Jackson Free Press

DOSSIER: Chuck Todd’s ‘Naive’ Screw-up Is Warning for Mississippi Reporting, Too

If you were caught up in the spirit of the holiday, as I was on Christmas Eve, you might have missed one of the most disturbing interviews ever with a …

The Road to Wellness, Week 8

<b>'Uncombining' Your Meals</b>

Adding more discipline to your diet means that the occasional indulgence is more satisfying. That's how things felt when we settled into some decadent desserts after a fine Italian dinner …

[Spann] Daddy's Girl Grows Up

Pops called at 12:30 last Sunday night. Startled from a deep sleep, I felt my heart race when I glimpsed his number on the caller ID screen. But then a …

WIGGS: Give T-Shirts a Chance!

Does freedom of expression still exist in the U.S.? Mark Wiggs explores.

[Sawyer] Poverty, Lies, And Feeding Tubes

The Terri Schiavo debacle has turned into the surrogate of caring about life. It seems as if one advocates for the removal Mrs. Schiavo's feeding tube, then it is they …

[Cannon] Stamp Out Black History Month

It's here again. Black History Month. "Roots" will be played over and over and over again. The Black Heritage Movie Network will show films like "Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song." And …

Vol. 4, No. 20

<b><u>An Open Letter to Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck</b></u>

As a physician and ex-smoker (four packs a day, clean for 20 years), I'm an advocate of helping smokers quit. I know the terrible health consequences of smoking. However, I …

Things Worth Saving

Recently, my life went completely down the flusher. My wife, with whom I was blissfully in love, texted me to say she wanted a divorce.

It's Not Too Late to Plant

For those who have been thinking "I'd like to start an organic garden this year," it's not too late. Lots of folks plant during the first week in May.

Lavell Crawford's Big Day

The phrase "larger than life" usually describes an entertainer's persona on stage, not his physical appearance. For Lavell Crawford, it's the other way around.

Council Approves Hotel Financing Agreement

Developers of a proposed convention center hotel said they could move forward on a $96.1 million project now that the Jackson City Council has approved a cost-sharing agreement for the …

‘Disparity' Study Call Disrupts Session

Percy Watson knew that getting the Mississippi Legislature to fund a disparity study was a long shot, but he had hoped it would somehow make it through the Republican-majority Senate …

[Parkes] The Rainbow Almost Died

It turned out that the store was losing money, and board members were thinking about shutting the place down.

[West] More Than A Figment

Communities that don't have vibrant arts scenes aren't healthy communities. Arts are essential.

Co-housing Now

The decrease in the number of Americans participating in bowling leagues since 1950 is just one example of America's movement toward isolated communities. Robert Putnam uses this example in the …

Jewish Film Fest: Best of the Best

Michael Steiner screened about three dozen films for the upcoming Jewish Cinema Mississippi 2012 film festival. As co-chairman of the January event, he and the other screening committee members narrowed …

Roadside Food Service Needed, Says Whitwell

Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell is chasing puppy mills and food trucks this week. Whitwell has submitted two ordinance changes for the March 22 council agenda: one discouraging roadside animal …

The Ole Switcheroo

Flanked by Gov. Haley Barbour and incoming Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, state Sen. Gray Tollison announced that his becoming a member of the Republican Party was the best thing for …

[Wilson] Draining A Bloated Government

In Mississippi, a new year means more than just changing calendars. It means the Legislature is back in session, and all 174 of our elected representatives have descended upon the …

Dare to Be the Best

This week, under a tribute post to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on jacksonfreepress.com, reader "justjess" shared a story about keeping his dream alive. She told the story of her …