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FEMA Wants Immunity for Poison Trailers
The Federal Emergency Management Agency asked U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt for immunity from lawsuits over what plaintiffs' lawyers and the Sierra Club called "hazardous levels" of formaldehyde in government-issued trailers. Engelhardt is presiding over a lawsuit against FEMA. Plaintiffs claim the government knew about the dangerous toxicity of plywood used in trailer construction but continued to allow hurricane victims to inhabit the structures, despite independent toxicology tests revealing five times the tolerable amount of formaldehyde in the structures.
Seale Appeals to U.S. Supreme Court
Attorneys for James Ford Seale, convicted in 2007 on federal kidnapping and conspiracy charges related to the 1964 killings of two 19-year-old African Americans, have appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court today.
No Worry: The Feds Will Pay for Medicare (Maybe)
In a bizarre twist in ideology, Gov. Haley Barbour told Neshoba County Fair go-ers Thursday that the federal government should pick up the tab for the health-care costs of poor and disabled Mississippians. "Mississippi taxpayers shouldn't pay for health care coverage that the federal government will pay for," Barbour said, as reported by the Associated Press (and not by The Clarion-Ledger in its report today, which focuses more on Barbour's sophomoric bashing of John Kerry, calling him the "ideological twin" of Teddy Kennedy. Na na na na, boo boo.)
State Paid 9,300 People in Error
Mississippi's Medicaid program paid Part B Medicare premiums for approximately 9,300 ineligible people, possibly since 2003, according to WAPT. Those payments were made after the state determined the recipients were no longer eligible.
Bush Doesn't Mention Katrina Recovery
AP is reporting tonight that Bush did not mention Katrina recovery a single time in his "State of the Union" address. Maybe he just forgot. AP:
Mississippi School Board Picks New Interim Superintendent
The State Board of Education replaced interim state superintendent Judy Rhodes yesterday, following a legal opinion from the Attorney General's office that found her technically unqualified for the position. Because she has not earned a Master's degree, Rhodes is ineligible for the interim position, according to minimum qualifications established by the state Legislature, Assistant Attorney General Reese Partridge found.
Wooten Apparent Winner Over Reeves ... Again
As the Jackson Free Press went to the printer Tuesday night, Democrat Adrienne Wooten was poised to win the re-vote election demanded by District 71 incumbent Rep. John Reeves. If Wooten wins, it will be another vote to keep House Speaker Billy McCoy in place, as Reeves had pledged in a campaign letter after the general election that he would vote against McCoy if he was re-elected.
Langston Suit Moves Ahead Through Political Thicket
Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Winston Kidd has lifted a motion to stay a politically tinged state lawsuit against disbarred attorneys Joey Langston and Timothy Balducci and the Langston Law Firm after U.S. District Court Judge William Pauley sent the case back to Hinds County. "I had issued a stay maybe a month ago to allow the federal court to decide the issue, and the federal court decided that it should be in state court. The parties agreed that the stay should be lifted. They have been lifted and the matter will now proceed forward," Kidd told the Jackson Free Press today, adding that he was not yet sure when the next hearing for motion of summary judgment would commence.
Police Union: No Agreement
The 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 Civil Service Commission meeting. Union president Juan Cloy denied Lewis' statement before the Commission last week, saying that the chief was mistaken.
UPDATED: Melton Denies Former Bodyguard's Allegations
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton addressed reporters Thursday morning condemning the testimony of his former bodyguard Marcus Wright. Melton's statement prompted Judge Daniel Jordan to issue a gag order on the mayor's upcoming civil rights trial. Wright pled guilty to misdemeanor conspiracy in U.S. District Court Tuesday, but further implicated Melton with his statements. Witnesses say Melton, Wright and Melton's other bodyguard, Michael Recio, participated in the illegal demolition of a duplex on Ridgeway Street in August 2006.
Barbour Declares State of Emergency, Includes Jackson
2:45 p.m.—(JACKSON, Mississippi) - Governor Haley Barbour today declared a State of Emergency for 12 Mississippi counties following a severe weather system and tornadoes which hit parts of Central Mississippi, including the Jackson Metro area. The Governor announced the State of Emergency while touring neighborhoods in Northeast Jackson, which were among the hardest-hit areas from Friday's storm and tornadoes.
Holiday Arts Mixer TONIGHT
As a board member of the Greater Jackson Arts Council (formerly the Arts Alliance), I'd like to personally invite each of you to tonight's Holiday Arts Mixer at the old Capitol Inn from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Come enjoy free wine, beer and creative cheer. You can also see wonderful and artistic gift ideas by local artists and artisans, and meet some of the artists who are making this a wonderful creative class city. Please join us tonight (Monday). 226 N. State St., 601.960.1557.
The Clarion-Ledger TDN Distribution Scheme Tracker
Click here for updates on Goliath's march and here for how to help.
OBAMA WINS; Eyes on Mississippi Tonight
Thoughts? Comments? Returns? Concerns?
The polls just closed, and the world is watching Mississippi's Democratic primary. (Sit up straight.)
Bill Minor: ‘I Hate to Be So Blunt'
Mississippi journalist and columnist Bill Minor spoke with Adam Lynch of the Jackson Free Press yesterday about his views on the prosecution of his son, Paul Minor, and discussed the newly disclosed information that his son's prosecutor, Robert Coughlin, is now under federal investigation. The JFP had called Minor for response to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's report last week about possible selective prosecution in Mississippi and other states by the Bush administration's Justice Department. His remarks follow, verbatim.
Mississippi Lags in Internet Access
In a report released yesterday, Mississippi has the lowest rate of Internet access in the U.S., with 52.8 percent of households connected. The report, from the U.S. Census Bureau, shows data from 2007, the most recent data available, according to WREG in Memphis.
Most-Endangered Places List Includes Jackson and Raymond Sites
The Mississippi Heritage Trust has unveiled its 2009 list of the 10 most-endangered places. This year's list includes the Hinds County Armory in Jackson and the Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Raymond.
Red Cross Needs Volunteers In Jackson
Also see: Jackpedia: Hurricane Gustav to get/post vital information.
Governor Signs Tanning Bill
Yesterday, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour signed a bill into law that restricts the use of tanning beds by those under the age of 18.
Unemployment Rate Jumps Again
The unemployment rate in Mississippi increased a full percentage point from April to May, inching toward 10 percent once again, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. That one point, from 8.6 percent to 9.6 percent, represents an additional 14,300 Mississippians potentially collecting unemployment from the state.