Jackson Free Press

Highball Lanes, LaCour Kitchen and Bar and BGCCM Youth Basketball League

Highball Lanes, a combination creole restaurant and 10-lane bowling alley with an attached bar in Jackson's Fondren neighborhood, opened for business with limited hours on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

‘He Was a Good Son’: COVID-19 Amplified Jackson Violence, Inequities for Black Families

Tramaine Green, 26, was the oldest of six siblings, and his mother describes him as very protective of anyone he cared about.

Mississippi schools are allowed to use a combination of in-person and online classes to try …

• January 21, 2022

Mississippi: Online and In-Person Class OK Amid Virus Surge

Mississippi schools are allowed to use a combination of in-person and online classes to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Ignite the Night, Junior League Jumble, and Mississippi Gem and Mineral Show

The Mississippi Children's Museum will host its annual "Ignite the Night" fundraiser from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12.

Lost in the ‘Dead Zone’: Thousands Languish in Mississippi Jail Without Lawyers

A jury rendered a not-guilty verdict for Duane Lake, 35, for a capital-murder allegation against him in November 2021. He had been in jail since 2015 and got his freedom …

Poor People’s Campaign Offers Free COVID-19 Testing as Cases Rise

COVID-19 infections continue to climb across the state, with the Mississippi State Department of Health reporting 8,204 new cases today along with 26 fatalities and continually increasing outbreaks across the …

Mississippi House Panel OKs Bill to Phase Out Income Tax

The Mississippi House is working on a proposal to phase out the state income tax, reduce the sales tax on groceries and increase the sales tax on many other items.

JSU COVID-19 Protocols, MSU Outstanding Achievement Awards and USM MLK Prayer Breakfast

Due to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, particularly the omicron variant, Jackson State University recently announced new health and safety protocols for the upcoming spring 2022 semester.

Seeking Solutions to Protect Mississippi Children from Lead Poisoning

Though cases of lead poisoning have been declining over decades in the United States, more still needs to be done. It is a serious threat to children’s futures and health.

Auditor Targets Anti-Racism Books in Mississippi Libraries: ‘A Cancer On Our Society’

Mississippi State Auditor Shad White is endorsing proposed legislation to ban educators from teaching “anti-racist” ideas in schools and accused libraries in the state of stocking “racist” books that criticize …

Mississippi Legislators Begin Session, Face Marijuana Debate

Mississippi legislators began their three-month session Tuesday, and the mother of a man with chronic medical problems implored them to create a medical marijuana program, despite objections from Gov. Tate …

City Engineer: Despite Improvements, Severe Winter Storm Could Wreak Havoc

February 2022 will mark Jackson's first anniversary of two back-to-back winter storms, which jeopardized the ability of many among the city’s more than 150,000 residents to get water.

‘Fifth Wave’ of COVID-19 Here, MSDH Leadership Says

Leadership among the Mississippi State Department of Health warned that the fifth wave of coronavirus is here, with more than 13,000 new cases of COVID-19 identified since Dec. 22, the …

COVID-19 Tests, Monoclonal Treatments in Short Supply amid Case Surge

As the highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the U.S., the Mississippi State Department of Health reported a skyrocketing number of COVID-19 cases this week. MSDH …

Mississippi University for Women Coach Dedrick Burnett Wears Many Other Hats

Burnett knows more than just travel plans for The W’s student-athletes, he learns a great deal more through his position as adviser to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, made up of …

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer's new COVID-19 pill, dubbed Paxlovid, which will …

• December 23, 2021

FDA Authorizes Pfizer, Merck COVID-19 Pills

“Today’s authorization introduces the first treatment for COVID-19 that is in the form of a pill that is taken orally—a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic,” …

Holiday Treats and Fun for Everyone to Close 2021

For those wanting to take advantage of the more moderate weather to safely venture out and check out what the metro has to offer this holiday season, the Jackson Free …

UPDATED: State Health Leadership Urges Holiday Caution as U.S. Sees First Omicron Death

State health leadership is urging Mississippians to take safety precautions against COVID-19 this holiday season, as the Mississippi State Department of Health reports slow but steady increases in the number …