Jackson Free Press

Dignity-Rutgers Team on Oprah Today

Of course I have more to say, but in my busy chick world, for now I only have to say it's time. It's time to use that repressed energy to …

Christopher Walker Charged Again

Christopher "Smiley" Walker, once Mayor Frank Melton's star witness against Albert "Batman" Donelson, pleaded not guilty to possession of contraband in prison Monday, and will stay with his mother Lolethia …

Lost in Translation

"He is like a prodigal son, pondering whether he should return to his native soil." So wrote now-freelance Clarion-Ledger columnist Eric Stringfellow this week in a hand-wringing column about the …

Mississippi Defenseless in Federal Suit

Three-year-old Olivia Y. weighed only 22 pounds—less than half what she should have weighed—when the Mississippi courts took her from her abusive mother and turned her over to the foster-care …

Anna Lee Dillon

Anna Lee Dillon, 25, knows that perseverance is key to making a change. When her father, Sherman Lee Dillon, founded Jackson's Earth Day festival 15 years ago, it was a …

Jesus Rode A Donkey: THE JFP Interview With John Arthur Eaves

Photos by Roy Adkins

Attorney John Arthur Eaves, 40, is the polar opposite of his Republican opponent, Gov. Haley Barbour. Barbour is a faithful follower of smaller-government philosophy, isn't afraid to boot Mississippians off …

Death of a Partnership

The Legislature passed SB 2764, reorganizing the State Board of Health following Clarion-Ledger reports of broad failures and relentless attacks upon board Director Dr. Brian Amy by Sen. Alan Nunnelee. …

Chump Change for Chimneyville

Though legislators refused to pass a bill providing $2 million in desperately needed funding to Jackson for law enforcement and street repair, they did produce legislation to help cities like …

Healthy Kids, Healthy Codgers

The Capitol legislated a healthier lifestyle for public school students, creating SB 2369, which demands schools offer at least 150 minutes of physical education for students each week, along with …

Cheap Smokes, Empty Bellies

Legislative failures this year included the death of HB 247, which would have raised the tax on cigarettes and reduced the sales tax on Groceries. That bill died after Barbour …

Peterson Demands Equal Justice

This story will appear in the April 4 print edition of the Jackson Free Press.

City Faces $4.3 Million Shortfall

Department of Administration Director Rick Hill reported to City Council today that the city is facing a $4.3 million budget shortfall.

Legislative Update: Smokes, Schools and Parks

The House agreed with the Senate in a 120-to-0 vote to roll the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi into the Health Department. Former tobacco lobbyist Haley Barbour killed the Partnership …

Supes Withhold Emergency Plan

Mississippi school children continue to suffer physical abuse at the Oakley and Columbia training schools, according to monitor Joyce L. Burrell's report. For the fifth time in five quarterly reports, …

Dads and Purity Balls-Respect My Authortay!

I've sat on this one too long. Feministing has blogged about the ickiness of the Purity Ball for a while now, and this one is quite the ickiest.

BREAKING: Wade Defends Melton Removal

In a March 22 filing (PDF, 215 KB) in Hinds County circuit court, local WJNT host Kim Wade has responded to a motion from former Mayor Dale Danks, who serves …

Watchin' It

The delicious aroma of oatmeal raisin cookies greets me as I push open the office door. I attempt to rebel against the evil forces pulling me toward the scent. In …

Boxers, Cows, Horses and Hogs

Advocacy groups this week denounced Senate Finance Committee Chair Tommy Robertson for killing an embattled tax swap bill that would have cut the state's grocery tax by half and raised …

Summaries galore

Location: Blue Springs, Mississippi (outside of Tupelo)

HOUSEKEEPING - A WEEKLY SUMMARY REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 2, 2007 JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI The announcement that Japanese auto giant Toyota will build a manufacturing plant in Northeast Mississippi …

Melton Claims ‘Corruption at the Highest Level'

Today, Mayor Frank Melton, who is still in Texas, repeated a refrain to WLBT that he's used in the past: