Friday, June 29
Trump Responds to Attack on Maryland Newspaper
President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly denounced the press as "the enemy of the American people," said Friday journalists "should be free from the fear of being violently attacked," as he addressed the deadly shooting at a newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland.
Interim JPD Chief James Davis Starts Job, Permanent Search Underway
James Davis' first words as Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba's second interim chief of police were "Glory be to God." He uttered them yesterday in Jackson City Hall's ceremonial office, just dozens of feet away from where a dead body had been found hours before.
Kids Kollege and Award for Excellence at JSU, NIH Grant at MSU
Local mixed-media artist Shambe Jones led a group of 100 sixth-graders in a T-shirt design class at Jackson State University's Johnson Hall on Thursday, June 21, as part of JSU's four-week art program, the Summer Art Institute.
Camille Young
The Woodward Hines Education Foundation, a nonprofit working to increase college access for young Mississippians, recently named Madison resident Camille Scales Young to its board of directors.
Costco Store Primed to Move Ahead Despite Court Ruling
The Mississippi Supreme Court won't rehear a case that found a suburb acted improperly in rezoning property for a gas station at what would be Mississippi's first Costco store.
Thursday, June 28
Five Dead, Others Wounded at Maryland Newspaper Shooting
A gunman opened fire at a newspaper office in Annapolis on Thursday, killing five people and gravely wounding a number of others before being taken into custody in one of the deadliest attacks on journalists in U.S. history, police and witnesses said.
OPINION: Mississippi, Do You Remember?
"Unfortunately, in Mississippi, many people, like my extended family, forget that democratic policies have directly benefited them in the past and continue to today."
Cooling Centers Help Senior Citizens Through Dog Days of Summer
As we enter the dog days of summer—the hottest of season—the City of Jackson is offering free cooling stations for senior citizens ages 60 and older.
Tori Bowie
Tori Bowie became an instant star at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The Sandhill, Miss., native took home three medals in her first time on the United States team.
Putin, Trump to Have Summit in Helsinki on July 16
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will hold a summit in Helsinki on July 16, the Kremlin and the White House announced Thursday.
Marble Masterpieces
Whether you like coffee, painting or just need something to put stuff in, mugs can come in pretty handy. Sadly, sometimes they can look a little boring. Why not make them prettier using just a few things you may have lying around the house? Here's an easy DIY if you're feeling a little creative.
Wednesday, June 27
Federal Hate Crime Charges Filed in Virginia Rally Death
The man accused of plowing a car into a crowd of people protesting a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing a woman and injuring dozens more, now faces federal hate crime charges.
Justice Kennedy Retiring; Trump Gets 2nd Supreme Court Pick
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement Wednesday, giving President Donald Trump the chance to cement conservative control of the high court.
Guest Wins Run-Off: 'All I Can Say is Thank You'
The celebratory atmosphere filled Mudbugs in Brandon—even before the primary run-off results came in. The crowd knew their candidate, Michael Guest, would win the Republican nomination for the Third U.S. Congressional District, and he did.
Sherman Alleges Dirty Politics, As Baria Claims Solid Victory in Senate Bid
With his family by his side, Rep. David Baria, leader of the Mississippi House Democratic Caucus, declared victory in his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, at Murky Waters in Gulfport, on Tuesday night after the announcement of the results of the primary run-off.
Arts on the (Drum) Line
The Mississippi Alumni All-star Band is preparing for the Independence Showdown, an annual competition featuring marching bands from states such as Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio and Michigan.
Fireworks and Festivities
Celebrate the Fourth of July this year with local businesses such as Campbell's Bakery, Nandy’s Candy and more.
Best of Jackson: Home Improvement
When you need help in dealing with a house problem, it's best to call a professional. That's where Best of Jackson: Home Improvement can help. Here are this year's winners and finalists.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Times They Are a Changin’ at the JFP
Let's jump right to it—we're announcing exciting changes with this issue. We've been planning for months how we will best serve the reader, how we serve local businesses and help make Jackson the best place we can moving forward.
Dowell Taylor
Belzoni native Dowell Taylor, 64, is once again the director of bands for Jackson State University and an inductee to the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.
OPINION: Fighting a System That Was Not Made for Them
The national and even statewide conversation around gun violence and youth circulates around white students in suburban settings. Only when well-to-do white children die at the hands of gun violence do we feel the need to make a change or do something.
Last-Hour Jobs for Youth?
Tensions ran high at the third Jackson City Council meeting in a week during discussions about funding for the Mayor's Youth Initiative Summer Youth Employment Program that is supposed to train young people age 16 to 24 to code and develop apps.
DA Smith on Police Shootings, Being a Victim
For the better part of last week's officer-identification task-force meeting at the Jackson Municipal Art Gallery, some of the members didn't know they had a prominent guest.
Judge: Separated Families Must be Reunited Within 30 Days
A judge in California on Tuesday ordered U.S. border authorities to reunite separated families within 30 days, setting a hard deadline in a process that has so far yielded uncertainty about when children might again see their parents.
Brotherhood of Destruction: An Addiction-Fueled Journey to Hell and Back
Benny Ivey met former Vice Lord and prominent drug dealer John Knight at a June people’s assembly at New Horizon Church on Ellis Avenue, and the two bonded as they brainstormed ideas for what would help people returning from prison to re-integrate into healthy lives without re-offending.
David Baria Wins Senate Runoff: 'I Ain't Scared' to Face Wicker in November
With his family by his side, Rep. David Baria, leader of the Mississippi House Democratic Caucus, declared victory in his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate Tuesday night.
Tuesday, June 26
Trump Threatens Harley-Davidson With Tax Punishment for Move
President Donald Trump sought Tuesday to avoid blame for Harley-Davidson's decision to move some motorcycle production overseas and threatened to tax the manufacturer "like never before!" as punishment for the planned production shift.
Ryan Sets House Vote on GOP Immigration Bill for Wednesday
House Speaker Paul Ryan scheduled a long-awaited showdown vote on a broad Republican immigration bill for Wednesday, but is showing little confidence that the package will survive.
States, Immigrant Supporters Demand Family Reunifications
Seventeen states, including New York and California, sued the Trump administration Tuesday to force it to reunite the thousands of immigrant children and parents it separated at the border, as pressure mounted to reconnect families more quickly.
UPDATE: Run-off Issues: What Candidates Support, Believe; Vote Today Until 7 p.m.
Two spots on the November ballot are up for grabs today, as Mississippians head to the polls for a run-off election.
Alivia Ashburn-Townsend
Alivia Ashburn-Townsend started her restaurant career off as a server at a restaurant in the Jackson metro area and says that when the kitchen would get backed up, she would jump in and help.
Lucky Town Tap Takeover, Little Light House Benefit, Shoe Station Flowood and Launch Anniversary
Jackson brewery Lucky Town Brewing Company is partnering with Mexican restaurant Cantina Laredo in The District at Eastover to host an event called "Tap Takeover" on Sunday, July 29, starting at 6 p.m.
Supreme Court Voids Part of Crisis Pregnancy Center Law
The Supreme Court says a California law that forces anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers to provide information about abortion probably violates the Constitution.
Supreme Court Upholds Trump Travel Ban
The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld President Donald Trump's ban on travel from several mostly Muslim countries, rejecting a challenge that it discriminated against Muslims or exceeded his authority.
Monday, June 25
Authorities Abandon 'Zero-Tolerance' for Immigrant Families
The nation's top border enforcement official acknowledged Monday that authorities have abandoned, for now, the Trump administration's "zero-tolerance" policy toward immigrant families after the president ordered an end to the separation of parents and children who cross the southern border.
Mississippi Auditor to Resign, Run State Veterans Agency
Mississippi state Auditor Stacey Pickering is resigning his statewide elected post to become head of the state's Veterans Affairs Board.
Low Turnout Expected for June 26 Run-Off Election, Secretary of State Predicts
The run-off election on June 26 likely will have low turnout, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said at a press conference on June 21.
City's Financial Consultant, Michelle Thomas, Hints at Plans for Jackson
At its June 19, 2018, meeting, the Jackson City Council officially confirmed Michelle L. Thomas as the city's temporary financial consultant. She also offered suggestions for how to get the city's finances back on track.
Asya Branch
Asya Branch is 2018's Miss Mississippi. The Booneville native, competing as Miss Tupelo, won the title Saturday at the annual pageant in Vicksburg. She'll go on to compete for the Miss American title in September.
Harley, Stung by Tariffs, Shifts Some Production Overseas
Harley-Davidson, up against spiraling costs from tariffs, will begin to shift the production of motorcycles headed for Europe from the U.S. to factories overseas.
Trump Says People from Mexico 'Invade' US
President Donald Trump compares people entering the U.S. from Mexico to invaders and says they should be immediately sent back without appearing before a judge.
Pentagon Says Two Bases to House Immigrants
The Pentagon is preparing to build temporary camps for immigrants at two military bases, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Sunday.
Justices Won't Hear Case of Anti-Gay Marriage Florist
The Supreme Court is ordering Washington courts to take a new look at the case of a florist who refused to provide services for the wedding of two men because of her religious objection to same-sex marriage.
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 22
Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus Wants Recall of Troops from Border
The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is asking Gov. Phil Bryant to recall the Mississippi National Guard from the U.S.' southern border and refuse to send more troops.
Amanda Shires: The Road to ‘Sunset’
Amanda Shires' fifth album, "To the Sunset," probably features a few more effects and synthesizers than fans anticipated—mostly because they likely were not expecting any.
VIDEO: Jacksonians Weigh In on What the City Needs
Less crime, better roads and more businesses will make the city better, Jacksonians say. The Jackson Free Press conducted person-on-the-street interviews, asking people what they would like to see come to the city.
Alcorn Farm to Fork Program, USM "Gold Route" and New MUW Development Officer
The Alcorn State University Extension Program, an education center at Alcorn focused on agriculture, began partnering with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi for the seventh year of the Farm to Fork food distribution program on May 1.
EU Imposes Tariffs on US Peanuts, Motorcycles and Whiskey
The European Union started enforcing tariffs Friday on American imports like bourbon, peanut butter and orange juice, part of a growing global trade rift that's likely to intensify over the next few weeks.
Dems Seek Info About Virginia Facility After Abuse Claims
Virginia's two Democratic senators asked the Trump administration Friday for answers about operations at a juvenile detention facility in the state where immigrant children said they were bound, beaten and isolated in solitary confinement.
Trump Undercuts House GOP: Don't Waste Time on Immigration
President Donald Trump on Friday told his fellow Republicans in Congress to "stop wasting their time" on immigration legislation until after the November elections. GOP leaders said they'd press on anyway, but his comments further damaged their attempt to win over wavering lawmakers for a measure already facing likely defeat.
Thursday, June 21
MDOC Re-Entry Symposium Addresses Hurdles, Solutions for Returning Citizens
The parking lot of Christ United Methodist Church in northeast Jackson looked like the rear of any prison in the state this morning—lined with white Mississippi Department of Corrections vehicles and vans.
Citizens' Police Academy Graduates 30 People
About 30 Jacksonians are now official ambassadors between the local police and the community after graduating from the Jackson Police Citizen's Police Academy on June 18.
Jordan Westburg
Jordan Westburg's success at the plate is not the only thing to grab him media attention this season. During a Tallahassee Regional game on June 3, he grabbed a banana in the dugout and began to use it as a radar gun and phone, which the ESPN cameras caught.
Governor Taps Prosecutor in Mississippi Congressional Runoff
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is endorsing Michael Guest in a Republican congressional runoff.
High Court: Online Shoppers Can Be Forced to Pay Sales Tax
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states can force online shoppers to pay sales tax.
Trump Tweet Complicates House GOP Efforts on Immigration
Hours before House showdown votes on immigration, President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that any measure the chamber passes would be doomed in the Senate anyway.
Trudeau: Canada to Legalize Marijuana on Oct. 17
Marijuana will be legal nationwide in Canada starting Oct. 17 in a move that should take market share away from organized crime and protect the country's youth, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday.
Lawmakers Rip Tariffs Enacted in Name of National Security
Pointing to damage done to home-state companies, lawmakers from both parties Wednesday criticized tariffs the Trump administration has imposed on imported steel and aluminum products in the name of national security.
Wednesday, June 20
In Reversal, Trump Signs Order Stopping Family Separation
Bowing to pressure from anxious allies, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday ending the process of separating children from families after they are detained crossing the U.S. border illegally.
Judge Dismisses Suit Over Mississippi City Flying State Flag
A federal judge is dismissing a lawsuit that sought to block a Mississippi Gulf Coast city from flying the state flag that features the Confederate battle emblem.
'Thinking Out of the Box': The JFP Interview with Howard Sherman
Howard Sherman won the most votes (about 31 percent) on June 5 in the Democratic primary for Sen. Roger Wicker's Senate seat.
'I Don't Mind Long Odds': The JFP Interview with David Baria
David Baria knew he was fighting an uphill battle when he decided to run for U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker's long-held Senate seat. Baria's first challenge, however, is securing the Democratic spot on the November ballot.
EDITORIAL: Dear Mississippi Politicians, Criminal Justice Reform Is More Than Rhetoric
This week the Mississippi Department of Corrections will host a re-entry symposium in Jackson, a necessary step to re-engage stakeholders involved with the criminal justice system, from lawmakers and mental-health professionals to judges and experts.
Susan Garrard
Jackson native Susan Garrard has spent much of her life volunteering and working with children and the community in her roles as president of Junior League of Jackson, and the president and chief executive officer of the Mississippi Children's Museum.
OPINION: ‘Don’t Yuck My Yum’
As a food educator, I spent many hours in classrooms doing taste tests, interactive cooking demos and nutrition lessons. I've seen elementary schoolers, even the so-called picky eaters, taste everything from sauteed Swiss chard, to beet smoothies to chickpea cookie dough, and ask for seconds.
EDITOR'S NOTE: America, We Must Stop De-humanizing Our Children
As a child in the 1960s and 1970s, I was a bit of a freak of nature in my hometown of Philadelphia, Miss. You could call me sensitive or soft-hearted, or as the odd insult still goes, I had a bleeding heart.
Run-Off Blues: Inside the Playoff to Challenge Roger Wicker
Democratic U.S. Senate contenders David Baria and Howard Sherman share a common interest in basketball, at least for campaign metaphor purposes.
UPDATED: Public Works Eyeing Private Contractors
In Public Works Director Bob Miller's short time as the highest-paid city official in Jackson, he has had to sway the city council on a growing number of occasions to give him emergency funding. The June 18 work session was no different.
Hiring Ex-offenders: Mixed Statewide Results
Matthew Riley has been on the road a lot lately. As the state re-entry coordinator, Riley visited all 82 counties in Mississippi in the past nine months in search of employment opportunities for returning citizens leaving the state's corrections system.
Whit Hughes: 'Ready to Fight' in Congress
In a recent interview with the Jackson Free Press, Whit Hughes did not veer far from the established Republican line his mentor Haley Barbour made popular—low taxes, scant regulations (including on guns), no abortion rights, and less reliance on federal educational standards.
Tuesday, June 19
Trump Administration Pulls US Out of UN Human Rights Council
The United States announced Tuesday it was leaving the United Nations' Human Rights Council, with Ambassador Nikki Haley calling it "an organization that is not worthy of its name." It was the latest withdrawal by the Trump administration from an international institution.
Lawmakers Barred from Child Migrant Facility in Florida
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson accused the Trump administration of a "cover-up" after officials denied him entry Tuesday to a detention center for migrant children in South Florida where he had hoped to survey living conditions.
White Supremacy Protesters Burn Confederate Flag Near Governor's Mansion
The charred remains of a replica Confederate Flag and a Mississippi flag lay on the sidewalk outside the Mississippi Governor's Mansion Monday afternoon in protest of white supremacy.
T-Shirt-Centered Celebrations at Swell-O-Phonic and Mississippi Museum of Art
The Mississippi Museum of Art will host a pop-up exhibition of shirts from local designers and artists during its "Museum After Hours" event in honor of National T-Shirt Day on Thursday, June 21.
Javier Peraza
Mississippi Coding Academies, a joint project between Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Development Authority, recently named Belhaven resident Javier Peraza as an instructor for two new coding classes that will launch at the end of June.
'Papa! Papa!' Audio of Children Stokes Rage Over Separation
An audio recording that appears to capture the heartbreaking voices of small Spanish-speaking children crying out for their parents at a U.S. immigration facility took center stage in the growing uproar over the Trump administration's policy of separating immigrant children from their parents.
Trump Defiant Despite Rising Outrage Over Border Separations
An unapologetic President Donald Trump defended his administration's border-protection policies in the face of rising national outrage over the forced separation of migrant children from their parents. Calling for tough action against illegal immigration, Trump declared the U.S. "will not be a migrant camp" on his watch.
Democratic Attorneys General Urge End to Border Separations
A coalition of Democratic attorneys general demanded Tuesday that the Trump administration end a "zero tolerance" policy that has resulted in children being separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Students Named as Mississippi Test Panel to Begin Meeting
Four Mississippi high school seniors will be among a 28-member task force meeting to examine state and local tests given to public school students.
Monday, June 18
Protesters Burn Mississippi Flag, Say it Symbolizes Racism
A group of about 30 demonstrators on Monday burned a Mississippi state flag, saying it symbolizes the racism at the heart of the state's problems with poverty, education and health care.
Immigrant Kids Seen Held in Fenced Cages at Border Facility
Inside an old warehouse in South Texas, hundreds of immigrant children wait in a series of cages created by metal fencing. One cage had 20 children inside. Scattered about are bottles of water, bags of chips and large foil sheets intended to serve as blankets.
UPDATED: Rep. Thompson Returns Sherman Donation; Will Endorse Baria
David Baria and Howard Sherman have both donated to federal election campaigns. Baria has donated to strictly Democratic campaigns, while Sherman has donated to Republicans and recently, Democrats.
IBC Moves Beyond Tutus and Pointe Shoes with Competition Fierce
Tutus and pointe shoes were scarce during round two of the USA International Ballet Competition, as dancers performed contemporary pieces.
Dorothy Cotton
Dorothy Cotton, who worked closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., taught nonviolence to demonstrators before marches and sometimes calmed tensions by singing church hymns, has died. She was 88.
Bryant Names Retired Colonel as Emergency Management Chief
Gov. Phil Bryant is naming another retired military leader to run Mississippi's Emergency Management Agency.
Family Separation Policy Starts Dividing Republicans
Former first lady Laura Bush called the policy of forced separation of migrant children and parents at the U.S.-Mexico border "cruel" and "immoral" in a guest column for the Washington Post.
Trump Adviser Roger Stone Reveals New Meeting With Russian
Special counsel Robert Mueller is examining a previously undisclosed meeting between longtime Donald Trump confidant Roger Stone and a Russian figure who allegedly tried to sell him dirt on Hillary Clinton.
US Rep. John Lewis to Speak at Art Institute Commencement
U.S. Rep. John Lewis will be the keynote speaker at the Art Institute of Atlanta's commencement ceremony.
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 15
AP: Trump 2020 Working With Ex-Cambridge Analytica Staffers
A company run by former officials at Cambridge Analytica, the political consulting firm brought down by a scandal over how it obtained Facebook users' private data, has quietly been working for President Donald Trump's 2020 re-election effort, The Associated Press has learned.
International Ballet Competition Announces Round-Two Dancers
A total of 44 dancers from this year's USA International Ballet Competition are moving on to round two. A jury narrowed the field from 92 dancers Thursday night, after the eight sessions from round one at Thalia Mara Hall.
Trump Announces US Tariffs on $50 Billion in Chinese Imports
Vowing to cut U.S. trade deficits and protect the nation's high-tech "crown jewels," President Donald Trump said Friday he's levying a 25 percent tariff on up to $50 billion worth of Chinese imports, instantly escalating a trade dispute between the world's two largest economies.
IBC Dance School at Belhaven, JSU Heritage Award and USM Adventure Therapy
This year, Belhaven University is playing a part in the USA International Ballet Competition by hosting the USA IBC Dance School, which runs simultaneously with the competition.
Douglas Panzone
Jackson native Douglas Panzone has built his own business from the ground up through producing large-scale murals on commission. His past projects include a wall mural for the HBO show "Vice Principals" and two floor murals for the courtyard at the George Street Apartments, both in Charleston, S.C.
Judge Jails Ex-Trump Campaign Chair Manafort Ahead of Trial
President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman is going to jail. Paul Manafort was ordered into custody Friday after a federal judge revoked his house arrest, citing newly filed obstruction of justice charges.
AP Explains: Rebooting Poor People's Campaign 50 Years Later
Thousands of anti-poverty activists have launched a campaign in recent weeks modeled after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Poor People's Campaign of 1968.
Thursday, June 14
Black Caucus Backs Baria in Dem Primary Runoff for US Senate
The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is endorsing state Rep. David Baria in the Democratic primary runoff for a U.S. Senate seat.
City's Budget in Hands of Woman Who Overhauled Newark, N.J., Budget
The woman who helped lead a budget turnaround in Newark, N.J., under then-Mayor Cory Booker will manage the City of Jackson's budget overhaul.
Hinds County Criminal Justice Council Gets to Work
A group of Jackson and Hinds County leaders has begun meeting bi-monthly to work on improvements to the adult and juvenile justice systems in the city and county, after Hinds County entered into a 2016 settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
US: No Sanctions Relief Before North Korea Denuclearizes
The United States will not ease sanctions against North Korea until it denuclearizes, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday, as he reassured key Asian allies that President Donald Trump had not backed down on Pyongyang's weapons program.
Ashley Robinson
Jackson State University is hoping that Ashley Robinson, the school's new vice president and athletic director, will repeat the success he earned while at Prairie View A&M University.
AP Source: IG Faults Comey's Calls in Clinton Email Probe
The Justice Department's watchdog faults former FBI Director James Comey for breaking with established protocol in his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, but it says his decisions before the 2016 elections were not driven by political bias, according to a person familiar with the findings.
New York Attorney General Sues Trump Foundation
President Donald Trump's foundation served as a personal piggy bank for his businesses, legal bills and presidential campaign, New York's attorney general said Wednesday as she sued the charity, Trump and three of his children.
Wednesday, June 13
Three Mississippi Choctaw Casinos Plan to Offer Sports Betting
Three casinos run by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will offer sports betting, but tribal leaders haven't said when it will start.
Trump Claim Raises Eyebrows: North Korea No Longer a Nuke Threat?
President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday there was "no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea," a dubious claim following his summit with leader Kim Jong Un that produced no guarantees on how or when Pyongyang would disarm.
Guys We Love 2018
Each year around Father's Day, we honor men in the Jackson metro area who are making differences in our communities. This year's include leaders, policy advocates, south Jackson warriors, creators of welcoming spaces, social-media experts, and more. Meet the 2018 Guys We Love.
Michael Cohen Hunts for New Lawyers in FBI Probe
Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, is searching for a new legal team to represent him in an FBI investigation of his business dealings.
Ryan Says Trump Backs Compromise Immigration Plan
President Donald Trump backs compromise immigration legislation that House Republican leaders are trying to craft in hopes of ending the party's standoff over the issue, Speaker Paul Ryan told GOP lawmakers Wednesday.
Voice & Growth in ‘Treeborne’
The path to author Caleb Johnson's much-praised debut novel, "Treeborne" (Picador, 2018, $26), was a winding one. For starters, the idea for the book initially spurred not from the titular family of peach farmers but rather from the fruit that they grow.
Father’s Day: Things to Do
You'll have no shortage of great things to do in the Jackson metro for Father's Day this year. Here's just a few that the JFP has picked out.
EDITORIAL: Transparency in Officer Shootings Needs to Improve, Not Worsen
We now get even less information about officer-involved shootings. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations does not have to disclose information concerning any open or closed investigations except to law enforcement.
OPINION: New Orleans, A Good Idea
A different kind of musician, Bob Dylan, says New Orleans is a city where the ghosts of the dead and the laughter of the living are never far apart.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Lessons in Stepping up from ‘Friday Night Lights’
It may be the peak of the baseball season, but my clear eyes and full heart have been fully set on football, thanks to my latest TV nostalgic kick. For those that don't speak outdated pop-culture references, I've been re-watching all of the show "Friday Night Lights."
Blake Feldman
When Blake Feldman was in college, he planned on going to medical school. The Newton, Miss., native received a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2011. However, after graduation he decided against the medical field and ended up going to University of Georgia School of Law instead.
City’s 3-1-1 Approach to Road Hazards Changes
The City of Jackson changed how it responds to calls regarding road issues after the fatal crash on May 17—by adding more phone numbers to call to report issues.
How A ‘Brexit Boys’ Project Ended Up in Jackson Court
Kyle Taylor believes Eldon Insurance and Big Data Dolphins Ltd. might be using U.K. citizens' data in their new artificial-intelligence project they have planned to start in Oxford, Miss.
Jackson Even Less Transparent with Officer-Involved Shootings?
Just one month after Mississippi Bureau of Investigations officially began handling officer-involved shootings in Jackson, it has been harder to get information previously available to citizens and reporters following these incidents.
Tuesday, June 12
Federal Judge Approves AT&T-Time Warner Merger
A federal judge approved the $85 billion mega-merger of AT&T and Time Warner on Tuesday, a move that could usher in a wave of media consolidation while shaping how much consumers pay for streaming TV and movies.
US Engineers Plan Millions in Mississippi Water Projects
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a work plan that includes nearly $56 million of water projects during this budget year in Mississippi, including some for flood control.
Seattle to Repeal Homeless-Aid Tax After Amazon Objects
Seattle city leaders said they plan to repeal a tax on large companies such as Amazon and Starbucks as they face mounting pressure from businesses, an about-face just a month after unanimously approving the measure to help pay for efforts to combat a growing homelessness crisis.
JPS: $65 Million Bond 'The Only Option' for District After State Funding Cuts
The Jackson Public School District is moving forward with a $65-million bond referendum on Aug. 7 for Jacksonians to approve or strike down.
Mantle. Red Balloon Project Launch Party, Same Kind of Different at Alamo Theatre and Mississippi Barber Academy Grand Opening
Mantle. City Club + Inc.ubator, a co-working space in the Duling Hall building, is hosting a members-only event called "Summer Solstice" at Highland Village on Thursday, June 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to celebrate the launch of the Red Balloon Project, Mantle.'s new professional network initiative.
Medgar Evers
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and other places in the state are honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, 55 years after he was assassinated.
Trump, Kim Claim Big Summit Success, but Details are Scant
Claiming success at their whirlwind summit, President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un left Singapore Tuesday, praising their face-to-face progress toward ridding the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons.
Mississippi Gets $2.4M in Federal Funds for Airport Upgrades
Mississippi is receiving $2.4 million in federal grant funding to make upgrades to nine small and rural airports around the state.
Trump's Vow to End Military Drills with Seoul Stuns a Region
President Donald Trump rocked the region with the stunning announcement Tuesday that he was halting annual U.S.-South Korean military drills—and wants to remove the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the South as a deterrent against North Korea.
Monday, June 11
JATRAN Getting New Small Buses and Vans, But Problems Linger
Officials in the City of Jackson are taking steps to revive a crumbling bus system with a series of new purchases and a multi-million-dollar grant application.
Long-awaited 'One Lake' Proposal Should Go Public This Month
The draft proposal of the "One Lake" plan to dredge out parts of the Pearl River adjacent to the Jackson-metro area should go public this month.
Panorama Jazz Band
As a child, Ben Schenck stood outside his home in Annapolis, Md., as a parade came down the block, a drum line and bugle corps leading the charge. Even then, there was something in the music that struck him.
Maryland Judge to Hear Foreign Payments Case Against Trump
A Maryland federal judge will hear arguments in a case accusing President Donald Trump of violating the Constitution by accepting payments from foreign and state governments.
Supreme Court Allows Ohio Voter Purge
The Supreme Court is allowing Ohio to clean up its voting rolls by targeting people who haven't cast ballots in a while.
No Debate in GOP Congressional Primary Runoff in Mississippi
Mississippi voters will not see a debate between two candidates before the Republican primary runoff in a congressional race.
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 8
UPDATE: JFP Wins 'Best in Division,' 6 'Green Eyeshade' Awards, Most in State
The Jackson Free Press won "Best in Division" and five other "Green Eyeshade" Awards from the southeastern division of the Society of Professional Journalists, including a public-service award, for 2017 journalism.
OPINION: Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba Is a Man
In the current political climate, where the American president and Mississippi governor are people who lie to cover their evil plans, it is rare when an elected official does the right thing and accepts ownership of a wrong, simply because he is the leader and all responsibilities lie with him, regardless of the ineptitude of those working under him.
Sherman Picks Up Endorsement in Mississippi Dem Senate Race
A Mississippi lawmaker who placed third in a U.S. Senate primary is endorsing one of the remaining candidates.
New Charges Filed Against Manafort in Russia Probe
Special counsel Robert Mueller has brought additional charges against President Donald Trump's campaign chairman and a longtime associate, accusing them of obstructing justice.
Third Graders Improve Pass Rate on Reading Test Statewide
Third graders around the state improved their scores on the reading assessments required for promotion to the fourth grade this year. Statewide, 93.2 percent of third graders passed the test, an increase from the 92 percent that passed last year.
New Athletic Director and "Flying Classroom" at JSU, MSU Professor Wins Civil War Book Award
Jackson State University President William Bynum Jr. named Ashley Robinson as the school's new vice president and director of athletics during a press conference on Tuesday, June 5. Robinson will assume the new position on July 1.
Dem Lawmakers Seek Criminal Corruption Probe of EPA's Pruitt
House Democrats on Friday formally requested that the Justice Department investigate Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt for potential criminal conduct.
Trump Says 'Let Russia Back In' as He Heads for G-7 Summit
President Donald Trump charged into a summit of major industrialized nations on Friday for contentious trade talks, injecting fresh drama even before he arrived by calling for Russia, ousted from the elite group of nations for its annexation of Crimea, to be reinstated.
Justice Department Says Heart of Health Law Unconstitutional
The Trump administration said in a court filing late Thursday that it will no longer defend key parts of the Affordable Care Act, including the requirement that people have health insurance and provisions that guarantee access to health insurance regardless of any medical conditions.
Mississippi High Court: Judges Can't Regulate Concealed Guns
A majority of Mississippi Supreme Court justices ruled Thursday that some local judges were wrong to ban people with enhanced concealed-carry licenses from taking guns into courthouses.
Thursday, June 7
UPDATED: Inside the ‘Brexit Boys’ Data Project at Ole Miss
After months of negotiations and coordination facilitated in part by Gov. Phil Bryant to bring two British companies stateside, a public United Kingdom office that reports to Parliament is investigating those companies poised to set up shop at the University of Mississippi’s Insight Park.
'Stranded' Water Bills Out to 15% of City Backlog, 17,000 More to Go
For the last month and a half, City of Jackson officials have been trying to fix the Siemens, Inc. billing system that left 20,000 customers "stranded" in the system, many getting water without paying for it.
Elijah MacNamee
With two outs, MSU outfielder Elijah MacNamee stepped to the plate and blasted a no-doubt walk-off home run to give his team a 3-2 win. The victory eliminated FSU from the regional and gave new life to the Bulldogs.
Trump Greets Japan's Abe for Talks Ahead of Kim Summit
President Donald Trump is welcoming Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the White House for consultations before the U.S. leader meets with North Korea's Kim Jong Un next week in Singapore.
Giuliani: Porn Star Has 'No Reputation,' Affair Not Credible
President Donald Trump's attorney, Rudy Giuliani, said Stormy Daniels' claim she had sex with Trump in 2006 isn't credible because she's a porn actress with "no reputation."
Tupelo High School Gym Will Double as Tornado Shelter
A high school basketball gym that's being built in Mississippi will do double duty as a tornado shelter.
House GOP in Eleventh-Hour Attempt for Immigration Accord
Divided on immigration, House Republicans are huddling privately as leaders try pushing them toward consensus on the issue, racing the clock and trying to defuse a civil war within the party that threatens their effort to keep control of the chamber in November's elections.
Commerce Secretary: US Reaches Deal with China's ZTE
The United States and China have reached a deal that allows the Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE Corp. to stay in business in exchange for paying an additional $1 billion in fines and agreeing to let U.S. regulators monitor its operations.
Wednesday, June 6
At the Watch Parties: Guest Praises God; 'Underdog' Hughes Vows to Fight
Supporters wearing red, white and blue "Michael Guest for Congress" shirts filled Mudbugs in Brandon Tuesday night as supporters gathered for primary election results.
Mississippi High Court Mulls Case Over Power to Cut Budgets
The Mississippi Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit that questions the governor's power to make midyear state budget cuts.
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.
Get Fancy with Easy-to-Grow Edible Flowers
I used to think that edible flowers belonged solely in the realm of fancy restaurants. Yet once I started gardening, harvesting and eating flowers seemed unavoidable—there were just so many of them, both cultivated and growing in the wild.
Tara Blumenthal: All About Yoga
Tara Blumenthal, who owns Tara Yoga, has been a yoga teacher for 15 years, so she has seen how it has grown and changed.
EDITORIAL: Low Primary Turnout Should Force Voter Engagement
The sickest part of our elections is that people who run campaigns don't think voters here are very smart or that they have evolved at all as an electorate in recent decades.
OPINION: Finding the Good in Jackson, Miss.
Someone asked me recently what I think about the state of Jackson. After my immediate chuckle, I responded: "It's home. It's my hometown, where I have become who I am, and where I raise my children. Good and bad, it's mine."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Move ... Because Your Life Depends On It
Running is an intense exercise, so while it may be amazing for some people, it may be tough for others. But find a thing you can do, and do it.
Hope Crenshaw
Hope Crenshaw, 35, wants to better educate youth about sexual and reproductive health in her role as the new executive director of Teen Health Mississippi, based in Jackson.
Turmoil in Pelahatchie: Mayor, Board Don’t Agree
A former Pelahatchie city clerk choked back tears in the backroom of Penn's Fish House in Brandon, as she described the events that caused her to walk out of the job on March 7. Ruby Burns-Ward said Mayor Ryshonda Harper Beechem created an environment of fear in City Hall, so she left a job she loved.
Governor Vows to Fight Foster Care Takeover
Gov. Phil Bryant seemed prepared to fight to keep control over Mississippi's foster-care system last week after attorneys representing the children asked U.S. District Judge Tom Lee to hold the State in contempt of court and to turn over the system to a court-appointed receiver.
Corrections Fulfills Post-Epps Directive
It has been almost four years since the Mississippi Department of Corrections was turned upside down after a federal grand jury indicted former Commissioner Christopher Epps on several counts of wire fraud, bribery and money laundering.
Tuesday, June 5
In MS03, Guest and Hughes to Runoff, Dem's Michael 'Ted' Evans Wins Primary
Michael Guest and Whit Hughes led the vote-getters Tuesday in the Republican contest in Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District. Michael "Ted" Evans won the Democratic nomination.
Wicker Wins GOP Primary, Baria and Sherman Headed to Dem Runoff
Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi easily won a Republican primary Tuesday, months after being endorsed by President Donald Trump and the same day Trump tweeted that the legislator "has my total support!" He'll face the winner of a Democratic primary runoff between State Representative David Baria and venture capitalist Howard Sherman.
Grand Jurors Decline to Indict Officers in Shooting Deaths
Grand jurors in Mississippi's most populous county have declined to indict four officers involved in recent shooting deaths.
'We Begin Our Fight Now': Harvey Weinstein Pleads Not Guilty
The battle lines in Harvey Weinstein's criminal case grew sharper on Tuesday as the movie mogul pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges in New York and his lawyer promised a fight.
Trustees Report Warns Medicare Finances Worsening
Medicare will run out of money sooner than expected, and Social Security's financial problems can't be ignored either, the government said Tuesday in a sobering checkup on programs vital to the middle class.
Voter Turnout Low in Jackson at Mid-day; Polls Open Until 7 p.m.
Turnout in the primary election is low, poll workers say. At the People's Funeral Home, in District 2, they had 10 ballots cast as 12:30 p.m., all for Democrats.
Vote Until 7 p.m. in Mississippi Primaries, Plus Candidate Questionnaires
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, June 5, for Mississippians to cast their vote in the primary election to fill the state's congressional seats.
Mississippi Craft Beer Festival, "Save Our Summer," Positive Steps Fertility Clinic and Braves Business After Hours
The Fondren Renaissance Foundation is joining with Capital City Beverage Company and Southern Beverage Company to host the fourth annual Mississippi Craft Beer Festival on Friday, June 15, at Duling Hall.
Kimberly Morgan Myles: Caught in the 'Sister Act'
New Stage Theatre will continue performances of "Sister Act" June 1-2, and June 5-9 and 12-16 at 7:30 p.m., and on June 3, 10 and 17 at 2 p.m.
Conservative Icon David Koch Leaving Business, Politics
Billionaire conservative icon David Koch is stepping down from the Koch brothers' network of business and political activities.
Manafort Accused of Several Tries to Tamper With Witnesses
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort made several attempts to tamper with witnesses in his ongoing criminal case, prosecutors said as they asked a federal judge to consider jailing him while he awaits trial.
Monday, June 4
JPS Board Announces Three Superintendent Finalists
The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees announced three finalists vying to lead the second-largest district in the state on Monday afternoon.
Special Session to Fund Roads, Bridges May Depend on U.S. Supreme Court
Gov. Phil Bryant alluded to the possibility of a special session for infrastructure funding, if the U.S. Supreme Court allows states to start collecting use tax from online retailers.
City, JPS Benefitting from Sale of 228 Forfeited Properties
Almost $200,000 is going back to Hinds County governmental organizations from the sale of 228 tax-forfeited properties. Nearly two-thirds of the money is going to the City of Jackson and Jackson Public Schools.
Report: 110 Confederate Monuments Removed in US Since 2015
It took generations to erect all the nation's Confederate monuments, and a new report shows they're being removed at a pace of about three each month.
Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Museum Honors Howlin' Wolf, Local Artists
Blues legend Howlin' Wolf is among the latest additions to the hall of fame at the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience, along with country singer Charley Pride, folk rock singer Jimmy Buffett, writer Willie Morris and photographer William Eggleston.
Justices Side With Colorado Baker on Same-Sex Wedding Cake
The Supreme Court ruled narrowly Monday for a Colorado baker who wouldn't make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. But the court is not deciding the big issue in the case, whether a business can invoke religious objections to refuse service to gay and lesbian people.
Trump Says He Has 'Absolute Right' to Pardon Himself
President Donald Trump asserted his presidential power and escalated his efforts to discredit the special counsel Russia probe Monday, declaring he has the "absolute right" to pardon himself and attacking the investigation as "totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL!"
Friday, June 1
Jackson Schools Free Summer Lunch Program Begins Next Week
Kids and teens who are 18 years old or younger can participate in Jackson Public Schools' summer feeding program, which begins on Monday, June 4.
Feds' 'Operation High Life' Drug Raid Arrests Can Draw Life in Prison
At least six people in Mississippi and Texas could face life in prison after a group of federal, state and local law enforcement seized more than 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, 3 kilograms of cocaine and 100 pounds of marijuana near Philadelphia, Miss., on May 30 in a coordinated drug raid.
Jacksonian Carvena Jones Fights for 'The Four'
The reality-TV singing competition has long been an entertainment staple, but not every entry in the genre has stood above the crowd. In January of this year, FOX launched its latest foray into the format with "The Four: Battle for Stardom."
USM ToTAL Program, Tougaloo Science Foundation Grants and JSU/NASA Partnership
The National Science Foundation recently donated a total of about $700,000 to Tougaloo College professors Bidisha Sengupta and George Armstrong.
APNewsBreak: Pentagon to Take Over Security Clearance Checks
The Defense Department is poised to take over background investigations for the federal government, using increased automation and high-tech analysis to tighten controls and tackle an enormous backlog of workers waiting for security clearances, according to U.S. officials.