Jackson Free Press

Choosing The Right Workout

Forget size. It never mattered. Still doesn't. What really matters is personality. What's imperative is not mixing multiple fitness personalities.

Executioner's Blues, by Scott Barretta

March 10, 2004—Steve Earle, who performed at an anti-death penalty benefit at Hal and Mal's on Friday, March 12, stirred up controversy in the country-music world in 2002 with his …

Operation Downgrade

Gov. Haley Barbour's "Mississippi Education Reform Act of 2005," SB 2504, finally passed in the House of Representatives in early March, after living in the shadow of a looming Medicaid …

The Jackson Irish Blues

This week is spring break, but I'm busy preparing for the ton of fun and music going on this St. Paddy's Day weekend in Jackson, including the third largest St. …

Fun on the Road

This past weekend, I traveled with my son's Cub Scout troop to Louisiana for a tour of the Honey Island Swamp. As cliché as the phrase is, it doesn't stop …

30-Second Advantage

Just before her junior year in college at Delta State University, around 1999, now the love of my life and bride, Lacey, met a young man while working at a …

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 …

Reinventing Soul Music

Who do you get when you mix India Arie's soulful voice with Johnnie Taylor's blues style? You get Tasha Taylor, Johnnie Taylor's youngest daughter who is carrying on the family's …

‘Nature's Ritalin'

On a recent Friday afternoon at the Poindexter Park After-School Club, a third grader named Andrea fell in love with caterpillars.

Whip It Good

Watching George Glass demonstrate his skill with a bullwhip, I was convinced that I could grow to enjoy this sport. On eBay I could find myself an inexpensive whip, then …

JFP Persons of the Day: Jan Finney and Liz Carmouche

Since its inception, men have predominately ruled the sport of mixed martial arts. Recently, however, a crop of rough and tough female fighters has stepped up to the plate. On …

2010 JFP Chick Ball to Create Domestic Abuse Legal Fund, Honor ‘Hero' Attorneys

The 6th Annual JFP Chick Ball will build awareness about domestic-abuse victims' struggle in the state's legal system, and recognize attorneys who are helping them navigate a system stacked against …

Marching for a Cause

I'm always looking for any excuse to don a costume, so naturally, I love a parade. This month packs in two of them: The Mal's St. Paddy's Parade, led by …

Cheers to Gailya Porter!

Last week, we learned that Smith Elementary has ranked as a Level 5 school. We featured principal Gailya Porter as "Jacksonian" a month ago in our education issue. Here's an …

JPS Teachers Get $100,000; 6-Hour Voting Leave for City Staff, New Public Works Director

Jackson Public School District teachers are getting $100,000 in grants in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.

State Probes Melton's Lawn Crew ... Finally

Seven months after the Jackson Free Press revealed details about Mayor Frank Melton's young lawn crew, WLBT broke the news last week that the state auditor's office has requested materials …

[Johnson] ‘60 Minutes' Missed Pickering's Real Record

President, Mississippi NAACP

"60 Minutes" seemed intent on making the point that African Americans within Pickering's hometown know best about Pickering's qualifications for the appellate court, and that their support is revealing: "Pickering …

Community Events and Public Meetings

4:30 p.m., Small Business Administration Loan Clinic at Regions Plaza (210 E. Capitol St.), in the SBA Conference Room on the 10th floor. Learn about the variety of SBA products …

No More Regs, Except ...

During his 2011 campaign for governor, Phil Bryant promised that, if elected, his administration would closely scrutinize state regulations on small companies.

‘Jail Not Bail'

Fred Clark always felt something was not right with how the South treated blacks.