Stories for April 2018

Sessions Cites 'Rule of Law' in Criminal Charges of Suspected Caravan Migrants Seeking Asylum

The Department of Justice today filed criminal charges against eleven different suspected members of the so-called “caravan” in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, announced Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Adam Braverman.

Under New Chief, Fire Department Lowers Age Requirement to 18

Willie Owens, the former interim chief of the Jackson Fire Department, was confirmed as the permanent chief on April 18, but not without controversy.

Third Graders Who Failed Reading Test Eligible for Free Eye Exam

Every third grader in Mississippi must pass the third-grade reading exam to be promoted to fourth grade. When a student fails the third-grade reading exam, it could mean they are struggling to read on grade level. It could mean that they are having vision problems, too.

Rapper Lil Lonnie Shot to Death in His Mississippi Hometown

Police in Mississippi's capital city say rapper Lil Lonnie has died after someone shot into the vehicle he was driving and it hit the front of a house.

Sprint, T-Mobile Have to Sell $26.5B Deal to Antitrust Cops

To gain approval for their $26.5 billion merger agreement, T-Mobile and Sprint aim to convince antitrust regulators that there is plenty of competition for wireless service beyond Verizon and AT&T.

A Cheesy Good Time

The Belhaven Grilled Cheese Fest is on Sunday, April 29, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Lawsuit: Inmates Have the Right to Free, Secular Books in Prison

Big House Books, a nonprofit that sends free books by request to inmates, filed a lawsuit against the South Mississippi Correctional Institution this week because inmates there cannot receive books that are donated, the lawsuit says.

MSU Student Ag Awards, JSU Named Military-Friendly School and Pathway Cords for USM Commencement

Eight College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students at Mississippi State University students won awards in the oral and visual display competitions at the 82nd-annual Mississippi Academy of Sciences meeting this year.

Christopher Evans

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership named Christopher Evans, a math teacher at Callaway High School, as a 2018 Metro Teacher of the Year.

Toyota to Spend $170M to Expand Mississippi Plant, Hire 400

Toyota Motor Corp. is investing $170 million and adding 400 jobs at its Mississippi assembly plant.

Bill Cosby Convicted of Drugging and Molesting a Woman

Bill Cosby was convicted Thursday of drugging and molesting a woman in the first big celebrity trial of the #MeToo era, completing the spectacular late-life downfall of a comedian who broke racial barriers in Hollywood on his way to TV superstardom as America's Dad.

Mayor Commits to Zoo, West Jackson Development Projects

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba publicly agreed and committed to several upcoming and ongoing projects designed to revitalize west Jackson during a luncheon on Wednesday, April 25, at New Horizon Church International.

Corinth Will Settle in Debtors' Prison Case

The City of Corinth will stop locking up men and women who cannot afford to pay their fines or bail after reaching an agreement with the Southern Poverty Law Center and the MacArthur Justice Center.

Matt Maher

Singer-songwriter Matt Maher has been a significant presence in the world of contemporary Christian music since the early 2000s, but before he was introduced to religion, he says that he was running away, at least at some level.

OPINION: Anti-Abortion Laws Won’t Stop Abortions. Eradicating Poverty Could.

"Making it more difficult for residents to access abortions won’t stop women from doing so. ... We must first address the No. 1 factor that appears to drive the demand for abortion: poverty."

Midnight Siemens Vote Designed to Recoup Millions, Correct Water Billing

The Jackson City Council voted just before midnight last night to accept Public Works Director Bob Miller's proposal to overhaul the Siemens Inc. contract and recoup millions in missing water revenue from local customers.

Amazing Teens 2018

In the current political climate in the U.S., teens have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with, and that they are pretty amazing. Each year the Jackson Free Press honors some of the local teens doing amazing things. Here are this year's.

Brunch Bunch, 2018

Weekend brunch has really come into its own in recent years in the capital city. Now that spring has sprung, it's the perfect time to enjoy a leisurely late weekend break.

Johnny Rawls: Letting Life Flow

Mississippi bluesman Johnny Rawls encountered the music for the first time on a cool Christmas morning when he was 12 years old.

EDITORIAL: Reform Requires Long-Term Planning, Reducing Private Prisons

Bipartisan criminal-justice reform is something to sing about, and we applaud the Mississippi Legislature and the governor for passing and signing House Bill 387 into law this session.

OPINION: Racists Can Change After All

By the time I got to middle school, I'd come to terms with the world we live in. I was aware that people weren't always welcoming and that racists ruled the world.

Kennedy Owens

When St. Andrew's Episcopal School senior Kennedy Owens saw that many of Jackson Public School's third-graders did not pass the Third Grade Reading Gate Reading test in 2015, he knew he had to do something.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Simple Ideas for Effecting Change

A study from the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association shows that 45 minutes of visual art-making can lower stress levels in adults, and other studies show that for kids, creating art is often helpful in their development.

Inside Jackson’s Officer-Involved Shooting Task Force

Last month, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba had prepared to make an executive decision about how the Jackson Police Department would handle transparency following officer-involved shootings.

Debtors’ Prisons Out, Parole For More People

Criminal-justice reform is and has been a bipartisan issue in the Mississippi Legislature in recent years, and 2018 is no exception.

What Jacksonians Want in a New JPS Supe

Dozens of applicants are interested in being the next leader of the second-largest school district in Mississippi.

Mississippi Defendants Spend Months in Jail Awaiting Trial

Jerry Sanders has been sitting in a jail cell on a relatively minor charge of methamphetamine possession for more than a year — longer than the sentence he could get if he's convicted.

Insurance Broker: Prisons Chief Demanded 'Take Care of Me'

Guy Evans was the latest person—and could be the last—to plead guilty to what prosecutors say was a wide-ranging scheme of bribery and corruption under Christopher Epps, who led the Mississippi prison system for a dozen years under three governors.

More Water Bills Ahead; Siemens Contract Faces Changes Tonight

If Public Works Director Bob Miller gets his way, Jacksonians could start getting accurate water bills in the next couple of weeks.

Sheriffs Decry Cutbacks, Private Prison Contracts

Mississippi sheriffs packed into Room 113 at the Capitol Monday to express frustrations after the Mississippi Department of Corrections announced a reduction in inmates housed at the 15 regional facilities in the state even as taxpayer money is going to fund private, corporate-operated prisons.

Michael Kardos

Author Michael Kardos has always been drawn to the art of illusion. As a teenager, the New Jersey native got into doing magic, and as an adult, he wanted to tackle the topic in his writing.

Spanish Wine Tasting at Seafood R'evolution, Cinco de Mayo at Cantina Laredo and Taste JXN

Cantina Laredo, a Mexican restaurant located in The District at Eastover, will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with live music, a menu of limited-time-only cocktails and drink specials.

Senators Delay VA Confirmation Hearing Amid New Allegations

Senate leaders have delayed indefinitely the confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump's pick to be Veterans Affairs secretary amid late-surfacing allegations about the nominee's workplace practices and growing questions about his ability to manage the government's second-largest department.

Inside the City of Jackson's 'Crime Summit'

A panel of Mississippi-based professionals sat in black leather armchairs on the stage of the Jackson Convention Center's theater on April 19. Larry Perry, Devon Loggins, Tiffany Anderson-Washington, Fallon Brewster and Etta Morgan were there to lead a panel discussion for the City of Jackson's Crime and Justice Summit.

JPS Central Office Needs Restructuring, Report Says

The capital city's schools have been on a roller coaster the past year, avoiding a state takeover, then installing a new school board and adding a commission to help study the district.

Sen. Thad Cochran

A federal courthouse in Jackson has been renamed as the "Thad Cochran United States Courthouse."

Travel Ban Case is Justices' First Dive into Trump Policy

The Supreme Court justices' first deep dive into a Trump administration policy comes in a dispute over the third and latest version of the administration's ban on travel from some countries with majority Muslim populations.

Pompeo Facing Rare Opposition from Senate Panel

President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, is facing serious opposition before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which may not have enough votes to recommend him for confirmation because all Democrats, and at least one Republican, have said they will oppose him.

Waffle House Slaying Suspect Arrested After Massive Manhunt

The suspect in a quadruple homicide at a Nashville Waffle House was taken into custody Monday, police said.

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.

In Court, Dems Allege Conspiracy Between Trump Camp, Russia

The national Democratic Party sued President Donald Trump's campaign, his son, his son-in-law, the Russian Federation and WikiLeaks on Friday, accusing them of an intricate conspiracy to undercut Democrats in the 2016 election by stealing tens of thousands of emails and documents.

Survey: Attorney General, Governor Boast Highest Approval Ratings

Attorney General Jim Hood and Gov. Phil Bryant have the highest approval ratings of a selection of Mississippi political leaders, a Millsaps College and Chism Strategies survey released earlier this month, shows.

Statewide Student Testing Task Force To Meet This Summer

Mississippi Superintendent Carey Wright announced a task force this week to study how individual school district and the Department of Education in the state are testing students.

NAMI MS Conference at Belhaven, USM Marine Education Center and MSU 2018 Alumni Association Award

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Mississippi will host its annual spring conference on Thursday, May 17, and Friday, May 18, at the Dr. Billy Kim International Center at Belhaven University.

Tomekia Reed

On Monday, April 16, JSU named Tomekia Reed, the former head coach at Hinds Community College in Utica, as the Tigers' new head coach.

In Comey Memos, Trump Talks of Jailed Journalists, 'Hookers'

In a series of startlingly candid conversations, President Donald Trump told former FBI Director James Comey that he had serious concerns about the judgment of a top adviser, asked about the possibility of jailing journalists and described a boast from Vladimir Putin about Russian prostitutes, according to Comey's notes of the talks obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday night.

Mississippi Supreme Court Rejects Zoning for Costco Store

A unanimous Mississippi Supreme Court says a suburb acted improperly in rezoning property for what would be Mississippi's first Costco store.

Mayor Lumumba Hosting Crime and Justice Summit Tonight at 6 p.m.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and the City of Jackson will host a Crime and Justice Summit tonight at 6 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex downtown.

Governor Vetoes Opioid, Crime Reforms After Signing Reentry Law

Gov. Phil Bryant has blocked an effort to help wean those addicted to opioids off the drugs with medication, as well as assisted indigent prisoners.

William Shakespeare

A couple of weeks before New Stage Theatre begins its latest production, "Shakespeare in Love," the rehearsal area is marked with tape, noting places on the stage such as the balcony, the tavern and The Rose Theatre.

Tuition to Rise 4 Percent on Average at Mississippi Schools

Mississippi's eight public universities plan to raise tuition by an average of 4 percent next fall.

Mississippi GOP Hopefuls Decry Federal Spending, Regulations

Republicans running for an open congressional seat in Mississippi are advocating cuts in federal spending and regulations.

Report Lauds Mississippi Preschool Quality, Knocks Size

A new report says Mississippi's state-funded preschool program, though small, continues to score well on quality measures.

Ready to Engage: The JFP Interview with JPD Chief Anthony Moore

Interim Police Chief Anthony Moore, known since Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba appointed him in January as a man of few words, opened the door to his office in the Jackson Police Department on April 11. He was cheerful and ready to engage.

EDITORIAL: Leaders, Roads and Bridges Trump Your Tax Cuts

Gephyrophobia translates into fear of bridges, and it's perfectly rational for Mississippians around the state to be suffering from that phobia following the closure of more than 100 "dangerous" bridges.

Eats on the Move

As we get closer and closer to summer, it's time to start going outside more often, and we're seeing more food trucks popping up around the capital city. Let's celebrate the season with these Best of Jackson winners and finalists.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Time for Mississippi to Get Smarter on Crime

Dozens of officers from 15 federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies gathered in a circle in front of the new colorful Jackson mural facing State Street meant to symbolize a better capital city. The Clarion-Ledger's cops reporter was invited to join the nighttime gang hunters with her video camera.

Ben Witt

While getting a massage one day, Ben Witt began to think to himself, "Hey, I can do this. I can be a massage therapist." Witt liked that the practice was quiet, thoughtful and rewarding, and also the one-on-one aspect of it.

OPINION: The Mayor’s Task Farce

In the "most radical city on the planet," the "emperor" has no clothes. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has repeatedly provided cover for the Jackson Police Department, which has consistently exacted violence on residents.

Will the People Have a Say in 2018 Budget?

With the tax deadline not too far in the rearview mirror, finances are still at the foreground of many people's minds, including Jackson officials as they work on the budget for the next fiscal year.

Roadblocks for Road Plans?

The Republican supermajority in the Mississippi Legislature has ignored the state chamber of commerce's calls to increase state funding for roads and bridges for three legislative sessions in a row.

Mississippi Sending Election Reminders to Military Members

Thousands of Mississippi National Guard members are training for deployment, and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann is pushing to ensure they know when to vote in upcoming elections.

U.S. Attorney Touts 'Project EJECT' Sting of Alleged Gangsters, Criminals

U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst called a press conference at the United States Courthouse downtown Monday to release some details about the results of a recent cooperative sting to go after a mix of alleged criminals with outstanding warrants, known gang members and their associates and sex offenders.

Director of Learning and School Programs at Art Museum, TeamJXN Luncheon and Riverwalk Renovations

The James and Madeleine McMullan Family Foundation, an Illinois-based educational scholarship and grant provider, donated $750,000 to the Mississippi Museum of Art on Sunday, March 25.

Lynne Schneider

Fifteen years ago, Lynne Schneider, an English and journalism teacher at Murrah High School, was diagnosed with a kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, which causes scarring in the kidney.

Supreme Court Strikes Down as Vague Part of Immigration Law

The Supreme Court said Tuesday that part of a federal law that makes it easier to deport immigrants who have been convicted of crimes is too vague to be enforced.

AG Sessions Praises Project Eject, Gang 'Surge' in Jackson by Feds, JPD, Others

The U.S. Department of Justice, the Jackson Police Department and a list of other agencies, including from the Gulf Coast, worked together last week on a police sweep in Jackson. The operation brought in 45 attests, including 31 "documented gang members."

GAO Says EPA Violated Spending Law on Pruitt's Privacy Booth

An internal government watchdog says the Environmental Protection Agency violated federal spending laws when purchasing a $43,000 soundproof privacy booth for Administrator Scott Pruitt to make private phone calls in his office.

'Man to Man': Mayor, Leaders Talk Empowerment with JPS Middle School Boys

While the middle-school girls of Bailey APAC were away on a girls-only science-related field trip on Friday, the boys were invited into the auditorium to engage with a panel of city leaders and professionals.

Mexico Meets South

Eddie Hernandez co-owns Taqueria del Sol, a chain of Mexican restaurants in Georgia. He recently published "Turnip Greens & Tortillas," which features his southern food-meets-Mexican recipes, with writer Susan Puckett.

JPS Set to Start Clearing Standards in Corrective Action Plan

The Jackson Public School District has a new 400-page corrective action plan to begin work on, and it is already asking the Mississippi Department of Education to approve its efforts one some of the required criteria.

Governor Vetoes Change in Parole Supervision Fees

Gov. Phil Bryant has vetoed a bill that he says would cause a financial hardship to the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

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.

Trump Pardons Scooter Libby, Says He Was 'Treated Unfairly'

President Donald Trump issued a full pardon Friday to I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, suggesting the former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney had been "treated unfairly" by a special counsel at a moment when the president himself faces an escalating special counsel investigation.

Dems: Block Corporate Tax Cuts, Put Money in Transportation

Democratic leaders in the Mississippi Legislature say the state should block corporate tax cuts and put money into fixing highways and bridges.

Mayor Calls Zoo's Move 'Disingenuous,' 'Disrespectful' to West Jackson

In his first public statement since the Jackson Zoo announced its board is now supporting its relocation from west Jackson to LeFleur's Bluff State Park close to Rankin County, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba sternly advocated for the zoo to stay put.

Yolett McPhee-McCuin

On April 4, the University of Mississippi announced the hiring of a new women's head coach, Yolett McPhee-McCuin, 34, who spent the last five seasons at Jacksonville University and oversaw a turnaround for the program.

New Dean of Nursing at MUW, USM and ASV Global Partnership, Free Orchestra Concerts at Belhaven

Belhaven University will host a free concert on Monday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mississippi Museum of Art's Trustmark Grand Hall as part of the Composers' Orchestral Reading Session.

Tightest Abortion Law in US on Hold for Several More Months

The most restrictive abortion law in the United States will remain on hold for at least several more months.

As 83 Bridges Close, Speaker Gunn Unveils Revamped Funding Proposal

As the Mississippi Department of Transportation begins to close the 83 bridges Gov. Phil Bryant ordered closed on Tuesday, House Speaker Philip Gunn announced a nearly 60-page proposal to divert funding to the state's infrastructure.

Yarber Campaign Funder Mitzi Bickers Indicted in Atlanta

Jackson and Atlanta have been interconnected since the Mayor Tony Yarber era. Mitzi Bickers is one of those common threads, having worked on both Kasim Reed's campaign in 2009 and Yarber's in 2014.

Julie Seely

For Julie Seely, figure skating is a meeting point between athleticism and the arts.

Mississippi House Leaders Unveil New Transportation Proposal

Mississippi House leaders are proposing a new plan that could put hundreds of millions more dollars into highways and bridges.

Groups Seek to Open 17 Charter Schools in Mississippi

Groups are expressing interest in opening 17 charter schools in Mississippi. The state's Charter School Authorizer Board on Monday accepted letters of intent from 16 potential school operators.

The 2018 Crossroads Film Festival

Most film blocks in this year's Crossroads Film Festival will screen at Malco Grandview Cinema.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Celebrating Teen Excellence at Crossroads Film Fest

Little pleases me more than seeing teenagers from all parts of Jackson achieve great things and be recognized for them such as their inclusion this week in the Crossroads Film Festival.

Crossroads Goes Back to Its Roots

Crossroads Film Festival is going back to its roots this year, Festival Coordinator Michele Baker says.

EDITORIAL: Lumumba Administration Must Be Proactive, Appoint Promptly

There's a modern-day adage that is good advice for the Lumumba administration: "Stay ready so you don't have to get ready."

Celebrating Mississippi Composers

When the Mississippi Chorus began looking ahead to the launch of its 30th season this fall, Artistic Director Mark Nabholz says that the board faced an important question: How should they kick off such a milestone year?

Philip Scarborough

Spot On Productions and Crossroads Film Festival co-founder Philip Scarborough, 46, says that though some filmmakers may choose to leave Jackson, he would rather be a big fish in a small pond.

OPINION: No Matter the Zip Code

Equity in education has been a hot topic of conversation around the nation over the last few years. How do we ensure that children who face extra barriers like racism and classism or live in areas with underfunded school districts have the support and funding they need to have the same academic skills and confidence of their peers who do not face those barriers?

Disenfranchised for Life? No Changes, Yet

Stanley Barnes of Claiborne County was convicted of murder in 1990 and received a life sentence, but was paroled in 2000. He is still on unsupervised parole. Sen. Albert Butler, D-Port Gibson, introduced a bill this session to restore Barnes' voting rights.

State to Reauthorize, Monitor Visitors Bureau

Pending Gov. Phil Bryant's signature, the State of Mississippi is reauthorizing the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau for another year, but with added strings attached.

Mayor Lumumba, Police Out of Sync?

If you walked into Jackson City Hall two weeks ago at just after 7 p.m., you would have seen the mayor's chief of staff, Safiya Omari, in a tense, loud exchange with public defender Adofo Minka, who had just criticized Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba publicly on how he is handling officer-involved shootings.

Trump Says 'Missiles Coming' Against Syria, 'New and Smart'

Defying Russian warnings against U.S. military strikes in Syria, President Donald Trump said Wednesday that missiles "will be coming" in response to Syria's suspected chemical attack that killed at least 40 people.

Ryan Won't Run for Re-Election as GOP Worries About Midterms

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for re-election, his office announced Wednesday, injecting another layer of uncertainty as Republicans face worries over losing their majority in the fall.

Mississippi Governor Orders Closure of 83 Deficient Bridges

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant on Tuesday ordered the Mississippi Department of Transportation to immediately close 83 locally maintained bridges that the federal government says are in bad shape.

JSU Wins $75,000 Top Prize in Honda's HBCU National Academic Contest

Jackson State University is $75,000 richer after students captured the top academic prize during the 29th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Championship Tournament in Torrance, California.

"I'm Sorry:" Zuckerberg Opens Senate Hearing With an Apology

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg began a two-day congressional inquisition Tuesday with a public apology for a privacy scandal that has roiled the social media giant he founded more than a decade ago.

Smith Park Grand Reopening, CU at the Zoo and AAF District 7 Spring Convention

Smith Park in downtown Jackson, which has been closed for renovations since November 2017, will reopen on Friday, April 13. A ribbon cutting for the refurbished park will take place in conjunction with Food Truck Friday, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Ed King

Vicksburg native Ed King is one of the founders of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and was a major figure in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

JPS: School Bond Issue to Go Before Jackson Voters this Summer

District leaders and school board members are preparing to bring a bond issue to Jackson voters, likely in June, to keep Jackson Public Schools' current millage rate—and tax rate for Jacksonians—at the same level.

Cindy Hyde-Smith Sworn in as 1st Female Mississippi Senator

Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith made history Monday when she was sworn in as the first woman to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate, a milestone that strategists hope will propel the former agricultural commissioner and early President Donald Trump supporter when she faces a tough election in fall.

Analysis: Tax Cuts, Spending to Raise Deficit to $1T by 2019

The combined effect of President Donald Trump's tax cuts and last month's budget-busting spending bill is sending the government's budget deficit toward the $1 trillion mark next year, according to a new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office.

City Metrocenter Lawsuit Set for Trial this Month

The Metrocenter Mall, a former shopping center and office space hurt by white and economic flight, is now being repurposed as a "Comprehensive One-Stop Center" for workforce training programs, even as a City of Jackson lawsuit concerning its 2011 lease there lives on.

Mike Espy

A Mississippi Democrat who was President Bill Clinton's first agriculture secretary officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate on Friday, saying he'll run in a special election to finish the term started by longtime Republican Thad Cochran.

Trial Over Prison Conditions in Mississippi Comes to a Close

Closing arguments are set in a federal trial in which inmates say they live in unsanitary and excessively violent conditions in a Mississippi prison.

Clinic Widens Challenge of Mississippi Abortion Restrictions

Mississippi's only abortion clinic is expanding its challenge of a state law that bans abortion after 15 weeks.

City Announces Officer-Involved Shooting Task Force on Identifying Officers

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba has established a task force to provide recommendations for developing a Jackson Police Department policy that will govern the release of names of officers involved in a shooting, and the timeframe during which the release should take place. They will meet bi-monthly.

Poor Treatment of Local Media Comes to Head at Sanders, Lumumba Town Hall

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders travelled from one predominantly black city to the next on Wednesday for public appearances in commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.

Emily Allison

Colorful anime art adorns the bright lime walls at HardRocs Tattoo & Piercing in Brandon, some framed and some taped. Drawings from tattoo artist Emily Riffle, who goes by Emily Allison, are spread out on a large corkboard, barely visible amongst the many sketches.

MADDRAMA Wins Awards, Hinds One-Stop Center at Metrocenter and New USM Scholarship

MADDRAMA, a student performance troupe at Jackson State University, recently won nine awards at the 82nd National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts Conference at Dillard University in New Orleans.

Mississippi Court: Woman Has Parent Rights in Same-Sex Split

Mississippi's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a woman has parental rights to a 6-year-old boy born to her ex-wife when the two were married, in a case watched by gay rights activists and groups aiding in vitro fertilization.

AP: Record Number of Women File to Run for US House Seats

The number of women running for the U.S. House of Representatives set a record Thursday, the vast majority of them Democrats motivated by angst over President Donald Trump and policies of the Republican-controlled Congress.

Bernie Sanders, Mayor Lumumba Have Campaign-Like Chat on MLK Anniversary

Cries of "Bernie 2020!" accented the conversation between U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba at a town hall on economic justice 50 years to the night since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis.

'Yes, Dr. King, How Can I Help You?': Black Rights Leaders Recall MLK 

Flonzie Brown-Wright, Charles McLaurin and James Meredith spoke at the 2 Mississippi Museums on Wednesday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of King's death and reflect on how his work affected them personally.

Alexia Harmon

Mississippi College infielder Alexia Harmon put on a superb performance at the plate against Union University over the course of their recent series March 30 and March 31.

Suit: Mississippi Flag's Rebel Symbol 'Racially Demeaning'

The Mississippi flag is "racially demeaning and hostile" because it contains the Confederate battle emblem, says a new federal lawsuit that seeks to ban one city from any public display of the state banner.

MLK Honored as Thousands March to 'Keep the Dream Going'

With thoughts on the past and eyes to the future, thousands marched and sang civil rights songs Wednesday to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the "apostle of nonviolence" silenced by an assassin 50 years ago.

OPINION: Mississippi Women's Activist—Bernie Sanders Can't Come to the Cookout

"This town hall isn't special; they are taking the usual Bernie town hall and putting Martin Luther King's name on it. It's glaringly obvious, offensive and frankly it is just gross."

Best of Jackson, Spring Edition

It's officially spring time, which means it's the season for things like sitting outside, enjoying cold beers and eating more seafood.

Mixed Messages: The JFP Interview with Big K.R.I.T.

Justin Scott, better known as hip-hop artist Big K.R.I.T., says that he has always felt like a bit of an anomaly.

EDITORIAL: Legislature Budgets for Critical Needs, Neglects Others

The 2018 legislative session's story largely revolves around Republicans' inability to get a lot done due to failed negotiations between the House and the Senate.

OPINION: Tickled to See Teenagers Restarting the Revolution

Writer and champion of social justice Dorothy Day once said that "fighting for a cause is part of the zest of life. ... What we need is a revolution. Each one of us can help start it."

Women, Whiskey, Watchdogs (and Dead Bills) at Session's End

Late in the 2018 legislative session, Rep. Jeff Smith, R-Columbus, talked about a night that his son broke curfew. His boy had spent his father's money on "whiskey, women and wasted the rest," Smith described.

Deeneaus Polk

The experiences Deeneaus Polk gained while doing research in Germany help him create and implement policies that focus on poverty and economic disparity in Mississippi.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mississippi, the Birthplace (and Future) of America’s Music

Maybe there is a problem with just saying we're the "birthplace of America's music." It doesn't really say that the music still lives here.

Jackson City Council Pays for $1.6 Million Winter Emergency

Last week, the city council ultimately approved the $1.6 million in various emergency contracts for repairs to water lines and other engineering services, but not without some pushback.

Mississippi Outs Legal Immigrants on Drivers' Licenses

Abigail Pina Mandujano had to start carrying her visa with her when she drives because her license is not enough to fend off questions from law-enforcement officials at roadblocks, she says.

Moving Jackson Zoo to East Jackson Leaves Hope Behind

On March 27, the Jackson Zoological Society board confirmed it will move to the eastern side of the city to LeFleur's Bluff State Park, closer to Rankin County than its long-time home on West Capitol Street.

Financial Demand Issued Against State Board of Cosmetology

The Mississippi auditor is demanding that Board of Cosmetology members pay the state about $21,000 because of lax oversight in money handling.

Police Respond to Reports of Shooting at California YouTube

Police and federal officials have responded to reports of a shooting Tuesday at YouTube headquarters in Northern California.

Public Will Have Input on JPS Superintendent Search, Board Says

The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees wants the community's input as they work to hire a new superintendent this spring.

Mississippi Bacon Association, Babalu Lunch Specials and Shapley's Moving

The Mississippi Bacon Association, a group of chefs and representatives of restaurants in Jackson and around the state, took home second place overall out of 85 teams that competed in a barbecue-themed fundraising event called "Hogs for the Cause" in New Orleans from March 22 to March 24.

Stories for April 2018

Monday, April 30

Friday, April 27

Thursday, April 26

Wednesday, April 25

Tuesday, April 24

Monday, April 23

Friday, April 20

Thursday, April 19

Wednesday, April 18

Tuesday, April 17

Monday, April 16

Friday, April 13

Thursday, April 12

Wednesday, April 11

Tuesday, April 10

Monday, April 9

Friday, April 6

Thursday, April 5

Wednesday, April 4