News

City Works to Clarify Water Status: 'Not Deemed Unsafe,' But 'Flush the Tap'

Jackson Director of Public Works Kishia Powell spelled out precautionary measures people can and, in some cases, should take regarding the city's water.

Two Men and a Truck, Bully's, Clubstore Outlet, Sassy Classy, BancorpSouth

Michael Sham, who has been with Two Men and a Truck since May 2013, won his own location and $10,000 to get it started in the Two Men and a Truck Moving People Forward Scholarship.

Mississippi Governor Sued Over State Flag As Civil Rights Violation, Hate Speech

A black Mississippi lawyer is suing Gov. Phil Bryant for flying the state flag, which he says is unconstitutional and causes racial violence. Carlos Moore, a lawyer based in Grenada, filed the suit that says flying the Mississippi state flag on state and public property is tantamount to hateful government speech against himself and African American residents of Mississippi's rights.

'Unborn Child Protection' Bill Passes Mississippi House, 'Dangerous Precedent'?

The "Mississippi Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act" passed the Mississippi House of Representatives last week, meaning that legislators are back in the business of pushing anti-abortion legislation.

City to Consider Declaring Civil Emergency Over Lead

The City of Jackson might declare a state of civil emergency tomorrow morning during a special session of the city council.

Durant Public Schools District Continues to Resist Consolidation

Durant Superintendent Edwin M. Robinson says the citizens of Durant are vehemently opposed, and have been since House legislation required pre-consolidation reports from the two school districts last year.

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.

JPD Earns Accreditation for First Time in History, Most Crime Down Over Last Year

In the 134 years since its formation, the Jackson Police Department has earned its accreditation.

Black Senator: 'Appalled' at Bryant's 'Confederate' Proclamation, Take Down 'Pro-slavery State Flag'

Sen. Derrick T. Simmons, D-Greenville, issued a statement today in response to Gov. Phil Bryant's proclamation naming April as Confederate Heritage Month.

Jeff Good: Restaurants 'Adding Filters to Every Single Faucet We Have'

Jeff Good, managing partner of the Mangia Bene restaurant group, told a crowd Friday morning that his kitchens were installing filtration systems in response to public reaction to issues surrounding the Jackson city water.

UPDATED: Race Tension Roils Legislature, Majority Votes to End 'Privilege'

House members were previously allowed to ask questions about their rights, reputation and the conduct of House members—"personal privilege"—but the House voted in favor of striking those rights from the rules by a vote of 71-50.

JPD Arrest Man for Killing Two Women, One of Them Pregnant

On Thursday, February 25, 2016, Rahim Williams was developed and identified as a suspect in this incident. He has been charged with three counts of Murder stemming from the deaths of Stephanie Mejia, Janis Evans and the death of the fetus.

Jackson Schools to Test Water for Lead, Elementary First

Jackson public schools will test the water at area schools, beginning with the elementary schools, and encourage parents to send water with their children if they are concerned about possible lead in the water.

Fondren's Hampton Inn Moving Ahead Despite Neighbor Objections

A planned Hampton Inn in Fondren moved a step forward Wednesday when the Jackson Planning Commission approved a land-use permit to allow for a north entranceway just south of Pig and Pint.

JPS Elementary Student Hosts Reading for World Read Aloud Day

Eight-year-old North Jackson Elementary School 3rd grader Josiah Calvert already has plans to attend the University of Mississippi.

Marques Colston

One of the best finds was the Saints' final selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, when New Orleans used the 252nd overall pick to take a wide receiver out of Hofstra University named Marques Colston.

Mississippi Governor Declares April 'Confederate Heritage Month,' No Slavery Mention

Two weeks before the Mississippi Legislature allowed 19 state flag bills to die in committee, Gov. Phil Bryant took out a pen and signed an official governor's proclamation, declaring the month of April "Confederate History Month."

New City, State Alert: Don’t Drink Jackson Water if You're a Child, Infant or Pregnant Without Taking Precautions

The City and the Mississippi Department of Health today are cautioning small children and pregnant women not to drink the water without taking certain steps to flush any lead present in the pipes.

Fear Rules with Kim Davis Laws, Guns at Church

The deepest fears of some members of the Mississippi House of Representatives came out last week, as the chamber passed bills to fight terrorism, protect religious freedom and allow armed security programs in churches.

Sex Education’s Last Chance in Mississippi?

Sex education in Mississippi could end, or be revamped, as soon as July this year, depending on legislators' actions between now and the end of the session.

Education Bill Roundup

The 2016 Mississippi Legislature is steamrolling ahead with bills affecting public education. Here are a few for consideration.

Durant Superintendent Not Allowed to Speak on His District’s Consolidation

Thanks to SB 2494, authored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Sen. Gray Tollison, R-Oxford, Dr. Robinson's school district is up for involuntary consolidation with the neighboring Holmes County School District.

Jackson Report: Of Cheap Land, Water Woes and Subcontractors

The Jackson City Council passed the Neighbors First Lot Program at its Feb. 23 meeting to address the city's neighborhood blight and revitalization plans.

Airport ‘Takeover’: An Ethical Minefield

The opposition to the Jackson airport "takeover" bill strengthened this week even as a Senate committee passed it to the floor Tuesday despite warnings from state airport leaders that the effort could run afoul of state ethics laws.

Miranda Jordan

Miranda Jordan's signature glass pieces, which include microbead-adorned jewelry, electric lamps and bottles that customers often buy to hold perfume or candle oil, make up the product line of her one-woman craft company, Randam Art.

Voucher Expansion Bill Dies in Committee

The effort to expand public-education vouchers to allow low-income families to send their children to private schools died today in committee.

Jackson Airport 'Takeover' Bill Passes to Senate Floor, JMAA Gets Award

The airport "takeover" bill now heads to the Senate floor after the Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee passed Sen. Josh Harkins', R-Flowood, bill to create a nine-member commissioner board to replace the current Jackson airport board.

Ellington