Wednesday, October 31
Mississippi Elections: What You Need to Know
On. Nov. 6, the same day as the national midterms, voters choose between Democrat Mike Espy, Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Republican Chris McDaniel in a U.S. Senate special election; there will be no partisan identifications on the ballot for the special.
Local List: Mallory Palmertree
Mallory Palmertree is both an artist and a tattoo artist for frequent Best of Jackson winner Electric Dagger. When she’s not tattooing, she’s out and about in Jackson. Here are her 10 favorite places.
Fall Into These Healthier Sweet Treats
The holiday season is getting closer and closer, which means one thing: lots of food, especially desserts with tons of sugar. UnitedHealthcare recently compiled a list of healthier desserts. Try these two in this season.
The JFP Interview with David Baria: 'I Am Who I Am'
David Baria, the man who currently serves as the House minority leader in the Mississippi Legislature, shared his story, his plans for Mississippi, and why he thinks he can move the state forward.
The Heart in Hilarity
The members of the Mississippi Opera are clearly fans of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, and as the legendary duo's music has been performed across the globe for more than a century, they should be in good company.
Expanding Horizons for Local Artists
The Ecoshed in Fondren does not have a roof right now. But that will be part of the charm at "Expansion: Art, Fashion, Music Under an Open Sky," which is the latest event to take place the venue and will showcase the arts scene quite literally under an open, expansive sky.
OPINION: American Radicalization in the Roaming MAGA Mosque
How did we let it get to this point in our country? When did the loyal opposition become the enemy of the people? Why have hate and grievance drowned out civility and hope?
Mississippi to Instate Medicaid Work Requirements?
Mississippi leaders' refusal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act left about 300,000 Mississippians without access to health care and led to the closure of several rural hospitals deprived of funds—which has emerged as a 2018 issue in the midterm elections.
The Locked-Up Teenage Girl at Center of Hinds County Contention
Crystal Marshall has been at Henley -Young Juvenile Detention Center up on a hill in a warehouse-lined area of Jackson on capital murder charges since right around Valentine's Day—less than two weeks after she turned 14 years old.
Andy Hilton
Jackson native Andy Hilton says he likes to think of himself as a "one man factory" for the modular swings he crafts by hand.
Tuesday, October 30
Lamar Adams Sentenced to 20 Years in Probable Largest Ponzi Scheme in State History
Arthur Lamar Adams, 58, of Jackson Mississippi, was sentenced today to 235 months in federal prison for wire fraud involving a large, multi-state Ponzi scheme involving more than one hundred million dollars and hundreds of victims spanning a number of years, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze.
Mabus Endorses Baria to 'Bring Civility and Honor Back to Politics'
Calling next week's election "one of the most important elections of my life," former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus endorsed fellow Democrat David Baria's bid for U.S. Senate.
Pig & Pint Makes National Nacho List, Glow in the 'Park 5K, Cultivation Food Hall and SBA Ignite Tour
The Food Network recently featured Fondren barbecue restaurant The Pig & Pint as part of its "50 States of Nachos," which highlighted unique nacho dishes from every state. The Pig & Pint made the list for its pork rind nachos.
Rodney Washington
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a New Jersey-based philanthropic organization that promotes advancements in health care, recently chose Rodney Washington, an associate professor of education at Jackson State University, as one of the participants in its Culture of Health Leaders Development Program.
Doctor to Forfeit Accounts, Land in Prison Bribery Scheme
A physician who bribed the former head of Mississippi's prison system is being ordered to forfeit bank accounts, brokerage accounts and land to pay a nearly $1.3 million court judgment for his ill-gotten gains.
Jackson State University Fires Tony Hughes After Less Than 3 Seasons
Jackson State University has fired football coach Tony Hughes after less than three seasons.
Monday, October 29
Candidate Questionnaire: Tomie T. Green
The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson metro area, regardless of whether they had a challenger or not.
Palazzo Inflames 'Caravan' Fears Despite Weekend Synagogue Tragedy
Congressman Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., sought to rile up supporters over a "migrant caravan" en route to the U.S. in an email sent just a day after a 47-year-old white supremacist— driven by a conspiracy belief that Jews are behind the caravan—committed the deadliest anti-Semitic mass murder in U.S. history.
Jackson Organizations Respond to Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting
"At this time, it’s necessary for us to come together, for our institution leaders to come together, to support each other in light of what has happened
Synagogue Survivors Recall Ordeal; Suspect is Due in Court
Robert Gregory Bowers killed eight men and three women at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh before a tactical police team tracked him down and shot him, according to state and federal affidavits made public on Sunday.
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, October 26
GOP Mega-Donor Implicated in Russia Probe Gives McDaniel $500,000 Boost
Mississippi State Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, received a $500,000 donation for his campaign for U.S. Senate thanks to GOP mega-donor Robert Mercer, the investor behind a firm that harvested the data of 50 million Facebook users during the 2016 election.
Willie Jones
Willie Jones launched Dependable Source Corp of MS, a staffing firm that hires commercial truck drivers for both full-time and part-time work in Mississippi, in 1995.
WestJXN Porchfest Sunday on Robinson Road
Kimberly Hilliard, executive director of community engagement at Jackson State University, is partnering with Hope Enterprise Corporation and residents of west Jackson to host WestJXN Porchfest on Sunday, Oct. 28.
MSU Homecoming Week, Millsaps Grant and Belhaven Tuition Exchange
Mississippi State University will hold its Homecoming Week from Sunday, Oct. 28, to Saturday, Nov. 3. A press release states that the theme of the event is "Old is Gold: Bringing Back Tradition in a New Era."
Man in Florida Arrested in Mail-Bomb Investigation
Federal authorities took a man into custody Friday in Florida in connection with the mail-bomb scare that earlier widened to 12 suspicious packages, the FBI and Justice Department said.
Thursday, October 25
Finding the Lost Battalion
The stuff of legends! There are many books and movies about the six days of hell the Lost Battalion endured.
Zoo Finances Under Examination During Management Search
The Jackson City Council voted to hire a team of certified public accountants to perform a "forensic audit" to assess the financial status of the Jackson Zoo.
Mississippi Leaders Condemn Bomb Attempts
Gov. Phil Bryant and other Mississippi leaders from both sides of the aisle offered condemnation after an unknown person mailed bombs to national Democratic leaders on Wednesday.
Ryan Armour
Ryan Armour's attempt at winning back-to-back Sanderson Farms Championships will involve fighting fatigue as much as what the golf course throws his way.
Trump Blames Media for 'Anger We See Today in Our Society'
President Donald Trump blamed the media Thursday for a "very big part of the Anger we see today in our society," as law enforcement scrambled to find those responsible for sending pipe bombs and other suspicious packages to a list of prominent Democrats including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and to CNN.
Wednesday, October 24
Forest Hill Band Gets Full Support from Jackson Council
The Jackson City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to support the students of Forest Hill High School and ask for the band director to be reinstated after an Oct. 6 performance in Brookhaven.
Campaign Advertising Increases Ahead of Mississippi Special Election for U.S. Senate
Candidates and political action committees are increasing advertising ahead of the crowded Nov. 6 special election for a U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi.
Crude Pipe Bombs Sent to Obama, Clintons, CNN; No Injuries
Crude pipe bombs targeting Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, CNN and others were intercepted Tuesday night and Wednesday in a rash of attacks two weeks before nationwide elections.
Tuesday, October 23
Sanctions Upheld Against Band After Questionable Program
Sanctions against a Mississippi high school band are being upheld after a halftime program depicting police officers held at gunpoint was performed in a town where two officers were shot to death.
Anne Frank: A Legacy of Hope
"The Diary of Anne Frank" is at New Stage Theatre from Oct. 23 to Nov. 4. Showtimes are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Candidate Questionnaire: Pat McNamara
The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson metro area, regardless of whether they had a challenger or not.
Family Seeks Justice for Black Man Found Hanging From Scott County Tree
Willie Jones Jr.'s family has joined forces with the the Scott County Chapter NAACP, New Black Panther Party, Jackson Chapter Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, and two Jackson-based pro-bono lawyers to get more answers after his was found hanging from a tree outside his child's mother's home in Scott County on Feb. 8.
BRAVO! Vegan Menu, Fleet Feet Flowood and Fondren Fitness
BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar launched a new vegan menu on Thursday, Oct. 18.
Bradford Smith
Belhaven University President Roger Parrott appointed Bradford Smith as the university's provost and vice president of academic affairs on Sept. 12.
Espy Defends McDaniel Supporters Against Wrongly Attributed 'Horrific' Remark
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Espy on Monday drew a comparison between U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for comments her spokesperson made about a rival candidate's supporters.
Bomb Found at Philanthropist George Soros' Suburban Home
A bomb was found in a mailbox at the suburban New York compound of George Soros, the liberal billionaire philanthropist who has been the target of right-wing conspiracy theorists, authorities said Tuesday.
Sandra Day O'Connor Announces Likely Alzheimer's Diagnosis
Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, announced Tuesday that she has the beginning stages of dementia, "probably Alzheimer's disease."
Monday, October 22
Embattled Forest Hill Band Director, Students May Get Council Support
The Jackson City Council will launch itself into the contentious Forest Hill High School Band fallout with two tasks: reinstate the band director and lift the suspension imposed on the band.
LGBT Equality Report: Jackson and Hattiesburg Lead Mississippi
Jackson and Hattiesburg lead among Mississippi's nine largest cities in LGBT equality, the Human Rights Campaign says in a new report.
Emmett Till Cousin Set to Speak at a Mississippi University
A cousin of Emmett Till is returning to Mississippi to speak about the 1955 abduction and killing of the black teenager, which helped galvanize the civil rights movement.
Friday, October 19
UPDATED: GOP Tracker Impersonates JFP Reporter at Espy Event, Campaign Says; PAC Denies
A tracker apparently working for the right-wing America Rising PAC impersonated a Jackson Free Press reporter at a campaign event Friday, campaign staff for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Espy says. Both the tracker and the PAC deny it.
Governor Names 5 to New Mississippi Lottery Corp. Board
Gov. Phil Bryant is naming three businesspeople, a lobbyist and a longtime educator to the board that will oversee creation and operation of a Mississippi lottery.
GOP Opponent Scared to Debate, Dem House Rival Charges
As a debate over the absence of debates roils Mississippi's U.S. Senate races, a candidate for the U.S. House wants to know why his Republican opponent will not debate him.
Millsaps Professor's Sculpture at USM, MSU Community Garden and Tougaloo Founders' Week
Kristen Tordella-Williams, an assistant professor of art at Millsaps College, is one of four artists whose work is on display as part of the University of Southern Mississippi's Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition.
Thursday, October 18
Candidate Questionnaire: Jeff Weill, Sr.
The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson metro area, regardless of whether they had a challenger or not.
Baria Donations Top All Dem Nominees in Mississippi Since 2008
David Baria raised more money than any Mississippi Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate since 2008, fundraising numbers released on Tuesday reveal.
Medgar Evers' Niece Confronts McDaniel on 'Begging for Scraps' Comment
Wanda Evers, the niece of slain Mississippi civil-rights leader Medgar Evers, confronted Republican U.S. Senate candidate Chris McDaniel at an Oct. 13 campaign event in Clinton, Miss., about comments he made on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
Tony Hughes
Tony Hughes has not found a quick fix for the Jackson State University football program since becoming the 19th head coach in school history in December 2015.
Ole Miss Donor's Name Being Removed After Racist Comment
A donor's name is being removed from the University of Mississippi journalism school after his Facebook post drew backlash for being racist.
Wednesday, October 17
ACT Score Flat for 2018 Mississippi High School Seniors
Mississippi's ACT scores were flat last year on the college readiness test.
DIY Like a Villain
Halloween is just around the corner, and we are sure that many people are still trying to figure out which character they will be cruising the trick-or-treat scene as. It may seem late in the game, but creating a costume doesn't have to be hard.
Be Active & Help Beat Breast Cancer
You may already be aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but you might not know just how much people in the Jackson metro area show out to help put an end to the disease.
Collective Soul at 25 Years
Bassist Will Turpin describes the 25th anniversary of Collective Soul with one word in particular: "surreal."
A Look Inside Jeffrey Gibson's 'Like A Hammer'
A small group of reporters stepped into the Mississippi Museum of Art's Barksdale Galleries for Changing Exhibitions in early September, and immediately came face to face with a colorful collection of familiar objects made unfamiliar.
Halloween Boos & Things to Do
Businesses and organizations around the Jackson area feature a variety of Halloween events throughout the month of October.
Of Race and Republicans: The JFP Interview With Chris McDaniel
Chris McDaniel discussed not only his ideas on race and flags, but also on other timely matters like sexual assault, tariffs and criminal-justice reform in an interview with the Jackson Free Press on Oct. 9.
Mississippians Fight for Medical Marijuana in 2020
Ashley Durval first filed the Medical Marijuana 2020 ballot initiative in July. She hopes medical marijuana can be used to treat her daughter, Harper Grace, who has Dravet Syndrome, a rare genetic dysfunction of the brain that begins in infancy.
Rae Nelsen
Rae Nelsen has not yet turned her love of cartoons, comic books and almost every aspect of nerd culture into a career, but it has become an "intense hobby," she says.
Tuesday, October 16
Trump Warns Honduras Over Migrant Caravan Now in Guatemala
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesn't stop a caravan of some 2,000 migrants, even as they resumed their northward trek through Guatemala with hopes of reaching the U.S. border.
Video Captures Hyde-Smith Equating Debate to a $200,000 Donation to McDaniel
In a secretly videoed conversation, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., said her reluctance to join her opponents for a debate is due to her fear that it would give one of them—Republican Chris McDaniel—free publicity.
Candidate Questionnaire: David McCarty
The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson metro area, regardless of whether they had a challenger or not.
Lumumba Calls 'Foul' on MBI's New Position on Officer-Involved Shootings
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba says the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations alerted the City of Jackson last week that it will no longer take on officer-involved shooting cases in Jackson.
Candidate Questionnaire: Yemi L. Kings
The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson metro area, regardless of whether they had a challenger or not.
GOP Sen. Hyde-Smith, Democrat Espy Each Top $1M in 3 Months
A Republican appointed to the U.S. Senate in Mississippi and one of her Democratic challengers both report raising more than $1 million from July through September.
Bubbles and Buckets at Fine & Dandy, Ballet Magnificat! at Highland Village and GreenPal in Jackson
Fine & Dandy will a host a special champagne dinner called "Bubbles & Buckets" on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, October 15
Board Approves 2 New Mississippi Charter Schools, Rejects 1
Mississippi's Charter School Authorizer Board on Monday approved plans for a group that runs three charter schools in Jackson to open two more there.
Jordan Ta'amu
Jordan Ta'amu might have only started 12 games under center for Mississippi, but he's helped guide one of the top offenses in the country during that stretch.
New Delays for 'One Lake' Likely as Bipartisan Concerns in Congress Grow
One U.S. Senate bill currently waiting on President Donald Trump's signature could have major ramifications for the long-planned and controversial "One Lake" development and flood-control project along the Pearl River in Jackson.
Government Spends Millions to Guard Confederate Cemeteries
After last year's deadly clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, the federal government quietly spent millions of dollars to hire private security guards to stand watch over at least eight Confederate cemeteries, documents from the Department of Veterans Affairs show.
Hyde-Smith: 'We Won't Be Bullied' by McDaniel's Debate Demands
Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith's campaign pushed back against opponent Chris McDaniel's renewed calls for a debate on Friday, accusing the Mississippi state senator and his supporters of "uncivil" and "horrific" behavior.
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, October 12
Lumumba's State of the City Address Pans Over Past, Present and Future Jackson
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba walked up to the podium onstage at the Alamo Theatre on Farish Street to deliver the his second State of the City address on Oct. 11, as a track of R&B singer Brandy singing the chorus of "Optimistic" by August Greene played over the speaker system.
Judge Will Decide Mississippi's $1B Lawsuit Against Utility
A federal judge will decide a $1 billion-plus lawsuit by the state of Mississippi against its largest private electrical utility.
Cortez Bryant at JSU, USM Sweet Potato Drop and Belhaven Grant
Cortez Bryant, a Jackson State University alumnus and manager for Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj and other popular musical acts, will be the grand marshal for JSU's homecoming parade on Saturday, Oct. 13, a press release says.
Candidate Questionnaire: Eric Charles Hawkins
The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson metro area, regardless of whether they had a challenger or not.
Thursday, October 11
Baria: 'I'm Running Against Roger Wicker, Not Donald Trump'
In what his campaign calls an "aggressive statewide ad campaign," Mississippi House Minority Leader David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis, announced a five-figure television ad buy for his U.S. Senate campaign Wednesday.
Candidate Questionnaire: Matt Allen
The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson Metro Area, regardless of whether they had a challenger or not.
Angie Thomas' Hometown Celebrates Release of 'The Hate U Give' Movie
Angie Thomas, best-selling author of "The Hate U Give," promised not to cry at a private reception honoring her young-adult-novel-turned-movie, which comes out this week in her home state. She said her makeup artist would kill her.
De’Shawn Waller
The Braves needed to find another running back to give the team the same results on offense this season. Junior college transfer De’Shawn Waller is starting to become that complement to P.J. Simmons that the Braves were hoping to find.
Candidate Questionnaire: Joseph Anthony Sclafani
The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson Metro Area, regardless of whether they had a challenger or not.
Wednesday, October 10
Legislative Report Evaluates Local Taxes in Mississippi
A watchdog group says 68 cities and 14 counties in Mississippi are collecting local taxes on hotel stays and restaurant meals, for purposes such as promoting tourism or development.
Hyde-Smith Calls Kavanaugh Opposition 'Evil'
U.S. Sen. Cindy-Hyde Smith, R-Miss., continued to defend her support for the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Tuesday, accusing Democrats of "manipulation of the confirmation process" and "a disservice to victims of sexual violence" in a tweet.
Clora O'Reilly Evans
The Georgia School of Orthodontics recently selected Clora O'Reilly Evans, a lifelong Jackson resident and graduate of the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry, for a 36-month residency program at its Atlanta campus.
McConnell to AP: Gender Gap Hurts GOP But Kavanaugh Helps
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged Wednesday that Republicans have a longstanding gender gap when it comes to American women, but he stood by one key Senate woman, saying "nobody's going to beat" Lisa Murkowski of Alaska despite her opposition to Brett Kavanaugh.
Supreme Court Considering Case on Detention of Immigrants
An immigration case before the Supreme Court pits the government against immigrants it wants to deport following crimes they have committed in the United States.
Tuesday, October 9
EDITOR'S NOTE: Of Breast Cancer and the Warrior’s Life
I feel like a warrior ready to turn the strength I’ve honed over my lifetime to my own health and spirit and that of my loved ones, especially my hero Todd Stauffer.
Mississippi Police Took Property Without Legal Authority
Mississippi police agencies have been seizing cash, guns and vehicles without legal authority for months after a state law changed and police didn't notice.
Lumumba Honors Writer Laymon, a Jackson Native and Ole Miss Professor
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba continued a trend of honoring homegrown authors when he delivered a proclamation to Jackson native Kiese Laymon for his writing this morning.
"The Hate U Give" Premier Celebration, The Nail Bar and Spa and Bras Along the Bridge at Riverwalk
Vicky Pilkington, owner of Magnolia Nail and Spa, held a grand opening for her second salon, The Nail Bar and Spa in Jackson on Friday, Oct. 5, following a soft opening on Sept. 10.
UN Ambassador Haley Resigning; She Gives No Reason
U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is leaving the administration at the end of the year, she and President Donald Trump announced Tuesday. She gave no reason for her departure after two years, though there has been speculation she will return to government or politics at some point.
Monday, October 8
Lawsuit Demands Return of More Than $16M from Ponzi Scheme
A lawyer trying to recover money in a collapsed Ponzi scheme is suing three people who sold the investments, demanding they return more than $16 million in sales commissions.
More Water and Sewer Changes to Go Before Jackson City Council
The Jackson City Council will consider more changes, some cosmetic and some contractual, to the beleaguered water and sewer system ahead of the city council meeting slated for Tuesday.
Saturday, October 6
Forest Hill Band Skit Causes Stir; School Has Old History of Offensive Displays
Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba is rebuking Forest Hill High School after social media exploded this morning over a Friday-night half-time skit depicting students supposedly shooting police officers on the field at Brookhaven High School.
Friday, October 5
Jury Convicts Chicago Officer of 2nd-Degree Murder
A jury on Friday convicted white Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke of second-degree murder in the 2014 shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald.
Hyde-Smith Accuses Dems of 'Disservice to Victims of Sexual Violence'
Accusing Democrats of a "disservice to victims of sexual violence," U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., voted to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court Friday morning.
USM Ceramics National, JSU Professor Named as Fulbright Scholar and Tougaloo Athletic Director Named to NAIA Hall of Fame
The University of Southern Mississippi Gallery of Art and Design will host the 2018 Southern Miss Ceramics National from Oct. 12 through Nov. 2.
Wilbert Montgomery
Football talent runs deep in the Montgomery family of Greenville, Miss. While some football fans would not consider Wilbert Montgomery to be the most talented brother, he is without a doubt the most famous.
Thursday, October 4
Four Louisiana Men Indicted for Prison Bribery in Mississippi
Four Louisiana men have been indicted on charges that they tried to bribe a Mississippi sheriff to give them jail-related contracts.
Hood Announces Run: 'Jesus Taught Us to Fight for the Poor'
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood announced his run for governor on Oct. 3 in Houston, Miss.
Cindy Wilson
Cindy Wilson never planned on being an author, but she had always planned on telling her story. A Jackson couple adopted her as a baby from her birthplace of Seoul, South Korea, in 1975, and she grew up in Mississippi as the child of an African American family.
Mississippi Election Information
On. Nov. 6, the same day as the national midterms, voters choose between Democrat Mike Espy, Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Republican Chris McDaniel in a U.S. Senate special election; there will be no partisan identifications on the ballot for the special.
Wednesday, October 3
Governor Gives Medal as Mississippi City Mourns Dead Officer
Mississippi's governor awarded a state medal to a slain police officer, as relatives and law enforcement personnel mourned his death.
Local List: Ben Ford
When this year’s finalist for Best Barista Ben Ford isn’t making coffee at Deep South Pops or playing music, he’s out and about in Jackson. Here are his top nine favorite places in the metro area.
Jeramey Anderson: ‘I’m a Democrat’
Moss Point native Jeramey Anderson is a black millennial and progressive Democrat who, in 2013, became the youngest African American elected to any state legislature in U.S. history.
Municipal Art Gallery: A Center of Arts, History and Culture
Mixed-media art pieces such as watercolor paintings and pen-and-ink drawings line the interior of Municipal Art Gallery. Carole C. Hammond's pointillist replica of Georges-Pierre Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jette" covers a wall near the doorway.
Bringing the River Back to Life
The Mississippi River Basin Model, a National Civil Engineering Landmark, is in bad shape; however, compared to the last time I wrote about it for the Jackson Free Press, it has improved, thanks to the Friends of the Mississippi River Basin Model organization.
SILAS: Hope, Hops & Hokage
Silas Stapleton III, better known to fans as SILAS, is blending hip-hop and hops for his upcoming album, "The Last Cherry Blossom."
Artists to Watch
Jackson officially earned the nickname of the "City with Soul" back during Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr.'s administration, and it's fitting. If you pick up any issue of the Jackson Free Press, you are bound to find more soulful music than you could shake a drumstick at.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Breaking the ‘Bucket List’
If I cared to make a bucket list, then Oct. 1 would have checked off one item for me. I got to lead my first workshop, "Making the Most of Music Media," thanks to BlueSky Studio and owner Casey Combest, who offered to host the event.
Monique Davis
For most of her career, local artist Monique Davis has been centered at the intersection of art and social justice.
Jackson’s Budget Marks Progress, Setbacks
Jackson's Chief Administrative Officer Robert Blaine stepped up to a podium at the base of the steps outside City Hall carrying "antique technology."
Trump Mocks Kavanaugh Accuser He Had Called Credible Witness
President Donald Trump ignited a crowd at a campaign rally in Mississippi by mocking a woman who has claimed she was sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh decades ago.
Tuesday, October 2
Seafood R'evolution Celebrates Anniversary and Chef Award, Julian Rankin to Direct Walter Anderson Museum of Art
Certified Angus Beef LLC named Simon Brown, chef de cuisine at Seafood R'evolution, as a "Culinary Innovator" during the organization's convention in Maui, Hawaii, from Sept. 26 to Sept. 28.
Andrew Head
Mississippi Opera Chorusmaster Andrew Head likes that opera involves so many elements: singing technique, learning new languages, staging and an orchestra, among other elements.
Amid Positive Polls, Jim Hood to Announce Run for Mississippi Governor
Mississippi State Attorney General Jim Hood will kick off a campaign for governor on Wednesday, Oct. 3, he announced in a statement on Monday, Oct. 1.
Monday, October 1
Rep. Harper Donating Papers to Mississippi State University
A Republican congressman is donating his papers to Mississippi State University as he prepares to wrap up a decade in office.
City to Reveal Names of Officers Involved in Past Shootings, Adopt 72-Hour Policy
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced on Friday, Sept. 28, that he would soon sign an executive order adopting a 72-hour name-release policy following officer-involved shootings in the City of Jackson, though he did not commit to a date it would go into effect.
John Lewis: Vote for Espy or Risk Being 'Dragged Into the Past'
Rep. John Lewis, a famous civil-rights activist and a Georgia congressman, urged Mississippi voters to support Democrat Mike Espy's U.S. Senate campaign in a Sept. 25 email.
Otis Rush
Legendary Chicago blues guitarist Otis Rush, whose passionate, jazz-tinged music influenced artists from Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton to the rock band Led Zeppelin, died Saturday at the age of 84, his longtime manager said.
Yale Classmate Recalls Kavanaugh as Frequent, Heavy Drinker
FBI agents interviewed one of the three women who have accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct as Republicans and Democrats quarreled over whether the bureau would have enough time and freedom to conduct a thorough investigation before a high-stakes vote on his nomination to the nation's highest court.
Canada-US Reach Deal to Stay in Trade Pact With Mexico
Canada is back in a revamped North American free trade deal with the United States and Mexico after weeks of bitter, high-pressure negotiations that brushed up against a midnight deadline.
For Critics of DeVos, Sale of DeVry Chain Raises Red Flags
A little-known venture capitalist is on the verge of acquiring one of the biggest for-profit colleges in the country, a transaction that would put him in control of a troubled national chain that's more than 60 times the size of the tiny California school he currently owns.