Jackson Free Press

Documenting Mississippi

Photographer Suzi Altman didn't glance back when she left New York City after years working for prestigious news outlets such as the Associated Press and Rolling Stone magazine. When she …

Lynn Fitch

Lynn Fitch, 49, is from Holly Springs, but has lived in Madison for 26 years. She attended the University of Mississippi for her undergraduate degree and for her law degree. …

[Chaney] State ‘Model' Health Exchange Law Dies

I would like to take a little of your time today to talk about something that has dominated national news coverage for the last several years. It has also dominated …

State ‘Backward' on Transparency?

A new state law could take Mississippi from the middle of the pack among states, in its government transparency and accountability to near the bottom.

Candidates Make Final Push

Read Republican Bill Denny's mailout (PDF). In the final hours before Election Day, candidates for state offices are making the final push to win over voters and outpace their opponents.

Making the GOP Nervous

Mississippi made national headlines May 6 when the state's first congressional district (MS-01) voted a new Democrat into office. Prentiss County Chancery Clerk Travis Childers defeated Southaven Mayor Greg Davis …

Eating Their Own Vomit

Sprawled across a cold, concrete slab in a tiny cell, H.D. carved "HATE ME" into her forearm with a toenail clipping and toothpaste cap. The bloody three-inch letters were dark …

Criminalizing Work

The Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance recently held a clothing donation drive to help immigrant workers that it says were laid off from a Morton meat-processing plant and a Jackson roofing …

Bringing Up the Rear

The number of binge drinkers in Misssissippi is significantly lower than the national average, state residents are pretty good about wearing seatbelts, and we are third in the nation for …

New Law Targets Neglectful Owners

The city will put more energy into Capitol Street's dilapidated properties and will have a new state law to help out, Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said this week.

Cigarette Tax Debate Rages On

Pragmatism and principle will collide when the Mississippi House considers the Senate version of a proposed cigarette tax increase. The Senate approved increasing the cigarette tax from 18 cents per …

Legislative Update: Back Door to Abortion Restriction?

The House and Senate spent all of March firing bills at one another, waiting to see what the other side was going to do with them. It's that time of …

Budget Stalled Again

Mississippi lawmakers failed yet again to come up with a budget for the 2010 fiscal year. A small budget committee has been working overtime to come to an agreement, but …

Judges Building War Chests

With the November judicial elections still months away, many candidates for circuit and county judge positions have not begun campaigning in earnest. If a recent round of campaign-finance records is …

Due Diligence on Biofuels

Despite a strong show of support from state lawmakers last month, Houston-based startup KiOR is still a long way from breaking ground on the three biofuel facilities it has pledged …

[Fleming] God's Will, Not Haley's, Needs to Prevail

Impasse, thy name is Haley! In a precursor to a tumultuous regular session in January, the Mississippi Legislature is deadlocked in a special session concerning the passage of bonds to …

Tribute to Slain Men Hits Roadblock

At the request of the Philadelphia Coalition, Sen. Gloria Williamson, D-Philadelphia, introduced Senate Bill 2961, which would name Mississippi Hwy. 19 from Philadelphia to Lauderdale County the "Chaney, Goodman and …

Miss. to Vote on U.S. Offices, State Judicial Seats

Mississippi voters are preparing to choose one U.S. senator, four U.S. House members, four state Supreme Court justices and one judge for the state Court of Appeals.

Dick Cheney, Former AG Gonzales Indicted in Texas

The Associated Press in Texas is reporting:

Mississippi Voter Forum, Debates On Way

From the Mississippi League of Women Voters: A Political Forum on Saturday will

Election Day. Secretary of State Eric Clark will lead the introductory Political Forum, then U.S. Representative Benny Thompson and Mississippi Supreme Court justices will be featured in four televised debates …