Jackson Free Press

The Headboard Blues

When one door closes ... you build a headboard.

Vanessa Morales Butler

Living most of her life in Venezuela, Vanessa Butler as a little girl had dreams of becoming a flamenco dancer. "I studied at a dancing academy as a child, and …

Sabri Agachan

One immediately feels welcome when entering Sabri Agachan's home. Take your shoes off and put on the slippers offered; accept tea in delicate glasses and an offer of food. The …

Mitchell Shears

Looking like a giant among the three-feet-tall first-graders pouring into the bright, sun-filled hallway of Clausell Elementary School, Principal Mitchell Shears steps into the main office where three students await …

Rocky Road to Wellness

(And that's not rocky road ice cream.) Someone once told me that the minute we humans decide on a course of action and make a commitment, the next thing that …

Get ‘Em Outta Here

Dr. S was sad to see that Fester was MIA (marinated in alcohol) last week. But now he's back and he's foaming at the mouth, so let's go straight to …

Debi Lane

This week, potter Debi Lane attempted to create a phoenix, but the glaze ran, and the Mendenhall resident was forced to scrap the project.

Analysis: Budget Dispute Goes to 1 Judge in Hinds County

Mississippi Republican legislative leaders helped defeat a 2015 education initiative by arguing that if someone sued the state over school funding, one judge in Hinds County would make budget decisions …

Biloxi High School Closed Because of 'Unnecessary' Gatherings

A Mississippi high school is shutting down for two weeks because of a coronavirus outbreak that happened after large “unnecessary” social gatherings where distancing guidelines were ignored, the state health …

Repaving ‘One of the Worst Streets’ in Jackson—Ellis Avenue—with Capitol Street Ahead

The portion of Ellis Avenue that runs from St. Charles Street to Capitol Street is up next for resurfacing as the City of Jackson continues with the 2020 paving season.

Azia's Picks 10-9-20

I hope you find your niche for the weekend as you chill with those you love, starting right here with my fave event picks for the week. Please be wary …

Gov. Reeves Would Defy Nationwide COVID-19 Lockdown: ‘We Will Certainly Fight’

Gov. Tate Reeves signaled today that he would refuse to participate in a nationwide lockdown if the incoming Joe Biden administration called for such a measure, promising instead defiance and …

Analysis: Lawsuit Threatens Mississippi Medical Marijuana

A court fight threatens to block a Mississippi medical marijuana program before the program even gets started.

34 Candidates Total: Mayor, Jackson City Council Leaders Face Primary Challengers on April 6

By the Feb. 5 deadline, 21 candidates had officially signed up for City of Jackson municipal elections. No new mayoral candidates filed to challenge Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba since January.

Mississippi Receiving $29.7M from CDC for Vaccinations

Mississippi is receiving about $29.7 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support coronavirus vaccination efforts.

Analysis: Initiatives Seek to Bypass Mississippi Lawmakers

People are now looking to bypass the Mississippi House and Senate by proposing initiatives to expand Medicaid, authorize early voting and reconsider the state flag design.

Groups Plan Effort for Mississippi Voting Rights Restoration

Three groups will sponsor an initiative to try to simplify the way Mississippi restores voting rights to people convicted of some felonies, a person involved with the effort said Monday.

Analysis: Reviving Initiative Process Could Invite Mischief

Mississippi legislators can do business the easy way or the hard way if they revive the state's initiative process that was recently invalidated by a state Supreme Court decision.

Federal Appeals Court to Review Jim Crow Felony Voting Ban

A federal appeals court has agreed to review a Mississippi law that prevents people convicted of certain felonies from voting.

One Weird Weekend

Fester, our man in the swamp, checks in with some words of wisdom. (Who wrote this, Fester)?

Fester sez: