Free Flu Meds Available
The Mississippi State Department of Health is making antiviral medications available to uninsured and underinsured patients. In an agreement with selected pharmacies, the department is offering Tamiflu and Relenza from state stockpiles to Mississippians who can't afford them.
Levee Board Pushs Corps on Lakes Plans, Again
At a meeting this morning, the Levee Board again pushed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to justify the $4 million the Corps has said it will cost just to revisit the feasibility and costs of two controversial Lakes plans it says are unlikely to happen.
Hood Fights Cyber Crime, Online Predators
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood continued his efforts to combat cyber crime today, unveiling an Internet safety video created in collaboration with Comcast Cable. The video, which will be available to Comcast subscribers and on the attorney general's Web site, is aimed at parents and children.
Public Meetings and Community Events This Week
Nov. 9 and 10, Southern Hospitality Conference at the Hilton Jackson (1001 E. County Line Rd.). The Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association hosts this annual conference for the tourism and lodging industries in the state. Call 228-436-0630.
Roy Wheat
Some of the most honorable and selfless men and women in our country's history have served in the armed services. Mississippian Roy Wheat entered this category with a heroic, selfless act during the Vietnam War.
Ida Weakens to Tropical Storm
This morning, the National Hurricane Center downgraded Ida from a hurricane to a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. The late season gulf storm was off the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle as of 9 a.m., and is moving north and east at roughly 17 mph.
BREAKING: Health Care Reform Passes U.S. House 220-215
One Republican joined 219 Democratic members of the U.S. Congress minutes ago to pass H.R. 3962 to reform health care in America. Rep. Joseph Cao, of the 2nd District of Louisiana joined Democrats to pass the legislation. A cheer went up in the chambers when the 218th vote was cast by Rep. John Dingell, a Democrat of Michigan's 15th District. Thirty-nine Democrats voted against the legislaiton.
Radio Show of Shows: Part II
Transcript from this morning's show:
FJ:Good morning and good grief, this is Fearless Jackson and you are listening to your favorite morning radio show in the entire neighborhood. How is the morning pizza? Short broadcast today since the mailman keeps forgetting to collect the mail around here. Know what that means? The bills aren't getting delivered. Oh, who am I kidding? I am only saying this in the off chance someone at the bank listens to my show. What are the odds of that?
Protesters Demand Epps Stop Inmate Abuse
Members of the Southeastern Christian Association, Operation Help Civil Rights Group, and Mothers of Inmates protested outside Mississippi Department of Corrections headquarters on President Street in Jackson today, lobbying for fair treatment of sons and husbands who are inmates in MDOC correctional facilities.
JFP People of the Day: Barbara Taylor and Jerry Mosley
Barbara Taylor and Jerry Mosley are walking together this weekend. Tomorrow, Taylor will lead a team from the Community Services Department of the Mississippi State Hospital in NAMIWalks, a benefit for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Here's What's Happening this Weekend
Two words for this weekend: Mistletoe Marketplace. If you haven't even begun to think about the upcoming holidays, this annual event presented by the Jackson Junior League will get you so psyched for everything Christmas that you just might sit on Santa's lap this year. It's happening at the Mississippi Trademart and closes at 7 p.m. Saturday. For more information, see the JFP Best Bets page.
New Look, New Name for Downtown Restaurant
Suniora Page bounced back from bad luck to a new career. After being laid off from her job as a manager at the Nissan plant in Canton in October 2008, Page took a job as a cashier at Miller's Grocery in the City Centre building downtown. When she heard that the owners were looking to sell the location, she decided to make the leap to ownership and purchased the restaurant.
Attorney General Info Initiative Launched
In an effort to have Mississippi residents understand the resources available to them through his office, Attorney General Jim Hood announced a statewide educational initiative yesterday.
NAMIWalks is tomorrow!
There's still time to give if you wish to do so. You can donate online at http://www.nami.org/namiwalks09/MIS/lwillis or send a check to:
GOP Senators Agree to Unemployment Extension
After a days-long stand off, U.S. Senate Republicans agreed to unanimously support extending unemployment and homebuyers' credits yesterday.
Police Search for Suspect in Rash of Auto Burglaries
Jackson's Precinct 4 saw a rash of auto burglaries last week. Violent crime, however, remains down in the city.
Bill Chandler
Bill Chandler, executive director and founder of Jackson-based Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, does not let being 68 stop him from doing good. He is an advocate for immigrant rights throughout the state of Mississippi. For this work, he was named a 2009 Purpose Prize Fellow, an award for entrepreneurs over 60 who use their experience to tackle society's biggest challenges in second careers started in the second half of life.
Toys for Tots Registration This Weekend
The City of Jackson and the U.S. Marine Corps has announced its annual child signup for the coming holiday season. Registration will be held at the Jackson Medical Mall near the Subway Sandwich Shop (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Drive) on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
JFP INDEX: VIP White Jackson
The November 2009 edition of The Clarion-Ledger's now-shrunken VIP Jackson Magazine is a study in how (not) to publish an extremely white publication in a majority-black metroby a company that supposedly prides itself on media diversity.
A Promising Season
These are heady times for the Mississippi State and Ole Miss men's basketball teams.