All results / Stories / Jackson Free Press
Barbour to Testify Against Clean Energy
Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee begins major hearings exploring how to reduce global warming and build a clean energy economy. The Waxman-Markey bills and related legislation is on the agenda. At the top of the Republican witness list is Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, according to the Center for American Progress Action Fund.
Flu Continues to Take a Toll
The Mississippi Department of Health reports that the numbers for the H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, continue to rise in the state. As of yesterday, the confirmed cases total 839, including five deaths. The latest death occurred in Tippah County.
Governor: Contraflow Traffic Begins 4 a.m. Sunday in State
[Verbatim] August 30, 2008The State of Mississippi is assisting Louisiana with contraflow operations for Interstate 59 and Interstate 55. This means all lanes will be dedicated to northbound traffic beginning Sunday at 4:00 a.m.
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:
Oral arguments in City of Jackson v. Byram Incorporators Today
[Verbatim announcement] At 10 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2009, the Mississippi Supreme Court will sit en banc to hear oral arguments in the case of the City of Jackson v. Byram Incorporators. The City of Jackson has appealed the chancellor's ruling in favor of Byram's incorporation, arguing that the Byram incorporators did not obtain the signatures of two thirds of the qualified electors, which is necessary for an incorporation petition to be filed. The City also appealed the denial of its petition to annex the Byram territory, arguing that the area is within its path of growth. This case is widely thought to be the one of the most significant case before the new Supreme Court (now led by Chief Justice Waller and presiding Justice Graves) and the outcome may have a profound impact on the future growth of the City of Jackson.
Mississippi Truth Project to Probe State's Race History
I am thrilled to share the news that a Mississippi Truth Project is officially kicking off this Saturday in Jackson. A major goal of the project is to create a Mississippi Truth Commission similar to those in Greensboro, N.C., and South Africa. Along with a diverse group of people from around Mississippi and beyond, I have attended meetings about forming the truth project in recent months, as well as served on the committee that drafted the declaration of intent (reprinted in full below). This is a very exciting effort and, I believe, one that can make Mississippi a better place for all of its residents.
UPDATED: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Toddler
Updated with new information
[verbatim from AG's office] Jackson, MS-Attorney General Jim Hood today confirmed that an arrest has been made in the 16-year-old murder of a 3-year-old girl in Noxubee County. Albert Johnson (age 51), of Brooksville, MS, was arrested on Monday, February 4, 2008, by investigators with the Attorney General's Office. He is charged with capital murder in the death of 3-year-old Christine Jackson in Noxubee County on May 3, 1992. The little girl was taken from her home in the middle of the night and was raped and murdered. Johnson made his initial appearance on February 5 before Noxubee County Justice Court Judge Dirk Dickson, and was denied bond. Johnson is being held in the Chickasaw County jail.
Bloomberg: Lott Considering Lobbyist Offers
Bloomberg is reporting that Trent Lott's son has confirmed that he is considering lobbyist offers. Read more here.
Cat 2 Gustav Approaches; Pushing Levees; Hwy. 90 Under Water
Also see: Jackpedia: Hurricane Gustav to get/post vital information.
Clinton Gets 12 New Delegates; Obama Still Leads
Even as Hillary Clinton is trying to claim a major victory last night—and seems to think that Ohio speaks for the nation—her wins Tuesday netted her 12 new delegates when all was said and done, according to the Associated Press. Still, even though she still trails Obama by 101 delegates, she is hinting today that he should be her vice president (because Ohio said so):
New York Times Honors Casey Parks
The Jackson Free Press is proud to announce that our very dear assistant editor emeritus Casey Parks—who departed in December for graduate school at the University of Missouri—is the one student journalist in the country who has been selected to accompany Times columnist Nicholas Kristof to Africa this fall, to blog about her experiences and write pieces for the Times, and be covered by MTV along the way. This is a breathtaking honor for Casey, a Millsaps graduate who remains our contributing editor from afar and did so much to make the JFP what it is today. We salute Casey, whose application was chosen from 3,800. We are proud of you, Little Miss Ironfist. And thank you for representing Mississippi, and the South, in such a remarkable, dramatic way.
Police: Melton Contaminates Crime Scenes
WAPT is reporting that the Jackson Police Officer Association is complaining to the City Council about the mayor's disruptions in the department, and blaming his interference for low morale among the police force, which is contributing to a severe police shortage:
Workers Rally Against Human Trafficking
A group of about 70 Indian workers marched onto the Mississippi State Capitol Thursday protesting treatment by Pascagoula construction company Signal International, LLC. "These people endured a kind of slavery," said Saket Soni, director of the New Orleans Workers Center for Racial Justice. "That is really the word for it."
Family Shelter Needs Furniture
I just got this from Sandy Middleton at the Center for Violence Prevention, which provides shelter and assistance for women and children escaping domestic violence. Please help if you can:
Heping Liu
Jackson State University associate professor Heping Liu won a nearly $500,000 award from the National Science Foundation to fund his research over the next five years.
Democratic Primary Debate Tonight
Tonight, 380-plus Jacksonians will fill the Jackson Convention Center, anxious to watch the most talked-about political event of the year for the city: the 2009 Democratic Primary Mayoral Debate.
Sex Offender Bill is One of Three Recommended by Hood
[verbatim] Three bills proposed to the legislature this season by the Mississippi Attorney General's Office are now on their way to the Governor, announced Attorney General Jim Hood.
Mumbai Terrorist Attacks Continue
As Americans prepare for a day of gratefulness, the horrors in Mumbai, India, continue. Follow the story on CNN here and pray for a quick resolution before more people die.
Last Chance for Free Tax Help
[verbatim] Time is running out for you to file your taxes. The Jackson Medical Mall Foundation (JMMF) and United Way are making it so simple for you to meet the deadline this year. Join us for the final day of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). IRS-certified preparers will be at Center Stage of the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center on Wednesday, April 15th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. You qualify for this FREE program if you or your family's total household income is less than $42,000 a year.
Governor Chides Lawmakers for Unfinished Business
Gov. Haley Barbour took time off from nationwide GOP fundraising efforts to announce that he has no plan to call a special session to address the state's non-existent budget just yet. Barbour, who is not a legislator, told the Senate to reject a $5 billion budget plan it had reached with the House this week.