Jackson Free Press

Hood Wants 15-week Abortion Ban Appeal Reconsidered by Full 5th Circuit

Mississippi wants a redo after a federal appeals court struck down its 2018 law that bans women from having abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood …

U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith introduced a law designed to bar the FDA from approving new …

• December 26, 2019

Hyde-Smith Bill Targets Medication Abortions with 'SAVE Moms and Babies Act'

U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is joining other anti-abortion politicians who are increasingly prioritizing legislative efforts designed to restrict access to federally approved abortion medication.

Jackson Women’s Health Organization Director Shannon Brewer (right) said she is worried that anti-abortion groups …

• December 23, 2019

Abortion-rights activists protested against Mississippi’s six-week abortion ban outside the Mississippi Capitol building in May …

• December 23, 2019

Abortion Inches Closer to Supreme Court

Earlier this year, Mississippi House Rep. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, told the Jackson Free Press that part of the goal of bills like the heartbeat bill and the 15-week ban is …

Mississippi Vows Further Appeal After Loss on Abortion Ban

Phil Bryant, Mississippi's outgoing Republican governor, vowed Saturday to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Mississippi's ban on abortion at 15 weeks a day after a federal appeals court …

How 'Sister District' Helped Shanda Yates Unseat Longtime Mississippi Republican

Sister District, a California-based group dedicated to helping elect Democrats in state legislatures across the country, helped one Jackson area political newcomer unseat a longtime Republican incumbent.

OPINION: Running While Black—Dem AG Nominee Reveals Privilege, Ghosts Faced in Race

I boxed the glaring ghost of a broken and unsupportive party structure. I guess I am not supposed to say that out loud, but we might as well tell the …

Mississippi Democratic Party Needs to Overhaul Strategies, Outreach, Diversity

Prominent novelist Angie Thomas is planning to leave Mississippi due to the toxic politics here, on prominent display in last night’s election outcome. The wildly successful graduate of Belhaven College …

Voter ID Stays Under Both Secretary of State Hopefuls, But One Wants Citizenship Check

Voting rights take center stage in tomorrow's election for secretary of state between Mississippi Sen. Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula, and former Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree, the Democratic nominee.

DOSSIER: GOP's Red-baiting Mailer Template, Campaign Lies, Bryant Miffed

Republicans are already sending out glossy mailers warming up the crowd in Mississippi and other southern states to the necessity of electing Trump apologists and enablers—that is pretty much what …

Twitter Bans Political Ads Ahead of 2020 Election

Twitter, reacting to growing concern about misinformation spread on social media, is banning all political advertising from its service. Its move sets it apart from Facebook, which continues to defend …

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking Alabama from enforcing the …

• October 29, 2019

Federal Judge Blocks Alabama's Strict Abortion Ban

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked Alabama's near-total abortion ban from taking effect next month and called the law—part of a wave of new abortion restrictions by conservative states—clearly unconstitutional.

Fact-Check: GOP Mailer Falsely States Hood's Record on Abortion, Other Issues

The Mississippi Republican Party is behind a recent campaign mailer with a photo of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jim Hood's face next to a photoshopped set of bumper stickers on the …

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.

Abortion at Center as Women's Groups Offer Collins, Fitch Endorsements

EMILY's List, a Washington, D.C.-based group dedicated to helping elect more women to offices nationwide, on Tuesday endorsed Democrat Jennifer Riley Collins in the Mississippi attorney general's race.

Jennifer Riley Collins (left), the Democratic nominee for Mississippi attorney general, appeared at EMILY's List's …

• October 17, 2019

‘It All Starts With Education’: The JFP Interview With Jay Hughes

Education is the No. 1 issue for Mississippi House Rep. Jay Hughes, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor this year, who has taught in public schools himself.