Jackson Free Press

Wanda Collier Wilson

Nestled in her austerely decorated downtown office, Jackson Convention and Visitor's Bureau CEO and President Wanda Collier Wilson is no stranger to hard work. Not one to put up a …

Miss Keke

Growing up gospel—that's Miss KeKe, aka the Queen of Mississippi's "Fokus." This 25-year-old Jackson native says her faith in God and hard work brought her to where she is today. …

Breast is Best

Becoming a mother was quite different from what I expected. I anticipated a long labor with special breathing, baths, books, walks, games, massages and music as distractions. Instead, I had …

When A Plan Comes Together

"I love it when a plan comes together" was the signature line of George Peppard in his role as Hannibal Smith on the 1980s TV show "The A Team." It's …

[Lott] Worst of Times; Best of Times

<b>Web Exclusive</b>

Three weeks after America's worst storm directly hit Mississippi, the Katrina recovery effort has miles to go, but we are making progress. As we recover, we must continue addressing immediate …

[Dickerson] Dances with Panthers

Suddenly, the big cat began moving toward me, slowly at first, then faster...

Workers' Rights Under Fire

Imagine you're a Sumerian servant in 2050 B.C., carving tiny jewels for King Ur-Nammu's scepter and--oops--you accidentally slice off your finger. Under the king's law, written on stone tablets, you …

Chief, I Crushed the Car

Recycling is great for the Earth, but a potential nightmare if you're the victim of auto theft in Jackson.

Wedge Issues Bring Heated Debates

Democrats turned up the heat in debates over abortion, immigration and voter rights last week. Up against deadlines to get bills out of committee and through floor votes, the Mississippi …

[Chickdom] Parenting From The Box

Just three weeks into our marriage, I called my new husband, Mr. Steam Jeans, to ask a very simple question, "Honey, do you want to do 'Wife Swap?'" His immediate …

[Dickerson] Charlie Hosemann Gets My Vote

My family has never flirted with the GOP, primarily because we view Republicans as rabble-rousing upstarts who stand in opposition to the unimpeachable liberalism of Jefferson and Madison.

AG's Office to Trusty: You Got Served

When state investigators caught up to convicted murderer Joseph Ozment Sunday night, he was living in a Laramie, Wyo. hotel and driving the Mercedes-Benz of his fiancee, LaChina Tillman, who …

Holland's Gulf of America Bill Sweeping the Nation

To understand his bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in state waters off the Mississippi coast, you have to understand that Holland is one …

Saving the World, One Turkey Breast at a Time

My husband and I always seem to go grocery shopping late at night. I'm convinced that the grocery store is only open after 9:30 p.m.—because that's the earliest I've ever …

Salad Daze: Avoiding Lettuce Burnout

I enjoy few things as much as feeding people, but the heat in Mississippi can shrivel the will of even an enthusiastic cook. When summer rolls around, I'll take any …

[Spirituality] Children of Abraham

This past May, along with 16 other Mississippians, I participated in a 10-day tour of Turkey at the invitation of the Institute for Interfaith Dialogue, an organization composed primarily of …

LOTT: The FCC's Mistake

The Federal Communications Commission has voted in favor of rules allowing more concentrated media ownership in which newspapers can own radio stations, TV stations or vice versa within the same …

[Ladd] Doing Mama's Business

This column was originally published in 2003. We feature it this week in honor of a very special mama. The first issue of the JFP was published on Sept. 22, …

[Greggs] The City Sleeps Tonight

For the past week I've had one song going through my head. It's stuck. I usually hate it when this happens. I also happen to know that when it does …

For Louis

Last week, my husband, JP, was leaving our house to go to work when he saw something huddled in the bushes. Just as soon as I had heard his key …