Jackson Free Press

For Whom the Zell Tolls

Admittedly, we have a rough history of treating each other badly sometimes, and we stubbornly act against our best interests too often and—perhaps worst—we are notorious for sending up the …

Lawmakers Tackle Teen Pregnancy

A 13-year-old Jackson Public Schools student kisses her 30-year-old boyfriend as he drops her off at school one morning. When school officials call the teen's mother. She shows little concern …

Haley Barbour Speaks at Neshoba County Fair (Verbatim Speech)

*Remarks as prepared*

Thank you. Today I will give my last speech at this Fair as Governor. Marsha, who has had to sit through all but one of them, is being patient enough …

[Kamikaze] Take It Back

Being a born and bred Jacksonian, I can say I've lived on every "side" of this city. I've seen the good and the bad up close, met some treasures, and …

Fact-Checking the Speeches

The political speeches at the Neshoba County Fair are a time when politicians and candidates get on the stump to tout their achievements, take a few jabs at their opponents …

Legislative Round-up: Week 1

The House Appropriations Committee started the 2007 legislative session off with a gun-shot—but then fell on its face later that day. The committee approved a total of seven money bills …

‘Merit' in Mississippi

The teacher merit-pay mindset is attracting more believers here in Mississippi, despite hesitation on the part of teachers' organizations and many lawmakers who worry that it's just another way to …

John Dicker: Taking On The Other Uncle Sam

Journalist JohnDicker, 32, has worked on films and in labor unions since studying film at Ithaca College in New York. The Bedford, N.Y.-native's non-fiction work has appeared in The Nation, …

Being Poor Is No Crime

I saw this letter to the editor in the CL today and it really hit home with me.

Dust-Up on Floor of U.S. Senate Today

[Breaking] Apparently, it was just disocvered that Republicans snuck a provision into the 3,000-page budget bill that allows agents of congressional committees to have access to anybody's IRS records. They're …

Time to Take a Bite Out of Food Stamps?

Food stamps look ripe for the picking, politically speaking.

Have A Good Day

For the past month and a half I've transported one of my foster children to her old school every morning. She originally resided with her family in one part of …

MAMAS WHO COOK: Baby Bon Vivant

I never sought to rear a fancy-pants food snob. I just wanted to dish up nutritive nosh for my sweet patootie progeny so she could avoid living large with health …

OPINION: Support Other Women

“What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.” —Oprah Winfrey, Golden Globes 2018

This Little Light of Ours: Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Shines a Light on History

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum opened its doors temporarily on Tuesday, June 27, for a preview of the impactful, honest and focused features, like the Freedom Riders exhibit.

Governor Does About-Face, Issues Statewide ‘Shelter In Place’ For Mississippi

In an overnight about-face, Gov. Tate Reeves signed a long-awaited executive order today closing non-essential businesses and directing all Mississippians to shelter at home between Friday, April 3, and Monday, …

Pro-Choice Candidate Defeats Erik Fleming

It appears that Kimberly Campbell, who was forced out of the Jackson City Attorney's office for questioning city policy, has defeated Rep. Erik Fleming for the District 72 Hinds-Madison seat …

Ban the Paddle?

Minority and special education students are more likely than their peers to receive a paddling, according to a recent report by the Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties …

Seattle's Former Top Cop Says End Drug War

In an op ed this weekend in the Seattle Times (and, it seems, the LA Times, since he's bylined as "Special to the Los Angeles Times"), Norm Stamper, former chief …

Mountain Dew Mouth

ABC's 20/20 is showing a special episode tonight at 9 PM CT called "A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains" which highlights poverty-stricken children of Appalachia. One of the many …