Jackson Free Press

ACLU: Charges for Senatobia Graduation Cheering Infringes on Free Speech Rights

The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi says that charging people for cheering at a graduation is violation of freedom of speech protections.

Reports: Body of Missing Teen Katelyn Beard Found

After a long search this morning, law enforcement officials discovered the body of 17-year-old Katelyn Beard, who went missing over the weekend.

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Challenge to Mississippi Tort Laws Settled

The parties in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a legislatively imposed cap on how much juries can award in non-economic damages say they have settled the case.

GM Issues 2 More Recalls for SUVs, Mini Cars

General Motors announced two more recalls Friday, pushing its total for the year to 71, affecting almost 30 million vehicles in North America.

Doctor to Forfeit Accounts, Land in Prison Bribery Scheme

A physician who bribed the former head of Mississippi's prison system is being ordered to forfeit bank accounts, brokerage accounts and land to pay a nearly $1.3 million court judgment …

Police: Two Children Shot in Car Near Mississippi Hospital

Two young children were shot Thursday in a car being driven by their mother near the University of Mississippi Medical Center, prompting the mother to pull them from the car …

Dispute Over Mississippi House Race Goes to State High Court

The Mississippi Supreme Court acted quickly Monday to block a circuit judge's order in a dispute over whether a special election is needed to fill a vacancy in the state …

Hinds District Attorney Arrested by AG, Sheriff

An arrest warrant was served and executed on Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith Wednesday morning for six counts of what court documents state was assisting criminal defendants during …

UPDATED: Rep. Thompson, Speaker Gunn: Remove Confederate Emblems on Mississippi Flag

Today, U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) calls for the removal of all confederate monuments and emblems in the United States Capitol and on the Mississippi state flag.

Robert Shuler Smith Reinstated as Hinds District Attorney, Despite Indictment

Robert Shuler Smith is the District Attorney of Hinds County again, effectively immediately after the Mississippi Supreme Court today overturned an order barring Smith from his duties.

Stevenson: Raising the Bar

The qualifications to run for justice court judge are pretty simple: a high-school diploma and $10 to pay the county circuit clerk to file your paperwork. You also must be …

Demystifying the NBA Lockout

On July 1, 2011, the collective bargaining agreement between the National Basketball Association owners and the 450 NBA players expired. Unhappy with the terms of the CBA, the owners instituted …

Shields Up

Mississippi, like 10 other states in the union, doesn't have a shield law that protects journalists from revealing sources, turning over documents or answering subpoenas. In 40 states, reporters and …

[Johnson] Hear No Evil

More than two years after Mayor Frank Melton and police bodyguard Michael Recio destroyed a duplex on Ridgeway Street, they may finally answer for their crimes in federal court.

Improving the System

Trent Walker has worked most angles of Hinds County's judicial system. The candidate for county court judge has served as a special appointee to Hinds County Circuit Court, an assistant …

JPD Officers Get Commission Hearings

The Civil Service Commission has granted former Det. Ernest Perry a hearing to contest his 90-day unpaid suspension from the Jackson Police Department following an internal fuel theft investigation.

Grading the Lawmakers

Political and community activist Rims Barber released a 2010 political report card grading legislators based on their votes for 10 progressive bills that filed through the 2010 legislative session before …

EEOC Finds Racial Discrimination at MDPS

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has found evidence that the Mississippi Department of Public Safety engaged in discriminatory practices against black state troopers. In a June 1 letter, EEOC …

Judge Faces Key Decisions In Melton Trial

A federal judge will hear arguments today on whether to hold separate trials for Mayor Frank Melton and his former police bodyguard Michael Recio. Melton and Recio are under federal …

FBI Arrests Alleged Child Molester

[Verbatim FBI Press Release]

On Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at approximately 7:00 p.m., in Madison, Mississippi, Special Agents of the Jackson Division of the FBI and deputies of the Harrison County Sheriff's Office, assisted …