Build an Army for Kids, Not Against Them
I was mortified, if not really surprised, to see some of the angry responses to R.L. Nave's excellent cover story last week about the killing of Quardious Thomas.
Remembering Nelson Mandela
By reading Nelson Mandela's story, I saw what the best of humanity looked like. I saw that no matter how much oppression and humiliation one group may inflict upon another, the human spirit is oak-tree strong, and we can rise above it.
DA Smith Should Recuse from Thomas Killing
Both the DA and Jackson police seem to be assuming that the killing would fall under the state's Castle Doctrine, but it is entirely unclear whether a grand jury would agree, considering that no evidence has emerged that Thomas intended violence against the people inside the house or had the means to commit it.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Committed'
Hosemann likes to play coy, saying that he is but a humble civil servant following the will of the Legislature and the people, who approved voter ID by referendum in 2011, but he's been driving the voter ID bus since he first ran for the office.
Not Buying It This Year
As many people come off the high of the Thanksgiving holiday and the shopping experiences of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I am spending my time contemplating if all the holiday hustle and bustle is worth it.
The Immorality of Incarceration
Mariachi guitarist Johnny Mora's bout with drugs was years in his past, but the legacy of jail time it led to is as much a companion as his guitar when he travels to perform in clubs around Mississippi.
Rethink ‘Family Values’
A Mississippi judge won't let Hernando resident Lauren Beth Czekala-Chatham get a divorce from the woman she married in San Francisco in 2008, nor is she getting any help from state officials.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Adequate'
Since capturing control of the Mississippi Legislature, and therefore the budgeting process, Republican lawmakers have boasted about putting aside about $100 million per year into reserves, or what is colloquially called the Rainy Day Fund.
Introducing ‘Broke Friday’
Smokey "Robinson" McBride: "A lot of my working-poor constituents were too broke to shop on Black Friday. They spent most of their time negotiating past-due payments with bill collectors and credit-card companies."
Honoring the Greatest, Inspiring the Rest
Our goal remains the same: to highlight and acknowledge locals who are the best at what they do.
Panic Doesn’t Fight Crime
We in the Jackson area have been rocked recently by some horrific murders. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Perfect'
To say that Walnut Grove has had some problems in the past would be an understatement.
Hey, Leave Those Kids Alone
On the national scene, news of a so-called knockout game where teenagers go around attacking innocent strangers started out on conservative websites but has since been picked up by mainstream news outlets like CNN and USA Today.
Local Businesses Strike Back
Your local independent businesses help employ many more people than you’ll see on the sales floor.
My Friend, Willie
My late, ineffable friend Willie Morris, gone from us for more than 14 years now, would turn 79 next week. I miss him. Safe to say, everyone who knew Willie misses him. If I could write him a birthday letter, here's what it would say.
City: Get Messaging Right on Sales-Tax Referendum
Ward 6 Jackson City Councilman Tony Yarber made a good point at the council work session Monday night.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Onslaught'
The hypocrisy of whining about crime and then being arrested for committing a rather serious crime is so thick and heavy that this space is too small to adequately address it and all of its dimensions.
‘Tis the Season to Hustle
Brother Hustle: "It's time for the Hustle family's Compensatory Investment Request Support Group Holiday Season New Entrepreneur Workshop at Clubb Chicken Wing's Multi-Complex. The objective is to help and encourage aspiring street vendors start their businesses during the most wonderful time of the year."
Sacrificing the Turkey
If I’m ever going to win the battle for my health, I have to make a drastic change.
Christianity Without Jesus
"The Jesus who warned of public prayer has no place in their Christianity."
Please, Help Us Get Serious About Transparency
As City Reporter Tyler Cleveland frustratedly reports in this issue and in previous weeks, the quasi-public yet clandestine Jackson Redevelopment Authority has a tendency to recess into executive session when it only has one or two items on its once-a-month agenda.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Future'
The long-range environmental and cost-saving benefits of the way-over-budget, 582-megawatt Kemper County integrated gasification combined cycle have been hotly debated since the project's inception.
No Apologies, No Excuses for Racist Symbols
Recently on social media I've read a lot of conversation about the state flag and, because of Halloween, white people wearing blackface.
Movin' On Up ... to Downtown
This week, soon after we ship this issue to the printer, we're packing up our office and moving to downtown Jackson—our first move in almost a decade.
Beautiful People
Please, do not cheapen beauty by thinking it so hollow as to only be about a person’s physical features. Beauty is a tag of victory and completion.
Best of Jackson 2014: Go Vote!
You may have noticed the Best of Jackson ballot in this issue (page 14) or the alert on the cover—it's that time of year again!
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Obamascare'
By itself, Doocy's silly comment wouldn't be so bad. But the off-the-cuff comment was the most blatant of a series of attacks and false characterizations the national news network has rolled out against the Affordable Care Act.
Squeaky Clean Chitterlings
"This Chitterling Season, Pork-N-Piggly Supermarket will make the holiday season affordable and educational for financially challenged customers. Along with lower prices on your favorite holiday foods, Pork-N-Piggly Supermarket will offer free pre-holiday workshops in food preparation and home decoration."