Jackson Free Press

Verbatim from the Jackson State University public relations department:

When it comes to federal research expenditures, Jackson State University is one of only four Historically Black Colleges and Universities listed by The Center for Measuring University Performances’ top 200 research universities in the country. A joint venture between Arizona State University and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, The Center is designed to track research productivity across the United States.

“Jackson State University’s inclusion as one of the top 200 universities in the country for federal research expenditures shows the high level of productivity that comes from our brilliant faculty and staff. We are honored by this achievement which is only a glimpse of the success that emanates from our great institution,” said Dr. Rod Paige, JSU interim-president.

Ranked as #195, Jackson State University joins the three other Mississippi research universities and the state’s only medical school on the list, with Mississippi State University (#126), the University of Mississippi (#174), the University of Mississippi Medical Center (#185), and the University of Southern Mississippi (#189).

According to Dr. Loretta Moore, Jackson State University Vice President for Research and Federal Relations, “It is a privilege for Jackson State University to be listed among the premier research universities in the country. This milestone is the direct result of our dedicated and talented faculty and staff engaged in funded research.”

The universities identified in the annual report support research in a wide variety of fields, contributing to both the growth of knowledge in those areas and to the economic impact of universities on their communities. As the Center for Measuring University Performance notes in its report, “Not only do high-quality research institutions require strong financial support, they also require rigorous processes to identify the best faculty and staff, the best students and support their performance within a highly competitive national and international context.”

VERBATIM:Attorney General Jim Hood announced today that a Jackson man was arrested Friday for bribery of a public official and conspiracy following a joint investigation by the Attorney General’s Office and the FBI.

Robert Henderson, 44, is accused of offering a former Hinds County assistant district attorney $500 in exchange for dismissal of charges against three criminal defendants. Henderson is charged with one count of bribery of a public official and one count of conspiracy to bribe a public official. Henderson was booked into the Hinds County Jail. Hinds County Justice Court Judge Frank Sutton set Henderson's bond at $5,000 for bribery of a public official and $5,000 for conspiracy for a total of $10,000.

Henderson is alleged to have offered the bribe to then-Hinds County Assistant DA Ivon Johnson on or about June 15 of this year. Henderson is accused of seeking Johnson’s assistance in having cases dismissed involving three criminal defendants.

As with all cases, a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Verbatim from the Mississippi State Department of Health:

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports four new human case of West Nile virus (WNV), bringing the 2016 state total to 26. The reported cases are in Forrest, Hinds, Jackson and Lamar counties.

So far this year, human cases of WNV have been reported in Calhoun, Chickasaw, Copiah (2), Forrest, Hinds (7), Grenada, Jackson, Lamar (3), Lee, Leflore, Lincoln, Lowndes, Marion (2), Perry and Rankin (2) counties. There has been one WNV death reported in a Hinds County resident. The MSDH only reports laboratory-confirmed cases to the public. In 2015, Mississippi had 38 WNV cases and one death.

Symptoms of WNV infection are often mild and may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a rash, muscle weakness or swollen lymph nodes. In a small number of cases, infection can result in encephalitis or meningitis, which can lead to paralysis, coma and possibly death.

The MSDH suggests the following precautions to protect yourself and your environment from mosquito-borne illnesses: · Use a mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient such as DEET while you are outdoors. · Remove all sources of standing water around your home and yard to prevent mosquito breeding. · Wear loose, light-colored, long clothing to cover the arms and legs when outdoors. · Avoid areas where mosquitoes are prevalent.

For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the MSDH website at HealthyMS.com/westnile and HealthyMS.com/zika. Follow MSDH by email and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.