Jackson Free Press

Mayor to Hold Up Sales Tax Hike?

Last session, the Mississippi Legislature enacted a referendum vote for a sales tax increase to fix city streets and improve public safety, but Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. says that …

Another Storm Brewin'

David Baria says he's one of the lucky ones. That's a bit hard to fathom. After evacuating from Bay St. Louis with his wife, three children and their pets to …

Dream Big. Change Jackson.

Thinking big. It is much more than a way to envision getting richer or renovating a downtown building into expensive condos.

Community Events and Public Meetings

UMC Blood Drive., at University of Mississippi Medical Center (2500 N. State St.). Mississippi Blood Services will take donations. Please bring ID. Call 888-902-5663. Donate at these locations and times:

Karl Rove Called to Testify About Probes, Including Minor and Diaz

The House Judiciary Committee today requested that presidential adviser Karl Rove appear to testify "concerning the troubling issue of the politicization of the Department of Justice during this Administration." It …

GOP's Answer to "Charting a New Course": Name Calling

You've got to love it. On Wednesday, Republicans abandoned the idea of relabeling the Democratic Party. The proposed new name? The Democratic Socialist Party. The Republican National Committee actually held …

JFP Interview: Annell Smith - Woman With A Mission

April 27, 2005 Annell Vaugh Smith is the elusive third Democratic contender for mayor—a determined woman who is showing up for candidate forums and just answering questions without a lot …

Mike Espy Came Closer to Senate Seat Than Any Dem Since 1982

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Espy did not win his bid for U.S. Senate in Tuesday night's special election, but he came closer than any Mississippi Democrat has in 36 …

Week 13: Zombies, Exonerees

The Zombie Tax A bill increasing the cigarette tax rose from the dead Monday, as legislators in both the Mississippi House and Senate voted to suspend the deadline for a …

Just In: State Not Responding Well to Child Abuse, Neglect

A children's advocacy organization says state officials are not responding to reports of child abuse and neglect in a timely or effective fashion.

Barbour Expands Special Session Call for Budget

May 20, 2005—Click to read full statement, but here's the money quote (quite literally):

It is important that every Legislator know the amount available to spend is $4,585,559,267 and that all appropriation bills must fit within this number. The Constitution requires us to pass …

Pointing Fingers Won’t Help Mental Health Crisis

Mississippi's mental-health care problems are not secrets, and yet only when the DOJ sues the state and after speaking with some community advocates does the governor start talking about community-based …

Open Thread for this week

Jackson 2nd in KPMG study

[Moved from forums - TS]

"A KPMG 2006 study backs up what Kaczkowski discovered for himself and ranks Jackson as one of the least-costly metro areas to do business among 13 locations in the U.S. …

Candidate Profile: Melvin Priester Jr.

Jackson City Council President Melvin Priester Jr. officially announced his candidacy for the upcoming special mayoral election at a press conference on March 11 at Priester Law Firm.

Mayor, JCVB Unveil LeFleur Museum District

Freedom 50 will celebrate the anniversary of Freedom Summer by recognizing those who combated segregation in 1964 as well as developing strategies to continually improve the lives of Mississippians and …

Ward 6 Candidates Reveal Plans for City Council Seat

The Swan Lake Homeowners Association sponsored a forum for the nine candidates running in the Ward 6 City Council election, which took place at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

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[Greggs] Quitters Never Win

I am a smoker. For 10 years I've been a smoker. I smoke, and I love it. At last count, I've tried to quit six times. Each time I've exponentially …

The Cost of ‘Tough on Crime'

Jackson resident Almona Fleming is a placid woman, prone to introspective stares and thoughtful contemplation during interviews. Her calm demeanor says nothing about the writhing coil of hunger that for …

King Edward Re-opening Today

Long a downtown eyesore and unpleasant reminder of Jackson's troubled past, the King Edward Hotel is re-opening tomorrow with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. A joint project of Jackson …