Jackson Free Press

[State Report] Coast Park Open to Drilling?

Tempers are rising in the concerted efforts to open the Mississippi Barrier Islands to gas drilling. An emergency military spending and tsunami relief bill recently signed by the Bush administration …

Capitol Report

On Monday, Feb 28, a conference was held in Room 103 between the Senate and the House, where Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, accused the Senate of holding some of their …

This Fish Is Watching You

She's posed in a lime green beach chair wearing a hot pink net dress. She wears pearls, and on her head is a crown. A scepter graces her lap. Your …

Not In My Backyard

Some residents of the Fondren community are steadfastly protesting the building of a 40-bed crisis intervention center for the mentally ill in what they consider their backyard.

State Waits for the Oil; Fla., La. Declare Emergencies

Mississippi's oyster fishermen, already hit earlier in the year with scares of infected seafood, greeted a stormy last day of the commercial season, along with possibilities of being unable to …

JPS Weighs Bullying Policy

The bullying got so bad that LaShron Cooley's daughter began to feel physically sick before school. As a sixth-grader in the International Baccalaureate Program at Northwest Middle School, the girl …

JSU Hazing Victims Facing Fines and Probations

Jackson State University freshmen, including victims of beatings at an alleged Sept 18 off-campus hazing ceremony, are facing judgment at a Student Life Disciplinary Committee hearing today. The committee is …

‘Black Power', According To Dr. King

In January, many of us make efforts to remember a visionary and his dream. If only briefly, we try to imagine the utopian society Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described …

[Balko] Ignorance of the Law is No Excuse

"Ignorance of the law is no excuse." That's the standard line motorists hear when they say they weren't aware of the speed limit, or gun owners hear when they say …

RHPS Virgin Guide

In RHPS parlance, a "virgin" is anyone who's never seen RHPS (that's "Rocky Horror Picture Show," the movie) in a theater. Seeing it on TV doesn't count (TV virgin), renting …

Melton Budget 'Smoke and Mirrors'

The City Council cut short a budget session last week after the Melton administration failed to present detailed budget revisions.

JFP 2011 College Basketball Preview

There's plenty of reason for confidence as conference play begins in college basketball, especially for fans of Mississippi State, Jackson State and Southern Miss. But there are also lots of …

JFP 2012 College Basketball Preview

The great thing about sports is that each season begins fresh and anew. Every new year, hopes begin high, and every fan dreams of dancing.

Democrats Say Mitt Romney 'Doesn't Get It'

Democrats ridiculed Republican Mitt Romney as a man who "quite simply doesn't get it" and worse Tuesday on the opening night of a national convention aimed at propelling Barack Obama …

[Publisher's Note] Kudos for Team JFP

It's a big week at the Jackson Free Press. First, we sadly (for us) and happily (for her) bid farewell to Lynette Hanson, copy chief, as she leaves Mississippi, Jackson …

Father Knows Best

When I read stuff like this I wonder why more federal money isn't thrown at investigating "daddy issues" among our men in power.

Bohemian or Philistine: Which One Are You?

Ignore that last statement! :-P

I know I have a more bohemian personality, but I don't fit into the stereotypes of drug use and hygiene problems.

Mayor Melton Faints

Anyone else heard about this? Details, maybe?

According to a news ticker on WAPT, Melton fainted during the swearing in of Hinds County officials at the Hinds County Courthouse. AMR treated him in an empty courtroom, and …

Why We Do It

In just the past week or so, I've become a bit obsessed with the question of "Why?"

Magic of the Game

Some people are true sports fans. They venture out to every game, rain or shine, regardless of the projected excitement of the matchup; they tear up at the end of …