News

Officer’s Lawyer: Sanders Death Not Racial

Many in Stonewall believe Jonathan Sanders' death was racially motivated; Kevin Herrington's lawyer says that's nonsense.

Finding Homes for People With HIV/AIDS

Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/HIV serves individuals, families and couples (in domestic partnerships) if one member has AIDS.

Nigel Knott

By season's end last year, the only people targeting Nigel Knott with any regularity were college coaches.

McQuirter: Stop Hinds County’s Bleeding

Darrel McQuirter met the Jackson Free Press for an early breakfast at a Clinton restaurant to dish on running for reelection while shaping the county's budget.

Begley: An ‘Activist Legislator’?

Sam Begley, 55, a well-known player in Democratic Party and political circles who is usually trying to help someone get elected, said he wants to be an "activist legislator," fighting for the city of Jackson.

Costco Looms Over City Economic Development Talks

Big-box retailer Costco, which had been flirting with building in Jackson and is now in talks with Ridgeland officials, loomed large over today's City Council budget hearings.

Dee Smith-Smathers

Although Dee Smith-Smathers did not get to celebrate her 74th birthday, she did live to see her marriage to her partner of 29 years, Charlene Smith-Smathers, recognized in her home state of Mississippi.

Birthday Lunch with Maison Weiss, Albriton's Moving, After-Work Networking

Ken Szilasi, owner of Maison Weiss, a women's fashion specialty store located at Highland Village, is hosting a celebration to commemorate his store's 40th anniversary today, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

No Big Surprises in Certified Election Results, Runoffs Planned

Both political parties have certified their primary elections and sent the results to the Mississippi Secretary of State's office.

JPD, Zoo and Parks Face Tough Budget Climate

Beth Poff, the executive director of the Jackson Zoo, said the park is in a good financial position and debt-free.

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.

Union Leader: Furloughs Will 'Severely' Hurt City Workers

The head of an area labor union called a furlough plan and proposed property-tax increase a double whammy for Jackson employees.

Emergency Water Conservation Request for the City of Jackson

Effective immediately, The City of Jackson has issued an emergency water conservation request for all customers served by the City’s Water System.

Dr. Carolyn Meyers Tackles Rumors, Says State of JSU is 'Solid'

Before giving her official State of the University speech, Jackson State University President Dr. Carolyn Meyers took a few moments to dismiss some rumors out in the ether about her and her administration of the storied historically black university.

Pickering: Did Not Have 'Anything to Do With' LGBT Robo-calls

Stacey Pickering, the incumbent Republican candidate for state auditor, said Wednesday that he had nothing to do with the automated calls that called his Democrat challenger, Joce Pritchett, an "LGBT candidate."

Rico Richardson

One player from Jackson State is currently listed on an NFL roster: Rico Richardson for the Tennessee Titans.

November Election: Party Lines Drawn Early

Education funding, job creation and fighting corruption are at the top of many Mississippi statewide candidates' lists heading into the November election.

Keep on Truckin: Meet Robert Gray

It was not until 7:36 on the morning of Aug. 5 that anyone found out what Robert Gray looked like, much less how he wound up being the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee for Mississippi governor.

‘Empower’ PAC Helps Oust Anti-Charter Republicans

Empower Mississippi, a nonprofit dedicated to school choice, used its political arm, the Empower PAC, to unseat four incumbent Republican candidates for the Mississippi House of Representatives in the DeSoto County primary elections on Aug. 4.

Dr. Taunjah Bell Neasman

For psychology majors at Jackson State University, not many other professors have made a bigger impact than Dr. Taunjah Bell Neasman.

Pre-K Collaboratives Helping 4-Year-Olds

Most 4-year-olds are learning more basic skills before entering kindergarten due to Early Learning Collaboratives, the Mississippi Department of Education is reporting.

Public Works Takes Center Stage at Jackson Budget Talks

Public Works is responsible for maintaining the city's aging and deteriorating roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, and even for building maintenance and collecting money from parking meters. It also has been a lightning rod in recent months.

City OKs JATRAN Operations Contract

The City of Jackson has approved an operations contract for JATRAN, the city's transit authority.

Mixed-Use at Medical Mall, Fleet Feet 'Pep Rally,' 'What Works Cities'

The Jackson Medical Mall is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for a new mixed-use retail site called Woodrow Wilson Place Thursday, Aug. 13, at 10 a.m.

Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas is a bit of a turnaround specialist.

Yarber Budget Proposes Tax Hike, Furloughs to Balance Budget

The City of Jackson is going into austerity mode with Mayor Tony Yarber's budget proposal, unveiled this morning at the first of a month's worth of budget talks.

Zack Bird

Thanks to a 13-player trade between the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves, former Murrah High School graduate and star pitcher Zack Bird did go home again.

James Covington Drops Out of House 65 Race

James Covington, who appeared to be headed for a Democratic runoff with businessman Chris Bell, says he is ending his candidacy for Mississippi House District 65.

City: Employee Furloughs to Save $4.9 Million

Starting in October, all full-time employees will be required to take one furlough day per month.

The Scott Sisters

The news cycle has turned quite a few times since the Scott sisters' release. Finding a way back to normal life has proved a much slower process for the siblings.

Ellington