News

City Council Approves $2 Million for Multi-Use Trail, Questions Data Scientist on Deliverables

"While we've been doing walking trails in various parts of the city, we wanted to connect west Jackson, make sure that there were no parts of our city that were left out, and this Little J actually helps contribute towards that connection with the other walking trails," Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba explained at the city council meeting.

SEC New Event Cancellation Policy

College football returns with a full slate of games this Saturday in what is considered week one of the season. Last Saturday, a handful of games were played on what is called week zero on the schedule.

MEMA Offers Assistance To Storm Victims

As now Tropical Storm Ida travels northwest across the Appalachian Mountains, Mississippians are left taking stock of the damage the once-Category 4 Hurricane Ida incurred, and beginning repairs.

Best of Jackson: Legal Services 2021

When circumstances lead you to require legal assistance, the Jackson Free Press does its part to make the road to your goals a little easier to navigate through our Best of Jackson: Legal pop-up ballot.

Lost in a Broken System: Why Detainees Spend Years in Hinds Jails Without Trial

Fifty-eight people in Hinds County Detention Centers by July 2, 2021, had spent more than two years there, documents the Jackson Free Press obtained show.

Even in Backup Role, Federal Government Supports Ida Victims

The Biden administration has pledged an all-of-government response to Ida, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and coordinated by White House senior adviser Cedric Richmond, a former Louisiana congressman and close ally of President Joe Biden.

Tax Relief, But For Whom?

Speaker Gunn Wants Reform That Benefits Wealthiest, Costs Others More

Just as the realities of a fourth wave of COVID-19 sunk into the state, and just miles from a field hospital set up in the garage of the Mississippi hospital most likely to serve low-income patients, Mississippi legislators held a hearing on eliminating the state income tax.

Stephen Stuart

When it came to Stephen Stuart’s dream of medical school, the third time was the charm. “It was always the goal,” Stuart says of his recent acceptance to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Hurricane Ida, Now Tropical Storm, Knocks Out Power For 124,000 Mississippians

Tropical Storm Ida has lost much of its initial power after landfall, but it continues to scale Mississippi, bringing harsh winds and heavy rainfall to areas along the coast and southwestern portion of the state.

Group Plans Black Business Expo in Jackson and Gulfport in 2022

The Mississippi Black Business Pages will host two events in Jackson and Gulfport next year, bringing together Black-owned businesses at those locations.

Bernice Rivers

Madison County native Bernice Rivers became inspired to take up crafting and selling her own handmade jewelry out of her Camden home after a visit to Village Beads in Ridgeland in July.

Pop-Up Gen Con at Van's CCG, Bricks in the Wall at Duling Hall and 2021 Mississippi Black Pages

Ridgeland comic, card and game store Van's CCG is hosting a Pop-Up Gen Con 2021 event on Saturday, Sept. 18. Gen Con is an annual tabletop game convention that features traditional pen-and-paper, board, and card games.

Hurricane Ida Leaves 100,000 Without Power As Now-Tropical Storm Hits Mississippi

Almost 113,000 Mississippians were without power Monday morning as Hurricane Ida wound its way through the state, after causing at least one death in Baton Rouge, La., and sowing damage throughout that state.

Hurricane Ida Lashes Louisiana, Knocks Out New Orleans Power

Hurricane Ida blasted ashore Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., knocking out power to all of New Orleans and reversing the flow of the Mississippi River.

Weekend Picks 8-27-2021

The weekend is here again, and there are lots of fun things going on in the Jackson metro area! Whether your idea of fun is listening to live music, shopping for a bargain, or getting in touch with nature, we’ve got something for you.

Hinds County Reentry Program Starts Collecting Applications Sept. 1

Hinds County will take applications from intending participants of its reentry program on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at the Jackson Convention Center from 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

The MFP Interview: Dr. Eric Topol Speaks On Realities, Dangers of Delta Variant

For much of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, CA has been a leading voice for a unified, swift response to the virus.

Edward G. Cortright Jr.

Edward G. Cortright Jr., who served as chancellor for Mississippi's 11th Chancery District for 26 years, died on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at age 94.

Women of Distinction Event and Coding Academy at JSU, MSU Center for Academic Advising

Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi will honor Ebony Lumumba, an associate professor of English at Jackson State University, and four other leaders at its Women of Distinction event on Thursday, Sept. 16, at the Westin Hotel in downtown Jackson.

Mississippi Loses Sixth Child To COVID-19

A sixth child has died in Mississippi due to complications from COVID-19, the Mississippi State Department of Health said Wednesday.

New Orleans Saints 2021 Preview

The New Orleans Saints are starting the 2021 season without Drew Brees since he retired after the 2020 season, leaving a major hole in the Saints’ offense as the franchise tries to replace the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Mississippi Legislators Revive Talk of Erasing Income Tax

Some members of the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature are renewing an effort to eliminate the state income tax—a proposal that failed earlier this year amid concerns it would drain budgets for schools, roads and other services in one of the nation's poorest states.

JPS Board Approves Virtual Learning Option for PreK-6th Grade Starting Sept. 2

Jackson Public School District parents have until 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, to fill out a survey indicating if they want the virtual-learning option for their pre-kindergarten to sixth-grade students.

Vaccine 'Conspiracy Theories' Prompt Threats, Dobbs Says

Mississippi's top health official said Tuesday that he has received threats from people who are spreading lies about his family as he urges the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

JPS Considering Virtual Learning, Invites Community Comments

Jackson Public Schools will hold a virtual meeting at 6 p.m. this evening, where the JPS Board of Trustees will discuss possible virtual learning options for students due to the fourth wave of increased COVID-19 numbers in Mississippi.

Contract Medical Workers Arrive for Mississippi COVID Surge

More than 1,000 out-of-state medical workers were starting to deploy to 50 Mississippi hospitals Tuesday to help with staffing shortages as the state continues dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases.

Poké Stop Coming to Dogwood, Catfish Row Museum and Red Brick Roads Music & Arts Festival

Poké Stop, a restaurant that California native Rachel Phuong Le originally opened in Cultivation Food Hall at the District at Eastover in Jackson, is set to reopen in Dogwood Festival Market in Flowood later this year.

City Council Rejects Garbage Collection Contract Twice Citing Confusion, Bad Timing

The City of Jackson has until Sept. 30 to get a new garbage-collection contract after the city council voted twice in two weeks—Aug. 9 and 19—against approving the agreements that Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba's team negotiated with the FCC Environmental Services LLC.

Analysis: Reeves Now Says COVID Response is Not Political

Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves stared into cameras during a news conference and said he is not advancing any political agenda in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as the state experiences a sharp rise in new cases and hospitalizations.

Weekend Picks 8-20-21

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, be sure and check out the COVID safety rules at any locations you visit, as many are changing in the face of the current crisis situation.

Ellington