Jackson Free Press

Attorney Objects to Proposed Jury Questions

Federal prosecutors are trying to make inappropriate points about race and class in a jury questionnaire, Mayor Frank Melton's attorney John Reeves argued Tuesday. Responding to the government's list of …

The 2009 JFP Interview With Robert Johnson

Democratic mayoral candidate Robert Johnson is not a camera person.

Melton: ‘How Dumb Can You Be?'

Jones County Circuit Court Judge Billy Joe Landrum gave Jackson Mayor Frank Melton the keys to the courtroom at a hearing today, allowing him to belligerently insult the attorney for …

Young Candidates Seize the ‘Urgency of Now'

The same day that he filed his qualifying papers to run for Jackson City Council, Jonathan Jones received a number of calls from strangers.

Committee Says Melton ‘Boldly Lied'

Jackson Attorney Dorsey Carson, who represents the Jackson Democratic Executive Committee, is arguing in a March 24, position statement in Hinds County Circuit Court that the committee had the right …

Melton's Tax Woes

Hinds County is just now charging Jackson Mayor Frank Melton taxes due on a nearly 10-year-old, 60-foot-by-40-foot, two-story addition to his home.

DeLaughter Trial Rescheduled

Federal District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson has granted a motion for continuance to suspended Hinds County Judge Bobby DeLaughter. The trial, originally scheduled to begin April 6, is now …

More Furloughs at Ledger, While Millions in Bonuses to Execs

Just days after its home corporation disclosed $2 million in bonuses to its CEO and five other executives, The Clarion-Ledger announced a second round of furloughs Monday, according to a …

Sunshine Week, Part II: How to Demand More Open Gov't

1. Government workers who ask "why do you want to see THAT?" (It's none of their business.)

This is the week when media love to talk about "sunshine" and openness in government. (See my earlier blog post about how The Clarion-Ledger mangled their sunshine story earlier this …

Date Set For Melton's Suit Against Dems

Mayor Frank Melton will argue that he should be allowed to run for reelection as a Democrat before a Jones County judge next week. As required under state law, the …

Stanford Needed Regulation, Hood Says

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood blamed the lax attitude of the Bush administration for the longevity of famous Ponzi schemes—from the Madoff scandal to the Stanford Financial Group, which has …

Melton Sues Democratic Committee

Earlier: Melton to Democratic Party: 'Go to Hell'

Law Enforcement Needs to Release Info

Five weeks. That's how long it's been since Dr. Mark Pogue and his fiancée, Dr. Lisa Dedousis, died in flames after the Mercedes driven by Karen Irby crossed into their …

Coal Plant Tax Cut: Is it $160 Million or $1.32 Billion?

The House Ways and Means Committee may be making a $1.16 billion miscalculation regarding an ad valorem tax exemption bill for a Kemper County coal plant. The committee appears to …

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 …

Advocates to Legislature: Stop Delaying Cigarette Tax Increase

[Verbatim from Communities for a Clean Bill of Health]

The 2009 JFP Interview with Frank Melton, Part III: Money & Taxes

In Part III of his Feb. 26 interview with JFP editor Donna Ladd, Frank talks about his finances, including his property-tax troubles.

Melton to Democratic Party: ‘Go to Hell' (Updated)

Mayor Frank Melton told the Jackson Free Press Tuesday that the Jackson Municipal Executive Democratic Committee can "go to hell" for disqualifying him to re-run as a Democrat in the …

City Money Out of Jackson's Hands?

Senate Bill 3268, which Gov. Haley Barbour signed into law March 11, authorizes the city of Jackson to hold a referendum vote on whether or not to approve an additional …

Recio Attorney Challenges Retrial

Also see: Full JFP Melton Blog/Archive/Trial Documents

Cynthia Stewart, the attorney representing Michael Recio, filed a motion (PDF) today accusing federal prosecutors of violating government policies by retrying Recio and Jackson Mayor Frank Melton. Recio is Melton's …