News

Execution Teams, Uber Access and Planned Parenthood

The Mississippi Legislature is one step closer to defunding Planned Parenthood services for Medicaid recipients, allowing Uber free rein in the state and guarding the identities of the state's execution team and lethal drug supplier.

Rep. Dortch: Confederate Heritage Month Not 'Worthy of Honor'

Below is a verbatim statement from Rep. Jarvis Dortch, D-Jackson, on Confederate Heritage Month.

Election Reform Still Possible

Mississippi's election law codes could be getting a makeover this legislative session.

Foster Care Legislation: ‘The Beginning to an End of Madness’

The state's foster-care system, now housed under MDHS as the Division of Family and Children's Services, must comply with a court order in the Olivia Y lawsuit to avoid federal receivership this year.

Helmick: ‘Private’ Charter Schools Drain Public Schools

When the Jackson Free Press sat down again with Joyce Helmick, president of the Mississippi Association of Educators, she repeatedly called charter schools "private charter schools."

Lauren Lyles

A desire to achieve personal fame drives some people; others may find inspiration in getting wealthy. Jackson native Lauren Lyles' motivation stems from her desire to see and help people succeed.

‘Capitol Complex’ District Would Fund (Parts of) Jackson

Several parts of Jackson will benefit financially if a pair of bills the Mississippi Senate passed last week survives and becomes law.

What’s Behind the Airport ‘Takeover’?

Since the news broke in January that the Senate was about to wage a "hostile takeover" of Jackson's airport, many Jacksonians wonder if it's about more than who controls operations at the airport itself.

'Sanctuary Cities' for Immigrants May Soon Be Illegal in Mississippi

Mississippi municipalities would be banned from establishing "sanctuary cities" for illegal immigrants if a Senate bill, which passed to the House of Representatives yesterday, becomes law.

New Downtown Restaurant, Arabella, Mercedes and BankPlus at The District

The District at Eastover, a mixed-use city center and combined commercial and residential space located between the Eastover and Fondren neighborhoods, is preparing to welcome BankPlus as its newest neighbor in the area.

Trump Sparks Protests at Madison Central: 'Then It Turned Very Scary'

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump attracted large crowds at Madison Central High School—although far from the 10,000 he claimed.

Donald Trump's Education Platform: Stop Common Core, Abolish U.S. Department of Education

This evening, Madison Central High School plans to open its doors to a rally for presidential candidate Donald Trump, which might be as much educational involvement the public has seen from Trump's campaign since it began.

UPDATED: Surge in Jackson Homicide After Lull in Violent Crimes

This weekend, after two consecutively low weeks of crime in the city, five people were murdered in Jackson.

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.

UPDATE: Airport 'Takeover' Stays Alive as Jackson Leaders Question Rankin Airport Motives

The Mississippi Senate’s so-far successful effort to wrest control of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority could be more about control of land than airport operations. The Senate takes up the bill today for the last time at 4 p.m.

Long-time Republican Charles Evers Joins Madison Mayor, Others on Trump's Mississippi Team

Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler and civil-rights legend Charles Evers are members of Donald Trump's Mississippi Campaign Committee.

Mississippi Charter Law One Step Closer to Changing

Tuesday's Senate session rang with reprobation from Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, who spoke bitterly about Mississippi First, a group that he says acts as a front group for charter schools.

Don Noblitt

Jackson native Don Noblitt recently joined the board of directors for the Parents Television Council, a non-partisan education organization advocating for protection of children from graphic violence, sex and profanity in media. 

Airport Control: 'Not Just a Jackson Fight,' 'Very Expensive Legal Battle' Ahead

One of the few faces in the Senate gallery during the hours-long discussion of the airport "takeover" bill Thursday was that of Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Board Chairman Dr. Rosie L.T. Pridgen.

UPDATED: Airport Bill Passes Senate, Called ‘Hostile Eminent-Domain Takeover'

More than two hours of debate and six failed amendments later, the Jackson airport “takeover” bill passed the Senate by a vote of 29-18 today, leading critics to slam it as a "hostile eminent-domain taskeover.

Planned Parenthood Bill Would Limit Cancer and STI Screening, Birth Control

Medicaid recipients seeking birth control, STI testing or cancer screenings at the state's only Planned Parenthood clinic might get cut off if a Senate bill, which passed yesterday and then was held on a motion to reconsider, becomes law.

Shandricka Sessom

Shandricka Sessom has been one of the bright spots for the Rebels this season as they have tried to rebuild their women's basketball program back to being a winner.

Legislators May Override Local Regulation of Uber, Taxi Drivers

Two taxi drivers are suing the City of Jackson over regulations that they say restrict their business, just as city leaders and state legislators work to push through new rules to govern "transport network companies" like Uber to Mississippi.

Pair of Taxi Drivers Sue Jackson, Say Regs Give Uber Unfair Advantage

Two taxicab drivers, one from Jackson and one from Star, filed suit against the City of Jackson for what they believe to be “anti-competitive, arbitrary and irrational regulations,” specifically accusing the city of playing favorites with companies like Uber.

Child Protection, Pro-Women Bills Pass Senate; House Roiled in Race Tension

Human trafficking, domestic-abuse and breastfeeding bills easily passed through the Mississippi Senate last week.

Stayin’ Alive: House, Senate Education Bills to Watch

The webpages for Senate and House Education Committee legislation resemble a text-heavy graveyard of the bodies of bills snuffed out prematurely.

Lead in Water Devastating to Children, Their Development, Their Futures

Concerns about lead poisoning in Jackson increased in recent weeks since the Mississippi Department of Health notified the city in January that it found lead in some of the city's households last summer.

Krystal Jackson

Art and music flow through Krystal Jackson's veins.

Lawsuit to Change Mississippi Flag An ‘Uphill Battle,’ But Could Work

A black Mississippi lawyer suing Gov. Phil Bryant for flying the state flag could be successful if he can prove that the state's original intent for putting the Confederate battle emblem on the flag's canton was racist and discriminatory back in 1894.

'Civil Emergency' Fails for Second Time

The second attempt at declaring a civil state of emergency failed at a special meeting of the city council Tuesday, March 1, with Ward 4 Councilman De'Keither Stamps as the only vote supporting it.

Ellington