News

City to Bail Out Convention Center This Month, But Rejects Request for $790,000

The fledgling Jackson Convention Center asked the Jackson City Council for bailout money this week and got it, but not without pushback from two members, Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes and Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote.

Quez Watkins

Redshirt junior wide receiver Quez Watkins stepped on the field for the University of Southern Mississippi for the first time in the 2019 season against Troy University after missing the first two games of the season against Alcorn State University and Mississippi State University.

A New Workforce Café, and Lots of Renovations

The Mississippi Department of  Finance and Administration in July  purchased the Sun-n-Sand Motor Hotel on Lamar Street and the Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home on West Street, both  historic landmarks located in downtown Jackson.

Sisters in Birth, Inc.

One reason Sisters in Birth Inc. founder and Executive Director Getty Israel decided to create her organization is "because there was a time when I was a single mother without a support group," she says.

Amber Johnson: Becoming the First

The Jackson City Council honored Amber Johnson during an Aug. 6, 2019, meeting at city hall after she became the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. from Purdue University's computer-science department.

Daisy Carter

During college, Daisy Carter wanted to become an English teacher so she could teach the subject she loves and give back to Jackson Public Schools.

JFP Questions Destruction of Public Records by Hinds County Board of Supervisors

The Jackson Free Press is asking the Hinds County Board of Supervisors to delay its unanimous vote yesterday to dispose of documents relating to its former administrations as well as former County Administrator's files from 1984 to 2007.

Jeb Bush Headlining Big-Money Lunch for Reeves After Voucher, Charter Victories

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush plans to travel to Belden, Miss., next month to help raise money for the state's Republican nominee for governor, Tate Reeves, at a high-dollar luncheon.

Court: No Voters' Right to Govern Airport, OK to Hide Communications

Capital-city residents do not have the right to govern the Jackson Medgar-Evers Wiley Airport or subpoena records from Mississippi legislators who voted to take over control of the facility, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled late last month.

PARK(ing) Day, Creative IMPACT Luncheon, Madison IMAX, MANP Grant

The City of Jackson will host PARK(ing) Day, a national event to bring together businesses and residents to transform metered parking spaces into temporary park installations for one day, on Friday, Sept. 20.

Caller Demands JFP Not Sully Football Issue with Stories About 'Illegals,' ICE (Listen)

"Y'all get all this crap in there about this damn illegal raid on these illegal aliens that stole jobs from American citizens," he lectured. "I think that really sucks because I wanted to read about football."

Expanded Vouchers Not OK with Either Lt. Gov. Candidate, Short Debate Reveals

The Republican and Democratic candidates for Mississippi lieutenant governor found more to agree than disagree on in Thursday night's 30-minute debate, with similar positions on teacher pay, private-school vouchers and transparency.

Judge Disqualifies Attorneys In Water Lawsuit Against City of Jackson

The City of Jackson, a defendant in a lawsuit over how it is handling the current water-billing crisis, sent out two press statements Wednesday night announcing a victory for its defense in the legal action.

Matt Corral

Expectations grew in the 2019 Grove Bowl as University of Mississippi fans saw their first glimpse of new offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez and quarterback Matt Corral.

Millsaps Windgate Center, USM Air Force Program and MSU GEAR UP Grant

Millsaps College held a dedication ceremony for its new Windgate Visual Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 5.

AG’s Office Releases Reeves Road Report with Reviews by Two Former Supreme Court Justices

Attorney General Jim Hood released a 43-page investigative report on whether Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves was involved in an attempt to build a $2 million frontage road in Flowood, Miss., which would have connected Reeves' home within a private subdivision to a nearby shopping center.

#MSELEX: Reeves Says Hood's Mental Health Focus Distracts from Issues; Dems in NOLA

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves is pushing back against accusations that his leadership helped set the conditions for Mississippi's mental-health crisis.

Jacksonians Must Pay for Recycling, But City Recommendations Fall Short

In the wake of the City's suspension of its recycling program, Jackson residents have limited recycling options.

Mississippi Launches Statewide Human Trafficking Council

To address rising human-trafficking rates in Mississippi, a collaboration of government agencies has launched the inaugural Mississipi Human Trafficking Council.

Ken Slay

Madison-based author Ken Slay’s recently released book, “Daily Ponderances - Words of Hope, Humility and Sage Advice in 140 Characters or Less," began as a gift for Slay’s daughter, Mae Slay, on her 21st birthday.

State News: Charter Schools Legal; OK to Sell 'Veggie Burgers'; Hughes-Hosemann Debate Ahead

Stacey Abrams, who nearly made history in Georgia's race for governor last year, is helping Democrats who are running for statewide office in Mississippi this year.

Lee Vance's Priority as Hinds Sheriff: Overhauling Pretrial Detention System

Former Jackson Police Chief Lee Vance said Friday that reforming the pretrial detention system in Hinds County would be a top priority for his administration if he is elected Hinds County sheriff in November.

Dowell Taylor

At the Aug. 20 city council meeting, the council recognized Dowell Taylor with a resolution for being a world-renowned musician and for his leadership.

MS Science Fest, MS-FAST Program and Mississippi Community Education Center

The LeFleur Museum District in Jackson will host its annual Mississippi Science Festival, which C Spire sponsors, from Sept. 19-21.

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.

Amid Water-Sewer Problems, Jackson 'Millage Rate' Vote a Temporary Fix

Amid an ongoing lawsuit stemming from concerns over Jackson's water-sewer system, the Jackson City Council voted Thursday evening to not change the overall millage rate for fiscal year 2020.

Focus on Money in Mental Health Crisis a 'Red Herring,' Advocate Says

Disability Rights Mississippi praised a federal judge's ruling earlier this week that found the State violates the civil rights of those with mental illness, but a leading mental health advocate pushed back on Attorney General Jim Hood's emphasis on money, rather than a well-funded systemic overhaul.

Ellington