Johnny DuPreeJohnny DuPree wants to take Mississippi from last to first place in national rankings. DuPree, 57, the mayor of Hattiesburg, was the guest speaker today at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce's Friday Forum at Koinonia Coffee House. DuPree is touring …
It's the Weekend: Bundle UpIt may be cold outside, but that shouldn't stop you from having an eventful weekend.Tonight, put on your mittens and helmets and meet the Jackson Bike Advocates at Rainbow Grocery (2807 Old Canton Road) for their monthly community bike ride. …
Chamber Forms Health-Care DivisionThe Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership is placing a priority on the metro's medical industry expansion by forming a new health-care initiatives division.
Low Temperatures Threaten PipesWith temperatures predicted to drop into the teens within a few days, everyone should take a few minutes to check the pipes in your home. The frigid temperatures expected next week can cause pipes to freeze and burst, destroying floors, …
MDA Extends Entrepreneur TrainingThe Mississippi Development Authority is extending its Dec. 3 enrollment deadline for its free inaugural entrepreneur and business-owner training seminar to Dec. 17 due a low number of applicants.
Sanaa HillOne year ago, on Dec. 9, Sanaa Hill was doing her homework at the Sykes Road Boys and Girls Club when a stray bullet from an AK-47 came through the wall and struck her in the head. Paramedics rushed her …
The DREAM Act and the Wealth of NationsAgainst all odds, 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school each year, many with honors. They are among America's brightest, most driven and underprivileged. We have invested much in their K-12 education, and they have much to contribute to our …
Traversing the Merit-Pay ThicketOver the next five years, Oak Forest Elementary School will be on the vanguard of a nationwide experiment in school reform. The south Jackson school is one of 10 in Mississippi chosen to participate in a pilot program that will …
U.S. Food Bill Spares Small FarmersMike Steede, owner of Steede farms in Lucedale, Miss., took over the farm his family has operated for the past 150 years after he retired from teaching agriculture at the Mississippi State Extension Service last year. In May, he formed …
Watkins Wants to Buy MetrocenterWatkins Development LLC Vice President Jason Goree said the company, which already owns a closed anchor-store space in Metrocenter Mall, now wants to buy the entire structure.
The Fuzzy Math of ArenasTalk of a proposed entertainment arena in downtown Jackson has been largely devoid of hard figures, by necessity. Arena supporters are still cobbling together the private money to pay for a feasibility study. As of Dec. 3, the downtown arena …
Steve KistulentzOn a warm and cloudy day in November, professor Steve Kistulentz sits calmly at a table at Millsaps College. He smiles and tilts his head slightly as he remembers the events that brought him to Jackson.
Mississippi Ranked Unhealthiest StateMississippi remains the unhealthiest state for the ninth year straight, according to America's Health Rankings released yesterday.
Wicker To Introduce ‘States' Rights' BillU.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said he intends to undermine a federal health-care reform law President Barack Obama signed this year by introducing a bill this week allowing state officials to challenge federal regulations.
Baptist Eyes Expansion; New BoutiqueBaptist Health Systems is in talks with owners of Keifer's Restaurant to purchase the Belhaven eatery's site on Poplar Boulevard. Baptist spokesman Robby Channell said that the move, while not finalized, is part of the hospital's plans to construct a …
Scott CrawfordScott Crawford believes that visualizing a dream is the first step to making it happen. That concept inspired him to design his ideal city of Jackson with LEGO blocks.
Boys and Girls Club to Close Again?Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi President and CEO Billy Redd said his organization is planning to close three area facilities for the second time in two years because of a lack of long-term funding.
Supes Address Emergency-Tech DelaysHinds County emergency responders may have to wait another six months before technology that traces the location of cell phone 911 calls is available. Gaps in communication are to blame for the county's delay in implementing the technology, Blake Wallace, …
BP Claims Ignoring Fishing and Casino Workers?Despite the fact that Gov. Haley Barbour announced last week that the BP has paid $181 million in Mississippi oil spill claims as of Dec. 1, Mississippi Gulf Coast fishing industry representative Linda St. Martin claims the oil company and …
Eric HoganEven though Eric Hogan earned a bachelor's degree in industrial technology, he has struggled for the past 12 years to find a job in his field because he has Asperger's syndrome. His experience inspired him to form the nonprofit organization, …
Community Events and Public Meetings6 p.m., Jackson Arts Collective Monthly Meeting, at The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace (719 N. Congress St.). The Collective Steering Committee meets to discuss business of the previous month and listen to local artist proposals for collective sponsorship of …
City to Hold JATRAN HearingsThe City of Jackson will hold public hearings to determine which JATRAN routes should be cut to offset an unexpected $1.5 million in mandatory wage increases for JATRAN bus drivers.
Mississippi Lawmakers Split on Tax CutsMississippi Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker will likely side with their Republican colleagues Saturday in blocking a return to pre-Bush-era tax rates for wealthy Americans that the U.S. House of Representatives passed yesterday.
Children's Museum Opens to the PublicAfter more than two decades of planning, the Mississippi Children's Museum will open its doors to an estimated 5,000 visitors tomorrow morning.
Socrates GarrettJackson business owner Socrates Garrett encouraged community members to work across political and racial divides during a forum at Koininia Coffee House this morning.
Weekend Events: ‘Tis the SeasonIt's officially the holiday season, so grab a warm coat and scarf, and head out to the area's festive events this weekend. Tonight, the City of Jackson hosts its annual tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. at Jackson City Hall …
State Agency Finds JPS Violating Disability LawJackson Public Schools has one month to improve the way it educates special-education students, according to a Mississippi Department of Education's Nov. 22 decision. The decision states that JPS fails to provide appropriate special-education services to students with behavioral and …
Advocates Push for State Energy ProgramSustainable-energy proponents pushed utility-industry representatives and government staffers today to consider implementing a new statewide energy efficiency program funded by the utility industry.