The Mississippi Business Journal articles from February 2009

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from February 2009

What's in a name? Floundering catfish industry tries on 'Delacata' for size.(MBJ CLOSER LOOK)
February 2, 2009... The catch word is Delacata. At one point not too long ago, the catfish industry was the pride of Mississippi. Catfish was booming, and Mississippi was the No. 1 producer in the nation. However, the state's catfish industry has been...

GTR airport offers more flights out.(Golden Triangle Regional Airport)
February 2, 2009... Already on shaky ground before the economy went sour, the airline industry has suffered along with everybody else as businesses and consumers reduced major expenses like air travel. Major hubs have cut flights and services, but it is the...

Stimulus would mean infrastructure to state.
February 2, 2009... The U.S. Senate this week will likely take up an economic recovery bill that cleared the House last week. U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, who voted for the bill, hopes the Senate will improve it. Specifically, Childers, D-Booneviile, hopes more...

Jackson cranked up with International Auto Show: more than 20 models rated at over 30 miles-per-gallon were ate Jackson Convention Complex.
February 2, 2009... One week after the grand opening of the Jackson Convention Complex, its inaugural event was held, offering the first-ever 2009 Mississippi International Auto Show. The event featured vehicles from classic to brand new, fun events as well as a...

Many turning to annuities for safety to sock away case: generally used to provide for retirement, investors now like fixed rate of return and tax advantages.
February 2, 2009... During these tumultuous economic times, investors are looking for a safer way to sock away cash. In the past, certificates of deposit have been a popular way to invest money. However, many folks who own CD's are asking their bankers if there is...

The people's building: re-opening of the Mississippi's capitol museum.
February 2, 2009... In the 1830's Jackson, and Mississippi, saw the creation of its first capitol building. The architect, William Nickels, labored over building this enormous structure to represent the growth that was hoped to take place in Mississippi, and its...

Some pretty special folks live off the beaten path.(Perspective)(Column)
February 2, 2009... In the last couple of months, 1 have spent a lot of time Ion the road, going back and forth to the Delta as my family and I are still in the process of moving to the Jackson area. Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we will accomplish...

[Cartoon].(Perspective)(Cartoon)
February 2, 2009... WE'VE GOT $200 MILLION IN BUDGET CUTS, LAY-OFFS AND HIRING FREEZES. ANY SUGGESTIONS? HOUSE BILL 1257 SALARY INCREASE FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS HOW ABOUT A PAY RAISE?! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The morning after the inauguration.(Perspective)
February 2, 2009... Washington wastes no time in moving on to the next order of business regardless of the size of the preceding, event. The same was true of last week s Presidential inauguration. Early on Wednesday, Jan. 21, President Obama was up early, after...

Hard times call for 'fiscal fitness'.(DOLLARS AND SENSE)
February 2, 2009... This column is the first in a series of consumer-oriented 'news you can use' pieces. The adage is old but true--"If you're going to talk the talk you better..." Never before has "talking the talk" about finances been more important than...

State unemployment rate rises; nearly 9,000 jobs are lost.(By The Numbers)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
February 2, 2009... * Mississippi's unemployment rate climbed to 7.6 percent in December, according to data released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security last week. That's 8,900 jobs lost since November and more than one percentage point...

Public school in the 60's.(Book Biz)(A New Day in the Delta: Inventing School Desegregation as You Go)(Book review)
February 2, 2009... "Beckwith's accurate account of his experience will be valuable to the history of this time."--Andrew P. Mullins Jr., executive assistant to the chancellor and associate professor of education, University of Mississippi A New Day in the...

Losses posted by First M&F Corporation.(Strictly Business)(Financial report)
February 2, 2009... KOSCIUSKO -- First M&F Corp. reports that net income for 2008 was $526,000, or $0.06 basic and $0.05 diluted earnings per share, compared to $14.458 million, or $1.60 basic and $1.59 diluted earnings per share, for 2007. The fall in earnings...

BancorpSouth stays in the black.(Strictly Business)
February 2, 2009... TUPELO -- BancorpSouth Inc.'s net income for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $16.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared with $32.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2007. Net income for the year ended...

Britton & Koontz watches a rise in earnings.(Strictly Business)
February 2, 2009... NATCHEZ -- While many banks posted a loss during 2008, Britton & Koontz Capital Corporation actually saw a rise in earnings. The company recorded net income for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008, of $3.5 million, or $1.65 per basic and diluted...

Report shows off Mississippi small businesses.(Strictly Business)
February 2, 2009... WASHINGTON -- Mississippi's economic recovery will depend on small business. That message is driven home in the newly updated Mississippi Small Business Profile released by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The...

Unemployment numbers still steadily on the rise.(Strictly Business)
February 2, 2009... WASHINGTON -- In the week ended Jan. 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 589,000, an increase of 62,000 from the previous week's revised figure, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The four-week moving...

Wicker named to two committees.(Strictly Business)(United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations and United States. Congress. House. Committee on Small Business appointed Roger Wicker )(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) has secured seats on two additional committees, including the Foreign Relations Committee and the Small Business Committee. Wicker will also retain his spots on the Armed Services Committee, the...

Community Coffee expanding operations.(Strictly Business)(Community Coffee Company Inc.)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... OLIVE BRANCH -- Vickie Dupree, director for Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce, announced that Community Coffee is putting the finishing touches on its new service center and distribution center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 4....

Clarke calls insurance hearing.(Strictly Business)(Buck Clarke )(Conference news)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... JACKSON -- Consumers, industry representatives and the Mississippi Insurance Department had the opportunity to discuss statewide insurance issues being put before the Legislature this session at a special hearing held Jan. 28. Senate...

Delta NEXT! reaches students.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... JACKSON -- The Special Task Force for the Revitalization of the Delta Region, a group formed in 2006 House Bill 1034, continues its work through the launch of the second issue of Delta NEXT!, a magazine designed to encourage students in grades...

KFCU earns five-star rating.(Strictly Business)(Keesler Federal Credit Union)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... BILOXI -- Keesler Federal Credit Union (KFCU) has once again earned BauerFinancial Inc.'s highest five-star superior rating for financial strength and stability. BauerFinancial has been analyzing the nation's banks and credit unions for...

JCYP forms from new strategic plan.(Strictly Business)
February 2, 2009... JONES COUNTY -- A new leadership group called the Jones County Young Professionals (JCYP) has formed out of a new strategic plan called All Eyes Toward the Future." JCYP is a group of residents and employees of Jones County under the age...

NVision Solutions reaches new milestone.(Strictly Business)(Company overview)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... HANCOCK COUNTY -- NVision Solutions, Inc. recently surpassed a milestone. It now has more than 50 employees on its payroll. Since its incorporation in March 2002, NVision has experienced success and growth at a steady pace, and in July 2007...

New faces for Commission.(Strictly Business)(Commission on Judicial Performance appoints Henry L. Lackey, H. David Clark III and William E. Andrews III )(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... JACKSON -- The Commission on Judicial Performance has new leadership and new members. The commission investigates allegations of judicial misconduct and makes recommendations for discipline to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Circuit Judge...

CB&I tapped for water storage tanks.(Strictly Business)
February 2, 2009... HANCOCK COUNTY -- The Hancock County Utility Authority has awarded a contract to The Woodlands, Texas-based CB&I for the engineering, fabrication and construction of seven elevated water storage tanks. The cost of the project was not disclosed....

Dale endows Carey scholarship.(Strictly Business)
February 2, 2009... HATTIESBURG -- Chancery Judge Sebe Dale Jr. of Columbia recently established the Thelma Burrow Dale Endowment for Missions at William Carey University to honor his late mother. The scholarship will provide money for students who are preparing...

CSSSM holds training event.(Strictly Business)(Center for Spectator Sports Security Management )(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... HATTIESBURG -- Security professionals from 10 states attended a training conference Jan. 27-30 in New Orleans to prepare for the delivery of 80 Sport Event Risk Management Workshops in April at National Football League stadiums across the...

TVA chooses new transmission line's route.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI -- The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has identified a preferred route for a proposed new transmission line that the utility said would replace overloaded equipment and provide a reliable source of power to the...

Commission meets with lawmakers on funding.(Strictly Business)(federal funding declines sharply)
February 2, 2009... JACKSON -- The Access to Justice Commission addressed members of the Judiciary Committees of the Mississippi House of Representatives Jan. 22 at the Capitol. The group talked about funding for civil legal needs of poor people. A similar...

SCEDP offers conservation film online.(Strictly Business)(Stone County Economic Development Partnership)(The Search for Red Bluff: A Red Creek Conservation Film)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... WIGGINS -- The Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) has made available the documentary film "The Search for Red Bluff: A Red Creek Conservation Film" on its web site at stonecounty.com. SCEDP is a sponsor of the film that...

BLS tracks young adults.(Strictly Business)
February 2, 2009... WASHINGTON -- At age 21, women are more likely to be enrolled in college than men, according to a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Among 21-year-olds not enrolled in college, men are more likely than women to be employed in a...

EDA announces ribbon cuttings.(Strictly Business)(Economic Development Authority of Jones County)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... JONES COUNTY -- The Economic Development Authority of Jones County was busy last month conducting ribbon cuttings, and more of the same is on tap for February. Ribbon cuttings in January included: Rocky Creek Outdoors in Ellisville (Jan....

Moore named associate dean of students at Southern Miss.(People to Watch)(The University of Southern Mississippi appointed J. Brooks Moore)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... A former student who made his mark as a scholar and campus leader at the University of Southern Mississippi has returned to join its Division of Student Affairs as associate dean of students. J. Brooks Moore will supervise student judicial...

Floor Trader presents awards at convention.(People to Watch)(David Salters)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Floor Trader National held its winter convention Jan. 7-9 in Grapevine, Texas, at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. Awards were presented during its annual banquet. David Salters, vice president of...

Dryden honored as Auzilian of the Quarter.(People to Watch)(Neva Dryden)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... The Singing River Hospital Auxiliary has honored Neva Dryden as the Auxilian of the Quarter. She has been an Auxilian since 1975, working in Escort Services. Dryden, a lifelong Jackson County resident, graduated from Moss Point High...

Federation elects Ray as president.(People to Watch)
February 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rita Wray has been elected Mississippi Federation of Republican Women's Sate President to lead its 1,200-plus members. Wray is the first African-American elected to this post.

DEDC announces communications director.(People to Watch)(Delta Economic Development Center appointed Joanna R. Formosa)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Joanna R. Formosa has been hired to work directly with Ed Johnson, CEO of the Delta Economic Development Center. and the rest of the staff to communicate the DEDC message to local, state and national media as its new...

Students awarded leadership scholarship.(People to Watch)
February 2, 2009... Twenty-two students from the Jackson area received the Leadership Scholarship Award for the 2008-09 academic year at the University of Southern Mississippi. The students and their hometowns are as follows: Yazoo City: Jasmine Claybon,...

Army Med Center and MSU join to train veterans in digital forensics.(People to Watch)
February 2, 2009... Computer science faculty members at Mississippi State University soon will be training "wounded warriors" in digital forensics at Walter Reed Army Hospital. With the goal of helping veterans improve their job opportunities after leaving...

Sololsky awarded with Ambassador of the Month.(People to Watch)
February 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Eric Sokolsky with Dyatech Payroll Services has been awarded Rankin County Chamber of Commerce December Ambassador of the Month. Sokolsky was given the award at the Ambassador's January meeting. Sokolsky and other...

Regions Bank donates original artwork to UMC.(People to Watch)
February 2, 2009... Regions Bank recently donated three original works of art created by Blanche Batson, wife of Blair E. Batson, to the UMC Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital for permanent display throughout the hospital. These pieces have been part of the...

New leadership class announced.(People to Watch)(appointments by Economic Development Authority of Jones County )(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... The Economic Development Authority of Jones County has unveiled its newest class of Leadership Jones County, a leadership development program. Applicants who live and/or are employed in Jones County are selected to participate in a nine month...

Memorial names Fourth Quarter 2008 STAR recipients.(People to Watch)(Service, Teamwork, Attitude and Respect)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... Memorial has named the recipients of the Fourth Quarter 2008 Star awards--Memorial's highest honor. STAR, Service, Teamwork, Attitude and Respect, was developed to recognize outstanding service. The Fourth Quarter 2008 STAR recipients are...

Lecture from history professor on civil rights.(People to Watch)
February 2, 2009... Dr. James Pat Smith, talks with Dr. Gilbert Mason Jr. after giving a lecture on the wade-ins that occurred on Biloxi's beaches in t959 and through the early 1960s. The lecture, given at the university's Gulf Park campus in Long Beach Tuesday,...

MIAL announces two lifetime achievement award winners.(People to Watch)(Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters)
February 2, 2009... The Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters (MIAL) has chosen Marshall Bouldin and Elizabeth Spencer as recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards in celebration of the organization's 30th year. The presentations will be made at the annual...

Shepard assumes new duties at MSU Forest Resources College.(People to Watch)
February 2, 2009... The Mississippi State University forestry department head is being pro-rooted to a new administrative role in the university's College of Forest Resources. James P. "Jim" Shepard now is associate director of research for the Forest and...

Future Leaders of Jones County class of 2009.(People to Watch)
February 2, 2009... The Future Leaders of Jones County is a six-month development program open to area high school juniors. The long-range goal of this program is to encourage community involvement and education. They meet every second Wednesday of each month....

Director of corporate and foundation relations named.(People to Watch)(The University of Southern Mississippi appointed Josh Hernandez)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... The University of Southern Mississippi Office of Advancement has named Josh Hernandez its new director of corporate and foundation relations. Hernandez, who previously served the university as assistant director of annual giving, will be...

Memorial Hospital honors volunteers.(People to Watch)
February 2, 2009... Memorial Hospital honored its Auxiliary with a luncheon and awards ceremony on Wednesday, January 21 at the Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis. Diane Gallagher, vice president, marketing and planning, and Linda McCulloch, volunteer services...

Keeping our eye on: profiles of growing young professionals in Mississippi.(People to Watch)(Hans Petit)(HORNE LLP.)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hans Petit Age: 36 Hometown: Montgomery, Ala. Education: Master in accounting, University of Alabama; bachelor of science degree in accounting; Auburn University Position: Partner in the Financial...

A force in the Delta: Johnson hopes to lead region back to prosperity of old.(Q&A for: Ed Johnson, Chief Economic Developer of Delta Economic Development Center)(Interview)
February 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q--How does the stereo type that the Mississippi Delta is a business and education wasteland affect your job and how is the stereo type different from reality. A--The "wasteland" comments affect my job in a...

Economy hits hospitals hard: ailing Mississippi healthcare facilities facing 'perfect storm'.(Focus)
February 2, 2009... Hospitals are not the first thing to leap to mind when it comes to the economic development discussion, but their impact is profound, according to a 2007 study commissioned by the Mississippi Hospital Association. Conducted by a New York...

Cancer center to hold open house.(Focus)
February 2, 2009... From staff reports The Cancer Center at Magnolia will hold a public Open House Feb. 29. It will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the center, located at 2001 State Drive in Corinth. The Cancer Center at Magnolia is a 17,000...

West Nile virus on the decline? Mosquito-borne illness remains unpredictable.(Focus)
February 2, 2009... In a year filled with bad news, Mississipians got some good news from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) recently. After some refiguring, it was discovered the number of human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in 2008 was less than...

Sondgeroth still keeping the faith: Sister Mary Dorothea Sondgeroth draws on deep faith as a hospital executive and community leader.(Healthcare Mississippi)(Mary Dorothea Sondgeroth)
February 2, 2009... Spending a day in prayer, meditation, chanting, helping others and attending mass may not be the standard day for most successful executives. Then again, there is hardly anything "standard" about Sister Mary Dorothea Sondgeroth, president of...

Mental health issues up with poor economy: foreclosures, job losses, dwindling retirement funds create more stress.(Focus)
February 2, 2009... The steady stream of foreboding news about the economy, job losses and home foreclosures can not help having a negative mental effect on the population. Mental health professionals are observing an increase in anxiety levels and in some cases...

Barbour angered over S-CHIP bill: governor says legislation does not provide for the people it is supposed to help.(Focus)(childrens health insurance program)(Haley Barbour)
February 2, 2009... The U.S. Senate was scheduled to vote last week on a State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) bill that was already drawing the ire of Gov. Haley Barbour. Barbour's primary opposition to the bill is the clause in it that will...

Plans for nation's health insurance vary: Republicans and Democrats far apart on healthcare reform and how to accomplish it.(Focus)
February 2, 2009... One of the major--and most contentious--issues in last fall's Presidential campaign was the two candidates' approach to reforming the U.S. healthcare system. John McCain and Barack Obama differed wildly in their approach. Republican...

University of Mississippi Health Care sponsors Go Rred for Women.(MISSISSIPPI HEALTHCARE NEWS)
February 2, 2009... JACKSON -- University of Mississippi Health Care (UMHC) has become the official sponsor of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement in metro Jackson. The hospital will use its expertise and connections in the community to help...

High school activities association signs with NCSS.(MISSISSIPPI HEALTHCARE NEWS)
February 2, 2009... JACKSON -- The National Center for Sports Safety (NCSS) of Birmingham, Ala., and the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) have finalized a partnership to educate Mississippi's high school and middle school coaches in the area...

Sarphie named associate dean at William Carey College.(MISSISSIPPI HEALTHCARE NEWS)
February 2, 2009... HATTIESBURG -- William Carey University WCU) is welcoming Dr. Theodore G. Sarphie to the College of Osteopathic Medicine. In July 2009, Sarphie will become associate dean of bio-medical sciences bringing 37 years of academic experience. A...

Hospital earned high marks from Mississippi Dept. of Health.(MISSISSIPPI HEALTHCARE NEWS)
February 2, 2009... COLUMBUS -- Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle's transitional care unit has received a five-star quality rating by the Mississippi State Department of Health. The rating, the highest given by the department, covers patients who require...

Forrest General still growing in the Pine Belt: pioneering hospital sees momentous year as it serves 17 counties.(Focus)(Forrest General Hospital. Poison Center (Hattiesburg, Mississippi))(Organization overview)
February 2, 2009... Since its opening in 1952, Forrest General Hospital has pulled off a number of firsts and has made a name for itself in the Pine Belt for the quality of its care. The hospital has seen some momentous years, but a strong argument could be made...

MDAC still working toward safer food: new system aims at keeping consumers informed, aware.(Healthcare Mississippi)
February 2, 2009... For years now, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) has been telling anyone that would listen that the nation's food-handling industry needs a serious upgrade. The recent nationwide Salmonella scare is yet another event...

Batson Hospital's Cancer Clinic enjoying success: many sick children now healthy adults.(Healthcare Mississippi)
February 2, 2009... Dealing with the tragedy of children with cancer is holistic at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, a part of the University Medical Center in Jackson. The Children's Cancer Clinic, which opened in 1991, is on the hospital's first floor....

Beau Rivage health program a hit: healthy living campaign offers fitness and fun for all.(Focus)(Beau Rivage Resort & Casino)
February 2, 2009... At the 2009 Best Places to Work awards program held Jan. 14 in Jackson, MGM Mississippi Properties, which includes Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, was named a winner in the mega-large category. The award is presented to those companies...

Cardiovascular care centers.(Directory)
February 2, 2009... Cardiovascular Care Centers Name, Year Founded Phone Address Fax Baptist Cardiovascular (601) 948-6262 Services, 1970 (601) 968-1374 1225 N....

Looking to the future: ATK announcement continuation of advanced manufacturing in state.(SPECIAL REPORT: Economic development in Mississippi)
February 9, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The top tier of economic development projects in Mississippi the past decade or so shares a similarity: most of them are advanced manufacturing businesses. The arrival of Nissan touched off a series of suppliers...

Wind mitigation study to pave way: seven-digit grant seen as a potential huge shot in the arm.(POST KATRINA RECOVERY)
February 9, 2009... One of the major hurdles in post-Hurricane Katrina construction on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is wind mitigation. Questions abound concerning homes being built to withstand future hurricanes. These questions must be answered for a multitude of...

Hancock faces leadership change during economic crisis: Venerable financial institution remains optimistic.
February 9, 2009... Just as with banks across the state and nation, Hancock Holding Company is facing daunting challenges as the economy and the banking industry falter. However, this is especially difficult for Hancock Holding, the parent company of Hancock Bank,...

[Cartoon].(Perspective)(Cartoon)
February 9, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I SEE YOU'VE GOT A WEIGHT PROBLEM TOO, BARACK!

Will Mississippi get the short end of the stimulus?(Perspective)
February 9, 2009... One of the concerns about the proposed economic stimulus package, at least from states like Mississippi, is that rural states will not be getting its fair share compared to other states. But as Melody Barnes, director of the Domestic Policy...

[Cartoon].(Perspective)(Cartoon)
February 9, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I'M AFRAID WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LET SOME OF YOU GO.

Mississippi students to participate in national assessments.(Perspective)
February 9, 2009... Last summer, the country was captivated by the phenomenal performances of runners, gymnasts, swimmers and other athletes from around world as they gave everything had to winning medals and setting records at the Olympics. We watched in...

Are libraries the new town square? If we examine the things that went on in the town squares of the past, we see that many of them are occurring in today's libraries. For example, many elected officials hold constituent meetings, arts and crafts demonstrations are held and lectures and forums of all kinds are held in the library.(Perspective)(Project for Public Spaces)(Column)
February 9, 2009... Project for Public Spaces (PPS), a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities, thinks so. PPS recently listed its "10 Trends Shaping the Future of Our Communities." Number five on the list...

By the numbers.(Perspective)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] North Mississippi counties have been hit hard by unemployment with 88 percent of counties above Interstate 20 having more than 8 percent unemployment. Mississippi Unemployment 5-year comparison ...

How well do you really know your customers?(Perspective)
February 9, 2009... In his own 21st century version, Keith Ferrazzi has written a best seller, "Never Eat Alone," that reminds us that to succeed in business and life we need to be connected. Often people wait until they are in desperate need to reach out to their...

MUW narrows its list of names down to three.(Perspective)(Mississippi University for Women)
February 9, 2009... Reneau University... Waverley University... Welty-Reneau University. These are the three names recommended as the new name for Mississippi University for Women. The recommendations come from the 30-member MUW Naming Committee, which was...

Three women in Mississippi.(The Help)(Book review)
February 9, 2009... The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Penguin Putnam) $24.95 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Had Kathryn Stockett not been born and raised in Jackson, Miss., she could not have written with such feeling and compassion her novel. "The...

Increasing students going to college: grants aimed at 12 Mississippi counties in Appalachian foothills.(Focus)
February 9, 2009... In some of the state's Appalachian counties, community leaders, education officials and economic developers are forming teams to increase the number of high school graduates who go on to college. Twelve of Mississippi's 24 counties of the...

Barbour steps up for workforce training: funding has been a contributing factor in several industries' decision to move to Mississippi.(Focus)
February 9, 2009... While the pace has slowed due to the national recession, the proliferation of large economic developments in Mississippi the last five years has been brisk. The arrival of the Nissan plant spun a web of suppliers and peripheral businesses...

Report: state's economy tied to education: Barksdale Reading Institute wants to makes sure success if the key word.(Education, HR & Workforce Training)
February 9, 2009... A report released Jan. 26 by the Southern Education Foundation in Atlanta says that Mississippi's economic future is tied to the state's system of early childhood education. The report, which surveys data from 2007, finds that...

TFA teachers helps to reverse educational inequity: while teach for America teachers make impact, there just isn't enough of them to go around.(Focus)
February 9, 2009... If Hank Bounds had his way, Mississippi would have 1,000 new Teach For America (TFA) recruits in classrooms this fall. "Teach For America is one of the best investments our state can make, and growing Teach For America is a must-do," said...