Jackson Free Press

Mississippi Lobbyists, Associates in Thick of Trump’s Ukraine-Russia Web

A key figure in Trump's impeachment inquiry has an ongoing and paid association with lobbying firm BGR Group, started by former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, as well as a paid …

Best of Jackson: Legal 2019

The moments when you find yourself needing legal counsel can be the most strenuous ones in your life. The Jackson Free press aims to simplify the process of finding an …

What Can the Hinds DA Do to Cure the System?

Incoming Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens vows a criminal-justice approach focused on public safety and, hopefully, more alternatives to prison.

Federal Judge Upholds Affirmative Action at Harvard

A federal judge Tuesday cleared Harvard University of discriminating against Asian American applicants in a ruling that was seen as a major victory for supporters of affirmative action in college …

Sheriff, ACLU Propose Plan in Mississippi Racial Bias Case

A central Mississippi sheriff's department would adopt an "unbiased policing policy" and set new rules about traffic checkpoints and encounters with pedestrians, under a proposed agreement in a racial profiling …

DOSSIER: County Documents At Risk, Public Meeting Confusion, No to WJTV

The Jackson Free Press scored a transparency victory this week, at least for now, when the Hinds County Board of Supervisors provided us a list of the documents it plans …

JPS Improves, City Restrains Zoo Over Zebra, JPD Targets Drug Hubs

The last week saw important developments in Jackson's public schools, its police department and the Jackson Zoo.

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.

Election Do-Over Set in Part of Mississippi Senate District

A special election will be Nov. 5 in part of a Mississippi Senate district—the same day as the general election for other offices. A Republican committee certified Biloxi City Councilwoman …

JFP Origin and History Quiz

The first person who emails all the correct answers to [email protected] gets $50 in local gift cards.

DOSSIER: Hitting Transparency Brick Walls, Scolded for Immigration Coverage

"I'm officially launching my new weekly Dossier, which will spotlight our accountability journalism, whether about how ICE raids are conducted or when public officials aren't being transparent or not following …

Mississippi Sheriff Sets Policies Amid Racial Profiling Suit

A county in south Mississippi has settled a racial profiling lawsuit and its sheriff's department is setting new policies that limit officers' use of race or national origin as a …

The Jackson City Council approved a $790,000 bailout plan at its Sept. 17, 2019, meeting …

• September 19, 2019

City to Bail Out Convention Center This Month, But Rejects Request for $790,000

The fledgling Jackson Convention Center asked the Jackson City Council for bailout money this week and got it, but not without pushback from two members, Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes …

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors approved an order to dispose of files from both …

• September 17, 2019

JFP Questions Destruction of Public Records by Hinds County Board of Supervisors

The Jackson Free Press is asking the Hinds County Board of Supervisors to delay its unanimous vote yesterday to dispose of documents relating to its former administrations as well as …

PARK(ing) Day, Creative IMPACT Luncheon, Madison IMAX, MANP Grant

The City of Jackson will host PARK(ing) Day, a national event to bring together businesses and residents to transform metered parking spaces into temporary park installations for one day, on …

Auditor Calls to Abolish Blues Commission, Cites Misspending

Mississippi's state auditor says accounting and contracting problems at the state's Blues Commission are so severe that the commission should be abolished and its responsibilities handed to the nonprofit Mississippi …

State Auditor Shad White, in a Thursday report, says the commission has spent $1.9 million …

• September 13, 2019

Expanded Vouchers Not OK with Either Lt. Gov. Candidate, Short Debate Reveals

The Republican and Democratic candidates for Mississippi lieutenant governor found more to agree than disagree on in Thursday night's 30-minute debate, with similar positions on teacher pay, private-school vouchers and …