Stories for November 2019

Azia's Picks

Christmas is rapidly approaching and there are many events taking place in the tri-city area to get us all engaged, including a plethora of interactive outings for children to keep them busy during winter break.

Gee Whiz: Peeing Dog Celebration Costs Ole Miss in Egg Bowl

Luke Logan missed a 35-yard extra point after Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore was penalized for celebrating a touchdown by crawling and pretending to urinate like a dog, and Mississippi State escaped with a 21-20 victory Thursday night in the 116th Egg Bowl.

MSU Mental Health Expansion, USM Golden Idea Competition and JSU Teacher Initiative

The John C. Longest Student Health Center at Mississippi State University recently partnered with outpatient provider Right Track Medical Group to expand student access to comprehensive mental health care.

John Rhys Plumlee

The future looks bright for the Hattiesburg, Miss., native as John Rhys Plumlee took over the starting quarterback job in week five of the season. His legs have been a major weapon for the Rebels as he leads the team in rushing with 989 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Global Climate Protests Ahead of Madrid Meeting

Protesters in cities across the world staged rallies Friday demanding leaders take tougher action against climate change, days before the latest global conference, which this year takes place in Madrid.

Best of Jackson 2020 Finalist Ballot

Best of Jackson voting is divided into two stages—a nominations ballot and a final ballot. We must receive your mailed finalist ballot by Dec. 15, 2019, or you may submit it online by midnight on Dec. 19, 2019.

A New Dynamic: Shanda Yates’ Surprise Victory

Shanda Yates had never thought about running for office and had a litany of reasons not to pursue the House District 64 seat when she first discussed the idea with her husband, Yancy Burns, her partner at their firm, Burns & Associates PLLC.

OPINION: Mississippi Not a ‘Lost Cause’; Build and Fight

"I chose to make my home here 23 years ago. Mississippi has broken my heart on many more than one occasion. So, I hope everyone who worked hard will take the time to regroup and repair."

Mike Cashion

Michael "Mike" P. Cashion Sr., who has lived in Clinton for 23 years with his wife, Debbie, recently retired as the executive director of the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association after 21 years of service.

Credible Messengers Closer to Hitting Streets to Prevent Violence in Jackson

Credible messengers, many of whom have been through the criminal-justice system, enter into communities to mentor and discourage at-risk individuals from participating in criminal activity.

Kern Pratt’s Long Road: ‘That’s the Blues’

Mississippi may arguably be more awash with musical talent than any state in the nation. As the gestation point for the blues, the fertile football of ground between Vicksburg and Memphis is the wellspring of a profound musical legacy.

Holiday Fave Hits the Stage

New Stage Theatre presents regular showings of "A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas" starting Dec. 5. The family-friendly performance features a swirling chorus of characters who dance and sing while retelling the tale of redemption, magic and hope.

Top 9: Edwark Moak

Edward Moak is a Jackson-based artist who is known for his colorful paintings, whimsical hand illustrations and unique T-shirt designs.

Jack’s Kurbissuppe and Cranberry Sauce

These autumn-inspired dishes make for fun and inventive seasonal meals.

Museum-to-Market Trail Could Open by Fall 2020 in Jackson

A new 2.5-mile-long walking, running, and biking trail connecting Jackson's museums and the Mississippi Farmers Market could open as early as fall 2020 if the Jackson City Council gives it the go-ahead tonight.

OPINION: Even More Thankful This Year With Cancer in Remission

"We shouldn't limit being thankful to the last Thursday in November, especially in America."

Ralph Brown

Madison native Ralph Brown, who has worked with Hope Credit Union since February 2017, became the company's vice president of small business lending in October 2019.

Ex-White House Lawyer McGahn Ordered to Comply with Subpoena

A federal judge has ordered former White House counsel Donald McGahn to appear before Congress in a setback to President Donald Trump’s effort to keep his top aides from testifying.

Trump’s Actions Raise Concern About Role in Military Justice

Defense Secretary Mark Esper declared that President Donald Trump ordered him to stop a disciplinary review of a Navy SEAL accused of battlefield misconduct, an intervention that raised questions about America’s commitment to international standards for battlefield ethics.

Analysis: Espy Says He’s Better Prepared for 2020 Campaign

Democrat Mike Espy says he has a clearer strategy to win a U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi in 2020 than he had when he ran for the same seat last year.

Sixth Annual Sleep-out to Help the Homeless

The purpose of the 6th Annual Sleep-Out to Help the Homeless event is to assist the Capital's City displaced community by being present with them during their time of need and connecting them to various resources and other compassionate hands.

Wicker Defends Trump, Boosting Russian Ploy to Pin 2016 Attacks on Ukraine

Mississippi's senior U.S. senator, Roger Wicker, claimed in an interview on Sunday that he saw no "direct evidence" that President Donald Trump did anything wrong when he pressured Ukraine to open investigations into former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

St. Paddy's Parade on for 2020, Yuzu Ramen and WellsFest Extra Table Donation

Malcolm White, founder and organizer of Jackson's annual Hal's St. Paddy's Parade, recently collaborated with Visit Jackson, the City of Jackson and Downtown Partners to maintain the 36-year-old event without a revamping of its structure, at least for 2020.

Robert Whitley

Robert Whitley, 65, knew from a very young age than that that he wanted to work in the store, surrounded by flowers and those who appreciate them. He says he loves the business aspect of running Whitley's Flowers .

JPS Reports Lower Suspensions Overall, But More Discipline of High School Students

The Jackson Public School District is meeting its goal of suspending 12% or fewer of JPS students three months into the 2019-2020 school year, district officials say.

DOSSIER: Shanda Yates' Win in Mississippi Inspires Voters, Teaches Lessons

If the last week has proved anything, it's that people in the U.S., in Mississippi and especially in the Jackson metropolitan area are excited about a political newcomer, Shanda Yates, defeating a long-time incumbent for the District 64 seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

Azia's Weekend Picks

"Take a look at my top picks for this weekend. Be intentional, find a place for yourself in the city, get involved and live fulfilled. You'll thank me later!"

Billy McCoy

Former Mississippi House Speaker Billy McCoy died on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at age 77, but his legislative work remains visible in the form of four-lane highways in rural areas and schools that are better funded and better equipped than they once were on track to be.

Israel’s Netanyahu Indicted on Corruption Charges

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted Thursday in a series of corruption cases. He rejected calls to resign, angrily accusing prosecutors of staging “an attempted coup.”

How 'Sister District' Helped Shanda Yates Unseat Longtime Mississippi Republican

Sister District, a California-based group dedicated to helping elect Democrats in state legislatures across the country, helped one Jackson area political newcomer unseat a longtime Republican incumbent.

OPINION: Caution; Numbers in Presidential Polls Don't Count, Yet

President Donald Trump's approval ratings are in the basement, and he could be impeached. But with about a year to go until Election Day 2020, it's too early to write off the tweeter-in-chief.

Women's Suffrage Exhibit and Chevron STEM Program at MSU and JSU Commencement Speaker

Mississippi State University recently announced that it will commemorate next year's centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment and the women's suffrage movement with a special fall semester exhibit at the MSU Libraries.

Juwan Taylor

Alcorn State junior defensive back Juwan Taylor made one of the biggest defensive plays in a game against Alabama A&M late in the third quarter.

OPINION: Kentucky, Virginia and Louisiana Voted for Change; Mississippi Still Has Work to Do

"While the rest of the country is erupting in action by using the power of the vote to elect more progressive officials, it seems apathy has gripped a large portion of Mississippi."

'Extreme' Prison Terms Must Be Focus for New Mississippi Leaders, Reformers Say

Mississippi's incoming class of statewide and legislative leaders should prioritize reducing "extremely" long prison sentences, a national bipartisan criminal-justice reform organizations says.

Mass Incarceration Rally at Smith Park

On Saturday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Mississippi Prisoner Advocacy invites the community to join together for a rally focused on bringing awareness to and protesting against mass incarceration in Mississippi.

Cathy Hegman

What started as an elective course during her undergraduate years at Mississippi State University has turned into a lifelong career for Mississippi painter Cathy Hegman.

Historic Designation Considered for Iconic Jackson Hotel

Trustees for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History have put downtown Jackson’s Sun-N-Sand Motor Hotel on consideration for a state landmark designation.

Suit Seeks to Block Prosecutor from Excluding Black Jurors

Four black voters and a branch of the NAACP sued a Mississippi prosecutor on Monday, asking a federal judge to order him to stop excluding African Americans from juries.

Report: Mississippi Laws Cause ‘Extreme’ Prison Sentences

Mississippi’s habitual offender laws are causing “extreme” prison sentences that are disproportionally affecting African American men and are costing the state millions of dollars for decades of incarceration, according to a new report by nonprofit FWD.us.

Museum After Hours: Music in Motion

This Thursday, Nov. 21, Museum After Hours will present "Music in Motion" from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event showcases a pop-up exhibit to display the dynamic artistry of local musician and muralist Don Jacobs.

Jackson Zoo Receives $50,000 from County; Road and Bridge Repairs in Limbo

The Jackson Zoo will benefit from a $50,000 grant from the Hinds County Board of Supervisors after it reversed its earlier decision to withhold the grant because the zoo is now closed and awaiting its new management to get its license to operate the facility.

Karla Edwards

Karla Edwards, who has served as director of the Central Mississippi Hub for Volunteers and Nonprofits since May 2019, says that she has long felt compelled toward nonprofit work out of a desire to give back to her community.

It's Official: Dem Shanda Yates Ousts 32-Year Republican in Mississippi House

Shanda Yates, a 38-year-old Jackson-area attorney, has ousted Billy Denny, a top Republican in the Mississippi House of Representatives who first won his seat in 1987—when Yates was just 6 years old.

Voting Suit Challenges Mississippi Law on Citizenship Proof

A new federal lawsuit challenges a Jim Crow-era law in Mississippi that requires naturalized U.S. citizens to show proof of citizenship when they register to vote.

US Softening Position on Israeli Settlements in West Bank

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Monday that the U.S. is softening its position on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the latest in a series of Trump administration moves that weaken Palestinian claims to statehood.

Trump's Tupelo Visit Boosted Dems More Than GOP in Northeast Mississippi, Strategist Says

President Donald Trump's visit to Tupelo earlier this month may have helped Mississippi Democrats more than Republicans in this year's state elections, Chism Strategies, one of the state's top polling and political strategy firms, says.

Hello Kitty Cafe Jackson Stop, Fauna Foodworks Dinner and CFM Grant Challenge

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck, a traveling food truck that debuted in 2014, will come to the Jackson metro for the first time on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Renaissance at Colony Park.

Jeremiah Blanchard

Mississippi visual artist Jeremiah Blanchard draws inspiration from the concepts of travel and movement, concepts that are represented in the four works of his that the Fondren Art Gallery is currently exhibiting.

Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities' Torchbearers Celebration

The Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities will honor several individuals and organizations for their commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities at its 30th anniversary Torchbearers Celebration.

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.

FeedJXN: Dining with Dignity Pop-up Restaurant

Honoring National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week for the fourth consecutive year, Dining with Dignity brings local chefs, business professionals and volunteers together for a five-star fine dining experience fit for our displaced community.

Hyde-Smith Blocks Gun Checks as School Shooting Unfolds in California

U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, an NRA-endorsed Republican, blocked a universal background-checks bill this morning around the same time a teenage gunman in Santa Clarita, Calif., carried out a mass shooting at his high school.

DOSSIER: From Bashing 'Boys of Spring' to Unpacking a Mississippi-Brexit Love Affair

"TV networks may live and die on ratings and people screaming opinions at each other from two "sides," but our democracy really can't take much more of this kind of dangerous political gamesmanship."

Dozens of Sewer Failures Require Millions in Emergency City Funds to Repair

The City of Jackson need to allocate as much as $5 million to fix 50 sewer failures throughout Jackson, although more money may be necessary to fix them all. The Jackson City Council will vote on the additional funding, but it is unclear when.

Flags Lowered After Death of Ex Mississippi House Speaker

Gov. Phil Bryant ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor former Mississippi House Speaker Billy McCoy. The Democrat from Prentiss County died Tuesday at age 77.

Gabe Grothe

What started as a summer job for a young Gabe Grothe turned into his life-long passion. Landscaping, Grothe says, is an art form that encompasses more than just mowing a yard and planting some shrubs.

MSU Chairs of Honor, Millsaps Math Competition and JSU Bowling Night Out

Mississippi State University unveiled permanent POW/MIA chairs of honor inside Davis Wade Stadium, Humphrey Coliseum and Dudy Noble Field in honor of service members on Veterans Day.

Marvin Terry

A defensive touchdown capped a spectacular game for Delta State University linebacker Marvin Terry. His eight yard touchdown return helped DSU win its third straight game and keep any Division II playoff hopes alive.

Takeaways so Far from House Public Impeachment Hearings

Wednesday’s start of public impeachment hearings unfolding in Congress marked the first time that the American public could watch and listen to the witnesses whose testimony is at the center of the Democrats’ investigation.

Watson: Mississippi Should Change Multipart Election System

Republican Michael Watson, Mississippi’s incoming secretary of state, says he will work to change a Jim Crow-era election system that requires multiple steps for statewide races.

Vick Allen

Jackson native and soul-music singer Vick Allen said his interest in music started at a very young age. He sang in his church choir and also played the piano for the church.

OPINION: Women in Mississippi—So Strong and So Tough

"Over the 25 years that we have lived in Mississippi, we have taken quite a ribbing. Whenever we told them of our children's successes, they always scoffed and said 'but it's Mississippi' as if that lessened the  accomplishment."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mississippi Women, It’s Your Time to Speak Up, Lead

Election season was tough for Mississippi women as usual. It was a time for broken promises and slights as we watched male candidates, and their women enablers, show little apparent interest in our safety, prosperity, health and voices and be elected to all statewide offices.

Marie O'Banner-Jackson

Marie O'Banner-Jackson, retired interim dean of undergraduate studies and cyber learning at Jackson State University, says she knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was in fourth grade.

Field Hearing Sheds Light on Mississippi ICE Raids

The (ICE) field hearing touched on the impact of the raids on local economies, the cost of carrying them out, and back wages owed to workers, but it did not discuss the role of for-profit prison companies in immigration detention.

Seeking Alta Woods’ Former Glory

The Alta Woods community was predominantly white when Stephany and Herbert Brown became the first black family to move there in 1996. "When we moved over here 20 years ago, none of this looked like this," she said as the car passed another dilapidated house.

God Save the Governor: Phil Bryant, Brexit Soldier

Republican Phil Bryant is certainly not the first Mississippi governor to support a state's plan to secede from a multi-state union. ... But Bryant seems to be the first to entangle himself in a foreign U.S. ally's own secession effort.

Mamie’s Sugar Cream Pie

In my family, any holiday that can include a family meal often means we are having sugar cream pie for dessert. The recipe comes from my mother's grandmother, whom she called Mamie.

The Season Is Upon Us

The holiday season is drawing near, and there will be plenty to do in Jackson and beyond.

DIY: Glitter Snow Globe

Making homemade ornaments can be a great way to spend an afternoon during the holiday season. Whether you are a teacher, a parent or simply someone who enjoys being creative, you may find this glitter snow globe idea to be a fun way to personalize your tree.

‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’ Promises Holiday Splendor

"Cirque Dreams Holidaze," a multimillion-dollar circus-like show that centers around the sense of wonder surrounding the holiday season, is coming to Thalia Mara Hall on Dec. 9.

OPINION: It's Not Easy Being a White Democrat in Mississippi

"There is never a perfect, seamless match between a political party and its people. But I think the Democratic Party in Mississippi can do a lot better."

Mike Espy Vows to 'Correct Our Mistakes' in New U.S. Senate Campaign

Democrat Mike Espy has a plan to win in Mississippi, he told the Jackson Free Press Tuesday morning, soon after officially launching his 2020 campaign for U.S. Senate.

Col. Carlyle "Smitty" Harris

Retired Air Force Col. Carlyle "Smitty" Harris, originally from the small agricultural village of Preston, Maryland, was 36 years old with a wife, two young daughters and a third baby on the way when his plane was shot down over Vietnam on April 4, 1965.

KaBOOM! Funds Playground in West Jackson

The Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi recently won a grant from national nonprofit KaBOOM! for the installation of a new playground at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi Capital Unit in Jackson.

Supreme Court Lets Sandy Hook Shooting Lawsuit Go Forward

The Supreme Court said Tuesday a survivor and relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting can pursue their lawsuit against the maker of the rifle used to kill 26 people.

Judge Dismisses Trump Lawsuit Against NY Over Tax Returns

A federal judge on Monday dismissed President Donald Trump's lawsuit against New York officials that was aimed at preventing the release of his tax returns.

Mississippi Woman Sues Over Unsecured Manhole Cover Crash

A Mississippi woman who says she hit an unsecured manhole cover hours before a teenager was killed in a similar crash has filed a lawsuit.

Rocket Fizz at the Outlets, Beanfruit and Thunderhead Merge and Gallery Garden

Shreveport, La., native Richard Morris brought Rocket Fizz, a California-based specialty soda and candy franchise, to Mississippi with the opening of a new store at the Outlets of Mississippi on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Art Space 86: Unframed @Unwrapped

Art Space 86 will host a free, pop-up art gallery event, Unframed @Unwrapped, on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., located at The Flamingo JXN.

Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Barrino is enjoying a freedom she says she has not felt in years, and it is all thanks to her independent album, "Sketchbook."

OPINION: Running While Black—Dem AG Nominee Reveals Privilege, Ghosts Faced in Race

I boxed the glaring ghost of a broken and unsupportive party structure. I guess I am not supposed to say that out loud, but we might as well tell the truth out loud. Everyone is whispering it anyway.

White Supremacists Help Emmett Till Center Raise More Than $30,000

A small clan of white supremacists unintentionally helped a Mississippi anti-racism organization raise more than $30,000 in just six days after filming a propaganda video around the memorial of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old victim of a 1955 civil-rights murder.

DOSSIER: Of Corporate Media and Insulting Shenanigans

What a week. The last 10 days saw not only the official demise of the Mississippi Democratic Party, at least the way it's run and strategized now, but it was filled with disillusioning encounters with local representatives of national media corporations for us, revealing a certain callous regard of other reporters and editors.

Azia's Picks 11-8-19

We finally made it to Friday, Jackson! I know it's been a long, tiresome work week full of deadlines, unwelcomed nuances, awkward office small talk, missed lunches and divisive conversations regarding the ballot. I definitely feel you and fully understand the need to unwind, let loose and enjoy the short and sweet weekend that comes to you quickly and ends even more quickly. Let's not think about the bittersweet end of that much-needed reboot right now, though.

Democratic Women Win House Seats, Oust GOP Incumbents in Mississippi

Shanda Yates, a millennial Democrat, could still oust Bill Denny, a top Republican in the Mississippi House, if her current lead in the House District 64 vote count holds once election officials add provisional ballots. With just the Election Day totals counted, the Associated Press reported that Yates led Denny, a 32-year incumbent, by about 51% to 49%, or 136 votes, in House District 64, which includes parts of Madison and Hinds counties.

The Vernon Brothers, Hood Baby and the Barnacles, Arkansauce and Fruition

Ardenland holds its annual BankPlus International Gumbo Festival on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Smith Park. This year, proceeds benefit the Harold T. and Hal White Memorial Scholarship. At the event, attendees may sample various gumbo dishes and vote for their favorite recipes. Gates open at 11 a.m., and then a series of live music acts begin performing at 11:30 a.m. The Jackson Free Press published a short roundup of these four artists on Oct. 30, but below are some expanded features on the bands.

Black Democrat Wins in Redrawn District After Racial Gerrymander Case

Even as Republicans swept statewide offices in Mississippi on Tuesday night, Joseph Thomas, an African American Democrat in a district that stretches across six counties, narrowly ousted a Republican incumbent. Earlier this year, a federal court forced the GOP-led Legislature to redraw the boundaries for that district, Senate District 22, after finding that they had drawn it in a way that was intended to dilute black voting power.

OPINION: Cowards Never Win—Mississippi Democrats Lose from Lack of Courage

It is time to tell the plain, unvarnished truth about Mississippi politics. We have wasted too much time being dishonest with ourselves and others. We have coddled one another, whined and complained, and frankly just surrendered when we should have been in the thick of battle.

Mississippi Museum of Art Develops The Gallery Garden

If you have not strolled through downtown Jackson lately, then you may be missing out on the steady transformation of historic area. The streets beam with pride as the lights from bustling and revitalized buildings illuminate the streets, many paved anew. The Mississippi Museum of Art complements the grandeur of the Capital City with a new beautification project, The Gallery Garden.

Kylin Hill

The first Saturday in November saw the season hanging in the balance for Mississippi State University. MSU entered its game against the University of Arkansas on a four-game losing streak and as the team clung to life for any bowl hopes.

MSU Veterans Day, USM University Forum and JSU/SBA Summit

As part of its annual Veterans Day celebration, Mississippi State University plans to host several events to honor the U.S. Armed Forces during the week of Veterans Day. MSU's Veterans Day ceremony will take place on Monday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. on the campus' Drill Field.

Democrats Secure Victories in Hinds County Elections

As the Mississippi Republican Party swept up all state-wide offices yesterday's general election, Democrats won several seats in Hinds County.

Mississippi Democratic Party Needs to Overhaul Strategies, Outreach, Diversity

Prominent novelist Angie Thomas is planning to leave Mississippi due to the toxic politics here, on prominent display in last night’s election outcome. The wildly successful graduate of Belhaven College grew up in Georgetown in Jackson and travels frequently to Atlanta, Los Angeles and beyond. Her first novel became a popular feature film, and now her second film is in production.

GOP Runs Mississippi Gamut, But Signs of Hope for Dems, Medicaid Expansion

With his Southern Baptist pastor standing beside him at the King Edward Hotel in Jackson, Democrat Jim Hood conceded defeat in the race for Mississippi governor, reiterating his religiously inspired campaign theme of fighting for “the least of these” in policy areas like health care and education.

Republican Lt. Gov. Reeves wins Mississippi governor's race

"I want to be the governor for all Mississippians and I'm going to work hard every day to do that," Reeves told The Associated Press after his victory.

Sal the Cat

The Eudora Welty House and Garden has a scavenger hunt for kids (and the young at heart) who visit the museum. While some of the items on the list are easy to find, one in particular may give visitors some trouble, depending on how this item is feeling: the resident cat, Sal.

City Roundup: Water Bill Solution for Now, Zoo Still Closed, Robberies Down

As the City of Jackson continues to devise ways to fix its water-billing system, customers who currently do not receive bills will pay a monthly "minimum-service charge" of $63.27 for water service, officials said.

Election Day Hijinks, Obama Robocalls, Who's on Ballot, Election Watch Parties

Mississippi voters headed to the polls starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday to vote for top State and regional offices, including the election for governor. Polls will remain open until 7 p.m., when election workers will begin tallying up the vote.

Charlyne and Chris Brown

Charlyne and Chris Brown own and operate All 4 Children Consignment, a bi-annual consignment sale. The next sale will be from March 26-28, 2020, and the Browns have already begun to prepare for the event.

US Tells UN it is Pulling Out of Paris Climate Deal

The United States has told the United Nations it has begun the process of pulling out of the landmark 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Pence Rallies for Mississippi GOP Governor Candidate

Vice President Mike Pence campaigned Monday in Mississippi for the Republican nominee for governor, who's in a tight race with the state's best-funded Democratic nominee in nearly a generation.

Analysis: Mississippi Getting Big Turnover in State Offices

No matter who wins this year's elections, Mississippi will have its biggest turnover of state government officials in a long time. At least five of the eight statewide offices will have new occupants. Those are governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer.

Faith Young

Faith Young, owner of Door 2 Door Recycling, opened her self-described mom and pop recycling company with her husband, Marquette Young, in 2013 to help fill a need in her Rankin County community.

Meet the Candidates

Meet the candidates for the 2020 Mississippi elections, both statewide and local.

Voter ID Stays Under Both Secretary of State Hopefuls, But One Wants Citizenship Check

Voting rights take center stage in tomorrow's election for secretary of state between Mississippi Sen. Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula, and former Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree, the Democratic nominee.

Stewpot Food Pantry, MAC Arts Awards and William Winter Institute Donation

Stewpot Community Services will host a grand opening and dedication ceremony for its newly relocated and expanded food pantry, named in honor of former Stewpot Executive Director Rev. Frank Spencer, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m.

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.

UPDATED: White Supremacists Caught at Emmett Till Memorial Making Propaganda Film

A small group of white supremacists gathered around the Emmett Till memorial in Tallahatchie County, Miss., on Saturday morning, carrying a Mississippi flag and a League of the South flag.

Azia's Picks 11-1-19

You know what really grinds my gears? Constantly hearing from fellow Jacksonians, "There is nothing to do in Jackson." As soon as those words leave condescending lips and meet my Capital City loving ears, it's an immediate trigger for eye-rolling.

DOSSIER: GOP's Red-baiting Mailer Template, Campaign Lies, Bryant Miffed

Republicans are already sending out glossy mailers warming up the crowd in Mississippi and other southern states to the necessity of electing Trump apologists and enablers—that is pretty much what Reeves' whole campaign is about at this point.

Nominees Share History of Slavery, Plantations, Seg Academies in Natchez Senate Race

Republican Melanie Sojourner told the Jackson Free Press on Oct. 24 that she did not know as a young girl that the school she attended had been organized as a segregation academy at a time when white parents pulled their children out of public schools in response to court-ordered integration.

Stories for November 2019

Friday, November 29

Wednesday, November 27

Tuesday, November 26

Monday, November 25

Friday, November 22

Thursday, November 21

Wednesday, November 20

Tuesday, November 19

Monday, November 18

Thursday, November 14

Wednesday, November 13

Tuesday, November 12

Monday, November 11

Sunday, November 10

Friday, November 8

Thursday, November 7

Wednesday, November 6

Tuesday, November 5

Monday, November 4

Saturday, November 2

Friday, November 1