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 …
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, …
Here are (some of) the Groups, Organizations, People Opposing House Bill 1523
The Senate passed House Bill 1523 on March 30, which would allow certain elected officials, businesses and religious organizations to not offer services based on their religious belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Although the bill's proponents say it protects individuals from government discrimination, its critics …
JPS: Schools' Water 'Below Regulatory Limit for Lead,' Except for a Water Fountain
The Jackson Public School District sent out a release this morning stating that out of a round of tests performed at the area elementary schools, only a water fountain in the dining hall at Lee Elementary School showed levels of lead that "tested above the regulatory limit." "This drinking water …
Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement Conference Starts Tonight
The 11th annual Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement Conference is March 30-April 3. It begins tonight at Tougaloo College's Woodworth Chapel with the Jimmie Travis Civil Rights Legacy Symposium Series' "Movement Women: Their Stories." Constance Slaughter Harvey will moderate tonight's event, and women such as Joan Trumpauer Mulholland …
Mayor Yarber Among the 'Tweet Elite'
Jackon Mayor Yarber has been called out as one of the 'Tweet Elite' mayors in the United States, ranking 19 among 250 mayors for his use of Twitter.
#Tellthewholestory: Clarion-Ledger Lifts Stamps 'Ferguson' Comment Out of Context, Stamps Holds Easter Press (Videos)
The Clarion-Ledger posted a sensationalistic headline and story yesterday about a west Jackson rally against dangerous suburban police chases into the city, followed by intriguing edits of what a Jackson city councilman actually said. The Ledger's video was edited down for the most dramatic effect, and the following text in …
Capitol Street Coalition Unites Against Deadly Police Pursuit of Lonnie Blue, Jr.
We just received this announcement about a "clarion call" against suburban law enforcement agencies leading dangerous police chases into Jackson. Verbatim: WHAT: The Capitol Street Coalition, made up of neighborhood association members along Capitol Street in West Jackson, will hold a news conference to address the Clinton Police Department pursuit …
House Minority Whip Statement on Speaker Gunn's Refusal to Follow Bipartisan Agreement
Below is a verbatim press release from Rep. David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis, the House minority whip leader, released today: House Democratic Caucus Leader David Baria issued the following statement regarding Speaker Philip Gunn’s refusal to adhere to agreed upon promises for debate and discussion in the chamber: "I want …
Councilman Stamps: Corrosion Contract is 'Unfunded Mandate' from State
Jackson City Councilman De'Keither Stamps, of Ward 4, says he voted against the Trilogy Engineering Inc. contract to do a corrosion study for the city last week because it is an "unfunded mandate" by the State of Mississippi—and one the taxpayers cannot afford. In two videos on his YouTube channel, …
JSU Community Engagement Director Will Move to President's Office
Jackson State University announced some personnel shifts this morning. Dr. Kimberly Hilliard will transition from the Office of Community Engagement to work under President Carolyn Meyers as the Executive Assistant to the President for Special Initiatives. Read the full press release below: Dear JSU Family: As previously announced, Mrs. Sandra …
NAACP-MS Petitions Gov. Phil Bryant for 'Union Army Appreciation Month'
In the wake of Governor Bryant's declaration of Confederate Heritage Month, the NAACP of Mississippi has created a petition calling for "Union Army Appreciation Month."
HHS Says 49,000 Mississippians Gained Insurance Via Marketplace
According to the U.S. Health and Human Services department, Health Insurance Marketplaces nationwide signed up nearly 4.9 million new customers for 2016 coverage during the third Open Enrollment period. In total, about 12.7 million people signed up or automatically renewed their plans for 2016 coverage, of which about 40 percent were new customers. In Mississippi, approximately 49,000 were new customers to the Marketplace.
Zoo Day Cancelled Due to Weather, Zoo Still Open
The Jackson Zoo has announced that Zoo Day (planned for Saturday) has been cancelled due to the "current flooding in the Metro and more rain in the forecast," according to a press release. "UnitedHealthcare and the Jackson Zoo have made the decision to cancel Saturday’s events."
State Health Department to Offer Lead Testing for Children
The Mississippi State Department of Health if offering lead testing for children on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until further notice at the Hinds County Health Department located at the Jackson Medical Mall, 350 W. Woodrow Wilson, Suite 411. No appointment is needed. This service is only provided for children 6 …
Big Day: Flag Rally, Mississippi Primaries and Campaign Parties
Today at noon, Pastor Dwayne K. Pickett and Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant will lead a rally to take down the Mississippi flag on the Miss. capitol steps. The Take It Down team released this statement today: On this day of history where Mississippians head to the polls for its primary …
Today is Deadline for Airport, Sanctuary Cities and AG Bills
This afternoon is the deadline for general bills held on a motion to reconsider to pass through both the House and the Senate. The Senate calendar includes Jackson airport "takeover" bill and a bill that would prohibit "sanctuary cities" in the state, while the House could take up a bill …
Dr. Jamal H. Bryant to Help Lead 'Straight Outta Patience: Take Down the Flag' Rally March
Mayor Tony Yarber posted an announcement on Instagram (@tonyyarber) tonight of a "Straight Outta Patience: Take Down the Flag" rally for Tuesday, March 8, at noon at the state capitol in downtown Jackson. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant, a well-known pastor from Baltimore, will help lead the rally, which he is also …
Election Reform Bill, Including Early Voting, Passes Mississippi House
Mississippi is one step closer to election reform after the House passed the 283-page election code bill this morning. The bill is the product of a committee formed by the secretary of state last year, which included lawmakers, circuit clerks and election commissioners from around the state. Secretary of State …
UPDATE: Boil Water Alert Lifted for Small Area of North Jackson
UPDATE: Boil Water Notice Lifted The City of Jackson and the Mississippi Department of Health report that the boil notice for the NW Progress Parkway has been lifted as of March, 4. The water is now safe to drink, but residents are advised to first flush their system by running …
Rep. Jay Hughes Decries Transparency Double Standards for Charter Schools
Rep. Jay Hughes, D-Oxford, says his failed amendment to HB 1444 which would have required all educational institutions that receive state tax dollars – explicitly charter schools - to publicly disclose the name and salary of individual teachers, failed because it doesn't match the "Capitol's way" of ensuring transparency. Hughes …
Jackson State University Revises Spring 2016 Academic Calendar, Moves Commencement Dates Forward
This is a verbatim statement from Jackson State University: The Spring 2016 Academic Calendar has been revised because of two high-profile speakers for the undergraduate and graduate commencements. The graduate commencement is Friday, April 22, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. in the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center. The undergraduate …