi House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would limit the use of state-owned aircraft to official business only. The bill comes after concerns from lawmakers that Gov. Haley Barbour may have misused the state's aircraft, The Associated Press reported today.
Mark Kelly at National Prayer Breakfast - Good Can Come From Tragedy
Here's the whole thing... around 1:36:50 is when Kelly talks about being an astronaut:
Caught in traffic yesterday (I was out trying to find salt for our steps in the ice) I heard Mark Kelly's speech at the National Prayer breakfast. (Obama also gave a great turn.) I think the speech is worth listening to, although I'm sure much of it will fall on deaf ears. The thing that hit me the hardest was when Kelly talked about how, as an astronaut, he'd learned that team-work is how you get things done in the face of problems or challenges.