The Brett Favre Story Leaves Us Wondering : Did He or Didn't He
A story broke late last week on the website deadspin.com about former Southern Mississippi and current Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre. The story accuses Favre of sending racy text messages and video to Jenn Sterger a former New York Jets game hostess.
Wicker Defends Obama Against ‘Birthers'
United States Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., found himself defending President Barack Obama against some of the more conservative elements of the tea party during a forum last night. The Central Mississippi Tea Party town-hall meeting and Republican fundraiser at Northwest Rankin High School attracted about 100 attendees, most of them over the age of 50. Organizers invited the senator to the event to promote the importance of a Republican majority in the House and Senate after the November elections, and to raise money for Republicans defending congressional seats.
Eminent Domain: A Lawsuit Waiting to Happen?
The Mississippi Constitution is a tough thing to change. While state law allows voters to amend the Constitution by approving a ballot initiative, it also prohibits ballot initiatives from changing the section that lists the state Bill of Rights.
Brian Cartenuto
Char Restaurant Executive Chef Brian Cartenuto was calm and focused as he emerged from a sweltering kitchen during a recent chef's table tasting, which the Jackson Free Press attended at no cost. He's only been at the restaurant for two months, but he's already shaken things up with his fusion of Southern and Italian cuisine.
Inspiring the Creative Class
The "Mobilizing the Creative Class for Action and Advocacy" conference will give young professionals, 25 to 45 years old, the chance to develop leadership skills, network and build strong communities. The conference, sponsored by The Young Leaders in Philanthropy under the auspices of the United Way of the Capital Area, is Nov. 4 and 5 at the King Edward Hotel, and is geared to young professionals engaged in the community and in their organizations.
Fortification Renewal Set for 2011
Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said he expects construction to begin on the renewal of Fortification Street project by early next year.
Carlton D. Williams
Provine High School Band Director Carlton D. Williams is on top of the world as he reminisces about his school's sweet victory at the Tyson Foods Battle of the Bands last month. "It was a very riveting experience," Williams says of the regional band competition. "It was a milestone in my career to be able to participate in an activity of that magnitude."
Help Me Continue to Stomp Out the Stigma of Mental Illness
***UPDATE: NAMI Mississippi has a contest going on now to motivate walkers to raise funds. The walker who raises the most money will win a free night's stay at Rainbow Hotel & Casino in Vicksburg and two complimentary buffets. The night's stay can be used any day of the week. If you think you have the chops to win this prize, join the JFP NAMIWalks team today and start raising money!***
Ward 7 Meeting Tonight
Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and city department heads will host a ward 7 community meeting tonight at Farish Street Baptist Church (619 N. Farish St.). The meeting starts at 6 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., The Mississippi Department of Employment Security's WIN Center Mobile Job Unit will be on site for residents to search a job database and fill out job applications.
Big Fair Numbers, Medical Mall Groundbreaking, Creative Class Conference
The Mississippi State Fair is attracting much larger crowds than it did last year, when rain kept attendance low. An estimated 307,052 people attended the fair through Monday, according to the state Fair Commission. Attendance through the weekend was almost 100,000 above last year's numbers.
McGowan Confronts Board Over Levee Confusion
Jackson oilman and "Two Lakes" developer John McGowan went before the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District Levee Board this morning, demanding clarity over whether the board's one-lake plan would include expanded levees.
State May Receive $13M for Small Businesses
A new federal law offers Mississippi up to $13.2 million to support small-business lending programs through community banks. The State Small Business Credit Initiative, part of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Barack Obama signed Sept. 27, dedicates $1.5 billion in federal funds to expand existing state-level programs that extend credit to small businesses.
CJ Rhodes
Tonight bears historical significance for Mount Helm Baptist Church pastor CJ Rhodes who will take part in a discussion about race and the role of the church as his congregation celebrates its 175-year anniversary.
Community Events and Public Meetings
6 p.m., Italian Wine Dinner at Cerami's (5417 Lakeland Drive, Suite I). Come experience Italian wines carefully chosen and paired with special Italian recipes. Proceeds benefit Hudspeth Regional Center. A reservation is required. $65; call 601-919-2829.
Barbour Frequently Out of State
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was out of state all or part of 48 days in July, August and September, The Associated Press reported Saturday.
Environmentalists Warn of Wetland Loss; Flood Risk
Two U.S. Supreme Court decisions are endangering Mississippi wetlands and raising the risk of serious floods, environmentalists said during the Clean Water Summit at the Mississippi Natural Science Museum this morning.
Laid-Off Teachers Hurting Education
Mississippi's public education system faces a difficult future, given persistent funding troubles, state Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, said today. Speaking at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce's Friday Forum at Koinonia Coffee House, Blount touched on a number of topics, focusing on education and the state's fiscal difficulties.
Greg ‘Fingers' Taylor
If you've ever heard Greg "Fingers" Taylor play the harmonica, you know that Jimmy Buffett owes much of his success to the Mississippi resident.
It's The Weekend
Start your weekend with a visit to the Downtown Harp & Juke Festival at Underground 119 (119 S. President St.) where you can dance and hear music from artists like Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush and Billy Gibson. The tickets are $25 per day. Call 601-352-2322 or buy tickets online. If you prefer to take it easy, attend the Millsaps Singers' "Our Wesleyan Heritage" concert at Millsaps College, Ford Academic Complex (1701 N. State St.). The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free; call 601-974-1422 for more information. Feel free to look at JFP Music Listings for more weekend entertainment.
Roll Off Dumpster Day Tomorrow
The city of Jackson is encouraging residents to take tree limbs, yard debris and unwanted household items to the following locations from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday: