Jackson Free Press

Cassio Batteast

Cassio Batteast is slow to talk about himself, but his infectious smile and upbeat personality shine through as he talks about his experiences working with young men. Batteast, 31, is …

Peter Zapletal, Puppeteer

The puppets Peter Zapletal makes are works of art, all unified by his craftsmanship. The sly smile on bunnies wearing striped suits in "Carnival of Animals" and the details in …

Short'nin' Bread

Soul food includes mouth-watering dishes such as collard greens, fried chicken, barbecued spare ribs and corn bread, as well as less well-known but just as sumptuous recipes such as cheese …

The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace

David Rahaim's interest in southern literature led him to his position as manager of Congress Street Coffee at the Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace. In this role, he also oversees …

Vulnerability and Strength

To love is to care deeply enough about an idea to see it come into being, whether that idea is a romance with another person, writing a novel or starting …

Abortion, Immigration Bills Die in Committee

Two of the most contentious bills of the current legislative session--an anti-abortion "heartbeat" bill and an anti-undocumented immigration measure--won't become law in Mississippi after all.

City Not Ready To Finalize Hotel Plans

A Mississippi Business Journal article reporting that the city of Jackson is "set to bet" $40 million from its general fund to own half of the long-proposed convention center hotel …

Teaching The Truth

Next year, for the first time, Mississippi will require all social-studies teachers to teach the history of civil rights in the state. The requirement will come more than five years …

Council Confirms 2 More JPS Board Members

The City Council voted today to confirm Mayor Harvey Johnson's two additional nominees to the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees. After delaying the vote for weeks due to in-fighting, …

Puppy Mills, JATRAN, Power Savings Before Council

The city will restrict roadside animal sales after a 6-to-0 vote in favor of a new ordinance today.

The Cheering Section

As Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards makes the case for keeping his job, he has relied on the support of a variety of visible community members.

AG: Keep Teens Safe Online

Teens' online social networking can affect real-life safety and friendships, so parents should talk with their children about staying safe on social media websites panelists said at a Facebook roadshow …

Hinds Election Sparring Continues

Read Dennery's announcement

Farish Street Shows Progress

Farish Street regained its critical connection to Amite Street last week, providing a small boost to ailing businesses in the historic district.

[Kamikaze] Don't Blow It

After I signed my first recording contract, an old industry mentor asked me: "You've bought the album. Now what are you going to do with it?" In other words, now …

Dianne Alford: Auctions, Babies, And Bread Pudding

After a busy lunch, traffic through Two Sisters Kitchen had slowed down by mid-afternoon last Friday when I met owner Dianne Alford. The restaurant, which has been a Jackson institution …

Jury Selection Begins in Melton-Recio Trial

Melton archive/blog.

The thrice-delayed federal civil rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton and bodyguard Michael Recio kicked off Monday in the federal courthouse in downtown Jackson for the destruction of a private …

Senate Passes Lower Cigarette Tax Increase

The Mississippi Senate approved a 49 cents per pack cigarette tax yesterday, setting the stage for a compromise with the House, which passed a $1 per pack tax two weeks …

Santorum Wins Miss. Primary

Rick Santorum won a close race in yesterday's primary, with the other two Republican presidential candidates falling behind him by only a few thousand votes.

The Out-of-Towners

The month of September has started out as a barnburner for Jackson musicheads like me.