Jackson Free Press

Barbour Among Governors Getting Suspicious Letters

The Associated Press is reporting that Haley Barbour and five other governors—of Alabama, Michigan, Missouri, Rhode Island and Montana—received letters containing powder today; tests have found so far that the …

No Agreement on Funding Medicaid

Lawmakers were unable to agree yesterday on a bill proposing a tax on hospital beds to help fund Medicaid, reports WXVT15, missing their Monday night deadline.

Tornadoes Plague State Today; Evacuees Should Stay Put

Mississippi residents woke up today to tornado watches and warnings swirling around the state, especially in central Mississippi, in the aftermatch of Hurricane Gustav. As we return to work and …

Clarion-Ledger Endorses Musgrove, Tuck

So, here's a riddle: Why of the top four candidates' distasteful (at best) campaign tactics -- Musgrove ("poisoning"), Barbour and Tuck (race-pandering), Blackmon (abortion affidavit) -- would the Clarion-Ledger only …

Barbour Gives Details on Bio-Fuels Plant

A Houston-based company manufacturing a crude-oil substitute from timber has picked Mississippi to locate its first three production facilities, Gov. Haley Barbour announced at a press conference this afternoon. Barbour …

Most Intriguing Jacksonians 2010

Every year, the JFP staff revisits the big newsmakers of the year to recap the "most intriguing" Jacksonians to make the news. Some are heroes; others are, let's face it, …

Barbour Ignoring Black Judge Applicants?

The Mississippi Magnolia Bar claims Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has proved leery of appointing blacks to judicial positions since he won the governor's office in 2003.

Barbour Repeats Health-Care Scares

Federal health-care reform will burden Mississippi with higher Medicaid costs, Gov. Haley Barbour told business leaders at a summit yesterday. Barbour claimed that the legislation would cost the state $230 …

Legislative Agenda

With coastal construction driving healthy tax revenues, you might expect smooth sailing for this year's legislative session. After all, tight budgets mean tough choices, and tough choices mean bare-knuckle fights …

Barbour Taking Heat for Oil Responses

Gov. Haley Barbour is being criticized on several fronts for his response to the damaged BP well in the Gulf that has spewed millions of gallons of oil into the …

We Can Do It!

I sure do love it when a plan comes together.

Haley's Unholy Alliance

Barbour Client Indicted in Nursing Home, Delay Scheme

When Haley Barbour was head of the Republican National Committee from 1993 to 1997, he loathed Medicare, the federal health-care program, and tried to gun it down in the GOP …

Blog/Read Verbatim ‘State of the State' at StateDesk

Right now, head over to StateDesk. We've just posted the full speech verbatim, so you can read along and comment as Gov. Barbour reads his speech. It's also live on …

Of Mergers and MAEP

As the Mississippi Legislature writes the 2013 budget, funding for public schools is likely to be up for debate. Specifically, legislators will consider how much funding to put toward the …

Civil Rights to Actually Be Taught

Gov. Haley Barbour likely shocked his staunchest supporters when he announced a bill authorizing public schools to add civil rights and human rights to the public-school curriculum in all grades. …

Mississippi Revenues Down Again

After a slight 1.4 percent uptick in March, state revenues are back in the doldrums, down for the 19th month of the last 20. April revenue came in at 8.54 …

Hood Seeks Transparent Claims Process

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and other Gulf states attorneys general will meet today with Ken Feinberg, BP claims administrator for the Obama administration, to present a protocol for residents …

Baria: Barbour's Wind Pool Veto Raises Rates

Sen. David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis, successfully added an amendment to a bill by voice vote yesterday that continues the state's annual $20 million payment to the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting …

Barbour Declares Third Emergency

Several north Mississippi counties joined Gov. Haley Barbour's emergency list yesterday because of severe storms, flooding and tornados that left at least three Mississippians dead. The counties of Benton, Lafayette, …

School Funding Takes Hopeful Turn

An upcoming revised revenue estimate for Mississippi could give public-education advocates and supporters some breathing room. The state Legislature's Revenue Estimating Committee met this week, and Mississippi Parents' Campaign Executive …