News

Where Are We Now? Education A Prime Issue for the Primary Election

Education is a major focus for candidates in the upcoming primary elections, especially due to this year's political back-and-forth on fully funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program.

Bomp, Bomp: Law & Order and the Race for Hinds County District Attorney

It's hard to tell whether Robert Shuler Smith, the top prosecutor in Hinds County, is confident he'll coast to a third term as district attorney—or if he's scared out of his mind by the challenge being mounted by Stanley Alexander.

Full-Court Press for Mississippi Third Graders in Summer School Has Disappointing Results

Early July in the Mississippi Delta, and the East Sunflower Elementary School was bristling with nervous energy. If educators inside were perspiring, though, it wasn't from the sweltering summer heat.

Overdue Foster Care Reform Coming Soon

Mississippi's foster-care system has long left children without medical care and living in limbo without a proper home, but state officials have largely ignored a seven-year court order to overhaul the state's foster-care system.

Erika Iguobadia

Erika Iguobadia, 35, believes in challenging her seventh-grade students at Northwest Middle School in Jackson.

Farish Mess Lingers as JRA Tries to Move On

To paraphrase Michael Corleone, just when the Jackson Redevelopment Authority thought it was out—of the morass over Farish Street—they get pulled back in.

‘Hand-in-hand’: Poverty + Education Keep State in Last Place

The problem with Mississippi coming in last place in the Kids Count child well-being survey is largely that perception has a big impact on the children experiencing poverty or a family without stable income.

David Watkins, JRA Spar Over Farish Settlement Terms

David Watkins said he wants "fair compensation" in exchange for dropping the legal challenges that are holding up the development of historic Farish Street.

Growing the Creative Economy, Flowood Crafts and Solar Outreach

A panel of 23 creative professionals, community leaders and economic developers from across the state will host an advisory panel on growing Mississippi's creative economy Wednesday, July 29, at The Hatch in Midtown.

Deborah Hunter

In 2010, Deborah Hunter walked into her new home in Terry, and her beautiful kitchen instantly inspired her. Hunter uttered one simple prayer: "Lord, please teach me how to cook."

Sen. Paul: Senate Will Vote on Fed Aid to Planned Parenthood

The Senate will vote before its August recess on an effort to block federal aid to Planned Parenthood, presidential hopeful Sen. Rand Paul said Tuesday.

Family Spokesman: Rexdale Henry's Fines Shouldn't Have Led to Death

John Steele, a spokesman for the family of Rexdale Henry, who was found dead inside the Neshoba County Jail on July 14, said the family is awaiting the results of two autopsies to know more about how the 53-year-old Choctaw man died.

Jackson Students Hack, Code Their Way to Top Honors

After sharpening their skills at the state's largest hackathon event, several Jackson-area schools flexed their coding muscle in New Orleans to win top prizes.

Andrew Campbell 

In the summer of 2012, Andrew Campbell took a bus up to South Dakota. He was going to spend the summer interning with an organic farm that raised crops for cooperatives and farmers markets.

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.

Death of Choctaw Activist Rexdale Henry in Neshoba Jail Prompts Private Autopsy

A private autopsy is under way for Rexdale W. Henry, a 53-year-old man found dead inside the Neshoba County Jail in Philadelphia, Miss., on July 14.

Santore Bracey

Santore Bracey, Democratic challenger for Hinds County Tax Collector

Jarvis Dortch

Jarvis Dortch, candidate for House District 66

Sam Begley

Sam Begley, Democratic candidate for House District 70

George Welch

George Welch, Democratic candidate for Hinds County Board of Supervisors District 5

Chris Bell

Chris Bell, Democratic candidate for House District 65

Arqullus Coleman

Arqullus Coleman, Democratic candidate for House District 65

David Blount

David Blount, Democratic incumbent, Senate District 29

Machelle Shelby Kyles

Machelle Shelby Kyles, Democratic Challenger for House District 63

David McRae

Republican, Challenger for Mississippi State Treasurer

Livingston Park Reopens, Zoo Gets a Giraffe

Starting today, families will be able to enjoy west Jackson's Livingston Park in a way the park has not been used in a long time. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place this morning at the park's pavilion.

Stonewall Mayor Reacts to Sanders Case, NAACP Wants Inquiry

The mayor of Stonewall, a small Mississippi town just south of Meridian, said people have the wrong idea about his 1,100-person community, which has been in the national spotlight since the death of Jonathan Sanders on July 8.

Nick Griffin

Former Mississippi State University running back Nick Griffin represented Mississippi in this year's International Federation of American Football Championship.

Kitchen-Table Politics: The JFP Interview with Vicki Slater

Vicki Slater spoke with the Jackson Free Press in early July about why she believes she would make a better governor than the incumbent Phil Bryant.

William Walker

For William Walker, it was the soundtracks of movies such as "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones"—not their big-budget action sequences and explosions—that enamored him.

Ellington