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Education
Mississippi Schools Raise Tuition Again After Budget Cuts
Mississippi's eight public universities are raising tuition by an average of 6.6 percent next fall, saying state budget cuts require them to raise more revenue from students.
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Person of the Day
Caroline Seitz
The University of Georgia only scored 13 runs combined in its three-game softball series against Mississippi State University last weekend. Meanwhile, MSU senior Caroline Seitz drove in 14 runs by …
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National
Bill O'Reilly Out at Fox News Channel After 20 Years
Fox News Channel's parent company fired Bill O'Reilly on Wednesday following an investigation into harassment allegations, bringing a stunning end to cable television news' most popular program and one that …
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Cover
Through the Keyhole
The keyhole garden is a great option for those of us with small backyards or small budgets.
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Cover
Bottles and Bubbles: 2017 Wine Tasting
It's the 2017 Spring Food issue, which means one thing: JFP staffers gathered together to try some more wine.
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Cover
Downtown's Sweet Restoration
The JFP recently talked to Elizabeth Augustine over the phone about her journey to Sugar Ray's, the business itself and its place in the landscape of a changing downtown Jackson.
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Politics
How Gov. Phil Bryant Is Hurting Mississippi
In my personal journey in the fight for fairness, equality and progress, I have come to a stark conclusion: Gov. Phil Bryant is single-handedly preventing our state from progressing and …
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Development
Much Ado About Flooding: How 'One Lake' Could Change the Pearl River
People like to settle near rivers due to their need for water, good soil and potential food sources a river can provide, not to mention recreation. Still, it is important …
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To My Unborn Daughter
I'm here to remind you of the truth. Warriors flow through your veins—brown women who integrated schools, survived Jim Crow. Slavery and Manifest Destiny are a part of your DNA.
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City & County
Where the City’s Sidewalk Begins: Real Solutions
What does Jackson need? The most often griped-about, joked-about and discussed surface-level fix in this city are potholes.
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Person of the Day
Alyssa Bryant
At 12 years old, Alyssa Bryant got sick, and it was two more years before doctors diagnosed her with Crohn's Disease. After years in and out of hospitals, she decided …
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Education
Stop Summer Learning Loss with Structured Programs
In a recent conversation with a patient, she inquired about what the best scenario for her children would be during summer vacation.
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Art
Revealing ‘Rigoletto’
The latest production from the Mississippi Opera, "Rigoletto," may be a recognizable name even for people who aren't versed in the classics.
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Editor's Note
Beer: If It Looks Good, Drink It
I've always loved this particular phrase from "Bizarre Foods" host Andrew Zimmern: "If it looks good, eat it."
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City & County
UPDATED: Teens Quiz Mayor Hopefuls on Crime, Sidewalks and Myths About Youth
Five teenagers of the Mississippi Youth Media Project challenged seven mayoral candidates during Jackson's first Youth Mayoral Forum held at Provine High School Monday evening.
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Biz Roundup
Sweet & Sauer, Innovate Mississippi, Fondren Renaissance and Else School of Management
Lauren Rhoades, a Denver native and owner of Sweet & Sauer, is hosting a grand opening for Sweet & Sauer Fermentation Kitchen on Thursday, April 27, at The Hatch in …
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Person of the Day
Officer Allen "Junior" Harper
Recently, the City of Jackson, Presidential Hills Neighborhood and the Jackson State University family celebrated the homegoing of a wonderful police officer, neighbor and Tiger. Officer Allen Harper passed away …
Entry
First Woman Kicker Gets Scholarship
By bryanflynnSeveral women have played football at the college level for years now. Most of these young women were walk-on players, or players with no scholarship.
In 1997, Liz Heaston became the first woman to ever play and score in a college football game when she scored in a game for Willamette University, in Oregon, a then-NAIA-level university, in a 27-0 win over Linfield College, in Oregon. Heaston kicked two extra points, and her jersey hangs in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Two years later, Katie Hnida became the first woman to suit up for a NCAA Division I (now called the Football Bowl Subdivision) school at the University of Colorado. In 2003, she became the first woman to score in a Division I game at New Mexico State University. She became the first woman to try an extra point in a bowl game the year before, but an opposing player blocked it.
Before Hnida, Ashley Martin became the first woman to kick an extra point at the NCAA Division I-AA (now the Football Championship Subdivision) level for Jacksonville State University. She made three extra points without a miss in a 71-10 win over Cumberland University.
Former University of West Alabama kicker Tonya Butler became the first woman to kick a field goal in 2003 when she kicked a 27-yard field goal in a 24-17 win over Stillman College.
Other women have been kickers at nearly every level of college football. Some did get a chance to kick for their teams, and others were never called upon.
It hasn’t always been easy for women playing college football. Hnida alleged that she had been sexually assaulted while at Colorado. She didn’t press charges, but the incident became a major scandal at the schools, as other women spoke out about being sexually harassed and assaulted by members of the football team.
In 2014, Shelby Osborne became the first woman to play a position besides kicker when she became the first college defensive back at NAIA school Campbellsville University, in Kentucky. NAIA schools don’t hand out athletic scholarships.
Last week, April 14, 2017, Becca Longo became the first women to sign a national letter of intent to play college football. Longo will kick for NCAA Division II Adams State University, which is located in Colorado.
She is the first woman at Division II or higher to play college football on scholarship. The other kickers and players who made history didn’t receive a scholarship.
Each year, it is becoming more common for young women to play football at the high-school level.
As it becomes normal for them to play football in high school, it will become more common to see them at the college level. One day, a young woman might quarterback a college football team at the NAIA or NCAA Division III level of college football.
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City & County
Jackson Plans to Pursue New Orleans Pelicans NBA Team
The City of Jackson will submit a formal letter of intent to the National Basketball Association to pursue a development-league affiliate for the New Orleans Pelicans today.
