Jackson Free Press

A Long, Long Road

"Donna, you know what? I run Jackson," declared Mayor Frank Melton, scrunching his face up into one of his trademark snickers that are cute and creepy at the same time. …

[Balko] The Government's License To Steal

In the February issue of "Reason," I wrote a feature story on civil asset forfeiture, the process by which law enforcement groups can seize property, usually in drug cases, sometimes …

Gay in Jackson

Gay. I've never really understood that word. I mean, are we all supposed to be happy because we're in love with members of the same sex? If so, is that …

Tale of Two Downtowns

What step to take next will be a huge question for 2003. We could be going nowhere, or at least a relatively short distance—after all, we're in a recession, Mississippi's …

Ex-Felons Fight for Right to Vote

Twelve years ago, Yvonne Kennedy, a Democratic member of Alabama's House of Representatives, began a campaign to re-enfranchise ex-prisoners in the state after they had served out their sentences. At …

Can Education Be Saved? More Cuts May Be Ahead.

Pontotoc County Superintendent John Simmons has been in his position for only two years, but already knows how strapped for money his county schools are. "Some of our history books …

AP Interview: Ahmadinejad Pushes New World Order

Ahmadinejad presented an air of boredom when it came to the hot topic on everyone's mind — Iran's nuclear program and the possibility of impending war.

Walking with Mr. Meredith

F*ck you, n*gger!" It was Oct. 1, 1962, and James Meredith was finally a student at the University of Mississippi.

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McCain Campaign Head Paid $2 Million to Stop Mortgage Regulations

The New York Times has the story of the day (of the campaign?):

[Cohen] Never Mind All That

It's official. The decision was made some two and a half years ago, but the first airings of the Bush campaign's television ads brought the strategy fully into play. The …

Clinton Rocks the DNC with Speech

"We simply cannot afford ... someone who will double down on trickle-down," Clinton said.

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Debate Highlights Party Loyalties

Photos by Adam Lynch

Republican State Auditor Phil Bryant and Democratic Rep. Jamie Franks sparred before a modest crowd of about 200 at Biloxi's Saenger Theater last Wednesday. The event was more a locked-down …

Cold Weather and New Storm Add to Victims' Misery

Shivering victims of Superstorm Sandy went to church Sunday to pray for deliverance as cold weather settling in across the New York metropolitan region — and another powerful storm forecast …

Mentally Ill in County Jails

The Clarion-Ledger has an important story today about how mentally ill people who have not been charged with crimes are being held in the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond. …

Psychiatric Service Dogs

I put off blogging about this for a couple of months, so I think now is a good time to discuss it. I originally heard about this when I caught …

Something to Hide, Mississippi?

The Jackson Free Press recently submitted an information request to the city of Jackson for some fairly modest figures.

Hardwick: ‘A Grassroots Approach’

In her first political race, Jackson City Council candidate June Hardwick says she wants to put power back in the hands of the people.

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Shameless Self-Promotion

Here is an interview C.A. Webb did with me for his Coversations zine. (I have no idea if he's provided this link. If he has, there's two of them...so sue …

A Funny Thing Happened To Me Downtown Last Friday….

...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! Attended the Blocktober Halloween Party on Congress St. and had a blast. No one got shot, stabbed, robbed, raped, assaulted, or any of the like. Whats still frustrating …

Leaping into Spring

It's difficult to write about spring food when it's wet and cold outside—when the groundhog is predicting that a lovely, warm spring is not "right around the corner." Because of …