Jackson Free Press

Crime Plan: More of the Same

Mayor Frank Melton said he is responsible for the remarkable rise in violent crime in the city last Friday. "I am accountable for that, and the buck stops with me," …

Of Lady Killers and 'Good Behavior'

Citizens can feel secure knowing that the men in green and white stripes working on the road crews are not rapists or murderers. Mississippi law says that violent criminals are …

GOP Rift Hurts Hinds Primaries

Hinds County Republican Party Chairman Pete Perry said a rift between his administration and that of his predecessor, Ken Avery, complicated the Aug. 7 primary with staff shortages, long waits …

Entergy continuing move to Jackson

Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen said the city of Jackson will certainly feel the benefit of Entergy's decision to move about 200 transmission workers from New Orleans to the …

Burdening the Poor

Mississippi's low-income families pay a higher percentage of their income on taxes than people with higher incomes, one reason that makes the state's tax system mostly regressive. That is the …

Return of The Dems - What Would It Mean?

The battle for the 110th Congress is looking more promising for Democrats this year. National polls, like a Reuters/Zogby poll released last week, show that voters will favor Democratic candidates …

The Art of Sistahood

"If you seek the soul of a people, look to its women."—Jerry Taliaferro

Medicaid Ultimatums

Legislators are digging in on both sides over Medicaid during the quiet days preceding the June 26 reconvening of the special session.

'What's the Rush?'

The Jackson Public School Board began their search for a new superintendent after Earl Watkins announced April 7 that he would not renew his contract when it expires in June …

Fourth Man Exonerated, Registers to Vote

Arthur Johnson, 48, registered to vote this month, after nearly 16 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, and another eight months waiting for Mississippi to officially …

Mobilize for the Monkey

A small group of protesters stood at the entrance to the University Medical Center Monday afternoon, holding signs and passing out information to passersby. They were there to protest vivisection, …

Residents To Legislature: Please Help

The Battlefield Community Association has a new way to fight crime in West Jackson: Members are taking the fight to the Legislature.

[City Buzz] no. 15 December 27 - Janurary 3, 2007

Grant Writers Suing City

Former city employees LaSeine Hunter Hilliard, Meisha Jones and Stanley Murray are bringing a civil action against the city of Jackson for termination against Civil Service rules and state law.

Clear-Eyed Optimist

Many Mississippians view former Gov. William Winter as one of the few great progressive leaders of the state. Winter is a partner at the law firm of Watkins, Ludlam, Winter …

Convention Hotel Waits on Financing

It's been a little over a month since the Jackson Redevelopment Authority passed a resolution to issue up to $95 million in bonds for the proposed convention center hotel complex, …

Clinton and Palin Encourage Women Politicos

Women believe that Sen. Hillary Clinton and Gov. Sarah Palin crashed a few glass ceilings in the Nov. 4 general elections. Despite the media treating them unfairly, concentrating far too …

Gardens, By and For the People

Serenity Luckett, principal of Brown Elementary, looked down at the dirt of the soon-to-be-garden she was watering to see the water roll into pools on top of the soil. After …

Years to Go on BP Suit, Hood Says

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood said it could take years to assess the extent of harm the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico caused.

U.S. Food Bill Spares Small Farmers

Mike Steede, owner of Steede farms in Lucedale, Miss., took over the farm his family has operated for the past 150 years after he retired from teaching agriculture at the …

Such Sweet Sorrow

Since July 2004, Ross Olivier has been pastor of the Galloway Methodist Church in Jackson, bringing with him experience forged in South Africa's anti-apartheid movement. As we spoke last Monday, …