Jackson Free Press

Challenging No-Bid Contracts

Ron Williams, 52, is a Republican candidate for governor and a vocal critic of what he claims to be state agencies' preferential treatment of contractors who donate to politicians.

AG Hood Passes on ‘Mud Fight' with Simpson

Republican Attorney General candidate Steve Simpson's attempts to spar with his opponent, Democratic incumbent Jim Hood, went mostly uncontested during a debate at a John C. Stennis Institute of Government …

City Revisits Teen Curfew

Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes' proposed ordinances to prevent teen violence ran into a familiar wall yesterday.

Rambling Into Year 3

The eve of the two-year anniversary of Mayor Frank Melton's mayorship was emblematic of Melton's time in office. On July 3, the mayor sat in on a council sharply divided …

UMMC Unveils Obesity Center

Visitors to the Jackson Convention Center during last week's Global Obesity Summit could be forgiven for a little mirthless laughter.

Money, Medicaid and ... Money

The House and Senate addressed funding for state agencies last week, passing a number of revenue bills tapping into the state's projected $19 billion bank account. One of them was …

City Pulls $3 Mil From Reserves, May Need More

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton and the city administration got their wish from the council in a 3-to-2 vote in favor of raiding $3 million from the city's $7 million budget …

Eyes on Spending

One of the great things about government transparency is its trans-partisan appeal. Conservatives can distrust government just as much as liberals, sometimes more. Still, when it comes to high-tech watchdog …

Barbour Announces New Coast Housing Effort

Under fire for diverting federal funds away from low- and middle-income housing for Katrina survivors, Gov. Haley Barbour today announced a new housing plan for public-sector employees on the Gulf …

Bellsouth Looting Competitors?

Hurricane Katrina took down power lines across the Southeast and left hundreds of customers without phone service for weeks. Some customers also say that the telephone company Bellsouth has taken …

The Coast's Forgotten Poor

"It was already hard to find an apartment even before the storm," Karen Peyton of Biloxi said. "Now it's almost impossible, and the rents are skyrocketing."

Calhoun Questions Youth Detention Center Staffing, Transparency

Hinds County's youth detention center is once again the target of criticism, despite the county's recent agreement with a watchdog group that has voiced concerns about the facility in the …

Jackson's Recovery Top 20 In Nation

Despite suffering its worst recession in three decades, Jackson's economy is recovering faster than many U.S. cities. Jackson was one of only 10 metropolitan areas in the country--almost all of …

[Hutchinson] Naked And Shameful

President Bush and the three top Democrats that want to replace him couldn't get to New Orleans fast enough last week for the second anniversary of the Katrina debacle. As …

Calling B.S. on Voter ID Plan

Today, the 5th Circuit called bullsh!t on a lower court's plan to force Mississippi voters to register by political party and show photo ID at the polls in order to …

Living Local

When the Jackson Free Press launched in 2002, one of our primary goals was to help strengthen locally owned businesses.

Federal Judges Consider Setting Aside South Carolina 'Voter ID' until 2014

Recognizing this year's elections are just a few weeks away, a panel of three federal judges questioned on Monday whether South Carolina should wait until 2014 to put its voter …

Rhetoric May Save Clinic

State lawmakers and executives may have bitten themselves in the behind when they opened their mouths to boast about effectively ending abortion in the state with House Bill 1390.

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Iron Horse Grill Reborn?

Capital Hotel Associates got good news Wednesday when the Jackson Redevelopment Authority authorized a contribution agreement with the city to help fund the developer's Iron Horse Grill and Mississippi Music …

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The Power of Mix Tapes

Ah, mix tapes. I know it's illegal now, but back in my day, you brought your pack of Memorex tapes to all the carport dances or slumber parties we had …