News

Bringing the River Back to Life

The Mississippi River Basin Model, a National Civil Engineering Landmark, is in bad shape; however, compared to the last time I wrote about it for the Jackson Free Press, it has improved, thanks to the Friends of the Mississippi River Basin Model organization.

Monique Davis

For most of her career, local artist Monique Davis has been centered at the intersection of art and social justice.

Jackson’s Budget Marks Progress, Setbacks

Jackson's Chief Administrative Officer Robert Blaine stepped up to a podium at the base of the steps outside City Hall carrying "antique technology."

Seafood R'evolution Celebrates Anniversary and Chef Award, Julian Rankin to Direct Walter Anderson Museum of Art

Certified Angus Beef LLC named Simon Brown, chef de cuisine at Seafood R'evolution, as a "Culinary Innovator" during the organization's convention in Maui, Hawaii, from Sept. 26 to Sept. 28.

Amid Positive Polls, Jim Hood to Announce Run for Mississippi Governor

Mississippi State Attorney General Jim Hood will kick off a campaign for governor on Wednesday, Oct. 3, he announced in a statement on Monday, Oct. 1.

City to Reveal Names of Officers Involved in Past Shootings, Adopt 72-Hour Policy

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced on Friday, Sept. 28, that he would soon sign an executive order adopting a 72-hour name-release policy following officer-involved shootings in the City of Jackson, though he did not commit to a date it would go into effect.

John Lewis: Vote for Espy or Risk Being 'Dragged Into the Past'

Rep. John Lewis, a famous civil-rights activist and a Georgia congressman, urged Mississippi voters to support Democrat Mike Espy's U.S. Senate campaign in a Sept. 25 email.

Mike Espy: Hyde-Smith is ‘Irresponsible’ and ‘Wrong’ on Kavanaugh

U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith drew fire from her Democratic rival, former U.S. Sec. of Agriculture Mike Espy, for her position on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who faces allegations of sexual assault.

Mike Espy Pulls out of U.S. Senate Debate in Jackson, Citing ‘Hypocrisy’

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Espy has pulled out of an Oct. 4 debate in Jackson because the incumbent, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, will not attend.

‘Believe Survivors,’ Baria Tells Wicker and Hyde-Smith on Kavanaugh Vote

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate David Baria, who serves as the House minority leader in the Mississippi Legislature, called for halt in the process to confirm U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh after the Senate’s Sept. 27 hearings on sexual assault allegations.

Holmes TYCAM Leadership Positions and National Science Foundation Grant

English professors from Holmes Community College recently accepted leadership positions in the Two-Year College English Association of Mississippi organization, and four Mississippi universities received a $20-million, five-year grant from the National Science Foundation to start a new research center.

Fondren Business Improvement District Moves Forward in City Council

Fondren business owners will take up a vote to establish a self-taxing Business Improvement District following Jackson City Council approval of the proposal at the Sept. 25 meeting.

Kit Fields

As a child, local artist Kit Fields says she recalls loving to paint and draw, but it wasn’t until age 45 that she started taking painting lessons. Her first class was with renowned watercolor artist Ann Barron.

Hyde-Smith: Defending Kavanaugh Is ‘My Duty’ as a Woman in Congress

While addressing the Senate floor for the first time, Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith defended Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, after a third woman accused the judge of sexual misconduct earlier today.

‘Killing Unborn Children’ Point of Kavanaugh Accusations, McDaniel Claims

The women accusing U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault are part of a “charade” to keep abortion legal, U.S. Senate candidate Chris McDaniel of Mississippi claimed in a series of tweets Monday.

Jack Abraham

In three games this season, Abraham has completed 77 of 107 passes for 1,048 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a 72-percent pass completion rates, and he is averaging 9.79 yards per attempt.

Trump to Campaign with Hyde-Smith in North Mississippi

The Cindy Hyde-Smith for U.S. Senate campaign announced on Tuesday that President Donald Trump will join her for a rally in north Mississippi on Oct. 2.

Lumumba Signs Water and Sewer Customer ‘Bill of Rights’ Ahead of Shutoffs

Ahead of water shutoffs to non-paying customers, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba signed an executive order Monday, Sept. 24, officiating a “Bill of Rights” to those who pay for water and sewer in the City of Jackson.

Oxford Film Festival Grants, Schwartz “Buddy Bear” Campaign, and “Broadway in Jackson” and “Jackson Live!”

The Oxford Film Festival is offering a new grant to filmmakers, Schwartz & Associates is launching a “Buddy Bear” campaign, and “Broadway in Jackson” and “Jackson Live!” are coming back to Thalia Mara Hall.

Bob Zellner

The cinematic story of the son of a Klansman becoming a leading student figure in the Civil Rights Movement is moving ahead, with filming planned in Alabama.

Meek Wants Name Removed from UM Journalism School; New ‘Path’ Pledged

Ed Meek, the man whose $5.3-million donation in 2009 cemented him as the namesake of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi, requested over the weekend that his name to be removed from the school.

Espy Says Ford Allegations ‘Credible’ as Gov. Patrick Endorses Him

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced his support for Democrat Mike Espy’s candidacy in Mississippi’s U.S. Senate special election at a Hattiesburg press conference on Saturday.

Meek's Post on Black Women Prompts Demand for Renamed Journalism School

It all started on Facebook Wednesday night, Sept. 19, when Ed Meek, the eponym of the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi, posted a photo of two black university students paired with a caption blaming the young women for crime and plummeting property values.

Senate Debate at Millsaps, AIM for CHangE at MSU and Belhaven Family Weekend

Millsaps College and Mississippi Public Broadcasting will host "Decision 2018: Mississippi U.S. Senate Debate," featuring candidates in the state special election to fill retired U.S. Senator Thad Cochran's seat, on Thursday, Oct. 4.

Gregory Vance

Jackson native Gregory Vance recently became one of seven freshman students at the University of Mississippi to receive scholarships from the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation.

Deval Patrick to Join Mike Espy in Hattiesburg Saturday

Former Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will campaign with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Espy on Friday, Sept. 21, in downtown Hattiesburg.

Ron Paul Endorses Chris McDaniel for Cochran's U.S. Senate Seat

Former Texas Congressman Ron Paul urged voters to elect "courageous leaders" like Mississippi State Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, "to stand up to the establishment in Washington" in an endorsement McDaniel's campaign announced via press release Wednesday.

Christian Jacquemin

Before coming to Jackson State University, senior kicker Christian Jacquemin went to Coral Reef High School in Miami, where he played soccer before his high-school coach encouraged him to try football in his junior year.

Council Confirms James Davis as Police Chief, Frank Figgers to School Board

It was standing room only in Jackson City Council chambers ahead of the special meeting this morning to confirm James Davis as Jackson Police Department's chief and Frank Figgers of Ward 3 as the final appointee to the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees.

Moon to Carry Private Message from Kim Jong Un to Trump

A beaming South Korean President Moon Jae-in, freshly returned home Thursday from a whirlwind three-day summit with Kim Jong Un, said the North Korean leader wants the U.S. secretary of state to visit Pyongyang soon for nuclear talks, and also hopes for a quick follow-up to his June summit with President Donald Trump.

Ellington