Jackson Free Press

Crisis Postponed: House Passes Senate 'Fiscal Cliff' Bill and Sends to Obama for Signature

WASHINGTON (AP) — Past its own New Year's deadline, a weary Congress sent President Barack Obama legislation to avoid a national "fiscal cliff" of middle class tax increases and spending …

The Racist Roots of Disenfranchising Voters

Mississippi is one of 12 states with disenfranchisement laws that can affect people for life. The list of 22 disenfranchising crimes means an estimated 218,181 people in the state are …

Justice, Hope and Hurricane Katrina

Re-housing residents along the Mississippi coast became the most daunting problem of the post-Katrina recovery—logistically and politically speaking.

The JFP Interview with Joey Lauren Adams

Filmmaker Joey Lauren Adams, 39, is a fan of drinking Budweiser and driving along flat Arkansas highways looking at cypress trees, not necessarily at the same time. The first time …

‘Tis Time to Think and Drive

The JFP is joining Budweiser to present Alert Cab to offer Jacksonians free rides home this New Year's if you've had too much to drink. Please take advanage of this …

[Stiggers] Stayin' Alive

Here's a brief pre-holiday message from Pork-N-Piggly CEO and former third-string NFL football star Ernest "Monday Night Football Head" Walker: "An inflated economy has produced a depressed nation of price-gouged …

[Chick] Oh, Snap

"Oh, snap!" That's what Monkey said when he realized he was going to miss a barbecue while with his dad at the beach. I was both shocked and amused. "Did …

Roger Wicker

Passed by a 68-to-30 Senate vote, an amendment authored by Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, mandates that Amtrak allow passengers to carry handguns in their checked baggage. The amendment is an …

MLK III to Edwards: ‘Keep Fighting'

Well, CNN's moderators couldn't help themselves. They began tonight's Democratic debate with an actual issue: the economy. In dazzling contrast to MSNBC's scandal-obsessed debate in Las Vegas, Sens. Hillary Clinton, …

Shorts On Shorts

It's quite possible you're one of the many people who go to film festivals on purpose. While I consider myself a movie buff, I snuck a peek at a few …

[Chickdom] The Gift That Keeps On Giving

We Southern women are quite particular about love and marriage, particularly weddings. As little girls, we have our china patterns chosen, as well as the dress, church, colors and cake. …

Health Care's 'Dirty Little Secret': No One May Be Coordinating Care

Advocates for hospital patients and their families say confusion about who is managing a patient's care--and lack of coordination among those caregivers--are endemic, contributing to the estimated 44,000 to 98,000 …

JFP Interview: Annell Smith - Woman With A Mission

April 27, 2005 Annell Vaugh Smith is the elusive third Democratic contender for mayor—a determined woman who is showing up for candidate forums and just answering questions without a lot …

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.

Confusion, Obstacles Raise Voting Concerns in Some States

More than a dozen states have enacted tougher requirements for registering and voting since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a key provision of the Voting Rights Act three years ago.

Transcript: JFP Interview with DA Candidate Robert Smith

Interview by Adam Lynch

How old are you?I'm 36.

Congressional Overview

Bennie Thompson (Democrat) Bennie Thompson has represented Mississippi's Second Congressional District since 1993. Thanks to the recent Democratic majority in the House, Thompson serves as chairman of the House Committee …

Plame-Gate Moves Closer to Karl Rove

Big news today was that Karl Rove was a source in a Time magazine story that helped out undercover CIA investigator Valerie Plame. Newsweek reports:

Uncovering the 'Real Deal' Blues

The blues in Mississippi refuses to die. Despite music scholars regularly predicting its demise, fans can find the distinctive music everywhere around the state, from small clubs to major festivals. …

Council to Pay $50K in Ridgeway Fees?

Attorneys for Jackson police detectives Michael Recio and Marcus Wright are asking for $50,000 in compensation from the city, according to Councilman Leslie McLemore.