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Franks Responds to Barbour's State of the State
[verbatim] Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Franks today released the following response to Gov. Barbour¹s State of the State address:
Ida Weakens to Tropical Storm
This morning, the National Hurricane Center downgraded Ida from a hurricane to a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. The late season gulf storm was off the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle as of 9 a.m., and is moving north and east at roughly 17 mph.
Jackson Man Arrested at Grow House
Called an "elaborate marijuana growing operation" by authorities, Hinds County sheriff's deputies, Jackson police, and federal and state drug agents arrested Zachary Alexander, 33, on Friday, seizing 86 plants. According to the Associated Press, the pot plants, which Alexander was growing under ultraviolet lights in his home on Naples Street, are valued at $325,000.
JFP Giraffe of the Day: Ruby
Dec. 8, 2009, was a banner day for the Jackson Zoo and for its resident reticulated giraffes, Diamond and Casper. On that Tuesday, Diamond gave birth to her seventh calf, a 104-pound healthy female.
Jones Drafts Legislation to Protect Abuse Victims
A Mississippi Gulf Coast lawmaker is drafting a bill that will protect domestic-violence victims from being victimized again. Rep. Brandon Jones, D-Pascagoula, vice-chairman of the House Insurance Committee, says his legislation will prevent health-insurance companies from denying victims coverage.
Hood Responds to Hayne Criticism
Gov. Haley Barbour signed H.B. 1456 into law March 19, requiring that pathologists doing autopsies in Mississippi--in addition to the state medical examiner--hold American Board of Pathology certification. Such certification is the "gold standard" for pathologists operating anywhere in the United States, according to Commissioner Stephen B. Simpson of the state Department of Public Safety, the agency tasked with oversight of the state's crime lab and, at some point, the state's medical examiner.
High School Seniors Honored
The Jackson Council PTA/PTSA will honor the top 10 graduating seniors from each of Jackson's high schools this evening. Hosted by Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., the annual Salute to Scholars will take place at the Jackson State University e-Center at 1230 Raymond Road starting at 6 p.m. Each honoree will receive a certificate and the event includes a reception for the seniors and their families.
Kemper Plant on Commission Agenda
The Mississippi Public Service Commission meets today in a closed-door session regarding Mississippi Power's proposed Kemper County coal plant, reports The Washington Examiner. In November, the commission determined Mississippi Power demonstrated a need for additional power plants, however they have not made a decision on whether the Kemper County plant is best for the state. The plant is estimated at $2.2 to $2.4 billion.
JSU Hazers Suspended for Two Years
Jackson State University suspended 27 students for two years yesterday as a result of an alleged Sept. 18 hazing incident that resulted in one student with a broken collarbone. WAPT reports that some of the students have already filed appeals.
Some Adopt Wait-and-See Attitude on Cold Meds Law
Law enforcement officers in Mississippi are expressing mixed reactions to a new law signed by Gov. Haley Barbour last week, reports The Hattiesburg American. The Magnolia state is the second state in the union to make pseudoephedrine available by prescription only beginning July 1, the first being Oregon.
Commission Denies Allstate 65 Percent Hike
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney sent a letter yesterday denying a request from Allstate Property and Insurance Co. to more than double rates for 51,000 residents state-wide, reports the Associated Press. Deputy Commissioner Mark Haire told the Associated Press that the commission did not find justification for the increase.
New Breast Cancer Guidelines Spark Controversy
Last week, two separate groups released new recommendations regarding cancer screening for women. On Nov. 16 the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force reversed decades of previous recommendations regarding mammograms to detect breast cancer. Then, on Nov. 20, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released their new guidelines for Pap smears, a procedure for detecting cervical cancer. Both sets of recommendations raise the age when women should begin getting tests, and increase the time between regular testing.
Toys for Tots Registration This Weekend
The City of Jackson and the U.S. Marine Corps has announced its annual child signup for the coming holiday season. Registration will be held at the Jackson Medical Mall near the Subway Sandwich Shop (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Drive) on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Mississippi Legislators Cut Expenses
Lawmakers are eliminating in-state and out-of-state travel expenses in an effort to cut $700,000 from the state House of Representatives budget without laying off employees, reports WLBT.
Linda Francomb
When Linda Francomb's daughter, Heather Spencer, was brutally murdered by her boyfriend Sept. 11, 2007, Francomb could have chosen to spend her days wallowing in grief; no one could have blamed her. Instead, the tragedy galvanized her to get busy, doing what she could to save other women from her daughter's fate.
City's Crime Numbers Still Down Despite Shooting
Yesterday, the Jackson Police Department released ComStat crime figures for the week of Sept. 14 through Sept. 20. The report shows that major crime statistics in Jackson dropped again last week, although violent crimes rose from the previous week. Total major crimes this year are a scant 0.2 percent down from last year's numbers.
Eddie Cotton
Bluesman Eddie Cotton Jr. grew up with gospel music in his daddy's Clinton church, Christ Chapel True Gospel Church of God In Christ, where he's known to sit at the Hammond B-3 organ as the church's music minister. Cotton was 4 when he picked up his first guitar.
Monsanto Breaks Ground on Corn-Breeding Station
Flora, Miss., was the site yesterday of a groundbreaking ceremony for the Monsanto Company, producer of 90 percent of the world's genetically engineered seeds. The new $2.4 million, 26,000-square-foot facility, a corn-breeding station, will eventually employ 10 full-time and 50 seasonal workers, Monsanto said in a release.
Barbour to Challenge Health Care Reform
Gov. Haley Barbour yesterday asked Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood to challenge the constitutionality of the health-care reform legislation passed by the U.S. Congress on Sunday. If Hood refuses to sue, however, Barbour intends to file suit himself, according to a statement from his office.
Bill Would Allow States to Veto Drilling
The American Power Act, a bill being introduced in the United States Senate this morning, will allow coastal states to opt out of offshore oil drilling up to 75 miles from their shores, reports The Sun Herald. States would also be able to veto drilling of nearby states if they can prove accidents would have a negative impact.