Jody E. Owens II
Jody E. Owens II, who has worked with the SPLC since January 2011, seems like a natural if not overdue choice to receive the Beth Arnovits Gutsy Advocate for Youth Award from the National Juvenile Justice Network.
Mississippi's LGBT Community Awaits Supreme Court Decision
The Mississippi LGBT community is anxiously awaiting a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could federally legalize same-sex marriage, which would make it legal in the state.
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.
Clarion-Ledger Loses 4, Including Publisher
The Clarion-Ledger continues to shrink, with the loss of at least four employees, including the paper's publisher, who has been with the company less than a year.
Andrew Bucci
With a legacy that spanned eight decades, Andrew Bucci made a lasting impact on the Mississippi creative economy.
National Parks Shift Tone on Climate Change
Interpreters at Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve don't mind sharing warnings about a changing climate and sending visitors away with a directive to be nicer to the Earth when they go home.
Walnut Grove Prison to Remain Under Court Order
There is no question, a federal judge said, that "there are current and ongoing violations of the inmates’ federal rights" at Walnut Grove Correctional Facility.
Yolanda Foster
As a child, Yolanda Foster knew she wanted to do something creative when she grew up.
Praying for Help at Nissan
Braving 90-degree temperatures and 50 percent humidity, almost three dozen people showed up on Nissan Drive right by the front entrance of the automobile manufacturer to hold what organizers referred to as a prayer vigil urging Nissan to stop using threats in the manufacturer's "anti-union campaign."
Debate Rages Over Causes of Abortion Declines
Abortion numbers could be down for multiple reasons, including higher distribution of contraceptives and the lowering of teen-pregnancy rates in states like in Colorado.
Disturbing the Peace Law: Ludicrous?
Legal experts say Mississippi's disturbance of the peace statute is broad enough to mean whatever police and judges want it to mean.
Schools Funding Now Up to State Supreme Court
The fate of an education ballot initiative now rests with the Mississippi Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in the case this morning in Jackson. The nine justices will decide whether a lower court overstepped its authority when he rewrote an alternative proposed ballot initiative.
Museum Garden, Mint Bankruptcy and Freedom for Food Trucks
The Mississippi Museum of Art will hold a ribbon cutting for the Payton CityFarm Learning Garden Tuesday, June 9, at 5 p.m.
Joseph Kopacz
Bishop Joseph Kopacz, head of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson, is leading a special Habitat for Humanity build called Pope House that honors Pope Francis for his commitment to social justice and helping the poor.
Abortion Down in U.S., Mississippi, But Why?
The abortion rate in Mississippi and across the U.S. is down, a new AP report released today shows. The question of why, however, is subject to wide and fierce debate.
Martin McCurtis
Ten years ago in a small apartment, a frustrated husband in a tank top, shorts and flip-flops waited on his wife to finish drying her hair in the living room on a hot, humid summer Mississippi day. That man, Martin McCurtis Sr., is the creator of the momentum dryer.
ACLU: Charges for Senatobia Graduation Cheering Infringes on Free Speech Rights
The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi says that charging people for cheering at a graduation is violation of freedom of speech protections.
Ramin Maysami
While finishing up his doctorate degree at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Ramin Maysami decided to spend two semesters studying abroad in Singapore—he came back nine years late.
Boys, Barbers and Books
Everyone knows that a trip to a barbershop can often mean long waits before you get in the chair—in some cases, extremely long waits. And for kids, it's sometimes difficult to sit still while waiting for their turn. A new program has a plan for those restless tikes: Give them a book to read.
Refusing Medicaid: 'Far-Reaching Consequences'
What a new report says is that Mississippians would benefit greatly from the expansion of Medicaid. But what the report really means is that Mississippians—and the rest of the country—are suffering great harm by the state's refusal to expand Medicaid.
Sepp Blatter
It took two countries, but finally, Joseph S. "Sepp" Blatter, the president of FIFA for the last 17 years, a man who was more Teflon than John Gotti, finally went down like the former mobster.
Al Joyner, Philanthropist and Businessman, Dead at 69
Albert "Al" Joyner, who owned businesses and contributed to charitable causes in Jackson, died today. He was 69.
Siemens Reboots, Council Critics Remain Skeptical
Jackson council members are cautiously optimistic as Mayor Tony Yarber's administration lifts a work stoppage for the beleaguered Siemens water-meter upgrade project.
Low City, County Wages Cause Concern
Despite getting news from an independent consultant that the wage structure the Jackson City Council approved last year might break the bank, supporters of the higher wages are hopeful that the numbers can work.
Group: Women’s Security is Our Security
Wanaki McDuffy is a single mother who is unable to fit both school and work in her schedule. In order to pay for her education, she says she needs a full-time job—a nearly impossible task with the limited child-care voucher the state of Mississippi provides.
Lauren Smith
As a personal trainer at the Deville Plaza YMCA, Lauren Smith's job is to encourage her clients during their workouts and hold them accountable for achieving results.
Mint the Restaurant Files for Ch. 11 Bankruptcy
Mint the Restaurant, located at the Renaissance in Ridgeland, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Torshel, Main Street and HUBZone
Ridgeland resident Israel Martinez decided to start his storm shelter construction company, Torshel, after witnessing the destruction a series of tornadoes in Mississippi caused in 2014.
Hinds Supervisors Mull Jailer Pay Raises
After the release of a damning report from the U.S. Justice Department concerning conditions at Hinds County jails, officials are eyeing changes to the pay structure for guards.
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.
Blogs
- Boil Water Lifted for Most Jackson ZIPs
- City Responds to Hinds County Emergency Declaration
- ZDD Giveaways and Festival on Mar 25, but No Parade
- Casino-Mogul Trump Going Against the Odds With 'Muslim Ban'
- Millsaps Issues Statement on Trump's Immigration Order
- Court Denies Attempts to Dismiss Election Complaint for "Straw Contest"
- Roll-Off Dumpster Day on February 4
- City: Court Rules Rankin Can Build Own Wastewater Treatment Plant
- LaDarion Ammons Announces Run for Ward 7 Council Seat
- Tornado Warning for Central Hinds, NE Rankin, Madison Counties
Video
- Gov. Reeves Answers Nick Judin's Questions
- Chris McDaniel on Morning Joe
- Word on the street: What would you like to see come to Jackson?
- Trump Rally
- Trump Rally
- More Trump Rally Footage
- Trump Rally
- Kameron Palmer On Saving Our Sons
- Joel D. Swan On Saving Our Sons
- Attorney Martin Perkins Speaks for Inmates