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Unsealed Suit Reveals Diaz Suing Lampton

U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge James C. Sumner signed a June 22 order denying a motion to seal a suit against former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz and his wife Jennifer, bringing to light the continuing saga of a federal court battle between Diaz and former U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton.

Mississippi Soldiers Ship Out Today

The U.S. Army Reserve's 296th Transportation Company ships out today for final training in Wisconsin before heading to Iraq. The Mississippi company of 169 men and women, which was last deployed in 2003, will serve overseas for one year beginning in September, according to The Mississippi Press.

Gambling Revenue Up Again

The Mississippi State Tax Commission says that winnings in the state's 30 casinos was up in May by $19.2 million more than in April, according to Forbes, but revenues are still below the May 2008 earnings. The casinos took in $224.3 million last month, which is about $11.4 million less than the same month last year.

Barbour Refuses Special Session, Vows Fight

[Verbatim from Gov. Haley Barbour] Yesterday an "agreement in principle" on Medicaid issues was announced by Medicaid negotiators, but this so-called "solution" has a huge, fundamental flaw: It would give Medicaid a blank check and expose Mississippi taxpayers to the risk of a severe, illegal budget deficit.

Lawmakers Closer to Balanced Budget

State legislators have reached a budget compromise, ending a months-long impasse days before the end of the fiscal year. House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement late Sunday on a roughly $5 billion budget for the 2010 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The agreement includes a $60 million assessment on Mississippi hospitals, which will help fund a Medicaid shortfall.

Allen and Others To Host McLemore Reception

Acting Mayor Leslie McLemore will soon retire from both academia and politics. In honor of his work and dedication to the city of Jackson, Ben Allen, President of Downtown Jackson Partners, is hosting a reception and fundraiser for McLemore Tuesday, June 30, at the University Club of Jackson.

Guv Candidate Looking Across Aisle?

Not surprisingly in a state where innuendo can be more common than facts, rumors are swirling around connections that a Democratic contender for the governor's mansions might have. This time, though, the rumors are about probable candidate Bill Luckett and possible connections with conservative Republicans—connections he denies.

CARA Desperately Seeking Donations

[Verbatim from CARA] Today, CARA was impacted by the extreme heat everyone in the Jackson area is experiencing. "We need three 40" box fans to add to the shelter to keep the air moving and the dogs cool," says Janet Madden, CARA Shelter Manager. "Another of our fans quit working today, and the loss of several fans over the past two weeks is making it difficult to ventilate the shelter." The fans CARA needs can be found at local home improvement stores and measure approximately four feet square.

2009 Gulf Dead Zone May Hit Record Size

Imagine an area the size of Hinds County with virtually no life: you can't drink the water; seeds rot in the soil; and only cockroaches can breathe the air. It's as if a nuclear reactor exploded and nothing survived.

Cookie Dough Recall Announced

Nestlé USA announced today that it is voluntarily recalling its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products after the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control notified the company it was investigating reported E. coli infections that may be related to the recalled products. Nestlé said in a release that E. coli has not been detected, but they are recalling the raw dough because "the health and safety of our consumers is paramount."

This Weekend: Mississippi Civil Rights Martyrs' Memorial

The 45th Annual Mississippi Martyrs' Memorial Service and Conference takes place this Saturday and Sunday in Neshoba County. A one-mile "March for Justice" kicks off the event, in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King's 1966 march in Philadelphia. The march begins at 10 a.m. at the Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church on Carver Avenue, and ends, as it did 43 years ago, with a rally at the Neshoba County Courthouse.

Johnson May Pull the Plug on ‘First 48'

Also see: JFP June 10, 2009 Editorial: 'First 48': This Is Transparency?

Mayor-elect Announces Transition Team

Tonight Mayor-elect Harvey Johnson Jr. gave the Jackson Free Press a list of his diverse transition team members that will investigate the current condition of city administration and prepare reports for the incoming mayor by July. He announced a five-person steering committee chaired by attorney John Maxey and co-chaired by Glenda Glover. The other three members are Kate Jacobson, Robert Barnes and Beverly Hogan. He also announced administrative committee chairs: Bettie Mallett (legal); Troy Stovall (administration and finance); Charles Graham (Fire Department); Rims Barber (Health & Human Services); Rev. Author Sutton (Parks & Recreation); Sandra Sellers (personnel management); Otha Burton (Planning & Development); Rebecca Coleman (Public Safety); Matt Thomas (Public Works); Dorothy Triplett (Constituent Services); and Peter Marks (Public Relations).

Former Justice Fights Death Penalty

Oliver Diaz says his first vote on the Mississippi Supreme Court was to "kill an innocent man." The man he's talking about is Kennedy Brewer, wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of a toddler in 1995.

Irby Trial Postponed Eight Months

Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Tomie Green granted a continuance for Karen Irby today, postponing her trial until March 29, 2010, reports The Clarion-Ledger. Irby, 38, faces two counts of depraved-heart murder for her role in a February car crash that killed Dr. Mark Pogue and Dr. Lisa Dedousis. Prosecutors also charged her with aggravated assault for injuries that her husband, Stuart Irby, sustained in the crash.

Cold Case Advocate to Meet with Holder

Alvin Sykes, longtime advocate for the victims of civil rights era cold cases, will meet with the nation's "top cop," U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, to discuss the Department of Justice mandate to solve those cases and bring the killers to justice.

Council Votes No to Raises; Yes to Legal Fees

Members of the Jackson City Council reversed themselves on a number of decisions during Tuesday's council meeting, June 16. The council agreed to pay the legal fees of the city's former mayor and voted down an employee pay raise, though individual council members were inconsistent with their records on some issues.

Wine to Go

Beginning July 1, that unfinished bottle of wine at your restaurant table can go home with you, thanks to the Mississippi Legislature. No more will you have to decide between the wines by the glass or by the bottle, because what you don't finish can travel back to your house for dinner tomorrow.

Boon For The budget?

State Auditor Stacey Pickering could complicate the state's recent $100 million settlement with Microsoft Corp.

Pearl Wetlands Worth Saving?

The wetland area just east of Jackson has seen better times.

Scott Davidson

While some look forward to Jubilee!JAM for the chance to see their favorite musicians perform, or to peruse the Arts Fair, Scott Davidson looks forward to seeing each year's official poster artwork.

Today: Housing Fair at the Medical Mall

You still have time to head over to the 2009 Housing Fair, sponsored by the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, until 2 p.m. today. Included on the agenda is information about foreclosure prevention, first-time buyer programs and financial management. The event, held at the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center, is free and open to the public. For more information, call 601-982-8467.

A Call for Unity ... But No Pictures

A June 15 event billed as a huge show of unity for Mayor-elect Harvey Johnson Jr. turned into a debate over transparency after organizers barred photographers and electronic media from the event held at the University Club downtown.

Hinds Drops Regional Jail

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 last Tuesday to end its efforts to build a regional jail, after spending more than $400,000 on acquiring land and designing the facility. The jail would have housed 300 state inmates and 100 county inmates, but Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps revealed to board President George Smith last week that the state had no need for additional beds. The state currently has 600 fewer inmates this year than it did in 2008.

Jackson City Council Votes Down Living-Wage Increase

At the Tuesday evening meeting tonight, the Jackson City Council voted down a proposed ordinance establishing a living-wage requirement for employees of the city of Jackson by a 3-3 vote. Acting Mayor Leslie McLemore, of Ward 2, proposed the ordinance, which drew support from Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon and outgoing Councilman Marshand Crisler of Ward 6. Opponents included council members who had supported a wage increase more than four months ago: Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes, Ward 4 Councilman Frank Bluntson and Ward 5 Councilman Charles Tillman. Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Weill was absent.

Police Union: No Agreement

The city of Jackson has not reached an agreement with the Jackson Police Officers Association regarding limiting the number of officers allowed to complete the sergeant's exam process—contrary to what Interim Police Chief Tyrone Lewis said at a June 11 Civil Service Commission meeting. Union president Juan Cloy denied Lewis' statement before the Commission last week, saying that the chief was mistaken.

Sleep Inn Breaking Ground Downtown

J. R. Jones, managing member of minority investment and development organization The LEAD Group, LLC, is partnering with Jackson attorney Robert Gibbs in opening a new 64-room hotel on Gallatin Street. Jones, Gibbs and Downtown Jackson Partners will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the New Downtown Sleep Inn and Suites at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Gallatin Street, between Pearl and Pascagoula Streets.

CARA Reaches Out for Donations

Community Animal Rescue and Adoption, Jackson's largest no-kill animal shelter is running dangerously low on funds. The shelter is "filled to the brim with unwanted, abused and stray dogs and cats who deserve a safe, loving place to call home," according to a release. With money running short, however, the shelter will need to close its doors soon unless the community steps forward to help.

Legislators Remain Stuck on Budget

With 14 days remaining in Mississippi's 2009 fiscal year, lawmakers continue their struggle to reach a consensus on next year's budget. The special negotiating team, which consists of three House and three Senate members, along with Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, ended yesterday's session with $12 million in total differences on the $5 billion budget, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Jones Named Ole Miss Chancellor

The University of Mississippi—Ole Miss—announced the appointment of Dr. Dan Jones as its new chancellor yesterday. Jones succeeds retiring Robert Khayat July 1, to oversee the University, including the University's Medical Center here in Jackson. He is the 16th chancellor in the history of the school.

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