Jackson Free Press

Dean Does Dixie

Casey Parks interviews Howard Dean, Charles Evers and the head of the Jackson State University Young Democrats about race politics in the South.

JPS Board Stalls on ‘Larkin-Gate' Contract

Members of the Jackson Public School board and City Council are delaying crucial votes in connection with a contract dispute over the school board's $150 million bond.

We Are All Americans

Patriotism is a sincere love or devotion to one's country. Patriotism is a cause for which many lives have been taken. Patriotism is people linking arms at a prayer vigil. …

Diesel Program Cutting Emissions, but Funding to be Slashed

More than 50,000 high-polluting diesel engines have been cleaned up or removed from U.S. roads in a federal program designed to reduce smog and greenhouse gases, according to a new …

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New Orleans Rises Decade After Katrina, but Gaps Remain

As people search for words to describe New Orleans' recovery a decade after Hurricane Katrina, they sometimes use words verging on the Biblical—an economic and cultural resurrection, a rising from …

[Balko] The Subversive Vending Machine

In 1819 the English publisher, bookseller, and radical Richard Carlisle was sentenced to three years in prison for blasphemy and seditious libel. Carlisle's imprisonment was partly due to his publication …

Putting a Price Tag on Voter ID

The debate surrounding voter ID in Mississippi has focused on political and historical arguments, rather than funding. While its proponents have lauded voter ID as essential for preserving the democratic …

Stepping Stones

"I never thought I'd be going to a community college," Josh Raila laments. "I imagined that I would immediately get a bachelor's and a master's and a Ph.D."

Gas Ain't Forever

It's clear from the parking lots around the state capitol that the legislative session is a busy time for the building. During the session, those parking lots, empty for most …

[Drive] Mocked in a Mustang

I have never been in a hardtop Mustang that was made after 1972. But I have seen them around and wondered about them. So, I was determined a few weeks …

Small Businesses Trying to Limit Budget Cut Damage

Ryan Lemire's company isn't waiting to see if federal budget cuts are going to hurt the software and high-tech consulting business. It's finding new customers.

U.S. Economy Hamstrung by Washington's Brinksmanship

Three budget crises ago, in early 2011, Republicans and President Barack Obama faced off over raising the debt ceiling—and Alison Brown saw the writing on the wall.

Nissan, Cafe, Caterpillar, Mississippi Works

To celebrate its 10 successful years in Mississippi, Nissan Motor Company announced that it is moving production of its Murano crossover vehicles from Kyushu, Japan, to the facility in Canton …

Health Exchanges Slow to Attract Young, Healthy

Fears that health insurance exchanges wouldn't attract the young, healthy people needed to make them financially viable are being heightened by the early results of signups in several states.

Consumers With Serious Medical Problems Need To Carefully Assess Total Plan Costs

One of the health care overhaul's most far-reaching provisions prohibits health plans from refusing to cover people who are sick or charging them higher premiums. Still, for people with serious …

The Bush-Delay-Barbour Friends That Ate Iraq

Can’t Get Enough

By this time next week--barring Gov. Phil Bryant calling for a special session--the 2013 legislative will be over.

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Post Office Backpedals on Eliminating Saturday Delivery

The financially beleaguered Postal Service conceded Wednesday that its gamble to compel congressional approval had failed.

The ‘Local' Lie

The International Council of Shopping Centers is pouring millions of dollars into television ads urging people to "Shop Local"—at their nearest mall.

JC Penney Looks to Old CEO to Secure its Future

J.C. Penney is hoping its former CEO can revive the retailer after a risky turnaround strategy backfired and led to massive losses and steep sales declines.