Politics
Proposal for Oil-Spill Fund Moves to Mississippi House
The Mississippi House will get to debate a bill setting aside $750 million in oil spill economic-damage payments for projects on the Gulf Coast.
Health Care
Governor Could Take Authority from Legislature if Bills Pass Today
Gov. Phil Bryant would get authority over the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and supervise the state's occupational licensing boards if legislation makes it out of the Mississippi Senate and …
City & County
Potential Hate Crimes, Racist Graffiti, Fire in Jackson Under Investigation
Stanley Wesley, the founding president of Respect our Black Dollars, found graffiti on his home when he got back from a banquet for his nonprofit.
Person of the Day
Matthew Dowd
Adams and Reese, a multidisciplinary law firm with about 280 attorneys and 16 offices throughout the South, promoted Jackson litigation attorney Matthew R. Dowd to partner on Jan. 1.
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Health Care
Senate Attempts to Put Governor in Charge of Mental Health
Legislation to move the Department of Mental Health under the policy direction of the governor passed the Senate by one vote on Feb. 9, after a contentious debate and bi-partisan …
Education
Ed Formula Bills Dead ... For Now at #MSLeg
Both dummy bills that Mississippi legislators could have used to change the state's education funding formula died in the House and the Senate on Feb. 9, but attempts to implement …
Civil Rights
Black Lawmaker Details Racial Profiling Incident, But 'Back the Badge' Act Passes
Rep. Christopher Bell, D-Jackson, was 25 when a police officer pulled him over when he was driving east of Jackson for no apparent reason.
Politics
Senate Jumps on Campaign Finance Reform Train
The Senate unanimously passed campaign-finance reform Wednesday that would prohibit the personal use of campaign-finance funds on items including residential or household items, mortgages, funeral expenses, clothing or automobiles, tuition …
Business
Lawmakers Take on Capitol Complexity, ‘Amazon’ Sales Tax and Craft Breweries
The City of Jackson could receive financial support for its infrastructure this year, but how that will work varies on both ends of the statehouse. The Senate and House versions …
City & County
DA Smith Wins on One Count, But Passes on 'Whistleblower' Bad Check Claims
The trial against Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen wound up on Feb. 7, even as the woman who landed him there remained conspicuously absent from the courtroom.
City & County
Mayor Yarber, Socrates Garrett Address Contracting Dispute, 'Steering'
Mayor Tony Yarber and his administration recently became defendants in another sexual-harassment lawsuit, this time saddled with charges of steering city contracts to campaign supporters.
Jacksonian
Salar Almakky
Salar Almakky says his uncle first got him interested in music, introducing him to bands such as The Cure. Almakky, who can play bass, drums and guitar, is currently the …
Politics
Gutting State Government? The Move to Free Up State Agencies
The majority of state employees could lose access to their employee appeals board and other human resources for the next three years if a bill to move most state agencies …
City & County
UPDATED: Jury Finds Allen Guilty for Cell-phone Payment, Not Guilty on Nine Counts
The jury in the trial of Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen found him guilty on one count, not guilty on nine others after six hours of deliberation.
Biz Roundup
Painting with a Twist, Art Lovers' Soiree and MDA Entrepreneur Center
Fischer Galleries is hosting its annual Valentine's event, Art Lovers' Soiree, on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Person of the Day
Nicholas Lemann
Journalist and author Nicholas Lemann may have a lot of New York cred, but he's a southerner at heart, born, raised and educated in New Orleans.
Education
Teacher Incentives, Fewer Rules for 'Good' School Districts Pass the House
School districts with an "A" or "B" accountability ranking would be exempt from certain reporting requirements if House Bill 1224 becomes law.
City & County
Allen Trial: Defense Rests After Making Case DJP Doesn’t Collect 'Taxes’
Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith spent the morning attempting to attack several aspects of Downtown Jackson Partners attorney Robert Gibbs, during the fifth day of testimony in the …
Politics
Gov. Bryant Closes Campaign Account, Starts 'Imagine Mississippi PAC'
Gov. Phil Bryant terminated his campaign-finance account on Jan. 31, disbursing the funds to other political committees, candidates and charitable organizations.
