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Break Down the Wall
Wiz Khalifa is probably the hottest rapper in hip-hop today. Source magazine recently named him Rookie of the Year, and MTV named him the Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010. "Black and Yellow," his current record, has spent time at No. 1 on the iTunes hip-hop chart and in the top 20 on Billboard's Hot 100 list.
The Original Rolling Stone
Even before Mick Jagger and Keith Moon joined the British invasion of the 1960s, some Mississippi college kids in a band called the Rolling Stones awoke a generation. From 1955 to 1961, they pounded out a beat that grew louder through the night.
Patsy Mink
This Saturday marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most important pieces of legislation ever passed by Congress when it comes to women's athletics. On June 23, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law the Title IX Amendment--the Equal Opportunity in Education Act--of the Higher Education Act.
All I Want for Christmas ...
Some children play football, and some run track, but 18-year-old Zach Lovett plays a different sport: "My legs were always weak. They still are. The guitar became my sport," he says.
Lead 'Em to the Light
Over a perfectly sparse, yet somehow still-cinematic beat, David Banner leaves no doubt about where his mind is with his new collaboration record with producer 9th Wonder, "Death of a Pop Star."
Get Your Freak On
If you want an upbeat and danceable peek into Josh Hailey and Tre Pepper's mind, J-TRAN's self-titled debut album is your best bet. Released in early December, the pop/electro CD is a fun and raunchy compilation of songs the duo wrote and produced during late-night creative binges in Hailey's Fondren Corner studio over the course of 30 days.
Abortion Clinic Stays Open, For Now
A law that some Mississippi lawmakers hope will close the state's only abortion clinic goes into effect in less than two weeks, but that doesn't mean the clinic will close its doors July 1.
Make a Joyful Noise
Christmas is the season of giving (or re-gifting, for some), and musicians all over the state are playing Santa Claus, using their talents to help others during the holiday season. Many musicians play at assorted charity events during the Christmas season to pay it forward.
Cooper-Stokes Wants New Hearing
LaRita Cooper-Stokes has asked a judge for a new hearing in the case of the Ward 3 Jackson City Council runoff election.
JPS Cutting Costs to Pay Debt
The Jackson Public Schools are cutting operation costs so the district can put more money toward paying off debt, including $150 million in bond issue debt.
Day 3: Defense Down to 2 Witnesses, If That
Reporting by Brian Johnson
After examining their witness list, based on the judge's limitations on discussion of past drug activity on Ridgeway Street, defense attorneys' acceptable list of witnesses has dropped to only two witnesses—drug users Tammy Callahan and another female—and the jury may never hear from them. The judge has said that testimony would be proper only outside the presence of the jury to ensure that their testimony is relevant to the case before he approves allowing the jury to hear their testimony.
JFP to Discuss Melton Verdict on WLEZ Friday
Be sure to tune in at noon Friday to Radio JFP on WLEZ (103.7 FM) to hear Todd Stauffer, Brian Johnson and Donna Ladd discuss the Melton verdict and other news. If you can't get near a radio, the live stream is at http://www.wlezfm.com/.
Christopher Walker Charged Again
Christopher "Smiley" Walker, once Mayor Frank Melton's star witness against Albert "Batman" Donelson, pleaded not guilty to possession of contraband in prison Monday, and will stay with his mother Lolethia Donelson if he is released from jail.
See Breaking Melton News in NoiseBlog
To view breaking stories about the arrest of Frank Melton, please see the JFP's breaking-news NoiseBlog. Those Melton entries will be archived here at a later day, so please booklink the MeltonBlog as well for future use.
Melton Pulls $3 Million From City's Reserves
The administration of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton got its wish from the council in a 3-to-2 vote in favor of raiding $3 million from the city's $7 million budget reserve fund to fix a lingering hole in the 2007 budget. "I don't like the idea of taking money out of the fund, but I don't see any other way to deal with (the shortfall)," Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes said.
Trial Date Set for Melton, Bodyguards
The Associated Press is reporting that Frank Melton, Michael Recio and Marcus Wright are headed to trial on April 23 for the demolition of the Ridgeway Street duplex and instructing at least one minor to help with the crime. For background, see Adam Lynch's breaking Sept. 1 story here and news and blog updates on JFP's MeltonBlog .
Day 3: Judge Limits Defense Options
<i>More details to come.</i>
As attorneys for Mayor Frank Melton prepared to mount their defense today, prosecutors protested to the judge that the defense had not provided adequate discovery on some of its witnesses. Judge Joe Webster ruled that all testimony about drug activity must be limited to 1305 Ridgeway Street. He also ruled that no evidence of drug activity before Melton became mayor on July 1, 2005, would be allowed in the trial.
The Melton Tapes: Donna Ladd's Interviews with Frank Melton
In spring 2006, Mayor Frank Melton broke his 14-month silence toward the Jackson Free Press, after refusing to give an interview to the newspaper after critical coverage of his campaign by JFP editor Donna Ladd, who was later joined by Adam Lynch and Brian Johnson. Over several weeks, Ladd spent many hours interviewing Melton, and went on two ride-alongs with him and police officers on the Mobile Command Center. Here are transcripts of those interviews:
BREAKING: City Council Withholds Pay
The Jackson City Council voted Tuesday to freeze the pay for two high-ranking city employees, Assistant Chief Administration Officer Charles Melvin and Assistant Fire Chief Todd Chandler. The council voted 4-3 to amend the city's payroll and hold the pay to two employees that they say are employed illegally.