Jackson Free Press

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith Plans 2020 Kickoff With High-Dollar Donors

Just months after winning the most closely contested U.S. Senate race in Mississippi since the 1980s, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith plans to kick off her 2020 re-election bid next month …

OPINION: Support Other Women

“What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.” —Oprah Winfrey, Golden Globes 2018

Mississippi Small Businesses at Risk of Permanent Closure, Households Struggle

Approximately 62% of small businesses in Mississippi are at risk of permanently closing within five months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report from Main Street …

'Judicial Kidnapping’ in Pearl Youth Court?

Youth-court judges in Mississippi preside over all matters involving delinquent juveniles in addition to abused, neglected or abandoned children. Youth-court judges have the power to send children to foster care, …

2016 Election: A Tough Time for Women

Women, we must no longer consent to walk on eggshells and allow ourselves to be interrupted and belittled by men, whether "below" or "above" us in a pecking order. And …

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.

Resilient, Yet Scarred Five Years After the BP Oil Spill, the Gulf’s Ecology Fights to Bounce Back

The aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon spill is about much more than shimmering blue and emerald water. And it's not as pretty a picture—nor is it as clear.

Artists to Watch

In a short time, Deez Notez has already created a solid fan base with its ever-adapting set list.

Governor Talks Criminal-Justice Reform, First Step Act, 'Baby Daddies' at Summit

Gov. Phil Bryant enthusiastically backed federal criminal-justice reform at the Mississippi Summit for Criminal Justice on Dec. 11 at the Westin Hotel in downtown Jackson.

Governor Does About-Face, Issues Statewide ‘Shelter In Place’ For Mississippi

In an overnight about-face, Gov. Tate Reeves signed a long-awaited executive order today closing non-essential businesses and directing all Mississippians to shelter at home between Friday, April 3, and Monday, …

Bill Minor Rips Sid Salter, The Chipper, et al

Columnist Bill Minor rips the Ledge's Sid Salter a well-deserved new one over his playing into the partisan Mississippi-vs.-Louisiana rhetoric. This has been one of the toughest political games to …

JUST IN: Faye Peterson's New TV Ads

NEW: The System Was Broken

Someone just sent us the links to three new Peterson ads that are on youtube. They feature very interesting people in the community. we've also heard that there a number …

The (Il)logic of ‘Illegal'

After reading my column this week, "La Nueva Estrategia del Sur," check out Lawrence Downes' hilarious and poignant column in The New York Times: "What Part of 'Illegal' Don't You …

Music Street: Where Is the Studio Melton Promised?

During Frank Melton's mayoral campaign, he told an audience of young African American musicians at The Birdland that he would bring a world-class recording studio to them, to Farish Street, …

Jackson ‘White Flight' Slows In Last Decade

The release of 2010 Census data earlier this year may have been a gut-check for Jackson's leaders, but the numbers were hardly surprising. News reports, however, were quick to seize …

Melton: Police Taking Over Court Services; No Crime Stats to Media

UPDATE March 16, 2006: This is now a full transcript of the mayor's press conference, addressing many issues—from crime stats to his pursuit of the Wood Street Players.

LOTT: The FCC's Mistake

The Federal Communications Commission has voted in favor of rules allowing more concentrated media ownership in which newspapers can own radio stations, TV stations or vice versa within the same …

For Louis

Last week, my husband, JP, was leaving our house to go to work when he saw something huddled in the bushes. Just as soon as I had heard his key …

JATRAN's Convenience Factor

"Don't let it be gone already," I repeated to myself, like a mantra, whizzing down State Street to meet photographer Amile Wilson. I'd spent a little more time than I'm …

Farish Street, Capitol Green Moving Forward

B.B. King Blues Club has signed a lease deal with Farish Street developer Watkins Development, LLC. John Reeves, a member of the Jackson Redevelopment Authority, confirmed the deal this morning …