‘Fair and Even-Handed'Jackson Municipal Judge Ali ShamsidDeen is not trying to be a politically divisive figure, but his background as a editor of the Jackson Advocate in the 1990s and an associate of the law firm Lumumba and Freelon, suggests a controversial …
Property Issues Stall Critical Water LineJackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said the city could have avoided two massive city-wide water failures this year had owners of a historic fishing club not stalled construction of a 54-inch water line between the city's two water-supply plants.
Q&A: Curtis Wilkie on the Wrong CrowdAuthor and University of Mississippi professor Curtis Wilkie speaks with a degree of sadness when he references the life of disgraced Mississippi attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs.
Wicker Defends Obama Against ‘Birthers'United States Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., found himself defending President Barack Obama against some of the more conservative elements of the tea party during a forum last night. The Central Mississippi Tea Party town-hall meeting and Republican fundraiser at Northwest …
Eminent Domain: A Lawsuit Waiting to Happen?The Mississippi Constitution is a tough thing to change. While state law allows voters to amend the Constitution by approving a ballot initiative, it also prohibits ballot initiatives from changing the section that lists the state Bill of Rights.
Brian CartenutoChar Restaurant Executive Chef Brian Cartenuto was calm and focused as he emerged from a sweltering kitchen during a recent chef's table tasting, which the Jackson Free Press attended at no cost. He's only been at the restaurant for two …
Inspiring the Creative ClassThe "Mobilizing the Creative Class for Action and Advocacy" conference will give young professionals, 25 to 45 years old, the chance to develop leadership skills, network and build strong communities. The conference, sponsored by The Young Leaders in Philanthropy under …
Fortification Renewal Set for 2011Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said he expects construction to begin on the renewal of Fortification Street project by early next year.
Carlton D. WilliamsProvine High School Band Director Carlton D. Williams is on top of the world as he reminisces about his school's sweet victory at the Tyson Foods Battle of the Bands last month. "It was a very riveting experience," Williams says …
Ward 7 Meeting TonightMayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and city department heads will host a ward 7 community meeting tonight at Farish Street Baptist Church (619 N. Farish St.). The meeting starts at 6 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., The Mississippi Department …
Big Fair Numbers, Medical Mall Groundbreaking, Creative Class ConferenceThe Mississippi State Fair is attracting much larger crowds than it did last year, when rain kept attendance low. An estimated 307,052 people attended the fair through Monday, according to the state Fair Commission. Attendance through the weekend was almost …
McGowan Confronts Board Over Levee ConfusionJackson oilman and "Two Lakes" developer John McGowan went before the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District Levee Board this morning, demanding clarity over whether the board's one-lake plan would include expanded levees.
State May Receive $13M for Small BusinessesA new federal law offers Mississippi up to $13.2 million to support small-business lending programs through community banks. The State Small Business Credit Initiative, part of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Barack Obama signed Sept. 27, dedicates $1.5 …
CJ RhodesTonight bears historical significance for Mount Helm Baptist Church pastor CJ Rhodes who will take part in a discussion about race and the role of the church as his congregation celebrates its 175-year anniversary.
Community Events and Public Meetings6 p.m., <b>Italian Wine Dinner</b> at Cerami's (5417 Lakeland Drive, Suite I). Come experience Italian wines carefully chosen and paired with special Italian recipes. Proceeds benefit Hudspeth Regional Center. A reservation is required. $65; call 601-919-2829.
Barbour Frequently Out of StateMississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was out of state all or part of 48 days in July, August and September, The Associated Press reported Saturday.
Laid-Off Teachers Hurting EducationMississippi's public education system faces a difficult future, given persistent funding troubles, state Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, said today. Speaking at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce's Friday Forum at Koinonia Coffee House, Blount touched on a number of topics, focusing …
Greg ‘Fingers' TaylorIf you've ever heard Greg "Fingers" Taylor play the harmonica, you know that Jimmy Buffett owes much of his success to the Mississippi resident.
It's The WeekendStart your weekend with a visit to the Downtown Harp & Juke Festival at Underground 119 (119 S. President St.) where you can dance and hear music from artists like Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush and Billy Gibson. The tickets are …
Roll Off Dumpster Day TomorrowThe city of Jackson is encouraging residents to take tree limbs, yard debris and unwanted household items to the following locations from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday:
State Waits on Personhood RulingA war of semantics filled Judge Malcolm Harrison's courtroom this afternoon, as opposing parties debated the constitutionality of a 2011 ballot initiative asking voters to determine when life begins.
Millsaps President Inauguration TodayPearigen began his term July 1 after Millsaps' Board of Trustees selected him to serve as president earlier this year. Pearigen previously served as vice president for university relations and as a political science professor for University of the South …
Lake Plan Faces Cost HurdleU.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson said federal funding to study building a lake on the Pearl River will not be easy to obtain, despite the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' renewed interest in the plan.
Schools Lagging on IDEA Stimulus SpendingMississippi school districts have one year left to spend the $72 million remaining in a $116 million chunk of federal stimulus money for special education. Schools received the funds in 2009, and while a few districts have already spent the …
‘Trustworthiness and Integrity'Bridgett Clayton came to the practice of law relatively late, but she has built a varied career in a brief amount of time. The Meridian native studied political science at the University of Mississippi, graduating in 1982.
Personhood Initiative Heads to CourtThe outcome of a lawsuit over a 2011 ballot initiative asking voters to define when life begins will come down to whether the initiative requires modifications to the state Constitution.
Adrienne Klasky knew for years that Michael Graham would kill her. She just didn't know when it would happen.