News

Party of Lincoln?

Think it's strange that the now-lily-white Republican Party was the choice of freed slaves in the 19th century?

When Republican John R. Lynch won a seat in the Mississippi House, the Legislature had a lot of important rebuilding to do after the Civil War, including schools and other public buildings. In fact, state government needed to entirely reconstruct and reorganize itself.

Juvenile Justice: What's Needed

Rep. Earle Banks, D-Jackson, chaired the Mississippi House Juvenile Justice Committee last year, but accepts that with Republicans running the Legislature, much will change.

Post Offices Safe Until May 15

The U.S. Postal Service is in what one might call a tough spot. Since people learned how to pay bills online, parents learned how to tweet baby pictures and companies discovered pop-up ads, the centuries-old agency has tried to cope with lowered revenues by raising stamp prices, moving services online and making cuts.

Taking TCI's Land Back

Jason Brookins, executive director of the Jackson Redevelopment Authority, has the go-ahead to do whatever it takes to get the land across from the Jackson Convention Center out of the hands of developer TCI MS.

John Hugh Tate

"I'm a very pro-Jackson guy," John Hugh Tate says. "I love the history, the diversity and the artistic community. It is such a green city, just aesthetically beautiful."

Protesters, Legislators Convene at Capitol

Holding signs above their heads and chanting, "Whose Capitol? Our Capitol!" protesters from several civil rights and union groups marched to "occupy the Capitol" during a rally this morning.

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Seven businesses will receive more than $50,000 in grants from the city of Jackson to make technology and operational improvements as well as facade upgrades. The city council authorized the grants, part of the city's small business development grant and storefront improvement grant programs, at the Dec. 27 meeting.

Susan Ainlay Anand

Flora native Susan Ainlay Anand, a licensed art therapist, and treasurer of the Art Therapy Credentials Board, is leading a series of creative workshops in the Hederman Cancer Center at Baptist Health Systems (1225 N. State St., 601-948-6262) starting Monday, Jan. 9 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Legislative Session Commences Tomorrow

A potentially raucous Republican-led legislative session begins tomorrow at noon. Political observers describe the weeks leading up to the start of the session as akin to the first day of school.

Ten Resolutions to Spend Time Together

It's a new year, and many people are resolving to lose weight, exercise more and spend more time on hobbies. For 2012, one nonprofit is encouraging families to resolve to spend more time together.

Character of the Day: Charlie Brown

If your New Year's resolution was to join a community theater production, here's your opportunity. Black Rose Theatre holds auditions for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" Jan. 3 and 4 at 103 Black St. in Brandon. Auditions begin at 7 p.m. both days.

Community Events and Public Meetings

Events at Fleet Feet Sports (Trace Station, 500 Highway 51 N., Ridgeland). Free; call 601-899-9696.

Council Approves Tax Abatements for Companies

It's no secret that Jackson needs businesses inside the city limits to pay taxes and provide jobs and services. But at a City Council meeting earlier this week, council members debated whether the city is reaping enough economic benefits to make some business tax exemptions worthwhile.

Car Crushers Concern Cops

Read the full report here. (pdf 762 KB)

Cyclists of the Day: Jackson Bike Advocates

Tonight's Jackson Bike Advocates ride leader is Anna Allred, 24. She is originally from Meridian, Miss. She graduated from Meridian High School in 2005. She has lived in Jackson just over six years.

History Made in Hinds

Much like television news directors who intentionally place sports and weather coverage at the end of the news broadcast to keep audiences tuned, organizers of this morning's Hinds County swearing-in ceremony were acutely aware of what people really wanted to see.

Group Plans Westin Hotel Downtown

Joseph Simpson wants to build a luxury hotel in downtown Jackson near the federal courthouse and re-open the Iron Horse Grill a few blocks away. He briefly described his development projects to the Jackson Redevelopment Authority board yesterday during the group's regular meeting. His intention is to get $15 million in bonds from the JRA to help fund the projects.

Lies and Damned Lies

Factcheck.org, a non-profit, non-partisan project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, bills itself as the voters' consumer advocate. The organization checks TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases for factual accuracy and reports its results on its website.

Statewide Pre-K Faces Setback

The results are in, and Mississippi has lost out on its part of a $500 million pot to improve early-childhood education. Now, politicians and education advocates can't quite agree on who's to blame for the state's bad grades.

Shields Up

Mississippi, like 10 other states in the union, doesn't have a shield law that protects journalists from revealing sources, turning over documents or answering subpoenas. In 40 states, reporters and editors have some protection in varying degrees.

Melissa DiFatta

After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, lawyer Melissa DiFatta wanted to revaluate her priorities. Her brother lost his home and, a month later, lost his son. "I decided to change jobs and really make a difference in Mississippi," DiFatta says.

Superintendent Search Update

Jackson Public Schools could have a new superintendent as early as the middle of 2012. Representatives from Ray and Associates, the consulting firm that will lead the search for the new superintendent, presented the board with a suggested timeline Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Domestic Violence: Health Crisis?

Twenty-four American women and men will become victims of intimate-partner violence in the minute it will take you to read this story. If it takes you two minutes, the number jumps to 48.

Decor and Donations

Red Square Clothing Co. (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 9004, Ridgeland, (601) 853-8960) used holiday decorations in the store to raise money for a good cause.

Steve Guyton

Steve Guyton, 63, has been involved in Mississippi politics for more than 40 years. He has worked on numerous campaigns and with countless public officials including Sen. Roger Wicker, former Rep. Chip Pickering and Rep. Gregg Harper. Guyton is currently the shared congressional staffer for congressmen Wicker and Pickering. His duty is helping students nominated by congressmen get into military academies such as the United States Military Academy at West Point or the United States Naval Academy.

In Race for Pre-K, Mississippi Falls to the Back of the Pack

The U.S. Department of Education announced last week that nine states will divvy up $500 million in federal funding for early childhood education. Politicians and education advocates can't quite agree on why Mississippi wasn't on the list.

Council: Take Any, All Action Regarding TCI

The TCI-owned land across from the Jackson Convention Center may soon belong to the city, depending on what action officials take.

8 Toddler Pitfalls to Avoid Christmas Morning

Regardless of your nostalgic, Christmas-morning-frenzy memories, you'll quickly learn that a no-holds-barred approach doesn't go over well with your toddler--especially on the most anticipated morning of the year. Don't wing it Christmas morning. Get a game plan together now so that your entire family can enjoy the holidays without going into meltdown mode.

Dr. Aaron Shirley

Blackburn Middle School will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 3, at 6 p.m. They were recently chosen to receive federal grant money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resource Service Administration. With the help of Dr. Aaron Shirley, who cultivated the grant proposal, Blackburn will be able to open a new clinic, purchase equipment for the clinic and hire workers. In addition to providing health care, funds will help supply rewards for use at participating food markets to help children and families with healthy eating habits while at home. Other needs will be assessed for use of the grant money.

Ellington