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Politics Blog

Money Talks/Where are Yarber and Barrett-Simon's Economic Impact Statements?

In an election this short, money can make all the difference. Unfortunately, we won't know who the big money players in the Jackson mayor's race are for at least another week, however. Information from the Jackson city clerk's office shows that pre-election reports are due April 1, 2014 — one …

Politics Blog

Two Booted Off Mayor's Ballot

Despite submitting paperwork to run in the city of Jackson's special election for mayor, two individuals have been removed for not meeting requirements to seek the office. They are: Tonya Brooks of Valley North Boulevard Tammie Patterson of Carleton Street. That shaves the number of people seeking the office down …

Politics Blog

ACLU Responds to Drug-Testing-the-Poor Bill Signing

Jennifer Riley-Collins, executive director of the ACLU of Mississippi, made the following statement about Gov. Phil Bryant's signature of HB 49, which would require drug testing for some people receiving federal-state assistance: Today is a sad day as Governor Bryant signed into law HB 49, thereby subjecting Mississippi's most vulnerable …

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Moak on the Closing of Harrah's Tunica Casino

House Minority Leader Bobby Moak released the following statement on the announcement that Harrah's will close its Tunica casino: Jackson, MS- Today Harrah’s announced they are closing their casino in the Tunica market. This is a loss of Thirteen-Hundred (1300) Mississippi jobs, not to mention a tremendous blow to the …

Jackblog

Gulf Coast News Anchor Wants LGBTs to Take 'Gaycation'

Romenesko got a hold of an undated screenshot of a Gulf Coast-based news anchor's Facebook status that advises same-sex-loving folks to take a "gaycation" because the anchor thinks they've been in the news too much. "I'm all for the LGBT community's ongoing fight for equality. I support their fight in …

Jackblog

AG Hood Wants Explanation in Byrom Death-Sentence Reversal

The office of state Attorney General Jim Hood is asking the Mississippi Supreme Court to "enter a reasoned opinion stating the basis the reversal of the conviction of capital murder and sentence" of Michelle Byrom. Byrom was convicted and sentenced to death for allegedly conspiring to hire a hit man …

Jackblog

ACLU: Miss. Passes Law That Could Open Door to Discrimination

The ACLU of Mississippi released the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 2681, adopted this afternoon by both houses of the Legislature and is heading to the desk of Gov. Phil Bryant for approval: JACKSON, Miss – The Mississippi legislature passed a controversial law today that could open …

Politics Blog

Tony Yarber #JxnMayor Endorsements

We got this list of endorsements the other day from the Tony Yarber camp. It's verbatim, but we think they meant April 1 in the first line: On March 1, 2014 at 10:30 am at the Yarber for Mayor campaign headquarters (932 N. State Street) approximately 10 pastors endorsed Councilman …

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Chokwe A. Lumumba #JxnMayor Endorsements

The Chokwe Antar Lumumba camp issued a list of endorsements (below). For clarification, Lumumba's press release incorrectly attributed a quotation from the JFP's recent endorsement of Lumumba to photographer Trip Burns. Jackson, MS, April 3, 2014– This afternoon government officials, business leaders, and community supporters will gather at Smith Robertson …

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Rukia Lumumba Shocked, Hurt by Removal of Mural Honoring Her Father

Rukia Lumumba, daughter of late Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and sister of mayoral candidate Chokwe A. Lumumba, wrote the following letter about the removal of a mural honoring her father. It is published here verbatim: Open Letter to Jackson, Mississippi on the Painting Over of the Mural in Tribute to My …

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Tillman: Removed Lumumba Mural Not 'Authorized' or 'Permitted'

Acting Jackson Mayor Charles Tillman issued the following statement on the removal Thursday of a mural honoring late Mayor Chokwe Lumumba: “On behalf of the Administration, employees, and citizens of the City of Jackson, we reiterate our honor, our respect, and our love for the late Honorable Mayor Chokwe Lumumba. …

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Jackson Preps for High Water as Rez Opens Floodgates

Press release from the city of Jackson on the flooding of the Pearl River: Today, the City of Jackson officials, along with Hinds County officials, met to solidify their plan to respond to potential flooding. “Due to a significant amount of rainfall, there now exist a need to release waters …

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City Warns of Sewer Overflows in Parts of Jackson

Verbatim release from the city of Jackson: The City of Jackson is issuing an alert to all individuals in areas within the City of Jackson that may be affected by flooding from the Pearl River and any of its tributaries. All of these areas are likely to be affected by …

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Why is a Canton PAC Interested in Jackson's Mayoral Election?

ENI, a Canton, Miss.-based political-action committee formed in late March. But that's about all we know so far. The statement of organization, filed with the Jackson city clerk's office April 2, indicates the committee is not authorized by any particular candidate and its purpose is "to raise money in relation …

Politics Blog

Will Lumumba Get a Boost from Women?

For the second time in two days, Chokwe A. Lumumba received a show of support for his stated commitment to women's issues. Yesterday, attorney Regina Quinn, who competed in the April 8 special election, endorsed Lumumba's candidacy. She said she met with Lumumba and his rival, Ward 6 Councilman Tony …

Politics Blog

Everyday People Everyday: Two #JxnMayor Theme Songs

Go to any campaign event for either candidate, and you'll hear it. Both Ward 6 Councilman Tony Yarber and Chokwe A. Lumumba claim to be the everyman who represents "everyday people." In fact, Yarber incorporates the phrase in his campaign literature and stump speeches. Lumumba has also adopted the mantra, …

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Want to Help Tornado Victims? Here's How.

The Jackson Free Press is compiling a list of organizations aiding relief efforts from the recent storms in Mississippi. If you have any information about tornado relief efforts, please write [email protected]. Y101 is at the Flowood Walmart and the Flowood Chamber of Commerce is accepting donations of several items (see …

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Rep. Thompson: Gov. Phil Bryant Rejected Obamacare "Just Because a Black Man Created It"

Bennie Thompson, the only African American and only Democrat representing Mississippi in Congress, is locking horns with Gov. Phil Bryant over the guv's staunch objection to Medicaid expansion. Buzzfeed reported yesterday that Thompson called into a telecast of the New Nation of Islam to discuss a number of topics, and …

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WLBT: JSU Bus Catches Fire in Alabama

WLBT is reporting that that a Jackson State University bus carrying the school's baseball team caught fire near Birmingham, Alabama. The fired occurred at I-20/59 Northbound at Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive, about 15 minutes west of Birmingham; JSU is scheduled to play Savannah State Tuesday, the news station reports. WLBT said …

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JFP Honored for Public Service, Commentary, Courts Reporting and Features

The winners of the 64th Annual (SPJ) Green Eyeshade Awards were announced this afternoon. The Jackson Free Press placed in four categories, including garnering first-place honors for commentary (Donna Ladd) and courts & law reporting (R.L. Nave). The JFP also won a third place award in the public-service category for …