Jackson Free Press

Another Mucked-Up Hurricane Response?

Folo has a good post, and several links, pointing to another inadequate response to a hurricane disaster, this time in Texas. And there are reports that Texas Gov. Rick Perry …

Rep. Leonard Morris Out of Surgery, Still Critical

The Associated Press is reporting: State Rep. Leonard Morris, D-Batesville, remained in critical condition Friday, a day after having kidney surgery. A spokeswoman for the University of Mississippi Medical Center …

State Unemployment Tops 10 Percent

More than one out of every 10 Mississippians was officially unemployed in July—138,100 individuals—according to new data released by the state Department of Employment Security, with the state's unadjusted rate …

MPB to Broadcast JFP Editorial Friday A.M.

[Editorial] Mr. Barbour: It's Time to Start Governing

Listen to Mississippi Public Broadcasting Friday morning at 5:35 and 7:35 to hear an excerpt from the JFP's most recent editorial read as part of "Opinion Round-up." Following is the …

Auditors: Billions Squandered in Iraq

AP is reporting:

About $10 billion has been squandered by the U.S. government on Iraq reconstruction aid because of contractor overcharges and unsupported expenses, and federal investigators warned Thursday that significantly more taxpayer …

City Releases JPD Crime Plan

You have to see this to believe it.

In December, the Public Eye made a public records request for "The Jackson Police Department's most current plan for fighting crime. If parts are unreleasable, state why and provide releasable …

Just In: Rep. Leonard Morris of Batesville Dies

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that Rep. Leonard Morris has died:

Some Soldiers Ineligible for GI Benefits Under New Bill

For many people, having access to GI benefits after serving their country is a primary factor behind joining the service. But some guard members are finding out that they're not …

16-Year-Old Arrested for Cross Burning

Police have arrested a white 16-year-old in Byhalia in North Mississippi for burning a cross in a black family's yard.

Barbour Signs Children First Act

Yesterday, Gov. Haley Barbour put his signature on Senate Bill 2628, also known as the Children First Act of 2009.

Mississippi Special Session Starts Friday

It's official: Gov. Haley Barbour has called state lawmakers back to Jackson for another special session to deal with the 2010 state budget. The session begins on Friday, July 10, …

Melton: Who, Me?

"I don't know anything about that. I can't imagine what I've done," Melton said.

The Jackson rumor mill is on overdrive today about federal indictments of Mayor Frank Melton coming down in the wake of an FBI investigation that pulled several members of his …

Cold Case Advocate to Meet with Holder

Alvin Sykes, longtime advocate for the victims of civil rights era cold cases, will meet with the nation's "top cop," U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, to discuss the Department of …

Senate Kills Police Pay Raise Bill

Jackson residents almost got a chance to vote on a proposal to raise hotel taxes to fund a police pay raise before a Senate subcommittee killed it Monday. The bill's …

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 …

Many Metro Students Won't See Obama's Speech

President Obama delivered a back-to-school speech to students this morning emphasizing personal responsibility, but not all Mississippi students got the message. The speech, which was televised and available as a …

Piano Man's Exit Leaves a Void

I first met Jim Dickinson in the mid-1980s, when I was writing editorials about the Memphis music industry for The Commercial Appeal in an effort to revitalize the local music …

Federal Deficit to Top $450 Billion; Medicare in Trouble?

AP is reporting: "The White House's projection of a record federal deficit that could approach $450 billion this year will further fuel a campaign-season dispute over President Bush's handling of …

Barbour Calls for ‘Conservative Spending' Due to Crisis

[Verbatim statement] (JACKSON, Mississippi)— Governor Haley Barbour asked legislators and state agency directors to find ways to cut spending this year and in Fiscal Year 2010 as a result of …

Filmmaker Grant Deadline Extended

The Mississippi Film and Video Alliance (MFVA) has extended the deadline for the Emerging Mississippi Filmmakers Grant program until March 27, 2009. The purpose of the grant is to help …