Open Thread: It's New Orleans Saints v. Minnesota VikingsIn the NFC, the second-seed Minnesota Vikings -- having heartily knocked the Dallas Cowboys out of their collective saddles to end the Boys' late-season win streak -- are headed to the La-Brees-iana Superdome to face the number-one seed New Orleans …
BREAKING: Boilwater Notice Lifted for Most of JacksonMayor Johnson announced during a press conference today that the Health Department reported that water samples taken from the city's surface water system were all clear. The boil water notice for the approximately 175,000 residents on the surface water system …
Barbour Expands State of Emergency to 10 Counties[verbatim statement] Governor Haley Barbour today expanded the State of Emergency include Carroll, Claiborne, Hinds, Lauderdale, Panola, Quitman, Tippah, Tunica, Warren and Wayne counties. The recent winter weather system has caused parts of the state to experience substantial damage to …
Commissioner Says PSC ‘Stonewalled'The Mississippi Public Service Commission certified an annual audit of state power suppliers for the Legislature, but with reservations. Commissioners Leonard Bentz and Lynn Posey voted to approve the audita deviation from their historic decision last year to withhold certification …
Hinds Supervisors Feud Over RadiosTempers flared at a Hinds County Board of Supervisors work session yesterday, as supervisors debated the activation of 19 radios purchased by the city of Clinton for emergency personnel. The board has delayed authorizing the activation amid concerns that the …
Grady GriffinGrady Griffin has his work cut out for him. As director of education and training for the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association, Griffin, 39, is the man in charge of providing restaurant owners with support and information during the water …
Currier Named Top Health OfficerThe state Board of Health named Dr. Mary Currier as Mississippi's state health officer on Wednesday. Currier has been fulfilling the role for the Department of Health since her predecessor, Dr. Ed Thompson, died Dec. 1, 2009.
Who's Open for Business (or Closed) in Jackson?This is an open thread for postings about who is open for business and who is closed in Jackson. Feel free to give us updates as things change. Good luck out there.
Mayor: Most Residents Have WaterMayor Harvey Johnson Jr. reported at a late-afternoon press conference that the city's water supply is now up to a sufficient level to supply every resident with water.
MEMA Reports 12-Hour Shifts; Tankers of Water from Coast[Verbatim statement] PEARL –The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency continues to help cities and counties with the ongoing water emergency. The State Emergency Operations Center in Pearl is under partial activation, which brings in members of certain state agencies to provide …
Stringer Says Toyota is ‘New Beef Plant'House Appropriations Committee Chairman Johnny Stringer, D-Montrose, compared the state's potential loss in the delayed Toyota plant, near Tupelo, to the failed Mississippi Beef Processors LLC plant, today.
‘Encouraging News' on Water, But More Breaks LikelyJackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said today that the city has made significant headway in returning water service to the city, but he warned that more breaks will appear as water pressure rises citywide.
Dylan MontgomeryToday, Terry High School junior Dylan Montgomery's biggest wish will come true, thanks to the Make A Wish Foundation of Mississippi and the Hinds County School district.
Barbour Again Reschedules SpeechGov. Haley Barbour has rescheduled the annual state-of-the-state speech, originally scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 12, for Monday, Jan. 18. The governor postponed the speech last Monday for tonight due to the capital city's water situation, making this the second postponement. …
Entergy Misses Audit DeadlineMississippi Public Service Commissioners predicted last week that they may have difficulty approving an audit of Entergy's fuel purchases prices.
Rachel HicksRachel Hicks will not be ignored. The Belhaven resident is co-founder and executive director of Mississippi First, a fledgling non-profit organization focused on education policy that will move the state from lastwhere it often lands in national measures for educationto …
Bills That Ain't About MoneyAll eyes at the state Legislature are on how politicians will handle the state's nearly $400 million revenue deficit, but other bills outside of money issues are creeping their way into committees.
Jackson Water Crisis: Day 3Gov. Haley Barbour extended the state of emergency for Jackson in the wake of more than 100 water-main breaks in the city, spilling roughly 22 million gallons of water. Parts of Jackson remain without water this morning, and some schools, …
Council Mulling Budget ConsultantThe Jackson City Council is looking into the idea of hiring a year-round budget inspector to act as a liaison between the city council and the administrative branch.
Businesses, Hospitals, Schools Feel Pinch in Water CrisisDue to more than 100 water-main breaks, parts of Jackson continued to suffer from low or nonexistent water pressure today, forcing area businesses to close or otherwise adapt.
Beth SmithBeth Smith will puncture holes in any preconceived notion you might have about women who serve in the Mississippi Army National Guard. Pretty, petite, bursting with energy, a non-stop smile on her face, she's also a major who just returned …
Water Emergency ClosingsNumerous schools and businesses will close early or remain closed throughout the day due to water main breaks around the city of Jackson. Call ahead to find out whether your destination is open today. Closings include:
Water Emergency in JacksonGov. Haley Barbour declared a state of emergency for the city of Jackson today due to water main breaks that have disrupted water service across the city. Speaking at a noon press conference after Barbour's announcement, Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. …
Board Asking for Federal Money for LeveesThe Rankin-Hinds Pearl Flood and Drainage Control District Levee Board approved discussions with Mississippi's U.S. delegation, including Sen. Thad Cochran and Rep. Bennie Thompson over how to draw down a portion of the $133 million federal allotment for flood control …
Gloria WilliamsonA former Democratic state senator from Philadelphia, Miss., Gloria Williamson has devoted countless hours over the last 10 years to improving the status of women in Mississippi.
Public Meetings and Community Events<b>Hinds Community College Registration</b>, at all campuses. Extended hours: 8:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. Classes begin Monday, Jan. 11, but students can still register late through Jan. 15. Call 1-800-HINDS-CC.
Legislature Slows Its RollThe Mississippi Legislature got off to a productive start last week, with the passage of an economic incentive package and an extension of workforce training funds, two measures that Gov. Haley Barbour had requested. That spirit of compromise seems to …
Barbour to Deliver State of the StateGov. Haley Barbour will deliver the annual Mississippi State-of-the-State speech tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. from the state capitol. The speech will be broadcast live by Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
City Issues Boil Water Notice[Verbatim from the City of Jackson] The City of Jackson Water/Sewer Utilities Division has issued a precautionary boil water advisory until further notice for all customers on the City's well water system located in the western part of the City …