Jackson Free Press

Democratic House Leader David Baria Won’t Seek Re-Election

Mississippi House Minority Leader David Baria will not seek re-election to his seat, the Bay St. Louis Democrat announced unexpectedly in a letter to supporters Friday afternoon.

Teachers College and Women's History Month at USM and MSU Alumni Association Awards Banquet

Mississippi State University will recognize Ridgeland native Richard A. Rula as its National Alumnus of the Year during the MSU Alumni Association awards banquet.

Water Customers Still Getting No Bills as City Scrambles for Payments

The City of Jackson over-billed David Thompson several times in 2018, with his most recent water bill coming in at $937, even though he lived alone in his home in …

Former Chief Justice Waller to Run for Mississippi Governor

Bill Waller Jr., a retired chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, says he has the best chance to win the governor's race because he believes he will appeal to …

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, …

GOP Kills Tort Reform Amendment Requiring 'Reasonable' Safety Efforts

Businesses no longer would have to "take reasonable steps" to prevent violence on their premises after Republicans defeated a proposed amendment to a "tort-reform" bill working through the Mississippi Legislature, …

Richard Sun, Mississippi Coding Academies

While Richard Sun spent most of his working life maximizing shareholder value, he says Mississippi Coding Academies, of which he is a co-founder, is about maximizing human capital.

Bryant: GOP Would've 'Hollered' If Obama Pushed Criminal Reform

"You're the only president that can do this," Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says he privately told President Trump last year, as he urged the fellow Republican to support criminal-justice reform.

Walker Powell

The University of Southern Mississippi was able to take game one of a three-game series against Mississippi State University in Starkville on Friday, Feb. 22, with help from right-handed pitcher …

Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Bill Advances to Mississippi House

Mississippi lawmakers are inching forward with a proposal that could become one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation.

Cohen Says Trump Knew About WikiLeaks Email Dump Beforehand

President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer told Congress on Wednesday that Trump knew ahead of time that WikiLeaks had emails damaging to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, and he testified that …

Hosemann Talks River Floods, Jackson Water, Yearly Teacher Pay Raises

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann expounded Monday on a lawsuit against the federal government over flooding along the Mississippi River, but said his office would not "wade into" issues …

Mississippi Players Kneel During Anthem in Response to Rally

Eight Mississippi players kneeled during the national anthem in response to a Confederacy rally near the arena before the Rebels' 72-71 victory over Georgia on Saturday.

Mike Espy Boosts Young House Candidate With Endorsement, Data

Brandon Rue, president of a student organization at the University of Southern Mississippi called Common Causeto, plans to run as a Democrat for Mississippi House District 102, the state legislative …

Analysis: Mississippi Lawmakers Reject College Aid Changes

There could have been a shift in how Mississippi helps students pay for college after findings showed one program benefiting many affluent families doesn't appear effective, while less affluent families …

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.

R. Kelly Charged With 10 Counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse

R. Kelly was charged Friday with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse, after decades of lurid rumors and allegations that the R&B star was sexually abusing women and underage girls.

Harvey Hill, 36, died in custody at the Madison County Detention Center. His family is …

• February 22, 2019

After Death in Madison Jail, Family Files Lawsuit Against County

What exactly happened in the last 24 hours of Harvey Hill's life is uncertain, but his family is charging that he died due to excessive force in the Madison County …

"Unframed Images" at MSU, Millsaps College Players at the Arts Center and Edible Book Festival at USM

Mississippi State University Libraries is partnering with Tuskegee University in Alabama and the Southern Literary Trail to host "Unframed Images," an art exhibition honoring the work of African American photographer …