Jackson Free Press

Focus On The ‘Mayor Stuff'

It wasn't until Friday, five days after Katrina had blown through Jackson, that a visibly uncomfortable Mayor Melton fielded questions about city response from what was a visibly frustrated, angry …

Yes, I Said It

Fred Phelps should die.

Calm the 'Runaway' Rhetoric; Do the Homework

As we go to press, it seems likely that Gov. Haley Barbour will call a special session this year to try and push through more "tort reform" measures after failing …

Don't Nobody Know: Lalee's Kin

Everyone who cares about human dignity and justice should see "Lalee's Kin: The Legacy of Cotton," which debuted on HBO Sept. 18. I first saw it during the Crossroads Film …

Costliest 1 Percent of Patients Account for 21 Percent of U.S. Health Spending

Five percent of patients account for 50 percent of all health-care expenditures.

[Just In] JPS Superintendent's Remarks on Full Funding

These are the remarks of Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Earl Watkins today at a press conference at the Department of Education calling for the governor and the hold-out members of …

The JFP Interview: Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon

Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon has been a familiar face on the Jackson City Council since the days of Duran Duran. Barrett-Simon's demeanor in an interview is cautious if not …

Crime Plan: More of the Same

Mayor Frank Melton said he is responsible for the remarkable rise in violent crime in the city last Friday. "I am accountable for that, and the buck stops with me," …

Mayor Melton Faints

Anyone else heard about this? Details, maybe?

According to a news ticker on WAPT, Melton fainted during the swearing in of Hinds County officials at the Hinds County Courthouse. AMR treated him in an empty courtroom, and …

Congratulations to Kamikaze—-PATIENTLY WAITING: MS Winner!

Jackson's own Hiphop heavyweight Kamikaze took home the MISSISSIPPI award at the Ozone Magazine Awards over the weekend.

Dick Molpus Raises the Roof in Neshoba County

June 20, 2004—With Gov. Haley Barbour sitting right behind him, former Secretary of State and Neshoba County native Dick Molpus made a thundering speech in honor of slain civil rights …

Get Fat, Be Happy

I found this AP article online today.

Jimmy ‘Kingfish' Hendrix Running for Judge, After All

It looks like James "Jimmy" Hendrix aka Kingfish aka Jackson Jambalaya is in the race for Hinds County Justice Court Judge for District 1, after all. Hendrix, a Republican who …

Bodyguard Gives Damaging Evidence Against Melton, Recio

On Feb. 10, jurors in the federal civil rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton heard from the government's star witness, former mayoral bodyguard Marcus Wright. Wright, who pled guilty to …

Report Calls for Drug-Law Reform

Reducing Mississippi's incarceration rate, which is the second-highest in the United States, depends on reforming many aspects of the state's criminal justice system, a report released this month says.

Detaining 'Illegals' Is Big Money for Private Prison Companies and the Politicians They Lobby

The U.S. is locking up more illegal immigrants than ever, generating lucrative profits for the nation's largest prison companies, and an Associated Press review shows the businesses have spent tens …

Jonathan Lee on the Defensive Over Business Judgments (Plus Audio)

Jonathan Lee, candidate for mayor of Jackson, Miss., is on the defensive over default judgments against his family's business.

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Till Marker Pic Shows 'Little Progress' in State, Lawmaker Says

When a trio of male students from the University of Mississippi posed with rifles next to a bullet-ridden Emmett Till memorial marker, they were representing an unfortunate truth about racism …

BREAKING: Invite Suggests Melton Fundraiser for Sheriff Candidate

A document (PDF, 40 KB) received via fax by the Jackson Free Press makes it appear that Jackson Mayor Frank Melton is planning a fundraiser at his home for Hinds …

Cold Weather, Warm Kitchen

If there’s one thing I love about the temperatures dropping, it’s the fact that it’s time for warm meals.