News

MDOT Approves Fortification Street Project

A Mississippi Department of Transportation commission voted to approve a plan to narrow Fortification Street and install traffic-slowing features Wednesday. "Obviously we're extremely pleased that we received an affirmative vote on the alternative 3B plan for Fortification," said Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon. "We've been working on this for years, and we think that with MDOT's blessing it will finally move forward.

11/12 Markets Down Again on Jobless News

The number of people filing for unemployment benefits hit a staggering number last week -- 516,000, making it the highest week since shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. The result was another downturn in the market, with the Dow ended Wednesday just under 8,300, with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ both showing 5 percent drops. In morning trading on Thursday, the Dow had gained 100 points.

André de Gruy

André de Gruy did not want to be a public defender when he came to Jackson for law school 20 years ago. But recently, as the top lawyer in the Office of Capital Defense Counsel, his proudest moment came while sitting in the audience at the exoneration of Kennedy Brewer.

Frustrated Voters Overhaul Court

Election Day brought an upset of Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Smith, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce favorite, but the outcome may not have loosened the corporate lobby's influence on the court's decisions. The Chamber spent millions of dollars on past elections promoting judges willing to steer the court in favor of corporate defendants. Their fight continued this year, with some measure of success.

GOP Panic: How to Save the ‘Party of Lincoln'

The Grand Old Party is living up to the "old," according to Nov. 4 exit polls. The poll revealed the vast brunt of Republican voters to be elderly, rural and overwhelmingly white in a country that is increasingly none of the above with each passing year.

Dancing with Race

Charles Evers is a Republican Barack Obama supporter. A radio talk show host and the manager of WMPR 90.1 FM, a local blues and gospel radio station, Evers has lived here since 1963, when his brother, civil rights leader Medgar Evers, was shot and killed.

Barbour Announces 2009 Spending Cuts; Spares MAEP

[Verbatim statement] (JACKSON, Mississippi) – Governor Haley Barbour today ordered Fiscal Year 2009 spending cuts totaling $41.9 million, or two percent, for most state agencies due to a shortfall in state tax collections. With revenue falling 2.3 percent below estimates, the Governor said the cuts are mandated by Mississippi Code §27-104-13, which requires the State Fiscal Officer to balance the budget when state revenue falls below estimates for the fiscal year. He noted these budget revisions will not affect funding for such priorities as the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP), Medicaid, public health and certain social services.

City to Take Over Bus System

A surprised Jackson City Council learned Monday that the city of Jackson is planning to take over its public bus system. The Melton administration informed the council of the new development after the city failed to reach an immediate contract agreement with Professional Transit Management. "We are in negotiations now and hope to reach an agreement soon," Chief Administrative Officer Robert Walker told the Jackson Free Press. "When we have something worked out, I will call you."

Craigslist Crackdown

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has announced that the attorneys general in 42 other states have reached an agreement with Craigslist in which the online classified-ad Web site will crack down on inappropriate content and illegal activity in its erotic services section. The move is meant to prevent people from using online classified ads to facilitate prostitution, human trafficking, child exploitation and other illegal activities.

‘Evil Motive' Question Looms as Melton Trial Delayed

A federal judge agreed today to delay the civil rights trial of mayor Frank Melton and his former bodyguard, Michael Recio, until Jan. 5. Judge Daniel Jordan granted a last-minute motion for continuance filed by Recio's attorney, Cynthia Stewart.

11/10 Dow Dips Under 8,900

While the dip wasn't as dramatic as in weeks past, the Dow did fall less than a point today lead by U.S. automotive stocks that are taking a hit as they seek a government handout from the government. GM is warning that it's running low on operating capital, while Ford's stock is trading at $1.93, down 4.5 percent.

Feds Allege Melton Team Up to Ugly Games

PDFs of all U.S. v. Melton documents

Celebrating Black Students Called N-Word at Ole Miss

The Daily Mississippian at Ole Miss reported a disturbing response to the Barack Obama presidential victory on Tuesday night:

Byram Middle School Honors Military Veterans

[Verbatim] There will be a Veterans' Day Program on November 11, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at Byram Middle School. Veterans, currently serving military personnel and the public are all invited to share in remembering and honoring our veterans. Please come join us for this special recognition of our men and women serving in our uniformed services.

[Wicker] Congress Continues Effort to Protect Border

In a positive development for our nation's ongoing effort to stop illegal immigration, the president recently signed into law legislation that provides needed funding for border security programs. The funds were contained in the 2009 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, which was included in a larger bill passed by Congress in September. The legislation contained funding that will greatly assist DHS in cracking down on illegal immigration and keeping our nation more secure. With over 12 million people currently living in our country illegally, there is no question that our borders are broken. Illegal immigration is a serious problem that needs a serious solution. I have been glad to work with other like-minded members of Congress to increase funding for border enforcement and other programs that crack down on illegal immigration. We have made progress, but there is more work to be done.

Money Management Tips for the Newly Unemployed

Jackson, Miss.--- November 7, 2008 With the nation's unemployment remaining high, Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Jackson today reminds people who have lost their jobs to continue paying their bills on time and managing their credit wisely during this difficult period. Managing your credit during unemployment is critical since having good credit is a requirement for some jobs. "Some people have the professional and education background for a new position, but may have an inability to pay bills on time," says Sherry Rainey, CCCS of Jackson president. "Failing to manage your finances during unemployment could affect your credit report and hurt your chances of landing a new job."

Driving Mr. Biden: The JFP Interview with the Vice President (Encore)

In 2006, the Jackson Free Press drove then-presidential hopeful Sen. Joe Biden around the capital city to get him off the beaten path and talk about issues facing everyday Mississippians. Due to his new role as vice president, we are moving the narrative of that visit back to the top of the site for an encore.

11/6 Markets Down Two Days Running

After losing over 500 points yesterday in the wake of the American presidential election win by Senator Barack Obama, the Dow is down another 440 points in mid-day trading. CNN Money says the sell-off is accelerating on concerns that falling oil prices and problems in the U.S. auto industry will be harbingers for a longer recession.

Republican Party, Remake Thyself (You, Too, Barbour)

Politico's headline today, GOP In Dire Straits, says it all. Don't miss Haley Barbour's take at the end, telling Obama how to be, er, non-partisan:

Democrat Merkley Wins Oregon Senate Seat

It's finally been called.

FOX: Palin Didn't Know Africa a Continent

The country sure did dodge a mighty bullet yesterday. All the off-the-record-until-after-the-election is now coming out about Gov. Sarah Palin, including that she didn't know what countries are in NAFTA, or that Africa was a continent. Read and watch the segment here. The wackiest part is that she is still viewed as a juicy Republican presidential candidate for 2012. Let's see if that lasts. If so, that party has deep issues. You simply cannot run a candidate who doesn't know the continents by the time she's in her 40s. Truly.

It's Really Is About Turnout, Stupid!

The JFP has repeated the T-word incessantly since we launched in 2002. That is, conventional "wisdom" about basing political strategy on who has, and has not, voted in the past goes out the window if you focus on increasing turnout, as well as giving unexcited voters candidates who they will turn out for (doh). This year's election has done that, both nationally and in the state, perhaps changing the way we all view election strategy for years to come. First, the early word on what happened nationally:

The First Puppy?

Now that the 2008 presidential election is over, the burning political question is: What kind of puppy will the first family choose!?! What's your choice?

Youth Vote More Prominent in Future Elections?

Young voters believe that government has a role in American livesto fix problems and ensure economic equality. That's why the "redistribution" argument fell flat with them.

Court Shifts, Graves Makes History

Even as Election Day brought an upset of Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Smith, a U.S. Chamber favorite, the outcome may not have loosened the corporate business lobby's influence on the court's decisions. The Chamber spent millions of dollars on the election, pushing out two justices who were willing to challenge the court's judicial activism against plaintiffs, which it became known for under Smith.

Byron Knight

Twenty-eight-year-old Byron Knight had no original intention of opening a gourmet coffee shop. But after a friend consulted him about opening a new business in Fondren, he loved the idea.

Barbour's Lobbying Firm Now Open to Dems

In a dramatic sign of how the political winds have shifted, lobbying firm BRG (formerly known as Barbour, Griffith & Rogers) today announced that it has acquired a Democratic lobbying firm. This is huge because Haley Barbour and partners revolutionized what had been the bi-partisan nature of lobbying in Washington by opening a firm that would not cater to Democrats, helping create an intensely divided Washington. [...]

Obama Wins

The closing of the polls in California, Oregon and Washington at 11:00 pm Eastern time was enough for the major networks to put Senator Barack Obama over the top in the historic election of the 44th president of the United States. Having won Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire -- all of which were necessary to the McCain strategy -- the closing of polls in the electoral vote rich West was enough to cement the victory for the first African-American president of the United States.

Open Thread: Thoughts on Returns, Exit Polls

The polls are starting to close in some spots on the East Coast. Here's where you can chat about the returns.

Didja Vote? Have Problems?

Get voting info/advice/help numbers here.

Ellington