News

[Fleming] A Voice from the Capitol, Day 1

Barbour Doesn't Support Minimum Wage

No kidding, eh? Check out his reasoning, as reported by The Clarion-Ledger today:

House Votes for Eminent-Domain Changes

The House today passed an eminent-domain bill looking to limit the power of the state government to snatch private property for the use of non-government purposes.

City Council Pays Temps

Jackson's City Council reversed its position over withholding payment to temp agencies this Tuesday. Last month, four members of the council voted to withhold thousands of dollars to temp agencies after Mayor Frank Melton refused to disclose information on temporary workers.

Mary Troupe

"I told that photographer earlier to ignore my junky office. It's a mess. He said, 'It's a sign of someone who's busy.' I'll take that!" Mary Troupe, a native of Booneville, Miss., who has lived in Jackson for more than 40 years, now explains.

A House In a Hurry

Within hours of the Legislature convening on Jan. 2, the House Appropriations Committee approved a total of seven money bills seeking attention with little dissent. H.B. 238, a bill seeking to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program for more than $2.2 billion easily passed the committee, although Rep. Bill Denny, R-Jackson, complained that the budgetary figures for the session were not recent enough to be a reliable gauge upon which to base a vote. He added that other priorities such as the Department of Corrections and Medicaid needed more immediate attention.

AAN Awards Diversity Grant to Melishia Grayson

The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies announced today that JFP intern and columnist Melishia Grayson is the recipient of a 2007 diversity grant. Melishia will report, write and blog 20 hours a week for the JFP, focusing on state and city issues. She will be part of the JFP's expanded legislative team at the State Capitol for the 2007 legislative session. Melishia is a 2005 graduate of Lanier High School where she was student body president. She is now a Jackson State University sophomore studying mass communications. This is the third diversity grant the JFP has received from AAN; the first two went to Ayana Taylor, a graduate of Tougaloo College and now a contributing editor of the JFP, and photographer/filmmaker Thabi Moyo, a graduate of Howard University who now works with the Crossroads Film Festival and the Canton film office.

Legislature to Pass MAEP Today?

More details as they develop ...

The word out of the Capitol is that the Legislature's first order of business today—the first day of the 2007 session—is to pass the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. This would be a major victory for public-education propopents who have fought Gov. Haley Barbour and his legislative followers tooth and nail to get MAEP fully funded.

Boise State v. OU: I Dub It: ‘The Calls'

Those of us who watch a little too much football between teams that don't matter to us personally are probably doing it so that we can witness a game like the Frito-Lay Cool Ranch Tostito Dippers Fiesta Bowl that I just watched between Boise State and OU. OK, so I hate OU from my childhood in Dallas and for them having foisted, indirectly, Barry Switzer on my once-beloved Cowboys.

Hang'em High: Saddam Executed

Saddam is dead.

President Ford: Iraqi War, WMD Story a ‘Mistake"

Bob Woodward did an interview with President Ford in 2004 that was embargoed by the former president until after his death. It is published today in the Washington Post, along with recordings:

AG: ‘Sneaky' Insurance Cos. Wrong to Delay Katrina Suits

[Verbatim statement from Jim Hood] "State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, Farm Bureau, USAA, and Nationwide have caused many people on our Coast to wait a year and three months for a decision on the validity of the water exclusionary clause. Now, thanks to Judge Senter, a second federal judge has agreed with me and told the insurance companies that they were wrong in trying to delay the case in federal court. I have been in discussions with several of these companies with the aim of trying to resolve these issues without the expense and time of litigation and I am hopeful that other companies will come forward and do what is right toward the policy holders. I urge every policyholder and insurance agent in Mississippi to call or email their insurance company and tell them to work with us on a settlement to help our fellow Mississippians on our Coast!

Sen. Horhn Announces Historic Pocahontas Rest Stop

[verbatim statement] Dec. 28, 2006—Eight years of effort finally paid off. State Senator John Horhn announced today that the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has allocated $1.9 Million and begun construction to reestablish a rest area on US Highway 49 just south of the Pocahontas Indian Mound. Benefiting both nearby residents and visitors, the facility will also boast an interpretive center, a small museum, picnic facilities and a jogging trail. Senator Horhn was aided in his efforts by residents of the Pocahontas Community Homeowners' Association.

Patrick Harkins

"I love the other (guitar) stores here," Harkins says. "It's just they're doing something slightly different."

Gerald Ford – 1913-2006.

The statement from his family did not list a cause of death. He was 93.

Fraud, Katrina Contracts Could Waste $2 Billion

The Associated Press is reporting on staggering waste and loss of funds due to no-bid and fraudulent contracts, especially to Republican supporters, after Katrina, as well as how few minority-owned firms got contracts due to Bush's initial waiver of contracting requirements:

Back To Basics with Kwanzaa, Regardless Of Race

The holiday season can be chaotic. In some cases, it turns into a popularity contest: Who gets the most thoughtful gift? Who gets the stock gifts? Who only gets well wishes? Whose party do you attend, and how long do you stay at this one before you head to the one you've been anticipating since this time last year?

Merry Christmas & Happy Kwanzaa from the JFP Staff

Todd, Donna, Stephen, Renee, Jakob, Darren, Brian, Natalie, Adam, JoAnne, Herman, Ronni, Casey, Pat, Korey and the other JFP contributors wish you all a safe and thoughtful Christmas and Kwanzaa week. May you all experience peace and prosperity in the new year.

Soul "Godfather" James Brown Dies at 73

CNN is reporting the following:

"ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured "Godfather of Soul," whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said. He was 73. Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said.

Fired Principal Alleges JPS Supe Sexually Harassed Him

WAPT is reporting: Jackson Public Schools has fired the principal of Chastain Middle School on Wednesday morning, citing missing money and poor performance. But Principal Michael Ellis said he was dismissed for another reason. Ellis filed a complaint that Superintendent Earl Watkins made unwanted sexual advances to in the form of phone calls and text messages.

Sabri Agachan

One immediately feels welcome when entering Sabri Agachan's home. Take your shoes off and put on the slippers offered; accept tea in delicate glasses and an offer of food. The house is spotless, almost Spartan; hospitality and cleanliness are blessings to the Muslim home, Agachan will tell you.

Jill Conner Browne: Victory on Toys for Katrina Kids!

Our good friend Jill Conner Browne just sent this update out to her list about how efforts of many of you and others are making a big difference in the lives of kids on the Coast this Christmas. She sent out a plea for toys that we posted a couple weeks ago. Bless everyone in Jackson and beyond who helped out.

Loome: Politicians Misrepresenting MAEP Formula

[Verbatim from Nancy Loome] There has been a good deal of political posturing surrounding the Mississippi Department of Education's announcement of the updated MAEP figures. Rest assured that the negative comments you hear are, indeed, political posturing. The final projected MAEP costs were approved this morning (Friday, December 15, 2006) by the State Board of Education. Those figures came in at approximately $33-million below the Department of Education's initial estimate (about a 1% difference in the education budget).

Rev. Ross Olivier, Jesse Robinson on Radio JFP Friday

Tune in Friday (Dec. 15) at noon for the second beta version of Radio JFP on WLEZ, 103.7 FM. We have amazing guests this week—Rev. Ross Olivier of Galloway Methodist and bluesman Jesse Robinson! Host Todd Stauffer, and guest hosts Donna Ladd and Brian Johnson, will discuss the latest news—yes, Melton will come up—and provide a weekly wrap-up of the news and a look-ahead to interesting events and music for each weekend—as well as play samples of songs of artists performing over the weekend. Be sure to tune in every Friday!

The iTodd's Gift Guide

The holidays are frustrating for a geek. Why? Because we know exactly what we want. And no one else does. Why? Because they're not paying attention. Here, then, is a quick summary of what's hottest for the tech geek in your life and what you'll need to spend to keep 'em quiet. Oh, and do not forget to keep the receipt, because if you're not a geek yourself, you'll probably get something wrong. Happy shopping!

Erik Mackinnon And Stephanie Miller

Meeting Erik MacKinnon, 36, and Stephanie Miller, 32, is like crossing paths with the Tasmanian devil and Tinkerbell. A consistent smile and a staccato laughter usually float around Stephanie, especially when she is with her industrious four-year love interest, MacKinnon. The two have dedicated their lives to healing through massage, and though their approaches differ, they are both passionate about the good that massage therapy can do.

Join the JFP for Southern Fried Karaoke Saturday

Join Donna and Todd for the third annual holiday edition of Southern Fried Karaoke this Saturday, Dec. 9, starting at 9 p.m. in the Hal & Mal's restaurant. Good singers *more* than welcome. Bring your hats and other appropriate props; seasonal sparkles and sequins always welcome.

Please Help With Presents for Katrina Kids

Dec. 4, 2006—Sweet Potato Queen Jill Conner Browne just forwarded us this e-mail. Everyone, please do what you can to help these children get presents this year; drop-off info in Jackson and Oxford is included at the bottom:

Kenneth Grigsby

Young Democrats of Mississippi President Kenneth Grigsby, 32, is an attorney at Phelps Dunbar who's been living in the Jackson area for five and a half years. The Tupelo native and Ole Miss graduate joins his wife, Kathleen, 29, and 3-year-old daughter, Taylor, as some of the little blue Democratic specks living in Madison—though Grigsby says there may be more "specks" in Madison than most people think.

David Banner, Kamikaze on Talk Radio Monday A.M.

[From Kamikaze] Banner and I will be on the morning show at 97.7 WRJH on hot talk at 9 on MONDAY talking about the controversy (both Banner's and the Millsaps incident). You guys should tune in and call in with your opinions. Spread the word.

Ellington