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.
Mississippi Flag Foes Want Court Arguments on Rebel Symbol
Some Mississippi residents are asking a federal court of appeals to fully consider their arguments that the state flag with the Confederate battle emblem represents white supremacy and sends a message that black people are not welcome.
JPD to 'Saturate' Streets Following Two Armed Business Robberies
Following two armed business robberies in the City of Jackson on Aug. 13, Interim Police Chief James Davis announced that members of the Jackson Police Department and the Jackson-Hinds S.W.A.T. Team would "saturate the city" to bring those individuals to justice through a Violent Crime Task Force.
Scianna Challenge at USM, UM Medgar Evers Scholarship and Millsaps Arts & Lecture Series
Kenny and Vicki Scianna, Madison residents who attended the University of Southern Mississippi, recently established an endowment for the university's Children's Center for Communication and Development.
Rock Eupora
Clayton Waller says he knew that he wanted to be in the music industry but was on the fence as to whether that would be on the artist side or the business side.
Trump Nixes $92M Military Parade, Blames DC for High Cost
President Donald Trump said Friday he had canceled plans for a Veterans Day military parade, citing the "ridiculously high" price tag—a day after U.S. officials said the November event could cost $92 million, more than three times the price first suggested by the White House.
OPINION: Jacksonians Should Reject EJECT
it is clear that Hurst’s strategy to combat violence and criminality in the capital city is misguided, flawed and is a failed strategy on arrival. Jacksonians need to reject EJECT.
City Enters Interlocal Agreement With Hinds County for Street Repairs
At a press conference in July, the mayor defended himself and his administration against claims that he had a stack of interlocal agreements on his desk he had been refusing to sign.
EDITORIAL: Free Press Is Not Here to Comfort the Powerful; We're Here for Truth
The Jackson Free Press, and its editors and journalists, have come under fire many times since we launched 16 years ago in Mississippi's capital city.
Frances "Franny" Fortner: Reaching a Higher Truth
Eighteen-year-old Frances "Franny" Fortner, a Jackson Academy senior who passed away in May after her car hit an unsecured manhole cover, often wore a necklace that said "higher truth."
Lyle Lovett
Singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett has been a constant presence in the international music scene since his second single, "Cowboy Man," made its way into the top 10 on the country charts in 1986.
AP Newsbreak: 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin Dies at 76
Aretha Franklin, the undisputed "Queen of Soul" who sang with matchless style on such classics as "Think," ''I Say a Little Prayer" and her signature song, "Respect," and stood as a cultural icon around the globe, has died at age 76 from pancreatic cancer.
'Mississippi's Exiled Daughter' Recalls Civil Rights Push
Brenda Travis was a high school student when she was arrested and expelled for participating in a sit-in in 1961— a punishment that led to the Burglund High School walkout in protest and essentially ushered in the civil rights movement in south Mississippi's Pike County.
Signs of Danger for GOP in Polls of Mississippi's U.S. Senate Race
The race in Mississippi for the seat that U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran vacated in April is functionally tied between Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy, a leaked GOP poll from Hyde-Smith's campaign found.
Developer Secures More Farish Properties; Area Blight Worries Council
After over an hour of deliberation, the Jackson City Council voted to hand over seven of eight parcels Oxford-based developer Clarence Chapman after years of hold-up.
Josh Abrams
Josh Abrams, a former Jackson resident who has been living in California since 2008, is returning to Jackson for the premiere of his animated movie, "Josh's Journal."
Interstate 55 Expansion Wrapping Up Soon South of Jackson
The state Department of Transportation says all six lanes of Interstate 55 are opening Wednesday between south Jackson to the southern suburb of Byram.
Metrocenter Mall Closing
16 WAPT News reported today that Metrocenter Mall owner and chief investor Paul Oliver announced the mall will close Wednesday, Aug. 15.
Lumumba 'Eager' for New Zoo Management Company to Take Over
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba hinted that the Jackson Zoological Society's time as the managing entity of the Jackson Zoo could be coming to a close.
Mississippi Court Says Suit Against Google Can Continue
Mississippi's Supreme Court says a state lawsuit against Google alleging violations of student privacy should stay in a northeast Mississippi court.