Jackson Free Press

‘Baba’ Chokwe: Lumumba the Mentor

Chokew Lumumba was a living, breathing history lesson, especially for up-and-coming human-rights attorneys interested in understanding the relationship between the fight for civil rights and American-style justice and fighting it …

On Punishment

An attorney friend put it best when she told me that equality and progress can't just mean taking the same broken system that victimizes black and brown folks and applying …

Casinos, LGBTs Still Allied in Face of SB 2681

To say that Mississippi, where citizens passed a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage in 2004, has been slow to cash in on the economic potential of embracing LGBT people and …

The Business of Beer

Last year, after several failed attempts, Mississippi lawmakers made it legal to produce and sell beer containing as much as 8 percent alcohol.

War on Saggy Pants, Colorful Shoes

For the second time this week, local officials made headlines for their reactions to children's clothing styles.

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Bryant Wants All Options But Medicaid on Table

Gov. Phil Bryant is still against Medicaid expansion, but says he's now willing to talk to hospitals about a deal on health-care funding.

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99 Problems

The city of Greenwood and one of its major employers, Viking Range LLC, seem like a lesson in contrasts.

Critics Blast ‘Third-Grade Gate’ Tests

Two years ago, at the urging of Gov. Phil Bryant, the Legislature passed the Literacy Based Promotion Act, but to the consternation of Democrats and other education advocates, minimal funding …

Inside The Abortion Clinic Battle

Emily Lyons arrived at work early the morning of Jan. 30, 1998.

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Kevin J. Williams

Kevin Williams explores the relationship with the black community in the documentary "Fear of a Black Republican."

Abortion, Guns Spark Capitol Debate

The Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives put off debating many of the most controversial bills—about guns and abortion—until today's deadline to pass general bills.

Coalition Will Fight for Health Care

More than one dozen statewide health-care, civil-rights and religious organizations plan to leverage hundreds of thousands of their members, parishioners and supporters to increase health care access for 300,000 Mississippians.

More Guns in Schools: More Black Victims

If you let teachers and other staffers bring guns into schools, a kid is likely going to get shot. And based on past discipline practices at public schools in Mississippi, …

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Alana Jackson

After college, Alana Jackson started two jobs. One was as a news producer with WJTV, using her mass communications degree from Jackson State University. The other was volunteering with community …

Dorsey Carson Releases Taxes, Slams Ashby Foote on Liens

Dorsey Carson, one of two candidates running to fill the Jackson Ward 1 seat, is taking his opponent, investment advisor Ashby Foote, to the mat over Foote's history of not …

Candidate Profile: Margaret Barrett-Simon

"I was busy" and "Why not?" are the two top reasons Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon, a 29-year veteran of the council and mother of five, gave the Jackson Free …

Jackson Charter School to Make its Case

"Schools are the next frontier for community organizing," said Ravi Gupta, who took a leave of absence from law school to help Barack Obama be elected president the first time, …

JPS Progress Report Good, Still Low Marks for MAEP Funding

Despite legislative budget writers shortchanging them, along with every other school district in the state, Jackson Public Schools are showing improvement in several areas.

Revolution's Corner, Bodega and Chill Spot, Open Downtown

Abraham Santa Cruz is trying to make a way for a new downtown venture called Revolution's Corner, now open at the corner of Pearl and Roach streets in the Standard …

Freedom Summer to Empower Youth

Albert Sykes grew up in west Jackson the next block over from the street where Medgar and Myrlie Evers lived, but says he never had a real connection to the …