Jackson Free Press

Mayor Johnson Weekly Newsletter 8/13

Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities' Torchbearers Celebration

The Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities will honor several individuals and organizations for their commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities at its 30th anniversary Torchbearers Celebration.

Jeremiah Blanchard

Mississippi visual artist Jeremiah Blanchard draws inspiration from the concepts of travel and movement, concepts that are represented in the four works of his that the Fondren Art Gallery is …

Suit Seeks to Block Prosecutor from Excluding Black Jurors

Four black voters and a branch of the NAACP sued a Mississippi prosecutor on Monday, asking a federal judge to order him to stop excluding African Americans from juries.

OPINION: Caution; Numbers in Presidential Polls Don't Count, Yet

President Donald Trump's approval ratings are in the basement, and he could be impeached. But with about a year to go until Election Day 2020, it's too early to write …

Federal Court Hears Felon Voting Rights Case in Mississippi

A federal appeals court hears arguments Tuesday on the constitutionality of Mississippi laws that permanently bar certain felons from voting unless they can get their rights restored through what advocates …

Pauline Rogers’ Long Road

Pauline Rogers works as the president and CEO of the Reaching and Educating for Community Hope Foundation, a nonprofit that provides transitional housing and support services to those affected by …

Mississippi Budget Plan: Spend Slightly Less in Coming Year

Amid lagging teacher salaries and unsafe bridges, Mississippi legislative leaders are recommending that the state spend slightly less money on state government services during the coming fiscal year.

Devontae Shuler

Devontae Shuler, despite scoring 20 points and adding five rebounds and five assists, was pleased but not satisfied with his performance Sunday as Mississippi defeated Tennessee Tech 80-63. “My foot …

Elizabeth Spencer, UMMC NASA Grant and MSU State of Black Men Symposium

Author and Belhaven University alumna Elizabeth Spencer died on Sunday, Dec. 22, at her home in Chapel Hill, N.C. at age 98.

James Kenyon

Jackson resident James Kenyon says he has a heart for "telling stories that might not otherwise be heard," which he has had the chance to do since co-founding the Hearth …

Lawsuit Says Mississippi Prisons are 'Plagued by Violence'

More than two dozen Mississippi inmates sued the state Tuesday, saying understaffed prisons are “plagued by violence” and inmates are forced to live in decrepit and dangerous conditions.

Second Annual Jackson Book Festival: An Intellectual Revolution

A dedicated group of Jacksonians, fed up with the intellectual disparity within predominantly black communities, decided to form The Community Library Initiative with the vision of increasing literacy and creating …

OPINION: The Black Vote Is Not For Sale

"As we approach the 2020 election, we must ensure issues affecting our communities and our livelihoods are brought to the table and that we have a real voice in moving …

Mississippi Lady Panthers on the Prowl

In August 2018, Cameron Veal and LaSteven Jackson talked about putting on a women's flag-football game for charity. This discussion laid the foundation for the Mississippi Lady Panthers.

Leticia Alonso: JSU's Humanities Teacher of the Year

“I was interested in comparative literature because the concept of cultural convergence fascinates me. I’ve always wanted to travel, see the world and see how human interactions differ. I believe …

Sherry Overby

Belhaven University named Sherry Overby, an adjunct professor of human resources, leadership and business communications, the new director of human resources in January 2019. She replaced former director Virginia Henderson, …

In Honor of Dead Diet Resolutions

I propose that we bring pleasure back into our vocabulary around food. In honor of all those dead diet resolutions, here are some ideas for making the rest of 2019 …

Aaron Pelch

Millsaps College named head football coach Aaron Pelch as interim athletics director on Dec. 20, 2018, and he assumed his duties on Jan. 1, 2019.

Analysis: Decisions on Mississippi Power Face New Officials

Public Service Commissioner is the hardest job that few people are thinking about in Mississippi's crowded election year.