Jackson Free Press

As Rankin County Schools Ditch Mask Mandates, Jackson Requires Vaccines for Teachers

As Jackson Public Schools become one of the first in the state to mandate COVID-19 vaccines or weekly testing for employees, students in the nearby suburban Rankin County School District …

Weekend Picks 9-24-2021

The weekend awaits, and it looks like it’s going to be a beautiful one—complete with cooler temps that make you want to get outside and celebrate autumn.

Mississippi Negotiators Reach Proposal on Medical Marijuana

Mississippi House and Senate negotiators said Thursday that they have agreed on a proposed medical marijuana program.

Mississippi Student Test Scores Decline in Math, English

The number of Mississippi students learning at or above grade level in math and English decreased across almost every age group during the first statewide assessments amid the COVID-19 pandemic, …

Mississippi Voting Rights Case is Argued at U.S. Appeals Court

The authors of Mississippi's 1890 constitution had racist intent when they stripped voting rights from people convicted of some felonies because they chose crimes they thought were more likely to …

(UPDATED) Jackson City Council Rescinds Mayor's Emergency Order, Nixes Garbage Disposal Contract

A war of words has continued between Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba and Waste Management over a new garbage disposal contract.

Board: Public Universities Cannot Require COVID-19 Vaccine

The board that governs Mississippi's public universities has voted to prohibit schools from requiring COVID-19 vaccines for students and staff.

U.S. Appeals Court to Hear Mississippi Voting Rights Case

A federal appeals court is set to hear arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit that seeks to overturn Mississippi's ban on voting rights for people convicted of some felonies—a case that …

Lorenzo Neal

Dr. Lorenzo Neal, pastor of New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jackson since 2011, has spent the past five years advocating against gun violence as part of the nonprofit …

Mississippi Takes Management of Prison from Private Company

The Mississippi Department of Corrections is taking over operation of Marshall County Correctional Facility, a prison that has been privately run since it opened 25 years ago.

Parys Haralson

On Sept. 13, the New Orleans Saints announced the death of Flora native and former NFL linebacker Parys Haralson. The former All-American, as a senior at Madison Central High School, …

The Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson opened a new traveling augmented-reality exhibit from PBS Frontline …

• September 20, 2021

Un(re)solved at Two Mississippi Museums, TECH JXN and Simply Salad

The Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson opened a new traveling augmented-reality exhibit from PBS Frontline called Un(re)solved on Saturday, Aug. 28.

Mayor Declares State of Emergency As Waste Disposal Negotiations Hit Snag

Getting a garbage-collection contract for the City of Jackson is coming down to the wire after Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba declared a state of emergency on Friday, Sept. 17, saying …

Pediatric Diabetes Surge in Mississippi: Doctors Concerned COVID-19 Is To Blame

With each passing month of the pandemic, Dr. Jessica Lilley has grown increasingly concerned that COVID-19 is linked to a massive increase in new diagnoses of pediatric diabetes throughout Mississippi.

Crowded Field Running for Mississippi Senate Seat

Nine people have qualified to run for a Mississippi Senate seat vacated in June when Sen. Sampson Jackson retired after 29 years.

Illegal Dumping: City-wide Clean-up Planned

It will take a city-wide cleanup effort to move the needle against the menace of illegal dumping in Jackson, Solid Waste Division Manager Lakesha Weathers told the city council at …

Roderick Little

Dockers recently featured Roderick Little, director of bands at Jackson State University, in the most recent entry of its "Recognize" storytelling series, which features regular interviews with African Americans who …

Jackson Planning Director Confirmed As Two Councilmen Question Her Record

Two Jackson City Council members voted against Director of Planning and Development Jordan Hillman's official confirmation to a new term on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Weekend Picks 9-10-2021

I’ve picked a few highlights to give you a taste of what’s out there this weekend–with a focus on virtual and outdoor events, and indoor events that have COVID safety …