News

Barbour to Announce Budget Proposals

Gov. Haley Barbour will release his budget proposals for the upcoming 2012 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2011, during a press conference this afternoon.

Murrah Whipping Makes National Headlines

Read the Complaint

Jackson Water Bill Increases Ahead?

The Jackson City Council will address a fee increase of 13 percent for water and 6 percent for sewer services during Tuesday's city council meeting. Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. proposed the hikes for Jackson residents and businesses in August for the city's 2011 budget to shore up drops in sales-tax revenue.

Steve Godbold

Mississippi Animal Rescue League Graphic Designer and Marketer Steve Godbold is passionate about helping abandoned animals find a good home.

Homeless Day Shelter Reopens

The Opportunity Center, Jackson's only daytime homeless shelter, will reopen later this month. Stewpot Community Services, which opened the shelter in May 2007, closed it April 2 due to a lack of outside funds.

It's the Weekend: Do it Big

If you didn't get tickets for tonight's BOOM Jackson fashion show, cheer up, because you can still make the after party. The event is a fundraiser for Dress for Success Metro Jackson, includes event ambassador author Jill Conner Browne and "Celebrity Servers" competing for tips. The party starts at 8:15 p.m. at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave. ); $10 at the door. If you aren't attending tonight's fashion show, join the League of Women Voters for a screening of "One Woman, One Vote," a PBS Documentary celebrating the 90th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. The screening starts at 6 p.m. at Mississippi Public Broadcasting (3825 Ridgewood Road); free. If late-night entertainment is your style, see Amazing Lazy Boi and Rock perform at F. Jones Corner from 11:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Admission is $5 until midnight and $10 after. Visit the JFP's Best Bets for more weekend fun.

[Lynch] On Veterans Day

My father-in-law, Vietnam War veteran Timothy Cheeks, wants more tolerance this Veterans Day. Tim works in the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans division of the Mississippi Veteran's Administration Hospital in Jackson, and his stories haunt the soul. Celebrating the sacrifice of so many men and women is a worthy deed, he says, but paying respect on only a handful of days every year is menial; the mental anguish some veterans suffer does not limit itself to a handful of days.

David Koren

A "Wizard of Oz"-inspired mini-golf course, 10,000 portraits on 10,000 matchbooks and a bed made from grass are all examples of participatory art projects in New York City. If David Koren has his way, participatory arts projects will happen in Jackson, too.

Feds Support Mississippi's Obesity Fight

When it comes to addressing and preventing obesity, federal action can help set the tone for efforts, but true progress will come from local action, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said today. Speaking at the Global Obesity Summit 2010 at the Jackson Convention Complex, Sebelius explained the Obama administration's approach to fighting obesity and encouraged state and local actors to take the lead.

Medicaid Boots Kids

Deborah Edmonson, a parent attending a Nov. 4 legislative hearing on Medicaid, said the state rejected her Down syndrome daughter for aid, even though the U.S. Department of Disability Services guidelines say she qualifies.

Johnson Pushes For New Hwy 80 Zoning

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said he will propose a zoning change and improved code enforcement for the Highway 80 corridor to promote new development in the city.

Republican Agenda Likely to Create Gridlock?

Republicans, who opposed much of President Barack Obama's agenda throughout the administration's first year, took control of the U.S. House of Representatives Nov. 2 and appear to consider their success a referendum upon the president's policies.

Teachers Fire Back at Film

In "Waiting for 'Superman,'" the provocative new documentary on America's education system, the trick is that the titular superhero doesn't exist. It argues that no single force will rescue the children who public schools, in their current state, are largely failing. But the film offers a clear Lex Luthor-esque villain in the form of teachers' unions.

Dr. Kimberly Hilliard

Dr. Kimberly Hilliard isn't one to make small plans. As the director of Jackson State University's Center for University-Based Development, Hilliard is on a mission to make west Jackson a more vibrant community by restoring homes and businesses.

[Balko] The Media Aren't Liberal

For the last few months, my colleague Matt Welch has been tracking the positions of California's newspapers on Proposition 19, the ballot measure that would have legalized marijuana for recreational use. At last count, 26 of the state's 30 largest dailies had run editorials on the issue, and all 26 (plus USA Today ) were opposed. This puts the state's papers at odds with nearly all of California's left-leaning interest groups, including the Green Party, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Service Employees International Union and the NAACP; progressive publications such The Nation, Salon and The Huffington Post; and a host of prominent liberal bloggers.

Beth Orlansky

Beth Orlanksy is using her past experiences reforming low-income child care to push for stronger payday-lending regulation in Mississippi.

Fairview Hearing, UMMC Research

The city's Planning Board will hold a hearing Wednesday, Nov. 17, on a permit application that would allow the Fairview Inn to apply for a permit to operate a public restaurant. The bed-and-breakfast located on North State Street includes a restaurant, Sophia's, that was open to the public from 2003 to 2009. Last year, the Mississippi Supreme Court granted a legal challenge to the restaurant by four neighbors who argued that the city's permit for the restaurant constituted illegal "spot zoning." In July, the City Council approved amendments to city ordinances that created a zoning category for historic houses with a bed-and-breakfast and public restaurant. Next week's hearing is on the inn's application for a use permit under the new amendment.

Mississippi Seeks BP Funds to Promote Gulf

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources officials are negotiating with BP for money to promote Gulf seafood, The Sun Herald reported today.

New Levee Board Chairman, Finance Committee

The Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District Levee Board voted to elect Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads chairman of the board and created a financing committee to fund flood control during today's meeting.

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. This week's speakers are representatives from the College & Pro Officials Clinic. $280 individual membership, $1200 corporate membership; call 601-955-5293 or 601-506-3186.

West Jackson Program Pushes for Residents

An underused federal lending program could bring new life to west Jackson. Jackson State University's Center for University-Based Development is throwing its support behind a push by Jackson-based mortgage lender Cornerstone Home Lending called the "WESToration Initiative."

Rev. Barron Banks

When Barron Banks was 18, federal marshals had to accompany him to the polling precinct in Tchula, Miss., so he could vote without getting harassed or beaten. Nearly five decades later, Banks says his position as Jackson's Ward 6 election commissioner could not have happened without the Civil Rights Movement.

JPD Officer Involved in Shooting

The Jackson Police Department is investigating a Sunday shooting that involved a Jackson Police Department officer, WAPT reported yesterday.

Mississippi Hires First Medical Examiner in 15 Years

A former Alabama medical examiner with a history of high-profile international cases began his role as Mississippi's first medical examiner in 15 years on Nov. 1.

Susan Piedmont-Palladino

Susan Piedmont-Palladino believes that new technology can help make cities better.

Ward 1 Candidates Seek Weill's Seat

Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Weill's election to a Hinds County Circuit Court judge seat means a second mid-term vacancy for Jackson's Ward 1 council seat. Former Councilman Ben Allen abandoned the seat in 2007 for health reasons, he said then, triggering a special election that Weill won.

Start Your Weekend Here

This weekend is a great time for finding unique holiday gifts at the 30th annual Mistletoe Marketplace at the Mississippi Trade Mart (1200 Mississippi Street). Shop until 8 p.m. tonight or head over tomorrow from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. $10. If big crowds aren't your thing, head to New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533) for a production of William Gibson's "The Miracle Worker" or to Jackson State's Rose E. McCoy Auditorium (601-979-4309) for a performance of Ernest Gaines' "A Lesson Before Dying." Both shows close tomorrow, so this is a great evening to go. Where's the one place to go for all of Jackson's happenings? The JFP Events Calendar, of course.

Ellington