News

Families Speak About JPS Handcuffing

Speaking to Jackson Public Schools board members last night, Jacqueline Willis called for the district to improve conditions at its alternative school and stop handcuffing students.

PyInfamous Wins ‘Coldest MC' in Nation

Watch PyInfamous perform June 24 at Forever Friday at Suite 106.

Jason "PyInfamous" Thompson, 29, has won the national Coors Light's "Search for the Coldest MC" contest. He was one of four regional finalists.

FBI Celebrates Civil-Rights Heroes

The federal government recognized the sacrifice of three civil-rights workers today at the naming of the new Federal Bureau of Investigation building on Echelon Parkway.

Strip Mall Nixed; Biz District Applauded

The Jackson City Council planning committee refused to approve a new strip mall in south Jackson yesterday.

Rev. Otis Moss III

Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ of Chicago, visits Tougaloo College to speak to teenage girls this week.

Deadline Nearing for Tornado Assistance

Victims of tornadoes that damaged the state April 15 through April 28 have less than a week left to register for emergency assistance.

County Approves AMR Charges

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors approved a rate increase for the county's ambulance service to perform new life-saving procedures on patients this morning.

Detaining Disabled Kids: Who Decides?

The day after the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit against a Hinds County-run youth detention center, the county denied SPLC and its clients access to the children detained there.

Henry Lee "Trey" Mangum

AIDS activist Henry "Trey" Mangum died Friday in New Orleans, leaving behind a particularly heartfelt legacy of hope.

Community Events and Public Meetings

5:30 p.m., Small Business Success Seminar, at Venture Incubator (City Centre Building, 200 S. Lamar St., South Tower, 10th floor). The program for business owners and entrepreneurs provides information on how business incubators can help grow small businesses. Please RSVP. Call 601-906-4868.

Biz District Hearing Tonight

Jackson residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the establishment and reauthorization of downtown Jackson's Business Improvement District during a public hearing tonight.

Coast Mayor Wants State Treasurer Job

This is a corrected version of this story. Jackson Free Press reporter Lacey McLaughlin erroneously reported that Mayor Connie Moran helped secure $500 million in grants for Ocean Springs. The number should have read $50 million. We apologize for the error.

Kids Finish Police Academy Program

A room of proud parents eagerly watched their children graduate from the Youth Citizen's Police Academy this morning at the Jackson Police Training Academy on St. Charles Street.

Muriel Hollins

This is a corrected version of the story. We spelled Muriel Hollins name wrong previously. We regret making this error.

Father's Day Weekend Events

Today, EnVision Eye Care (1316 N. State St.) celebrates its fifth anniversary at 4 p.m. with giveaways and an eyeglass trunk show. It's a free event, so come by and see what's happening. If you're looking for live entertainment this evening, Zumba in the Dark Zumbathon at YMCA Fortification (800 E. River Place) kicks off at 6 p.m. $10. Restless Heart, Grupo LaMafia and Crossin' Dixon perform at the Mississippi Coliseum at 8 p.m. Shucker's has music by Hunter Gibson and the Gators. Martini Room hosts Martini Friday at 9 p.m. Sound Wagon is at Fenian's, and Lord T and Eloise perform at Martin's at 10 p.m. For more live entertainment options, check out the JFP Music Listings.

UMMC Names New Pediatrics Head

The University of Mississippi Medical Center has named Dr. Fredrick "Rick" Barr to serve as the professor and chair of its pediatrics department starting July 1.

Mississippians Dying Faster than Hondurans, Study Says

Mississippi is churning out low life expectancies when compared to some developing nations, and not because of violent living.

Oakley Garden Signals Progress

As teenagers picked ripe squashes and tomatoes from the garden at Oakley Training School in Raymond yesterday, state officials championed the project as a symbol of progress since a 2003 federal investigation highlighted abuses and implorable conditions at the facility.

John R. Kelly

Gov. Haley Barbour appointed John R. Kelly to the Mississippi State Board of Education yesterday. Kelly's term begins July 1, and the state Senate must confirm him. His term expires June 30, 2020.

Politics Clash in Initiatives Battle

The Mississippi Supreme Court is setting itself up for a consistency clash if it votes in favor of a ballot initiative giving rights to microscopic human eggs.

Watkins Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is

After a host of leasing delays, developers of the historic Farish Street Entertainment District have decided to sweeten the deal for entertainment venues by kicking in almost $5 million in personal build-out money.

SPLC Wants Quick Resolution to School Suit

The details are too similar. A school security officer leads a student to the stairs near the gym. He closes one cuff on the child's wrist and the other on the stair railing. He leaves the student alone for hours.

Cassio Batteast

Cassio Batteast is slow to talk about himself, but his infectious smile and upbeat personality shine through as he talks about his experiences working with young men. Batteast, 31, is a case manager with Catholic Charities and the founder of Fathers Active In Their Hoods, known as FAITH Inc., a summer camp for men of color.

Ellington