A Legal Battle for Same-Sex Parental Rights
Christina and Kimberly could not get married in Mississippi in 2009. Same-sex marriage was illegal at the time and would be legal until 2015, so the couple went to Massachusetts to get married. They adopted their first son in 2007 before they were married, but after their marriage in 2009, they wanted to have a child of their own.
UPDATED: The Fallout of the Ayers Settlement
Three of Mississippi's historically black colleges and universities—Alcorn State, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State—had a lot to gain back in 1975 when Jake Ayers filed a lawsuit against the state in order to improve academic programs and facilities at the state's three public HBCUs.
Silent Protesters Will Greet Trump at Opening of Mississippi Museums
The Mississippi chapter of the NAACP and a Hinds County Democratic committee are calling for Trump's surprise plans to visit to Jackson this weekend to be cancelled.
Center for Art & Public Exchange, Holiday Tamales and Mississippi Trade Mart
The Mississippi Museum of Art launched a new initiative called the Center for Art & Public Exchange on Thursday, Nov. 30.
Teresa Haygood
The Mississippi Arts Commission chose mosaic artist Teresa Haygood to represent the state in the National Christmas Tree Lighting display.
UPDATED: Trump May Be in Jackson for Civil Rights, History Museums' Opening
This weekend, the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum will open their doors—and President Donald Trump might make an appearance.
Kneel-In Movements Tried to De-segregate Jackson Churches in 1960s
This day and age, it is almost impossible to talk about kneeling without thinking about Colin Kaepernick and his NFL protests during which he and now other football players have taken a knee during the national anthem to bring awareness to racial injustices in America.
JPS Better Together Commission Will Secure Contractor This Month
The Better Together Commission will issue a request for proposal today in its search for an independent contractor to study Jackson Public Schools for about 10 months in 2018.
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.
Non-Partisan Group: Fly Stennis Flag Instead of Official State Version
A new grassroots group of Mississippians is advocating for replacing the controversial Mississippi flag for urging residents to fly a different one themselves.
"For My People" Anniversary and LEAD Awards at JSU, New Chairwoman of Pediatrics and Children's Tower at UMMC
On Friday, Dec. 1, the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University will host an event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publication of Margaret Walker's first book of poetry, "For My People," at 1 p.m. in JSU's Student Center Theater.
First People's Assembly Kicks Off with High Energy, Without Mayor
Jackson's mayoral visioning committee hosted its first people's assembly at the Smith Robertson Museum on Tuesday.
Revamped JPS School Board Gets to Work
If Tuesday night was any indication of how the new Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees will operate, Jacksonians are in good hands.
Joe Moorhead
Mississippi State University Athletic Director John Cohen wasted no time in finding a replacement after Dan Mullen left to become the University of Florida head coach. Cohen tapped Pennsylvania State University offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead to be the next Bulldogs' head coach.
Young Perps: The Costs of Sensationalizing Youth Crime
Jackson Police Department spokesman Sgt. Roderick Holmes Holmes told the Jackson Free Press that the police department's protocol for sending out mugshots to media depends on several factors, including public and media demands. But, it can also hinge on "what's going on at the time," he said.
Exploding the Myth of the ‘Welfare Queen’
High poverty means that Mississippi gets a lot of federal assistance—but the "Becoming Visible" report shows that those in poverty often do not use the programs intended to help them due to the melee of restrictions people encounter to even sign up for programs.
Shaky City Communication, A New Ice Rink, Spanking
It was mostly business as usual at the last Jackson City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 21, just before the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Pros and Cons of a State Lottery
On a map of states that have no lottery, the hold-outs stand strong in pairs: Alaska and Hawaii, Nevada and Utah, and Mississippi and Alabama.The Pros and Cons of a State Lottery
LoDoner “L.D.” Hollis
Daytime kitchen manager LoDoner Hollis has been serving up southern favorites at Walker's Drive-In in Fondren since the restaurant opened its doors in 1999. Hollis, also known as "L.D.," says that co-workers call her "master of the plate lunch."
Run-Off Elections Today Will Decide Hinds County Attorney, #MSLEG Seats
Hinds County voters will choose a new county attorney today at the polls. After the three-way election earlier this month, Gerald Mumford and Malcolm Harrison face off today in the county attorney election.
MCM Meridian, Myles' Taco Shop and Travel Addict Vegan Foodie Tour
The Mississippi Children's Museum announced plans to construct a satellite location in Meridian on Nov. 7 at the Mississippi State University Riley Center.
Dyshante Bennett
Lifelong Jackson resident Dyshante Bennett is among three Murrah High School seniors who recently became 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists.
State Corrections Agency Replacing Military Strategy to Stop Repeat Offenders
Since learning that its traditional, military-style crime-fighting strategy actually increased repeat offenses, the Mississippi Department of Corrections plans to expand a recidivism-reduction program that focuses on cognitive behavioral change, called Thinking for a Change.
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.
USM Students Receive Lessac Kinesensic Training, Welty Statue at Millsaps and Professor Attending Leadership Summit
Millsaps College dedicated a new statue of Mississippi native author Eudora Welty on Monday, Nov. 13.
At Last Hour, Two School Board Members Approved for New JPS Panel
The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees is now just one member shy from full for the first time in months, but some council members are concerned that the nominations came too late for adequate consideration.
J.C. Villegas
J.C. Villegas was moving from Mississippi to Texas when she began writing her debut novel, which came to her in a dream—one that she tried to ignore.
‘Crank It Up’: Taking Action Against Blight
Unsightly at best, a former drug house at its worst, a single-story, boarded up bungalow house sat across from Lake Elementary School in west Jackson.
Fondren Pregnancy Center Denied Sign Request
The Center for Pregnancy Choices takes up the basement of the Kolb's Cleaners building in Fondren, with a waiting room, two counseling rooms, a back office and one medical room.
Changing the Culture of Suspension
Juan Cloy remembers being suspended when he was at Provine High School in the 1980s. He and several friends got in a fight with some kids from the neighborhood at school. Everyone involved got suspended.
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