Jackson Free Press

The Year In News

This year will be over in a few hours. Here's a look back on some of the big news events of 2010 in Jackson and Mississippi.

House Stalls on Domestic Violence GPS

Monitoring domestic violence suspects out on bond is apparently a controversial issue in the Mississippi House of Representatives. The House spent most of yesterday tackling an unofficial list of non-controversial …

UPDATED: Hinds DA Smith's Aggravated Stalking, Robbery Trial Resumes After Delays

Jury selection began today in Rankin County for Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith's latest trial for an aggravated stalking charge and a robbery charge for allegedly attacking ex-girlfriend …

Hinds DA Smith's Supreme Court Appeal Delays Rankin County Trial

A Rankin County judge today delayed the trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for aggravated stalking, robbery, and two counts of domestic violence, all involving an ex-girlfriend …

Doris Shavers Killed in Domestic Dispute

WAPT is reporting that Doris Shavers, 40, has died after being shot in the head, allegedly by Henry Phillips in a domestic dispute last night on Ludlow Street. While Shavers …

David McDowell

David McDowell says that he took up the position of the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence's policy coordinator in September after his mentor, MCADV interim president and former Mississippi Democratic …

After Rice, NFL Increases Domestic Violence Bans

Acknowledging he "didn't get it right" with a two-game suspension for Ravens running back Ray Rice, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced tougher penalties for players accused of domestic violence, including …

Bush Approval Ratings at All-Time Low

CBS News is reporting: "President Bush's overall approval rating has fallen to the lowest level of his presidency, 44 percent, in the latest CBS News poll, reflecting the weight of …

Trafficking: An Ugly Reality in Mississippi

Human trafficking, a form of slavery, doesn't just happen overseas in prostitution rings or on television. It's a nasty, ugly reality—and it happens right here in Mississippi.

Devon Still

Devon Still wasn’t just focused on making a football team this preseason. He was focused on the health of his 4-year-old daughter Leah, who is battling cancer with a 50-percent …

Stop Blaming the Victims

In the past few weeks, I have watched countless victim blamers come out to ask why Ray Rice's wife, Janay, stayed rather than focused on his violence. The truth is, …

Hyde-Smith: McDaniel's 'Toxic Image' Similar to Roy Moore's

Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is criticizing her opponent, State Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, for recent comments she says "demeaned" black Mississippians and a history of "derogatory" comments about women.

Clinton Cuts Domestic Violence

When it comes to people accused of domestic violence, police and courts tend to see the same men and women over and over again—often with a revolving set of victims. …

Fighting Violence With Yoga

The therapeutic benefits of practicing yoga are well documented, but this coming weekend, the power of yoga will be on display in a different way.

Here's A Full List of Barbour's Pardons; What Do You Think?

Jan. 10, 2011—Click here to read a full list of outgoing Gov. Haley Barbour's pardons, then tell us what you think (and what you know about these folks' crimes!)

UPDATED: Barbour Helps Domestic Killers

At least three of six criminals getting relief from Gov. Haley Barbour killed their former or current wife or girlfriend.

Let's Talk Domestic Violence

Let's talk, Mississippi.

In honor of Heather Spencer, who was beaten to death by her boyfriend who almost beat her to death a couple months back with nothing done about it by the …

Legislative Round-up–Week 5: Getting Busy

With the Jan. 30 bill submission deadline gone, the House and Senate buckled down to serious floor action this week.

Alaska Becomes 3rd State with Legal Marijuana

Alaska on Tuesday became the third U.S. state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, but organizers don't expect any public celebrations since it remains illegal to smoke marijuana in …

Barbour Signs AG's Domestic Violence Bill

<i>Verbatim statement:</i>

A domestic violence related bill sponsored by Attorney General Jim Hood has been signed into law. Gov. Haley Barbour signed SB 2426, which makes it a misdemeanor for someone to …