News

Bold Requests from the ‘Bold New City’

Mayor Tony Yarber has talked to top Republican leaders, who he says seem most amenable to helping with Jackson’s public-safety needs.

Legislators on a Tight Rope, Walking a Fine Line

Officials and advocates don't expect this legislative session to be much different than any other. It's a state-wide election year, which is the perfect time for emphasizing wedge issues and lollygagging on real state concerns like education and Medicaid.

Analysis: Election-Year Politicking Starts

Like a comet that is visible to Earth denizens only once in a while, the quadrennial event of the election-year legislative session has commenced.

Runnin’ the Blues Through the Veins of Jackson

It was only six years ago, in 2008, when John Sewell began working with others to put together a marathon that would celebrate the unique blues culture in Mississippi. This weekend, on Jan. 10, the event returns as one of the city's signature annual events.

Familiar Faces Join Ward 3 Fray

For the first time in a quarter century, Jackson's Ward 3 city council is not occupied by an individual whose surname is Stokes. In fact, the near-west-side ward seat, a longtime stronghold of the black community, is not currently occupied at all.

Mississippi Knocks Federal Clean Air Regs

The Mississippi agency responsible for protecting the state's natural resources is pushing back against a proposed federal clean-power plan designed to reduce climate changing carbon pollution and improve citizens' health.

Sen. Hillman Frazier

Today, Sen. Hillman Frazier's office on the first floor of the Capitol is a shrine to his more than three decades in public service.

Boosting Downtown’s Curb Appeal

In downtown Jackson, utility crews whacked off the tops of Bradford pear trees to prevent them from growing into power lines. Iron grates on Congress Street choke the growth of some trees, as the foliage has been left to grow where it pleases.

Same-Sex Marriage Arguments Before 5th Circuit Friday

The future of same-sex marriage in Mississippi hinges upon arguments that begin Friday, Jan. 9.

Craft Beer Store Opens, Ace Closes, UMMC Acquires Courthouse

Montgomery Ace Hardware, in Maywood Mart Shopping Center, will close its doors Jan. 17.

Legislature: The War is Just Beginning

The Mississippi Legislature is back in session tomorrow, which means another three months of state representatives at battle on issues, some of questionable significance.

City Escapes $600K Judgment

A federal judge has dismissed a $600,000 judgment against the City of Jackson that dates back to a 2012 lawsuit.

Christina Doss

After participating in a Habitat for Humanity build in Dallas, Nissan employee Christina Doss plans to use her acquired skills and experience to help enrich her own community in the Jackson metro area.

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.

Dr. Mario Azevedo

The College of Liberal Arts at Jackson State University recently named Dr. Mario Azevedo, a professor and interim chair of the Department of History and Philosophy, to serve as dean.

Yarber Touts First Term 'Wins'

If the city had a rocky year, it was due in no small part to the growing pains of scrambling to assemble a mayoral administration mid-year and jumping right into the morass of steering the city of Jackson through myriad challenges.

U.S. Bishops Take Aim at Sterilization

Amid the escalating conflicts over reproductive rights, tubal ligations haven't generated nearly as many headlines as abortion. But many doctors and patient advocates feel strongly about the topic, especially their ability to provide the surgery to a new mother immediately after childbirth.

State Grant to Train Teens for Safer Dates

The "Safe Dates" program aims to help teens differentiate between relationships that are caring and supportive and those that are controlling, manipulative and abusive.

For Jackson, ‘Progress in the Face of Adversity’

In December 2013, with a new city council and a once-controversial mayor who was starting to win the hearts and minds of his detractors, things were looking up for the city of Jackson.

Money, Ministry and Stewpot’s Future

Stewpot, a pillar in the Jackson community for its service to the homeless population, has a long history of struggling to make ends meet.

Cordaryl Campbell

Also a husband and father, Cordaryl Campbell believes he is better prepared for making it in professional basketball by the road he has traveled.

4 the Record, RimTyme, J. McLaughlin, Emerging Leader Series and State Trade and Export Program

Jackson's premier vinyl convention, 4 the Record, looks to be skipping next year after a number of larger vendors cancelled to attend the Alabama Record Collector's Association CD & Record Show.

Quietly, Campaign Season Starts Over Holiday Break

Despite the election being almost one year away, candidates are already announcing runs for local and state races in next year's statewide election, when voters will choose leadership for state and county government.

Ashby Foote Joins Jackson Council

The Jackson City Council has moved closer to returning to full strength with Ashby Foote officially joining the body as Ward 1 councilman.

Dr. Phyllis Hollenbeck and Dr. Charles Sherwood

It took courage and conscience for physicians Charles Sherwood and Phyllis Hollenbeck to blow the whistle on their employer, the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, officials with the federal Office of Special Counsel said.

Gay Marriage Cases Teed Up for Justices' Action

Gay marriage cases are on the Supreme Court's agenda with enough time for the issue to be argued and decided by late June.

Marriage Equality and Beyond for LGBTs

Failure to protect LGBT people extends beyond shutting off the marriage, and a sobering new report sheds light on the economic and social effects of denying lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people equal protection under the law.

New Homes Keep Midtown Revival Going

Midtown Partners, which promotes social and economic revitalization in the neighborhood just north of downtown, developed a master plan in 2010 that calls for expansion of services, parks and housing.

Dr. Olurotimi Badero

With his laid-back demeanor, most wouldn't guess that Dr. Olurotimi Badero, 43, is one of the most knowledgeable medical minds in Mississippi.

Does Uber Have a Dark Side?

The ride-sharing app, Uber, has plans to change the transportation game forever. The company included Jackson in those plans as it expanded into the city with its UberX program, beginning Dec. 11, even as it is mired in international controversy.

Ellington