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.
John McCain's Evolution on Confederate Flag, Family’s Slavery Legacy
Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCain, who died Saturday, Aug. 25, of brain cancer at age 81, once apologized for lying to voters about his position on the Confederate flag. He also learned that he had, in fact, descended from slave owners in Mississippi.
More Transparent Lottery Bill Passes Mississippi House, Session Resumes Monday
Two days into a special legislative session, the Mississippi House of Representatives voted 70-43 on Friday to pass a state lottery bill that included significant changes to the version the Senate passed Thursday.
Protesters Interrupt Piper Kerman's Talk on Incarceration, Education
Piper Kerman spent several hours in the Old Capitol Inn Thursday first talking her life and her bestselling memoir about her year in a federal women's prison, "Orange is the New Black."
'Suit Up Event' at USM, 'Famous Types' at MSU and Jackson Heart Study at Tougaloo
The University of Southern Mississippi's Office of Career Services is partnering with clothing retailer JCPenney to offer USM students discounts on professional-business and business-casual attire during the "Suit Up Event" on Sunday, Sept. 23, at Turtle Creek Mall in Hattiesburg from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Lottery Bill Passes Mississippi Senate with Public-Records Exemption
Mississippi senators passed a bill that would establish a state lottery at a special session of the Legislature Thursday evening.
McDaniel Rages Against the GOP After Trump Endorses Hyde-Smith
JACKSON — Republican Mississippi State Sen. Chris McDaniel raged at his own party on Thursday after President Donald Trump endorsed his opponent, incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, in the special election for her U.S. Senate seat.
In Session, Gov. Bryant Pushes Mississippi Lottery to Pay for Infrastructure
Mississippi lawmakers have debated whether or not to establish a state lottery for decades, but Gov. Phil Bryant called it a necessary move to fix Mississippi’s crumbling roads and bridges.
Improved LGBT Health Access in the South Goal of New Survey
The Campaign for Southern Equality launched a survey on Wednesday, Aug. 22, that aims to help improve health-care access for LGBT southerners.
A.J. Brown
University of Mississippi wide receiver A.J. Brown is getting love from nearly everywhere this offseason. It should be expected after he put up one of the best single-season receiver performances in school history last year.
Karl Rove Helps Sen. Wicker Raise $5,000 Per Couple at Private Jackson Dinner
Karl Rove, the political strategist and senior adviser to President George W. Bush, helped raise campaign funds for Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker at the home of Cissye and Billy Mounger in north Jackson on Aug. 18.
JPS Board of Trustees Announce Selection of New Superintendent
The Jackson Public School Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Dr. Errick Greene to the position of Superintendent of Schools on Tuesday, August 21.
Vetting the ‘One Lake’ Project
The Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District, often called the Levee Board, is supporting the "One Lake" plan, the latest version of a years-long strategy to create a lake development along the Pearl River through Jackson.
Reuben Antvelink
Reuben Antvelink's love of community and bringing people together that led him to work as a youth director at First Presbyterian Church of Madison and the tour manager at Lucky Town Brewing Company in Jackson.
Johnnie McDaniels: ‘I Pray, I Plant, and I Plow’
Johnnie McDaniels and his sons spent three days taping 1,411 bumper stickers all across his pickup truck. They have not yet thought about how they will get them off in November, because he is too busy campaigning to become Hinds County's new youth-court judge.
Busting Chris McDaniel’s Confederate Myths
Mississippi State Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, spent the early months of his 2014 Republican primary bid for U.S. Senate downplaying his ties to neo-Confederate groups.
From My Hand to Your Kitchen, Kimmiesweett and Merit Health Madison
Jackson chef Nick Wallace announced on Wednesday, Aug. 8, a new service from his business, Nick Wallace Culinary, called "From My Hand to Your Kitchen."
Sen. Chris McDaniel Blasts 'Snowflake Stalkers' After Lee Poll Backfires
Mississippi State Sen. Chris McDaniel derided critics as "snowflake stalkers" Sunday after his tweet about Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and a follow-up poll went awry.
Charles McClelland
On Aug. 13, 2018, the SWAC Council of Presidents announced that it had selected the conference's new leader, Charles McClelland. The Jackson, Miss., native and Callaway High School graduate is now the sixth commissioner in conference history.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
Developer Seeks More Farish Street Properties Pending Council Vote
Farish Street, the once vibrant African American neighborhood in Jackson, has since become a barrage of empty lots, fallen-in homes and abandoned storefronts, with a few active businesses mixed in.
Blogs
- Boil Water Lifted for Most Jackson ZIPs
- City Responds to Hinds County Emergency Declaration
- ZDD Giveaways and Festival on Mar 25, but No Parade
- Casino-Mogul Trump Going Against the Odds With 'Muslim Ban'
- Millsaps Issues Statement on Trump's Immigration Order
- Court Denies Attempts to Dismiss Election Complaint for "Straw Contest"
- Roll-Off Dumpster Day on February 4
- City: Court Rules Rankin Can Build Own Wastewater Treatment Plant
- LaDarion Ammons Announces Run for Ward 7 Council Seat
- Tornado Warning for Central Hinds, NE Rankin, Madison Counties
Video
- Gov. Reeves Answers Nick Judin's Questions
- Chris McDaniel on Morning Joe
- Word on the street: What would you like to see come to Jackson?
- Trump Rally
- Trump Rally
- More Trump Rally Footage
- Trump Rally
- Kameron Palmer On Saving Our Sons
- Joel D. Swan On Saving Our Sons
- Attorney Martin Perkins Speaks for Inmates