Books
Michael Farris Smith
Author Michael Farris Smith's latest thriller, "The Fighter," hit shelves on March 20. He began working on the novel shortly after finishing his critically acclaimed third book, 2017's "Desperation Road."
City & County
Oh, the Places You'll Go: Project EJECT Expels Gun Offenders to Faraway Prisons
U.S. Attorney Michael Hurst has charged 35 people since he first announced the anti-crime initiative Project EJECT in late 2017.
Jacksonian
Christopher Lockhart
Christopher Lockhart, owner of Capital City Kayaks, says he has always enjoyed being out on the water.
Politics
Lawmakers Turn to Budgets; Re-Entry Reforms on Governor’s Desk
It's crunch time at the Mississippi Capitol. This week lawmakers will have to finalize the state budget, predominantly behind closed doors, before passing a slim fiscal-year 2019 budget.
Politics
UPDATED: ‘Galactic Trouble’ for Foster Care Ahead?
Jess Dickinson likes to use an ancient maxim he heard in a film, "The Bourne Ultimatum," to illustrate where he sits currently as the commissioner of Mississippi's foster-care system. "Hope …
Health Care
Judge Blocks Newly Signed 15-Week Abortion Ban for 10 Days
It took less than 24 hours for Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban to become law and then be stopped from taking effect.
Biz Roundup
Uncle Ray's Hookah Lounge, vineyard vines and Two Dog Farms
Jackson resident Ray McCants will hold a grand opening for his new business, Uncle Ray's Hookah Lounge, on Friday, April 20.
City & County
'One Lake' Project Could Go to Public for Comment Next Month
Engineers are pumping water at both Pearl River stations after a weekend of storms. The river reached a crest of 21 feet this weekend but is projected to drop down …
Civil Rights
Indigent Defendants Denied Counsel, Speedy Trials in 10 Counties
Mississippians accused of felonies who cannot afford their own representation have the right to counsel and a speedy trial under the 6th Amendment, but a new report found that access …
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Civil Rights
Black, Male, Arrested: Madison County Case May Go Class Action
Attorneys argue that Madison County's policing program violates black residents' rights outlined in the Fourth Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and Title VI of the Civil …
Education
USM Symphony Orchestra Concert, UNCF HBCU Report and ACHE at Belhaven
The United Negro College Fund recently published a study titled "HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities," which showed that Tougaloo College has …
Person of the Day
Saint Patrick
People across the world celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17 with parades, festivals and a variety of revelry, but who exactly is Saint Patrick?
Justice
Criminal Justice Reform Law Headed to Governor's Desk
If Gov. Phil Bryant signs House Bill 387 into law, Mississippians will not automatically go to prison or jail if they do not pay fines or court fees.
Person of the Day
Drew Brees
New Orleans entered this offseason, much like many in the past years, with one major question: "What will happen with quarterback Drew Brees?" Fans got their answer on March 13 …
City & County
St. Paddy’s Celebrates 35 Years
Hal's St. Paddy's Parade (formerly known as the Mal's St. Paddy's Parade) may be a cultural staple of Jackson now, but for residents on their way home from work in …
Jacksonian
V.A. Patterson
As a young child, V.A. Patterson's mother, Mary Alice Bookhart, who was a long-time women's editor for The Clarion-Ledger, would take her to art shows and the theater, where Patterson …
City & County
Inside JPD’s Use-of-Force Policy: Public Trust vs. Officer Safety
Lately Tetrina Blalock has been reconnecting with family members she has not seen in a while. Losing her cousin brought them together.
Personhood
Reversing 'Roe'; Outside Group Uses Mississippi as 'Bait' to End Abortion
The State of Mississippi's Republican legislative leadership may have just decided to end all abortions after 15 weeks, but they used a template developed outside the state. The legislation is …
Crime
Sabotage, Death, Danger: Private Prison on Trial
The Southern Poverty Law Center, the National Prison Project of the ACLU and two other law firms brought a class-action lawsuit against the Mississippi Department of Corrections back in 2013 …
