Fla. League of Women Voters Releases Startling Charter School Study
The Florida League of Women Voters released the following verbatim news release Tuesday, May 27, 2014 in regard to a recently-completed study on charter schools across the state. League of Women Voters Releases State-Wide Study on School Choice Tallahassee, Fla — Twenty percent of the state's charter schools close because …
Miso Closing in Fondren; Walker's Owners Opening Wine Bar in Space
Miso in Fondren will close this Saturday, with Derek and Jennifer Emerson, owners of Walker's Drive-In, taking over and renovating the space in the Fondren Place building at Duling and State Street. Their new restaurant, which they plan to open later in the summer, will be a wine bar and …
Lil Boosie Hits a Snag in Gulfport; Alsina Picks Lambo Over Jacktown
First, August Alsina skipped out on a concert in Jackson—and possibly lost hundreds, if not thousands, of local fans in the process. Now it looks like Lil Boosie won't make it to Gulfport. Recently freed from prison, Boosie had planned a concert for a Gulf Coast neighborhood baseball park, but …
Pro LGBT Businesses Request AFA to Retract 'Reckless' Statements
Three Mississippi businesses that are participating in the If You're Buying, We're Selling sticker campaign are currently demanding that the American Family Association retract statements that accused them of discriminating against Christians. The three businesses include The Golden Growler, The Keg and Barrel, and La Finestra. The AFA issued a …
JSU Tragedy 'Widely Forgotten' But Not at JSU
On May 14, 1970, two Jackson State University students were killed by Jackson police officers—10 days after the much more publicized Kent State shootings of four students in Ohio. The victims of the JSU shootings were Phillip L. Gibbs, a junior at the school and father and James Earl Green, …
Crisler Looking to Follow in Yarber’s Footsteps
Rashad Crisler made his official announcement that he is running for Mayor Tony Yarber’s previous position, Ward 6 city councilman, this morning at a press conference outside City Hall. Crisler said that he is enthusiastic about the prospect of being a part of a young, progressive leadership movement, which he …
Wayne Lewis Enters into Ward 6 City Council Election
Wayne Lewis, a Jackson native and longtime resident of Ward 6, called the Jackson Free Press office today to announce that he is entering into the election for the Ward 6 City Council seat. He also emailed the following verbatim biography: A native of Jackson, MS. Wayne L Lewis was …
Precious Martin, Well-Known Attorney, Killed in ATV Accident
Precious Martin, a prominent Jackson-area attorney, died yesterday in an accident. His 10-year-old son remains hospitalized, according to media reports. WAPT reported that Martin was riding a four-wheeler Sunday evening near his home in the Bridgewater subdivision when the vehicle flipped several times. Martin's son, Daniel, was taken to University …
HRC President to Launch Tour Through Miss. for Project One America
The Human Rights Campaign has just issued the following verbatim new release detailing HRC President Chad Griffin's tour schedule for Project One America next week: Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin will Launch ‘Project One America’ at Events in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas, Beginning an Unprecedented Push for LGBT Rights …
Bay St. Louis Latest to Recognize LGBT Contributions
The Human Rights Campaign issued the following verbatim news release: Bay St. Louis, MS Passes Pro-LGBT Measure Sixth Mississippi city to pass measure recognizing the role LGBT people play in thriving communities WASHINGTON – Tonight, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi passed a measure, 7-0, recognizing the dignity and worth of all …
Gov. Bryant Calls Special Session for Storm Relief
Verbatim from the office of Gov. Phil Bryant: Gov. Phil Bryant today announced his plans to call lawmakers into a Special Legislative Session at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2014, to provide the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency with access to up to $20 million for disaster response and recovery …
JFP Honored for Public Service, Commentary, Courts Reporting and Features
The winners of the 64th Annual (SPJ) Green Eyeshade Awards were announced this afternoon. The Jackson Free Press placed in four categories, including garnering first-place honors for commentary (Donna Ladd) and courts & law reporting (R.L. Nave). The JFP also won a third place award in the public-service category for …
Election for Ward 6 Council Seat Set for June 17
Jackson City Council met today to announce that an election for the Ward 6 City Council seat, which was made available by Tony Yarber's election to mayor, will be held June 17, 2014. The qualifying deadline for the election is May 28. Both Tyrone Hendrix, a longtime Democratic operative, and …
WLBT: JSU Bus Catches Fire in Alabama
WLBT is reporting that that a Jackson State University bus carrying the school's baseball team caught fire near Birmingham, Alabama. The fired occurred at I-20/59 Northbound at Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive, about 15 minutes west of Birmingham; JSU is scheduled to play Savannah State Tuesday, the news station reports. WLBT said …