Friday, June 30
Leslie Frazier
Leslie Frazier was the 1985 starting cornerback for the Chicago Bears team that won Super Bowl XX.
Barrett-Simon and Hendrix Honored at Last City Council Meeting
Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon along with Councilman President Tyrone Hendrix of Ward 6 received acknowledgements and gifts from colleagues and supporters in recognition of their last council meeting as elected officials on Tuesday night.
Inmates Graduating and 'Thinking for a Change'
Forty-two men and women from the Hinds County Probation and Parole Office and the Hinds County Restitution Center graduated from the Mississippi Department of Correction's re-vamped recidivism program on June 29.
Buckle Up, Mississippi: State Tightens Up Its Seat Belt Law
A new law in Mississippi requires everyone in a car, truck or SUV to buckle up.
Germany Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage After Merkel U-Turn
German lawmakers voted Friday to legalize same-sex marriage, a move widely supported across the country that brings Germany in line with many of its Western peers.
Chicago Police, Feds Team Up On New Effort to Curb Violence
Chicago police, federal agents and prosecutors are launching a new initiative Friday to stem the flow of illegal firearms in the city as part of efforts to curb rampant gun violence that President Donald Trump says is at "epidemic proportions."
Trump Urges GOP to Repeal Obama Law Now, Replace Later
President Donald Trump urged divided congressional Republicans on Friday to break their logjam over dismantling President Barack Obama's health care law by "immediately" repealing it and replacing it later, a formula that GOP leaders dismissed months ago as politically unwise.
Trump, Putin Face High-Stakes Meeting in Germany Next Week
Meeting face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump's "America First" policy will be put to the test if he opts to confront Russia over intelligence that Moscow meddled in the 2016 presidential election.
Man Can Seek Money for Wrongful Conviction in Mississippi
A man who was convicted and later cleared after falsely confessing to murder at 13 says he is grateful a court revived his request for compensation in Mississippi.
Thursday, June 29
Trump Nominates Hurst and Lamar as Mississippi Prosecutors
Donald Trump named Mike Hurst, a former assistant U.S. attorney and Republican who lost a 2015 race for Mississippi Attorney General to incumbent Jim Hood, as the top federal prosecutor for southern Mississippi.
House GOP Backs Bills to Crack Down on Illegal Immigration
Warning of threats to public safety and national security, the Republican-led House on Thursday approved two bills to crack down on illegal immigration, a key priority for President Donald Trump.
Devour the Day
Less than two years after Egypt Central's breakup, Blake Allison and Joey Walser released "Time & Pressure," their debut album as Memphis-based rock act Devour the Day.
Learning From a Curious Monkey
In the special exhibit room at the Mississippi Children's Museum, which currently houses the "Curious George: Let's Get Curious" visiting exhibit, the sound of children playing fills the space.
Jacksonians Protest Medicaid Cuts in Congress, March on Senators' Offices
Melissa Cooper, seated in her wheelchair, held a pink sign this morning that read "Healthcare is a Human Right."
Trump Trashes Media, Cheers Wins at $10 Million Fundraiser
Republican donors paid $35,000 apiece to hear a familiar message from President Donald Trump: The media, particularly CNN, keep trying to take him down, and yet Republicans just keep on winning elections. He noted with pride that his party had won four special elections this year.
Limits on Travel to US Issued After Supreme Court Ruling
The Trump administration is putting new criteria in place Thursday for visa applicants from six mostly Muslim nations and all refugees, requiring a close family or business tie to the United States.
Lawsuit: Mississippi Political Scandal Pushed Man to Suicide
Relatives of a Mississippi man who killed himself are suing a mayor, police officers and a law firm, saying they are part of a political network that pushed him to suicide during a bitterly-fought U.S. Senate race.
Wednesday, June 28
Man Destroys New Ten Commandments Statue at Arkansas Capitol
A man yelled "Freedom!" as he crashed his vehicle into Arkansas' new Ten Commandments monument early Wednesday, nearly three years after he was arrested in the destruction of Oklahoma's monument at its state Capitol, authorities said.
Beer Tasting 2017: Mississippi v. Tennessee
Over the last few years, craft beer has becoming a rising trend. Breweries are popping up all over, and southern states haven't been lost on the trend. Instead of doing a regular beer tasting, the Jackson Free Press staffers decided to compare beers of similar styles from different states.
Mississippi Utility Will Stop Efforts to Complete Coal Plant
A Mississippi utility, faced with a regulatory ultimatum, said Wednesday that it will suspend efforts to complete a first-of-its-kind coal-fueled power plant.
The Making of Michissippi Mick
From the time that Mick Kolassa was 15 years old, he says blues music has pulled him in like a tractor beam, but it wasn't until a few years ago that he put his passion front and center.
The Slate
The dog days of summer are here, and the sports world slows down this year. There are no major sporting events to watch until college and pro football return in the states.
'We've Done It Right': Civil Rights, History Museums Offer Peek of What's Ahead
Myrlie Evers-Williams, wife of slain civil-rights leader Medgar Evers, stood before a crowd of 600 people in 2013 for the groundbreaking of two new museums to document Mississippi's history.
Mississippi Man Takes Confederate Flag Fight to High Court
A black Mississippi citizen is taking his case against the state's Confederate-themed flag to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Jackson, It’s Time to Go to Work
We're excited to see the work, progress, ideas, energy and journey of the Lumumba administration unfold, and we plan to hold them accountable and suggest solutions every step of the way.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Far Better Off'
The majority of Mississippians on Medicaid are low-income children, the state's aging population, and the disabled and blind. Cuts to Medicaid could have a direct impact on their access to health care.
Put People Over Party
Both the House and Senate approaches to health care will severely harm the vast majority of Mississippians. Ask our representatives in Congress to act on behalf of the greater good for Mississippians.
Legal Fight Against HB 1523 Continues
What critics call the nation's "most discriminatory anti-LGBT law" took effect in Mississippi last week after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the lower court's injunction on House Bill 1523, saying plaintiffs had not proved "injury in fact" to give them standing to file a lawsuit in the first place.
Shop, Eat and Drink Local This Fourth!
We're deep into our 15th year of publishing as July 4th rolls around, which means we at the Jackson Free Press have being doing something else for a decade and a half—encouraging people to shop local first.
Jordan Alexis Holley
Jordan Alexis Holley traces what inspired her to get into the culinary world to one meal she had wile visiting friends in France. Her friend made leek soup, and Holley says she ate almost the whole pot.
Three Chicago Officers Accused of Lying About Teen's Shooting
Three Chicago police officers have been indicted on charges that they conspired to cover up and lie about what happened when a white police officer shot a black teenager 16 times—an incident that prompted outrage when a video of the killing was finally released.
Former Trump Campaign Chairman Registers as Foreign Agent
President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, has registered with the Justice Department as a foreign agent for political consulting work he did for a Ukrainian political party, acknowledging that he coached party members on how to interact with U.S. government officials.
Democracy’s Third Branch in Danger
The Supreme Court has nine justices. Nine justices who are left to their own devices to interpret the constitution however they deem fit.
Tapping a New Part of the Craft-Beer Market
At Lucky Town Brewing Company, the sounds of loud music and construction consume the space. Barrels sit along the wall, and large mash tuns sit in a line across from each other. Despite the construction, the aroma of beer is pungent.
State: Lawyers Sure Abortion Licensing Laws Constitutional
After court victories against abortion laws in Texas and Louisiana, a reproductive rights group filed a federal challenge on Tuesday of a Louisiana licensing law it blames for more than a thousand burdensome anti-abortion regulations.
Tuesday, June 27
Officials Detail How Kingston Frazier Died, as Accused Look On
Ebony Archie sat on the fourth row, face red and crying, as Mississippi Bureau Investigator Trent Weeks testified about how her little boy, Kingston Frazier, died on May 18.
Lumumba Inauguration Festivities Begin This Week
Chokwe Antar Lumumba will take the mayoral office on Monday, July 3. The new city administration has planned several community activities ahead of the inauguration, which begin this weekend at Smith Park in downtown Jackson.
Facing Defections, Senate GOP Leaders Delay Health Care Vote
In a bruising setback, Senate Republican leaders are delaying a vote on their prized health care bill until after the July 4 recess, forced to retreat by a GOP rebellion that left them lacking enough votes to even begin debating the legislation, two sources said Tuesday.
Ten Commandments Monument Installed at Arkansas Capitol
Workers have installed a Ten Commandments monument outside Arkansas' Capitol, two years after lawmakers approved a measure permitting the statue on state grounds.
JPS School Board Approves Tight Budget
The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees approved a slim budget for the 2017-2018 school year on Monday night. The budget, which is about a 4.5 percent reduction from last school year, takes effect July 1.
New Cyberattack Causes Mass Disruption Globally
A new and highly virulent outbreak of malicious data-scrambling software appears to be causing mass disruption across the world, hitting companies and governments in Europe especially hard.
Innovate Mississippi Entrepreneur Program, Fuse.Cloud and New Belhaven Campus
Innovate Mississippi, which is a nonprofit economic development organization, recently announced the launch of a new "Entrepreneur in Residence" program that is designed to support technology and entrepreneurial development in the state.
Pshon Barrett
The Mississippi Women Lawyers' Association presented Assistant U.S. Attorney Pshon Barrett with its 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award at a luncheon during MWLA Day of Leadership, which is a continuing legal education seminar at Mississippi College School of Law.
Pentagon: 'Active Preparations' by Syria for Chemical Attack
The Pentagon on Tuesday said it detected "active preparations" by Syria for a chemical weapons attack, giving weight to a White House statement hours earlier that the Syrian government would "pay a heavy price" if it carried out such an attack.
Trump Takes Another Swipe at CNN Following Resignations
President Donald Trump used the resignations of three CNN journalists involved in a retracted Russia-related story to resume his attack on the network's credibility Tuesday.
Vandals Obliterate Info on Emmett Till Marker in Mississippi
A civil rights historical marker in Mississippi has been vandalized, obliterating information about black teenager Emmett Till, who was kidnapped and lynched in 1955.
Monday, June 26
Trump Travel Ban Partly Reinstated; Fall Court Arguments Set
The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to go forward with a limited version of its ban on travel from six mostly Muslim countries, a victory for President Donald Trump in the biggest legal controversy of his young presidency.
Mississippi Seeks Estimated $155M in Abandoned Savings Bonds
Mississippi officials are trying to force the U.S. Treasury to hand over an estimated $155 million in proceeds from abandoned savings bonds.
Hungry Children Benefit from Jackson Food Program This Summer
For the 26th consecutive year, the Summer Foods Services Program, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture funds, will serve more than 3,000 kids a day at the 12 sites in the Jackson area and school district.
Morgan William
Mississippi State University is going to be well represented at the 2017 ESPY Awards. Current and former Bulldogs are up for recognition during the program, which airs on ABC on Wednesday, July 12.
Supreme Court Rules for Missouri Church in Playground Case
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that churches have the same right as other charitable groups to seek state money for new playground surfaces and other non-religious needs.
Three Accused in Child's Death to Appear in Court Monday
Three Mississippi teenagers charged in connection with the shooting death of a 6-year-old boy are scheduled to appear in court Monday.
Trump Eager for Big Meeting with Putin; Some Advisers Wary
President Donald Trump is eager to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin with full diplomatic bells and whistles when the two are in Germany for a multinational summit next month.
'Pharma Bro' Defies Advice to Keep Quiet Before Fraud Trial
Even with his federal securities fraud trial set to begin Monday, former pharmaceutical CEO Martin Shkreli has blatantly defied his attorneys' advice to lay low.
Supreme Court Takes on New Clash of Gay Rights, Religion
The Supreme Court is taking on a new clash between gay rights and religion in a case about a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in Colorado.
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.
Saturday, June 24
2 Mississippi Social Workers Honored for Finding Abused Boy
Two Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services employees are getting an award for discovering an abused boy.
Friday, June 23
APNewsBreak: Military Heads Want Transgender Enlistment Hold
Military chiefs will seek a six-month delay before letting transgender people enlist in their services, officials said Friday.
Clearing the Air of Conflicts of Interest
Several conservation groups plan to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to hold Mississippi and Alabama accountable for violating certain provisions of the Clean Air Act.
Matthew Horton and Travis Mills
When the John Krasinski film "The Hollers" was holding an open casting call in Jackson in 2015, 33-year-old engineer Matthew Horton says he didn't have anything going on, so he decided to check it out.
Trump Suggests He Was Trying to Keep FBI Director Honest
President Donald Trump suggested he was just trying to keep fired FBI Director James Comey honest with his cryptic tweet implying there might be recordings of their private conversations.
Supreme Court Could Reveal Action on Travel Ban at Any Time
The Supreme Court has almost certainly decided what to do about President Donald Trump's travel ban affecting citizens of six mostly Muslim countries.
Thursday, June 22
No Tapes: Trump Says He Didn't Record Meetings with Comey
President Donald Trump said Thursday he "did not make" and doesn't have any recordings of his private conversations with ousted FBI Director James Comey, speaking up on Twitter after a month-long guessing game that began with him delivering an ominous warning and ended with his administration ensnared in more scandal.
Senate GOP Releases 'Obamacare' Overhaul, but Not All Aboard
Senate Republicans released their long-awaited bill Thursday to dismantle much of Barack Obama's health care law, proposing to cut Medicaid and erase tax boosts that helped Obama finance his expansion of coverage.
House Bill 1523 Becomes Law after 5th Circuit Overturns Injunction
The controversial "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Religious Discrimination Act" is now state law, after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the 2016 injunction that prevented House Bill 1523 from becoming law last July.
Tony DiCicco
Former U.S. Women's National Soccer Team head coach Tony DiCicco died from cancer at the age of 68 on Monday, June 19.
Trump Disputes Russian Interference in 2016 Election
President Donald Trump appeared to cast doubt on the assessment of 17 U.S. intelligence agencies that blame Russia for election meddling, questioning Thursday why the Obama administration didn't try to stop it.
10 Who Graduated Thanks to Testing Errors Will Keep Diplomas
State education officials said Wednesday that 10 Mississippi high school students were allowed to graduate only because of testing errors in their favor, but the state won't revoke their diplomas.
Regulators Move to Pull the Plug on Mississippi Coal Plant
Mississippi regulators want to pull the plug on a first-of-its-kind power plant that was supposed to burn coal more cleanly, saying one of the nation's largest utilities should absorb $6.5 billion in losses and ratepayers should pay nothing more.
Wednesday, June 21
The Slate
Last week, Discovery Channel announced that U.S. Olympian swimming great Michael Phelps would race a great white shark during this year's "Shark Week." The race will help kick off the event on Sunday, July 23.
From ‘Archie’ to Space Circus
Lyndsay Simpson traces her love of drawing and art back to one of the more vivid memories from her childhood: When she was younger, her grandmother would take her grocery shopping once a month and let her pick out an "Archie" comic to take home.
Still Fighting at Home: Transgender Veterans Caught in the Flux
Some top-down changes coming soon to the VA could help alleviate inadvertent or purposeful discrimination against LGBT veterans. Due to a recent change, all VA medical centers now have the ability for the first time to change a part of a veteran's medical record digitally.
Creating a Culture of Wellness in Jackson
When a company considers relocating or expanding to a city, it considers more than the conditions of its streets. The health of the population is also a factor because it affects medical costs and productivity, which can adversely affect the company's bottom line.
Democracy Only Works in Public View
The Mississippi attorney general's office releasing the TAC report, which details how the state should work to fix its children's mental- and behavioral-health care system, this week is just one in a line of recent examples where transparency could have enabled the democratic process to work in a more efficient way.
Safe in Our Own ‘Castles’
One of the last places I want to find myself when traveling with my family is on the side of dark stretch of freeway with flashing lights behind me.
Blight, Fines and Violations
The State of Mississippi has taken over 3,500 abandoned and blighted properties that previous owners failed to pay taxes on for three years.
Farish Street Affordable Housing Hits Snags
Not everyone is supportive of expanding the pastel-painted affordable housing units in the Farish Street Historic District.
Trump, DeVos Allowing Bigotry in Public Schools
In a presidential administration filled with shocking moments, it was a New York Times headline that crystallized the Trump crowd's disdain for children of color for me. "Education Dept. Says It Will Scale Back Civil Rights Investigations," The New York Times warned.
Summer at Spacecamp
Following an acoustic set, singer-songwriter Alex Fraser hits a distortion pedal and strums bar chords louder than any of his preceding songs.
Devin Guillory
As a child, Devin Guillory was not interested in science, which says that she now blames on societal attitudes toward science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, fields. At the time, she was reluctant to pursue a career in any of those areas.
Tuesday, June 20
UPDATE: Nine-year-old Shot in Head; Two People Arrested and Denied Bond
Richard Kyles, 9, was sleeping in the back of his mother's car Saturday night when a bullet struck him in the head.
Mississippi Mentoring Program Teaches Civil Rights History
A mentoring program in Mississippi is teaching young people about civil rights history.
E&L at the Metrocenter, New District Tenants and Mississippi Film and Video Alliance
E&L Barbeque has partnered with Next Level Experience, an event space located inside the former Belk at the Metrocenter Mall, to open a second E&L location in the venue's restaurant section.
Kenyatta Stewart
Kenyatta Stewart, who is a curator at the Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center and a graphic-design professor at Jackson State University, says that he discovered his love for art as a child growing up in West Point, Miss.
AP-NORC Poll: Few Favor Trump Move to Ditch Paris Accord
Less than one-third of Americans support President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, a new poll shows, and just 18 percent of respondents agree with his claim that pulling out of the international agreement to reduce carbon emissions will help the U.S. economy.
McConnell says GOP Getting Ready for Senate Health Care Vote
Republicans are getting ready for Senate votes on legislation scuttling former President Barack Obama's health care law, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday among growing indications that the climactic vote could occur next week.
Vigorous Absentee Voting Can Sway Mississippi Elections
State law allows voters who are 65 and older, or will otherwise be unavailable to vote on election day, to cast absentees through the mail or in person at a city registrar's office for municipal elections or circuit clerk's office for all others.
Monday, June 19
Previously Secret Children's Mental Health Report: State Institutionalizes Too Many Kids
After nearly two years of litigation, U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate ordered the State of Mississippi to release a 2015 report on its system of mental-health care for children, referred to as the TAC report.
Analysis: Unclear Path for Revamp of Mississippi Student Aid
As tuition grows more expensive at Mississippi's universities and community colleges, more students are seeking aid to help them pay. But the state's financial aid programs have problems of their own.
Larry Grantham
Former New York Jets outside linebacker Larry Grantham, a starter and defensive standout on the 1969 Super Bowl team, has died. He was 78.
Justices Say Government Can't Refuse Disparaging Trademarks
The Supreme Court says the government can't refuse to register trademarks that are considered offensive.
In Spite of Tweet, Lawyer Says Trump Not Under Investigation
A member of the president's outside legal team says Donald Trump is not under federal investigation, days after Trump appeared to confirm he was with a tweet about being the target of a "witch hunt."
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.
Saturday, June 17
Mississippi Fires Testing Firm After Exams Wrongly Scored
The Mississippi Department of Education is firing a testing company, saying scoring errors raise questions about the graduation status of nearly 1,000 students statewide.
Friday, June 16
How Affordable is Housing in Mississippi?
Rental housing in Mississippi is not very affordable, the new "Out of Reach 2017" report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows.
JPD: Crime Down in Jackson Despite Recent Horrendous Murders
Jackson Police Department leaders praised each other Thursday afternoon, June 15, for decreasing major crime percentages by 14.6-percent from 2016 to 2017, despite recent acts of violence in Mississippi.
Caroline Herring
Longtime listeners of "Thacker Mountain Radio Hour" may recognize one voice in particular at the program's latest live taping. Canton-native folk singer Caroline Herring will be a featured guest when "Thacker Mountain" comes to Clinton on June 17, and she has the distinction of being a founder of the popular Mississippi Public Broadcasting radio show.
Mississippi to Seek Execution Dates for 2 Inmates
Attorney General Jim Hood said Thursday that he will ask the Mississippi Supreme Court to approve execution dates for two inmates, even though court challenges are still pending to the state's lethal injection methods.
Trump Appears to Confirm He's Under Investigation
President Donald Trump appeared to confirm Friday that he is under investigation for obstruction of justice, claiming that he is being investigated for firing FBI Director James Comey by the man who told him to do it.
Another Mississippi City Furls Confederate-Themed State Flag
A Mississippi city with a history of racial strife is the latest local government to stop flying the state flag, which features a Confederate emblem that critics see as racist.
Thursday, June 15
Jackson State to Cut Budget and Borrow Money to Aid Finances
Jackson State University will cut its next budget by nearly 8 percent and borrow $6 million as it tries to cut expenses and rebuild financial reserves.
JPD Offers $20,000 Reward in Severed Head Case, Autopsy Results Released
Jeremy Jerome Jackson's head and body was discovered in separate locations on Saturday.
New Mayor-elect Lumumba Will Get to Appoint 3 JPS Board Members
The Jackson Public School District will be down three Board of Trustees members by the end of June, meaning Mayor-elect Chokwe Antar Lumumba will be responsible for filling the board once he takes office July 3.
Darden North
Jackson author Darden North was at a literary conference when the phrase "five manners of death," in reference to natural causes, accident, suicide, undetermined and homicide, truly stuck with him.
AP-NORC Poll: Most in US Think Trump Meddled in Russia Probe
A clear majority of Americans believe President Donald Trump has tried to interfere with the investigation into whether Russia meddled in the 2016 election and possible Trump campaign collusion, a new poll shows. Just one in five support his decision to oust James Comey from the FBI.
The Curious Case of ‘Those Mothers’
"Did y'all hear about the 6-year-old boy who got kidnapped from Kroger this morning?" It was the first thing I heard from my mother when I stumbled into the kitchen in a grump for my orange juice after I took my sister to school on that tragic day.
Hospital System to Cut More than 100 Workers
A Mississippi hospital system is cutting more than 100 employees, saying it needs to reduce costs because of lower reimbursements from Medicare, Medicaid and other insurers.
Wednesday, June 14
Long-game Economics Requires Investing in Kids
The typical economic-development strategy for Mississippi Republicans in recent years has been a game of tax cuts, supposedly so that corporations and companies will relocate and set up shop here in the state.
Gunman Wounds GOP Congressman, then Killed by Police
A rifle-wielding attacker opened fire on Republican lawmakers at a congressional baseball practice Wednesday, wounding House GOP Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and several others as congressmen and aides dove for cover.
Guys We Love
It's almost Father's Day, which means that it's time to celebrate the men we love, and we're not just talking about fathers.
Broadening Experiences
At a time in our nation's history when we desperately need community involvement and a sense of local and national purpose, AmeriCorps is one of the organizations that can provide it.
Special Session: Too Little, Too Late?
Gov. Phil Bryant tried to smooth out the state's economic appearance and patch up additional budget holes in the June 5 special session, but Democrats were not too pleased with the way he went about it. Still, at least all state agencies now have a budget for the new fiscal year, which starts in July.
Wrapping Around the Most Vulnerable
Terry Thigpen had been to four residential acute-treatment facilities before he was 10 years old, until his mother, Shavonne, discovered the Wraparound Initiative. It was an alternative to sending Terry away for treatment for his autism as well as sensory motor and mental-health disorders.
Public Works Pushes Back on Subcontractor
The City's Public Works Department is seeking to pay outside companies for assistance due to its lack of a qualified staff and potential damages to antennae's and water towers.
Local Adventurers Wanted
As I've gotten older, I've realized the importance of home—and also how expensive it is to move and travel all the time.
Sounds from the Empty House
For many years, musicians Judson Wright and Nigel Cole were friends and ran in the same circles, but they didn't make music together—at least, not outside of the school band.
Mississippi Community College Costs Up 13 Percent After Cuts
Tuition and fees at Mississippi's 15 community and junior colleges will rise by 13 percent this fall, with the average annual price exceeding $3,000 for the first time as schools try to offset state budget cuts.
Bryce Yelverton
Thirty-one-year-old government-relations consultant Bryce Yelverton has dedicated 19 years of his life to helping inner-city kids through Calvary Baptist Church's ministry, His Heart.
Tuesday, June 13
Report: Mississippi Kids Still in Last Place; Black Children in Worst Conditions
Mississippi still sits in last place in the Annie E. Casey Foundation annual Kids Count report, which ranks economic and family well-being as well as education and health in each state.
Soul Spa, Launch Trampoline Park and Innovate Mississippi
Wischermann Partners, Inc., the parent company of the Westin Hotel in Jackson which is scheduled to open in early August, recently unveiled plans for the hotel's Soul Spa.
Nick White
For author Nick White, leaving Mississippi was necessary. It allowed him, as a writer, to see the state through different lenses, and the distance provided him with the perspective he needed for his work, he says.
A Jumping Point for Jazz
Jackson musician Raphael Semmes and the management at Hal & Mal's launched their weekly jazz offering, "Dinner, Drinks & Jazz with Raphael Semmes," in May and planned to keep it running each Tuesday of last month.
Health Department Closing Two-Thirds of Regional Offices
The Mississippi State Department of Health is going from nine regional offices to three because of budget cuts.
Monday, June 12
UPDATED: JPD Calls On FBI, DEA and ATF to Help in Decapitation Murder Case
The Jackson Police Department called on the FBI, DEA, and ATF in hope of a speedy discovery regarding the decapitated head and burned torso of an unidentified black male over the weekend.
Analysis: Rep's Silence After Lynch Remark Strains Relations
In 2015, a white Mississippi lawmaker went to the front of the state House chamber and apologized for saying in an interview that black people in his town were getting food stamps and what he called "welfare crazy checks."
Craig Young
Mississippi Wind Symphony conductor Craig Young graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in music education in 1988.
Puerto Rico Upholds Statehood Demand in Contentious Vote
Puerto Rico's governor is vowing to make the U.S. territory the 51st state after statehood won in a non-binding referendum hit by a boycott and low turnout that raised questions about the vote's legitimacy.
Thousands of Russians Protest Putin's Rule; Navalny Arrested
Thousands of anti-government activists challenging President Vladimir Putin's rule were protesting across Russia on Monday, with police arresting main opposition leader Alexei Navalny outside his Moscow home before he could reach the main demonstration and scores of others.
Republicans Urge Trump on Tapes; Sessions to Testify Tues
Fellow Republicans pressed President Donald Trump on Sunday to come clean about whether he has tapes of private conversations with former FBI Director James Comey and provide them to Congress if he does.
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, June 9
Forum: Redeemer's School Bridging Home and School Gap
Redeemer's School welcomed its first group of kids in August 2014. Since its inception, DeSean Dyson said the school has grown in purpose and size.
Lumumba Responds to Republican Opponent's Call for Recount
Mayor-elect Chokwe Lumumba sent an official statement in response to his Republican opponent Jason Wells' call for a recount.
The Bacon Brothers
When someone discovers that a film star also plays music, it can instantly become little more than trivia. For longtime fans all over the world, though, the Bacon Brothers are a different story.
Local and Lucky at Craft Beer Fest
Lucky Town Brewing Company brewmaster Lucas Simmons' love of beer started where it does for a lot of beer lovers—in college.
Trump Declares 'Total Vindication' in Tweet on Comey
President Donald Trump on Friday broke his silence on Twitter following explosive testimony by fired FBI Director James Comey, declaring "total and complete vindication."
Law License of Former Appeals Court Judge Remains Suspended
The Mississippi Supreme Court says it will not yet reinstate the law license of a former appeals court judge.
Thursday, June 8
UPDATE: Warrant Issued To Arrest Former JPD Cop Dismissed
The Hinds County Justice Court issued a bench warrant today for the arrest of former Jackson Police Department Officer Justin Roberts, due to failure to appear this morning.
Hinds County DA Smith Trial Delayed, Again
Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith will now face a retrial for state charges for hindering a prosecution in late July. It was original scheduled for early June.
Cody Brown
Before this season, MSU hasn't won a regional after losing the opening game since 1979. Redshirt senior infielder-outfielder Cody Brown was one of the bright spots in the Bulldogs' opening 6-3 loss to the University of South Alabama. In defeat, he went two for four at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
Fired FBI Director Comey's Testimony Puts Spotlight on Trump
In a hugely anticipated hearing, fired FBI director James Comey will recount a series of conversations with President Donald Trump that he says made him deeply uneasy and concerned about the blurring of boundaries between the White House and a law enforcement agency that prides itself on independence.
Judge Lets State Agency Shut Down Mississippi Payday Lender
One of Mississippi's largest payday lenders was effectively forced out of business Wednesday after a judge ruled that state banking regulators could revoke the company's licenses during its appeal of state penalties.
Wednesday, June 7
Best of Jackson: Health Care
The Jackson Free Press recently put out a pop-up ballot to let Jacksonians vote for the doctors, dentists, surgeons and more that help them stay healthy. Here are the results.
A Pre-Huey Long Mississippi
When Huey Long first swept onto the political scene in Louisiana in the 1920s, the state was the quintessential southern backwater.
Eat Healthier, Shop Local
Businesses such as Sweet & Sauer, which specializes in fermented foods, give Jacksonians healthier food choices.
Have a Healthy Snack
As a family physician who treats chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, I encourage my patients to make positive lifestyle choices to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Running a 5K in Your Shoes
Races are a thing in Jackson; here's a list of the 5Ks and other races coming up.
Beware of Food Allergies
The Food Allergy Research and Education's website, foodallergy.org, says that every day, 15 million Americans with food allergies face difficult challenges in avoiding their allergens and preventing a life-threatening reaction, which is called anaphylaxis.
Slow and Steady
Ideally, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise program is a lifestyle decision that we should maintain year-round. But those who don't participate in a year-round healthy lifestyle must remember that weight loss is a marathon and not a sprint.
Legislature Can’t Dress Up Damage Doing to State
The special session on Monday presented lawmakers the chance to potentially clean up some unfinished business from the 2017 legislative session as well as messes by particular members (looking at you, Rep. Karl Oliver). Lawmakers failed on both fronts.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Travel Ban'
President Trump has introduced two travel bans, both of which federal courts blocked, in order to supposedly up national security, despite research that shows how little they work.
June: A Month of Encouragement
Miss Doodle Mae: "A lot of Jojo's Discount Dollar Store employees are concerned about their futures because of possible budget cuts on social, health-care and educational programs. Worry, apathy and depression consumes the morale of the staff."
A Trip Down Lawsuit Lane
The news that Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith was arrested for alleged domestic violence, stalking and robbery of a former girlfriend attracted recent headlines.
JSU Reels After President Search, Budget Cuts
Jackson State University students, faculty and staff members went through a whirlwind of hiring and firing in the last two weeks.
God, Family and Books: Each One, Reach One
ROCAAT is an acronym for Reaching One Community at a Time, which describes the vision that Gwendolyn Bell shares with her younger sister, Pamela Hurston.
Health and Tech Go Hand in Hand
There aren't a lot of life lessons to gain from the 1998 teen horror flick "The Faculty." But when Elijah Wood's character says, "I don't think a person should run unless he's being chased," well, that's a message that just makes sense to me.
Tommy Kirkpatrick
At age 12, Jackson photographer Tommy Kirkpatrick began making movies with his friends on a black-and-white camcorder. He says he spent the subsequent years working summer jobs in his hometown, Louisville, Miss., to save up for new equipment.
Ribs, Rubs & Rock ‘N’ Roll
As the members of Jackson alternative-country band Young Valley put the final touches on their upcoming sophomore album about three months ago, they began brainstorming how to raise funds to distribute and promote the release.
Tuesday, June 6
UPDATE: Lumumba Wins Mayor's Race, Republican Candidate Wells Wants Recount
"We have a lot of work to do," Chokwe Lumumba said. "If you have the best ideas, we will work with it."
Trump Organization to Launch "Mid-Market" Hotels in Mississippi Delta
NEW YORK (AP) — The sons of President Donald Trump said Monday their company is launching a new hotel chain inspired by their travels with their father's campaign. The Trump Organization is calling the new mid-market chain "American Idea" and said it will start with three hotels in Mississippi.
Black Lawmakers Call for Karl Oliver to Resign in Special Session
Technically, the Mississippi House of Representatives had finished its business, passing the remainder of special-session legislation, but the tension in the chamber reeked of unsettled, unfinished business.
Vote Today Until 7 p.m.: The Mayor's, Council Races Continues
Election Day in Jackson has arrived after a month of candidates continuing their campaigning from the primary elections on May 2. Voting today is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your designated precincts.
Lucky Town Tap Room, Amerigo CARA Benefit, BankPlus at The District and Walk-Ons
On July 1, Lucky Town Brewing Company is hosting a grand-opening celebration for its new Tap Room. Visitors will be able to purchase beer in the space for the first time, thanks to a new law that the Mississippi Legislature recently passed.
Mississippi Power Plant Costs Cross $7.5B, Rate Plan Delayed
A Mississippi utility is delaying proposals on how its customers should pay for an ever-more-expensive power plant even as the cost of the facility crosses $7.5 billion.
Monday, June 5
We Must Hold Our Political Leaders Accountable
The time to mobilize isn't the next election. It's now. We have to start laying the groundwork for change in our state, and it starts with you and me.
White Lawmaker's Lynching Remark Leads to Private Apologies
A white Mississippi lawmaker has been privately apologizing to many of his black colleagues, more than two weeks after saying people should be lynched for removing Confederate monuments.
March for Truth Jackson Demands Independent Russia Investigation
In the latest series of national marches since President Donald Trump's inauguration—the Women's March, march against current immigration policies and a march for science—the March for Truth continued the trend of protests around the nation.
High School Students 'Upward Bound' to Hinds Community College
Students in certain Jackson high schools and the surrounding areas will receive additional support to graduate and get to college through the Upward Bound program.
Putin Dismisses US Claims About Trump, Russia and Elections
Russian President Vladimir Putin says claims about Russian involvement in U.S. elections are untrue, and says the United States actively interferes with elections in other countries.
Trump Assails Justice Dep't Court Strategy on Travel Ban
President Donald Trump lashed out at his own Justice Department Monday for seeking the Supreme Court's backing for a "watered down, politically correct version" of the travel ban he signed in March instead of a broader directive that was also blocked by the courts.
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.
Saturday, June 3
Judge Rejects Suit Over Mississippi Governor's Budget Cuts
A judge on Friday ruled against a lawsuit by two Democratic legislators challenging the power of the Mississippi governor to make midyear budget cuts.
Friday, June 2
Bad Streets Cost Jackson Drivers Over $2,000 a Year in Extra Vehicle Costs
Jacksonians spend an additional $2,046 per year driving on Jackson roads, a new study from the TRIP group shows.
Koch Brother-Funded Group Launches 'Thank You' Campaign for Lt. Gov. Reeves
Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political-advocacy organization founded by the Koch brothers, will throw Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves a five-figure thank-you campaign, after the Republican repeatedly shot down proposals to divert funds to pay for the state's infrastructure, which he called "unconstitutional."
Latrice Westbrooks
Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Latrice Westbrooks, who is the 2017 recipient of the Outstanding Woman Lawyer from the Mississippi Women Lawyers' Association, says she knows the value of sacrificing for others firsthand.
Mississippi Governor Seeks Several Changes in Budget Process
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is asking legislators to tweak the budget process to ease rating agencies' concerns about the state's finances.
Trump Asks Supreme Court to Reinstate Travel Ban
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to immediately reinstate its ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries, saying the U.S. will be safer if the policy is put in place.
Trump Withdraws from Climate Pact, World Leaders Push Back
President Donald Trump's supporters on Friday cast his decision to abandon the world's climate change pact as a "refreshing" stance for the U.S. that would save jobs and unburden industry.
Lesbian Challenges Court Ruling That She's Not Legal Parent
A lesbian is asking the Mississippi Supreme Court to recognize her as a legal parent of a child born during her marriage to a woman.
Thursday, June 1
'Worldwide Celebrity' Lumumba Gets Personal in Live Podcast Interview
Beau York introduced Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the Democratic nominee for Jackson mayor, as a "worldwide celebrity," setting the tone for an entertaining interview last night in downtown Jackson.
Inspiring Kids to Create
With canvases, brushes, papier mache, bottle caps—and sometimes balloons—the instructor for the city's annual Allison Wells Summer Arts Camp, Cindy Presley, focuses on creating pieces that inspire participants to create art from anything.
Chuck Barlow
In the '80s and '90s, Chuck Barlow started a long string of accomplishments in education.
Putin Denies Involvement in Hacking, Hails Trump
President Vladimir Putin insisted Thursday that the Russian state has never engaged in hacking and said Moscow will wait out the current political storm in the U.S. to forge constructive relations with President Donald Trump, whom he praised as a straightforward person with a "fresh set of eyes."
Senate Panel Eager to Hear from Comey, Given OK to Testify
The House intelligence committee says it is issuing subpoenas for Michael Flynn and Michael Cohen—President Donald Trump's former national security adviser and Trump's personal lawyer—as well as their businesses as part of its investigation into Russian activities during last year's election.
Mississippi Attorney General Seeks to Ease His Tight Budget
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood is urging lawmakers to restore a portion of the money they have cut from his budget the past two years.