A History of Breastfeeding
In 2013, Mississippi ranked dead last in babies who were ever breast-fed, with just 50.5 percent, the Centers for Disease Control reports.
Mississippi’s Breastfeeding Warriors: Pumps, Practical Advice and Tips at the Ready
While no single organization is devoted to promoting breastfeeding in Mississippi, several people have devoted themselves to the cause.
Why Few Mississippi Mothers Nurse Their Babies
As she stared through the nursery window at her four-day-old twins, 22-year-old Francesca Maxwell ticked off her reasons for wanting to breast-feed: Her obstetrician advised it. Her mother thought it a good idea. Even the babies’ father was all for it. Plus, she had recently read a brochure about the benefits of breast-feeding and one fact had stuck with her. “I was like, wow, they do have smarter babies with breast milk,” says Maxwell, who goes by Frankie. “That caught my attention—about the smarter babies.”
Super Mississippi Ties
Mississippi will enjoy plenty of representation in Super Bowl XLIX this Sunday. Several players on the roster played high school or college football in our state.
The Slate
For those who might wonder, there were no deflated balls or obscene gestures in the making of this week's Slate. Now for Super Bowl Sunday, there could be one or both.
Be a Guest at Your Brunch
Let's face it, waking up and having to entertain after a long night of festivities can be draining. To simplify brunch, I came up with five suggestions that always help me make an amazing and memorable time for my guests.
A Union Presence
Even the unofficial presence of a union and its supporters help workers long before an election is held and can force a company to act right.
Dads Are Great, But Don’t Ignore Moms
Most problematic—and indeed dangerous—is the underlying implication that the mere presence of adult testosterone is some kind of magic wand that can solve all problems.
On Life and Crime in South Jackson
I don't like the term "black-on-black crime." Crime is crime, and it happens in all communities, some more than others. The difference is in how we organize as a community to deal with it.
The Art of Happiness
Whenever the Mississippi Museum of Art is open during January and February, you might find as many as 25 people of all ages playing with photo prints, scissors, glue, stamps and stencils in one of the facility's classrooms.
The Molly Ringwalds: All ‘80s, All the Time
It's strange to call a cover band "original," but the Molly Ringwalds' creative collision of 1980s music and culture—along with the band members' wild personas and stage presence—make for a rare throwback experience.
Target: Abortion Rights, Public Ed, LGBT Custody
Women's rights and public education topped the Mississippi legislative agenda as it rolled past the Jan. 19 deadline for filing bills and into the fourth week of the session, while a move by a Democratic lawmaker to limit LGBT custody of children roiled many members of his own party.
Ain’t Grand Juries Grand? Not Always.
Every person who is acquitted by a jury was indicted by a grand jury. Let that sink in, Dennis Sweet III, a prominent Jackson attorney, told an audience recently when talking about the effectiveness of the grand-jury process in Mississippi.
Straight, LGBT Teens Fight to Support Each Other
Presley McCord, who is a board member of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Brandon High School, said she hopes the group helps to make a difference and improve the high school experience for LGBT students.
Battlefield Park Fights for Its Reputation
Willa Womack, the Battlefield Park president, told the Jackson Free Press that she believes it's unfair that their neighborhood is painted negatively when violence occurs anywhere in west Jackson, particularly given that Battlefield Field park residents are particularly active in crime prevention.
Every Single Life Matters
We're living through one of those difficult times in Jackson when fear and distrust of "the other" reach a fevered pitch due to a high-profile crime.
Tray Hairston
Attorney Tray Hairston, 35, bubbles with enthusiasm and positivity about Jackson and its residents.
Next Steps for Ward 3, Stokes and Hinds Board
As far as Jackson elections go, it's unusual for one candidate to walk away with a landslide victory in an eight-way race.
Special Ed Bills Duke It Out
Two bills aimed at improving the educational experience for students with special needs—from opposite ends of the political spectrum—are making the rounds this Legislative session.
Najee Dorsey
Artist Najee Dorsey uses collage to tell his story of growing up in the South and especially in Arkansas' Mississippi County.