🌱 JPD Interim Chief Addresses 911 Concerns + UPS Workers Strike Prep

Morning, neighbors! I'm here with your Wednesday edition of the Jackson Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm. High: 95 Low: 76.

Here are the top three stories in Jackson today:

1. Jackson interim police Chief Joseph Wade said he is working to address issues with the city's 911 center. The local 911 center reportedly handles around 7,000-10,000 calls a week, and it was offline briefly in June due to severe storms. Wade will be holding a news conference with Mayor Antar Lumumba next week to discuss possible solutions to improve the city's 911 center. (WAPT)
2. UPS employees in Jackson are running practice drills for the picket line. UPS workers across the country are poised to strike, and are demanding an updated contract with better pay, an improved pension plan, and an end to six-day work schedules. A spokesperson for Teamsters Local 891 said that local workers are preparing by ensuring everyone is aware of relevant laws, policies, and procedures for picketing. (WLBT)
3. The JXN Film Festival is set to welcome filmmakers from around the state and the world. The festival aims to help build a local infrastructure for filmmaking in the city with a week-long schedule of movie screenings as well as classes on acting and screenwriting. There are 73 entries for this year's festival, which will run from Jul. 23-28 at the Jackson Convention Center, the Capri Theatre, and Homewood Suites in Fondren. Click here to learn more. (WLBT)

Are you a real estate agent in Jackson struggling to get leads in the current housing market? It's tough out there, but there is a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. Our exclusive sponsorship in the Jackson newsletter can help you do just that. Click here to learn more and discover how you can take your business to the next level today.

Today in Jackson:

Wednesday, July 12

• Creative Healing Studio At Mississippi Museum Of Art (12:30 PM)
• Carlos Alberto Calabrese And Gena Steele At Hal & Mal's (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Mississippi Children's Museum has lots of great events coming up! Rocky's Book Club is happening tomorrow, Jul. 13, at 3:30 p.m., and the Know to Grow program will take place on Saturday morning, Jul. 15, at 10:00 a.m. (Mississippi Children's Museum via Facebook)
• The Jackson Zoo is hosting an Ice Cream Safari event on Jul. 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event will feature a Kid Zone with a splash pad, a carousel, games, and animal encounters. (City of Jackson, MS - Parks and Recreation Department via Facebook)
• In case you missed it, the Capitol Unit entrepreneurs of the Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi will be holding a Lemonade Day on Jul. 13 from 2:30-4:00 p.m. at 1450 W. Capitol St. (Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi (BGCCM) via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Prime Day Is Happening Now — Shop & Save! (July 12)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today.

— 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.