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Oxford Cop Killer Pleads Down to Manslaughter
The Clarion-Ledger is reporting:
Emmerich's Clarksdale Paper Now Twice a Week
Clarksdate Press-Register publisher Ed Nichols announced this week that the newspaper, owned by Wyatt Emmerich of Jackson, will only publish two days a week going forward. Subscribers will get a mailed newspaper on Wednesday and Friday, and a shopper on Wednesdays. Obituaries and breaking news will be on the paper's Web site. Emmerich also owns the Northside Sun, which serves Northeast Jackson and parts of the adjoining suburbs, and Sun Magazine, a free monthly tabloid magazine largely featuring party pictures and wedding announcements.
Full Text of John Kerry's Convention Speech
My name is John Kerry, and I am reporting for duty. We are here tonight because we love our country. We are proud of what America is and what it can become. My fellow Americans: we are here tonight united in one simple purpose: to make America stronger at home and respected in the world. A great American novelist wrote that you can't go home again. He could not have imagined this evening. Tonight, I am home. Home where my public life began and those who made it possible live. Home where our nation's history was written in blood, idealism, and hope. Home where my parents showed me the values of family, faith, and country. Thank you, all of you, for a welcome home I will never forget.
Ledger Outsources Customer Service to South Carolina
Clarion-Ledger Publisher Larry Whitaker sent the following letter to employees this week, talking about the challenges and changes the paper faced in 2007:
BREAKING: ‘Troopergate' Report Finds Palin Abused Power
The Anchorage Daily News just posted a PDF of the full report on Gov. Sarah Palin's "Troopergate" investigation. Read it here. The report says that the investigation found that Palin "abused her power" by engaging in "unethical conduct" (see page 48 of report for reasoning). The investigator also found that she fired Walt Monegan under her authority, although his refusal to fire Mike Wooten was likely part of the reason she fired him. On page 67, the investigator concludes that her claims of fear of Wooten were "not bona fide."
JFP Presents: Remember Belhaven Jam Today!
It's a beautiful day, and the perfect Saturday to head to Gillespie Street in Belhaven for an outdoor music festival sponsored by the Jackson Free Press to benefit Jubilee! JAM. Hurry to get your free "I Get It Once a Week" bumper sticker. There will great music all day and lots of beer to buy. See you there! Go right now: Starts in 15 minutes! With The Vamps, David Womack and Don Henry, Eric Stracener, Delta Mountain Boys, The Moils, Geehawks and more. $10. 700 block of Gillespie in Belhaven, between State St. and Jefferson. 601-960-0781.
Jackson Police Officer Shot During Chase
For more, see the WAPT report here
Jackson Police Officer DeWayne Collier is in critical condition at University Medical Center after a robbery suspect shot him earlier today around 11 a.m. near the Lakewood Funeral Home on Clinton Boulevard. Reports say that he was in pursuit of a vehicle believed to be carrying men who had robbed Auto Title Loans at 1898 Highway 80 West.
Going-Away Dance Party for Casey TONIGHT
The Jackson Free Press is sending Casey Parks off to grad school with style in the Red Room with a "Please Don't Go" Going-Away Dance Party. Starts at 9 p.m., no cover, 18+. DJs Stephen Barnette and Donna Ladd will help you dance your butts off. Casey Parks Look-alike Contest at 11 p.m. Be there! You're welcome even if aren't yet lucky enough to know Casey personally.
TONIGHT: Martinis and Cigars during ‘Casablanca Nights' Ball
The Jackson Free Press is a "Humphrey Bogart" sponsor of the Jackson Arts Council's big fund-raising event, The First Annual Storytellers' Ball, at the Old Capitol Inn on Thursday, August 17, starting at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a gournet Moroccan Feast, Blues divas, the Capitol City Stage Band, lots of dancing, a silent auction to beat silent auctions, a pooside cigar bar and a martini-tasting station. Dress swanky; black tie optional, sparkles advised. $50 per person; reservations at 601.960.1557.
Ronnie Agnew: Clarion-Ledger ‘Reducing News Space,' Sections
In his column today, Clarion-Ledger Executive Editor Ronnie Editor announced major changes in the statewide, Gannett-owned newspaper starting tomorrow, including shrinking news "hole" (space for coverage), dropping the TV supplement and combining sections such as sports and business. He writes:
Happy Holidays from the Jackson Free Press
As we head into the holidays, please accept our sincere good wishes for the holiday. We hope everyone can relax with family and friends, and reflect on what is most meaningful in your lives. It's been a wonderful year, and we will return after the new year with many new surprises and even Version 3.0 of the JFP Web site early in the year. The office is officially closed between Christmas and New Year's Eve, and I will be out of the office, but if you need to reach someone about a story next week, please call Casey Parks at 362-6121, ext. 2, or Stephen Barnette and/or Jakob Clark about advertising and design issues at ext. 1, and leave a message so we can get back to you promptly.
MPB Announces Rainbow Contest for Young Writers and Artists
[Verbatim from MPB] Kids, get ready to write and draw! Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) invites kindergarten through third graders to participate in the 15th Annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest. Children are encouraged to write and illustrate their original stories and submit them, along with an official entry form, to MPB during the entry period of January 1 through March 31, 2009. Each child who enters receives a special Certificate of Achievement signed by LeVar Burton, host of the "Reading Rainbow" series.
AG Jim Hood to Testify in State Farm Lawsuit
Forbes is reporting:
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood is scheduled to testify Wednesday - a day after his re-election bid - at a hearing for a lawsuit that accuses him of violating an agreement to end a criminal investigation of State Farm Insurance Cos. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Parker refused Tuesday to postpone Hood's scheduled appearance at a federal courthouse in Jackson, or to limit the scope of his testimony in the case. [...]
[Editor's Note] Living in Hell
I just finished reading a chilling historical novel, "The Healing," which resoundingly answered an oft-debated question: "What was the Civil War really about?"
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.
Melton Recovering; McLemore Acting Mayor
[Verbatim from city] Mayor Frank E. Melton is resting comfortably this afternoon after undergoing a medical procedure at a Jackson hospital Wednesday morning. His physicians indicated that the procedure was successful and they were pleased with the outcome. At present, the Mayor is alert and communicating with family and members of his staff.
Barbour Calls May 21 Special Session for Medicaid and MDES
Read background on ad oversight controversy here.
William Winter to Receive JFK ‘Profile in Courage Award'
Former Gov. William Winter is one of three people receiving the coveted John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Monday in Boston for his "courageous decisions of conscience" during his lifetime. "Governor William Winter gives testimony to President Kennedy's belief that politics can truly be a noble profession," Caroline Kennedy said in a statement. "His lifetime of public service, both to his country and his beloved state of Mississippi, has been distinguished by its devotion to equality and justice. We are proud to honor him with a Profile in Courage Award for lifetime achievement." Winter is being honored with the lifetime achievement award. California Secretary of State Debra Bowen and Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner are also receiving Profile in Courage awards.
Melton's Lawn Crew, Unveiled
The Jackson Free Press has learned that the head of a lawn service, financially seeded by Mayor Frank Melton, was arrested for armed robbery and rape in recent years. However, the young man tells the JFP that he pled to a lesser robbery charge, and the woman who accused him of rape in 2001 dropped the charge and is, in fact, the mother of one of his four children.
Barbour Toots Own Horn, Rags Musgrove
Gov. Haley Barbour released a statement today about, well, himself. Here it is, verbatim: When Haley Barbour became Governor of Mississippi in January 2004, Mississippi was in its worst financial shape since the Great Depression. The State was in a $720 million budget hole; the State's Rainy Day Fund reserves had dropped 90%, to less than $25 million; and there were loud calls for tax increases.