Jackson Free Press

New York Times Honors Casey Parks

The Jackson Free Press is proud to announce that our very dear assistant editor emeritus Casey Parks—who departed in December for graduate school at the University of Missouri—is the one …

A Gentleman, And A Partisan

<b>The JFP Interview with Rep. Bennie Thompson</b>

Rep. Bennie Thompson is nothing if not partisan. He enters most political debates with pre-conceived notions on conservatism and liberalism. He also holds strong views on Democrats and Republicans and …

Crossing The Aisles

<b>The JFP Interview with Chuck Espy</b>

State Rep. Chuck Espy comes from a long line of politicos. His father is former Clarksdale Mayor Henry Espy, and the Espy family has had dibs on the Second Congressional …

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, …

[Johnson] When Jackson Burned

On May 14, 1863, the Army of Tennessee, under Generals Grant and Sherman, seized Jackson as the Confederate army retreated in disarray. Grant ordered the city's "strategic assets" burned, and …

The Men to Beat Lott?

In a sparsely attended debate in the old Supreme Court chamber of the Capitol, with a statue of militant white supremacist Theodore Bilbo looking on, candidates in the Democratic primary …

Howard Dean Sells Out

On last night's episode of The 700 Club, the bold and courageous leader of America's progressive movement sat down with Pat Robertson to assure him that the Democratic Party opposes …

[MomDom] Strangers In Love

What is having a baby supposed to be like? I don't really know. I thought I did. Serene motherhood. The Madonna. Look at that beautiful sleeping baby. I dreamed of …

Haley Barbour Refuses to Pardon Black Man

Clyde Kennard was convicted of purchasing $25 worth of chicken feed he knew to be stolen. He died in 1963 after being released early due to intestinal cancer. The only …

The Littlest Litigators

May 3, 2006 Eleven states are now considering bills that severely restrict abortion. Six of the 11 only allow abortion when the mother's life is at stake. Another four declare …

Barbour Tied to Dirty Politics

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has ties to a GOP telemarketing firm that jammed New Hampshire phone lines used by disabled or dependent voters trying to get to polling stations in …

Ladd's Barbara Blackmon Show Spot Re-Airs Wednesday

This show is re-airing on Public Access in Jackson Wednesday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m.

An Inspirational Easter Message from the Pope

Every Easter, His Holiness blesses us with profound and insightful words of hope. And despite the outcome of the recent Italian elections, which witnessed conservative prime minister Silvio Berlusconi--the Vatican's …

Mississippi: Stop Honoring White Supremacists

There's an ongoing debate over whether to recommission the Jackson-Evers International Airport as the Medgar Evers International Airport, but I'm more worried about the names that we're already commemorating.

The 2006 Session ends

Marshand Crisler: The Man Watching the Mayor (2006)

The office of Jackson Council President Marshand Crisler bears the signs of a harsh duality. Crisler carries himself with a clean, pressed look—in startling contrast to the reporter sitting across …

Abortion 'Ban' DOA

After weeks of sending abortion-rights supporters into a furious tizzy, a bill to ban the procedure in Mississippi flittered away into impotence as it passed its March 27 deadline for …

House Concurrent Resolution 114 To Resurrect Bills

[verbatim] House Concurrent Resolution 114

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE DEADLINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND PASSAGE OF CERTAIN BILLS THAT DIED IN CONFERENCE.

Abortion Ban Attempt Dies in Conference

More details as they develop ...

Tonight, the 8 p.m. bill deadline came and went at the Mississippi Legislature without an agreement out of conference. Thus, the abortion ban bill died.

Shooting Blanks

"I've made a lot of enemies from that abortion bill, but I'm tired of Republicans beating the hell out of Democrats over that issue."