News

JPS Strings Program in Jeopardy

A partnership between the school district and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Strings in the Schools offers free music instruction for students as young as 5 at some schools all the way through high school.

Pearl Targets Low-Income Rentals

The city of Pearl is turning into a case study in ever-changing and ever-more-restrictive rental ordinances, which have some folks mad as hell.

Trevor Pickering

Dr. Trevor Pickering, a partner in Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Jackson, is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knees and hips.

David Watkins Speaks on Farish

Embattled developer David Watkins is finally talking about the controversy that has swirled for weeks over the Farish Street redevelopment project in downtown Jackson.

Saks Possibly Sacked, Plus Belk and the Medical Mall Open Up

If Canadian clothing company Hudson Bay Co. acquires upscale retailer Saks Fifth Avenue for $2.9 billion, it could threaten Saks' operation center in Jackson, the Mississippi Business Journal reported recently.

Charles E. Cobb Jr.

Charles Cobb's grandmother was from Greenville, but Cobb, a Washington, D.C., native, got his introduction to Mississippi the same way as many Americans who had never traveled to the South: the murder of Emmett Till in 1955.

Breaking Away: Top Public Universities Push for 'Autonomy' from States

Across the country, a small but growing number of public universities are looking to cut deals with state lawmakers that scale back direct oversight, often in return for less funding or for meeting certain performance targets.

Causes, Effects of EBT Glitch Probed

An apparent computer glitch resulted in mass confusion across a large swath of the country when people discovered their electronic benefits transfer did not work over the weekend.

Josh Marks

Josh Marks gained notoriety for his performance on the popular reality cooking show "MasterChef," reaching the finals and garnering attention from prominent chefs during the program's third season.

Community Events and Public Meetings

Blues by Starlight is Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in Highland Village.

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.

Will Mississippi Avoid the College-Debt Crash?

Whitney Barkley believes that college loan debt could be bad news for the U.S. economy.

Mercury Increasing in Birds Downstream of Canada's Oil Sands

Mercury levels are increasing in the eggs of water birds that nest downstream of Canada's oil sands region, according to a new study.

Deja Abdul-Haqq

Deja Abdul-Haqq—environmental and policy manager at My Brother's Keeper, Inc.—is devoted to addressing health and nutritional disparities in Mississippi.

It's the Weekend!

Tonight, Street Corner Symphony performs at 9 p.m. at Duling Hall.

Farish Street Flap Heats Up

Since developer David Watkins responded to a flurry of criticism over his handling of the Farish Street renovation project with a letter yesterday afternoon, his camp has ratcheted up its war of words.

Costliest 1 Percent of Patients Account for 21 Percent of U.S. Health Spending

Five percent of patients account for 50 percent of all health-care expenditures.

House GOP Leaders Seek Short-Term Debt Extension

House Speaker John Boehner planned to ask fractious Republican lawmakers on Thursday to support a six-week extension of the government's ability to borrow money, even as Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew warned Congress of "irrevocable damage" that an unprecedented federal default would risk.

JRA Moving on Farish, Slowly

The history of Farish Street's renovation efforts, which Jackson architect Steven Horn first proposed in 1983, is as shameful as the area is illustrious.

Vigil Gives Mom Peace, Not Justice

Almost three months have passed since Quardious Thomas was shot and killed in northwest Jackson's Lakeover subdivision for allegedly trying to steal a car.

Baker, McQuirter Win Hinds Democratic Primary

The results are in: Democrats Darrel McQuirter and James "Lap" Baker make it into the November general election for Hinds County supervisor.

Legality of Water-Sewer Plan Uncertain

Complaints over increased water and sewer rates have continued, even after the Jackson City Council passed the 2013-2014 fiscal-year budget.

Was William Brown an Open-Carry Casualty?

William Brown’s wife, DeUndra, believes her husband was victimized twice—once at the hands of his killer and again by a state law that allows people to carry guns openly.

Chris Cajoleas

Christ Cajoleas worked 16 shows in 18 days managing a tour featuring hip-hop artist Pell and DJ Staccato.

Hinds Dem Runoff Today: McQuirter v. Robinson, Baker v. Maldonado

In the absence of serious Republican opposition in most corners of Hinds County, Democratic primary battles can often get nasty and divisive. The contest for the safely Democratic District 2 seat is affirming that fact.

Barber Shop, Burn Center, Recycling and USM

Next month, partners Justin McPherson and Eddie Outlaw—a frequent contributor to the Jackson Free Press—will open a new business, The Fondren Barber Shop, next to their William Wallace Salon (2939 Old Canton Road).

Doyle Warrington

It's a common man who loves his family and dogs, but a special man who takes that love and channels it into a philanthropy that makes a lasting change. Such is the legacy of Doyle Warrington, who passed away Oct. 1 at age 71.

Filling Empty Houses In Byram

Another group has come to the table in the struggle to fill empty houses in the Jackson area. The nonprofit Home Again Inc. is teaming with Hope Credit Union and Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas to do it.

Key Reads on Government Shutdowns

We've been here before: The U.S. government has shut down due to lack of funding 18 times in its history.

William Bynum

On Thursday, Oct. 3, the Mississippi College Board announced that William Bynum, vice president of enrollment management and student services at the private Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., is the preferred candidate to become president of Mississippi Valley State University.

Ellington