Thursday, February 28
GOP Kills Tort Reform Amendment Requiring 'Reasonable' Safety Efforts
Businesses no longer would have to "take reasonable steps" to prevent violence on their premises after Republicans defeated a proposed amendment to a "tort-reform" bill working through the Mississippi Legislature, also called the Landowners Protection Act.
Youth Courts, Detention May See Reforms from Mississippi Legislature
A record 459 children were in custody in 2015 in Hancock County on Mississippi's Gulf Coast—the highest number of children in detention facilities per capita in the state.
Richard Sun, Mississippi Coding Academies
While Richard Sun spent most of his working life maximizing shareholder value, he says Mississippi Coding Academies, of which he is a co-founder, is about maximizing human capital.
Wednesday, February 27
Bryant: GOP Would've 'Hollered' If Obama Pushed Criminal Reform
"You're the only president that can do this," Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says he privately told President Trump last year, as he urged the fellow Republican to support criminal-justice reform.
Walker Powell
The University of Southern Mississippi was able to take game one of a three-game series against Mississippi State University in Starkville on Friday, Feb. 22, with help from right-handed pitcher Walker Powell.
Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Bill Advances to Mississippi House
Mississippi lawmakers are inching forward with a proposal that could become one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation.
Cohen Says Trump Knew About WikiLeaks Email Dump Beforehand
President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer told Congress on Wednesday that Trump knew ahead of time that WikiLeaks had emails damaging to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, and he testified that Trump is a "racist," a "conman" and a "cheat."
Tuesday, February 26
Hosemann Talks River Floods, Jackson Water, Yearly Teacher Pay Raises
Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann expounded Monday on a lawsuit against the federal government over flooding along the Mississippi River, but said his office would not "wade into" issues concerning Jackson's water quality.
Charles E. Cobb Jr.
Veteran civil rights activist, journalist and author Charles E. Cobb Jr. will be the featured speaker March 14 at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.
Holy Crab Coming to Jackson, Arts Day at the Capitol and "Visual Voices"
The Mississippi Museum of Art will host a traveling exhibition called "Visual Voices: Contemporary Chickasaw Art" from March 2 to June 2, 2019, in the Gertrude C. Ford and Donna and Jim Barksdale Galleries.
Monday, February 25
District Attorney to Run as Dem for Mississippi Governor
Robert Shuler Smith, the third-term district attorney for Hinds County, recently announced that he has filed with the state Democratic party to run for governor.
Mississippi Players Kneel During Anthem in Response to Rally
Eight Mississippi players kneeled during the national anthem in response to a Confederacy rally near the arena before the Rebels' 72-71 victory over Georgia on Saturday.
Mike Espy Boosts Young House Candidate With Endorsement, Data
Brandon Rue, president of a student organization at the University of Southern Mississippi called Common Causeto, plans to run as a Democrat for Mississippi House District 102, the state legislative seat that represents much of Hattiesburg, including Southern Miss.
Analysis: Mississippi Lawmakers Reject College Aid Changes
There could have been a shift in how Mississippi helps students pay for college after findings showed one program benefiting many affluent families doesn't appear effective, while less affluent families remained underserved.
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Friday, February 22
R. Kelly Charged With 10 Counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse
R. Kelly was charged Friday with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse, after decades of lurid rumors and allegations that the R&B star was sexually abusing women and underage girls.
After Death in Madison Jail, Family Files Lawsuit Against County
What exactly happened in the last 24 hours of Harvey Hill's life is uncertain, but his family is charging that he died due to excessive force in the Madison County Detention Center.
"Unframed Images" at MSU, Millsaps College Players at the Arts Center and Edible Book Festival at USM
Mississippi State University Libraries is partnering with Tuskegee University in Alabama and the Southern Literary Trail to host "Unframed Images," an art exhibition honoring the work of African American photographer P.H. Polk.
House Dems Introduce Measure to Revoke Trump Border Edict
House Democrats on Friday introduced a resolution to block the national emergency declaration that President Donald Trump issued to fund his long-sought wall along the U.S-Mexico border.
Thursday, February 21
Hattiesburg Ex-Mayor DuPree Running for Secretary of State
Johnny DuPree, the former mayor of Hattiesburg who was the Democratic nominee for Mississippi governor in 2011, is now running for secretary of state.
Voucher Program Helping Seg Schools Should Go, Education Advocates Say
On Valentine's Day, a voucher program that subsidizes private schools for special- needs children got the gift of four more years from the Mississippi Senate—even though many private schools in the state do not offer services for those students.
McKinely West
Senior sprinter McKinely West of the University of Southern Mississippi showed up and showed out at the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championship when he dominated at the 60-meter and 200-meter events.
Feds: Coast Guard Lieutenant Compiled Hit List of Lawmakers
A Coast Guard lieutenant who was arrested last week is a "domestic terrorist" who drafted an email discussing biological attacks and had what appeared to be a hit list that included prominent Democrats and media figures, prosecutors said in court papers.
Police: 'Empire' Actor Turns Self in to Face Charge
"Empire" actor Jussie Smollett turned himself in early Thursday to face accusations that he filed a false police report when he told authorities he was attacked in Chicago by two men who hurled racist and anti-gay slurs and looped a rope around his neck, police said.
Wednesday, February 20
Top 9: Melvin Robinson
Melvin Robinson is a local podcaster, videographer and entrepreneur that you can always find out and about, whether shooting something for 242 Creative or just hanging out at Offbeat. Here are his top nine favorite places in Jackson.
Courtnie Mack: Paving Her Own Path
Courtnie Mack started singing when she was 7 and has been belting out cover songs of R&B, soul and gospel greats such as Kim Burrell, Tori Kelly, Priscilla Renea, and Donny and Lalah Hathaway.
Slave Exhibit Recreates Horrors of Transatlantic Trade
The "Spirits of the Passage" exhibit, which the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Fla., is lending the Two Mississippi Museums, will be up at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum until Aug. 11.
King (Cakes) for a Day
If you live anywhere in or near the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Alabama, chances are king cakes are pretty prevalent. Here is where you can enjoy some of the local versions.
Mississippi: The Battleground for Roe v. Wade’s Future?
Red states, emboldened by the Trump regime, are passing hardline anti-abortion laws aimed at triggering a reconsideration of Roe at the nation's highest court—laws like the fetal heartbeat bills the Mississippi House and Senate passed on Feb. 13.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Moving Forward in #TheNext200
Previous iterations of TEDxJackson commemorated areas such as Mississippi's space program and the state's bicentennial, but instead of looking at the last 200 years, this year's TEDx focused on the next 200.
Legislative Update: Tort Reform, Heartbeat Bills, Teacher Pay Moves Forward
On Feb. 13, the House and Senate passed "fetal heartbeat" bills, which ban abortions after a heartbeat is detected. Doctors can detect heartbeats as early as six weeks, making it a de facto ban on almost all abortions.
A Waiting Game: What’s Next with ‘One Lake,’ Flood Control?
Despite multiple roadblocks and open questions, the controversial plan to create a large lake along the Pearl River for flood control and potential development in the Jackson area continues to move ahead as project sponsors respond to thousands of comments that poured in last fall.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A Woman’s Life in the Mississippi Minefield
It's tough being a woman in Mississippi. In fact, it's probably the most difficult state for women to speak our minds and publicly engage on political and policy fronts, and we routinely watch our basic rights come under attack, often without any of us invited to the table.
Spencer Thomas
Jackson native Spencer Thomas, singer and drummer for local band Young Valley, says that his upcoming solo record, "Hangin' Tough," is built around the theme of perseverance in the face of issues such as depression and troubled relationships.
Tuesday, February 19
James Anderson
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)—Well-known African-American physician and civil rights activist Dr. James Anderson has died. He was 82.
Senate Passes $1,000 Teacher Pay Raise, Seeking To Address Teacher Shortage Crisis
Mississippi teachers would get a $1,000 pay raise over the next two years if a bill the state Senate passed last week becomes law.
New Restaurant at The District, Startup Weekend Jackson and Heavenly Sweetz
Brandon native Regina Wallace opened Heavenly Sweetz Bakery inside The Hatch in midtown in October 2018. The bakery offers cupcakes, tiered cakes, pies, cookies, sheet cakes and standard cakes in flavors such as caramel, Italian cream, lemon, strawberry and carrot.
Friday, February 15
Tommy Gollott
Republican Sen. Tommy Gollott of Biloxi, the longest-serving state lawmaker in Mississippi history, says he is not seeking re-election this year.
EDITORIAL: State Should Not Shield Names of Officers Who Shoot, Kill
Members of the Mississippi Legislature have jumped into the middle of serious and historic problem that the City of Jackson has grappled with over the last year—whether or when law-enforcement officers who shoot and/or kill non-police should be identified.
Duvalier Malone at Tougaloo, International Percussion Festival and Margaret Tullos Field Symposium
Community activist, motivational speaker and author Duvalier Malone spoke at Tougaloo College on Wednesday, Feb. 13, as part of its "Real Talk" spring semester series.
County Jail Agrees Inmates Can Receive Nonreligious Books
A south Mississippi county has agreed to allow inmates to receive non-religious reading materials, ending a lawsuit.
Trump Says He's Declaring Emergency to Build Border Wall
President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will declare a national emergency to fulfill his pledge to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Thursday, February 14
Dem Lt. Gov. Hopeful Voted for Abortion Ban So White Dems Don't Go Extinct
Hit with a wave of anger from his own party after he voted for a bill that essentially bans abortions after six weeks, Mississippi House Rep. Jay Hughes offered a defense: He did it so white Democrats like himself don't go the way of the dinosaur.
Chelsea Causey
Senior forward Chelsea Causey kept Jackson State University's winning streak going over the weekend with her play against Alcorn State and Southern universities.
US Judge Orders Remap of a Mississippi State Senate District
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that one of Mississippi's 52 state Senate districts violates the Voting Rights Act because it does not give African-American voters an "equal opportunity" to elect a candidate of their choice.
Mississippi Advances Ban on Abortion After Fetal Heartbeat
Mississippi is working toward enacting one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation, in a race with other states to push a legal challenge to the more conservative U.S. Supreme Court.
Wednesday, February 13
Tate Reeves Spoke at Event Where 'Yankees' Were Compared to 'Nazis'
Surrounded by cotton and Confederate flags, Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves praised the Sons of Confederate Veterans at their national reunion in Vicksburg in July 2013.
Mississippi Ban on Tanning Beds for Those Under 18 Advances
Children younger than 18 would be banned from using tanning beds in Mississippi under a measure passed Wednesday by the state Senate.
State May Block Naming Jackson Officers Involved in Shootings
The public-transparency efforts of the City of Jackson in the last year may be for naught if legislation working through the Mississippi Legislature to protect identities of officers who shoot people becomes law.
Delinquent Water Customers Seeing Turn-offs As City Copes With Deficits
This week the City of Jackson started making good on recent warnings with water shut-offs for approximately 20,000 customers who are late paying their water bills, many resulting from problems with the Siemens contract to improve billing for customers.
Anne Moody
The Mississippi legislature passed a bill to name a stretch of highway in Wilkinson County after Anne Moody, a civil-rights activist who wrote a memoir titled "Coming of Age in Mississippi," in 2018.
Two Mississippi Governor Candidates: No Blackface or KKK Robes
Two top candidates for Mississippi governor say they have never worn blackface or costumes such as Ku Klux Klan uniforms.
Tuesday, February 12
Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society Show, Mississippi Scholastic Art Awards and Reunion Golf & Country Club
The Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society will hold its 60th annual show at the Mississippi Trade Mart Feb. 23-24.
Hood: Judge Tate Reeves for 'Rebel Flags,' Not Frat's College Blackface
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood "did all kinds of stupid things in college," but he is "sure" wearing blackface is not one of them, he told a crowd in Jackson on Monday.
LaDavius Draine
LaDavius Draine scored a career-high 22 points as Southern Miss narrowly beat Louisiana Tech 73-71 in overtime on Saturday.
Budget Deal Allows Far Less Money than Trump Wanted for Wall
Congressional negotiators reached agreement to prevent a government shutdown and finance construction of new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, overcoming a late-stage hang-up over immigration enforcement issues that had threatened to scuttle the talks.
Monday, February 11
'Landowners' Tort Reform Bill Would Mean 'Safe Zones' for Crime, Critics Say
Mississippi senators delighted the business community last week when they passed a bill to cut down on lawsuits against property owners, but strong opposition remains among law enforcement, advocates for victims of domestic violence and lawyers.
Jackson Ups Water Shutoffs Amid Millions in Unpaid Bills
Officials in Mississippi's capital say they've increased water shutoffs for customers delinquent on bills from roughly 30 a day to 200 a day to address years of issues affecting the aging infrastructure.
Mississippi Sues Federal Government Over River Flooding
The state of Mississippi is suing the federal government for $25 million or more, claiming a dam that keeps the Mississippi River from changing course is harming state land.
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Friday, February 8
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves' Fraternity Wore Black Face, Hurled the N-Word at Black Students
As a college student at Millsaps, Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves participated in a fraternity known for blackface, racial epithets and Confederate dances, a Jackson Free Press examination of Millsaps yearbooks and newspapers from his time there shows.
Mississippi Considers Limiting Property Owners' Liability
Mississippi senators are advancing a bill that would limit people's ability to sue property owners for injuries or other problems.
City's Plan for Zoo: Bring in St. Louis Operator, Keep in West Jackson
The Jackson Zoo likely will get a new operator, and one with no intentions to move the facility from its long-time home in west Jackson to eastern edge of Jackson.
Frank Laws
Belhaven University recently named Frank Laws, a 1991 graduate of the university, as its new director of advancement and alumni relations.
Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network, Black History Month at USM and Science Night at the Museum
The Center for Creative Leadership and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation recently named two Jackson State University professors, Robert Luckett and Byron Orey, as participants in the WKKF Community Leadership Network.
Thursday, February 7
Fetal Heartbeat Ban 'A Direct Challenge to Roe,' Activists Warn
Abortion-rights activists are warning that Mississippi's fetal-heartbeat bills, and others like them, are part of an effort to instigate a U.S. Supreme Court case that could overturn constitutional protections for reproductive rights.
Reggie Perry
Reggie Perry, a Thomasville, Ga., native, is the second five-star recruit to sign with the Mississippi State University Bulldogs under Head Coach Ben Howland.
House Seeks College Graduate Tax Breaks, but Could be Costly
Mississippi could become the latest state to begin offering incentives to recent college graduates who remain in or move to the state, as lawmakers seek to stem the state's falling population.
US Judge Hears Arguments in Mississippi Redistricting Case
A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday about whether African-American voters in part of Mississippi have a chance to elect a candidate of their choice in a state Senate district with a slim black majority.
Wednesday, February 6
OPINION: Ralph Northam: No Second Chance
Today, if a politician is confronted with evidence of their racism, they simply apologize or attempt to deflect blame in order to stay in office, despite having demonstrated that they don't view all of their constituents as fully human or deserving of equal respect.
DIY Upholstered Headboard
I wanted to give my bedroom a facelift for the new year, and I decided the perfect start would be a glam new headboard. The whole thing came together for under $50 (not including tools), and I am in love with the final result.
Shenandoah: Ready & ‘Reloaded’
When the Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo returns to Jackson from Feb. 7 through Feb. 13, another southern institution will be returning with it: Grammy Award-winning country act Shenandoah.
Trendy Times
Some wedding trends never end, and some are timeless, like white dresses, destination weddings, churches and more. We want them to stay, but there a few trends that are new and just as beautiful as the classics.
Love, Life and Local Events
This Valentine’s Day, celebrate by supporting local businesses and restaurants, and attending local events.
OPINION: Talking About ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’
For those of you who have read the book "If Beale Street Could Talk," the film is as heart-wrenching and depressing as the book. For those of you who have not read it, plan to do something very encouraging and uplifting after you see the movie.
Beyond Angry Tweets: Robert Foster on Why He is Running for Governor
Mississippi House Rep. Robert Foster is running for governor in the Republican primary, running against current Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican from Florence, Miss., among others.
Behind the Badge: Two JPD Officers Who Shot Multiple People in Jackson
After about a year of asking, the Jackson Free Press learned the names, current status and in eight out of nine cases, the details of officer-involved shootings since Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba took office in July 2017, promising transparency and police reform.
#MSLeg: Broadband, Abortion, Prison Reform
On Jan. 31, legislators in the Mississippi House Education Committee advanced to the House floor a bill designed to help prepare schools for the worst: the possibility of gun violence.
Beth Morgan Cowan
Beth Morgan Cowan, a 41-year-old Greenwood, Miss., native and current Jackson resident, turned her dream of empowering women while owning her own business into reality in 2007 with the founding of her company, Beth Morgan Photography.
Tuesday, February 5
EDITOR'S NOTE: Doing Good Things in JXN
In a 2008 study, researchers at Harvard University found that doing good deeds raises a person's level of happiness. Other studies have shown that happiness can create a positive feedback loop in your brain.
Mississippi Bill Would Ping Companies That Boycott Israel
Mississippi lawmakers could ban the state from investing in companies that boycott Israel. The state House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday passed House Bill 761 , which would set the ban. The bill moves to the House for more work.
Study Finds 'One Lake' Project Poses Costly Public Health Risks
The "One Lake" proposal has hit another major hurdle. A report commissioned as part of the project's draft study has found the project poses serious public and environmental health risks.
Jackson Cop Involved in 3 Shootings; Teen Shot 2 Times in Back, Family Says
Officer Anthony Veasey was involved in three separate shootings in Jackson in 14 months since November 2017, including an exchange of gunfire that hit an 18-year-old two times in the back and five times in the leg, the teenager's family tells the Jackson Free Press.
Mississippi Won't Reinstate Law Allowing No-Judge Seizures
Mississippi lawmakers won't allow police to resume seizing cash, guns and vehicles without going before a judge.
2019 Governor's Arts Awards and TEDxJackson
The sixth annual TEDxJackson will take place on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the Craig H. Neilsen auditorium at the 2 Mississippi Museums complex.
Mississippi Lawmakers Reject Move to Let Farmers Grow Hemp
Mississippi lawmakers are turning back an attempt to legalize growing industrial hemp in the state.
Monday, February 4
OPINION: Hate Crimes Are Still a Problem. Lawmakers Could Help.
Within the past few weeks, hate crimes have been splashed across cable news and newspaper headlines.
School Safety Act Includes Mental Health, School Surveillance Provisions
Mississippi's children go to school in places "of potential violence," Gov. Phil Bryant lamented in his State of the State address last month, as he called on lawmakers to craft legislation to combat those fears.
Proposal Would Make Mississippi Voter ID Law Stricter
A proposal would set a shorter deadline for Mississippi voters to show photo identification if they forget it on Election Day.
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Friday, February 1
Kenny Griffis
A new justice has been sworn in to serve on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Kenny Griffis of Ridgeland was surrounded by family Friday as he took his oath from the new chief justice, Michael Randolph of Hattiesburg.
Mississippi Immigrant Rights Group Calls for Action from Lawmakers
Members and supporters of the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance held a rally to urge lawmakers to pass legislation to make life better for the state's documented and undocumented immigrants.
MSU Idea Shop, Emerge Exhibit at Belhaven and Millsaps Internship Program
The Mississippi State University Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach recently named Michael Lane, who graduated from MSU in December 2018 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, as program coordinator for MSU's new Idea Shop.
US Pulls Out of Cold War-Era Nuclear Treaty, Blaming Russia
The United States announced Friday that it was pulling out of a landmark nuclear arms control treaty with Russia, accusing Moscow of violating the Cold War-era pact with "impunity" by continuing to develop banned missiles.