Beth Smith
Beth Smith will puncture holes in any preconceived notion you might have about women who serve in the Mississippi Army National Guard. Pretty, petite, bursting with energy, a non-stop smile on her face, she's also a major who just returned from nearly a year serving in Afghanistan.
Water Emergency Closings
Numerous schools and businesses will close early or remain closed throughout the day due to water main breaks around the city of Jackson. Call ahead to find out whether your destination is open today. Closings include:
Water Emergency in Jackson
Gov. Haley Barbour declared a state of emergency for the city of Jackson today due to water main breaks that have disrupted water service across the city. Speaking at a noon press conference after Barbour's announcement, Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said that the city has suffered roughly 70 water line breaks since Wednesday of last week, when freezing temperatures began taking their toll on the city's infrastructure.
The Game Has Changed
Good evening, frisky amigos.
You think life is a freeze in Jackson? Trudge 2 hours north to Oxford. It's so cold here- the students can't even open their mouths to sing, "The South Will Rise Again."
Board Asking for Federal Money for Levees
The Rankin-Hinds Pearl Flood and Drainage Control District Levee Board approved discussions with Mississippi's U.S. delegation, including Sen. Thad Cochran and Rep. Bennie Thompson over how to draw down a portion of the $133 million federal allotment for flood control for the Pearl River between Hinds and Rankin counties.
Gloria Williamson
A former Democratic state senator from Philadelphia, Miss., Gloria Williamson has devoted countless hours over the last 10 years to improving the status of women in Mississippi.
Public Meetings and Community Events
Hinds Community College Registration, at all campuses. Extended hours: 8:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. Classes begin Monday, Jan. 11, but students can still register late through Jan. 15. Call 1-800-HINDS-CC.
Legislature Slows Its Roll
The Mississippi Legislature got off to a productive start last week, with the passage of an economic incentive package and an extension of workforce training funds, two measures that Gov. Haley Barbour had requested. That spirit of compromise seems to have waned, though, as the House and Governor's office remain locked in a standoff over Barbour's budget-cutting authority.
Barbour to Deliver State of the State
Gov. Haley Barbour will deliver the annual Mississippi State-of-the-State speech tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. from the state capitol. The speech will be broadcast live by Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
A Step Toward Bike Safety
For the past 15 years, Mississippi has averaged about six cyclist deaths per year, which makes it difficult to understand why last session, the state Senate did not receive enough support for a bill that would have guaranteed safer roads for cyclists.
City Issues Boil Water Notice
[Verbatim from the City of Jackson] The City of Jackson Water/Sewer Utilities Division has issued a precautionary boil water advisory until further notice for all customers on the City's well water system located in the western part of the City and Hinds County. Numerous water line breaks on the water system have caused the system to lose its pressure, resulting in this precautionary boil water notice. The system should recover as breaks are repaired.
State Workers Forced to Furlough?
Mississippi Sen. Alice Harden, D-Jackson, said she will submit a bill this legislative session forcing all state employees not directly connected to essential services, like hospital care, to accept a one-day-a-month furlough.
Bounds: Universities Will Have To Cut Programs
State Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds told legislators Tuesday that funding cuts will force Mississippi's eight public universities to eliminate programs and consider raising tuition. Speaking to the House Universities and Colleges Committee, Bounds warned that the state's universities would not be able to recoup lost state funding solely by increasing efficiency in areas like administration, purchasing and energy usage.
Weekend Happenings
For intrepid souls, this weekend's big thing is the third annual Mississippi Blues Marathon, kicking off at 7 a.m. Saturday at Capitol and State streets. Come out and show your support for the runners, but wear a hat, scarf, mittens and lots of layers. High temps should be somewhere south of 40 degrees. Warm up Saturday night with the Blues Crawl at local venues, including Fire, Underground 119, Martin's, Ole Tavern and F. Jones Corner.
Commission Denies Allstate 65 Percent Hike
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney sent a letter yesterday denying a request from Allstate Property and Insurance Co. to more than double rates for 51,000 residents state-wide, reports the Associated Press. Deputy Commissioner Mark Haire told the Associated Press that the commission did not find justification for the increase.
Net-Metering Advocates Push for Support
Advocates for net metering pressed legislators this morning to submit and pass laws during this legislative session making the consumer-based electricity policy a reality in Mississippi.
Jackson Sees Sharp Drop in Major Crimes
Major crimes in Jackson decreased 18.1 percent last week, according to statistics (PDF) released at a Jackson Police Department command staff meeting this morning. Officers reported a 14.2 percent decrease in property crimes and 35.7 percent drop in violent crimes from the previous week.
JFP Giraffe of the Day: Ruby
Dec. 8, 2009, was a banner day for the Jackson Zoo and for its resident reticulated giraffes, Diamond and Casper. On that Tuesday, Diamond gave birth to her seventh calf, a 104-pound healthy female.
Our Haley Barbour: The 'Anti-Obama'?
Newsweek has a story this week asking if Haley Barbour will be the next president. The story starts:
Jackson Prepped for Frigid Temps
The Jackson area will see temperatures drop below freezing by around 6 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service, and won't see anything above 32 degrees until Sunday. With this morning's rain, expect ice on the roads after dark. Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. has urged motorists to use caution and to stay off the streets as much as possible during the wintry precipitation.