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Marie Weidmayer

Stories by Marie

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Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

Before Whitney Anglin and Jeff Sharp married on June 23 at Algiers Point in New Orleans, they had an engagement party at the apartment of Fondren Barber Shop and William Wallace Salon owners Eddie Outlaw and Justin McPherson Outlaw on June 16 in Fondren.

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Vetting the ‘One Lake’ Project

The Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District, often called the Levee Board, is supporting the "One Lake" plan, the latest version of a years-long strategy to create a lake development along the Pearl River through Jackson.

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Italiana Anderson

Italiana Anderson spent three days in Orange County, Texas, in September 2017, working with four other students and two assistant professors from the University of Mississippi to produce a multimedia project about a Mississippi church's relief efforts in the community after Hurricane Harvey devastated the area.

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$65 Million Bond for JPS Passes in Landslide

The crowd of Jackson Public Schools Board members, students and parents was joyous when they received news that the bond referendum passed on Tuesday night.

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Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith Draws Key Manufacturers Association Endorsement

The Mississippi Manufacturers Association endorsed United States Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith for election to the U.S. Senate seat she is holds temporarily.

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JPS Bond Vote: 'It's So Integral to the Success of Every One of Us Students'

Jackson Public Schools officials and supporters of Tuesday's bond referendum held a press conference Monday, Aug. 6.

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Parkland Teens in Jackson: 'We Can't Turn Away from These States'

The "March For Our Lives: Road to Change" students held a town hall in Thalia Mara Hall on Aug. 2. It featured students from Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School and students from the metro Jackson area.

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City Manager, Not the Mayor, Would Run Jackson Under Proposal

A city manager, rather than the mayor, would run Jackson under a new proposal presented this week. Ward 4 Councilman De'Keither Stamps proposed changing the form of local government in Jackson at the council's July 31 meeting.

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JPS Sets Up Bond Oversight Committee for $65 Million on Ballot Aug. 7

If the $65-million bond passes on Aug. 7, the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees have framework in place to create a bond oversight committee.

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UPDATED: March For Our Lives Students to Stop in Jackson Aug. 2, Host Town Hall

On Feb. 18, a gunman killed 17 students and staff, and injured 17 more at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. The students who survived, and then formed the March For Our Lives organization and movement, will be in Jackson on Aug. 2.

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Jail Time for Dilapidated Property in Jackson?

Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks wants to create a safer 1-mile radius around schools in the City of Jackson by making it a crime to own unkempt abandoned properties.

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Jackson Budget Audit Submitted 22 Days Late Due to Errors Dating to 2001

The comprehensive annual finance report, or CAFR, was due on June 30, but the City of Jackson sent it to the State of Mississippi on July 22—22 days after it was due, financial consultant Michelle Thomas said at a press conference on July 30.

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JPS Bond Should Pass, Working Together Jackson Says

Working Together Jackson pledged to bring at least 2,000 "yes" votes to Jackson Public School's bond referendum on Aug. 7.

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Republican Women Honored for Work Against Human Trafficking in State

Republican Mississippi women are helping to help end human sex trafficking and help its victims, a prominent Jackson-area domestic-violence organization said Monday.

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One Lake's 'Controlled Meeting' a 'Propaganda Machine' To Some Attendees

The potential for outrage, raised voices and loud arguments at the One Lake Public Meeting was never recognized. But, One Lake project members were prepared for the possibility for pushback against their plan to create redevelop a section of the Pearl River through Jackson, while promising flood-control benefits.

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The Future of Foster Care in Mississippi

Foster care in Mississippi is facing a financial crisis. The budget for the 2019 fiscal year is $23 million short, stretching an already-thin budget even further.

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Bond Supporters: ‘We’re Hoping for Change’

Teachers, students and Jackson Public Schools board members filled the community center in Jackson on July 17 for a people's assembly in support of the upcoming $65-million bond referendum.

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Task Force Draft: Release Names in Officer-involved Shootings Within 48 Hours

The Officer ID Task Force met Monday night to discuss a draft of a policy to identify Jackson police officers who shoot people. The draft policy says the City will release the names the officers who discharge their guns within 48 hours.

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Congress Street Undergoing Overhaul Near City Hall, Due to AARP Grant

A grant from nonprofit AARP will help transform a stretch of Congress Street into a more pedestrian-friendly area, a press release from the City of Jackson says.

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Dorothy Stewart Samuel

Dorothy Stewart Samuel, who died at the age of 80 on Friday, July 6, was a visionary, educator and activist, daughter Angela Stewart says.

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The City of Jackson May Win $1 Million to Fund Public Art

The City of Jackson could win $1 million to fund public-art installations from Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge.

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City Violated Water Treatment Procedure, Still Safe to Drink

The City of Jackson violated technical policies in treating water at the O.B Curtis Water Treatment Plant. It affects all water customers, except those on the well system.

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Children Graduate from JPD Citizens' Academy

More than 20 children between the ages of 7 and 12 graduated from the Jackson Youth Citizen's Police Academy on Friday, July 13.

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Black Votes Not as Strong as White Ones in Legislative District, Lawsuit Says

African American votes do not hold the same weight as white votes in Mississippi's 22nd District, a new lawsuit alleges. State Senate District 22 includes part of Cleveland, Yazoo City, Madison and Canton.

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JPS Needs Help Filling a Bus with School Supplies for Students

Jackson Public Schools start Wednesday, Aug. 8, and JPS organized a "Stuff the Bus" campaign to provide students with the supplies they need.

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Mississippi Immigrants: Organize Against ‘Atrocities’

"Get out of our country, you don't belong!" When Melinda Medina hears those words, she feels sad for the person targeting her as a Hispanic woman who descends from a Mexican family.

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Help Jackson Stuff a Truck with School Supplies for JPS Students

With Jackson Public Schools starting in less than a month, the City started a campaign to equip students with supplies they'll need.

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State Argues Against Receivership for Mississippi Foster Care

The State of Mississippi claims the quality of foster care is improving here despite a legal filing saying it is still not complying with court-ordered regulations. A federal judge set requirements for the State as part of the "Olivia Y" lawsuit.

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Early College Coming to Jackson Public Schools

Freshmen at Jackson Public Schools now have the opportunity to graduate from high school with an associate's degree at no cost to them. JPS partnered with Tougaloo College to offer Early College High School to 49 freshmen.

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Reduced Tuition to Strayer University Available for City Employees

Reduced tuition to Strayer University is now available for City of Jackson employees and immediate family members with a new partnership.

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Board: New JPS Superintendent Appointed by Start of School Year

Jackson Public Schools and students should have a new superintendent before the first day of school on Aug. 8, Board of Trustees Vice President Ed Sivak told the Jackson Free Press.

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Cooling Centers Help Senior Citizens Through Dog Days of Summer

As we enter the dog days of summer—the hottest of season—the City of Jackson is offering free cooling stations for senior citizens ages 60 and older.

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Guest Wins Run-Off: 'All I Can Say is Thank You'

The celebratory atmosphere filled Mudbugs in Brandon—even before the primary run-off results came in. The crowd knew their candidate, Michael Guest, would win the Republican nomination for the Third U.S. Congressional District, and he did.

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Dowell Taylor

Belzoni native Dowell Taylor, 64, is once again the director of bands for Jackson State University and an inductee to the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.

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Last-Hour Jobs for Youth?

Tensions ran high at the third Jackson City Council meeting in a week during discussions about funding for the Mayor's Youth Initiative Summer Youth Employment Program that is supposed to train young people age 16 to 24 to code and develop apps.

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UPDATE: Run-off Issues: What Candidates Support, Believe; Vote Today Until 7 p.m.

Two spots on the November ballot are up for grabs today, as Mississippians head to the polls for a run-off election.

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Low Turnout Expected for June 26 Run-Off Election, Secretary of State Predicts

The run-off election on June 26 likely will have low turnout, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said at a press conference on June 21.

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Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus Wants Recall of Troops from Border

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is asking Gov. Phil Bryant to recall the Mississippi National Guard from the U.S.' southern border and refuse to send more troops.

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VIDEO: Jacksonians Weigh In on What the City Needs

Less crime, better roads and more businesses will make the city better, Jacksonians say. The Jackson Free Press conducted person-on-the-street interviews, asking people what they would like to see come to the city.

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Citizens' Police Academy Graduates 30 People

About 30 Jacksonians are now official ambassadors between the local police and the community after graduating from the Jackson Police Citizen's Police Academy on June 18.

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Whit Hughes: 'Ready to Fight' in Congress

In a recent interview with the Jackson Free Press, Whit Hughes did not veer far from the established Republican line his mentor Haley Barbour made popular—low taxes, scant regulations (including on guns), no abortion rights, and less reliance on federal educational standards.

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White Supremacy Protesters Burn Confederate Flag Near Governor's Mansion

The charred remains of a replica Confederate Flag and a Mississippi flag lay on the sidewalk outside the Mississippi Governor's Mansion Monday afternoon in protest of white supremacy.

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IBC Moves Beyond Tutus and Pointe Shoes with Competition Fierce

Tutus and pointe shoes were scarce during round two of the USA International Ballet Competition, as dancers performed contemporary pieces.

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International Ballet Competition Announces Round-Two Dancers

A total of 44 dancers from this year's USA International Ballet Competition are moving on to round two. A jury narrowed the field from 92 dancers Thursday night, after the eight sessions from round one at Thalia Mara Hall.

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City’s 3-1-1 Approach to Road Hazards Changes

The City of Jackson changed how it responds to calls regarding road issues after the fatal crash on May 17—by adding more phone numbers to call to report issues.

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At the Watch Parties: Guest Praises God; 'Underdog' Hughes Vows to Fight

Supporters wearing red, white and blue "Michael Guest for Congress" shirts filled Mudbugs in Brandon Tuesday night as supporters gathered for primary election results.

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Hope Crenshaw

Hope Crenshaw, 35, wants to better educate youth about sexual and reproductive health in her role as the new executive director of Teen Health Mississippi, based in Jackson.

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Turmoil in Pelahatchie: Mayor, Board Don’t Agree

A former Pelahatchie city clerk choked back tears in the backroom of Penn's Fish House in Brandon, as she described the events that caused her to walk out of the job on March 7. Ruby Burns-Ward said Mayor Ryshonda Harper Beechem created an environment of fear in City Hall, so she left a job she loved.

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Voter Turnout Low in Jackson at Mid-day; Polls Open Until 7 p.m.

Turnout in the primary election is low, poll workers say. At the People's Funeral Home, in District 2, they had 10 ballots cast as 12:30 p.m., all for Democrats.

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Vote Until 7 p.m. in Mississippi Primaries, Plus Candidate Questionnaires

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, June 5, for Mississippians to cast their vote in the primary election to fill the state's congressional seats.

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