Stories for February 2020 | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Stories for February 2020

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Friday, February 28

Tease photo Health Care

Mississippi Receives Grant to Fight High Rates of HIV/AIDS

As Mississippi continues to experience high HIV/AIDS infection rates, a federal grant aims to support the state in fighting the epidemic.

Tease photo Person of the Day

Melony Armstrong: Braiding Pioneer

The transition from being a professional hair braider looking to make a living to suing the State Board of Cosmetology in 2004 and lobbying her own hair bill in 2005 …

Thursday, February 27

Tease photo City & County

'One Lake' Critics Sound Alarms on Bridges, Environment, Industry Effects

Environmentalists are sounding alarms over concerns that the Levee Board is misrepresenting alternative solutions to Jackson's flooding woes in favor of lucrative property-development opportunities.

Tease photo Education

USM Theater Program, UM Business Program and MSU/ECCC Partnership

The University of Southern Mississippi's theater program will host its 15th annual Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience at the USM campus in Hattiesburg from July 6-17. The program is for children …

Tease photo City & County

OPINION: Stop Talking About Corruption: The Nature of Ethnic Patronage Politics

"Corruption implies dishonesty, sleaze and fraud. Historically, such corruption has taken the form of kickbacks and favoritism to supporters of electoral campaigns. ... Is Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's regime thus …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Rickea Jackson

Freshman forward Rickea Jackson was the Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year for 2018 and 2019. She was the Michigan Player of the Year in 2019, 2019 Michigan Miss Basketball, …

Tease photo Politics

Mississippi Mulls Checking Tax Info of Welfare Recipients

Mississippi is moving toward more intense scrutiny of low-income people on public assistance, an action that comes as a former state welfare director and five other people have been charged …

Wednesday, February 26

Tease photo Crime

New Lawsuit: Mississippi Prison Has 'Abhorrent Conditions'

The Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman is a violent, rat-infested place where inmates live in “abhorrent conditions” and their medical needs are routinely ignored, attorneys say in a new lawsuit …

Tease photo Civil Rights

House Makes Lynching a Federal Crime, 65 Years After Till

Sixty-five years after 14-year-old Emmett Till was lynched in Mississippi, the House has approved legislation designating lynching as a hate crime under federal law.

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Ole Miss Apologizes to Black Protesters Arrested in 1970

The University of Mississippi has apologized to dozens of African Americans who were arrested in 1970 for protesting racial inequality on the mostly white campus where Confederate images were a …

Tease photo City & County

Jackson's Food Insecurity Focus in April Expo

In a state where one in four children go to bed hungry at night, solutions to the food insecurity that plagues Jackson are the goal of a series of public …

Tuesday, February 25

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OPINION: Reckoning the Right Leader for Jackson State University

"I have no interest in being considered as the next president at Jackson State, but I do have some constructive suggestions and formative recommendations for the Jacksonians who will hopefully …

Tease photo Immigration

Immigrants, Activists Call For Rights at State Capitol

Jeimy Viveros wants those who come after her to have a better shot at their dreams. She came to the Mississippi Capitol to advocate for in-state tuition for all residents …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Patrick Harkins: A Businessman with a Band

"I like to work with the mantra of positivity and doing the best we can every day to give our community the gift of music," says Patrick Harkins, owner of …

Monday, February 24

Tease photo National

OPINION: Trump Presidency Shows 'Whiteness' Protects 'Whiteness' at All Costs

"What we are witnessing now is the rise and solidification of an authoritarian president in the U.S. who has no respect for the fundamental values that the American Constitution holds …

Tease photo Crime

Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty in Landmark #MeToo Moment

Harvey Weinstein was convicted Monday of rape and sexual assault against two women and was immediately handcuffed and led off to jail, sealing his dizzying fall from powerful Hollywood studio …

Tease photo Biz Roundup

Gumbo Girl Moves to Ridgeland, Thrive @ Work Luncheon and Trustmark Brandon

Marilyn and James Kithuka, owners of Gumbo Girl, recently moved their restaurant from Highway 18 in Jackson to a new, larger location at 900 E. County Line Road in Ridgeland, …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Carlis Daniels-Hinton

Born in 1951, Carlis Daniels-Hinton has seen African Americans go from not being allowed to walk on Biloxi beach to thousands hanging out in swimsuits along U.S. 90 during the …

Friday, February 21

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Levees Worked Well in Jackson Flood, But ‘One Lake’ Still District’s Choice

"I'm glad we're conducting the meeting today. I'm glad we can dispel some of the rumors and some of the myths about the One Lake project," Hinds County District 1 …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Isaac Carter: New Head Coach at Millsaps

Millsaps College named head football coach Aaron Pelch full-time athletic director in January 2020, leaving the school in need of a full-time head football coach. After searching, Millsaps hired Isaac …

Tease photo Crime

Five Plead Not Guilty in Welfare Fraud Case in Mississippi

Trial dates have been set for the former head of Mississippi's welfare agency and some of the other people charged with misusing money that was intended to help needy people …

Thursday, February 20

Tease photo Personhood

Appeals Court Keeps Block on Mississippi 6-Week Abortion Ban

A federal appeals court is keeping a block on a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions as early as about six weeks—a stage when many women may not even …

Tease photo City & County

OPINION: Hindsight 2020: Jackson Flooding and 40 years of Failed Solutions

"The flooding of the Pearl River in early 2020 has led to high water moving into neighborhoods and businesses, while many simultaneously want a 'flood control' plan for Jackson. These …

Tease photo City & County

City of Jackson Reaches $89.8 Million Settlement with Siemens

The City of Jackson has reached a $89.8 million settlement with Siemens Inc., Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba announced yesterday.

Tease photo Education

MSU Lantern Project, Sonic Boom at CBDNA Conference and USM Military Friendly List

Mississippi State University Libraries is partnering other universities for the Lantern Project, which aims to create Mississippi's first institutionally supported digital database of legal records identifying victims of slavery.

Tease photo Crime

Trump Ally Roger Stone Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Prison

Trump loyalist and ally Roger Stone was sentenced Thursday to more than three years in federal prison, following an extraordinary move by Attorney General William Barr to back off his …

Wednesday, February 19

Tease photo City & County

Mayor Lumumba Announces $89 Million Settlement from Siemens

"Today, I am pleased to announce that we have recovered every penny that was taken from our community by the Siemens Corporation. We have settled with Siemens for the full …

Tease photo Fly

Five Things to Know About Seyma Bayram, JFP City Reporter

"In my position, I ask people questions, listen, read a lot, file public-records requests, attend public meetings—and try to translate all of this into coherent stories with the goal of …

Tease photo Food

Lemon Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

A pitfall of life is to take the important people in our lives for granted, so making an effort to express our appreciation for one another can be critical. One …

Tease photo Music

Laeland, Ryan Warnick Take Center Stage at Jackson Indie Music Week Showcase

Bradley Davis, better known as Laeland, performed for an artist showcase during Jackson Indie Music Week.

Tease photo Fly

NatureFEST 2020

Spring is the season we often remember nature, and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science provides a celebration of nature each year through its annual event, NatureFEST.

Tease photo Fly

Mississippi ToyCon 2020

Many hobbyists await the day that a convention for their favorite pastime comes to their state. Local toy collectors can now cheer as the first-ever Mississippi ToyCon takes place on …

Tease photo Theater

‘The Little Mermaid’

Each year, Power Academic and Performing Arts Complex, or Power APAC, produces a ballet for February featuring an all-student cast. This year, the dance department offers an adaptation of "The …

Tease photo Politics

OPINION: Exceptional White Men, It’s Time for a Reckoning

Donald J. Trump's impeachment acquittal was a victory for white male mediocrity. The majority of the 69 white men in the U.S. Senate, engaged in a succession of choices that …

Tease photo City & County

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Mr. Mayor, Don’t Let ‘One Lake’ Be Your ‘Siemens’

"The mayor is clearly trying to express support for the people who are experiencing flooding this week. But this isn't (just) about sturgeon, Mr. Mayor. And I sincerely encourage you …

Tease photo Jacksonian

Brenda Marie Johnson-Manuel

Brenda Marie Johnson-Manuel, event coordinator and event manager for the Mississippi e-Center at Jackson State University, has served with the organization since Sept. 17, 2007, when she joined the center …

Tease photo Crime

The TANF Players

Since the last issue, a huge corruption scandal hit Mississippi with allegations of theft inside a State agency working with prominent Mississippians, Republican donors and former pro wrestlers. Here are …

Tease photo Health Care

Reform By Any Other Name

Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Sen. Angela Turner-Ford stressed the material realities of the black experience in Mississippi as the group unveiled its agenda for 2020, with health justice and Medicaid …

Tease photo City & County

State Auditor Looking at City Contract; Flooding, Water Quality Plagues Jackson

Chief Administrative Officer Robert Blaine drew a unanimous censure from the Jackson City Council following an administrative error in a City contract with a prominent backer of Mayor Chokwe A. …

Tease photo City & County

West Jackson Creek Woes Become ‘One Lake’ Pitch

A public meeting in west Jackson to debate solutions to recent flash floods quickly turned into an impromptu pitch for the "One Lake Project" from three Hinds County supervisors and …

Tuesday, February 18

Tease photo City & County

Pearl River Crests and 500 Homes Flood Amid Stew of Chemicals, Tainted Sewage

The Pearl River crested Monday at 36.8 feet, inundating the City of Jackson with quickly creeping floodwaters. The waters reached a lower high-water mark than the worst-case scenario forecast of …

Tease photo Crime

Another Mississippi Inmate Dies; No Signs of Injuries

A 42-year-old inmate has died in Mississippi, making him at least the 18th prisoner to die in the state's troubled prison system since late December, corrections officials said Sunday.

Tease photo Biz Roundup

Native Coffee, Sweetie Pie's Reopens and 1908 Provisions Dinner Service

Matt Flinn, a former North Carolina resident who moved to Jackson with his wife, Anna, will open a new coffee shop in Belhaven called Native Coffee in March 2020, inside …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Nikelle Galatas

After dropping the opening game of the 2020 baseball season to Southern Illinois University, Jackson State University gave the ball to its best pitcher. Preseason SWAC Pitcher of the Year …

Friday, February 14

Tease photo Personhood

GOP Wants to Override Jackson's Abortion Clinic 'Buffer Zone' Law

Jackson's medical facility "buffer zone" law, which minimizes protest activities in the immediate vicinity of the state's only abortion clinic, may be short-lived if a Republicans bill in the Mississippi …

Tease photo Person of the Day

The Man Behind the Column: Exploring Eric Stringfellow and His Legacy

Journalist and former Clarion-Ledger columnist Eric Stringfellow has passed away at the age of 59 after a brief battle with cancer.

Tease photo City & County

After Flooding Evacuation Order, City Will Not Send Help to Barricaded Areas

Mayor Chokwe Lumumba ordered Jackson residents living near the Pearl River to evacuate their homes in anticipation of massive flooding this Saturday and beyond, as of noon today.

Tease photo City & County

REVISED: Precautionary Citywide Boil Water Notice for Jackson

The City of Jackson Water/Sewer Utilities Division has issued a city-wide precautionary boil water advisory until proof of compliance for turbidity levels has been submitted and approved by MSDH.

Thursday, February 13

Tease photo Politics

OPINION: Black Mothers Harmed Most by Withheld, Missing TANF Funds

For the past several years, Mississippi has been ground zero for a growing crisis as thousands of its low-income residents, primarily single, black mothers, were being turned away from a …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Steve Demetropoulos Wins Special Election to Become Pascagoula Mayor

Dr. Steve Demetropoulos, a family physician, has been elected mayor of Pascagoula on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Tease photo City & County

UPDATED: City Declares State of Emergency, Orders Flood Evacuation for Northeast Jackson Residents Near Pearl River

The Pearl River is expected to crest at 35.5 feet by Saturday morning, the National Weather Service reports, one foot higher than the river reached during last month's catastrophic flooding.

Tease photo Education

New JSU Acting President, MSU Ragtime and Jazz Festival and MSU/UM Dual Degree Program

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning named Thomas Hudson as the university's acting president after former president William Bynum Jr. resigned Monday after being arrested in …

Tease photo National

Senate Moves Toward Vote Restraining Trump on Iran

A bipartisan measure limiting President Donald Trump's authority to launch military operations against Iran is moving toward approval in the Senate.

Tease photo Crime

Smollett Case Revives Questions on Laquan McDonald, Justice

When a grand jury revived the criminal case against Jussie Smollett, the indictment for many people called to mind two nights on two different streets in the same big city.

Wednesday, February 12

Tease photo Crime

Hearing: Formerly Incarcerated Seeking Employment Need Solutions, 'Ban the Box'

Formerly incarcerated Mississippians who are entering the workforce continue to face obstacles to employment, advocates testified Tuesday at the Mississippi Capitol during a Senate Labor Committee hearing.

Tease photo National

OPINION: Democrats, Leverage Our Blessings, Move Toward Unity and Activism

"Our duty is clear. We must endeavor to leverage the blessings we enjoy into the noblest of all pursuits: we must make a better world together. The Democratic Party is …

Tease photo Politics

Mississippi Could Verify Income of People Getting Public Aid

Mississippi senators clashed Tuesday before passing a bill to let the state auditor see tax returns to verify the income of people enrolled in Medicaid or other public assistance programs.

Tuesday, February 11

Tease photo Crime

Alleged TANF Fraud Follows Years of Individual Recipient Rejections

The State of Mississippi refusing to distribute money allocated to help the poor is not new. The Jackson Free Press reported in 2017 that the State has winnowed down TANF …

Tease photo Civil Rights

OPINION: Mississippi Needs Equal Employment Opportunity for All

"If equal employment opportunity for all was the law of the state, Mississippi workers could rest assured they could work to make a living for themselves and their families without …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Kristen Brandt

The Mississippi Arts Commission named Flowood resident Kristen Brandt as arts industry director of Mississippi Poet Laureate, which names the official state poet every four years, in September 2019.

Tease photo Civil Rights

Congressman Lewis to Receive NAACP Honor at Awards Show

The NAACP will honor John Lewis for his Congressional service and long history as a civil rights activist by presenting him the Chairman's Award at its annual arts and entertainment …

Monday, February 10

Tease photo Crime

JSU President Bynum Resigns After Bust in Prostitution Sting

William Bynum Jr., the president of Jackson State University, resigned Monday after he was arrested in a prostitution sting in central Mississippi.

Tease photo Biz Roundup

Honey Hush, Mississippi Gem and Mineral Show and BrickUniverse LEGO Convention

Jackson native Chad Segrest, owner of Beagle Bagel Madison and the Atlas Greek Down South food stall at Cultivation Food Hall, opened a second food stall at Cultivation called Honey …

Friday, February 7

Tease photo Politics

OPINION: The Black Vote Is Not For Sale

"As we approach the 2020 election, we must ensure issues affecting our communities and our livelihoods are brought to the table and that we have a real voice in moving …

Tease photo Crime

'Sprawling Conspiracy' Ensnares Voucher Beneficiaries, Republican Donors

At least two people who donated significant sums to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves' campaign allegedly engaged in what the state's top elected official calls a "disgusting abuse of power."

Tease photo Person of the Day

Azaria Howard

Mississippi Valley State University women's basketball junior center Azaria Howard, one of this season's impressive players, earned Co-Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Week after her games against Jackson State …

Thursday, February 6

Tease photo City & County

City Council Censures CAO Blaine, Pursues Litigation Against Contractor

The Jackson City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to censure Chief Administrative Officer Robert Blaine following an administrative error in a City contract that resulted in the City of Jackson paying …

Tease photo City & County

JSU Center for Innovation, Science Night at the Museums and Bower Academic Center

Jackson State University held a grand opening for its new Center for Innovation, located on the second floor of the H.T. Sampson Library, on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Tease photo Music

Tab Benoit: The Bayou Meets the Blues

How does a Cajun from Little Caillou, Louisiana get the blues? Tab Benoit lets loose a throaty guffaw when asked this question, fully appreciating the incongruity of who he is …

Tease photo Crime

OPINION: Prison Reform and the State: The Impending Confrontation

The prison-reform rallies held at the Mississippi Capitol on Jan. 24 and Feb. 1, 2020, at the Governor's Mansion are evidence that dubious government-approved rallies don't just happen in "communist" …

Tease photo National

Trump Unleashes Fury at Impeachment Enemies at Prayer Event

President Donald Trump unleashed his fury against those who tried to remove him from office at a prayer breakfast Thursday, a day after his acquittal by the Senate in his …

Wednesday, February 5

Tease photo Politics

John Davis, Nancy New and Others Arrested in Massive Embezzlement Scheme

Special agents from the office of State Auditor Shad White have arrested John Davis, the former Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services; Nancy New, owner and Director of …

Tease photo Crime

Judge: Mississippi Parole Officers 'Underpaid & Overworked'

As Mississippi lawmakers seek ways to improve a prison system shaken by recent deadly violence, a related problem is looming: A judge said Tuesday that parole officers are “woefully underpaid …

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2020 Power Couples

The Jackson area is proud to claim a number of power couples that use their bonds to accomplish great things or otherwise positively affect the community.

Tease photo Fly

Top 10: Susan Farris

As the marketing manager for Mangia Bene Inc., Susan Farris handles marketing responsibilities for BRAVO!, Broad Street and Sal & Mookie's.

Tease photo Music

‘Keeping the Blues Alive’ at Hal & Mal’s

Each year, The Blues Foundation, known as the International Blues Foundation, recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations, and festivals from across the globe that have invested years and effort into upholding the …

Tease photo Theater

Mac Mitchell: Playwright Takes Flight

College can often be the time when we discover more about ourselves in a way that helps guide us as we choose the trajectories of our lives. Mac Mitchell entered …

Tease photo Food

Winner, Winner, Valentine’s Dinner

There are plenty of local businesses and restaurants to treat your partner to this Valentine’s Day.

Tease photo City & County

OPINION: Hinds County Mississippi Defies ADA, and Wins

"Instead of complying with ADA and living our motto of being "The Hospitality State," Hinds County fights tooth and nail every step of the way and, by doing so, reinforces …

Tease photo Politics

Teacher Pay, Prison Reform, Horn Lake Dem Tentative Winners So Far

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann began the process of raising teacher pay on Thursday, Jan. 30. Senate Bill 2001 proposes a $1,000 raise for all public-school teachers in the state. The …

Tease photo City & County

EDITOR'S NOTE: In Love, Life and Work, Do the Right Thing and Wait

"The word 'power is often misused. It's not about money or controlling everything. To me, showing unconditional love for a partner, a city, a state or a nation through the …

Tease photo Jacksonian

Casey Spell

Pearl native and resident Casey Spell has never felt too busy to take on another activity or responsibility, as he is presently working his way through medical school while also …

Tuesday, February 4

Tease photo Education

OPINION: The W Pushes Back on Gov. Reeves' Attack on Gender Studies

Mississippi University for Women President Nora Roberts Miller publicly challenged Gov. Tate Reeves’ criticism of gender studies in his State of the State address. "Gender studies and other areas of …

Tease photo Biz Roundup

Grand Opening for Elvie’s and District Drugs, La Brioche Expands Menu

Hunter Evans, a Jackson chef who previously worked as chef de cuisine at Lou’s Full-Serv in Jackson since 2015, held a grand opening for his own restaurant, Elvie’s, on Monday, …

Monday, February 3

Tease photo National

OPINION: I Quit the Republican Party! I Will Now Work Against GOP, Trump

"The Republican Party is now under the complete control of our new national dictator, Donald J. Trump. In the most horrifying display of self-abasement ever seen in the proud history …

Tease photo City & County

Disabled Children Losing Medicaid Coverage, Families Desperate for Help

The Mississippi Division of Medicaid announced last June that Alliant Health Solutions would replace eQHealth Solutions as the third-party vendor responsible for assessing applicants' eligibility for Medicaid, starting Aug. 1.

Tease photo City & County

Jackson Holding Active Shooter Drill

The city of Jackson is conducting a major active shooter drill downtown Monday afternoon. The drill will simulate a casualty event and will be designed to appear realistic to test …

Tease photo Person of the Day

Juan Barnett: Chairman Says Prisons Should Not be Warehouses

Democratic Sen. Juan Barnett of Heidelberg said in an interview Thursday that prisons need to be more than warehouses. He also said Mississippi needs to do a better job of …