Jackson Free Press

Vol. 4, No. 20

<b><u>An Open Letter to Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck</b></u>

As a physician and ex-smoker (four packs a day, clean for 20 years), I'm an advocate of helping smokers quit. I know the terrible health consequences of smoking. However, I …

Things Worth Saving

Recently, my life went completely down the flusher. My wife, with whom I was blissfully in love, texted me to say she wanted a divorce.

It's Not Too Late to Plant

For those who have been thinking "I'd like to start an organic garden this year," it's not too late. Lots of folks plant during the first week in May.

Lavell Crawford's Big Day

The phrase "larger than life" usually describes an entertainer's persona on stage, not his physical appearance. For Lavell Crawford, it's the other way around.

Council Approves Hotel Financing Agreement

Developers of a proposed convention center hotel said they could move forward on a $96.1 million project now that the Jackson City Council has approved a cost-sharing agreement for the …

‘Disparity' Study Call Disrupts Session

Percy Watson knew that getting the Mississippi Legislature to fund a disparity study was a long shot, but he had hoped it would somehow make it through the Republican-majority Senate …

[Parkes] The Rainbow Almost Died

It turned out that the store was losing money, and board members were thinking about shutting the place down.

[West] More Than A Figment

Communities that don't have vibrant arts scenes aren't healthy communities. Arts are essential.

Co-housing Now

The decrease in the number of Americans participating in bowling leagues since 1950 is just one example of America's movement toward isolated communities. Robert Putnam uses this example in the …

Jewish Film Fest: Best of the Best

Michael Steiner screened about three dozen films for the upcoming Jewish Cinema Mississippi 2012 film festival. As co-chairman of the January event, he and the other screening committee members narrowed …

Roadside Food Service Needed, Says Whitwell

Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell is chasing puppy mills and food trucks this week. Whitwell has submitted two ordinance changes for the March 22 council agenda: one discouraging roadside animal …

The Ole Switcheroo

Flanked by Gov. Haley Barbour and incoming Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, state Sen. Gray Tollison announced that his becoming a member of the Republican Party was the best thing for …

[Wilson] Draining A Bloated Government

In Mississippi, a new year means more than just changing calendars. It means the Legislature is back in session, and all 174 of our elected representatives have descended upon the …

Dare to Be the Best

This week, under a tribute post to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on jacksonfreepress.com, reader "justjess" shared a story about keeping his dream alive. She told the story of her …

Supes' Fuelman Records

Fuel purchases by the Hinds County Board of Supervisors have cost county taxpayers over $10,000 since January 2009, according to documents obtained by the Jackson Free Press. The Jackson Free …

Legislative Update: Back Door to Abortion Restriction?

The House and Senate spent all of March firing bills at one another, waiting to see what the other side was going to do with them. It's that time of …

Gimme Shelter

Some Jackson residents are growing concerned about the high number of halfway houses and homeless shelters populating the midtown area.

Langston Cooperating; Feds Seek His Release

An accidentally published motion reveals agents are working for an early release for convicted attorney Joey Langston, and that more investigations related to Langston are underway. U.S. attorneys filed a …

Campaign Office Burglarized

Burglars broke into the State Street campaign headquarters for incumbent Jackson Mayor Frank Melton early Saturday morning, reports WAPT, stealing a computer and a TV.

[Evans] A New Model for Cutting Medical Costs

Word is that Harvard Professor Dr. Atul Gawande's article on McAllen, Texas, is required reading in the White House. Published in the June 1, 2009 issue of The New Yorker, …