Jackson Free Press

Mississippi Negotiators Reach Proposal on Medical Marijuana

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

Less than three months into the current budget year, Mississippi legislators are starting to plan …

• September 24, 2021

Ink Barely Dry on Budget as Mississippi Starts New One

Less than three months into the current budget year, Mississippi legislators are starting to plan for the next one.

Muralist Aspires to Promote Peace and Spark Reform through Art

For many years, Kyle Holbrook masked his pain and loss in his art, using it as a distraction. However in 2002, he realized that he could channel that energy in …

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.

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 …

With Most Jacksonians Unvaccinated, Mayor Pushes Worker Shot Cut-off to Oct. 15

Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba extended the deadline for city workers to get vaccinated, or be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 tests. Once the deadline of Oct. 15, 2021, passes, …

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, …

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.

Jackson State University is one of several historically Black colleges and universities convening with major …

• September 16, 2021

JSU HBCU Technology Conference, MSU-SEAS Program and USM Gulf Park Pantry

Jackson State University is one of several historically Black colleges and universities convening with major corporations in September at the inaugural HBCU Technology Conference, which aims to address the racial …

Lawmakers Consider Teacher Pay, Insurance Cost for Families

A Mississippi public school teacher with 15 years of experience providing health insurance for their family took home just under $30,000 a year in net pay in 2020, a “shocking …

Amerigroup and Mississippi Food Network to Launch First Food Rx Program

A $25,000 donation from Amerigroup to the University of Mississippi Medical Center will help establish the state’s first Food Rx program for children at Children’s of Mississippi, the state’s only …

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 …

Doctors: Pregnant Mississippians Need COVID-19 Vaccine With Infections, Deaths Up

Mothers-to-be are at an inherently higher risk of complications due to COVID-19 infection, leadership from the Mississippi State Medical Association said at a Sept. 10 press briefing aimed at promoting …