News

Mississippi Must Help Neediest Families Now, Advocates Demand

The neediest families families in Mississippi must have access to assistance when they need it, a group of community advocates, nonprofit organizations and lawmakers gathered at the Capitol Thursday argued.

Defecio Stoglin

For Defecio Stoglin, ghost hunting began as a way to get his mind off things. His first experience exploring the world of paranormal was in 2014 in Port Gibson with the Vicksburg-based group Lost History Paranormal.

Jackson School Board Off to Slow Start on Supe Search, Seeks Public Input

With Dr. Cedrick Gray leaving the top position early last November, Jackson Public Schools needs a new superintendent and invited public comment regarding the search at its Jan. 3 work session.

Man Charged with Murdering Teen Granted $50K Bond, Gag Order Possible

The man charged with killing 17-year-old Charles McDonald outside his business, Performance Oil, ini south Jackson is requesting bail after his Dec. 29 arrest for first-degree murder. A judge granted a $50,000 bond for Parish on Jan. 10.

No Apologies: Confederate State Flag Likely to Fly Over Bicentennial Bonanza

State leaders kicked off Mississippi's bicentennial celebration at the Capitol on Tuesday, announcing several events around Mississippi as well as grants for communities to apply for in order to host events in honor of the state's 200th year. The state is not, however, likely to change the Mississippi flag in time for the big birthday on Dec. 10, 2017.

Darius Slay

If the Lions are going to have any chance of pulling off the upset, the team will need all its stars on the field. On defense, that means cornerback Darius Slay must play like the star he has become in his fourth season in the league.

UPDATED: Judge Sets DA's New Trial for June 12 after Mistrial, Hood Slams Dishonesty of Juror

The jury in the State of Mississippi case against Hinds District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith only deliberated about three hours before the judge declared a mistrial at about 4 p.m. today.

The Most Intriguing of 2016

The last year was a crazy one, to say the least, but crazy often means that intriguing people came out of the woodwork. Here are some of the local people we found the most intriguing over the last year, for better or worse.

Mississippi Still Faces Merged Mental-health Lawsuits

Medicaid-eligible children are entitled to services under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Services (called EPSDT) provisions of the Medicaid Act.

No Dismissal, a Judge and an Inmate in Smith Trial

The exact extent to which a prosecutor can go to prove his claim that a prisoner is innocent is central to the State trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith.

‘Unborn Child Protection’ Law Prohibits Rare Procedure

Mississippi lawmakers' ban on Medicaid reimbursements for the state's only Planned Parenthood clinic stalled in federal court last year, but another anti-abortion bill did become state law last summer despite advocates warning of its shifty legal standing and legal challenges in surrounding states.

Meredith McGee

While Meredith McGee was growing up in Jackson, the second-generation writer says her family had a love for reading and the written arts.

Former Butler Prosecutor Says DA Smith Fired Her Over Case

Former Assistant District Attorney Gale Walker took the stand Tuesday afternoon to testify against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith, who is accused of trying to help an indicted man, Christopher Butler, stay out of jail. During the prosecution’s rebuttal stage, Walker told the jury of her time prosecuting Butler on drug charges, saying she believed she had a strong case against him until the DA removed her.

Sen. John Horhn

Mississippi Sen. John Horhn, who has served in the state Senate since 1993, has spent the past 25 years promoting blues music in Mississippi on top of his duties as a legislator.

Kendra Scott at Highland Village, Baker Donelson and Healthy Heroes

Last week, Highland Village announced the arrival of popular jewelry designer Kendra Scott to the shopping center, with the store's opening slated for summer 2017.

Man Indicted for 1st-degree Murder of Teen in September, Arrested Dec. 29

The Hinds County Sheriff’s Department arrested Wayne Mitchell Parish of Crystal Springs on Dec. 29 for the alleged murder of 17-year-old Charles McDonald in the parking lot of Performance Oil on McDowell Road on July 21, the teenager’s mother told the Jackson Free Press.

City Gives $105,000 Back to Arts Council; Homeless, Senior Funds Cut

After facing cuts, the Greater Jackson Arts Council grew by $105,000 after the Jackson City Council voted Tuesday, Dec. 27, to restore one of the cuts to the local Department of Human and Cultural Services, which administers the yearly municipal allocation to the arts organization.

Continental Tire Spends More Than $200,000 in Mississippi

Continental Tire spent $228,300 in November, a spending report from the German-based corporation shows. The tire plant, opening just off Interstate 20 in Hinds County outside Clinton, will eventually hire 2,500 employees once the plant has reached the projected size around 2020.

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.

Judge Weill Takes Stand in DA Trial, Followed by Political Gadfly

A sitting Hinds County Circuit Court Judge took the stand this morning in the trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith, despite his attorney's strenuous objections, testifying to his history with Smith.

Obama Appoints Jackson Airport CEO to National Council

President Barack Obama will appoint Carl Newman, the CEO of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.

Mississippi Made

Actor, writer and film producer Ben Matheny isn't shy about his pride for his Mississippi roots.

'Too Sweet,' Bribes and Smith Take Center Stage at DA Trial

The trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith continues today with testimony from Robert "Too Sweet" Henderson.

Sanderson Farms, IBM: HB 1523 Hurts Businesses, Economic Growth

Mississippi business leaders, corporations, lawyers and locals denounced House Bill 1523 in eight legal briefs filed just before Christmas, supporting plaintiffs that want the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to affirm the lower court's decision and deem the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act" unlawful.

Reginal Johnson

Alcorn State University's basketball team is set to enter SWAC play after posting a 3-8 record thus far in out-of-conference play. If the Braves are going to compete for the regular-season title, they will have to lean on their budding superstar, forward Reginal Johnson.

Making Ends Meet: Lawmakers Wrestle with Education, Infrastructure and Shrinking Revenue

Education funding dominated headlines throughout 2016, as lawmakers worked to level-fund and not cut the amount of funding that went to the Mississippi Adequate Education Program in previous budget years, despite cutting most other agency budgets.

DA Smith: Going Too Far to Help Butler?

The jury in the trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith has a lot to untangle, as the prosecution continues to present pieces of its case that the district attorney conspired to hinder the prosecution of Christopher Butler in order to aid in efforts to free him.

Beyond Blame: JPS Works to Avoid State Takeover of Local Schools

At the last Jackson Public Schools board meeting of the year, parents and community members crowded the board room in downtown Jackson, accidentally brushing knees together as they filled the seats. More people, smushed together in bulky coats, stood against the walls.

Anthony Robinson

Anthony Robinson, owner of Ant Rob Apparel, started his clothing business out of his Jackson home in 2002 out of a desire to help inspire people through positive messages, something he says he hadn't seen enough of in local apparel stores.

Day 5: DA's Attorney Takes Stand ... for Prosecution

Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith had the opportunity to ask his own attorney questions on the stand after the prosecution called Tupelo attorney Jim Waide as its latest witness during the fifth morning of testimony the Smith trial.

Ellington