News

Ward 7 Councilwoman Barrett-Simon to Constituents: 'I Remain Engaged'

Margaret Barrett-Simon has been seriously ill, but her prognosis is good, she says. "I remain engaged and informed on all of the issues," she said.

Tollison: 'No Data' Show That Appointing Superintendents Helps School Achievement (UPDATED)

"No data" back the idea that appointing school superintendents rather than electing them will actually raise test scores or improve achievement in the state's public schools, the author of the legislation said today in the Mississippi Senate.

Dem Legislators Endorse Hillary Clinton

Democratic lawmakers chanted their endorsement for Hillary Clinton in the Mississippi Capitol after a brief press conference Wednesday when legislators from the House and the Senate endorsed her as the Democratic presidential primary candidate.

Willie Richardson

Super Bowl III was one of the most important games in professional football history. It featured Jackson State University icon Willie Richardson, but he was on the losing side of the scoreboard.

Incentives Sail Through; Anti-LGBT Bills Drop; Groups Call for Foster-Care Funding

Sen. Charles Younger, R-Columbus, introduced a bill that would "clarify that religious leaders are not required to perform same-sex marriages" last week.

2016 Education Bills

Education is a hot topic in the Mississippi Legislature. The following education bills dropped for consideration.

Gail Savage

Upon walking into The Bridal Path in Banner Hall, customers will notice the multitude of dresses, with all manner of tulle and silk and lace and English netting and other fabrics greeting brides, mothers of the bride, flower girls and bridesmaids.

Breastfeeding Bill: Let Women Work and Nurse

The Centers for Disease and Control, the U.S. Surgeon General and the majority of research on the topic indicate that breastfeeding is better than using formula when a baby is born.

‘The First Time I Got Shot, I Was in Fifth Grade'

Tommie Mabry's world changed when he was shot in the foot in high school on a day he chose to skip class.

Future of Uber in Jackson Safe For Now?

The fate of Uber is clearer after the Jackson City Council voted 3 to 1 for a set of regulations designed to address public safety and other issues for transportation-network companies.

Lumumba, Residents on Airport Grab: ‘We’re Not Falling For It’

Upward of 30 Jacksonians, fresh off work, gathered inside the Chokwe Lumumba Center for Economic Democracy and Development Monday night on west Capitol Street to protest an attempt by state Republicans to wrest control of the Jackson airport from City of Jackson officials.

FFT Reinvents, BancorpSouth Renovates and At Home Comes to Jackson

Fondren's First Thursday, a popular monthly event in Jackson, has been reinvented this year to be better than ever before.

Jason Necaise

Jason Necaise has lofty goals and a resume of solid accomplishments onto which he can rely to help him achieve them.

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.

Jackson Airport 'Takeover' Bill Goes Live in Senate, Would Limit Mayor to One Appointment

The Republican governor of Mississippi would get strong control of the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers Airport under the highly anticipated legislation that finally landed this weekend.

Report: Federal Grant Funds Mismanaged, Hurts Black Women

Low-income, single parents could more easily access affordable child care under two bills Mississippi child-care providers and advocates are asking the Legislature to pass.

Stamps: No New Payday Loan, Check Cashing, Liquor, Pawn Stores

A Jackson city councilman wants to put a halt to the expansion of payday loan stores, check cashers and liquor stores in the capital city.

Adam Noone

Adam Noone, a 14-year-old Belhaven resident and a student at the Education Center School, was spending Thanksgiving 2015 with his father, Chris Noone, in New Orleans when he took a photograph that now has him poised to participate in a national art competition in New York City.

JPD: Carjackings Up, Thieves May Be Targeting Women

The Jackson Police Department is conducting investigations into six cases involving perpetrators committing the crimes of carjacking, armed robbery of an individual and auto theft. The suspects, on foot or traveling by vehicle, appear to be targeting females who are alone. The suspects have been identified as two to three black males, 16 to 20 years of age and dressed in dark colored clothing to include hooded shirts. At least one of the suspects has been armed during the incidents.

Without Public Input, Mississippi to Spend $78,000 Per Job for Megasite, Shipyard

With little debate in committee or on the floor, the Mississippi House of Representatives cleared the way for $274 million in tax breaks to help two large-scale developments in the state.

Kyle Love

A couple of seasons ago, it might have seen a long shot for Panthers defensive tackle Kyle Love to even be in the league much less about to play in the Super Bowl.

State Supe: Poverty Drives Chronic Absenteeism, 'Proactive' Solutions Needed

Poverty is a primary driver of chronic school absenteeism, the state superintendent of education said yesterday, while calling for "proactive" ways to reverse the problem.

Map of Jackson Sites Where Lead Levels Exceeded Action Levels

On Jan. 28 Mississippi state health officials notified the City of Jackson that it had found lead in 22.4 percent of the 58 Jackson homes it sampled in July 2015. Kishia Powell, the City's public-works director, said she immediately dispatched crews to those homes, in southwest and north Jackson. Health officials are testing the water at another 100 homes for high lead levels, she said.

Ellington