Monday, December 31
Bryant Urges Trump to Close Border, Threatening 40,800 Mississippi Jobs
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant cheered on President Trump’s threats to shut down the border between the U.S. and Mexico, even though such a move would threaten $2.5 billion in trade with his state’s third largest export market.
Three New Hinds County Judges Sworn In
At a judicial swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 27, Senior Circuit Court Judge Tomie Green recalled times in her two-decade tenure on the bench where no one else looked like her. That day, however, after she and Circuit Court Judge Winston Kidd took their oaths for another term, the longtime judges swore in three newcomers: Former Hinds County District Attorney Eleanor Faye Peterson; outgoing Mississippi Rep. Adrienne Wooten, D-Jackson; and Johnnie McDaniels, the former executive director of Henley-Young Juvenile Detention Center.
Friday, December 28
FEC Filings: Hyde-Smith Returned Racist's Donation, But Not $50,000 to Corporations
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith declined to return more than $50,000 to corporate donors who requested refunds from her campaign in November, new FEC filings released Thursday show.
JSU Minority Fellowship Program, MC Dyslexia Center Expansion and UM Veteran Recognition
Jackson State University's Council on Social Work Education recently named Carla Baskin as the 2018 fellow for its Minority Fellowship Program.
Bill Waller Jr.
After 21 years on the Mississippi Supreme Court and 10 years as chief justice, Bill Waller Jr. says it's time for someone else to take the helm.
Thursday, December 27
Bennie Thompson Blames 'Radical' Trump Border Policies for Child Deaths
Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., took aim at the Trump administration on Wednesday after the second child this month died on Christmas Day while in the custody of U.S. Border Patrol agents.
Group That Sends Books to Inmates Ends Mississippi Lawsuit
A group that sends books to prisoners in Mississippi has settled its lawsuit alleging the state was limiting inmates' access to free books.
Wednesday, December 26
Visit Jackson Still In Limbo Under New CEO
Down a long hallway in the Mississippi Capitol, past the grandeur of the multi-story Christmas tree and seemingly state-mandated tinsel decorations, Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, convened a meeting on Dec. 18 to go over the findings of the ill-performing Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, also known as Visit Jackson.
Friday, December 21
Local List: Catherine Lee
People may not know this about me, but Iim a homebody. I travel a good amount, so when Iim in Jackson I like to hang out on my deck with my husband and dogs. When I do venture out of the Broadmeadow neighborhood, here are some places I like to go.
2018 Women's College Basketball Preview
With Victoria Vivians now in the WNBA, the Bulldogs will depend on players such as Tearia McCowan.
OPINION: Mississippi: A Microcosm of the U.S.
Way back in 1964, the year of "Freedom Summer" and the disappearance and death of three civil rights workers in Neshoba County, the "singing journalist" Phil Ochs offered this elegy: "Here's to the land you've torn out the heart of, Mississippi, find yourself another country to be part of"
Mississippi’s ‘Seg Academies’ Creating National Dialogue
The Jackson Free Press' report that Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith attended one of Mississippi's first segregation academies and later sent her daughter to one has spurred a national conversation on schools set up to separate white kids from African Americans.
EDITOR'S NOTE: One Person, One City in Jackson
Community is one of my favorite topics to discuss, and it's something we should all put more emphasis on. After all, if you look at it from the universe's perspective, all humans are one giant community.
Karl Robinson
When Karl Robinson, 31 was working as an assistant coaching coach for an Amateur Athletic Union team in 2012, he noticed the pre-game chat would often emphasize desire, discipline and dedication.
2018 College Basketball Preview
Starkville, Miss., could end up earning most of the attention in the state this college-basketball season. Mississippi State University is set up to make major noise with its men's and women's teams.
The Mississippi Sound—2018 Edition
Mississippi has some incredible musical roots, but the state often does not get enough attention for its current crop of original music, oddly.
2018 College Basketball Preview: The Smalls
This year, Mississippi Valley State University is picked to finish ninth in the SWAC.
Ring in the Jackson New Year
2018 has flown by fast, and 2019 is fast approaching. Celebrate the new year with these events from local businesses, restaurants and people.
New York-Style Deli to Open in Jackson
In crafting the menu for Ariella's NY Delicatessen, Alivia Ashburn-Townsend developed deli staples such as the frankfurter with sauerkraut, along with Italian items she thought would complement the restaurant's theme.
Supreme Court Rejects Trump Plea to Enforce Asylum Ban
The Supreme Court won't let the Trump administration begin enforcing a ban on asylum for any immigrants who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
Amazon Bringing 850 Full-Time Jobs to Mississippi, Donated to State Candidates
Amazon plans to open a distribution warehouse in Marshall County, Miss., that the online retail giant said in its announcement Friday will create 850 full-time jobs in the northernmost part of the state over a three-year period.
AHA Scholars at Tougaloo, Carnegie Designations, and JSU Heart Walk
The American Heart Association recently named two Tougaloo College students as AHA HBCU Scholars.
Thursday, December 20
Cindy Hyde-Smith Presides as U.S. Senate Finally Passes Anti-Lynching Law
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., presided as the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill that makes lynching a federal civil-rights crime.
Almost Half of JPS High Schoolers Are Not Showing Up for Class
At the midpoint of this school year, approximately 44 percent of high schoolers in the Jackson Public School District are labeled as truant, meaning they missed five or more days of school with no excuses, data from JPS show.
Daishai Almond
Freshman Daishai Almond was left to take the reins of the Golden Eagles' offense during the second quarter against Mississippi State University.
Wednesday, December 19
Rep. Palazzo Wants 'Border Bonds' for Americans to Pay for Trump's Wall
Under Mississippi Congressman Steven Palazzo's "Border Bonds for America Act," American citizens would pay for the construction of a wall on the southern border by purchasing revenue bonds from the U.S. Treasury.
Lisa Potts
While working with Teach for America from 2011 to 2013, current Woodward Hines Education Foundation Communications and Impact Coordinator Lisa Potts says she saw a lot of needs among the students and also noticed the need for more resources.
The Wonders of 'Wonderland'
Thalia Mara Hall in downtown Jackson has featured plenty of orchestral events over the years, but the latest concert from touring act Cirque Musica plans to do something a little different with the space.
Tree-Lighting Ceremony Honors Crime Victims in Mississippi
Attorney General Jim Hood and Gov. Phil Bryant spoke to more than 100 people Tuesday at a tree-lighting ceremony in the Gartin building, near the state Capitol in Jackson.
In Farewell, Paul Ryan Sees Solutions If 'Politics Will Allow It'
Outgoing House Speaker Paul Ryan is bemoaning America's "broken politics" in a farewell speech in which he calls Washington's failure to overhaul costly federal benefit programs "our greatest unfinished business."
Tuesday, December 18
Trump Foundation Reaches Deal to Dissolve Amid Lawsuit
President Donald Trump's charitable foundation reached a deal Tuesday to go out of business, even as Trump continues to fight allegations he misused its assets to resolve business disputes and boost his run for the White House.
Judge Tells Flynn He Can't 'Hide My Disgust' at His Crime
In a stinging rebuke, a federal judge lashed out at President Donald Trump's first national security adviser Michael Flynn during his sentencing hearing Tuesday, saying "I can't hide my disgust, my disdain" at his crime of lying to the FBI.
AG Hood Supports 15-Week Abortion Ban in Appeal to 5th Circuit
Jim Hood, Mississippi's attorney general and a 2019 gubernatorial candidate, filed an appeal on behalf of the state's 15-week abortion ban on Dec. 17, about a month after U.S. District Court Judge Carlton Reeves blocked it.
White House Pulls Back from Shutdown Threat Over Wall Funds
The White House on Tuesday appeared to inch away from forcing a partial government shutdown over funding for a southern border wall, with Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders saying there are "other ways" to secure the $5 billion in funding that President Donald Trump wants.
Stuffed Baked Potato Factory at Northpark and Make-A-Wish at the Outlets
Northpark recently announced the winner of the "Taste for the Space" culinary competition that it hosted on Saturday, Dec. 1. Michael Joyner, a Jackson resident, won the competition representing The Stuffed Baked Potato Factory.
Monday, December 17
With Gov. Bryant’s Support, Judge Strikes Pre-Existing Condition Protections
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant backs a lawsuit that Republicans designed to kill the Affordable Care Act and its pre-existing conditions protections. A federal judge just ruled the law unconstitutional in the case.
Some USM Students Want Library Renamed, Citing Segregation
Some students at the University of Southern Mississippi want to consider renaming the school's main library, citing the namesake's history of supporting segregration.
Thomas Dobbs
The Mississippi State Department of Health has a new leader. The department says in a news release Thursday that the Board of Health is naming Dr. Thomas Dobbs as the state health officer.
Friday, December 14
Amid Water Shutoffs, Jackson Assists Siemens Customers With Bills
The City of Jackson's customer-focused process of offering payment plans to beleaguered Siemens Inc. customers since April has not yielded revenue at a quick enough rate to fill the massive $10 million to $20 million deficit due to kinks in the billing system.
New Leaders at USM Institute for Disability Studies, MSU Groundbreaking and Belhaven Welcome Week
Mississippi State University held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Dec. 7, commemorating the beginning of construction on its Richard A. Rula Engineering and Science Complex.
Frank Mickens Jr.
Frank Mickens Jr., a longtime Jackson resident who founded engineering and construction firm Encon, Inc., died on Nov. 17 at age 67.
Thursday, December 13
Foster Claims 'Third Party' Offered $1 Million to Exit Governor's Race
A third party offered to help Mississippi State Rep. Robert Foster, R-Hernando, secure $1 million in fundraising if he would drop out of the race for governor, the GOP candidate claimed in an interview with the Jackson Free Press Thursday.
Former Criminals Training to Stop Violence in Jackson with $150,000 Grant
Terun Moore and Benny Ivey will be Jackson's first official, trained "credible messengers," working to prevent violence in the metro area.
John Hendrick
Jackson State University did not have to look far to find its 20th head football coach. The team took the interim tag off John Hendrick in November and will keep him in the job he took over after JSU dismissed Tony Hughes.
Wednesday, December 12
Armory Sessions, Unlocked
Layoffs ended up paving the way for Clinton resident Kody Gautier to combine his love of music with his skills as a videographer.
242 Creative
On a warm October evening, friends and art lovers crowd into midtown store Offbeat for "Summer Alchemy," an art show featuring a collection of photographs from Curtis McAfee and Terrance Wells.
South Street Live and State Street Reconstruction Project
The City of Jackson began work on the second phase of its State Street Reconstruction Project, which will focus on completely reconstructing State Street from Hartfield Street to Choctaw Road, on Monday, Dec. 10.
Governor Talks Criminal-Justice Reform, First Step Act, 'Baby Daddies' at Summit
Gov. Phil Bryant enthusiastically backed federal criminal-justice reform at the Mississippi Summit for Criminal Justice on Dec. 11 at the Westin Hotel in downtown Jackson.
Season’s Eatings
The Jackson metro area has plenty of food options for the holidays, with many restaurants serving specialty items and offering take-home meals.
Chicks We Love 2018
This year's Chicks We Love help our communities in many ways, from assisting burn victims and their families, to raising awareness about domestic violence, to using art as a medium to spark conversation on social issues, to helping people with speech therapy. We salute all women using their talents and their voices to make Jackson, and Mississippi, stronger.
Gifting Local Joy
Christmas is coming up soon! Do you have all your shopping done? Here are some handmade and local ideas.
Cultivating the Technology Sprout
If you have ever used the camera search tool on the Amazon app, you can, in part, thank the team behind Partpic, including Jackson native Nashlie Sephus, the owner of The Bean Path, a technology and entrepreneurial nonprofit.
Jackson Rising
In November, education nonprofit Operation Shoestring announced that as part of its 50th-anniversary celebration, it would launch the "Rise to the Future" capital campaign to go toward renovations.
Sweets & Succulents
The first thing people might see when they walk into The Prickly Hippie is not the titular "prickly" cacti, but instead a bevy of soft sweets in the dessert case.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: ‘Tis a Very VIP Season
For the better part of two decades, the JFP has been proud to present the one, authentic, local and first "Best of" competition that seeks to promote the unique people, businesses and organizations that make life in Jackson metro what it is.
Amanda Fontaine
Amanda Fontaine first encountered her passion of working with victims of burn injuries through volunteer work with Junior Auxillary. She started out volunteering with the organization at Delta Regional's burn center.
Tuesday, December 11
Jury Recommends Life in Prison for Charlottesville Killer
A jury Tuesday called for a sentence of life in prison plus 419 years for the Hitler admirer who killed a woman when he rammed his car into counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville two summers ago.
Trump Bickers with Dem Leaders, Threatens Government Shutdown
Bickering in public with Democratic leaders, President Donald Trump threatened repeatedly on Tuesday to shut down the government if Congress doesn't provide the money he says is needed to build a wall at the Mexican border.
Mississippi Towns Hit Hard Financially by Rising Sea Levels, Study Finds
Homes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast lost more than $263 million in value due to rising sea levels, an analysis by the First Street Foundation and Columbia University found.
Mike MacIntyre
University of Mississippi has hired former Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre to be its new defensive coordinator.
Cecil Brown Won't Run Again as Mississippi Utility Regulator
One of Mississippi's three public service commissioners announced Monday that he won't seek re-election in 2019.
Bryant Pledges Support for Cutting Criminal Punishments
Gov. Phil Bryant says he'll support efforts to reduce the number of Mississippians in prison in the 2019 legislative session.
Monday, December 10
Hard-right Conservative 'Farmer Bob' to Announce Run for Governor
Freshman State Rep. Robert Foster will announce a bid for the Republican nomination to be Mississippi's next governor tomorrow in his hometown of Hernando.
Jackson City Attorney Abruptly Replaced with Tougaloo Professor
Amid churning rumors that Jackson City Attorney Sharon Gipson had been let go, the City announced her termination and Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's replacement in one fell swoop on Dec. 7.
Friday, December 7
Trump, Acting AG Praise 'Project EJECT' Strategy as Jackson Homicides Surge
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker presented the Southern District of Mississippi's U.S. Attorney's Office with an award for the outstanding overall partnership/task force for its contentious violent crime-fighting program, Project EJECT.
Belhaven Business Success Award, 'Imitation of Life' Exhibit at MSU and Millsaps at the Arts Center
Belhaven University gave John G. Davis Jr., executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, its Business Success Award as part of the university's 2018 Alumni Awards reception on Friday, Nov. 2.
Duane O'Neill
Duane O'Neill, who has served as president and chief executive officer of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership for 25 years, stepped down from his position on Nov. 2.
Thursday, December 6
'One Lake' Could Mean 'Catastrophic Failure' of State-Owned Bridges
One day before public comment closed on the "One Lake" flood-control and development project proposed along the Pearl River, the Mississippi Department of Transportation sent a letter to the Rankin-Hinds Flood Control District attorney Keith Turner.
Mississippi Leaders Set Initial Outline for State Budget
Top Mississippi lawmakers are setting an early and slightly diminished version of state budget recommendations for the coming year.
Jeffery Simmons
People had high expectations for Jeffery Simmons as a five-star recruit out of Noxubee County High School.
Wednesday, December 5
US Court Won't Reopen Lawsuit About Confederate-Themed Flag
A federal appeals court is not reviving a lawsuit that tried to block a Mississippi city from flying the state flag that includes the Confederate battle emblem.
Michelle Obama's Name Added to JPS Early College Program
The Jackson Public School District named its Early College High School Program after former first lady Michelle Obama at its Dec. 4 board meeting.
After Mississippi Stops, 2020 Presidential Candidates Emerge, Patrick Out
Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick was among potential Democratic presidential candidates who recently campaigned for Mike Espy in Mississippi, but now says he will not run, even as others who visited seem to be moving toward a candidacy.
'Between the Pines' Tackles Mississippi Sports History
When brothers Jon and Henry Wiener founded Bash Brothers Media, it seemed like a no-brainer to produce feature sports documentaries, Jon says.
Tuesday, December 4
AP FACT CHECK: Entire Trump Tweet on Immigrant Aid is Wrong
President Donald Trump is spreading a false claim from supporters that people who are in the United States illegally receive more in federal assistance than the average American gets in Social Security benefits.
Sex Offender Settles Suit, Averting Accusers' Testimony
A rich and politically connected money manager accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls reached a last-minute settlement Tuesday in a lawsuit, denying his alleged victims—for now, at least—the chance to testify against him.
US Warns Russia it is Ready to Abandon Key Nuclear Pact
The United States warned Russia Tuesday it has 60 days to start complying with a landmark nuclear missile treaty or Washington will abandon the pact, raising concern about Europe's future security.
Mueller to Detail Ex-NSA Flynn's Cooperation in Russia Probe
Special counsel Robert Mueller is set to give the first public insight into how much information President Donald Trump's former national security adviser has shared with prosecutors in the Russia investigation.
Black Women Weigh Hyde-Smith's Win, Say Not 'Senator for All'
While Cindy Hyde-Smith made history as the first woman from Mississippi elected to Congress, it is hard for some black women to celebrate strictly on the basis of gender.
EasyKale, Canopy Center of Excellence and Shrimp Basket Ridgeland
Foodboro, an online community for food and beverage startups and entrepreneurs, recently named Jackson-based EasyKale as Mississippi's representative on a list of must-watch startup companies in all 50 states.
Buddy Guy
Baton Rouge, La., will honor blues legend and Louisiana native Buddy Guy during a ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 8.
Jim Hood: Retirees Could Serve at Capitol Without Pension Hit
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's office says retired state employees may serve in the Legislature while continuing to receive their government pension, if certain conditions are met.
Monday, December 3
Jackson Woman Joins Dem Race for Governor; State Rep Exploring GOP Race
Next week, Velesha P. Williams plans to officially join the race to become the Democratic Party's gubernatorial nominee, she announced in a Nov. 29 press release.
OPINION: Young People Are Still Fired Up in Mississippi to Bring Change
Drowning in our sorrow is easy, but in Mike Espy's defeat, I am learning so much about the place I call home. I've learned why I should appreciate my surroundings and the people who occupy them, more than ever.
Jackson Boil Water Notice Lifted in Several Areas
The precautionary boil water advisory in Jackson has been lifted in several zip codes, while other areas remain under the water notice.
Washington to Pay Respects, Bid Farewell to George H.W. Bush
George H.W. Bush, who was president from 1989 to 1993, will lie in state beneath the soaring U.S. Capitol rotunda for a ceremony and public visitation from Monday through Wednesday.
Vehicle Found After 2 Kids Shot Near Mississippi Hospital
Authorities say they have recovered a vehicle and identified two persons of interest after the shooting of two young children near the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
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.