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Politics
Tim Johnson Challenges Tate Reeves to Debate(s)
Tim Johnson, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, wants to debate Tate Reeves, the Republican incumbent.
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Art
Peter Friedrich
As the assistant professor and chair of the theater department at Millsaps College, Peter Friedrich is working to bring change that goes beyond the college to the national theater culture.
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Health Care
How Some Alabama Hospitals Quietly Drug Test New Mothers—Without Their Consent
In Alabama, a positive drug test can have dire repercussions for pregnant women and new mothers.
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Petition Drive to Remove Confederate Emblem from State Flag OK'd
By R.L. NaveJackson resident Sharon Brown has received approval to start collecting signatures on a ballot initiative to remove a Confederate emblem from the state's flag.
“Today we received our official ballot title and summary from the state and are excited that we are one important step closer to giving the citizens of Mississippi the opportunity to have their voice heard on this important issue. I appreciate the Secretary of State and the Attorney General for working expeditiously to get our initiative ready for circulation. It is exciting to know that we are one step closer to addressing this issue once and for all. We will be holding a press conference on October 9th to announce our next steps. Additional information will be forthcoming," she said in a release.
The ballot summary states:
Initiative Measure No. 55 proposes to add the following language to the Mississippi Constitution: “The flag of the State of Mississippi shall not contain or include any reference to the Confederate army’s battle flag or to the Confederacy.” As an enforcement mechanism, a Mississippi citizen may petition the Mississippi Supreme Court for a write of mandamus requiring the State, its political subdivisions, their agents, officers, or employees to comply with the amendment."
Read our coverage of the state flag debate at www.jfp.ms/confeds.
http://jacksonfreepress.com/users/photos/2015/oct/01/23125/
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Politics
BP Spill Settlement Gives Jackson $1 Million to Play With
Jackson leaders are considering how to spend $958,000 from a BP oil spill settlement.
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Story
The Slate
All hope isn't lost for the New Orleans Saints. Five teams have started 0-3 and still made the playoffs. True, it hasn't been done since 1998, but it is overdue …
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Books
The State in ‘Little Stories’
As a rule, photo books have a few simple goals. Whether the focus is on nature, architecture or even a specific event, they can either provide deep and poignant reminders …
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Music
Mikal Cronin’s Musical Journal
Alone in a room with his guitar, California singer-songwriter Mikal Cronin crafted the tracks that would make up his third studio album, "MCIII," which hit stores May 4, 2015.
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Better Than Fair Food (Really)
Each year, the Mississippi State Fair brings many different foods, but also long lines. If you don't want to fight the crowds, but still want fair foods or something better, …
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Cover
Blues and Eats at Johnny T’s
John Tierre Miller, owner of Johnny T's Bistro and Blues, got tired of talking and decided to take matters into his own hands. He opened his restaurant on July 24 …
Entry
JATRAN Rebranding Survey Under Way
By R.L. NaveWhat's in a name?
Well, a rebranding of the local the mass-transit system, JATRAN, got under way quietly with a press release from the city this morning.
The Transit Services Division wants public input on what to rename the authority. The public-comment period last through October. Citizens can vote through on online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ST7X9ZZ.
From the survey, you can suggest your own name (e.g. "Jumpin Jack Flash," "The Ripper," or some such) or pick from one of these pre-fab/suggested names:
• Jackson Jazz • Jackson Area Express • Jackson Metro • Pearl RiverRunner • CityBus • CityLink • Beat • Blues • CAT (Capital Area Transit) • GoJackson • JBus • The J • Magnolia Ride • The Ride
The results of the survey (which, face it, will probably be Jumpin Jack Flash) will be shared with the Jackson City Council at their Tuesday, November 17, 2015 meeting.
According to the city, "the person who suggests the best name for JATRAN and is approved by City Council will receive a special prize." (Editor's note: should be free bus rides for life).
Happy voting.
http://jacksonfreepress.com/users/photos/2015/sep/30/23114/
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State’s GOP Lawmakers Must Stop Pitting Poor Kids Against Sick People
Mississippi Republican leadership will stop at very little to try to scare voters into allowing them to continue violating state law and underfunding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, even if …
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Black Ministers and Business Owners Team Up for 'Economic Equity'
A new coalition of business owners and ministers is forming and today called on city leaders to "stop infighting" that coalition members say are hurting black-owned businesses in Jackson.
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Art
Marie Hull’s Artistic Mastery
Walking through the Mississippi Museum of Art's latest exhibit, "Bright Fields: The Mastery of Marie Hull," is like taking a trip through time.
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Education
Upping the Ante: GOP Threatens Education, Medicaid in Budget Hearings
The Republican leadership, which is against fully funding of MAEP, insists that if Initiative 42 passes, lawmakers will be forced to fully fund MAEP immediately, although its proponents are not …
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Civil Rights
Waving the Wrong Flag
Working-class southern whites have a right to feel rebellious. The problem is they're waving the wrong flag to show it.
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Cover
Brewing Luck
Brewmaster Lucas Simmons, who co-owns Lucky Town Brewing Company with partners Chip Jones, Angela Ray and Brandon Blacklidge, recently gave the Jackson Free Press a tour of the brewery.
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Interview
Brown: Learning from Kemper’s Mistakes
Since losing his seat in redistricting, Rep. Cecil Brown, D-Jackson, decided to run for the Public Service Commission.
