News

‘Fair and Even-Handed'

Jackson Municipal Judge Ali ShamsidDeen is not trying to be a politically divisive figure, but his background as a editor of the Jackson Advocate in the 1990s and an associate of the law firm Lumumba and Freelon, suggests a controversial bent.

Property Issues Stall Critical Water Line

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said the city could have avoided two massive city-wide water failures this year had owners of a historic fishing club not stalled construction of a 54-inch water line between the city's two water-supply plants.

Q&A: Curtis Wilkie on the Wrong Crowd

Author and University of Mississippi professor Curtis Wilkie speaks with a degree of sadness when he references the life of disgraced Mississippi attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs.

Wicker Defends Obama Against ‘Birthers'

United States Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., found himself defending President Barack Obama against some of the more conservative elements of the tea party during a forum last night. The Central Mississippi Tea Party town-hall meeting and Republican fundraiser at Northwest Rankin High School attracted about 100 attendees, most of them over the age of 50. Organizers invited the senator to the event to promote the importance of a Republican majority in the House and Senate after the November elections, and to raise money for Republicans defending congressional seats.

Eminent Domain: A Lawsuit Waiting to Happen?

The Mississippi Constitution is a tough thing to change. While state law allows voters to amend the Constitution by approving a ballot initiative, it also prohibits ballot initiatives from changing the section that lists the state Bill of Rights.

Brian Cartenuto

Char Restaurant Executive Chef Brian Cartenuto was calm and focused as he emerged from a sweltering kitchen during a recent chef's table tasting, which the Jackson Free Press attended at no cost. He's only been at the restaurant for two months, but he's already shaken things up with his fusion of Southern and Italian cuisine.

Inspiring the Creative Class

The "Mobilizing the Creative Class for Action and Advocacy" conference will give young professionals, 25 to 45 years old, the chance to develop leadership skills, network and build strong communities. The conference, sponsored by The Young Leaders in Philanthropy under the auspices of the United Way of the Capital Area, is Nov. 4 and 5 at the King Edward Hotel, and is geared to young professionals engaged in the community and in their organizations.

Fortification Renewal Set for 2011

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said he expects construction to begin on the renewal of Fortification Street project by early next year.

Carlton D. Williams

Provine High School Band Director Carlton D. Williams is on top of the world as he reminisces about his school's sweet victory at the Tyson Foods Battle of the Bands last month. "It was a very riveting experience," Williams says of the regional band competition. "It was a milestone in my career to be able to participate in an activity of that magnitude."

Ward 7 Meeting Tonight

Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and city department heads will host a ward 7 community meeting tonight at Farish Street Baptist Church (619 N. Farish St.). The meeting starts at 6 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., The Mississippi Department of Employment Security's WIN Center Mobile Job Unit will be on site for residents to search a job database and fill out job applications.

Big Fair Numbers, Medical Mall Groundbreaking, Creative Class Conference

The Mississippi State Fair is attracting much larger crowds than it did last year, when rain kept attendance low. An estimated 307,052 people attended the fair through Monday, according to the state Fair Commission. Attendance through the weekend was almost 100,000 above last year's numbers.

McGowan Confronts Board Over Levee Confusion

Jackson oilman and "Two Lakes" developer John McGowan went before the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District Levee Board this morning, demanding clarity over whether the board's one-lake plan would include expanded levees.

State May Receive $13M for Small Businesses

A new federal law offers Mississippi up to $13.2 million to support small-business lending programs through community banks. The State Small Business Credit Initiative, part of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Barack Obama signed Sept. 27, dedicates $1.5 billion in federal funds to expand existing state-level programs that extend credit to small businesses.

CJ Rhodes

Tonight bears historical significance for Mount Helm Baptist Church pastor CJ Rhodes who will take part in a discussion about race and the role of the church as his congregation celebrates its 175-year anniversary.

Community Events and Public Meetings

6 p.m., Italian Wine Dinner at Cerami's (5417 Lakeland Drive, Suite I). Come experience Italian wines carefully chosen and paired with special Italian recipes. Proceeds benefit Hudspeth Regional Center. A reservation is required. $65; call 601-919-2829.

Barbour Frequently Out of State

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was out of state all or part of 48 days in July, August and September, The Associated Press reported Saturday.

Laid-Off Teachers Hurting Education

Mississippi's public education system faces a difficult future, given persistent funding troubles, state Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, said today. Speaking at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce's Friday Forum at Koinonia Coffee House, Blount touched on a number of topics, focusing on education and the state's fiscal difficulties.

Greg ‘Fingers' Taylor

If you've ever heard Greg "Fingers" Taylor play the harmonica, you know that Jimmy Buffett owes much of his success to the Mississippi resident.

It's The Weekend

Start your weekend with a visit to the Downtown Harp & Juke Festival at Underground 119 (119 S. President St.) where you can dance and hear music from artists like Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush and Billy Gibson. The tickets are $25 per day. Call 601-352-2322 or buy tickets online. If you prefer to take it easy, attend the Millsaps Singers' "Our Wesleyan Heritage" concert at Millsaps College, Ford Academic Complex (1701 N. State St.). The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free; call 601-974-1422 for more information. Feel free to look at JFP Music Listings for more weekend entertainment.

Roll Off Dumpster Day Tomorrow

The city of Jackson is encouraging residents to take tree limbs, yard debris and unwanted household items to the following locations from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday:

Supreme Court Rejects Kemper Appeal

This story has been updated to reflect a correction.

Read the Supreme Court's decision (PDF, 68 KB)

State Waits on Personhood Ruling

A war of semantics filled Judge Malcolm Harrison's courtroom this afternoon, as opposing parties debated the constitutionality of a 2011 ballot initiative asking voters to determine when life begins.

JPD Hopes to Curb Solicitation

Read the report (PDF)

JFP Freelancer of the Month: Valerie Wells

Her desire to make a difference in the world instinctively drew Valerie Wells to the field of journalism.

Millsaps President Inauguration Today

This morning, Millsaps College inaugurates Dr. Robert W. Pearigen as the college's 11th president.

Pearigen began his term July 1 after Millsaps' Board of Trustees selected him to serve as president earlier this year. Pearigen previously served as vice president for university relations and as a political science professor for University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. He obtained his doctorate degree in political science from Duke University in 1976.

Lake Plan Faces Cost Hurdle

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson said federal funding to study building a lake on the Pearl River will not be easy to obtain, despite the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' renewed interest in the plan.

Schools Lagging on IDEA Stimulus Spending

Mississippi school districts have one year left to spend the $72 million remaining in a $116 million chunk of federal stimulus money for special education. Schools received the funds in 2009, and while a few districts have already spent the majority of their portion, most districts, including Jackson Public Schools, have spent little of their share.

Ellington