PSC to Rule on Kemper County in MayThe Mississippi Public Service Commission will deliver a decision on a proposed $2.4 billion coal plant in Kemper County in May.
Plan B? Flood Control Beyond Lakes and LeveesFlood-control options for the Pearl River seem limited as Jackson-area residents compare the ungainly design of the levee plan designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1996 with the $1.4 billion cost of a lake-development plan.
Behind Barbour's Prison RhetoricTo hear Gov. Haley Barbour tell it, if he doesn't get his way, the state's fiscal crisis could force thousands of felons out of jail and into communities. Since his Jan. 13 State of the State address, Barbour has repeatedly …
The Problem With Lakes and LeveesWhen famed New Urbanist Andre Duany came to Jackson to examine creative solutions to both flooding and economic-development options, he didn't get excited about the Two Lakes development plan developed by geologist and oilman John McGowan.
Stephanie LacyStephanie Lacy is soft spoken and petite. When this single mother and student talks about her daughter--her butterfly--her face lights up with wisdom seldom seen in a 26 year old.
‘Personhood' Petition FiledPersonhood Mississippi, an anti-abortion organization led by Les Riley of Pontotoc, has filed a petition with the secretary of state's office to put the issue of when life begins on a ballot for voters to decide, reports WXVT. The organization's …
Speed Answers Ethics Questions with Challenge to Levee BoardAfter giving away part of his family's property bordering the Two Lakes development footprint last week in response to ethics questions, Jackson businessman Leland Speed today asked fellow Levee Board members to provide a list of gifts they have received …
Hinds Pushes Bonds for Sleep Inn, Valley TitleHinds County Supervisors approved using federal stimulus bonds for two private development projects today. Supervisors approved a motion to provide $2 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds to the Jackson-based LEAD Group, LLC, which is constructing a Sleep Inn on …
Lauren SmithWhether she is setting up a karaoke birthday party or taking a child on a special outing, Lauren Smith, 24, goes out of her way for the children at Mississippi Children's Home Services.
Some Adopt Wait-and-See Attitude on Cold Meds LawLaw enforcement officers in Mississippi are expressing mixed reactions to a new law signed by Gov. Haley Barbour last week, reports The Hattiesburg American. The Magnolia state is the second state in the union to make pseudoephedrine available by prescription …
Effort to Rework Levee Board FailsA play to support a controversial lakes plan died on the House calender last week. The bill, H.B. 1549, proposed changing the make-up of the Rankin-Hinds Pearl Flood and Drainage Control District Levee Board. Authored by Rep. Mary Coleman, D-Jackson, …
House Tries Budget Restoration, AgainThe Mississippi House of Representatives has sent the Senate a second proposal to restore some state budget cuts, while negotiators attempt to reach a compromise on an earlier proposal. The House plan passed by a wide margin Thursday morning, and …
Dr. Robert PearigenDr. Robert Pearigen's ability to take on a $160 million capital campaign while remaining a passionate professor caught the eye of the presidential search committee at Millsaps College.
Bill Reduces Out-of-State TuitionThe Mississippi Senate passed a bill last week to reduce tuition for out-of-state students, bringing their tuition in line with in-state students. The bill, S.B. 2285, is designed to encourage more out-of-state enrollments into state schools, which have been historically …
Snow Ice Cream: Here Are Readers' Recipes (Add Yours!)Ah, a snow day in Mississippi. It doesn't happen very often, but every time it does, southerners start craving snow ice cream. We're asking readers on Twitter and Facebook and all of you to provide your favorite snow ice-cream recipes. …
Assistant Chief: Avoid Driving in WeatherThe Jackson Police Department reported low crime figures in some precincts throughout the week of Feb. 1 to Feb. 7, but police are gearing up to deal with any potential hazards resulting from expected snowfall this week.
Speed to Turn Over Property, Calls Ethics Issue ‘Moot'Jackson businessman and Levee Board member Leland Speed is donating a portion of the property that spurred charges of an ethics violation to Mississippi College. Speed told the Jackson Free Press this morning that he is donating his interest in …
Stephen HolderAfter several of Stephen Holder's friends died from HIV/AIDS in the 1990s, he wanted to raise money and awareness about the disease to help save the lives of others.
Bill Expands Mississippi Gun RightsIn a near unanimous vote, the state Senate passed a bill yesterday that will allow Mississippi hand-gun owners to walk into restaurants and parks with their weapons, reports The Commercial Appeal. The Magnolia state joins Tennessee in attempting to expand …
Protecting Women, Battling the BudgetJackson state Sen. David Blount has pushed through three bills strengthening domestic-violence laws and protecting victims of abuse.
Pearl River-Related BillsLegislators introduced a number of bills during this year's legislative session that would have had some bearing on Pearl River flood control, although a few of the measures are dead.
Little Love for LeveesThe meeting room for the Rankin-Hinds Pearl Flood and Drainage Control District Levee Board in Flowood filled with rancor Monday, Feb. 8, after the board learned that the state Legislature may vote to dilute its authority to make flood-control decisions …
Charter Schools Bill Passes SenateIn a 29 to 14 vote yesterday, the Mississippi Senate passed a bill allowing for the creation of new charter schools in the state starting in 2011, reports GulfLive.com. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula. The bill …
Tara RichardsonIt may seem unlikely to see smiles on the faces of patients when walking into a doctor's, dentist's or therapist's exam room.
Local Studio Brings Art to LifeArtWorks Studio in Brandon is offering creative new classes and workshops this year. Each class offers a distinct and diverse objective for all ages. Lori Rene', 31, the owner and the only instructor of Artworks, says her passion is to …
Walter YoungThere was a point in time when Walter Young, 26, wanted his music to be typical of "the band in the bar" style rather than improvised. After experimenting with his band in 2005, Young, a Jackson native, now appreciates and …
Levee Board Opposes State Takeover AttemptThe Pearl River Levee Board is angry that the Legislature is trying to end-run their authorityand the Flowood mayor accuses one of the members of ethics violations.
New Buses Give Boost to JATRANThe uncertain future of JATRAN will become a bit more certain this afternoon when Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. unveils 16 new JATRAN buses at a 1:30 p.m. press conference.
Kynesha Williams"You can dream it, or you can make it happen" are words Kynesha Williams lives by. Williams, 28, is the founder of BeanSprout Benefit, a foundation that raises money for rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries.
Sports: Saints Win Super BowlThe New Orleans Saints rallied from a 10-0 first-quarter deficit to beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV. Bless you, boys. And now New Orleans is throwing the biggest party in Big Easy history.
Ah, a snow day in Mississippi. It doesn't happen very often, but every time it does, southerners start craving snow ice cream. We're asking readers on Twitter and Facebook and all of you to provide your favorite snow ice-cream recipes. …