News

House Passes Jackson Sales Tax Increase

The Mississippi Legislature has passed a bill designed to give the city of Jackson additional funds for road repair and additional police and fire fighters.

Whitlow to Announce Candidacy

Rick Whitlow, former sports director and anchor at WJTV, will formerly announce his intention to run for mayor of Jackson tonight.

When people ask if I'm related to painter Andrew Bucci, I answer proudly, "Yes, he's my uncle!" It's difficult to hide my exuberance. He's a phenomenal human being and artist, and I'm one of his biggest fans.

Mississippi's Gain is Michigan's Loss

Gov. Haley Barbour announced yesterday that United Chair, owned by Haworth, Inc. of Holland, Mich., is adding 125 jobs at its Bruce, Miss., location. The addition of jobs in north Mississippi is part of Haworth's consolidation of its North American operations, which also includes closing a Michigan plant where it currently employs 350 people.

Federal Stimulus: ‘We Need to be Ready'

The stimulus is coming, and it's bringing big money. The Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review told the Mississippi House Ways and Means Committee that the economic impact of the federal stimulus package on the state could equal $5.12 billion, (equivalent to almost 6 percent of Mississippi's Gross State Product) after tax breaks.

BREAKING: Mayor Frank Melton Running for Re-election

In an interview in City Hall today, Mayor Frank Melton broke the news to the Jackson Free Press that he is going to run for re-election as mayor of Jackson. "Yes," he replied when asked if he is running for a second term.

Bluntson Collapsed at Groundbreaking

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton told the Jackson Free Press that city Councilman Frank Bluntson, Ward 4, collapsed during a groundbreaking this morning.

FEMA Extends Housing Deadline

March 1 was to be the deadline when victims of Hurricane Katrina had to leave the temporary housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. After nearly five years, some 2,500 people on the Mississippi coast still call FEMA trailers "home."

Mississippi Gambling Recession-Proof?

Casino gambling revenue in Mississippi exceeded $221 million in January, reports Forbes.com, an increase of 8 percent over December, though statewide revenues were down $3 million over January 2008.

Pratik Shah

"I have always liked bacteria," Pratik Shah says, laughing. "That makes me look nerdy." But at 28 years old, Shah is no average nerd.

Transcript of Frank Melton Remarks in Short Press Conference Wednesday

JACKSON CITY HALLMayor Frank Melton called a press conference for 10 a.m. today to address plans for Maple Street Apartments, "new and ongoing economic development iniatives" and "continued/long-term focus on serving the City of Jackson." His remarks lasted about three minutes, and he left without answering any questions from the media. A full transcript of his remarks follows.

[HOOD] Stimulus Package Offers Solutions to Faltering Economy, Rising Crime

Guest column

Crime and the economy. No matter how it's sliced, these two issues are inextricably linked. When we face one problem head on, we also tackle the other. And that is why the President's economic stimulus package is so important. It offers answers to both.

Fresh Start 2009 Career & College Fair

[verbatim] Are you looking for a new job for the New Year or are you ready to take the next step to getting that degree? Then the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center is where you will want to be.

Alternative Schools Fail on Education

[verbatim]ACLU Report Reveals Breakdown In Mississippi Alternative Schools

JACKSON, MS – Alternative schools in Mississippi are not adequately helping struggling students to succeed academically, leaving too many of the state's children to drift toward dropout and failure, according to a new American Civil Liberties Union report released today.

HB 561: Frozen Embryos are Children

Last week, Mississippi Rep. John Mayo, D-Clarksdale, sent an e-mail to his constituents concerning House Bill 561, the "Human Embryo Adoption Act." In his e-mail, Mayo disparaged the fact that the bill prevents same-sex couples from adopting frozen human embryos.

It's Official: Mistrial in Melton and Recio Trial

- Kenya Hudson's Melton-Recio trial photos here.

FBI Recovers 48 Kids in 29-City Prostitution Sting, Including Jackson

Feb. 23, 2009The FBI announced today that it has recovered 48 children in Operation Cross Country III, which targeted child-prostitution networks in 29 cities, including Jackson. Per an FBI statement today:

Judge Questions Jurors as Deliberations Continue

- Kenya Hudson's Melton-Recio trial photos here.

Barbour Still ‘No' on Federal Funds

Gov. Haley Barbour reportedly renewed his criticism of the Obama administration's economic bailout package during the National Governors Association winter meeting in Washington, D.C. this past weekend.

Jury Complaint: ‘Curious and Serious' Development

- Listen to MC law professor Matt Steffey on today's events

Minor Gets Three Hours with Dying Wife

Bill Minor, the father of convicted attorney and Democratic fundraiser Paul Minor, told the Jackson Free Press that his son only has three hours to visit his dying wife in Baton Rouge today.

Jury Deliberations Resume 9 a.m. Saturday

Kenya Hudson's Melton-Recio trial photos here.

Schools to Receive Federal Aid

Millions from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go toward Mississippi's struggling public education system, according to WXVT 15 in the Delta.

Be a Beekeeper

Have you been looking for a green hobby? Check into beekeeping.

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce has announced the dates of upcoming workshops that will recruit, educate, and increase participation for new beekeepers in Mississippi.

FBI Seeks Cold Case Info

[verbatim]In February 2006, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) enacted an initiative to identify and closely examine all unsolved hate crimes resulting in death that occurred prior to 1970. A review of cold case civil rights matters that met the above criteria was conducted and, with the help of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, as well as community leaders and civic organizations, numerous cases of unsolved violent crimes from the Civil Rights era are now being thoroughly examined and reinvestigated.

Jury Back 12:30 Friday in Melton-Recio Trial; Verdict Today?

Read the JFP original breaking story on Ridgeway destruction here

Mark Scurlock

Immediately after I entered Scurlock's Donuts, my vow to refuse any pastries placed before me became obsolete. Once the glazed donut hit my taste buds, it was love at first bite.

Barbour Mum about Federal Stimulus Funds

As of Wednesday morning, Gov. Haley Barbour has yet to announce whether he will accept funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which could provide Mississippi with $2.3 billion for education, infrastructure and medical programs, most of which are struggling.

Melton-Recio Jury to Reconvene 9 a.m. on Thursday

U.S. Marshals escorted defense witness Christoper Walker, Frank Melton's former mentee, into the courtroom this morning before jurors arrived.

House Approves Draft Budget

The Mississippi House passed the first draft of the $5 billion state budget for the coming year on Tuesday, according to an AP report appearing on News Channel 3, WREG Web site.

Ellington