Place
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Biz Roundup
Wine and Dine: Changes Coming to Fenian's and Grocery Stores
Three months ago, Ryan Cassell—a Madison native who had been living in Charlotte, N.C., for the last 10 years—returned to his home state to take on the position of head …
Story
Supreme Court Seems to Favor Limits on Tribal Court Lawsuits
The Supreme Court appears ready to impose limits on lawsuits in a Native American court against people who are not members of the Indian tribe.
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Film
The Force is With Sellers of New 'Star Wars' Merchandise
Right now, in a store not too far away, there is a galaxy of new merchandise connected to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
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National
Cochran, Wicker Voted No on Gun Background Checks
Only one day after a mass shooting in California left 14 people dead and 21 more injured, the U.S. Senate rejected a bill that would require background checks for people …
Photo
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Business
Mississippi Tries to Balance Utility Worries in Solar Rules
The sun will rise on residential solar panels in Mississippi, but it's unclear how bright their future will be.
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Person of the Day
New Baby Orangutan at Jackson Zoo
The Jackson Zoo recently welcomed a new addition to its orangutan exhibit. Sabah and Pumpkin, the zoo's Bornean orangutans gave birth to a baby male on Nov. 22.
Entry
Presley: Net-Metering Rules Pass Public Service Commission
By R.L. NaveThe Mississippi Public Service Commission's Northern District Commissioner Brandon Presley issued the following statement about the approval of the state's first net-metering rule:
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - (December 3, 2015) – Today, the Public Service Commission unanimously passed a groundbreaking rule allowing net metering in the state. Net metering is the process by which individual utility customers who use solar panels or other renewable energy generators can sell back their excess power to the power companies. The electricity the customers produce can be placed back on the electric grid to offset what they otherwise would pay on their power bill.
In early January of 2011, the PSC initiated a study of the costs and benefits of net metering. Today’s decision is the culmination of nearly 5 years of work by the Commission.
“Mississippians are self-sufficient. They like to fix their own cars and grow their own food. They should be able to make their own power, too,” Presley said.
The rule requires that customers who produce excess electricity be compensated at the cost the utility will not have to spend each month, plus 2.5 cents for unquantifiable benefits. To assist low income customers, the Commission orders that each utility file a report on the feasibility of community solar by summer, 2016. Further, the first 1,000 low income customers will receive an additional 2 cents/kWh as a way of offsetting some initial costs. The order further protects consumers by establishing a joint working group to address all concerns raised in the docket. The effectiveness of the rule will be evaluated in 5 years.
“Passing this rule is a big step toward creating a solar market in our state; a step that could one day benefit all ratepayers. No one can predict what the cost of electricity or gas will be tomorrow but I can tell you that the sunshine will be free,” Presley concluded.
http://jacksonfreepress.com/users/photos/2015/dec/03/23755/
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Person of the Day
Nick Mullens
It is safe to say that after a 9-3 regular season that includes a Conference USA West Division, Nick Mullens finally blossomed.
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Business
'Clean Coal' Technology Fails to Capture World's Attention
The Kemper County power plant was supposed to be up and running by now, showing the world how to burn coal without spewing climate-warming carbon pollution into the air.
Story
Senate Set to OK Republican Bill Unraveling Health Care Law
Republicans pushed legislation toward Senate approval Thursday that would demolish President Barack Obama's signature health care law and halt Planned Parenthood's federal money, setting up a veto fight the GOP …
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Immigration
The Music of Immigrants
We're in the century-old Confiteria Ideal listening to the mother of all tangos, "La Cumparsita," and I'm thinking about the somewhat different world into which the tango was born.
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City & County
Malcolm White: City Resort Plan 'Ass Backwards'
Malcolm White, a cofounder and owner of Hal & Mal's, is threatening to move his iconic downtown restaurant and concert venue if it remains excluded from receiving so-called resort status.
Story
Bryan's Rant
A New USM Fear
No matter what happens this Saturday, Dec. 5, in the Conference USA Football Championship, where the University of Southern Mississippi will take on the University of Western Kentucky, USM has …
Story
The Slate
The Mississippi high-school football championships are in Oxford Dec. 4-5. You can catch all six games on TV with channel 35 (WLOO) or on radio with 87.7 FM.
Story
End Dangerous Rhetoric That Threatens Lives
The Nov. 27 shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood is a case study in the anatomy of political rhetoric and the real-life danger of spreading inciteful rhetoric.
Story
Politics
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Blame'
For Sen. Ted Cruz to deny that the anti-abortion rhetoric is spurred on by the right wing and members of his own party is not only disingenuous; it is extremely …
Story
Multiple People Shot at California Social Services Center
One or more gunmen opened fire Wednesday at a Southern California social services center, shooting multiple people, authorities said.
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Cover
Under Pressure: Dan Jones on Health, History and Ole Miss Race Battles
Coaches at Warren Central High School told Dan Jones he couldn't play football past ninth grade—he was too small and slow, but he was welcome to be a trainer instead. …
