🌱 Jackson Sewers May Get Third-Party Control + Cathead Jam Returns

Good morning, Jackson! I'm Nicole Fallon-Peek, and I'll be your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town. Here is everything you need to know today in five minutes or less.

But first, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 84 Low: 68.

🏡 Are you looking for a new and effective way to advertise your real estate business? If you've maxed out your lead generation with Zillow and Google, we have a fresh solution for you. Our exclusive sponsorship offers a unique opportunity to reach potential clients and stand out in the market. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top four stories today in Jackson:

1. On Tuesday, a federal judge said he is likely to place the city's sewer system under the control of Interim Third-Party Manager Ted Henifin. In November 2022, Henifin was named receiver over Jackson's water system, and the judge noted that he has done a "herculean job" in that role. This decision is the result of over 250 sanitary sewer overflows in the city, and U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate wants to see prompt action to fix these issues. (WLBT)
2. A local grocery store in West Jackson will be closing its doors for good on Friday. When Food Depot on Northside Drive closes, it will leave behind a food desert for several Jackson communities. The nearest grocery store in the area will be Kroger on I-55, which is a 5.6-mile drive from Food Depot or a nearly two-hour walk. (Subscription: Hattiesburg American)
3. Rep. Earle Banks, who represents Jackson in the Mississippi House of Representatives, is facing a federal criminal charge. He has been accused of falsifying his 2018 U.S. income tax information. Documents showed that in 2018, he reported his adjusted gross income was $38,273, but he allegedly received over $500,000 in profits from selling real estate. In a statement, his attorney said that Banks "made a mistake" and is cooperating with the IRS and U.S. Attorney's Office. (WAPT)
4. Cathead Jam music festival is set to return to Jackson after a three-year break! This event will take place at Cathead Distillery on Jun. 2 and 3. and will feature performances by Goose, Cimafunk, The Flaming Lips, Shakey Graves, and more. Cathead Jam is now owned by Dreamnote Foundation, a nonprofit organization seeking to improve access to music throughout the state. Click here for more information about the event. (The Local Voice)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Jackson Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Jackson Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Jackson:

• Meditation 101 At Wolfe Studio (6:00 PM)
• Forks & Fiddles Dinner And A Show Supper Club Series At Hal & Mal's (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science has announced the upcoming exhibit "Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs." See the past as it comes to life with full-size models and fossilized skeletons. Visit this link to learn more. (Mississippi Museum of Natural Science via Facebook)
• According to recent data, the state of Mississippi had the third-highest rate of U.S. teen driver fatalities in 2022. Bumper.com reports that “young drivers are statistically more likely than other age groups to be involved in fatal accidents.” (Bumper.com)
• The City of Jackson Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting a Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Wellness Fair on May 20 at Sheppard Park. Free t-shirts will be handed out to attendees as well as a TV raffle giveaway for $5 per ticket. (City of Jackson, MS - Department of Parks and Recreation via Facebook)
• The Mississippi Children's Museum is gearing up for its summer exhibit "Splash and Bubbles." You can check out the museum's full calendar of events here. (Mississippi Children's Museum via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.