Jackson Free Press

The Mayor and His Women

It bugged the hell out of me when I got an e-mailed press release from Police Chief Shirlene Anderson's office late on July 3 with this subject line: "Chief Shirlene …

[Just In] Barbour's State of the State Address

[verbatim] Lieutenant Governor; Mr. Speaker; Fellow State officials, Members of

It is a humbling honor to come before you tonight for the first time as your Governor. I want to start by saying to my colleagues in the Legislature: many …

City's First Female Police Chief Fired ... Again

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton decided Wednesday to remove Shirlene Anderson from her post as police chief of Jackson for what WAPT 16 News calls the second time. Following rumors posted …

Melton's Mixed Messages in 'Heinous' Case

Mayor Frank Melton doesn't have to write a check to two former Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics employees. Just yet.

Rusted Tin to Cotton Gin: A Trip on the Mississippi Blues Trail

Geographic routes of discovery on the Mississippi Blues Trail are as varied and plentiful as the paths weaving through the history of the music itself—music that began as spirituals, work …

[Whitley] Losing Our Religion

Dec. 10, 2003 It's not unusual for Robert L. Johnson to draw a crowd. Nor is it unusual for the Hickory, Miss., native to have camera crews, reporters and fans …

Stephen Hawking, Best-Known Physicist of His Time, Has Died

Stephen Hawking, whose brilliant mind ranged across time and space though his body was paralyzed by disease, has died. He was 76.

Jackson’s Budget Marks Progress, Setbacks

Jackson's Chief Administrative Officer Robert Blaine stepped up to a podium at the base of the steps outside City Hall carrying "antique technology."

Candidate Questionnaire: Crystal Wise Martin

The Jackson Free Press reached out to all judicial candidates who are running on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent jurisdictions throughout the Jackson metro area, regardless of whether they …

Running Jackson: New CAO Robert Blaine Shares His Vision

After a vibrant career as a traveling trombonist and conductor, Robert Blaine put down roots in Jackson, where he hopes to direct a comeback story.

Call the Roll on Dirty Politics

Disturbing statements have been coming from inside Mayor Frank Melton's inner circle since he and his bodyguards were indicted Sept. 15 for home invasion and demolition. To put it simply, …

18 Going on 21: Jubilee Jam! Almost Legal!

Mississippi's largest annual music festival has returned for its 18th birthday after its near-fatal deluge of rain and indebtedness in 2003. Jubilee! Jam, with its move to mid-June, has been …

George Bell III in Women's Jail, Not Detention Center

WJTV—which has done stellar reporting in the Heather Spencer rape/murder—is reporting that the accused murderer is being housed in the women's jail downtown, not the Hinds County Detention Center where …

[Stiggers] Shafted by the Shift?

Grandpa Pookie: "Greetings, members of the Illumi-Nappy-Headed, Sausage Sandwich Sisters Electric Slide for World Peace and Rent Money, Stop the Ham Hocks and Decrease the Pork Grease Coalition, Women in …

Republicans and ‘ConservaDems' Suffer in Redistricting

<i>UPDATED March 3, 2011</i>

Redistricting in Mississippi as a result of the 2010 Census will likely target Republican and conservative Democratic seats in the state House of Representatives, legislators say.

Employers Shouldn't Dictate Birth Control Choices

Dr. Beverly McMillan is against birth control. Or at least any kind of hormonal birth control, from the regular pill to the morning-after pill, all of which she considers to …

• 1 comment

A Post-Parade-Easter-Crossroads Week

Jackson can take a collective sigh of relief. Two parades in one week, the holidays, the Crossroads Film Festival last weekend in addition to the tons of great happenings that …

Pizza, Beer and Improvisation

The northeast Jackson Pizza Shack at Colonial Mart hosts Jackson band The Ruminants each Tuesday during January for a residency that brings together food, beer and improvisational music. I caught …

Curious About George

Art lovers of all ages, if you find yourself with an hour or so to spare, meander down to the Mississippi Museum of Art for the exhibit "Curious George Saves …

Mississippi Receives Federal Disaster Designation

<i>Verbatim statement from Gov. Haley Barbour</i>:

JACKSON - Gov. Haley Barbour announced today that residents in 18 counties affected by the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes April 15-April 28 are now eligible for federal disaster assistance.