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Former Jackson TV Personality Dies

When he was 84, Jobie Martin was still working as a substitute teacher, but long before that, Martin was well known for hosting James Brown, Joe Louis and Mahalia Jackson on his commercial TV program in the 1970s.

State Executions Illegal, Attorneys Say

Two Jackson attorneys are asking the state to delay multiple executions to get itself legal on the use of a new euthanasia drug.

Ward Pulls Out of Ward 1 Council Race

Marcus Ward, who announced his candidacy for Ward 1 city councilman last month, has decided to pull out of the Feb. 15 special election leaving only Quentin Whitwell in the running for the seat.

MPB Eyes Self Sufficiency

The Mississippi Public Broadcasting board voted this morning to start considering where to make budget cuts in response to threats to end its state funding.

House Passes ‘Nathan's Law'

The Mississippi House passed HB 551 yesterday that proposes to increase penalties for drivers who pass a school bus while it is loading or unloading passengers.

Col. Paul Willis

Last year, approximately 86 percent of students who gradated from Jackson Public Schools Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps went on to receive higher education. As the JPS Director of Army Instruction, Col. Paul Willis hopes to increase that number by next year.

Ward 1 Special Election Today

Ward 1 voters will decide today whether L. Patricia Ice or Quentin Whitwell will fill the Ward 1 City Council seat, which has been empty since Jeff Weill left in January to serve as a Hinds Circuit Court judge.

Hinds County to ‘Rebrand' Itself

In an effort to improve the image of Hinds County and attract new residents and visitors, the Hinds County Economic Development Authority has contracted an urban planning firm to rebrand the entire county.

Changing Perceptions

It can be hard to understand why someone would move to Jackson looking only through the window of local media's barrage of crime and blight coverage.

It's The Weekend: Celebrate Spring

Ditch the office this afternoon and enjoy the early spring-like weather. Then, at 5 p.m., head to Lemuria (4465 Interstate 55 N.) at 5 p.m. where Joseph O'Conner signs copies of his book "Ghost Light" (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011, $25) with a reading at 5:30 p.m., or grab the kids when John Bemelmans Marciano signs copies of "Madeline at the Whitehouse" (Viking Juvenile, 2011, $17.99) at what time?. If you need to let go and laugh after a long week, see The Cowboy Comedian, where Skip Guidry and Dane Faucheux perform at the Black Rose Community Theater (101 Black Street, Brandon). Show times are 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and tickets are $20. To purchase tickets, call 601-825-1293. Check out the JFP's Best Bets page to begin your search of things to do.

KiOR Heats Up

Biofuels company KiOR has yet to produce any of its vaunted crude oil substitute in Mississippi, but the startup is making big moves on financing.

Today is Confederate Memorial Day

State offices in Mississippi are closed today in recognition of Confederate Memorial Day, honoring Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. The state House of Representatives passed a bill this year that would have also established a "Civil Rights Memorial Day" on the last Monday in April, but the measure died in the Senate. Earlier this month, the white-separatist Council of Conservative Citizens claimed credit, with the state chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, for killing the bill.

Tougaloo Opens Civil-Rights Center

Tougaloo College leaders and elected officials gathered Saturday to celebrate the completion of Bennie G. Thompson Academic and Civil Rights Research Center, a project eight years in the making.

City Wants More Say in Tax Spending

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. wants the city to have more power to spend its own money.

Latinos and Loans

Mississippi could be headed for a courtroom showdown if the full state Legislature passes an anti-immigrant bill mirroring an Arizona law that forces law-enforcement to profile people they suspect to be undocumented residents.

Lawmakers Pass Civil Rights Museum Bill

Construction of a civil rights museum and a history museum for the state of Mississippi is a go after lawmakers passed a bill moving it forward yesterday.

Council to set Public Hearing on Biz District

<i>This story has been updated to reflect a correction.</i>

Tomorrow, the Jackson City Council will schedule a public hearing to give residents the opportunity to weigh in on the establishment and reauthorization of downtown Jackson's Business Improvement District.

Edwards Fights for JPS Job Today

Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards makes his case today for an extension of his contract. The JPS Board of Trustees voted Dec. 7 not to renew Edwards' contract, which started in 2008. Under state law, superintendents can appeal initial decisions on their contracts and request a hearing before the board.

Barbour Proposes to End MPB Funding

Gov. Haley Barbour has proposed to end all state funding for Mississippi Public Broadcasting by 2016.

Beer Legislation Dead on Arrival?

Despite a grassroots effort to modernize state laws on beer and beer brewing, the Mississippi Legislature is unlikely to pass any bills this session to change the status quo.