news, culture & irreverence
Thursday, Sept. 2 Another oil and gas rig in the Gulf of Mexico explodes; however no leaks are detected. The U.S. Coast Guard rescues all 13 workers on the rig. … Allergan Inc. maker of Botox, agrees to pay $600 million to end a Justice Department investigation into the makers marketing efforts. Friday, Sept. 3 Gov. Haley Barbour signs a bill pushed by Attorney General Jim Hood banning the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana, an herbal mixture known as spice. Saturday, Sept. 4 Classified ad website Craigslist takes down its “adult services” section after attorneys general in 17 states urge the site’s founder to permanently close the section, which included ads for prostitution, sex trafficking of children and other sexual services. … University of Southern Mississippi doctoral student Josh Ennen discovers a new turtle species in the Pearl River. Sunday, Sept. 5 Jefferson Thomas, 68, one of the “Little Rock Nine,” dies in Ohio of cancer. In 1957, Thomas was one of nine teenagers integrated into Little Rock, Ark., Central High School amidst intense opposition requiring federal intervention to resolve. … Mississippian natives Ronald Bullock and his daughter Diana Tate reunite 52 years after Bullock went to war the day after Tate’s birth.
Senator Warns of Hinds District Loss
J
ackson Sen. Hillman Frazier called upon city residents to crowd the halls of Hinds County Circuit Court this month to voice their concerns about redistricting. “Hinds lost population,” said Frazier, a Democrat representing a district in a largely Democratic county. “The Mississippi Delta lost population, and they are in danger of losing representation in the Legislature. We have to protect their interests going forward because you could actually lose a representative in Jackson.” The Joint Legislative Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting is conducting public meetings across the state over redrawing the state’s 122 state House districts and 52 Senate districts. Lawmakers must redefine the state’s districts every 10 years to match changes in population revealed by the U.S. Census. Frazier said the Jackson public needs to make its interests known to the committee, especially considering Hinds County’s drop in population density over the last 10 years. The Senate subcommittee will draw the Senate plan, and the House subcommittee will draw the House plan based on comments and Census information, and together will pass a resolution that both chambers must approve. “Once it’s adopted by the House and Senate, it’ll go to Washington for ap-
Jackson Sen. Hillman Frazier encouraged Jackson residents to attend a Sept. 15 hearing to prevent losing a voting district in Hinds County.
proval,” Frazier said. “We still have to get it cleared by the (U.S.) Department of Justice because of our history as a state, how we went from 63 black legislators in 1876 to zero black legislators due to racist redistricting. The DOJ wants to make sure we don’t do that again.” The issue is likely to become a battle this year as Republicans and Democrats fight for influence and to avoid losing a
September 9 - 15, 2010
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by Adam Lynch
district. Legislative redistricting in 2002 cost the state one Senate district and three House districts. It also forced two incumbent Republicans to vie for influence over a single new district created from two districts in the northeastern part of the state. The fight officially begins in 2011 after the state receives the new population figures from the Census count. As it stands, both the House and Senate have tossed together two very partisan committees. The House Committee, with its nine Democrats and one lone Republican, will likely favor districts strengthening the Democrat presence in the state. Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, meanwhile, has created a committee consisting of five Republicans and five Democrats—but three of the Democrats on the committee almost always vote with Republicans on every issue. The Democrats include Sens. Tommy Dickerson of Waynesboro, Cindy HydeSmith of Brookhaven and Jack Gordon of Okolona. Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, supported some controversial Republican positions during the 2009 legislative session, such as opposition to a tax increase on tobacco, but has since parted ways with Republicans on some education-funding issues. Frazier is the Senate committee’s lone African American member. Political reporter Bobby Harrison REDISTRICTING, see page 7
It’s in because I say it is, OK?
rebuked
Monday, Sept. 6 President Barack Obama introduces a $50 billion long-term jobs program to rebuild roads, railways and runways. Republicans immediate attack the proposal as more deficit spending by the administration. Tuesday, Sept. 7 Striking transportation workers in France and London snarl rail, bus and air commuter traffic. … President Obama announces potential business tax breaks for new capital investments. Get breaking news and events daily at jfpdaily.com; subscribe free.
State Attorney General Jim Hood talks about BP suits. p 10
courtesy Mississippi Standing Joint Reapportionment Committee
Wednesday, Sept. 1 A man with an explosive device strapped to his body held three hostages for several hours at Discovery Communications, reportedly over its programming. Police shot and killed the suspect. … Jacksonians celebrated Good Neighbor Day with free roses from Greenbrook Flowers, which started the tradition in 1994.
Among the many world-famous artists who once called Mississippi home, we’re proud to include Walter Anderson, W.C. Handy, Richard Wright, Tennessee Williams, Eudora Welty, Shelby Foote, Bo Diddly, William Faulkner and Stephen Ambrose, among other greats.
“I have rebuked the idea and the thought that because we are an over 80 percent African American city, that there is something wrong with the city of Jackson.” — Jackson Mayor’s Office Chief of Staff Sean Perkins, speaking at the Farish Street Baptist Church Aug. 31.
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Young Buffalo Jonathan Rhys Meyers MockBusters Truth Glenn Beck as Martin Biofuels Joe Miller Oraien Catledge Big K.R.I.T. People with no hope Soldiers in Afghanistan Parlor Market opening Fall 2010 Highway 90 Vowell’s
Secret Miracles Mel Gibson Blockbuster Oil-eating microbes Glenn Beck as Malcolm Biofuels Republican viability Herb & Dorothy Vogel Too Short Mississippi Case Management Soldiers in Iraq Parlor Market opening Summer 2010 County Line Road Albertson’s