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Definition of South, Southern Changing?
In a rather odd feature, North Carolina-based Associated Press writer Allan Breed asks the question today: "[A]re we heading toward a ‘No South'"? Things are indeed changing in the South. And so is the notion of what it means to be "Southern." In this most maligned and mused-upon of American regions, the term conjures a variety of images. Magnolias, front porch swings and sweet tea for some; football, stock cars and fried chicken for others; lynchings, burning crosses and civil rights marches for still others.
Det. Eric Smith Killed at JPD Headquarters
Today, around 8:15 p.m., Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced that Det. Eric Smith died today in the Jackson Police Department headquarters in downtown Jackson.
Purvis: ‘Melton Did Not Put Me in the Race'
Jackson 2000 held a district attorney candidate forum today at noon at Schimmel's. The Jackson Free Press moderated, asking questions provided by audience members. We will have a full report on the event later today, and with any luck, a podcast of all of the comments. Meantime, here is a press statement candidate Michele Purvis sent out this morning, stating that Melton did not ask her to run. It is important to note that she blames the district attorney for putting that information out there. To our knowledge, the D.A. has not initiated those statements, which she denied doing at the forum, although Sheriff Malcolm McMillin told Adam Lynch last week that Melton has put up the two Democrats running against him, as well as the district attorney. Here is Purvis' statement:
Toyota Supplier to Locate In Mississippi
[verbatim from Gov. Haley Barbour] (JACKSON, Mississippi) – Governor Haley Barbour said today Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd. (TAB) will build a $180 million plant in North Mississippi, becoming the first announced supplier to Toyota's new auto assembly plant in Blue Springs. TAB officials made the decision public in Japan overnight.
Robert And Michele And ... Edna?
District Attorney candidate Robert Shuler Smith has taken an interesting journey to his current spot on the primary ballot. Smith said at a July Jackson 2000 forum at Schimmel's restaurant that he is in the race because former District Attorney Ed Peters asked him to run two years ago.
Pro-Choice Candidate Defeats Erik Fleming
It appears that Kimberly Campbell, who was forced out of the Jackson City Attorney's office for questioning city policy, has defeated Rep. Erik Fleming for the District 72 Hinds-Madison seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives.
WLBT: Robbery Suspect Arrested
More details as they develop.
WLBT is reporting that police have arrested John Wayne Mangum, 20, for the armed robbery of Councilman Margaret Barrett-Simon.
George Bell III in Women's Jail, Not Detention Center
WJTV—which has done stellar reporting in the Heather Spencer rape/murder—is reporting that the accused murderer is being housed in the women's jail downtown, not the Hinds County Detention Center where murder suspects would normally be. The reasons are unclear. WJTV is also pointing out that police finally charged him with domestic violence for the June hammer-beating of Spencer—after he allegedly bludgeoned her to death last week. Why the belated domestic-violence charge is a misdemeanor, rather than a felony assault charge for the 57 staples put in her head, is unclear at this time.
Clarion-Ledger Tiptoes Back Into Hinds DA Race
Read/hear interviews with the D.A. candidates
Let the Big State Races Begin
As the dust settles on last night's primaries, one huge issue looms as the big statewide races begin in earnest: the Katrina effect. Get ready for a populist debate on insurance reform—not to mention health care, tobacco taxes and education—like this state has never seen as attorney John Eaves challenges Haley Barbour for governor; Rep. Jaimie Franks takes on Phil Bryant for lieutenant governor (and control of the Senate); and Gary Anderson battles Mike Chaney for insurance commissioner.
Melton Wants All JPS Students Drug-Tested
WLBT is reporting:
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton wants students to be able to pass one test in particular... a drug test. Announcing his commitment to improve Jackson's public schools, Melton wants officials to consider across-the-board drug testing. "The only way that I can know to do it without profiling and selecting certain kids is just to test everybody," said Melton. "If Johnny shows up hot on marijuana we know that Johnny needs some help."
McMillin Kicks Butt; Peterson Leads into Runoff
Predictably, Sheriff Malcolm McMillin won the right to keep his site over challengers tonight, including Mayor Frank Melton's choice, police spokesman Tyrone Lewis. WAPT guest political analyst Matt Friedeman summed it up well: "Mayor Melton is a loser tonight."
Bloomberg: Barbour Friends, Family Profiting from Katrina
Also see: Jackpedia: Haley Barbour
Melton Backs Off Vow to Close Apartments
Clarion-Ledger reports today:
Secretary of State: Heavy Turnout Expected Tuesday
[Verbatim/Aug. 6, 2007] Secretary of State Eric Clark today predicted that voter turnout in Tuesday's party primaries will be up slightly from the last statewide primary election and anticipates 710,000 ballots will be cast in races from Governor to Coroner. "I encourage every Mississippian to vote in these primary elections," Clark said. "Many important races will be decided tomorrow, not just in November."
StateDesk.com, Powered by the JFP, Debuts Today
OK, being that y'all blogheads deserve to be the first to know about our various online shenanigans, allow me to introduce you to the state's brand-new political wire, StateDesk.com. It's in beta stage, of course, and we're still getting its bells and whistles loaded up (lots of surprises ahead), but we've started linking the state's political headlines around the state and blogging on what's happening at the Legislature and in state political races.
Growing the Arts in the New Jackson - Feb. 27
On the cusp of a new era for the arts in Jackson, the Greater Jackson Arts Council, with support from the Jackson Free Press, is hosting a free community forum 6 p.m. Tuesday at St. Andrews Cathedral (305 Capitol St., downtown). The forum will take stock of where we are: what individual artists and art groups are accomplishing; our dreams for Jackson; and how we can realize this dream together. The forum will look at the many opportunities and events currently happening and in the works in our area. This discussion will explore pertinent issues to our community and the progress being made. This discussion is about making the arts more accessible to both the artist and the audience. This forum engages the emerging arts community into the