News

[Lott] Keeping the GO Zone Going

The Senate reconvenes on Dec. 4 in what's commonly called a "lame duck" session. Usually a lame duck session means that with the election over, little is expected to be accomplished until the new Congress begins in January. But I'll be working hard to make sure this short session is not lame, but very productive, especially when it comes to extending tax incentives for Mississippi's hurricane-stricken counties.

16-Year-Old Arrested for Cross Burning

Police have arrested a white 16-year-old in Byhalia in North Mississippi for burning a cross in a black family's yard.

AG: State Meth Laws Curbing Problem

[verbatim from AG's office]Since Mississippi's Meth Law went into effect just over a year ago, meth lab seizures have gone down 65%, announced Attorney General Jim Hood today. The new law passed by the Mississippi Legislature restricted access to Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine, the primary ingredients in the manufacturing of Crystal Meth.

The HDTV Guide

I recently turned my stuff-wanting attention to the purchase of a new television set. I've got the same RCA 32-inch tube that I bought for my first apartment after college, and while it doesn't really show too many signs of wear, I still feel like something is lacking when I fire up a letterboxed movie and settle in with a bowl of popcorn. It just doesn't quite have the zip that I imagine a newer TV might offer.

Satnam Sethi

When I meet Satnam Sethi, 69, he is sitting at a long holiday dinner table, crowded with children and grandchildren. He steps away for a moment to reflect on the long journey that led him to Jackson.

Willie Morris Library Opens Today

The brand spanking new Willie Morris branch of the Jackson-Hinds Public Library opens today at 10 a.m. at 4912 Old Canton Road. Willie's wife (and JFP senior editor) JoAnne Prichard Morris will be in attendance at the dedication ceremony, as will his son, David Rae Morris.

Cities Compete in Hipness to Attract Young

The New York Times has a story about cities trying to attract and keep the vital "creative class." Be sure to read Todd's story about Jackson's "Creative Class Rising" back in our very first issue as well. The Times:

Have a Happy, Safe and LOCAL ‘Black Friday'

The Jackson Free Press wishes everyone a safe and loving Thanksgiving. And if you are one of the brave souls who actually shops on "black Friday," please remember that our locally owned businesses will be less crowded and more interesting and unique than chain stores (and they have much more creative gift wrap and much more personal service!). And if you need a mall, please be sure to visit Jackson's own Metrocenter Mall to help re-invest in our city. Meantime, the attorney general's office offers the following tips for safe shopping:

DA's Letter to The Clarion-Ledger

The Clarion-Ledger ran a letter today from Philip Weinberg, chief assistant district attorney.

Leland Speed Stepping Down from MDA

[verbatim statement] Governor Haley Barbour announced today that Leland Speed, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority since the beginning of the Barbour Administration, is returning to the private sector and will be replaced by Gray Swoope, MDA's chief operating officer. The change will become effective at the end of the year.

Warren Hogue

Artist Warren Hogue, 25, is just beginning to find his voice as a painter. His works are already powerful, though, with bold, saturated colors and heavy brush strokes reminiscent of Van Gogh.

Winners in Run-offs

Dewayne Thomas and Virginia Carlton were victorious in run-off elections held on Tuesday. Carlton, who was running against Ed Patten for a seat on the court of appeals, took 20, 852 votes to Patten's 17,791, according to figures from WLBT. Thomas, who was running against William Bell for chancery court, took 3,525 votes to Bell's 2,478.

Fleet-Morris Stores Now MIPA Distro Spots

The Fleet-Morris chain of convenience stores has ended their exclusive contract with the Clarion-Ledger's "The Distribution Network" and opened up 17 storefronts to the Mississippi Independent Publishers Association's community distribution boxes, enabling the Jackson Free Press and eight other member publications to distribute at more than two dozen new locations.

[Lott] Getting Votes That Get Results

This week I sought and won the position of Republican Whip in the United States Senate. I've told Mississippians for several months that I would seek a Senate leadership position if the opportunity arose and if it would be for the betterment of Mississippi and the benefit of the Senate and the American people we serve. My assumption of this leadership post meets both criteria, and I am delighted to be back in a position from which I can project my experience in ways that help our state and country.

Stewpot Robbed for Second Time in a Week

According to The Clarion-Ledger. The question is, where the @#$% is the police chief, and why isn't she out in front telling the public what she is doing to deal with the crime crisis? Our last chief held public briefings once a week and special ones when things got really rough; where is this chief hiding? What is her plan?

Best of Jackson 2007 Ballot Fully Operational

Click here to cast your ballot for the JFP's 5th annual Best of Jackson awards! Just do it.

Martha Bergmark

Martha Bergmark, 57, left a troubled Mississippi in the 1960s thinking she would never come back. Now, she relaxes in her downtown office surrounded by a computer, printer and stacks of paper. Her office phone rings several times, her cell phone vibrates once. Bergmark is in demand, and her organization, the Mississippi Center for Justice, is busier than ever, expanding on their promise to provide "access to justice" for low-income Mississippians. MCJ was incorporated in 2002 by a group of lawyers and community leaders who were troubled that Mississippi was without systemic homegrown legal advocacy run by a nonprofit public interest law firm.

Why the hell not?

It's Official: Allen Concedes, Democrats Control Congress

The fat lady's getting hoarse. AP is reporting:

Jamaal Jackson

This week, Jackson State University celebrates its homecoming, and one person who will be mixing business with pleasure is the university's Student Government Association President Jamaal Jackson. The 21-year old St. Louis native graduates in May from the state's only urban university, and couldn't be more proud of his soon-to-be alma mater. The thing that he is most proud of, however, is the legacy he expects to leave with the SGA for the next 10 years or so.

The Day After: Dems Take Washington

OK, here's your chance. Gloat. Whine. Vent. What are your thoughts on the very decisive mandate the country sent last night? Let 'er rip.

Hinds and Mississippi Results

U.S. Senate - Trent Lott

JFP School Bond IssueChancery Court Judge District 5, Subdistrict 5-1 - Dewayne Thomas and William Bell (run-off)Chancery Court Judge District 5, Subdistrict 5-2 - Patricia WiseCircuit Court Judge District 7, Subdistrict 7-1 - Swan YergerCircuit Court Judge District 7, Subdistrict 7-4 - Bobby DeLaughterHinds County Court Judge Subdistrict 3 - Bill SkinnerHinds County School Board District 3 - Linda Killingsworth Laws

Open Thread—Local & State

JPS Bond Issue (WAPT reporting):

For 85%Against 15%65% reporting

The Election Predictions Thread

Ready to throw your weight behind your predictin' prowess? Here's the "official" word (mine, that is) on what's going to happen in today's elections. Are you brave enough to answer the call?

Election 2006: On The Ballot

Listed below is a roster of the names and issues that will be on your ballot if you live in Hinds County. Some names may not be present, depending upon which exact portion of the county you live in. Some races, of course, have no competition so you only get one choice.

Election 2006: Circuit Judges

District 7-4

Born in Jackson in 1945.Graduated Ole Miss in 1971.Graduated from University of Memphis in 1969.One of the first African Americans to attend Millsaps in 1965.Served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1965.Practicing law for 35 years.

Klan Wizard Sam Bowers Is Dead

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) -- Former Ku Klux Klan Imperial Wizard Samuel H. Bowers, who was serving a life sentence for the 1966 bombing death of a civil rights leader, died Sunday in a state penitentiary, officials said. He was 82.

Gadget of The Week

How serious are you about amateur digital photography? Fuji has released the S6000fd, an SLR-like digital camera that offers some very good specs for an under-$500 price point. (It's closer to $400 at many online stores.) Disappointing to some is the 6.1 megapixel rating, but that should still be more than enough for most people's uses while keeping the image size relatively low so you can fit more vacation shots on a memory card. What the camera does offer—aside from a rugged 35-mm look, a comfortable grip and a 10x optical zoom lens—is a high-tech "face detection" technology that is supposed to make it extremely easy to auto focus on a person or group of people in your shots. Reviewers say they like the feature, particularly in the way it can give amateur and "fully automatic" photographers a leg up in the shooting department. Plus, the photo quality is said to be very good, thanks to the quality of the (non-detachable) lens. It offers a good-sized LCD display as well as the manual controls that the typical 35mm hobbyist would respect, making it a very interesting gift choice for someone who isn't quite a pro, but who needs good results with minimum fuss (reporters, real estate agents, contractors), or folks interesting in pursuing their digital photography hobby.

Marvin Jamison

Marvin Jamison is not your typical butcher. Yes, he wears the white butcher's hat and coat. He can slice a fine cut of meat or convince the pickiest eater to try something different. But he is best known for his beautiful voice belting out over the I-55 Kroger intercom.

Jackson 7th Most Improved in Morgan Quitno

Jackson was among the most improved cities in the new edition of the Morgan Quitno Annual Safest/Most Dangerous City ratings. Jackson, which ranked 42nd most dangerous overall, was the 7th most improved city, with a score 36.2 points higher than the previous year. If you count the metropolitan area, Jackson ranks 98th in most dangerous metropolitan areas. The survey included 371 cities.

Ellington