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Nissan Releases Statement Denouncing LGBT Discrimination

The Jackson Free Press obtained a statement from Nissan after inquiring about their stance on House Bill 1523. The statement is reproduced in full below: “Nissan is committed to providing our employees with an inclusive workplace environment that supports diversity. It is Nissan’s policy to prohibit discrimination of any type, …

Jackblog

U.S. District Judge: State's Same-Sex Adoption Ban Violates the Equal Protection Clause

A U.S. District Judge ruled Mississippi's adoption ban for same-sex couples unconstitutional today. U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan released an order in the Campaign for Southern Equality v. Mississippi Department of Human Services preliminary enjoining MDHS from enforcing Mississippi's same-sex adoption ban. Jordan dismissed the complaints against the governor …

Jackblog

Senate, House Democrats: Revive SB 2147; Change the State Flag

Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, held a press conference this morning with House and Senate Democrats calling on the legislative leadership to suspend the rules and bring back Senate Bill 2147, Horhn's bill that would create a commission to re-design the Mississippi state flag. Horhn and other lawmakers called on the …

Jackblog

April is Islamic Heritage Month

Jackson celebrates Islamic Heritage Month this April.

SportsBlog

WrestleMania 32 Preview and Prediction

It’s time for “the Showcase of the Immortals,” “the Show of Shows” on “the Grandest Stage of Them All.” Are you ready for WrestleMania 32? It’s understandable if people aren’t excited about this year’s WrestleMania. Depending how the event goes, WrestleMania 32 might be remembered more for which performers are …

Politics Blog

Will New Anti-LGBT Laws in Mississippi, North Carolina Block Federal Funds?

The New York Times is reporting that new religious "conscience" law allowing discrimination against LGBTQ people, and perhaps others, could block federal funding for the states, such as Mississippi, that are considering such laws: The Obama administration is considering whether North Carolina’s new law on gay and transgender rights makes …

Jackblog

JFP Editor Donna Ladd an 'Innovator' in Southern Living

Donna Ladd was recently named one of Southern Living's "Innovators Changing the South." The JFP is proud of our "old-fashioned muck-racking journalist with a sharp modern voice."

SportsBlog

Basketball, Baseball and Square Roots

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Comes to a Close This regular season of college basketball turned out to be wild and unpredictable, so fans hoped that the NCAA Tournament would be the same. The first weekend of the tournament played out just like the regular season, with upsets and potential …

Jackblog

Video: Mississippians Lance Bass and Mary Elizabeth Ellis Call for 1523 Veto

Lance Bass, the Mississippi-born pop-singer, actor and producer who rose to fame as a member of NSYNC has joined actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis to encourage Governor Phil Bryant to veto HB 1523, the anti-LGBT "religious conscience" bill.

Politics Blog

Mississippi Manufacturers Association to Bryant: Veto the Anti-LGBT Bill

The Human Rights Campaign this evening announced in a release that the Mississippi Manufacturers Association—a frequent contributor to conservative candidates and supporter of "pro-business" legislation in Mississippi—is calling on Governor Phil Bryant to veto HB 1523, which has passed both houses and awaits the Governor's response.

Jackblog

Gov. Bryant Has Signed HB1523 Into Law

Gov. Phil Bryant has signed House Bill 1523 into law. He made the announcement on Twitter this morning. His full statement is available on his Twitter feed and reproduced in full below: "I am signing HB 1523 into law to protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions of individuals, …

Politics Blog

U.S. Rep Bennie Thompson: HB 1523 Backers Paint Mississippi as 'Backwards, Insensitive and Discriminatory'

The responses to Gov. Phil Bryant's signing of HB 1523 today are coming fast and furious, but this one by U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson really stands out. Here it is, verbatim: “Last week, the Mississippi Legislature agreed on a version of House Bill No. 1523, the so-called “Protecting Freedom of …

Music

'Idol' at the End

As TV singing competition "American Idol" wraps its 15th and final season, we look at the contestants representing Mississippi in the final three.

SportsBlog

Connecticut Goes For History Tonight

Right now, the most dominant team in sports is the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team. The Huskies are on a 74-game winning streak, and with a win tonight in the national championship game, they will claim their fourth straight title. A fourth consecutive championship would be a record in …

Jackblog

An Evening of Communal Support After HB 1523

St. Andrew's Cathedral has just announced that it will have an evening of communal support on April 24 in response to Gov. Phil Bryant signing HB 1523, the Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act. The church says all are welcome regardless of religion or other factors. The event, …

Jackblog

AG Hood: HB 1523 'Will Not Protect' State Officials from Federal Lawsuits

Several organizations have issued statements responding to Gov. Phil Bryant signing House Bill 1523 into law. Mississippi law professors from both the University of Mississippi and Mississippi College law schools and legal scholars issued this memo, saying the bill violates the First Amendment. Vermont, New York, Seattle and Washington D.C. …

Jackblog

Jackson Mayor: 'We Will Not Discriminate'

Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber issues a statement this evening in the wake of the passage of HB 1523 and city council action.

Politics Blog

Corporate CEOs Call on Bryant, GOP Leaders to Repeal HB 1523

The Human Rights Commission has releases a statement that includes an open letter to Governor Phil Bryant, Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves and Speaker Philip Gunn, calling on them to repeal HB 1523.

SportsBlog

NFL and Twitter Reach Deal to Stream Thursday Night Games

One thing that has changed over the last few years is the way we watch television. The days of must-see TV are becoming a thing of the past. There are more ways than ever to watch the shows we love, though a few programs, such as “Game of Thrones” or …

The Arts Blog

Tonight is the April FFT

It's April 7, the first Thursday in April, which means Fondren's First Thursday is tonight. Among the local vendors who will come out tonight and celebrate (including Jackson Free Press), other events are planned as well. The event begins at 3 p.m. today. At 7 p.m., teams can race down …