Jackson Free Press

Crossing Gallatin

So the JFP celebrated its fifth birthday a couple of weeks ago. I have long exercised the privilege of celebrating my birthweek and birthmonth, rather than just a flimsy day, …

The Honeymoon, Part II: Melton's Secrets

One month after taking over the mayor's seat, Frank Melton said that the news business hadn't quite worked its way out of his soul.

Roadmap to Longevity

Collective Soul makes a fairly straightforward promise to its fans: to deliver loud, catchy rock 'n' roll music. The hard guitar riffs and charging vocals are a perfect fit for …

Behind The Seams: College Baseball 2008

Ping! That sound means one thing: It's college baseball season. And now is the time when the games really count, when teams are playing conference games.

[Balko] How Drug Cops Go Bad

If you browse the website of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), you will notice a conspicuous theme: The war on drugs is corrupting America's cops.

Black Preachers in America's ‘Whitest City'

Our friends at the Williamette Week in Portland, Ore., are taking on a provocative topic this week: African American preachers trying to be heard after the Rev. Wright controversy in …

American Jobs Act: Why Obama is Right and Wicker Is Wrong

Make no mistake: The American Jobs Act introduced by President Obama last night in a fiery speech last night in Congress is one thing -- stimulus. It's exactly what we …

Barbour Finally Addresses Pardons; Insults Mississippians

Statement from the Office of Former Gov. Haley Barbour

Lobbyist and former Gov. Haley Barbour finally addressed the firestorm around his 200+ pardons last night in an email statement. Here it is, verbatim; please read my comments below it:

White Noise

From the four pages of acknowledgements to chapters like "Why I'm a Virgin" and "Who Will Stand Up for Old People," Ben Ferguson's first book "It's My America Too" (William …

[Lunch Lady] Sandwiches Gone Global

There is an episode of "Friends" in which Ross wants Ugly Naked Guy's apartment, but doesn't know how to go about getting it. Rachel suggests he get to know him …

Let Us Rise in Love, by Carole Cannon

Sweet Honey in the Rock shows up and shows out. This hurricane of African American women whirling, playing percussive instruments, moaning, humming, laughing, soothing, sassing, singing. In voices as deep …

Waller Says Yes to Equal Pay, No on LGBT Hate Crimes Law

In a series of campaign stops for the Republican runoff for governor on Tuesday, former Mississippi Chief Justice Bill Waller reiterated his views on health care and education, while also …

Mississippi Voters on Biden Landslide: 'Joe Knows Us, and We Know Joe'

Biden won Mississippi with an overwhelming 81.1% of the Democratic vote compared to Sanders' 14.8%. The majority of people who showed up at the polls in Hinds County—83.2%—voted for Biden, …

Man Charged with Murdering Teen Granted $50K Bond, Gag Order Possible

The man charged with killing 17-year-old Charles McDonald outside his business, Performance Oil, ini south Jackson is requesting bail after his Dec. 29 arrest for first-degree murder. A judge granted …

2007 JFP Voter's Guide: Of Primary Importance

Photos by Adam Lynch & Roy Adkins

On Aug. 7, voters will turn out in droves—we hope—to make their voices known in the primary elections.

I'm Fed Up!!! Tired of folks blaming hip-hop for our ills: My response to Leonard Pitts' Column

Peace and Blessings, my name is Kamikaze. Im a nationally known hiphop artist from Jackson, MS and President of the Mississippi Artists and Producers Coalition. I also write a bi-weekly …

Deepest Midnight: Cedric Willis and The Failure of Mississippi Justice

Cedric Willis, then 19, stirred in his bed and looked up at his grandmother Sally. She had the smooth, dark skin of a woman 20 years younger, and her black …

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[Stauffer] America's Team

So I'm a Saints fan. I love watching Brees when he's in the groove, and I love watching the interceptions and Bush pylon leaps ... and I still dream about …

A New Sheriff? JFP Interview with Tyrone Lewis

I come from a family of six kids—two sisters, three brothers. And my mother and father still live, and still reside in this neighborhood I grew up in. I had …

Tale of Two Dems: Bennie vs. Chuck

On June 6, the Democratic primaries in the 2nd Congressional District will be up for grabs. Three candidates are facing off in the race, including political whack-a-mole Dorothy "Dot" Benford, …