News

‘One Lake’ Supporters Banking on Federal Bill

The "One Lake" flood-control/development project will move forward under a new U.S. president and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, members of the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District say.

Protecting Refugee Children

The Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program that Catholic Charities runs in the state is one of 19 programs nationally that resettle refugee minors in the U.S. The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement funnels funds to states with unaccompanied minor refugee programs.

Honoring Davis and Baker: MDE Lauds Top JPS Elementary Schools

For the 2015-2016 school year, Davis Magnet IB Elementary School in downtown Jackson had the highest reading proficiency of elementary schools in the state. The National Blue Ribbon School is the best elementary school in Mississippi, SchoolDigger.com reports.

New Restaurants Coming to Metrocenter, Baker Donelson LGBT Equality and TrustCare

Metrocenter Mall will soon be the home for a new Big Apple Inn, Stamps Superburger and several other local restaurants.

Jill Buckley

Stewpot Community Services named Rev. Jill Barnes Buckley, an associate pastor for community ministry with Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson, as the organization's new executive director on Nov. 30.

Airport Lawsuit On Hold Until October Trial or FAA Change

Who runs the airport is no longer in the hands of Mississippi Sen. Josh Harkins, R-Flowood, and Senate Bill 2162.

Mississippians Rally Against Hate, HB 1523: 'We Cannot Be Silent'

More than 200 Mississippians staged a "Rally Against Hate" Sunday, demonstrating against Gov. Phil Bryant's determination that a law allowing individuals, businesses and government workers to discriminate against LGBT citizens based on their religious beliefs must go into effect.

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.

Legislative FY18 Budget Plan: Agencies Prepare to Operate at 'Leanest Levels'

Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn, who chairs the Legislative Budget Committee, said on Thursday that state agencies should be prepared to operate "efficiently and with potentially [fewer] dollars" in the coming fiscal year.

Jackson Asks State to Pitch In for Capital

When the City Council passed its legislative agenda at its last regular meeting on Nov. 29, the members sent a message to the state legislature that emphasized the need for the state's investment in its capital city.

Robert Day

Robert Day, a local magician and balloon artist who was a regular entertainer at events such as Jubilee Jam, KidFest! Ridgeland and the Jackson Free Press' Best of Jackson parties, died of leukemia on Friday, Dec. 2. He was 58.

'Kicks for Kids' Rewards a Visit to the Doctor

For many kids, going to the doctor for an annual wellness check can be a pain. But for Children's Health Insurance Program-covered patients who haven't gotten their check-ups yet, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi is incentivizing the trip with its Kicks for Kids program.

Lumumba Responds to Fake Websites

The Jackson mayoral race begins at the end of December, but already there are shenanigans with the candidates' and potential candidates' websites.

Robert Wilbur Mack IV

Twenty-year-old Robert Wilbur Mack IV, also known as Jackson rapper MACKTOP, says he grew up on old-school hip-hop.

Task Force: Invest in Criminal Justice Reforms

Judges in Mississippi can assign non-violent offenders, usually those who commit petty crimes while under the influence of drugs or who are arrested for possession of illegal drugs. The two- to five-year program includes addiction treatment, counseling and intense supervision, and participants are subject to randomized drug tests regularly.

Youth Education Prevents the Spread of HIV/AIDS

Public-health officials are addressing HIV risk factors nationally and in many states, but Mississippi lags other states in the information it collects.

Dr. Freddrick Murray: In the Eye of the Hurricane

Until recently, Freddrick Murray was the chief academic officer of high schools in JPS. Now, with the departure of former superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray from the district, the school board appointed Murray as the interim superintendent.

Taste Bistro and Bonfire Grill Opens, Thimblepress Gets a New Location

Kristen Ley, owner of paper- and party-goods store Thimblepress, opened a new location called Thimbleshop by Thimblepress in Highland Village on Dec. 1 inside the former Earthwalk shoe store.

Boo Ferriss

Mississippi lost a sports legend on Nov. 24 when David Meadow "Boo" Ferriss died at the age of 94. Ferriss, who was born in Shaw, Miss., on Dec. 5, 1921, played professional baseball and returned to his home state, becoming a Hall of Fame coach for Delta State University.

Gov. Bryant Named Chairman of Education Commission of the States

The Education Commission of the States, a Colorado-based education policy research center, named Gov. Phil Bryant as chair-elect. Bryant will replace outgoing chairman Gov. Steve Bullock, the Democratic governor of Montana.

County Approves Westin Hotel Interlocal Agreement to Fix Sewerage Pipes

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors passed a preemptive agreement for renovations to the sewerage system in downtown Jackson.

JSU Students Raise Awareness About National Debt

A group of Jackson State University students is working to educate its peers about the nation's growing national debt and how it affects their financial futures in the U.S.

Patricia Bennett

Patricia Bennett, who has served as a criminal law professor at the Mississippi College School of Law for 27 years, became the college's interim dean on Dec. 1.

U.S. Rep. Harper Slams Election Recounts, Calls Pence His 'Bellcap' on Votes

U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper, who just learned that he will help oversee federal elections, says the Hillary Clinton and Jill Stein campaigns are using vote recounts to portray the presidential election results as less than legitimate.

Rod Paige: JSU Must Improve Image, DeVos a 'High-quality Person'

Dr. Rod Paige, the former U.S. secretary of education under President George W. Bush, believes Jackson State University can and must get past its recent financial controversies and have a bright future.

City of Jackson Christmas Parade Rescheduled to Dec. 10 Due to Inclement Weather

Due to forecasted inclement weather, the City of Jackson’s annual Christmas Parade has been rescheduled from Saturday, Dec. 3, to Dec. 10 at noon.

GOP Leaders: Invest in Early Education, Reading to Raise Graduation Rates

Tackling chronic absenteeism, providing early childhood education and improving third-grade reading would increase graduation rates in Mississippi, the Republican chairman of the Mississippi Senate Education Committee said last night.

Evan Engram

Tight end Evan Engram is one of the few holdovers from the University of Mississippi's stellar recruiting class of 2013. He chose to return to school while the Rebels' better-known stars, defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, all left for the NFL.

Jackson Water: Lime Problem Went Unnoticed for Years, Fixed Now

Lead appearing in Jackson’s water in 2015 resulted from a faulty lime-feed system at O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant, as well as shifting water chemistries, an expert consultant told the Jackson City Council Tuesday. That problem, he added, is now repaired.

JRA, City at Odds Over $1.5 Million Bill for Farish Street

Somebody has to pay back $1.5 million to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development since the Farish Street project stalled in 2014, but it is unclear whether the City of Jackson or the Jackson Redevelopment Authority must foot the bill.

Ellington