Jackson Free Press

JPD Targets Morale; Unveils $1.3-Million Fleet of New, Bold Police Vehicles

The Jackson Police Department unveiled a new fleet of 46 vehicles for the patrol division, each donned with a distinctive orange stripe across the rear doors.

Special Session to Fund Roads, Bridges May Depend on U.S. Supreme Court

Gov. Phil Bryant alluded to the possibility of a special session for infrastructure funding, if the U.S. Supreme Court allows states to start collecting use tax from online retailers.

Ride Against Fear: From Memphis to Jackson in Protest of HB 1523

Benjamin Morris is biking the length of the state of Mississippi in protest of House Bill 1523.

'1523 Demonizes People': Pastors, Community Leaders File Third Legal Challenge

Mississippi pastors, community leaders, activists and a Hattiesburg church have filed a federal lawsuit challenging House Bill 1523, the third legal challenge to the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government …

As DA's Trial Begins, Key Player Sentenced 30 Years for Pot Found in MBN Raid

As the second trial against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith begins today, Christopher Butler, 40, is headed to prison for 30 years without parole after a Hinds County …

'Our JPS' Coalition Activates Against State Takeover

The pending takeover of Jackson Public Schools drew dozens of citizens to Friday Forum at the former Koinonia Coffeehouse this morning to learn about what it means for capital-city families.

Walnut Grove Prison is Officially Closed

The Walnut Grove Correctional Facility in Leake County closed today after years of allegations of sexual abuse, illicit drugs and physical abuse of inmates by correctional officers, which eventually led …

Hazel Brannon Smith, Crusading Journalist and 'Scalawag'

Durant native and author Jeff Howell recalls his 13-year-old self discovering African American basketball player Walt Frazier in his library's red, white and blue 1976 edition of the "World Book."

City to Consider Declaring Civil Emergency Over Lead

The City of Jackson might declare a state of civil emergency tomorrow morning during a special session of the city council.

Rep. Moore: Plans to Cut Mississippi School Districts from 148 to Less Than 50

Mississippi would be on the road to 50 or fewer school districts, a new public-education funding formula and more charter schools under legislation the House Education Committee members approved Friday …

EasyKale, Canopy Center of Excellence and Shrimp Basket Ridgeland

Foodboro, an online community for food and beverage startups and entrepreneurs, recently named Jackson-based EasyKale as Mississippi's representative on a list of must-watch startup companies in all 50 states.

Mississippi COVID-19 Death Rates Highest In U.S.; Booster Shots Available for Many

Even as Mississippi’s COVID-19 infection rates are beginning to slightly decrease from the midsummer high, the state now leads not only the country but almost the entire world in deaths …

MSDH Reports First Pediatric Flu Death of the Season

Mississippi saw its first seasonal pediatric death to influenza this week, ahead of what may hold to be a harsher flu season than 2020.

Secretary of State Kicks Watkins; Watkins Alleges Republican Politics

The secretary of state says David Watkins misused bond money; Watkins says it's all about politics.

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Saturday, March 28: COVID-19 Cases in 71 Mississippi Counties, Total 663 with 13 Deaths

Today’s coronavirus numbers are in for Mississippi, leaving very few counties on the map in white, denoting which of our 82 counties do not yet have an official confirmed case. …

Summer Fun

No summer is complete without weekends full of grilling with family, lounging by the pool, playing games with friends and lots of margarita-induced laughing.

College World Series: Polk Comes Out Swinging

On the eve of Mississippi State's first College World Series game since 1998, Bulldogs coach Ron Polk traded verbal jabs with the NCAA over new academic rules. The Bulldogs play …

Go, Rush, Go

The Associated Press reports: "New ESPN commentator Rush Limbaugh said on the network's pregame show that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a …

Patsies and Parcells

The NFL playoffs resume on Saturday which makes this a perfect time to read Charles P. Pierce's essay on the myth of the tough Boston sports fans and Mike Shropshire's …

Kicked To The Curb

Folks, when Dr. S says you're going to lose your job, you had better start packing the boxes. So long, JSU football coach Robert Hughes, not that you will be …