Latest stories

Small Town, Big Mystery

Critics have hailed Tom Franklin's latest novel, "Crooked Letter Crooked Letter" (William Morrow, 2010, $24), as his best and most accessible work to date.

One Man's Journey

Bruce Machart's debut novel "The Wake of Forgiveness" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010, $26) is a journey down a path of loss and pain, into the emergence of hope and peace.

About a month ago, I admonished up-and-coming artists to embrace the concept of free music. The argument was simple: Free music makes it easier for artists to disseminate their product to as many people as possible. Exposure is the new currency.

James Gray

When performing at a blues venue in Jackson, James Gray, known as "Rock," is almost always stylishly dressed and sporting a fedora, shuffling and twirling pretty women around with his left arm while his right sleeve stays tucked in his belt.

City Passes Anti-Profiling Ordinance

Jackson's Anti-Profiling Ordinance (PDF, 224 KB)

Changing the Face of Highway 80

In 10 years, the Highway 80 corridor will look nothing like it does today if the city of Jackson has its way.

Get Roy Adkins Out of Jail

I went to see him, and he's holding up pretty well. He slipped me a note through the bars that he wanted me to share with the rest of you. Here it is, verbatim:

Mississippi Schools Cut 2,000 Jobs

Mississippi school districts have cut more than 2,000 employees over the last year to manage their shrinking budgets, state Superintendent for Education Tom Burnham told a panel of legislators yesterday. Speaking to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Burnham emphasized districts' cost-cutting measures while asking legislators to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program in the upcoming 2012 fiscal year.

Time to Recommit

I have allowed myself to become a victim to a couple of common phenomenon: I messed up, so f*ck it; and I over-committed, so I'm not doing anything.

Jackson Targets Neglected Property

The city has a new weapon against dilapidated and abandoned property thanks to a new state law that will make it easier for the city to collect fines on those properties, Jackson Planning and Development Director Corinne Fox said yesterday.

[Balko] The Case for Bifurcated Trials

In July, the Texas Forensic Science Commission found that arson investigators used flawed science in the trial of Cameron Todd Willingham. Willingham was convicted of setting a 1999 fire that killed his three children. He was executed in 2004, despite serious questions about his guilt. The case garnered national attention last year after a David Grann investigation in the New Yorker argued that Willingham was innocent and that there was no evidence the fire was intentional.

Patrick Payton

Patrick Payton made his way to Smith Park this morning in hopes of getting a free haircut, but ended up putting on a parking-attendant vest and directing traffic for this morning's One Stop Service Fair.

Fondren Makeover; Sushi and More

A new upscale sushi restaurant is set to open this December on Capitol Street. Wasabi Bistro is a collaboration between owner Lina Lynn, who also owns Ding How Asian Bistro in Ridgeland, and two newcomers, attorney Tami Lynn Munsch and Ronnie Isaac. Munsch and Isaac are helping design the bistro's menu and bar offerings.

Set Do-Able Goals

My main goal on the Road to Wellness has been to turn trips to the gym into a habit -- instead of a chore. That's tough for a guy who has never prided himself on a ton of will power. I do it three ways. First, I tell myself that every trip to the gym can last as long (or as short) as it needs to. Most of the time I get in 45-60 minutes on the elliptical, my cardio of choice, even if I didn't feel like I'd spend that much time when I'm on my way in the gym. But if 30 minutes is all I feel like doing, I'll stop. Something is better than nothing, and lowered the bar just a bit makes it easier to get to the gym. Second, I've convinced myself I don't have to go every day -- but I should "earn" the days I don't go by getting there the next day. If the Saints play Monday Night Football, that means I can skip an after-work session, but only if I double-down the commitment to make it on a Tuesday. That keeps me on track for at least 3 sessions and week, and usually four -- which is pretty good considering I wasn't going at all a few months back, right? Third, I recommend prepping for the next gym session right after your last one. For me, that means refilling my water bottle and sticking it in the fridge, making sure my headphones go right back in my gym bag (I've got a special $2 set just for the gym) and locating a clean towel. That way, when the next gym day comes around, I'm ready to change shoes, walk out the door and get on with it -- without finding an easy excuse for putting it off.

Doctors Oppose Barbour's Health-Care Lawsuit

The health-care reform advocacy group Doctors for America is speaking out against Gov. Haley Barbour for joining a 20-state lawsuit against the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act.

I Did It (Sort Of…)

They say that if you do something 21 days a row, it becomes a habit. For me, if I actually remember to do something three times, it's a miracle. I'm proud of myself because within a two-week period, I remembered to spend a few minutes outside to soak in some sun. I didn't always stay outside for 15 minutes since it has still been unseasonably warm, but I did feel rejuvenated each time I took a moment to do so. Now, if I can just do it every day, I'll be on to something.

Bumps in the Road

My Road to Wellness started all uphill but positive and has somehow taken a nosedive into procrastination, health issues, and sweets. What the heck happened and how did it all happen at once? I'm not exactly sure, but what I DO know is that it's time to pick up the pace once more.

Ellington