News

One Lake, Few Alternatives: A Primer

Many of the concerns surrounding One Lake remain unresolved and, to date, the Levee Board has declined to host a public forum to take questions from the audience openly, instead opting for only accepting written questions and allowing one-on-one conversations.

The Siemens Settlement, Explained

Jackson's saga of a troubled contract with Siemens Inc. and subcontractors for new water meters seemed to come to an end on Feb. 19 when Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba announced an $89.8-million settlement with the multinational corporation.

Acacia Clippert

Moving to a new area for work can have its challenges. For Murrah High School economics teacher Acacia Clippert, the transition from Michigan to Mississippi validated her decision to follow her chosen career path.

Gang Bill Trying to Be a Baby RICO Mob Bill, But Too Wide, Critics Say

The Jackson Free Press recently asked Sen. Brice Wiggins if his push for Senate Bill 2459 is a way for Mississippi to have its own little Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. He looked surprised at the question, but answered yes.

'An Abortion Desert': Mississippi Women May Feel Effect of Louisiana Case

A Louisiana abortion law would turn the Bayou State into "an abortion desert" and would have strong ripple effects for women in Mississippi and other states across the country, opponents say. The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the case Wednesday.

Mississippi Receives Grant to Fight High Rates of HIV/AIDS

As Mississippi continues to experience high HIV/AIDS infection rates, a federal grant aims to support the state in fighting the epidemic.

'One Lake' Critics Sound Alarms on Bridges, Environment, Industry Effects

Environmentalists are sounding alarms over concerns that the Levee Board is misrepresenting alternative solutions to Jackson's flooding woes in favor of lucrative property-development opportunities.

USM Theater Program, UM Business Program and MSU/ECCC Partnership

The University of Southern Mississippi's theater program will host its 15th annual Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience at the USM campus in Hattiesburg from July 6-17. The program is for children ages 8 to 15.

Rickea Jackson

Freshman forward Rickea Jackson was the Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year for 2018 and 2019. She was the Michigan Player of the Year in 2019, 2019 Michigan Miss Basketball, All-Michigan First Team and 2019 USA Today All-USA Second Team.

Jackson's Food Insecurity Focus in April Expo

In a state where one in four children go to bed hungry at night, solutions to the food insecurity that plagues Jackson are the goal of a series of public art installations and workshops to highlight food-access issues in Jackson and across Mississippi.

Immigrants, Activists Call For Rights at State Capitol

Jeimy Viveros wants those who come after her to have a better shot at their dreams. She came to the Mississippi Capitol to advocate for in-state tuition for all residents living in Mississippi, documented or not.

Patrick Harkins: A Businessman with a Band

"I like to work with the mantra of positivity and doing the best we can every day to give our community the gift of music," says Patrick Harkins, owner of Fondren Guitars.

Gumbo Girl Moves to Ridgeland, Thrive @ Work Luncheon and Trustmark Brandon

Marilyn and James Kithuka, owners of Gumbo Girl, recently moved their restaurant from Highway 18 in Jackson to a new, larger location at 900 E. County Line Road in Ridgeland, inside what was formerly AJ's Seafood.

Levees Worked Well in Jackson Flood, But ‘One Lake’ Still District’s Choice

"I'm glad we're conducting the meeting today. I'm glad we can dispel some of the rumors and some of the myths about the One Lake project," Hinds County District 1 Supervisor Robert Graham, an enthusiastic supporter of the project, said. "There are two things we can do as it relates to flooding and flooding mitigation. We can do something, or we can do nothing."

Isaac Carter: New Head Coach at Millsaps

Millsaps College named head football coach Aaron Pelch full-time athletic director in January 2020, leaving the school in need of a full-time head football coach. After searching, Millsaps hired Isaac Carter for the role. Carter previously held the position of defensive coordinator and full-time professor of kinesiology at Mt. San Antonio College, a community college in Walnut, Calif.

City of Jackson Reaches $89.8 Million Settlement with Siemens

The City of Jackson has reached a $89.8 million settlement with Siemens Inc., Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba announced yesterday.

MSU Lantern Project, Sonic Boom at CBDNA Conference and USM Military Friendly List

Mississippi State University Libraries is partnering other universities for the Lantern Project, which aims to create Mississippi's first institutionally supported digital database of legal records identifying victims of slavery.

Mayor Lumumba Announces $89 Million Settlement from Siemens

"Today, I am pleased to announce that we have recovered every penny that was taken from our community by the Siemens Corporation. We have settled with Siemens for the full amount of the contract- $89,800,627."

Brenda Marie Johnson-Manuel

Brenda Marie Johnson-Manuel, event coordinator and event manager for the Mississippi e-Center at Jackson State University, has served with the organization since Sept. 17, 2007, when she joined the center as a receptionist.

The TANF Players

Since the last issue, a huge corruption scandal hit Mississippi with allegations of theft inside a State agency working with prominent Mississippians, Republican donors and former pro wrestlers. Here are the major accused players.

Reform By Any Other Name

Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Sen. Angela Turner-Ford stressed the material realities of the black experience in Mississippi as the group unveiled its agenda for 2020, with health justice and Medicaid expansion at the center.

State Auditor Looking at City Contract; Flooding, Water Quality Plagues Jackson

Chief Administrative Officer Robert Blaine drew a unanimous censure from the Jackson City Council following an administrative error in a City contract with a prominent backer of Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba.

West Jackson Creek Woes Become ‘One Lake’ Pitch

A public meeting in west Jackson to debate solutions to recent flash floods quickly turned into an impromptu pitch for the "One Lake Project" from three Hinds County supervisors and Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba.

Pearl River Crests and 500 Homes Flood Amid Stew of Chemicals, Tainted Sewage

The Pearl River crested Monday at 36.8 feet, inundating the City of Jackson with quickly creeping floodwaters. The waters reached a lower high-water mark than the worst-case scenario forecast of 38 feet, but roughly 500 homes near the river flooded, including large parts of northeast Jackson.

Native Coffee, Sweetie Pie's Reopens and 1908 Provisions Dinner Service

Matt Flinn, a former North Carolina resident who moved to Jackson with his wife, Anna, will open a new coffee shop in Belhaven called Native Coffee in March 2020, inside the former location of Deep South Pops.

Nikelle Galatas

After dropping the opening game of the 2020 baseball season to Southern Illinois University, Jackson State University gave the ball to its best pitcher. Preseason SWAC Pitcher of the Year Nikelle Galatas took the mound for the Tigers in the second game of the season.

Ellington