Jackson Free Press

The State Of JPD

Photos by Adam Lynch, Brian Johnson, Ronni Mott, and Kate Medley

Precinct 2 Patrolman Michael Braxton was on an evening shift in July when he got a vague call from dispatch telling him to head to Deer Park and Dalton Streets …

‘These Are Not Fair Trials': The JFP Talks With John Grisham

Since publication of "The Innocent Man" in 2006, author John Grisham has become a strong advocate for the Innocence Project, lending his name and voice to help establish the organization's …

Fashion, Freedom, and Feminism

Can feminists wear micro-minis and still be taken seriously?

The word feminist, as I understand it, describes a woman who believes in the right to make decisions about her life as an individual, not as a certain sex. To …

Ross Perot + Dr. Evil = Rand Paul?

Not since Sarah Palin have we encountered such a breath of fresh stupidity.

Apparently while trying to explain away his problems* with the Civil Rights Act on ABC's Good Morning America, Rand Paul -- newly minted "tea-party" GOP candidate for Senate from the …

Community Events and Public Meetings

The Scholastic Writing Awards Call for Submissions is all through today at Eudora Welty House at the Eudora Welty Education and Visitors Center.

Community Events and Public Meetings

The Jackson City Council Youth Curfew Public Hearing is Tuesday, Nov. 20 from 5-9 p.m. at Jackson City Hall.

It Never Stops

April 3, 2007 We're on deadline, but I have to make a couple quick comments on Clarion-Ledger stories today. The first, on Melton's plan to increase the pace of demolitions, …

Update II: McCain Camp, Young Republicans Pushed Mutilation Story

KDKA in Pittsburgh is reporting that Ashley Todd—the Susan Smith of 2008?—made up the story that she was attacked by a large black man at an ATM because she was …

[Wilkes] Why I'm a Feminist

Feminism. Why is this word considered so foul coming from the mouths of men? It seems like nine times out of 10 when I use this word in a conversation …

Meet George Allen, the Republican Party's Great White Hope

The leading conservative 2008 Republican presidential candidate is scarier than George W. Bush.

Mississippi: Stop Honoring White Supremacists

There's an ongoing debate over whether to recommission the Jackson-Evers International Airport as the Medgar Evers International Airport, but I'm more worried about the names that we're already commemorating.

No. 42, July 5-12

<b><em>Misogynist Vulgarity</b></em>

I read Kamikaze's unwarranted attack on Oprah Winfrey ("Shut Out By The Queen," June 22) in your last issue and felt compelled to respond.

Call the Roll on Dirty Politics

Disturbing statements have been coming from inside Mayor Frank Melton's inner circle since he and his bodyguards were indicted Sept. 15 for home invasion and demolition. To put it simply, …

What Will It Take, Council?

The Jackson City Council shirked its duties—and certain council members betrayed their oath of office—Tuesday when a majority decided against investigating whether Mayor Frank Melton took the JPD Mobile Command …

Tarring and Feathering Faye Peterson

I was sitting in the student center at Belhaven College Friday afternoon, participating in a media-ethics forum with several other media leaders from around town. The conversation was compelling, and …

D.A. Peterson Concedes, Goes Home

With 98 percent of precincts reporting and Robert Smith leading by 1,183 votes, District Attorney Faye Peterson just conceded defeat in the Red Room at Hal & Mal's, saying that …

[Fry] The 50 Cent Test

Lately, every time some politician is talking about education on the TV, on radio or in the newspaper, they're talking about testing. "Accountability." They act like standardized test scores are …

Mayor Leads Morality Raid

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton took his mayoral duties into Center Folds strip club, in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Melton showed up after 1 a.m. with two other police …

How Would You Reform Public Education in Mississippi?

The Clarion-Ledger is making a lot of hay out of recent statistics indicating that only 50.6% of JPS students graduate, rather than the previously estimated 67%. The trouble is that …

Here Comes Rudy!

Gotta love hypocrites.

So, Rudy "Take the Guns!" Giuliani is headed to Mississippi to campaign in a region where very few of his (historic) views actually resonate. We're guessing his kids won't be …