Jackson Free Press

Visit Jackson Still In Limbo Under New CEO

Down a long hallway in the Mississippi Capitol, past the grandeur of the multi-story Christmas tree and seemingly state-mandated tinsel decorations, Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, convened a meeting on Dec. …

National Baptist Convention in Jackson, 2019 Dyslexia Symposium, UMMC Donation and Cultivation Food Hall

The National Baptist Convention, the largest organization of African American Baptists in the U.S., is currently holding its annual mid-winter board meeting at the Jackson Convention Complex from Monday, Jan. …

Governor Attempts to Ban Mississippi Abortions, Citing Need to Preserve PPE

Gov. Tate Reeves says he is halting abortions in Mississippi to help free up personal protective equipment for hospitals to use as they deal with an escalating number of COVID-19 …

Mississippi Women: Time to ‘Personhood’ Donald Trump, Mike Pence

Mississippi women turned back Personhood in 2011. Now, we need to vote against two men likely to limit everything from the birth-control pill to in vitro fertilization, from affordable cancer …

The 2009 JFP Interview with Frank Melton, Part II: Being Mayor

2009 JFP Interview, Part I

State Of The Coast

Betty Maerker often visits Ocean Springs' shoreline right before a storm, where she watches the waves rise and fall, and gathers her thoughts. But for the past five years, her …

UPDATED: Voter Suppression Growing Nationwide

CNN is reporting:

The voter-purge machine is kicking into overdrive this week. Down below, and in the comments, we will keep you apprised of stunts being pulled, so we can watch for them …

Judge Hears Arguments in Mayor Libel Lawsuit

Interesting report in The Meridian Star today about the lawsuit by MBN officers against Frank Melton for releasing false accusations against them to The Clarion-Ledger in 2003 (the story originally …

Black Women Weigh Hyde-Smith's Win, Say Not 'Senator for All'

While Cindy Hyde-Smith made history as the first woman from Mississippi elected to Congress, it is hard for some black women to celebrate strictly on the basis of gender.

Melton to Fire Officer for Rolling Eyes at Him?

In an interview with Howard Ballou of WLBT, Mayor Frank Melton said he plans to fire Jackson police officer Mike Braxton, who made public a police report (PDF, 1013 KB) …

Crossroads Film 2011 Reviews

The Crossroads Film Festival is screening dozens of movies April 1-3 at Malco Grandview Theatre in Madison, in addition to holding workshops, after-parties and other related events all over town. …

Witnesses Praise Edwards' Leadership

Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards has made major improvements to the school district but still needs more time, witnesses in the hearing on Edwards' contract said today. Vicki Davidson, …

Reeves Plans to Challenge Election Ruling

Republican District 71 incumbent legislator John Reeves said he will appeal a Hinds County Circuit Court decision to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Winston Kidd granted …

Unsealed Docs Unveil Melton's 'House Arrest

A transcript from a Nov. 15, 2006, meeting (PDF, 1.3mb) between Judge Tomie Green and Frank Melton, along with three of his attorneys, in her chambers reveals that the judge …

Community Events and Public Meetings

Mustard Seed Book Drive at Borders (100 Dogwood Blvd., Flowood). Donate books in good condition to the residents of The Mustard Seed. Donations welcome; call 601-992-3556.

Advocates to Legislature: Stop Delaying Cigarette Tax Increase

[Verbatim from Communities for a Clean Bill of Health]

Melton's Honeymoon, Part VI: The Mayor and The Police

Mayor Frank Melton swept into the city's mayor office July 4 with a badge and a side arm, determined to take a bite out of crime. During that time, he's …

EHN Special Report: 'Chemicals of High Concern' Found in Thousands of Children's Products

An Environmental Health News analysis of thousands of reports from America's largest companies shows that toys and other children's products contain low levels of dozens of industrial chemicals, including some …

The Battle Over Schooling

Public-school K-12 education is slated to take a top spot on Mississippi lawmakers’ agendas again this year. Heat notwithstanding, Republicans will probably get their way on both issues.

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The Surveillance Reforms Obama Supported Before He Was President

When the House of Representatives recently considered an amendment that would have dismantled the NSA's bulk phone records collection program, the White House swiftly condemned the measure.