Jackson Free Press

UPDATED: New Jackson Infrastructure Bill; Virgi Lindsay to Run for Ward 7 Seat

During a small informal community meeting this morning, Mississippi Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, explained a proposed bill to send an additional $24 million in tax revenue back to Jackson's crumbling …

Hundreds Rally to Repeal HB 1523, State Faces Deadline Today Before Lawsuit

Hundreds of protesters, from around Mississippi and even out of the state, marched alongside several state lawmakers from the Capitol to the governor's mansion on Sunday afternoon, waving flags and …

Jackson Police Purchase 39 Tasers: 'Intended to Save Lives'

The Jackson City Council gave the Jackson Police Department week the go-ahead last to purchase 39 "conducted electricity weapons," or Tasers.

Jobs, Budgets and Preparing for 2017

If the Mississippi state budget is a "moral document" or at least one that reveals priorities, the fiscal-year 2018 budget likely faces dramatic tampering in the upcoming legislative session.

DA’s Attorney Looking for Tapes, Informant; Says AG Hiding Him

Defense counsel James Waide III may have revealed the name of the confidential informant who taped Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith and then provided tapes to the Mississippi …

Youth Judge Fights School-to-Prison Pipeline

Just a few years ago, sagging pants and disrupting instruction at school were almost certain to land a kid in front of Jackson County Youth Court Judge Sharon Sigalas. At …

Let’s Elect Lumumba on June 6 and Get Organized

I've had a number of great conversations recently with local business people who are curious to see where our city is headed now that the primary is behind us, and …

State Settles Kids’ Mental Health Litigation

After seven years of litigation, one Mississippi teenager will finally get to move from the East Mississippi State Hospital to a regional center that provides services for those with intellectual …

Foster Care Legislation: ‘The Beginning to an End of Madness’

The state's foster-care system, now housed under MDHS as the Division of Family and Children's Services, must comply with a court order in the Olivia Y lawsuit to avoid federal …

4 the Record, RimTyme, J. McLaughlin, Emerging Leader Series and State Trade and Export Program

Jackson's premier vinyl convention, 4 the Record, looks to be skipping next year after a number of larger vendors cancelled to attend the Alabama Record Collector's Association CD & Record …

The 'Nitty Gritty, Nuts-and-Bolts, Rubber-Hits-the-Road' Side of Climate Change

Atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe delivers the message on climate change with a skill that makes it easy to believe that she is the daughter of missionaries. Her pulpit, though, is …

While Stores Prepare for the Holidays, UMMC Prepares for Ebola

With the holiday season approaching, the Outlets of Mississippi (200 Bass Pro Drive, Pearl) is preparing a number of events to celebrate the season beginning this weekend.

AFA Bearing False Witness Against Businesses?

This past week, the American Family Association put out an "action item" that accuses the "We Don't Discriminate" campaign of being ... discriminatory.

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Gaps in Kids' Dental Coverage a Trouble Spot

No one wants to go to the dentist, but kids need to. A small cavity left to fester can grow into a big health problem. That's why the government made …

Jackson Woman Joins Dem Race for Governor; State Rep Exploring GOP Race

Next week, Velesha P. Williams plans to officially join the race to become the Democratic Party's gubernatorial nominee, she announced in a Nov. 29 press release.

New Hope Black History Month, Mississippi Arboretum Trail, ISH Grill & Bar and Corelle Brands

New Hope Baptist Church will host its eighth annual "Back in the Day" Black History Month celebration every Thursday during February.

Gov't Used Old Info for Monday's Terrorism Scare

NY Tmes reports: "Much of the information that led the authorities to raise the terror alert at several large financial institutions in the New York City and Washington areas was …

The Killen Verdict, Explained

FBI/AP pool photo

"Preacher" Edgar Ray Killen's jury trial has ended; he was convicted of manslaughter in the deaths of the three young men on June 21, 1964. On June 23, 2005, Judge …

EdBuild: New Formula in Hands of Few

Mississippi's new education funding formula is in the hands of a few lawmakers and the statehouse leadership—and what it will look like or how much money will go into the …

Making Ends Meet: Lawmakers Wrestle with Education, Infrastructure and Shrinking Revenue

Education funding dominated headlines throughout 2016, as lawmakers worked to level-fund and not cut the amount of funding that went to the Mississippi Adequate Education Program in previous budget years, …