Doris Shavers Killed in Domestic Dispute
WAPT is reporting that Doris Shavers, 40, has died after being shot in the head, allegedly by Henry Phillips in a domestic dispute last night on Ludlow Street. While Shavers was in UMC fighting for her life, police had originally charged Henry Philips, 50, with aggravated assault, a felony, and domestic violence. He is now charged with murder.
George Bell III in Women's Jail, Not Detention Center
WJTV—which has done stellar reporting in the Heather Spencer rape/murder—is reporting that the accused murderer is being housed in the women's jail downtown, not the Hinds County Detention Center where murder suspects would normally be. The reasons are unclear. WJTV is also pointing out that police finally charged him with domestic violence for the June hammer-beating of Spencer—after he allegedly bludgeoned her to death last week. Why the belated domestic-violence charge is a misdemeanor, rather than a felony assault charge for the 57 staples put in her head, is unclear at this time.
Classic iTodd – Emmy-winning TV Show Now on YouTube
We got word today that a fan of Todd's old TV show—"Disk Doctors" on Knowledge TV, along with co-host Steven Sashen—has posted several of the shows on YouTube. Todd started doing the show, which was taped in Denver, not long after we met in Colorado Springs, then he'd fly back to do shows after we moved to NYC. Enjoy these four old episodes.
New Republic on the ‘K Street Evil Genius'
I knew New Republic was doing a story on Gov. Haley Barbour, and this one looks like a doozy. There's a lot there, but this part about Capitol Resources, etc., stuck out to me. (Read the whole story here).
BREAKING: RTI to Build Titanium Sponge Plant in Mississippi
RTI International Metals Inc. today announced both plans to supply titanium products "that support the production of the Airbus family of commercial aircraft, including the A380 and the A350 XWB programs" and to build a titanium sponge plant in Hamilton, Miss., crediting Gov. Haley Barbour in their press release, which states in part:
Haley Barbour, Environmentalist
This column is running in the Hattiesburg American. It would seem that the Barbours are helping the hunters and fishermen on the Coast, if not poor people who need housing down there:
‘Corporate Controlled Press' Hiding Barbour's Flaws?
I was just reading the comments under the Think Progress Barbour "corruption" thread and saw this comment that deserves more discussion:
Funny How Things Come in Waves
-----Original Message-----
The juvi-trolls are back at it, folks. Obviously, I did not go to John Eaves' Web site and send these e-mails out to people:
Update: ‘Jena 6' Sentence Overturned
Update: Today a Louisiana appeals court overturned the conviction of Mychal Bell, one of the "Jena 6" who were facing severe charges for their end of a racially tinged feud at a school in Jena, La. Read more here. Maggie Burks of the Jackson Free Press has been covering the case since early August, when she went to Jena to cover Al Sharpton's visit there in support of the young men. Read her Aug. 8 story here. Read the Wikipedia entry on the case here
Radio JFP at Noon Thursday; Crisler May Appear
Councilman Marshand Crisler is joining Donna Ladd and Todd Stauffer today at noon for Radio JFP on WLEZ-FM (103.7 or http://www.wlezfm.com for a live stream)—if he can get out of city budget meetings long enough. If he makes, we'll discuss the city budget woes and his devotion to Buy Jackson. Regardless, we will also discuss our cover package of stories this week about revelations about Gov. Haley Barbour and the tragic case of Heather Spencer's murder, and what needs to be done to present other such murders. Tune in at noon, or check the site later for an audio file.
Laurel Mayor Is Endorsing Eaves, NOT Barbour
In a turnabout, the Democratic mayor of Laurel is denying reports that he and Barbour were planning to jointly announce his endorsement of the governor. The Associated Press is reporting that Barbour's campaign had told them that, but the Laurel mayor is now denying:
Barbour Used Ledger to Excuse Non-Disclosure
Be sure not to miss the juicy tidbit in Adam's cover story this week about BlindTrust-gate, which I also talk about in my editor's note about Barbour. That is, Barbour's attorney Ed Brunini actually used the original Clarion-Ledger editorial defending Barbour back in January 2004, saying he had cut all ties to his lobbying firm, as an excuse—an exhibit even!—in his response to Attorney General Jim Hood look year, when Hood told Barbour he legally had to disclose his financial holdings and the companies he had interest in. Really breathe this in now: The Clarion-Ledger wrote an editorial defending Barbour and pooh-poohing concerns about his ties to major clients (that he has worked to benefit as governor), and then Brunini uses that editorial as so-called proof that there is "universal" approval of the way he's handled his "blind trust" among the state's media. Wacky circular logic there.
Let's Talk Domestic Violence
Let's talk, Mississippi.
In honor of Heather Spencer, who was beaten to death by her boyfriend who almost beat her to death a couple months back with nothing done about it by the police, let's talk about the realities of domestic violence. We can at least honor the life of this woman, and others like her, by being brutally honest about how bad this problem is, especially in Mississippi, one of the most violent for women in the country. How do attitudes about women, and keeping your family together no matter what, play into this problem? How do economics in the poorest state keep women in violent situations? How do our laws, and lax enforcement, make the problem worse? How does the threat of even more violence when a woman tries to leave keep women in abuse situations? How does the ability of richer families to cover up their problems (or send them off to rehab instead of jail) tie in?
Mississippians Be Damned
For more on Haley Barbour, see Donna Ladd's blog and Jackpedia: Haley Barbour
Barbour Touts Tort Reform; Insurance Reformers Answer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today, Gov. Haley Barbour held a press conference to declare a victory for his controversial tort-reform legislation. Barbour's statement is verbatim below; a PDF of a 10-page response by the Americans for Insurance Reform is linked here.
Discussion About Mississippi, and Stereotypes, on Frommers
Someone just sent me this link to a Frommer's thread about Mississippi. There's some intriguing talk over there, revealing that everyone has their own prejudices. Quite compelling to consider. My advice, though, is not to jump on them; it's vital to remember that everyone has their own stereotypes to overcome; going toe to toe with dueling stereotypes helps nothing:
Clarion-Ledger Gets Homicide Facts Wrong
To boot, this is a dramatically wrong statement. (Thanks to golden eagle for catching it.)
In a front-page story today, The Clarion-Ledger reported on the city's rising homicide rate, warning that the 36 to date this year is approaching the "record of 57 in 2004"—incidentally when Mayor Harvey Johnson was presiding over dramatically dropping crime, even as The Clarion-Ledger was downplaying the progress.
Crisler: We Want Temp Worker Details Now
The Jackson City Council Budget Committee asked the Melton administration again Monday to cough up more information on its temporary and contract employees for the 2006-2007 fiscal year (PDF, 592 KB). "We have real basic requests about information concerning employees of the city of Jackson and the salary they made from '06 to '07," said Budget Committee Chairman Marshand Crisler. "I think I was very clear about that. The deadline was Friday, and at this particular moment we have not received that."
Daily Journal to Barbour: Come Clean
The Daily Journal in Tupelo continues to do Mississippians proud by calling on Gov. Haley Barbour to come clean about his financial ties to his (former?) D.C. lobbying firm. In an editorial Sunday, the Daily Journal wrote:
Did Thompson Protect Barbour, GOP in 1990s?
The official entry of Fred Thompson into the presidential fray is causing some old GOP problems to be pulled from the memory hole and given a fresh light in a time when corruption doesn't pay like it did a few years back. Specifically Media Matters is reporting that The New York Times, Newsweek and other media failed to report what really happened when Thompson chaired a 1997 Governmental Affairs Committee that was supposedly investigating Republican campaign-finance scandals, including the National Policy Forum, a sham group set up by then RNC Chairman Haley Barbour to collect money for the GOP. Media Matters:
Isbister and Ladd to Host Radio JFP Friday Noon
Listen is as Laurel Isbister and Donna Ladd bring you Radio JFP this week on WLEZ-FM, 103.7. Listen to the live stream at here.
Is Barbour Fibbing in his TV Ads?
John Arthur Eaves, and Cotton Mouth, seem to think so. Check out their analysis.
Fondren ARTMix TONIGHT, 5 to 8 p.m.
Come out to Fondren for one of the coolest nights in Jackson. Shops and galleries will be open from 5 to 8 p.m., with lots of fun entertainment indoors and out. Stop by the JFP table in Fondren Corner (near Basil's) for some free wine and to register for Wilco tickets, Planetarium tickets and massages by Erik Makinnion. We also hear that Domini Bradford will be selling bowls of her famous veggie pad thai behind Rainbow starting about 6. There will be run stuff everywhere you turn. We'll see you out there. Free, of course.
Talking About the Dee-Moore Murders
I just got a link to a radio interview I did with Pokey Anderson of "The Monitor," a progressive news analysis show on KPFT out of Houston. I almost missed doing this interview because Todd and I were in Destin and on the beach all that day (Aug. 26). I had gone back inside to get something and noticed messages and called her back. She interviewed me as I sat on the balcony; I swear you can hear the waves in the background! She took the time to ask great questions and truly seemed humbled by the topic of bringing justice after so many years, as we all should be. Cheers to her. Here's the Monitor's site, and a link to the audio. Our interview starts about a fourth of the way into the audio strip.
A Giuliani-Barbour Ticket: Just Imagine
I just ran into this post on the Think Progress blog that is basically saying what I was earlier about all the revelations about his "blind trust" and his Katrina finagling hurting Barbour's chances at a veep nod. (And a hat tip to Think Progress for finding and linking my "Unholy Alliance" story about Barbour to the line-up of potential "corruption" stories.) I wrote earlier today about how Haley is becoming more poison by the day on the national scene:
Crashing the D.A.'s Party
It didn't take long for Frank Melton to come out of the closet on Election night as a primary force in Robert Smith's district attorney campaign. Raw footage of Smith's victory party shows that Melton's people—especially contract employee Bob Hickingbottom—directed what happened at the party. Like when Melton stepped up to the mic to introduce Smith.
Harrison Asking the Right Barbour Questions
Up in Tupelo, Daily Journal reporter Bobby Harrison is asking the right questions, as opposed to the ridiculous posturing coming out of The Clarion-Ledger's Sid Salter. He writes today about BlindTrust-Gate:
Salter: Get Your ‘Manufactured' Facts Straight
The Cottonmouth Blog is taking Sid Salter to task for his bizarre and rather desperate attempts to defend Haley Barbour and his blind trust, especially about a snipe Salter took at Jamie Franks for trying to strengthen ethics laws (for political reasons)—that Cottonmouth says just doesn't check out:
Worst Newspaper in the U.S. At It Again
OK, so here comes The Clarion-Ledger after the election with a story about Robert Smith and his history, including his getting in trouble in Madison County for calling a law enforcement agent a name:
Where Did Ledger Edit-Boyz Get THIS Information?
In a January 2004 editorial defending Haley Barbour's "blind trust" in his lobbying firm, The Clarion-Ledger editorial board declared that it was hunky-dory because he no longer owned stock in the firm that had bought the firm:
Barbour Redirecting Katrina Funds to the Wealthy?
Salon is reporting that Gov. Haley Barbour has gotten HUD waivers that have redirected 80 percent of federal block grants awarded to help Mississippi's low- and moderate-income residents recover from Katrina—and media have ignored it, a national media watchdog group is charging. From Salon:
Melton Asks Warner to Oversee Ex-Con Staff
At District Attorney-elect Robert Smith's victory party, Mayor Frank Melton said that Smith is one of his long-time "kids" who will now help him with the young men of Jackson he is trying to save. "I thank God tonight that I have somebody now who will help me with these children ... who will put these drug dealers in jail."
Audio of Melton and Smith's Remarks
"Robert, you're like a little brother to me. I love you and I'll always love you, and I had to distance myself from your campaign ...."
The Truth About Barbour's ‘Blind Trust'
Bloomberg News is still hot on Barbour's trail. Today, they reveal much more about his so-called "blind trust" in the lobbying firm that lobbied the state for Katrina-related contracts—it pays him $300,000 a year. It starts:
Why today?
Coincidentally, by the way, Mayor Frank Melton was seen leaving Judge Yerger's chambers this week.
This is a serious question. Why did Supreme Court Chief Justice James Smith Jr. today appoint a special judge, directly by Judge Swan Yerger, to help the D.A.'s office prosecute more cases—to clear the "backlog"? Why not six months ago? A year ago? Two years ago? Seven years ago when the backlog was much worse?
Hurricane Katrina: Two Years Later
As our state and our Louisiana neighbors face the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with many thousands of people still living in FEMA trailers, and the possibility of another hurricane looming, the Jackson Free Press pauses to send a prayer to all the victims of a devastating hurricane. Click here to view the JFP's KatrinaBlog, started the day after the hurricane hit the Coast, and archiving Katrina-related stories and posts by JFP writers and readers.
Melton Presents New D.A., Kept Distance During Campaign
Citizen bloggers are reporting that a jubilant Mayor Frank Melton introduced Robert Smith, his choice for district attorney, last night at Smith's campaign gathering. In his remarks, made before Smith's, the mayor said that Smith was his choice for the office, but that he had needed to keep his distance during the campaign. Melton remarked to the cameras using first person: "The first thing that we have to do is take care of the staff." In a Clarion-Ledger photo this morning, Melton political operative Bob Hickinbottom is grinning over Smith's shoulder.
D.A. Peterson Concedes, Goes Home
With 98 percent of precincts reporting and Robert Smith leading by 1,183 votes, District Attorney Faye Peterson just conceded defeat in the Red Room at Hal & Mal's, saying that she hopes that the next D.A. will be as tough on crime as she was, because "Hinds County has a crime problem."
Live Blogging from Peterson Party at Hal & Mal's
Donna Ladd and Ronni Mott are blogging live from D.A. Faye Peterson's post-election gathering at Hal & Mal's.
BREAKING: Leslie McLemore Elected Council President
JFP reporter Adam Lynch called in from the City Council meeting tonight to report that new Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Weill provided the swing vote to elect Leslie McLemore Council president, and to reject Melton's good friend, Frank Bluntson, who is acting council president. Charles Tillman was elected vice president. Voting for McLemore were the anti-Melton bloc—McLemore, Marshand Crisler, Margaret Barrett-Simon, plus newbie Weill.
Smith Supporters Vandalize JFP Racks
OK, Robert Smith told me repeatedly that he is not "Melton's candidate," but some overnight actions are not exactly helping convince me. This morning, we found an "Elect Robert Shuler Smith" flyer duct-taped to our JFP rack in front of Cups with red duct tape. This little action is suspiciously similar to flyers duct-taped to our racks and boxes the day after the Melton acquittal for the Ridgeway duplex massacre. That one read "The Bottom Line: NOT GUILTY!" and was taped on with purple duct tape. When the tape was removed, it ripped off lettering from our property.
The JFP's Coverage of the Hinds DA Race - VOTE TODAY
Face-Off: Faye Peterson v. Robert Smith
Clarion-Ledger Endorses Faye Peterson
A hat tip to The Clarion-Ledger for endorsing Faye Peterson, and for substantive, real reasons. They were late on the D.A. race—not endorsing and barely covering it before the primaries—but they seemed to have spent the additional time doing research on the D.A.'s office, its challenges and Peterson's real track record, not the one pushed by her opponents. This is the kind of journalism and studied decisions the public deserves to see more of from the Ledger. A lot rides on this race, and it appears that their editorial board got it. Good job, edit-boyz.
BREAKING: James Ford Seale Receives Life in Prison
A former Klansman, who was thought to be dead until the brother a man he kidnapped and helped kill went to Franklin County with the CBC and the Jackson Free Press and found him living in a trailer, was sentenced to three life sentences this morning on federal kidnapping and conspiracy charges, reported the Associated Press.
Why Peterson Needs to Stay DA
I didn't know Faye Peterson from Eve when she ran for re-election four years ago. I knew much was being made about the criminal "backlog" (that she inherited). I knew that her white Republican opponent, oddly endorsed by The Clarion-Ledger, had never tried a criminal case, and that he was making a lot out of outdated crime figures.
Melton Details Jefferson Davis Youth Camp
Mayor Frank Melton abruptly called the Jackson Free Press last week to correct what he thought was misreporting in the paper, in a July 25 story about a camp for boys that he organized. "You know I don't read your paper," he said, "but someone told me that you reported that the city paid for the camp. It didn't cost the taxpayers. I paid all costs out of my pocket."
Here Comes Rudy!
Gotta love hypocrites.
So, Rudy "Take the Guns!" Giuliani is headed to Mississippi to campaign in a region where very few of his (historic) views actually resonate. We're guessing his kids won't be along for the trip to Dixie; at least one of them is too busy campaigning for Obama and trying to get over the fact that her daddy announced his divorce to mama on TV at a press conference. Of course, that was back before the cad became a conservative darling in a party that is just about fresh out of darlings.
Attention: I'm Tired of Chasing Political Ghosts
Campaign season does not bring out the best in some of you, that's for sure.
This is to all the anonymous people out there working to unseat elected officials, especially the district attorney. Please stop sending me unsubstantited accusations and innuendo, claiming that it is evidence of wrongdoing. If you have evidence of wrongdoing, provide it to us. Pick up the phone and call me or Adam Lynch at 601.362.6121, identify yourself as an unnamed source, give us the information and sources that can verify it. Stop the anonymous games, the sound and fury that turn into nothing—I assume you just want me spending my time chasing false leads rather than doing my job, and I'm sick of playing games.
JUST IN: Faye Peterson's New TV Ads
NEW: The System Was Broken
Someone just sent us the links to three new Peterson ads that are on youtube. They feature very interesting people in the community. we've also heard that there a number of hard-hitting radio ads out there by Margaret Barrett-Simon, Bennie Thompson, and maybe Leslie McLemore and John Horhn. Anyone heard those? Here are the videos: