The Ole SwitcherooFlanked by Gov. Haley Barbour and incoming Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, state Sen. Gray Tollison announced that his becoming a member of the Republican Party was the best thing for his constituents.
State Wants NCLB ReliefThe Mississippi Board of Education voted last month to apply for a waiver in hopes of getting relief from some of the requirements of No Child Left Behind.
Lots of Mouths to FeedLast week, the Farish Street Group became the latest developers to ask for public funds to finance high-priced downtown Jackson developments.
Dems Lick Wounds, Prep for BattleMississippi Republicans are still painting the state red in celebration of the party's recent electoral successes. The GOP is maintaining control of the governor's mansion, the lieutenant governorship, the state Senate and every statewide constitutional office except one.
Vote ‘Yes' on the Tollison-Bell AmendmentThe worst dirty trick we saw this last election wasn't a campaign ad, a robo-call or an "astroturf" campaign from a shadowy coalition of instigators and carpetbaggers. (Of course, all three happened.) In fact, this dirty trick didn't happen in …
Measuring the Democratic MessOnce again, election night last week revealed a grim reality for Mississippi Democrats and the Mississippi Democratic Party.
The Lone DemocratMississippi Attorney General Jim Hood celebrated a large victory last Tuesday when he won his third re-election term against Republican challenger Steve Simpson, winning 60 percent of the vote. But Hood's real uphill battle may lie in next year's legislative …
Barksdale Offers JPS ‘The Price of Eggs' for Supe SearchJim Barksdale, former president and CEO of Netscape, has officially offered the school board financial assistance to hire and retain the best superintendent that money can buy.
Light Bulbs and AwardsOil and gas company CITGO provided more than 1,000 energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs to Jackson residents last weekend.
PERS Commission Report DelayedPublic employees and politicians anxious to see recommendations from a commission studying the Public Employees' Retirement System will have to wait a while longer.
One-lake Project Could Offer Flood ReductionEarly analyses of a proposed one-lake development along the Pearl River reveals that flood-reduction benefits are possible, said Pearl River Vision Foundation team member Dallas Quinn.
City Council Questions Farish DevelopersCity Council members questioned Farish Street developers about their request for $8 million in bonds during a work session this morning.
JSU President: ‘Pay Teachers More'Communities need to pay teachers more, says Carolyn Meyers, president of Jackson State University. "I think our whole system, nationally, is topsy-turvy," she said this morning at Koinonia Coffee House. "This is where we need our best people to do …
Oberhousen Leads in Hinds House RaceBrad Oberhousen, a Democrat who is running against Republican incumbent Jim Ellington for the House District 73 race, is currently leading with 53 votes. His win could signal a much needed gain for Democrats who are fighting to hold their …
Ballot Initiatives Draw ReactionWhile the proposed Personhood amendment garnered most of the attention locally as well as from national media, voters approved two other controversial statewide ballot measures on Tuesday.
Rep. Brandon Jones Not ConcedingRep. Brandon Jones, D-Pascagoula, posted a message on Facebook today saying he is still reviewing election totals against his opponent for the Mississippi House of Representatives, Charles Busby.
Mississippi House Remains In LimboRepublicans are salivating over the prospect of taking over the Mississippi House of Representatives even as votes from Election Day continued to be counted throughout the state today. But Democrats are holding out hope that they may retain control of …
The Best We Can BeLast week, I attended one of those uniquely Jackson events that national media never seem to know about when they paint us with a broad brush. It was a performance of "Defamation," a play by a Chicago playwright that allows …
Second ChancesMichael Williams is the man behind the movie projector at the Russell C. Davis Planetarium. He is responsible for making sure the independent art films and sky shows run on schedule without any technical glitches.
‘Take Risks; Make Changes'Jackson Public Schools has nine months to hire a new superintendent before interim Superintendent Jayne Sargent's contract expires in July.
Redistricting ReduxMississippi's ongoing battle over redistricting will keep going on at least into the near future.
State's Biz Climate IffyGov. Haley Barbour touted his administration's pro-business bona fides for the last time in his role as state government's chief executive before a throng of mostly business folks at the Mississippi Economic Council's Hobnob event Nov. 2, perhaps engaging in …
Building BusinessGov. Haley Barbour has long been bullish on Mississippi's business environment, announcing every new business his administration brings into the state—large and small—and every new development with great fanfare.
[Kamikaze] Let's Talk, DemsHey, Mississippi Democratic Party: Can we talk? We've heard some pretty strong accusations that you aren't as powerful as you used to be. In fact, a few folks are whispering that you've become a shell of your former self.
JRA Considers Financing Farish StreetThe Jackson Redevelopment Authority board is considering a proposal to allocate $8 million in urban renewal bonds to the Farish Street Group for the redevelopment of the Farish Street Entertainment District.
Craig Noone's Unfinished BusinessPeople leave unfinished business. Sometimes they just move on to other projects. Or they meet with tragedy, leaving others to complete the unfinished business. It is the living who follow through on these unfinished dreams, plans and business. They are …
People leave unfinished business. Sometimes they just move on to other projects. Or they meet with tragedy, leaving others to complete the unfinished business. It is the living who follow through on these unfinished dreams, plans and business. They are …