Jackson Free Press

‘This Is Not an Entitlement Program’: Ballot Initiative Seeks to Expand Medicaid Coverage

Hundreds of thousands of Mississippians could receive expanded Medicaid coverage from the newly created Ballot Initiative 76, which would expand Medicaid coverage to those under 138% of the federal poverty …

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said providing $500,000 for more Hinds County sheriff's deputies to work …

• April 5, 2021

‘Figure Pulled Out of the Sky’: Mayor Swipes at Council for Approving $500,000 for Deputies

Putting $500,000 into the hands of the Hinds County Sheriff's Department to put deputies in the capital city is "fiscally irresponsible," Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba told the Jackson Free Press …

Advocates: Put Early Voting Proposal on Mississippi Ballot

Democratic state lawmaker Hester Jackson McCray is leading a group of activists who want to amend the Mississippi Constitution to create a broad system of early, in-person voting.

Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes said at the Jackson City Council meeting on March 30 …

• April 1, 2021

'We Are Beat Down’: Citing Crime and Defying Mayor, Council Clears $500,000 for More Deputies

The Jackson City Council has approved $500,000 for the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department over the objection of the mayoral administration and two council members in an agreement that no one …

Fine and Dandy: Defining Jackson’s Food Identity

Much like Memphis' barbecue, New Orleans' creole dishes, Philidelphia's cheesesteaks and New York City's pizzas, MH Ventures hopes to help the Jackson area similarly define its food identity.

OPINION: Bring Mississippi Into the 21st Century—Overturn Its Jim Crow-era Voting Laws

When it comes to voting, there is no denying a simple fact about Mississippi: our state has refused to eliminate antiquated laws that disproportionately silence Black and young voters.

Mississippi Lawmakers Set Details on $6 Billion State Budget

Mississippi legislators are set to start voting Sunday on details of a state government spending plan for the year that begins July 1.

City of Jackson Constituent Services Manager Keyshia Sanders explained in a March 25 interview that …

• March 26, 2021

City to Transport 400 Seniors for Vaccination at Medical Mall in April

Four hundred seniors will get COVID-19 vaccines at the Jackson Medical Mall on a yet-to-be-announced day in April, City of Jackson Constituent Services Manager Keyshia Sanders told the Jackson Free …

Sen. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, principally authored a bill to increase minimum welfare payments along with …

• March 25, 2021

Mississippi to Increase Minimum Welfare Payments

Mississippi families in need are set to gain a $90-per-month increase in welfare payments under a newly signed law. Gov. Tate Reeves signed Senate Bill 2759 on Wednesday, though the …

Ronni Mott's journalism and storytelling defined her—and none more than her work on physically and …

• March 17, 2021

Rest in Peace, Ronni Mott: Your Journalism Saved Lives. This I Know.

Ronni Mott's journalism and storytelling defined her—especially her work on physically and sexually abused, tortured, stalked and murdered women in Mississippi.

Quarters Because We Care, Micro-Enterprise Business Classes and Free Entergy Tax Prep

The Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable is hosting an event called "Quarters Because We Care" on Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Keway Supersudz in Jackson.

File Photo

• March 10, 2021

Jackson Lifts Boil Water Notice for Well Water Connections

The City of Jackson has officially received clearance to lift the precautionary boil water notice on its 16K well water connections. This primarily impacts residents in South Jackson and the …

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves last month ordered attorneys representing the state to file a …

• March 5, 2021

State Ordered to Submit Plan for Mental Health Services

A federal judge has ordered Mississippi to file a plan to upgrade its mental health services as part of resolving litigation that's been ongoing for at least half a decade.