Jackson Free Press

Payday Lenders Big Donors to Lawmakers

The Mississippi Center for Justice says short-term lenders donate heavily to legislative banking committee chairmen in hopes of extending an exemption allowing them to charge up to $21.95 for every …

Big Budget Wars

Gov. Haley Barbour is in crisis mode. The state is up against a $715 million budget shortfall in fiscal year 2011, by his estimates, and another $500 million shortage in …

Barbour Vetoes Tobacco-Grocery Tax Bill

Following is Gov. Haley Barbour's statement today vetoing the popular effort to raise the tax on cigarettes and lower the tax on on groceries. Note that he is repeating his …

Subjective Truths

French author André Gide wrote: "Trust those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." I wrote the quote on a white sticky in magenta ink yesterday and …

Ridgeland Bans Pit Bulls

Yesterday, aldermen in the Jackson, Miss., suburb of Ridgeland joined nearby Clinton and Richland in passing an ordinance banning pit bulls. The Ridgeland ordinance also bans Staffordshire bull terriers, American …

Taylor and His Guns

A young man who was mentored by Mayor Frank Melton is out of jail, though he was arrested only months ago for carjacking, a felony. Michael Taylor has lived off …

Beat It? The JFP Interview With Michael Jackson Chaney

Photos by Roy Adkins

Michael Jackson wants to be your insurance commissioner. Yes, Sen. Michael Jackson "Mike" Chaney is running for Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance on the Republican ticket, and facing Democrat Gary Anderson, …

Inside the AFA: How One ‘Hate Group’ Is Fighting the ‘Gay Agenda’

At the American Family Association headquarters in Tupelo, Miss., a staff of about 130 produces radio programs and other media to promote its Christian ideology.

[Lott] Eliminating Bad, Brown Water

Recently I was pleased to join our Congressional delegation in announcing almost $6 million in federal assistance for water system upgrades throughout Mississippi. Every year I vigorously support water and …

[Colleges] This is Your Life, Baby

It's 8 in the a.m. on your first official day of college, and you and several hundred of what you hope will become your closest friends are gathered in the …

[Whitley] ‘Movin' On Up' Not Working Anymore

The generation of African Americans that came of age during the '60s and '70s was taught that having the American dream—a job, a house, a car—was the pinnacle of success. …

Be Vigilant

Donna Ladd's "My Kind of Tea Party," which appeared in your July 15-21, 2010, issue, brought back vivid memories of a few people who spoke out against unbridled racist propaganda …

Get Serious About Flooding

The area got good news last week when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it is recommending that FEMA certify existing Pearl River levees as capable of withstanding most …

[Stiggers] Angry Young Men

Bubba Robinski: "I want to thank the Ghetto Science Television network for allowing me to have my first Bubba's Kids Back-to-School Breakfast Program Pre-Labor Day Telethon—sponsored by L.M.H.F.D. National Bank, …

The Choice to Leave

Guatemalan native Osiel Mendez sought asylum when he entered the United States in 2005, five years before his wife and two sons were able to cross the Mexican-American border to …

Seersucker Friday

When @FlyJFP Twitter followers make a request, I try my best to deliver. I hear that there are people around town who adhere to the rules of Seesucker Fridays from …

Candidate of the Day: Cindy Hyde-Smith

Now that state Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith won the Republican primary Tuesday in her bid to become Mississippi's agricultural commissioner, she's helping her daughter start a new school year.

Crafts and Cupcakes

Lately it seems that the movement to "support local" is stronger than ever.From shops and restaurants, to local musicians and artists, to local farmers, the mantra is increasingly a part …

Sailing Our Own Race

"There's a feeling in the air ..." So starts a favorite Better than Ezra song that reminds me of fall. Lately, that feeling has made me want to get outside …

[Stiggers] Thriving in the Ghetto

Welcome to the Ghetto Science Team's Super Bowl XLV Tailgate Viewing Party and Disco Business Strategy meeting. I hope my fellow business associates are ready to provide lots of entertainment, …