Unsealed Suit Reveals Diaz Suing LamptonU.S. District Court Magistrate Judge James C. Sumner signed a June 22 order denying a motion to seal a suit against former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz and his wife Jennifer, bringing to light the continuing saga of a federal …
Mississippi Soldiers Ship Out TodayThe U.S. Army Reserve's 296th Transportation Company ships out today for final training in Wisconsin before heading to Iraq. The Mississippi company of 169 men and women, which was last deployed in 2003, will serve overseas for one year beginning …
Gambling Revenue Up AgainThe Mississippi State Tax Commission says that winnings in the state's 30 casinos was up in May by $19.2 million more than in April, according to Forbes, but revenues are still below the May 2008 earnings. The casinos took in …
Barbour Refuses Special Session, Vows Fight[Verbatim from Gov. Haley Barbour] Yesterday an "agreement in principle" on Medicaid issues was announced by Medicaid negotiators, but this so-called "solution" has a huge, fundamental flaw: It would give Medicaid a blank check and expose Mississippi taxpayers to the …
Lawmakers Closer to Balanced BudgetState legislators have reached a budget compromise, ending a months-long impasse days before the end of the fiscal year. House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement late Sunday on a roughly $5 billion budget for the 2010 fiscal year, which …
Allen and Others To Host McLemore ReceptionActing Mayor Leslie McLemore will soon retire from both academia and politics. In honor of his work and dedication to the city of Jackson, Ben Allen, President of Downtown Jackson Partners, is hosting a reception and fundraiser for McLemore Tuesday, …
Guv Candidate Looking Across Aisle?Not surprisingly in a state where innuendo can be more common than facts, rumors are swirling around connections that a Democratic contender for the governor's mansions might have. This time, though, the rumors are about probable candidate Bill Luckett and …
CARA Desperately Seeking Donations[Verbatim from CARA] Today, CARA was impacted by the extreme heat everyone in the Jackson area is experiencing. "We need three 40" box fans to add to the shelter to keep the air moving and the dogs cool," says Janet …
2009 Gulf Dead Zone May Hit Record SizeImagine an area the size of Hinds County with virtually no life: you can't drink the water; seeds rot in the soil; and only cockroaches can breathe the air. It's as if a nuclear reactor exploded and nothing survived.
Cookie Dough Recall AnnouncedNestlé USA announced today that it is voluntarily recalling its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products after the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control notified the company it was investigating reported E. coli infections that may be related to …
This Weekend: Mississippi Civil Rights Martyrs' MemorialThe 45th Annual Mississippi Martyrs' Memorial Service and Conference takes place this Saturday and Sunday in Neshoba County. A one-mile "March for Justice" kicks off the event, in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King's 1966 march in Philadelphia. The march …
Mayor-elect Announces Transition TeamTonight Mayor-elect Harvey Johnson Jr. gave the Jackson Free Press a list of his diverse transition team members that will investigate the current condition of city administration and prepare reports for the incoming mayor by July. He announced a five-person …
Former Justice Fights Death PenaltyOliver Diaz says his first vote on the Mississippi Supreme Court was to "kill an innocent man." The man he's talking about is Kennedy Brewer, wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of a toddler in 1995.
Irby Trial Postponed Eight MonthsHinds County Circuit Court Judge Tomie Green granted a continuance for Karen Irby today, postponing her trial until March 29, 2010, reports The Clarion-Ledger. Irby, 38, faces two counts of depraved-heart murder for her role in a February car crash …
Cold Case Advocate to Meet with HolderAlvin Sykes, longtime advocate for the victims of civil rights era cold cases, will meet with the nation's "top cop," U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, to discuss the Department of Justice mandate to solve those cases and bring the killers …
Council Votes No to Raises; Yes to Legal FeesMembers of the Jackson City Council reversed themselves on a number of decisions during Tuesday's council meeting, June 16. The council agreed to pay the legal fees of the city's former mayor and voted down an employee pay raise, though …
Wine to GoBeginning July 1, that unfinished bottle of wine at your restaurant table can go home with you, thanks to the Mississippi Legislature. No more will you have to decide between the wines by the glass or by the bottle, because …
Boon For The budget?State Auditor Stacey Pickering could complicate the state's recent $100 million settlement with Microsoft Corp.
Scott DavidsonWhile some look forward to Jubilee!JAM for the chance to see their favorite musicians perform, or to peruse the Arts Fair, Scott Davidson looks forward to seeing each year's official poster artwork.
Today: Housing Fair at the Medical MallYou still have time to head over to the 2009 Housing Fair, sponsored by the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, until 2 p.m. today. Included on the agenda is information about foreclosure prevention, first-time buyer programs and financial management. The event, …
A Call for Unity ... But No PicturesA June 15 event billed as a huge show of unity for Mayor-elect Harvey Johnson Jr. turned into a debate over transparency after organizers barred photographers and electronic media from the event held at the University Club downtown.
Hinds Drops Regional JailThe Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 last Tuesday to end its efforts to build a regional jail, after spending more than $400,000 on acquiring land and designing the facility. The jail would have housed 300 state inmates and …
Jackson City Council Votes Down Living-Wage IncreaseAt the Tuesday evening meeting tonight, the Jackson City Council voted down a proposed ordinance establishing a living-wage requirement for employees of the city of Jackson by a 3-3 vote. Acting Mayor Leslie McLemore, of Ward 2, proposed the ordinance, …
Police Union: No AgreementThe city of Jackson has not reached an agreement with the Jackson Police Officers Association regarding limiting the number of officers allowed to complete the sergeant's exam processcontrary to what Interim Police Chief Tyrone Lewis said at a June 11 …
Sleep Inn Breaking Ground DowntownJ. R. Jones, managing member of minority investment and development organization The LEAD Group, LLC, is partnering with Jackson attorney Robert Gibbs in opening a new 64-room hotel on Gallatin Street. Jones, Gibbs and Downtown Jackson Partners will be hosting …
CARA Reaches Out for DonationsCommunity Animal Rescue and Adoption, Jackson's largest no-kill animal shelter is running dangerously low on funds. The shelter is "filled to the brim with unwanted, abused and stray dogs and cats who deserve a safe, loving place to call home," …
Legislators Remain Stuck on BudgetWith 14 days remaining in Mississippi's 2009 fiscal year, lawmakers continue their struggle to reach a consensus on next year's budget. The special negotiating team, which consists of three House and three Senate members, along with Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, …
Jones Named Ole Miss ChancellorThe University of MississippiOle Missannounced the appointment of Dr. Dan Jones as its new chancellor yesterday. Jones succeeds retiring Robert Khayat July 1, to oversee the University, including the University's Medical Center here in Jackson. He is the 16th chancellor …