Jackson Free Press

It's Official: Kenny Stokes is Back on City Council

"He's back," a man shouted from the back corner of Jackson's crammed city council chamber this morning upon newly re-elected Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes's completion of the oath of …

Jody E. Owens II

Jody E. Owens II, who has worked with the SPLC since January 2011, seems like a natural if not overdue choice to receive the Beth Arnovits Gutsy Advocate for Youth …

Legislative Fixes Needed for Primaries?

Assuming the Republican primary for U.S. Senate is resolved by the start of the 2015 legislative session, the Legislature could grapple with whether legislative fixes are required to curb electoral …

Mississippi AG’s Race: What’s at Stake?

Since announcing his candidacy for the state AG's office, Mike Hurst has made fighting public corruption the centerpiece of his campaign as well as attacks against Jim Hood, whom Hurst …

Isaac Unique Test for Utilities

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita—which occurred, respectively, in August and September 2005—cost Entergy $1.5 billion to rebuild electric distribution, transmission and generation, and gas infrastructure.

Charter Schools Pass Senate Committee

A highly anticipated charter-school bill is on its way to the Senate floor. At an early morning meeting of the Senate Education Committee today, members agreed by voice vote to …

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David Archie Sues for New Election

David Archie, the third-place finisher in last week's Democratic primary for Hinds County's District 2 seat, wants a new election and is suing his own party to get it.

Seven Hospitals Deny Jackson Abortion Clinic

The last clinic where Mississippi women can get an abortion is once again in peril.

Child-Care Providers Seek Lawmaker Help

Child-care providers are asking state and federal lawmakers to intervene in their ongoing fight against a controversial new finger-scanning program.

JPD's Vance OKs Moonlighting, Vehicle Use as Officer Retention Strategy

Lee Vance, the chief of the Jackson Police Department, is getting creative to keep his officers from jumping ship and going to other law-enforcement agencies where they can make more …

City Cold to Regional Wastewater Idea, Plans Review

Mayor Tony Yarber and members of the Jackson City Council expressed "great pause" about a proposal to create a regional wastewater authority.

Next Steps for Ward 3, Stokes and Hinds Board

As far as Jackson elections go, it's unusual for one candidate to walk away with a landslide victory in an eight-way race.

Union Leader: Furloughs Will 'Severely' Hurt City Workers

The head of an area labor union called a furlough plan and proposed property-tax increase a double whammy for Jackson employees.

City Mulls Siemens Contract Amendment

City officials recently announced that upgrades to the city's water system, which cost $25 million, are complete.

Epps, McCrory Indictment Outlines MDOC Bribery Scheme

Christopher Epps, the long-tenured commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and former Rankin County School Board President Cecil McCrory will be arraigned later today on a 49-count indictment in …

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Court Spat Ensnares Defendants, Taxpayers

The list of cases Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Jeff Weill has taken from the county public defender's office and assigned to private attorneys has swelled to more than 60 …

Watkins: HUD Report ‘Libelous,’ ‘Inaccurate’

David Watkins, the Jackson attorney and developer who has been under fire for his handling of the Farish Street revitalization, is defending himself and his company against a scathing federal …

Hinds County Campaign Finance Reports Are In

Nearly 100 pages of campaign-finance reports have been filed in Hinds County local races.

Cause of Riot Revealed

Little made sense in the hours after a riot erupted at a privately run federal prison in Natchez on May 20.

Barbour Pardonee Involved in Fatal Shooting

A man who received a pardon from former Gov. Haley Barbour is a suspect in a shooting in Calhoun County.