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What's All the Fuss About Top Tax Rates Going Up?
The national conversation on our fiscal health for the past few months has been about whether to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for households with incomes over $250,000, or to allow them to expire on December 31st. To my amazement, lost in all this controversy and discussion has been any mention of what this would really mean for high-income people in the context of historical tax rates.
Crisler Garners Big-Name Support for Mayoral Race
A number of notable Jacksonians are throwing their support behind Councilman Marshand Crisler in the upcoming mayoral election. Jackson restaurateur Jeff Goodthe finance director of the current mayor's campaignis hosting a fundraiser for Crisler on Dec. 8. In an invitation(doc) to the event, Good mentioned his co-hosts, among them former-Gov. William Winter, former Secretary of State Dick Molpus, businessman Leroy Walker and former Mayor Kane Ditto.
My Kind of Tea Party
Recently, I was asked to appear on a local cable talk show to talk about issues of the day. I didn't think much about it; it sounded easy and innocent enough. And I was busy and didn't bother to ask who I was appearing on the show alongside.
Itawamba Student Sues District Over Rap
A year ago, the Itawamba County School District made national news for electing to cancel Itawamba Agricultural High School's prom rather than allow lesbian student Constance McMillen to bring her girlfriend as her date. A federal judge ultimately ruled that the district had violated McMillen's First Amendment rights. Now, the district faces another lawsuit alleging that it denied a student's constitutional rights.
3rd Annual JFP Chick Ball - Raised $7,000!
May 18 Update: The Chick Ball raised just at $7,000 for the Center for Violence Prevention!
Plan your outfits now for the JFP's 3rd Annual JFP Chick Ball on Thursday, May 17, in Hal & Mal's Red Room. This one will be the biggest Chick Ball, yet, with a full grrl-music line-up, an art auction, and lots of surprises. Starting this year, we'll be crowning the Diva of Bling (wear your shiniest outfit to compete) and choosing our Official Arm Candy, so guys, dress your best! Only $5 cover/$10 to qualify for door prizes.
News Wars: The Rise and Fall of The Clarion-Ledger
Orley Hood and Walter Philbin lugged their laundry bags into the laundromat near the Jitney 14 on Fortification Street. They sorted their clothes, put their coins in the slots and waited for the first wash cycle to begin. Then Philbin pulled out a stack of old Associated Press wire stories he'd been saving.
Young Dems Hit Jackson
Beginning Friday, Nov. 17, Jackson hosts the three-day Young Democrats National Fall Conference. Kate Jacobson, 22, is the Mississippi chapter's vice president. Jacobson, born in Washington, D.C., came to Mississippi at age 5 when her parents moved to Tupelo. "None of my family is Southern, but I'm Southern now," Jacobson said proudly. She moved to Jackson in 2002 to attend Millsaps College, where she received her bachelor's in political science last May. I caught up with Jacobson at her office last Friday.
D.A. Peterson Concedes, Goes Home
With 98 percent of precincts reporting and Robert Smith leading by 1,183 votes, District Attorney Faye Peterson just conceded defeat in the Red Room at Hal & Mal's, saying that she hopes that the next D.A. will be as tough on crime as she was, because "Hinds County has a crime problem."
Creative Loafing: 'Racial Healing In Mississippi'
Creative Loafing editor and blogger John Sugg has published a cover story about the Killen trial, with an intriguing comparison of Killen and Dick Molpus, in the Creative Loafing papers in Atlanta, Tampa, Fla., and Charlotte, N.C. He writes:
NOW Clinton Is Worried About Young Voters?
Since Barack Obama proved that the under-30 vote mattered in Iowa, and could well be a deciding factor in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton is adjusting her strategy to start trying to appeal to them. Does she really think that young voters are going to fall for that when it's obvious she's doing it just to get their vote? If she cared about them, she would have shown it already. This shows exactly why I'm not a Clinton fan—she is a political machine, who cares more about strategy then getting out there and really getting real with the voters. I'm fully on the Obama wagon now. This did it for me, not that I needed much of a nudge.
Runnin' with the Big Dawgs
We were sitting in the office around 7 p.m. last Friday anticipating another "press weekend." Stephen and I were in a heated discussion about some aspect of the upcoming issue when Donna, sitting at one of the computers in our office, let loose with a scream. "It's up!" She backed away from the computer screen as if sudden movements might cause it to lunge at her. "I can't read it."
BREAKING: Shake-up in City Administration
Jackson Planning and Development Director Carl Allen and Parks and Recreation Director Ramie Ford are leaving city government, the Jackson Free Press learned Thursday.
BREAKING: Melton Appoints Bluntson as Mayor
<i>Photo caption: Acting Mayor Frank Bluntson announces his assumption of duties.
Mayor Frank Melton has appointed Councilman Frank Bluntson as acting mayor by executive order (PDF, 56 KB).
UPDATED: Council, JPS Report Mayoral Threats
This is an updated version of this story that broke Monday on the JFP Web site.
Freedom Rides Again
Their Story, 50 Years Later
Hank Thomas walked up the steps of the Greyhound bus on a sunny day May 4, 1961. As he calmly surveyed its drab, blue-gray interior, the lanky 19-year-old black student from Howard University had no idea that in about two weeks he would come dangerously close to meeting his maker on its floor.
Code Blue: Police Pursuits Cost a Life a Day
"All units, Ridgeland PD in pursuit. Gray Crown Victoria on lower (Spillway) Road, request assistance," a voice said over the police scanner from Reservoir Control tower.
Manhunt D.A.‘s ‘Guard' Duty
When Bruce Dunagan heard that Tallahatchie County prosecutor John Whitten III was involved in a vigilante-style manhunt last month, in Sumner, he wasn't surprised. Dunagan, who was Biloxi's police chief during Hurricane Katrina, remembers Whitten testing the limits of the law in the aftermath of the 2005 storm.
Probation Office: Melton Under Curfew, No Kid Contact
The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that a probation official wrote a letter to Melton this week containing harsh warnings against violations of his bond:
[Halloween Special] Smell My Feet
OK, rule one: Never, ever teach this chant to a school-age boy, especially of the Monkey persuasion. Yeah, it makes you feel like "cool mom" for a moment, but repetition soon makes one feel like "I'm going to take that whole bag of sugar and stick it in your pumpkin if you don't stop it now" mom. Being the cool—while somewhat neurotic—mother that I am, I decided to take advantage of the "No Halloween on a Melton School Night" decree and allow the Monkey the chance to trick-or-treat on a Saturday night.