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Soulforce Does MC, Again

Lined up side-by-side, about 20 people stood on a sidewalk covered in chalk peace signs and messages like "God loves all."

The Lingering Effect of Dispersants

Even though the Federal Drug Administration and other U.S. agencies remain confident that oil and dispersants are not tainting Gulf seafood, the jury is still out, according to some tests and opinions.

Protesters Rally Support at A-1 Pallets

Between 10 a.m. and noon on Friday, drivers on Mill Street honked their horns, encouraging eight protesters who walked up and down the length of A-1 Pallets with signs that read, "Wake Up Jackson". The silent protest came on the helm of last Friday's ruling to grant owners Charlotte and Monte Reeves an order extending the temporary restraining order against the city, its officials and contractors.

Medicaid Boots Kids

Deborah Edmonson, a parent attending a Nov. 4 legislative hearing on Medicaid, said the state rejected her Down syndrome daughter for aid, even though the U.S. Department of Disability Services guidelines say she qualifies.

City Eyes Water Hikes

The city of Jackson is eyeing water and sewer fee hikes this year.

Biden Buzzes, Bites and Brays

Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Delaware, will headline the April 22 Democratic Elected Officials Appreciation Dinner at the Jackson Trade Mart Building on the Mississippi Fairgrounds.

Immigrants, Reform, and You

Republicans throughout the country, especially in the South, have raked "ObamaCare" over the coals, swearing that the president is paving the way for free health care to illegal immigrants.

A House Divided

Photo Brian Johnson

Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes called for the election of a new council president last week and thus the ousting of Ward 6 Councilman Marshand Crisler, who has occupied the post as council president for ten months, following his return from Iraq. But Stokes said Crisler is fomenting discord in the council chambers against Jackson Mayor Frank Melton. He also heavily criticized the council president for calling off last week's meeting when it became clear that the mayor had denied access to the council chambers by city TV cameras. The council later reconvened just long enough to vote on some budget matters before dispersing—putting some budget items at risk.

Home, Bittersweet Home

Mary Johnson was a resident of Rose Street back when Rose Street looked very different from how it looks now. In many ways, the story of Johnson is the story of Jackson's demographic history. Johnson had a house at the corner of Rose and Central Street. Though staunchly segregated, the black version of Jackson sat mere streets away from her. Sharing her local neighborhood in the 1960s, she says, were Ku Klux Klan members, people with possible connections to countless terrorist activities against black people, all while living mere streets away from their black neighbors.

Who Was That Badged Man?

Melton learned recently that people outside of Jackson get nervous when civilians pose as licensed law enforcement officers. Staff members at the office of U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson report that the congressman got a little shaky when Melton—who is not a licensed member of law enforcement—wore a badge claiming he was. Thompson's chief aide Lanier Avant said Thompson was more edgy knowing that the badge allowed Melton to carry a firearm into his congressional office.

Mason: No Plans for Public Input on Merger

As Jackson State University President Ronald Mason Jr. shook hands at a forum last Friday at Koinonia Coffee House in Jackson, he sought to quell concerns about a possible HBCU merger idea he floated to legislators last month. He maintained that his proposal was merely "an idea that was leaked."

McLemore Launches Beautification Project

Operation Keep Jackson Beautiful, a citywide project that launched Monday, June 1, includes several initiatives, including trash removal, an anti-litter campaign and the seeding of vacant lots with flowers and shrubs.

Guv Candidate Looking Across Aisle?

Not surprisingly in a state where innuendo can be more common than facts, rumors are swirling around connections that a Democratic contender for the governor's mansions might have. This time, though, the rumors are about probable candidate Bill Luckett and possible connections with conservative Republicansconnections he denies.

Danks: Do Developer Due Diligence

Developer John Disotell and the city of Jackson recently approved a memorandum of understanding to tear down the Smith-Wills stadium and build an enclosed sports arena, but the agreement is drawing scrutiny.

‘Get Out Of The Way'

"If we don't take care of this soon, the situation will just linger and draw attention," said Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon. "We need to take care of this quickly. It's been going on too long as it is."

Fishing in Democratic Waters

Hinds County Republican Party Chairman Pete Perry is down on the Coast this week, looking for voter irregularities in a Democratic Senate district.

As the Budget Turns

After several stalled attempts, Jackson Mayor Frank Melton presented an overview of his revised budget to the City Council at a Monday evening work session. The new budget, which must be approved by Sept. 15, does not contain the $2.6 million tax increase of the old budget, but does recommend some painful cuts.

State Medicaid Drops 55,000 Children

A new program requiring face-to-face meetings for Medicaid recipients has contributed to over 55,000 children being dropped from state rolls. At a meeting of the Legislative Budget Committee last Thursday, Bob Robinson, executive director of the state's division of Medicaid, presented the agency's proposed budget to legislators and lauded the reduction in rolls for the money it had saved the state.

The King Gets Another Reprieve

In the nick of time, the Mississippi Senate approved an amendment this week that would provide a $2 million interest-free loan to the Jackson Redevelopment Authority to fund environmental cleanup and handle other preliminary costs associated with the redevelopment of the King Edward Hotel. The move came after the current developers of the King Edward Hotel learned that the city's application for its elusive $2 million BEDI environmental grant—needed to move the project forward—had once again hit a snag.

No Confidence in City Attorney

As the JFP goes to press, City Council is set to hold a vote of no confidence in City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly-Evans at the May 22 council meeting. Council members Margaret Barrett-Simon, Leslie McLemore, Marshand Crisler and Council President Ben Allen sponsored the resolution.

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