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Civil Rights
A ‘State of Siege’ in Madison County?
Khadafy and Quinnetta Manning are two of the 10 black Madison County residents suing the county and Sheriff Randall Tucker in a federal class-action lawsuit the ACLU of Mississippi filed …
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City & County
Making of a Landslide: Chokwe A. Lumumba and a Changing Jackson
Primary night wasn't supposed to end that way. Chokwe Antar Lumumba could not possibly beat nine Democratic opponents outright and avoid a run-off. Here's why he did.
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City & County
Onward and Upward
Our new mayor deserves the infusion of the collective genius of all who are part of our city. This genius cannot be parked along the sidelines of stagnation. This genius …
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Civil Rights
Address Racial Bias in Policing Now, Not Later
Discriminatory policing has always been a reality in Mississippi, where too many cops have long enforced deeply held racial stereotypes. The excuse from many people is that, well, more black …
Story
City & County
One Mayoral Candidate’s Journey
My experience with running for mayor of Jackson was tremendous. I met so many great people that I probably would have never come across had I not jumped in with …
Story
Editor's Note
Doers, Builders, Creators: Let’s Get Organized
I've been saying it for a hot minute about Jackson, and particularly about creatives, professionals and local business interests in Jackson—we need to get organized.
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Jacksonian
Emily Jones Caraway
For the last six years, Jackson native Emily Jones Caraway, 34, has been a single mom to her son, Holden Caraway, who is currently 10.
Feature
2017 JFP Endorsement of Chokwe Lumumba
Read the reasons for the JFP's endorsement of Chokwe Antar Lumumba for mayor in 2017.
Document
Millsaps-Chism Post-Election Analysis
After Chokwe Lumumba's huge victory in the 2017 Democratic primary, pollsters analyze why they had under-estimated his landslide victory over nine other candidates.
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National
Trump Fires FBI Director James Comey
President Donald Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey Tuesday, saying it was necessary to restore "public trust and confidence" in the nation's top law enforcement agency following several tumultuous …
Story
Civil Rights
Study: Mostly African American Inmates Serve Life Sentences in Mississippi
A new study from the Sentencing Project found that inmates serving life or virtual life (50-plus years) sentences in the United States are predominantly and disproportionately African Americans. Mississippi's prison …
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Story
Biz Roundup
Jackson Cash & Carry, Doe's Eat Place and Baptist Health Merger
Greg Price, who owns grocery store Jackson Cash & Carry with his brother, Chester Price, recently partnered with Hope Credit Union and Hope Enterprise Corporation to move the business from …
Story
Person of the Day
Patti Gandy
The Mississippi College School of Law awarded Patti Gandy, who is the founding director of the Mission First Legal Aid Office in Jackson, with the school's Community Spirit Award during …
Story
Civil Rights
Lawsuit: Madison County Sheriff Targeting Black People with 'Top-Down Program'
Ten black Madison County residents joined the ACLU of Mississippi this morning to announce a new federal class-action lawsuit against Madison County and Sheriff Randall Tucker.
Story
Economy
Analysis: Improved Revenue a Counterpoint to Credit Worries
Getting better or getting worse? That's the question Mississippi leaders are debating after the third major credit rating agency warned last week that it was concerned about weakness in state …
Story
City & County
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.
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Possible Late Free-Agent Pickups for the Saints
By bryanflynnShopping in the bargain bin isn’t something some people like to talk about, but most of us love to get a good deal when possible. At this point in the NFL offseason, teams are now looking for bargains on veteran players.
There are still some good players left on the market looking for jobs. Some of these athletes could even help a team such as the New Orleans Saints. They might have to do some magic to work some cap space but could look for a free agent to step in as a pass rusher.
One of the better names on the market is Dwight Freeney, who played for the Atlanta Falcons last season. He only posted three sacks last year but still can create pressure on a quarterback. At age 37, he will likely only sign with a team that he believes is a contender for the Super Bowl.
The Saints could go with 32-year-old veteran Mario Williams, who spent last season with the Miami Dolphins. He only recorded 1.5 sacks then, but if healthy and motivated, he could raise that total.
A couple of other names on the market are Jared Odrick and Devin Taylor. Odrick spent last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars and played only six games with one sack. The 29-year-old defensive end might sign cheap on a one-year “prove it” deal. Taylor played with the Detroit Lions last season but recorded just 4.5 sacks in 16 games played.
There are some pass-rushing linebackers still on the market, as well. The Saints are loaded at linebacker right now but need a pass rusher. If any of these players fit the scheme and price, he could be a good fit.
Two names that stand out at linebacker are Elvis Dumervil and Erik Walden. Dumervil has spent his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens, and Walden played for the Lions last season.
Dumervil only played in eight games last season with three sacks. Walden recorded 11 sacks in 16 games but never had more than six sacks before last year. The question is whether last year was a sign of things to come for a few seasons or just a fluke.
Looking at a different position, if the Saints want to add help at wide receiver, there are still a few names out there. Getting most of these players is all about signing at the right price.
Anquan Boldin is about to be 37 years old, but last season, he caught 67 passes for 584 yards and eight touchdowns. He is a proven leader and could help mentor the young receivers in New Orleans.
Injuries robbed former New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz of what he might have been otherwise. In a limited role last season, he caught 39 passes for 586 yards and one touchdown. His celebratory salsa dancing would also seem like a …
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Politics
Special Session Could Consider Road, Bridge Funding, If Speaker Gunn Gets His Way
House Speaker Philip Gunn's staff revealed proposals to get more funding to roads and bridges—which they hope to be included in a special session Gov. Phil Bryant called for June.
