News

Subscribe

James Hatten

As the director of development of The Plant on Highway 80, James Hatten wants to bring more economic activity and creativity to the Highway 80 Corridor in South Jackson.

Barbour Relative Guilty of ‘Massive' Katrina Fraud

Read the ruling

Putting a Price Tag on Voter ID

The debate surrounding voter ID in Mississippi has focused on political and historical arguments, rather than funding. While its proponents have lauded voter ID as essential for preserving the democratic process, opponents have claimed it is an effort to discourage African Americans and other minorities from voting—especially those old enough to remember Jim Crow-era tactics such as poll taxes.

Getting it Right

Jannette White, 51, has lived on the same plot of land on Smith Robinson Street in the Virden Addition for the majority of her life. In 1987, White built a house next to her mother's house so that she could be her caretaker. Her mother died in 2006.

Lewis Prepares for the Future

A party atmosphere filled the Convention Complex Friday night as supporters celebrated the victory of Tyrone Lewis, set to become Hinds County's first black sheriff since Reconstruction.

DuPree Aims to Win

Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree proved that grass-roots organizing matters more than cash when it comes to winning the Democratic Party nomination for governor. Now, many voters are wondering about the likelihood of DuPree winning the governor's race against Republican Phil Bryant on Nov. 8.

Rick Cleveland

Rick Cleveland steps out of the melting Mississippi heat and into Sneaky Beans in Fondren. "It was a mistake to walk here," he says. "I hate this heat, and I hate Yazoo clay."

Meeting Focuses on Crime Solutions

Local law enforcement officials, justice advocates, clergy members and Jackson residents came together last night to discuss solutions on tackling crime in Jackson.

Lewis Campaign Manager Arrested Sunday for DUI

Clinton police arrested Aaron Banks, Sheriff-elect Tyrone Lewis' campaign manager, Sunday night for driving under the influence. Banks was charged with first-offense DUI after he was involved in an accident on Clinton Parkway in which alcohol was present, said Don Byington, Clinton chief of police. He has also been charged with contempt of court for failure to appear in court for an earlier traffic citation, Byington said. There were some injuries in the accident, Byington told the Jackson Free Press, although he did not know the extent because the police report was not ready as of today.

Downtown to Get More Sidewalks

By early 2012, downtown Jackson will have additional sidewalks and improved green space, Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced today.

Fashion and Football

A new boutique, now open in Canton, is bringing more fashionable clothing options to plus-size women in the Jackson area.

David ‘Honeyboy' Edwards

One of the "Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen" has passed. David "Honeyboy" Edwards, 96, died yesterday at his home in Chicago, Ill.

AG Unveils Website to Protect Consumers

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood unveiled a new state website yesterday to protect consumers against counterfeit merchandise.

County Denies Tax Forgiveness for Company

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors denied an electric-tool manufacturing company's request to not pay more than $1 million in property taxes this morning. The company, Milwaukee Tools, claimed it overestimated the inventory reported to the county last year, and therefore should not be required to pay taxes on an incorrect assessment.

Gov. Calls Special Session, Commemorates Katrina

Gov. Haley Barbour is calling a special session of the legislature Friday to approve one or two large economic development projects.

Abraham Jonathan Ramirez

Abraham Jonathan Ramirez went out with friends to El Jardin, a Jackson nightclub off Gallatin, a couple of years ago. He was 21 then, had a new pick-up truck and wore cowboy boots. He lived in Pearl and had lived there for at least a couple of years where he worked in construction for his girlfriend's brother. He hadn't been getting along too well with her that week, so he went out with his buddies. He was surprised to run into his girlfriend, Mayra Ibarra, at the club that night.

Community Events and Public Meetings

Sports League Registrations, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting registration for the upcoming season from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Call 601-960-0471.

Proud to Invest in America

I love America, and have proudly invested in America. I have invested by building successful businesses employing thousands of American workers. And I have invested in our country by paying taxes.

Lewis Prepares to Take Office

Even as he celebrates a close victory, Tyrone Lewis is already making plans to develop partnerships with agencies and neighboring counties when he becomes Hinds County sheriff in January.

Racial Reconciliation Helps ‘The Hurt'

Neddie Winters hasn't seen the movie "The Help" yet, but he's encouraging everyone else to watch it, then sit down and have a serious talk about it. "I'm not sure I have the strength to go see it. But you go--go and talk about it."

JFP Dog of the Day: Francis

In February, Francis was fighting for his life after a resident found him in a cardboard box, unconscious and suffering from neglect. The dog's story of recovery has inspired thousands and earned him the winner of Fuzzy Nation's supermodel pet photo contest.

It's The Weekend!

This weekend is jam-packed with community events and festivities, so choose wisely. After work, put your spandex on and head to the Rainbow Grocery parking lot at 6 p.m. to join The Jackson Bike Advocates' monthly community bike ride. The route is six miles at a slow conversational pace and will make a stop at Peaches Cafe on Farish Street for drinks and food. If you'd rather stay out of the heat, attend BBQ & Blues from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum. Proceeds from the event go to the Harbor House Chemical Dependency Services. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for kids. Afterwards, don't miss Memphis-based John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives perform at Ole Tavern. Check out Best Bets for more options.

Mississippi Leads Nation in Percentage of Same-Sex Parents

Although Mississippi ranks 42nd in the nation for the number of same-sex couples per household, it leads the nation in the percentage of same-sex couples raising children, a study by the Williams Institute released yesterday finds.

Council Offers Few Changes to Mayor's Budget

Jackson City Council members may have voiced concerns over their role in crafting the city's budget for fiscal year 2012, but yesterday's special meeting to add amendments to the budget was anti-climatic with only two proposed changes passed.

‘Urban School District' Challenges Supt. Search

Jackson Public Schools will likely hire a national search consultant experienced with urban school districts to look for a new superintendent.

Miriam Weems

Artist Miriam Weems filled the world with color from her cottage studio in Belhaven, and she reflected what she saw back to the community. This week, her fans, friends and family mourned her death and said good-bye.

State to Receive $8M From Tobacco Suit

Jackson County Chancery Court Judge Jaye A. Bradley issued a ruling yesterday requiring Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. to pay an additional $8 million to the state.

Council Spars with Mayor on Budget

Jackson City Council members and Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. are caught in a power struggle over passing the city's budget for fiscal year 2012.

Bonds Fund Jackson-Area Projects

The state Bond Commission gave several Jackson-area projects the go-ahead last week, paving the way for a much-anticipated civil-rights museum downtown.

Hosemann vs. Dems?

Members of the state's Democratic Party claim they were sideswiped Aug. 16 when Republican Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann issued a press release that the party had failed to file election results from the Aug. 2 primary, which were due Aug. 12.

Blogs

Video