10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Jackson 'Equality' Resolution on Agenda Tuesday
Jackson is expected to become the eighth Mississippi city to pass an equality resolution that includes LGBT residents.
5th Circuit Could Soon Ban Abortion in State
Any day now the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could decide the constitutionality of a law that would close the last abortion clinic in Mississippi, effectively banning abortion in the state.
Mona Nicholas
Mona Nicholas, the newly appointed deputy director of the USA International Ballet Competition—one of the largest international ballet competitions in the world—,fell in love with dance the first time she saw a performance.
Archie Manning
If a Mississippian brings up "Archie," they are without a doubt talking about former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints great Archie Manning, one of the most recognizable sports figures in Mississippi history.
The Summer Problem for Kids: In Mississippi, the Hottest Months Put Lower-Income Learners at Risk
Extensive research shows that all children are prone to learning losses when they do not have educational opportunities during the summer.
Lifting Up Black Boys: What the Experts Say
When a critical mass of the nation's foremost experts on educating black boys gathered in Jackson in April to hobnob, commiserate and impart their latest findings on how to get positive outcomes with this much-maligned population, it had the breathtaking impact of the locusts.
Water Meters Still Worry Council Members
The Siemens deal has made council members and citizens wary since May 2012, when Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. presented a deal for council approval.
Jatran Natural Gas Conversion May Cool ‘Heated’ Bus Riders
Due to ongoing issues with air-conditioning units on several JATRAN buses, passengers might have to find an alternative solution to their traveling needs this summer.
Police, Experts Say Youth Programs Help Cut Crime
With Jackson Public Schools now out for the summer, many people are worried that the students' newly found freedom will lead to kids getting bored or giving in to peer pressure, which opens up the possibility for a summer season filled with mischief.
Frank Spencer
It's lunchtime at Stewpot Community Services, and Frank Spencer, executive director, stands off to the side, watching as Stewpot does what it's meant to do—serve the people of Jackson.
Madison Judge Racial-Abuse Case to go to Grand Jury
Madison County Justice Court Judge Bill Weisenberger is being accused of knocking down, slapping and kicking a mentally disabled young black man and yelling a racial slur: "Run, n*gger, run."
Lost Pizza Co. and The Meridian at Fondren In, Nick's Restaurant Out
Brothers Will and Jones McPherson, owners of JJ Brothers LLC, are bringing the Lost Pizza Co. restaurant to Jackson's Maywood Mart, to the space that housed Bon Ami before it closed in October 2013.
Ramona Spann
Ramona Spann, 55, is on a mission to break the cycle of poor food choices and obesity in Mississippi by working from the ground up, starting with kids.
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Freedom Summer to Empower Youth
Albert Sykes grew up in west Jackson the next block over from the street where Medgar and Myrlie Evers lived, but says he never had a real connection to the Civil Rights Movement until he was in the sixth grade and met Bob Moses.
Gaps in Kids' Dental Coverage a Trouble Spot
No one wants to go to the dentist, but kids need to. A small cavity left to fester can grow into a big health problem. That's why the government made pediatric dental care one of the health law's "essential benefits."
Lindsey Lemmons
When not delving into nature, Lindsey Lemmons, 33, serves as environmental management systems coordinator for the National Guard and advocates in Jackson for an end to manufactured foods and genetically modified organisms, among other activities.
Thalia Mara Work to Wrap Early
Soon, Thalia Mara Hall will be back, and officials overseeing its renovation say the opera house will be better than ever.
Omar Johnson
Jackson State baseball coach Omar Johnson has been able to keep the defending SWAC Baseball Tournament Champions focused during a trying time.
HRC: Why LGBT Moves Like Waveland's Are Vital
On a stop of his tour through the South, Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin spoke at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson on May 13 about the Human Rights Campaign's newest permanent campaign, Project One America.
Casinos, LGBTs Still Allied in Face of SB 2681
To say that Mississippi, where citizens passed a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage in 2004, has been slow to cash in on the economic potential of embracing LGBT people and their money would be an understatement.
Yarber’s Early Moves: Roads, Safety
The city's pothole problem has long been a source of stress for many Jackson motorists.
Sue Lobrano
Without Sue Lobrano and her years of knowledge, the USA International Ballet Competition probably wouldn't be as big as it is today.
Venom Strikes Midtown, Bomgar and Seafood Get Boosts
Phillip Rollins, better known around Jackson as DJ Young Venom, opened a new store called Offbeat Saturday, May 17.
Derrick Johnson
When two Tougaloo College alumni convinced Derrick Johnson, a Detroit, Mich., native, that he belonged at the college, Johnson ended up discovering a passion for civil-rights work.
Report: Rural Miss. Schools Poorer, More Diverse
Rural schools in Mississippi are growing in enrollment and serving more low-income and minority students than previous years, according to a report released Monday.
Cochran, McDaniel Spar Over Wife Photo Scandal
A longtime incumbent and a firebrand startup vying for the Republican nomination to U.S. Senate continue sparring over a scandal that broke over the weekend and shows no sign of waning anytime soon.
Community Meetings and Events
A Memorial Day Parade will be held in downtown Vicksburg on Monday, May 26
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Blogs
- Boil Water Lifted for Most Jackson ZIPs
- City Responds to Hinds County Emergency Declaration
- ZDD Giveaways and Festival on Mar 25, but No Parade
- Casino-Mogul Trump Going Against the Odds With 'Muslim Ban'
- Millsaps Issues Statement on Trump's Immigration Order
- Court Denies Attempts to Dismiss Election Complaint for "Straw Contest"
- Roll-Off Dumpster Day on February 4
- City: Court Rules Rankin Can Build Own Wastewater Treatment Plant
- LaDarion Ammons Announces Run for Ward 7 Council Seat
- Tornado Warning for Central Hinds, NE Rankin, Madison Counties
Video
- Gov. Reeves Answers Nick Judin's Questions
- Chris McDaniel on Morning Joe
- Word on the street: What would you like to see come to Jackson?
- Trump Rally
- Trump Rally
- More Trump Rally Footage
- Trump Rally
- Kameron Palmer On Saving Our Sons
- Joel D. Swan On Saving Our Sons
- Attorney Martin Perkins Speaks for Inmates