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UPDATED: Lumumba, City Council Quietly Raise Property Taxes to Fill Budget Holes
Late last week, the Jackson City Council approved a 2-millage tax increase in a close 3-2 vote, with two city council members not attending the last-minute Friday-evening meeting.
JPS Faces ‘Emergency’ Decision: What’s Next?
The future of Jackson Public Schools is uncertain after a recent audit investigation found the district has hundreds of unfilled and uncertified teacher slots; inconsistent board-to-district policies; and did not teach graduating seniors enough days to qualify for graduation.
Amid Growing Scrutiny and Pressure, State Flag May Land at Supreme Court
Pressure to change the Mississippi state flag has intensified since shocking images emerged of torch-wielding white supremacists in Charlottesville, Va., marching to protect symbols honoring the Confederacy—a weekend rally that ended with an anti-racist protester dead.
Secretary of State Launches Voter Registration Status Tool
Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann launched a new part of the Y'all Vote website on Wednesday, Sept. 6, that allows Mississippians to easily see if they are registered to vote—and if so, where they should be voting.
Mayor Lumumba Backs 'Dreamers,' Calls on Trump to Preserve DACA
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is calling on President Donald Trump to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, known as DACA. Lumumba signed the "We Are With Dreamers" letter today, which includes governors, state and municipal leaders, and faith leaders throughout the country.
AG Warns: It's a Felony to Sell Flood-damaged Vehicles as New
Attorney General Jim Hood cautioned Mississippians who are in the market to purchase vehicles in the next few months to be wary of flood damage.
Mississippi Helps Florida in Irma Response
Ninety-eight emergency responders from Mississippi are headed to Florida to assist with hurricane relief and recovery efforts after Hurricane Irma made landfall there this weekend.
Advocates, Lumumba Call For 'No State Takeover' as State Decisions Looms
This week, the Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation will decide whether or not Jackson Public Schools is in a state of emergency.
As Money Flows to Hopefuls, Hattiesburg Votes to Elect New Legislator
Hattiesburg residents have their choice of four candidates in the special election for House District 102, which they vote in today, to replace former Rep. Toby Barker's seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives. Barker ran for mayor of Hattiesburg this spring and won, leaving his seat open.
Local DACA Immigrants: We Still Have a Dream
The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security show that more than 3,000 Mississippians have applied for DACA approval, with 2,700 applications approved as of March 31.
UPDATED: How Will the Jackson Property Tax Increase Affect You?
The Jackson City Council approved Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's revenue increase proposal, raising the city's property tax rate by 2 mills, late on the Friday before Labor Day weekend.
Lumumba Alleges 'Nefarious Intent' in JPS Audit, Says City Will Fight
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba rallied with advocates on Tuesday ahead of this morning's Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation meeting, during which members will determine whether or not to put Jackson Public Schools is in an "emergency" situation.
‘Everybody Matters, Or Nobody Matters’: The JFP Interview with Public Safety Commissioner Marshall Fisher
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Marshall Fisher shared his opinions and ideas about how law enforcement fits into society and government as a whole with the Jackson Free Press recently.
JPS ‘Takeover’ Looms as Commission Declares ‘Extreme Emergency’ in District
The impending state takeover of Jackson Public Schools moved forward today, shocking a packed board room at the Mississippi Department of Education, which is housed in the old, long-segregated Central High School in downtown Jackson.
State Board Sends JPS Takeover to Governor for Stamp of Approval
The fate of Jackson Public Schools is now in the hands of Republican Gov. Phil Bryant after the Mississippi Board of Education declared an “extreme emergency situation” in the district this afternoon.
Attorney, JPS Parent Files Federal Lawsuit to Block State Takeover of School District
Jackson attorney Dorsey Carson says the state's process to take over school districts, violates his child's and all parents' due-process rights.
35 New U.S. Citizens from 23 Countries Take Oath at Jackson Middle School
In honor of Constitution Day, Sept. 17, as well as the anniversary of federal courts this month, U.S. District Courts around the country hosted naturalization ceremonies in schools.
Lilli Evans Bass
Lilli Evans Bass says that Jackson is and always will be home for her. That's why, even after receiving her law degree at the University of Mississippi in 2008, she decided to come home to practice law.
Next Steps for JPS Takeover: Governor in No 'Rush'
Jackson Public Schools started the week of Sept. 11 facing a possible takeover and ended with its fate in Gov. Phil Bryant's hands.
Gov. Bryant on JPS Takeover: 'Not Going to Rush Judgment'
After meeting with Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba this morning, Gov. Phil Bryant said today that he does not plan to "rush judgment" on the Mississippi Board of Education's proposal to take over Jackson Public Schools, which awaits his signature.