Jackson Free Press

It's a Capital 4th

You won't have to look far for activities this Independence Day weekend. Today, start your holiday by celebrating the inauguration of Mayor Harvey Johnson Junior. The activities began early with …

Judge Sets Rules For 'Inflammatory' Melton Trial Evidence

A federal judge heard arguments Friday on admitting evidence in the civil rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton and his former police bodyguard, Michael Recio. Most of the five-hour hearing …

Medicaid Shortfall Filled?

Mississippi's Medicaid shortfall is solved for the moment, according to a statement released today by Gov. Haley Barbour. Thanks to a refund of approximately $58.9 million from the federal Center …

Mayor Re-instates, Discredits JPD Promotion Exams

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton announced today that the police department will again administer police officer promotion exams to officers currently serving in acting sergeant and lieutenant positions because the city …

Melton At Home; McLemore Still Acting Mayor

[Verbatim from city] Mayor Frank E. Melton will hold a 10:00 a.m. press conference at City Hall on Monday, January 14, 2008 to discuss his recent surgical procedure. In the …

Conflict of Interest: Big Insurance and Big Tobacco

Have you ever wondered why health insurance companies don't cover smoking cessation programs? Such programs seem like a natural fit given the amount of acute and chronic disease that could …

Chelsea Campaigning for Mama at Cups, Broad Street

Update: See Roy Adkins' photos of Chelsea Clinton at Cups here.

Barbour Co-founds Anti-Democratic Group

Looking for a political comeback, leaders in the Republican Party yesterday launched a group to strategically oppose the Democratic agenda, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Attorney Chokwe Lumumba Re-instated

The Associated Press is reporting that the Mississippi Supreme Court has voted 8-1 to re-instate controversial attorney Chokwe Lumumba. Here's a JFP news story with relevant context, and an opinion …

Is The Clarion-Ledger the Worst Daily in the U.S.?

This thread contains analysis of the Clarion-Ledger's reporting on Melton, talk about Melton's record of drug arrests at MBN, and Ben Allen on the friendship between Kenneth Stokes and Frank …

Union Leader Brenda Scott Announces Mayoral Run

Brenda Scott, President of the Mississippi Alliance of State Employees, threw her hat in the ring for mayor of Jackson on Monday. Speaking to Jackson Free Press yesterday, she promised …

Southern Miss Players Arrested

Police arrested two University of Southern Mississippi football players Sunday night in Hattiesburg, according to an AP report appearing on the Sports Illustrated Web site.

Tuesday's Votes Will Decide Three City Posts

Read the JFP Endorsements.

Jacksonians will be going to the polls for the third time in four weeks tomorrow, casting their votes for mayor and city council seats. In the race for mayor, Harvey …

Best of Jackson 2008 Ballot Is Here

Yes, Best of Jackson season is upon us again. In the current print edition, you will find the ballot for this year's reader's choice awards. And the online version is …

MPB Receives Four Emmy Nominations

[verbatim] Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) received four 2008 Emmy Award nominations for its work in Between the Lions, Simply Science at the Fossil Road Show and Mississippi Roads. The Emmy …

Oxford Cop Killer Pleads Down to Manslaughter

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting:

Soul "Godfather" James Brown Dies at 73

CNN is reporting the following:

"ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured "Godfather of Soul," whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died …

Barbour Signs $25 Million Incentive Bill

Gov. Haley Barbour signed HB 1628 yesterday, which provides Alliant Techsystems Inc. with a $25 million incentive to expand its aerospace manufacturing plant in Iuka, Miss., according to the KTTC …

State Jobless Rate Tops 9 Percent

The Mississippi unemployment roles swelled in January to 9.2 percent, a rate higher than the national average of 8.5 percent. In December, the state reported a 7.6 percent rate.

Emmerich's Clarksdale Paper Now Twice a Week

Clarksdate Press-Register publisher Ed Nichols announced this week that the newspaper, owned by Wyatt Emmerich of Jackson, will only publish two days a week going forward. Subscribers will get a …