Jackson Free Press

Make Jackson Weird

I grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan, and one of the biggest adjustments to rooting for my now-beloved Saints is to learn to keep hope alive for a team that …

[Gregory] Hello, City Lights

For the past two months I've sat on my new front porch overlooking part of downtown Jackson, and tried to quell the automatic self-doubt that arose in my gut every …

Demand the Facts, Ma'am

The only time Jackson drives me crazy is during local campaign cycles. To be fair, of course, it's not every Jacksonian who goes insane and starts pushing lies and conspiracy …

JPS to Cut Jobs, Fill Classrooms

State budget cuts this year and next will force the Jackson Public School District to cut teacher positions and increase class sizes, a district official said today. Michael Thomas, the …

Hole-Filled Souls

I know a woman who lives in the house with her children, her husband and his violent temper. She wears a mask. This woman, whenever I see her, has a …

Obama, Romney Meet for High-Stakes Theater Tonight in First Debate

President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney come face to face for the first time in this presidential campaign Wednesday night.

Fire and Brimstone

For a minute, we toyed with having debates back at Neshoba Central High School in the 1970s.

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College Town Boy

"College town boy, get off your ass and do something," Dent May croons with a bit of humorous mockery and disdain.

The Odd Journey of Mills for Schools

Millage rates—property taxes—might sound about as far from "sexy" as any story can be. But the well-being of Jackson Public Schools depends largely on the city allocating enough money to …

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Yes, I Am a Smoker

For the last several months, I've been giving you facts, figures, ideas, and arguments about various ailments and health-improvement techniques. This time I want to get up-close and personal. I …

Fleming says wrong question being asked in the Senate race

Egypt Troops Open Fire on Pro-Morsi Protesters

Egyptian troops opened fire on supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi who were marching on a headquarters of the Republican Guard on Friday.

[Music] Ladies Sing: Chick Albums Not To Miss

Kate Bush — "The Dreaming/Hounds of Love" Trip-Hop guru Tricky has said Bush's work has been a significant influence on him and that she should be treasured more than the …

OPINION: Exceptional White Men, It’s Time for a Reckoning

Donald J. Trump's impeachment acquittal was a victory for white male mediocrity. The majority of the 69 white men in the U.S. Senate, engaged in a succession of choices that …

Crystal Kelly

"When people see my cake jars, and they see purple towels or purple spoons, they already know that’s Cakes by Crystal."

The Comeback: Adult Education on the Rise

Former famed attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs says he found purpose in prison by helping educate his fellow inmates. In federal prisons, any inmate without a high-school equivalency diploma is required …

Defense Cannot Use Prostitute Allegation Against Bodyguard

See JFP Melton Blog/Archive here.

Federal District Judge Dan Jordan ruled this morning that defense attorneys for Mayor Frank Melton and former bodyguard Michael Recio cannot use allegations of sexual misconduct by former bodyguard Marcus …

keeping it real

After multi-dozens of radio and TV interviews, magazines stories (ones I've written and ones I've been featured in), I am feeling so disconnected from my trip to Africa. A book …

Country Legend George Jones Dead at 81

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — When it comes to country music, George Jones was The Voice. Other great singers have come and gone, but this fact remained inviolate until Jones passed …

Nelson Mandela, 20th Century Colossus, Dies at 95

Nelson Mandela, who became one of the world's most beloved statesmen and a colossus of the 20th century when he emerged from 27 years in prison to negotiate an end …