Jackson Free Press

A jury rendered a not-guilty verdict for Duane Lake, 35, for a capital-murder allegation against …

• January 19, 2022

Lost in the ‘Dead Zone’: Thousands Languish in Mississippi Jail Without Lawyers

A jury rendered a not-guilty verdict for Duane Lake, 35, for a capital-murder allegation against him in November 2021. He had been in jail since 2015 and got his freedom …

COVID-19 Cases Continue to Climb as Healthcare Infrastructure Suffers

Mississippi continues to witness climbing COVID-19 numbers into the new year, with the Mississippi State Department of Health reporting another set of record-breaking case reports at 22,456 infections over this …

‘We Back Laughing’: RaDeazy Herrin Drive Brings Comedy to Picayune

After a three-month hiatus, Herrin Drive Entertainment of Picayune, Miss., will host the “We Back Laughing” comedy show on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, as a means of celebrating the new …

Mississippi College Faculty Member Earns Book Award

When Jackson police found a body lying near a children’s playground at Battlefield Park one rainy March day in 2021, it was the catalyst for a drive to change the …

Medical Marijuana Advances With Mississippi Senate Vote

Mississippi senators voted Thursday to advance a bill that would create a medical marijuana program, sending it to the House for more work.

Poor People’s Campaign Offers Free COVID-19 Testing as Cases Rise

COVID-19 infections continue to climb across the state, with the Mississippi State Department of Health reporting 8,204 new cases today along with 26 fatalities and continually increasing outbreaks across the …

Thousands Jailed Long Periods Before Trial in Mississippi

Thousands of people in Mississippi continue to be jailed for long periods while waiting to go on trial because they are too poor to afford bail, judges may deny bail …

Mississippi Senate OKs Revisions to 4 US House Districts

The Republican-controlled Mississippi Senate on Wednesday passed a plan to redraw the state’s four congressional districts, sending it to Gov. Tate Reeves for his expected approval.

Talamieka Brice’s Film Honors Her Children, Faces Brutal History of Race Violence

Talamieka Brice wrote, directed and illustrated “A Mother’s Journey,” a film that follows her process in addressing traumas of the past in a quest to seek healing.

Mississippi Senate Set to Vote on Revamped U.S. House Map

The Mississippi Senate on Wednesday is expected to approve a plan to redraw the state’s four congressional districts.

Mayor Lumumba Calls for Increased COVID-19 Vaccinations amid Early 2022 Surge

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba called for increased vaccination among Jackson residents—especially those most vulnerable, such as the elderly—this week, citing high case numbers in Hinds County.

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 …

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.

Mississippi health officials went to Laurel in Jones County in 2015 after learning that a …

• January 7, 2022

Mississippi House OKs Congressional Remap Amid Objections

The Republican-controlled Mississippi House on Thursday approved a plan to redraw the state's four congressional districts.

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 …