News

Kristie Metcalfe

Imagine a person whose job is to herd cats and that those cats are also responsible for herding cats. That person would be a lot like Kristie Metcalfe, one of six staff attorneys assigned to the Mississippi Senate.

The Battle for the Jackson Airport: Can the State Take It Away?

It's not exactly Tom Cruise's Maverick flipping off a Russian fighter pilot in "Top Gun," but a dogfight is shaping up over control of the Jackson airport.

Local Wine Sellers Push Back on Chain Effort

Victor Pittman is not pleased with a lobbying effort to lift the restriction on wine and liquor sales in grocery stores in Mississippi's wet counties.

Downtown YMCA Renovates, Mozingo Clothiers Comes to Fondren

Those sad to see the Deville Plaza YMCA go can take solace in the promise of new things under way at the downtown location.

Jimmy D. Giles

Jimmy D. Giles kicked off Mississippi's federal campaign races by challenging fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper for the 3rd Congressional District.

Stokes Comments Spark AG Charges, Fundraising in Madison County

Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker seems to be making the most of his ongoing feud with a Jackson city councilman.

Why Small Debts Matter so Much to Black Lives

If you are black, you're far more likely to see your electricity cut, more likely to be sued over a debt, and more likely to land in jail because of a parking ticket.

Meadowlark Lemon

Meadow George Lemon III—better known as Meadowlark Lemon after legally changing his name—was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters during the team's heyday and height of popularity.

How Many Hotels Can Downtown Support?

For close to eight hours every day, a tower crane soaring above Jackson swivels and pivots like the minute hand of a clock gone a little haywire.

Shakeup or Shakeout? Dem Leadership Changing

Before 2016 is finished, every major instrument of the Mississippi Democratic establishment will have new leadership.

Proposed Budgets Slashed Even Without 42’s Passage

Currently proposed budget cuts are even greater than those that Rep. Herb Frierson, a key Republican budget writer from Poplarville, warned would be necessary if the school-funding amendment Initiative 42 passed.

Dr. Jim Herzog

Jackson-based clinical psychologist Dr. Jim Herzog's work is about understanding people's behavior so he can help make their lives better.

'Whitney Place' Plans Back on the Table for Fondren

Whitney Place, a long-dormant and previously controversial development project slated for Fondren, is back in the spotlight.

Dawn Beam

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has appointed Chancery Judge Dawn Beam of Sumrall to become a state Supreme Court justice.

Underground 119 Revamps, New Lunch Menu at Johnny T's and Mexikali Grill

Underground 119 temporarily closed Dec. 26 as owner Mike McRee began preparations to revamp his venue with a whole new concept.

Groups Blasts Pre-K Program Report as 'Ill-Conceived'

Education policy groups backed up the Mississippi Department of Education and its state superintendent by lambasting a recent report on the state's new pre-kindergarten pilot program.

Howard Jones

In early December, the local music scene lost beloved blues musician Howard Spencer Jones, a longtime Jackson resident and supporter of all art forms, from theater to sculpture and painting.

Duke Arnold

Derrick "Duke" Arnold Jr. hopes to lead his team to a national championship in January.

Panel: Remove White Judge Who Assaulted, Used Racial Slur Against Black Man

The Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance wants the state supreme court to remove from office and fine a white judge for physically assaulting and using a racial slur against an African American man.

State Superintendent: Take Test Results Seriously

Mississippi's second round of testing for third through eighth graders left room for improvement and growth, top state education officials said.

JPD Uses Feds’ Technology to Fight Crime, Breaks Water Theft Case

The brass at the Jackson Police Department are crowing about ending 2015 with crime in a continued free fall and some new technology helping officers solving crime.

Eddie Young

Flowood resident Eddie Young, the co-director of the Reservoir Youth Basketball and Cheerleading League, has a vision. He wants his league to not only be the best youth basketball league in the metro area but also the most inclusive one.

1 Percent Tax: A Test for Contractor Reform

Almost two years after voters in Jackson decided to tax themselves an extra 1-percent worth of sales tax on certain goods, heavy machinery will soon be turning dirt and the City will start spending from the tax fund.

State Eyes Changes to Guardianship Laws

Desiree Henley knew Mississippi's guardianship and conservatorship laws were outdated, ineffective and likely stripping elderly and disabled citizens of their basic human rights.

Yarber Details $4.1 Million West Jackson Housing Plan

Today, Mayor Tony Yarber laid out another program designed to improve the City's housing stock and revitalize west Jackson neighborhoods.

Hong Kong Tea House and Mississippi Super Lawyers

Geoffrey Mo, together with his parents, Kathy and David Mo, held a grand opening for their new family-owned Chinese restaurant—Hong Kong Tea House—Saturday, Dec. 5.

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.

Water Theft Probe: More Firings, 1 to 2 Arrests Possible

Jackson police expect no more than one to two arrests to follow the firing of what City officials have said could be up to seven public-works department employees later today, Dec. 18.

Tony Hughes

After more than 30 years as an assistant coach at Mississippi State University, Tony Hughes is finally a head coach at Jackson State University.

MDE Chief: New Test Scores Show Schools Have 'Long Way to Go'