News

Jackson Tourism Weathers a Tough Economy

Last year, an estimated 3 million people visited Jackson's tourist spots, events, festivals and conventions, spending more than $294 million.

Holly Smith

Holly Smith has fond memories of her father, who passed away two years ago from Alzheimer's disease. He was an electrician with a love of history and an outgoing, friendly man. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in his early 60s and passed away at age 68. Smith's aunt has also been diagnosed with the disease.

Create a ‘Club Newsletter' for your Biz or Group

I am surprised when I find a local business or organization—restaurant, retailer, non-profit—that isn't using an email newsletter service to reach their loyal customers and clients. Email newsletters offer a wonderful opportunity to follow up with clients, reminding them of sales, trunk shows, happy hours, bands, giving opportunities and more.

Stolen Lives: Remembering the Tragedy of Slavery

An Instrument of Change

A half moon disappeared as the sun rose out of the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 1, 1832. The humid coastal winds filled the sails and carried the ship through the waves as J.W. Martin captained the Schooner Wild Cat, a 40-plus ton sailboat, out of the port of Charleston, S.C.

Big Plans, Little Progress

The U.S. Congress established the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Commission as an independent, public advisory commission with the Rural Development, Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of October 1, 1988.

Dr. Carl Reddix Talks About Political Realities

Dr. Carl Reddix wasn't looking for national media attention when he agreed to serve on the Mississippi Board of Health, but if it has people talking about public-health policy in Mississippi, he'll take it.

A Heart for Survivors

In 2007, she began to feel unwell, she said. She was inexplicably losing weight, was feeling nauseous and had developed what she called a shiny, itchy spot on her left breast. She brushed it off as sadness despite the protestations of her family and friends. Then, in December of that year, an old friend, Leroy Walker, who hadn't seen her in months, told her, "Stephanie, you're sick."

Kelly Engelmann

She's more than just a familiar face with a fancy job title; she's helping Mississippians heal and age gracefully. Kelly Engelmann, owner and family nurse practitioner at Enhanced Wellness in Jackson, is dedicated now, more than ever, to women's health.

Jackson City Council Talks Crap

Jackson is finally getting its crap together. More specifically, the city is finally addressing the years-long problem of accumulating waste, or sludge, at the Savanna Street Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Biz Roundup: CARA

McAlister's Deli plans to use the grand reopening of its Maywood Mart location next week as a fundraising opportunity for a local charity. Everyone who visits the restaurant June 5 and donates a bag of dry dog food to Community Animal Rescue and Adoption will receive a voucher for a free meal on their next visit to the Maywood location.

Events to Benefit CARA

McAlister's Deli plans to use the grand reopening of its Maywood Mart location next week as a fundraising opportunity for a local charity. Everyone who visits the restaurant June 5 and donates a bag of dry dog food to Community Animal Rescue and Adoption will receive a voucher for a free meal on their next visit to the Maywood location.

Persons of the Day: Batson Hospital's Congenital Heart Surgery Team

Treating children's heart defects can be a harrowing experience. The most serious conditions require long hospital stays and multiple surgeries. One local surgeon says his team is achieving good results in treating the most complex heart defects, even in patients that statistically do worse than others.

JRA Says Ugly Garage Ramp Must Go

Jackson Redevelopment Authority board members agree something needs to be done with the unsightly Jackson Place parking garage ramp on Capitol Street. However, they don't seem to know just what to do.

Ronnie Agnew

Ronnie Agnew graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in radio/television journalism, then spent the next 27 years working in newspapers, including a nine-year stint as the first black executive editor at the Clarion-Ledger, before he started working in broadcasting.

It's the Weekend!

Today, Kennith Humphrey's art exhibit at Brown's Fine Art (630 Fondren Place) hangs through May 31. Entry is free; call 601-982-4844. Overnight Lows, The Bills and Turn It Off perform at CS's. The Jason Turner Band plays at Ole Tavern. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity's White Party at The South (627 E. Silas Brown St.) includes music from Sonja Stamps at 8 p.m. ($35 in advance) and the party with music from deejays is at 10 p.m. ($20 in advance). Call 601-503-7625 or 601-672-2914. Nightmare Boyzzz plays at Sam's Lounge. The Daniel Karlish Trio performs at Martin's at 10 p.m. Need more options? See our Best Bets.

Cause of Private Prison Melee Disputed

What we know about this past weekend's events at the Adams County Correctional Center, a private federal prison in Natchez, is that a group of prisoners briefly took control of parts of the facility, held approximately two dozen staff members hostage and beat several employees. One correctional officer, Catlin Carithers, died during the uprising.

Supporters Rally for Gay Rights

"Same-sex marriage may not be legally recognized in our state, as of yet, but it is not illegal to hold a wedding commitment ceremony," Clay Curry said Tuesday to about 20 supporters rallying at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

Michael Duke

On a return trip home to Jackson during Michael "Mike" Duke's first summer as a University of Alabama student, he was involved in a car accident that would change his life forever. After regaining consciousness, he found that he had to learn to read, write, talk and paint all over again. "I was reborn," Duke says. "I was given two chances at life, when most people only get one."

$8.6 Million Pipeline to Link Treatment Plants

Jackson officials say a new $8.6 million, 54-inch water main will help keep water pressure up during freezing weather and will move the city one step closer to closing the 98-year-old J.H. Fewell Water Treatment Plant.

JPS to Keep Accreditation for Now

Jackson Public Schools officially hired a new superintendent May 21 and got some good news on its accreditation status.

Cobby Williams, Young Gun

Cobby Mondale Williams has a classic Washington, D.C., resume. A Jackson resident since age 2, Williams graduated from Murrah High School and Jackson State University. He went to graduate school at Howard University in Washington, D.C., spent a year as an emissary to Ethiopia and worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as public-affairs specialist.

‘Sunshine Law' Pushes Costs Up

By the time the legislative session ended in early May, lawmakers had passed two controversial bills that are likely to result in expensive legal battles. One requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at local hospitals and be certified obstetrician-gynecologists, and another formally adopts the voter-identification constitutional amendment passed last fall.

Downtown Projects Move Ahead

New York-based developer Full Spectrum South is working on plans to purchase the property for the first phase of the Old Capitol Green project from the state by the end of June.

Team of the Day: Rice Owls

The Conference-USA Baseball Championship comes to Trustmark Park in Pearl for the second year in a row. The championship starts today (Wednesday, May 23) until the championship game Sunday, when the best of C-USA will be on display.

Snakes Infest Jackson Cul-de-sac

Two Jacksonians have a dangerous problem most city residents rarely come across: snakes. Monday, they went to the City Hall to ask for help with the slithering pests.

Catholics Sue Over Birth Control Rule

Jackson's Roman Catholic diocese, along with a dozen other Catholic organizations, have joined in a lawsuit with dozens other dioceses and groups nationwide contesting President Barack Obama's administration's rule to most health insurance plans to include birth control without a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible.

Ellington