News

Homeless Conference Promotes Self-Sufficiency

Despite the fact that 34-year-old Andrew Black works as a bagger at McDade's Market, he slept in Poindexter Park last night because he has been unable to find affordable housing.

Learning to Work Together in a ‘Donut City'

In the late 1980s, a researcher visiting Jackson made Phil Hardwick a prediction. "Jackson is going to become a donut city," the researcher said, with people moving out of the urban center and into the suburbs. She was right.

Justin White

Sept. 23, 2011

Legislators Promise to Keep ‘13th Check'

This morning, legislators tried to calm fears about upcoming recommendations from the Public Employees' Retirement System Study Commission, saying they would not be in favor of ending the "13th check," or cost of living adjustments for state retirees.

Do Regulations Really Kill Jobs Overall? Not So Much

It's become a mantra on Capitol Hill and a rallying cry for industry groups: Get rid of the job-killing regulations. In recent days, with nearly every one of the GOP presidential candidates repeating that refrain, the political echo chamber has grown even louder. Earlier this month, President Obama also asked the Environmental Protection Agency to back off more stringent ozone regulations, citing the "importance of reducing regulatory burdens" during trying economic times.

Mary Thompson

When Mary Thompson can help a woman get back into permanent housing and find stability, she knows she has done her job.

High School Counselors Pick Millsaps College

U.S. News and World Report's newest edition of "America's Best Colleges" has named Millsaps College as a "High School Counselors' Pick" for the second year in a row.

Council Gets Hotel Details, Finally

Jackson City Council members finally got the details on a proposed convention center hotel Monday at a council work session, but some still had questions about the city's role in funding the project.

Dialing Up Solar

Solar energy has generated a lot of attention in Mississippi in recent weeks as the Legislature approved an incentives bill to persuade Calisolar, a California-based silicon manufacturing company, to build a factory in Columbus.

Playing Catch-up on Net Metering

Mississippi is one of only four states in the nation that has not implemented net metering, a consumer-oriented energy policy. Through net metering, consumers who generate renewable energy—such as wind, solar, or biomass fuels—sell any excess energy they produce to their utility companies. The practice allows consumers to cut down on their utility bills. Net metering subtracts the amount of energy a customer produces from the energy they consume.

Hood vs. Simpson

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, a Democrat, and his Republican opponent Steve Simpson accused each other last week of conflicts of interest.

The JFP Interview with Steve Simpson

When Stephen Simpson stands over you with his 6-foot-7-inch frame, you might want to think twice before disagreeing with him. The Republican will tell you that "it's easy being on the right side," and makes no apologies or excuses for his position on issues. Perhaps it's his boisterous confidence that has aided his career as he progressed from attorney to circuit-court judge and Department of Public Safety commissioner.

Strong Opinions

Addie Green has strong opinions about life's basic necessities. She is running for a seat on the Public Service Commission, she said, because water, phone and sewage bills are too high. The PSC approves utility-rate increases, answers complaints from the public, and decides whether utility companies should construct new facilities and who should pay for them.

Being Proactive

Public Service Commissioner Lynn Posey was traveling when he called for this interview. As he was talking about his family—Kathy, his wife of 27 years, his son, Hunter, and his daughter, Kaitlyn—the call dropped. When he called back, Posey feigned indignation at the bad cell phone service and blamed it on Northern District Commissioner Brandon Presley, before laughing and admitting he was still in his Central District.

Council Demands Farish Audit

Despite a recommendation from the city's legal department, Jackson City Council members voted at its meeting last night to conduct an audit of the Farish Street Entertainment District.

A Security Requirement with No Teeth?

In less than a month, convenience-store owners in Jackson's city limits must hire security guards if their business is open from midnight to 5 a.m.

Tamu Green

Tamu ("sweet" in Swahili) Green speaks with enthusiasm and conviction about his vision for Mississippi. Like a proud parent of a star athlete showing off his trophies, he walks between unopened boxes in his new office in Ridgeland. He describes how the computer equipment and robotics gear will be used for young people.

Convention Center Hotel to Become Reality?

Jackson City Council members finally got the details on a proposed convention center hotel Monday night at a council work session.

STEPS Makes a Comeback

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security has funds available for its Subsidized Transitional Employment Program and Services, a program that provides wage subsidies to employers who, in exchange, provide a paid hourly wage and a transferable work skill to workers.

Greg Grimes

Greg Grimes has already dealt with a stray-cat problem this morning. He's also looking at someone's water leak. As the city of Jackson's constituent services manager, he takes complaints from residents and solves their problems.

Hood Announces Guide for DV Victims

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood announced a new information guide for domestic violence victims at a press conference yesterday.

Calhoun: Jails Becoming Mental Health Centers

Hinds County wants help dealing with a rising population of incarcerated prisoners who suffer from substance abuse and mental health issues. The board of supervisors passed a resolution today formally asking legislators to support the development of a "behavioral health treatment court collaborative" in the 2012 session.

Bright Future

Despite the recent high-profile bankruptcy of Solyndra, a solar panel manufacturer in Fremont, Calif. that was backed by a federal loan guarantee, proponents of solar power in Mississippi said the state is poised to take a leading role in alternative energy.

Rickey Cole

Rickey Cole's political activism started at the age of nine when he would help his parents put up signs supporting Mississippi's first female treasurer, Evelyn Gandy.

Community Events and Public Meetings

Project Homeless Connect Week. The theme is "Paving the Road to Self-Sufficiency." At Smith Park (302 Amite St.), the homeless service fair is from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 20, and the concert is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 21. The art show and reception is from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Stewpot Community Services (1100 W. Capitol St.). The homeless conference is from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Galloway United Methodist Church (305 N. Congress St.). Free; call 601-960-0335.

Stion Opens in Hattiesburg

The city of Hattiesburg celebrated the opening of a new solar-panel manufacturer last week.

Sept. 19, 2011

Fondren Blows a Fuse

Entergy is on the scene repairing the pole now.

Two loud explosions rang out in the Fondren business district just before lunch; the culprit, it seems was a semi truck taking out some power lines behind McDade's Market in the Woodland Hills shopping center.

Simpson Defends Ethics of Consulting Contract

Attorney General Jim Hood's re-election campaign is accusing opponent Steve Simpson of using his former position as commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to secure his current consulting contract with a national driver's license kiosk company. In response to media inquiries about the contract, Hood's re-election campaign manager Jonathan Compretta said that Simpson awarded a contract to L1 Identity Solutions days before he stepped down as commissioner.

Construction Bids Debated for City Project

Jackson Redevelopment Authority board members made no excuses for late bids yesterday when they approved a construction contract for Century Construction Company to renovate the Richard J. Porter Building for city office space.

Jackson Is Learning, Yarber Says

Jackson has been "teetering between lucky and learning" for the last 20 years, Ward 6 Councilman Tony Yarber said at Friday Forum this morning. The city has problems, but is learning how to turn pockets of success into models for the whole city, Yarber said.

Ellington