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Jackblog

All Flag Bills Die; House Speaker on State Flag: 'I have not wavered'

House Speaker Philip Gunn released a statement defending his position on the state flag, after all filed bills to change the state flag referred to the House Rules Committee died today. No Senate or House flag bill made it out of committee by today's deadline. Gunn's statement is below, verbatim: …

Jackblog

Despite ethics concerns, Senate committee passes Jackson airport "takeover" bill to floor

Breaking news: This morning, the Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee passed the SB 2162 to the full Senate floor over the objections of Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, who accused the bill's proponents of trying to "control" the airport. Here is the full report. Also, read this story from yesterday …

Jackblog

With Deadline Looming, 19 Flag Bills Are Stalled in Legislative Committee

If [the state flag][1] is going to change, lawmakers from either the Senate or House Rules committee will have to pass a bill through in the next 24 hours.

Jackblog

Tyrone Hendrix Update on Elevated Lead Levels

Councilman Tyrone Hendrix posted this update to his Facebook page this morning, reposted here verbatim: UPDATE ON ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS: On January 30th, I made a post concerning water samples that indicated lead levels were found at an "actionable" level within the City of Jackson. Since that time, the City …

Music

SilaS' 'Gullah Gullah Island' Goes National

The local hip-hop community has been singing the praises of "Gullah Gullah Island," the latest single from Jackson rapper Silas Stapleton, who performs as SilaS, since it began making the rounds last November. Now, having garnered attention from major national music publication Vibe, SilaS fans can expect a second wind …

Jackblog

Southern Poverty Law Center: 19 Hate Groups Active in Mississippi

The Southern Poverty Law Center has published a map of active hate groups in the United States, and in Mississippi, there are 19 groups, including several Ku Klux Klan factions. SPLC defines a hate group as having "beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically …

Jackblog

Chef Jesse Houston Is a James Beard Award Semifinalist

Chef Jesse Houston of Saltine restaurant in Fondren has been named a semifinalist by the James Beard Foundation for “Best Chef: South."

Politics Blog

Mississippi Solar Alerts Fans of Solar Power (and Energy Oversight) to Legislative "Power Grab"

Mississippi Solar LLC, a solar panel installation company, sent an "urgent alert" today to media and followers regarding House Bill 1139 and Senate Bill 2089 in the Mississippi legislature, which they say would gut the power of the Mississippi Public Service Commission, reverse recent moves toward net metering and widely …

Jackblog

"WAJ" - Street Paving, Infrastructure Discussion With Coordinator Lacey Reddix

The City of Jackson has posted a new "We Are Jackson News" interview on its Youtube channel, with former councilman Marshand Crisler interviewing Capital Improvement Plan project coordinator Lacey Reddix. Discussion in the video interview includes the true nature of the "$90 million" that the 1-cent tax represents, the streets …

Jackblog

Second Jackson Airport 'Takeover' Bill Filed in House

The much-anticipated Senate bill that would change the governing authority of the Jackson airport has attracted most of the attention in the airport "takeover" fight between Republican lawmakers and Jackson city officials and citizens, but Rep. Mark Baker, R-Brandon, filed a second airport bill earlier this week in the House …

Jackblog

House Bill Seeks to Protect Churches by Arming Members

"Church protection" would come with firearms if a House bill passes through the Legislature this session. Rep. Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, introduced the "Mississippi Church Protection Act" this week which would give churches legislative permission to create a "security program" that would designate certain members to carry weapons at church. The …

Jackblog

Columbus, Miss., police file two different reports in shooting of Ricky Ball

So, what's going on with Columbus police? The Guardian has a report that police there have filed two different police reports for killing of Ball, who was African American. The Guardian reports: *Since 26-year-old Ricky Ball was shot and killed by police in October, the black community in Columbus, Mississippi, …

Jackblog

Mayor: Jackson Recognizes Seriousness of Mental Illness

Mayor Tony Yarber announced his support of reducing the number of people with mental illnesses in county jails on Tuesday. Yarber presented a resolution in his role of Mayor of the City of Jackson at a rally that the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI, held at the Capitol on …

Jackblog

Breaking: Jackson City Council Passes 'Uber Ordinance'

With only four council members present tonight, the bill passed 3-to-1, with Councilman De'Keither Stamps voted against it. Follow @jxnfreepress on Twitter for updates and read reporter Arielle Dreher's earlier story on the controversy for background on the controversy. Story developing ...

Jackblog

David Banner Bringing 'GodBox' Lecture Series Home to Thalia Mara Hall

David Banner, a Mississippi hip-hop artist, music producer and film actor, who got his start in here in Jackson, is bringing his "GodBox" lecture series to Jackson in March. Brad "Kamikaze" Franklin, who books events for the City of Jackson, announced the performance today on his Facebook page. Banner and …

Jackblog

Moe's Southwest Grill Returning to Jackson

Moe’s Southwest Grill, a fast casual Mexican restaurant chain with more than 600 locations around the United States, will soon be returning to Jackson.

Jackblog

'Taking Back Our Community' Meeting Planned for Thursday in South Jackson

Councilman Tyrone Hendrix is calling together some heavy hitters to discuss strategies for dealing with crime in South Jackson, this Thursday, February 11, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will take place in the cafeteria of Wingfield High School (1985 Scanlon Drive). “The time to take action is now,” said …

Politics Blog

Yarber Endorses Hillary Clinton for Dem Nomination

Mayor Tony Yarber of Jackson endorsed Hillary Clinton today, citing her awareness of the problems plaguing underserved cities.

Politics Blog

Fantasy Sports Site Offers 'Live Fantasy' Game for GOP Debate

The website BoomFantasy.com, which up until now has focused on sports, is launching a "live fantasy" game to coincide with the GOP debate planned for Saturday, February 6, 2016. For sporting events, the website focuses on in-game predictions such as "What will be the result of Payton Manning's next throw?" …

Jackblog

UN Working Group That Came to Jackson Files Report on Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia, Afrophobia

The United Nations’ Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent visited Jackson in late January. Read a column by human-rights attorney Adofo Minka on the significance of their work. Here are the group's initial findings: WASHINGTON D.C. (29 January 2016) - The Working Group of Experts on People …