City & County
Tale of Two Charter Schools in Mississippi
Charter schools weren't legal in Mississippi until 2013, when the Legislature passed the Mississippi Charter School Law, allowing nonprofit charter schools to enter the state for the first time.
We Need to Learn From Charter Schools Before Expanding Them
It is too early to deem charter schools a success or failure in Mississippi. We are witnessing the beginning of a limited experiment in privatized "public" education starting this year …
City & County
Garrett Responds to the JFP
Mayor Tony Yarber, toward the end of Tuesday's council meeting, addressed "allusions" of a deal being cut to reward the contract to Denali-Garrett. Yarber simply said there were no under-the-table …
Education
School Official Wants Probe of Anti-42 Emails
Although legislative opponents to school-funding ballot Initiative 42 have been threatening deep cuts to state agencies—and therefore state jobs—for months, a new front has opened up in the battle for …
Interview
Mary Coleman: Bringing ‘New Energy’ to MDOT
Coleman's primary election went to a run-off that she won by a large margin to Robert Amos. She now faces Dick Hall, the incumbent who has served in that role …
Health Care
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson Authors 'American Red Cross Sunshine Act'
The proposed American Red Cross Sunshine Act would force the American Red Cross to open its books and operations to outside scrutiny.
City & County
Tannehill: ‘You Deserve to Feel Safe’
Les Tannehill, a private investigator and newlywed to wife of 16 months, Renee, recently talked to the Jackson Free Press about why he should be the new sheriff in town.
Education
Initiative 42: Ballot of Confusion
A group advocating for an education-funding initiative is calling foul on the wording for the referendum on the secretary of state's sample ballot.
Your Turn—The Confederate Flag: A View from Tougaloo
Our state's continued waving of the Confederate battle flag is an indicator that our dark past is more prevailing than our bright future.
City & County
Creating a Sense of Community
Before our kids venture off into school or seek out new places for recreation, it's the very streets where they grow up that give them their first introduction to a …
Civil Rights
Mississippi Flag: A Symbol of Hate or Reconciliation?
Kitsaa Stevens is arguably one of the more passionate defenders of the current Mississippi state flag, which has included the most notorious Confederate battle emblem in its canton since 1894.
Civil Rights
Time to Understand and Undo Racism
Awareness of differing viewpoints and cultures must happen: Ignorance needs to be dispelled and truths told in a safe environment with the purpose of moving forward on a continuum of …
Real Transparency, Please, Not Smoke and Mirrors
One online dictionary defines transparency as "free from pretense or deceit," "easily detected or seen through" and "readily understood." However, too many government agencies at the local and state levels …
City & County
Jackson Property Tax Rate Remains Flat
Property owners in Jackson will see their tax rate remain unchanged from last year, but the city anticipates lower revenue collections from property taxes.
Education
Jackson Charter Schools Get $1 Million Boost from GOP Donor, Philanthropist
Two new charter schools in Jackson are getting a big boost from a former chief executive officer, philanthropist who donates money to conservative Republicans.
