Jackson Free Press

Mississippi Senate Approves New Map to Boost Black Voting Power

Mississippi lawmakers are working to redraw the lines of a state senate district that two federal courts ruled dilutes black voting power.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Men, It’s Time to Solve Sexism

"It's up to men to solve sexism." We were at breakfast when Donna said that to me. I was immediately struck by the profundity of the statement—in part because it …

As Dems Debate Busing, a Mississippi School Desegregates

The small Mississippi Delta town of Cleveland serves as a reminder that fierce debates over the integration of black and white students are not a thing of the past.

Walmart Boosts Starting Pay, Closing Dozens of Sam's Clubs

Walmart confirmed Thursday that it is closing dozens of Sam's Club warehouse stores across the country—a move that seems sure to cost jobs—on the same day it announced that it …

Disenfranchised for Life? No Changes, Yet

Stanley Barnes of Claiborne County was convicted of murder in 1990 and received a life sentence, but was paroled in 2000. He is still on unsupervised parole. Sen. Albert Butler, …

EDITOR'S NOTE: Jackson, Get Your Community Together

Sure, if you come from a bigger city, there may be less to do here in Jackson, but you have many options, even if it's just going to the Mississippi …

Trump Says 'Let Russia Back In' as He Heads for G-7 Summit

President Donald Trump charged into a summit of major industrialized nations on Friday for contentious trade talks, injecting fresh drama even before he arrived by calling for Russia, ousted from …

Trump Defiant Despite Rising Outrage Over Border Separations

An unapologetic President Donald Trump defended his administration's border-protection policies in the face of rising national outrage over the forced separation of migrant children from their parents. Calling for tough …

Residents, Businesses Could Get Relief from Busted Pipes

Between the city's aging water and sewer systems and sub-freezing weather, broken pipes have become a contentious issue in Jackson.

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‘Baba’ Chokwe: Lumumba the Mentor

Chokew Lumumba was a living, breathing history lesson, especially for up-and-coming human-rights attorneys interested in understanding the relationship between the fight for civil rights and American-style justice and fighting it …

In Tough Times, Be Grateful

A few things have made me realize that it's important to give thanks every day—not just one day of the year.

Keeping Insurance Rates Stable, Despite Congressional Interference

Even with the Affordable Care Act intact, Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney is still concerned for Mississippians with certain plans that would see rate increases in 2018, despite the ACA's …

Pressure Mounts on Trump to Address Race-Fueled Clash

President Donald Trump is facing pressure from both sides of the aisle for him to explicitly condemn white supremacists and hate groups involved in deadly, race-fueled clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia.

State’s Longest-Sitting Death Row Inmate Challenges Death Penalty Drug

The Mississippi Supreme Court has sentenced Richard Jordan to death four times, but with the help of his lawyers, he continues to challenge the state's death penalty method.

Attacker Drives Van into Barcelona Crowd; 12 Dead, 80 Hurt

A white van jumped up onto a sidewalk and sped down a pedestrian zone Thursday in Barcelona's historic Las Ramblas district, swerving from side to side as it plowed into …

At UN, Trump Threatens 'Total Destruction' of North Korea

President Donald Trump, in a combative debut speech to the U.N. General Assembly, threated the "total destruction'" of North Korea if it does not abandon its drive toward nuclear weapons.

A Nation of Immigrants

Though I don't know where I come from, one thing is clear: At some point in my ancestry, my family migrated to this country. Like many families that came to …

Keep Breaking the Glass Ceiling

A couple of weeks ago, I posted something to Facebook that I thought could possibly get some political backlash from my conservative friends and family: "Regardless of politics, the fact …

Look to Hattiesburg

Jackson is far from perfect, but it’s at least a city that knows things needs to change—and for the most part, it seems to want to.

McCain Making Dramatic Senate Return for Crucial Health Vote

John McCain will make a dramatic return to the Senate for a make-or-break vote on Republican health care legislation Tuesday just days after getting diagnosed with brain cancer, giving an …