News

‘Juror No. 4’ Causes AG v. DA Kerfuffle; Both Want Jury Back Now

The Mississippi attorney general’s office wants the jury from Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith’s trial back, this time to get to the bottom of why it ended in a mistrial.

Enough Teeth in the Campaign-finance Bill?

Lawmakers would no longer be able to use campaign finances to pay for personal cars, new suits, health clubs or slush funds once they leave office if House Speaker Philip Gunn's House Bill 479 survives the Senate and becomes law.

More Budget Cuts Hitting State Services

The "efficiencies" buzzword rang across the Mississippi Capitol last summer as lawmakers met the people who provide services from maintaining the state's roads to administering the state's federal child-care funds to look for extra dollars to help stabilize the State of Mississippi's budget and supplement its slowing revenue growth.

UPDATED: DA Smith Puts Ben Allen on Trial Jan. 30, DJP Suing 'Whistleblower' Claiming Forged Checks

The trial of Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen, who faces 10 counts, including embezzling a 1989 Chevy truck and tens of thousands of dollars from the business improvement district, is set to begin Jan. 30.

The District Attorney's Mistrial: What Just Happened? A Day-by-Day Primer

The Mississippi attorney general's prosecution of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for conspiracy to hinder prosecution in order to aid or assist a defendant ended in a mistrial on Jan. 4, 2017, in Special Judge Larry Roberts' courtroom.

Bilal Qizilbash

Two years ago, Bilal Qizilbash organized R U Hungry, a group that brings dinner to feed those in need at Smith Park every Friday with food from local restaurants such as Aladdin Mediterranean Grill.

EdBuild: Mississippi Should 'Divorce' Education Policy from Spending

After a few quick months of touring around Mississippi, speaking with lawmakers, administrators, teachers and students, EdBuild released its 80-page recommendations report to Mississippi lawmakers, suggesting the state move to a weighted, student-centered school-funding formula.

J. Moffett Walker

Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, which honor published authors in fiction and nonfiction literature, recently gave Clinton, Miss., author J. Moffett Walker Honorable Mention for the Recognition of Excellence award for her book, "Blueprints of Sir Michael," a biography on Michael Jackson.

Governor Picks Legislators to Represent #msleg at Inauguration

Gov. Phil Bryant selected Sen. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, and Rep. Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, to represent the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives at President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday in Washington, D.C.

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 Celebrates 'National Day of Racial Healing' on Tuesday, Jan. 17

Participate in Mississippi events and activities related to Dr. King's birthday, the National Day of Healing and responses to the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Carlos Moore to Sue on Behalf of Teen Killed Outside Performance Oil

Carlos Moore, a Grenada, Miss., attorney known for trying to sue the State of Mississippi over the Confederate canton in the state flag, said on Facebook today that he will represent the family of 17-year-old Charles McDonald who was shot multiple times outside a south Jackson business last summer.

AG Hood: State Must Fund Mental Health Care, Not Ignore Lawsuit

Attorney General Jim Hood is calling on the Legislature to increase funding for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health as a part of his legislative priorities this session.

Lady Cajun

Desirae Thomas, known to fans as Jackson hip-hop artist Lady Cajun, says she felt drawn in two directions when launching her career: pop music and hip-hop.

Mrs. Haynes: Nagging The Mayor Works

Ruth Haynes said that when she gets home from the senior-citizen center, she immediately begins planning out what she is going to wear the next day, preparing so that she doesn't miss her ride in the morning.

UPDATED: New Jackson Infrastructure Bill; Virgi Lindsay to Run for Ward 7 Seat

During a small informal community meeting this morning, Mississippi Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, explained a proposed bill to send an additional $24 million in tax revenue back to Jackson's crumbling infrastructure, administered through the Mississippi Department of Administration and Finance.

Chris Jones

Over in the AFC, one of Prescott's former teammates had a solid rookie season for the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive tackle Chris Jones left MSU after his junior season, and the Chiefs drafted him with the 37th overall pick in the second round.

UPDATED: JPS Audit Will Take Time; Board Votes for National Supe Search

The way out of an investigative audit and into compliance for Jackson Public Schools will not be easy—or quick.

Broadening the Tent: Lumumba Vows to Gain, Give Respect as Mayor

Chokwe Antar Lumumba says that addressing crime in a comprehensive way means getting to the core systemic issues that lead to many of Jackson's problems, including poverty and a lack of economic opportunity.

Mistrial for Smith, But Bribery Question Lingers

The trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for conspiracy to hinder prosecution by aiding or assisting a defendant ended last week with a mistrial after a simple note sent two-and-a-half weeks of legal wrangling spiraling.

Politics Cripple Superintendents Group

The Mississippi Association of School Superintendents is running out of funding, largely due to a last-minute change a few lawmakers made last session to the State's education budget bill, cutting off all funding to the group.

Suzanne Hatch

As one of the only bookstores in Rankin County, Bay Window Books in Brandon has a big responsibility, and one that owner Suzanne Hatch says she takes seriously.

Infrastructure: Can the State Afford to Wait on Trump?

Some Mississippi Republican leaders invoked President-elect Donald Trump's expensive infrastructure plan last week when discussing Mississippi's crumbling roads and bridges, seeming to believe it will solve the state's urgent issues with roads and bridges.

Ellington