Jackson Free Press

Mississippi Senate Leaders Propose Teacher Pay Increase

Mississippi Senate leaders are proposing a plan to increase teachers' pay an average of $4,700 over two years to try to move the state away from its perpetually low national …

Who Is the Hinds County Board of Supervisors’ President?

The question regarding who will chair the Hinds County Board of Supervisors meeting next week, Monday, Jan. 17, remains unclear as two supervisors both claim to be the president—District 2 …

Doc: Most Mississippi Nursing Homes Have COVID Outbreaks

There are active COVID-19 outbreaks in 91% of Mississippi's nursing homes, mostly involving staff, a top health official said Friday, as the omicron variant of the virus continues to surge.

Analysis: Redistricting Not as Tough as It Was Two Decades Ago

Mississippi’s current congressional redistricting effort is much less contentious than the effort was 20 years ago, when the state dropped from five U.S. House seats to four.

JSU COVID-19 Protocols, MSU Outstanding Achievement Awards and USM MLK Prayer Breakfast

Due to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, particularly the omicron variant, Jackson State University recently announced new health and safety protocols for the upcoming spring 2022 semester.

Seeking Solutions to Protect Mississippi Children from Lead Poisoning

Though cases of lead poisoning have been declining over decades in the United States, more still needs to be done. It is a serious threat to children’s futures and health.

COVID-19 Breaks Highest Case Total Twice This Week

For the second day in a row this week, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported a record number of COVID-19 cases throughout the state. At 7,079 new infections, the …

Auditor Targets Anti-Racism Books in Mississippi Libraries: ‘A Cancer On Our Society’

Mississippi State Auditor Shad White is endorsing proposed legislation to ban educators from teaching “anti-racist” ideas in schools and accused libraries in the state of stocking “racist” books that criticize …

Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Tests Positive for COVID-19

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann has tested positive for COVID-19 after the opening day of a legislative session when Hosemann and many other people were walking around the Capitol without …

Judge Orders Mississippi City to Allow Mosque Construction

A new federal court order says a Mississippi city must allow construction of a mosque, two months after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a discrimination lawsuit against the city …

MSDH Reports 17,000 COVID-19 Cases Over New Year’s Weekend

Both nationwide and across Mississippi, the COVID-19 omicron variant has continued to spread through New Year’s weekend.

Angel Baker

The University of Mississippi women’s basketball team is off to a red-hot start this season. The Rebels dropped the opening game of the season and haven’t lost a game since. …

City Engineer: Despite Improvements, Severe Winter Storm Could Wreak Havoc

February 2022 will mark Jackson's first anniversary of two back-to-back winter storms, which jeopardized the ability of many among the city’s more than 150,000 residents to get water.

Judge Blocks COVID Vaccine Mandate for Head Start Program

President Joe Biden cannot require teachers in the Head Start early education program to be vaccinated against COVID-19, a Louisiana federal judge ruled Saturday, handing a victory to 24 states …

Griffis Beginning 8-Year Term on Mississippi Supreme Court

The Mississippi Supreme Court is holding a ceremony Monday for Justice Kenny Griffis to begin a new term of office.

On Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph (pictured) assigned retired …

• December 30, 2021

Mississippi Supreme Court Appoints Senior Status Judge, Justice to Hinds County Cases

The lawsuit alleging slander that New Jerusalem Church Pastor Dwayne Pickett brought against two City of Jackson council members advanced on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, when Mississippi Supreme Court Chief …

JSU P3 Group Endowment, MSU and USM Donations for Teacher Training

Jackson State University recently received a $150,000 endowment from The P3 Group, Inc., the largest African American-owned real-estate development firm in the United States. The P3 Group also donated $150,000 …

Kickstarting ‘NEW JXN’: Violinist Shellie Brown Kemp Named Symphony Concertmistress

As a little girl growing up in Jackson, Miss., Shellie Brown Kemp loved to attend her older sister Bonnie’s violin lessons. “I heard her play all the time,” she recalls. …

State Legislatures in U.S. Poised to Act on Abortion Rights

Early in the new year, the Vermont House of Representatives is due to begin debate on an amendment that would enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution and …