City & County
What Black Dads Do: First Class Father Present for Duty
This year, Jackson Public Schools named Steve Collins Parent of the Year for his efforts. Yet, Collins is like a lot of other African American fathers: involved with their children's …
Business
Jackson Airport Enters Next Phase: Lawsuits, FAA, Ethical Limbo
For those wondering what is next in the saga of the takeover of the Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers Municipal Airport, look no further than Charlotte, N.C., and its ongoing discussions …
Jacksonian
Rhis Harris
Rhis Harris sits beneath paintings of deer with broad antlers and one quality that gallery-goers definitely wouldn't associate with the quadrupeds before viewing the pieces—a haze of blues, purples and …
Business
Stallworth's Airport Suit May Not Have Standing, Harkins Says 'A Reach'
Former Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Commissioner Jeffery Stallworth's lawsuit challenging the impending "takeover" may not have legal standing or support from the other interested parties involved, including the current JMAA …
Person of the Day
Lawson Marchetti
Lawson Marchetti, a junior at Jackson Preparatory School, will join 52 other students from across the country in the national finals of the Poetry Out Loud competition on May 3 …
Biz Roundup
Fitness Plus, Hilton Garden Inn, Xcel Rehab and Batson Fundraiser
Fitness Plus owner Marty McCubbins opened his business to fill the need for a good health studio in northeast Jackson after the Deville Plaza YMCA's closure last year.
Education
First Lady Obama: Strive for Excellence, Fight for Rights for All, Reject ‘Backward’ HB 1523
First lady Michelle Obama dropped a history lesson and urged nearly 800 graduates to fight for excellence and use their power and numbers in voting to strive for progress at …
Business
Moratorium on Payday Lenders, Liquor, Title and Pawn Stores in Ward 4 Moves Ahead
Last Monday the Jackson City Council Planning Committee passed an order to curtail the further proliferation of "title loan, payday loan, check cashing, liquor store and pawn shop businesses."
Politics
State Treasurer Laments 'Missing $31 Million' in Coffers, Lt. Governor Says She's 'Wrong'
State Treasurer Lynn Fitch sent a letter to legislative leadership last Wednesday expressing concerns over the state's debt service, after the Legislature passed a bond bill in the final days …
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.
State
Firing Squads Out, But ‘Spice’ Regs, Execution Secrecy, Planned Parenthood Limits Headed to Governor
The state’s one Planned Parenthood clinic will lose Medicaid reimbursements if Gov. Phil Bryant signs a bill headed to his desk.
City & County
Jackson Issues $563,000 Worth of Water Bills, Desperately Needs Public Works Employees
The Jackson Public Works Department sent out half a million dollars' worth of water bills Thursday, the first time it has used the automated billing systems included in the Siemens …
Domestic Violence
Sine Death for Divorce, Campaign-finance Reform After Lawmakers Go Home Early
An abused Mississippi spouse still can't use domestic violence as grounds for divorce, and lawmakers can continue to spend campaign donations on mortgages, automobiles, clothing, tuition payments or non-documented loans …
Person of the Day
LaShunna McInnis
LaShunna McInnis, a 10th-grade English teacher at Provine High School, was recently named Jackson Public Schools' Teacher of the Year for the 2015-2016 school year.
LGBT
Lance Bass Brings His Green Thumb Back to Mississippi, Says State Leaders Are 'Backward'
Former NSYNC member, author and philanthropist Lance Bass says he and his husband, artist Michael Turchin, come back to visit Mississippi at least five times a year.
Politics
State Sneaks Special Judicial District Into Capitol Improvement Bill At Last Hour, Helping Kill It
Jackson has lost more than it has gained this legislative session, as the Capitol Complex Improvement District bill died yesterday. Its death ensured that the capital city will not receive …
Person of the Day
Holly Reichle
Holly Reichle entered Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, believing she wanted to be a Spanish teacher and a coach.
City & County
Airport ‘Takeover’ Bill Leaves 'Toxic Climate' of Legislature, Headed to Governor’s Desk
The Jackson airport “takeover” bill is en route to the governor’s desk after the Mississippi Senate tabled the motion to reconsider on Senate Bill 2162 this morning.
Business
Defying City Attorney, Council Passes New Subcontractor Disclosure Rules
The City now has more “teeth” for requiring disclosure of subcontractors, as well as oversight for switching subcontractors, for all contracts above $50,000, thanks to an ordinance passed at the …
Civil Rights
Running Out of Venues to Change the State Flag
From ballot initiatives to rallies, the Mississippi state flag has gained a lot of attention lately in-state and then nationally following the shootings in Charleston, S.C., a debate exacerbated by …
