News

AG Web site Tracks Fraudulent Contractors

[verbatim statement] Jackson, MS-Mississippi consumers can now track fraudulent contractors through a new website of the Office of the Attorney General. Mississippians can now go to http://www.agjimhood.com and find a list of contractors arrested for home repair fraud under the "alerts" and "consumer" links. The list includes the name of the person arrested, the name of the company they were "doing business as" and a brief status report on the case.

McCain's Controversial Supporter to Speak in Jackson

The Associated Press is reporting that an extremist Texas televangelist who has embraced presidential candidate John McCain is coming to Jackson to speak. Rev. John Hagee, who said on NPR in 2006 that Hurricane Katrina was an act of God to punish sinful New Orleans, is speaking at a Congregational Methodist Church conference on June 7. Hagee has also in the past suggested that God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land and blamed Jews for the Holocaust. He has made comments offensive to Muslims by misinterpreting the Qur'an for his own purposes, saying that "those who live by the Qur'an have a scriptural mandate to kill Christians and Jews... it teaches that very clearly." He has also offended Catholics by saying that the religion pursues a "theology of hate."

Koinonia Coffee House To Hold Grand Opening on June 6

As the Jackson Free Press alerted you in our Young Influentials issue several weeks ago, Koinonia Coffee House is about to open in West Jacksonthis Friday. We urge everyone to help make Koinonia a wide success. Here's a verbatim press release from the owners:

Court Sets Scruggs Sentencing Hearing

U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers Jr. has granted an order setting the sentencing trials of Dickie Scruggs, his son Zach Scruggs and Sidney Backstrom for Wednesday, July 2.

Tye's Restaurant to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Today

As part of the ongoing downtown rebirth, Tye's Restaurant will have its grand opening today, beginning at 4:30 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Afterwards, Thursdays at the Plaza kicks off at 6 p.m. with music provided by Scott Albert Johnson and Sherman Lee Dillon. Contact Tye's Restaurant at 601-949-3434 for more details.

FEMA Clears Disaster Relief for Hinds County

[verbatim from Gov. Barbour's office] Governor Haley Barbour has been notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that Hinds County will receive a major disaster declaration from the President due to the April 4 severe storms and tornadoes. "I am grateful to FEMA for making a serious review and recognizing that sufficient damages did exist even though preliminary information didn't make our case very well. FEMA gave us a fair second chance, which resulted in this decision that will help speed recovery from these devastating storms," Governor Barbour said.

Congress Probes 'Witch Hunts'

With Congress nipping at its heels, the U.S. Justice Department is looking into its own alleged political prosecutions, including that of Paul Minor and Oliver Diaz in Mississippi.

Airport Toll Road Moves Forward

The Mississippi House and Senate moved forward last week in making the Airport Parkway a possibility.

City Targets Upper Level, Again

City officials are in Hinds County Chancery Court trying to shut down the Upper Level Bar & Grill today. Police Chief Malcolm McMillin and Jackson Mayor Frank Melton say the club needs to be closed as a public nuisance because of the business' proximity to shootings and other forms of crime in the area. The city is seeking a permanent injunction to close the club.

House Dems Cave, Then Flee

House Democrats caved in to pressure the first day of the special session, passing a bill to temporarily reauthorize the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

Dorian Myers

When Power APAC theater arts teacher Dorian Myers, 30, sits on the edge of the stage in the little APAC auditorium, it is evident that she is in her territory.

House Subpoenas Rove in Justice Political Scandal

As expected, the House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed former presidential adviser Karl Rove to testify about his role in the alleged political investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice into Democrats perceived as enemies of the Bush administration. This investigation potentially has direct implications on the prosecutions of Democratic lawyer Paul Minor and Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz, as previously reported by the Jackson Free Press.

Alamo, Dorothy Moore Honored with Blues Marker Today

Jackson's own Dorothy Moore, Jobi Martin and Wanda Collier Wilson will speak today at 3 p.m. at a celebration to dedicate a new Blues Trail marker today on Farish Street. Per a press statement: "The Mississippi Development Authority/Tourism Heritage Trails Program, the Mississippi Blues Commission and the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau will unveil a marker honoring the Alamo Theater and Dorothy Moore. The Alamo Theater has served as a performing arts theater since the 1940's featuring black vaudeville acts, stage bands and renowned black performing artists. Dorothy Moore, renowned Blues recording artist, was a frequent performer at the Alamo Theater filling Farish Street with the sounds of the Blues and Soul. This will be Jackson's 4th historic blues marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail and the second marker erected on Farish Street. Entertainment by the Lanier High School Choir will begin at 2:45 p.m. before the ceremony."

Community Combats Crime

Standing at the corner of Florence and Valley Streets near the campus of Jackson State University, it is evident why Royce Smith Jr. is concerned about his business.

Alan French

"For me, I wouldn't live anywhere else," Alan French says from his house-turned-office on North State Street in Fondren.

Earl Berry Executed - 6 p.m.

Earl Berry seems to have exhausted his appeals, and is set to be killed by the state of Mississippi today. He is on death row for abducting and beating Mary Bounds to death in 1987. His attorneys argue that he is mentally disabled, making him exempt from the death penalty. They also argue that Mississippi's lethal injection method is not the same as Kentucky's, which the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled was not cruel or unusual punishment.

Mayor's Attempt to Rush Airport Appointment Thwarted

The Jackson City Council tabled confirming the appointment of local media mogul Wyatt Emmerich to the Jackson Airport Board after denying a request by Mayor Frank Melton and other councilmen to hold the confirmation hearing immediately following the council's special session Monday. Emmerich, publisher of the Northside Sun and other papers in the state, was present at the special session and ready for the council's approval. By meeting's end, he was still waiting, as council members opposed to the process pushed through an order to delay his confirmation until June 2.

Barbour Calls May 21 Special Session for Medicaid and MDES

Read background on ad oversight controversy here.

Ad Oversight Jeopardizing MDES

Mississippi Department of Employment Security Executive Director Tommye Favre said she wished legislators had not endangered her agency over a battle to force more oversight on state advertising.

JFP Wins Three AAN Awards, Including ‘Public Service'

The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University announced the winners of the 2008 AltWeekly Awards. The Jackson Free Press placed in three categories, and will learn the placement of the awards at the national convention in Philadephia, Pa., in June.

Julie Skipper

Though it's hard to believe now, there was a time when Julie Skipper wanted nothing to do with Jackson. A Meridian native, she graduated from Millsaps College in 2001 with a degree in art history.

Childers Victory Sends ‘Shock Waves' Through GOP

The Washington Post is reacting to Travis Childers' victory tonight in Mississippi 1st Congressional Districthistorically a conservative Republican stronghold:

Melton Reinstitutes Overnight Stays Around the City

[Verbatim from the Mayor's office] Mayor Frank E. Melton says that he wants to resume his overnight visits to neighborhoods beginning Monday, May 12, 2008. The Mayor feels that he must spend an appropriate amount of time in various neighborhoods and get a close up view of the quality of life throughout the city in order to respond effectively to concerns that he receives daily. His visits will be scheduled on the following dates at the locations listed:

New Film Incentives for Mississippi

[verbatim] Jackson, Miss. (May 13, 2008) – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has signed HB 1351, creating new incentives for the motion picture and television industry. The rebate program applies to feature, television, documentary and commercial production, and is effective immediately. "The film industry is important to Mississippi, as it is an industry in constant growth," Governor Barbour said. "We consider ours a long term commitment to community and economic development and to the creation of jobs in all sectors in every corner of our state.

Jackson Zoo Mourns Baby Giraffe

"We were pleased with its progress, so it was quite a shock Sunday to come in," Mims said.

The Jackson Zoo and members of the community mourned the death of its week-old female giraffe calf Sunday morning. Born on May 5, the newborn was a little underweight, but director of marketing and public relations, Christopher Mims said that she had gained at least five pounds by Saturday.

Former Madison Central QB Indicted for Selling Drugs

WAPT is reporting that Jared Foster has been indicted in Madison County Circuit Court for selling steroids and released on a $5,000 bond. He pled not guilty and waived arraignment.

Obama Takes Lead in Superdelegates

The Associated Press is reporting that Sen. Barack Obama has officially gone ahead of Sen. Hillary Clinton in the race for Democratic superdelegates:

Blind Eye: Easier Times for Bingo Crimes?

Adam goes into depth about monetary abuses in bingo parlors, and why nothing has been done about it.

William Winter to Receive JFK ‘Profile in Courage Award'

Former Gov. William Winter is one of three people receiving the coveted John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Monday in Boston for his "courageous decisions of conscience" during his lifetime. "Governor William Winter gives testimony to President Kennedy's belief that politics can truly be a noble profession," Caroline Kennedy said in a statement. "His lifetime of public service, both to his country and his beloved state of Mississippi, has been distinguished by its devotion to equality and justice. We are proud to honor him with a Profile in Courage Award for lifetime achievement." Winter is being honored with the lifetime achievement award. California Secretary of State Debra Bowen and Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner are also receiving Profile in Courage awards.

Attorney General Holding Domestic Violence Conference May 13-14

[verbatim statement] The Domestic Violence Division of the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, in cooperation with the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, will hold its second annual Domestic Violence Conference on May 13 and 14. The conference will be held at the Silver Star Hotel and Casino in Choctaw, Mississippi, and is entitled Domestic Violence in Our Communities: Response, Accountability, and Progress. Any law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, court clerks, probation and parole officers, and advocates working in the field of domestic violence or victims rights are invited to attend.

Ellington