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Entergy Seeks $51 Million for Failed Reactor

Entergy Mississippi Inc. is requesting $51 million in reimbursements over a stalled nuclear-reactor project at its Grand Gulf nuclear-power plant.

Fighting For Suffrage

The ACLU of Mississippi filed a lawsuit Oct. 7 challenging the state's denial of voting rights to citizens convicted of felonies. Strickland v. Clark, filed against the secretary of state's office and the attorney general, contests the state's denial of voting privileges to two Hinds County residents convicted of crimes not specifically listed in the state constitution as a crime that would take away an individual's right to vote in national elections. The ACLU is also asking that the Oct. 7 voter-registration deadline be extended for people "who have been convicted of felony offenses and are uncertain about their voting qualifications," according to an ACLU statement.

CityBuzz [09.27.06]

Musgrove Sucks Toes

According to a report in the Nashville Post, newly unsealed legal depositions allege that former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove had an affair with Robin Costa, the trustee and director of the Maddox Foundation, in 2001 and 2002. Musgrove represents Costa in an ongoing legal dispute over the foundation.

A Hidden Tax Increase?

State Reps. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, and Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, are asking Gov. Haley Barbour to call a special session to address the state's rising college tuition costs.

Damn these bills!

The Jackson City Council learned in a Monday meeting that the city may have to pay back $278,000 in federal grant money.

Judge Bails, Attorney Rails

Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Tomie Green has recused herself from Mayor Frank Melton's upcoming Ridgeway Street trial, citing "recent improper and inappropriate contact with the trial judge and members of her family which makes the trial judge a potential witness in subsequent proceedings." Green did not explain what the "improper and inappropriate" contact had been. Nor did she explain why that contact might make her a witness in subsequent proceedings. The order, which was dated Nov. 20, was released to the public on Monday. Green did not answer calls for comment.

Cheap Smokes, Empty Bellies

Legislative 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 outcry from health advocacy groups and polls revealing the bill's popularity.

Protesting the Protesters

Business 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. State Street in Fondren, are hurting a business that rents property from him across the street.

Utility Pushes Back on Power-Saving

Mississippi Power Company wants a proposed statewide energy-efficiency plan evaluated based on its cost to ratepayers rather than its long-term savings—a move critics say is a contrast to its desire to have ratepayers fund its own coal-plant expansion.

City Debt Profits Attorney?

City Council delayed a vote Monday to refinance the city's debt. The refinancing would give the city enough to cover its $3.9 million budget deficit, but would cost the city about $110,000 in counsel and bond fees, and dump higher interest rates upon the city over the next 10 years.

Saving the Best for Last?

When Mississippians vote this November, they may find the hotly contested U.S. Senate race between Roger Wicker and Ronnie Musgrove buried near the end of the ballot.

Jared Fogle

Eight years ago, Indiana University student Jared Fogle became an instant celebrity when he appeared in a series of television commercials for Subway restaurants. After losing 245 pounds by eating Subway twice a day and exercising, Fogle stood before viewers and showed them the now-famous pants he wore when he weighed 425 pounds before the diet.

Melton: ‘I May Step Aside'

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton said this week that he is considering taking a leave of absence from his job as mayor of the city to "bring in" a man who was acquitted of murder last week and released.

Daddy Warbucks Broke?

Cynthia Carpenter's daughter was a 9th grade student at Lanier High School when the mayor awarded her a full scholarship to a school of her choice. In collaboration with the mayor, a local chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity selected Carpenter's daughter to be the scholarship recipient, while the foundation provided the funding, Carpenter says. Now a freshman pre-pharmacy student at Ole Miss, she is still waiting on the promised funds.

God's Secret Club

The shocking details of Leisha Pickering's suit against the alleged mistress of former U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering is only the latest scandal connected with C Street House, a Washington, D.C.-based political fraternity and Christian fellowship home.

Lessons From Texas?

The Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District can take a lesson from Fort Worth, Texas, Waggoner Engineering owner Joe Waggoner said at the Oct. 27 Levee Board meeting.

Respect for the City

Campaign adviser and lobbyist Quentin Whitwell is looking to get his own campaign moving this year. Whitwell, 38, announced to supporters last month that he plans to run for the Ward 1 Jackson City Council seat that Councilman Jeff Weill will vacate in January to take his seat as a judge in Hinds County Circuit Court.

Dirty Debris?

Garrett Enterprises owner Socrates Garrett said his company and subcontractors have already removed more than half the debris lining the streets after tornado winds tore through the Jackson area last month.

The Tangled Web of Hate

The Southern Poverty Law Center counts the Council of Conservative Citizens as a "Neo-Confederate" hate group, which, like the more radical League of the South, fights for the rights of "the Confederacy." The CofCC stops short of calling for a second secession from the Union. Neo-Confederates unite behind goals of preserving Confederate monuments and honoring the Confederate battle flag, in addition to fostering "pro-white," anti-immigrant politics.

That Damned Docket

City Council members questioned the city's payments to contractors and temp agencies—called the "claims docket"—yet again at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

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