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Mississippi Defenseless in Federal Suit

Three-year-old Olivia Y. weighed only 22 pounds—less than half what she should have weighed—when the Mississippi courts took her from her abusive mother and turned her over to the foster-care system. Her caseworker described the severely traumatized toddler as "petite" and "quiet," and failed to provide the mental and physical care she needed while moving her repeatedly—once into a home with a convicted rapist.

Bills Target Jackson Development, Infrastructure

In the sixth week of its session, the Mississippi Legislature passed a number of bills relevant to the city of Jackson.

Coal Plant on Public Hot Seat This Week

The Mississippi Public Service Commission began the second phase of hearings this week to determine the need for a proposed $2.4 billion coal plant in Kemper County.

Seeds of Community

Surrounded by brick and mortar in Casey Elementary is an organic oasis. As I approach the garden, an army of ants enters and leaves its bed only to disappear into the long, green grass.

Council Round Up

At the Aug. 24 Jackson City Council meeting, council members voted and passed several actions.

Melton to Trial This Time?

Barring any last-minute complications, Mayor Frank Melton's much-delayed federal civil-rights trial will begin with jury selection on Feb. 2.

Melton Flies to Phillips

Blog post by Brian Johnson:

Mayor Frank Melton flew to Dallas today with city investment guru Jimmy Heidel and his ever-present body guards. In comments before the flight, Melton told members of the press that he could not disclose the name of the investor he was meeting in Dallas, but that the investor has "billions" of dollars and wants to spend "hundreds of millions" in Jackson. Despite a report from the Jackson Free Press on April 19 identifying that investor as Gene Phillips, the media were all baffled by who the investor could be. And in case there's any doubt that we're talking about the same man, Melton confirmed to the Jackson Free Press last night that he was meeting with Gene Phillips today. Catch up, folks.

Constitution Man

Bill Marcy is a history buff and cites articles of the Constitution when making his case for the role of government. The Chicago native will challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi's second congressional district this November.

Barbour Flipping On MAEP?

Gov. Haley Barbour has said that the Mississippi Adequate Education Program formula will likely receive full funding from the Legislature now that the state superintendent of education has released a revised calculation dropping $34 million off the August estimate.

The Race Conversation

Race in Mississippi usually comes with many tons of baggage and several degrees of heat. Certainly, it's unusual to have the words "race" and "dialogue" on the same page, let alone the same sentence.

Schools Short on Pay Roll?

The latest round of state budget cuts has many Mississippi school districts facing difficult budgetary decisions. Gov. Haley Barbour announced $85 million in cuts to K-12 education last Wednesday, $76 million of which will come out of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, the state's supplementary funding mechanism for low-revenue school districts.

Keeping The Gloves Off

In their first and only debate, Senate candidates Roger Wicker and Ronnie Musgrove maintained in person the negative tone that has characterized much of the advertising for both of their campaigns.

Of Hats, Cowboys and Corporate Taxes

Republican attorney general candidate Alben Hopkins, a successful Gulf Coast trial lawyer, attacked Attorney General Jim Hood Monday for using private attorneys to take on lawsuits on behalf of the state of Mississippi. Hood responded that the state does not have the staff to wage an expensive lawsuit against a corporate giant like MCI, which had to pay $100 million in cash and $15 million in property into the state coffers in 2005 for overdue taxes.

BREAKING: JPS Wants Secrecy

On Friday, the U.S. District Court will rule on a Jackson Public Schools motion for a protective order that will allow virtually any document, file or record connected to the termination of former Chastain Middle School principal, Michael Ellis, to be marked "confidential," without the court's review.

Gloria Norris and her Mississippi Road

With her Nikon FE camera in tow, Mississippi native and noted author Gloria Norris drove down Highway 51 through Mississippi capturing the fleeting images of the state that characterized her childhood.

Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend

If you're in the market for back-to-school clothes and shoes, this coming weekend is the time to make your purchases.

Not Your Daddy's SWAC

This ain't your daddy's SWAC. And that's a shame.

‘It's About Ethics'

Democratic Insurance Commissioner candidate Gary Anderson signed a statement Monday pledging to refuse contributions from any insurance company, insurance company PAC or insurance company executive or corporate officer.

Fire Department Recruits Flunk

The 2007 Jackson Fire Department recruit class has hit another obstacle. Almost half the graduating class, 10 out of 23, failed a field delivery test administered by the state fire academy. Recruits who failed the field delivery test may now opt for the state-certified minimum standards test.

Running Out Of Gas

Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin says his fleet is suffering from increased gas prices and claims the Hinds County Board of Supervisors does not have a serious grasp of the problem. The board denied McMillin's request for $58,750 at its recent board meeting, forcing McMillin to swap money from other places in the department. McMillin says he has accounted for past budget deficits within the Sheriff's Department by leaving department vacancies unfilled.

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