News

Casey Elementary State's Only National Blue Ribbon School

Casey Elementary School students, faculty, parents and community leaders gathered outside the school's front doors in north Jackson this morning to honor its designation as Mississippi's only 2015 National Blue Ribbon School with a ceremonial flag raising.

Lecile Harris

What inspires a young man to climb on the back of an ill-tempered, 1,500-pound Brahman bull? For veteran rodeo clown Lecile Harris, it was watching the bull riders at an Arlington, Tenn., rodeo in 1955.

Airport 'Takeover' Bill to Be Filed Early This Week

Sen. Josh Harkins, R-Flowood, is touching up a bill that proposes to change the Jackson airport commission structure.

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.

GOP Solidifies House Presence, Tinkers with Public-Information Rules

If legislative committees were sports teams, today would be draft day in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

City: Water Safe to Drink Despite High Lead Levels, 100 More Homes to Be Tested

Some 100 additional homes in Jackson will be tested for high levels of lead, city and state health officials said today.

Speaker Taps Others in GOP to Lead Most Mississippi House Panels

The Republican speaker of the Mississippi House is keeping the same leaders for most of the top committees this four-year term.

City of Jackson Resampling Water at 13 Homes for 'Actionable' Lead Levels After State Report

The Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) on Thursday, Jan. 28, reported to the City of Jackson the results of random water samples taken by the state agency from residences in the City in June 2015. Of the samples taken at 58 residences, 13 showed lead above the actionable levels of 0.015. Within an hour of notification from MSDH, the City dispatched water sample kits to those 13 locations for immediate re-sampling. The results are expected back within two weeks.

Director: Foster System Needs More Funding and Staffing to Protect Children

Even as children are dying in the state's foster-care system, its director says the state may not meet a court-ordered deadline to improve conditions without more funding and more than 200 new staff members.

Raeford Worsham

Raeford Worsham has been on a tear since late December, when he scored in double figures for seven straight games.

Potential Farish Street Developer Leroy Smith Makes Pitch to JRA

Leroy C. Smith, a Denver-based developer, made his pitch today for why he is the person who should take on redevelopment of Farish Street.

School Choice Week Rally Kicks Off at Capitol

With dozens of children bundled in primary color-coded uniforms and matching yellow scarves, the second floor of the Capitol looked like a scene from Hogwarts Tuesday morning as students, educators, and parents from surrounding private and charter schools met for a rally to kick off National School Choice Week.

Tax Breaks Likely for Megasite

A hush-hush development in rural Hinds County will likely get a boost from local and Mississippi taxpayers.

J.B. Lawrence

The city's tight-knit music community brought Clinton native and photographer J.B. Lawrence back to Jackson about a year and a half ago.

The Rough Road to Reproductive Health Care

Regardless of the state's appeal of the JWHO case, the fight for reproductive health in Mississippi will continue in the Mississippi Legislature.

A GOP Supermajority, Slavery and an Embattled Flag

Ray Shores, who lives in Yazoo County and is a member of the Dixie Alliance, said he and flag supporters have challenged House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, to a debate on the issue.

Uber Safety, Fairness Back Before City Council

When it comes to regulating Uber—and other transportation network companies that might follow—the Jackson City Council is walking a fine line.

Squared Girl, Highway 18 Master Plan and Sam's Southern Eatery

The City of Jackson's Office of City Planning in the Department of Planning and Development is hosting a public meeting tonight, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m., at the Metrocenter Mall to discuss issues related to the development of Mississippi Highway 18.

Sen. Horhn to Seek Yes or No Vote in Legislature on State Flag Change

State Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, said he will file a bill asking lawmakers to take an up or down vote to keep or change the Mississippi state flag, the last to bear a symbol of the Confederacy.

ALEC: Mississippi Economy Just So-So

Mississippi is a poor state with the potential to be a rich state, a new report from the American Legislative Exchange Council shows.

Mississippi Public School Districts Make AP Honor Roll

The Mississippi Board of Education recognized Hinds County School District and Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District as Advanced Placement Honor Roll Districts at its Thursday board meeting in Clinton.

Cody Core

The East-West Shrine Game will be a chance for former University of Mississippi wide receiver Cody Core to raise his draft stock.

Kenny Stokes Asks DOJ to Investigate 'Threats' Against Gun Rights

Kenny Stokes is going on offense and taking aim at his detractors.

Welcome to Mayberry: The JFP Interview with Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason

Victor Mason, 59, took over from Sheriff Tyrone Lewis on Dec. 30, becoming the second African American to serve as the top law-enforcement officer in the state's largest county by population.

New Resort Plan Satisfies Hal & Mal’s

Malcolm White is backing down from threats he made about moving Hal & Mal's out of Jackson, thanks to recent action the Jackson City Council took to squelch a controversy over which downtown bars would receive so-called resort status.

‘A Hurricane of Need and Hunger’ as SNAP Benefits Expire in State

SNAP benefits are for people living at the poverty line or with very low incomes, and any income a person does earn cuts into the amount of money they receive.

John Tierre

John Tierre, an Omaha, Neb., native and owner of Farish Street restaurant Johnny T's Bistro & Bar, knew that, even as a child, he wanted to be an entrepreneur.

Election Disputes: No Bibles, and Lots of Swearing

The Mississippi Capitol became a temporary courthouse last week in a Republican battle for super-majority control of the House of Representatives.

Adam Mangana: Jackson Prep Wants ‘Stars’ from Diversity ‘Scars’

With a warm smile, Adam Mangana describes his first week as the chief diversity officer at Jackson Preparatory School as awesome.

Senate Votes to Seat Democrat After Election Dispute

Former Mississippi Sen. Melanie Sojourner's historic unseating of longtime Democrat Bob Dearing in 2011 was short-lived.

Ellington