Legislature Returns; How to Track Bills
As state legislators return to the Capitol tomorrow for the 2011 Legislative session, lawmakers will spend the next 90 days approving diminished funding for state agencies and debating a host of bills.
Mississippi Art Funds Under Knife
State funding for the arts will likely drop next year, but grants to artists will remain largely the same, said Mississippi Arts Commission Executive Director Malcolm White today.
Community Events and Public Meetings
6 p.m., Jackson State of the Arts 2011 at North Midtown Arts Center (121 Millsaps Ave.). The open forum is for all greater Jackson arts scene participants: teachers, musicians, grant-organization members, gallery owners, etc. Free; call 601-497-7454.
Bob Herbert Blasts Barbour Again, Does Right by JFP Again
I was so busy Friday and through the weekend, tweeting about the storm and drinking champagne (not at the same time), that I didn't notice until today that New York Times columnist Bob Herbert had had written another column about the Scott Sisters and Haley Barbour. Herbert starts out by saying that he had gotten a call on New Year's Eve from one of the sisters, Gladys, "which was a terrific way for 2010 to end."
No Deaths from Mississippi Tornadoes
A total of six tornadoes hit Mississippi on New Year's Eve damaging homes and businesses, the National Weather Service reports.
Denise Halbach
Fondren Theater Workshop's upcoming production "Unshelved," has personal ties for director Denise Halbach who lost her mother to Alzheimer's disease a few years ago.
Julep Chef Dies in Car Accident
Julep Chef Martin Evans Bryant died Wednesday evening after his car hit a pole on Woodrow Wilson Avenue. According to the Jackson Police Department, Bryant was at Wendy's on Woodrow Wilson Avenue when a manager informed a police officer dining inside that Bryant was causing a disturbance at the drive-through window. By the time the officer got to the window, Bryant, 31, had driven away in his Honda Accord and shortly afterward, lost control of his car, JPD said.
Job Growth to Aid Economy in 2011?
The economy was not Mississippi's strong point this year, although the state is expecting to see job creation in the future. Several industries and businesses Gov. Haley Barbour touted as a successful this year require a healthy dose of government or public aid to open in Mississippi.
The Year In News
This year will be over in a few hours. Here's a look back on some of the big news events of 2010 in Jackson and Mississippi.
John Noblin
As the director of the fourth annual Mississippi Blues Marathon, John Noblin is busy making last-minute arrangements for the two-day event, which includes a fitness expo and outdoor concert. The Jackson native is a longtime marathon runner who got his start organizing races in 1993 with the Tour LeFleur, a professional cycling race in Jackson. Five years ago, he collaborated with local business leaders to bring the Blues Marathon to Jackson, forming a sponsorship with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi. Noblin, 45, lives in Jackson with his wife, Jill, and two daughters Keavy, 16, and Clayton, 13. He discussed this year's race with the JFP:
It's the Weekend: Happy New Year!
If you're brave enough to venture out in tonight's stormy weather, there are several metro area New Year's Eve celebrations to choose from. Check out the JFP's round up of area events here.
DeLaughter Moved to Halfway House
Former Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter is out of prison and in a transitional facility finishing his 18-month prison term for lying to federal authorities. Since January 2010, authorities have held DeLaughter at federal prison in McCreary, Ky.
Jerrod Partridge
For Jerrod Partridge, figure drawing is more about perspective than the actual act of putting graphite to paper.
Kidney Not Sole Condition for Sister's Release
UPDATED: This story has been updated to reflect information from the NAACP's press conference this morning.
AMR to Offer Free New Year's Eve Rides
American Medical Response and the Safe Kids Mississippi Campaign are teaming up on New Year's Eve to offer free rides to people in need of a designated driver.
Family Traditions
The smell of garden-fresh butterbeans and field peas simmered in a dollop of bacon grease and smooth, sweet corn picked, shucked and scraped off the cob was thickened with a little white flour. Fried cornbread dressing was served from a speckled metal roaster pan and hidden under a simple metal cover sat everyone's favorite, grandmother's chocolate cake.
Making Sense of Our Stories
Have you ever been in love? You know, "love" like in the storybooks, like the gods and goddesses, like a Shakespeare sonnet? Have you ever been so confused, so sick, so lost that you questioned your fundamental belief system like Job or Dante did? If you said yes to any of these questions, writing about those feelings will help you work through them.
Common Sense in 2011
Political junkies watched with some surprise as the lame-duck 2010 Congress passed a number of last-minute bills to bring the year to a close. Widely heralded as a week of "wins" for President Obama, the accomplishments are hopefully a bit of a harbinger of things to come.
JATRAN Cuts: A Long Time Coming?
Kin Palmer staggered out of Jackson City Hall the evening of Dec. 20 visibly angry and frustrated as he joined other JATRAN riders to load the city buses that had transported them to a public hearing regarding cuts to the city's bus system. He balled up his fist as he predicted what would happen when city residents could not get to work anymore.
Empowerment and Heritage
Fifteen-year-old Elijah Jamison stood somberly behind a table decorated with a red, black and green African flag as he lit a candle in honor of kujichagulia—Swahili for the Kwanzaa principle of self-determination.