Jackson Free Press

Johnson's Chief Appointees Get Mixed Reviews

One day after Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced his nominees for Jackson Police Chief and Fire Chief, many city officials and employees are waiting to form their opinions. Johnson's appointees …

JFP Freelancer of the Month: Valerie Wells

Her desire to make a difference in the world instinctively drew Valerie Wells to the field of journalism.

MPB Cancels ‘Fresh Air' for ‘Inappropriate Content'

Updated 5:15 p.m. (See the full statement from MPB Executive Director Judy Lewis in comments below.)

NAACP President: Segregation Still a Problem

One example of how state and local government continues to attack public education in Mississippi is a bill that would allow charter schools, said NAACP President Derrick Johnson during a …

Jackson Sees Sharp Drop in Major Crimes

Major crimes in Jackson decreased 18.1 percent last week, according to statistics (PDF) released at a Jackson Police Department command staff meeting this morning. Officers reported a 14.2 percent decrease …

Jackson's Recovery Top 20 In Nation

Despite suffering its worst recession in three decades, Jackson's economy is recovering faster than many U.S. cities. Jackson was one of only 10 metropolitan areas in the country--almost all of …

Community Celebrates Kwanzaa

The community is invited to celebrate Kwanzaa this week at the Medgar Evers Community Center (3159 Edwards Ave.)

Owen Brooks

Few people can honestly say that they have helped to affect a culture like Owen Brooks has. Brooks, 81, born in New York but raised in Boston, participated in the …

Calvin Bogan

Calvin Bogan, 19, is taking his passion for music to Boston this summer. "One thing I love about music," he says, "is that music touches people in different ways."

Medical Mall Aids Seniors With ‘Raise the Roof'

The Jackson Medical Mall will provide new roofs and other much-needed home repairs to four Jackson senior citizens through its fall "Raise the Roof" campaign. With seniors making up 65 …

City to Open Emergency Homeless Shelters

Verbatim Statement:

The City of Jackson is working with the Stewpot Community Opportunity Center to provide emergency shelter for individuals in need tonight. The Opportunity Center will open for emergency shelter once …

JFP Freelancer of the Month: Bryan Flynn

A layoff became an opportunity for Bryan Flynn to do what he loves. Two years ago, Flynn, 33, lost his job as a grocery manager for Walmart. With his wife's …

Alabama Dem Switches to GOP

In a move that some Democrats find unsurprising, first-term Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith announced yesterday that he was switching his party affiliation from the Democrats to the GOP. In a …

Next BP Attempt to Cap Oil Could Increase Flow

In the wake of Saturday's failure of a "top kill" procedure to stem the gusher of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, British Petroleum will again attempt to cap the …

Birdland Reopening, Economy Still Lagging

Farish Street nightclub Birdland is open again after spending eight months closed under a court order. The club renewed its privilege license and dancehall permit Friday and was open last …

Public-Good Rankings Include Mississippi Schools

Washington Monthly magazine has published college rankings based on their contribution to the public good. The listings include several Mississippi universities and colleges, and are based on three broad categories: …

Smoothie Bar Promotes Healthy Living

When Sameerah Muhammad was walking through the Jackson Medical Mall last summer, she craved a smoothie to accompany her morning workout. "I saw that there were different vending stands, but …

JPS Approves 12 Percent Smaller Budget

The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees approved a budget yesterday that cuts staff work days and eliminates 125 unfilled teaching positions. The $270.7 million budget for the upcoming school …

Jackson Major Crimes Down Again

Major crimes decreased again last week in Jackson, according to statistics released today at a Jackson Police Department meeting. The city's overall major crime rate was down 13 percent from …

Lawmakers to Mirror Arizona Immigration Law

See also: Immigration: Myth v. Reality