Calhoun Questions Youth Detention Center Staffing, Transparency
Hinds County's youth detention center is once again the target of criticism, despite the county's recent agreement with a watchdog group that has voiced concerns about the facility in the past. Supervisor Peggy Calhoun raised the possibility of overstaffing at the center, also known as Henley-Young, during a meeting of the county Board of Supervisors on Monday, Nov. 16.
[Balko] Absolute Immunity on Trial
Bush's former solicitor general tries to roll back prosecutorial abuse.
Pat Chambliss
Pat Chambliss, 52, is the volunteer executive director and one of the founding members of Dress for Success in Jackson. A national organization started in 1997 in New York, the organization's goal is to provide "suits to self sufficiency," Chambliss says.
Discuss the Saints: 9-0
The Saints are good enough to beat every team on their schedule. So why are they keeping these games so close?
Barbour Wants to Merge State's Black Universities
In his budget proposal today to the Mississippi Legislature, Gov. Haley Barbour proposed consolidating Jackson State University, Alcorn State University and Mississippi Valley State University. He also wants to roll Mississippi University for Women into Mississippi State University. He also called for most state agencies to cut their budgets 12 percent.
JFP Hosts Domestic Abuse Forum at Welty Library
Why do men abuse? Why do women stay? How can the community stop the cycle of domestic abuse in a state that is among the most dangerous for women?
The Battle to Sell "Green" Power to Utilities Comes to Jackson
Mississippians who generate their own electricity through green technologies should be able to sell any excess back to power companies, Julia O'Neal told a legislative panel this morning. O'Neal said the process of net metering allows individuals to sell excess electricity generated through the use of solar panels or windmill generators, back to power companies at market rates. Net metering is necessary to offset customers' investment in personal power generation, she said.
Robin Webb
Concert pianist, composer and activist Robin Webb, 52, has been living with HIV and AIDS for more than two decades. Diagnosed in 1988 as HIV positive, his doctor told him in 1990 that the virus had progressed. "You have AIDS," he told Webb. "... You need to put your house in order."
Public Meetings and Community Events
6 p.m., Domestic Violence Awareness Forum at the Eudora Welty Library (300 N. State St.). Moderated by Donna Ladd, Jackson Free Press editor-in-chief, the panel will discuss how to make Mississippi a safer place for women. Free; call 601-362-6121, ext. 16.
State Earns "F" from March of Dimes but Shows Improvement
Mississippi received a failing grade from the second annual March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, but the organization states that it showed improvement on some criteria. The report, released yesterday on the seventh annual Prematurity Awareness Day, says as a whole, the United States gets a "D," with more than a half million newborns not getting the healthy start they deserve. No state received an "A" on the report card and only Vermont received a "B."
JxnPro Benefit for Stewpot @ F. Jones Corner THURSDAY 7PM
ADMISSION IS A CANNED GOOD(S), CLOTHING, OR DONATION!
Jackson Progressives will be holding it annual Benefit for Stewpot THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19 at 7pm. This years event will be held at F. Jones Corner, one of Jackson's newest, hottest spots.
Barbour to Announce Budget Recommendations
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour will provide the state with his recommendations for the budget today. With revenues lagging behind estimates for the last year, politicians and pundits expect the announced cuts to be deep and wide.
DeLaughter Sentenced to 18 Months
Update: U.S. District Judge Glen Davidson sentenced DeLaughter to 18 months this afternoon.
Crazy Cat Opens New Fondren Location
Fondren shoppers have another place to indulge their sweet tooth. On Monday, Nov. 9, Highland Village confectioner Jon Lansdale opened a second location of his Crazy Cat Bakers in the Fondren Corner building. Crazy Cat is selling grab-and-go lunches and drinks, along with its renowned cakes, brownies and cookies, in the small 16 foot by 16 foot space that used to house Cosmo Tots children's boutique.
John Dooley
John Dooley is turning his passion for scuba diving into a business. Two weeks ago, Dooley won a $10,000 grant from the Mississippi Technology Alliance to develop Diver's D\Lyte, a performance drink that Dooley invented for scuba divers.
It's the Weekend!
Disregarding any gloom and doom on this Friday the 13th, go start the weekend right at the Eudora Welta Commons with gumbo and tunes at 7 p.m. For a mere five bucks, The Dixie Nationals and the Scramblers will play for your auditory pleasure, while chef Phil Harris is sure to tickle your taste buds. For something a bit more cerebral, head to Millsaps College at 7:30 p.m. for "Music and Martial Arts" featuring music from Japan and a martial arts demo from the Japan-America Society. Need more options? Start your search on the JFP Best Bets page.
[Burnham] Stakes Raised for Mississippi Schools
Appointed as State Superintendent of Education
The difference between Mississippi's old school-accountability rating system, which rated schools from Level 1 to Level 5, and the school and district accountability system that the state will implement this school year is like the difference between competing for a state championship and a national championship. It is just like Ole Miss and MSU football competing for state bragging rights compared to competing for national bragging rights. There is a big difference.
Jackson Violent Crime Down 10.1 Percent
Major crimes in Jackson decreased again last week, according to statistics released this morning at a Jackson Police Department meeting. Officers reported 154 property crimes, down from 226 the week before, and 32 violent crimes, up slightly from 25 the previous week. For the year to date, violent crime is down 10.1 percent from 2008, while property crimes are up 1.1 percent over last year.
Barbour Visits Iraq; Talks State Budget Cuts
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour spent Veteran's Day in Iraq visiting some of the 124,000 American troops there, including more than 3,500 from the Magnolia state, mostly from the Tupelo-based 155th Brigade Combat Team. Barbour joined fellow Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue of Georgia, and two Democrats, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski.
Wyatt Waters
The Mississippi Arts Commission has announced that Clinton artist and area favorite Wyatt Waters, known statewide for his watercolor paintings, will receive a 2010 Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. The award honors five artists each year in the performing, visual and literary arts throughout the state. Past recipients include Eudora Welty, Bill Dunlap and Dr. Samuel Gore.