News

Nick Chamberlain

When Nick Chamberlain was assigned to a JROTC course as a freshman at Jim Hill High School, he saw it as a sign that the school faculty felt he could make something of himself through the program.

City May Privatize, Install More Meters

Parking in downtown Jackson is like a perverse kind of casino. Instead of the odds being in favor of the house—in this case, the City—the players are more likely to get lucky in finding a broken meter or getting away unscathed by the ticket books of meter readers.

Advocates: ‘Safe Campus Act’ Not Safe

Two Mississippi organizations focused on keeping women safe are opposing the Safe Campus Act, a bill currently working its way through the U.S. House of Representatives, because it would make it harder to remove rape suspects from campus and limit the investigative avenues a student victim can pursue after an assault.

New Downtown Entertainment District, Coalesce and Forman Watkins

City officials have modified a plan to give so-called resort status to parts of downtown Jackson.

Stewpot Moves Sims House Residents After Fire, Assesses Damage

After Stewpot Community Services' transitional home for women, the Sims House, on Capitol Street caught fire Sunday night, officials from the nonprofit organization are waiting to hear how much of the damage insurance will cover.

Chad Kelly

University of Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly has been better known for his blowups on the field and his troubles off the field.

Bills, Bills, Bills: Jackson Residents Confused by New Water Systems

Judging by the number of paint-stained overalls and tired faces in the Smith Robertson Museum auditorium, many people who attended Mayor Tony Yarber's recent town-hall meeting came directly from work to press the mayor and his administration on what the heck is going on with their water bills.

JSU Students Stand Up to Sexual Violence

GIRL is a JSU Feminist Majority chapter that is taking to the streets on campus, demanding more safety and awareness about risk female students face.

Provine: Academics, Behavior ‘Go Up Together’

Principal Laketia Marshall-Thomas believes that good behavior at Provine High School is about getting creative.

Who is Farish Street’s Latest Would-Be Developer?

Leroy C. Smith represents a group of Denver, Colo.-based investors ready to pump $100 million into the Farish Street Entertainment District.

Roberta Kaplan: ‘Someone is Responsible’

On Nov. 6, several witnesses took the stand in a federal courtroom for the first hearing in four Mississippi same-sex couples' challenge to the state's adoption ban.

Melanie Vail Fuller

When she first started practicing yoga in 2004, Melanie Vail Fuller says she didn't see herself becoming a yoga instructor.

JPS Superintendent Receives National Award

The National Alliance of Black School Educators has named Cedrick Gray of Jackson Public Schools its 2015 Joseph E. Hill Superintendent of the Year.

Holidays at the Jackson Zoo and Starke Fitness Toy Drive

As a thanks to all its community supporters, the Jackson Zoo will offer free admission to all members of the public on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Democratic Incumbent Draws Green Straw; Wins House Seat

Rep. Blaine ‘Bo’ Eaton, D-Taylorsville, won a tiebreaker for his current House seat on Friday by drawing a box holding a green straw out of a bag. (Yes, you read that correctly.)

Despite 'Hectic' Night, Jackson Crime Falling

Despite what top brass of the Jackson Police Department describe as a hectic night of arrests, statistics show a steady decrease in major crimes.

Katt Williams

Comedian Katt Williams kicked off his latest arena tour, "Conspiracy Theory," in October.

JPD Trained On Transgender Community

The Jackson Police Department partnered with the U.S. Southern District of the Mississippi Attorney's Office to host a "Law Enforcement and the Transgender Community" training session on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Javancy Jones

Jackson State University has nominated stud defensive end Javancy Jones. He will try to become the first player from Jackson State to win the 2015 C Spire Conerly Trophy.

Malcolm White Leaving State Tourism Office

Long-time Jackson restaurateur and businessman Malcolm White is no longer with the Mississippi Tourism Office.

The Push to Double the Minimum Wage

Cajania "CoCo" Brown, 24, says that she, her colleagues at Popeye's Lousiana Kitchen, and all other minimum-wage workers are worth more than what their bosses and the State of Mississippi say they deserve to be paid.

‘No Excuse’: Where the Sidewalks End

Three people have been killed in the past three years in wheelchair-related accidents in Jackson, and some 100 in the past decade, according to local news clippings included in a presentation Crawford gave to the ADA council earlier this year.

Abortion Clinic to Offer Contraception, ‘Better Care’

Mississippi's only abortion clinic will become an official health provider for insurance companies within weeks.

Pitts: The South is Overdue for Reckoning

Leonard Pitts Jr. will sign copies of Grant Park at Lemuria Books on Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. He recently spoke to the Jackson Free Press about race, writing and reckoning.

Andre Carter

Growing up on the south side of Chicago, Andre Carter always had a fascination with comic books and superheroes, but he often found himself wondering why none of the heroes he read about ever looked like him or the people he knew.

Gov. Bryant Denial of Syrian Refugees Could Be 'Discriminatory'

Gov. Phil Bryant joined several governors on Monday in pledging to refuse Syrian refugees should they be sent to Mississippi following the terrorist attacks in Paris that left 129 people dead and hundreds more wounded.

Yarber, Powell Face Water Billing Questions

After more careful review, city officials say that potential causes of exorbitant water bills go deeper and are more complicated than previously thought.

Cathead Distillery, Brick Street Pops and Brasfield & Gorrie

Madison-based Cathead Distillery, Mississippi's first legal distillery, is relocating to 422 S. Farish St. in downtown Jackson.

Hinds County OKs Landfill, Requests Byram-Clinton Funds

A rubbish dump near Clinton will nearly double in size after action from the Hinds County Board of Supervisors today.

Mary Jo McAnally

Mary Jo McAnally, a longtime community leader who served more than 15 years as the associate director of the Fondren Renaissance Foundation, died at her home on Nov. 3.

Ellington