Jackson Free Press

It's Official: Allen Concedes, Democrats Control Congress

The fat lady's getting hoarse. AP is reporting:

BREAKING: Kennedy Brewer is a Free Man

More to come on this story.

The Jackson Free Press' Ronni Mott called this morning from a Noxubee County Circuit courtroom to say that the judge hearing Kennedy Brewer's case has granted his freedom. There was …

JPS Names Teacher of the Year

Jackson Public Schools has named Murrah High School English teacher Stacey Donaldson as Jackson's Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009.

New Zata|3 Poll Shows Crisler and H. Johnson Tied

Full JFP Coverage of 2009 City Elections

JFP Endorsements

House Votes for Eminent-Domain Changes

The House today passed an eminent-domain bill looking to limit the power of the state government to snatch private property for the use of non-government purposes.

Millsaps College is Mississippi's Best

Forbes.com put Millsaps College back in the news again, when it ranked the Jackson school as the best in the state based on educational quality, student experiences and their achievements. …

Mississippi House Passes $1 Cigarette Tax

Following nearly two hours of debate, the House of Representatives passed a bill this afternoon that would raise Mississippi's cigarette tax from 18 cents to $1 per pack. House Bill …

Clarion-Ledger Navel-Gazes Own Coverage, Sort Of

All the recent criticism of The Clarion-Ledger and other media's abysmal coverage of the city elections—which has only been covered by the Jackson Free Press to date—must be ringing true …

What Did You Think of the Mayoral Debate?

All, add your comments below about what you thought of Thursday night's debate, brought to you by the Jackson Progressive, Jackson 2000, Leadership Jackson Alumni, WAPT and the Jackson Free …

Bill Delays Paroled Killer's Release

Douglas Hodgkin, convicted murderer of pregnant Ole Miss student Jean Elizabeth Gillies, will remain behind bars—at least temporarily—as a result of a bill signed into law by Gov. Haley Barbour …

JFP ‘Best of Jackson' Challenge: Give Back, and Shop Local!

Now that the 7th annual (really!) Best of Jackson season has ended, and the party a sweet memory, here's what all of us can do next. We need to vow …

Scruggs Enters Second Guilty Plea

The Associated Press is reporting that Mississippi attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, who is currently serving a five-year sentence for bribery, has pled to a second charge of mail fraud in …

Big Dawg Croom SEC Coach of the Year

Mississippi State released a statement an hour ago about this well-deserved honor for Coach Sylvester Croom:

Whitlow to Announce Candidacy

Rick Whitlow, former sports director and anchor at WJTV, will formerly announce his intention to run for mayor of Jackson tonight.

Welcome to FY 2010: Where's the Budget?

At around 8 p.m. last night, the Mississippi House approved a $60 million hospital tax promoted by Gov. Haley Barbour to fund the state's Medicaid program, after a nearly two-and-a-half …

URGENT: How to Help Get Education Funded NOW

Please call the House members and encourage them to hold their position in

The conference committee on HB 1646 (MAEP funding) is still negotiating. The House, under the leadership of Rep. Cecil Brown, is holding out for full funding. The Senate, under the …

AG Hood Warns Against Misleading Voter Registration Info

[Verbatim from AG Hood] Jackson, MS -- Phone calls to the Attorney General's Office suggest some mis-information may be circulating about the upcoming election and designated deadlines. Attorney General Jim …

U.S. Attorney: 595 ‘Illegal Aliens' Arrested

[verbatim from U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton] LAUREL, Miss.— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents executed a federal criminal search warrant yesterday at Howard Industries, Inc., an electric transformer …

Holmes County Unemployment Hits 20 Percent

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security released the state's February unemployment figures (PDF, 8 Mb) yesterday, showing Holmes County with the highest unemployment rate in the state at 20 percent, …

Irby Trial Postponed Eight Months

Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Tomie Green granted a continuance for Karen Irby today, postponing her trial until March 29, 2010, reports The Clarion-Ledger. Irby, 38, faces two counts of …