News

Despite More Revenue, Budget Fight Looms

Even though no legislative budget exists yet, that hasn't stopped Democratic and Republican legislators from staking out positions on key areas.

Rebuilding His Party

Brandon Jones says the Mississippi Democratic Trust, a new political action committee he helped start in 2011 and now heads as executive director, grew from "humble recognition" of his party's shortcomings, many of which helped Republicans achieve a near-sweep in the last statewide election.

1822 Square (Almost) Ready to Break Ground

An automated system will reduce the parking garage's carbon usage almost to zero.

New iPad: Easy on the Eyes

Earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook took center stage in California to unveil the newest model of the iPad. For months now, tech writers have been speculating about what the new iPad would include, and for the most part, Cook presented few surprises.

[Tech Talk] New iPad: Easy on the Eyes

Earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook took center stage in California to unveil the newest model of the iPad. For months now, tech writers have been speculating about what the new iPad would include, and for the most part, Cook presented few surprises.

Dedmon Pleads Guilty to Murder

Deryl Dedmon stood by silently, his face expressionless as Hinds County Assistant District Attorney Scott Rogillio read aloud an account of the murder prosecutors say Dedmon committed last year when he was 18 years old.

[Tech Tip] Create Standalone Browser Apps

Sometimes you don't realize how fantastic a feature can be until you use it under real-world conditions. For instance, I learned to love Fluid for Mac (http://www.fluidapp.com), when I got it set up to run CapsuleCRM (http://www.capsulecrm.com), one of the tools we use for sales management (like, hourly) here at the Jackson Free Press publishing empire.

The Unofficial SPQ Glossary

Visualize the Sweet Potato Queens—smiling women throwing beads from a queenly float wearing costumes covered in green and pink sequins, spangles, and fringe; long, curling, glossy red hair; sparkling tiaras; and pink majorette boots during the Zippity Doo Dah Parade.

All Eyes On Fondren

Get Ready, get ready, get ready! The Sweet Potato Queens are back! Grab your tiara, fluff your boa, and grab a stud and make your way down to Fondren this weekend to the Annual Zippity Do Dah Parade! And remeber, be particular!

Suppressed GOP, Frustrated Dems

Philip Gunn didn't fully realize what was in store for him when colleagues elected him as speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives. Gunn, a Clinton Republican, told attendees at a Capitol Press Club luncheon Monday that he's been surprised by how many groups want to him to speak or that international visitors to the Capitol would solicit his thoughts on nuclear-arms proliferation.

Abortion Foes Push New Restrictions

With personhood legislation finally out of the spotlight, lawmakers are taking aim at smaller anti-abortion issues, like placing new restrictions on abortion providers.

Rickey Thigpen

Rickey Thigpen has a few words of advice for Jackson's young people: It's better to be great than to be successful. "Set your goals and aspirations high," he says. "... I use the word 'success' tentatively, but I like the word 'great.'"

Watkins to Remodel Pix-Capri

Developer Jason Watkins has signed a contract to purchase the Pix-Capri Theatre in Fondren, a deal he said will be finalized "in the near future."

Budget Battlelines Forming

The state may have more money to work with for the next budget year, but early talks about spending priorities suggest that negotiations will be as contentious as ever.

Biz Roundup: JSU Student Opens Boutique

Shuntel's Boutique celebrated its grand opening today. The store, located at 5749 Old Canton Road, specializes in jewelry, shoes and handbags.

Charles Felton

In his first year looking into possible arsons at the Jackson Fire Department, Captain Charles Felton helped investigate more than 200 fires.

Let the Budget Debate Begin

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee is meeting this morning to review the state's revenue collections ahead of budget debates at the Capitol.

Senate Sets Sights on Gun Laws

Mississippi already exports more firearms than any other state, but some legislators want to relax our gun laws even more.

Anti-Corruption Laws Strong Overall

Mississippi is sixth in the nation for government transparency and accountability, even as our campaign-finance laws need strengthening, a recent report found.

William VanDevender

Native Jacksonian William VanDevender grew up outdoors, hunting and fishing whenever he got the chance. But after graduating from the University of Virginia in 2008, he found a job that took him away from his first love.

Dedmon Hearing Set for Wednesday

A hearing for Deryl Dedmon has been set for this Wednesday. Dedmon is charged with the capital murder of James Craig Anderson in what prosecutors say was a racially-motivated hate crime.

Enviros Challenge MDA on Drilling

Environmental groups want more time to study the effects of opening the Mississippi Sound to oil and gas drilling.

Eyes in the Sky

Jackson police have a new set of eyes in the sky to prevent crime, deter speeding on city roads and maintain crowd control during big events.

Dr. Jasmin Chapman

Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center has served Mississippians since 1970, when it was established to help develop comprehensive health-care for poor and underserved communities in the Jackson area.

Under Darkness, Immigration and Abortion Bills Pass

Lawmakers, reporters, young pages and even a delegation of Jackson County Republican Women burned the midnight oil for a second consecutive night at the Mississippi House yesterday.

Maurice Bolden

Southern Miss has finally made the NCAA Tournament after missing it for the last 21 years. The Golden Eagles were placed in the East Region with the ninth seed.

Run It Like Mississippi

At a campaign stop in Pascagoula (where Gov. Phil Bryant endorsed his run for the presidency), Mitt Romney said that, "if the federal government was run like Mississippi, the whole country would be a lot better off."

Legislators Working Late

Lawmakers worked late into the night yesterday to pass several controversial bills. The end of this week is the deadline for members of the Legislature to vote bills out of the houses where they originated and send them to the other chamber for consideration.

Fortification Street Bids Coming

Fortification Street is a minefield of potholes and cracks and a patchwork of new and old resurfacing. After years of talk, Jackson officials have finally announced that the street, arguably the worst in the city, is getting a much-needed makeover.

Personhood Wants Another Vote

Personhood may be dead in the Mississippi Legislature, but supporters of last fall's ballot initiative to define embryos as human beings are stepping up their efforts to put another personhood amendment before voters.

Ellington