Kids Kollege Inauguration Ball at Jackson State[Verbatim] On January 20, Kids Kollege & the Jackson State University Senior Class of 2009 will host the Kids Kollege 2009 Inauguration Ball in the Jacob L. Reddix Campus Union: General Purpose Room of JSU at 7pm. This event is …
PSC's Presley ‘Frustrated' at Mixed Messages Over EntergyMississippi Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley is frustrated at conflicting reports from a sister agency about an audit of Entergy's rate increases in the state. The Public Service Commission refused Wednesday to sign off on an audit report prepared by …
Congress Reauthorizes Children's Health InsuranceThe House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) yesterday, a move that, if sustained, would extend coverage to an additional 4.1 million children nationwide. The bill, which passed by a vote of 289 to 139, …
FBI: Jackson Violent Crime Decreases in 2008 over 2007Jackson's overall rate of violent crime decreased slightly for the first six months of 2008 as compared to the same period of 2007, according to the FBI's preliminary Uniform Crime Statistic report released Jan. 12. Numbers for murder and aggravated …
Acupuncture Licensing Proposed: Capitol Event Jan. 22Mississippi is one of seven states that do not license acupuncturists. Instead, state law says that only medical doctors and dentists can perform acupuncture, and that with a minimal amount of training, about 200 hours.
Childers: Stimulus Must Help North Miss.In an email released today, North Mississippi Congressman Travis Childers pledged to bring his district "its fair share of stimulus funds":
Barbour Orders More Cuts, Including to MAEPJanuary 14, 2009 - Gov. Haley Barbour today ordered more state budget cuts, including $76.6 million from the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, a 3.49% cut to that program. Barbour released the following statement about his cuts, verbatim"
MDOT Officials Traveling Abroad On Taxpayers' DimeAn investigation in today's Sun Herald reveals a years-long trend of Mississippi Department of Transportation officials using taxpayer money for trips of dubious value. Over four years, Michael Newsom reports, MDOT officials have spent $207,000 on travel, with two officials,, …
Report: Mississippi's ‘Worst Firsts' in Public HealthMississippi has the most unhealthy citizens in the country, a new report says. The state's first Public Health Report Card, a joint effort of the Mississippi State Medical Association and the State Department of Health released Wednesday, aims to raise …
Mississippi House Passes $1 Cigarette TaxFollowing nearly two hours of debate, the House of Representatives passed a bill this afternoon that would raise Mississippi's cigarette tax from 18 cents to $1 per pack. House Bill 364, passed by a 81-39 vote, now moves to the …
Jerome GentryWhen 49-year-old Jerome Gentry talks about his high-school football days, his smile and hand gestures become big and animated. In 1975, the Callaway High School Chargers finished 12-0the first prep team in Mississippi to do soand brought home the state …
Gannett Corp. in Crisis; Clarion-Ledger Staffers Must Take Week OffClarion-Ledger staffers are part of an immediate corporate-wide "furlough" program ordered by the home office in order to "preserve operations," reports the Gannett Blog. A memo from Gannett CEO Craig Dubow went out today, announcing that the week off must …
Voter ID Bill Clears Senate PanelThe Senate Elections Committee passed a bill today that would require all Mississippi voters to present a form of identification at the polling place. The bill, SB 2548, is sponsored by Sen. Terry Burton, R-Newton, and supported by many Republicans, …
Barbour Furloughs Rapist, Then RetractsLeslie Bowlin lay in wait for his young victim, watching her roommates leave their shared apartment in the Canterbury Townhouses in Starkville one by one for the Christmas break. When she was finally alone, Bowlin broke into the apartment and …
Robert Johnson To Announce Mayoral Candidacy Thursday[Verbatim from Robert Johnson for Mayor] JACKSON, MISS. - January 13, 2009 - Robert L. Johnson, former Capital City Police Chief and Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner, is confident he can deliver the kind of results driven leadership that can …
Barbour's ‘2009 State of the State' AddressGovernor Bryant; Speaker McCoy; ladies and gentlemen of the Legislature; and fellow Mississippians: Tonight marks the sixth time you have allowed Marsha and me to join you here to report on the State of our State. I am greatly and …
Wicker Battles Fairness Doctrine BogeymanSen. Roger Wicker's office just released a statement trumpeting Wicker's defense of free speech against the dreaded Fairness Doctrine. The bogus threat of the Fairness Doctrine--an old FCC rule requiring broadcasters to give equal airtime to opposing political views--was a …
Entergy Temporarily Suspends Reactor License Applications[Verbatim statement from Entergy] Jackson, Miss. – Entergy New Nuclear Utility Development, commonly referred to as Entergy Nuclear, is temporarily suspending reviews of two new nuclear license applications and will explore alternative nuclear technologies that better serve its customers, company …
Fondren Beverage, ARTichoke ClosingSadly, we have to report that two of Jackson's most interesting locally owned businesses are closing: Fondren Beverage Emporium and ARTichoke on Fortification Street are closing. In Fondren, the Beverage Emporium joins shops Fondren Traders and New Vibrations, which closed …
Melton's Attorney: ‘He Is In Charge'Mayor Frank Melton's attorney John Reeves said today that the mayor has no need to appoint an interim mayor after confirming that Melton traveled home to Texas after leaving the hospital Friday. "He is in charge," Reeves said. He said …
Barbour to Deliver ‘State of the State' Tuesday[Verbatim] Jackson, Mississippi - Governor Haley Barbour will deliver his sixth State of the State address at 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, in the House Chambers at the State Capitol. Governor Barbour will report on the state's austere budget for …
Oral arguments in City of Jackson v. Byram Incorporators Today[Verbatim announcement] At 10 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2009, the Mississippi Supreme Court will sit en banc to hear oral arguments in the case of the City of Jackson v. Byram Incorporators. The City of Jackson has appealed the …
Hood Announces $3.35 Million Settlement with Dell[Verbatim release] Jackson, MS--Attorney General Jim Hood announced today an agreement between the Attorneys General of 34 states and Dell under which Dell will provide $1.5 million restitution to Dell customers who experienced problems with the company's financing promotions, rebate …
Nicole's Been SprungDancer Nicole Marquez left the hospitalhopefully for goodon Thursday. Jacksonian Marquez, who was featured in a JFP cover story in November, moved to New York City about a year ago to pursue her career as a dancer and actress. Last …
UPDATE: Mayor Melton Released from HospitalGoldia Revies just released a statement saying that Mayor Frank Melton has been discharged from St. Dominic Hospital, and that he expects to spend the next few days resting. "I'm deeply touched by the outpouring of public concern about my …
House Delays $1 Cigarette Tax Until Next WeekThe Mississippi House of Representatives will not consider passing a tobacco tax increase until the House reconvenes 4 p.m. Monday. Yesterday, the House Ways and Means Committee approved House Bill 364, which would raise the excise tax on cigarettes from …
Barbour Will Call for Cuts to MAEP and MedicaidGov. Haley Barbour will announce a further round of budget cuts by Monday, he said today to business leaders at the Mississippi Economic Council's "Capitol Day." Barbour said that the state's revenue will fall at least 8.3 percent below estimates. …
AG: Entergy Admits to Over-charging Mississippians[Verbatim from AG Jim Hood] Jackson, MS - After months of denials, Entergy Mississippi has now admitted to overcharging Mississippi ratepayers for power, and to engaging in part of the same scheme it used in Louisiana, where it was forced …
When 49-year-old Jerome Gentry talks about his high-school football days, his smile and hand gestures become big and animated. In 1975, the Callaway High School Chargers finished 12-0the first prep team in Mississippi to do soand brought home the state …