News

Katie Gill

Some would say trivia is, well, trivial. True, except when your grasp of it lands you on "Teen Jeopardy." Katie Gill, a 15-year-old Murrah High School student, earned the attention of Jackson when she landed a coveted spot on Alex Trebek's knowledge challenge for young contestants. Through the Jeopardy e-mail list, officials made an all-call for teenagers in the area. Gill did well enough on the online test to qualify for the Nashville finals.

Surprise, Surprise: Supreme Court Backs Barbour

Gov. Haley Barbour told us all that the Mississippi Supreme Court would overturn the lower court decision requiring him to follow statute in scheduling the special election to replace Sen. Trent Lott, and he was ... drum roll ... right. His statement today:

Jackson High School Press Association Forming

Are you a Jackson-area high school journalism teacher or adviser (or want to be)? Are you a student leader at a high school publication? Are you trying to start a high school newspaper? The Jackson Free Press is joining forces with the Mass Communications Department at Jackson State University to form the Jackson Area High School Press Association (JAHSPA). All area high schools, public and private, are invited to participate in the effort, which will provide workshops, mentoring and other resources to student-run publications, in print and on the Web. Attend the first meeting Friday, Feb. 8, at 4 p.m. at JSU armed with your list of needs. Broad Street refreshments provided. RSVP to Dr. Sunny Smith at [e-mail missing] or JFP Editor Donna Ladd at [e-mail missing] for more information.

Bell Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to Life

For background on this case, read the JFP's investigative feature, "Grant Me Justice."

Eli, Eli, Eli ...

Eli Manning and the Giants take down Tom Brady and the Patriots. Insert karma comment here.

New Deputy Chief Revives Cold Murder Case

Jackson Deputy Police Chief Gerald Jones announced that police issued an arrest warrant on Thursday for Jackson resident Sherrod Moore, who is a suspect in the deadly shooting of Jackson Police Officer Robert J. Washington. Washington, 37, disappeared Nov. 14, 1995, while patrolling his beat in Precinct 2. Police located his body the following day in a field near U.S. 80 West and Whiting Road. He had died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head.

Bart Heath

Bart Heath didn't go to culinary school. He's not vegan or vegetarian, and he admits, "I couldn't even cook a grilled cheese when I was 18 and a senior in high school." And yet, the Gulfport native is the new head chef at Jackson's premier vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurant, High Noon Café.

Bill to Hamstring AG Office?

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and the Mississippi Senate are pressing for a new law that would force a competitive bidding process on plaintiff lawyers looking to contract with the Mississippi attorney general's office. Bryant and some senators say the bill, which they call a "sunshine law," will further open attorney general/private attorney contracts to public inspection.

We Hid It. So?

A U.S. congressional investigation by a House Science and Technology subcommittee revealed what many FEMA trailer residents have known for years—FEMA was hiding its knowledge of the incredible toxicity level of formaldehyde in FEMA trailer building material.

Corn Hath No Fury: The JFP Interview With Billy McCoy

Photos by Mac Gordon

House Speaker Billy McCoy speaks in a halting stutter at times. A stroke shook his frame in 2004. He has recovered to a point, though the scars are still plain. But they don't slow him down.

Help the Magnolia School Recover Theft Losses

Attend a benefit Tuesday night (Jan. 29) to help Magnolia Speech School recover from over $100,000 in damages done in Dec. by copper thieves. Featuring The Electric Company, The Scott Albert Johnson Band, Chris Gill and the Sole Shakers and The Juvenators. At Hal and Mal's Restaurant. $5 minimum donation.

McMillin to Bring Back Crime Prevention Unit

Jackson's new police chief said the city is facing big bills this year thanks to overtime and unpaid debt—and is bringing back the Crime Prevention Unit that the mayor disbanded in order to help meet some of the city's policing challenges.

Playin' Hurt in Jacktown

Thank you, Jackson, for being you.

We feel confident in saying that there a few headaches in the Jackson area today after hundreds of people packed into the Mississippi Museum of Art for the JFP's Sixth Annual Best of Jackson party. Local restaurants brought so much food that we had to scramble for extra tables. The beer and the wine from Kat's kept flowing. DJ Phingaprint worked the crowd into a frenzy as usual. Fedoras, pinstripes and flapper dresses were in abundance. The highlight of the night came around 7 p.m. when the JSU Sonic Boom drum line marched from outside straight into the packed museum and to the dance floor to perform. And perform they did. (Rumor has it that members of The Weeks tried to join the drum line later, and June Hardwick later reported that she heard them in her house blocks away.) Oh, yes, Josh Hailey outdid his gold lame jumpsuit from last year. Let's just say that, save for a sombrero and big black moustache and some itty-bitty speedos, he would have been buck naked. What's next year for Josh? We tremble to think.

A Beautiful Day for a Party ...

... and to celebrate Jackson's impending boom! See you at the art museum tonight. Dress anyway you want, up or down; opens to the public at 8 p.m. The first two hours, from 6 to 8 p.m., will be an invitation-only reception, and then the party opens to the public with a cash bar after 8 p.m. We will give awards at 8:15 p.m. DJ Phingaprint will provide the dance music. Free admission.

Get Excited About Downtown - TODAY

Ben Allen and other Jackson mover-shakers are hosting a shindig today at 5:15 p.m. to expose what is going on downtown. In Allen's words, he hopes to see the "JFP Nation" there in droves. The JFP's Todd Stauffer will unveil plans for Boom Jackson, a new glossy magazine about the city's progress. The Downtown Jackson Partners Economic Development Briefing is tonight, Jan. 24, at the MS TelCom Center from 5:15-7:30 pm. Cash bar; free hors d'eourves. Click here for more information.

Willie McKennis

Casually dressed in a black blazer, white dress shirt and blue jeans, Willie McKennis has a full schedule. However, he takes a break to tell the story of his life.

Attorney General Unveils Legislative Agenda

From a verbatim statement:

Jackson, MS-Attorney General Jim Hood and the Division Directors of the Attorney General's Office revealed the agency's 2008 legislative agenda this morning before Senate Judiciary, Division B, chaired by Senator Gray Tollison.

UPDATED: Melton Blames Council for ‘Oversight' Woes

The Jackson City Council learned during a Tuesday budget meeting that the city has "no supervisory oversight" on numerous municipal transactions, which is costing the city revenue and could ultimately jeopardize some federal grants. The internal audit, which led to Mayor Frank Melton walking out of the meeting, also revealed that some checks issued by the city are not clearing one year after issuance, and that the city is not accounting for its fixed assets.

Reuters: Fred Thompson Out of Prez Race

Reuters is reporting that the presidential race is short one actor today: "Republican Fred Thompson said on Tuesday he has dropped out as a presidential candidate, following a dismal showing so far in the campaign."

Barbour's ‘State of the State' Monday 6 p.m.

Gov. Haley Barbour's "State of the State" address will be tonight at 6 p.m., broadcast live on MPB. Read his verbatim prepared address on StateDesk.com.

We Have a Dream ... Still

Today, the official Martin Luther King Jr. day, is a great day to watch and hear Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Enjoy.

Speaker McCoy Fires Back

Republicans had predicted House Speaker Billy McCoy's vengeance after his close re-election to the leadership post, and McCoy did not disappoint. The speaker assigned no chairmanships this session to Republicans, and removed other Republicans from last year's committee chairmanships.

Exchanging Cultures: Jewish Film Fest Opens Thursday

See details on the festival and a video trailer for "The Rape of Europa," which opens the festival Thursday night at the Mississippi Museum of Art, on the JFP's events calendar.

Sean Wade

Sean Wade is a big guy. He could use his stature to threaten, but instead, he exudes tranquility to those in his presence. Wade, 32, speaks with clarity and precision, his voice steady and soft. His demeanor is welcoming and inclusive, and he tends to be almost self-effacing. His kindness and gentleness are evident in every move and word.

DNA Says 'Not Guilty' 16 Years Later

Arthur Johnson may be returning home in a matter of days, 16 years after his arrest for a rape he did not commit. On Friday, Jan. 4, the Mississippi Supreme Court ordered Sunflower County to review Johnson's case based on post-conviction DNA testing that conclusively eliminates him as the perpetrator.

Haley Barbour's 2008 Inaugural Address

Read the verbatim full text of the governor's prepared remarks over on StateDesk.

Just In: Delaughter Voids Barbour's Election Date

Late today, Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby Delaughter ruled in favor of Attorney General Jim Hood's argument that Gov. Barbour was acting unconstitutionally by trying to force Mississippi voters to wait almost a year after Sen. Trent Lott's resignation to vote for his replacement. Details, and Barbour's response (hint: it has something to do with his well-founded confidence in the Mississippi Supreme Court ruling his direction) is over on StateDesk.

Post-Surgery, Melton Vows to Help More Kids

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton had little to say at a 10 a.m. press conference Monday. Reporters spent more than 30 minutes setting up cameras in the mayor's ceremonial office, only to hear the mayor offer gratitude to his medical staff and family. Melton presented a model of the new defibrillator now sitting in his chest and declared a new conviction to help the city's youth. "We're losing too many young people," Melton told the press. "…It's very difficult to talk to an 18-year-old one day … and bury him the next. It causes me to lose sleep."

StateDesk Live with Breaking News and Commentary

Visit StateDesk.com, the JFP's statewide news blog, for daily news on the state Legislature, commentary and other pertinent state news. Right now, you can read and comment on a PDF of Phil Bryant's new Senate committee appointments, read about a man exonerated by DNA of committing a rape 15 years ago and talk about the prospect of flamboyant legislatator Steve Holland running for Wicker's congressional seat. You don't have to be registered to comment over there, so head on over and get comfortable.

Todd Stauffer and Kamikaze on Radio Jan. 11

... And they're talking about ... wait for it ... karaoke. We can only assume this will not fill the entire show. Show is on WLEZ-FM 103.7 until 1 p.m. Streams live at http://www.wlezfm.com every Friday noon until 1 p.m.

Ellington