Jackson Free Press

Mississippi Creates New Office for Broadband Development

Mississippi is creating a statewide office to spend millions of federal dollars for broadband internet development — an effort that could boost lagging rural areas.

Oakdale Elementary Students Raise Funds for Make-A-Wish in Honor of Classmate

Oakdale Elementary students organized a Make-A-Wish fundraiser in honor of Ariel Hurley, a kindergartner at Oakdale and a recipient of the foundation.

‘Just For Them’: Goodman Native Organizes Inaugural Kids Fest Jackson

Mississippi native Jay Branch has organized the inaugural Kids Fest Jackson event taking place in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

Mississippi Legislators Work to Approve State Spending Plans

Mississippi legislators on Monday were approving parts of a state budget for the year that begins July 1, and it is substantially larger than the budget for the current year.

'Go, Mississippi': State Could Ditch Song with Racist Roots

Mississippi is on the verge of scuttling a state song with racist roots, two years after it retired a Confederate-themed state flag.

Ukrainian Refugee Benefit Concert, Mississippi Transgender Day of Visibility and ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Mitchell McGinnis and many other Mississippians have raised funds to support Slavik’s family during this time of unrest within Ukraine. To further that goal, McGinnis has helped organize a benefit …

Jessica Broughman (pictured with her daughter, Aubrey) served time in Rankin County Detention Center from …

• March 28, 2022

Sheriff: Rankin County Work-Release Program Is Not ‘Convict Leasing,’ A Vestige of Slavery

ACLU-MS Deputy Director Alicia N. Netterville said that the first iteration of House Bill 747 effectively functioned as convict-leasing by another name.

Mississippi Leaders Spar Over Tax Cuts as Deadlines Approach

Mississippi House leaders offered a revised proposal Wednesday to phase out the state income tax, sending it to Senate leaders as legislators approach big deadlines to set taxes and spending.

JSU Blue Tie Gala and Regions Card, MSU Virtual Reality Grant

Jackson State University’s National Alumni Association will host its fifth annual Blue Tie Gala on Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex in downtown Jackson.

Emmett Till Family Again Demands Prosecution of White Woman for Child’s Lynching

The family of Emmett Till is once again calling for justice, nearly 70 years past young Till’s vicious murder, tied to a cotton-gin fan in the Tallahatchie River.

It's a Deal: Mississippi Teacher Pay Plan Awaits Final Votes

Negotiators from the Mississippi House and Senate reached a deal Wednesday to boost some of the lowest teacher salaries in the nation.

House, Senate Pursue Separate Tracks on Mississippi Tax Cuts

The Mississippi House and Senate are pushing forward with separate tax cut proposals, and leaders will hold final negotiations later this month.

Mississippi Pushes Toward Deal to Increase Teacher Salaries

Mississippi lawmakers on Wednesday discussed the latest proposal to boost some of the lowest teacher salaries in the nation, and negotiators said they hope to reach a final deal soon.

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said Monday that he and other Senate leaders are pushing …

• March 15, 2022

Lt. Gov. Hosemann: Suspend Mississippi Gas Tax 6 Months

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said Monday that he and other Senate leaders are pushing to suspend the state's gasoline tax for six months to give drivers a break as …

‘Fear the Virus, Not the Vaccine’: Leadership Urges Vaccinations for Pregnant Women

The current wave of COVID-19 is on the decline in Mississippi, but state health leadership is urging residents—especially vulnerable populations like pregnant women—to get vaccinated, and to keep up with …

Income-Tax Phaseout Up for Debate in Long-Poor Mississippi

Mississippi is accustomed to being first in worsts: It's one of the poorest, unhealthiest states in the nation, with public schools that are chronically underfunded. Some Republican leaders say a …

Mayor Lumumba Declares Local Emergency Amid Garbage Quarrel

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba issued an emergency contract with Richard’s Disposal as a temporary measure to fix the City of Jackson’s garbage-distribution woes.

‘No, I Can’t Lose’: Mississippi Rappers Pass Mic, Change Narrative at Jackson Indie Music Week

Jackson rapper Navihon was the first artist to hit the stage at “The Culture Rap Concert,” part of the seventh-annual Jackson Indie Music Week held at Hal and Mal’s.