Jackson Free Press

If [the state flag][1] is going to change, lawmakers from either the Senate or House Rules committee will have to pass a bill through in the next 24 hours.

Councilman Tyrone Hendrix posted this update to his Facebook page this morning, reposted here verbatim:

UPDATE ON ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS: On January 30th, I made a post concerning water samples that indicated lead levels were found at an "actionable" level within the City of Jackson. Since that time, the City of Jackson has re-tested homes that tested above 15 parts per billiion (ppb), has increased the sample size from 58 homes to 100 homes, is providing citizens with information to request free water testing kits (I will provide more information on this as soon as it is available), and is reviewing it's corrosion control measures. A map and results of sites where lead levels exceed actionable levels is near the bottom of this post

Since then, I have also authored an ordinance that will require the City of Jackson to test for both copper and lead at least once per year (currently, the City is only required to test for lead and copper once every 3 years). I have also requested that the Administration and Department of Public Works expand the scope of water testing to more homes in South Jackson--and particularly in Ward 6 due to:

1. The years homes were build in South Jackson;
2. The types of pipes used to transport water from the water plant to South Jackson homes; and
3. Small sampling sizes.

It is imperative that we expeditiously gather and analyze the data, identify problem areas, and act swiftly based on the data. Lastly, there is no "safe" level of lead in drinking water, and we must identify the source of elevated lead levels.

I will continue to keep you updated on developments, and will provide information for residents to request testing kits in the very near future. As always, if you have questions, concerns, or ideas please contact me via phone at 601-960-1089 or email [email protected]. Thank you! - Tyrone

*Map of Jackson Sites Where Lead Levels Exceeded Action Levels: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/…/map-jackson-sites-where-…/

The local hip-hop community has been singing the praises of "Gullah Gullah Island," the latest single from Jackson rapper Silas Stapleton, who performs as SilaS, since it began making the rounds last November. Now, having garnered attention from major national music publication Vibe, SilaS fans can expect a second wind for the song's popularity.

"Gullah Gullah Island" takes inspiration from the 1990s Nickelodeon children's show of the same name, and like the TV program, the track presents a vision of an imaginary island where black families are free to celebrate their heritage and free from systemic racism and the myriad issues that African Americans face in modern America.

Vibe's article came only a day after SilaS released his full 13-track album, "The Day I Died," which is currently available for purchase at dear-silas.com. The official release party and concert for the album is Friday, March 11, at Martin's Restaurant & Bar (214 S. State St.). For more information, find the event on Facebook.

http://jacksonfreepress.com/users/photos/2016/feb/18/24627/

The Southern Poverty Law Center has published a map of active hate groups in the United States, and in Mississippi, there are 19 groups, including several Ku Klux Klan factions. SPLC defines a hate group as having "beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics." Hate group activities include: criminal acts, marches, rallies, speeches, meetings, leafleting or publishing, SPLC's website says.

Nationally, there are 892 hate groups, by SPLC's definition, and since 1999, the number of hate groups in the country has almost doubled. There are 190 Ku Klux Klan groups in the U.S., SPLC data shows.

To view the map visit: https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map.