Jackson Free Press

2nd Arrest Made in Killing of Mississippi Family

A second suspect was arrested and charged in the abduction and killing of a Mississippi couple and their 7-year-old son, authorities said Thursday.

Hyde-Smith Calls Kavanaugh Opposition 'Evil'

U.S. Sen. Cindy-Hyde Smith, R-Miss., continued to defend her support for the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Tuesday, accusing Democrats of "manipulation of the confirmation process" …

Ex-Supe Denies Redistricting About Race

George Smith, the former president of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, denies that race played a role in crafting the county's redistricting plan.

$30M in Renovations Proposed at Fairgrounds

The state fairground's Trade Mart building and Coliseum need work.

Senator Raises More Than Challengers in Mississippi Race

An appointed U.S. senator in Mississippi is raising more money so far than her challengers in a special election, backed by contributions from colleagues including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell …

HB 1523's Religious Refusals Could Discriminate Against Public, Private Students

Although the Mississippi governor and legislators who support HB 1523, the "Freedom of Conscience of Religion Act," say it will not contribute to discrimination against the LGBTQ community, many legal …

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.

Gay Ban Firm As Eagle Scouts Return Medals in Protest

"I can no longer maintain any connection to an organization which actively promotes such a bigoted and misguided policy," Dr. Robert Wise of Chicago wrote to Scout headquarters in Texas.

Kent Going North

Former Jackson State quarterback Robert Kent has found a new job in pro football. The former Tiger signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. Kent went to …

Mike Espy to Trump: 'This Isn't a Lynching, Mr. President'

President Donald Trump's claim that he is the victim of "a lynching" in the ongoing impeachment inquiry is "disgraceful" and akin to the U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith's "public hanging" remark …

Mormon Church to Release More Documents from Founder

The Mormon church is taking another step in its push to be more transparent, and is releasing more historical documents that shed light on how Joseph Smith formed the religion.

WAPT: Former JSU Student Shot, Recovering

WAPT is reporting that former Jackson State student Lamar Smith, 24, of Lithonia, Ga., was shot once last night. He was treated and released from St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Mayor Johnson Weekly Newsletter 4/2

Thirty-three fire recruits graduated today, after having completed a twelve-week training program at the Jackson Fire Training Academy. The graduates were presented their badges, diplomas and assignments at the ceremony. …

Uncertainty Looms for Wages, Schools, Health Care in Tax Cut Plan

Despite a controversial $1.5 billion tax cut prompting fierce debate on education funding, state employee salaries, grocery taxes and lottery tickets, the Republican-led tax plan passed the Mississippi House of …

Mississippi Voter Forum, Debates On Way

From the Mississippi League of Women Voters: A Political Forum on Saturday will

Election Day. Secretary of State Eric Clark will lead the introductory Political Forum, then U.S. Representative Benny Thompson and Mississippi Supreme Court justices will be featured in four televised debates …

McDaniel Embraces Trump's Trade Agenda, Criticizes 'Free Trade' 'Capitalists'

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Chris McDaniel endorsed President Donald Trump's trade agenda Wednesday, taking aim at opponent Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and "the capitalists who've been championing so-called 'free …

OPINION: Why The History of Lynching Is No Laughing Matter

"A 'public hanging' solicited the worst images of black men and women swinging like strange fruit from sycamore trees while dozens or hundreds of white, mostly Christian, men and women …

JPS Employee Raised Overbilling Concerns in 2008

Over a year ago, a Jackson Public Schools employee warned supervisors that a private tutoring company may have overbilled the district by $400,000 or more. To date, JPS has not …

Hyde-Smith: McDaniel's 'Toxic Image' Similar to Roy Moore's

Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is criticizing her opponent, State Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, for recent comments she says "demeaned" black Mississippians and a history of "derogatory" comments about women.

Empowering Low-Income Parents

Rankin County is one of four counties that run a pilot program for parent representation. Mississippi is the only state in the U.S. that does not statutorily provide attorneys for …