Stories for July 2008 | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Stories for July 2008

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Thursday, July 31

Sports

USM To Retire Reggie Collier's Number

From Southern Miss sports information:

You can't wear No. 10 if you play football for Southern Miss anymore. The school is going to retire the former quarterback's No. 10 jersey on Oct. 11.

Jackblog

Just Let Him Play

I'm going to take a radical stance on the whole Brett Favre situation: just let him play.

After Packer president Mark Murphy flew down to Hattiesburg Tuesday night to offer Brett $20 million over 10 years to stay away from football, it has become more clear than ...

Politics

Haley Barbour: ‘You Gotta Admire Obama's Nerve'

July 31, 2008 - Following are verbatim remarks by Gov. Haley Barbour at the Neshoba County Fair today in Philadlphia, Miss.:

Jackblog

Is Shoe About to Fall on Trent Lott?

Well, the man state Republicans used to adore regardless of what he did may be about to fall even harder: The Associated Press reports that State Farm attorneys are alleging ...

Wednesday, July 30

Tease photo

Getting a Grip on Crime

With his head low and hands clasped together, Larry Nelson Sr. begins to talk about his son, Larry Nelson Jr., who, without his family's knowledge, fell deep into gang activity ...

Domestic Violence

UPDATED: Barbour Helps Domestic Killers

At least three of six criminals getting relief from Gov. Haley Barbour killed their former or current wife or girlfriend.

Talk

More Judicial Horseplay?

Imprisoned attorney Paul Minor is arguing in Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal filings that presiding U.S. Southern District Court Judge Henry Wingate showed bias against the defense in his 2007 ...

Tease photo Jacksonian

Merrill Thomas

As a sixth-grade student, the thought of middle-school science was intimidating. However, when I met my teacher, Mrs. Merrill Thomas, all my inhibitions went away.

Talk

Hurricane-Hit Hancock Losing Out

Only a fraction of federal money reserved for re-construction in Hurricane Katrina-damaged areas actually went to the county with some of the most egregious damage, a Government Accountability Office report ...

Tease photo Politics

Nader 'Spoiling' McCain?

Independent Party presidential hopeful Ralph Nader asked Jackson supporters this weekend to sign a petition to include him on the Mississippi ballot in November. Nader's Independent Party requires at least ...

Tease photo Books

The Beginning

The Mississippi Sovereignty Commission, a state agency that spied on the activities of civil rights supporters, was what first led Eric Etheridge to the haunting mug shots of the Freedom ...

Tease photo Cover

Freedom Riders

<b><u>Summer Of Freedom</u></b>

In 1961 civil-rights leaders travelled across the United States motivating young people to take hold of a small part of history.

Tease photo Cooking

The Chinese Express

I recently visited Washington, D.C., for the first time ever, and everything overwhelmed me: the monuments, the museums and the traffic. I only had one day in the city, so ...

Books

Man v. Flesh

Andre Dubus III's "Garden of the Last Days" (W. W. Norton, 2008, $24.95) is a brick of a book. At 500-plus pages, it's America on parade: g-strings and neon, alcohol ...

Tease photo Faith

Let It Be

It's Saturday morning. I take a comfortable seat on a floor cushion and close my eyes.

Tease photo Sports

Safe at Home

At the start of the second week of March, Jordan Schafer wore an Atlanta Braves home uniform, playing left field. The Braves faced the St. Louis Cardinals, a club with ...

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Southern League baseball, Chattanooga at Mississippi (7 p.m., Pearl, 1590 AM): The M-Braves and Lookouts wrap up their series at the TeePee.

Jackblog

Building a foundation

Today, when I walked into the office of the Jackson Free Press, Sophie showed me the layout for the next issue of the JFP. When I saw all our (the ...

Tuesday, July 29

Jackblog

Can You Eat Six Saltines In One Minute?

I saw this challenge today on Good Morning America and had to try it. (Thank goodness I was by myself.) Anyway, the challenge is to chew and completely swallow six ...

Jackblog

Stop, In The Name of My Textbook

After nearly two months on the job, I think I've finally decided what is my favorite part of being an editorial intern

Jackblog

POLL-What is your favorite Jacktown festival?

Festivals and Events of Interest:

We need your help! Leave a comment and let the JFP know what your favorite festival is from this list of local events. Your vote will be featured in the ...

Jackblog

Jackson Free Press- My learning ground

My response? I have learned everything and I would absolutely encourage anyone to intern here.

The other day, I was sitting down with my Macbook, writing my final reflection to turn in for my intern class at the University of Southern Mississippi. My topic: what ...

Monday, July 28

Fly

Jam Sessions

Foodie, gastronome, epicure bon vivant?! No matter how you choose to slice it, one thing is certain: I am a self-confessed food geek. I can spend an entire evening pouring ...

Friday, July 25

Jackblog

Haven't We Learned Anything About Racism?

Associated Press:

One of the saddest things about society-condoned bigotry--these days against illegal immigrants--is that is always leads to violence, especially among young people who hear their elders spouting ignorance about certain ...

Tease photo Frank Melton

Upper Level Appeals

Jackson attorney Chokwe Lumumba said his client, Upper Level owner Sandra Moore Johnson, will appeal a recent decision by Hinds County Justice Court Judge Jimmy Morton finding Johnson and employee ...

Thursday, July 24

Sports

Warriors Sign Lanier High's own Ellis To 6-year, $66 million Deal

The Golden State Warriors re-signed Lanier High alum Monta Ellis to a six-year deal worth about $66 million.

Tease photo Frank Melton

A-1 Pallet Files Suit

A little more than a year after Jackson Mayor Frank Melton began publicly calling for the demolition of the A-1 Pallet recycling plant on Mill Street, the company's owners are ...

Wednesday, July 23

Tease photo Talk

Change on the Horizon

Barack Obama can win Mississippi for the Democratic Party. A laughable statement in political circles as recently as last year, this was the message Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean ...

Tease photo Talk

'What's the Rush?'

The Jackson Public School Board began their search for a new superintendent after Earl Watkins announced April 7 that he would not renew his contract when it expires in June ...

Tease photo

Developers Announce New Jackson Projects

Developers will complete work on the first block of historic Farish Street in 14 months.

Jackblog

Carp Chomp on Crusty Calluses

A Virginia spa offers fish pedicures. No, I'm not kidding. Anyway, you place your feet into a tank of warm water and allow tiny carp called garra rufa, or doctor ...

Tease photo Fly

Mosaic

Courtney Chinn Peters may look every bit the part of a hip, young shop girl. But what you don't know is that at age 25, this gifted ceramicist and successful ...

Tease photo Culture

The House that Green Built

A few weeks ago, Mr. and Mrs. Green Girl drove south to Bogue Chitto in the middle of the night to start our annual breeding bird survey for the Audubon ...

Tease photo Sports

The Boys Are Back In Town

The New Orleans Saints are back in town for the third straight year. They reported for training camp on Wednesday, July 23, and will begin practice on Thursday. They will ...

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

NFL football, New Orleans Saints training camp (8:50 a.m., Millsaps, Jackson): Deuce McAllister and the Saints begin training camp on State Street.

Tease photo Jacksonian

Miracle Buckley

"I would say there is a testimony to my name because somebody in my condition is not supposed to be here," 19-year-old Miracle Buckley says.

Tease photo Cover

Mod Billy

"Our records have a '60s sound to 'em, but it's hillbilly music. Loud hillbilly music."

Politics

Governor Commutes One Killer's Sentence, Not Another

In a move that illustrates the erratic nature of America's justice system, Gov. Haley Barbour commuted the sentence of Michael David Graham last Thursday, July 17. Graham, convicted for shooting ...

FEMA Wants Immunity for Poison Trailers

The Federal Emergency Management Agency asked U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt for immunity from lawsuits over what plaintiffs' lawyers and the Sierra Club called "hazardous levels" of formaldehyde in government-issued ...

Sports

Smooth Move, Brett

More proof Brett Favre isn't the smartest guy in the NFL

Tuesday, July 22

Jackblog

Do I hear 15? Yes, we can!

Thank you one and all for making this a very special Chick Ball, for helping to save lives.

Wow. The JFP Chick Ball raised $14,000 this year ... so far ... toward a new Freedom Van for the Center for Violence Prevention. Not to be greedy, but I ...

Tease photo Talk

Tracks Of Their Tears

Velma Berry lives in a brick house seven miles due west of the Mantee exit off the Natchez Trace in Northeast Mississippi. The well-kept lawn, thriving tomato plants and orange ...

Jackblog

No shortage of things to do!

When I first decided to intern at the JFP, I really had no idea what I was getting into. I knew I would be coming to the office three days ...

Monday, July 21

Fly

Dirty Dishes

I don't know about you, but I'd pay good money to see the look on my mother's face if I whipped out a set of dinnerware painted with a cheeky ...

Sports

Shockey Joins Saints

Jeremy Shockey leaves the Giants for the Saints.

Friday, July 18

Tease photo Domestic Violence

Survivors of Murdered Women File Suit

The families of two women murdered last September by the men who professed their love for them say they have yet to receive justice.

Jackblog

Da' T.R.U.T.H. and Nothing But Da' T.R.U.T.H.

Da' T.R.U.T.H., a Christian hip hop artist and Grammy award nominee, will be ministering at The Church Triumphant's Youth Truth Explosion 2008 on Tuesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 23 ...

Jackblog

Each Jacksonian Can Help Fight Family Violence

Folks, this is a very special weekend, and each of us has the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of abused families. We designed the Chick Ball ...

Jackblog

Chickball 2008

6:20 Spoken Word/Break: Blaque Butterfly

QUEEN- The Jackson Progressives, The Capital City Roller Girls, Crossings Assembly of God, Vineyard Church of Jackson-B.A.D. Girls, Larry Davidson, Jim Craig, ACLU, Faye Peterson

JFP Chick Ball - Saturday Night!

Click here for more details on the Chick Ball.

The JFP Chick Ball is finally here. Join us from 6 to midnight Saturday night at Hal & Mal's Red Room to raise money to buy a Freedom Van for ...

Wednesday, July 16

Tease photo Talk

DeLaughter Joins Sons of Confederate Veterans

Jefferson Davis Camp No. 635, an organization dedicated to conserving deteriorated Confederate battle flags and preserving the nation's Confederate heritage, welcomed a Hinds County Circuit Court judge as a new ...

Tease photo Jacksonian

Caroline Hobbs

Caroline Hobbs fell into her unconventional vocation as a bail bondswoman "through a bad boyfriend."

Tease photo Frank Melton

Defense More Difficult This Time

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton will be back again in court July 16 for the Aug. 26, 2006, destruction of a duplex on Ridgeway Street—an incident first reported by the Jackson ...

Tease photo Politics

'Good Time' For the Dems?

Amid cheers and declarations that "It's a good time to be a Democrat," the executive committee of the Mississippi Democratic Party met and unanimously elected Jamie Franks its new party ...

[Middleton] Freedom Van Now

Once a year, some of the coolest chicks of all, the Jackson Free Press chicks, host an event that makes such a difference, you just have to be a part!

Jackblog

Funding Approved for Two-Way Capitol Street

Downtown Jackson Partners said today that Sen. Thad Cochran is confirming that the city will get a $3 million 20 percent matching grant in order to make Capitol Street two-way. ...

Tease photo Talk

Fondren Steps In to Help Boyd

From the front sidewalk to Boyd Elementary School, the modern and recently renovated façade does not reflect what the visitor soon encounters in the school hallways.

Tease photo Talk

Calling Out Entergy

AARP and the Mississippi Sierra Club say Entergy Mississippi is not being completely honest in describing the reasons for the company's decision to increase customers' rates.

Help Officer DeWayne Collier Tonight at Hal & Mal's

Attend a benefit concert tonight at Hal & Mal's from 5 to 10 p.m. for injured JPD officer DeWayne Collier who was shot last week. The $10 cover will be ...

Editorial

Feds Need to Get 'Er Done

The U.S. Constitution probably breathed a sigh of relief last week when the U.S. Department of Justice announced indictments of Mayor Frank Melton and his two bodyguards for the alleged ...

Crime

[Sue Doh Nem] Riots, Crime, Etc.

Nurse Tootie McBride: "Live from the Ghetto Science Public Television Studios is 'The Nurse Tootie Show.'

[Kamikaze] Winning In Spite

I apologize. My first intentions were to sum up my experiences in Africa. I know some of you were eager to hear more. But there's something more important at play ...

Anti-Violence Programs: 'Absolutely Ineffective'

Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 with laudable goals. It wanted to both prevent and treat intimate partner abuse, specifically against women in America. Since its enactment, ...

Tease photo Cooking

Reclaiming the Eggplant

Because of my very unconventional childhood, it's no surprise that my mom was somewhat of a food adventurer. She was always finding "new" (sometimes code for "strange") foods and attempting ...

Tease photo Cover

The 2008 Chicks We Love

The Better Half of Mississippi

They are news anchors, business owners, artists and moms. They are the better half of the Hospitality State. They are the Chicks We Love.

Tease photo Books

Fiction of Giant Proportion

Acclaimed Alabama short-story writer and 2007–2008 Writer-in-Residence at the University of Mississippi, Jack Pendarvis has just published his first novel, "Awesome" (MacAdam Cage, 2008, $18).

Publisher's Note

Innocents Abroad

It was with a bit a trepidation that I approached last week's bus trip to Little Rock arranged by former City Councilman Ben Allen, now president of Downtown Jackson Partners.

Sports

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Southern League baseball, Carolina at Mississippi (7:05 p.m., Pearl, 1590 AM): The M-Braves and Mudcats square off on Thirsty Thursday. Golf, British Open (6 a.m., TNT): Tiger Woods won't be ...

Tease photo Dish

Elise Turner

Elise Turner's six-word biography reads "Looking around corners, always finding adventures." And that sums up precisely her life philosophy and work in the medical field.

Tease photo Frank Melton

Melton and Bodyguards Arraigned; No Guns or Alcohol

Mayor Frank Melton and his two bodyguards, Michael Recio and Marcus Wright, were arraigned in a packed federal courtroom in downtown Jackson before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson today at ...

Jackblog

ChickBall Performer: Rhonda Richmond & Laurel Isbister

The African proverb goes something like this:"If you want to know the end, look at the beginning." So, if you're going to talk about the music lineup at the 4th ...

Politics

A-1 Pallets Owners Sue Melton, City

Charlotte Reeves and Carl Monte Reeves, owners of the A-1 Pallets Company, are suing mayor Frank Melton and the city of Jackson for $100 million. Alleging that the mayor made ...

Jackblog

Lawsuits Against Melton and City Piling Up

WAPT broke the story yesterday that A-1 Pallet has (predictably) filed a $100 million lawsuit against the city, Melton and several others. So how many lawsuits has Melton brought, or ...

Tuesday, July 15

Jackblog

Bid on a football signed by Deuce at the Chick Ball!

See y'all at the Ball.

Red Alert: Deuce McAllister and David Watkins have donated a football signed by our favorite running back to be auctioned at the Chick Ball this weekend! Come and get it, ...

Jackblog

The Rocky Road (unfortunately, I'm not talking about ice cream)

For some reason, sitting at the computer position makes my right shoulder ache. Just that one. It's like scapula tunnel syndrome. I'm going to need a deep tissue massage before ...

Sports

Rebel Nation To Gather

Ole Miss fans will gather for their annual preseason party in Jackson on Tueday night.

Jackblog

ChickBall Performer: Caroline Crawford

Visit Myspace.com/carolinespiano for more info.

Loving and learning the piano as a young teen. Sneaking a radio into her bedroom at night to listen to rock music – which was forbidden in her house. The ...

Monday, July 14

Jackblog

Releasing Fears

I take back what I wrote two weeks ago about the humidity "not being too bad" here. Every day, I walk for an hour to get some exercise and come ...

Tease photo Music

Jackson Music Award Winners

The Jackson Music Awards is a time-honored Jackson tradition spanning 34 years, and this year the producers of the awards stressed its connection with the storied past of the Jackson ...

Jackblog

Brett Favre - Make up Your Mind

What is it with these athletes that retire and within months are ready to come back? I don't get it! And this is retirement number two for Brett. Do you ...

Frank Melton

Sharrod Moore Back on Probation ... Sort Of

Dressed in a bright-orange jumpsuit with heavy chains around his hands, waist and sandaled feet, accused cop murderer Sharrod Moore won a victory this morning in Hinds County Court even ...

Jackblog

Thank You Sponsors!

Diva: Caroline "Bond Girl" Hobbs

We wanted to send out a huge thank you to the people who have already sponsored this year's Chickball:

Saturday, July 12

Tease photo Justice

Appeals Allege Federal Tampering

In 2007, a federal jury convicted Mississippi attorney Paul Minor, who had made a name for himself in tobacco and asbestos litigation, of corruption. Last month Minor's lawyers appealed that ...

Frank Melton

Melton Indictments: The JFP Story That Started It All

Read Adam Lynch's breaking story that first revealed Mayor Frank Melton's Aug. 26 alleged rampage on Ridgeway Street in Jackson—the accusations that led to felony indictions of Melton and his ...

Friday, July 11

Jackblog

Ah! Working at the JFP

Working at JFP is like nothing I ever expected or could have expected. I had the opportunity to choose between the JFP and another Jackson newspaper. While deliberating which paper ...

Jackblog

ChickBall Performer: Infinite

Listen to Infinite and Dread Bred on Radio JPF (WLEZ) today from noon-1pm.

Three worlds come together to make up Dread Bred. Puncho represents the crunk, Infinite represents the streets, and Lyrik represents true lyricism. Making huge strides with the 2007 hit singles ...

Jackblog

Melton Spin Machine in Full Force

It's really something to watch Melton shift into full spin mode about how the federal indictments (apparently brought by "political enemies") are not going to stop him from doing his ...

Frank Melton

NPR Interviews Ladd About Melton Indictment

National Public Radio's "Bryant Park Project" interviewed JFP editor Donna Ladd this morning about the federal indictments of Frank Melton and his bodyguards and her past ride-alongs with him. Listen ...

Thursday, July 10

Jackblog

It's So Great to be Fly

Go fetch me some coffee. Make sure you pick up my dry cleaning. I was going to be doing all work and no play, and no pay, was my first ...

Jackblog

Huh? Big Blooper in Clarion-Ledger Editorial About Melton

The Clarion-Ledger edit-boyz suffered a bit of reading miscomprehension when they wrote this false statement last night for their editorial today saying that Frank Melton should resign:

Jackblog

Why I Love Thursdays

Ah Thursdays. One of the main reasons I enjoy Thursdays is the weekly intern class. Sure, us interns see each other during the week, but this is a time to ...

Wednesday, July 9

Tease photo Talk

Smoking Ban Confounds

Some restaurant owners are still unsure how the recent ban on smoking in all businesses except bars will affect their business.

Tease photo Cover

The Execution Of Earl Wesley Berry

It was like a reverse funeral procession. We were the third in a line of about five white vans, driving down the gravel road that led to Mississippi's death chamber.

Talk

'Dereliction of Duty'

Having re-opened the sluice gates of executions with Earl Berry in May, the state of Mississippi could put a second man to death later this month. Dale Leo Bishop, convicted ...

Tease photo Justice

Criminalizing Work

The Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance recently held a clothing donation drive to help immigrant workers that it says were laid off from a Morton meat-processing plant and a Jackson roofing ...

Tease photo Talk

Good Look, Haley!

The Farish Street Entertainment District barely survived another trial last week. Some planned anchor businesses in the district, including the B.B. King Blues Club, discovered they could not sell alcohol ...

Editorial

Half-Way Isn't Enough

A city-wide smoking ban extending to all restaurants without a "stand-alone" bar barely survived the city council last month. Before deciding on the partial ban, members voted down two different ...

[Sue Doh Nem] 'Down With Being Broke

Still Bill: "You're listening to Ghetto Science Team Internet Radio, courtesy of Aunt Tee Tee Hustle's computer technology class. This is your funk doctor streaming old-school music and information across ...

[Kamikaze] Feels Like Home

Greetings from across the Atlantic to all of you. Of course I would have loved to check in with you guys sooner, but Internet access is not nearly as available ...

Tease photo Jacksonian

Cynthia Buchanan

Sitting in a conference room at the MetroJackson Chamber of Commerce wearing pearls and a kind smile, Cynthia Buchanan talks about her shift from the tobacco world to the community ...

Politics

[Hutchinson] Obama Never Said 'No' to Bush on Iraq

"Let me be clear: There is no military solution in Iraq, and there never was. The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq's leaders to resolve their ...

Tease photo Fly

More S'mores

No camping trip or backyard barbecue is ever complete without a gooey bite of s'mores as the fire starts to die down. I like mine best with a swig of ...

Tease photo Fly

Popsicle Taste Test

Here in the [FLY] headquarters, we were becoming delirious from the summer heat and decided we needed sweet relief in the form of popsicles, STAT. But there are so many ...

Tease photo Theater

Visiting with Old Friends

As a child, Carla Wall loved attending ballets with her grandmother in New York City. Her passion for dance grew deeper in 1979 when top-notch dance performances came to her, ...

Frank Melton

BREAKING: Melton and Bodyguards Indicted on Civil Rights Charges

The Jackson Free Press has obtained a copy of a statement that the Department of Justice is about to release announcing that Mayor Frank Melton and his two bodyguards have ...

Frank Melton

‘Evil Intent': Why Frank Melton Was Acquitted the First Time

After Mayor Frank Melton and his two bodyguards were acquitted in a Hinds County court last year for the Ridgeway duplex demolition, the JFP's Brian Johnson wrote this analysis of ...

Tease photo Books

Romance and Fly-fishing

Fly-fishing combines the joy of being outside with the gracefulness of casting a line so light that it takes multiple flicks of the wrist to keep it aloft until that ...

Tease photo Theater

Tying Up Loose Ends

The setting: Basil's in Belhaven on a warm Sunday evening. A plain white sign taped to the door wards off curious pedestrians with the discreet words "Closed–Private Dinner Theater."

Tease photo Music

Eclectic Urges

My Morning Jacket has a charisma that transcends traditional niche categories. While inherently fueled by the looseness and free-form proclivities of southern rock, My Morning Jacket takes cues from a ...

Tease photo Feature

[Top 10 Playlist] 7even:Thirty

10. "Run," by Gnarls Barkley

7. "Rising Up," by The Roots6. "Dare," by Gorillaz5. "All The Girls Standing In The Line For The Bathroom," by N.E.R.D.4. "Drop," by The Pharcyde3. "Throw Da Water On 'Em," ...

Tease photo Music

[Herman's Pick] Vol. 6, No. 43

The soulful and funky sounds of Laura Reed and Deep Pocket from Asheville, N.C., will return to Martin's this Thursday night. The South Africa-born lead singer Laura Reed belts a ...

Tease photo Film

Dive Bomb

For about a decade now, I've been part of a super-secret cabal of movie nerds. When we're not discussing specific films, the conversation often turns to more general notions—for example, ...

Sports

The Best In Sports In The Next 7 Days

MLS soccer, Chivas USA at Los Angeles (10 p.m., ESPN2): The Goats and Galaxy battle for L.A. supremacy. It's not the Euro Cup, but at least you get to see ...

Frank Melton

Archive: Investigations Involving R.J. Washington and Frank Melton

Following are links to Donna Ladd's 2008 investigative series on the murder of R.J. Washington, as well as stories about the "mysteries of Frank Melton." A list of PDFs to ...

Music

"Caution" Features Local Musicians in Episode Tonight

Local hip-hop artists Kamikaze, 7even:Thirty and 5th Child, along with local rockers Cleverform, perform tonight at Club Fire.

Tuesday, July 8

Frank Melton

DA Re-Indicts; Defense Alleges Bad Cop Work

This is an updated version of a story originally published July 4, 2008.

Suspects Apprehended in JPD Officer Shooting

Jackson Police officer DeWayne Collier, who was shot in the line of duty July 7, remains stable but in serious condition at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Jackblog

The Urban Jungle…err…Fondren

I guess the best place to start is the beginning. On my first day, I was nervous and uncertain about my decision to intern at the Jackson Free Press. I ...

Jackblog

Senseless Smoking Ban

I just had to comment on this. Tried to avoid it, but it's really starting to peeve me off. I understand that people don't want to have to deal with ...

Jackblog

ChickBall Performer: The Red Hot Tamales

They're red, they're hot, and we've got 'em for one night only. The Red Hot Tamales play old-time, traditional mountain ballads and folk tunes stirred and wrapped up into a ...

Jackblog

CNN: Mississippi Agencies Took Katrina Supplies

So, just how can needy victims of Katrina on the Coast be screwed once again? Barbour diverts low-income housing money, and now this? The governor should stand up and tell ...

Monday, July 7

Sports

Baseball: He Gone ... Back To Atlanta

It was fun while it lasted. After being demoted to the Mississippi Braves for three days, the Atlanta Braves bring Jeff Francoeur back up to the bigs.

Jackson Police Officer Shot During Chase

For more, see the WAPT report here

Jackson Police Officer DeWayne Collier is in critical condition at University Medical Center after a robbery suspect shot him earlier today around 11 a.m. near the Lakewood Funeral Home on ...

Jackblog

Crime Drama in Jackson

Residents of the city of Jackson are never short on criticism - especially about the topic of crime. I am wondering what locals are thinking about the causes of such ...

Jackblog

Troubles With Parking Meters and Hello Again, Frenchy

Considering less than a year ago my experience in the world of journalism was non-existent and up until last month my experience in non-sports journalism just as unsubstantial, I certainly ...

Middleton and Ladd Discuss Chick Ball on WLBT

More information here on the 2008 Chick Ball.

Sandy Middleton, the director of the Center for Violence Prevention in Pearl, and JFP editor Donna Ladd will appear on WLBT's noon show Tuesday to talk about the 4th Annual ...

Saturday, July 5

Sports

Baseball: He's Baaaacckkk

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur rejoined the Mississippi Braves on Friday, three years to the day he left Pearl for Atlanta.

Tease photo Talk

The Weeks Unveils 'Comeback Cadillac'

Some things are worth waiting for, no matter how long you might have to sit still and be patient. The Weeks' debut release, "Comeback Cadillac," finally arrives to fill the ...

Friday, July 4

Tease photo Music

7even Thirty blasts off to space on Radio Fondren

Jackson Free Press Artist to Watch 2008 7even Thirty stars in a special edition of Radio Fondren on WLEZ-FM. Join Radio Fondren Executive Producer Daniel Guaqueta as he boards 7even ...

Tease photo Music

Alert: 7even Thirty, Radio Fondren blasts off into space

Music Blog: Bryan Doyle

Jackson Free Press Artist to Watch 2008 7even Thirty stars in a special edition of Radio Fondren on WLEZ-FM 103.7 FM at 5 p.m.

Thursday, July 3

Jackblog

Clarion-Ledger Backtracking from ‘Tort Reform' Hysteria

It's intriguing to note that The Clarion-Ledger, after years of gullibility on the U.S. Chamber's stance on "tort reform," is now starting to question what they have not dared to ...

Sports

Football: Maybe Favre Is Tired Of Mowing His Lawn

Brett Favre sort of denies reports that he wants to end six-month retirement.

Sports

The Best In Sports In The Next Seven Days

Southern League baseball, Mississippi at Montgomery (7:05 p.m., Montgomery, Ala., 1590 AM): The rampaging M-Braves conclude their four-game tour of Alabama.

Wednesday, July 2

Politics

DOJ v. ‘Wackos'

The U.S. congressional investigation of the politicizing of the U.S. Department of Justice is continuing with House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers issuing a June 27 subpoena to the Justice Department. ...

Tease photo Jacksonian

Shirley Harden

Recently named Jackson Public Schools' Parent of the Year, Shirley Harden is a figure the students at Forest Hill High School see often.

Editor's Note

The Wind in My Fro

Mississippi in July, ah. What joy the summer sun brings to us southerners!

Tease photo Cover

Summer Fun

No summer is complete without weekends full of grilling with family, lounging by the pool, playing games with friends and lots of margarita-induced laughing.

Tease photo Dish

J.J. Salem

Jackson author J.J. Salem's latest steamy beach read, "Tan Lines," has received praise from publications as varied as Publisher's Weekly and The New York Post, and was named a "Summer ...

Editorial

Call Off Your Dog, Barbour

Last Thursday, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant refused to let the Senate even consider a bill raising the state's pathetic 17-cent excise tax on a pack of cigarettes to counter the ...

[Sue Doh Nem] Imus-Gate, Revisited

Boneqweesha Jones: "Live from the Ghetto Science Television Network studios, this is your 'Qweesha 2008' news brief. That Don Imus; when he talks, people nationwide hear him loud and clear.

[Kamikaze] Hogan Doesn't Know Best

I make no secret of my love for professional wrestling. It's a well-known fact among family and friends that I am not to be bothered while wrestling is on.

Barbour Adds Farish to Special Session Call

[verbatim statement] Governor Haley Barbour today amended the current Special Session call to include an initiative allowing the sale of alcohol in Jackson's Farish Street historic district. "At the request ...

[Gregory] Oh So Pretty

I haven't felt good in a bathing suit since I was 9 years old. Before then, I refused to remove one for two years.

Tease photo Talk

Close To Home

Does $4-a-gallon gas have you down? While we suffocate under the battle over oil, the price marquee at gas stations is constantly changing.

Tease photo Fly

Watermelon 101

Watermelon has long been a southern staple, and Mississippians are aficionados. I recently took a poll among friends and coworkers to learn how best they liked to eat their watermelon.

Tease photo Fly

Margarita Popsicles

One of the things that makes hot Mississippi summers bearable is a cold, refreshing popsicle.

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Does Size Matter?

Is bigger always better? My first time, I had a very small one.

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The Sounds of Summer

Ever since I can remember, summer signified something magical, a limitless end of possibilities and plenty of time to explore them.

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Grill the Perfect Steak

Ingredients

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The Sun Protection Factor

Oh, the glow of a summer tan. Nothing could be healthier, right?

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Insect Repellent Guide

Nothing can cramp your outdoor adventures like a swarm of pesky insects. Bug bites are itchy and uncomfortable, not to mention that mosquitoes and ticks are known to carry and ...

Tease photo Feature

Mash-Up Magician

The walls of a live music venue absorb a lot of sound during its time, but it's safe to say that few walls have ever encountered the amount of sound ...

Tease photo Music

[Rob In Stereo] Evading Musical Immortality

In 1994, at the height of grunge mania, Bush released its debut record "Sixteen Stone." Grunge fans ate it up and made the record go multi-platinum despite the band taking ...

Fly

Hot Time in the City

It's July, folks, which means that summer is already well on its way. So grab your friends, a breeze-inducing fan (or two), some tasty food and ice-cold libations to reclaim ...

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Summer Fun Fashion

[Click on photos below to view fashion slide show.]

No summer is complete without weekends full of grilling with family, lounging by the pool, playing games with friends and lots of margarita-induced laughing. When paired with this season's hottest ...

Jackblog

Beyond Expectations

One month ago, I started my internship with JFP and as nervous as I was, I was also excited. Walking in I felt a welcoming atmosphere and it eased my ...

Tuesday, July 1

Tease photo Frank Melton

Moore Alleges DA ‘Misconduct'

The attorney for Sharrod Moore, who is awaiting his Sept. 15 trial for the Nov. 14, 1995, murder of Jackson police officer Robert J. Washington, is accusing Hinds County District ...

Politics

Chip Pickering Files for Divorce

WAPT is reporting that the Republican U.S. congressman stepping down to spend more time with his family has filed for divorce from his wife, Leisha.

Tease photo Books

Reprehensible Rogues

The author of "Fight Club," Palahniuk commonly employs violence, sexuality and profanity in his novels, while his stories generally revolve around modernity, requisite evils of contemporary society and the supernatural ...

Jackblog

Four Things

Things I've Learned Since I've Been at the JFP:

1. Always park across the street. When I went to interview the Lettuce Ladies (on my second day) I parked directly in the parking lot of the gas station where ...

Jackblog

Four Day Workweeks - What if???

Well I am all for a four day workweek. I think this is a very proactive attempt at getting this country back to some level of economic responsibility. Clearly we ...

Council Bans Smoking in Jackson Restaurants

After three failed starts this morning, an amendment to change a 2003 city ordinance banning smoking in all businesses except standalone bars passed the Jackson City Council this morning. "We're ...

Jackblog

Greetings From Accra: Day 4 in Africa

Greetings from across the Atlantic to all of you. Of course I would have loved to have checked in with you guys sooner but internet access is not nearly as ...

Jackblog

Oregon meets Mississippi

"Mississippi in the summer?" my friends, co-workers and instructors in Eugene, Ore. asked me with a look of bewilderment when I excitedly announced my plans to intern at the Jackson ...