Walthall Still for Sale; JSU Opens in Madison
The Edison Walthall Hotel will have a new owner soon—but who that owner is, when the owner will take control and what they plan to do with the building is still unknown.
Analysis: Lumumba Won Despite White Voter Spike
This week's Democratic primary runoff saw a huge spike in white voter turnout while black turnout held steady. But the effect on the results seemed negligible: Councilman Chokwe Lumumba defeated businessman and newcomer Jonathan Lee 54 percent to 46 percent.
Kids Being Creative: FIGMENT 2013
FIGMENT 2013 stretched nearly five blocks, much more spread out than it had been in past years, when it was held in the old Coke plant on Highway 80.
Common CORE to Standardize Public Education
Mississippi is consistently behind the eight ball when it comes to public education, but a new plan being implemented right now could change our students' educational outcomes in the future.
Lumumba Wins Democratic Primary; Presumptive Mayor of Jackson
Chokwe Lumumba never trailed Jonathan Lee in the Democratic runoff.
Hunter Renfroe
Hunter Renfroe, the state's top college baseball player, received the Ferriss Trophy Monday morning at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
Lumumba Rocks the House at Mayoral Debate
Chokwe Lumumba was a clear winner of Friday's night mayoral debate at Mississippi College School of Law.
Lee Attempts to Paint Lumumba as 'Other'
With just two days remaining before Jackson voters return to the polls to pick the city's next mayor, businessman Jonathan Lee's campaign is attempting to define rival Councilman Chokwe Lumumba as a non-Christian, anti-American police-hater.
Kenny Stokes
At a press conference Friday morning outside the Jackson City Hall, Hinds County District 5 Supervisor Kenny Stokes gave an endorsement on behalf of him and his wife, Ward 3 City Councilwoman LaRita Cooper-Stokes, to mayoral candidate Chokwe Lumumba ahead of next Tuesday's runoff election.
Jonathan Lee's Top 10 Donors
Lee cut a check for $140,000 to his own PAC "Friends of Jonathan Lee" on March 29, a day after his campaign paid that same amount out to LUC Media out of Marietta, Ga.
Profile: Jonathan Lee
Jonathan Lee may not be a business owner, but he rode his business credentials to becoming the top vote-getter in the city's Democratic mayoral primary.
Outlets, Tourism and the Walthall Hotel
Yates Construction, Spectrum Capital and the state of Mississippi officially broke ground last week on the state's most aggressive commercial outlet to date, The Outlets of Mississippi in Pearl, even though construction has been happening for months.
Two Runoffs Highlight City Council Races
Four of Jackson's seven sitting City Council members have, for all intents and purposes, been re-elected, but two seats have yet to be decided headed into the May 21 primary runoff elections.
Let the Sunshine In
Campaign finance reports and their filing schedules have been an indisputable part of Jackson's 2013 municipal election process.
By the Numbers: Mayoral Primary
On Election Day last week, 35 percent of Jackson voters said Jonathan Lee was their top choice for mayor of Jackson. Another 24 percent said Chokwe Lumumba was their choice. Those numbers are almost certain to change some for the May 21 runoff, but how much they will change and why they might change has yet to be determined.
ADA Compliance Progress Slow But Steady
The intersection of Meadowbrook Road and State Street is generally buzzing with business and traffic. One of the busiest food stores in Jackson is located there, as is a high-traffic service station, a bank and a pharmacy. The average Jacksonian would look at the intersection and remark at how vibrant the intersection is.
Low Turnout, Race Determined Runoff Candidates
Last Tuesday, 35 percent of Jackson voters said Jonathan Lee was their top choice for mayor of Jackson. Another 24 percent named Chokwe Lumumba as their choice. Problem is, only 30.7 percent of all registered voters in Jackson even showed up.
Breaking Ground at the Outlet Mall
Yates construction, Spectrum Capital and the state of Mississippi officially broke ground on one of the state's most aggressive commercial developments to date: the Outlets of Mississippi Thursday morning in Pearl.
White to Developer: ‘Go Away’
Hal & Mal's owner Malcolm White says he wants to keep the restaurant open, but a disagreement over his lease is making it difficult.
Prayin’ in Rankin
When liquor was illegal in Rankin County, the old saying used to go "No drankin' in Rankin." Now, the county might have to add: "No prayin'."
UPDATED: Fact Checking Lee
In an email circulated Wednesday night, the Jonathan Lee campaign accused Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. of funneling big contracts for legal representation of the city to his campaign contributors.
Rating the Streets
If you see a funny-looking white van canvassing the streets of Jackson, don't get too excited. It's not the ghost busters. But it might help Jackson target its worst thoroughfares for repaving.
Williams: Stabilize the Neighborhood
If you've seen Zachery Williams canvassing the neighborhoods of Ward 3 looking for votes in his effort to win a city council seat, you've probably met his father J.C., too.
Greer: Young and Accessible
Jackson's slate of candidates for city council could be characterized as a youth movement, and Pam Greer is right in the middle of it.
Trimble: Engage the People
Trimble has been teaching social studies at Lanier High School for years. Now, he wants to apply that knowledge as councilman for Ward 4.
Mayoral Debate Provides Great Political Theater
The mayoral debate at Mississippi College of Law's Student Assembly Center drew an overflow crowd, and provided some fireworks as Jackson enters the final week of the 2013 municipal races.
Reeves: A Woman with a Vision
Jackson resident and business owner Charlotte Reeves prides herself on being a longtime resident of the capital city.
Development Rough on Existing Business
Scott Stringer is a co-owner at Lott Furniture Company on Capitol Street. He has a business to run and a budget to balance. Lately, the latter is proving a lot harder to do in the downtown area.
Wilson: Engaging our Youth
Albert Wilson has spent his adult life trying to reach out to the next generation. Now he wants to reach them from the Jackson City Council.
Wright: A Familiar Face
Charity Wright has dedicated her last 14 years to working in City Hall in the Jackson City Clerk's office. Now she is asking for a promotion—to city councilwoman.
Jackson Development: Who’s On First?
When it comes to the big development projects in Jackson, political candidates like to express their disapproval with how the mayor's office and city council handles business.
Ward 5 Candidates Face Off
The race for Jackson's Ward 5 city council seat heated up Monday night on the second floor of the Margaret Walker Alexander building on Jackson State University's campus.
Josh Lindsey
Josh Lindsey didn't know how long he would be a teacher after he moved to Hancock County in 2006.
Water, Water Everywhere
Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. wants to improve the city's water capacity with a 1.5 million gallon water tower at the corner of Fortification Street and Mill Street to be completed in July 2014.
‘It’s Not About Me’: The JFP Interview with Mayoral Hopeful Frank Bluntson
Jackson City Councilman Frank Bluntson, 77, is not exactly a newcomer to local politics: He has served almost eight years on the Jackson City Council, and several as council president.
Stacey Webb: Ready To Lead
Stacey Webb yearns to lead. That's why he's been trying to do it for six years.
Bridges: Ready For Some New Faces
May "Fran" Bridges like to describe herself as a servant leader, and that's a pretty accurate title.
Mayor Hopefuls Looking for EPA Decree Solutions
It’s been four months since the Jackson City Council agreed to the consent decree from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Anderson Dead at 74
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors dedicated Monday morning's meeting to the memory of District 2 Supervisor Doug Anderson, who passed away April 13.
JSU's Brent Talks Hoops at Koinonia
Jackson State basketball is at its best when its recruiting local kids, and if last week's news is any indication of things to come, there are some good times ahead for the Tiger faithful.
The JFP Interview with Dexter Robinson
Dexter Robinson isn't looking for attention. As the 11th of 12 siblings, he learned to stop doing that years ago. What he is looking for is a platform, as city councilman for Ward 4, to fix the current problems he sees in his neck of the woods.
The JFP Interview with Kourtney Paige
Kourtney Paige has spent his career working in radio. Now, he wants to lend his voice to the people of Jackson as city councilman for Ward 4.
Paige: A Voice for the People
Kourtney Paige has spent his career working in radio. Now, he wants to lend his voice to the people of Jackson as city councilman for Ward 4.
Robinson: Education is Key
Dexter J. Robinson isn't looking for attention. As the 11th of 12 siblings, he learned to stop doing that years ago. What he is looking for is a platform, as city councilman for Ward 4, to fix the current problems he sees in his neck of the woods.
Remembering Eric Smith
Eric T. Smith was always busy. He was a husband, a father and a man who cared about his neighbors.
Curbing Murder in the Capital City
During "Operation Bunny Hop," Jackson police teamed up with the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, the U.S. Marshals Taskforce and a narcotics unit and made 226 arrests in a three-day span from March 28 to March 30. Over the Easter weekend, the operation netted 14 felonies and 178 misdemeanors.
Legislative Ups and Downs for Jackson
The 2013 regular Mississippi legislative session is over, and barring a call for a special session by Gov. Phil Bryant, Jackson has gotten every dime of state money it will get this year.
Banks: Bringing Experience
When Barron Banks turned 18, he registered to vote. When he tried to exercise that right in 1964, it took federal marshals accompanying him to the polls.
Austin: Ready to Lend an Ear
As a barber, it's Gerald Austin Sr.'s job to spark conversation with his customers, and he hears their problems loud and clear.
Hal and Mal’s: A Jackson Landmark
Brothers Harold and Malcolm White, commonly known as Hal and Mal, had a vision. They wanted to create a gathering place for all of Jackson--a bar, but also a family restaurant that serviced a wide array of customers from every walk of life.