Jackson Free Press

Tale of Two Charter Schools in Mississippi

Charter schools weren't legal in Mississippi until 2013, when the Legislature passed the Mississippi Charter School Law, allowing nonprofit charter schools to enter the state for the first time.

We Need to Learn From Charter Schools Before Expanding Them

It is too early to deem charter schools a success or failure in Mississippi. We are witnessing the beginning of a limited experiment in privatized "public" education starting this year …

God Is Still in Public Schools

I am a high-school teacher and a Christian. And I have some great news: God is still in our public schools.

Josh Ferguson

Josh Ferguson says his favorite part of bartending at Babalu Tacos & Tapas is meeting people.

School Official Wants Probe of Anti-42 Emails

Although legislative opponents to school-funding ballot Initiative 42 have been threatening deep cuts to state agencies—and therefore state jobs—for months, a new front has opened up in the battle for …

Mary Coleman: Bringing ‘New Energy’ to MDOT

Coleman's primary election went to a run-off that she won by a large margin to Robert Amos. She now faces Dick Hall, the incumbent who has served in that role …

Unleashing the Vibe

Lucas Pettey, Owen Rockwell and Jason Mathena of The Vibe Doctors will perform for their album release show Friday, Sept. 25, at Sneaky Beans.

Physical Art Making Taboo History

While Taboo Dance & Fitness is normally used for fitness classes, on Saturday, June 27, it made history as the home of Mississippi's first pole-fitness competition, Miss Taboo.

On Education, Privilege and Empowerment

Payton Head, student body president at the University of Missouri, my alma mater, recently wrote that while walking through campus Sept. 11, a pickup truck full of white guys screamed …

Yarber Shelves $15M Sludge-Hauling Contract

With the Jackson City Council’s vote last week against a proposal for federal government-mandated hauling of biosolids from a city wastewater treatment plant, Mayor Tony Yarber is asking government regulators …

Jené Wilkerson was one of the dancers at Taboo Dance & Fitness’ Miss Taboo pole-dance …

• September 22, 2015

Pop Culture at the Capri and Mentors at Saltine

Pop Culture Pops owners Craig and Lori Kinsley will soon open a permanent storefront for Pop Culture inside the Pix-Capri Theatre in Fondren.

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson Authors 'American Red Cross Sunshine Act'

The proposed American Red Cross Sunshine Act would force the American Red Cross to open its books and operations to outside scrutiny.

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.

Jackson Spends $56K Cleaning Up Problem State Properties

Starting last year, the City revamped the way it handles complaints against rundown houses and unkempt properties.

Israel Calls Up Reservists Following Holy Site Violence

Israel made a rare decision on Friday to call up a few hundred border police reservists to beef up security, following Palestinian riots at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site and …

House Bills Hit Planned Parenthood, Some Abortion Doctors

Republicans pushed bills targeting Planned Parenthood and curbing some abortion procedures toward House passage Friday, with party leaders hoping the legislation will help mollify fractious conservatives demanding a face-off with …

Trump Declines to Correct Man Who Says Obama is Muslim

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump declined to correct a questioner at a town hall event who incorrectly stated that President Barack Obama is Muslim, and the billionaire real estate mogul …

Prison for Man Who Helped Place Noose on Civil Rights Statue

A former University of Mississippi student who admitted helping place a noose on a statue of a civil rights activist is going to prison.

Council Votes No on $15 Million Waste Hauling Contract

The Jackson City Council overwhelmingly said no to a proposal for hauling biosolids from a city wastewater treatment plant.