Jackson Free Press

One Nation Under Oprah

While playing a jolly game of inquiries recently, I was prompted to answer the question, "What is the biggest threat to humankind?" Hastily, and foolishly, I responded, "ignorance." But after …

Such Sweet Sorrow

Since July 2004, Ross Olivier has been pastor of the Galloway Methodist Church in Jackson, bringing with him experience forged in South Africa's anti-apartheid movement. As we spoke last Monday, …

[Hightower] Facts For Action On Health Care

Widely reported fact No. 1: Our country faces a growing health-care crisis, which leaves 47 million Americans with no health insurance—an increase of 7 million people since the year 2000.

‘These Are Not Fair Trials': The JFP Talks With John Grisham

Since publication of "The Innocent Man" in 2006, author John Grisham has become a strong advocate for the Innocence Project, lending his name and voice to help establish the organization's …

Melton Has Fainting Spell During Inaugurations

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton fainted during an inauguration ceremony for Hinds County officials this morning. Melton appeared to temporarily lose consciousness during the inauguration of officials elected during the November …

Mayor Melton Faints

Anyone else heard about this? Details, maybe?

According to a news ticker on WAPT, Melton fainted during the swearing in of Hinds County officials at the Hinds County Courthouse. AMR treated him in an empty courtroom, and …

NOW Clinton Is Worried About Young Voters?

Since Barack Obama proved that the under-30 vote mattered in Iowa, and could well be a deciding factor in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton is adjusting her strategy to start …

Hughes Demotes Chandler After Video Investigation

Jackson Fire Chief Vernon Hughes announced he was demoting Assistant Chief Todd Chandler to captain status at a press conference today. Hughes re-assigned Chandler to the division of air supply, …

Obama, Huckabee Win Iowa

And they're off. The Associated Press reports:

A Generation X Playground

Generation X, folks born between 1965 and 1981 (or a different range, depending on the source), have been branded as a bunch of defiant, apathetic slackers. Not fair, I say! …

[Lunch Lady] Sandwiches Gone Global

There is an episode of "Friends" in which Ross wants Ugly Naked Guy's apartment, but doesn't know how to go about getting it. Rachel suggests he get to know him …

Chief: Re-Assign the Bodyguards

The events of Dec. 21 make plain what happens when you give power to the undeserving. Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon said Mayor Frank Melton and two of his bodyguards …

[Dortch] Legislature: Raise Cigarette Tax by $1

"Of all the concerns, there is one—taxation—that alarms us the most. While marketing and public and passive smoking restrictions do depress volume, in our experience taxation depresses it much more …

Eating In the Stables

The "new" Mississippi Capitol building was built in 1903 using back taxes paid by the Illinois Central Railroad, on the site of the old state penitentiary. Originally built for $1.9 …

Happy New Year! Resolution, Lesson Learned?

Happy new year, all. The JFP office is closed today, which may be the first time ever we've been closed on a business day. (We've often been open on holidays!) …

Resolve to Write! 2008 Classes Forming Now.

Happy new year, all. And be sure to express yourself in 2008.

Sign up now for my 2008 creative non-fiction writing classes. The next round starts Jan. 3, and I have still have a couple slots in that class (until I hear …

Chandler Video Stirring JFD Pot

The Jackson Fire Department is shaking over a tape that firefighters claim Assistant Chief Todd Chandler helped make back in the 1990s. The video features what Local 87 Union President …

Eco-Resolutions to Live By

This year, my New Year's resolutions are a bit different than before. Rather than an endless, open-ended laundry list of all of my perceived personal flaws that I need to …

Melton, Resolve to Be Mayor

The recent dust-up over the Jackson Public School Board is yet another reminder that Mayor Frank Melton remains focused on petty political maneuvering at the expense of a business-like approach …

[Sue Doh Nem] Straight in 2008

Mr. Announcement: "It's the Holiday Celebration Choir Cantata, sponsored by the Gripe, Moan and Complain Support Groups of America and the Let Me Hold Five Dollars National Bank. We close …