News

Chris Roebuck

When a friend dared Chris Roebuck to audition for "Fiddler on the Roof," while he was a student at Mississippi College, he never expected that experience would lead to a career in theater.

Judge Throws Out Edmonds' Suit

Read Judge Biggers' decision (PDF).

PSC Examining Charitable Contributions

Mississippi Public Service Commissioners Brandon Presley and Lynn Posey say they want to limit ratepayers funding charitable donations given by utility companies.

As Wes Holsapple II walks through the soon-to-be filled offices on the second floor of the Regions Plaza building on Thanksgiving eve, his mind is far from turkey and stuffing. As the executive director of the Venture Incubator, he is focused on creating a hub to help small business owners flourish.

Meyers Named JSU President

Jackson State University is set to have its first female president. The Board of Trustees for Mississippi's universities voted this afternoon to finalize its appointment of Dr. Carolyn Meyers as JSU president.

Scott Sisters' Clemency Momentum Growing

Support for imprisoned sisters Jamie and Gladys Scott is growing as an anticipated deadline for their clemency petition nears. The sisters, who are in the 17th year of their double life sentences for armed robbery, have a petition for clemency or pardon pending before Gov. Haley Barbour.

Payday Lenders Big Donors to Lawmakers

The Mississippi Center for Justice says short-term lenders donate heavily to legislative banking committee chairmen in hopes of extending an exemption allowing them to charge up to $21.95 for every $100 loaned.

Advocacy Groups Address JPS Disability Violations

Verbatim Statement from the Mississippi Youth Justice Project:

Last week, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) issued a major decision that declared the Jackson Public School District (JPS) in violation of major components of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), the federal law that ensures all students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education. The MDE decision was issued in response to a complaint filed on behalf of students with disabilities by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Disability Rights Mississippi (DRMS) and the Southern Disability Law Center (SDLC). According to the decision, JPS's failure to resolve the IDEA violations could adversely affect its accreditation status.

Meyers Visits Jackson State

Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers, who will likely be the next president of Jackson State University, visits the campus today to meet with various groups. Following the meetings, the state college board will vote on Meyers' appointment.

Wanda Collier Wilson

Nestled in her austerely decorated downtown office, Jackson Convention and Visitor's Bureau CEO and President Wanda Collier Wilson is no stranger to hard work. Not one to put up a big fuss about the numerous awards and plaques hanging on her walls and sitting on shelves, she speaks with a calm and powerful voice that catches the attention of those around her.

City to Open Emergency Homeless Shelters

Verbatim Statement:

The City of Jackson is working with the Stewpot Community Opportunity Center to provide emergency shelter for individuals in need tonight. The Opportunity Center will open for emergency shelter once the Gateway Rescue Mission Center and Billy Brumsfield Shelter are full.

Lumumba Pulls Probe; City Approves Fee Increase

Ward 2 Councilman Chokwe Lumumba wants all Jackson City Council members present before he makes a motion to vote on conducting an investigation into Council President Frank Bluntson's alleged use of city employees for personal reasons.

Babalu, New Clinic Opens

Babalu Tacos & Tapas opens today in Fondren's Duling Hall. The Mexican and Spanish-inspired restaurant offers gourmet tacos and small dishes, or tapas, with an emphasis on fresh and often locally sourced ingredients.

Shannon Goodwill

Shannon Goodwill wants families affected by domestic violence to know that the community supports them. Goodwill, a sixth-grade art teacher at Brandon Middle School, is organizing "Art and Sole," an art project she and her students are donating to a domestic-abuse shelter in Jackson.

Cochran Votes Against Doomed Earmark Ban

UPDATED 11/30/10 2:54 p.m.

Mississippi U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran was one of eight Republicans to vote against an earmark ban, which failed in a 39-to-56 vote in the Senate today.

Plaintiffs Seek Removal of Diaz in Minor Suit

The USF&G Insurance Company, from which former attorney Paul Minor won a large settlement in 2001, wants former state Supreme Court Judge Oliver Diaz removed from Minor's civil defense team.

City To Receive $550K Earmark for Art Facilities

Jackson is set to receive $550,000 from the federal government to upgrade three public arts facilities. The City Council will vote tomorrow on submitting a formal earmark request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which would finalize the funding that Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker secured for the city last year.

Community Events and Public Meetings

6 p.m., Jackson Touchdown Club Meeting at River Hills Country Club (3600 Ridgewood Road). Members of the athletic organization meet weekly during the football season and have access to meals, fellowship and the chance to listen to speakers from around the country. The last meeting of the year is an awards program for outstanding high school senior athletes. $280 individual membership, $1200 corporate membership; call 601-955-5293 or 601-506-3186.

Lawmakers Return to Congress

Lawmakers will debate renewing tax cuts for the wealthy passed under former president George W. Bush as they return to U.S. Congress this morning, Reuters reported today.

Hood Cautions Black Friday Shoppers

Verbatim statement : As two of the year's busiest shopping days approach, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood is cautioning consumers to be prepared.

JSU Presidential Pick Named

The board of trustees for Mississippi's universities announced Nov. 22 that it had selected Carolyn W. Meyers to serves as the next president of Jackson State University. Meyers is the former president of another historically black institution, Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va., and would the first female JSU president.

Not a Ghost Town

As Betty Lyons rode through neighborhoods in west Jackson during a recent tour, she envisioned the boarded-up homes along Grand Avenue and Rose Street occupied with residents and creating a vibrant community.

Private Youth Prison Under Fire

By corporate standards, the Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility has been a success. Since opening in 2001, the private prison has generated roughly $100 million for the companies that have operated it.

Downtown Arena, Anyone?

It's become a rite of passage: The rebounding city builds a sports-and-entertainment arena, a shiny mark of maturity and status, like a 16-year-old's new car.

Priester Wins Runoff

Melvin Priester Sr. won a seat as Hinds County Court Judge in yesterday's runoff election.

Priester, who faced Jackson attorney Brent Southern in subdistrict 1, will take the seat of Judge William Barnett, who did not seek re-election, after a swearing-in ceremony Jan. 3. Priester received 61.9 percent, or 6,083 votes, and Southern 38 percent, or 3,376 votes, according to the Hinds County Election Commission's unofficial returns.

Earmark ‘Kings' Pledge Ban

Mississippi's two U.S. senators signed onto a pledge last week by fellow Republicans to refrain from requesting earmark funds for their home state during the upcoming 112th Congress. Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker--ranked as the No. 1 and No. 3 "earmark kings" in the U.S. Senate--announced they would go along with the Senate Republican Conference's call to temporarily halt federal "pork-barrel" spending, which is the long-time practice of sending congressionally budgeted funds to specific local projects from highway construction in the Delta to Hurricane Katrina restoration projects. Pork accounts for about 1 percent of the federal budget.

Rev. Bruce Wimberley

Rev. Bruce Wimberley is a man with fierce, brown eyes. Despite his intense gaze, he exhibits a calm demeanor. His leather sandals reveal his casual nature and appreciation for comfort, while his age-chiseled face testifies to a life of service and sacrifice.

City Defends Fee Hikes, Lay-offs

City officials and Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. stressed cost increases as the reason for water and sewer fee hikes and JATRAN employee cuts yesterday at Jackson City Council session.

Business News: Renovations and Closings

Eley Guild Hardy Architects celebrated the opening of its downtown Jackson office Nov. 18. The firm moved into the former Union Planters Bank building at 329 E. Capitol St. this fall after a $1.7 million renovation. The building had been vacant for several years after Regions Bank acquired Union Planters in July 2004.

Gwendolyn A. Magee

Textile artist Gwendolyn A. Magee never intended to tell stories through intricate needlework, but after taking a quilting workshop to make quilts for her family, she discovered an outlet for her creativity.

Ellington