Jackson Free Press

The 'Obama Effect' and the Jackson Mayoral Race

As local news stations and media outlets continually display nefarious activities committed by young African American men, it’s refreshing to witness young African American men being featured for reasons other …

Following the Money: More Shadowy Mayoral Backers Come to Light

Over the weekend, an unregistered political-action committee, Citizens for Decency, launched an all-out blitz with negative ads against Ward 6 Councilman Tony Yarber.

Yarber Eclipsing Lumumba on Paid Campaign Staff

Ward 6 Councilman Tony Yarber is spending a lot more on campaign payroll than attorney Chokwe Lumumba, including to himself.

Republic Group Booked New Yarber Response Ads, Targets 'Historically Hostile' Districts

A "pro-business" politics firm has confirmed that it has placed all of Tony Yarber's TV ads this election cycle, including a number of ads tonight to respond to negative advertising …

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Mayoral Campaigns, PACs Spending Big on Ads, Some Secretly

With two young candidates who are relatively unknown to big parts of Jackson, the airwaves were expected to be a major battleground in the capital city's mayor's race.

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Harrison Co. Shutting Down Skate Rink

The Mississippi Rollergirls are looking for a new place to skate.

10 Local Stories of the Week

There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.

Middleman Addresses Citizens for Decency's 'Duck Lips' Attack Ad on Yarber

The man who placed the "attack ad" on Tony Yarber says Chokwe A. Lumumba had nothing to do with it.

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Raff, Lumumba Honored This Weekend

The people—it's a current that ran through the career of late Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and continues in the work of Michael Raff.

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David Watkins Appeals Secretary of State Ruling Against Him

David Watkins has appealed a ruling that he violated state law in a bond money transfer from one development to another.

Cherub: Electric Concoctions

In interview after interview, the guys of Cherub—producer-guitarist-vocalist Jason Huber and singer-songwriter-guitarist Jordan Kelley—disprove any theories of them being anything less than talented musicians.

Walk to Fight for Lupus

After awareness walks and runs for many illnesses, but none in Mississippi for lupus, Krystal Knight began to organize the first annual Fight 4 Lupus Walk.

A Beautiful, Brutal Reality

Gwendolyn Magee, who died in 2011, drew international acclaim for her striking quilts, which elevated an African and African American folk tradition to fine art.

Springtime Revival

Sometimes, among activities or places that come to feel routine, you find something new. Such was the case for me at the last Fondren After 5 and the weekend following …

Lumumba: Advocate, Son

While canvassing door to door in south Jackson last week, mayoral hopeful Chokwe Antar Lumumba would take a few moments in between visiting with Ward 6 residents to talk about …

Mayor-elect Tony Yarber: Risk Leads to Reward

Mayoral hopeful Tony Yarber bounces from person to person, hugging matronly women, receiving firm handshakes of support from old men and listening as people talk about their connections to him.

‘Old South’: More Discussion Needed

In 2014, it's sometimes difficult to believe that individuals still exist who do not see the offensiveness of the Confederate flag and celebrating the "Old South" culture.

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Using the KKK to Fight Abortion Rights

Groups such as the Ashburn, Va.-based Radiance Foundation have used ads to cast abortion as akin to genocide of African American children. Others are crying foul play.

Storied Songstress

If a great song tells a story, it naturally follows that a great singer would be skilled at the art of storytelling. Writer, English teacher and jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin …

Wolves of the Day: Jackson Zoo Wolf Pups

The Jackson Zoo's red wolves Kanati and Taladu had a litter of eight healthy pups March 30.