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Mayor Lumumba's Son Responds to Accusations that He Was Murdered

Over the weekend, various media outlets—irresponsibly in our opinion—published unsubstantiated rumors that Mayor Chokwe Lumumba was murdered, but with no evidence attached. Mayor Chokwe Lumumba's son, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, gave the following statement to R.L. Nave of the Jackson Free Press this morning responding to comments of Hinds County Supervisor …

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After Haggling, City Council Sets Mayoral Special Election for April 8, 2014

JFP News Editor R.L. Nave is at City Hall for the special council meeting to set the date of the special election for the late Mayor Chokwe Lumumba's seat (made interesting because several members may run for the seat.) Nave tweeted that Councilman De'Keither Stamps and Quentin Whitwell wanted the …

Jackblog

Oxford, Miss., Passes Pro-LGBT Resolution, 3rd Mississippi College Town to Do So

Just in, verbatim: Oxford, MS Unanimously Passes Pro-LGBT Resolution Third Mississippi city to pass resolution recognizing the role LGBT people play in thriving communities WASHINGTON - Tonight Oxford, Mississippi unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the dignity and worth of all city residents - including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual …

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Tony Yarber to JFP: 'I'm heavily considering a run' for mayor

UPDATED I just ran into a Facebook post that hints that (a) Councilman Tony Yarber might be running for mayor and (b) that the hashtag #runtonyrun is trending. After posting about it earlier, Yarber got back in touch with me via Facebook message, saying: "I'm heavily considering a run. I'm …

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Harvey Johnson Jr. running for mayor? This letter suggests he is.

Someone just forwarded me a letter they say was distributed today at Cade Chapel M.B. Church that appears to be from former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. asking for support in his run in the special mayor election. We have been hearing that he is running again, and are trying to …

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Will Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon run for mayor?

We just saw Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon's Facebook posting indicating that she might announce for mayor by the end of the week. Here is a screenshot. We'll keep you posted. http://jacksonfreepress.com/users/photos/2014/mar/10/16336/

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UPDATE: Antar Lumumba announces mayoral bid at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall

As the JFP reported last week, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, 30, is running for mayor. He will announce today (Tuesday) at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall that he is running for his father's seat. Note that this is a new time.

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Jonathan Lee: 'I will not seek the office at this time'; Horhn in race

In a move that contradicts the plethora of hats flying into the mayoral ring this week, Jonathan Lee posted on his Facebook page last night that he is not running in the mayoral special election (news broken on Twitter by Ross Adams of WJTV). It was rumored that Lee, a …

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Field of 8 for Mayor? Horhn announces, Wilson and Swarts file paperwork

As we told you yesterday, state Sen. John Horhn officially joined the Jackson mayoral race this morning at Cade's Courtyard on Mayes Street. Horhn ran for mayor in 2009 and is known for drawing bipartisan and multiracial support. Here is his 2009 JFP Interview when he was running for mayor: …

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Jackson Chamber and WLBT hosting live mayoral debate March 27

The Jackson Chamber of Commerce and WLBT 3 will host a Mayoral Debate live on WLBT and MSNewsNOW.com in prime time, Thursday March 27, 2014, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. location to be announced. For more information contact Cynthia Buchanan, Executive Vice President, Jackson Chamber of Commerce at 601-948-7575 or …

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Coffee and Conversation with Candidate Tony Yarber at Broad Street

OK, this is the first mayoral campaign event, beyond announcements, that I've heard about so far. You can get free coffee at Broad Street Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and ask Tony Yarber questions. But don't jump to conclusions (that Yarber is the candidate of owner Jeff Good, …

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Tate Reeves blasts Mississippi House for voting down teacher pay raise

In case you think Republicans all get along. The lieutenant governor's verbatim response, sent earlier today: STATEMENT OF LT. GOV. REEVES ON HOUSE VOTE AGAINST TEACHER PAY PLAN “Unfortunately, the House voted today against teachers getting $3,500 more in their paycheck by July 1, 2015. I had hoped this week …

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Margaret Barrett-Simon: 'petty politics and turf battles are over'

A source close to Margaret Barrett-Simon's family confirmed to the Jackson Free Press tonight that she is entering the mayor's race. She will officially announce Monday. Stay tuned for time and location. We reported Monday that Barrett-Simon was considering a run and would decide by today.

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Lumumbas Welcome Baby Girl

Verbatim, from the Chokwe Antar Lumumba campaign: The Lumumba family would like to announce the birth of their baby girl Alakè Maryama Lumumba! She was born today March 18th at 11:01 a.m. Weighing approximately 6 lbs 4 ounces. Both Ebony and baby Alakè are doing well. Alakè (means: one to …

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15 Candidates Filed to Run for Mayor; Qualification Still Under Way

The Jackson city clerk's office provided 15 names of potential mayoral candidates who have filed paperwork to run in the special election. The deadline was today at 5 p.m. The election commissioners are still qualifying the list, however, so it could shrink. They are: Kenneth A. Swarts, Sedgwick Drive Albert …

Jackblog

Couple Records Same-Sex Marriage in Rankin County; First Known in State

The Campaign for Southern Equality just sent this verbatim press statement: Gay Couple Records Legal Marriage License in Mississippi Creating First Known Public Record of Same-Sex Marriage in State (March 24, 2014) - On March 24, Anna Guillot and Chrissy Kelly, a same-sex couple, paid $12 to record their legal …

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Mississippi AG Jim Hood declines interview, sends statement on Michelle Byrom execution

The Jackson Free Press last week requested an interview with Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood about the pending Michelle Byrom execution. He so far has declined an interview issued this statement instead. Needless to say, we still have questions. Reprinted verbatim: Basis for Requesting an Execution Date When Certiorari has …

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Group Wants Public-Education Funding on 2015 Ballot

More over, Personhood supporters. Public-education backers are working to put funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program on next year's ballot—being that the Legislature simply refuses to fully fund it. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal is reporting that Jackson attorney Luther Munford has filed the initiative language on behalf of a …

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Did Myrlie Evers endorse Sen. John Horhn for mayor?

The John Horhn for mayor campaign sent footage of civil-rights hero Myrlie Evers last week for a paid ad on the JFP website of Mrs. Evers saying nice things about his "forward" leadership. The quote that has run on the JFP website in the ad for about the last week …

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Rally Against SB2681 Noon Thursday at Mississippi Capitol; Prayer Vigil at 5:30 p.m.

Opponents of SB2681, the so-called "Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act," which many fear is permission for anti-gay "Jim Crow" laws, will gather at the Mississippi Capitol for a rally on Thursday (April 3). Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, will speak on the Capitol steps at 12:30 p.m. Simmons, who is black, …