Jackson Free Press

Immigrant Group Wants Racial-Profiling Ordinance

Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance legal counsel Patricia Ice will appear before the Jackson City Council Tuesday at 6 p.m., to call for an anti-racial and immigrant-profiling ordinance.

The JFP Interview With Alan Nunnelee

Republican Mississippi Sen. Alan Nunnelee is looking to follow after Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker—again. In 1994, Nunnelee gained Wicker's state Senate seat after Wicker won election to the U.S. …

A Gentleman, And A Partisan

<b>The JFP Interview with Rep. Bennie Thompson</b>

Rep. Bennie Thompson is nothing if not partisan. He enters most political debates with pre-conceived notions on conservatism and liberalism. He also holds strong views on Democrats and Republicans and …

A Bad Rap? A Collision of Politics And Music

Scene A: In April 2004, young black women at Spelman College in Atlanta protested the rapper Nelly's planned appearance there because his videos are offensive and misogynistic to women. The …

2008 Legislative Preview: New Session, Old Problems

Photos by Adam Lynch, Donna Ladd, and Jaro Vacek

The Mississippi legislative session is coming around again Jan. 8, bringing with it some tough decisions. The Legislature took a stroll through roses last year, oddly, thanks to Hurricane Katrina. …

I Want a Reality-Based President

I want George Bush out of the White House. I think his "conservative" administration has been anything but fiscally conservative, and I'm sick of George Bush dodging responsibility for his …

2009 New Orleans Saints = Real Deal?

Seven weeks into the season and the New Orleans Saints remain undefeated at 6-0, having pulled themselves out of the cellar on Sunday in a challenging contest against Miami. The …

Join JFP Editor for Congressional Debate Live on WAPT.com, 7 p.m.

I am joining moderator Sid Salter, Rankin Ledger reporter Josh Cogswell, Stennis Institute director Marty Wiseman and MSU student Lori Ann Holland Monday night for a two-hour debate of the …

Best of Jackson 2020: Nightlife and Music

There's nothing to us more local than Best of Jackson. We're officially in our 18th annual award season. Here is who you voted as the best local people, places, food …

Private Prison on Trial: Inmates at ‘Bleak’ Facility Tell Harrowing Stories

Merlin Hill was one of 19 inmates who testified during the five-week class-action trial against the Mississippi Department of Corrections for what they describe as appalling conditions at the privately …

Best of Jackson 2016: People

Year after year, the Jackson Free Press asks you—our amazing readership—to put your collective foot down and choose the greatest people, places, events and entertainment in our funk-filled hometown for …

Buying Judges: Tell the Whole Story

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals partially overturned the convictions of Mississippi attorney Paul Minor and former judges John Whitfield and Walter "Wes" Teel Friday.

White Supremacist's Death Investigated as Homicide

The Rankin County Sheriff's Department is investigating white supremacist and lawyer Richard Barrett's death as a homicide, the Associated Press reported today. Rankin County officials discovered Barrett's body this morning …

Full Smoking Ban Takes Effect

An expanded version of the city's ban on smoking in restaurants and bars took effect July 1, but compliance with the ban is still spotty.

Growing Pains

<i>Jackson's Music Scene Struggles for Respect, Audience</i>

Here's the thing: Jackson actually has a thriving music scene, filled with phenomenal, under-appreciated musicians and people who are working hard to give them opportunities to play.

*Best of: People and Community

<b>Best Local Scandal, Best Public Figure,

As much as I attempt to cover issues apart from city politics, I always end up getting dragged right back to the council chambers and good ol' Frank Melton, a …

Education: A Strong State Economy Starts Here

Research shows that struggling schools and low education levels hurt individuals as well as the state as a whole, bringing economic and social challenges. Fortunately, people outside the educational community …

JSU Advocates React to ‘Jacobs State' Merger

Ivory Phillips, former dean of Jackson State University's College of Education, said he suspected Jackson State University President Ronald Mason Jr.'s proposal to merge three majority-black state universities into Jacobs …

Zero Tolerance for Children

Nsombi Lambright, executive director of ACLU Mississippi, doesn't bother going to her son's school anymore for lunch. She tried it as a way to connect with him, offer support for …

Pope Benedict's Moral Compass

In the Vatican's rush to scapegoat all gay priests for the clergy abuse scandal, it has not just disparaged many innocent men. It has also ignored the many female victims …