Ice, Bugs, And Guns. Perfect."Lost Planet," despite being a modern, high-tech title, brings me back to the days of gaming long past, when top-of-the-line graphics were 8-bit, when you could spot a hardcore gamer by his untidy mullets and his Alf T-shirt, and when …
Jesus Rode A Donkey: THE JFP Interview With John Arthur EavesAttorney John Arthur Eaves, 40, is the polar opposite of his Republican opponent, Gov. Haley Barbour. Barbour is a faithful follower of smaller-government philosophy, isn't afraid to boot Mississippians off state Medicaid and has been willing to short-change the so-called …
End of the Legislative RoadThe Mississippi State Legislature passed full funding for the Mississippi Adequate Education Program this year, reformed the embattled State Board of Health, but shot down an attempt to raise cigarette taxes and lower grocery taxes.
Death of a PartnershipThe Legislature passed SB 2764, reorganizing the State Board of Health following Clarion-Ledger reports of broad failures and relentless attacks upon board Director Dr. Brian Amy by Sen. Alan Nunnelee. After reforming the disparaged board, legislators then put the state's …
After the StormReacting to skyrocketing post-Katrina insurance costs on the coast, the Legislature passed HB 1500, which bolsters the state's Wind Pool Insurance Association by $20 million. The money is collected from taxes on statewide insurance premiums.
Chump Change for ChimneyvilleThough legislators refused to pass a bill providing $2 million in desperately needed funding to Jackson for law enforcement and street repair, they did produce legislation to help cities like Jackson collect more revenue. Barbour signed a bill allowing the …
Healthy Kids, Healthy CodgersThe Capitol legislated a healthier lifestyle for public school students, creating SB 2369, which demands schools offer at least 150 minutes of physical education for students each week, along with 45 minutes of health education. The Senate bill is a …
Strip (Miners) and Sex (Fiends)The final round of appropriations bills shot through joint committees March 30, though Rep. Jamie Franks, D-Mooreville, temporarily held some appropriations bills. Franks said he got nervous over an appropriation bill for Fisheries, Wildlife and Parks containing language allowing the …
Protesting the ProtestersBusiness owner and conservative pundit Alan Lange pled with the city this week to do something about anti-abortion protesters trespassing on his property. The protesters, who camp out daily at the Jackson Women's Health Organization abortion clinic oat 2903 N. …
Stokes: A Bought Man?Jackson Mayor Frank Melton assured council members Monday that Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes would support placing Leland Speed in an unpaid consultant position with the Jackson Redevelopment Authority despite Stokes' contentious relationship with Speed.
Cheap Smokes, Empty BelliesLegislative failures this year included the death of HB 247, which would have raised the tax on cigarettes and reduced the sales tax on Groceries. That bill died after Barbour told Appropriations Chairman Tommy Robertson to kill the bill, despite …
Demolition Down on FarishMayor Frank Melton announced that he intends to demolish more than 30 dilapidated homes on Farish Street, near the Church Street junction. "I'm taking them all down, and we're billing the owner. We're thinking they'll cost $1,500 a piece," Melton …
The Never-ending Docket DebacleCity Council voted down the city's claims and payroll dockets, which list city payments to companies and individuals, on a 2-3-1 vote Monday, though the council later voted again and approved the dockets.
[Gregory] Dreamin' Ain't Doin'For the past six months, I've been working in Hattiesburg, mainly because the job offer included enough money to allow me to embroider gold dollar signs on my socks right alongside my initials—righteous money. Following this money soon led me …