Thursday, October 31
Democrats Push Impeachment Rules Package Through House
Democrats rammed a package of ground rules for their impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump through a sharply divided House Thursday, the chamber's first formal vote in a fight that could stretch into the 2020 election year.
Best of Jackson 2020 Nomination Ballot
Best of Jackson voting is divided into two stages—a nominations ballot and a final ballot. We must receive your mailed nominations ballot by Nov. 13, 2019, or you may submit it online by midnight on Nov. 15, 2019.
Agriculture Commissioner's Race Centers on Local Food
The Democratic challenger for Mississippi agriculture commissioner is pitching a local food revolution, while the Republican incumbent seeks more incremental change.
Honda Battle of the Bands, JSU Selling Properties and MSU Walking Path
More than 1,800 student musicians and dancers from eight college marching bands across the United States will compete in the 17th-annual Honda Battle of the Bands on Jan. 25, 2020, in Atlanta, Ga.
Patrick Willis
Unlike some players, Patrick Willis hasn’t returned to the NFL, and now after over five years it seems unlikely he would even attempt a comeback. The 49ers linebacker still had a few years left on his contract when he decided to call it a career.
Wednesday, October 30
Twitter Bans Political Ads Ahead of 2020 Election
Twitter, reacting to growing concern about misinformation spread on social media, is banning all political advertising from its service. Its move sets it apart from Facebook, which continues to defend running paid political ads, even false ones, as a free speech priority.
Reeves Still Outspending Hood in Mississippi Governor Race
Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves has spent more than twice as much as Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood in the open race for Mississippi governor.
Top 10: Francine Reynolds
Francine Thomas Reynolds, originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, has made Jackson her home for many years alongside her husband, Chuck, and currently serves as the artistic director of New Stage Theatre. Here are her top 10 local favorites in the Jackson metro.
Governor’s Race: Hood Fixates on Corruption As Reeves Avoids Interviews
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, the Democratic nominee for governor, claims wealthy corporate donors control his opponent and much of the Legislature.
Past Never Dead: UM Academic Freedom In Limbo?
"You better watch your back. I'm coming for you," a voice growled through the receiver. The caller then hung up, leaving Dr. James Thomas alone in his University of Mississippi office with the anodyne tones of his phone's voicemail.
Left Behind: Public Defenders Underpaid, Have Little Oversight
When Michele Purvis Harris was city attorney of Jackson, she heard troubling remarks from the people her office was supposed to prosecute. "I don't want the public defender, I want a real attorney," poor defendants would say to the judge.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Stepping into a Mentor's Shoes, Hoping They Fit
"As future-oriented as I am, I understood early on that I needed to work really hard in school to help me achieve my goal. ... I continue to learn my own capabilities, and my own limits."
Ellen Robb
Ellen Robb, an attorney of counsel at Mitchell Day Law Firm, earned a Pro Bono Award at the annual reception of the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project on Sept. 12.
OPINION: My Abuser Apologized, and I Forgave Him
A few years ago, I wrote a column evaluating my emotions for never receiving an apology or even an acknowledgement from my abuser for basically hurting me and demolishing my self-value.
Chicken Liver Pate, Classic Vinaigrette and Boeuf Bourguignon
Sure, pizza is wonderful, but so is this sophisticated meal with the perfect glass of wine. The bonus is that the ingredients are all relatively inexpensive while the dish is easy to make.
Groovin’ and Chewin’ with Gumbo Fest
Each year, the BankPlus International Gumbo Festival allows attendees to sample a number of gumbo dishes and vote for their favorites. Additionally, though, the annual event also features musical acts.
‘Jackson’ Regales a Laborious, History-Packed Tale
Boasting a digestible, engrossing title, "Jackson" aims to portray the titular city at the height of one of its most disastrous moments in history.
Tuesday, October 29
Federal Judge Blocks Alabama's Strict Abortion Ban
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked Alabama's near-total abortion ban from taking effect next month and called the law—part of a wave of new abortion restrictions by conservative states—clearly unconstitutional.
Michael Earl Raff
Michael Earl Raff, a former priest of Mississippi Catholic Diocese and husband of Linda Raff, executive director of Catholic Charities, died at Hospice Ministries on Wednesday, Oct. 23, after a long illness. He was 77.
OPINION: Tate Reeves Is Always Right. Ask Him.
"If Reeves had been a European king, he's the type who would have inspired a revolution as soon as he put on the crown. He might be inspiring a revolution in Mississippi even before he moves into the Governor's Mansion."
Monday, October 28
Ballpark Boos a Rarity for Shielded President
Trump was showered with jeers, boos and chants (as well as some cheers) when he attended a World Series game at Nationals Park in Washington on Sunday.
In Chicago, Trump Calls the City an Embarrassment to the US
Visiting Chicago for the first time as president, Donald Trump disparaged the city Monday as a haven for criminals that is "embarrassing to us as a nation." The city's top cop sat out Trump's speech to protest the president's immigration policies and frequently divisive rhetoric.
House Democrats Plan First Formal Vote on Impeachment Inquiry
House Democrats are laying the groundwork for the next phase of their impeachment inquiry with a vote this week on a resolution to affirm the investigation, set rules for public hearings and outline the potential process for writing articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
Fact-Check: GOP Mailer Falsely States Hood's Record on Abortion, Other Issues
The Mississippi Republican Party is behind a recent campaign mailer with a photo of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jim Hood's face next to a photoshopped set of bumper stickers on the back of a truck.
Analysis: Life Experience Shapes Attorney General Candidates
Democrat Jennifer Riley Collins says one of her priorities, if elected Mississippi attorney general, will be ensuring law enforcement officers receive the equipment they need to do their jobs. She faces Republican state Treasurer Lynn Fitch in the Nov. 5 election.
Elephant Wrecking Ball Swings by Jackson
Elephant Wrecking Ball brings its woven concoction of experimental jazz, hip hop and electronic music genres to Jackson on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Martin's Downtown as part of the group's tour supporting its latest album release, "Joy Front."
The Bean Path Anniversary, UMMC LGBTQ Clinic and Trustmark Donations
Jackson tech-based nonprofit The Bean Path recently celebrated its one-year anniversary by rewarding students from the Mississippi Coding Academy who applied for a community grant.
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 25
Lumumba Vows to Fight Corruption, Cites Progress in 'State of the City'
Corporations and other bad actors will no longer take advantage of Jackson, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba pledged to a crowd during his third State of the City Address yesterday evening.
Treasurer Race: McRae's Expertise Faces Green's Common Touch
David McRae has lots of his own money, while Addie Lee Green has less. One will be managing Mississippi's money as state treasurer after the Nov. 5 election.
DOSSIER: IHL Document Dump Raises Questions About Boyce Role
In the course of my investigation into the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, multiple sources have repeated a simple refrain: The IHL's conduct in the Ole Miss chancellor search process may have been part of a long-planned scheme to install one of their own to lead the University of Mississippi. But, thus far, the depth of the alleged plotting is hard to prove.
Halloween ComicFest 2019 in Jackson
On the last Saturday of every October, comic fans across the globe travel to their local comic shops to take home free comics as part of the internationally celebrated Halloween Comic Fest.
Carl Tart: First Homecoming King at the University of Mississippi
Cart Tart, a senior allied health studies major, is the University of Mississippi's first homecoming king, marking the first time the University has elected a male counterpart to Homecoming Queen.
Hattiesburg Restaurateur Opening New Restaurant, Reopening Capri
Robert St. John, a Mississippi restaurateur who owns the Purple Parrot and Crescent City Grill in Hattiesburg, will begin bringing another of his Hattiesburg restaurants, Ed's Burger Joint, to Fondren later this year.
OPINION: Mississippi Needs to Make It Easier to Vote; For Now, It's Up to Us
State legislators and the Secretaries of State past and present have decided Mississippi needs a full month to process voter registrations. Such an early registration deadline is not the norm in several parts of the country.
Thursday, October 24
OPINION: Confederate Monuments and White Victimhood
"I think that when white Confederate sympathizers demand that we honor their dead, they ignobly play the victims twice over."
Hamer Cancer Center, MSU/Belhaven Program and Tougaloo Artifacts
The Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation recently announced that it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of its new headquarters in Hamer's native Ruleville, Miss.
Antonio McDyess
As the new NBA season kicked off on Tuesday, Oct. 22, it seems fitting that the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2020 class. One of the headlining athletes is former NBA player Antonio McDyess.
Wednesday, October 23
Mississippi Heritage Trust: 10 Most Endangered Properties
Since 1992, an ambitious group of preservationists, joined together by their desire to revitalize and maintain Mississippi's historic architectural gems, have embarked on a journey to make that dream a reality.
AG Hood Joins Investigation into Facebook Over Data, Competition Concerns
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood is joining other attorneys general across the country in an investigation of Facebook, he announced on Tuesday.
Amy Tuck
Former Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck is retiring Dec. 31 as vice president for campus services at Mississippi State University.
Tuesday, October 22
Mike Espy to Trump: 'This Isn't a Lynching, Mr. President'
President Donald Trump's claim that he is the victim of "a lynching" in the ongoing impeachment inquiry is "disgraceful" and akin to the U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith's "public hanging" remark last year, Democrat Mike Espy said in an email to supporters on Tuesday.
OPINION: Till's Memorial May Be Bulletproof, but America Still Needs Racial Healing
"A bulletproof sign means nothing without justice for Emmett Till and his family. It means nothing if we don't use our circles of influence to help bring about racial healing."
Medical Costs May Drop in Metro Counties, Mississippi Overall This Year
Mississippians could see cost drops in health insurance this year with the federal government's Tuesday announcement that it expects a 4% cost decrease nationwide this year for subsidized health-care plans.
Mississippi HBCUs Among Worst Targets of Discriminatory Lending
Historically black colleges and universities in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana pay three times more in underwriting fees than do their non-HBCU counterparts, a new economics study found.
ACRI Lecture Series: Shooting the Enemy
Hip-hop activist and photojournalist Harry Allen has earned a tenured position in hip-hop culture for his prominent voice in politics, race relations and history for more than 30 years.
CJ Fox
When CJ Fox checked her voicemail on Oct. 8 to be told that her child would not be able to return to daycare if she did not pay her overdue childcare bill, she was confused. Her three children were in high school, middle school and elementary school—none were in daycare.
Secretary of State Nominees Differ on Expanding Early Voting
Two candidates for secretary of state said Monday that they have different ideas about whether Mississippi should change its laws to expand early voting.
Monday, October 21
Trump to Visit Mississippi Days Before Statewide Election
President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will appear in Mississippi to rally Republicans days before statewide elections.
Analysis: Republicans Show Unity, but Only Some Democrats Do
Mississippi Republican candidates are at least making noises about supporting each other for statewide offices this year. Most Democrats, however, are not campaigning as a unified ticket.
Nick Cave: Feat., Take a Slice Out Hunger and One Night Stand Art Show
On Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at 4:30 p.m., The Mississippi Museum of Art will host a preview tour of its newest traveling exhibition, "Nick Cave: Feat." for media only. The exhibit itself opens to members on Oct. 25 and to the public on Oct. 26.
The Guitar Man: Chad Wesley Takes the Long View
For 15 years, Chad Wesley has bent strings in nearly every venue in Jackson. He has pounded the road relentlessly through at least 10 states.
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 18
BRICE: Pick Up Elijah Cummings’ Torch
"It is we the living who are left behind that must stand in (Elijah Cummings') absence and speak for him. The road for a black man in America has been paved with pain since his forefathers were forced from Ivory shores and distant lands."
UM Faculty Senate Votes 'No Confidence' In IHL; Media Leak 'Suspicious'
The Faculty Senate of the University of Mississippi passed a resolution late last night declaring "no confidence" in the Institutions of Higher Learning board's search process to find a replacement chancellor for the university, and no confidence in IHL itself "by reason of its conduct in connection with that search process."
DOSSIER: Hinds Doc Destruction Still Threat; Disrespect in Green's Court; N-JAM Club
If you've been reading Seyma Bayram's coverage of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors and my previous Friday columns, you know that she was shocked to discover that the county voted one month ago to destroy a long list of documents spanning 23 years.
Oleta Fitzgerald
Oleta Fitzgerald, who has served as director at Children's Defense Fund-Southern Region for 24 years, will be one of four honorees at the Women's Foundation of Mississippi's Women of Vision 2019 awards on Monday, Oct. 21.
Thursday, October 17
Abortion at Center as Women's Groups Offer Collins, Fitch Endorsements
EMILY's List, a Washington, D.C.-based group dedicated to helping elect more women to offices nationwide, on Tuesday endorsed Democrat Jennifer Riley Collins in the Mississippi attorney general's race.
Hood Claims Reeves Cut Public Ed Money to Give Favors to Campaign Donors
"It's time to get the money changers out of the temple," Democratic nominee for governor Jim Hood said on Wednesday, standing inside the Italian-white marble walls of the Mississippi Capitol Building rotunda. "I'm talking about Tate Reeves."
National Chemistry Week, First-Generation College Celebration Day and M Partner Community Day
The Student Members of the American Chemical Society at Mississippi State University is planning a series of activities in honor of National Chemistry Week, which begins on Saturday, Oct. 19. The theme of the event is "Marvelous Metals."
Jaylin Jones
One player who could prove to be the key to the Choctaws newfound success is running back Jaylin Jones. The junior running back had a breakout game in MC's last outing against Florida Tech.
Powerful Democratic Congressman Elijah Cummings Has Died
Maryland Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, a sharecropper's son who rose to become a civil rights champion and the powerful chairman of one of the U.S. House committees leading an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, died Thursday of complications from longstanding health problems. He was 68.
Wednesday, October 16
Ghoulish Gifts
Whether you are celebrating the fall season or "spooky season," local businesses in the Jackson area have goodies you can use to decorate your home or office to give it an autumn vibe. Take a gander at this shopping list for a few ideas on what all you may want to pick up this October.
Switchfoot Still Rides the Wave
From his home in the North County section of San Diego, Switchfoot lead guitarist Drew Shirley describes the controversy that surrounded the band's move away from gospel-centric music, into the secular mainstream.
Nick Cave’s Equity and Identity
The Mississippi Museum of Art will present "Nick Cave: Feat.," a survey of the renowned Chicago-based artist's work, on view in the Donna and Jim Barksdale Galleries for Changing Exhibitions October through Feb. 16, 2020.
Chicks We Love 2019
The Jackson metro area is full of entrepreneurial, innovative and influential residents. For this year's Chicks We Love, the Jackson Free Press shines the spotlight on women who play vital and interesting roles in our community on a daily basis.
‘It All Starts With Education’: The JFP Interview With Jay Hughes
Education is the No. 1 issue for Mississippi House Rep. Jay Hughes, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor this year, who has taught in public schools himself.
OPINION: Do Jacksonians Know Our Greatness?
"My hope is that everyday citizens and local and state government work harder together to make sure our capital city excels in the Southeast and beyond."
How to Revive Humanization
The dehumanization of people of color affects everyone. Often the narratives about children of color begin and end with what Dr. Howard Stevenson and Dr. Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant call the "Cycle of Dehumanization."
The Street That Jim Crow Paved
Mobile Street in Hattiesburg served as one of Mississippi's most important hubs of black entrepreneurship, professional life, commerce and, later, a crucible of civil-rights activism that would have ramifications across the state and the nation.
Gamma Rae Cosplay
Rachel Sprinkle may work as a lawyer by day, but by night she doubles as a cosplayer, under the name Gamma Rae Cosplay.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Recovering Out Loud from Loss and Breast Cancer
"We must breathe through it all—the physical pain, anguish, stress, disappointment. We must just be present in our lives and accept and release whatever happens. Honestly, I can't imagine a better Zen practice than recovering from cancer while being a woman newspaper editor in a conservative state."
Halloween Event Roundup
"Spooky season" is around the corner. Check out our listings for great things to do and eat around Jackson this Halloween.
Tuesday, October 15
John Knight III's Police Brutality Lawsuit Will Proceed, Hinds Judge Rules
A lawsuit accusing the City of Jackson of police brutality will move forward after a hearing this morning.
INKTOBER: MMA Inktober Challenge
The Mississippi Museum of Art here in the capital city puts their own Jackson flavor on the Inktober art challenge by offering 16 original prompts between Oct. 1 to Oct. 16.
Anti-Abortion Activists Claim Right to 'Shout' at, 'Approach' Patients in Lawsuit
Anti-abortion activists in Jackson claim in a new lawsuit that they have a "right" to "congregate," "shout" and approach patients outside the abortion clinic in Fondren "without first obtaining their consent."
Republican Politician Charged in Human Trafficking Adoption Scheme
Paul Petersen, the Republican assessor of Maricopa County in Arizona, was charged in Utah, Arizona and Arkansas with counts including human smuggling, sale of a child, fraud, forgery and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Mississippi Hometown to Honor Late Temptations Singer
The City of Meridian will honor the late David Ruffin, one of the lead singers of the Motown group The Temptations, on Oct. 26. The Meridian Star reports the city will add signs ceremonially naming four blocks of a downtown street "David Ruffin Boulevard."
Monday, October 14
End Grocery Tax on Mississippi-Grown Food, Dem Agriculture Candidate Says
Mississippians will no longer have to pay a sales tax when they buy Mississippi-grown foods at the grocery store if the Democrat running for the state's top agriculture position gets his way.
Creativity Kitchen, Art Museum Donation and Future Stars of the Stage
The Jackson Whole Foods Market will donate 5% of its net sales to Creativity Kitchen, a nonprofit that Jackson chef Nick Wallace founded, on Thursday, Oct. 17, as part of Whole Foods' annual Community Giving Days.
Brittney Morris
Author Brittney Morris grew up in Corvallis, Ore., a place she describes as very quiet and where there is not much to do unless your interests include hiking or football. She said she had a really strict upbringing, and her interests as a child included putting together puzzles, playing video games and writing.
Analysis: Mississippi Has Options for New Secretary of State
Mississippi voters are choosing a new secretary of state this year, and the two candidates are divided over some big proposals for the office.
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 11
DOSSIER: Incoming DA Faces Accusations, NBC's Tentacles in Mississippi
Multiple women are accusing Jody Owens, who won the Democratic primary and faces no challenger in November, of inappropriate and sexual behavior and comments from his time as the managing attorney of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Jackson office.
Reeves and Hood Clash on Teacher Pay, Roads, Health Care
Mississippi's Republican lieutenant governor and Democratic attorney general debated teacher pay raise plans, road repairs, health care and taxes as they clashed for the first debate in the governor's race.
William H. Kelly III
William H. Kelly III, known as Willy to some, has been drawn toward photography since an early age, as evidenced by baby photos he has seen of himself that show him holding a toy camera.
Hinds Supervisors Withhold $50,000 from Jackson Zoo Due to Closing
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted this week to reject a claim to give a $50,000 grant to the City of Jackson to support the Jackson Zoo.
Thursday, October 10
OPINION: Give Public Education the Ballot this November, Mississippi
As legislators continue to undervalue public education and to systematically underfund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, the legal formula that sets a baseline for school funding, districts have become separate and unequal communities.
Water-Sewer Lawsuit Against City Has New Attorney, Carlos Moore
As the City of Jackson continues its own legal battle against Siemens seeking $225 million over a botched water-sewer billing system, Carlos Moore is continuing work on a lawsuit filed in June on behalf of Jackson residents.
US Judge to Hear Challenge of Mississippi Election System
A federal judge will hear arguments Friday in a lawsuit that challenges Mississippi's unique, multistep process of electing the governor and other statewide officials—an electoral process that critics say is designed to thwart black political power.
Liam Vincifora
Defensive lineman Liam Vincifora provided a sensational game for the Millsaps Majors' defense against Centre College on Saturday, Oct. 5.
JSU Homecoming, MSU Digital Media Center and USM Veteran Fundraiser
Jackson State University will host its homecoming parade in downtown Jackson on Saturday, Oct. 12, beginning at 8 a.m.
Hood: Deal Should Bring Mississippi Better Internet Service
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood says the state will settle its part of a lawsuit that opposed the merger of cellphone companies T-Mobile and Sprint.
Reeves Says Education Agenda Includes Teacher Pay Raises
Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves released his education proposals Wednesday, saying he has a four-year plan to increase Mississippi teacher salaries if he's elected governor.
Wednesday, October 9
LGBT Workers Ruling in High Court Could Renew Fight Against HB 1523
LGBT Mississippians could have more to lose or gain than most as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on whether or not employers have the right to fire people based on their sexuality and gender identity, because the Hospitality State holds the distinction for the most anti-LGBT law in the nation
Sameer Khan: Catalyst for Climate Change
Sameer Khan, a senior at St. Andrew's Episcopal School, led the Mississippi Youth Climate Strike Movement at the branch's first-ever youth rally.
Ole Miss Faculty Seek Info from Trustees on Leader's Hiring
University of Mississippi professors want trustees to explain how they ended up selecting Glenn Boyce as the university's new leader.
Mississippi City Rejects Mental Health Facility Despite Need
Officials in southwest Mississippi are denying a rezoning request for a mental health facility, despite complaints that the area is underserved.
Tuesday, October 8
Texts Reveal Volker's Role in Ukraine Talks, His BGR Role Still Unclear
The labyrinth of allegations swirling around Donald Trump administration's Ukraine dealings has only deepened since this newspaper's initial coverage of the Mississippi connections, direct and indirect, to the controversy last Thursday.
Racist Policing in Madison County Target of New Federal Consent Decree
The Madison County Sheriff’s Department engaged in unconstitutional, racially discriminatory policing practices that disproportionately targeted black residents, a Southern District of Mississippi judge ruled last week.
OPINION: Americans Must Avoid Apathy, Buck Norms, Make Bold Decisions
The American people must realize that it is our right and our duty to demand a seat at the political table of power. It is our duty to call for our political leaders to create initiatives and programs aimed at improving our communities.
Kristen Rhodes
Kristen Rhodes, a seventh grade student at Huey L. Porter Middle School in Canton, says she has loved math since her time at Community Pride Preschool, when she got her first glimpse at the subject and immediately wanted to know more advanced techniques and see how far she could go.
Two Candidates for Mississippi Governor Agree to Second Debate
Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood said Monday that he has accepted an invitation for Oct. 14 at WCBI-TV in Columbus. Republican Tate Reeves accepted the invitation last month.
Monday, October 7
Scandals Dog Tate Reeves, Donald Trump as They Endorse Each Other
Tate Reeves gladly accepted Donald Trump's endorsement in the race for Mississippi governor. Both men are at the center of separate allegations of scandal and misuse of taxpayer funds.
Trump's Syria Withdrawal Announcement Draws GOP Condemnation
President Donald Trump's sudden decision to pull back U.S. troops from northern Syria drew quick criticism Monday from some of his closest allies in Congress as well as Kurdish fighters who would essentially be abandoned to face a likely Turkish assault after fighting alongside American forces against the Islamic State.
Voter Registration Deadline is Monday in Mississippi
Mississippi residents who are not already registered to vote are facing a deadline to get their names on the rolls for this year's elections.
Second Whistleblower May Give House Democrats Fresh Information
House Democrats leading an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump's dealings with Ukraine may have fresh information to work with after a new whistleblower stepped forward with what the person's lawyer said was firsthand knowledge of key events.
Mississippi's Six-Week Abortion Ban at 5th Circuit Appeals Court Today
Mississippi's ban on abortions after a heartbeat becomes detectable could be revived if a three-judge panel in New Orleans decides to reverse a Jackson federal judge's earlier ruling that the law is unconstitutional.
Regions Canopy Donation, AARP Tax-Aide Volunteers and Bras Along the Bridge
The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit initiative of Alabama-based Regions Bank, donated $150,000 to Canopy Children's Solutions on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Canopy is a nonprofit that provides mental health, social and educational services to children in Mississippi.
Copiah County Native Honored as First Woman in U.S. to Serve as Federal Trial Judge
Burnita Shelton Matthews' brothers were lawyers, but her father wanted her to be a musician. There were no women lawyers or judges in Copiah County, or in Mississippi 100 years ago.
Friday, October 4
OPINION: I Bleed Maroon, and I Call Foul on Ole Miss Chancellor Boondoggle
Public institutions like Ole Miss, and the bodies that oversee them, are by the very nature of their existence obligated to the people of the state to be as transparent as possible in their actions—including the reasons for their decisions and why, in such cases, they can easily disregarded input from the people.
Protesters Shout Down New Ole Miss Chancellor Announcement in Oxford
Boyce was earlier hired by the university's private foundation to meet with influential individuals about the search. Boyce denied then he was seeking the job. He told The Associated Press, though, that he's motivated by a desire to serve a university that attracted him sight unseen to Mississippi decades ago from his native New York state.
DOSSIER: Two Faces of Mississippi Powerhouses; Meek Strikes Back
Power brokers like former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott can always find a sympathetic, or least non-questioning, ear back in the Magnolia State.
Donna Beard
"I was suffering in silence and then trying to find out who do I talk to, or who could I trust with what I've gone through. ... I was so broken, so hurt, so ashamed, and nobody was able to hear my cry. Nobody was able to be there."
Thursday, October 3
Jackson Unveils Water-Bill Payment Plan Required for Delinquent Residents
The City of Jackson unveiled a payment plan for residents with delinquent water bills Wednesday, part of its attempt to collect nearly $50 million in delinquent accounts.
Rep. Palazzo: Caged Kids Getting ‘Best Treatment of Their Lives,’ Despite Deaths
When 7-year-old Guatemalan child Jakelin Caal died of shock and dehydration while in Customs and Border Patrol custody on Dec. 8, 2018, she was the first child to die in U.S. immigration custody in a decade.
Felix Harper
With Johnson still injured and unable to play in Alcorn State's next game against Prairie View A&M University, Harper made his first career start, completing 25-of-37 passes for 280 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Wednesday, October 2
Mississippi Lobbyists, Associates in Thick of Trump’s Ukraine-Russia Web
A key figure in Trump's impeachment inquiry has an ongoing and paid association with lobbying firm BGR Group, started by former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, as well as a paid position as executive director of the McCain Institute for International Leadership in Arizona.
Best of Jackson: Legal 2019
The moments when you find yourself needing legal counsel can be the most strenuous ones in your life. The Jackson Free press aims to simplify the process of finding an attorney who can help you with whatever situation you may be facing. Through your votes, we have compiled a list of your favorite lawyers and law firms for our Best of Jackson Legal ballot.
Abstract Art with CDs
Wall art can be a great way to make your house feel more at home, but it can get expensive. Luckily, it's really easy to make your own with a few household item—in this case, CDs.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dehumanization Spreads Racism, Destroys Lives
Dehumanizing other human beings, as Trump does with about any person of color who dares criticize him, is ripping our country apart, just like it did during the Civil Rights Movement and back when the South fought the Civil War to continue its right to dehumanize and enslave human beings and to force new states to allow it.
The Thin Line Between LGBT and Racist Hate
Echoes of Mississippi's discriminatory history continue to make themselves heard, sometimes in the form of so-called "religious liberty" laws that give businesses and organization wide berth to invoke their religion to justify discriminating against LGBT people.
What Can the Hinds DA Do to Cure the System?
Incoming Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens vows a criminal-justice approach focused on public safety and, hopefully, more alternatives to prison.
Kody Gautier
"Armory Sessions" started when Kody Gautier and a friend found a spot and shot an acoustic music set, at which point the idea struck Gautier as the perfect ongoing project.
More Love Than Hate: Rappers’ Deaths Sobering, Yet Inspirational
Lil Lonnie was a young rapper on the cusp of major success when he was gunned down in Jackson in 2018. But his legacy is inspiring those coming after him.
‘Dusti Bongé, Art and Life:’ Remembering Mississippi’s First Abstract Expressionist
Through her life, Dusti Bonge became one of the most important female artists in 20th-century American art, creating paintings, poetry, writings and more that led to her becoming Mississippi's first abstract expressionist painter.
OPINION: Parenting in the Age of School Shootings
I picked my 8-year-old up from school on Tuesday afternoon to schlep her to her weekly dance lesson. In the car, I began the standard line of questioning: how was your day? Did anything interesting happen? "We had a lockdown drill today," she responded.
Artists to Watch 2019
The Jackson local music scene is constantly evolving, with new acts springing up each year and with veteran ones continuing to make waves. This overview covers a handful of music artists who are from and perform in the Jackson metro area.
Tuesday, October 1
Federal Judge Upholds Affirmative Action at Harvard
A federal judge Tuesday cleared Harvard University of discriminating against Asian American applicants in a ruling that was seen as a major victory for supporters of affirmative action in college admissions across the U.S.
Jackson Restricts Anti-Abortion Activists With New Buffer Zone, Noise Law
Anti-abortion protesters in Jackson will now have to voice their concerns standing at least 15 feet away from the Jackson Women's Health Organization in Fondren, and will no longer be able to engage in loud activities, such as shouting or using loud-speaker systems to get their message out.
City Councilman in Jackson Taking Medical Leave
Kenneth Stokes, the Jackson City Council's longest-serving member, is off the job, possibly for the rest of the year.
Jackson to Use $1.8 Million Federal Grant to Fight Lead Contamination
The City of Jackson is getting $1.8 million in federal funds to clean up lead-based paint and other home health hazards in the city.
Hunter Evans
Hunter Evans, who has worked as chef de cuisine at Lou’s Full-Serv in Jackson since 2015, plans to open his own restaurant, Elvie’s, by winter 2019.
Jury Convicts Ex-Police Officer Who Fatally Shot Neighbor
A white former Dallas police officer who said she fatally shot her unarmed, black neighbor after mistaking his apartment for her own was found guilty of murder on Tuesday.