Jackson Free Press

Mississippi, Your ALEC is Showing

From laws that allow tax breaks for out-of-state businesses to the state's special-education voucher program, the Mississippi state Legislature has picked up and written into law model policy language from …

Charlottesville and the Mississippi Flag

"It is time to bring down that flag."

Lessons from NOLA

"Don’t allow a financial storm to be your Hurricane Katrina, the disaster that led to dismantling the public school system in New Orleans."

As the Water Turns, City Wrestles Over Corrosion Study

One question has haunted Jackson residents since January: Is the water safe to drink?

Behind the Wall

The Mississippi Legislature voted last week to place an alternative to a citizen-driven initiative on the ballot this fall for the first time in Mississippi history under the state's initiative-process …

Meet the Young Activists of Today's Mississippi

Senior physics major Arekia S. Bennett is a strong advocate for human rights. The 20-year-old Jackson native is a full-time student at Jackson State University, and in her spare time …

Easy Being Green

It's time for the annual Mal's St. Paddy's Parade, and many Jacksonians are getting ready for parade day. In addition to the traditional festivities, many local business establishments are ready …

Justice, Hope and Hurricane Katrina

Re-housing residents along the Mississippi coast became the most daunting problem of the post-Katrina recovery—logistically and politically speaking.

Pride and Prejudice: A Life-Long Battle from Civil Rights to LGBT Rights

It was 1962 in Jackson, and Dee Smathers lived in an apartment on State Street with her first college roommate turned lover. Dee's family was living out of the state, …

Candidate Questionnaire: Matt Allen

The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson Metro Area, regardless of whether they …

Candidate Questionnaire: Crystal Wise Martin

The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson metro area, regardless of whether they …

Espy to Join Hyde-Smith for Debate As 'Hanging' Backlash Grows

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Espy has accepted an invitation to join incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., for a runoff debate that will be broadcast across the state …

EDITOR'S NOTE: GOP Leaders, Stop Disrespecting Black Mississippians

Dear Mississippi Republican leaders: Like much of the recent 40 years, your actions toward African Americans in our state in the last 10 days have been atrocious.

Jackson City Council: 'No Confidence’ in Cindy Hyde-Smith as Senator

Less than a half hour after U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and her runoff opponent, Mike Espy, finished a closed-door debate, the Jackson City Council voted 4-1 for a symbolic showing …

Hard-right Conservative 'Farmer Bob' to Announce Run for Governor

Freshman State Rep. Robert Foster will announce a bid for the Republican nomination to be Mississippi's next governor tomorrow in his hometown of Hernando.

UPDATED: Indictment Snares Attorney Previously Used to Defend DA Smith

Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith was the high-profile name listed in a three-count felony indictment today. But the other is an assistant district attorney who Smith’s attorney claims …

BREAKING: Melton Appoints Bluntson as Mayor

<i>Photo caption: Acting Mayor Frank Bluntson announces his assumption of duties.

Mayor Frank Melton has appointed Councilman Frank Bluntson as acting mayor by executive order (PDF, 56 KB).

Taking A Chance

Pride and Peril of Doing Business in Jackson

When Mitchell Moore was 4 years old, his parents gave him an Easy-Bake oven for Christmas and changed his life. He was fascinated by the way batter could turn into …

Melton Has Fainting Spell During Inaugurations

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton fainted during an inauguration ceremony for Hinds County officials this morning. Melton appeared to temporarily lose consciousness during the inauguration of officials elected during the November …

State Overestimating Health-Care Costs?

The Mississippi Department of Medicaid's high estimates of what the federal health-care legislation will cost the state are overstated, Mississippi Health Advocacy Program Director Roy Mitchell said today.