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Barbour Signs $25 Million Incentive Bill
Gov. Haley Barbour signed HB 1628 yesterday, which provides Alliant Techsystems Inc. with a $25 million incentive to expand its aerospace manufacturing plant in Iuka, Miss., according to the KTTC Web site.
State Jobless Rate Tops 9 Percent
The Mississippi unemployment roles swelled in January to 9.2 percent, a rate higher than the national average of 8.5 percent. In December, the state reported a 7.6 percent rate.
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Virginia Recalls Mississippi Gulf Oysters
Oysters harvested off a section of Mississippi's Gulf Coast are being blamed for a norovirus found in patrons of a Tennessee restaurant, reports The Washington Post.
Landfall Hurricanes Likely on Mississippi Coast
Since 1900, 16 hurricanes have hit the Mississippi coast, nine of them category 3, 4 or 5, making them "major" storms. That means that of the 40 total Gulf hurricanes during that time span, 40 percent have hit the Magnolia State, according to Examiner.com.
‘The Nightmare Is Over': Levon Brooks Finally Free
After serving 18 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, Levon Brooks walked away from the Noxubee County courthouse a free man this morning. Arrested for the rape and murder of his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter, Courtney Smith, in 1990, Judge J. Lee Howard released Brooks on his own recognizance on Feb. 15, pending today's hearing. Brooks received a life sentence for the crimes in 1992 after two years in jail waiting for his trial.
Wicker Seeks to Deny Funding for U.N. Agency
Yesterday, Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker announced in a release that he has introduced an amendment to bar U.S. funds from the United Nations Population Fund. The Obama administration's $410 billion omnibus budget apportions $50 million to UNFPA, which promotes "the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity," according to its mission statement.
No Agreement on Funding Medicaid
Lawmakers were unable to agree yesterday on a bill proposing a tax on hospital beds to help fund Medicaid, reports WXVT15, missing their Monday night deadline.
Judge Questions Jurors as Deliberations Continue
- Kenya Hudson's Melton-Recio trial photos here.
Flu Concerns Rising
On Friday, the Mississippi State Department of Health released a statement responding to reports of swine flu in Texas and California.
New Club, King Edward to Open Downtown
Even in the midst of an economic downturn, enterprising entrepreneurs take advantage of opportunities. A new downtown club and the reopening of a venerable Jackson landmarkafter decades of abandonment and decaytestify to the entrepreneurial spirit of the capitol city.
Senate Youth Program Accepting Applications
[verbatim] The Mississippi Department of Education is accepting nominations for the 48th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Two Mississippi high school student government leaders will each receive a $5,000 one-time scholarship and a week-long trip to Washington, D.C. as guests of the United States Senate. The USSYP is underwritten entirely by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.
Fondren: Ride the Trolley to the Polls
Your votes today could determine Jackson's next mayor. Whether or not you voted in the primaries, if you're a Jackson resident and an eligible voter, you can vote today. See Answers to Election Day Questions for information on eligibility, poll hours, who to contact if you run into problems and more.
Political Parties Neck-and-Neck in Mississippi
Mississippi is the second-most conservative state in the union, according to a poll released last week. The Republican Party, however, holds only a one-percentage point lead over Democrats in the state, which is statistically insignificant.
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Old Capitol Green Bill on Barbour's Desk
The Mississippi Senate has sent a bill authorizing the Mississippi Development Authority to make a $20 million loan to Hinds County to Gov. Haley Barbour for his signature.
Chaney Denies Rate Increase
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney has temporarily denied a 45 percent rate increase for homeowners on the Gulf Coast, saying that he needs additional information. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. requested the increase for the state's three coastal counties earlier this month.
Childers Launches Recovery Tracker Web Site
[verbatim] Congressman Travis Childers (D-MS) (yesterday) introduced the North Mississippi "Recovery Tracker" to promote transparency and accountability during the allocation and implementation of funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Recovery Tracker, which is located on the Congressman's Web site, will allow constituents to trace Recovery Act funds in Mississippi's First District and throughout the state, as well as direct them to helpful resources specific to Mississippi.
Bluntson is Jackson City Council President
With a unanimous vote from the new Jackson City Council, Ward 4 Councilman Frank Bluntson was installed as council president this afternoon, with Ward 5 Councilman Charles Tillman as his vice president.
Ridgeland Bans Pit Bulls
Yesterday, aldermen in the Jackson, Miss., suburb of Ridgeland joined nearby Clinton and Richland in passing an ordinance banning pit bulls. The Ridgeland ordinance also bans Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and wolf/dog hybrids. Rottweilers were included on a previous draft of the ordinance, but don't appear on the final ordinance.