Jackson Free Press

Childhood Classics That Changed Us

When I think back to books of my youth, "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary stands out. I could relate to the main character, Leigh Botts, because at times I …

City Approves Convention Hotel Financing

See the presentation to city council members (PDF, 1.5 MB)

Barbour Targeting Dem Governors

It's political deja vu all over again. In his new role as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, Gov. Haley Barbour is playing a key role nationally again—strategizing about how …

The Billion-Dollar Levee Question

Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen came out last week as an avid opponent of a levee expansion, saying it is too expensive. His choice, Two Lakes, is also expensive, …

Not Enjoying Democracy

Today, the country that was founded on "no taxation without representation" contains a capital whose residents have no representation, but plenty of taxes.

Melton and His Guns

After presiding over a trial that found Frank Melton not guilty of four felony counts related to the Aug. 26, 2006, Ridgeway incident, Coahoma County Judge Joe Webster is giving …

Death of a Partnership

The Legislature passed SB 2764, reorganizing the State Board of Health following Clarion-Ledger reports of broad failures and relentless attacks upon board Director Dr. Brian Amy by Sen. Alan Nunnelee. …

Council Grills JPS Over Delays

Members of the Jackson City Council grilled representatives of Jackson Public Schools and the JPS Board of Trustees Monday over holdups of $150 million in construction and renovation work on …

BizTalk: Fusion Heats Up

High school friends and college roomies Tripp Douglas and Darth Bledsoe live a dream hatched in late-night dorm conversations—to own their own coffee house.

Farish Street Reborn

After years of waiting, construction workers were banging hammers against a building that will soon be the first new entertainment venue open for business in the Farish Street Entertainment District …

Schoolhouse to Statehouse

Yvonne Horton made an unconventional job transition in 2007, joining a lobbying firm after 30 years as a public-school teacher. Horton, 60, is a Bolton native and a 1971 graduate …

Take That, O Disloyal Ones!

Immediately following a Jackson City Council work session in January, Mississippi Link publisher/owner Socrates Garrett was all smiles. Council President Marshand Crisler had informed him that it was looking like …

City Fights Wastewater Order

The City of Jackson has asked the Mississippi Supreme Court to stay an Aug. 12 court order requiring it to transfer its wastewater treatment contract to a new provider.

Mississippi's Latin Flavor

It was both exciting and overwhelming making Mexico City my home last summer. Every aspect of the city fascinated me, and studying abroad improved my Spanish just as much as …

Not a Ghost Town

As Betty Lyons rode through neighborhoods in west Jackson during a recent tour, she envisioned the boarded-up homes along Grand Avenue and Rose Street occupied with residents and creating a …

Week One: Education Funding

The House of Representatives struck a combative pose at its first full session, restoring $17.2 million to higher education that Barbour had ordered cut in November. By a vote of …

Finding the Facts

Researchers attempt to trace historical effects of oil industry in neighboring communities

Since the mid-1990s, the U.S. Department of Interior's much-maligned Mineral Management Service (MMS) has sponsored projects to examine the history of the Gulf. Research teams from the University of Houston …

Stay With Us, or Lose Business

Spurred anew by the closing of a Kroger grocery store in South Jackson, Ward 6 Councilman Marshand Crisler is pushing an effort to encourage residents to purchase goods inside the …

Consolidation: The Same Old Story?

The issue of school consolidation is popping up in anticipation of another cash-strapped legislative session. Calls for merging some of the state's 152 public-school districts aren't new in lean budget …

A Very Good Policy

When Susan Marquez bought health insurance for her daughter, Nicole, she was thinking about covering Nicole's annual gynecological exams and making sure she could get a flu shot.