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Private Prison on Trial: Inmates at ‘Bleak’ Facility Tell Harrowing Stories
Merlin Hill was one of 19 inmates who testified during the five-week class-action trial against the Mississippi Department of Corrections for what they describe as appalling conditions at the privately run East Mississippi Correctional Facility near Meridian.
More Charters Ahead for Jackson?
By August, four of Mississippi's five charter schools will be up and running in the state's capital city.
Addiction Treatment Center Moves to Baptist Medical Center in Jackson
Pathway Healthcare, a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center previously located on County Line Road, has moved its Jackson office to the Baptist Medical Center campus.
Third Graders Who Failed Reading Test Eligible for Free Eye Exam
Every third grader in Mississippi must pass the third-grade reading exam to be promoted to fourth grade. When a student fails the third-grade reading exam, it could mean they are struggling to read on grade level. It could mean that they are having vision problems, too.
Lawsuit: Inmates Have the Right to Free, Secular Books in Prison
Big House Books, a nonprofit that sends free books by request to inmates, filed a lawsuit against the South Mississippi Correctional Institution this week because inmates there cannot receive books that are donated, the lawsuit says.
Corinth Will Settle in Debtors' Prison Case
The City of Corinth will stop locking up men and women who cannot afford to pay their fines or bail after reaching an agreement with the Southern Poverty Law Center and the MacArthur Justice Center.
Debtors’ Prisons Out, Parole For More People
Criminal-justice reform is and has been a bipartisan issue in the Mississippi Legislature in recent years, and 2018 is no exception.
What Jacksonians Want in a New JPS Supe
Dozens of applicants are interested in being the next leader of the second-largest school district in Mississippi.
Sheriffs Decry Cutbacks, Private Prison Contracts
Mississippi sheriffs packed into Room 113 at the Capitol Monday to express frustrations after the Mississippi Department of Corrections announced a reduction in inmates housed at the 15 regional facilities in the state even as taxpayer money is going to fund private, corporate-operated prisons.
JPS Central Office Needs Restructuring, Report Says
The capital city's schools have been on a roller coaster the past year, avoiding a state takeover, then installing a new school board and adding a commission to help study the district.
Survey: Attorney General, Governor Boast Highest Approval Ratings
Attorney General Jim Hood and Gov. Phil Bryant have the highest approval ratings of a selection of Mississippi political leaders, a Millsaps College and Chism Strategies survey released earlier this month, shows.
Statewide Student Testing Task Force To Meet This Summer
Mississippi Superintendent Carey Wright announced a task force this week to study how individual school district and the Department of Education in the state are testing students.
Governor Vetoes Opioid, Crime Reforms After Signing Reentry Law
Gov. Phil Bryant has blocked an effort to help wean those addicted to opioids off the drugs with medication, as well as assisted indigent prisoners.
Roadblocks for Road Plans?
The Republican supermajority in the Mississippi Legislature has ignored the state chamber of commerce's calls to increase state funding for roads and bridges for three legislative sessions in a row.
JPS Set to Start Clearing Standards in Corrective Action Plan
The Jackson Public School District has a new 400-page corrective action plan to begin work on, and it is already asking the Mississippi Department of Education to approve its efforts one some of the required criteria.
As 83 Bridges Close, Speaker Gunn Unveils Revamped Funding Proposal
As the Mississippi Department of Transportation begins to close the 83 bridges Gov. Phil Bryant ordered closed on Tuesday, House Speaker Philip Gunn announced a nearly 60-page proposal to divert funding to the state's infrastructure.
Disenfranchised for Life? No Changes, Yet
Stanley Barnes of Claiborne County was convicted of murder in 1990 and received a life sentence, but was paroled in 2000. He is still on unsupervised parole. Sen. Albert Butler, D-Port Gibson, introduced a bill this session to restore Barnes' voting rights.
State to Reauthorize, Monitor Visitors Bureau
Pending Gov. Phil Bryant's signature, the State of Mississippi is reauthorizing the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau for another year, but with added strings attached.
JPS: School Bond Issue to Go Before Jackson Voters this Summer
District leaders and school board members are preparing to bring a bond issue to Jackson voters, likely in June, to keep Jackson Public Schools' current millage rate—and tax rate for Jacksonians—at the same level.
'Yes, Dr. King, How Can I Help You?': Black Rights Leaders Recall MLK
Flonzie Brown-Wright, Charles McLaurin and James Meredith spoke at the 2 Mississippi Museums on Wednesday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of King's death and reflect on how his work affected them personally.