Jackson Free Press

[Kamikaze] What We've Learned

It's frustrating. Those of us who preach progression, who practice tolerance, see it daily. Despite the Herculean efforts of most of us, we still have some among us who are …

Cooper-Stokes Making Waves

Newly minted Ward 3 Councilwoman LaRita Cooper-Stokes walked into the City Council chambers at City Hall on Friday ready to make changes. The first thing she noticed was that council …

Good Faith, Bad Faith: City Contract Controversies Explode ... Again

Arneedra Smith-Gaddis seemed nervous when she stepped to the microphone in City Hall on Jan. 3, but Bridgette Gandy looked more composed. The two women subcontractors were there, separately, to …

Junior Jail: Surviving Mississippi’s Juvenile Justice System

Many juvenile "offenders" are routinely sent into a separate labyrinth from adult offenders in the justice system, one with its own complex problems, remedies and slowly changing standards.

Engineering Victory: Joce Pritchett Wants to be State Auditor

Mississippi pride runs deep for Jocelyn Pepper Pritchett, who goes by Joce (JO-see). The only time she has lived out of state was when she was away at graduate school, …

The Great Spanking Debate

Many child advocates say that the negative effects associated with corporal punishment elevate spanking from one parent's business to a public-safety issue, especially in circumstances where the punishment has escalated …

Beyond Angry Tweets: Robert Foster on Why He is Running for Governor

Mississippi House Rep. Robert Foster is running for governor in the Republican primary, running against current Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican from Florence, Miss., among others.

[Gregory] Boots, Again

People keep saying women aren't under attack.

Blind Eye: Easier Times for Bingo Crimes?

Adam goes into depth about monetary abuses in bingo parlors, and why nothing has been done about it.

[BREAKING]: Subpoenas Issued in Melton Trial

(For background info and links to stories about the Melton indictments, see the JFP Melton Blog here).

The Choices Chicks Make

I spoke to a roomful of young chicks recently. We were all packed into the charming old depot in Forest, Miss., some 40 miles from where I grew up in …

From Mississippi to Liberia: The Living Legacy of America’s West African Colony

Many say the legacy of freed African-American slaves, some from Mississippi, living and ruling over Liberia for more than 150 years ignited two Liberian civil wars that spanned 14 years …

Ronnie Agnew: Anderson Lost Because He's Black

Clarion-Ledger Executive Editor Ronnie Agnew blames Gary Anderson's race in large part for his loss to Mike Chaney. Thoughts?

Opinion: Iraq Attack Not a ‘Just' War

From my pew near the back of my church, I see the pastor in his black liturgical robe approach the center of the chancel to welcome everyone to morning worship. …

[Fleming] On Earth, As In Heaven

Hurricane Katrina was truly an act of God. God in His own way reveals things to us and forces us to act upon them no matter how reluctant we are. …

All God's Children

One image won't leave my head since I finished my part of the cover story I wrote this issue with freelance writer Valerie Wells (starts here): A deputy with his …

At Least I Know I'm Free

I had a religious experience in Hal & Mal's the other night.

Feed Your Brain

Dawn R. Dugle

There may come a day when I don't recognize you. We could be best friends, have had great adventures and long conversations about everything under the sun. But I won't …

[Balko] Another Marylander Arrested for Recording the Police

The city of Annapolis, Md., recently received a Homeland Security grant for 20 new surveillance cameras in the downtown area. The city of Baltimore already has nearly 500.

Mayor, Chief Downplay Crime Stats

Jackson City Council President Marshand Crisler spoke out last week against the city police department's tight lips regarding crime figures, in contrast to Former Police Chief Robert Moore, who provided …