News

What Black Dads Do: First Class Father Present for Duty

This year, Jackson Public Schools named Steve Collins Parent of the Year for his efforts. Yet, Collins is like a lot of other African American fathers: involved with their children's lives and passionate about their success in school.

Jackson Airport Enters Next Phase: Lawsuits, FAA, Ethical Limbo

For those wondering what is next in the saga of the takeover of the Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers Municipal Airport, look no further than Charlotte, N.C., and its ongoing discussions with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Rhis Harris

Rhis Harris sits beneath paintings of deer with broad antlers and one quality that gallery-goers definitely wouldn't associate with the quadrupeds before viewing the pieces—a haze of blues, purples and pinks pouring from the animals' mouths or surrounding their bodies, which Harris says represents the universe and spirituality.

Stallworth's Airport Suit May Not Have Standing, Harkins Says 'A Reach'

Former Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Commissioner Jeffery Stallworth's lawsuit challenging the impending "takeover" may not have legal standing or support from the other interested parties involved, including the current JMAA board.

Lawson Marchetti

Lawson Marchetti, a junior at Jackson Preparatory School, will join 52 other students from across the country in the national finals of the Poetry Out Loud competition on May 3 and 4 in Washington, D.C.

Fitness Plus, Hilton Garden Inn, Xcel Rehab and Batson Fundraiser

Fitness Plus owner Marty McCubbins opened his business to fill the need for a good health studio in northeast Jackson after the Deville Plaza YMCA's closure last year.

First Lady Obama: Strive for Excellence, Fight for Rights for All, Reject ‘Backward’ HB 1523

First lady Michelle Obama dropped a history lesson and urged nearly 800 graduates to fight for excellence and use their power and numbers in voting to strive for progress at Jackson State University's Spring 2016 commencement.

Moratorium on Payday Lenders, Liquor, Title and Pawn Stores in Ward 4 Moves Ahead

Last Monday the Jackson City Council Planning Committee passed an order to curtail the further proliferation of "title loan, payday loan, check cashing, liquor store and pawn shop businesses."

State Treasurer Laments 'Missing $31 Million' in Coffers, Lt. Governor Says She's 'Wrong'

State Treasurer Lynn Fitch sent a letter to legislative leadership last Wednesday expressing concerns over the state's debt service, after the Legislature passed a bond bill in the final days of the session.

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.

Firing Squads Out, But ‘Spice’ Regs, Execution Secrecy, Planned Parenthood Limits Headed to Governor

The state’s one Planned Parenthood clinic will lose Medicaid reimbursements if Gov. Phil Bryant signs a bill headed to his desk.

Jackson Issues $563,000 Worth of Water Bills, Desperately Needs Public Works Employees

The Jackson Public Works Department sent out half a million dollars' worth of water bills Thursday, the first time it has used the automated billing systems included in the Siemens contract.

Sine Death for Divorce, Campaign-finance Reform After Lawmakers Go Home Early

An abused Mississippi spouse still can't use domestic violence as grounds for divorce, and lawmakers can continue to spend campaign donations on mortgages, automobiles, clothing, tuition payments or non-documented loans after state lawmakers closed up shop early and skipped town this week.

LaShunna McInnis

LaShunna McInnis, a 10th-grade English teacher at Provine High School, was recently named Jackson Public Schools' Teacher of the Year for the 2015-2016 school year.

Lance Bass Brings His Green Thumb Back to Mississippi, Says State Leaders Are 'Backward'

Former NSYNC member, author and philanthropist Lance Bass says he and his husband, artist Michael Turchin, come back to visit Mississippi at least five times a year.

State Sneaks Special Judicial District Into Capitol Improvement Bill At Last Hour, Helping Kill It

Jackson has lost more than it has gained this legislative session, as the Capitol Complex Improvement District bill died yesterday. Its death ensured that the capital city will not receive the benefit of deferred sales tax dollars to renovate the infrastructure in the heart of the city.

Holly Reichle

Holly Reichle entered Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, believing she wanted to be a Spanish teacher and a coach.

Airport ‘Takeover’ Bill Leaves 'Toxic Climate' of Legislature, Headed to Governor’s Desk

The Jackson airport “takeover” bill is en route to the governor’s desk after the Mississippi Senate tabled the motion to reconsider on Senate Bill 2162 this morning.

Defying City Attorney, Council Passes New Subcontractor Disclosure Rules

The City now has more “teeth” for requiring disclosure of subcontractors, as well as oversight for switching subcontractors, for all contracts above $50,000, thanks to an ordinance passed at the April 20 Jackson City Council Meeting.

Running Out of Venues to Change the State Flag

From ballot initiatives to rallies, the Mississippi state flag has gained a lot of attention lately in-state and then nationally following the shootings in Charleston, S.C., a debate exacerbated by the revelation that Gov. Phil Bryant had declared April "Confederate Heritage Month" in the state, causing a national outcry.

The Final Stretch: Budget Cuts, Tax Breaks and Bills Becoming Law

Late into Monday night, Mississippi lawmakers managed to pass a strained budget, a $415 million tax cut and $250 million in bonds before midnight to meet Monday's deadline for budget and revenue bills.

A Hunger to Live: The Struggle to Interrupt the Cycle of Violence

Several members of the “Undivided” crew told their story recently in Sheppards Brother Park in the Washington Addition.

Coming Home to the Washington Addition

Linda Knight was only 18 when she snuck into the Afro Lounge on Lynch Street one night in 1973 and met the man who would take her out of the Washington Addition.

Factcheck: The Charter Scoop

The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board helped us factcheck some statements made in interviews about charter schools, including by Forest Thigpen in this issue and in the March 9 interview with Mississippi Association of Educators President Joyce Helmick.

Thigpen: ‘No Such Thing’ as ‘Private Charter Schools’

Mississippi Center for Public Policy President Forest Thigpen insists that charter schools not only play fair in the state of Mississippi, but have the ability to change the game of Mississippi education by encouraging competition amongst public schools.

Ellington