Jackson Free Press

Deliver Us From Evil

I was lying in bed last week, thinking about the Edgar Ray Killen trial. My feelings on it are hard to sort out; I'm relieved, yet worried that too many …

West Jackson Program Pushes for Residents

An underused federal lending program could bring new life to west Jackson. Jackson State University's Center for University-Based Development is throwing its support behind a push by Jackson-based mortgage lender …

Head's Political Prognostications for 2006

2006 is going to be a really big year for politics--city, state, and national. Here's my take on what to expect.

Palin's $50,000 Office Makeover ... into 'Bordello' Red

Salon is reporting that Sarah Palin shocked Wasilla when she spent $50,000 from a city highway fund to re-do her mayoral office:

WLBT: Mary Hawkins-Butler Rallies…at Starbucks?

According to WLBT, the Madison Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Hawkins-Butler rallied at the Madison Starbucks, which is slated for closure:

ARTICLE: Skimpy prom dress lands teen in cuffs

Please go here, look at this dress, and tell me whether you think it was inappropriate for a high school prom. Here's an excerpt of the article on the incident:

‘It’s Not About Me’: The JFP Interview with Mayoral Hopeful Frank Bluntson

Jackson City Councilman Frank Bluntson, 77, is not exactly a newcomer to local politics: He has served almost eight years on the Jackson City Council, and several as council president.

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Melton Wants All JPS Students Drug-Tested

WLBT is reporting:

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton wants students to be able to pass one test in particular... a drug test. Announcing his commitment to improve Jackson's public schools, Melton wants officials to …

Haley Barbour's Katrina Special-Session Speech

[verbatim transcription]September 27, 2005—Thank you. Governor Tuck, Speaker McCoy, ladies and gentlemen of the Legislature*. Fellow Mississippians.

Apron Strings to Executive Chef

Nick Wallace told me stories as we drove to Edwards in April. There were gardens to see and people to meet, and all of them had a history.

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Doctor S sez: If rematches spice up the NFL playoffs, this weekend's games are Thai-hot.

Scott Sisters Face Health Barrier to Transplant

Also see: The Tragic Case of the Scott Sisters

Amid Shouts, A 911 Overhaul

The mood in the House on Feb. 8 was affable, as it had been throughout most of the Legislative session since it opened in January. Lawmakers passed more than 10 …

Bell Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to Life

For background on this case, read the JFP's investigative feature, "Grant Me Justice."

The Abstinence-Only Delusion

The New York Times is calling for Congress to either drop ill-fated abstinence-only education funding, or expand it to include safe-sex messages, which studies are showing do actually help lower …

Payday Lenders Big Donors to Lawmakers

The Mississippi Center for Justice says short-term lenders donate heavily to legislative banking committee chairmen in hopes of extending an exemption allowing them to charge up to $21.95 for every …

Arena Supporters Raise Funds for Study

Supporters of a proposed arena for downtown Jackson made their case yesterday at the Jackson Convention Complex. A steering committee featuring many area business leaders is trying to raise $80,000 …

[Dickerson] Can You Handle the Truth?

For a long time, I wanted to ask President Bush why, if the Dixie Chicks knew there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, he couldn't figure it out …

[Wilson] My Choice to Head the RNC

In 2005, I was involved in an inner-party election that was every bit as vitriolic as the most recent presidential election, but that time it was Republicans fighting Republicans. Ever …

Mayor Yvonne Brown: Guided by Faith, Driven to Serve

Since she has took office in 2001, Mayor Yvonne Brown, 54, of Tchula has made it known that she is a woman deeply influenced by her faith and committed to …