http://www.meridianstar.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:31:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_220233138.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_220233138.html Do you remember the popular song of the 1960’s, Turn Around? It was recorded by several artists of the day including Perry Como, The Brothers Four, and Harry Belafonte. I admit that when hearing it, or thinking of it, that I’m a little sad, and my eyes become blurry with an unexpected tear. Just call me nostalgic – I’ve been called worst. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:11:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_219001116.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_219001116.html My friend Ronnie telephoned the other day. He wanted me to check out his garden. It was nice. There were several varieties of melon, peas, and beans— the usual suspects. Its size was manageable, there weren’t too many weeds and everything seemed in order. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:11:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_219001152.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_219001152.html With governments at all levels facing rough seas caused by high fuel prices and the domino effect those price hikes have had on the nation's economy, this may no be the best of economic times to point out one of Mississippi's significant educational shortcomings. Mississippi is the only state in the South without a state-funded early children education program. Only nine other states nationwide do not invest in some form of early childhood education and only 12 states don't have a state-funded pre-kindergarten program. Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:48:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_216004813.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_216004813.html Call it pulling a rabbit out of his hat, call it the best news the governor's given us since Toyota ... whatever you call it, Gov. Haley Barbour's plan to fix Medicaid is one that will hopefully end the months-long battle over the issue. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:33:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_205003323.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_205003323.html In junior high school pep rallies were mandatory. I never minded them because they were a legitimate excuse to get out of class and hang out in the gymnasium. I never became too lathered up during these proceedings; call it lack of school spirit, absence of general enthusiasm about which grade could yell louder than the other, or uncooperative spirit fingers. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:27:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_205002802.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_205002802.html With Mississippi voters struggling with $4-per-gallon gas, higher food prices and with some families worried about loved ones serving their country on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan, two Mississippi U.S. Senate candidates are trading body blows over alleged campaign finance violations. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:14:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_202001419.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_202001419.html Mississippi politics have provided fodder to muddy a healthcare crisis that is in need of a solution in this state. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:03:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_193000347.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_193000347.html Storytellers, I often say, are those who find stories in the simplest occurrences. Sometimes, it’s just a phrase or a word that will stop me in my tracks and send me spiraling toward a new story. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:02:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_193000249.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_193000249.html I’m just returning from summer vacation with my family. Oh, my – did we have fun! Beach and sand, shopping and eating, lots of laughter, hugging and kissing … family time, there’s nothing better. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:56:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_190235654.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_190235654.html The fact that the current race between Republican interim U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and Democratic former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove for the seat vacated by former Republican U.S. Sen. Trent Lott in December is tight as a tick is at once novel and historic. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:55:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_190235606.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_190235606.html In a non-descript building, on U.S. 411 outside of Madisonville Tennessee, in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains, sits a little smokehouse. Over the past few years it has become the porcine capital of the known universe. It is a place I have wanted to visit for a long time. Last week I made my pilgrimage. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:04:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_188000429.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_188000429.html For a couple of weeks we've heard through television news reports that Bonita Lakes Mall officials are trying to figure out what to do about the "teenager problem" at the mall. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:03:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_188000304.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_188000304.html BAY ST. LOUIS - There is no more stark reminder of the raw power unleashed on the Mississippi Gulf Coast during Hurricane Katrina than a visit to what is called "Old Town" in Bay St. Louis. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_188000023.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_188000023.html We were seemingly as different as New York and New Mexico. At least, that’s what I reckoned, standing in line behind the stocky gentleman at a fast food restaurant. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:59:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_187235907.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_187235907.html My brother Jim, a retired school administrator/lawyer, enjoys Atlantic coast “whale watching.” This year he had a personal record breaker: five “Right Whales” on one watch period. Several years ago Sally and I shared sighting a breaching Right Whale from about 200 yards off shore. I’m still awestruck!