Judges Order Two Off Mississippi Death Row
In separate cases, federal judges have ruled that two Mississippi inmates on death row in Parchman are mentally ill. Both cases stem from 1981 crimes, and the two inmates have each served 27 years.
Consolidation: The Same Old Story?
The issue of school consolidation is popping up in anticipation of another cash-strapped legislative session. Calls for merging some of the state's 152 public-school districts aren't new in lean budget years, despite a lack of evidence of its value.
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
High school football, Jackson Prep vs. Jackson Academy in MAIS AAA- Division I championship (7 p.m., Mississippi College, Clinton, 970 AM, 930 AM): It seems like these two play in the final every year. JA won the regular-season game.
A Dark Side to Glory
The first 11 months of 2009 have given fans rare insight into the Celebrated Sports Hero.
Angelia Budhraja and Rickey McAlister
Over several years, international borders and different cultures, Angelia Budhraja and Rickey McAlister found each other.
Seeking the Authentic
Since I'm one of those folks who was "brought back" to Mississippi by a native, I sometimes feel like I have a unique vantage point. Mississippi reminds me enough of my boyhood Texas to be a second home to me, and yet it's weird enough to feel like "a whole'nother country."
JFP Food Blog Live! First-ever JFP Food Issue Is Out!
Today we launched our brand new food blog -- http://www.jfpfood.com -- and published our first-ever (!) food issue, dedicated to both cooking and dining (and a bit of drinking). It's a huge 52-page issue; hats off to ShaWanda for editing and assigning it; Kristin for great design; Ronni and Lacey for busting their butts editing it; and all the freelancers for such great work!
National HIV/AIDS Town Hall Comes to Jackson
The White House Office of National AIDS Policy selected 14 cities for community discussions to develop and implement a national HIV/AIDS strategy. Among the stops is Jackson on Monday, Nov. 16.
Stop Barbour's Power Grab
Gov. Haley Barbour does have gall, you have to hand him that. Since he came home from Washington, D.C., in 2003 to serve as Mississippi's governor, he has reconfigured the balance-of-power at the state capitol.
[Stiggers] Just Pay Me Back
Rudy McBride: "Greetings to all of my loyal customers journeying through this world of woe during this global recession. This message is dedicated to the wayfaring strangers traveling to that bright land of no sickness, toil or danger. This message is for people waiting for promises to become successful realities."
On the Delta's Tamale Trail
Three of us, women who have lived all over the country but with firm roots in Mississippi, pile into Lizzie's silver hatchback in search of a Mississippi birthrightDelta-style tamales.
Tamale King
Willie Harmon, 65, founder and patriarch of the Hot Tamale Heaven family, is at first skeptical about talking over the phone. But once he realizes we are talking tamales, he lights up the phone with anecdotes and the kind of laughter that carries well from Greenville to Jackson.
Food Factoid: Nachos
Have you ever sat down in front of humongous pile of nachos and wondered, "Who was the genius that invented this amazing conglomeration of crispy chips, melted cheese, chunky salsa and chopped beef?"
Anatomy of a Tamale
Tamales are an ancient food, the word stemming from tamalii, the Aztec language's term for "wrapped food." The Mississippi hot tamale is a different beast than its ancestor, the Mexican tamal.
Culinary Cognates
Latin America has hundreds of variations of dumplings cooked in natural husks, leaves and bark.
In the Kitchen with Pat and Robert
It's 6 o'clock on a Wednesday evening, and a steady stream of cars is queued at the drive-up window at Tony's Tamales. Robert Mosley is leaning over a microphone, running the register and taking customers' orders in rapid-fire.
You Give Me Fever
After traversing the Mississippi Delta on a quest to find the grail of the hot tamale world, I worried I'd overextended myself; so much spice in such a short time may have blown my gustatory circuits. In truth, I came back with a deeper appreciation of barbeque, the blues and the flavors that inspired the evolution of our state's unique tamales.
Tale of Two Taquerias
If you are also disappointed in the Mexican fare Jackson has to offer, never fear. Taqueria Guanajuato brings delicious and, most importantly, authentic Mexican food to the greater Jackson area. On Highway 49 in Richland, the taqueria has a handful of tables and a wall full of coolers stocked with everything from Jarritos fruit drinks to that sought-after Coca-Cola made with real sugar instead of corn syrup, and an impressive display of horchata. The menu boasts traditional fare such as barbacoa and sesos, or beef brains. For those fearful eaters, the pollo is moist and evenly spiced, and the carne asada and the carnitas are palate pleasing as well. All tacos are served with a tray of chopped cilantro, sweet onions and lime as well as grilled cactus and onions.
JFP Cookbook Poll: What one cookbook can't you live without?
"I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence," Amy Sedaris (Grand Central Publishing, 2008, $15.99). "It's not just a cookbook, it's a way of life. She is so funny!," ֖Ashley Jackson, JFP account manager
Kitchen Essentials
I graduated from college with only margarita glasses and a muffin pan to fill my kitchen. Since those two items can only go so far, I made a post-college IKEA pilgrimage to fill in the holes.