News

Community Events and Public Meetings

4:30 p.m., Small Business Administration Loan Clinic at Regions Plaza (210 E. Capitol St.), in the SBA Conference Room on the 10th floor. Learn about the variety of SBA products used to guaranty loans ranging from $5,000 to $2 million as well as approved and participating lenders in the area. Space is limited. Call or go http://www.sba.gov/ms online at to register. Free; call 601-965-4378, ext. 11.

Next BP Attempt to Cap Oil Could Increase Flow

In the wake of Saturday's failure of a "top kill" procedure to stem the gusher of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, British Petroleum will again attempt to cap the flow. This newest procedure, however, involves cutting the leaking pipe from the blowout preventer, increasing the flow for three or four days until a new containment dome can be put into place to allow the company to siphon off the oil, reports The Miami Herald.

McCoy, Bryant Announce Dueling Oil Spill Panels

Two newly-created committees of state legislators will begin hearings on the Gulf oil spill as early as next week. Yesterday morning, House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, announced the formation of a special House committee to monitor the response to the disaster, which has surpassed the Exxon Valdez as the largest spill in U.S. history. Later the same day, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant announced the formation of a Senate committee for a similar purpose.

Council Renames Metro Parkway

A portion the Jackson Metro Parkway between Terry Road and Eastview Street has been renamed after prominent African American physician and civil rights activist Dr. Robert Smith. The Jackson City Council members approved renaming the street in a 5-to-0 vote this morning.

Kathy Elam

Balloon artist Kathy Elam believes that all it takes is a balloon and a smile to brighten someone's day.

It's Official: Gulf Disaster Bigger than Valdez

If anyone had any doubts before, new government estimates confirmed yesterday that the oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico surpasses the 11 million gallons dumped into Alaska's Prince William Sound in March 1989, when the Exxon Valdez tanker ran aground. The Sun Herald reports that new estimates from two teams of scientists say the leak in the Gulf is spewing between 504,000 and upwards of a million gallons a day, which means that between 18 million and 39 million gallons have spewed into the ocean to date.

Crime Stats Show Education's Power, JPD Chiefs Say

Read this week's COMSTAT report

Convention Hotel Developers Pay County Taxes

TCI-MS, formed to develop the Capital City Center and a Convention Center hotel on four blocks of Pascagoula Street, paid its overdue property taxes this week.

Marilyn Blackledge

Mississippi Food Network's Director of Development Marilyn Blackledge has had to work hard to raise additional funds this year after the organization's member agencies reported a 30 percent increase in demand for food across the state. Blackledge raises money to keep more than 100,000 people in central Mississippi from going hungry every month.

Commission Loosens Kemper Conditions

A majority of the Mississippi Public Service Commission revised their April 29 decisions yesterday that would have capped the cost of a Kemper County coal plant at $2.4 billion, raising the approved construction costs to $2.88 billion. In March, Mississippi Power Company, which wants to build the plant in Kemper County, estimated that costs could potentially rise as high as $3.2 billion. The company argued that the $2.4 billion limitation forced shareholders to finance any costs above that amount, and told reporters that they could not build the plant under that condition. The PSC reported in its decision today that the company claimed lenders and investors would find the deal unpalatable unless ratepayers footed the bill.

The Market In Fondren

When Jim and Linda Burwell opened Mimi's Family and Friends restaurant in Fondren this spring, they wanted to influence the neighborhood beyond the restaurant's walls.

‘Thine is the Kingdom'

At the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, a large 307-pound man clad in a red prison jumpsuit lies on his back on a gurney. Seven straps cover Paul Everette Woodward: one around each ankle; a strap around his shins; one above his knees; one above the inmate's rising and falling belly; and two straps crisscrossing each other over his chest.

Minor Seeks U.S. Supreme Court Hearing

Copy of Minor's Petition (PDF)

Two Races Rumble this Primary

This story has been updated to reflect a correction.

The June 1 primaries will be here in a handful of days, and the winners will likely give two of the state's four incumbents a hard time, say politicos.

Advocates Criticize Consolidation Process

Next month, a panel appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour will deliver a report on the possibility of consolidating some of Mississippi's 152 school districts. Barbour tasked the Commission on Education Structure with investigating the feasibility of consolidation, not its efficacy. For some public school advocates, the panel's recommendation of mergers is a forgone conclusion.

Chris Blevins

From a distance, Chris Blevins cuts an imposing figure. Up close, he is expansive in word and action. His eyes are warm with an easy friendliness that matches his exuberant smile. He is quick to laugh.

BP Readies ‘Top Kill' in Attempt to Stop Oil

Engineers plan to begin another attempt to stop the gusher of oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico today. Known as "top kill," the procedure will pump heavy drilling mud into the top of the leak, forcing the oil down. If it's successful, BP says it may permanently stop the oil, however company officials said the procedure has never been attempted a mile underwater, reports The New York Times.

BP: Choking Wells and Last Calls

Read BP's letter to the Environmental Protection Agency

Business Round Up: Crazy Cat Serves Dinner, Leaves Fondren; UMC Turning Dirt

After six months in Fondren, Crazy Cat Bakers is refocusing its efforts on its Highland Village location, which will be opening for dinner next week. Owner Jon Lansdale closed the Fondren location last Friday, and he plans to begin serving dinner at the Highland Village location on Wednesday, June 2.

Peter Squires

Peter Squires may have had his heart broken, but you'd never know it from the quirky and fun lyrics that comprise the majority of his songs.

Barbour: Don't Stop Drilling

Speaking at the Mississippi Manufacturers Association Friday, Gov. Haley Barbour implied that the millions of gallons of crude pumping into the Gulf of Mexico and threatening fragile eco-systems, wildlife and livelihoods from Texas to Florida should not be a reason to stop offshore drilling, reports The Sun Herald.

Hood: Don't Waste Resources on Health-Care Suit

An 18-state lawsuit against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that Gov. Haley Barbour joined this month has little merit, Attorney General Jim hood said during a 100 Black Men luncheon at the University Club today.

Panel Withholding Data, Education Advocates Say

A governor-appointed panel on school district mergers is withholding the data it used to identify 18 Mississippi school districts for potential consolidation, frustrating a group of education advocates.

Schimmel's Closes After 11-year Run

Schimmel's restaurant served its last customer on Friday, May 21, after 11 years of operation at 2615 N. State St. in Fondren, citing the sluggish economy and lack of sales revenue.

Jewell Davis

Jewell Davis is soft spoken and polite, but when she talks about improving Jackson's future as a public information officer for the office of mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., her passion is evident.

Jackson Has Cheapest Gas in the U.S.

Gas stations in the city of Jackson are selling fuel at the lowest average rate in the nation: $2.62 per gallon, according to the Lundberg Survey. Over the past two weeks, prices at the pump have dropped 9.25 cents, reports USA Today. San Francisco is reporting the highest per gallon price in the country at $3.10. Overall, gas prices today are about 40 cents higher than one year ago.

McLemore To Continue JSU Growth

Former Jackson city council president and 40-year professor at Jackson State University Leslie McLemore said today that he would continue plans to redesign JSU until the state College Board picks a permanent president.

West Jackson Development Looks Ahead

With construction on a mixed-use development scheduled for completion in July, Jackson State University's Center for University-Based Development is looking ahead to several projects in west Jackson. The next phase of the center's work is a mixed-income residential development that could break ground in the fall, Kimberly Hilliard, CUBD Director of Community Development and Planning, said today.

Bryan Fedrick

Despite the fact that snakes have bitten Bryan Fedrick more than 100 times, he says he loves the slithering reptiles and wants to educate others about them.

Thank God It's Friday

Did you ride your bike to work today in honor of National Bike to Work Day? If not, make sure you grab a helmet and cycle somewhere this weekend. Tonight, there is plenty of entertainment options. Afrika Book Cafe is hosting 4ever Friday. The event combines poetry readings, and music by performers Tiff and Radical with an art exhibit. The event starts at 9 p.m.; $10 admission. For more live music, head to Hal & Mal's at 9 p.m. to see the Church Keys and Eric Stracener perform, or catch rock-band favorites Lucero and Taylor Hildebrand at Ole Tavern at 9 p.m. Want more? See the JFP Music Listings.

Ellington