Hayne Reviewing Hinds Autopsy
Steven Hayne may have built a name--and notoriety--for himself with prosecution-friendly autopsy testimony, but it was a defense request that may bring him into a Jackson murder case as an independent expert.
Alisa Ross
At first glance, Alisa Ross appears to be a shy 17-year-old senior at Callaway High School. But catch her on the basketball court, and she lights up with a fire in her eyes and a million-dollar smile after making a shot.
AG Offers Identity-Theft Prevention Tips
verbatim statement:
Attorney General Jim Hood advises Mississippians to add some extra safety resolutions to their New Year's List for 2011.
Changes Likely Before JATRAN Vote
Read the proposed JATRAN changes (PDF)
[Balko] Conservatives Rethink 'Tough on Crime'
Last week I received an e-mail press release directing me to a new public-policy website. On that website, a quote from Reagan administration Attorney General Ed Meese says it's time to reconsider mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders.
JFP Freelancer of the Month: Bryan Flynn
A layoff became an opportunity for Bryan Flynn to do what he loves. Two years ago, Flynn, 33, lost his job as a grocery manager for Walmart. With his wife's encouragement, Flynn started playtowinthegame.com, a website for his musings and analysis of professional and college sports. Since August, Flynn has been a regular freelance contributor to the Jackson Free Press.
Bodega Opening; Unemployment Slightly Up
Residents of downtown Jackson will soon have an option for grocery shopping nearby. Bodega, a combination grocery store and deli, is set to open by Thursday of this week, co-owner Gwin Wyatt told the Jackson Free Press today.
Fourth Execution This Year Unlikely
The Mississippi Supreme Court has not yet ruled on Attorney General Jim Hood's request for a Dec. 29 execution date for Frederick Bell, making it unlikely that state will conduct its fourth execution this year.
Politico.com Digs Into Barbour's Plane Records
If you haven't heard yet, Governor Barbour has another semi-scandal breaking thanks to a public records request leaked to Politico.com -- call it StateJetGate... unless, you know, something else has already been called that.
Council to Vote on Sales-Tax Request
At tomorrow's meeting, the Jackson City Council will decide whether to ask the state Legislature to remove a controversial state commission that must now approve how the city spends sales-tax money on safety and infrastructure repairs.
Hood Proposes Traffic Citation Increase to Fund Unit
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood wants to strengthen his agency's Vulnerable Adult Unit by raising some traffic citations by $1.
Community Events and Public Meetings
JPS Pepsi Holiday Basketball Tournament Dec 28-30, at Jackson State University, Williams Athletics and Assembly Center (1400 John R. Lynch St.). The tournament features 11 girls' teams and 13 boys' teams throughout the state. Consolation games are at Forest Hill High School (2607 Raymond Road). Visit the JPS website for brackets and game times. $8 Dec. 28-29, $10 semifinals and finals.
P.J. Lee
P.J. Lee hopes that a glowing, seven-foot catfish dropping from 80 feet in the air will bring large crowds downtown this New Years' Eve.
WashPo: Pat Robertson's Pot Comments Ignite Supporters
The Washington Post reports on a comment made by Pat Robertson on his television show in the past few weeks that has burned up some of the blogs:
Community Celebrates Kwanzaa
The community is invited to celebrate Kwanzaa this week at the Medgar Evers Community Center (3159 Edwards Ave.)
Donations Sought to Repair Family's Home
Real Estate Solutions Managing Broker Willis Finley is seeking donations from the community to help a Jackson family in need of home repairs and heat.
The Redistricting Battle Ahead
Mississippi will likely experience a re-shuffling of state legislative districts, according 2010 U.S. Census data released this month.
It All Makes Sense Now
I've been sedentary for the most part since almost everything I do involves sitting in front of a computer, so I decided to head to the gym for the first time in years and get in a quick workout. I changed clothes, hopped onto the elliptical, realized after five minutes that I was going to die and switched to the treadmill. Even with that, I could only handle a speed of one mile an hour with no incline. After doing some resistance training, I got on the scale to check my weight since I haven't checked in several months. I knew I gained weight, but not that much weight. All the days of working at a desk, going to school online and just eating whatever is lying around instead of planning my meals have caught up with me. No wonder I feel like dirt. Well, I'm not going into some diatribe about going on a diet and working out seven days a week because I would be lying. I'm just going to get back to whatever it is I used to do that kept me at an average size. The 15 minutes I used to take during the day to go for a stroll, removing the skin before eating fried chicken, leaving out a yolk when making scrambled eggs - all those things actually worked for me, and I got away from it when I stopped working for a few years. Because of how my life is now, I must take action to pay attention to what I'm doing and stop putting my needs last. I'm not big on New Year's resolutions, but I will promise now to take better care of myself.
Mississippi Unemployment Rate Slightly Increases
Read the report.
For the month of November, the state's unemployment rate was 9.8 percent, a slight increase from 9.7 percent in October, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security reported yesterday.
Dent May
When Jackson native Dent May returns home for Martin's annual Christmas show Dec. 25, he'll trade his magnificent ukulele for synths and drum machines as he croons new and original songs.