Rains Bring Flood Control Front of Mind; 'One Lake' Promised as Solution
The reality and unpredictability of the mighty Pearl waters bring the issue of long-delayed and debated flood control back front of mind in the metro, as the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District, commonly call the Levee Board, prepares to unveil specifics of its "One Lake" plan to dredge and widen parts of the Pearl.
The 2017 Legislature’s Lasting Effects on Mississippians
The raucous legislative session ended a few days early on March 29 with several successful bills headed to Gov. Phil Bryant for signature, but without budgets in place for the state's transportation needs or to fund the attorney general's office.
Wade Acuff
Growing up in Avon, Miss., Wade Acuff loved to draw. During his high-school years while determining what career path he would take, he did not shy away from his creative roots. Instead, he decided that he would make a career out of his passion.
Charter School Funding Case Before Hinds County Judge
A group of parents with children in Jackson Public Schools challenged Mississippi's funding mechanism in the state's charter-school law in summer 2016, and this morning Hinds County Chancery Court Judge Dewayne Thomas heard oral arguments from several attorneys in the case.
Latrice Rogers
The Mississippi Small Business Association named Latrice Rogers, a Brandon resident and owner of Goddess Lengths Virgin Hair Bar, as the recipient of the 2017 SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award last week.
Jackson State University and Mississippi Children's Museum
Today, the Mississippi Children's Museum announced the naming of the Gertrude C. Ford Literacy Garden, a 13,000-square-foot outdoor gallery that first opened in the summer of 2014.
National Weather Service Issues Pearl River Flood Warning
As it pertains to flood history, this crest compares to a previous crest of 31.6 feet on February 6, 2016. At 32.0 feet, impact may cause water to affect businesses on South President and South Farish Streets as well as flooding on Sidney Street.
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.
Gov. Bryant Proclaims 2017 'Confederate Heritage Month' at Last Minute
This year, Gov. Phil Bryant waited until the last hour to sign the 2017 proclamation declaring April 2017 as "Confederate Heritage Month." He signed it March 31.
'Operation Zero Tolerance' Nets Staggering Amount of Contraband in Prison
Pelicia Hall, the recently confirmed commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, is cracking down on contraband in public and private prisons in the state.
Legislature Passes Cap Complex Bill, Funds Will Kick in by 2018
The Legislature passed the much-debated and anticipated Capitol Complex bill on the last day of their 2017 session, Wednesday, March 29. Both the House and the Senate passed the bill, which has changed substantially since its initial introduction, by wide-margin votes.
UPDATED: Gov. Bryant Joins States Supporting Trump's Travel Ban
Twelve states filed a brief in support of President Donald Trump's executive order titled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States," which is his second attempt to ban immigration and travel from six majority-Muslim countries. Gov. Phil Bryant added his name to the brief, which was filed this week in the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Clint Dempsey
For many people, 2016 was a bad year, and the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team was no exception. The team had low points, such as its 0-2 loss to Guatemala last March, but the lowest point was still looming.
Digital JXN
Jackson and Mississippi are synonymous with blues music and comeback sauce and authors such as Eudora Welty and Richard Wright. But sometime soon, Jackson could be known for its technology scene.
Life in Code: Nader Dabit
The Jackson Free Press recently talked to Nader Dabit on the phone about his experience in coding, the importance of data in education, and the coding scene in Mississippi and Jackson.
Creating a Sandbox
On March 31 and April 1, both Fondren and Mantle. will be bustling with more activity as Mantle. gears up for its first annual Sandbox Live, which is an event that will combine technology, film and music into one platform.
A Bi-Partisan Mutiny Over Roads and Bridges
Lightning flashed outside as storms gathered inside the Mississippi Capitol late the night of Monday, March 27, a pivotal deadline day for budget legislation.
Ahem, City Candidates
Sixteen people may be running for mayor, but as of press time, only two of them had met the Jan. 31, 2017, annual reporting deadline—nearly two months later.
UPDATED: Capitol Complex Bill with Funds for Jackson Passes, Heads to Governor
The year 2017 may be the charm for Jackson, at least when it comes to getting upward of $20 million a year from the State of Mississippi to help repair crumbling infrastructure around where lawmakers and most state workers drive, meet, dine and debate for four months a year, give or take a special session or two.
MAEP, Mental Health Among #MSLeg Cuts
Public schools should prepare for more budget cuts, as the Mississippi Adequate Education Program took a hit in the budget lawmakers passed late Monday, March 27.
Sarah MacInnis
Sarah MacInnis is a dual-threat artist as a graphic designer and guitarist. While she was growing up, the Madison native's parents encouraged her creative exploits.
Midnight Meltdown Over Roads, Bridges: Three Budgets Die after House-Senate Showdown
Lawmakers staged a showdown in the Capitol last night over money for roads and bridges, as the Mississippi Senate and the House of Representatives stayed in session until midnight on budget deadline day.
Hari Kunzru
To those who aren't familiar with his critically acclaimed past works, such as 2011's "Gods Without Men," Hari Kunzru is known for his lively writing style and his ability to bring seemingly disjointed elements together to poignant ends.
Underground 119, EmployAbility Job Fair, The Source, Mama Nature's, Co.Starters and Dinos
Underground 119, which closed for renovations in August 2015, will reopen Saturday, April 1.
JFP Staffers Receive First Place Honors in 2016 Associated Press Regional Awards
The Jackson Free Press staff won two first place awards from the Louisiana-Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters and Media Editors; the winners were announced at a banquet this weekend held in downtown Jackson at the King Edward hotel.
Legislature Scorches State Services After Governor Cuts Budget Four Times
If the U.S. Civil War is a metaphor for Mississippi's supermajority's approach to state services, Gov. Phil Bryant and the Mississippi Legislature are leading a Sherman-esque march to the sea with deep cuts of the state's budget, including to agencies providing vital services.
Legislature Cutting Millions of Dollars from Human Services, Mental Health and Rehab Services
The Mississippi Legislature is cutting millions of dollars from state health-care services, and Democrats are not happy about it, especially with lawsuits looming.
Jo Ann Gordon
The Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its current location on Old Canton Road and is now preparing for its 50th annual Beth Israel Bazaar on Wednesday, March 29.
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.
Gov. Bryant Signs 'Back the Badge,' Increased Penalties Bills
Surrounded by law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and first responders, Gov. Phil Bryant signed the "Back the Badge Act," which adds law-enforcement officials, firefighters and emergency personnel as protected classes under Mississippi's hate-crime laws.
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